Small Business Answer Man

Teryn Mozaffari is the owner of Happiness Factory Coaching and a Certified High-Performance Coach. She considers helping others discover ways and make decisions on how to live more productively her life's work and finds great joy in helping others improvement their performance and live better lives.

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What problem do you solve?

Teryn will help people get a better understanding of what productivity is and why we all want it. Teryn will give us advice on productivity.

Show Notes:

• Being effective is one of the key components of being productive.
• The number 1 habit people need to embrace is the habit of beginning again.
  • We are really hard on ourselves and beat ourselves down. We need to get up and begin again.
• Teryn's biggest metaphor: It's like laundry. We are never done with it. We can bemoan it but if we finally accept that the work is never done and get excited about it, we can accomplish more.
• You need to form a habit of saying "We get to do it." vs. "We have to do it."
• Human nature will always group activities into a have to, a should, or a supposed to.
  • We continue down the road of labeling our activities like this. We can then start to feel resentment.
  • The quicker we can find ownership in things we do and shift them to want to or get to, then we start to flow and we move to gratitude and momentum and satisfaction and fulfillment.
  • Productive people are those that make that shift.
• 3 mindset skills that are essential to elevate and increase productivity
  • The first is getting better at responding to an uncertainty or unpredictable surprise.
  • Time management. Build a relationship with time. Tell yourself you have enough time to be who you want to be and to get the necessary things done.
  • Begin again!
• 5 actions to reboot our productivity
  • Develop book-end routines
    • They are what you want them to be.
    • They should be fun.
    • Take time to develop them.
  • Project prioritizing
  • Planning
  • Scheduling
  • Reflecting
• Download Teryn's Bookend Routine Builder Worksheet HERE

Teryn Mozaffari's Best Small Business Tip

Teryn defines the meaning of life as the collection of the meaningful experiences that we can look back on. Her tip is for business owners to elevate every experience you can. To do that will make your life meaningful.

Connect with Teryn:

Website: HappinessFactoryCoach.com

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Learn more about Gary's Mastermind group at goascend.biz/the-mastermind-solution

Taking Control of Your Financial Future for You and Your Business

Mark Willis is a man on a mission to help you think differently about your money, your economy and your future. After graduating with six figures of student loan debt and discovering a way to turn his debt into real wealth as he watched everybody lose their retirement savings and home equity in 2008, he knew that he needed to find a more predictable way to meet his financial objectives and those of his clients.

Mark is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER, a THREE TIME #1 Best Selling Author, the Owner of Lake Growth Financial Services, a financial firm in Chicago, Illinois and co-host of the Not Your Average Financial Podcast. Over the years, he has helped hundreds of his clients take back control of their financial future and build their businesses with proven, tax-efficient financial solutions unknown to most financial gurus. He has become known as "Not Your Average Financial Planner!"

What problem do you solve?

The greatest financial challenge facing every business owner and American – Banking.

Show Notes:

• It's important to think about what you want your money to do for you or else everyone else will tell your money what to do (i.e. McDonald's, Apple, Netflix).
• Build your wish list then make a plan.
• The "Arrival Syndrome" is the worst virus that has effected humans. It is the thought that you have arrived at the best of what you can do.
• The biggest problem you have in business are silent partners – Uncle Sam and The Bank.
  • The Bank – Debt is one of the oldest institutions in human history.
    • The bank can suck profits off our back.
  • Uncle Sam – As a business owner, the the tax bill is the largest expense over your lifetime.
    • To make sure your minimize your tax bill, make sure your money isn't taxed in retirement.
• Money
  • We want it to be liquid.
  • We want it to be tax-advantaged.
  • We want it to a passive income in retirement.
  • We want it to be a source of money we can use like a bank for ourselves.
• The bank on yourself strategy helps minimize your bank bill and your tax bill.
  • This is done through life insurance policies.
  • *** You must do this with the advice of a certified financial planner.
• The founders of JCPenney, Disney and McDonalds have used this method.
• We haven't heard about this because banks and WallStreet don't want us to know about this.
• The policy has to be designed a certain way to be able to do this.
• Mark's Podcast: Not Your Average Financial Podcast

Mark Willis' Best Small Business Tip

1. Mark recommends checking out the Profit First method. (Check out the book, Profit First, by Mike Michalowicz)

Connect with Mark:

Website: lakegrowth.com/

Schedule with Mark: lakegrowth.com/schedule/

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In this episode #258 We are starting a new journey with our new name of The Small Business Answer Man. I am excited to share this journey with you because for the last 30 plus years I have had the pleasure of starting, running and operating about 13 different businesses.

We plan to interview experts to help you find solutions in what I term "The Business Owner 6 P Formula of running your business: 1. People (Human capital), 2. Productivity (Execution), 3. Promotion (Marketing), 4. Processes (Operations), 5. Pricing (Sales), 6. Profit (Financials). Our experts will help you solve these business challenges.

• #5 Rocket Fuel by Gino Wickman & Mark C Winters – In this book they talk about Visionaries and Integrators and why you need both on your team
• #4 View From the Top by Aaron Walker – Aaron shares his life lessons and how we can learn to see what we want in life by looking at the big picture.
• #3 Tax Free Wealth by Tom Wheelwright – This is a great book to create wealth and legally find ways not to pay too much in taxes.
• #2 The Sale by Alex Demczak & Jon Gordon – A great fable to help teach us an invaluable lesson about what matters most in life and work and how to achieve it. They share 4 lessons about integrity in order to create lasting success.
• #1 Holy Moments by Matthew Kelly – Holy Moments is profoundly simple, astonishingly practical, and once you discover it, your life will finally make sense.

• #5 The Entrepreneur Roller Coaster by Darren Hardy
• #4 Atomic Habits by James Clear
• #3 Intentional Living by John Maxwell
• #2 Think & Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
• #1 Cultivate Positive Culture: 10 Actions to Faithful Living by Gary Wilbers (Now, you didn't see that coming did you. I couldn't forget a book I authored.)

• #5 READ: As the saying goes, readers are leaders and leaders are readers.
• #4 EXERCISE: Get your heart rate up at least 4x per week. It will not only give you energy, it will provide you with creativity on what you want to accomplish.
• #3 LISTEN TO PODCASTS: What a great way to learn by gaining knowledge on your drive, while exercising, during your downtime. Especially to this podcast!
• #2 CONNECT to the relationships that matter the most to you. I plan to create my list for who I want to have lunch with. It could be in person or how about a virtual lunch via zoom.
• #1 MORNING ROUTINE: Why not take time to start your day on your terms. During this time you could read, spend time Spiritually, meditate or journal. It has been said this is the one time you can spend time on yourself. Remember if we don't take care of ourselves, we can't take care of others.

Gratitude is the experience of counting one's blessings. It is the feeling that embodies the word "Thank You". It is the unexpected reward of a kind deed that is magically produced by your brain.

A 2003 study by Emmons and McCullough found that keeping a daily gratitude journal leads to not just an increased sense of well-being but also better sleep, willingness to accept change and also help and lower symptoms of physical pain. As it turns out, gratitude could be the ultimate magic pill for happiness.

Here's the bottom line: Write a journal every morning and every night it's the closest thing to help you find happiness and peace in life.

Either get a journal and start to process or if you need help here is my recommendation I shared with my clients this year. It's called "The Five Minute Journal." You can check it out at fiveminutejournal.com

Links

• Learn more about Gary's Mastermind group at goascend.biz/mastermind/

How To Achieve Your Goals

Why do successful people achieve their goals and those who do not set goals fail? That is the question I pose to you today. Why? I believe that goals are the ingredient that separates those who are successful and those who are not.

Show Notes:

Approximately 80% of people never set goals for themselves. Of the 20% of the population that does set goals, roughly 70% fail to achieve them.

1. Visualize Achieving Your Goals- Create a detailed mental image of the desired outcome. I use a process called Forward Visioning – This is the ability to look back and visualize how your goal will look after you have successfully completed it.
2. Write your Goals Down- Those who write down their goals accomplish significantly more. You are 42% more likely to achieve your goals just by writing them down. Telling a friend increases this rate to 78%.
   • Clarity- allows you to constantly view them & become specific
   • Motivation- you see progress or the lack of progress
   • Focus- determine opportunities that are in alignment with your goals
   • Power- gives you the power to become an overcomer
   • Achievement- recognize & celebrate progress toward your goals
3. Make SMART Goals- Make sure your goals are specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, & timely.
4. Ask Why- What is the driving force/motivating factor for the goals?
5. Action Steps- What action steps will you need to take to reach your goals?
6. Habits/Behaviors- Commit to the changes you will need to make to reach your goals.
7. Reward- Recognize even the smallest achievements that are moving you toward your goal.

I coined a quote a few years ago about goals it goes like this: "Goals – it's like having your headlights on because you know where you are going."

3 Other Strategies You Can Do To Achieve Your Goals:

1. CHARGE = Create Habits Around Real Goals Everyday is my mantra but it is also a method you can use to discipline yourself to change things you want in your life. If I want to lose weight, I need to learn to exercise and change my eating habits. Set a goal to exercise x number of times per week. Change your habit of eating out for lunch and instead bring your healthy lunch. Create little rules to discipline yourself like no eating buffets when going out to eat.
2. The 5 Second Rule is a book Mel Robbins wrote about how you can make major life changes by a simple rule of 5-4-3-2-1. This simple method is a blueprint for taking action that's simple to use, easy to remember, actually works, and it's backed by science. Check out her book to learn more about how you can create habits to increase confidence, increase productivity, develop a powerful mindset, make more money, feel in greater control, pursue your dreams, plus much more.
3. Atomic Habits by James Clear is another book that will help you make tiny changes to create remarkable results. Clear helps you create an easy and proven way to build good habits and break bad ones. He reveals how the minuscule changes can grow into life-altering outcomes. He knows the real change comes from the compound effect. These small changes will have a transformative effect on your career, your relationships, and your life.

Links

• Learn more about Gary's Mastermind group at goascend.biz/mastermind/
• Achieve Your Goals Download

Ian Ziskin, President, EXec EXcel Group LLC, has 40 years of experience as a business leader, board advisor and member, coach, consultant, entrepreneur, teacher, speaker, and author. He is the Co-Founder and Partner of Business inSITE Group (BiG), Co-Founder of the Consortium for Change (C4C), and Co-Founder of the CHREATE Project. His global leadership experience includes Chief Human Resources Officer and/or other senior leadership roles with three Fortune 100 companies – Northrop Grumman, Qwest Communications, and TRW. Ian has written dozens of articles, blogs, and book chapters on the future of work, HR, leadership, coaching, and HR's role with the board of directors.

1. What problem do you solve?
   • Defining reality. Being open to paying attention to what is happening around you and minimizing the risk of being in denial.

Show Notes:

• One thing that jumped out to Ian while writing his book, The Secret Sauce for Leading Transformational Change, was that humans have an ability to explain away things that don't fit with the way they want to see things.
  • Entrepreneurs are at risk of this because they are in the trenches.
• It is important to let reality sink in so that you can truly address the problem.
• Sometimes even when the data is there we are reluctant to make the hard decisions and make the transformational changes needed.
• We have to realize that we are not always able to anticipate and prepare for all of the changes that happen. The Covid pandemic is an example of that.
  • We still have to realize and adjust to the changes.
• There are many things that we can't control.
• Even if things worked for the last 50 years, it doesn't mean they will work for the next 5, 10, or more.
• As business owners or leaders, we may have our own idea of how things should run in the business. The employees may have a different idea of how they want to work.
• What the workforce is really expecting from us these days is trust, flexibility, transparency the ability to have options and choices.
• Employees are more willing than ever to leave a job to find what they are looking for in terms of options and choices.
• As a leader we have to transform from talk, talk, talk and tell, tell, tell to listen, listen, listen.
• If you are listening you aren't really learning what is going on and what your people are wanting.
• All transformation is change but is all change transformation?
  • Some changes are tweaks or short-term and may help a bit but not really be a complete rethinking and repositioning.
  • Changes may not lead to dramatic improvement like transformation will.
• Ian's book is available at transformationalchangebook.com

Ian Ziskin's Recharge Round

1. What habit do you think has led to success in your life? Exercise and working out. It helps with physical strength and discipline but it also helps with his thinking and keeps the cobwebs out.
2. If you had one do-over, what would it be? He went to work for a bad boss a few years back. He thought his advice would improve things but came to realize that not all people will change.

Ian Ziskin's website: exexgroup.com

Ian's offer

Connect with Ian Ziskin:

Twitter

LinkedIn

Learn more about Gary's Mastermind group at goascend.biz/mastermind/

Get your Daily Dose of Positive at SimplePositiveActions.com

Leaders come in all shapes and sizes. There is no one correct leadership style. The best leaders are those who are able to adapt their style to the situation at hand. That said, there are three essential leadership styles that every leader should be aware of.

Show Notes:

3 Leadership Styles

1. Task-Oriented Leaders
   • Focus on results and performance
   • Goal driven
   • Deadline driven
   • Create systems
   • Potential for low morale
   • May lack team bonding
   • Can cause burnout in the team
2. Relationship-Oriented Leader
   • Support great teamwork
   • Good communication skills
   • Engaged employees
   • Reduced turnover
   • Slower decision making
   • May accomplish tasks slower
3. Transformational Leaders
   • Focus on change
   • Visionaries
   • Proactive and adaptable
   • United in a common cause
   • Risky and disruptive
   • Too conceptual
   • Requires frequent feedback

The best leaders use all 3 styles and can flex to use them all.

10 Common Leadership Mistakes

1. Not communicating goals
2. Not delegating tasks
3. Being inconsistent
4. Failing to listen
5. Not providing adequate recognition or feedback
6. Micromanaging
7. Making snap decisions without considering all angles
8. Ignoring the red flags
9. Being inflexible
10. Not taking responsibility for your mistakes

Links

• Gary's article, "The 3 Essential Leadership Styles-which one are you?"
• Learn more about Gary's Mastermind group at goascend.biz/mastermind/
• Get your Daily Dose of Positive at SimplePositiveActions.com

Managing Stress & Avoiding Burnout

Being an entrepreneur is no walk in the park. It's a juggling act of a million different tasks and responsibilities, with the pressure to succeed weighing down on your shoulders at all times. It's no wonder many entrepreneurs burn out before they ever reach their full potential. Don't let it happen to you. In this episode, Daran Wastchak interviews Gary for insight to help you manage stress and avoid burnout.

Show Notes:

In this episode, Daran Wastchak interviews Gary Wilbers. Over the course of Gary's 30-plus years as an entrepreneur, Gary's learned a lot about how to run a business successfully. He shares all that he's learned with individuals and business owners in several books that he's written, in public speaking, in his own podcast, and in regular articles posted on his blog. In Daran's show, he asks Gary to specifically talk about one of his most recent articles, "8 Tips to Manage Entrepreneurial Stress and Avoid Burnout." Enjoy the show.

Links Mentioned in the Gary Wilbers With Daran Wastchak Interview

• Gary's article, "8 Tips to Manage Entrepreneurial Stress and Avoid Burnout"
• Daran's articles mentioned in the podcast:
  • "Achieving Your Freedom to Exit"
  • "No Time for Planning? Be Certain to At Least Do These Two Things!" (Podcast)
  • "How to Be Truly Thankful (Gratitude)"
  • "How to Be More Organized, More Productive, and More Reliable"
• Learn more about Gary's Mastermind group at goascend.biz/mastermind/
• Get your Daily Dose of Positive at SimplePositiveActions.com

Introducing Erin Diehl

Erin "Big" Diehl is a Business Improv Edutainer, Failfluencer, and Professional Zoombie. Through a series of unrelated dares, Erin created Improve It!, a unique professional development company that pushes others to laugh, learn, play, and grow. She is the proud host of The Improve It! Podcast, which helps develop leaders and teams through play, improv, and experiential learning. Among her many accolades, Erin is most proud of successfully coercing over 28,000 professionals to chicken dance.

1. What problem do you solve?
   • She will help you develop yourself or your team as a leader through play, laughter, improv, and experiential learning.

Show Notes:

• Improv takes people's shields off and opens them up. It suspends judgment and helps people listen to each other. It helps teams feel seen, heard, and valued.
• It helps us tap into our inner child and let them become more creative.
• While you can't fix your culture in a single improv session, you can work on a single issue and it's also the beginning of learning about others in the workplace. It helps teams connect.
• If leaders are vulnerable in a session, it will help teams connect with them more.
• Erin says Failure + Frequency = The Fundamental of Success
  • You create things you never would have created when you fail. Just be persistent.
  • You don't learn from winning.
  • People that never fail, never try.
• It is possible to connect over Zoom. Erin has had improv workshops over Zoom.
  • Use the breakout rooms.
  • Make sure there is an agenda. "No agenda, no attenda."
  • People may be more likely to get involved in the chat function than they are in person.
  • If you want someone engaged, call on them.
• Things leaders should change or implement in their organization
  • Feedback: Not giving it but leaders receiving it. "What is one thing I can start doing and what is one thing I should stop doing as a leader?"
  • Ask this same about your team "What is one thing we can start doing and what is one thing we should stop doing as a team?"
  • Celebrating wins. Create a Slack Channel or Teams
  • Celebrate your failures. Fail Yeah!

Erin Diehl's Recharge Round

1. What habit do you think has led to success in your life? Exercise and meditation.
2. If you had one do-over, what would it be? When her grandfather passed away, she removed herself because she didn't want to be there the last few days and see him not well. She regretted that choice and then she made sure to be there for her grandmother.

Erin Diehl's website: learntoimproveit.com

Erin's offer — Free download Hybrid-Hype

Erin's Podcast: learntoimproveit.com/podcast

Connect with Erin Diehl:

Instagram

LinkedIn

Learn more about Gary's Mastermind group at goascend.biz/mastermind/

Get your Daily Dose of Positive at SimplePositiveActions.com

Introducing Kurt Davis

Kurt Davis is a technology executive and investor with over two decades of experience building tech startups throughout Silicon Valley, Europe, and Asia. From 2008-2017, he worked with a startup called Boku where he led global business development, focusing on deals with Apple, Microsoft, Spotify, Sony, and more. This book documents and chronicles Boku's journey from closing small sales deals to transactions worth billions of dollars in transactions. Speaking to other entrepreneurs, he realized that many get stuck in their initial market but few leap the chasm to bigger opportunities. So he wrote this book.

1. What problem do you solve?
   • How to help their businesses grow to the next level when you feel you've tapped your initial client base and how do you resource your company in order to take advantage of bigger opportunities.

Show Notes:

• You need to dissect and get to know the companies that you could be working with in your market. It's important to research them.
• Look at the companies and analyze how likely a company will be to work with you and what you'll need to fulfill their needs.
• When you then approach them you can really present how you can benefit them.
• Team selling: Teamwork is important to sell. It's important to gather and share information and contacts. You may need the board, CEO, sales team, and operators all involved.
• Build relationships with potential clients to keep the lead warm. That way when they are ready you are there.
• Keep connected – check in with them every few months to keep the relationship.
• You need to predict that a company will need your services before they even know they need them.
• Keep your company top of mind.

Kurt Davis' Recharge Round

1. What habit do you think has led to success in your life? Consistency of waking up with the intent of pushing business relationships along.
2. If you had one do-over, what would it be? Taken less risks earlier in life. He would have been more patient.

Kurt Davis' website: kdalive.com

Kurt's book: Navigate to the Lighthouse

Kurt's freebie — Free audiobooks for the first 10 people to email him at [email protected]

Connect with Kurt Davis:

Instagram

Youtube

Learn more about Gary's Mastermind group at goascend.biz/mastermind/

Get your Daily Dose of Positive at SimplePositiveActions.com

Introducing Andrea MacKenzie

Andrea MacKenzie is helping companies to hire, build, and lead teams for business growth and workplace well-being through her company Lead With Harmony. She is working with growth-oriented small business owners and executives to hire, develop, and lead their teams toward higher performance, lower stress, and stronger leadership. She brings her 20+ years in corporate roles and consulting, which spans almost every business function and size, from small businesses to Fortune 500s, to her unique approach to serving her clients.

1. What problem do you solve?
   • Andrea can help business owners and team leaders with hiring, leading, and developing teams for success and well-being.

Show Notes:

• The most common mistakes people are making in the hiring process are:
  • Not defining the role.
    • Don't throw in the kitchen sink — don't include everything in the role.
  • Making the role up as you go.
    • Not really having a job description.
  • Hiring the first person you find.
  • Rushing the process.
• Make sure the incoming person knows what their role is going to be and what to expect.
• Know your people and know your processes.
  • You need to know how all of the individuals on your team need to communicate.
  • Realize who on your team needs to collaborate and who does not need to.
• Communication is a two-way street.
  • Just because you sent the message, doesn't mean it's received.
    • Make sure the receipt happened.
    • Was it enough information? Did they understand the message?
• You will create your culture around your values. Know yourself and your values. Know what values you want to be shared across the board.
• It's also important to be a conscious leader. Actually take time, stop yourself and then make the decision of how you want things to proceed.
• Ways business owners hold themselves back from growth.
  • Mindset. Sometimes people focus on safety instead of growth. You need to invest to get growth. Do away with your scarcity mindset.
• Hire the best and pay for the best because your employees are the ones that are really going to help grow your company.
• Andrea uses the Kolbe assessment. It shows your how. It doesn't change over time.

Andrea MacKenzie's Recharge Round

1. What habit do you think has led to success in your life? Meditation
2. If you had one do-over, what would it be? She would redo her wedding photo. She does not have a single photo of just her and her husband looking at the camera.

Andrea MacKenzie's website: leadwithharmony.com

Andrea's freebie — Use code: CHARGE22 at delegationvisualization.com

Connect with Andrea MacKenzie:

LinkedIn

Learn more about Gary's Mastermind group at goascend.biz/mastermind/

Get your Daily Dose of Positive at SimplePositiveActions.com