Winning Teams

 

Change is constant and inevitable. Most of us fear it because we are afraid of the unknown. Our consciousness dictates that we should always stay in the safe zone and take things slow. But if we want to realize our potential and be excellent in every pursuit, it is essential to start with small steps and set our sails. We need to rise above our circumstances.

In this episode, we have Jeff Nischwitz, also recently called the “Wayne Dyer of Business.” 

He is the founder and Chief Story Debunker of The Nishwitz Group, a speaking, consulting, and coaching company with a vision to transform people and organizations, one story at a time. He is also a coach and keynote speaker who has captivated and inspired audiences on a wide range of topics, including conscious leadership, relationships, overcoming self-limiting beliefs, and personal transformation. 

Today, Jeff shares with us the importance of stepping out of our comfort zones and how change can help us grow not only as individuals but also as leaders. He also talks about how our choices, no matter how small or big, can lead to our success. If you are looking to make a significant shift in your mindset, tune in and don’t miss this informative and inspiring episode!

 

Transition to Entrepreneurship  (3:26)

He started his career as a lawyer in a major corporate firm.

In 1994, he left the firm and started his own in which he continued until 2001.

He had a great life. But he eventually realized that he did not want to practice law. What he loved was the business side. 

He took the big leap and quit something that he devoted 17 years of his life studying to pursue what he really wanted and what defines him.  

He did not quit instantly; it took him six months.

He learned that if you think things are okay, they are actually worse than that. There is always something we do that keeps us from changing. 

Leaving Comfort Zone (9:58)

He helps people go from the state of being okay to excellence by: first, helping them have a vision of what they want. 

Second, he helps them realize that fear drives most of our lives and makes them understand what is going on.

Most of us had life experiences that cause us to think about protection. We always focus on the downhill instead of living for the upside.

Our Choices Determines Our Success (13:37)

You always have a choice.

Having such beliefs also allows you to take responsibility for your life and your impact on others. 

We also need to be conscious of our choice of words. 

It’s not what happens to you that makes you who you are. It is how you respond to it that defines you.

Five Essentials of a Conscious Leader (19:10)

Leaders are not born but made. Your perspective needs to change to be a conscious leader.

First, you need to be awake. If you are awake, you become more aware. In order to be aware of who you are, allow yourself to be vulnerable and be authentic.

And as a leader, you will have a lot of commitments, which translates to accountability. And if you honour your commitments as a leader, then it becomes actionized.

Being conscious and present will lead to great choices.

Just One Step: The Journey to Your Unstoppable You (25:04)

The book was inspired by his journey along the Camino.

The premise of his book is that he defines being unstoppable.

 

 

Outsourcing is a business strategy where companies use external services, such as virtual assistants, to perform tasks needed in their projects. This leverage benefits companies and employees alike by having a flexible work environment, which contributes to an improved quality of work as well as its financial benefits.

In today’s episode, Linh Podetti joins us to talk about how outsourcing can be made simple. Linh is a social entrepreneur and outsourcing specialist. She is the CEO and founder of the internationally recognized outsourcing business, Outsourcing Angel, which helps business owners connect with talented virtual assistants (VA).

Check these podcast highlights, and don’t forget to tune in to the episode to know more about the business outsourcing process.

 

Getting Into Outsourcing (03:23)

She initially went to the typical path of getting a corporate job after university.

The frustration of an inflexible 9 to 5 job became her motivation to come up with a business idea.

She started to learn how to create a marketing plan, a business, and a website with limited money.

While running her business, she came across people to whom she can outsource SEO work or content writing because she wasn’t passionate about the company.

Her opportunity arrived when she started doing project managing and marketing for a client. But along the way, she realized that it would be easier to remove herself from that model.

After getting caught up in the first business that made her money, in 2015, Linh founded Outsourcing Angel.

Why Should You Outsource? (08:26)

They help business owners build a reliable virtual team. 

Outsourcing is not just trying to get one task done. It’s about building a team you can rely on that will grow with you.

A lot of people start with hiring freelancers on a project basis where there is no real benefit.

When someone works with you for years, they will know you inside out, and they’re going to follow your mission and be there whenever you need them.

If you want to grow, you’re going to need people. You have to take that leap.

The Basics of Outsourcing (12:43)

You have to put discipline and relay what you want.

Outsourcing is more affordable.

Because you’re working online, you have to use tools such as screencast tools and video calls to train your team.

It’s essential to have a dedicated person with you rather than just outsourcing a task.

Why Should You Choose Outsourcing Angel? (14:06)

They have an HR department managing their people’s issues effectively.

Outsourcing Angel serves small business owners to help them create a culture or work environment that can be fun for VAs and keep them motivated.

They protect the business and the quality of work they give you.

The Biggest Challenge In Outsourcing People (16:29)

The process of picking the right person is time-consuming.

You post a job, go through filtering and interviewing, and then test them out.

Some people don’t love recruitment and managing people.

Getting People to Buy Into the Values in Business Outsourcing Model (19:27)

Their mission is to create home-based jobs.

They conduct meetings through Zoom calls and share the successes and plans for the next ...

 

Sometimes, we can be the most prominent and harshest judges of ourselves. At the same time, we’re also afraid of judgment from the people around us. These bad habits have adverse effects on our success.

In this episode, we have Jonathan George, also called the Human Hitmaker. He is the CEO of JG Entertainment, a company who develop artists and musicians to help them reach their full potential. Today, Jonathan shares with us the habits that hold people back from unleashing the superpower within them. He also talks about the daily things that can help us achieve our goals.

If you are looking to make a significant shift in your mindset, check these podcast highlights, and listen to this informative and inspiring episode!

 

Shift to Corporate Market (04:18)

He has been working with millennials since 1994. For him, this age group has an entrepreneurial spirit.

Millennials are the most educated generation yet. They are also more heart-centered and more driven than other generations.

Millennials are looking for an institution where they can contribute. Sometimes, people who manage millennials do not understand their perspectives.

Be a rock star individually before being able to work as a team.

In his team, he makes sure that everybody stands up so that they can reach their full potential as a group.

Dealing with Setbacks (07:31)

In 2000, during the supposed height of his career, people discovered he is gay.

The record deal he won was pulled because of this, and it was a significant setback for him.

He also experienced unintentional spiritual abuse because he grew up in a traditional family with a father who is a pastor.

He became a coach because of that incident. He turned his negative experience into a positive outcome.

Transforming People (11:42)

Due to his bossy nature, he does not allow people to be comfortable with feeling negative with themselves. He sees the fantastic aspects of a person, and he wants the person to realize those aspects.

It is essential to confront a person’s weaknesses before they can work on them.

Showcasing a person’s strengths entails continuous practice.

Teaching Resilience (14:34)

It is crucial to have a coach, especially if a person wants to be exceptional at a role.

Always have someone who can push you to challenge your strengths and weaknesses.

Importance of a Coach (16:19)

A coach teaches you to focus on the right thing for your success.

Having a coach means there is someone who can give you an objective assessment.

People are often afraid of judgment, and it is the thing that restricts them from achieving their full potential.

In effect, a person self-sabotages his or her success.

Three Steps to Unshakable Confidence (19:52)

First, know who you are. Understand your true talents and not just the hard skill set.

Second, understand your weaknesses. If you do not confront your weaknesses, they will hold you back. 

Lastly, polish your gifts to make them shine.

Showing Vulnerability (25:46)

Leaders must realize that they have their vulnerabilities as well. They do not have all the answers to problems.

Showing vulnerability will help in building trust and rapport with clients.

Coaching is about helping people find the answers to their ...

 

Diving into entrepreneurship is challenging, especially if you already have a high-paying job in the corporate world. However, many people still underestimate the mindset they need to adapt to become successful as a business owner. The transition isn’t for everyone, but those that are courageous enough to pursue this path should know how to scale their businesses sustainably.

In today’s podcast, Meryl Johnston shares her experience in building Bean Ninjas, a thriving bookkeeping firm that provides accounting services to clients from around the globe. She lets us in on the lessons she learned in her journey from leaving her corporate accounting job to becoming CEO and Founder of Bean Ninjas.

Check out these podcast highlights and remember to listen to the show to learn about the strategies you need to build a global business.

 

Making the Jump From Accounting to Entrepreneurship (2:57)

Accounting is a great way to get insights into the business world.

By running the numbers and working behind the scenes, accountants can get an in-depth view of the finances of businesses.

Leaving the corporate world to pursue entrepreneurship is risky. You need to have a vision that will steer you onward and the willingness to make sacrifices.

For Meryl, it was the desire to build something bigger than her corporate world that convinced her to establish her own business.

She knew that becoming an entrepreneur means temporarily postponing her target lifestyle. Nonetheless, her desire for work-life balance motivated her to pursue her business.

The Importance of Establishing a Corporate Vison (08:30)

Business owners must be able to set a vision that is effective at inspiring their teams.

Your vision may be very motivating for you, but it may be ineffective for other people.

Be more inclusive by establishing a corporate vision that accounts for what your employees want.

Identifying the Unique Needs of Your Customers (10:54)

Any business should be able to give something of value to their customers, setting them apart from their competitors.

Global enterprises can benefit from diversification, ensuring that their employees can understand the intricate businesses of their various clients.

Bean Ninjas distinguishes itself by providing accounting services finetuned to the businesses of their clients, many of which aren’t familiar with other accountants.

Building and Maintaining Remote Teams (14:34)

It takes time to build a global scope. Focus on consistent but sustainable growth.

Hiring top-notch talent is crucial at the beginning since their performance helps establish a platform for future growth.

Look for flexible people, since early on, you’ll require them to work on roles that may change frequently.

Engage with your employees, understand their career goals, and steer them toward roles that will make them grow and keep them invested in the company.

Coping in Difficult Times (21:53)

Just keep working at it; even the worst periods don’t last forever.

Focus on the fundamental day-to-day operations and keep your resilience.

Book Recommendation and Rituals (25:20)

The 4-Hour Workweek by Tim Ferriss

Meryl relies on a disciplined morning routine focusing on surfing or beachside runs at 5 in the morning,

 

Stepping up as a leader is not an easy feat. There will always be challenges along the way. But these challenges do not necessarily harm the business. Sometimes, these challenges strengthen leaders as well as their companies.

Having the right knowledge can help leaders achieve their full potential. In turn, they can also help their teams to attain individual successes. These successes must also align with the company’s goals.

In this episode, I will share six leadership lessons that will be beneficial as we farewell another decade. If you want to enhance your leadership skills, tune in to this episode and check these fantastic show highlights!

 

Cost of Tolerance (01:17)

People need to realize the real cost of tolerating behaviours that are incongruent with an organization’s values.

For example, you must not tolerate a high-performing individual in a team who tends to undermine other members.

Leaders must also not tolerate underperformance of team members.

Take action against these kinds of behaviours from your members. Thus, leaders must be ok with confrontation.

Additionally, leaders must also be aware of their tolerance regarding their negative behaviours.

Being aware of these negative behaviors and eradicating them can lead to positive outcomes for the self and business.

Importance of Clarity (05:44)

Leaders need to be transparent regarding their roles.

Aside from this, they should also be clear about expectations, targets, and deliverables.

Leaders should set goals that are dependent on themselves and not on other people.

Importance of Taking Daily Actions (08:33)

Leaders should learn to break down their annual goals into manageable actions.

Breaking the year into 90-day cycles.

Ninety days is a long period to perform meaningful actions. But it is also short enough to capture an individual’s focus.

After breaking down the annual goal into 90 days, leaders can now break the cycle into a two-week timeframe.

Aligning Vision and Mission with Decisions and Actions (11:19)

Leaders and members must have a clear vision and mission to give context to the business.

Vision answers the question, “What are you trying to create?”

Mission answers the question, “Why are you creating it?”

Vision is the description of the team, while mission refers to the purpose.

Align your actions to the company’s vision and mission.

It is also essential for leaders to ingrain the vision and mission into every team member.

Aligning and Engaging the Team (13:31)

Every member should feel belongingness to products and services created.

Align your actions and decisions with the team’s objectives.

Leaders must ensure that every individual’s objective contributes to the team’s goals.

Importance of Proper Stakeholder Management (15:09)

Understand the process of managing stakeholders.

Practice efficient communication with stakeholders because it is a two-way relationship.

Connect with me on LinkedIn. For more podcast episodes and other resources you can use, visit my website John Murphy International. As always,

 

The world where senior executives, business owners, and leaders operate can be rather lonely. They manage the business and communicate with partners and clients, all while maintaining their teams. How do they, then, find psychological safety within a group where they can share with peers to help them grow their businesses, while at the same time, develop their lives?

Joining us in today’s podcast episode is Dirk van Reenen. Dirk is an award-winning entrepreneur and a highly sought-after business consultant and speaker. He is the founder and CEO of BERGflow, and this year, he has been named the new CEO of GoBundance. Dirk’s purpose is to empower fellow entrepreneurs, CEOs, and leaders to help them grow and scale their teams and business while giving them fulfilment with a better quality of life.

 

Check out the critical points of this episode in the highlights below. Don’t forget to tune in to the podcast to know more about the journey to living an epic life.

The Start of GoBundance (3:16)

The founders were all entrepreneurs who started to hold each other accountable in reaching their goals. 

They started focusing on their health and their relationships. What they saw was a powerful core beginning to develop—men stepping up to hold each other accountable and challenge each other toward significant success.

As people become more successful, they become more isolated to the point where they are not comfortable with their friends and family anymore. 

GoBundance is a community where you can come in and share your challenges and struggles openly. You will be held accountable and get fantastic advice and masterminding from other highly successful people.

GoBundance vs. the Traditional Mastermind (07:16)

GoBundance looks at a more holistic view of the person.

They have a term in GoBundance “a whole life millionaire.”

GoBundance’s six pillars: age-defying health, authentic relationships, bucket list adventures, extreme accountability, genuine contribution, and horizontal or passive income.

During large and small trips, after having a strong start to your day and experiencing that adrenaline rush, you get a higher level of creativity, and you get to think outside the box.

There is a lot of connectivity within the tribe, even outside events. They have an active community, and they conduct weekly or bi-weekly meetings together.

They each want to be open about their challenges and create an environment for engagement.

Criteria and Process to Become a Member (11:35)

You have to be at an accredited investor level.

They have an application process to make sure that the right kind of culture comes into the tribe.

They don’t just look at your success; they want to see how you’re giving back to the community and your organization.

They have a 30-day onboarding process to help people integrate into the tribe.

Most people don’t understand how influential the people that they’re around within their lives. People can affect you negatively, even when they believe they’re helping you.

When you’re in the company of people who inspire you, the bar gets higher. You get a mindset that you can achieve whatever you set out to make.

The Six Effects That Are Determining the Destiny of Your Life  (19:22)

1st: The influence effect

 

The internet brings convenience to every transaction we make. Establishing a business online involves less hassle as well. But how do we ensure that our company will be successful and would create profit? 

In today’s podcast episode, our guest James Schramko tells us about his experience working in the corporate world before deciding to establish his own successful business. He shares how he accomplished working less and making more profit. He is the founder of SuperFastBusiness and Silver Circle, helping entrepreneurs quickly double or triple their revenues by working less. He is also the author of the book Work Less, Make More.

 

Check out the episode’s highlights, and also make sure to listen to the podcast for an in-depth discussion of our topic.

Early Work in the Motor Trade Business (2:31)

James worked at Mercedes Benz.

He later realized that he felt restricted in what he was doing.

He found online marketing skills and techniques by accident.

Determining the Right Business Model (13:05)

Determine the target income for a certain period.

Break down the essential questions about this goal.

Gather answers from these questions to help assess which model is suitable for the business.

Identify and explain the pros and cons of this suggested business model.

12-Week Cycle (15:23)

Not focusing too much on long term goals.

Set a theme for work. For example, search engine optimization: The team will focus on making emails more deliverable and speeding up the website.

Distractions can drag agenda or plans down.

Set one high-impact task per week.

80/20 Rule (22:49)

Use filters or tools that help you identify which things are high-impact.

Look out for the crucial things.

Make this an automatic habit.

Systems and Processes (26:50)

Noah’s Ark principle: Keeping two people assigned per task for efficiency.

If someone leaves, the other person will still know how to work on the assigned task and can train the next person.

Create an SOP to track urgent tasks.

Keeping Talented and Trained People (29:48)

Have good pre-interview criteria in advance and then do multiple interviews.

Hire and train the employees well.

Pay salaries early.

Provide flexible work conditions.

Encourage and praise employees.

Ask the employees what they’re passionate about and work on those projects.

Immerse in their culture and lifestyle.

How to Keep Motivated (40:35)

“I think about [surfing]. That’s enough for me. I wake up and check the forecast and get a good surf in each day.”

Book Recommendation and Daily Rituals (42:41)

Indistractable by Nir Eyal

Sleeping early enough and waking without an alarm clock

Drinking water first thing in the morning

Surfing everyday

James’ routine includes an analogue activity to keep him grounded

 

You can contact James at [email protected]. He can also be reached through his LinkedIn.

 

Becoming a leader of a team or perhaps a senior executive of a company is the dream of many people in the business field. However, what most people don’t see is the humble beginnings and the stages that you have to undergo to hone yourself in becoming what it takes to be a leader. Your attitude and outlook of what you can do and where you can add value to your job foresee your progression through company ranks.

Joining us in today’s podcast episode is our guest, Rocky Romanella. After a storied career that began on the bottom rung of the UPS ladder in 1976 and progressed up every rung to the boardroom, Rocky is now a motivational keynote speaker, founder and CEO of 3Sixty Management Services. 

 

Check out today’s episode highlights, and don’t forget to tune in to the show if you want to know more about the process of becoming an effective leader. Sit back, relax, and be inspired.

Jumpstarting Your Career (2:23)

The most effective leaders are those who could get their people to connect the dots.

How are teaching and coaching relevant in the business setting?

Taking advantage of promotion within policy.

You are expanding your skills and knowledge by surrounding yourself with the right people.

What are the value-added solutions?

Learn your job–and learn some more.

An Advice To Starting 18-Year-Old Leaders: What Is The Leadership Perspective? (05:15)

Step back as a leader and let your people fly. You have to believe in your people until they’re ready to believe in themselves.

It is essential to bridge the gap of confidence and knowledge for your people to fully believe in their capabilities.

Think of that word you want someone to use to describe you at the end of your career. You will build that mosaic throughout your career—your brand identity.

Answer these three questions: “Who am I? What do I stand for? What are the things I won’t compromise?”

The importance for companies to articulate their values and demonstrate them through actions.

Backing in first is the best opportunity to understand the set of circumstances you’re facing.

It is not a leader’s characteristic to silently sanction bad behaviour.

Balanced Leadership, Thought, and Philosophy (12:22)

The three critical constituents in business decision-making are your customers, your people, your shareholders, and stakeholders.

When making decisions, you have to be able to represent these three key constituents. 

You have to think like a customer—you want to make sure your people feel like valued individuals—but you want to act like an owner and make all the decisions.

The Importance of Customer Proximity (14:48)

As a leader, you have to effectively train your employees in explaining to customers why your products are valuable, why they should buy it.

In Rocky’s experience, he focused on getting a line of sight from everyone inside their organization. They do this by treating their product as if it was a patient and not an inanimate object. 

Every business needs to be safe.

Starting From The Bottom-Up (20:05)

Rocky loved understanding the business right from doing it himself.

The fact that you’re willing to try to understand the job from the ground ...

 

The most essential part of any organization is the people who get the job done and the business progressing—the employees. If you are managing or leading a team, you need to have a solid understanding of the vision and purpose of your organization. In addition to that, understanding the culture of the organization is vital in engaging employees once you hire them. 

To dive deeper into that, joining us in today’s episode is our guest, Rich Allen. Rich is the founder of Tour de Profit, an organization that focuses on igniting teams, engaging employees, and helping clients hire the right people.

 

Check out this podcast episode’s highlights, and remember to tune in to the show for the specifics of workplace culture and employee engagement. Sit back and keep your ears peeled for all the valuable nuggets we have for you.

Starting and Running a Business (2:56)

Making the big jump—quitting your corporate job.

Rich talks about his experience of working for his father’s business at a young age. 

Managers who don’t know how to motivate and inspire don’t get their teams to do the work they need to do.

Steering the Business: The Importance of Communication in Engaging Employees (08:41)

Rich used a bike as a metaphor for businesses: “If we can understand our businesses like a bike, we can tune up our business and make it go fast.” 

Business leaders often fail in communicating with team members. When talking to employees, they tend to speak in a language that only they understand. 

Know the importance of using a language with which your members are comfortable.

Business owners must be able to put their hands and steer the handlebars of the business. Be clear about your vision.

Corporate Vision Statements (15:05)

Impressively designed corporate vision statements don’t necessarily mean that it’s going to be motivating.

The importance of competition in firing up employee motivation

Flipping the pyramid upside down: When you do a little bit more with what you intend to do and where you want the business to go, more people would realize that you’re in it as a leader for their benefit.

Managing the people and functions over politics drives organizations’ vision and mission. 

The Role of Culture in Transforming Teams and Businesses (19:29)

Culture defines how the business operates from front to back.

Be absolute about your workplace culture.

What are the five or six things that you won’t tolerate in the business? 

Listening to the conversations that take place and how people speak to each other will tell you everything you need to know about an organization’s culture.

Business Hiring Process (21:53)

A reasonably elaborate hiring process starts with the culture and behaviours you want to see in your business.

Do not use skills as a limiting factor early in the hiring process.

“We either win or lose the game by who we let on the team.”

Make it so that somebody has to earn the right to get on the team. They’ll want to stay and be proud that they made it in the company.

Engaging Your People in the Business (27:34)

Include your employees in the hiring process by letting them select their peers. 

When the employees are invested in the people that th...

 

Remote working has been introduced to keep up with the changing needs and trends of the work force, and it has been more popular than ever. Remote operation allows employees to work outside of traditional office premises. It also enables people to get work done at their own pace and still execute it successfully.

In today’s podcast episode, we are joined by our guest Liam Martin. He is the co-founder and chief marketing officer of time tracking tools Time Doctor and staff.com, which helps companies manage remote employees. For 10 years, almost over a million remote workers have used Liam’s tools for their jobs. Liam is also the co-organizer of Running Remote, the largest remote work conference held in Silicon Valley every year. 

 

Check out this episode’s highlights, and don’t forget to tune in to the show for the specifics of remote working culture and management.

Breaking Down the Reluctance in Having Remote Workers (2:00)

Companies have to be able to change their management style for remote workers.

The importance of having effective technology in place to make sure that everyone is staying accountable. 

Looking at the economics of remote work, on average, it’s about 40% more efficient than the on-premise work environment.

The Advantages of Having a Remote Worker (02:59)

Remote work deletes the problem of inter-office politics and colleague issues.

Companies can save money and hassle from frequently having to replace employees as remote worker employees tend to stay longer in the company.

Employees are continually moving around in search of something bigger. In tech companies, it is essential to keep employees engaged in work. This scheme is where remote working comes in.

Employers don’t have to be bound to a geographical limit in hiring the best person for the job.

High Productivity in Remote Working (06:58)

* Allowing workers to work from home or a co-working space reduces the amount of time they spend commuting on the road.

* Remote working has a flexible schedule, unlike the traditional nine to five.

* Being able to optimize employee time at work allows them to get massive gains and overall productivity.

* Work wherever you want, whenever you want. Having the freedom to do your work massively boosts productivity.

The tech industry is the pioneer in remote working because working from a computer is where you would need to put the majority of your time for a remote worker.

Incentives companies give employees do not boost productivity. Employees would trade all free lunches you provide them for remote work opportunities.

Remote Working Management (14:05)

It is essential to have measuring tools to track and manage remote workers’ work activity.

Digitizing documentation allows everyone inside of your organization to communicate processes quickly and easily.

The importance of creating a work culture and creating shared values for team effectiveness

Hiring a Remote Worker (22:04)

Doing a thorough interview is vital to see if the applicant is culturally-aligned to the company.

The onboarding process

Being culturally aligned to the business is the most important criteria for hiring remote workers.

The internationalization framework

Book Recommendation and Daily Rituals (26:53)