Dynasty Leadership Podcast (Todd Eberhardt)
Explorez tous les épisodes de Dynasty Leadership Podcast
| Date | Titre | Durée | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 08 Nov 2021 | Get Yourself on the Center Stage | 00:39:43 | |
Sean Tyler Foley is a trained Safety Trainer and Auditor. Through his teachings and his 30+ years of experience as an actor, he learned how to package information in an engaging way. Today, he is the author of The Power to Speak Naked, and a keynote speaker. In this episode, Tyler breaks down what it takes to present your ideas on a public stage and shares effective communication strategies you can use today in your business.
Key Takeaways: [1:50] A little bit about Tyler and how he got started in speaking. [7:10] How did Tyler go from performer to safety auditor? [9:00] To Tyler, jumping out a window is way scary than speaking on stage! [13:35] Tyler shares what it was like to perform on a stage as a child. [17:10] Grief is a universal feeling. Tyler lost his father at a young age and saw his mother sacrifice a lot for him and his siblings. [24:25] Why are people so afraid of public speaking? Why don’t they want to go back on stage after they do it the first time? [26:00] You need positive reinforcement when it comes to speaking publicly. The best way to do that is to find a group you can practice with. [29:10] Some of the best stories happen within 20-30 seconds. Just look at commercials! Tyler shares an example of what this looks like. [33:35] Everyone wants to be Luke Skywalker when telling their story. Everyone wants to be a hero. The problem is, we’re not Luke. We are Obi-Wan Kenob, so we need to tell the story like him. [35:40] What’s one thing someone can do today to tell their story in a better way?
Mentioned in This Episode: Email Todd: Todd@Dynastylc.com | |||
| 09 Oct 2018 | EP031: The Steps It Takes to Find and Acquire the Right Business | 00:39:08 | |
Rich Kelley is the co-founder of Search Fund Partners; his company has participated in over 125 acquisitions in the last 15 years since its creation and they’ve backed 170 different deal searchers. On today’s show, Rich takes you through the process from finding the right deal and finding the right leader for the company, to the end-game plan once the company has been acquired.
Key Takeaways: [2:10] What did Rich start Search Fund? [4:10] A lot of pairings and transactions are quite emotional for the founder and Search Fund helps navigate through that in a logical way. [6:00] Todd does a quick overview of Rich’s process. [8:20] What does Rich look for in a new CEO? [11:10] Sometimes Rich will hire more than one person to fill in positions within the company and get them to work as a team. This allows for a more robust company. [15:55] Rich gives a two-year budget to have his searchers find a deal and if they can’t get it done in two years, it’s best that they move on. [17:10] Rich’s team looks at hundreds of deals a month; it’s really intensive and by the end, they will talk to roughly 200 perspective sellers on the phone. [17:30] What kind of people are considered ‘sellers’? [22:30] It’s way better to fully vet a deal and not get it done than to get into a bad deal. [24:00] What is the transition process like between the new CEO and old CEO? [24:40] What kind of challenges does a new CEO have in the beginning? [31:05] After acquiring a company, what’s the end goal for Search Fund? [34:55] What kinds of speed bumps do sellers experience along the way? [36:40] Curious to know about Search Funds? Please visit the website!
Mentioned in This Episode: | |||
| 08 Jul 2019 | EP040: Finding Temporary Financial Talent for Your Transitioning Company | 00:37:31 | |
John Morris and Ken Saddler are both CFO advisors for small-to-medium businesses at B2B CFO. Between them, John and Ken have over 50 years of financial experience. On today’s episode, you’ll learn the benefits of hiring an outside CFO to help grow your company, some common mistakes business owners tend to make when it comes to their products, and how you can get started on getting a better grasp on your financials.
Key Takeaways: [1:20] What does B2B CFO do? [2:20] How do you become an advisory CFO? [3:30] What’s the difference between a CFO vs. a controller or an accountant? [5:15] How hands-on do John and Ken get when it comes to a client’s financials? [7:25] What kinds of entrepreneurs and companies do John and Ken work with? [10:20] John and Ken share examples of what type of work their clients come to them for. [15:55] What are some of the best ways to open up the financials with your managers? [17:50] When do business owners really need CFO services? [22:30] John and Ken share their process on how they onboard a new client. [25:30] Stop giving your product or service away for less than its worth! [29:55] What tips do John and Ken have for business owners that they can start doing today? [33:40] John and Ken share some common mistakes they see in their industry.
Mentioned in This Episode: Email Todd: Todd@Dynastylc.com Email Ken: KSaddler@B2BCFO.com Email John: JohnMorris@B2BCFO.com | |||
| 06 May 2019 | EP038: Create a Brand Message That Grabs Your Client’s Attention | 00:41:06 | |
David Mann is a classically-trained actor and uses his background to help companies tell better and more compelling stories. With over 25 years of experience, David teaches professional services leaders how to make an impact by clarifying their message. Does everyone in your company have a different idea of what you really do? David is here to help! Find out more about the great work David is doing on today’s show!
Key Takeaways: [2:15] How did David get into acting and how does it connect with storytelling? [3:25] How does David help companies and professionals create a compelling story? [6:10] How much time do you typically have to grab someone’s attention? [10:40] You have to win someone’s attention over and over. It’s not easy! [12:40] What is David’s process to help people tell a compelling story? [16:10] Your client is the hero of their own story, and truth be told, you’re not involved in their story. So, what are they looking for in their story and how can you connect them there? [21:15] David always likes to ask the sales and marketing team what the company does. He will always get at least six completely different versions. [30:00] After crafting your laser-focused message, you have to make sure it’s threaded through everything you’re doing in your messaging. [32:15] What kinds of mistakes do companies tend to make when crafting their message? [37:50] Go around your office and talk to the people that work there; ask them what the company does and see what they say!
Mentioned in This Episode: Email Todd: Todd@Dynastylc.com | |||
| 08 Jun 2020 | EP051: The Three Secrets to Building Strong Leaders: Connection, Communication, and Collaboration | 00:51:32 | |
Alain Hunkins is a leadership expert, speaker, and author. Over the course of his 20-plus year career, Alain has recognized leadership patterns that are both healthy and unhealthy. In today’s episode, he discusses how leaders can build healthy patterns and develop themselves. He breaks down three key traits that leaders need to know: Connection, communication, and collaboration.
Key Takeaways: [2:15] How did Alain get into leadership? [5:25] Every single chapter in Alain’s book ends with a call to action to help you quickly apply new strategies. [5:55] What are the three secrets to building strong leaders? [6:40] Leaders think they lead well, but studies show that only about 23% of people think that’s true for their leader. [7:45] What is leadership, really? [9:45] We need to create connections based on empathy. What’s the best way to do that? [12:55] Another piece to building connection is your credibility. How do you build your credibility and trust? [15:25] Leading through fear is great when the building is on fire. Everyday life, not so much. [20:00] Alain shares an example of why the drive-thru process at fast-food restaurants was a nightmare, and how they fixed it. [24:35] A week later, people only remember about 10-20% of what you communicated to them. [27:45] Human beings can’t read your mind! How many times did you think something was clear when it wasn’t? [34:40] Think about how to make communication easier for your audience, not for you. [34:50] Once you’re connected and communicated effectively, how do you also collaborate effectively? [38:45] How do we make people feel that what they’re doing matters? [42:40] What are some of the biggest mistakes leaders make? [44:50] Vulnerability plays a big part in a good leader. [47:45] Ask people around you for feedback.
Mentioned in This Episode: Email Todd: Todd@Dynastylc.com Cracking the Leadership Code: Three Secrets to Building Strong Leaders, | |||
| 13 Jul 2020 | EP052: Next Generation Mentorship: How to Invest in Young Talent | 00:40:30 | |
PK Krihai and Natalie Watkins both work as an Employee Benefits Consultant for Marsh & McLennan Agency. Natalie started as an intern, where PK trained her and showed her the ropes of the role. Today, both PK and Natalie share their experiences and how impactful mentorship has been for both of them in their career growth.
Key Takeaways: [1:00] The most important asset is your people, but how do you go about developing them? [2:15] What does PK do for Marsh & McLennan Agency? [2:55] How did Natalie find an internship at Marsh & McLennan Agency? [4:15] What is PK’s mentorship style? [10:05] How do you find time to mentor someone when you already have a full plate of work? [12:55] Natalie was able to see everything PK was doing during work hours. She was following her everywhere she went. [14:10] When faced with an angry customer during a sales meeting, how did PK and Natalie navigate that? [18:00] As a salesperson, how does PK manage work-life balance? [21:25] By watching PK work, it prepared Natalie for better success in her role when she started working full-time after she graduated college. [27:15] What were some of the lessons learned along the way? [30:45] Having someone shadow you during your working day does not require any extra time! [36:15] There has to be a right fit when it comes to mentorship. Natalie shares her experience in trying to understand her mentor. [38:15] PK shares what makes a good internship fair successful.
Mentioned in This Episode: Email Todd: Todd@Dynastylc.com | |||
| 09 Nov 2020 | EP056: What Families Get Wrong About Succession Planning | 00:48:46 | |
Steven Goodman is passionate about providing insightful solutions to the challenges of business succession, wealth preservation, and charitable planning. Steven is an accomplished CPA and has more than 30 years of experience in the industry. He is also the author of the book, Business Succession Planning and shares insights on the number one thing business owners get wrong when they pass down their life’s work to their children.
Key Takeaways: [1:00] Around 93% of businesses Todd has helped had family in their business. [1:30] If not structured properly, the family business can cause family members to tear each other apart. [3:15] How did Steve get involved in succession planning? [4:35] Steve shares a couple of examples of a typical family business structure. [6:50] What are some of the issues a family business runs into when it comes to a succession plan? [9:55] You want to give the business to one child who has taken interest in it, but what about his/her siblings? [11:00] Founders/parents are afraid to communicate with their children about who is getting what because they don’t want to sour their relationship and potentially never see their grandchildren again. [14:15] No plan ends up hurting your entire family vs. having a plan that only one or two family members like. [18:55] If a son comes to Steven and says he owns 0% of the business but has been working in it, what are Steven’s next action steps? [26:15] This scenario that Steven just walked us through is not uncommon. [26:35] What should parents or children in the business be thinking about when it comes to succession planning? [34:00] What are the negatives to creating a trust for the family? [38:20] What are some of the common mistakes families make? [42:10] How can someone get started in planning the future of their business?
Mentioned in This Episode: Email Todd: Todd@Dynastylc.com | |||
| 13 Feb 2018 | EP023: What You Need to Know About Background Checks | 00:32:28 | |
Robert McDowell is the Founder and President of McDowell Agency, a full-service firm that offers private investigation and background checks. The firm completes over 50,000 background checks a year for various companies, both on the national and international level. On today’s show, Robert offers advice to business owners and discusses the very important reasons why a business, small or big, should get background checks on a potential hire.
Key Takeaways: [1:45] How did Robert get into private investigation and this industry? [2:25] Why would someone need a private investigator? [3:20] Is being a private detective as glamorous as the TV shows make it out to be? [5:40] How much does it cost to do a background check? [6:40] If you want to hire somebody for your leadership team, typically that consists of a criminal check, verification of any licenses and degrees, and verifying prior employers. [7:55] How does this process work? [9:40] Do employers really need to do a background check? [11:35] What kind of businesses should do a background check? [16:35] Get your forms and business processes reviewed regularly so that you can make it easy to get a background check done. [20:00] When was the last time you heard of a treasurer cooking the books? It happens regularly and the worst part is it could have been prevented. [22:55] Do not lie on your application form. If you’ve been convicted of a crime, tick the box yes. Lying on it will lead to an immediate disqualification. [24:50] There is no universal standard as to where criminal records are held. This is why it really does pay to have an expert check multiple sources. [26:05] What kind of mistakes do business owners tend to make when it comes to doing a background check? [29:10] What can business owners do today to get started?
Mentioned in This Episode: Toll-Free Number: 877-644-3880 Local Minnesota Number: 651-644-3880 | |||
| 13 Nov 2018 | EP032: What It Takes to Start Your Own Peer Group… And Why You Should | 00:34:18 | |
Jim Stelten is the Twin Cities Market Leader for BerganKDV, a professional services firm that solves problems and creates new opportunities for their clients in finance, HR, IT, and the C-Suite. On today’s show, Jim shares why he started his very own peer group, how it has helped him excel in his career, and how you can create an engaged peer group with lots of participation, as well.
Key Takeaways: [1:40] Jim is a master networker and shares how he keeps track of it all. [2:45] What does BerganKDV do? [4:05] What did Jim do before working with BerganKDV? [4:50] How did Jim get started utilizing peer groups? [7:20] Jim explains some of the benefits of attending a peer group. [8:45] These peer groups can become really vulnerable places where leaders can share what their day-to-day looks like. [9:55] Todd shares an overview of how to create/start your own peer group. [13:35] If you’re in a peer group, you have to participate! But don’t worry, there are facilitators there to help shy people get out of their shell. [16:25] What does it take to make a peer group work well? [20:45] Jim explains what a ‘debriefing’ situation looks like. [23:35] What does Jim do in between meetups to keep everyone prepared and set for the next group meeting? [26:00] Jim shares why he values peer groups so much. [28:40] What kinds of lessons has Jim learned along the way? [31:10] At the end of the day, you feel like a family.
Mentioned in This Episode: | |||
| 17 Sep 2018 | EP30: Bring in New Business That Looks like the Top 5% of Your Best Clients | 00:28:51 | |
Tony Biel is the Founder at Criterion Business Development, a company that helps businesses define and attract better business prospects and clients. On the show, Tony outlines his 5-step process on how he helps companies discover who their A-list clients are and shares ways you can attract more of those clients into your company!
Key Takeaways: [1:20] How can we find more great and amazing customers to work with? [2:05] Tony helps companies bring in more new business that looks like their top 5% of their best clients. [3:45] What kinds of companies has Tony helped in the past? [5:15] Tony breaks down his 5-step process on how he leads companies through the discovery process and helps them find amazing clients to work with. [9:45] How does Tony help companies discover who their A-list clients are? [16:05] Tony has a scorecard for companies to help prioritize and systematize what’s really important to the company when it comes to finding their best client. [18:30] Change is hard and it can be difficult to help people move into this new direction. [21:40] What are some of the common mistakes people make? [26:15] Make sure your new strategy can withstand the ‘mom test.’
Mentioned in This Episode: Call Tony: 612-845-2323 Email Tony: Tony@Criterionbd.com | |||
| 09 Jan 2023 | Help! My C-Suite Executive Wants to Start a Side Hustle. | 00:26:40 | |
Tom Fallenstein is the CEO and Founder of Fun.com and allowed one of his C-suite members to explore other career opportunities while still on the job. Tom takes a different perspective when it comes to letting his staff explore their dreams and interests. In this episode, you’ll learn why it might be a good thing for members of your team to have a split focus, and some of the benefits it might bring to you and your company.
Key Takeaways: [2:10] A little bit about Tom and his company Fun.com. [4:15] Tom allowed one of his own executives to branch out and start his own company while ‘on the job’. Tom shares his thought process behind this decision. [6:50] We’re entrepreneurs, we’re going to have an itch to do new things. Instead of limiting it, it should be rewarded. [7:20] The good thing about letting your executives wander is that they bring back a new set of knowledge and skill sets that they’re learning at other companies. [8:20] Is Tom ever worried that his executives’ attention is going to be spent elsewhere? [10:45] Honesty and communication is key in any leadership role you’re in. [12:10] Tom has an executive assistant that has stated a side hustle, also. [14:00] Tom gets enjoyment out of helping others succeed and win. [14:40] Has Tom had conversations about boundaries with his more entrepreneurial staff? [15:30] What mistakes should other leaders be aware of and should avoid making? [17:20] How does Tom handle the conversation around Intellectual Property? [19:50] How does an employee get the conversation started in a healthy way to their employer?
Mentioned in This Episode: Email Todd: Todd@Dynastylc.com Email Mackenzie: Mackenzie@Mackenziedoheny.com | |||
| 11 Apr 2022 | The Pre-Boarding Process for Hiring Number Twos | 00:34:34 | |
Steve Burks is the CEO of Burks Search, a member of the Sanford Rose Associates, and has a Ph.D. in Chemistry. He comes from a career in the specialty chemicals and coatings industry, where he served in both technical and sales/marketing positions. He was also involved in the launch of three ground-floor start-up businesses during his career. In this episode, he helps us understand and resolve the challenge of the great resignation. He shares some best practices in how to look for and retain number twos in the business.
Key Takeaways: [2:25] Steve talks a little bit about his business, Burks Search. [3:30] Steve looked into the trend lines and started an informal market survey to understand the reasons why number twos leave their companies. [4:35] Steven shares what kind of challenges CEOs are having today. He’s identified six key issues. [5:20] How can CEOs figure out if number twos align with the company vision and see if their relationship would work? [7:00] Steve shares that the major issue when hiring a number two is if the CEO is ready to let go. [10:05] Are there no good people out there? Steve challenges the hiring process in making the right fit. [11:00] Todd asks Steve what decision-making means in his pre-boarding process. [12:20] It’s best to clearly define who can make the decision. Steve expands on this further and shares some examples. [14:45] Steve also shares some example scenarios where financial issues arise and how they can be managed before the hiring is made. [16:35] It’s best to put somebody into a role that they’re going to feel challenged and will be successful at. [17:35] How do we identify if someone fits with the company culture? [18:20] The number two needs to be a good social fit for the CEO. Steve explains why. [20:30] Steve also talks about senior-level family members and how they can be a challenge to the number twos. [23:00] Steve shares why it’s important to look at the strengths and weaknesses of the whole executive team when identifying a number two. [25:10] It’s also important for the number two to understand the strengths and weaknesses of this team because they will report to him/her. [27:00] Steve talks about the importance of building trust between the CEO and the number two earlier on. He shares how this impacts a number two’s retention. [30:50] The CEO’s transparency can have a tremendous impact on the growth of the company. Steve explains how.
Mentioned in This Episode: Melissa’s next Business Performance Series event on March 23, 2022, from 9‒10:30 a.m. Email Todd: Todd@Dynastylc.com Email Steve: Steve@burkssearch.com | |||
| 12 Sep 2017 | EP018: What Should You Do When Your Website Gets Hacked? | 00:37:35 | |
Rebecca Metz is the Founder of Web Pages That Sell. When Rebecca was coming back from vacation, she found out something horrible — her website had been hacked! Not only was the experience stressful, but having her website down meant she was not generating any business, too. After recovering from the incident, Rebecca has some advice for those business owners out there on how they can prevent this from happening to them, and what they should do in case it does happen.
Key Takeaways: [2:10] What is Rebecca’s business about, Web Pages That Sell? [3:05] What happens when your website gets hacked? [6:55] If you have multiple websites, one website can affect the other. [7:15] Call your hosting company or your webmaster! [8:15] Check whether your website has been blacklisted. [9:45] When you’ve been hacked, it’s usually not personal. [13:00] When you call your hosting provider, be prepared that they may not be very helpful. [15:40] Another thing to note, your webmaster is not responsible for this hack either. However, they may have some answers for you to help you regain control of your website. [16:40] When your website has been hacked, this needs to be the first priority. The worse it gets, the harder it will be to get your whole website back. [17:40] Find a website cleaner. You can be expected to pay between $200 to $1,000 to have this done. Make sure the price includes multiple website clean ups. [21:20] If you’ve been infected once, expect to be infected again. [23:10] Get into a habit of backing up your website. Both your entire your website and your database. [24:35] You should back up your website once a month and your database once a week. [26:10] If your site has been blacklisted, this may mean your emails are too. [27:20] Regularly update your plugins! [31:05] What are some of the top mistakes people tend to make? [32:10] The good news is Rebecca has a service to help you backup your website regularly.
Mentioned in This Episode: Call Rebecca: 612-516-5388 | |||
| 13 Sep 2021 | The Art and Science Behind Being a Business Broker and Buying an Established Business | 00:28:47 | |
John Martinka, also known as the Escape Artist, helps business owners exit with style, grace, and more money. He is also the author of, Getting the Deal Done. As a business broker, he helps his clients find the best business deals that fit within their expertise. In this week’s episode, John talks about his process and what he looks for in a business that he wishes to acquire.
Key Takeaways: [1:35] A little bit about John and how he became a business broker. [3:15] What types of clients does John like to work with? [5:15] John works with a lot of folks who work in corporate America. What types of businesses are they interested in acquiring? [6:15] Don’t focus on the particular business industry, look for a business where you can use your skills. [7:20] How does John find companies that want to sell? [10:15] Want to sell? You have to get rid of owner dependencies. [12:00] Not only is it important for John’s clients to be on board with a business purchase, but their spouse does too. It is a team effort, in the end. [13:20] Remember, don’t do things you know your employees can do. Delegation is key. [17:40] Sellers often don’t do their due diligence on their buyers. It’s a two-way street! [18:05] What questions should sellers be asking their buyers? [21:10] Finding a business to buy is a lot like marketing; you always have to be looking for prospects/working at it. [23:55] What should buyers consider before pulling the trigger? [26:15] You might be an expert in XYZ, but everyone has blind spots. You need an outside perspective on whether this is a good investment deal. It doesn’t matter how experienced you might be.
Mentioned in This Episode: Email Todd: Todd@Dynastylc.com | |||
| 12 Feb 2019 | EP035: The 7 Steps to a Successful Business Catapult | 00:30:51 | |
Todd Eberhardt has switched the tables and will be the one being interviewed on this week’s show! Todd’s production assistant, David, will be hosting and asking Todd a series of questions about what Todd does at Dynasty Leadership and why he is a big advocate of the Catapult process.
Key Takeaways: [2:40] Who is Todd and how did it all get started at Dynasty Leadership? [5:45] David does a quick recap of each of the steps in the Catapult process. [7:30] What does the average team look like when Todd is putting together a company? [8:10] How can leaders start to plan for their future vision and story? [10:40] The next step is defining your core values. [12:00] Once you know where your values are, you will have an easier time defining the roles and responsibilities of each staff member. [14:45] Todd takes leaders through a growth exercise where they envision their company at 5X growth. [19:00] How do leaders establish a ‘meeting pulse’ in their company? [22:00] How often does Todd meet with leadership teams to implement this process? [22:55] What kinds of mistakes should you be aware of during this process? [26:25] What have been the biggest takeaways for Todd over the years of using the Catapult process?
Mentioned in This Episode: Email Todd: Todd@Dynastylc.com Call Todd: 612-845-2076 | |||
| 14 Dec 2021 | What You Need to Know About Small Business Loans | 00:33:00 | |
Lisa Forrest is the Co-Director of Sponsored and Search Fund Lending at Live Oak Bank. Business loans are a hot topic right now. Many business owners are thinking about leveraging debt to grow or acquire a business, but is this option right for you? In this episode, Lisa shares what you need to know about these two types of loans and when it makes sense for you to take leverage out based on your situation.
Key Takeaways: [1:50] What’s the difference between an SBA loan, sponsored, and search fund? [7:55] A little bit about Lisa and her background in financing. [14:00] What types of people are applying for these kinds of loans? [17:20] Lisa shares what you should look out for and risks to consider before you take out a loan. [20:40] When you have a potential business buyer, what happens next? [24:25] How much equity should an entrepreneur/business owner be thinking about? [26:45] How does Lisa and her team help business owners with their loan? [29:00] Lisa shares her wisdom and what some common mistakes are out there to avoid. [30:50] Finding that perfect business is a grind. You need to get to as many transaction reviews as you can.
Mentioned in This Episode: Email Todd: Todd@Dynastylc.com | |||
| 04 Jan 2019 | EP034: Using Social Media to Recruit New Talent | 00:38:22 | |
Todd Schroeder is the CEO of Aeration Industries International. When Todd took over the role, the company had just been acquired and was going through some transitions. Todd created a “why not” culture, balancing empathy and empowerment with high expectations, which resulted in Aeration becoming the employer of choice. Krista Ramirez briefly joins us on the show to discuss her role in recruiting new talent for Aeration.
Key Takeaways: [2:20] How did Todd first get started? [3:45] Todd gives a little bit of history behind Aeration and how they got started. [5:50] Todd knew he had to build a culture around people and innovation. [6:25] What did Todd look for when it came to hiring new talent? [8:40] Todd brought earlier adopters in his team to help with the social media recruiting process. [9:45] Krista jumps on to explain her recruiting process. [11:00] Todd explains they were actively looking for good candidates on LinkedIn. [14:30] What kinds of roles was Krista recruiting for? [17:20] Before hiring someone new, Todd would do a team interview with the new candidate. [19:00] How many people have Todd and his team hired over the years? [22:50] Todd was very diligent and aware of the kind of culture he wanted to build, and in turn, the team and company prospered from it. [25:55] What results did Todd see when the company focused on the people? [28:50] What lessons did Todd learn along the way? [30:50] Krista shares her thoughts on what she wished she had done differently. [32:40] Todd offers advice on how you can get started recruiting on social media.
Mentioned in This Episode: | |||
| 05 Mar 2021 | Get Excited About Monday Mornings Again! | 00:42:58 | |
Eric Harkins is the President and Founder of GKG Search & Consulting, a Minneapolis-based consulting firm that helps organizations get talent, keep talent, and grow talent. He is the author of the new book, Great Leaders Make Sure Monday Morning Doesn’t Suck!
Key Takeaways: [1:00] Great culture starts from the top! [2:45] A little bit about Eric and what he does for his clients. [4:25] Eric considers himself pretty lucky that he got to work with some bad leaders! [5:30] Never let A players work with C players. What does Eric mean by that? [6:45] Eric always asks leaders: How do you create a culture that high-performers want to be a part of? [9:55] You can change culture by focusing on changing Monday. [11:05] You have to let your low-performing key players go. It’s a hard pill to swallow. [13:55] How do you create a culture of high-performers? [17:55] We are in a highly competitive world, which means there’s a lot more pressure to perform as a leader. [21:45] Being a manager is one of the best jobs you can have in your career… when you are working with highly motivated and top-tier people. [25:35] Notice your words: do you often use “we,” as in we the company or “they,” as in they the bosses. [29:55] Eric gives you a different perspective on how you should be looking at turnover. [33:15] One of Eric’s clients realized that half of their leaders wouldn’t fit into their long-term solution model. [36:05] Your highest performing person might not make for a good leader! [38:55] Leadership really isn’t that hard. We as people just like to make it harder than it needs to be.
Mentioned in This Episode: Email Todd: Todd@Dynastylc.com | |||
| 11 Apr 2017 | EP013: How to Spot a Market Bubble | 00:44:48 | |
Jonathan Cleveland is the Managing Director for Houlihan Lokey, a global firm with expertise in mergers and acquisitions, financial restructuring, and more. Today’s discussion focuses on how to spot and handle distressed companies. Although Jonathan works with companies who average around a billion dollars in debt, the lessons Jonathan talks about apply to all businesses.
Key Takeaways: [1:55] At the Houlihan Lokey firm, they have three main divisions. Jonathan explains what each of these divisions are and how they help their clients. [3:10] What’s Jonathan's background, and how did he get involved with the firm? [6:00] Houlihan Lokey works with high-scale clients. The average debt level for a client is around one-and-a-half billion dollars. [7:50] How do distressed companies get so deep into trouble? Is it because they have an easier time accessing capital? [11:25] You know your industry is in trouble when the guy on TV says, ‘This time it’s different.’ [12:55] Let’s say the industry or sector is doing okay, how do you tell when an individual company is in trouble? [17:15] The rest of your business operations can get a bottleneck when the company is focusing on paying off high levels of debt. It can often be a Catch-22. [20:15] If lenders feel unsure you are able to pay off the debt, they can re-price or even increase their rates. [22:30] What types of distressed companies come to Houlihan Lokey? [26:25] Who makes the call to get help? Is it the bank or maybe even the CEO of the business? [30:20] What are some of the biggest mistakes distressed companies are making? [34:25] How does Jonathan access the executive team? [37:20] A lot of human psychology is used when interacting with a distressed team. [37:30] Failure challenges our ego. [39:10] You need to have a real awareness over the consequences of borrowing money.
Mentioned in This Episode: | |||
| 23 Aug 2016 | EP002: What do Strategic Buyers know about M&A that you don't? | 00:49:01 | |
Jeff Hawkes is the manager of corporate development at Ecolab. He and his team evaluate, analyze, and perform due-diligence as well as offer post-merger integration planning for global M&A transactions. Jeff discusses in this episode his investment methodology, due-diligence procedures, and other key factors towards purchasing a business. Get a behind-the-scenes look on what an M&A manager looks for in a business and how you can set your business up for success.
Key Takeaways: [1:35] What's the difference between a strategic buyers and a financial buyer? [6:50] What is EBITDA? [7:40] How much of an impact does the economy have on the decision-making process? [9:45] The market is quite hot right now. Jeff believes one of the factors to this are the private equity firms raising capital. [10:25] What's Jeff's investment/buying methodology? [15:35] How does Jeff and his team perform proper due diligence on a company? [16:50] How do you go about measuring company culture? [19:20] So what drives a purchase price? Jeff lists 3 factors you have to consider. [22:00] What are some of the things Jeff looks for? [25:20] How does Jeff react when business owners begin to hold off on key purchases for their company when they're getting ready to sell? [30:20] Jeff does about 6 weeks' worth of due diligence on a company. [35:30] What kind of things should a business owner be doing to increase the value of the sale? [40:10] Don't try to hide or shave the numbers down. Be upfront about it. [43:55] Why do acquisitions fail?
Mentioned in This Episode: | |||
| 09 Dec 2019 | EP045: Best Ways to Turn a Company Around When Facing Cash Flow Problems | 00:31:13 | |
Eric Mitchellette is the Founder of Strategic Business Coach, Inc. and has over 20 years of experience as a financial advisor and CFO. He helps small to medium-sized businesses understand their financials and helps them become cash flow positive. Eric shares his process and some of the things you need to consider when you are looking to get a financial expert to open up the company books.
Key Takeaways: [1:35] How did Eric first get started in business planning and capital formation? [3:15] Cash flow problems are common but sometimes business owners are not aware of what state their company is in until it’s too late. [4:40] How does Eric help business owners and turn their businesses around? [7:55] When Eric steps in, the biggest thing he has to do is educate business owners and leadership the state of the company and what that means. [11:50] After Eric knows where the numbers are, then it comes to adjusting the owner’s draw from the company and to restructure the finances so that it makes sense. [16:00] When owing money to vendors, what’s the best approach or financial plan to let them know the company plans to make good on their promises? [19:25] What happens to the employees during this financial turn-around time? [20:35] If an owner has to exit, what are some of their options? [25:50] What kinds of mistakes do owners tend to make? [27:55] Eric shares his thoughts on next-generation family management. [28:55] Final words of advice: You can’t plan enough. Have a strategic plan in place.
Mentioned in This Episode: Email Todd: Todd@Dynastylc.com Email Eric: EMitchellette@Sbciusa.com Call Eric: 612-532-9284 | |||
| 07 Dec 2020 | EP057: Take Charge and Drive Your Own Career Success | 00:41:07 | |
Ed Evarts is the Founder and President at Excellius Leadership Development and comes with more than 12+ years of leadership experience. He is also the author of several books, including Drive Your Career, which is what Todd and Ed dive into on this episode! How can you take charge and control your own destiny when you might be working with a boss that’s detached from your success? Ed shares his tips on how you can grow as well as develop your leadership abilities along the way.
Key Takeaways: [2:05] How did Ed get started in leadership development? [4:20] The first chapter details how to have a positive relationship with your boss. [8:00] A large number of Ed’s clients, at least 85%, wished they had a better relationship with their boss. [11:05] How can you be the most curious person in the room? [14:15] How can you be curious in a group dynamic and not hog the room with your questions? [19:05] Play with the hand you’ve been dealt. [23:45] Communication and delegation is something most people want to improve on. [27:50] For some leaders, when you leave the building, there’s a sense of relief from your team that you’ve finally left and they can now focus on ‘real work’. [29:35] How can a Type A leader learn to slow down? [33:35] What are some of the common mistakes people make? [38:35] What is Ed’s podcast about?
Mentioned in This Episode: Email Todd: Todd@Dynastylc.com Email Ed: Ed@excellius.com The Splendid and the Vile: A Saga of Churchill, Family, and Defiance During the Blitz by Erik Larson | |||
| 14 Sep 2020 | EP054: Strategic Planning during COVID-19 | 00:43:23 | |
Todd gets interviewed by Rick Brimacomb from Club E as he talks about his business model and how he helps his clients achieve 5X growth within five years. With a global pandemic going on, a lot of businesses are being left in the dark as they try to figure out their next big move. Todd shares whether we’re headed to a 100% digital society, some of the biggest mistakes he sees his clients make, and so much more, in this week’s episode.
Key Takeaways: [1:55] A little bit about Todd and what he does. [3:45] Were you really that good in your business or were you just lucky? [7:40] How does Todd structure his planning sessions? [10:40] Todd explains what the ‘Ikea Effect’ is and how it can help you. [12:10] Who are Todd’s ideal clients? [16:25] Todd breaks down his process on how he helps his clients grow 5X. [19:55] Some of the biggest mistakes people see is when the CEO tries to also be the leader. Todd explains what he means. [22:55] What have been the top highlights and key takeaways Todd has learned from his podcast guests? [27:20] Ask yourself these questions to refine your strategic business plan. [32:40] Have we now moved 100% to a digital society? [34:15] What would the job market look like after the pandemic? [39:55] If you want your company to stand the tests of time, it starts with having a strategic vision. [40:50] What did Todd wish he’d learned sooner in his career?
Mentioned in This Episode: Email Todd: Todd@Dynastylc.com | |||
| 10 Jun 2019 | EP039: Hire a Temporary CMO While Your Company Undergoes a Transition. | 00:28:53 | |
Mark Coronna is the Area Managing Partner and Chief Marketing Officer for Chief Outsiders, a firm that providers contracting CMO executives and strategic management consulting services to companies in transition. On today’s show, Mark explains his process, the types of companies that benefit from a temprorary CMO, and how a company like his can help companies working through an acquisition or transition.
Key Takeaways: [:30] Todd has some fun facts and statistics about company acquisitions. [2:10] What do you do when you want to reach more quality prospects without breaking the bank? [4:40] When does it make sense to hire a part-time or contracting executive? [8:50] Small to midsize companies are looking to diversify and Mark’s firm can help you find new opportunities in your market. [11:40] After finding key growth opportunities, Mark looks into how to actually execute an effective plan for the company. [16:00] CEO’s have a hard time understanding the true value of what they’re getting in their marketing. [18:25] What happens to the company’s existing marketing team when Mark and his team take over? [20:45] What kind of mistakes does Mark seen over and over again? [23:35] Marketing is complex and it only gets more so as the days go by. [24:25] Can startups afford a company like Mark’s? [26:20] Mark has published four free ebooks on the subject of marketing and growth that you can download on the Chief Outsiders website!
Mentioned in This Episode: Email Todd: Todd@Dynastylc.com Email Mark: MCoronna@ChiefOutsiders.com | |||
| 04 Oct 2016 | EP005: The 4 Levels of Value Creation | 00:33:22 | |
Gerry Brockman has a masters in finance and has worked everywhere from main-street to wall-street. In this episode, Gerry helps us think through some of our biggest business decisions. There are 4 very important text-book components about evaluating risk and value, which every business owner should have in the back of their mind. Gerry shares some examples that speak to how you can apply these concepts in a real life scenario and help save your business a painful financial headache.
Key Takeaways: [3:35] How to think about opportunity costs. [5:15] What are the 4 levels of value creation? Gerry shares simple text-book definitions. [7:55] How can small businesses evaluate risk? [9:00] Let's talk about the risk/reward concept. [12:25] How do you apply these text-book concepts in real-life? [18:15] Gerry shares an example of how to apply these 4 principles in a real life scenario. [28:15] The 4 levels of value creation take a lot of the guess work out of important risk/reward situations. [30:25] Why Gary believes making decisions from the gut is a bad idea. [31:10] Use these 4 levels as a framework and work from there.
Mentioned in This Episode: | |||
| 12 Aug 2018 | EP029: Your Next Life Adventure After Retirement! | 00:34:28 | |
A specialist in career planning and development, George Dow has helped over 1,500 executives improve their career transition effectiveness, to ensure “fit” in their future position, and to review and help shape the strategic alignment of their chosen career path. On today’s show, George shares the Portfolio Life philosophy and how retirees can find a ‘new meaning’ after an important life chapter has closed in their life.
Key Takeaways: [2:00] How did George get started in this line of work? [3:45] There are four different types of retirees. [4:25] So many retirees want to do more with themselves after the ‘honeymoon’ phase has worn off. [5:35] George does a quick recap of what a Portfolio Life means. [7:45] When executives and business owners finally retire, they have to let go of a huge work identity. It’s tough to navigate through. [9:40] What kinds of baby steps can retirees do to dip their toes into something new and interesting? [13:15] Ask yourself, “What are my top eight life achievements?” [16:05] Don’t get analysis paralysis on your next new adventure. Get out and do things! [17:15] George shares some personal stories of people who have really lived after retirement. [25:10] Todd does a quick recap of the steps to achieving the Portfolio Life. [27:55] What are some of the common mistakes people make while trying to achieve the Portfolio Life? [30:50] George shares some quick tips you can implement today to get started.
Mentioned in This Episode: Georgedow.com “Will a Portfolio Life Become Your Second Half Story?” Georgedow.com “Bridging to a Portfolio Life” Portfolio Life: The New Path to Work, Purpose, and Passion After 50, Working Identity: Unconventional Strategies for Reinventing Your Career, | |||
| 11 Jul 2017 | EP016: What Business Owners Need to Know About an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) | 00:32:53 | |
Steve Nelson, ASA, is the Managing Director for Chartwell, a financial advisory firm. Steve breaks down everything business owners need to know about ESOPs (Employee Stock Ownership Plan) and the seven steps you need to take to get one implemented in your company. Steve also outlines the various benefits employees would receive if your company had an ESOP in place.
Key Takeaways: [1:00] Before we get started, what is an ESOP? [3:10] What are some of the benefits of an ESOP? [6:25] Remember, ESOP is not for everyone. [6:40] Who would best benefit from an ESOP? [13:40] What are the seven steps business owners need to do to get an ESOP? [17:15] How many lawyers typically get involved in an ESOP transaction? [19:15] Employees need to understand that they’re not a direct owner of the stock. They are a beneficiary of the trust. Why is this distinction important? [24:15] Big companies can greatly benefit from an ESOP, but what about smaller-sized companies? [26:15] Why would anyone want to be a trustee? [29:30] Steve estimates that there are probably 7,000 to 8,000 privately-held ESOPs in the country and it’s growing. [31:10] ESOPs give opportunity for wealth to people who otherwise would not have that opportunity.
Mentioned in This Episode: | |||
| 08 Apr 2019 | EP037: Free up Time and Resources by Using a PEO! | 00:27:57 | |
Sally Peine helps guide mid-size companies through complicated HR practices. She works for Insperity, which is considered a Professional Employer Organization (PEO). If you’ve never heard of what a PEO does, don’t worry! Sally gives an in depth explanation on how a PEO can help business owners through complicated health care matters, employment work comps, and so much more that take up a lot of time and resources for a company.
Key Takeaways: [2:00] What is a PEO? [3:15] How does Insperity work? [5:40] Each situation is very custom and personal, so the cost of a service like this is difficult to determine right off the bat without first understanding specifics. [7:40] Sally shares an example of what it might look like to work with a PEO. [11:25] What happens when you have to let somebody go? [14:45] Keep your best practices and policy as clean as you possibly can. [17:35] When is it the right time to use a service like Insperity? [22:00] Insperity helps you simplify all the vendors you need for your company to run (like HR, employment lawyers, health care, etc) down to one partner. [22:40] Insperity ideally works with business owners who have between 5 to 150 employees. [23:15] Even though it’s a partnership, what kind of objections do owners typically have before outsourcing some of their key staff management practices to Insperity?
Mentioned in This Episode: Email Todd: Todd@Dynastylc.com Call Sally: 952-960-5305 Email Sally: sally.peine@insperity.com | |||
| 11 May 2020 | EP050: How to Handle Conflict in a Healthy Way and Get Those Issues Solved | 00:49:25 | |
Paul Annett is the Owner of inTransition LLC. He has more than 25 years of experience in corporate management and consulting and has successfully helped first-generation family-owned businesses transfer their leadership to the second generation. This is Paul’s second guest appearance and today he dives into what makes leaders successful. Paul believes it’s their ability to handle and manage conflict effectively (and their awareness of conflict in the workplace) that helps people feel heard and feel like their situation has been resolved.
Key Takeaways: [1:50] What’s the most common cause of a leader’s long-term success or failure? [2:15] Who is Paul and what does he do for his clients? [5:15] How you deal with conflict determines the success of the relationship and the business. [5:55] The funny thing is, the stronger the leader, the less awareness they might have about conflict happening within the organization. [7:40] Everything in life is tied down to good communication. Paul has spent a lot of time studying how to deal with differences. [8:15] What is conflict to you and how do you view it? [8:40] There are two different definitions of conflict. Paul breaks this down. [13:45] The common complaint Paul hears when people quit their job is that they didn’t feel listened to or heard. [16:10] Paul shares his process on how he helps leaders become aware of their conflict patterns. [19:30] To be in a relationship is to be in conflict. You’re never going to be in a relationship long-term without seeing things differently. [21:35] There are three myths about conflict. Myth #1: Give it time. [26:00] Myth #2: Confrontation weakens relationships. [29:55] Myth #3: The presence of conflict equals bad management. [31:55] Paul shares a story about how internal conflict was eating the business alive. [37:55] How do you get people to engage in healthy conflict and face confrontation? [47:00] There is your way, his/her way, and there is a middle way/third option. That’s the ground you want to try to strive for.
Mentioned in This Episode: Email Todd: Todd@Dynastylc.com Email Paul: Paul@inTransition.com Call Paul: 651-261-0326 | |||
| 09 Sep 2019 | EP042: Executives in Transition - Land a New Job with Purpose | 00:34:31 | |
Anne deBruin Sample is the CEO and Owner of Navigate Forward, where she helps executives in transition discover and find their dream jobs. A four-page resume is no longer sealing the deal, so it does take outside-of-the-box thinking to generate quality opportunities. Anne shares how her company can help executives find a career with purpose and meaning on this week’s episode!
Key Takeaways: [2:05] What does Navigate Forward do? [3:30] What does the average client look like for Anne? [4:05] Why do executives seek out Anne’s services? [7:15] Anne walks through the onboarding process when taking on a new client. [11:30] It really does take time and conscious thinking to discover your next career steps. This discovery process can’t be rushed. [13:40] Anne believes resumes are outdated. People simply don’t make hiring decisions on them anymore. [16:45] The next step is to network with your rolodex to find those dream opportunities. [18:15] Anne shares some of the worst networking meeting she’s ever taken and offers tips on how to network effectively. [19:55] It can take executives to land their dream job between 3 weeks to 18 months. It does take time and a bit of patience to get prepared. [23:40] Navigate Forward is still with you even after you’ve got the job. Anne and her team will help you with onboarding and transitioning! [26:35] What makes Navigate Forward different? [29:10] Anne shares some common mistakes executives tend to make when finding their dream job. [31:20] Building and maintaining your network is a critical process for any executive.
Mentioned in This Episode: Email Todd: Todd@Dynastylc.com The 20-Minute Networking Meeting - Executive Edition: Learn to Network. Get a Job | |||
| 09 Mar 2020 | EP048: 10 Ways The Small Business Owner Can Protect Themselves Against Cyber Attacks | 00:38:38 | |
Ken Gilmour is the CEO of Knogin, a cybersecurity company. Many small business owners are unaware of how much their data is worth. Ken shares some insights on hacks that have happened in tech, why firewalls and antiviruses aren’t always enough, and he shares 10 steps on what business owners need to know about protecting their business.
Key Takeaways: [1:10] Cybersecurity is a hot topic but many business owners don’t know what they should be doing to protect themselves. [3:35] Traditional cybersecurity tools are targeted for large enterprises, but the reality is there are more small businesses in the U.S. and these tools don’t cater to them at all. [6:55] Entrepreneurs typically aren’t well-versed in cybersecurity. They just want something simple to protect them. [9:30] What causes businesses to close down is not the fact that they’ve been hacked (although it doesn’t help); it’s the fact that their reputation has been damaged. [9:45] It’s important to have a Plan B or a contingency plan on what to do if your company were to get hacked. [12:40] As a company grows, one of the things business owners struggle with is managing user privileges and remembering who has access to what. [15:05] Be aware of your ‘removable media’ like your USB keys or backup devices. [18:05] A good monitoring tool that watches over your network can help you fight against tricky phishing emails. [21:10] How can you secure your laptop, router, and other tech products? [25:10] If you have an antivirus, you’re probably going to get hacked because those companies have been hacked themselves. [26:45] Malware software doesn’t protect the ‘patient zero.’ [27:55] Ken explains why firewalls don’t always protect you against attacks. [32:05] Amazon’s S3 buckets have been compromised and that was on the cloud. Sometimes the cloud is not the safest place to store things. [33:15] What are some of the biggest mistakes business owners are making when it comes to their security? [34:40] How do companies like Facebook make money? You are the product!
Mentioned in This Episode: Email Todd: Todd@Dynastylc.com Email: Ken@Knogin.com | |||
| 11 Nov 2019 | EP044: The Four Phases to Building a High Performing Leadership Team | 00:47:33 | |
Paul Annett is the Owner of inTransition LLC. He has more than 25 years of experience in corporate management and consulting and has successfully helped first-generation family-owned businesses transfer their leadership to the second generation. Paul was also responsible for growing a privately-held printing services company from $40 million to over $140 million. In today’s episode, Paul shares the four stages teams go through before they become a high-performing and high-functioning team.
Key Takeaways: [2:15] What types of clients does Paul usually work with? [6:45] Instead of building a high-performing team first, Paul works with the individual leadership members first. Everybody might be very talented, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they work well together. [10:00] Paul breaks down the four different phases a team goes before becoming a successful and high performing team. [13:55] The first phase is the forming stage where leadership takes the time to really get to know each other. You’d be surprised that even siblings in leadership roles might discover something new about what it’s like working with their brother or sister. [14:20] The next phase is the storming stage. Leadership members can be stuck in the storming stage for years if they’re not careful and it can lead to a lot of conflicts and lack of trust. [16:45] What’s the difference between healthy conflict vs. unhealthy conflict? [22:50] With every bright side, there is a shadow. It’s important for leaders to be aware of both their strengths and their weaknesses. [27:40] The third stage is the norming stage. This is where leadership can begin to align the mission of the organization with systems and processes. [30:25] How do you know when you’ve successfully completed one stage and ready to take on another? [31:40] The next stage is the performing stage. This is the stage that a lot of people don’t always realize they’re in because everything is so easy! [38:05] What are some of the biggest mistakes teams make when going through this process? [41:00] What is considered ‘healthy friction’ within teams?
Mentioned in This Episode: Email Todd: Todd@Dynastylc.com Email: Paul@inTransition.com On Becoming a Leader: The Leadership Classic, by Warren G. Bennis | |||
| 11 Oct 2021 | Metronomics: One United System to Grow Up Your Team, Company, and Life | 00:40:33 | |
Shannon Byrne Susko has over 20+ years experience building and leading high-growth technology companies in the financial services industry. She co-founded, served as CEO, and led the sale of the two companies less than six years apart, and she is the creator of the 3HAG. In this week’s episode, Shannon talks about her latest book, Metronomics. Her custom system that helps teams scale and grow.
Key Takeaways: [1:50] A little bit about Shannon and how she got started in her career. [3:20] Shannon was looking for a system to help her get organized in her business. [4:25] You have both hard-edge and soft-edge systems in your business. Shannon shares what these two worlds look like. [9:10] Don’t get your team hooked on the latest ‘flavor of the month’ when it comes to internal team development and main company focus. [11:15] How does Metronomics fit into other company frameworks like EOS or Scaling Up? [12:30] When it comes to entrepreneurship, you never truly graduate from the program; you just get better. [18:10] It’s important to have empathy for where you are at in your business. [19:30] If you’re feeling stuck, don’t worry. Every single leader has been where you are. They all get stuck. [23:00] Does Metronomics work for smaller scale companies? [26:55] How do you have an ‘open playing field’ when trying to win at business? [30:35] What kind of mistakes does Shannon see entrepreneurs and business leaders make? [31:25] It took Shannon longer to get to where she wanted to go because she was stuck on ‘doing it herself’. [33:25] Shannon shares a little bit about the previous books she has written, and who they’re for.
Mentioned in This Episode: Email Todd: Todd@Dynastylc.com Scaling Leadership by Robert J. Anderson and William A. Adams | |||
| 10 Oct 2017 | EP019: Here’s Why You Should Give Your Employees More Skin in the Game | 00:41:31 | |
Karl Neset is a Fractional CFO for CliftonLarsonAllen. Karl has perfected a process that allows business owners to give employees more skin in the game and earning potential, without giving up their equity. Employees can act as owners through a profit share program that compensates people based on their contribution to the company. Karl explains why this strategy leads to a better team dynamic within the company and gives employees a strong sense of purpose, too.
Key Takeaways: [1:35] Who is Karl and what does he do for CliftonLarsonAllen? [5:10] There are roughly 10 steps in how an owner can help an employee get more skin in the game and earn more income. [6:10] The first step starts with gathering the data. [7:10] How do you properly compensate differently-skilled people? [9:25] Karl shares an example of how a system like this (ownership among employees) looks like, once it’s been properly put into action. [11:40] It’s a team discipline. If one screws up, they all screw up. [12:20] What does the sales department look like when a strategy like this is put in place? [14:10] A system like this makes it a lot easier on the owners. They do not have to micro-manage their employees. [15:35] If the owner goes away for a couple of months, the business will still run smoothly, because employees are being compensated similarly to how the owner is being compensated. [16:45] What kind of percentage does each employee get, based on their roles? [18:35] This strategy gives motivation to both new and older employees who now see that they can be a part of something meaningful and they will get compensated fairly well for it. It gives them drive to advance within the company and obtain career growth. [19:50] The next step is to lay out different projections for the next five years in the company. You should have three: A bad year, an okay year, and a great year. Based on these numbers, your employees will be compensated accordingly. [21:00] This model allows for employees to make double, in some instances, than what they can in an open market. Who wouldn’t want that? [22:35] If someone makes double their normal salary, do they start getting cocky? How does that affect the company as a whole and how do you address it? [28:20] Before implementing a plan like this, why is it important to run it through HR first? [30:40] Many employees/owners might think this plan is too good to be true or unsustainable. [32:15] It is critical to incorporate wealth management classes in the company after a strategy gets put into place. Employees who see a huge spike in wealth do need to understand what that means to them. [33:30] Why should a business owner use this strategy vs. something like using phantom stock or equity? [37:00] What are some things to think about/potential mistakes that could happen?
Mentioned in This Episode: Email Karl: Karl.Neset@Claconnect.com | |||
| 09 May 2017 | EP014: How To Build A “Bankable” Sales Forecast | 01:09:48 | |
Terry Slattery is the President and CEO of Slattery Sales Group. After serving four years in the Air Force, Terry got his degree in economics, and joined IBM’s sales team. This propelled him into 20+ year career in sales. On this week’s show, Terry discusses what a ‘bankable forecast’ is, where companies lack the most when hiring new sales reps, and why so many companies struggle to get that big deal locked in.
Key Takeaways: [2:10] Who is Terry and what does Slattery Sales Group do? [6:10] A founder was once telling Terry it takes him two years for a sales rep to be properly trained in his industry. [9:35] Terry has to make sure there’s alignment between the CEO’s priorities and management. When things aren’t clear, that’s when things start to break down on a production level. [12:10] Before you spend resources training a sales rep, you first have to ask yourself a series of important questions. [15:00] 6% of your entire workforce will be elite, another 20% will be good, and the rest of the 74% will range from being a 3-year project to a bad hire. [20:00] Don’t be in a hurry to hire! It’s going to be a mistake! [22:00] What does ‘bankable forecast’ mean? [32:50] Focus on organizing management first; that way your team understands the process. The process is easier to train/teach than throwing them in with the sharks. [41:25] Half of all sales people are uncomfortable to talk about money. This means that they can’t defend premium price. [43:25] Didn’t get the deal? You will want to listen to what Terry has to say on why! [53:40] Keep in mind there’s a big difference in the daily operations and behaviors of someone who is closing 90% of their business vs. only closing 10%. [54:30] How much does it cost the business when there’s a bad sales hire? Over 6 figures! [1:03:50] Statistically, in a multivendor contest, the last contestant gets the business 9 times out of 10, no matter what the price is.
Mentioned in This Episode: | |||
| 07 Feb 2022 | Lessons Learned from a First-Time CEO | 00:39:42 | |
Nathan Dey was a first-time CEO for Navegate, a shipping and logistics company, which later got acquired under his guidance. Nathan shares his experiences of what it was like being a first-time CEO, some of the mistakes and challenges he was faced with, and how he adapted based on new market changes. He also offers advice and wisdom to young CEOs, in this week’s episode!
Key Takeaways: [1:45] What was it like being a CEO for the first time? [8:15] When Nathan took over, he wasn’t as familiar with the market conditions. He faced challenges after his first quarter. [13:25] Nathan had a team member who had reached their peak in the organization. What did Nathan decide to do? [15:20] Nathan realizes that he probably should have spent more time on hiring good people, and been quicker in firing the bad ones. [18:45] Nathan shares some day-to-day challenges he and the team faced. [22:00] Dive into your board members. If you’re not using their expertise, you’re missing out on a whole wealth of knowledge. [26:25] Want to further your knowledge as a business leader? You need to have a coach. [28:30] Nathan was vastly under-resourced to solve one of the company’s biggest challenges. He shares how he transformed the business to meet that goal. [33:40] Nathan ended up delivering a great return for his investors and for his dedicated team. [35:20] As a new leader, really take 3-6three to six months to learn about the organization. [36:40] What’s next for Nathan?
Mentioned in This Episode: Email Todd: Todd@Dynastylc.com | |||
| 13 Jan 2020 | EP046: Finding those Grand Slam Clients | 00:41:54 | |
Todd was invited to speak at a Club E event in Saint Paul last September and would love to share with you the interview in this week’s episode. You’ll find out a little bit more about Tom and his accomplishments, his thoughts on finding grand slam clients, and how to best bring on new business the smart way.
Key Takeaways: [1:35] A quick introduction about who Todd is! [3:15] How referable are you on a scale of 1-5? [4:25] There are three things we look for, especially when we are networking. 1. We want clarity from our new friend. 2. We want brevity. 3. And we want uniqueness. [11:15] How much does it take you to get one new client aboard? [13:25] There are three characteristics in identifying grand slam clients: Demographics, timing triggers, and psychographics. [20:45] Look for companies looking for innovation. They want the best for their company, regardless of the label. [22:45] Todd shares an example of how bringing these three characteristics together can make a profound impact on your business and your community. [28:55] Todd recommends that you have seven questions during the sales process to help you discover if they’re a good grand slam client. [34:50] What looked great when you were a $5 million company will definitely change when you are a $25-50 million company. [37:35] People willing to take vacations end up treating their people better.
Mentioned in This Episode: Email Todd: Todd@Dynastylc.com | |||
| 13 Apr 2020 | EP049: The 5 Intentional Growth Principles You Need | 00:58:35 | |
Ryan Tansom sold his family business to a local competitor for eight figures. After stumbling through the exit process, Ryan realized he left millions on the table and he could have controlled the outcome much, much better if only he had known! This is why he started the company Arkona and has developed a boot camp for business owners so that they’re aware of the steps they can take to make a successful exit. On this week’s show, Ryan shares his 5 Intentional Growth Principles!
Key Takeaways: [2:35] What is Ryan’s boot camp about and how does it help CEOs? [5:35] Ryan shares his entrepreneurial story and how he first got started in all of this. [11:20] Investment bankers go in and look at the facts/numbers. If that means laying off 60% of the workforce, so be it! This is why it is important to talk to them beforehand about what’s important to you. [14:50] It can be difficult to think about all the trade-offs and stick to what’s important to you if you don’t lay it out first. Since it’s your business, you have the power in this situation to get what you want. [15:35] What financial targets should you be measuring and monitoring even if you don’t plan to sell? [17:55] What is the risk of your cash flow? What’s the risk that it’s going to still be there tomorrow? Do you depend on China, for example? [20:15] Make sure your evaluation and your price are realistic for your industry. Just because you heard someone make 5X to 10X on the sale of their business doesn’t mean it’ll apply to you! [28:00] The biggest thing is people simply do not know/are not educated enough about this and that’s where the rookie mistakes end up happening. [33:35] How can you strategically implement value in your company? [40:00] Sign up for the boot camp to learn about this while you’re still passionate about the business, because when you figure out your number and want to sell, you may already be too burnt out to do the necessary steps needed to get your price. [44:45] Either you’re going to be acquiring someone to de-risk your cash flow to continue growing or you’re going to be someone else’s target to de-risk their cash flow and keep going. [45:15] Get yourself a team of advisors, but what does that look like? [49:45] Ryan shares the types of lessons his boot camp students are walking away with. [55:00] What can attendees expect at the boot camp?
Mentioned in This Episode: Email Todd: Todd@Dynastylc.com Call Ryan: 612-720-6530 | |||
| 11 Jul 2022 | How to Have Healthy Conflict to Accelerate Growth | 00:44:03 | |
Dr. Zach Schaefer is the Founder and CEO of Spark The Discussion. He is also a Speaker, Author, Professor, and Consultant. Spark specializes in diagnosing, designing, and deploying a variety of workplace programs focused on solving internal talent challenges from hire to retire. Dr. Zach shares that the problems you’re dealing with in business are only a symptom to a bigger problem, and that’s a behavioral problem. When you can facilitate a conversation of healthy conflict and solve the behavioral problem, things run a lot smoother in the company!
Key Takeaways: [1:55] Properly structured conflict is a business person’s most useful tool. [3:20] World class organizations figure out how to create healthy conflict, but not stay in it. [5:00] Emotional volatility can be a real issue among CEOs. [6:20] Although one of Dr. Zach’s clients was seeing a healthy amount of growth within the company, the workplace culture was horrible. People were miserable. [8:10] High-driven CEOs can also have a ‘swing for the fences’ kind of personality where they take calculated risks, but also have a hard time letting go of control. [10:15] CEOs who don’t want to let go of control need to remind themselves what they’re working towards. [11:45] Dr. Zach noticed that when there’s a conflict, 3 out of 4 times, it’s not a business issue. It’s a behavioral issue. [12:55] Trying to understand ‘what happened’ or who made the mistake is the easiest part. It’s what comes after that isn’t; emotions and identity. [14:15] When does it make sense for Dr. Zach to help in and facilitate healthy conflict? [19:35] What’s Dr. Zach’s work style and process when working with executives? [25:25] Dr. Zach doesn’t do virtual consultations. He believes it’s important to be in the room together. [31:00] After a dialogue has been opened, how does Dr. Zach help his clients continue to do the necessary ‘people work’ without him? [33:15] It’s not about what a CEO can’t do, it’s about what they have to stop doing. [36:15] Dr. Zach shares the concept of ‘Meeting Stew’ and ‘Conflict Chili’. [39:40] Dr. Zach recommends you do ‘trust rankings’ on your leadership team to get a gauge on what everyone is feeling.
Mentioned in This Episode: Email Todd: Todd@Dynastylc.com Call Dr. Zach: 618-558-2428 Difficult Conversations: How to Discuss What Matters Most by Douglas Stone Triggers: Sparking positive change and making it last Kindle Edition by Marshall Goldsmith | |||
| 12 Apr 2021 | How to Create a Talent Development Plan for Your Organization | 00:34:03 | |
Steve Van Remortel is the Founder and Chief Strategy and Talent Advisor for Stop The Vanilla, a company that develops leaders to achieve their business goals, and helps them find the right talent for their organization. In this episode, Steve shares his three-part framework to how you find exceptional talent that’s right for your organization.
Key Takeaways: [2:20] How did Steve discover his passion for strategy and cultivating talent? [3:00] Steve helps companies fix their number one problem, which is finding the right talent for their organization. [4:00] Want good talent? The first step is to create your vision. [7:50] Why is a customer going to choose you? And pay you more for it? [9:40] What does a good vision look like? [15:20] Talent is the biggest roadblock to an organization’s success. Talent management is critical. Don’t leave talent up to chance. [16:25] How do you stop “winging it” when it comes to hiring new talent? [18:35] You can’t outsource your talent development plan. You have to do it internally. [22:00] HR is often considered “an afterthought.” How do leaders get better in this arena when they have so much else going on? 26:20] How can leaders best help their employees outside of work? [28:10] Every leader needs to manage their emotional intelligence. Own your own issues. [30:50] What are the three steps a leader should be thinking about today?
Mentioned in This Episode: Email Todd: Todd@Dynastylc.com | |||
| 23 Aug 2016 | EP003: Why nearly 50% of all mergers fail | 00:40:02 | |
Steve Sapletal is a Merger Integration Leader with over 22 years of experience. He is currently a partner at KPMG where he overseas M&A integration strategy, planning, and execution. In this episode, he discusses with Todd some of the key factors on why a company should bring in an integration team, as well as some of the key mistakes companies make after an acquisition. Transitions are a stressful time for everyone, especially the employees, which is why companies tend to see a drop in productivity when a M&A transaction has been announced. Find out more on how you can ease the transition for everyone on this edition of the podcast.
Key Takeaways: [1:00] Who is Steve Sapletal? [3:25] If you're looking for help after you've signed the letter of intent (LOI) it's too late! [7:25] If you're buying this company, what are you really buying it for? You want to define what the deal drivers are early on. [10:00] Employees want to know what's going on. It's better to be honest with them than to hide it. [10:35] Once the announcement has been made, expect productivity to go down by 20-30%. [11:35] How many people should be in charge of the communication strategy? [13:50] You want to have a 30-day detailed plan, but be prepared that things will change. [16:05] After a deal has been closed, Steve and his team do twice a day check-ins for the first 7 days. [16:50] You want to course-correct as quickly as possible. [17:45] What is the average amount of time it takes for a company to fully integrate? [20:35] Steve talks about the different types of integration companies and what they offer. [25:05] What should a business owner look for in an integration company? [27:45] Steve talks about some of the common mistakes that can happen. [32:50] So many people forget about company culture. It's usually grouped under HR, but Steve thinks this is a mistake. [37:15] A lot of companies will take the wrong people and give them integration responsibilities. If you don't have the right person, you need to hire them.
Mentioned in This Episode: | |||
| 07 Nov 2022 | How to Lead a Remote Team as a CEO | 00:49:34 | |
Stefan Du Toit is the CEO of Paradise Yacht Management, the leading Caribbean term charter management company, strategically based in the Virgin Islands. When COVID-19 hit, many CEOs were faced with a tough decision and had to completely restructure their organization. In this episode, Stefan shares how he thought through this dilemma and why he chose to lead his company from afar when things went into lockdown. He offers what he learned from this experience and some of the best ways to execute this method.
Key Takeaways: [1:50] A little bit about Stefan and his business. [9:30] How did Stefan get involved in the yacht business? [13:05] COVID-19 had a big influence on having this role be remote. [13:50] It’s very important to have a vision and be aligned with it. [15:35] This business has to be a trust-based organization. Stefan explains why. [17:25] Stefan has tried to create a culture where people can confess or admit their mistakes. This is a big benefit. [20:15] How does Stefan structure his meetings throughout the organization? [27:15] You have to take the ego out when you’re a leader. In a lot of situations, you need to get out of the way. [28:15] Stefan was able to calculate supply chain issues and costs ended up going down because of this pivot. [32:45] A company can only absorb so much change at a time. If you overload it, everything can fall apart. [37:50] How can you influence culture and make it part of everyone’s ethos? [43:15] Stefan offers his highlights on what makes a good leader. [44:00] What kind of mistakes has Stefan learned over the years?
Mentioned in This Episode: Email Todd: Todd@Dynastylc.com | |||
| 08 Nov 2016 | EP007: Crisis communication - What every CEO should know | 00:51:13 | |
Jon Austin is the senior partner of J Austin & Associates, a communications consultancy company founded in 2006. Jon has expertise in media relations, issue management, corporate reputation, and crisis communications planning and response. In a nutshell, Jon is the person companies call when they’re having a reputation problem. For this week’s topic, Jon discusses how to reduce the negative impact on your brand image, when something bad happens to your company.
Key Takeaways: [1:00] Jon is the person to call when things hit the fan. [1:25] How did Jon get into crisis management? [5:40] What are some of the subtle differences between public relations, and crisis communications? [8:55] What happens if a business wants to open a production plant in a nice neighborhood? You call Jon. [11:30] It’s a challenge to educate and persuade the community towards why a company needs to set up shop in their backyard. Oftentimes, it helps stimulate economic growth. [12:00] Executives in the C-suite position are usually the ones reaching out to Jon. [15:05] In light of the recent Wells Fargo scandal, what steps would Jon take to help ease tension? [18:20] It’s both good and bad, that social media has become so prominent in the last few years. It’s good, because you know someone’s listening. It’s bad, because misinformation can spread like wildfire. [25:00] In Jon’s experience, most business owners and executives stay up late worrying about how to do the right thing. Mistakes just sometimes happen. [30:50] What kind of mistakes does Jon see in his industry? [38:05] Jon talks about how Tylenol recovered from their scandal in the 80’s. [40:25] What should business owners keep in mind, when handling a crisis? [43:50] Don’t wait too long to tell your side of the story. [46:20] It’s important to be upfront with your employees, when drastic changes are happening within the company.
Mentioned in This Episode:
| |||
| 07 Mar 2022 | Debunking The Myths Of A Trusted Adviser | 00:36:10 | |
Melissa Johnson is the co-founder of Entrepreneurs Bancshares, Inc., a bank geared specifically to entrepreneurs. She used to work with Highland Bank as the Senior Vice President bringing with her years of banking experience. Today, Melissa debunks some of the myths of a trusted adviser, offers advice on what clients should expect from a good banking relationship, and the difference between a community business bank model and a commercial one.
Key Takeaways: [1:35] A little bit about Melissa and the new bank she is launching. [2:40] Melissa shares a bit of her background and the journey through her career. [3:25] Why are there not a lot of banks that have a community business bank model? [4:30] Melissa shares what it’s like opening a brand new bank. [5:21] In the world of commercial banking, what are the three things you can expect from a good bank? [6:50] Aside from money, what benefits would entrepreneurs receive from a bank like theirs? [8:30] What is forbearance? Melissa explains. [9:45] Melissa shares an example to explain what a trusted adviser is to her. [11:30] What kinds of things does Melissa do to get to know her clients’ business and help her become a better adviser? [13:50] How does Melissa help her clients think about the long term? [16:05] If Melissa was a business owner and she was looking for a bank, what would she do? [18:40] Melissa shares the difference between regional banks and how they work. [20:05] How long does it take a banker to know if a loan should push through? Melissa shares what can be expected from a good and experienced banker. [22:34] How does Melissa deliver bad news to her clients if a loan doesn’t push through? [24:30] Melissa also talks about the objective behind gaining understanding if the bank is the right fit for the entrepreneur. [26:55] Melissa matches her client’s calendar as to where their acquisitions are headed. What is it like following through with them? [28:10] Two of the biggest mistakes in banking fall under poor communication and poor planning. Melissa expounds further on how this can happen. [29:45] Melissa also talks about what is a 1031 exchange. [30:25] What would Melissa recommend to entrepreneurs to help them prepare to set up a new banking relationship? [32:40] Melissa also talks about her seminars, the more recent one called Business Performance Series.
Mentioned in This Episode: Email Todd: Todd@Dynastylc.com Email Melissa: melissa@entrebank.com | |||
| 11 Jun 2018 | EP027: Millennials and Generation Z: The New Rules of the Workplace Part 2 | 00:44:31 | |
Tyler Olson is an award-winning serial entrepreneur in several technology fields as well as the Founder of Modern Foundation, an analytics-first marketing social & search consultancy. Tyler is also a keynote speaker and frequently speaks for organizations such as IBM, 3M, Target, and more. On today’s episode, Tyler shares his experience on what it takes to build an engaging and fun work environment for his team, what Millennials in the workforce crave from their leaders, and how he weeds out toxic and damaging individuals from entering his company culture.
Key Takeaways: [2:00] A quick introduction about Tyler. [2:55] Tyler is currently exploring the digital nomad lifestyle. [4:05] Who is Tyler and how did he get started as an entrepreneur? [8:10] How does Tyler recruit through inspiration? [13:50] What does Tyler mean by having a ‘bad cop’ filter? [17:55] Tyler is honest with his employees. His company is not going to pay the highest salary, but they make up for that by having flexible hours and a healthy/fun work environment. [21:00] What kind of misconceptions do people have about Millennials? [24:20] How does Tyler define what a ‘life-long learner’ means? [28:00] Tyler shares his core values for his company. [35:20] A bad hire cost Tyler around $250,000. [37:55] How can business owners run a better, and happier, business for the younger workforce?
Mentioned in This Episode: Email: TOlson@Modern.Foundation | |||
| 07 Jun 2021 | Your Entrepreneurial Journey Doesn’t Get Easier, It Just Gets Different. | 00:42:35 | |
Mike Smerklo is an experienced entrepreneur, investor, and business leader driven by the desire to turn ideas into reality. Having bought and scaled a small business into a publicly-traded company worth nearly a billion dollars, he has a deep understanding of the hard work, dedication, and grit that truly powers successful entrepreneurship. Mike shares the ups and downs of his entrepreneurial journey, and why he decided to write a book to help other entrepreneurs get over their fear and doubt about themselves, and the type of company they’re trying to build.
Key Takeaways: [2:25] Mike talks about his book and why the proceeds are going to charity! [3:35] Mike really struggled with imposter syndrome throughout his career. [5:45] Entrepreneurship books fall into two camps: Tactical advice or rags to riches stories that make you feel kind of bad. [8:35] Throughout Mike’s career, he was plagued with negative self-talk and inner voices. He didn’t have a lot of good role models growing up, and his book wanted to highlight ways to get over that voice of “not being enough.” [11:50] Self-awareness might be the most important attribute for an entrepreneur. [14:15] How do you know if a leader has self-awareness? [16:00] All successful business owners ask for help. There is no shame in that! [21:25] How can leaders be more authentic? [23:50] It’s okay to not have all the answers for your team. [28:15] Your entrepreneurial journey doesn’t get easier, it gets different. [32:50] As a board member, how does Mike coach his leaders to rally their people and move in the right direction? [37:00] Struggling with a particular task? Go find someone who has done it recently. Get good people around you. [39:00] The biggest thing an entrepreneur can do is to stay focused.
Mentioned in This Episode: Email Todd: Todd@Dynastylc.com Mr. Monkey and Me: A Real Survival Guide for Entrepreneurs, by Mike Smerklo | |||
| 10 Apr 2018 | EP025: Thinking of selling your company? Here's How | 00:39:25 | |
Jerry Clark is the Founding and Managing Officer for SealedBid, a merger and acquisitions firm that was founded in 1993. Over the 25+ years since starting SealedBid, Jerry has worked with hundreds of individual owners on exit and succession strategies and successfully marketing their companies to qualified buyers. On the show, Jerry explains his company’s transaction process, how a company can exit successfully, and the steps buyers go through to purchase a company.
Key Takeaways: [2:45] Jerry discusses his company’s structured transaction process. [6:20] You need a couple of years to set your company up for a successful exit plan. You will not get the full value if you tried to sell it within one year. [8:05] Similar to how you get your house ready for sale, you want to put essentially a fresh coat of paint and clean out the cobwebs in your company. [12:05] How do companies exit successfully without letting their competitors know? [15:30] Jerry discusses the steps involved on how to execute the exit strategy. [22:05] What do buyers need to go through when they’re looking to buy a company? [25:10] What’s the difference between a binding and a non-binding letter of intent? [30:35] Jerry lists some common mistakes that can derail the succession process. [33:45] Jerry offers some key advice for owners who are interested in creating a succession plan.
Mentioned in This Episode: | |||
| 10 Oct 2022 | How to Overcome Random Acts of Marketing | 00:46:48 | |
Jennifer Zick is the Founder and CEO of Authentic Brand, a community of Fractional CMOs who help growing businesses Overcome Random Acts of Marketing™ and confidently take the next right step to build revenue. In this episode, Jennifer shares how a fractional CMO can help revitalize your business when you’re in the middle of the growth stages. She offers a seven-part framework to help break out of any marketing funk you might have.
Key Takeaways: [2:20] A little bit about Jennifer and her business. [2:50] For a startup, what are the core executive roles in the very beginning? [5:10] When does it make sense to hire a fractional CMO? [9:50] There are seven key steps to reaching authentic marketing growth. [15:00] How does Jennifer stress-test a company’s ambitious marketing goal? [18:00] After setting clear goals, it’s about setting clear priorities. [22:15] What do you do when a more dominant and aggressive competitor steps in and is stealing all of your business? [27:40] How do Jennifer and her team think about marketing strategy? [29:55] What is a lead? It’s important you define it clearly. [34:20] You should be thinking about your organization like a baseball team. [38:40] You need to track all of your marketing outlets! [41:50] Don’t guess at how to build a marketing team. [45:00] Jennifer would love to get in touch! Reach out to her on LinkedIn!
Mentioned in This Episode: Email Todd: Todd@Dynastylc.com | |||
| 11 Dec 2018 | EP033: Patents - Protecting your best original ideas | 00:36:19 | |
Craige Thompson is an Entrepreneurial Patent Attorney at Thompson Patent Law as well as an author and a speaker. On today’s show, Craige gives insider knowledge on why someone should pursue a patent and when it’s not a good idea to do so. He also explains what the patent process looks like and things to be prepared for if you did decide to patent your invention!
Key Takeaways: [2:20] Craige explains what a typical patent process looks like. [3:10] Are patents a big deal? Do we really need one? [4:15] When does it make sense to patent a product? [5:50] What does Craige mean by ‘invention harvesting’? [8:00] You can also check out Craige’s book as well, Patent Offense, for more info. [10:25] “I have checked everything and there’s nothing like my product out there!” Chances are, Craige can find it. [11:05] What is considered ‘prior art’? [13:15] What is a ‘point of novelty’? [15:50] Rejection of your patent is a good thing. That’s when the negotiation starts! [17:15] Craige shares an example of what a ‘point of novelty’ looks like. [19:15] Once you have your ‘point of novelty’ answers, it begins to unlock all the business questions you need to determine whether this patent makes sense to pursue. [21:25] What kind of profit are you looking at if you do patent this product? [23:00] Thinking of an exit strategy? A patent could increase the value of your company. [26:25] Craige explains how someone can prioritize their claim strategy. [29:00] Are patent really only for the big guys? [31:55] How much would it cost to get a quick assessment of whether a patent is worth it or not? [33:45] What kinds of mistakes do people usually make?
Mentioned in This Episode: | |||
| 20 Sep 2016 | EP004: How to get the best results from your salespeople | 00:52:59 | |
Jackie Schneider is the Chief Revenue Officer at Field Nation and serves on the board of advisors for The Nerdery as well as the board of directors for Anser Innovation. On this week's conversation, Jackie jumps right in on how to properly and effectively structure comp plans. As a leader, you really want to be thinking about comp plans 6 months in advance in order to thoroughly plan out all the variables necessary.
Key Takeaways: [0:55] Find out more about Field Nation and the work Jackie does for this company. [3:00] What are some of the downsides of working on a comp plan during the later stages of a company? [3:35] When is the best time to work on a comp plan and why do you need so much time to prepare for a good comp plan? [6:30] Jackie shares an example of what makes a good comp plan. [8:50] How do you properly distribute a comp plan between different employees with different company roles? [10:35] How much time should you dedicate to a comp plan before making tweaks and adjustments? [12:05] What else does Jackie look for when trying to accurately fill in a comp plan? [12:50] Jackie says to keep it simple. She tries to put no more than 3 quotas in her comp plan. [14:05] How does Jackie plan for unexpected surprises and how does that get incorporated into the comp plan? [17:00] Jackie discusses employee compensation. [24:20] How Jackie knows when she has created an unsuccessful comp plan. [27:40] How would Jackie design a comp plan when the company wants to target a particular zip code? [34:05] Never pay for activity, pay for results. [37:55] Jackie explains what she writes in the comp plan when she's crafting it. [41:30] Jackie usually waits till mid December to roll out the new comp plan. [45:45] What are some common mistakes that happen in comp plans? [48:45] Never have sales reps do collections. It just puts them in a lose-lose scenario. [49:30] How not to deviate from the comp plan!
Mentioned in This Episode: Email Jackie: Jackie.Schneider@fieldnation.com | |||
| 11 Jan 2021 | EP058: Empathy and Positivity are Overrated in Leadership. Do This Instead. | 00:37:55 | |
Dr. Terry Wu has a Ph.D. in neuroscience and started his online marketing firm in 2003. He also has a new book out entitled, Why the Brain Follows, which dives into the latest neuroscience research, how leaders can leverage our natural human behaviors, and the negative side of positive thinking. Dr. Terry shares some of his thoughts on leadership and why too many leaders leave it up to “chance” when it comes to getting the most out of their people.
Key Takeaways: [1:40] How did Dr. Terry Wu get started in neuroscience and neuromarketing? [3:55] Science can make leadership more predictable. [5:10] A title doesn’t make you a leader and a leader doesn’t need a title. [9:10] People love to follow a crowd. When you rally a small group of people behind you, some great things can happen. [9:55] What does it mean to “lead with empathy”? Dr. Terry has some thoughts on why empathy doesn’t always work. [11:15] Empathy actively causes pain. Dr. Terry breaks down what he means by this. [17:55] We have an us vs. them bias in our brains. Empathy only confirms that bias. [23:15] When people have a sense of control, they manage their stress a lot better! [26:45] Dr. Terry explains what “toxic positivity” is and why positivity is not a choice. [31:10] You can turn a very positive person into a negative person just by adding stress into their lives. [33:40] What should leaders be looking out for in 2021?
Mentioned in This Episode: Email Todd: Todd@Dynastylc.com | |||
| 08 Aug 2022 | What Venture Capital Firms are Looking to Buy | 00:41:23 | |
David Garcia is the CEO and Founder of ScoutLogic, a pre-employment background screening company. David is also the Senior Advisor for Norwest Venture Partners, where he helps provide his expertise on sales, marketing, operations strategy, and more. David offers insight in this week’s episode on what venture capital firms are looking for when they’re about to make an offer, or acquisition, on a company. He also offers advice on what Founders should be doing if they’re looking to exit out of their company.
Key Takeaways: [1:40] What do you do when you’re getting ready to put your company on the market? And more important, what do buyers look for? [3:35] What types of companies does Norwest Venture Partners prefer to acquire? [4:55] David has not seen hiring slow down at all at his background screening company. [8:00] You’d be surprised to know that management and finance don’t always have a clear picture of their own finances. [11:00] What is the number one thing that destroys your credibility as a company when a venture capital firm is looking to buy? [15:00] The last thing you want is for your customers to hear it from someone else that you’re being acquired. [18:55] What are some of the best ways to tell your company’s story to an investor? [21:55] For a lot of investors, it’s more than the dollar and cents amount. They want to see how the leadership works, and how the customers respond to your company. [22:10] When does it make sense for a founder to think about their own role in the company? [25:55] What do you do if staff have equity in the company? [26:35] What are the most likely jobs that could be put at risk? [30:10] David shares his thoughts on who your outside advisory team should be in this process. [34:45] What are some of the most common mistakes business owners make? [37:55] No matter what, you want a clean story for your business so that you can get the maximum profits out of this.
Mentioned in This Episode: Email Todd: Todd@Dynastylc.com | |||
| 13 Dec 2016 | EP009: What’s Life Like After Retirement? | 00:27:32 | |
For an entrepreneur, retirement isn’t always an easy thing to accept. Stan Glawe had been working since the age of four, and when it was time to retire, at the age of 75, he faced some struggles. What’s life like after retirement, for someone who’s been working all of his life? Listen in to Stan’s insightful thoughts right here!
Key Takeaways: [1:50] What does Stan do to ‘survive’ retirement? [3:55] Stan thinks he’s annoying his friends. [7:30] For entrepreneurs, it’s very hard to give up that piece of identity; give up that ‘work.’ [8:10] How did Stan make a healthy transition out of that identity? [10:00] Stan lost a very important part of his identity. He was unhappy when he retired. [10:40] For the longest time, Stan didn’t really understand what was wrong. [12:15] Stan’s wife really helped him through the process. He took a vacation to Africa! [14:25] Stan discusses the kind of knowledge he learned from his wife. [16:00] Does Stan have any concerns about money, now that he’s retired? [18:45] Why set the alarm every morning? [19:50] Although he still feels lost, Stan doesn’t feel as lost as he was when he first retired. [22:30] Stan can say this: He’s satisfied in knowing the business he built will carry on.
Mentioned in This Episode: | |||
| 12 Aug 2019 | EP041: Finding the Right Board Member for Your Company | 00:34:26 | |
Jim Zuehlke is a Principal at Cardinal Board Services, a company dedicated to maximizing the effectiveness of company boards. They can help you with everything from board member recruitment, onboarding, and facilitating. Jim shares his expertise on today’s show about how to onboard the perfect board member for your company based on size and vision.
Key Takeaways: [4:00] A board for your company helps you keep current with the trends. [4:55] When does it make sense to have a board? [7:15] The very first thing that Jim likes to do is do an analysis on the company and see what types of board services they might need. [12:15] After the analysis phrase, Jim likes to get everything down in writing so that everyone is clear about their next steps and he can also show this document to a potential board member. [14:20] What does Jim mean by finding a ‘2X person’? [17:00] How does Jim determine the right compatibility between a board member and the company? [22:05] The process to onboard a new board member is slightly different than onboarding a team member or a C-suite executive. [26:15] What are some of the biggest challenges of getting a board member? [28:35] Is it beneficial to hire a board member that can open doors for them? [31:15] Jim shares some of his thoughts about diversity and its importance.
Mentioned in This Episode: Email Todd: Todd@Dynastylc.com Email Jim: JimZ@Cardinalboardservices.com | |||
| 09 Aug 2021 | Leverage The Power of The Board | 00:43:41 | |
In this week’s episode, we have a repeat guest, Mike Smerklo! He is the Co-founder and Managing Director of Next Coast Ventures and the author of the book, Mr. Monkey and Me, a survival guide for entrepreneurs and a must-read! Mike is back to talk about boards and how a young entrepreneur or a recently appointed CEO can take full advantage of the extensive experience at their fingertips.
Key Takeaways: [2:25] Leading a board is intimidating, especially as a new entrepreneur and CEO. [4:10] What is the “mushroom philosophy”? [8:25] As a new CEO, what should you do to get to know your existing board after a takeover? [12:00] In the decades Mike has been in this field, he has never seen a board take a “formal vote” on something. That’s what happens in the movies. [15:45] If you want to avoid a mushroom cloud, ask questions and be proactive. [18:45] What should a CEO expect from their board? [20:40] At the end of the day, a board’s job is to make sure the CEO is still a good and capable leader. [23:20] You have a great team backing you; use them as a sounding board. [26:25] When does it make sense to rotate a board member out? [30:20] How do you respectfully disagree and/or be diplomatic with your board? [32:45] Managing a board can seem like a big time commitment, but it’s part of the CEO’s job to make sure expectations and leadership alignment are in order. [37:00] What are some of the common mistakes new CEOs make with their boards? [37:40] Boil your slides down to what’s working, what’s not, and so what? [40:55] Surround yourself with smart people who you might not always agree with to help you see your blindspots.
Mentioned in This Episode: Email Todd: Todd@Dynastylc.com | |||
| 10 Jan 2022 | Building Your Personal Brand | 00:34:27 | |
Kathleen Crandall is an expert on personal branding, an engaging keynote speaker and workshop facilitator, a speaker coach and message development expert, and the Founder of Know My Impact. She is known for helping people understand, elevate, and leverage the impact of their image, their words, and the experience of knowing them or working with them. In today’s episode, Todd talks to Kathy about how you can get the right people to find you for the right reasons and the right places.
Key Takeaways: [2:15] A little bit about Kathy’s business and how she got there. [4:50] Kathy shares how you can talk about yourself without having to say your job title. [6:55] Todd shares his own experience with Kathy where she was able to help build his personal brand. [7:15] Talking about LinkedIn, Todd asks Kathy how to build your profile correctly to attract the right audience. [10:45] Kathy talks about the key pieces in LinkedIn and what they look for in our profiles. [11:40] Headline is Number One. Kathy shares some tips on how to write a better one. [13:40] Current and past roles, as well as the services you provide if you are a consultant or business owner, have a great impact on the search results in LinkedIn. [15:10] Last but not least, Kathy also talks about the “About Me” section of your profile and its importance. [16:40] Kathy also talks about the top skills you have on your profile and how to view that when it’s converted to PDF. [18:30] What is an applicant tracking system? Kathy also shares more insights about this. [22:10] LinkedIn vs Monster vs. other online job search networks. Which tool is mostly used by recruiters? [23:25] Quality over quantity. Kathy shares how you can best use virtual networks to get the right connections. [24:45] Kathy also talks about the SEO strategies that are applied in LinkedIn and how you can take advantage of them. [27:30] What are the common mistakes Kathy has seen executives have made in their personal brands? [29:40] Kathy also talks about an article she shared about Elon Musk and his philosophy about people and employees that made her look at him differently. [30:30] Kathy wraps up by sharing key takeaways for the listeners to put them on the right path in their job search.
Mentioned in This Episode: Email Todd: Todd@Dynastylc.com Email Kathy: Kathleen@Knowmyimpact.com | |||
| 18 Oct 2016 | EP006: Marketing - $400M without ever making a cold call. | 00:51:34 | |
Most people would not recommend their real estate agent or even re-use him/her ever again. Why? The clients typically had three common issues: The agent was no longer in the business, the client was not happy with the quality of service they received, or after closing the deal, the agent completely disappeared. Well, this week’s guest, Marty Siegel, has been in the real estate industry for 28 years and 90% of his leads come from referrals, repeat customers, and children of those customers. What is the secret to his success?
Key Takeaways: [1:45] 90% of Marty’s leads come from referrals. [3:25] How many times does Marty reach out to his clients (who have already bought a home from him) in a year? Marty says at least 24 times. [4:15] Keep in mind, Marty hates answering the phone. [8:00] How did Marty get started in his career? [10:00] Since Marty didn’t have a mailing list, he went door-to-door and spoke with his target market directly. [12:25] So, how does Marty reach out to each one of his clients 24 times a year? [13:25] The children of Marty’s clients are now calling Marty to help them buy a home. [16:40] Marty believes in doing the right thing. He doesn’t feel comfortable selling a troubled married couple a home. [18:10] Marty has a Christmas event every year that he invites his clients to. He discusses what the ‘Trees for Toys’ event is about. [21:35] Why did Marty leave the company that give him his first real estate job? [25:30] How did Marty convince his new boss at Coldwell Banker to host a ‘Trees for Toys’ event? [27:40] Despite making 24 contacts a year with his clients, Marty never asks them for business. [27:45] Last year, Marty’s event donated 9,000 toys for Toys for Tots. [31:25] On average, Marty reaches out to his clients around 24 times a year, but that number may increase depending on the amount of children each client has. Without fail, Marty sends a birthday card to each of his client’s children every year. [31:50] The fact that Marty is consistent every year with his connections is what blows people away. [32:15] Marty has been so successful at what he does, he now puts on seminars for other agents. [40:10] Marty shares why he got into real estate. [42:10] What does Marty think about social media? [49:25] Remember, attracting valuable clients does not have to be expensive.
Mentioned in This Episode: Call Marty: 612-670-3839 Email Marty: TCRealtor@aol.com | |||
| 12 Sep 2022 | The 5 Step Process Behind Measured Employee Success | 00:47:40 | |
Lior Geft is the CEO at Mabbly, a full-service digital marketing agency that helps a wide range of businesses scale and grow. Because of Lior’s background as a recruiter, Lior wanted not only the best out of his people, but to create sustainable processes around the work that they did so that they could be kept accountable and grow. In this episode, we find out what Lior’s interview process is to vet and find talent, how they measure employee success, and so much more!
Key Takeaways: [1:20] How do you minimize turnover and create accountability with your team? [3:05] A little bit about Lior and how he got his start. [5:00] Lior has a five-step process to vet whether a potential candidate is good. [7:30] Do you have a clear picture of what the needs are in the business? If so, out of that long list, what is your potential employee going to be accountable for? [9:45] Who will be onboarding this person? Although it’s important to hold their hand through the first 90 days, that doesn’t mean that a new person is set up for success. [10:40] If you have somebody who’s invested in this new candidate’s success in the beginning, the onboarding and training process is a lot easier and more manageable for the new hire. [13:40] When you develop a list of responsibilities, it can often feel like that list just keeps growing and growing for that person who is training the new hire. You set both the trainer and the trainee up for failure. [18:45] How do you find the right candidate? [23:10] Lior reveals one of his favorite interview questions. [27:05] What does Lior do when there are concerns over a new hire? [32:40] It’s important to set the tone with the new candidate that you are excited that they’re joining the company. [36:30] When you welcome overachievers that care about what they do, they crave feedback. [37:25] Lior has cultivated a culture of giving praise. [40:30] What are some of the biggest mistakes Lior has done himself/sees others doing? [43:50] Remember that this is not a perfect process.
Mentioned in This Episode: | |||
| 10 Aug 2020 | EP053: The Power of Emotional Grit | 00:33:58 | |
Jennifer Fernjack is a brain tumor survivor and through that experience, she learned the power of emotional grit. She used six strategies to help her get through her brain diagnosis and still uses these strategies today to change her brain chemistry for the better. In this week’s episode, she shares how to face your fears, leverage gratitude, and shift your perspective to see the positive in everything.
Key Takeaways: [1:40] The glass of life is really half full. If your plan doesn’t work, tweak it and find a Plan B. [5:35] Jennifer decided to turn this around and write a list of reasons why it was a good thing she had a brain tumor. [7:10] Step 1: Get creative when coming up with Plan B. [8:40] Jennifer walks through the six pillars that helped her overcome her diagnosis. [10:45] Laughter will always make you feel good. Getting ready to go into a stressful situation? Find resources to make you laugh. [11:50] Practice gratitude. Make a list of reasons why your bad situation is a blessing. [12:25] Face your fears through cognitive reframing. [17:25] Help others. By giving back, you get an endorphins boost. [21:50] Jennifer shares an example of the power of perspective. [24:25] What can the power of emotional grit do for you? [27:20] Cut yourself some slack if you’re going through a hard time. [29:05] Jennifer offers advice on the one thing you can do right now to improve your mental and emotional grit. [30:35] What are the best ways to deal with isolation?
Mentioned in This Episode: Email Todd: Todd@Dynastylc.com | |||
| 14 Nov 2017 | EP020: How to restructure like a pro | 00:46:13 | |
Dr. Jim Schmidt has been serving as Chancellor at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire since 2013. Chancellor Jim, as he likes to be called, has slightly over 30 years of experience in academia and has seen what a lot of leaders did wrong, and right, when it came to those dreaded budget cuts. On today’s show, Chancellor Jim discusses how he was able to make some tough decisions within his university and how he ended up making his campus much more efficient with less money.
Key Takeaways: [1:25] Who is Chancellor Jim Schmidt and how did he get started in his career? [2:05] Of the 30 years Chancellor Jim has worked in academia, he had to cut the budget 26 times. [3:05] Across-the-board cuts are for lazy administrators. It’s viewed as ‘fair,’ but it really isn’t. [4:35] When it comes to budget cuts, how does Chancellor Jim approach this? [10:45] Remember, you’re only as effective as your people and if your people are worried about their job security, things aren’t going to get done as quickly. [11:50] How can you be transparent with your team when facing budget cuts? [14:25] Once your team is aware of the budget cuts, then you need to rally them towards a common goal and the university’s values. [20:35] When you’ve established what key areas are vital for your students/customers, then it’s time to get your team together to start brainstorming on the best course of action. [25:20] As a Chancellor, it’s Jim’s responsibility to give the students the best experience possible. If you make across-the-board budget cuts, their experience will suffer. [27:55] Chancellor Jim told his team to reject the notion that you gotta ‘do more with less.’ You can’t do that to your customers because then your quality will suffer. [34:00] Many of Chancellor Jim’s staff were willing to do more with less because they were used to that status quo. He had to tell them to stop because it will only lead to them being burned out. [35:30] The university has had four years’ worth of increased student enrollment despite making these budget cuts. [37:45] As a leader, you have to be open to having those tough conversations and you need to be available for your people. [39:05] Chancellor Jim does a quick recap. [41:40] What mistakes did Chancellor Jim make along the way that he wishes he did a bit differently?
Mentioned in This Episode: Call Jim: 715-836-2327 Email Jim: JSchmidt@uwec.edu | |||
| 18 Aug 2016 | EP001: When Is It the Right Time to Sell Your Business? | 00:39:25 | |
Eric Nicholson has been in the mergers & acquisitions career field for over 20 years. He has primarily worked one-on-one with business owners looking to sell their businesses and is currently the Managing Director for Green Holcomb Fisher, now owned by BMO Capital Markets. Eric shares a bit of his expertise on how to hire the right investment banker and how to properly come up with an exit strategy long before you retire. Tune in for more great insights from Eric.
Key Takeaways: [1:20] Who is Eric Nicholson? [2:05] What is an investment banker and how is that different compared to a business banker? [3:55] What's the difference between an investment banker and a business broker? [6:50] How do you pick an investment banker that's right for you? [10:45] Remember, you can always ask for references! [11:05] What are some of the biggest mistakes Eric sees in the business? When clients go with an investment banker who says he can get his client the best and highest price. [11:45] Ask different investment bankers for an evaluation on your business. [14:05] Don't wait too long to sell your business. [15:05] Selling your business when you're ready to retire is often not the best strategy. [16:50] You want to start on doing the necessary due diligence and documentation at least a year before you plan to sell your business. [18:10] Where do you draw the line in putting money into the business versus. not? [18:50] How is you cutting costs going to play out with potential buyers for the business? [21:15] What is your business really worth? [23:35] Anything 15% or greater in EBITDA margins is considered great. [24:50] What's a good EBITDA pay range? [29:50] The biggest factor in businesses that did not perform well was when a major customer changed their mind. [30:20] What are some of the common mistakes business owners make when trying to sell their businesses? [34:50] What should business owners concentrate on when they're preparing to sell their businesses? [37:30] Final piece of advice? The sale process can be a lot of fun.
Mentioned in This Episode: Call Eric: (621) 904-5700 | |||
| 09 Jan 2018 | EP022: The Benefits of Social Proof | 00:27:32 | |
Kevin St.Clergy is a Partner and Chief Practice Development Officer at MedPB as well as the Co-founder of Online Review Builder. On today’s show, Kevin discusses how to build social proof in your business and why reviews are a gateway to building trust online. Too many business owners underestimate the value of social proof and it’s costing them business!
Key Takeaways: [1:50] Who is Kevin and what does he do at MedPB? [2:30] How does Kevin define social proof? [3:50] Don’t think online reviews are important to your business? Think again. [6:25] Kevin has data that proves if you have more Google reviews than your competition, you will see growth as much as 50-100% a year. [7:05] What do businesses owners have to do to create social proof? [9:00] Most businesses don’t have a process to help happy customers leave a review. [12:15] Kevin has created software so that people who rate your business 3 stars or less receive a form for them to fill out, giving businesses a second chance to fix a problem. [13:30] You have to see a complaint as a gift. If you find out your customer is unhappy, give them a call! [15:00] What are some of the best ways to get reviews from your customers? Kevin offers three easy steps. [20:00] What kinds of mistakes do business owners typically make when it comes to generating social proof? [21:15] Some businesses owners hate to ask for reviews, it feels too salesy. Here’s why you need to overcome this. [23:15] Google is beginning to look at how many reviews you’re responding to online and uses it toward their rankings. Reply to your reviewers! A quick thank you back can make a ton of difference.
Mentioned in This Episode: Brightlocal.com — Local Consumer Review Survey 2016 | |||
| 13 Feb 2023 | The Five Characteristics of an Impact Player | 00:44:07 | |
Liz Wiseman is CEO of The Wiseman Group and teaches leadership to executives around the world. She is the author of three best-selling management books: Multipliers, The Multiplier Effect, and Rookie Smarts. She is out with her newest book, Impact Players, where she analyzes what makes someone truly stand out as a team leader. In this episode, she shares the five signs of an impact player, how they think differently, and how they have the ability to elevate everyone’s collective mood.
Key Takeaways: [2:10] A little bit about Liz and her company. [3:20] Why are some leaders able to unlock their employee’s potential and other people seem to struggle? [5:10] We are products of our environment. You can make a difference, but your environment can shape how you make that difference. [7:10] Liz wanted to look at people who were doing a great job vs. an extraordinary job and understand what they were doing differently. [8:00] There are five characteristics/situations that create an impact player. [11:20] How do we make this workload easier for everyone? This is a question impact players often ask. [17:45] Liz shares a little bit about her background in Silicon Valley and some of the key lessons she’s learned. [21:10] Through Liz’s research, she made a list of credibility killers and credibility builders from what managers want in an employee. [27:45] What should you do if you’ve made a mistake? Admit it! [32:05] Managers don’t really want to manage people. They want people to come up with solutions. [35:55] Working hard is not the same as creating impact. Liz dives into this further. [39:30] Liz offers advice on how to write more effective emails that get people responding! [40:25] Before you start working hard on something, make sure you first understand the assignment.
Mentioned in This Episode: Email Todd: Todd@Dynastylc.com Impact Players: How to Take the Lead, Play Bigger, and Multiply Your Impact, by Liz Wiseman | |||
| 08 Feb 2021 | EP059: Effective Leadership Principles for Any Sized Business | 00:37:42 | |
Andy Wyatt is a Founder & Head Coach of Andrew Wyatt Leadership and he is out with a new book called Pro Leadership, which dives into how you can establish credibility, build a strong following, and lead with impact. In his book, he offers 24 leadership principles that he’s learned after being in business for more than 30 years. In this episode, Andy shares how business owners can pull their identity out of their business, drive effective culture, and so much more.
Key Takeaways: [1:40] Figure out what you’d do for free and then figure out how to get paid for it. [3:55] A lot of people want to write a book but never do it. Why is this? [7:05] You have to excavate before you elevate, what does Andy mean by this? [9:20] How do you separate the person from the business? [11:15] Do you feel good or bad about yourself based on the uncomfortable whims of the business? [11:55] There are three things every leader needs: A coach, a therapist, and a golf trainer (or tennis/gym trainer). [14:15] Your biggest role as a leader is to create the culture. [17:10] How can you drive culture and what makes someone a good leader in this space? [19:50] What does character mean to you? Character is the way you act when no one is watching. [22:15] Andy has had to learn a lesson the hard way when he tried to drive culture a little too fast in a company. [25:05] Eighty-five percent of our leadership problems would be solved through better communication. [27:45] How do you know a team has built trust? Watch how they handle a disagreement. [29:35] What are some of the common mistakes people tend to make about leadership? [32:00] It’s lonely at the top, but it doesn’t have to be. Leaders are notorious for isolating themselves.
Mentioned in This Episode: Email Todd: Todd@Dynastylc.com | |||
| 07 Oct 2019 | EP043: Plug Yourself Into a Good Executive Peer Group to Excel Your Career and Business | 00:31:23 | |
Kurt Theriault is the President of Allied Executives, a locally-based peer group organization in the Twin Cities for CEOs, Business Owners, and Key Leader Executives. Kurt discusses on today’s episode who would be a right fit to join a peer group, some of the benefits, and some common mistakes new members tend to make.
Key Takeaways: [2:50] How did Kurt first discover Allied Executives? [7:00] Who is considered the ‘right’ member or client for Allied Executives? [10:35] Being able to share your challenges in front of a room of like minded individuals really can help unblock you. [12:50] There are different types of peer groups out there. How do you know what’s right for you? [15:20] The good thing about attending a peer group is that you get workshops and continuous education on important topics and challenges you’re facing. [18:00] Allied Executives has a diverse group of people that are local to the Minneapolis area. [19:00] When does it make sense to call a place like Allied Executives? [27:00] What are some of the biggest mistakes members tend to make? [29:50] Kurt is active on LinkedIn. Feel free to reach out!
Mentioned in This Episode: Email Todd: Todd@Dynastylc.com The Road Less Stupid: Advice from the Chairman of the Board by Keith J. Cunningham | |||
| 12 Dec 2022 | Get Yourself an Executive Assistant | 00:25:47 | |
Mackenzie Doheny is an Executive Assistant (EA) with over 20 years of experience working with C-Suite executives, presidents, and founders in the non-profit, private, and public spaces. In addition, she has over 10 years of experience hiring, training, and managing administrative assistants – both to work on her team and to support other executives. In this episode, Mackenzie explains why every executive needs a little bit of virtual support from their EA.
Key Takeaways: [1:50] A little bit about Mackenzie and her services. [3:15] When should leaders get an executive assistant? [4:50] How did Mackenzie get into this space? [8:50] Mackenzie has seen it all. Some executives are so overwhelmed that things are just slipping through the cracks. [11:00] How should an EA handle an executive’s inbox? [13:00] The EA should take the initiative when it comes to taking control of the leader’s calendar and schedule. [17:55] When executives are able to get out of the weeds of their inbox and calendar, so much of their brain space opens up. [21:35] What are some of the biggest mistakes that leaders make with their EA? [24:00] Don’t have an EA? Take an inventory of what happened in the last 7‒10 days.
Mentioned in This Episode: Email Todd: Todd@Dynastylc.com Email Mackenzie: Mackenzie@Mackenziedoheny.com | |||
| 10 Jan 2017 | EP010: Disruptive Communication - using PR to your advantage. | 00:40:05 | |
Blois Olson is the Founder of Fluence Media, an agency that provides perspective, strategy, and execution to clients. They specialize in public affairs, litigation communication, labor/management, online/social media consulting, and crisis communication. Blois was listed in the “40 under 40,” by the Minneapolis-St. Paul Business Journal, at age 31, and recognized as a “Top Marketer,” by Minnesota Business magazine, in 2012. On today’s show, Blois discusses how businesses can position themselves in the right light, when it comes to their PR.
Key Takeaways: [:45] What’s Blois’s world like? [2:50] How does Blois help his clients? [4:00] Business can get dark and scary sometimes. [5:45] Leaders need to be transparent, especially during times of uncertainty. [9:30] How does Blois decide which form of media is the right platform to showcase his clients’ message on? [10:25] Technology allows us to directly communicate with customers. [15:35] What’s considered ‘newsworthy’? [19:55] It boils down to reputation and storytelling. It’s not about hype! [20:30] Do Blois and his team have to coach his clients on who their ideal audience is? [25:45] When does it make sense to have a M&A conversation? [30:30] How can companies create their own PR disruption? [36:05] If you’re communicating and you’re first, you have the upper hand to directly target the right customers.
Mentioned in This Episode:
| |||
| 13 Jun 2017 | EP015: Getting an Honest Evaluation of Your Business | 00:50:38 | |
Lance Madson is the CPA, MBT, and ABV for Boulay Group, an accounting and financial consulting firm. Lance leads the firm’s business valuations department, as well as specializes in tax planning for both businesses and individuals. On this week’s show, Lance discusses Boulay’s 7 step process on how they accurately evaluate businesses worth between $1 million to $50 million dollars.
Key Takeaways: [1:30] Who is Lance and what does he do for Boulay? [5:45] Boulay has a 7-step process that helps them properly assess a business. [8:00] Lance breaks down the thought process behind step 1, which offers three approaches on how to look and evaluate a business. [11:50] What would Lance need to know, when a client comes to them with projected business growth? How does he know the client is being reasonable with his projections? [17:15] What types of things does Lance need from the client, and what should you prepare for in order to make your evaluation as accurate as possible? [23:10] Lance also has access to outside resources and databases that help compare a client’s industry and their projected growth. [26:15] Lance and his team always look at the debt-to-equity ratio in any business they evaluate. [30:40] Another aspect Lance considers is the compensation aspect. Are there any family members taking a salary when they don’t spend time at the company? [36:15] What happens when business owners disagree with the numbers Lance provides? [39:45] We’ve just come off an election year. What trends has Lance seen so far? [44:45] What should business owners know about their business? [47:55] Want to work with Boulay? Lance discusses prices and what you can expect from their service.
Mentioned in This Episode: Call Lance: 952-893-9320 | |||
| 10 Feb 2020 | EP047: Turning the Tables & Profiting from a Crisis | 00:34:04 | |
Terry Moore has over 30 years of experience representing businesses and individuals in a wide variety of legal matters throughout Minnesota and North Dakota. He is a lawyer for Hellmuth & Johnson and talks about how you can turn the tables and profit from a crisis in three steps. There are clear action steps you can take when things go wrong.
Key Takeaways: [1:00] Are you concerned about what kind of company legacy you’re leaving behind? Reach out to Todd! [1:45] How do you turn the tables when you’re in a crisis? [2:35] A little bit about Terry and what he does at Hellmuth & Johnson. [3:50] Terry grew up in chaos (one of 11 children) and there was always something going on. [6:00] Terry was in seventh grade when he found out his older brother had a brain tumor and died, and his family was able to profit. (Terry explains what he means). [7:50] There are three steps you can take to help a crisis situation. Step 1: Clarify the problem with precision, Step 2: Control with prediction, Step 3: Close with power. [10:00] If you are able to turn off or stop the problem, the symptoms will go away. [10:25] Terry shares an example of what these three steps look like in reality. [14:00] Never, ever underestimate the power or the influence of a spouse. [16:45] How can you predict the future? [20:25] Terry explains what the Nash Equilibrium Principle is. [24:05] How do you get to Step 3: Close with power? [29:45] What are some of the common mistakes people make in crisis mode?
Mentioned in This Episode: Email Todd: Todd@Dynastylc.com Email Terry: TMoore@HJLawFirm.com | |||
| 14 Mar 2017 | EP012: What does your brand say about you? | 01:13:55 | |
Corky Hall is the CEO/Founder of Stellus Consulting, founded in 1993. Corky and his team focus strictly on brand strategy for his clients. Stellus Consulting has worked with some very well known and established companies, like The Texas Rangers, Minnesota Twins, Coca Cola, and more! Why are such big name companies coming to a brand strategist? Well, as Corky explains on the show, the company name and the brand identity are two very different people.
Key Takeaways: [1:45] Corky focuses on brand strategy for his clients, but what does that entail, exactly? [5:00] Corky has helped some very well-established companies hone in on their branding skills. [5:45] If you already have a brand, tell me about your brand. ‘Who’ is your brand? Your logos and colors are irrelevant to Corky! [9:30] How does branding help a business? [13:25] How do you create a brand? [15:30] Why does a young adult vs. a retired couple go to a baseball game? It’s the same game, but they each have different motives. [19:30] Are advertising agencies Corky’s competitors? [21:30] Price comes down to 5, 6, or sometimes even the 7th most important thing, when comparing brands. [26:40] Most business owners don’t stop to think about their customers that deeply. [28:45] Customers want to know you have their backs. [31:35] Remember, what makes a strong and sustainable tree? The roots! [40:00] How can a big company incorporate brand strategy into their storefronts? [43:40] As the brand, you are always the voice of the customer. [49:45] When it comes to shifting your brand, it’s not just 6-8 bullet point items you need to fix. You need to fix the emotion behind your brand. [53:45] What is your brand promise? [53:55] Remember, strategy is inherently dull. [1:00:20] How can small business owners improve their brand? [1:02:40] Don’t get the sales guy to interview your customers. [1:07:45] Why do your customers choose you over your competitor? [1:12:30] Every business can benefit from Corky’s advice on today’s show. Every company has to face the ‘branding’ music.
Mentioned in This Episode:
| |||
| 12 Oct 2020 | EP055: Enhance Your Company’s Brand Image by Telling a Good Story | 00:33:46 | |
Geoff Thatcher is the Founder and Chief Creative Officer of Creative Principals and the author of The CEO's Time Machine, a fictional story about how a CEO created one of the most innovative companies in the world. Geoff shares his unique view and perspectives on how to elevate a brand through powerful stories and examples that will help you stand out from your competition! Key Takeaways: [4:05] By being so obsessed with only looking to the future, you can miss key insights and lessons that were learned from the past. [7:35] When it comes to innovation and new decisions, the most important thing you have to do is make a decision, even if it’s the wrong decision. [8:40] No matter what, there’s never enough information out there. [10:50] How did Geoff get into this line of work? [13:50] The book is written like a theme park ride. What does that look like? [17:20] The experience model of track, trust, inform, interalize, and act is rooted in psychology as well in history. [19:30] How do you build unique companies in ‘traditional’ industries and create a message that stands out from the competition? [24:15] Once you know the type of person you are serving, then you can build a story around that avatar. [26:00] What are some of the common mistakes Geoff sees people making? [28:30] Tell a good story and no one will complain. [30:00] Goeff shares an example of how you can create a story and make it memorable.
Mentioned in This Episode: Email Todd: Todd@Dynastylc.com | |||
| 12 Jul 2021 | What Do Venture Capitalists Look For When Investing in a Business? | 00:50:48 | |
Rick Brimacomb is the Founder of the Venture Capital Firm, Brimacomb Capital. He looks for entrepreneurs who have generated strong end-user demand by investing their own resources, hard work, and heart into their product! In this week's episode, Rick shares what makes an investment firm want to invest and bet on you and your company.
Key Takeaways: [1:35] What does it take to make your company 'invest-able'? [2:50] Rick shares a little bit about his journey and how he got into venture capital. [4:00] Not only is Rick an investor, but he is also a business coach and wants to help entrepreneurs succeed. He shares what his coaching style is like. [8:15] What kind of companies does Rick like to work with? [10:00] When Rick is about to analyze a business for growth potential, what does he look for? [12:15] Rick has worked with a lot of first-time CEOs in the past, which means they need a little more hands-on coaching about the rules of business despite their extensive industry and technical knowledge. [15:30] Rich shares the types of things he thinks about when looking at a new business. It's not just about analyzing growth opportunities in the market, it's also about seeing if the business is in the best position for success to get to that market. [17:55] Everyone has gaps, especially early stage companies. Their team might not be fully fledged out yet. It's Rick's job to understand what those gaps are and fill those in quickly. [21:15] What does it look like to work with Rick? [27:15] Rick shares the sweet spot of where a company needs to be to maximize growth potential. [33:00] Rick shares his exit strategy and how he helps manage a graceful exit out of some of these companies. [38:10] Don't get stuck in the status quo. Take risks, calculated risks, to achieve greatness. [42:15] What is a scorecard and how can it help you? [45:15] Best piece of advice to make the most impact in your business? Build a scorecard right away.
Mentioned in This Episode: Email Todd: Todd@Dynastylc.com | |||
| 12 Dec 2017 | EP021: How to Uncover Your Value Proposition and Keep It Fresh as Markets Change | 00:41:20 | |
Mark Coronna is the Chief Marketing Officer of Chief Outsiders, a company focused on accelerating growth for their customers. Today’s show focuses on the importance of a value proposition. Mark has seven key points to consider when it comes down to explaining your value proposition to your customers, how to market it in the best way, and how to keep it relevant as the markets change years later. Value propositions are incredibly vital to the growth of your company and it is not something you should skim over!
Key Takeaways: [1:35] What does Mark do for Chief Outsiders? [6:05] Every company needs a value proposition. A value proposition is the heart of what you offer. [7:00] Only 7% of leadership teams can articulate their own company’s value proposition. However, a majority of them think that 85% of their employees can articulate it. That simply doesn’t work! [7:45] Markets can change. Is your value proposition still relevant in today’s market after being in business for 3-5-10 years? [9:00] How do you discover your value proposition and make sure it’s is still relevant as well as communicated well within the company? Here are seven points to consider. [11:40] How does Mark define ‘distinctive competences’? [16:45] Write the value proposition in your customer’s language. Don’t make it sound like something only Ph.D.s can read (unless they are your target customer). [19:10] Validate your value propositions with your customers. Get them to take a survey or even interview them one-on-one. [19:45] Adopt an ‘outsider’ perspective and really make your benefits obvious to the customer. No one really cares if you’ve been in business since 1962. [24:25] You may have 4-6 different types of value propositions to bring to the customer, but it’s important to get the order right between each of these. Which one is the most important to you and your customers? [26:00] How do you accurately market these value propositions to your customers? [29:35] Once you finally have your value propositions down, how do you go about making sure it’s still relevant three years later? [32:40] Todd does a quick recap of all seven points. [33:45] What kind of mistakes do companies typically make when trying to find, and then market, their value propositions? [35:00] What things should someone focus on if they were trying to implement something like this today? [38:00] Value propositions are vital when it comes to your company’s growth and quality of service.
Mentioned in This Episode: Call Mark: 612-554-0081 | |||
| 13 Mar 2018 | EP024: Break Out of The Traditional Business Model | 00:42:43 | |
Today’s special episode features three guests instead of one! They’re a family-owned company featuring father, daughter, and son. In less than 4 years, the company has seen amazing growth with over 100 employees currently being employed. Todd sits down with Richard (Dick) Ward, the CEO; Ally Delagado, the CMO; and Andrew Ward, the COO of Merchology. The family discusses their unique target audience, why their company has seen such successful growth in such a short amount of time, and so much more!
Key Takeaways: [2:15] Who is Dick and what does he do at Merchology? [2:35] Who is Ally and what does she do at Merchology? [2:50] Who is Andrew and what does he do at Merchology? [3:15] What is Merchology about? [5:00] Why did Dick intentionally hire his daughter, Ally, and his son, Andrew, into the company? [7:05] How big is Merchology? [8:15] Ally does a quick highlight on their target audience. [10:40] What are millennials doing differently compared to the older generation? [14:55] How does Merchology make it easy for customers to interact with the company? [17:50] Merchology has a dedicated staff member oversee a customer’s order. Customers love it because they don’t feel like just a number. [20:20] How does Merchology have absolutely no salespeople? [23:05] How did Dick structure the company’s financing when he first started the company? [25:35] Dick talks about one of Merchology’s core values. [29:15] Why does Merchology say no to potential customers? [32:25] Todd does a quick recap of the company’s 7 steps. [33:40] What kind of challenges has Merchology experienced along the way? [35:15] What goes into Merchology’s hiring process? [39:45] What’s it like working with family?
Mentioned in This Episode: | |||
| 10 May 2021 | How to Survive a Business Divorce | 00:31:17 | |
Terry Moore has earned his reputation as a “bulldog lawyer” by being aggressive, tenacious, and practical. With over 30 years of experience representing businesses and individuals, Terry has become the business divorce lawyer of choice. His recent book, The Bulldog Guide to Business Divorce, dives into what you should be thinking through to protect yourself and your business!
Key Takeaways: [2:00] Terry shares how he became a business divorce lawyer. [3:00] Marriage is easy when everything goes great. Business goes the same way. [3:25] COVID-19 gave business owners a whole new stress level never seen before. [9:00] Are you and your business partner aligned on where you’d like the business to go? [11:00] What kind of clients does Terry work with? He shares some nightmare situations that business owners have had to go through. [18:15] Want to avoid a business divorce? Here’s what you need to be thinking about. [21:35] What happens if you or your business partner gets sick and can’t perform their duties? [25:45] Make sure your agreements, in the beginning, are clear and signed! [27:00] Calling a lawyer too late doesn’t mean they can’t help you, but it does mean it can be a bit more complex, and expensive. [29:00] What are some of the steps you can take to better protect your business?
Mentioned in This Episode: Email Todd: Todd@Dynastylc.com | |||
| 22 Nov 2016 | EP008: How to acquire 18 businesses - a simple process | 00:48:20 | |
Dr. Bill Kotonias is a dentist, entrepreneur, and mentor for several up & coming entrepreneurs. On this week’s episode, we discover how Dr. Bill helps dentists, who are fresh out of school, acquire their own practice. Dr. Bill explains his process, and the steps he takes, from turning a dentist in debt, into an entrepreneur and business partner.
Key Takeaways: [:50] Why do so few people end up entrepreneurs? [1:40] Todd has known Dr. Bill for over 20 years. [3:10] This lifestyle that Dr. Bill has created, does it only apply to dentists? [6:50] Let’s talk about the basics. How does Dr. Bill find opportunities? [10:35] Why should you hire someone fresh out of college? [12:30] After year two, Dr. Bill’s entrepreneurs have some skin in the game, and they’re less likely to quit. [17:50] When a business has reached year ten, that’s when Dr. Bill buys out. [21:05] So far, Dr. Bill has bought 18 practices. [22:45] In the dentist industry, what is the customer turnover rate from acquiring a new practice? [24:40] When do dentists typically think about selling their business? What age range do they tend to be? [26:25] Todd does a quick recap of how Dr. Bill finds opportunities and purchases them. [28:50] Let’s talk numbers. How much is a single-owner practice that has 2,000 patients worth? [36:30] On average, how much profit does Dr. Bill see, at the end of the day? [41:25] What happens to the staff when a transition is taking place? [42:55] Final thoughts from Dr. Bill? What makes this industry work so well is finding the right entrepreneur and the right opportunity.
Mentioned in This Episode: Contact Dr. Bill: 612-751-3078 | |||
| 08 May 2018 | EP026: Millennials and Generation Z: The New Rules of the Workplace Part 1 | 00:39:58 | |
Sarah Sladek is the CEO of XYZ University, an organization that helps equip worldwide companies with valuable tools and information to engage Generations X, Y, and Z as executives, employees, members, leaders, and volunteers. Sarah is also the author of several books including, Talent Generation: How Visionary Organizations Are Redefining Work and Achieving Greater Success, which she discusses further in today’s episode!
Key Takeaways: [2:05] Who is Sarah and how did she get started? [3:20] Where are all the young professionals? [5:20] Organizations are struggling to keep talent. [6:15] Are Millennials really that ‘lazy’? [7:30] What does Sarah do at XYZ University? [8:40] What does Sarah mean by ‘Talent Generation’? [10:55] Less than a 3rd of U.S. employees are engaged in the workplace and worldwide only 13% of employees are engaged. [12:25] We can’t just manage anymore. We have to lead. [16:25] Successful companies have stayed relevant because they’ve let experienced leaders collaborate with entry-level workers. [19:00] Sarah shares a case study of how a workforce can thrive with a diverse set of talent and age ranges. [21:05] Sounds obvious, but you have to put your people first, not the profit first. [23:55] Very few companies carve out time to be up-to-date on trends. [28:00] How can companies get better at collaborating with their younger employees? [32:10] What are some of the most common mistakes companies make when it comes to retaining talent? [35:00] What advice does Sarah have for business owners out there who want to keep more of their talent?
Mentioned in This Episode: | |||
| 09 Jul 2018 | EP028: Attract More Customers by Improving Your Website’s Rankings | 00:43:02 | |
Michael O’Halloran is the President of Michael & Gabriel and helps his clients improve their Search Engine Optimization (SEO) rankings, website design, and more. Michael shares his expertise on today’s show about why SEO is so important for new customers to find your business and offers simple tips any business owner can use today.
Key Takeaways: [2:35] How did Michael get into SEO? [6:25] How does Michael help his clients with SEO? [11:00] Michael explains how a mom-and-pop business can get a leg up from a massive chain in the search engines. [15:15] Google rewards sites that are active. [18:40] Google doesn’t like it when you try to keyword stuff your blog article. They take that as you trying to trick their system and will punish you. [19:35] What’s the difference between ‘on-page’ and ‘off-page’ SEO? [26:05] Michael shares an example of what a competitor did to one of his SEO clients to force them off Google’s front page. [31:10] Everybody sees the need for a website, but not everyone knows how to boost themselves up in the search engines. [33:10] Not a lot of people go beyond the first page all that often. [34:35] If you’re practicing ‘black hat’ techniques, you will get caught by Google. Don’t take shortcuts! [36:55] What can business owners do to improve their search rankings?
Mentioned in This Episode: Call Mike: 651-278-2099 Email Mike: MikeOH42@Gmail.com | |||
| 09 May 2022 | Evolutionary Leadership Creates Ripple Effects | 00:30:27 | |
Michael Sahota is a Speaker, Trainer, and Consultant on Evolutionary Leadership. He is the founder and CEO of SHIFT314 Inc., a boutique training and consulting organization that specializes in the organizational, cultural, and leadership shifts needed to unlock success. In this episode, Michael focuses on how to lead during times of intense change and how to maintain a healthy culture as more workforces get disrupted by COVID-19.
Key Takeaways: [:55] Covid has hit a lot of businesses hard, which has made it difficult to maintain a healthy company culture. [1:30] A little bit about Michael and his work. [3:00] Michael wanted to answer the question, “How do you inspire people to do good work?” [3:40] What does a “traditional” manager really do, and what role does a leader play? [5:30] Many organizations are happy to float on the “status quo” line. [8:15] We need to think about culture differently. [8:30] How do leaders instill good values in our people and our organization? [11:50] How do you tell the truth? And what do you do when you work with people who don’t want the truth? [12:45] There are four pieces to Michael’s Evolutionary Leadership framework. [16:20] Not happy with your organization’s performance? It starts with you. [19:10] It’s important when embarking on this work, for managers to shift their mindset. [22:10] Everyone knows it’s about relationships, but how does a leader get better at that? What do they need to focus on? [25:00] Managers are so focused on the “to-dos” instead of focusing on the optimization. [28:00] How do you build leaders around you?
Mentioned in This Episode: Email Todd: Todd@Dynastylc.com | |||
| 11 Mar 2019 | EP036: How to Build a Board of Directors | 00:43:57 | |
Lisa Kro was the Co-Founder of Mill City Capital, a private equity firm in Minnesota. Lisa has worked and served on a dozen different boards and has a wide range of experience; everything from non-profit to small business that turned into big business! On today’s show, Lisa is here to explain the importance of a board for your company, some of their responsibilities, and best practices to recruit new board members.
Key Takeaways: [2:40] How did Lisa get started in becoming a board member? [3:10] What’s the importance of having a board of directors? [4:35] When does it become necessary to have a board of directors? [5:20] What’s the difference between a board of directors vs. a board of advisors. [7:25] For a board of advisors, who should fill those seats? [10:00] What’s the purpose of a board? [12:50] It’s important to have a diverse set of people sitting on the board to help bring new perspectives into your company. [16:10] Who is in charge of setting the strategy for the business? Does the responsibility still fall on the CEO or is it now the responsibility of the board of directors? [17:30] How can the board help with a CEO succession plan? [19:45] Lisa shares how a board can help grow and develop talent. [22:10] How often do mergers and acquisitions work out well for companies? [25:20] You and your lawyer want to sit down and write out exit strategies for your board members. [26:45] What kinds of fiduciary responsibilities does the board of directors have? [28:15] How big should a board of directors be? [30:00] To be a part of the board, how much of a time commitment is it? [36:20] It’s important to reflect on past mistakes, but you should not dwell on them. Lisa recommends no more than 20% of reflection time during a board meeting. [39:00] It’s really helpful to have an appointed mentor for new board members coming in. [41:10] Another tip: Get board members to meet directly with high-performing employees.
Mentioned in This Episode: Email Todd: Todd@Dynastylc.com | |||
| 13 Jun 2022 | How You Find, and Keep, the Best People | 00:27:44 | |
Marc Reifenrath is the CEO and Co-Founder at Spinutech, a National Digital Agency focusing on digital marketing, web design, and web development with five locations. Marc has been able to not only retain his talent, but he’s generated a 0% turnover rate in the last 10 years. He shares in this episode the importance of core values and culture to maintain a strong company even when it’s being acquired/merged.
Key Takeaways: [:55] We’re often trying to look for the best people, but right now many employers are looking for people period. [2:15] People are your biggest asset. Marc has made it 10 years with no turn over. [4:45] Great talent isn’t always looking. They tend to be pretty happy where they already are. [5:20] Marc shares how he entices great talent to come work for him. [8:00] Marc’s company has scaled drastically since the merger. Finding A-level talent is a conscious effort. [10:15] Because Marc works with well-known brands that have large demands, the team has to adapt quickly and grow with those challenges. [10:40] What metrics does Marc and his team track? [11:25] Marc wants his team taking PTO every 90 days. [12:25] Why did Marc decide to merge his company and what were some of his wins in that process? [14:45] What are Marc’s core values? [19:55] Marc breaks down why these core values are so important to the company. [20:40] Your worst clients will try to fire your best clients. [22:10] Marc makes sure that the new hire is a culture fit first and foremost. [25:50] Marc shares his advice on how to retain good talent.
SpinUtech.com
Mentioned in This Episode: Email Todd: Todd@Dynastylc.com | |||
| 14 Feb 2017 | EP011: How do you buy 7 businesses for $0 down? | 00:55:16 | |
David Samuels is a corporate executive benefits designer. In the course of his career, he has also bought out seven other companies that do similar work. This means he helps business owners transition themselves out of the business and into retirement. These transitions can be difficult to manage, which is why David explains his unique process on how he gets the job done, where everybody involved in the deal comes out a winner.
Key Takeaways: [2:15] What does a corporate executive benefits designer do? [4:05] How did David discover this career field? [7:35] Before David begins work with a client, he first has them take a compatibility test to see if they’re a right fit. [8:55] What does the compatibility test entail? [9:35] When there’s a winner, there’s always a loser, and David hates that. He wants to have a win-win scenario for both the buyer and seller. [10:30] David needs to know he’s working with someone of integrity and honesty. [10:55] The entrepreneur's books have to be clean. [12:10] Why is finding the core needs of the seller so important? [12:25] You’re not just buying a business, you’re buying somebody’s life’s work. [15:35] Is the seller jumping in front of the train or is he being pushed? [17:15] What happens if a deal goes bad? [20:35] Transitions take time. If the owner wants to retire quickly, their staff is going to feel abandoned. [24:35] At the end of the day, David wants his clients to feel great about the deal. David wants them to always know that he’s got their back. [26:40] As business owners are looking to retire, they’re trying to cut back on their overhead and simplify their lives. David, so to speak, takes on those complications. [29:05] Even though David has to do extra work, he firmly believes in a 50/50 monetary split. [36:50] How does David evaluate a business? [42:50] It boils down to having extensive conversations with the business owners to understand what they do and what David will do. [46:20] David has been in this business for 27 years and has done 7 acquisitions. What kind of lessons has David learned throughout his career? [49:55] What has the turnover been like once David has acquired a business? [51:30] When a takeover happens, David often sees an increase in clientele. How is this possible?
Mentioned in This Episode: | |||
| 08 Aug 2017 | EP017: Leadership Principles Are Universal | 00:36:52 | |
Ron Dunford has been working for Schreiber Foods for over 30 years, and has learned a thing or two about leadership along the way. Now that he’s retiring from Schreiber Foods, Ron plans to help business owners achieve and set the right tone for their team. Over the years, Ron has come up with five leadership principles that will help someone go from completely clueless to a powerful, and thoughtful, leader.
Key Takeaways: [1:20] How did Ron first get started in Schreiber foods? And now that he’s retiring, what’s next for him? [3:25] Leadership and success principles are universal. [4:40] Ron has a five-principle philosophy that he’s developed and perfected over the years. [6:35] One of Ron’s principles is to dream big. How does someone successfully do that? [8:15] Are people telling you you’re crazy? If not, you might not be dreaming big enough. [10:30] How does Ron motivate others to get beyond their comfort zone and to dream big? [14:25] If we only expect success, we won’t be able to handle the roadblocks along the way. What are Ron’s thoughts on this? [16:10] How does Ron manage the millennial generation? 40% of the Schreiber Foods workforce are millenials. [23:35] Ron is a competitive guy, but it’s important to realize that he doesn’t, and nor should you, want to try and win no matter what the costs. [25:20] When you know what your values are, it’s easy to say no, and walk away from business deals. [27:20] If you find yourself saying, “I’ll be happy when… (fill in the blank),” watch out! You need to enjoy the journey, not just the end result. [30:35] What was Ron’s big aha moment when it came to achieving his goals and changing his mindset? [33:20] Ron does a quick recap of his five principles.
Mentioned in This Episode: Email Ron: RDunford13@gmail.com | |||
| 14 Mar 2023 | How to Handle Leadership in a Family-Owned Multi-Generational Business | 00:38:56 | |
Pete Scherer is the CEO and a third-generational leader in the family business, Scherer bros. Lumber Co. Out of nearly 300 employees, there are currently four family members that work and lead within the company. In this episode, Pete explains how he leads and keeps the interests of the company aligned when he hears multiple visions and thoughts from different members of the family.
Key Takeaways: [1:30] A little bit about Pete and his company, Scherer bros. Lumber Co. [3:10] How does Pete structure the business? [6:30] What trade-offs did previous generations have to make in order to make this company work? [8:25] As Pete’s son currently works for the company, how does Pete bring children into the business? [10:20] If you want to make a career out of the family business, the rules for family members become a lot tighter. [13:00] The business is not obligated to keep you on if you’re not a good fit. [16:20] Nepotism is always assumed. Whether it is or not. How does Pete work through this? [19:40] How does the fourth generation address Pete? Do they ever use the word ‘Dad’ or ‘Uncle’? [23:55] How are the boards of directors formed in Pete’s company? [27:45] How do shareholders vote for new board members? [32:50] Pete is constantly being humbled in the business. Pet projects and passion projects that weren’t able to be profitable have to get cut.
Mentioned in This Episode: Email Todd: Todd@Dynastylc.com
| |||