In this episode of Strategic Thinkers, Sean Atkinson sits down with SEO and digital trust strategist Wendell Jordan for a brutally honest conversation about how small businesses make hiring decisions—and why so many of them go wrong.

They explore the hidden pitfalls of vendor selection, the illusion of “top search results,” and why trust signals must go beyond visibility. From proximity-based search confusion to smart outsourcing strategies, this episode is packed with insight for business owners looking to grow without getting burned.

Whether you’re building your brand or bringing in help, this is a masterclass in protecting your business from costly mistakes.

🧠 What You’ll Learn:

• The difference between visibility and credibility (and why both matter)
• How search results can lie without context or proximity filters
• The truth about SEO rankings and paid ads
• How to vet partners before they cost you time and trust
• Common red flags in vendor selection—and how to avoid them
• Real-world stories of missteps and turnarounds in digital marketing

🔁 Featured Topics:

• Building trust through online presence
• The SEO illusion: When top search doesn’t mean best fit
• Why proximity changes everything in local search results
• Mistakes to avoid when outsourcing marketing and SEO
• Strategic hiring for small business growth
• Collaborating with aligned experts for long-term success

📝 Sound Bites:

"There’s a headache tax when you choose the wrong vendor."

"Paid ads introduce you—credibility earns you the sale."

"Proximity isn’t just about maps, it’s about mindset."

"Search results tell you who’s visible, not who’s right for you."

Resources & Tools:

• 📝 Article Recap: Search, Trust, Hire — Fixing the Broken Way We Choose Business Partners
• 🧪 SEO Trust Audit™ (Free Lead Magnet)
• 🧠 Explore the Trust360™ Framework Bundle
• 📬 Newsletter Signup
• 🌐 More from Sean Atkinson

Discover how small businesses can leverage AI to compete with larger companies with Rich's expert insights. This episode reveals practical strategies for entrepreneurs to harness artificial intelligence as a powerful business ally, not a replacement.

Learn how to effectively communicate with AI systems, train them for consistent results, and implement them for time-saving solutions that can transform six-hour tasks into five-minute processes. Rich shares real-world applications from contract review to operational efficiency that can help any small business owner reclaim valuable time.

🔑 EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: 00:00 - Introduction to AI and Small Business Opportunities 03:19 - Aha Moments with AI in Industry 06:14 - The Importance of Communication with AI 09:54 - Training AI for Better Outputs 19:25 - Leveraging AI for Small Business Efficiency 23:01 - Practical Applications of AI in Business 26:41 - AI for Time Management and Reporting 33:22 - The Importance of Process in AI Implementation 46:49 - Embracing Entrepreneurship in an AI-Driven World 56:45 - Practical Steps to Leverage AI for Business Success

🔑 KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• "Don't treat it like it's magic" - Understanding AI's true capabilities
• Building AI systems that save hours of operational work
• Using AI to handle tasks outside your core expertise
• Implementing AI for contract review and business intelligence
• "AI is going to help you accomplish more in those 20 years"

📱 FOLLOW US: https://thestrategicthinkers.com/ https://www.youtube.com/@TheCoachesCorner-SBA/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-atkinson-b854152/ https://www.facebook.com/majority.medina https://www.instagram.com/thestrategicthinkers/

#AIForSmallBusiness #EntrepreneurshipTips #BusinessAI #AIImplementation #SmallBusinessTechnology #TimeManagement #EfficiencyTools #BusinessIntelligence #AIStrategy #ProductivityHacks

Discover how to transform career uncertainty into professional resilience with Abby Schommer. After being laid off from Facebook despite stellar performance, Abby shares her journey to becoming "the lady with nine jobs" through developing a portfolio career.

Learn practical strategies for building multiple income streams, managing time across different commitments, and gaining control over your professional future.

From leveraging freelance platforms to creating systems that prevent burnout, this episode offers a blueprint for anyone looking to future-proof their career in today's unpredictable job market.

🔑 EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:

00:00 - Introduction to Portfolio Careers

04:52 - Building Resilience in Uncertain Job Markets

11:18 - Taking Control: The Shift to Portfolio Careers

17:10 - Finding Clients and Building a Freelance Career

23:17 - Navigating Confidence and Emotional Well-being

29:44 - The Importance of Continuous Learning and Adaptability

36:51 - The Birth of CalPal: A Solution for Freelancers

41:39 - Proactive Time Management Strategies

47:48 - Building a Business While Maintaining Other Income

53:10 - Navigating Layoffs and Job Market Challenges

🔗 CONNECT WITH ABBY:

CalPal: https://getcalpal.com

Code: STRATEGICTHINKERS50

Offer: 50% off your first three months of any paid CalPal plan

The Marginalized Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@MarginalPodcast

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abbyschommer/

📱 FOLLOW US:

https://thestrategicthinkers.com/

https://www.youtube.com/@TheCoachesCorner-SBA/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-atkinson-b854152/

https://www.facebook.com/majority.medina

https://www.instagram.com/thestrategicthinkers/

#PortfolioCareers #LayoffRecovery #CareerStrategy #FreelanceLife #MultipleIncomeStreams #ProfessionalResilience #TimeManagement #JobSecurity #CareerDevelopment #Entrepreneurship

Discover why stress is just a symptom of an attention problem with Mischelle ONeal.

In this powerful conversation, Mischelle draws from her military background to share how mastering attention management is the key to stress relief. Learn practical strategies for setting boundaries, managing emotional triggers, and making better decisions through strategic rest.

From optimizing your productivity peaks to leveraging team strengths, this episode offers valuable insights for anyone looking to reclaim control in both their professional and personal life.

🔑 EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:

00:00 - Introduction to Attention Management

06:08 - Military Background and Finding Calm in Chaos

12:00 - Managing Triggers and Emotional Fires

18:08 - Setting Boundaries in Relationships

28:01 - The Importance of Rest in Decision Making

33:37 - Understanding Personal Productivity Peaks

36:51 - Leveraging Team Strengths for Success

45:43 - The Art of Delegation and Trust

48:45 - Establishing Time Sovereignty

54:06 - Unlearning Stress and Setting Boundaries

🔗 CONNECT WITH MISCHELLE:

Free Workshop: https://workshops.mischelleoneal.net/symptom

Accelerator Program: https://accelerator.mischelleoneal.net/rewire

Book a Consultation: https://meet.mischelleoneal.com

📱 FOLLOW US:

https://thestrategicthinkers.com/

https://www.youtube.com/@TheCoachesCorner-SBA/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-atkinson-b854152/

https://www.facebook.com/majority.medina

https://www.instagram.com/thestrategicthinkers/

#StressManagement #AttentionManagement #WorkplaceBoundaries #EmotionalIntelligence #ProductivityTips #LeadershipSkills #WorkplaceWellness

In this episode, Kyle Van Deusen, founder of The Admin Bar, reveals how he built an engaged online community of 11,000+ members—without compromising authenticity. Host Sean M. Atkinson explores the power of real community vs. just an audience, monetization strategies that don’t feel “salesy,” and how community-driven business models can create financial stability and work-life balance.

Key Topics: 

✅ The difference between building a community vs. an audience

✅ The importance of authenticity and engagement in online spaces

✅ How monetization can work without selling out

✅ Why selective membership keeps community value high

✅ How community building can improve work-life balance

Resources mentioned:

The Admin Bar: https://theadminbar.com/

Website Owners Manual: https://theadminbar.com/products/wom/

Termageddon: https://app.termageddon.com/?fp_ref=majority

Share your questions for Kyle and I will invite him back for a Q&A episode!

Join Sean M Atkinson and Lorraine Watson, the visionary behind TriSphere Consulting, as they dive deep into the transformative power of analytics in business success. With over 20 years of experience as a "big picture info nerd," Lorraine shares invaluable insights on turning data into actionable strategies for mission-driven businesses.

In this episode, discover how to move beyond vanity metrics and create a holistic view of your business performance. Lorraine breaks down complex analytics into practical frameworks, helping you understand everything from website traffic sources to effective SEO strategies. Whether you're running an early-stage startup or an established business, you'll learn how to leverage tools like Google Search Console to gain deeper insights into your audience's perception and behavior.

Key highlights:

• Transform data overwhelm into actionable insights
• Create sustainable business models aligned with your values
• Understanding the difference between vanity metrics and meaningful data
• Practical steps for implementing analytics in your business strategy
• Tips for proactive monitoring and forecasting

Resources mentioned:

• TriSphere Consulting: https://trisphereconsulting.com
• DIY vs Pro Guide: https://trisphereconsulting.com/lm-diy-hire-pro/

The most dangerous time to scale your business is when everything's working perfectly. Discover how the S.T.A.G.E. framework helps you grow systematically without breaking what made you successful in the first place.

⏩ EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: 00:00 - Introduction to the S.T.A.G.E. Framework 02:11 - Start: Assessing Your Current Position 04:02 - Test: Validate Your Readiness 05:22 - Analyze: Identifying The Opportunities 08:26 - Gauge: Assessing The Requirements 10:31 - Expand: Systematic Growth 13:04 - Building Relationships for Longevity 17:26 - Why The S.T.A.G.E. Framework Works 26:44 - Outro

🎯 IN THIS EPISODE YOU'LL DISCOVER:

• Why success leaves systematic clues you need to document
• How to scale without sacrificing quality or customer experience
• When to build systems (hint: not when you're overwhelmed)
• The difference between chasing money and pursuing opportunities
• How to maintain brand identity while growing

💡 WHO NEEDS TO WATCH:

• Business owners ready to scale their success
• Entrepreneurs feeling overwhelmed by growth
• Leaders looking to build systematic processes
• Anyone wanting to grow without sacrificing quality
• Teams preparing for expansion

🔑 KEY FRAMEWORKS COVERED: S - Start: Assess your current position T - Test: Validate your readiness A - Analyze: Identify opportunities G - Gauge: Assess requirements E - Expand: Execute systematic growth

🎓 ABOUT THE STRATEGIC THINKERS PODCAST: Join host Sean M Atkinson each week as we transform complex business decisions into strategic action steps. No perfect scenarios, no unrealistic expectations - just reality-based business growth.

🔔 SUBSCRIBE for weekly insights on thinking strategically and moving purposefully in your business!

📱 CONNECT WITH SEAN: LinkedIn: /sean-atkinson-b854152 Website: https://seanmatkinson.com/ Strategically Speaking Newsletter: https://majority.media/newsletter/

❓ QUESTION OF THE WEEK: What's one successful process in your business that you need to document before scaling? Share your experience in the comments!

#strategicthinking #BusinessStrategy #STAGE #BusinessFramework #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #SystematicGrowth #ScalingStrategy #BusinessSuccess #IntentionalGrowth

In this episode of the Strategic Thinkers podcast, we dive deep into the T.I.M.E.D. framework, a practical approach for both early-stage and seasoned business owners. Unlike conventional business advice that often assumes perfect scenarios, this episode emphasizes the importance of basing your strategies on current circumstances and reality. Whether you're in crisis mode or experiencing abundance, understanding how to track metrics, assess market impact, and deploy resources effectively can make the difference between sustainable growth and missed opportunities. We explore how to evaluate your business honestly, considering surrounding circumstances that affect your metrics and strategic decisions.

Key Takeaways

• Base your business strategies on real circumstances, not ideal scenarios
• Track metrics within context, not in isolation
• Understand the surrounding circumstances when evaluating business performance
• Identify whether you're an assimilator, innovator, or disruptor in your market
• Consider both preventative measures and reactionary solutions based on your strengths
• Shift from an expense mindset to an investment mindset
• Create flexible frameworks that accommodate life's uncertainties
• Build confidence through thorough preparation and understanding
• Evaluate your market position regularly to stay competitive
• Deploy strategies that allow for both growth and scaling back when necessary

In this episode of the Strategic Thinkers Podcast, Sean M Atkinson introduces the P.A.U.S.E. framework, emphasizing the importance of due diligence in business. Sean breaks down the components of P.A.U.S.E. - Potential Assessment, Assessing Timing, Understanding Market Needs, Strengthening Your Foundation, and Executing When Ready. 

Throughout the conversation, Sean illustrates how these principles can be applied to enhance customer experience, build trust, and ensure long-term business success. The episode concludes with a call to action for entrepreneurs to be intentional and strategic in their approach to business.

Want to beat the odds of business failure? Learn the proven F.I.R.S.T. framework that helps entrepreneurs build successful businesses from day one.