Hema Dey, of Iffel International, discusses the mechanics of an effective marketing program.

Transcript: 

Bill: We asked marketing strategist Hema Dey for some key ideas and strategies for business owners to think about when developing their marketing plan.

Hema: Marketing is like a war game, so you really need to understand the landscape of the people that you want to sell to, and who your competitors are. We always produce a functional marketing plan. Another thesis, which is three months worth of work, but something that you can actually  go out and say, right, roughy, this is your target market, here are your threats, your competitors, and what you’re up against, and really measure what those gaps are to make sure that the sales model, and I know a lot of people see the word “sales” as a big taboo word, but a business cannot survive without sales and if you apply that right across even the professional service sector…if people can actually put a sales organization within their business, then I think they’ve got it right. 

Adrianna Smith and Lana Hout, Provisors members and Brokers at First Choice Business Brokers, specialize in industry-agnostic business sales for transactions under $25M. After meeting at USC, they found themselves continuously applying for the same finance jobs and eventually working at competing firms. They briefly worked at the same firm and ultimately seized the opportunity to start their own branch of First Choice Business Brokers together 6 years ago. Together, Adrianna and Lana help business owners prepare for sales by driving up their business value.

In their interview, we go in-depth about what to expect before and after a sale, as well as how to best prepare. Adrianna and Lana discuss the impact of COVID on buyers and sellers, as well as how to deal with some of the setbacks. They share powerful tips for driving up business value, common mistakes business owners make leading up to a sale, and ways you can become more attractive to buyers. Adrianna and Lana’s information will help you build a much stronger business, whether you plan to sell or not.

• 5:59-7:09: Impacts happening to sellers due to Covid and how they might prove value.

Read the 5-minute summary for this episode and many others at owl.ceo. The OWL (Owner Wisdom Library) turns insights from more than 1,200 Exit Coach Radio interviews into short, practical lessons for business owners on growth, leadership, operations, and exit planning.

Janna Hoiberg discusses tips and ideas for Family businesses. This time, we focus on challenges of preparing the business and family members for leadership transition. 

Read the 5-minute summary for this episode and many others at owl.ceo. The OWL (Owner Wisdom Library) turns insights from more than 1,200 Exit Coach Radio interviews into short, practical lessons for business owners on growth, leadership, operations, and exit planning.

Brian Kinahan is a business coach who helps CEOs and business owners improve business performance and prepare for an eventual sale or generational transfer. His philosophy: run your business like you're going to sell it, even if you're not. 

Read the 5-minute summary for this episode and many others at owl.ceo. The OWL (Owner Wisdom Library) turns insights from more than 1,200 Exit Coach Radio interviews into short, practical lessons for business owners on growth, leadership, operations, and exit planning.

Chuck Blakeman discusses re-evaluating our business structure to maximize efficiency and decision making. 

Read the 5-minute summary for this episode and many others at owl.ceo. The OWL (Owner Wisdom Library) turns insights from more than 1,200 Exit Coach Radio interviews into short, practical lessons for business owners on growth, leadership, operations, and exit planning.

Quick tips from Tom Gledhill.

Transcript:

Bill: What are some of the major buyer types of businesses out there? It’s important to understand the differences, here’s Tom Glehill.

Tom: Buyer types, that I’ve identified and I use, are: you’ve got your strategic buyers and then you’ve got your sophisticated financial buyers, which are basically pegs and small investment groups. And then you’ve got your lifestyle buyers, which basically are people that are buying a job. The bottom of the heap you’ve got your industrial buyers. Now these are people like you and me perhaps, that run a company and you’re looking for something that you can purchase, an asset you can purchase, and pay at a rock bottom price. And when they come knocking on your door, you have to be very careful. Best thing you can do is get professional help at that point in time, so those are the four buyer’s types that I’ve identified. 

Read the 5-minute summary for this episode and many others at owl.ceo. The OWL (Owner Wisdom Library) turns insights from more than 1,200 Exit Coach Radio interviews into short, practical lessons for business owners on growth, leadership, operations, and exit planning.

What does it take to build a company culture that improves performance and lasts through change?

In this episode of Exit Coach Radio, Bill Black talks with Dr. Kenneth Majer, author, speaker, and consultant, about how values-driven leadership can strengthen corporate culture, improve organizational alignment, and help companies outperform their competition.

Ken shares insights from more than 30 years of working with businesses of all sizes on change management, communication, leadership development, and management training. This conversation is especially valuable for business owners, executives, and leadership teams focused on sustainable growth, succession, and long-term enterprise value.

Topics include:

values-driven culture

leadership alignment

change management

organizational performance

business strategy and growth

Learn more about Ken Majer:

Listen for more conversations on leadership, growth, succession, and exit planning through Exit Coach Radio.

Join Bill Black for his weekly humor column at BlackPapers: https://Blackpapers.substack.com

Read the 5-minute summary for this episode and many others at owl.ceo. The OWL (Owner Wisdom Library) turns insights from more than 1,200 Exit Coach Radio interviews into short, practical lessons for business owners on growth, leadership, operations, and exit planning.

Morrie Shechtman is a Chairman of Fifth Wave Leadership, a company that deals the Human Capital Consulting. Today, he will discuss the topic of ending mediocrity in business. 

What is relationship networking, and why does it make such a difference in both business and career success?

In this episode of Exit Coach Radio, Bill Black talks with Michelle Tillis Lederman, author, speaker, communications trainer, executive coach, and CEO of Executive Essentials, about the power of relationship networking and why it matters far beyond simply collecting contacts. Michelle explains how meaningful professional relationships can influence opportunities, trust, collaboration, and long-term results in both business and personal growth.

This conversation explores the difference between transactional networking and relationship-based networking. Michelle shares why real connection matters, how professionals can build stronger relationships with more authenticity, and why communication skills play such an important role in creating lasting value. For business owners, executives, and professionals, this discussion offers practical insight into how relationships can open doors, strengthen leadership, and support better outcomes over time.

The episode is especially useful for leaders who want to grow their influence, improve communication, and build a network that is rooted in trust rather than simple exchange. It is also relevant for entrepreneurs and professionals looking to strengthen business development, referral relationships, and strategic connections.

Topics include:

relationship networking

professional communication

executive coaching

business relationship building

personal and professional growth

Listen for more conversations on leadership, growth, succession, and exit planning through Exit Coach Radio.

Join Bill Black for his weekly humor column at BlackPapers: https://Blackpapers.substack.com

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