Monthly Archives for May 2019

Positive Influence by Pacing and Leading – Small Business Show 225

Using persuasion techniques when working with customers and your employees can help everyone get the results they want. Specifically, using Pacing and Leading can help you build empathy and create a connection between people that then allows you to achieve a positive outcome.

“Pacing builds trust because people see you as being the same as them. After pacing, a persuader can then lead, and the subject will be comfortable following.” – Scott Adams

Join us today on the Small Business Show to hear your hosts Dave Hamilton and Shannon Jean discuss using Pacing in a positive fashion to achieve positive results with customers, employees, and vendors. You’ll learn what Pacing and Leading is and why it’s an important tool to add to your Small Business Toolbox.

Hear real-world examples to get your negotiations on the same side of the table, how Pacing is part of the Two Tokens method of resolving customer service problems and much more.

Listen in to this episode, then share your own story at the Small Business Support Group!

Chapters/Timestamps:

  • 00:00:00 Small Business Show #225 for Wednesday, May 29, 2019
  • 00:01:00 Fake it ‘Til You Make It
  • 00:02:51 Rooting for Success
  • 00:05:24 “Pacing Builds Trust”
  • 00:07:07 Pacing with Commonalities
  • 00:10:08 Verbal Cues Build Credibility
  • 00:11:52 Pacing to build trust is ok because you’re trustworthy
  • 00:15:06 Creating Circular Process
  • 00:16:35 SPONSOR: Linode. Instantly deploy and manage an SSD server in the Linode Cloud. Get a server running in seconds with your choice of Linux distro, resources, and choice of 10 node locations. Visit Linode.com/SBS and use promo code sbs2019 to start with a $20 credit.
  • 00:19:19 Jean-Louis Gassee’s Two Tokens of Customer Service
  • 00:23:03 The long-term is circular
  • 00:24:35 Invoke empathy – “I know how frustrating this can be”
  • 00:25:13 Rehearse Your Small Talk
  • 00:29:00 Ask Questions First!
  • 00:31:27 Connections are the key to success
  • 00:31:52 SBS 225 Outtro

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 32:25 — 22.4MB) | Embed

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Communicating with Customers and Cross Promoting – Small Business Show 224

Being proactive when communicating with your customers helps to build trust and credibility. What happens when your customers find out about bad news before you tell them? Join your hosts Shannon Jean and Dave Hamilton for this episode of the Small Business Show to hear a great example of what NOT to do when things go wrong.

Dave shares his experience with poor communication that literally stopped a company from being able to do business in his local area. And of course, Shannon adds to the tale with his own experience with this business, but from an entirely different perspective. Oh, and it involves beer, which is always a good thing.

We then jump into a discussion about the right and wrong way to try to promote tie-in sales of, let’s just say, somewhat related businesses. You’ll hear why considering your demographic for one service before you try to promote a different product to that audience is critical to success, along with some other tips about growing your customer base.

There’s a lot more to learn and we couldn’t think of a better way to allocate 32-minutes of time for your ears. We also want to hear from YOU! Contact us and comment at the Small Business Support Group. Thanks for listening!

Chapters/Timestamps:

  • 00:00:00 Small Business Show #224 for Wednesday, May 22, 2019
  • 00:01:05 Learning Languages and Instruments
  • 00:03:00 CAPTCHA and RE-CAPTCHA
  • 00:04:41 Hopsy’s Reaction to DICOM’s Shutdown
  • 00:11:00 Beware your own optimism!
  • 00:11:51 Contact Your Customers
  • 00:17:09 Desperation or Disconnect?
  • 00:19:12 SPONSOR: TextExpander.com/podcast gets you 20% off your first year
  • 00:21:54 SPONSOR: The Alternative Board. TAB is a group of business owners & experts in your area that you can turn to for advice. Visit TheAlternativeBoard.com/SBS to apply for free today and find out if if there’s a board seat available in your area!
  • 00:23:57 The New York Times vs. The Daily Podcast and Subscriptions
  • 00:29:45 Creative Engagement Solutions
  • 00:31:44 You Can Learn from Everything and Everyone
  • 00:32:26 SBS 224 Outtro

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 33:40 — 23.2MB) | Embed

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Focusing Your Subconscious to help you succeed – Small Business Show 223

We all have an inner judge that can help us or hold us back. Our subconscious mind is constantly absorbing information and playing it back to us, sometimes reminding us of our successes, but often replaying our failures and sabotaging our success. 

Can we focus the power of our subconscious to help us succeed?

Damn right we can. With some practice and consistent exercises, we can tune our inner judge to constantly propel ourselves towards success, instead of holding us back. 

Join us today on the Small Business Show where you’ll hear from two experts at programming their subconscious to help them live the Charmed Life off successful Small Business Owners. Your hosts, Dave Hamilton and Shannon Jean believe strongly in the power of programming ourselves for success and of creating our own reality each day to attract the “luck” that is so essential to achieving what we want. 

First up, we will discuss:

  • Our definition of the subconscious – What is it and why are we talking about it?
  • Why you need to get friendly with it – Friend or Foe, you get to choose
  • The Moist Robot theory – Create the program that you want

After the break, we jump into tips and tricks for Changing Your Mind:

  • Mastering our memory of mistakes – Learn from and move on. Yes, Coach!
  • Back to our childhood to use the “I’m rubber and you’re glue” concept
  • It’s a 24/7 commitment – Shannon’s “change the lyrics” story
  • Give yourself permission to dream – visualize where you want to be, who you want to be
  • Dismiss the Vampires in your life and attract other positive influences
  • Using Audio to change your programming
  • Success creates more success – create your Success List – no matter how small

Listen in for these tips and much more. Then share your own story at the Small Business Support Group!

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Chapters/Timestamps

  • 00:00:00 Small Business Show #223 for Wednesday, May 15, 2019
  • 00:01:00 It’s that Junior College Tour Time of Year
  • 00:02:23 Managing Your Inner Judge
  • 00:04:37 It’s a system, not a goal!
  • 00:05:55 Triangulating your subconscious
  • 00:07:47 Send the message: I’ve already succeeded!
    • Start the day with three things:
      • [Variable task]
      • Visit Linkedin.
      • Follow 1,000 new followers.
  • 00:11:05 My first success of the day is getting out of bed when I want to.
  • 00:13:21 Programming your Moist Robot
  • 00:15:10 SPONSOR: Linode. Instantly deploy and manage an SSD server in the Linode Cloud. Get a server running in seconds with your choice of Linux distro, resources, and choice of 10 node locations. Visit Linode.com/SBS and use promo code sbs2019 to start with a $20 credit.
  • 00:17:39 SPONSOR: The Alternative Board. TAB is a group of business owners & experts in your area that you can turn to for advice. Visit TheAlternativeBoard.com/SBS to apply for free today and find out if if there’s a board seat available in your area!
  • 00:19:18 Monica Shah in SBS 219 – The fear of the unknown can convince you you’re not worthy
  • 00:22:20 Mastering your mistake memory
  • 00:23:15 Finding your rock bottom – Get Scared
  • 00:28:27 Identify and compartmentalize the vampires
  • 00:31:22 “Change the lyrics” to your life’s song
  • 00:33:49 Give yourself permission to dream of the person you want to be
    • What would your business look like at twice its size? Ten times its size?
  • 00:37:45 The power of audio
  • 00:39:06 SBS 223 Outtro

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 40:55 — 28.2MB) | Embed

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Overcoming and Finding Opportunities in Procrastination – The Small Business Show 222

There’s a procrastinator in all of us. When it comes to Small Business, putting things off can create problems, but it can also create opportunities. Join us today for episode 222 of the Small Business Show to hear how you can overcome this natural tendency and take advantage of the opportunities it creates.

Join your hosts Dave Hamilton and Shannon Jean – two experts at procrastination and how to turn it into an advantage in your Small Business life as we take a deep dive into why we all put things off and how many of us miss the opportunities it can present.

First up, we discuss why we procrastinate:

  • Lack of instant gratification
  • Seems overwhelming
  • May cause a negative outcome
  • Unpleasant to deal with – firing an employee for example
  • Easily distracted: Squirrel!

Then we jump into ways to manage procrastination.

  • Mix things up – spend time on the stuff you don’t want to do, interspersed with things that get you excited, motivate you, etc.. – Plan your day around this concept. 
  • Don’t create the monster To-Do list – it can overwhelm you. Use the To-Did list concept to motivate you throughout the day and to recognize what you did accomplish.
  • Break down tasks into smaller chunks – easier to think about and accomplish – especially if it’s a negative.
  • Unplug – focus on the task at hand – put your phone down, go DND. Set a timer.
  • Don’t overcommit your time.
  • Think about when you are most productive? Early morning, late at night – use that power accordingly.
  • Use tools to help – software tools, sonic-boom alarm clock, timers.
  • Form habits – do something new for 30+ days and you’ll create a new habit.
  • Create a work environment – home office, closed door, work hours.

We wrap up the show with a discussion of how procrastination by others can create a business opportunity for you. Dave shares the story of starting Backbeat Media to handle tasks that other publishers had put off and Shannon discusses creating a business to handle inventory that large retailers neglect and let pile up.

How about you? Share your stories of overcoming procrastination and what methods work for you at the Small Business Support Group. Thanks for joining us again this week!

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Chapters/Timestamps:

  • 00:00:00 Small Business Show #222 for Wednesday, May 8, 2019
  • 00:01:22 The symbiosis of different desires
    • “If we accepted a student body made up entirely of class presidents, nothing would ever get done on campus” -UChicago College Tour
  • 00:06:29 Procrastination
  • 00:09:24 Overcoming your inner procrastinator
  • 00:13:00 The optimist procrastinates!
  • 00:14:40 To-do list (and to-did list!)
  • 00:18:00 Use calculus every day
  • 00:20:21 Time is warped
  • 00:22:06 SPONSOR: TextExpander.com/podcast gets you 20% off your first year
  • 00:25:06 The podcast system
  • 00:26:56 The accountability partner
    • No one ever said, “man, I wish I waited longer to do that!”
  • 00:29:53 Learn your time schedule
  • 00:32:00 Take small steps with your system
  • 00:32:22 Procrastination Creates Opportunity
  • 00:34:30 Where’s your junk?
  • 00:37:59 SBS 222 Outtro

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 38:55 — 26.8MB) | Embed

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Interview with Kirk La Sala – Digital Marketing Expert – Small Business Show 221

Marketing your business online, whether on search engines or social media can be challenging. There are so many platforms, where do you focus most of your energy? How do you measure results and what tactics have the biggest impact with a limited marketing budget? Today on the Small Business Show, we’re going to answer those questions and more as we’re joined by Kirk La Sala, digital marketing expert from Tanglefree.

Join us today for an in-depth dive on digital marketing, along with insights from Kirk and your hosts Shannon Jean and Dave Hamilton from their own experiences with marketing Small Businesses online.

You’ll hear the story of how Kirk developed his Talent Stack over 15-years by running his own businesses, as well as managing online marketing for other companies. Kirk shares a number of valuable tips that will help any Small Business owner plan and improve their digital marketing.

We discuss applications of Pull Marketing using keywords on search engines or Push Marketing using social media and which method you should be using, or mixing together, as well as using a Pick Chart to help focus where your attention should be to have the biggest impact on your success. You’ll hear why setting up your analytics correctly at the start of any digital marketing program is key to success and how email marketing should be an important part of your program.

There’s a wealth of information on this episode that you don’t want to miss. Listen in, then join us at the Small Business Support Group to ask questions and share your own stories.

Chapters/Timestamps:

  • 00:00:00 Small Business Show #221 for Wednesday, May 1, 2019
  • 00:01:55 Kirk La Sala from Tanglefree Waterfowl
  • 00:02:59 I had money for three months and $100 for beer!
  • 00:04:37 Affiliate Marketing to the Rescue
  • 00:08:18 The Only Way to Scale a Service Business is by Hiring People
  • 00:10:40 The importance of early adoption
  • 00:11:47 “Out of Necessity I had to learn…”
  • 00:16:00 Add to your talent stack
  • 00:17:55 Are you selling something people are already looking for?
  • 00:21:30 Chart your objectives based on impact and time
  • 00:24:02 Starting Look at Mommy
  • 00:28:27 Supportive employers
  • 00:31:13 Shift from wholesale to direct to consumer with Tanglefree
  • 00:34:59 Next level: Mixing Pull and Push
  • 00:36:30 Email Marketing isn’t Dead
  • 00:39:40 Create an editorial calendar
  • 00:44:23 Set up your Analytics and Look for Unexploited Channels
  • 00:46:59 SBS 221 Outtro

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 47:42 — 32.9MB) | Embed

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