High Impact Leaders

In the last episode, I covered a few small business lead generation mistakes that, if you eliminate them, you can increase sales and revenue for your company (even in a recession.) This series is a follow-up to the episode a few weeks ago where I talked about how the recession that everyone has been talking about is already here. And my goal is to show you how you don't have to participate in the recession.

These tips are things you can do to generate new customers -- even in a down economy. I mentioned last week that Mark Cuban once said, "Sales fixes everything." As long as you keep revenue coming into your company, you can survive the recession and be stronger -- and more profitable as the economy recovers.

This week, I'm going to continue the topic of a few big lead-generation mistakes that small business owners make. I'll also give you tips to keep from making these huge lead generation (revenue generation) mistakes. Then, in part three, next week, I'll give you a few of the easiest and most effective ways to generate new customers.

In the last episode, I covered details about how a huge recession (maybe even depression) is not only imminent, but I believe has already started. I even started the episode by talking about how I usually like to be uplifting and positive, but the topic was so heavy that it is difficult, as a small business owner, to keep positive when we are confronting something so negative. 

The good news about all the negative stuff that we covered in the last episode, though, is that if we really are in a huge recession, you don't have to participate. You see, the companies who survive downturns in the economy will come out the other side stronger and with fewer competitors in the marketplace.

So, for the next couple of weeks, I'm going to cover ways to generate new customers -- even in a down economy. Mark Cuban once said that "Sales fixes everything." As long as you keep revenue coming in to your company, you can survive the secession and be stronger -- and more profitable as the economy recovers.

This week, I'm going to cover a few big lead-generation mistakes that small business owners make. I'll also give you tips to keep from making these huge lead generation (revenue generation) mistakes. Then in part three, a couple of weeks from now, I'll give you a few of the easiest and most effective ways to generate new customers.

I usually like to cover topics that are uplifting and positive. But this week, I have to spread the word about something very dier.

If you are a small business owner or know a small business owner, please, please, please forward this episode to as many people as you can.

I'm not trying to be dramatic, but the Department of Labor has just published new rules for overtime payments that are likely to kill most small businesses in less than six months.

If you are not a small business owner but work for one in some type of professional capacity like sales, marketing, design, accounting, engineering, or computer work of some type, your job description and the way that you get paid are likely to change pretty dramatically in the next couple of months if you don't get laid off.

I'm calling this episode The Looming Catastrophe for Small Businesses. And if the DOL gets away with this, that recession that everyone has been warning about for the last year or two is going to hit the US economy like a firestorm by the end of 2024.

Show Notes: Prepare for the Recession in 2024

This week I interview a very fun High Impact Leader, Christian Boucousis who is an ex-fighter pilot who now owns a fantastic team building and speaking company called Afterburner. He is a real-life Top Gun. Just like in the movies, Christian's friends and team members call him by his call sign "Boo."

After spending some time with Boo, I'm not sure if the call sign was created as a funny way to scare the enemy or just because his last name was too hard for his team to pronounce, though. (But then again, with a name like Staneart, who am I to talk, right?)

During the interview, Boo introduces the concept of "moments" that shape our lives and businesses. He explores how seemingly small decisions, akin to sliding doors, can significantly impact our destinies. We also talk about the critical role that these pivotal moments have in overcoming fear, taking risks, and making investments.

He offers insights into creating a strong belief system that guides us to make the right decisions in these crucial moments. Join us for a captivating conversation on the power of influence, purpose, and seizing the right moments.

This was a very fun interview that I think you will really enjoy!

Connect with Boo at https://callmeboo.com/ or https://www.afterburner.com/christian-boo-boucousis/

This is the final episode in our six-part series called Five Steps to Build a Solid Team from the Ground Up. 

So far in the series, we covered steps 1-4 including creating a cohesive vision for your team, building trust, dealing with conflict better, and then, last week, how to build a cooperative team that is synergistic. 

Just to quickly review last week's content, we talked about seven principles to guide your leaders so that you can create a team where the sum is more effective than the parts.

This week, I'm going to cover the final step in building a solid team: creating fantastic leaders at all levels of your organization. Just as an FYI, most executives and managers want to start with this stage. But remember what we covered in episode one of the series—each step is progressive. The later steps will only work as the early steps are implemented effectively.

If, at any stage in the process, your team struggles, you have to back up a step and refocus on the earlier stage. For instance, if you practice the conflict principles that we covered in part three of the series and the team is resistant, back up and build up the trust level first. 

The process only works if all the earlier pieces are in place. Going back to the first analogy I gave you in part one, at this point, we are building the penthouse. But if you have no electricity, plumbing, steel beams, lower levels, foundation, or even a blueprint... well... good luck. 

So, if you haven't listened to the earlier episodes, make sure to stop the episode and listen to the early steps first.

By the way, this episode is brought to you by leadersinstitute.com. For leadership or team-building ideas, please visit our website at www.leadersinstitute.com

If you like the podcast's content, please leave me a review on your podcast app and subscribe to the podcast so your phone automatically downloads each episode.

This is part five of a six-part series called the Five Steps to Build a Solid Team from the Ground Up. 

In the first few episodes, I discussed the importance of having a solid mission and vision for your organization so that everyone is on the same page. Next, we discussed the importance of building solid trust and developing rapport among team members. Last week, we focused on how conflicts, when handled properly, can create breakthroughs in your organization.

This week, I'm going to cover how to build a cooperative team -- basically, I'll show you how to create synergy within your team so that they accomplish more.

So, in this episode, I'll give you seven turnkey principles that will help you build cooperation and teamwork throughout your organization.

This is part four of a six-part series called the Five Steps to Build a Solid Team from the Ground Up. 

Last week, we discussed how important it is to build trust where your team likes and respects each other. This step is the foundation for building a team culture. If your team doesn't trust each other and doesn't trust management, nothing else that we cover will have any value. This is the foundation.

This week, we cover how to deal more effectively with conflicts in the workplace. Early in my career, I taught how to resolve conflicts or even avoid them. However, today, I have a different take on conflict. Over the years, I've realized that conflicts in the workplace are the catalyst that creates breakthroughs. 

So, in this episode, I'll give you seven simple things that you can do to encourage positive conflicts without harming that solid level of trust that we focused on in the last episode

This is part three of a six-part series called the Five Steps to Build a Solid Team from the Ground Up. 

Last week, we covered how important it is to create a shared vision and goals for your team. I explained the difference between a corporate vision statement, a corporate mission statement, and corporate values. Each of these has a specific purpose and, if used properly, will help you and your team make better decisions when growing your business.

What we covered in step one is valuable because it creates the blueprint for your team. It helps them visualize their purpose and determine whether their decisions align with the corporate philosophy.

This week, we cover the second step in the five-step process—building trust and fostering a more cohesive team culture. This step is vital to a healthy corporate culture. If your team doesn't trust each other and doesn't trust management, nothing else that we cover will have any value. This is the foundation.

In this episode, I'll give you seven simple things that you can consistently do for and with your team to build trust within your organization and improve communication.

By the way, this episode is brought to you by leadersinstitute.com. For leadership or team-building ideas, please visit our website at www.leadersinstitute.com

If you like the podcast's content, please leave me a review on your podcast app and subscribe to the podcast so your phone automatically downloads each episode.

This is part 2 of a six-part series called the Five Steps to Build a Solid Team from the Ground Up.

Last week, I gave you an overview of all five steps. If you recall, I mentioned that this five-step process was like building a skyscraper. Everyone wants to visit the Penthouse once the building is completed. But there is a lot of work along the way to make sure the structure is solid. What we covered last week would be similar to the blueprint to building your corporate skyscraper. 

It's always good to have a clear picture of where you want to go before you start a journey. So if you haven't had a chance to listen to last week's episode, it might be a good idea to listen to that episode before jumping into this one.

This week we dive into step one which is about create a shared vision and goals for your team. Going back to our building a skyscraper analogy, this step is like digging a solid foundation. If you try to build a skyscraper but just set it on flat Earth, it will fall over very easily. Your Vision, Mission, and Values are the backhoe digging the foundation of the skyscraper. The deeper you dig, the higher you can build the building.

In this episode, I'll explain the difference between a corporate vision statement, a corporate mission statement, and corporate values. Each has a specific purpose. And, if used properly, each will help you and your team make better decisions when growing your business.

Today, we are starting a new six-part series called the Five Characteristics of Highly Effective Teams. 

Today, I'm going to give an overview of the entire process. Hopefully, as we cover the different steps, you'll see a lot of resemblance to what you are experiencing within your own office. 

Think of this five-step process like building a skyscraper. Everyone wants to visit the Penthouse once the building is completed. But there is a lot of work along the way to make sure the structure is solid.

So, on this episode, I'll give you the blueprint to building your corporate skyscraper. Then, in the next five weeks, we'll go into each step in more detail.

By the way, this episode is brought to you by leadersinstitute.com. For leadership or team-building ideas, please visit our website at www.leadersinstitute.com.