Small Business Answer Man

Tom Schwab believes the best things in life come from conversations. It's these powerful, sometimes awkward conversations that propel us from where we are personally and professionally to where we dream of being.

As an engineer, a Navy Veteran, and Nuclear Propulsion Plant Operator, Tom thinks differently. Tough Minded, Skeptical, sometimes even Cantankerous, but always technically competent, always thinking – "What if", is how the head of the Nuclear Navy described it.

As a small business owner and entrepreneur, he understands the unique challenges of business owners. This led him to be an early pioneer of using inbound marketing for eCommerce and targeted podcast interviews for marketing that connects.

Tom is the author of two books: Podcast Guest Profits: Grow Your Business with a Targeted Interview Strategy, called the bible of podcast guesting, and One Conversation Away: A Manifesto for a Rich Life and a Profitable Business.

In this episode, Chief Evangelist Officer at Interview Valet, Tom Schwab talks about solving the significant problem of obscurity in businesses.

• In today's episode, Tom Schwab shares valuable insights into the dynamics of promotion and underscores its potential advantages for small business owners.
• Tom emphasizes that the major challenge businesses face is obscurity, where potential customers are unaware of products or services that they might like to purchase.
• Tom Schwab suggests overcoming obscurity by tapping into existing audiences through podcast interview marketing, highlighting the importance of being known to potential customers.
• The conversation delves into the Six P Business Owner Formula, with a specific focus on the Promotion aspect and how Tom contributes to promoting businesses through podcast interview marketing.
• Tom predicts that small businesses may face challenges in the 2024 election due to attempts to outspend political campaigns in advertising, affecting ad costs and audience attention.
• The importance of strategic marketing for businesses in 2024 is discussed, emphasizing the role of podcast interview marketing in adapting to the evolving advertising landscape.
• Tom provides a practical example with a Call to Action, directing listeners to visit Interview Valet's welcome page at InterviewValet.com/Answerman, explaining the three calls to action.
• The conversation further explores the concept of making marketing more human by focusing on relationship sales and the significance of building trust through giving value before seeking commitment.
• Tom's final advice is centered on the idea that businesses are just one conversation away from success, emphasizing the importance of human connection and meaningful conversations.

According to Tom, you are one conversation away, not one funnel away. Building authentic human connections with customers can deliver more value than depending on AI tools or not putting in enough effort.

Take the FREE Business Owners' Life Domain Assessment HERE

Website: https://interviewvalet.com/

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Dave's mission is to Align the Misaligned through the Five Facets of Business™ framework— a dynamic small business operating system that aligns systems and people so businesses and the people in them can flourish.

In today's episode, Dave will help businesses overcome obstacles more effectively, promoting a transition from a state of grinding to achieving sustainable growth using a systematic approach.

• Today's episode is structured toward helping entrepreneurs in navigating challenges and minimizing stress in their businesses.
• Dave stresses the importance of effective prioritization, diagnosis, and leveraging time for optimal outcomes.
• Dave introduces the three stages of company alignment: misalignment, alignment, and realignment.
• Misalignment is when symptoms become overwhelming, alignment is when systems and people are in harmony, and realignment is an ongoing process of adapting to challenges.
• Dave discusses the challenges businesses face when hitting the complexity threshold, where progress becomes difficult.
• He emphasizes the required mindset shift from a "big dog operator" mentality to sustainable growth achieved through simplification and scaling.
• The five facets of business, presented as a framework for assessment and improvement, are culture, strategy, operations, story (sales and marketing), and finance.
• An analogy using a map underscores the significance of knowing a business's current state before planning its future.
• Dave highlights that businesses often excel in a few facets but struggle in others, resulting in overall challenges.
• According to Dave, the goal is to identify and elevate different aspects of the business to achieve holistic success.
• Dave elaborates on operationalizing culture by translating values into actionable behaviors and integrating them into performance reviews and hiring processes.
• The conversation explores the dual contracts in employee engagement—market and social contracts.
• Dave further talks about the impact of underdoing the social contract, leading to issues such as feeling underpaid or dissatisfaction with tasks.
• Dave outlines key elements in operations, including clarity on the core business, documentation of essential processes, and the establishment of a structured meeting flow called the "rhythm of the business."
• Dave introduces essential financial practices, including planning for profit by rearranging the income minus profit equals expenses formula and the crucial role of forecasting in making strategic decisions.
• During the podcast, Dave highlights a few benefits of forecasting, not just for predicting but for preparing businesses for potential decisions, reducing reactivity, and promoting strategic and logical decision-making.
• The free assessment with 26 questions provides a baseline roadmap to help focus on business priorities. Please find the link below.

Dave suggests that you should aim to eliminate confusion in your communication. When customers understand what you offer and how it benefits them, they are more likely to engage with your business. By providing clarity, you are addressing potential doubts or uncertainties in the customer's mind.

Take the FREE Business Owners' Life Domain Assessment HERE

Dave's Free Assessment: https://theevolvedifference.com/sbam

Website: http://www.theevolvedifference.com

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As the founder of more than a dozen companies, over three decades of entrepreneurial experience, and with 10+ years coaching businesses, Gary Wilbers is an expert businessman. His primary focus is on helping small business owners achieve success and balance in business and in life through his own peer advisory groups.

Gary is a founder, speaker, author, trainer, and coach. His profound familiarity with the daily challenges that small business owners face has instilled in him the belief that everyone is able to reach their full potential. This mantra led him to establish The Ascend Mastermind, a peer advisory group, where small business owners can connect with like-minded individuals, share their struggles and hold each other accountable in order to achieve growth and freedom in their lives.

Gary is also an accomplished author, with several best-sellers, including "The High Achiever Leadership Formula," "21 Ways to Attract, Retain & Engage Millennials," "Positive Culture Wins," and "Cultivate Positive Culture."

What business problem do you solve?

In today's episode, Gary addresses the common challenge of effectively setting and achieving goals, particularly in the context of preparing for success in the upcoming year.

Small Business Answer Man's Shownotes:

• Gary Wilbers kicks off the Small Business Answer Man podcast, emphasizing the significance of setting goals in December to pave the way for success in the upcoming year.

• He shares a compelling story from 1998, highlighting his achievement of a three-year goal to own his corporate and retail location within eleven months, showcasing the power of strategic planning and action.

• Gary further delves into the analogy that goals act as headlights, providing direction and clarity in your journey. He stresses the role of goals in offering focus, accountability, and growth, referencing Charles Chua's insights on the perils of lacking clear objectives.

• Later, he introduces Achiever Loop, a five-step process tailored for high achievers. This process involves visualizing the desired self, taking actionable steps, cultivating habits and behaviors, celebrating milestones, and framing goals in the SMARTER framework.

• In addition to this, Gary begins by sharing his weight-loss journey and associates it with the concept of the SMARTER framework by Michael Hyatt, where goals should be Specific, Measurable, Actionable, Risky, Time-bound, Exciting, and Relevant. This framework aims to enhance the effectiveness of goal-setting.

• He also discusses seven key secrets for goal achievement, including the importance of visualization, writing goals down, making SMARTER goals, establishing a compelling "why," identifying action steps and habits, celebrating milestones, and rewarding oneself.

• Gary introduces a downloadable tool called the Yearly Target, designed to assist individuals in setting yearly goals with quarterly milestones and self-assessment to track progress.

• He shares insights on overcoming resistance to change, referencing Rick Goodens' perspective that people resist change when focusing on losses rather than gains, emphasizing the need to anticipate and navigate various challenges.

• Gary discusses the three types of pain associated with change—Loss pain, Process pain, and Outcome pain—underscoring the necessity of pushing through these challenges to achieve behavior change successfully.

• Find the Downloads to Achieve Your Goals in 2024 HERE

Gary Wilber's Small Business Tip:

He underscores the significance of accountability by recommending individuals get an accountability partner, whether a coach, a friend, or participation in a group class. This may help to stay on track and stay focused towards your goal.

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Andy Hite is a recognized leadership coach who supports .entrepreneurs, executives, and their teams as they navigate the world of building businesses and lives filled with prosperity, meaning, & freedom

In today's episode, Andy delves into the often overlooked factor in business challenges: the owner or leadership team.

• Andy emphasizes that the key to overcoming business challenges lies within the leadership team and that the success or failure of a business is profoundly influenced by effective leadership.
• He stresses the importance of business owners being hungry for growth and continually recognizing untapped potential.
• He highlights the significance of a proactive mindset in fostering business development.
• Andy defines success as a combination of psychology and skill, emphasizing the need for a broader perspective.
• He talks about the analogy of an archer needing a clear bullseye, correlating it to the importance of goals in propelling a business forward.
• He discusses the role of ambitious goals in energizing and motivating business leaders.
• Andy stresses the need for a holistic reflection at the end of the year, learning from challenges, and implementing changes for growth.
• Andy outlines practical steps for business owners, including reflection sessions, monthly progress check-ins, and seeking coaching.
• Andy offers valuable resources on his website, including an entrepreneurial fitness assessment and a leadership assessment.
• Listeners can access a complimentary 60-90 minute coaching session to explore the possibilities of coaching.

Andy suggests that for small business owners looking to enhance their growth, seeking help from a professional coach can be instrumental. He recommends asking two crucial questions:

1. What am I good at? Soak it in and celebrate it.

• Acknowledge and appreciate your strengths and accomplishments.
• Celebrate your successes to build confidence and motivation.

1. Where should I look to grow? And then work on it.
   • Identify areas with potential for improvement and expansion.
   • Focus on developing skills or aspects of your business that contribute to overall growth.
   • Actively work on areas identified for growth to enhance business development.

Website: http://www.scalingminds.com/SBAM

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Ramon Ray is publisher of ZoneofGenius.com and brand strategist at CelebrityCEO.com - he's an in-demand motivational speaker, best-selling author, and serial entrepreneur. He's started 5 companies and has sold 3 of them.

What problem do you solve?

In today's episode, Ramon will help us solve problems regarding the need for more attention and its impact on sales and trust for small business owners.

Show Notes:

• Ramon introduces the concept of being a "celebrity CEO," emphasizing the importance of personal branding. He suggests that business owners should put themselves out there, become a recognizable face in their industry, and leverage their personal brand to gain trust and attract more customers.
• Ramon stresses the importance of attention in building trust and making sales. In a crowded marketplace, getting noticed and standing out can be a critical factor for success.
• Ramon highlights the value of podcasts as a medium for gaining visibility and showcasing expertise. This is a valuable tool for small business owners looking to share their knowledge and connect with their target audience.
• Regularly posting on social media is considered a great strategy to capture attention. It keeps your business in the minds of your audience and helps maintain an active online presence.
• Hosting local events or awards can showcase expertise and help gain recognition in your community. This is particularly relevant for businesses with a local focus.
• Ramon emphasizes the power of writing and promoting a book as a strategy for gaining attention. It positions the author as an expert in their field and can open up various opportunities.
• Ramon discusses the importance of tailoring your strategies based on the scope of your business, whether it's local, national, or international. What works for one may not work for another, so customization is key.
• He emphasizes the importance of persistence and the ability to adapt to changing circumstances. Small business owners must be flexible and willing to make necessary changes to stay competitive.
• He shares insights from "The Like Switch" highlighting the gradual process of building trust. Trust is not something that happens overnight, and it requires consistent effort and positive experiences.
• Creating positive experiences for customers is vital for building loyalty. Satisfied customers are more likely to return and recommend your business to others.
• Ramon suggests various strategies, such as podcasting, social media, events, and books, to gain attention and proactively work on personal branding.
• He advises business owners to add value to others, emphasizing the long-term benefits of this approach. Building strong relationships and providing value can lead to sustained success.
• Ramon mentions a blueprint on his website derived from his book "Celebrity CEO," which can guide businesses in personal branding. This resource may provide practical steps for small business owners.
• Ramon encourages listeners to share recent successes on social media as a form of self-promotion. Sharing achievements can help showcase expertise and build trust.

Ramon Ray's Best Small Business Tip:

Small business owners are urged to keep going, tweak, innovate, navigate challenges, learn from others, and not give up. Perseverance is key in the entrepreneurial journey.

Connect with Ramon Ray:

Website: http://www.celebrityceo.com/blueprint

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Danielle Hayden is a reformed corporate CFO (chief financial officer) who is on a mission to help rule-breaking female entrepreneurs understand their numbers so they can gain the confidence needed to create sustainable profits. After spending 10+ years in the boardroom as a corporate finance officer, Danielle is now in her sweet spot as the CEO of Kickstart Accounting, Inc. where she helps business owners with bookkeeping, financial analysis, and education. She is the author of the Profit Planner book series. When Danielle isn't in her money mindset you can find her hiking or spending time with her family.

What problem do you solve?

In this episode, Danielle Hayden, the CEO of Kickstart Accounting Inc. With a mission to help entrepreneurs understand the importance of numbers for sustainable profits.

Show Notes:

• The number one tip Danielle shared was about the significance of using numbers to manage a business throughout the year. She emphasized the importance of maintaining proper bookkeeping from day one.
• Danielle stresses the importance of regularly reviewing financial statements, including the income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statement, preferably monthly.
• She shares the top three numbers that every business owner needs to know: Gross Profit, Net Income or Loss, and Monthly Cash Output.
• She talks about the money mindset and discusses the impact of personal money stories and categorizes different types like free spender, keeper, balance seeker, and perfectionist.
• She shares some tools and strategies for changing one's money mindset including applying gratitude lists to financials, taking clarity breaks, and using financial dashboards for a high-level overview.
• She says simplifying financials for CEOs involves focusing on high-level information, utilizing financial dashboards, and snapshots to avoid overwhelm.
• The concept of Atomic Habits and the power of making manageable adjustments by changing one thing by 1% at a time is discussed.
• Business owners are reminded to be leaders and visionaries rather than attempting to do everything themselves.

Danielle Hayden's Best Small Business Tip:

As a small business owner, you should not wait to find help, instead, you should avoid the superhero syndrome and ask for assistance to prevent burnout.

Connect with Danielle

Website: https://kickstartaccountinginc.com/

Danielle's podcast: Entrepreneur Money Stories

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William Vanderbloemen is the CEO and Founder of the top executive search firm Vanderbloemen Search Group and author of Be the Unicorn: 12 Data-Driven Habits that Separate the Best Leaders from the Rest (HarperCollins Leadership, November 14, 2023).

William Vanderbloemen is known for his expertise in executive search and leadership consulting, he has authored books and spoken at conferences on topics related to leadership, team building, and organizational culture. He is widely recognized for his insights into leadership and organizational development.

What problem do you solve?

In this episode, William Vanderbloemen provides insights into the challenge of standing out in today's crowded business world and amidst the constant social buzz.

Show Notes:

He talks about the key concepts and traits highlighted in his book, "Be the Unicorn: 12 Data-Driven Habits that Separate the Best Leaders from the Rest." These include:

• The book introduces twelve practical and rarely practiced behavioral habits that set individuals apart.
• William Vanderbloemen emphasizes the importance of responsiveness in customer engagement and how it can impact businesses positively.
• He further talks about sales strategies and discusses the critical role of response time in maintaining and enhancing customer communication.
• He talks about the skill of asking more questions than providing answers and highlights its role in building strong connections.
• He shares his insights regarding the significance of self-awareness during job interviews, enabling candidates to stand out.
• At the end of the podcast, William talks about a tool for self-assessment that allows individuals and teams to measure themselves against others, providing valuable insights into their strengths and areas for improvement.
• William's advice for hiring managers is to focus on the question "What am I hiring for?"

William Vanderbloemen's Best Small Business Tip:

As a business owner, focusing on simplicity and the significance of delivering on promises is essential. Moreover, spending time on self-awareness will always come in use in the professional world.

About the Book:

"Be the Unicorn: 12 Data-Driven Habits that Separate the Best Leaders from the Rest." is recommended for graduates entering a volatile job market and appeals to Gen Z, as well as anyone preparing for interviews and facing career challenges. The book offers practical insights that can significantly impact one's professional life.

Please visit https://www.vanderbloemen.com/be-the-unicorn for helpful resources and the first free chapter of the book.

Amazon Link Be the Unicorn: 12 Data-Driven Habits that Separate the Best Leaders from the Rest.

Connect with William Vanderbloemen

https://www.vanderbloemen.com/be-the-unicorn

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Trevor Rosenthal is passionate about personal growth and learning new things. He recently completed a Crossover Into Business program at Harvard Business School, where he gained insights and skills on how to leverage his sports background in other domains. He is also a board member of the Baseball Assistance Team, a nonprofit organization that provides financial and medical assistance to former baseball players and their families. Trevor's mission is to make a positive impact not only on the baseball field but also in his sphere of influence. He is always looking for new opportunities to share his stories of overcoming adversity, building self-confidence, and the role sports have played in shaping him into the person he is today.

Today, Trevor will help us overcome difficulties in a world full of distractions, both positive and negative.

• Trevor begins with talking about his unique perspective as a professional athlete and his journey into business by sharing insights into his career as a Major League Baseball pitcher.
• He highlights the importance of the intense daily dedication, discipline, and preparation required for success in professional sports.
• He further talks about the challenges and obstacles he encountered during his career from minor league to major league.
• Trevor emphasized the crucial role of supportive parents and the importance of creating a loving home enviornment for aspiring athletes. He advised parents to offer opportunities and resources without imposing undue expectations.
• Trevor share his experiences in managing the mental aspects of being a professional athlete including skills like resilience, focus, stress management and goal setting.
• He further talk about how it is crucial to focus and deal with one thing at a time.
• His keen interest in business led him to pursue education at Harvard, underlining the significance of lifelong learning, regardless of one's career choice.
• He talks about the connection between business and sports, both being united by discipline, focus, and quick decision-making.
• He discusses the importance of steering clear of distractions and staying committed to what works best for your business.
• Furthermore, he discusses the significance of striking a balance between personal and professional life.

As a business owner, it is vital to stay committed to the tasks at hand, valuing the effort you put in, rather than being solely focused on the end result.

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Cam Hall is a husband, father, educational leader, and entrepreneur. Cam believes that all Men are called to live Fit, Healthy, and Fulfilled lives, and that every man can make a positive impact on those around him. He is founder of the Fight the Dad Bod coaching program, host of the Dads Making A Difference Podcast, and Leader of The DMD Mastermind.

Cam is going to solve effectiveness. He is going to help you be more effective by optimizing your health. Controlling your health will allow you to control your time and money. You will become effective and efficient in all you do.

• Cam thinks business owners neglect their health because they don't prioritize it. They aren't being lazy but they might drift with all the activities that are happening in their lives.
• The 4th quarter is the best time to prepare yourself for success in the new year.
• To prioritize our health we have to change or shift our mindset. Changing our health will optimize our business. We will be more effective and make more sales and make a bigger impact.
• When we think about food, we realize we enjoy food when we are with others. We do not enjoy it when we are not using it appropriately.
• A healthy relationship with food is when we realize it is fuel. When we fuel our body effectively we have a clear mind, we sleep better, we handle the stresses of life better, and we can build muscle better.
• We need to provide as a business owner but we also need to be present.
• Diet is a bad word. When we hear it we think depravation.
• You need to make a plan and follow it. Take 1 step and build on it. The foundation is to get more sleep. Then work on the food aspect. And third, implement more activity.
• When we think about sleep, we think about recharging our body.
• To figure out sleep, start with 7 and then move up in 15-minute increments. Set a bedtime and go to bed at the same time and get up at the same time. The next week, put 15 minutes on the beginning or end of your bedtime.
• Fuel the body: PFC every 3 = Protein, fats and carbohydrates every 3 hours.
• Within 1 hour of waking eat a breakfast. In 3 hours fuel your body again.
• The balance is 5 ounces of protein, 5 ounces of carbohydrates and 1-2 ounces of fat. This will help balance your blood sugar.
• For activity, start simple. Just do it! You can progress from there.
• We also need to build muscle to help burn calories. Start simple with bodyweight exercises.
• 7 steps to lose 7 pounds in 7 days at www.fightthedadbod.com.

Take care of yourself. If you don't take care of yourself, you can't do the rest.

Website: fightthedadbod.com

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Miriam Schulman is an artist and founder of The Inspiration Place, where she helps other artists learn how to profit from their passion or become better artists. She's helped thousands of artists around the world develop their skill sets and create more time and freedom to do what they love.

Miriam is going to talk with us about pricing.

• Miriam believes email marketing is better than social media marketing.
• Instagram engagement was 1% several years ago and now it has dropped to 0.6%.
• The engagement rate of influencers is 1.2%
• Open rate on email averages 24%. This means you have to have 4000 people on Instagram compared to 100 on email.
• Romance your buyers. Don't just hand out your business cards. You need to gather their contact information and then stay in touch.
• When someone asks for your card, it is your opportunity to ask for their contact information to send them your freebie or lead magnet.
• Prestige pricing vs. charm pricing. Prestige pricing is usually used more with higher dollar, higher quality items or services.
• Passion to profit framework:
  • Every business is producing something. Does what your producing make sense. If people aren't valuing the product you may need to package it or present it differently.
  • You also need to look at your pricing to make sure you are charging appropriately.
  • People also enjoy spending money on something that is exclusive. It gives them a dopamine release.
• Miriam's book is Artpreneur: How to Build a Creative Business

Keep taking action. Keep putting one foot in front of the other.

Website: schulmanart.com

Free chapter of Miriam's book: SchulmanArt.com/believe

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