Business Growth Lab

As entrepreneurs, we love to hack things - find the easy way, the fast way, and the pathway of least resistance. 

We normally focus on business processes, systems, and outcomes.

But have you ever tried to hack your human?

In this episode, I chat with Alexandra Laws, Peak Performance coach to elite athletes, on how you can hack your human to unlock your unique human code and release your own inner champion. Alex has decoded the strategies she used with professional athletes to achieve world class status and has now applied them to leaders and entrepreneurs so that you can achieve radical shifts in daily capacity, stamina and contribution to grow your business. 

Hacking your human means, having energy left over after meeting your mental, physical and emotional demands of the day. This way, you are able to make decisions faster and pivot in order to be resilient in your business and in life.

Challenge yourself to be a different operating human every day by hacking your human.

WHAT YOU’LL DISCOVER IN THIS EPISODE:

• Hacking your human (1:20)
• We are our business (2:01)
• Thinking outside of the box (3:40)
• Assessment tools (6:33)
• Hack your human instead of your human hacking you (7:03)
• POOP Acronym (8:00)
• Getting uncomfortable and find your inner champion (9:03)
• Realizing the benefits of breaking through your comfort zone (13:25)
• Uncomfortable = resilience (14:12)
• Hyper synchronicity (15:30)
• Being quick to pivot (16:37)
• Building your neural reserve (19:15)
• Looking at challenges with gratitude (20:40)
• Having a performance routine everyday (21:50)
• Building routines throughout the day (22:47)
• Getting control of your mind (25:10)
• REM sleep (27:10)
• Sleep is the number one mechanism to hack (27:42)

For full show notes and links visit:  https://samanthariley.global/podcast/237

Why did you start your business? What is the purpose of your business?

By knowing your purpose for starting and growing your business, you can create a more sustainable one that you will enjoy for years to come.

In this episode, I am joined by Lydia Lee as we delve into the importance of  building a meaningful business that’s intentionally designed from your strengths, values, and personality. 

When your business is in alignment with your choices, values and strengths, you can show up as your best self for your clients and your business and live the lifestyle you truly desire.

WHAT YOU’LL DISCOVER IN THIS EPISODE:

• Build a business you want to keep (2:18)
• Identify how your business aligns with your lifestyle choices (2:49)
• Getting clarity on what you can do (3:20)
• The more focused you are the more you can attract clients (4:16)
• The sweet spot (5:00)
• Deep interest is part of longevity (5:47)
• Impact of your work (6:19)
• How do you know what type of business to start? (8:14)
• Every breakdown, you can choose to have a breakthrough (10:47)
• There’s no success story that goes straight from A to B (12:43)
• Hustle mentality (13:45)
• Causing a disservice to yourself and your clients by burning yourself out (14:05)
• Finding balance when starting your business (15:10)
• Know where you are over committing and where you are under committing (16:55)
• What is enough for the life you want? (19:20)
• Work smarter, not harder. (19:40)
• Building a team for your business (24:02)
• Understand what is causing you pain or anxiety in your business (26:00)
• Commit to one thing really well (29:05)

For full show notes and links visit: https://samanthariley.global/podcast/236

As a business owner, it’s important to look at your business holistically so you see the bigger picture. However, there are some parts of the business puzzle that are often overlooked. One of these is focus.

In a day filled with so many tasks, how do you take the next step forward? What do you do when you’re overwhelmed by so many things and your inner drive for perfection freezes you in one spot? How do you even begin to know what you don’t know?

In this episode, award-winning business and marketing coach Shannon Stone discusses the importance of focus in starting and expanding a business. She gives valuable tips on how to know which task to focus on, evaluate what works and what doesn’t, and what to do when you’re stuck in fancy procrastination mode.

WHAT YOU’LL DISCOVER IN THIS EPISODE:

• You need to understand why you are implementing a strategy (02:56)
• The number one block that prevents business growth: inability to know what to focus on (04:41)
• Start with the symptoms and dissecting the individual components (06:40)
• Have a conversation with an expert (08:40)
• Focus on the next step forward (10:05)
• Continuously question the things that come up for you (11:29)
• Work through the overwhelm and the drive for perfection (13:06)
• Pushing against the comfort zone vs staying in it (14:11)
• Reflect on great and low points and what contributed to these events happening (16:02)
• Tips to know what works and what doesn’t (19:23)
• Find the balance between the big vision and how to make it happen (21:30)
• Importance of regular progress meetings to check up on “fancy procrastination” (24:08)
• Learn when the fancy stuff like websites or CRM are needed and when they’re not (25:27)
• Business can be easier through focus (29:37)

For full show notes and links visit: https://samanthariley.global/podcast/235/ ‎

Whilst the global pandemic has led to many businesses experiencing a downturn, there is good news for some industries, including consultancy. 

As professionals and experts find themselves out of jobs, there’s been an upward trend of these specialists turning to consultancy and offering their expertise to organisations.

However, knowledge and speciality are not enough to build and sustain a consultancy business. 

In this episode consultancy expert Michael Zipursky shares the steps and formulas to build, sustain and expand a consultancy business. 

WHAT YOU’LL DISCOVER IN THIS EPISODE:

• Trends in consultancy during 2020 (02:50)
• Don’t start with marketing; start with ideal client clarity using a niche scoring method (07:25)
• The three-part formula to develop your magnetic message (09:39)
• Apply your message to all your chosen platforms and materials (11:43)
• Reach out to your ideal client and add value to their lives instead of focusing on the sale (12:24)
• Consistent follow-ups win (14:10)
• Adjust your mindset from sales to long-term value-based relationships (16:34)
• Strategy vs Tactics (20:42)
• We all have a tremendous potential to take action (27:40)

For full show notes and links visit: https://samanthariley.global/podcast/234/

Knowing the deeper “why” of your business provides the foundation on which to build everything else. 

There has to be a higher reason for your business aside from just making a profit. Having a clear and compelling brand purpose serves as your guiding star for all the decisions you make in your business -  from the clients you attract, to the team members you bring on.

Join us in this episode as we unpack the importance of brand purpose to drive your business forward. 

Purpose-driven companies outperform their competitors because they have a solid foundation for every action they do in the business. 

What is your reason for being besides making money?

WHAT YOU’LL DISCOVER IN THIS EPISODE:

• What is a brand? (3:19)
• Managing your day-to-day work (4:09)
• Thinking in silos (5:10)
• Understanding your brand (5:25)
• Your brand is how others think of you (6:00)
• What is the importance of building a consistent brand? (7:40)
• Know, Like, Trust (7:55)
• Delivering the solution to your client’s problems (8:25)
• Revisiting your vision and mission to get more clarity (9:13)
• Bringing in the right team members (10:28)
• Unpacking the brand (12:10)
• What is your brand promise? (12:17)
• Difference of a vision and mission for your business (14:23)
• Brand purpose (15:30)
• Attracting an ideal client (21:31)

For full show notes and links visit: https://samanthariley.global/podcast/233/

232: Marketing with Heart vs. Marketing with Hype with Cindy Schulson

When it comes to marketing, a lot of people think that it’s all about creating hype around a product or service so customers will buy. 

Marketing expert Cindy Schulson emphatically states that this is not true. Marketing is all about sending out a message. 

Today’s world is so noisy that hype often overshadows the message. So, how do you make sure that your message is effectively received by your target audience?

In this episode, Cindy shares her formula on how to put your heart and mind into your message so it will stand out among the billions of messages marketed to people each day. She emphasises the importance of getting clarity, a focused niche and the art of connecting different messaging platforms to attract your ideal client. 

WHAT YOU’LL DISCOVER IN THIS EPISODE:

• What marketing is - and what it isn’t (01:07)
• Cindy’s work criteria for “smartypants” (02:23)
• Taking a stand against the hype (04:07)
• The evolution of the Magnetic Message Formula (07:17)
• 5 Messaging Platforms (08:31)
• Get clarity to create a captivating message (08:53)
• Don’t niche hop (10:06)
• Put your heart and mind into your message to make it unique (11:19)
• People are attracted to different experts, so it’s okay to leave some people out (14:54)
• Picture your niche as a nest that will give birth to and nurture something wonderful (16:31)
• Tip to turn hype into trust (17:38)
• How to balance learning and implementing (19:04)
• A bold promise still needs to be realistic (22:20)
• Be authentic about your promises and the different possible results (24:19)
• Be open to the different perspectives of your clients (25:49)
• The art of connecting the different messaging platforms (28:16)

For full show notes and links visit: https://samanthariley.global/podcast/232/

As the visionary of your company, you need to set up your systems so you can scale your business.

In this episode, SYSTEMology founder, David Jenyns discusses the importance of and misconceptions about business systems. 

He shares the 7 stages of his SYSTEMology process, the steps to complete the Critical Client Flow exercise, and several tips and resources to help business owners start, change and upgrade their systems to gain more profit and clients in the coming years.

WHAT YOU’LL DISCOVER IN THIS EPISODE:

• David’s work and how it optimises his clients’ systems and processes (01:19)
• The importance of systemising an owner from the daily operations of a business (03:13)
• Misconceptions about systems and processes and how to overcome them (05:35)
• Where do you start? (08:24)
• The Critical Client Flow (09:44)
• Systemise how you make money (12:02)
• Start with what you are doing, not with what you want to do (13:30)
• Get out of the ‘Rollercoaster Income’ (15:20)
• Allan Dib’s marketing systems (15:57)
• The 7 Stages of the SYSTEMology Process (18:25)
• Who records and stays on top of the systems? (23:30)
• “You don’t have to be a systems person to own a systemised business” (28:30)
• As a visionary, level up your systems to solve higher quality problems (30:40)
• Now is the perfect time to change your systems (33:06)
• The art and science of building a business through SYSTEMology (34:38)

For full show notes and links visit: https://samanthariley.global/podcast/231/

There may be many things standing between you and a million dollar business, including your mindset and understanding exactly what needs to be done to be able to scale. 

You may have a product or service that gets great results. 

You may be great at marketing and sales. 

But you still can’t get the results you want. So what do you do?

In this episode, Samantha talks with Breanne Dyck, co-founder of The Visionary CEO Academy, on how to use the right moves to scale your business. 

They discuss how you keep the personal touch as you scale and how you tap into the zone of genius of your team... even if you think you’re the best at doing a job.

They also geek out about kittens, coffee, martial arts, and Hamilton.  Because business should also be fun… :)

WHAT YOU’LL DISCOVER IN THIS EPISODE:

• Keep the personal touch despite being in an online space (04:01)
• 2 different messages on how to scale a business (04:52)
• When you feel something is wrong with your business (07:09)
• What to do when you’ve learned all the moves but still can’t scale (08:20)
• Ask the question underneath the move (10:21)
• How to get answers to the deeper questions (12:06)
• The value exchange: value to the business, value to the client (15:09)
• What to give to your team (16:37)
• Your team could do something better than you (17:45)
• Imagine you have a billion dollar business (19:09)
• Tap into the zone of genius of your team members and receive multiple benefits (20:48)
• Your ability to solve problems may be holding you back from scaling (22:19)
• What if it’s true that you’re the best person to do a job? (24:52)
• Hamilton as an analogy about being the best person for a job (27:27)
• Imagine you have the option and opportunity to do a job (30:30)
• How to keep the personal touch while scaling your business (33:00)
• Personal touch doesn’t necessarily mean your personal touch (34:29)
• Delegation is a deception (35:40)

For full show notes and links visit: https://samanthariley.global/podcast/230/

Isaac Newton said it perfectly, “If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of Giants”.

This simply means, building on the knowledge and success made by others in order to help with your own growth and success.

When it comes to business success, there is no one single formula. Which makes it difficult to boil everything down to a short list of boxes that you have to tick to become successful in business.

In this episode, we delve into the traits for business success that we have learned through our own experiences. We discuss the traits we have observed successful entrepreneurs have and the way they conduct themselves in their businesses.

Finding success in entrepreneurship is no easy task, but focusing on taking imperfect action will move the needle for your business. And remember, building a successful business is not a sprint, but a marathon.

WHAT YOU’LL DISCOVER IN THIS EPISODE:

• Longevity, tenacity, grit and resilience (1:46)
• How do you wow people to build relationships? (3:50)
• Not being afraid to invest in relationships (5:16)
• Understanding the power of people (5:40)
• Without people you don’t have customers (5:50)
• Surrounding yourself with the right people (6:27)
• The value of networking (7:24)
• Prioritizing your time (7:59)
• Business growth comes in small bites (9:50)
• Focusing on one thing per week (10:03)
• Deepening business relationships (11:03)
• Working on your business vs working in your business (12:50)
• Taking action (14:00)
• Taking imperfect action (14:17)
• There is nothing perfect for everyone (15:40)
• Perfectionism vs procrastination (16:00)
• How long should you block out working on your business (16:30)
• Asking for feedback and ideas (19:36)
• Successful people know that they can’t do it alone (20:11)
• Don’t be afraid to be vulnerable (21:20)

For full show notes and links visit:  https://samanthariley.global/podcast/229

Speaking at events, conferences or webinars is a great way to build your profile, your credibility, and position yourself as the expert in your field. 

The global pandemic has opened up more online speaking engagements and has made it even more accessible for business owners to speak at different online events.

Speaking is one of the best ways to share your expertise. It is also a muscle that continually needs to be strengthened. 

In this episode, Laurie-Ann Murabito shares the  importance of using speaking engagements as a way to build the know-like-trust factor with your audience, and the opportunities available to you as an expert.

Gaining speaking opportunities is a great way to increase your business’ exposure.  But for those who are just starting out, remember that everyone has a day one and the only way you can get better is to go out and start practicing and flexing that muscle. 

WHAT YOU’LL DISCOVER IN THIS EPISODE:

• Definition of speaking (6:58)
• There are no boundaries for speaking engagements (8:05)
• How COVID has changed the way we do business (8:30)
• The shift to virtual events and meetings (9:00)
• Speaking is one of the best ways to share our expertise (10:25)
• Speaking is a muscle to be strengthened (12:10)
• Everyone has a day one (13:06)
• Importance of business owners to be out speaking (13:39)
• Know, like and trust factor (13:54)
• Everyone has a speech inside of them (14:00)
• How to hook your audience (14:50)
• Your first line of your talk is the same as a sales page (15:20)
• Have a point, supporting data, and Q&A (16:14)
• Having an impactful end of your presentation (17:10)
• Ending in your own words (18:08)
• Show your personality online (19:49)
• Showing up in a raw and authentic way (22:25)
• Talking about what you are passionate about (22:48)
• Making sure people know what you do (23:25)
• Getting clarity around your specific expertise (24:47)
• Experience, Enthusiasm, Market Demand (25:29)
• It’s about changing the wording (25:47)

For full show notes and links visit:  https://samanthariley.global/podcast/228/