Technology, social media, phone apps, Alexa, Siri, Go Google, Artificial Intelligence, there is so much coming at us.  When it comes to our business…what do we do?  Which one or ones do we choose?  If any? What is going to give our business the competitive edge?  How much is going to cost?  What can I afford?  What is really going to make a difference?  The questions are endless.  And it may leave you feeling overwhelmed, helpless, hopeless and over matched.  What is the answer as we enter into the next decade?  We are so focused on technology in today’s world we have perhaps overlooked Occam’s Razor.  That is the most simplest answer sits right before us.  Not that it is easy, but it is staring us right in the face.  You feel it, I feel it, your customer wants it.  What is it?  A real relationship.

In this episode of A New Direction Best Selling Author John R. DiJulius opens our eyes to the research and examples of the one thing that will compete and overcome any technology.  The quality and depth of our relationships with our past, current, and future customers.  The fact is there is no app to develop a relationship.  Alexa doesn’t really care about your family, occupation, your recreational joys, or your hopes and dreams.  Only people can do that.  As John DiJulius explains in his outstanding book “The Relationship Economy:  Building Stronger Customer Connections in the Digital Age”  people want to be in relationships, but not temporary ones, not ones with the idea of gathering business, but ones that are real, genuine, authentic and meaningful.

As technology has increased and surrounds us the very thing that will separate your business from every other will be how well you can truly make your customer “feel” special.  And “The Relationship Economy” and John DiJulius takes a microscopic and example filled approach to helping you make your business a difference maker with people.  Here is a really simple question:  Are you a business that people love?  Sounds awkward when you ask it, but think about the businesses you truly love.  They are the ones you are loyal to, the ones that you keep going back to, the ones that make you feel special, important, provide value, and the one try to convince your friends to use.  If your were the kind of business that people loved…what would that do for your bottom line?  That is the Relationship Economy and how it will change your business.  Thank you for listening to the show, and please share it with your friends.  Also, I would love to hear from you about the show you can always reach me at [email protected].

Please thank our sponsors.  I really mean that.  They are responsible for helping bring these amazing authors to you on A New Direction.

EPIC Physical Therapy.  Whether you just need some guidance to get in better shape, you have an injury or recent surgery, or you are an elite athlete getting yourself back into the game, the certified experts coupled with the latest start of the art equipment will help you get you where you want to be.  EPIC relief.  EPIC recovery.  EPIC results.  That is EPIC Physical Therapy.  Head on over to www.EPICpt.com and learn more!

and

Linda Craft & Team, REALTORS, for 35 years they have helped thousands of people all over the world when it comes to buying and selling real estate.  Completely locally owned and unaffiliated Linda and her expert team can help you find the best expert in real estate regardless of what company they work for.  Just one more reason why for 35 years they have been known as the “legends of customer service”.  Give them a call!  Click on over to www.LindaCraft.com

OH and don’t forget you can listen to replays of the show every Thursday at 4pm and Sundays 10 pm EDT on the OAK 93.5 FM.  So if live in the Greater Raleigh area take a listen and let the station know that you heard A New Direction on the OAK 93.5 FM.  Thank you so much!  www.OAK93.5.org

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Stories are powerful.  They improve our learning.  They help us to understand and remember things and events we may not ordinarily not remember.  Stories affect our brain chemistry, they manufacture emotions that help us relate not only to the parts of the story, but also to the person telling the story.

Matthew Luhn joins A New Direction with his latest book The Best Story Wins: How to Leverage Hollywood Storytelling in Business and Beyond.   

Matthew is known for being the youngest animator for the ever popular Simpson’s TV show.  He also was part of the beginning of Pixar and helped developed the stories for Toy Story movies, Finding Nemo, Monsters University, Cars, and more!  In this episode of A New Direction Matthew walks us through how creating a story can transform your business and you.

Matthew even shares a personal story of how he was able to use a story to leverage keeping the family toy store in a prime location in San Francisco.  The Best Story Wins is a great read, not long but as Matt describes it contains all “the nuts and bolts” you need to create a great story, develop characters, defeat your villains and create your own heroes!  Matthew and I even discuss how authentic story telling can lead to trust in your business.  You don’t want to miss it!

Thank you to our sponsors Enlign Business Brokers and Advisors, known through the world as the leading experts in helping you sell your business find out why literally thousands of people have used Enlign Business Brokers and Advisors to sell their business or buy one.  Learn more by going to www.ENLIGN.com

Thank you to Linda Craft & Team, REALTORS  located in the greater Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, Research Triangle Park Area, they can help you find the best real estate expert anywhere in the world to help you sell or buy your next home.  Discover why they are know for their Legendary Customer Service by going to www.LindaCraft.com.

This week’s t-shirt shout out goes to The Stockyard Cafe.  Located at 636 East 1st Street in Wahoo, Nebraska.  The Stockyard Cafe is know for their great breakfasts, interesting conversations and a great cup of coffee.  If you are any where near the area, it is a must stop to get yourself an old fashioned delicious country breakfast.

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Let’s be honest with each other. We are all in sales. Seriously, we are all in sales. Even if your career title does not say, “sales” you have to sell. You have to sell your boss that you have value, you have sell your spouse or significant other on…well you. If you have children you may have to sell them on doing their homework. Then there is selling your parents on well what ever decision you want or need them to make. And if you are in sales, well, then, you know all to well the difficulties in getting people to make up their mind, commit to a decision, make a change from where they are today so that they can be in a better place tomorrow. And the end of it all we all want or need someone to “change their mind.

World renown Speaker and Author Rob Jolles discusses the process of “How to Change Minds”. We are not talking about manipulation here. We are talking about influencing others for their good, not for our gain. Rob carefully makes sure throughout his book that we clearly have it within our own mind we are not manipulating we are helpfully guiding.

In this episode of A New Direction “How to Change Minds” will be a book not only you will want to read, but because of the comprehensive nature of the process you will need to read again, and again, and again. Make no mistake about changing minds is not an easy task, and it is beset with some trials, tribulations, and objections, but Rob Jolles walks us through it all to change your mind…after all he wrote the book…”How to Change Minds“

This week’s sponsors of A New Direction, Rob Jolles and his book “How to Change Minds” are:

ENLIGN Business Brokers and Advisors have been the sponsor of A New Direction since day one. And we could not be more grateful. Internationally recognized as the leaders in business brokerage if you are looking or know someone who is looking to sell their business go with the experts that thousands of other business people have used ENLIGN Business Brokers an Advisors. You can learn more by going to www.Enlign.com

When it comes to real estate there is no one who has demonstrated the consistency of excellence as Linda Craft & Team, REALTORS. They embody the concept of “Legendary Customer Service” and have been doing it for 30 years. They truly do “Know Their Business”. They understand everything from how important your decision is to ensuring that you have the latest and best knowledge to make the best informed decision for you and your family. Learn more about the real estate experts and www.lindacraft.com

This weeks t-shirt shout out goes to Note in the Pocket in Raleigh North Carolina their Mission says it ALL:
Our Mission
We provide clothing to impoverished and homeless schoolchildren in Wake County with dignity and love. Note in the Pocket believes that it is unacceptable that children are limited in their educational and social development because they do not have appropriate clothes for school. Learn more. www.noteinthepocket.com

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