Social media can be an overwhelming undertaking for small businesses and entrepreneurs. This week, Brent sits down with publicist Cynthia Smoot. She points you in the right direction on where to start and warns of hiccups you may encounter in your online journey.

Social Media Tips Covered

• First, Cynthia talks about branding for small businesses.
• For example, what would effective branding look like for a restaurant?
• Second, how Facebook changed the marketing game.
• Third, selecting what platforms fit your business.
• Fourth, why Facebook is a great first platform.
• Fifth, what is the difference between your purchaser and your customer?
• Sixth, how to use hashtags on various platforms.
• Seventh, how hashtags create communities.
• Eighth, how to narrow down your hashtag audience.
• Ninth, how to use these platforms for advertising.
• Moreover, how to monitor the return on investment for social media ads.
• Tenth, how to use social media to boost customer service.
• In addition, the current trend: video.
• Then, common mistakes that businesses make in social media.
• Finally, when is it time to outsource?

Your Next Great Listen

If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like:

• Confessions of a Small Business Owner. In this episode, Walter Boyd shares some of his big missteps so that other business owners can avoid the same mistakes.
• Growing Small. In this episode, Dave Borski shares how he used the knowledge gained from working for a big company to start his own small business.
• Business Tenacity. In this episode, Kathy Fielder shares what it takes to pivot a business in amid COVID including her personal story of changing your focus from home furnishings to PPE in just 3 weeks.

Advanced presentation skills begin with telling a great story. Whether you are selling a service, product, or yourself, stories help people connect with the presenter. In this episode, a professional storyteller and nonprofit business owner shares pointers on what makes a great story and how everyone (even you!) can be a great storyteller.

Presentation Skills Learned

• First, what is the definition of a story?
• Second, what are the parts of a story?
• Third, how are stories used in advertising?
• Fourth, how corporate presentations are stories in disguise.
• Fifth, how to use stories as anchor points in a presentation.
• Sixth, the three types of presentations: updates, inspiration, and advertising.
• Seventh, defining the story elements within your presentation.
• Eighth, defining the problem statement.
• Ninth, using memory lists.
• Tenth, where to start on your storytelling journey.

Your Next Great Listen

If you liked this episode, you may also like Shawn's first interview on the Business Minutia Podcast, Why Storytelling is Important in Business.

Other Resources

In this episode, Shawn Small recommended three resources for those who want to improve their presentation skills:

• First, The Moth podcast. This is a podcast of storytellers from novice to expert.
• Second, Storyworthy by Matthew Dicks. In this book, a five-time Moth GrandSLAM winner shows how to tell a great story — and why doing so matters.
• Third, The Power of Moments by Chip Heath and Dan Heath. This book explores why certain brief experiences can jolt us, elevate us, and change us—and how we can learn to create such extraordinary moments in our life and work.

 

In this episode of the Business Minutia Podcast, Brent Richardson shares tips on how to give negative feedback in a constructive manner. Following this blueprint can make an uncomfortable situation much more productive for both the reviewer and the reviewee.

Negative Feedback Tips Discussed

• First, value the person both as a person and in their role.
• More specifically, separate style difference from an actual problem.
• Second, how to get your mind right before giving negative feedback.
• For example, Jamie’s experience editing friends’ writing.
• Third, focus on facts, data, and results.
• More specifically, keep it on the “what” and not on the “who.”
• Ask yourself, if someone were to overhear this conversation, would they align with you?
• Fourth, the closer to real-time feedback, the better.
• More specifically, how real-time feedback can be handled while people work from home.
• Fifth, have the person review himself.
• Sixth, write out your talking points.
• Seventh, preparing with possible responses: silence, anger, and tears.
• Moreover, how can managers deal with having to give negative feedback or laying people off.
• Eighth, documentation is essential.
• Finally, celebrate with people.

Your Next Great Listen

If you liked this episode, check out Pursuing Feedback with Rodney Miranda and Brent's tips on Performance Reviews.

Brent shares his key self-awareness takeaways from the first 20 episodes of the Business Minutia Podcast. This includes how this podcast set the stage for his own self-awareness journey, what he has learned about himself, and what he'd like to focus on as BMP continues.

Self-Awareness Keys Discussed

• First, Brent discusses how Ken Janke's interview set the stage for the self-awareness journey.
• Second, how Brent learned he is NOT a serial entrepreneur.
• Third, the big takeaway from the Working From Home episode.
• Fourth, what Brent learned from the Storytelling episode.
• Fifth, the shocking revelation from the HR and #Metoo episode.
• Sixth, the takeaways from the Horrible Co-Workers episodes.
• Seventh, the painful discussion with Hubie Payne and what Brent learned about himself.
• Next, how the Performance Review episode became an ah-ha moment for Brent.
• In addition, how the Dallas Forward interview made Brent pivot to a small business focus.
• Finally, how the Enneagram can be used in your self-awareness journey.
• To close the episode, Brent shares two minutia points and a call to action.

Your Next Great Listen

If you are new to the podcast and would like to know more about the host, Brent Richardson, check out Episode 000 for an interview that walks through Brent's background, goals, and core values.

 

Enneagram is a test that helps people define their key motivation and fear so they can be more productive and fulfilled. The 9 personality types have been used for centuries, but have recently made a resurgence. In this episode of BMP, Brent talks with Certified Enneagram Coach and Certified Life Coach Mary Ann Connor to better understand how this test can help people be better leaders and business owners.

Enneagram Discussion Points

• First, Mary Ann defines the difference between this and other personality tests.
• Second, we discuss why self-awareness takes courage.
• Third, Mary Ann shares how knowing your personality number can help in the business world.
• Fourth, she issues two warnings.
• Next, we dive into the Enneagrams and what each type means.
• In addition, Brent shares what his Enneagram number is and how he plans to use this new knowledge moving forward.
• Moreover, Mary Ann talks about the difference between EQ and IQ.
• Finally, Mary Ann shares where to go to get more assistance in understanding what your results mean for you.

Your Next Great Listen

If you liked this episode, you may also like:

• Time Management: A 30-Minute Crash Course
• How Work-Life Balance and Self-Awareness Increase Productivity
• Pursuing Feedback

Business success requires tenacity. Kathy Fielder is a prime example of grit in action. When COVID-19 hit, she knew she could see it through lenses of fear or opportunity. She elected opportunity. In three weeks, Kathy shifted her home decor and fashion businesses from brick and mortar sales to online. Additionally, she navigated international politics to import PPE and became a prime distributor within DFW.

In BMP 019, she shares some of the secrets to her successful pivot.

Business Tenacity Keys Discussed

• First, Kathy shares why small and medium-sized businesses are essential.
• Second, she shares her background as a serial entrepreneur.
• Third, Kathy discusses how COVID-19 initially impacted her businesses.
• Fourth, listeners learn where Kathy's "opportunity mindset" originated.
• Fifth, Kathy gets into the politics of masks.
• Next, she describes the initial pushback on charging for masks.
• Then, Kathy shares her success and background prior to COVID-19.
• In addition, listeners learn how Kathy became an expert in mask certification.
• More specifically, Kathy shares the amazing number of masks she imported and sold.
• Next, Kathy discusses business pivots including online sales.
• Moreover, she shares her thoughts on the future of manufacturing post-COVID-19.
• In addition, Kathy discusses her own vision for the future.
• Finally, Kathy shares her key to building resilience.

Your Next Great Listen

If you liked this episode, you may also like:

• Confession of a Business Owner
• Fletcher's Corny Dogs
• Lessons from a Serial Entrepreneur
• Navigating Career Changes Fearlessly

 

Time management is an essential skill to master whether you are an individual contributor, entrepreneur, or manager. In this episode of the Business Minutia Podcast, Jamie puts Brent on a timer to explain his 5 keys to managing time effectively and productively. Each of the 5 keys is allotted a 5-minute discussion.

Time management topics discussed

• First, Brent and Jamie discuss the thought behind the 30-minute crash course.
• Second, Jamie shares the rules for this episode.
• Third, Brent shares the first time management key: learning to do things you don't want to do.
• Fourth, Brent discusses the second key: breaking tasks down by how long they take and how critical they are.
• Next, the value of taking breaks.
• Then, the third key: managing the next action.
• More specifically, what to manage on a daily basis versus a weekly basis.
• Next, the fourth key: finding your own prime time.
• More specifically, don't let email or your phone interrupt your prime time.
• In addition, allotting time for small tasks.
• Finally, the fifth key: take time to reflect and celebrate.

Your next great listen

If you enjoyed this time management episode, you may also like How Work-Life Balance and Self-Awareness Increase Productivity with Michael Fleming.

Confessions of a Business Owner features iFly GPS programmer Walter Boyd. In this transparent interview, Boyd reveals two lessons he learned about tech traps and investors. His personal experiences may change how other business owners run their organizations.

Confessions of a Business Owner discusses:

• First, Walter shares his background including being self-taught.
• Second, we learn about the Adventure Pilot Website.
• Third, Walter talks about his transition into consulting.
• Fourth, we learn how the market crash of 2008 leads to the formation of iFly.
• Then, Walter talks about his early competition.
• Next, misstep one: missing the boat on the iPhone.
• Then, misstep two: not getting investors.
• Moreover, Walter shares the three areas that separate them from their competition: customer service, ease of use, and price.
• In addition, Walter delves into his first hires as a small business owner.
• Finally, he shares the unique way they are tackling the need for support staff.

Your next great listen

If you liked this episode, you may also like:

• Kelvin Walker's Dallas Forward interview about the impact COVID-19 has had on the Dallas economy.
• Growing Small with Dave Borski.
• Storytelling for Business with Shawn Small.

The pandemic massively disrupted the economy. As a result, Mayor Eric Johnson created an initiative called Dallas Forward. Specifically, it connects small businesses with free resources to help them survive COVID-19. In BMP 016, Brent interviews the initiative's leader, Kelvin Walker. In it, Kelvin shares stats on how bad the situation is in the metroplex, the aid available to small businesses, and what the long-term impact is on all of DFW.

Dallas Forward highlights

• First, Kelvin shares his story.
• Second, Kelvin introduces Brent to what the Dallas Citizens Council is.
• Next, we learn how the pandemic changed the Citizen Council's plan for 2020.
• In addition, Kelvin shares his initial thoughts on the pandemic.
• Then, Kelvin and Brent discuss COVID-19's effect on small businesses.
• Moreover, we learn about the free coaching and resources the initiative offers.
• In addition, Kelvin shares the pivot strategies some small businesses have taken.
• Next, Kelvin breaks down the stats on how the pandemic has impacted the metroplex.
• Finally, we learn how small businesses impact the overall economy.

Your next great listen

If you enjoyed this episode, you may also like Fletcher's Corny Dogs: How the Texas icon is pivoting during COVID-19 with Aaron Fletcher.

Fletcher's Corny Dogs and Big Tex are Texas icons. This year, the State Fair of Texas canceled for only the third time in its history. While customers are frustrated, we recognize that a lot of businesses that rely on Fair funds may suffer. In an effort to help small businesses learn from each other, we reached out to Aaron Fletcher at Fletcher's Corny Dogs to see how they are pivoting to survive COVID-19.

Fletcher's Corny Dogs pivot points

• First, Aaron shares what it was like growing up a Fletcher.
• Second, we learn how Aaron first got involved in the family business.
• Third, Aaron shares how important innovation is to the brand.
• Next, we hear about a failed attempt at a new product.
• In addition, Aaron shares where and when the idea of food trailers started.
• Moreover, Brent and Aaron discuss how other small businesses in DFW are pivoting during COVID-19.
• Finally, Aaron takes us on a culinary tour of DFW including some of his favorite restaurants.

Your next great listen

If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like:

• Starting a Small Business with Brett Boyd
• Growing Small with Dave Borski
• Navigating Career Changes Fearlessly with Ken Janke