Learning from Smart People

Learning from Smart People

By Rob OliverBusinessEntrepreneurship
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Learning from Smart People episodes

  • 154 Stacey Hawthorne: How to Use Polygraph Testing in Your Business

    Stacey Hawthorne talks to Rob Oliver about how to use polygraph testing in your business on this episode of the Learning from Smart People Podcast. A former police detective with 31 years of experience on the job, Stacey is a certified polygraph examiner from Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. She shares how polygraph testing can be used in a variety of ways besides law enforcement. Her story is fascinating. Additionally, we salute her for years of service in keeping our communities safe.

    Here are several of the topics covered in Rob Oliver’s interview with Stacey Hawthorne about how to use polygraph testing in your business:

    · Stacey’s story of how she became a police officer and was promoted to detective

    · Why she specialized in polygraph examination
    · No one can force you to take a polygraph test
    · If someone is not nervous about taking a polygraph exam, that raises a red flag
    · The first part of a polygraph exam is building rapport
    · Before a polygraph exam, the examiner goes over each of the questions with you
    · Polygraph can be used in preemployment screenings
    · It is especially helpful in dealing with security, financial and pharmaceutical employees
    · The key to a polygraph test is to be open and honest
    · You do not need to be a police officer to go to polygraph school
    · A polygraph examiner learns about psychology and physiology
    · The polygraph machine monitors certain bodily functions and charts those
    · There is a period of adjustment to the procedure that occurs beforehand
    · You don’t really feel anything when taking a polygraph exam
    · Polygraph doesn’t just show who’s guilty, it can exonerate people as well
    · The admissibility of polygraph evidence varies from state to state
    · Some states do not classify polygraph as an exact science
    · Screening out candidates who are not a good fit can be very fulfilling
    · Stacey started her business as a side hustle
    · Seeing that polygraph is effective gives her work value

    You can find out more about Stacey Hawthorne and SH Polygraph Services through her website and social media links:

    Website: https://shpolygraphservices.com/

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SHPolygraph-Services-114579509208494/
    Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stacey-hawthorne-067765194/

    Thanks for listening to the Learning from Smart People Podcast! Please Subscribe, leave a comment and follow us on social media:

    Twitter: http://twitter.com/LFSPPodcast

    Instagram: http://instagram.com/LFSPPodcast
    Facebook: http://facebook.com/LFSPPodcast
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lfsppodcast/
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/imroboliver/
    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbWV_LuUad7ZWuE9j5D9v-w

    You can also use the “Contact” page on the “Learning from Smart People” website:

    https://www.learningfromsmartpeople.com

    32 min
  • 153 Lesley Hensell: How to Become an Online Retailer

    Rob Oliver chats with Lesley Hensell about how to become an online retailer in this episode of the Learning from Smart People Podcast. Lesley is the cofounder of Riverbend Consulting, a company that helps sellers on Amazon and other e-commerce platforms. She has years of experience and a great back story about why she decided to do this.

    Welcome to the Thanksgiving episode!

    Here are some of the topics covered as Rob Oliver and Lesley Hensell talk about how to become an online retailer:

    · Lesley’s backstory of why she got into the online retail business

    · The art of retail arbitrage
    · Why it is important to know your numbers (and what numbers to know)
    · An understanding of FBA (fulfillment by Amazon)
    · Check out Matt Sulava’s episode
    · Different options for how to model your online business
    · You can sell items on Amazon even if you have only 1 of them
    · How to set up your business from the beginning
    · Understanding the rules and regulations of Amazon
    · Differences between Amazon selling and eBay selling
    · You can sell used items on Amazon but it has to follow their guidelines
    · The nightmare of writing descriptions for items on eBay
    · Comparing the fee structure of Amazon and eBay
    · Utilizing the fee calculators to have a better understanding of profits
    · Money is made when you buy the item, not when you sell it
    · The importance of understanding the competitive marketplace
    · Looking at the tools of the trade
    · You will not be able to succeed if you don’t know your numbers!
    · The difference between doing FBA and self-fulfillment
    · There are different guidelines for different categories, check them out!
    · Set up your business to fit with your lifestyle
    · Suggestions for where you can get started easily and inexpensively

    You can learn more about Lesley Hensell and Riverbend Consulting through their website and social media links:

    Website: https://riverbendconsulting.com/

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/RiverbendConsul
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RiverbendConsultingLLC/
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/riverbendconsulting/
    Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lesleyhensell/

    Thanks for listening to the Learning from Smart People Podcast! Please Subscribe, leave a comment and follow us on social media:

    Twitter: http://twitter.com/LFSPPodcast

    Instagram: http://instagram.com/LFSPPodcast
    Facebook: http://facebook.com/LFSPPodcast
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lfsppodcast/
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/imroboliver/
    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbWV_LuUad7ZWuE9j5D9v-w

    You can also use the “Contact” page on the “Learning from Smart People” website:

    https://www.learningfromsmartpeople.com

    32 min
  • 152 Scott Ballard: How to Use Your Limitations as Advantages

    Rob Oliver talks with Scott Ballard about how to use your limitations as advantages on this episode of the Learning from Smart People Podcast. Scott’s experience as a child with dyslexia in a world that did not understand him or see to accommodate him gives great insight into the stigma, adversity, putdowns and obstacles that each of us face in our lives. The question is, do we believe the lie or do we see the opportunity and potential successes?

    Here are some of the high points from Rob Oliver and Scott Ballard’s discussion of how to use your limitations as advantages:

    · Scott’s back story of living with dyslexia as a young person

    · The negative messaging that came from his first-grade teacher

    · The fallout of realizing that you are not like the rest of your friends

    · A novel concept: the teacher coming over for dinner at the beginning and ending of the school year

    · What happens when you believe the lie about who you are based on other people’s opinions

    · The great exchange, removing the labels that others apply and choosing the truth

    · Finding the place where the change happens

    · Growth and self-identity come in bits and pieces over time

    · The story of Mr. Bacall and how it changed everything

    · Why the kid who sees things differently gets what others don’t see

    · Everyone has heard the message that they can’t, do this, they won’t succeed, they are less than

    · Encouraging other people is an underutilized superpower!

    · Everyone is good at something, they may not have found the venue that matches their skill set

    · We each need to find our zone of genius

    · A team is formed when everyone is operating in their zone of genius

    · Seeing things differently, not being like everyone else is a good thing!

    · The success of your team depends on having everyone fulfill their role

    · Let go of the negative messages and find someone who believes in you

    · It’s not enough to know that you have genius, you must live it out in the world

    You can learn more about Scott Ballard through his website and the social media links below. Be sure to check out “Fear Fridays” as well.

    Website: https://www.confidencecoach.org/

    Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-ballard-a3250422/

    You can also check out Sea Level Coffee:

    https://www.sealevelbakery.com/

    Thanks for listening to the Learning from Smart People Podcast! Please Subscribe, leave a comment and follow us on social media:

    Twitter: http://twitter.com/LFSPPodcast

    Instagram: http://instagram.com/LFSPPodcast
    Facebook: http://facebook.com/LFSPPodcast
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lfsppodcast/
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/imroboliver/
    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbWV_LuUad7ZWuE9j5D9v-w

    You can also use the “Contact” page on the “Learning from Smart People” website:

    https://www.learningfromsmartpeople.com

    36 min
  • 151 Leisa Reid: How to Get Ready, Get Booked, and Get Selling from Speaking

    Today’s smart person is Leisa Reid who talks about how to get ready, get booked and get selling from speaking. She is a speaker who has personally booked and delivered over 500 presentations. She works with entrepreneurs to show them how to get their message heard so that they can make a massive impact on the people who can benefit from their expertise.

    Here are some of the items that Leisa Reid and Rob Oliver discussed on this episode of the Learning from Smart People Podcast:

    · Leisa’s background as a teacher that led her to become a speaker

    · How teachers show people how to solve their own problems instead of solving problems for them
    · Leisa’s #1 secret for getting more speaking engagements
    · Different ways that speaking can benefit your business
    · Speaking is a fun way to market your business
    · Your message needs to be bigger than your fear!
    · Speaker’s fears can be a form of kryptonite
    · Speaking is a superpower, use it for good!
    · Everyone has been given a gift, when you share it, you raise the consciousness of the people around you.
    · Giving of yourself does not deplete you, it enriches others
    · Follow-up is the unsexy but extremely important key to staying booked
    · Be ready to be ready…
    · There is a lot more to speaking than being on stage
    · You need to be intentional about what your offer is going to be
    · Your energy about your offer is reflected by your audience
    · Creating an offer is not a cookie-cutter process
    · There needs to be clear communication with the organizer about your offer
    · You can plant seeds throughout your entire presentation that relate to your offer
    · Intentionality is the difference between just talking and giving a speech
    · Get your talk ready to rock
    · Now what you talk about and who you talk to
    · Start with the end in view and reverse engineer your presentation

    You can find out more about Leisa Reid on her website and social media. Be sure to download her “5 Top Tips to Get More Speaking Gigs NOW”

    Website: https://getspeakinggigsnow.com

    Facebook: https://getspeakinggigsnow.com/facebook
    Instagram https://getspeakinggigsnow.com/instragram
    Linkedin: https://getspeakinggigsnow.com/linkedin

    Thanks for listening to the Learning from Smart People Podcast! Please Subscribe, leave a comment and follow us on social media:

    Twitter: http://twitter.com/LFSPPodcast

    Instagram: http://instagram.com/LFSPPodcast
    Facebook: http://facebook.com/LFSPPodcast
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lfsppodcast/
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/imroboliver/
    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbWV_LuUad7ZWuE9j5D9v-w

    You can also use the “Contact” page on the “Learning from Smart People” website:

    https://www.learningfromsmartpeople.com

    32 min
  • 150 Wanda Allen: How to Improve Sales Through Follow-up

    In this episode of the Learning from Smart People Podcast, Wanda Allen talked about how to improve sales through follow-up. Rob Oliver asks her about her background and the conversation from their covers this uncomfortable and feared topic. Wanda Allen says that follow-up is one of the major obstacles to more sales.

    Here are a few of the major points from the Rob Oliver’s conversation with Wanda Allen about how to improve sales through follow-up:

    · Wanda’s back story of starting as a banker working with Small Business Administration loans

    · How her job forced her to create systems
    · Her study of the sales process uncovered the importance of follow-up at every stage
    · A layoff opened her up to her next career opportunity as a speaker and trainer
    · System as a concept can mean the same thing as a “daily routine”
    · A customer relationship management software is the heart of the system
    · Reminders in your CRM are your call to action
    · There are a number of options for CRMs, the important thing is to use it!
    · There is a difference between working in your comfort zone and truly being systematized
    · It’s okay to have more than one process, just not too many!
    · Mindset is key in the follow-up process
    · Fear is a huge obstacle to follow-up
    · 80% of sales are made between the 5th and 12th contact
    · Suggestions for what to include in the “Notes” section of your CRM
    · There are multiple ways to stay in touch without being salesy
    · Be careful to understand that you do not know what other people are going to think
    · Only 10% of people make contact more than 3 times
    · 98% of the time, you are going to have to follow-up in order to get the sale!

    You can learn more about Wanda Allen, her speaking, coursework and freebies through her links below:

    Website: https://followupsalesstrategies.com/

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/salesfollowup
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FollowUpSalesStrategies
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/followupsalesstrategies/
    Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wandaallen/

    Thanks for listening to the Learning from Smart People Podcast! Please Subscribe, leave a comment and follow us on social media:

    Twitter: http://twitter.com/LFSPPodcast

    Instagram: http://instagram.com/LFSPPodcast
    Facebook: http://facebook.com/LFSPPodcast
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lfsppodcast/
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/imroboliver/
    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbWV_LuUad7ZWuE9j5D9v-w

    You can also use the “Contact” page on the “Learning from Smart People” website:

    https://www.learningfromsmartpeople.com

    34 min
  • 149 Julie Guest: How to Create a Client Stampede

    On this episode of the Learning from Smart People Podcast, Rob Oliver talks with Julie Guest about how to create a client stampede. Julie is a marketing advisor for companies around the world. She is a regular contributor to media sources such as Forbes, the New York Times and Entrepreneur Magazine. You will hear about how her entrepreneurial journey started when she was in high school. Her book is called “The Client Stampede”.

    Here are some of the topics covered in this conversation between Julie Guest and Rob Oliver about how to create a client stampede:

    · How Julie and her friend started a business in high school that grew to a 20 person operation

    · Why she decided to become a lawyer (and why she decided to move on)
    · The one thing that she did that was most helpful in starting her business
    · Julie’s story of buying a house at the peak of the housing market
    · Why she decided to sell her house on her own and how she did it
    · The only thing that matters is there are opportunities everywhere
    · Marketing creates its own demand
    · The seven steps of the process are the basis of what she does today
    · It is not a complicated process!
    · People can afford to pay for what they value
    · Part of your messaging is to establish value
    · The difference between a marketing engine and marketing fuel
    · A marketing engine is a system
    · Marketing fuel gets used up, a marketing engine has residual value
    · Rob gets to sit in the hot seat
    · The big results come from honing in on your target market
    · Think about additional revenue streams as well

    You can learn more about Julie guest and her book “The Client Stampede” through her website, social media links and her podcast. Be sure to get your client stampede opportunity score on her website.

    Website: http://www.ClientStampede.com

    Website: http://www.bolderlouder.com
    Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-client-stampede-an-unconventional-marketing/id1580763678
    Facebook: www.facebook.com/clientstampede
    Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/julie-guest

    Thanks for listening to the Learning from Smart People Podcast! Please Subscribe, leave a comment and follow us on social media:

    Twitter: http://twitter.com/LFSPPodcast

    Instagram: http://instagram.com/LFSPPodcast
    Facebook: http://facebook.com/LFSPPodcast
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lfsppodcast/
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/imroboliver/
    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbWV_LuUad7ZWuE9j5D9v-w

    You can also use the “Contact” page on the “Learning from Smart People” website:

    https://www.learningfromsmartpeople.com

    37 min
  • 148 Michelle Teague: How to Communicate More Effectively

    Today’s Smart Person is Michelle Teague who talks about how to communicate more effectively during this episode of the Learning from Smart People Podcast with Rob Oliver. She is a speaker and communication expert based in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania.

    Here are some of the key elements of this conversation between Michelle Teague and Rob Oliver on the Learning from Smart People Podcast:

    · Michelle’s back story of coming from academia to corporate to entrepreneurship

    · The problem of promoting people to positions where they flounder
    · A lack of communication and a lack of awareness of different communication styles causes conflict
    · The difference between a salesperson and a sales manager
    · Good communication skills are vital to being a good leader
    · The importance of understanding expressive and receptive communication
    · Why telling someone something is different than them hearing what you said
    · Tips for making sure that you are heard
    · Leadership is not necessarily telling people exactly what to do, it’s empowering them
    · Most careers have a variety of ways of getting things done
    · Not everybody is like you but that’s okay
    · The platinum role: treat others as they would like to be treated
    · Encouraging creativity creates a better variety of solutions
    · Tools that can help facilitate communication and improve leadership
    · The 4 styles of the DISC Assessment Tool
    · It is important to have all 4 elements represented in your team
    · Why utilizing a paid version of the assessment tool might be a better idea
    · The interaction between each of the styles is different
    · Texting is difficult because you lose the context

    You can learn more about Michelle Teague and A Teague of Your Own through her website and social media:

    Website: https://ateagueofyourown.com/

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TeagueOfYourOwn
    Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a-teague-of-your-own/

    Thanks for listening to the Learning from Smart People Podcast! Please Subscribe, leave a comment and follow us on social media:

    Twitter: http://twitter.com/LFSPPodcast

    Instagram: http://instagram.com/LFSPPodcast
    Facebook: http://facebook.com/LFSPPodcast
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lfsppodcast/
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/imroboliver/
    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbWV_LuUad7ZWuE9j5D9v-w

    You can also use the “Contact” page on the “Learning from Smart People” website:

    https://www.learningfromsmartpeople.com

    33 min
  • 147 Jen Thornton: How to Leverage the Neuroscience of the Brain

    Today we learn about how to leverage the neuroscience of the brain with consultant and speaker Jen Thornton. She is the owner of 304 Coaching which helps leaders build strategies that lead to exponential growth. Based in Texas, she shares an interesting viewpoint and some practical guidelines for dealing with the neuroscience of fear during her interview with Rob Oliver on this episode of the Learning from Smart People Podcast.

    Here are several of the points that emerged during the conversation between Jen Thornton and Rob Oliver on the Learning from Smart People Podcast:

    · The back story of how Jen got to be where she is today

    · Approaching leadership by looking at how do we lead to ensure that we are delivering business results
    · Leadership training is expensive but it pays off if it’s done correctly
    · Measuring the ROI on leadership training
    · Exploring the feelings of launching your entrepreneurial journey
    · Defining the neuroscience of fear
    · Our brain is built to protect us, to keep us alive
    · Fear is just a chemical reaction
    · That chemical reaction impacts our ability to reason
    · Conceptualizing the Fear Cycle
    · We are the ones who decide how we feel about a situation
    · Interpreting things through a fear mindset
    · Your brain uses all of its experiences to predict what is going to happen
    · The connection between the psychological and the physical
    · Asking yourself, “What else could be true?”
    · Understanding how your brain affects your quality of life
    · Our understanding of the brain has truly grown in the last 25 years
    · Everyone has a unique mind map
    · The functions of the brain are similar between humans
    · Changing your mindset to, “What can go right?” (What is the best case scenario?)
    · Considering a trickle down fear mindset
    · Handling the fallout when things don’t go as you would like

    You can learn more about Jen Thornton through her website or on LinkedIn:

    Website: https://304coaching.com/

    Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferrthornton/

    Thanks for listening to the Learning from Smart People Podcast! Please Subscribe, leave a comment and follow us on social media:

    Twitter: http://twitter.com/LFSPPodcast

    Instagram: http://instagram.com/LFSPPodcast
    Facebook: http://facebook.com/LFSPPodcast
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lfsppodcast/
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/imroboliver/
    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbWV_LuUad7ZWuE9j5D9v-w

    You can also use the “Contact” page on the “Learning from Smart People” website:

    https://www.learningfromsmartpeople.com

    32 min
  • 146 Angie: How to Start and Grow Your Own Podcast

    Angie (with only one name) joined Rob Oliver to talk about how to start and grow your own podcast on the Learning from Smart People Podcast. Originally from Belgium, she now lives in the UK. She is both a podcast host and a mentor to aspiring podcasters. She provides practical strategies as well as affordable suggestions for equipment.

    Here are a few of the highlights to listen for in this conversation between Angie and Rob Oliver on the Learning from Smart People Podcast:

    · How Angie decided to have her own podcast (and how she named it)

    · Everything we go through is an opportunity to expand our knowledge
    · The first step to getting guests on your podcast
    · Handling the doubts about what you can accomplish
    · The concept of over share hangover
    · Defining the line for what you are willing to share what you are not willing to share
    · Hearing about others struggles creates a relationship
    · The power of just being yourself on your podcast
    · You know need to be perfect, you just need to start
    · Getting the right equipment at the right price
    · Knowing how to use the equipment is more important than the equipment
    · You may already have some of the equipment
    · How many episodes you should record before you start
    · Utilizing free software for your podcast
    · Remember to record on separate tracks!
    · The main filter to consider when you’re thinking of starting a podcast
    · You don’t have to be everywhere, choose wisely!
    · A few marks of a good podcast host
    · Listening is one of the most important tools
    · The art of generating new content
    · What are people coming to you for? What questions are they asking you?

    You can find out more about Angie, her podcast and her services through her website and social media:

    Website: https://www.learnpodcasting.online/

    Website: https://www.angie-s.com
    Twitter: https://twitter.com/TooOld4thisSht
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beingangie111/
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/toooldforthisshitpodcast/
    Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beingangie/

    Thanks for listening to the Learning from Smart People Podcast! Please Subscribe, leave a comment and follow us on social media:

    Twitter: http://twitter.com/LFSPPodcast

    Instagram: http://instagram.com/LFSPPodcast
    Facebook: http://facebook.com/LFSPPodcast
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lfsppodcast/
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/imroboliver/
    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbWV_LuUad7ZWuE9j5D9v-w

    You can also use the “Contact” page on the “Learning from Smart People” website:

    https://www.learningfromsmartpeople.com

    34 min
  • 145 Nancy Giere: How to Improve Your Business Through Online Learning

    On this episode of the Learning from Smart People Podcast, Rob Oliver talks to Nancy Giere about how to improve your business through online learning. Nancy shows how online learning is effective for lead generation, employee retention and performance improvement. Her insights into online learning are simple, practical and profound!

    Here are a few points to listen for in this conversation between Nancy Giere and Rob Oliver on the Learning from Smart People Podcast:

    • The good old days of floppy disks and ASCII images
    • The powerful tools that are readily accessible and available today for online training
    • The steps of developing an online course
    • Why the introduction is the last thing you should write
    • The primary question of all educational activities – What transformation will take place during this course?
    • The Harrison Ford story
    • Structuring your online course to get your learners to where they need to be
    • Assessing the platform that you use to host your training
    • Using online learning for lead generation
    • Nurturing doesn’t just bring you leads, it builds customer relationships
    • A quick case study in lead generation
    • Looking at the different types of Learning Management Systems
    • Different platforms that can be used
    • Looking at the differences between the platforms
    • Assessing the feasibility of your course concept
    • Finding out what your customers actually want
    • Properly pricing your online course offering
    • Finding add on services to upsell your customers
    • Calculating the amount of time it’s going to take you
    • The value of repurposing material

      • You can find out more about Nancy Giere through her website, social media or go old school and call her. Take advantage of her free e-book offer.

      Website:  https://nancygiere.com/

      Phone: 414-315-9809
      Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nancy.giere
      LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancygiere/
      Free E-book: https://nancy-giere.newzenler.com/f/easy-steps-to-create-training-that-sells

      Here are the names of the various platforms that Nancy mentioned:

      New Zenler

      Kajabi
      Kartra
      Thinkific
      Teachable

      Thanks for listening to the Learning from Smart People Podcast! 

      Twitter: http://twitter.com/LFSPPodcast

      Instagram: http://instagram.com/LFSPPodcast
      Facebook: http://facebook.com/LFSPPodcast
      LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lfsppodcast/
      LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/imroboliver/
      YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbWV_LuUad7ZWuE9j5D9v-w

      33 min

    About Learning from Smart People

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    It's impossible to be an expert on everything. Learning from the experts helps us gain an understanding of how to be better at the tasks we undertake. On "Learning from Smart People" you'll gather…