As 2024 draws to a close, Eric takes the opportunity to share a selection of books that profoundly influenced his thinking over the past year. 

Each recommended book covers a different topic, from AI to pricing, financial psychology, and geopolitics. Eric carefully selected each book to inspire you to reflect on the past year and encourage your strategic preparation for 2025 in business and life.

1. Amplify AI by Ronsley Vaz

Amplify AI, written by Ronsley Vaz, is a comprehensive guide to integrating AI into business practices. 

The book is in three parts:

• AI adoption, and a historical overview and common pitfalls to avoid

• Using AI ethically and implementing it responsibly

• The Amplified AI Pyramid outlines four critical growth areas

Ronsley’s expertise as a software engineer and business strategist shines through, making this a must-read for anyone curious about effectively leveraging AI.

2. Fearless Pricing by Casey Brown

Fearless Pricing by Casey Brown tackles one of the most vital yet challenging aspects of running a business. The book empowers readers to move beyond hourly rates and focus instead on value-based selling. 

The book provides actionable strategies to:

• Command fair prices

• Avoid commoditization

• Strengthen team confidence in pricing discussions

This book will benefit service-based business owners looking to enhance profitability and differentiation.

3. The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel

Morgan Housel's The Psychology of Money explores the psychological aspects of financial decisions. Each chapter tells a unique story, with lessons on compounding, risk, and defining how much is enough. A standout chapter for Eric was Never Enough, which dives into the dangers of unchecked ambition in life and business. 

This book encourages readers to rethink their financial goals to align them with their priorities in life.

4. The War on the West by Douglas Murray

In The War on the West, journalist Douglas Murray boldly examines contemporary societal challenges. Drawing on his firsthand experiences in conflict zones, he advocates for moral clarity and challenges prevailing narratives. 

This book offers valuable insights into the sociopolitical dynamics that shape our world. The author’s dry humor and fearless commentaries make this book an engaging and thought-provoking read.  

5. The End of the World is Just the Beginning by Peter Zeihan

In this book, author Peter Zeihan explores the geopolitical and economic forces currently reshaping our planet. With sections on transport, energy, demographics, and more, he provides a historical and forward-looking perspective on global trends. 

This book is a wake-up call for business owners, urging them to consider long-term strategies and prepare for various global scenarios that could impact their operations.

Conclusion

These books are essential for thoughtful preparation for 2025, offering helpful insights for personal and professional growth. 

Happy reading, and our best wishes for a prosperous New Year!

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The Business of Meetings – Episode 250: Revolutionizing Business Models: Insights for the Meetings and Events Industry with Alex Osterwalder

We are delighted to welcome Alex Osterwalder as our guest today. Alex is the visionary behind the groundbreaking Business Model Canvas and the founder and CEO of Strategyzer. 

Join us as Alex takes us through his journey, from presenting his doctoral dissertation on business models to developing innovative tools, highlighting the power of simplicity and the value of rigorous testing.

His Journey from PhD to Strategyzer

Alex began his journey with a doctoral dissertation on business models, supervised by Eve Pina. Surprised by the interest his thesis received online, Alex decided to co-write a book with Eve. They self-published their book and crowdfunded the project before crowdfunding became mainstream. Their success laid the groundwork for Strategyzer.

Special Offer Mentioned:

https://strategyzer.com/business-of-meetings

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The Business of Meetings – Episode 249 – Amplify AI: Ronsley Seriojo Vaz on Harnessing Artificial Intelligence for Business Growth 

We are delighted to welcome Ronsley Seriojo Vaz as today’s podcast guest.

As the host and Executive Producer of the top-rated Amplify AI and We Are Podcasts, Ronsley is a leading voice in helping organizations master the art of AI integration. He is also the author of the book Amplify AI, where he explores the transformative power of AI and its philosophy.

Join us for an engaging conversation filled with insights and innovation as Ronsley takes us on a journey into the AI world. 

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The Business of Meetings – Episode 248 Unlocking Success: The 5 Essentials You Need for 2025 with Eric Rozenberg 

As the year draws toward a close, Eric shares five essential aspects you need to consider to set yourself up for success in the coming year. 

Join us as Eric dives into a mix of visionary ideas and concrete steps that you can implement immediately to ensure next year is your best year ever!

1. Define Your Long-Term Vision

The foundation of success begins with a clear long-term vision. Consider why you started your business and what you want to achieve over the next 10 years. Your vision is your guiding light in the inevitable ups and downs you will experience as an entrepreneur. Even though team issues, unexpected crises, or technical glitches will likely arise, having a written vision will help you stay grounded. Review it every six months and use it as a compass during tough times. Remember, your long-term vision is not just for next year. It is your North Star for the entire journey you have ahead.

2. Set Clear and Measurable Objectives

Translate your vision into actionable, measurable objectives for the next 12 months. Goals, whether they are sales targets or strategic implementations, are there to guide your focus and energy. Be ambitious yet realistic. Aim for goals that stretch your capabilities without overwhelming your resources. Review and refine your objectives quarterly, and involve your team in your process. Sharing clear objectives ensures everyone understands their role and prevents distractions from derailing progress. Let your goals serve as a filter for prioritizing activities and staying on track.

3. Create Your Ideal Week

Map out your schedule, blocking time for family, personal health, and key business responsibilities. Life is unpredictable, so always allow some flexibility for unforeseen events. A visual plan will help you focus on what truly matters without overloading your days. Translate your ideal week into your calendar and commit to tasks like daily sales outreach. Remember, success lies in deliberate time management and ensuring that everything that matters gets done.

4. Master the Sales Process

Sales is the lifeblood of any business, and success requires systems and consistency. Develop a sales playbook that includes your pitch, common objections, scripts, and processes. Implement a CRM (Customer Relationship Management) system to track interactions and commitments. A well-defined sales process will ensure you and your team operate effectively. Block dedicated time for sales activities in your calendar and review progress regularly. When you implement the right tools and processes, your sales efforts will consistently yield results.

5. Prioritizing Your Accountability

Accountability is the glue that holds a plan together. Having an accountability buddy like a coach or a peer group or having someone to hold you responsible will ensure your consistent progress. Set weekly check-ins to review your commitments and plan upcoming actions. Remember that accountability fosters focus, forces follow-through, and keeps you aligned with your goals. It is a simple yet powerful tool for turning your plans into results.

Final Thoughts

To set yourself up for success next year, focus on a clear long-term vision, measurable objectives, an ideal week, a structured sales process, and accountability. By implementing those strategies, you will move from scattered efforts to a thriving, purposeful business.

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The Business of Meetings – Episode 247 - Mastering Digital Presence: Strategies for Success with Leslie Carruthers

We are excited to welcome Leslie Carruthers, Founder and President of The Search Guru, to the show today. 

As a seasoned SEO specialist and an expert in integrating AI into marketing strategies, Leslie has vast knowledge about leveraging AI technologies for impactful business growth. She joins us today to share her entrepreneurial journey and offer valuable insights on using AI to drive a more effective and efficient approach to sales and marketing.

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We are thrilled to have Geneviève Retzlaff join us today! 

After having a fulfilling career with various organizations, including seven impactful years in HR at Cirque du Soleil, Geneviève founded Grow Better Together. 

In this episode, we dive into her experience with Cirque du Soleil, her work with FIFA, and her insights on venues. We also explore how organizations can structure themselves more effectively, particularly their collaboration with the meetings and events industry.

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The Business of Meetings – Episode 245 – Inside the Mind of a Corporate Event Production Manager: Insights for Event Business Owners with Evan Babins

We are delighted to have Evan Babins joining us on the show today. Evan is the newly appointed Manager of Event Production at Scotiabank.

In this episode, Evan discusses his career path and shares practical insights for business owners on the best practices for leveraging vendor networks, securing sponsorships, and optimizing trade show opportunities.

Bio:

Evan Babins has 10 years of experience in corporate event production. Throughout his career, he has had the chance to manage event logistics and technical event production for many world-class clients like Nissan Canada, Equitable Bank, Kia Canada, Novartis, and TD Bank, to name a few. Evan has worked in the live, virtual, and hybrid event spaces, honing his craft as a top-tier event industry trendsetter. Evan has been included in BizBash's Top 250 Event Professionals, Eventex's Top 50 Most Influential Event Technology Professionals, Bizzabo's Top 55 Event Experience Leaders & Special Event Magazine's Top 20 Young Event Pros to Watch lists. 

Evan is currently the Manager of Event Production at Scotiabank, one of the top 6 banks in Canada. He works on internal and external-facing events and experiences.

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Today, we are excited to welcome Adi Klevit, the CEO and founder of the Business Success Consulting Group, as our guest.

Adi's work is indispensable for any business owner. Join us to hear her story and learn from her impactful insights on the power of effective processes as she clarifies how to document each aspect of your work to allow effective delegation and support your business's growth.

Journey into Process Improvement and Industrial Engineering

Adi began her career in process improvement by choosing to study industrial engineering, drawn by the way it blended science with people-focused work. That discipline sparked her passion for creating order from chaos, which she has carried forward over nearly 30 years, working to streamline and optimize business processes.

Early Career in Process Improvement

Adi worked at a bank during her last college year, focusing on improving data accessibility and analyzing workflows for greater efficiency. That deepened her interest in process improvement and set the foundation for her career.

Transition to Entrepreneurship

Adi has always had an entrepreneurial spirit, running businesses in her youth and early professional years. With extensive experience advising and observing other entrepreneurs, she launched her own company about 14 years ago with a realistic understanding of the challenges involved.

Unexpected Challenges of Entrepreneurship

Working closely with many entrepreneurs prepared Adi for most of the hurdles she faced when founding her business. Her experience gave her insight into many common business problems, and helping other business owners tackle them prepared her for handling similar issues within her company.

Building Business Processes and Procedures

Effective processes can improve onboarding, mitigate risk, and reduce dependency on key employees. Adi emphasizes that while entrepreneurs often prioritize sales and networking, building processes is essential for operational consistency, scaling, and adding value.

Getting Teams to Follow Procedures

Adi designed an eight-step process to promote adherence to procedures across organizations. The first step involves securing buy-in from leadership and team members by clearly communicating the benefits of following established processes. The next step is assessing the personal motivations of each team member, ensuring they understand how the procedures align with their goals and the company objectives. Next, the process includes creating detailed, clear guidelines that outline each step of the procedures, making them easy to understand and implement. Training sessions will be necessary after establishing the guidelines to ensure everyone is on the same page. Regular check-ins and feedback loops help identify any challenges or misunderstandings in the implementation phase.

Open Communication

Encouraging open communication allows team members to voice concerns and suggest procedural improvements. Finally, Adi emphasizes the importance of recognition and rewards for teams that consistently follow the procedures to reinforce positive behavior and foster a culture of accountability.

Productivity Tools and Techniques

Her favorite productivity tools include ClickUp for task management, Slack for internal communication, and Descript for content creation. Adi highlights the importance of choosing tools that add value and structuring their use to avoid inefficiencies.

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Business Success Consulting Group

We are delighted to have a true rock star in the events industry joining us today. 

As the lead Events Manager of Altria, Carrie Davenport is the powerhouse behind their event management success. She has received numerous awards from various organizations in the events industry, and she also hosts a podcast called Like an #EventBoss. 

Carrie brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our conversation today. Stay tuned as she shares her expertise and passion.

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Like an #EventBoss 

We are delighted to have one of the foremost industry leaders joining us today!

As the Chief Sales Officer and Senior Vice President of MGM Resorts International, Stephanie Glanzer holds one of the most prominent and visible sales positions imaginable. She is also involved with the U.S. Travel Association and is a member of Meeting Professionals International.

Stay tuned as Stephanie shares her unique perspective on leadership and industry trends.

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