The Good Office Podcast, by Marie Mae

The end of the year is the perfect time for reflection.

If you’re one of the lucky ones who gets to slow down for the holidays (not the case for us here at Marie Mae!), it’s an opportunity to look back and take stock of all you’ve done.

It’s gratifying to see what you’ve accomplished before you create goals for the upcoming year… and it helps you see if what you’re doing is working.

When you’re trying to do good and make an impact through your business, this is important stuff. That’s why I recommend a year-end impact assessment.

This assessment is useful for crafting your action plan in the future, plus building on your business’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategy.

Start off with questions like: Where did you “do good” and how impactful was it across each part of your business? Were there opportunities for improvement? Think beyond just donations. How did you support teammates? Did you reflect your values across your supply chain?

Don’t worry if you’re just starting out – this is incredibly useful for continuing to work toward your action plan.

Be sure to check out the free workbook I have for you so you can review your 2021, assess your priorities, and set the stage for an even more successful 2022.

Takeaways from this episode:
· List out the big business milestones in 2020, preferably in a month-by-month format.
· Review all impacts your business had, both positive and negative, in regard to environment, social impact, customer satisfaction and more.
· Reflect on your list by thinking about what you can do differently or how you can improve.

Resources mentioned in this episode:
https://thegoodofficepodcast.com/assessment

To book a free strategy session with Jillian:
https://mariemae.com/consulting

To learn more about Marie Mae :
https://mariemae.com/

For show notes and more resources:
https://mariemae.com/episode/80

Topics discussed in this episode:
- Company's Impact Assessment
- Corporate social responsibility plan
- End-of-Year Review
- Business Strategy
- How to create an Impact Report

Once upon a time, a woman named Gabrielle Dolan worked as a leader in corporate Australia. In this environment, she realized the power of effective business communication and how storytelling is the key.

This lesson ignited a passion in her, and she went on a journey to share her insights with others. Today she’s an international keynote speaker, educator, and author of Magnetic Stories: Connect with Customers and Engage Employees.

Gabrielle helps many others convert cold data and logic and embed them into inviting, memorable stories. Leaders who know how to communicate wield the power to change the way they lead and create a ripple effect of impact.

See? We all love the power of a good story. This doesn’t change in the business world – after all, we’re still human, so the same rule applies.

As our story’s hero Gabrielle explains, stories are a powerful force.

Stories reel in the listener and create an emotional hook so they listen and understand a message better. (We want to know what happens next! We’re invested!)

Stories are memorable. We retain information better in that format.

Stories help the storyteller by endowing them with a sense of authenticity and credibility.

Stories are effective. They share a vision and enhance collective understanding.

If you’re looking to do good in your field, or get your office on board with an initiative, try using storytelling. Watch how people respond. You might just find you’ve increased buy-in and built excitement for your cause.

Takeaways from this episode:
- Storytelling taps into our emotions, and our brains process emotions differently than logic. It lingers in long-term storage of the brain and can also lead to better buy-in.
- As humans we retain stories better than pure data alone. Lead with a story to engage, and you’ll keep your audience’s attention better throughout the rest of a presentation.
- Incorporate stories about your company’s creation, culture, customer service, customers, and challenges into your brand materials and presentations.

Topics discussed:
- Creating engaging presentations
- Storytelling in business
- 5 types of stories businesses need
- Telling customer stories
- Sharing your brand story
- Connecting with employees
- Sharing your values

To connect to Gabrielle Dolan please follow:
https://gabrielledolan.com/
https://www.instagram.com/gabrielledolan.1/
To purchase Magnetic Stories:
https://gabrielledolan.com/resources/magnetic-stories/

To book a free strategy session with Jillian:
https://mariemae.com/consulting

To learn more about Marie Mae :
https://mariemae.com/

For show notes and more resources:
https://mariemae.com/episode/79

I don’t know about you, but when I read books or learn about new ideas, I think, “Wow, I should really try that” – only to not follow through with action most of the time.

It’s easy for us to amass theories and tidbits of wisdom, but converting them into a practice is where it counts. Learning by itself doesn’t lead to lasting change; we must apply the strategies we’ve learned so it sticks and yields results.

That’s when the lightbulb goes off. That’s when you change your business.

Leadership Developer and Results Coach Brian Lovegrove says, “We don’t have a learning problem. We have a doing problem.” And he helps professionals get started by eradicating fear and crafting a clear vision with action items along the way.

If you’re wanting to become a “good office” that impacts your team, office, customer - even the world - in a positive way, you’ll want to hear Brian’s 5 keys to success. They’ll help you develop the skills needed to make a difference in any area of your life.

You’ll learn about accountability and how the right coach can empower you with the right tools to take your business where you need it to go. You’ll also learn the hallmarks of a good mentor. It all involves taking that first step and making your learning a practice.

His practical tips will have you on the path to an incredible life.

Takeaways from this episode:
- We need a clear vision of what we want from our learning, why we’re doing it, and how we’re getting there - with a commitment to follow through.
- 90% of problems can be fixed by taking action. It’s better to do something than nothing at all.
- Make sure your team can function without you. When leaders always answer their team’s questions, it’s enabling them rather than teaching them to troubleshoot for themselves.

To connect to Brian Lovegrove please visit:
https://www.brianlovegrovecoaching.com/

To get access Brian's Masterclass on How To Consistently Get Your Desired Results And Achieve Your Goals please visit: 
http://becomeunstoppable.info/
Or text the word 'Result' to 77948

John Maxwell:
https://www.johnmaxwell.com/

The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership: Follow Them and People Will Follow You
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ETK5N5O/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i1

To book a free strategy session with Jillian:
https://mariemae.com/consulting

For show notes and more resources:
https://mariemae.com/episode/78

Topics discussed:
- Keys to business success
- Accountability
- Coaching vs. mentorship
- Overcoming fear
- Implementing your training
- Leadership
- Empowering your team

Small businesses are the backbone of the economy. In fact, it comprises most of the U.S. GDP!

However, small businesses may not always have the resources and “know how” that some of the largest businesses have.

And the stakes are high. How high? Unfortunately, 60% of businesses fail in the first 5 years. 83% fail due to poor cashflow management, or knowing how and where money should go.

I spoke with Michael King of KFE Solutions, who has devoted his career to instilling small business owners with knowledge and confidence. He acknowledges the importance of small businesses and has pledged to empower them.

What I love about Michael is his teacher’s heart. He has the talent of distilling business concepts into smaller, understandable nuggets. In other words, everyday people can consume and grasp the business acumen he offers.

(In fact, he calls this his “superpower.”)

We talk about his experience in the business world starting out, and how he had to learn to understand accounting and finance. This journey set him on a path to help others in similar situations.

He channels his talents in our conversation and provides helpful tidbits to business owners who are starting out or learning to better understand their operations.

Much of it boils down to knowing your numbers and building a strong financial foundation. It doesn’t matter if your sales and marketing game is strong if you don’t have a strong handle on your finances.

Don’t miss his words of wisdom. I loved hearing from him and benefited greatly, and can’t wait for you to do the same.

Takeaways from this episode:
- The critical 4 numbers an entrepreneur should know: revenue, gross profit, net profit, and cashflow.
- A cashflow forecast helps you think about how much money you have in the business today and how much money will go into the business over time. This helps guide your expenditures.
- Be conservative while estimating your profits; optimism isn’t the goal in cashflow forecasting because you must prepare for worst-case scenarios.
 
To learn more about Michael King and KFE Solutions please visit:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/iammichaelking/
https://www.kfesolutions.com/
https://www.instagram.com/i.am.michael.king/

To book a free strategy session with Jillian:
https://mariemae.com/consulting

To learn more about Marie Mae :
https://mariemae.com/

Show notes and more resources:
https://mariemae.com/episode/77

Topics discussed:
- Cashflow management
- Cashflow forecasting
- Net profit and gross profit
- Business fundamentals
- Small business growth
- Understanding accounting and finance
- Leaders and financials

It’s common for entrepreneurs to have their lightbulb moment and run full speed ahead with their ideas.

Sometimes it’s at the expense of doing their due diligence.

They might skip the research and legal phases of creating their product or business - missteps that affect them later in the process. And when it comes to things like intellectual property and getting patents, you don’t want to miss your window of time because you’re concerned about costs while starting out.

It’s a legitimate concern to be sure. There are always fires to put out, and maybe cash is limited starting out. If my lawyer friend didn’t push me to meet with a lawyer while starting Marie Mae, I’d probably have skipped it, too. But I’m glad I didn’t!

With that in mind, Devin Miller stops by to discuss his patent and trademark law firm that focuses on serving startups and small businesses. He’s no stranger to that arena - he’s founded several startups of his own! Drawing from his personal experience, he explains common mistakes business founders make, as well as valuable advice he’d give to his clients.

You’ll have great takeaways for your entrepreneurial venture and even a bit of homework for next steps, including ideas for your legal consultation.

Takeaways from this episode:
-Write your idea down and come back to it in a week. If you’re still excited about your idea, you’re more likely to follow through and do the hard work that comes with it.
-Have a strategy in place so you know what you need to do and when to do it. Even if you don’t have the funds, that roadmap can help you save up and prepare.
-When you’re struggling with multiple problems, invest your time and money in the one that moves the needle and will most impact the business.

Resources mentioned in this episode:
How to book your free strategy session with Devin Miller:
www.strategymeeting.com

For free law resources, Devin put a lot of free resources online:
https://milleripl.com/blogs/milleriplaw/snap-legal

To learn more about Marie Mae :
https://mariemae.com/

For show notes and more resources:
https://mariemae.com/episode/76

Topics discussed:
- Entrepreneurship
- Startups and small businesses
- Intellectual property, trademarks and patents
- Legal assessments
- Legal strategy
- Common entrepreneur mistakes

There’s a proven process for multiplying your profitability as a company, and you can do it from your desk.

The method to achieving this? Having an action plan that hits the “peak impact zone” - where the impact both you and your customer want to make is something you’re uniquely qualified to provide.

In this replay, I walk you through the process of getting your “do good” strategy off the ground through an action plan.

My step-by-step guidance - which I've learned by working with Fortune10 Companies - helps synchronize your business’s purpose and profits so they won’t compete with each other.

It’s an iterative, intentional process making you and your customers happy, creating a real impact, while boosting your business’s bottom line.

Takeaways from this episode:
· Businesses succeed in the purpose-driven profit zone. This is the intersection of 1) the impact you want to make 2) the impact your customer wants to make, and 3) the impact you’re uniquely positioned to provide and the recipient needs.
· If your impact is competing with your ability to make profits, your purpose will be cut. That’s why it’s important to find a sustainable purpose that will in turn propel your business.
· Start small and choose one area to focus on as you seek to start creating an impact. You can’t fix everything at once, and you can always build on it later.
· Know the questions to ask to get started on your implementation plan, as well as the timing to best position it for success.
· Communicate clear expectations to your team for how their actions and specific role contribute to the company objective. 
· Establish metrics and a timetable to evaluate your progress, and make tweaks along the way. If something isn’t working, phase it out and move forward.
· Acting on your purpose attracts clients that are well aligned with you.

Resources Mentioned in this episode:
Book a Strategy Session at:
https://mariemae.com/consulting

B Corp Directory:
https://bcorporation.net/directory

United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals:
https://unfoundation.org/what-we-do/issues/sustainable-development-goals/?gclid=Cj0KCQiA9P__BRC0ARIsAEZ6irhGpDTRZYlHWoQhC8bI8OX5ikcx4IANtpV2KO5hSVfH_fComjruGA4aAnytEALw_wcB

Episode 30: How to Do a Year-End Impact Review
https://thegoodofficepodcast.com/episodes/30

To book a free strategy session with Jillian:
https://mariemae.com/consulting

To learn more about Marie Mae :
https://mariemae.com/

For show notes and more resources:
https://mariemae.com/episode/75

Topics discussed in this episode:
· Creating your company’s annual action plan
· Aligning business purpose with profits
· What to do after your year-end assessment
· Messaging with clarity
· Business purpose and growth
· Implementing strategy and new ideas

We’re experiencing the “Great Resignation” (or the "Great Reshuffle") in the workforce right now, and one of the biggest reasons people leave their jobs? Burnout.

You might hear “I’m burnt out” used interchangeably with “I’m stressed.” But burnout and stress are different.

Burnout is long term. It may come across as irritability or cynicism, but it can also be indifference - where you stop caring about your work.

One way I like to describe it is emotional exhaustion. And it happens to both teammates and leaders. If it’s not dealt with, it can leak out unintentionally in your behaviors – and can also have a ripple effect throughout your organization.

As a leader trying to nurture your own “good office,” it’s important to realize what falls within your scope when it comes to managing burnout … and what doesn’t.

For yourself, it can mean tending to your physical and mental self-care. It’s also about seeing patterns in your responses. When it comes to your team, recognize what’s within your control to alleviate and what’s out of your hands.

And today I’m happy to welcome Erin Rocchio to the podcast to help you do just that. Erin is the author of “Wholeness at Work: Free Yourself from Burnout for Good,” which addresses the science behind workplace burnout. She explores the symptoms, sources, and solutions across 3 different levels: individual, relational, and systemic. Her knowledge and methods help leaders find sustainable solutions for workplace well-being.

It’s a timely discussion, and super helpful whether you’re a leader or individual suffering burnout. I hope this helps you show up as your best self and work with your team, who, first and foremost, are only human.

Takeaways from this episode:
- If you’re checking in with your team and collecting feedback, you should be responsible with the feedback you receive and act where it’s within your power.
- Treat business as a marathon, not a sprint. Identify opportunities for renewal and learn what that means for your team. How can you build that into your strategy?
- Consider the thoughts and emotions you have regularly and how they contribute to your well-being. Make the choice to act (not react) to them in a way that serves you.


Resources mentioned in this episode:
For coaching and events with Erin Rocchio:
www.evolution.team
Burnout assessment and resources:
ourwholenessatwork.com
Wholeness at Work: Free Yourself From Burnout for Good:
https://ourwholenessatwork.com/products/wholeness-at-work-free-yourself-from-burnout-for-good

To book a free strategy session with Jillian:
https://mariemae.com/consulting

To learn more about Marie Mae :
https://mariemae.com/

For show notes and more resources:
https://mariemae.com/episode/74


Topics discussed:
- Burnout in the workplace
- Stress vs. burnout
- Team morale
- Self-regulation
- Prioritizing self-care
- Mindfulness
- Self-compassion

Corporate gifting may sound like a large-scale operation for clients or for a company holiday party.

It’s not that those scenarios aren’t included…but that’s not the entirety of what corporate gifting is.

Have you ever celebrated Bosses Day? Administrative Assistants Day? Or even a regular birthday in the office? You can send an impactful gift for any of those celebrations.

But in addition to the everyday, gifting can also be part of a larger strategy too. You just may not know of the possibilities for a gifting strategy without seeing it in action first.

(But I’ll tell you now I’ve never met a company that hasn’t done corporate gifts in one form or another!)

That’s why I’m discussing my experience with my law firm clients and how they welcome their associates, as well as my firsthand experience at trade shows.

I’ll tell you how to best utilize gifting in your business.

Because gifts can really make a difference.

A thoughtful gesture of goodwill goes a long way - and can help you nurture a different type of office.

Takeaways from this episode:
- If you’re not giving your new hires gifts, know that your competitors are.
- A great gift isn’t extravagant or expensive. A great gift is personalized and tells a story.
- Gifting should grow your business, enhance your client experience, and elevate your firm’s reputation.

Free resources available for you at https://www.MarieMae.com/lawfirms which include:
- Top tips for curating the perfect corporate gifting strategy (for law firms and client development)
- 5 reasons corporate gifting is a whole lot more than marketing

To book a free strategy session with Jillian:
www.mariemae.com/corporate

To learn more about Marie Mae :
https://mariemae.com/

For show notes and more resources:
https://mariemae.com/episode/73

Have you been wondering which gifts to give your team at the end of the year?

Gifts for professionals that a) aren’t marketing swag and b) manage to be nice, useful, and meaningful?

You’re in luck. I may not be a certain talk show host, but I’ve rounded up my “favorite things” - the hottest professional gifts of 2021.

Clients have asked for my input in the past, so this year, I managed to get ahead with this list.

These aren’t items that only I’d enjoy … although I can personally vouch for the fact they’re awesome!

I’ve done client research and asked real professionals what they’d like. And it may not be what you think.

You could say I’m offering you the science of gifting.

(And no, nothing is sponsored.)

Remember, there are important parameters to follow when it comes to planning and giving gifts. They help you go the extra mile so that your employees feel appreciated.

This list should help you hit a home run with your team. There are even VIP gifts if you really want to make an impact or reward important clients.

Enjoy!

Takeaways from this episode:
- Gifts for professionals should be useful - and something the recipient wouldn’t buy for themselves.
- Don’t buy something cheap. Your recipients won’t want it, and it might get stuck on a container ship en route to you thanks to global supply chain issues this year.
- Giving generous gifts that are thoughtful says a lot about your brand - more than a gift branded with your logo ever will.
 
See the full list of the hottest corporate gifts of 2021 at mariemae.com/2021catalog.

To book a free strategy session with Jillian:
https://mariemae.com/consulting

To learn more about Marie Mae :
https://mariemae.com/

For show notes and more resources:
https://mariemae.com/episode/72

Topics discussed:
Corporate gifting
Office holiday gifting
Best employee gifts of 2021
Employee appreciation
Year-end rewards
Client Appreciation

The holidays are approaching - fast.

They’ll be here before you know it, and soon you might just find yourself wishing you had more time to shop for gifts.

(And it can definitely put a damper on the holiday season when you’re stressed about finding gifts at the last minute!)

Plus, in this era of “the great resignation,” there’s a mass exodus of people seeking employment elsewhere. Maybe the pandemic made them rethink their current work situation, or maybe they don’t want to return to the office in favor of the work / life balance that teleworking offers.

With that in mind, gifting is a strategy to show your people you value their contributions - that you care about them as people.

It’s always great to send gifts. But when you give gifts thoughtfully, at the right time and with the right preparation, it goes a long way in making your teammates or clients feel valued and appreciated.

It can also help you out to plan early, especially this year.

I’ll show you why.

Takeaways from this episode:
· You can actually save money by taking advantage of early shopper discounts, which help you and the vendor because many are slammed with business in November and December.
· The earlier you shop, the more product availability you’re going to have - and the more opportunities to customize, and the less stressed you’ll be.
· Your gift stands out in a crowd when it’s the first one your recipient receives.
 
Want a free eBook on corporate gifting tips and trends for 2021?
Sign up for our mailing list at MarieMae.com.
 
Episode 70: FEELING STUCK THIS HOLIDAY SEASON? HERE'S WHAT TO CONSIDER
https://mariemae.com/episode/70

To book a free strategy session with Jillian:
https://mariemae.com/consulting

To learn more about Marie Mae :
https://mariemae.com/

For show notes and more resources:
https://mariemae.com/episode/

Topics discussed:
- Corporate gifting
- Holiday gifting at work
- Gifting tips
- Supply chain issues
- Employee appreciation