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With 40% of Americans dissatisfied and unengaged from their workplace, it's no struggle to see that we are entering a new era in the business world. The times are changing, as is the workforce and their needs. As you grow your business, are you struggling to find engaged and "bought in" workers who will help you get to the innovative edge? Do you want to put your company on the map? Then it's time to redefine how your company compensates, engages, and retains its best people.

Andrew J Sherman knows all about the factors that make a company grow. He says we are in a crisis as far as worker disengagement is concerned. He also knows that if you want to be competitive, you need to have the best people working for you. So how do you change that? What can you do to redefine your business? Listen to this week's podcast and find out!

• Startling statistics from the latest Gallup polls.
• Battling the prevailing ambivalence towards work is the best way to give your company an edge.
• Andrew shares his take on the contributing factors to worker apathy.
• It's more than a generational divide. There is a communication problem.
• Maintaining a competitive edge for American companies.
• 4 ways you can link in to what your employees really want to increase engagement.
• Why is trust and transparency so important?

Be sure to check out Andrew's book on Amazon: The Crisis of Disengagement

Follow Andrew on Twitter

@AndrewJSherman

@Codisengagement

Are you tired of hearing "That's not my job?" Are you ready for a radical change in your employees' work environment? Are you an employee yourself who wants to initiate a plan of action towards your own development? Congratulations! You are right on the edge of a Development Mindset, and you want to see your company grow.

Business is changing at a rapid rate, but our mentality about work remains much the same. Now, more and more people are taking on second jobs, and not giving their work 100% of their energy and heart. How can we change that mentality on a company wide level? Andy Fleming and his colleagues at Way To Grow INC have thought long and hard about that very problem. Andy is here today to inspire and inform you with proven strategies and case studies that have revolutionized so many companies. Are you ready to take the plunge? Listen and find out!

• Studies on adult development led to this growth-mindset method
• Have to create a culture within an organization to help one another grow.
• Overcoming our human nature to compete with one-another.
• The Second-Job Phenomenon
• What is a D.D.O? Does this describe your business?
• Innovation is a development strategy
• Sign up for the D.D.O Workshop October 26/27.

Grab your copy of Andrew's book: An Everyone Culture today!

Find Way To Grow online: http://www.waytogrowinc.com/

Why do business leaders resist change? It is easy to see intellectually how change is a vital component of a successful business, but so often strong companies crumble because of a resistance to major change. So what is it that causes us to keep coming back to the same seat at the meeting, or stay in a work position completely dissatisfied when there might be a better option out there? It's fear. Fear keeps us content for the time but fails to let us see into the future. What we need are tools to help us fight that fear which hinders our ability to adapt.

Dr. Gary Bradt is a writer and speaker who is passionate about helping leaders adapt to change faster and better. Through his books, speaking, and coaching, Gary has developed a set of tools to help your business adapt and survive. What Gary wants is to get to the heart of our fear, name it, and then overcome it once and for all. He is going to ask us to get a little uncomfortable, but it is all in the name of growth and progress.

• We stick to old habits simply because they have worked in the past.
• Our environment has a deep impact on our willingness to change.
• "My Seat" mentality exemplifies how quickly we get comfortable, and how it has become ingrained in our work habits.
• Safety, predictability, and control are your biggest obstacles to change.
• Dealing with Imposter Syndrome
• Generational differences in approaches to change.
• Gain your tools for change to give you a competitive edge.
• Go after the 80%--find out how!
• Email Gary for a free chapter of his recent book Change

Links

http://garybradt.com/

Onlinechangeacademy.com (Launching Soon!)

Resources

Change: The Tools You Need for the Life You Want at Work and Home by Gary Bradt

Sometimes, the hardest part of growing a business is letting go, yet it's the unstoppable force of innovation that will set your business apart! What business model do you use? How long has it been since you've evaluated your relationship with your buyers? In what areas of your business can you innovate efficiency that will save both you and your suppliers money and keep your business moving forward. Stop spinning your wheels doing the same old thing. Stop wasting time and energy, and get to your desired outcome.

Kate Vitasek is a professor of business and the University of Tennessee, the author of 6 books, and a business model innovator. Kate has spent time in the trenches studying business innovation with the Air Force and has had experience as both a buyer and a supplier for Microsoft. If anyone knows both sides of the buyer/supplier relationship, it's Kate. Listen this week as Kate shares the results of her research and her 5 step plan to jumpstart your business innovation. Her collaborative and innovative approach to business is a breath of fresh air, and just what you might need to grow your business.

• The old model is to hold all steps of the process internally.
• Shifting towards a collaborative mindset has staggering results.
• What's in it for We mindset.
• The way to craft a contract to support a high expansion mentality.
• Discover the 5 Vested Rules
• Use the wisdom and experience of the suppliers to inform the buyer.
• An example of innovation from even the Janitorial level.
• Define your expected outcomes: speed to market, cost structure, process innovation, etc.
• Water for People as an example of a company that generates real change using creative solutions and true partnerships.

Links:

http://www.vestedway.com/about-kate-vitasek/

Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katevitasek/

Resources:

Strategic Sourcing in the New Economy by Katie Vitasek

Is work/life balance a myth, or a reality? Work seems to consume more and more of our lives these days because we are always available on social media, email, and cell phones (thanks technology!) This is the first time in human history where information is coming in faster than we could ever hope to keep up with it. How can we as entrepreneurs navigate the bloated world of information and manage overwhelming tasks without losing our sanity? Once we've managed to sort through it all, can we then achieve the balance we all so desperately crave?

In this week's podcast, Susan has a chat with Jeff Davidson. Jeff is the author of 65 books, so he knows a thing or two about getting things done! His encouragement to us all is that we make the most of the time we are given, and discipline ourselves enough to step away from our screens now and again. Through his writing and speaking, Jeff has developed simple tricks and strategies that will get you out of the information swamp, and into the fields of productivity, all without sacrificing your inbox! Listen this week as Jeff teaches you to breathe, prioritize, and manage your information addiction and restore some of that mythical work/life balance.

Show Highlights:

• Experience the bond of information.
• We need to choose where we give our time and attention.
• The dangers of over-collecting information.
• Learn how to put personal filters in place, from information-free zones to email triage.
• Discover the Breathing Space Process
• What we can do to discipline ourselves enough to fight against the overwhelming pile of information.
• Master the art of doing one thing at a time. As simple as this sounds, that is the key to high productivity.

Links:

Jeff's Website: http://breathingspace.com/

Resources

Jeff's book: The 60-Second Self Starter

What's in a brand? A product by any other name just wouldn't be your product, would it? In today's rapidly changing market, having a solid brand can make or break a business, especially when you are the face of it. Have you been thinking about your brand lately? When was the last time you updated it? Does it speak to the heart of your customer? What exactly is it saying?

Trying to find the answers by yourself can seem like an insurmountable task, but that is where Brand Expert Libby Gill comes in. After her early work in studios like Universal and Sony, Libby discovered that her true passion was helping small business owners promote and brand themselves with an eye towards the wider market. Now, she has seventeen years of coaching experience under her belt, and three books to her name. In this episode, Libby will share with you the building blocks of a strong brand from her book Capture the Mindshare and the Market Share Will Follow. Listen this week to find out how your business can enter into the "Mindshare" of today's market, and succeed with a strong brand.

• Your brand is just as important in innovation as is your product or service.
• Brands allow you to position yourself in the marketplace.
• Libby discusses the complexities of branding today—it's both and art and a science!
• How the Founder can also be the Brand.
• See what it means to Capture the Mindshare.
• Understand the importance of an emotional experience for a customer.
• Discover The Four Core Mindshare Methods.
• Up your credibility factor and streamline your website.
• Libby's bold statement: if you use her book and the method does not improve your business brand, she will personally coach you in your business endeavors.
• The importance of seeking help in your Brand from others you trust.
• Take Libby's Branding Quiz!

Links and Resources

Libby's Branding Quiz at http://mybrandingquiz.com/

Libby's Website : http://libbygill.com/

Libby's Book: Capture the Mindshare and the Market Share Will Follow: The Art and Science of Building Brands

Are you stressed out to the max from running your business? Did you know that stress is the number one cause of illness in the country today? When you're managing an organization, or running a business, the never seem to be enough hours in the day and the lines between business and personal lives often become blurred. We live in a 24/7 world, where the pressure of both work and personal life make it even harder to cope. So it's no wonder that insomnia and so many physical problems abound. We are stressed out! Today's guest, Dr. Frank Wood may have what you need to start living a more stress-free life. Listen in to find out more.

Frank is a Clinical Psychologist and he developed the innovative, Thriving With Stress Training, which has been called life transforming! Listen in now, as Frank helps you understand a little more about stress and how to manage it.

Show Highlights:

• He offers some practical advice for small business owners, who are stressed and burned out from the demands of building their businesses.
• How stress actually works in the body.
• The four ways that people typically respond when demands are overwhelming.
• Stress can also be a good thing.
• How he came up with the concept for his Thriving With Stress Training Program.
• The Traffic Light metaphor that he uses in his training.
• How stress impacts the entire communication channel.
• Tapping into your senses, to slow things down and reduce stress.
• The actor/observer bias in all of us.
• His online training, to support people who are living through a divorce.
• The huge number of divorces in America today.
• His plans for future products.
• Why stress makes us so tired.

Links:

Frank's website: www.thrivingwithstress.com

Frank's online divorce support: www.yourresilientdivorce.com

Frank on Facebook: Facebook.com/thrivingwithstress

Frank on Twitter: Thrive With Stress

What do you think about, when you think of innovation? Do you imagine new technologies or cool new products that are introduced in the market? The truth is however, that in order to remain relevant and stay competitive today, you really need to be innovative in every aspect of your business. Nothing will succeed if you don't have the right infrastructure to support it. Especially the people. Without the right people in your business, it's difficult to stay ahead of your competition. Your team is the foundation of building innovation into your business. Listen in and find out how you can bring the best and the brightest into your business and retain them once they're on board.

Today's guest, Chester Elton, is the number one best-selling Business Author and an expert on Organizational Culture, Employee Engagement and Leadership. He is the co-author of several books, including All In- The Carrot Principle and his latest, What Motivates Me. Listen in now, to find out more about culture and building a competitive edge.

Today, Chester talks to Susan about:

• The progression of his work over the last decade.
• The advantage of Organizational Culture in all stages of the organization.
• The culture that you want in your business.
• The really informed, smart and capable generation of Millennials.
• Some organizations that he thinks do a really good job and get it right.
• Staying true to who you are in your business.
• That there are great leaders in every industry.
• Recruiting for the right fit.
• The importance of the leader in shaping the culture.
• The critical importance for the mid-level and line employees to really understand the culture.
• Giving Line Managers the vision and the tools.
• What really makes his Personality Assessment different.
• Interesting insights he's found in his data on Generational Differences.
• You've got to know the players on your team.
• If you're happy at work, you're 150% more likely to be happy at home.
• The core human element speaks to all cultures.

Links:

To take Chester's Personality Assessment, text 72000, and type carrot into the comment line, and he will send you a free assessment.

Chester's websites: www.thecultureworks.com or www.carrotguys.com

Chester is on Linkedin, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

Did you know that today, we're in an era of Crowdfunding, where anyone with an idea or a concept can reach out to a limitless number of people to ask for funds? Are you aware of the many advances that have been made, in the way that you can conduct your business lately? There is currently so much information available via the internet, that you can now do business and leverage affordable and sophisticated technology and tools via the cloud, which can even allow you to compete with the big guys. Perhaps one of the biggest changes is how businesses finance their growth these days. Listen in to find out more about what Susan calls the Democratization of Lending.

The guest on the show today is Cliff Ennico, who used to have a radio show with Susan many years ago. Cliff is considered to be one of America's leading experts on the legal and tax problems which are faced by entrepreneurs and small business owners. He's also a prolific writer, having written sixteen books on legal and tax issues, including The Crowdfunding Handbook. Listen in and learn how to finance your business through Crowdfunding.

Show Highlights:

• You really can raise money for your business through Crowdfunding.
• Until very recently, you could only raise money through Crowdfunding for projects and not a business.
• The revolutionary changes made by Congress and the SEC last year, which now allow companies to use Crowdfunding Portals to raise money from total strangers.
• The Securities Laws, which are actually Consumer Protection Laws.
• That the SEC realized that there are certain people who actually don't need Consumer Protection.
• There are limits to the amount that people can invest in Crowdfunding Campaigns.
• Now you can raise money from your social media followers, for the first time.
• Service businesses cannot raise money from Venture Capital, but now they can legally raise money from fans and followers on social media, through Crowd Funding Campaigns.
• Lots of entertainment projects, like off-Broadway shows, are going to be getting funding this way.
• Food and Liquor are a major thing in Crowdfunding right now.
• The kinds of businesses that can benefit most from Crowdfunding.
• Why Tech Companies don't seem to be working much with this.
• Your chances of success for getting an offering are good if you have a strong social media presence.
• The kinds of questions that business leaders should be asking themselves before they decide to go after Crowdfunding.
• Why it will be better for you to use the services of an attorney or a financial advisor, in order to navigate these portals.
• You have to be careful with this, as all the SEC Fraud Rules still apply.
• How much you are allowed to raise this way.
• How to select the portal that's right for your company.
• Be aware that a lot of these portals are looking for you (the company) to help them to generate investors.
• Cliff's philosophy right now- Look for the one (Portal) that understands your company.
• That there are portals that specialize in Real Estate. (iFunding.co)
• There are also portals that specialize in Franchising.
• What happens if you want to raise say $1,000,000, but you only manage to raise $200,000.
• What you need to watch out for when trying to raise money this way.
• Why Cliff sees Crowdfunding to be the thing of the future, with Millennials in particular.
• The costs for using portals.

Links:

Cliff's website: www.succeedinginyourbusiness.com

Cliff's Youtube Channel

Resource:

Cliff's book, The Crowdfunding Handbook

Do you ever spend any time in your day doing some kind of mindful thinking, or reflecting on self-improvement? Susan was reading a Harvard Business Review article recently, about the importance and power of mindful thinking, where the authors recommend doing that for ten minutes per day. Sounds simple enough, yet Susan's sure that 80% or more of us don't carve out the time to do it. She suggests that perhaps you should consider a coach to create discipline around you and your business and to hold you accountable. Perhaps someone like her guest for today, Dan Coughlin. Listen in to find out about Dan and what he does to help people in their businesses.

Dan serves as a thinking partner for executives and business owners, to help them to achieve the outcomes that they desire the most. He has provided more than 3500 coaching sessions to 200 executives since 1997 and now he also provides practical advice and Executive Coaching Group Sessions to small groups of four to eight people, anywhere in the world. You, too, could be anywhere in the world to be part of them. Dan is also a prolific writer and you can find his articles on Susan's website. (www.susansolovic.com) Listen in and find out what Dan has to share with you today.

Today, Dan talks to Susan about:

• The Any Person Mindset and what it's all about.
• Ideas become actions, actions become habits and habits impact results- with the key being the habits that you develop.
• What he sees as the three greatest challenges that business owners and business leaders face today and how he helps them to overcome these.
• How he helps busy people to develop the necessary discipline.
• Why people tend to get addicted to the trap of stress and hype.
• His One, Three, Six Exercise, to help people achieve their goals.
• Saying "no". One of the hardest, yet most effective things you can do.
• Using your imagination to feed ideas.
• The downside to using your imagination without guiding it.
• How a leader can really bring out the best in people, to build success.
• The traps that people tend to fall into.
• Intentional practice.
• What really makes an effective leader.
• Calmness - a really underrated business trait.
• Ways to influence people without dictating to them.

Links:

Dan's website: www.thecoughlincompany.com

Dan on Facebook: www.facebook.com/thecoughlincompany

You can also find Dan Coughlin on Linkedin and Twitter

Resources:

Book: Challenge Is Overrated by Jeff Coleman

Book: Peak by Anders Eriksson

Book: Truman by David McCullough