Business Brain Food

Valerie Khoo’s story is all about... well… stories! In the modern world of data analysis in business, it is easy to neglect the art of storytelling as part of the marketing mix, so Valerie has tried to address this with her book, Business Power Stories. It actually debuted at number two in the Australian business-book chart (only beaten by Richard Branson), so it was great to be able to get a sneak preview of it on this week’s show. Valerie also founded the National Writing Centre in Australia, which has grown to become an international writing tutorial network that has helped 23,000 students since 2005. Judging by the poor standard of the message on many websites, a lot of businesses could benefit from this kind of training.

The book is based around the need for every business to tell eight different power stories, i.e. their ‘product story’ or their ‘customer story’. Here are some of Valerie’s tips for successful storytelling in business:

  • Customer stories are always important because they can strike a chord with the public who are reading, but this can often be more than a simple testimonial.
  • When thinking about a case study, quite simply define the ‘before’, the ‘during’ (i.e., when they were using your product or service), and the ‘after’.
  • Think long and hard about whether to write about yourself in the third or first person.
  • Don’t get hung up on telling stories in chronological order.
  • 80% of sales is based on emotion, so only 20% is based on logic. It is the stories about a person, business or product that conjure the emotion.

A constant battle for businesses/people is that they don’t think their story is very interesting. As true as that might be when they think about it themselves, there’s a high chance that some other people will have similar stories so they will be able to identify with it. Also, authenticity is often more important than simply ‘being interesting’.

In this episode of Business Brain Food you will learn:

  • How to approach writing an ‘About’ page on a website
  • The importance of frameworks
  • The different types of stories that need to be told
  • The power of targeting a specific audience

The most important thing that Jay will tell you is that some of the most successful companies in the world simply started as an idea – something that solved a problem that we could all identify with in everyday life.  You don’t need to be able to develop, build or market the concept yourself – the real money is in the idea.  So if you look hard enough at all the problems you face in everyday life, you can make yourself a billionaire just by knowing how to solve the problem that no one else has solved yet!

Resources mentioned in this episode:

The overall message is that telling a story isn’t as intimidating as many people think. There are established frameworks out there that have been proven to work time and time again. All it takes is to understand these frameworks and then fill in the gaps with your own person information, and hey presto, you’ve told your company story! If you are enjoying these Business Brain Food podcasts, then make sure to share them via social media sites or email the links to family and friends. A lot of time and effort goes into producing each of these podcasts with the goal in mind of the more people we can inspire about business the better. You can help us do just that! Until next time, have a profitable day. Cheers, Ben Fewtrell

Direct download: BBF074_Business_Power_Stories_With_Valerie_Khoo.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm AEDT

Suzi Dafnis is Community Director and CEO of the Australian Businesswomen's Network, where she has been involved for over 20 years. This week she gives us the benefit of her decades of career-coaching experience and of her own development in business, which importantly is applicable to both men and women.

Many will wonder whether there is still a need for a women’s network in this day and age, and while Suzi says that the business landscape is significantly different to when the network first formed, she also pointed out that there are still conferences where every speaker is a man, and nearly all delegates are too.  Thus there is still an imbalance.  But why? When it comes to the judgement of people’s success in business, only ‘the habit of confidence’ was cited as the main psychological difference between men and women in the workplace – even the concept of women taking time out to have babies was not seen as too big a barrier to success.  But the advice about how to create that confidence is absolutely interchangeable across men and women.  Some of the key points are below:

  • Find a greater purpose than just using business to pay the bills.
  • Always have a budget and a business plan, even at the very beginning of a project.
  • Successful people always have mentors, so find a way to surround yourself with people who understand you.
  • Find ways to hold yourself accountable. As per the above point: an informal network of people is a great way to spur you on to make progress

In this episode of Business Brain Food you will learn:

  • What ‘risk’ really means
  • The relative value of a business degree
  • The concept of masterminding
  • Effective blogging for business
  • Ben’s future plans for a daily show

Resources mentioned in this episode:

SME Association of Australia (http://www.smea.org.au) Two-hour workshops with Ben (http://www.businessfasttrack.com.au) Australian Businesswomen's Network (http://www.abn.org.au/) Darren Rowse blogging site: (http://www.problogger.net/) Facebook (www.facebook.com/businessbrainfood) Business Brain Food Facebook Group (www.facebook.com/groups/businessbrainfood) Twitter (https://twitter.com/bfewtrell) ActionCOACH (http://actioncoachanz.com/itunes) ActionCOACH (http://actioncoachanz.com/stitcher) The Australian Businesswomen's Network is quite simply a resource to empower people to be be more successful in business.  The discussion kept going back to the fact that, especially when starting your own business, you are not going to have the skills and experience to understand every aspect of the business journey.  So the people who find success are not necessarily the ones who have the most knowledge in the beginning – it is those who know where they have to go and find support who make it in the end. It’s so utterly simple: use the resources you have at your disposal, and if they aren’t enough, go out and find some more! Also, if you are enjoying these Business Brain Food podcasts, then make sure to share them via social media sites or email the links to family and friends. A lot of time and effort goes into producing each of these podcasts with the goal in mind of the more people we can inspire about business the better. You can help us do just that! Until next time, have a profitable day. Cheers, Ben Fewtrell (02) 9111 5000

Direct download: BBF073__Empowering_Women_in_Business_with_Suzi_Dafnis.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm AEDT

DISRUPT YOURSELF WITH JAY SAMIT

Businesses of any size must be able to adapt to disruption in the marketplace, and some of the most successful new businesses come about because they solve a problem that disruption has caused.  No one would disagree with how fundamental the concept of disruption/change is to being successful in business, and yet so many businesses fall down because they are scared of adapting. Jay Samit is one of the world leaders when it comes to disruption in business, having worked with the likes of Apple, Coca Cola, and General Motors.  In this week’s podcast he outlines how you could be the next billionaire disruptor and make the same impact as the likes of Ebay, Uber and Amazon.

One of the first points he makes is that only 57 of the original Fortune 500 companies have survived, which shows that however successful and secure a company appear, they can quickly go backwards if they merely stick to what they know. It’s all about spotting opportunities that come from disruption, i.e. Apple’s decision to diversify and manufacture Ipods.  And it’s only the spotting of the opportunities that is paramount.  If you’ve spotted the right opportunity then the rest can take care of itself.  In Apple’s case, all of the parts contained within the Ipod were originally manufactured by other companies – all they had was the concept and the brand. Here are some of the other interesting points to note: Technology is key to winning the game of disruption. For a small business to be able to roll with industry disruption, they must always have a clear idea of where they want to be in 5 years. The “one-world economy” is challenging the way we do commerce. It’s estimated that 40% of current jobs will be automated in 5 years. The current era of technological innovation means that there is opportunity for any individual to compete in the global marketplace.  Jay’s book, “Disrupt Yourself”, has been written to show people just how much opportunity is out there for anyone who looks hard enough.

In this episode of Business Brain Food you will learn:

How to set yourself up to become a market leader or even create a market yourself How to take a concept to market which is just an idea The concept of crowd funding How 3d printing is gradually changing the world The ‘sharing’ economy How autonomous vehicles are currently causing disruption The most important thing that Jay will tell you is that some of the most successful companies in the world simply started as an idea – something that solved a problem that we could all identify with in everyday life.  You don’t need to be able to develop, build or market the concept yourself – the real money is in the idea.  So if you look hard enough at all the problems you face in everyday life, you can make yourself a billionaire just by knowing how to solve the problem that no one else has solved yet!

Resources mentioned in this episode:

** Pace Architects Case Study (http://actioncoachanz.com/architects-case-study)

** Jay Samit on twitter (https://twitter.com/jaysamit)

** Companion workbook (http://www.jaysamit.com)

** Jay Samit’s book, “Disrupt Yourself” (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Disrupt-Yourself-Jay-Samit/dp/1509802886/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1445506817&sr=8-1&keywords=jay+samit)

** Facebook (www.facebook.com/businessbrainfood)

** Business Brain Food Facebook Group (www.facebook.com/groups/businessbrainfood)

** Twitter (https://twitter.com/bfewtrell)

** ActionCOACH (http://actioncoachanz.com/itunes)

** ActionCOACH (http://actioncoachanz.com/stitcher)

If you are enjoying these Business Brain Food podcasts, then make sure to share them via social media sites or email the links to family and friends. A lot of time and effort goes into producing each of these podcasts with the goal in mind of the more people we can inspire about business the better. You can help us do just that! Until next time, have a profitable day. Cheers, Ben Fewtrell

Direct download: BBF072__Disrupt_Yourself_with_Jay_Samit.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm AEDT

 

How To Get More Leads, Customers and Sales With Digital Marketing Expert Greg Cassar

Every business needs to know how to market themselves in the online sphere. Greg Cassar is all about empowering businesses to do just that. Having run his own online stores, he then built up a marketing agency, before deciding to become an online marketing coach. He now has a portfolio of clients who turn over AUD 500,000 to AUD 100,000,000 per year, but took the time out to give us the benefit of his wisdom in this week’s podcast.

Here are some of the key points:

** Because people are in the habit of sussing out companies online, that means that every business can benefit from online marketing.

** Build your database! It sounds obvious, but list building is an absolute must.

** “How can we help?” is a good question to induce people to give their details. It is less pushy than more obvious calls to action.

** Build your online-business persona as an authority. Don’t lose sight of this when developing your websites and campaigns.

** Consider the different end goals of each page on your website. One might be “will the user buy?”, but another might be “will the user stay and find out more?”. Adapt your message to reflect these goals.

** People often don’t read every word of a website. Make sure that the user can get the message if they just skim-read the headings.

** Facebook advertising is very powerful indeed. There is nothing else out there that can be tailored to such a specific global audience.

** “What you can measure, you can manage”. Make absolutely sure that you use the data available to you from sources like Facebook and google adwords in order to build a true picture of what works and what doesn’t in your marketing mix.

The general message from Ben is that everything you do with your online presence can have an effect. All your web content will be measured by google’s algorithms, and all of your advertising clickthroughs on facebook will be available on your dashboard etc. etc., so use this to your advantage and customise everything you can in order to build that customer base. In this episode of Business Brain Food you will learn:

** Shortcuts towards how a business can maximise their online exposure from scratch

** The meaning of the term ‘authority site’

** The power of facebook marketing

** The dos and don’ts of websites

** Google adwords as a market research tool

** A ‘tripwire offer’

** How critical drivers are key to understanding the effectiveness of your online presence

Remember, Greg started off with a few simple online stores selling things like Santa Claus outfits, and now he deals with businesses that are turning over millions of dollars every year. With a few of the simple rules of online marketing that Greg shared with us in this episode, your business could go stratospheric too! Resources mentioned in this episode:

** Periscope app – search for Ben Fewtrell

** Business Fast Track (http://www.businessfasttrack.com.au)

** Business coaching, special deal for podcast listeners (http://actioncoachanz.com/businessrich)

** Greg Cassar website (http://collective.com.au/)

** How to double your average business (http://collective.com.au/double)

** Facebook (www.facebook.com/businessbrainfood)

** Business Brain Food Facebook Group (www.facebook.com/groups/businessbrainfood)

** Twitter (https://twitter.com/bfewtrell)

** ActionCOACH (http://actioncoachanz.com/itunes)

** ActionCOACH (http://actioncoachanz.com/stitcher)

If you are enjoying these Business Brain Food podcasts, then make sure to share them via social media sites or email the links to family and friends. A lot of time and effort goes into producing each of these podcasts with the goal in mind of the more people we can inspire about business the better. You can help us do just that!  

Until next time, have a profitable day.

Cheers, Ben Fewtrell (02) 9111 5000


How To Open Over 400 Outlets In Just 7 Years

Jacinta McDonell is an inspiration to all of us. In only 7 years she has built up the Anytime Fitness brand to be the leading gym franchise in Australia, and has managed to find time to look after three children, raise big money for charitable causes, and even start her own charitable foundation, the Human Kind Project. There just do not seem to be the hours in the day to have done what she’s done, but it really comes across in the interview just how straight forward her methods have been to get her where she is today. The point she keeps going back to is being honest with yourself about what your strengths and weaknesses are, so you can simply hire people to take up the slack in the areas that are most tricky. There is no shame in realising that you can’t do everything, and you can still be fiercely ambitious at the same time. This is how her growing business just kept growing.

Anytime Fitness was a US-based franchise that Jacinta and her brother saw in a fitness trade-magazine, which they thought would be perfect for the Australian market. They quickly secured the rights to take the franchise to Australia, figuring that their mid-market offering was exactly what was missing in the local marketplace at the time. Having built over 400 outlets in 7 years, Jacinta knows a thing or two about building and managing a franchise. See below for a sneak preview of some of her top tips from the interview:

** The franchise model is great for scalability.

** The franchisees who are most successful are the ones who have the best grasp of sales and marketing.

** Differentiate yourself from the competition by making sure there is a strong refresh policy across all outlets.  In the case of Anytime Fitness, that would mean investing in new, state-of-the-art gym equipment regularly.

** Take time out from day-to-day business regularly to build strategy at board level.

** Find the right senior executive team. If you don’t like the idea of managing 50 people, don’t worry about it – just get someone in who does.

** Consider recruitment to be something that’s ongoing rather than just when somebody leaves.  By definition, a franchise is often going to be growing, so it makes sense to hire talented people when they become available, because there is likely to be something for them to do.

** If you are considering entering a marketplace, don’t be put off if your concept is different to the industry’s current way of doing things.  The key consideration is what the consumer wants, not what the industry is in the habit of giving them.

Jacinta’s charity work is also a heart-warming and interesting story.  Her foundation is as much about empowering entrepreneurs to be able to do charitable work as it is about donations.  There is also a good commercial angle for any organisation to get involved with charity work, as she explains in the podcast. In this episode of Business Brain Food you will learn:

** How Jacinta built her fitness empire

** How it is possible to achieve corporate success with three small children

** How to manage the growth of a franchise

** The importance of sales and marketing in the franchise process

** How charity work can be a win win for you and your business

** The Human Kind Project

Resources mentioned in this episode:

** ProfitLab – join this site and ask about it: http://actioncoachanz.com/l/business-coach-mini/

** Jacinta McDonell’s own website: http://www.jacintamcdonell.com

** Facebook (www.facebook.com/businessbrainfood)

** Business Brain Food Facebook Group (www.facebook.com/groups/businessbrainfood)

** Twitter (https://twitter.com/bfewtrell)

** ActionCOACH (http://actioncoachanz.com/itunes)

** ActionCOACH (http://actioncoachanz.com/stitcher)

Subscribe on iTunes Jacinta’s story shows just how much it is possible to achieve across a variety of different sectors if you are able to work smart.  It is not just about being busy all the time – you can actually change the world for you and for others if you plan it right. Also, if you are enjoying these Business Brain Food podcasts, then make sure to share them via social media sites or email the links to family and friends. A lot of time and effort goes into producing each of these podcasts with the goal in mind of the more people we can inspire about business the better. You can help us do just that!

Until next time, have a profitable day.

Cheers, Ben Fewtrell (02) 9111 5000

Direct download: BBF070_How_to_open_over_400_outlets_in_just_7_years_with_Jacinta_McDonell.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm AEDT

How A Whistle Blower Uncovered $22 Million In Fraud

It is said that fraud accounts for an average of 5% of any company’s revenue, so the process of whistleblowing is certainly something that ought to be taken seriously. You might think that it’s not going on in your business, but Sylvain Mansotte’s story is living proof of just how much fraud can happen if no one has the courage to blow the whistle. He unearthed a scam that had been going on for 12 years that was worth $22 million – the largest corporate fraud in Queensland’s history.

Sylvain’s experience inspired him to create an app to make it easier for people to blow the whistle on corruption. His app, Fraudsec, is aimed at any organisation of any size, and provides total anonymity for whistleblowers, as well as allowing for completely anonymous interaction between the whistleblower and their employees. Sylvain explains in the podcast how the system scrubs IP addresses and uses QR codes to ensure there is no awkwardness in the whistleblowing process, and he also shared some useful info about fraud that every business ought to know:

** 20% of fraud worldwide is over $1 million per case.

** The average fraud is over $150,000 per case.

** Employees setting up fake suppliers and generating invoices for them is easier than you think.

** Don’t forget how fearful people will be about blowing the whistle.  If you don’t have a mechanism in place that retains their anonymity, they will probably not want to come forward and risk their job and sometimes their family life.

** Management should have a proper policy relating to fraud.

** Each new employee should be made aware of the above policy.

** Training should be done at least annually to make sure all policies are adhered to, and to strike fear into anyone who might be thinking of breaking the rules.

In this episode of Business Brain Food you will learn:

** The inner workings of http://www.fraudsec.com

** The scale of the fraud problem worldwide

** The importance on anonymity in the whistle-blowing process

** How to implement a whistle-blowing policy

** How Fraudsec is particularly useful in the procurement function

Resources mentioned in this episode:

** Business Coaching (http://actioncoachanz.com/businessrich)

** Fraudsec (http://www.fraudsec.com)

** Facebook (www.facebook.com/businessbrainfood)

** Business Brain Food Facebook Group (www.facebook.com/groups/businessbrainfood)

** Twitter (https://twitter.com/bfewtrell)

** ActionCOACH (http://actioncoachanz.com/itunes)

** ActionCOACH (http://actioncoachanz.com/stitcher)

Subscribe on iTunes The statistics speak for themselves: this could be going on in your business, right here, right now.  If $20 million can go missing in 12 years from a business that had an annual spending budget of only $6 million, then it can happen to anyone.  Don’t let it be you!! Also, if you are enjoying these Business Brain Food podcasts, then make sure to share them via social media sites or email the links to family and friends. A lot of time and effort goes into producing each of these podcasts with the goal in mind of the more people we can inspire about business the better. You can help us do just that!

Until next time, have a profitable day.

Cheers, Ben Fewtrell (02) 9111 5000


Achieving High Human Performance With Dr Adam Fraser

Every day in business – in life in fact – we face challenges. That’s obvious, right? But what is less obvious is the importance of the downtime between each challenge. If you treat it with the right amount of respect, your success can go through the roof. Play it wrongly and you set yourself up to fail, time and again. Dr Adam Fraser has done mountains of research on the topic and has kindly offered to share some of the results with us on this week’s podcast. It really is astonishing just how much more happy and successful people can be once they implement some very simple rules. In short, if you are able to reset your mind in between each challenge, your chances of succeeding at the next one are greatly increased, and this is backed up by some seriously compelling data. But how do you ‘reset your mind’? Dr Fraser has a simple three-point method that anybody can do. Having worked with elite athletes, the military, and the high-fliying corporate world, he developed the method when trying to answer the question of “what makes these people high achievers?” The answer was in how effectively they moved from one action to the next, e.g. how a pro tennis player thinks in between points is the difference between them being a champion and an also-ran. Dr Fraser’s book, ‘The Third Place’ explores this murky and often ignored part of the human psyche. In the podcast he elaborates on the methods in the book, which can do a lot more than merely prepare you for the next challenge. They can actually be the first step in achieving some of those holy grail aspirations like “work/life balance”, “being a good leader” etc. etc. Below are some nuggets from the chat:

** Between every challenge, you must: 1. Reflect on the last one. Rest your mind afterwards by doing something that brings you into ‘the now’ (a call centre worker achieved good results by pulling out one piece of jenga after every call, for example).  3. Reset your mind by then focusing on exactly what you want to achieve from the next challenge.

** Humans have a default negative bias, so there is no shame in needing to use a method like this in order to be happy and successful.

** Spending a long time at work away from home doesn’t automatically make for an unhappy family life. Your mindset when returning home has actually been proven to be more important than the amount of time you are there.

In this episode of Business Brain Food you will learn:

** The difference between ‘respond’ and ‘react’

** How to be a better manager and leader

** How to achieve a work/life balance

** How your behaviour affects others

** Why struggling is actually a positive thing

Resources mentioned in this episode:

** Business Coaching (http://actioncoachanz.com/businessrich)

** Dr Adam Fraser’s website (http://www.dradamfraser.com)

** Dr Adam Fraser’s twitter (http://www.twitter.com/dradamfraser)

** The Third Space book (http://www.thethirdspace.com.au)

** Facebook (facebook.com/businessbrainfood)

** Business Brain Food Facebook Group (facebook.com/groups/businessbrainfood)

** Twitter (https://twitter.com/bfewtrell)

** ActionCOACH (http://actioncoachanz.com/itunes)

** ActionCOACH (http://actioncoachanz.com/stitcher)

  Subscribe on iTunes It is very reassuring to know just how many good results Dr Fraser’s simple methods have achieved, but you don’t need to be a doctor to actually implement them.  In less than an hour of conversation, he has provided some of the best shortcuts to success you will ever hear.  If you follow them, you can literally change your life tomorrow… and we’re not exaggerating! Also, if you are enjoying these Business Brain Food podcasts, then make sure to share them via social media sites or email the links to family and friends. A lot of time and effort goes into producing each of these podcasts with the goal in mind of the more people we can inspire about business the better. You can help us do just that!

Until next time, have a profitable day.

Cheers, Ben Fewtrell (02) 9111 5000

Direct download: BBF068_Achieving_High_Human_Performance_with_Dr_Adam_Fraser.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm AEDT

How To Get Leads Using Video On Facebook And Youtube With Gideon Shalwick

Having online video as part of your marketing mix can really engage people. As obvious as this sounds, the market for online video marketing is still relatively immature, so there is great opportunity for you to stand out from the crowd with the right campaign. Gideon Shadwick makes his living from empowering companies to do just that. Like most of the rest of us, he started as an online-marketing novice, but through the promotion of a book he wrote, he soon became fascinated.

When his first round of online advertising delivered great sales for his book, he was a complete convert, but when he ran out of traffic, he didn’t have a clue what to do next. So he absolutely immersed himself in the art of online advertising and became an expert, soon realising that video was a comparatively untapped gold mine for building an audience and driving traffic. Gideon has helped over 200,000 people across 195 countries with their video marketing, and now through this podcast he will help a whole lot more. He discussed the many tricks of the trade he has picked up down the years, but here is a sneak preview:

** Combine both paid video advertising with your existing ‘free’ video sources, i.e. your youtube channel. See your own youtube channel as a slow burner that builds your audience and increases your ranking on youtube and google, but paid advertising can help speed this process up once you have laid the foundations.

** Don’t go overboard with fancy videos. When people go on youtube they have different expectations to when they watch the TV.  In fact, there is evidence that shows that conversion rates actually drop when an online video is too slick.

** Understand what the criteria is for ranking videos on places like facebook and youtube. It is about a lot more than just views and likes (listen to the podcast for a breakdown of the ranking algorithms).

** Any keyword phrase you want to use, try and use it right at the beginning of the title of any video.

** Don’t be put off by the concept of making an advert for a paid advertising campaign. There are facilities out there like veeroll.com that can make it very easy.

** Make your adverts short and sweet. 30 seconds is often enough.

** Remember youtube is not the only video host in town. Facebook is really majoring on their video content at the moment, and their interface to set up a video ad is arguably better than youtube’s.

The conversion rates that Gideon has achieved by using the above methods are very impressive indeed.  It is surprising what can be accomplished by using video as a focal point to drive traffic to your own website, or when used as a simple call to action for an individual campaign. In this episode of Business Brain Food you will learn:

** Why video is such important content in the grand scheme of online advertising

** How youtube and facebook rank videos

** The key rules that an online advert should abide by

** How to join up the long-term strategy of building an audience with a short-term campaign

** The increasing reach of facebook in the online video arena

** The inner workings of veeroll.com

Resources mentioned in this episode:

** Vee Roll (http://www.veeroll.com)

** Gideon Shalwick’s Youtube Channel (https://www.youtube.com/user/GideonShalwick)

** Facebook (facebook.com/businessbrainfood)

** Business Brain Food Facebook Group (facebook.com/groups/businessbrainfood)

** Twitter (https://twitter.com/bfewtrell)

** ActionCOACH (http://actioncoachanz.com/itunes)

** ActionCOACH (http://actioncoachanz.com/stitcher)

  Subscribe on iTunes It is so so simple to make engaging videos to boost interest in your company, and yet relatively few companies actually bother to do it.  If you follow Gideon’s advice, you can steal a march on all those other luddite companies out there! Also, if you are enjoying these Business Brain Food podcasts, then make sure to share them via social media sites or email the links to family and friends. A lot of time and effort goes into producing each of these podcasts with the goal in mind of the more people we can inspire about business the better. You can help us do just that!

Until next time, have a profitable day.

Cheers, Ben Fewtrell (02) 9111 5000


Making Your Dreams Come True With Steve Sims

When Steve Sims was sacked as a stockbroker after only three days in the job, it certainly didn’t look like it was the beginning of an extravagant adventure that has seen him arrange a wedding in The Vatican and have dinner at the feet of the statue of Michael Angelo. Steve’s company Bluefish specialises in creating unique experiences for high net-worth clients who want to live life to the full. He literally makes people’s dreams come true… for the right price of course! But Steve’s journey is an important example of how successful someone can be if they are passionate and they understand how to make people happy.

The small touches can sometimes make all the difference, and likewise, the ability to think big and tell people something is possible can be very lucrative indeed.

Beyond that, there are a multitude of insightful and inspirational points that came up when Steve discussed what made him and his company successful:

** If you fail at something, don’t be ashamed, just have a strong Plan A to dig yourself out of it, but then be open to a Plan B/C/D/E, because sometimes they can be far more fruitful than Plan A.  In Steve’s case, his plan to court high net-worth individuals to encourage a bank to give him a job ended up creating an international concierge business by accident!

** Only work with people you like.

** Successful people don’t grow up and don’t conform.  Think of what a 2-year-old does, i.e. what they want.  They’ll scribble all over the colouring-in book because they know no better, but when they get older they are told to colour within the lines.  Most successful people ignore this kind of conformity, and never really grow up.

** Set up your company and product in such a way that clients do the selling for you.  If you give them more than they pay for, they’ll sell you to others.

** Don’t forget the power of “critical non-essentials” i.e. the things you don’t have to do for clients, but that might just make a difference in the long term if you do them.

** Thought and empathy cannot be automated, so often they have more of an impact than the many other things in business that can be automated.

** Use old-fashioned methods of communication like letters… the open rate is generally better for snail mail than email.

** Or if you’re going to send an email, consider sending an audio voice message as an attachment.  That way, more can be said in less time, and it has a more genuine meaning.

** Keep your word, even if it costs you money in the short term.

By Steve’s own admission, he is not an intellectual, but if you are good with human touches and you display the passion and energy to make things happen, you can be clever in business. In this episode of Business Brain Food you will learn:

** The crazy adventures of Steve Sims and Bluefish

** The value of old-fashioned methods of communication

** What can be possible if you subvert the system

** The benefits of sharing your rewards with others

Resources mentioned in this episode:

** 20-minute business coaching (http://actioncoachanz.com/meetwithben)

** Blue Fish (http://www.thebluefish.com)

** Ugly Sims (http://www.uglysims.com)

** Facebook (www.facebook.com/businessbrainfood)

** Business Brain Food Facebook Group (www.facebook.com/groups/businessbrainfood)

** Twitter (https://twitter.com/bfewtrell)

** ActionCOACH (http://actioncoachanz.com/itunes)

** ActionCOACH (http://actioncoachanz.com/stitcher)

  Subscribe on iTunes

Steve’s made a business out of following dreams, and that came after his biggest knockback in life. Don’t ever give up on yours! Also, if you are enjoying these Business Brain Food podcasts, then make sure to share them via social media sites or email the links to family and friends. A lot of time and effort goes into producing each of these podcasts with the goal in mind of the more people we can inspire about business the better. You can help us do just that!

Until next time, have a profitable day.

Cheers, Ben Fewtrell (02) 9111 5000

Direct download: BBF066_Making_your_Dreams_come_true_with_Steve_Sims.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm AEDT

How to Create 2 Million Dollars a Year in Passive Income with Nathan Birch

It seems like a crazy dream to be able to retire from full-time work at the age of 24 and still have $2 million land in your account every year when you hit 30, but Nathan Birch is living proof that it is possible. For him it was all about setting the right goals, week by week, year by year, and more generally, working hard now to earn the right to not have to work as hard later. This seems like such an obvious mantra, but that’s why listening to Nathan is so inspiring, because every single one of us is actually capable of doing the things he does. His methods have empowered him to build an empire of 170 properties, but even for people who are just starting out who only want to buy one or two properties, his advice is indispensable.

Below is a summary of what made Nathan successful in property, which makes for a mighty fine template of how to succeed in business and in life in general:

** Have a plan with clearly defined goals, and then map out every step you think is required to achieve them (this seems so obvious, but a dream can only become an achievable goal once every step is broken down into small, achievable chunks)

** Document the goals and keep reviewing them

** Don’t be put off by naysayers (but rather than ignore them, rationalise their point and disprove it with your own logic)

** Be persistent – if you have an idea, don’t just leave it as an idea… take action!

** Don’t make business decisions based on emotion, i.e. “this property looks really nice, I could totally live here”… you need to make sure the numbers add up

** Don’t underestimate the value of properties in areas that are thought to be undesirable

** Try and take your time to find a property under the market value, which gives you a profit margin from the beginning

** It’s never too late! (Colonel Sanders was in his 60s when he opened his first KFC)

More generally, the most important thing is to really understand exactly what you want a property to do for your life.  When Nathan picked up a magazine at the age of 13, he was certain that property could make him wealthy and give him security, so he did his damnedest to make that happen by getting two full-time jobs and saving enough money to buy his first unit when he was 18.

Everyone’s story and aspirations will be different, but Nathan has proven that property as a means to security is a good path to go down, especially considering the increasing volatility of the superannuation/pensions market.

In this episode of Business Brain Food you will learn:

** One man’s story of how to build a property empire

** How to set, review, and achieve goals

** The money that can be saved by having two jobs

** What makes a good property investment

Resources mentioned in this episode:

** Ask Pat with Pat Flynn (http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/ask-pat/)

** Online Marketing Made Easy with Amy Porterfield (http://www.amyporterfield.com/category/podcast/)

** Small Business Marketing with Timbo Reid (http://smallbusinessbigmarketing.com/podcast-2/)

** Beers, Blokes & Business (http://beersblokesbusiness.com/category/podcast/)

** Sales, Marketing Profit with James Schramko (http://www.salesmarketingprofit.com/category/podcast)

** Podcast Answer Man (http://podcastanswerman.com/)

** School Of Podcasting (http://schoolofpodcasting.com/)

** Internet Business Mastery (http://www.internetbusinessmastery.com/podcast/)

** Beinvested (https://binvested.com.au/nathan-birch/)

** Beinvested on Youtube (https://www.youtube.com/user/binvested)

** Facebook (www.facebook.com/businessbrainfood)

** Business Brain Food Facebook Group (www.facebook.com/groups/businessbrainfood)

** Twitter (https://twitter.com/bfewtrell)

** ActionCOACH (http://actioncoachanz.com/itunes)

** ActionCOACH (http://actioncoachanz.com/stitcher)

  Subscribe on iTunes

If you’re thinking of dipping your toe in to the world of property investment, or if you want to build your existing portfolio into something mega, then go ahead and do it! Nathan did. So can you!

Also, if you are enjoying these Business Brain Food podcasts, then make sure to share them via social media sites or email the links to family and friends. A lot of time and effort goes into producing each of these podcasts with the goal in mind of the more people we can inspire about business the better. You can help us do just that!

Until next time, have a profitable day.

Cheers, Ben Fewtrell (02) 9111 5000


How To Promote Your Business In The Media, With Bec Derrington

Every business needs good PR, but in order to get it, you have to understand how to build bridges with your preferred media. One great way of attracting the media is to be quoted as an expert, so we spoke to Bec Derrington, founder of http://www.sourcebottle.com - a service that connects experts with the media. Source Bottle is a free global service used by bloggers, journalists and reporters that gives them easy access to experts in any given field so they can be quoted as part of their story. This could of course be your business… you are an expert after all, aren’t you?!? Bec’s personal story is a great example of how challenging it can be to get the media onside if you don’t have many personal media contacts. How do you prevent the story of your business being lost in the mire of press releases and mailshots? And how do you come across as an expert that is simply indispensible to the media?

Having worked in PR, Bec was inspired to invent Source Bottle because she knew first-hand how difficult it was to connect with the media without a large base of personal-media contacts. The same is true for many businesses and many inspirational leaders of these businesses: they might have a great story to tell, but they don’t know who they should tell, and they don’t know who might want to know and when they might want to know it. Source Bottle is one way of making the process easier, but there are some other very important tips about how to make the ‘story’ of your business/expertise stand out enough to gain maximum publicity:

** First understand what it is you want to be known for, i.e. a particular product/industry/stance on a particular matter

** Identify the issue that your ‘solution’ solves

** Seek out the publications/media outlets that most effectively connect with your target audience

** Try and specifically target a journalist rather than doing some kind of mass mailout

** Understand the journalist’s tone of voice and tailor the content you send them (remember, it’s all about them thinking that your ‘story’ is unique to them)

** Make sure you have plenty of ‘assets’ to go with the story, i.e. photos and video

Following the above is a great way for your business to be promoted in the media without the need for an expensive PR campaign.  And remember, being recommended as an expert by a third party (in this case a journalist) can be a lot more powerful to your audience than simply advertising yourself.  If your expertise is qualified by somebody else, people are more likely to think “well it must be true”. In this episode of Business Brain Food you will learn:

** The inner workings of http://www.sourcebottle.com

** How to easily build a long-lasting relationship with a journalist from the comfort of your own home

** Why media relations is so powerful

** How to pitch to journalists correctly

** How to find contact details of journalists

** The difference between advertising and PR

** How to state your position as an expert

** Are press releases important in this day and age?

** How businesses/experts can control the message

Resources mentioned in this episode:

** Source Bottle: (http://www.sourcebottle.com.au)

** Free Sydney Two-hour workshop: (http://www.businessfasttrack.com.au)

** Facebook (www.facebook.com/businessbrainfood)

** Business Brain Food Facebook Group (www.facebook.com/groups/businessbrainfood)

** Twitter (https://twitter.com/bfewtrell)

** ActionCOACH (http://actioncoachanz.com/itunes)

** ActionCOACH (http://actioncoachanz.com/stitcher)

Subscribe on iTunes

Are you ready take your business to the next level and let the public know that you’re an expert?

Then use the information provided in this episode to make it happen! Also, if you are enjoying these Business Brain Food podcasts, then make sure to share them via social media sites or email the links to family and friends. A lot of time and effort goes into producing each of these podcasts with the goal in mind of the more people we can inspire about business the better. You can help us do just that! Until next time, have a profitable day. Cheers, Ben Fewtrell (02) 9111 5000

Direct download: BBF064_How_to_Get_Free_Media_for_your_Business_with_Bec_Derrington.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm AEDT

Have the Biggest Pay Day of Your Life with Kerry Boulton

Whether you need to voluntary leave a business or if something goes wrong and you have to leave, it is very important to have an exit strategy. Always begin with the end in mind. Over the years, Kerry Boulton has sold several businesses for millions of dollars. Also, she has mentored many business owners through successful business growth in order to position them for their ultimate sale. Leaving a business is about:

** You

** Your family

** Other stakeholders

Boulton is the founder and CEO of the Exit Strategy Group, which helps business owners maximize business value so they can get out of the business – whether by liquidating assets, management buyouts, passing it down, or other ways.

When you intend to leave a business, consider the following:

** Who is going to be impacted?

** What do you plan to do after you leave?

** Who would buy the business? Who could be a potential buyer?

** Do due diligence to get your business ready to be sold.

** Make sure your business is attractable to potential buyers.

** Make sure your business stands out from the rest.

** Give yourself as much preparation time as possible to maximize the value of your business.

** Build a team to support your exit strategy (accountant, business coach, those who will be impacted, etc.)

Also, take a look at your business plan. Does it include an exit strategy? If not, then use Boulton’s tips and advice to implement one to get the most money you can when leaving a business. Plus, make sure you have contingency options because no business owners like a fire sale!

In this episode of Business Brain Food you will learn:

** Don’t jeopardize your business for $5

** Different ways to exit businesses

** Importance of including exit strategy in business plan

** Why business owners do not concern themselves with exit strategies

** Impact of baby boomers leaving businesses

** The importance of understanding the value of all assets

** Tips and traps of exit strategies

** Need for contingency plans

Resources mentioned in this episode:

** Traffic and Conversion Summit (http://trafficandconversionsummit.com/australia/)

** Trip Advisor (http://www.tripadvisor.com/)

** Facebook (www.facebook.com)

** Google (www.google.com)

** Business Brain Food Facebook Group (www.facebook.com/groups/businessbrainfood)

** Twitter (https://twitter.com/bfewtrell)

** Mayne Nickless (www.bmartin.cc)

** Exit Strategy Group (http://theexitstrategygroup.com.au/)

** Stephen Covey (https://www.stephencovey.com/)

** Amazon (www.amazon.com)

** Freight Management International

** Business Plans that Win $$$ (http://www.amazon.com/Business-Plans-That-Win-Enterprise/dp/0060913916)

** The Uncensored Truth About Exit Strategies (http://theexitstrategygroup.com.au/book-request/)

** LinkedIn (https://au.linkedin.com/in/kerryboulton)

** Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/KerryBoultonTheExitStrategyGroup)

** ActionCOACH (http://actioncoachanz.com/itunes)

** ActionCOACH (http://actioncoachanz.com/stitcher)

Subscribe on iTunes

Are you ready to leave a business?

Then use the information provided in this episode to make it happen! Also, if you are enjoying these Business Brain Food podcasts, then make sure to share them via social media sites or email the links to family and friends. A lot of time and effort goes into producing each of these podcasts with the goal in mind of the more people we can inspire about business the better. You can help us do just that! Until next time, have a profitable day. Cheers, Ben Fewtrell (02) 9111 5000

Direct download: BBF063_Have_the_Biggest_Pay_Day_of_Your_Life_with_Kerry_Boultan.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm AEDT

Holding On to Your Customers with Kym Illman

What do your customers hear when you put them on hold? Awful music or valuable branding and product messages? Kym Illman is the founder of Messages On Hold, which helps businesses customize their hold messages to achieve results. He is an entrepreneur who turned his home-based business into a multi-million dollar international success story. Technology and advances in phone systems have made hold content much easier to utilize. Businesses need to make hold experiences more pleasant. They need to make a good impression to minimize any damage hold calls can do. Your hold messages should be a part of your branding and provide worthwhile information. Hold messaging can be a powerful and valuable marketing tool.

There are various guidelines to follow in order to create effective hold messages:

** Making changes based on what customers want

** Don’t use just one voice

** Don’t give a list of features

** Don’t have awful music

** Content should be interesting and customer centric

** Change messages every three to four months; keep them fresh

** Educate people about what is available from your company

** Use the same messages for different mediums

Also, there are common mistakes to avoid when it comes to hold messages:

** Bad background music

** No background music or sound

** Chimes - don’t bang a bell in customers’ ears!

** Don’t loop same music and messages over and over

** Care: Some businesses don’t care about what customers hear because they don’t have to listen to the messages

There are several benefits to having hold messages in your phone system. They can generate sales, reach new and existing customers, and promote your brand. Plus, if a hold message is a benefit to callers, then it is a winner!

In this episode of Business Brain Food you will learn:

** How “holds” have become a global market

** Available phone systems

** Important aspects of hold messages

** How to achieve business results

** Mistakes to avoid

** Lessons learned to be successful

** How to use hold messages as a marketing tool

Resources mentioned in this episode:

** Guy Kawasaki – Episode 60 (http://actioncoachanz.com/bbf-060-business-success-with-guy-kawasaki)

** Messages On Hold (http://www.messagesonhold.com.au/)

** 1-800-Messages

** Canity (www.canity.com)

** Kym Illman (www.kymillman.com)

** ActionCOACH (http://actioncoachanz.com/itunes)

** ActionCOACH (http://actioncoachanz.com/stitcher)

** Ben Fewtrell – Twitter (https://twitter.com/bfewtrell)

** Ben Fewtrell – Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/benfewtrell)

** Business Brain Food Facebook Group (facebook.com/groups/businessbrainfood)

** Lancelin Western Australia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lancelin,_Western_Australia)

** American Express (https://www.americanexpress.com/)

** TDK (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TDK)

** Facebook (www.facebook.com)

** Twitter (www.twitter.com)

** National Geographic (http://www.nationalgeographic.de/0

** Canon Inc. (http://www.nationalgeographic.de/)

** The Photographer’s Ephermeris (http://photoephemeris.com/)

** Business Planning Template (www.actioncoachanz.com/062)

  Subscribe on iTunes

Are your customers tired of hearing awful elevator music while on hold?

Then use the information provided in this episode to improve your hold messages and make more sales. Also, if you are enjoying these Business Brain Food podcasts, then make sure to share them via social media sites or email the links to family and friends. A lot of time and effort goes into producing each of these podcasts with the goal in mind of the more people we can inspire about business the better. You can help us do just that! Until next time, have a profitable day. Cheers, Ben Fewtrell (02) 9111 5000

Direct download: BBF062_Holding_On_to_your_customers_with_Kim_Illman.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm AEDT

Building a Successful Social Enterprise with Katie Wyatt

Want to use your business skills and the power of the market for social good? Then you may want to consider social enterprises a.k.a not-for-profit businesses. Katie Wyatt is a wellness and business coach for social enterprises, which are businesses that raise money for and support a social cause. These businesses may employee people who would not otherwise be able to find a job, including the homeless and those with disabilities. It is not easy to start a new business and be successful. It is a big undertaking and not for everyone. Achieving social purpose as well as profit is twice as hard! But the payoff can be well worth it.

So, how do you create an enterprise that has social benefit? Or how do you retrofit what you currently do in business to serve a social benefit? You have to have two main things: passion and business sense. What’s going to get you out of bed each day? A passion to help others. But you also need to address the business side – purpose, metrics, outcomes, business models, legalities, etc. Therefore, any business needs to be profitable – to put money back into the business and help its cause. Otherwise, the social purpose would not matter at all. So ask yourself these questions in order to be successful: Why are you starting the business? How much money you will need? If you can succeed with a social enterprise, you can succeed anywhere. Now, get out there and do some good!

In this episode of Business Brain Food you will learn:

** Definition of social enterprises/not-for-profit businesses

** Differences between social enterprises and regular businesses

** What is needed to have a successful social enterprise

** How to obtain money for startup capital

** Steps to start a social enterprise

** Types of employees at social enterprises

** Importance of identifying ideal customers

** Development of foundations and charities

Resources mentioned in this episode:

** ActionCOACH (http://actioncoachanz.com/itunes)

** ActionCOACH (http://actioncoachanz.com/stitcher)

** ActionCOACH Session (www.businessassessment.com.au)

** Skype (www.skype.com)

** The Voice (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Voice_(Australian_TV_series))

** Thank you Water (https://thankyou.co/)

** Daniel Flynn (http://actioncoachanz.com/bbf039-daniel-flynn-thankyou-group)

** Australian Charities and Not-For-Profits Commission (https://www.acnc.gov.au/)

** Social Traders (http://www.socialtraders.com.au/)

** Dwayne Martens (http://actioncoachanz.com/bbf059-from-uni-dropout-to-a-multi-million-dollar-business-with-dwayne-martens)

** Niulife (https://www.niulife.com/)

** The Wellness Entrepreneur (http://www.thewellnessentrepreneur.com.au/)

** Pinterest (www.pinterest.com)

** Life in Half a Second (http://www.lifeinhalfasecond.com/)

  Subscribe on iTunes

Do you want to make a difference with your business?

Then, use the advice provided in this episode to get started. Also, if you are enjoying these Business Brain Food podcasts, then make sure to share them via social media sites or email the links to family and friends. A lot of time and effort goes into producing each of these podcasts with the goal in mind of the more people we can inspire about business the better. You can help us do just that! Until next time, have a profitable day. Cheers, Ben Fewtrell (02) 9111 5000

Direct download: BBF061_Building_a_Successful_Social_Enterprise_with_Katie_Wyatt.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm AEDT

The Keys to Business Success with Guy Kawasaki

Do you want to change the world? Then, what is the secret to success? Well, there is no secret to being successful in business. What it takes is being passionate about what you want to do, being clear on what you want to achieve, and to work hard.

Guy Kawasaki is known as a business growth guru. He just loves to work and has empowered people through his writing, speaking, investing, and advising. He is passing down a body of knowledge he has acquired in his career to the next generation. Guy’s Golden Touch: Not everything Guy touches turns to gold, but whatever gold Guy touches.

He was once the chief evangelist for Apple Inc. Now, he is the chief evangelist for Canva, an online graphic design software company. It is revolutionizing the way people do graphic design. Also, Kawasaki is a trustee with the Wiki Media Foundation, executive fellow at the Haas School of Business, and much more. So he knows all about business!

Now, Martens is a 30-year-old who goes to work without wearing any shoes and has a teepee as his sanctuary. He owns a multi-million dollar business that he started in 2008. His business, Amazonia, focuses on Acai and distributes health food through the nation. Martens has learned along the way and remains open minded. He continues to step outside of his comfort zone and plans to expand his business.

* Press play above to listen to this weeks Podcast *

Kawasaki’s lessons learned as an evangelist and from working with Steve Jobs at Apple:

** Customers don’t always know what they need

** Design counts

** Less is more

Challenges Kawasaki has faced in business:

** Resistance to change

** Asking others to risk their careers

Kawasaki’s tip on how to ensure you are more successful than the competition: It’s all about providing great products and provide after sales and support. It’s not rocket science! Also, the key is to predict what people need or make what you want and make people need it. Kawasaki has written 13 books about business, including Enchantment. Enchantment is used to change hearts, minds, and actions. Businesses need to know how to enchant their customers to exceed expectations. Enchantment has three pillars:

** Likeable

** Trustworthy

** Competent

Enchantment can be achieved through social media. It means hard work, but social media should be used as a platform to promote your business. Social media will someday become the equivalent of marketing. Stay tuned because Kawasaki may write another book or do something else to help lead you to success in business! There are so many ways to succeed and so many ways to fail. “I just worked hard. That’s the key to my success,” says Kawasaki.

In this episode of Business Brain Food you will learn:

** What is evangelism

** Lessons learned in the business world

** Examples of enchantment

** Using social media to promote business

** Tips for creating a successful business

** Business challenges

** Importance of attending school of business

Resources mentioned in this episode:

** ActionCOACH (http://actioncoachanz.com/itunes)

** ActionCOACH (http://actioncoachanz.com/stitcher)

** Spotify (https://www.spotify.com)

** Apple Inc. (www.apple.com)

** iTunes (http://www.apple.com/itunes)

** Taylor Swift (http://taylorswift.com/)

** ActionCOACH Session (www.businessassessment.com.au)

** Canva (https://designschool.canva.com/)

** Haas School of Business (http://www.haas.berkeley.edu/)

** Wikimedia Foundation (https://wikimediafoundation.org/wiki/Home)

** Motorola (www.motorola.com)

** Google (www.google.com)

** Sydney Bears (http://www.sydneybears.com.au/)

** Steve Jobs (https://www.apple.com/stevejobs/)

** Enchantment (http://guykawasaki.com/books/enchantment/)

** Adobe PhotoShop (http://www.adobe.com/products/photoshopfamily.html)

** Amazon Books (http://www.amazon.com/books-used-books-textbooks/b/ref=sd_allcat_bo?ie=UTF8&node=283155)

** Guy Kawasaki (www.guykawasaki.com)

** Microsoft Outlook App (http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/outlook/send-receive-from-app)

** If You Want to Write (http://www.amazon.com/If-You-Want-Write-Independence/dp/9650060286)

  Subscribe on iTunes

How can you make your business successful?

How can you make your business successful? Use the advice and tips provided by Kawasaki to reach the top! Also, if you are enjoying these Business Brain Food podcasts, then make sure to share them via social media sites or email the links to family and friends. A lot of time and effort goes into producing each of these podcasts with the goal in mind of the more people we can inspire about business the better. You can help us do just that! Until next time, have a profitable day. Cheers, Ben Fewtrell (02) 9111 5000

Direct download: BBF060_The_Keys_to_Business_Success_with_Guy_Kawasaki.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm AEDT

From Uni Dropout to a Multi-Million Dollar Business with Dwayne Martens

After dropping out of university and adventures in traveling, Dwayne Martens was down and out. He was mingling with crowds that treated him like a dog. To bring awareness to that disrespect was the first step. Now, he surrounds himself with people who respect him. Your environment reflects where you are at in your life! Also, he read some books to help change his mindset. As a result, he developed confidence that he could do and be anything.

Now, Martens is a 30-year-old who goes to work without wearing any shoes and has a teepee as his sanctuary. He owns a multi-million dollar business that he started in 2008. His business, Amazonia, focuses on Acai and distributes health food through the nation. Martens has learned along the way and remains open minded. He continues to step outside of his comfort zone and plans to expand his business.

* Press play above to listen to this weeks Podcast *

Amazonia started out as a small business. Martens explains that to start a business:

** Get in the game

** Be in the game

** Have a purpose and business model

** Do good by people

** Have a strong vision

Martens has experienced growing pains when it comes to his business. He suggests the following to handle such challenges:

** Treat others well

** Chose to work with the right people

** Pay attention to and have processes in place regarding finances/cash flow

The keys to being a successful entrepreneur:

** Look into yourself; what is holding you and your business back?

** What are you doing your business for – money or purpose?

** Philosophy and culture of a business is everything!

And most importantly, have fun!!!

In this episode of Business Brain Food you will learn:

** How to change your mindset

** Why surround yourself with the right people

** How to develop different businesses

** To identify purpose of business for it to grow

** What challenges are related to growth

** Keys to being a successful entrepreneur

** How to create a positive work culture

** Why set growth goals

Resources mentioned in this episode:

** Amazonia (http://www.amazonia.com.au)

** Amazonia Instagram (https://instagram.com/amazoniaco)

** Amazonia Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/premiumacai)

** ActionCOACH (http://actioncoachanz.com/itunes)

** ActionCOACH (http://actioncoachanz.com/stitcher)

** Angel Flight (http://www.angelflight.org.au)

** Ben Fewtrell Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/benfewtrell)

** ActionCOACH Session (www.businessassessment.com.au)

** The One Minute Millionaire (http://www.amazon.com/The-One-Minute-Millionaire-Enlightened/dp/0307451569)

** Richard Branson (https://www.virgin.com/richard-branson)

** Elon Musk (http://www.forbes.com/profile/elon-musk/)

  Subscribe on iTunes

How can you grow your company?

Use the tips provided in this podcast to take your business to the next level and have fun while doing it! Also, if you are enjoying these Business Brain Food podcasts, then make sure to share them via social media sites or email the links to family and friends. A lot of time and effort goes into producing each of these podcasts with the goal in mind of the more people we can inspire about business the better. You can help us do just that! Until next time, have a profitable day. Cheers, Ben Fewtrell (02) 9111 5000


How to Create Copy That Sells with Bernadette Schwerdt

Copywriting is not as easy as you may think. And it is vitally important to your business – from email messages to your website. Bernadette Schwerdt is a copywriting coach and expert. She is the managing director of the Australian School of Copywriting and teaches people the art of writing. Schwerdt defines copywriting as the art of selling through words - both written and spoken. Copywriting is the process of coming up with a message and making it as compelling as possible.

Copywriting is important in all formats: pitches, phone calls, newsletters, brochures, website content, press releases, sales letters, email messages, etc. If the copywriting is not done well, then deals fall through and you lose clients/customers. When writing copy, ask the following questions: What do you sell? At what price point? How can people buy it? Also, there are many steps to take when copywriting. For example, make sure your headline drags people into your story and grabs their attention. Write copy that speaks to people and solves their problems. It is important to understand your target audience and their vernacular/conversational tone - write in the way they speak. Use all the tips offered by Bernadette Schwerdt to write the best copy possible to take your business to the next level and position yourself as a leader! In this episode of Business Brain Food you will learn:

** Definition of copywriting

** Benefits of learning how to write copy

** Cost to hire copywriters

** What constitutes as copywriting items

** Copywriting process and rules

** Importance of headlines, offers, call to action, testimonials, etc.

** Copywriting mistakes

Resources mentioned in this episode:

** Bernadette Schwerdt: bernadetteschwerdt.com.au

** Secrets of Online Entrepreneurs: bernadetteschwerdt.com.au/buy-the-book

** Australian School of Copywriting: copyschool.com

** ActionCOACH Session: businessassessment.com.au

** DiSC: discprofile.com

** Voice Memos: itunes.apple.com/us/app/voice-memos-for-ipad

** The Diamond Cutter: amazon.com/The-Diamond-Cutter-Managing-Business

Take a look at copy writting for your business

Does it grab your attention? If not, then use the advice provided in this podcast. Also, if you are enjoying these Business Brain Food podcasts, then make sure to share them via social media sites or email the links to family and friends. A lot of time and effort goes into producing each of these podcasts with the goal in mind of the more people we can inspire about business the better. You can help us do just that! Until next time, have a profitable day! Cheers, Ben Fewtrell (02) 9111 5000

Direct download: BBF058_How_to_create_copy_that_sells_with_Bernadette_Schwerdt.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm AEDT

How to Succeed at Cold Calling

Cold calling – a lot of people are terrified by it! It can put a shiver up and down most people’s spines. But it is time to reprogram your brain to think about cold calling in a positive way. Ben Fewtrell shares why cold calling is good for your business! The best way to grow your business is to pick up the phone. You’ve got to sell something to somebody. You can use cold calling to re-engage existing customers as well as reach potentially new customers.

* Press play above to listen to this weeks Podcast *

Preparation is important. For cold calling, prepare your:

** Thinking

** Environment

** Offer

** Handling of gatekeepers

Here are some more helpful tips about cold calling:

** Get someone’s attention

** Have Call Center reps located in the same country and speak the same language

** Focus on finding the right people (the right customers)

** Believe in what you are selling and that it benefits customers

** Be the listener, not the talker

** Prepare the right questions

** Build a relationship through trust and rapport

Resources are available for cold calling, including the Yellow Pages and LinkedIn. Also, Ben offers a great cold calling script to use as a guide. Overall, you need to have effective methods, understand the process, and develop a strategy. Cold calling is a great tool, so don’t be afraid to use it! In this episode of Business Brain Food you will learn:

** Why utilize cold calling

** Resources/databases available

** Techniques and preparation

** Call centre locations

** Providing benefits and adding value

** Available communication avenues (emails, cold calling, direct mail, etc.)

** Opt-outs, Do Not Call lists, and other restrictions

Resources mentioned in this episode:

** Downloadable: Cold Calling Script

** Gary the Goat: facebook.com/jimboandgary

** Pro Bono Coaching Session: businessassessment.com.au

** IMDb Boiler Room: Boiler Room

** Ari Galper: unlockthegame.com

** Jim Rohn: Quotes

** Follow Ben Fewtrell on: LinkedIn

** Follow Ben Fewtrell on: Twitter

** Follow Ben Fewtrell on: Facebook

Subscribe on iTunes

Start Cold Calling

Take the fear out of cold calling by using the tips provided in this podcast. Also, if you are enjoying these Business Brain Food podcasts, then make sure to share them via social media sites or email the links to family and friends. A lot of time and effort goes into producing each of these podcasts with the goal in mind of the more people we can inspire about business the better. You can help us do just that! Until next time, have a profitable day! Cheers, Ben Fewtrell (02) 9111 5000

Direct download: BBF057_How_to_Succeed_Cold_Calling_with_Ben_Fewtrell.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm AEDT

Why People Fail with Siimon Reynolds

How can you make sure to not fail, but succeed! The media always seems to focus on those who are successful. But failure should be addressed, as well. Most successful people have failed many times, and failures happen more than successes! “Failure, for any ambitious person, is their constant companion. Success is only occasional,” said Siimon Reynolds.

* Press play above to listen to this weeks Podcast *

Simmon Reynolds is an internationally renowned expert on the predictable science of success and achievement. Also, he is a marketing guru and the co-founder of the Photon Group, a marketing services group. Plus, he is an author who wrote Why People Fail. There are several primary causes for people to fail: poor self-image, lack of a daily ritual, lack of clarity, and shortage of energy. Siimon shares many tips on how to be more successful, including listing reasons why you can achieve something, meditating, creating a business plan, evaluating and refining marketing efforts, being positive and a kind person, and being persistent. Study failure and understand it. Then you can unlock the key to success! In this episode of Business Brain Food you will learn:

** Why failures, not only successes, should be discussed

** Reasons why people fail

** Tips to be more successful

** Strategy for turning failures into positive results

** How to learn from competitors

Resources mentioned in this episode:

** The Fortune Institute: www.thefortuneinstitute.com

** Why People Fail: www.amazon.com/Why-People-Fail-Obstacles-Overcome/dp/1118106172

** Ben Fewtrell LinkedIn: inkedin.com/in/benfewtrell

** Ben Fewtrell Twitter: twitter.com/bfewtrell

** Ben Fewtrell Facebook: facebook.com/ActioncoachANZ

** Break Through Your Glass Ceiling with the Power of Strategic Planning: actioncoachanz.com/strategicplanningwebinar

** Brad Sugars: bradsugars.com

** Martin Seligman: psychology.sas.upenn.edu/people/seligman

** Barbara Fredrickson: www.amazon.com/Positivity-Top-Notch-Research-Reveals-Upward/dp/0307393747

** Robert Cialdini: www.influenceatwork.com

** Tony Robbins: www.tonyrobbins.com

** Henry David Thoreau: www.biography.com/people/henry-david-thoreau-9506784

** Sam Walton: corporate.walmart.com/our-story/history/sam-walton

** Starbucks App: www.starbucks.com/coffeehouse/mobile-apps

** thefortuneinstitue.com

Subscribe on iTunes

What does it take to be successful and avoid failure?

As an entrepreneur, use the tips provided by Reynolds in this podcast!  Also, if you are enjoying these Business Brain Food podcasts, then make sure to share them via social media sites or email the links to family and friends. A lot of time and effort goes into producing each of these podcasts with the goal in mind of the more people we can inspire about business the better. You can help us do just that! Until next time, have a profitable day. Cheers, Ben Fewtrell (02) 9111 5000

Direct download: BBF056_Why_People_Fail_with_Siimon_Reynolds.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm AEDT

Franchising made Easy with James Corne

Is franchising the way to go with your business? Many business owners think they cannot afford to franchise or that the concept of franchising is too complex. However, franchising is a way for people to pay you to grow your business. Besides growing your business, a reason to franchise is because franchise owners are more passionate, dedicated, and effective.

* Press play above to listen to this weeks Podcast *

Most businesses can become a franchise, but not every business is set up to franchise. It depends on who is running the business, the type of business, and where the business is in its life cycle. And becoming a franchise does not happen overnight. You need to allocate time to take the business where you want it to go. It takes about six months from the beginning to the launch as a franchise. As a franchise, you become a consultant and serve as a mentor in your own business. You guide and facilitate success. You have to replicate what you did in your business, plus possess certain skills – you must like people and be able to lead. Podcast guest James Corne is the author of Franchising Made Easy and founder of The Franchise Institute, which has helped develop franchise systems in 200 different business sectors. It specialises in helping small to medium businesses determine if franchising is right for them or not. Almost all businesses can become a franchise. But understanding what works, doesn’t work, and avoiding mistakes in franchising allows your business to achieve success. If you’ve got a business where there is a demand, consider franchising! In this episode of Business Brain Food you will learn:

** Reasons to franchise

** How long it takes

** Determining who should franchise

** Rules whether a business can become a franchise

** Transition from owner to consultant

** Costs and pricing

** Legal aspects

** Mistakes and misconceptions

Resources mentioned in this episode:

** The Franchise Institute: www.thefranchiseinstitute.com.au

** James Corne Email: jamesc@thefranchiseinstitute.com.au

** James Corne Phone: 1300855435

** Franchising Made Easy Book: www.thefranchiseinstitute.com.au/franchising-made-easy-book

** My Podcast Reviews: mypodcastreviews.com

** Free Business Assessment: businessassessment.com.au

** Keeping the Faith: www.imdb.com/title/tt0171433

** Boat Sales App: www.boatsales.com.au/content/mobile

Subscribe on iTunes

Do you think your business should become a franchise?

Use the advice offered in this podcast to make the right decision. Also, if you are enjoying these Business Brain Food podcasts, then make sure to share them via social media sites or email the links to family and friends. A lot of time and effort goes into producing each of these podcasts with the goal in mind of the more people we can inspire about business the better. You can help us do just that! Until next time, have a profitable day. Cheers, Ben Fewtrell (02) 9111 5000

Direct download: BBF055_Franchising_Made_Easy_with_James__Corne.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm AEDT

Why Every Business Owner Needs a Virtual Assistant

Every business owner needs a virtual assistant (VA) to help with tasks that weight them down. Focus on your genius juice and take everything else off your plate! VA services are a practical, ethical, and reliable way of doing things. Get things done in a different way!

Outsourcing work through VAs frees up your time to work on other areas of your business. VAs can do tasks that are imperative to your business that you can’t do, don’t need to do, or don’t want to do. Tasks include calendar management, email management, travel arrangements, data entry, transcribing audio/video, graphic design, and social media management. There are so many questions that come to mind when hiring a virtual assistant. How does it work? How much does it cost? How do you train them? To answer all of your questions, check out Chris Ducker’s book Virtual Freedom and contact Tom Secuya. Tom Secuya manages a team of virtual assistants in the Philippines through the Carve company. Carve is an outsourcing agency that supports clients remotely and provides virtual assistance and virtual assistants. In this podcast episode, Tom shares his knowledge and experience about utilizing VAs. It can be very beneficial to your business to have a VA – it is a great return on investment! In this episode of Business Brain Food you will learn:

** Benefits of outsourcing

** Tasks performed by VAs

** Help desk and project management tools

** Why to provide quality and quick feedback

** Importance of providing VAs with training and tools

** Outsourcing internationally vs. locally

** Hiring directly vs. through an agency

** Different durations (full-time, part-time and on-demand VAs)

Resources mentioned in this episode:

** Downloadable PDF: 105 Tasks to Outsource

** Ben Fewtrell: Twitter/#bbfood

** Carve: carve.ph

** Tom Secuya Email: tom@carve.ph

** Chris Ducker: www.chrisducker.com

** Virtual Freedom: www.virtualfreedombook.com

** 2048 App: itunes.apple.com/us/app/2048/id840919914?mt=8

** Zendesk: www.zendesk.com

** Fresh Desk: www.freshdesk.com

** Voxer: www.voxer.com

** Viber: www.viber.com

** Scrum by Jeff Sutherland: www.amazon.com/Scrum-Doing-Twice-Work-Half/

Do you have a virtual assistant?

As a business owner, discover the benefits of outsourcing! Also, if you are enjoying these Business Brain Food podcasts, then make sure to share them via social media sites or email the links to family and friends. A lot of time and effort goes into producing each of these podcasts with the goal in mind of the more people we can inspire about business the better. You can help us do just that! Until next time, have a profitable day. Cheers, Ben Fewtrell (02) 9811 5000

Direct download: BBF054_Why_Every_Business_Owner_Needs_A_Virtual_Assistant_with_Tom_Secuya.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm AEDT

How to Create a Strategic Plan for Your Business

Whether you love it or hate it – you need to think about strategic business planning! Don't think of a business plan as a big, fat document that sits on a shelf collecting dust. Instead, think of it as the strategy behind what you are doing. Without strategy, you are not going to thrive. You need a strategy that drives you!

Don't get caught up in the day-to-day aspects of your business. There is always something to do and fires to put out. But you need to STOP! Put some time aside to put together your strategic business plan. Stop being reactive - become more proactive. Develop a fluid document that helps build your business. Once you have it, make sure to review it and keep it up to date. Business Coaching Manager George Zenon has coached dozens of businesses in different industries. He knows the ins and outs of what it takes to succeed in business. He discusses how to create a strategic business plan and what you need to think about. Your strategic business plan has to align your business with your goals! A strategic business plan focuses on the big picture: Where is the business heading, what direction is it going, and what does it need to achieve? Have a plan and follow it! In this episode of Business Brain Food you will learn:

** Why it is important to create a strategic business plan

** The difference between business planning and strategic business planning

** What elements to consider and include

** How to get started and the Planning Club

** To think of investors, employees, and customers

** Items to measure (key performance indicators)

** Review regularly to keep up with competition and changes in technology

** Mistakes made in strategic planning

Resources mentioned in this episode:

** Planning Club with George Zenon: actioncoachanz.com/strategyplanningsession

** Percentage Calculator App: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=info.percentagecalculator&hl=en

Do you have a strategic business plan in place?

If not, how are you going to be successful? Make sure to follow the guidance provided in this podcast to take your business to the next level. Also, if you are enjoying these Business Brain Food podcasts, then make sure to share them via social media sites or email the links to family and friends. A lot of time and effort goes into producing each of these podcasts with the goal in mind of the more people we can inspire about business the better. You can help us do just that! Until next time, have a profitable day! Cheers, Ben Fewtrell (02) 9111 5000

Direct download: BBF053_How_to_create_a_Strategic_Plan_for_your_Business_with_George_Zenon.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm AEDT

How to Grow Your Business Using Social Media

How can you grow your business using social media? You should be on social media because that’s where most of your customers are - so then you can connect with them. How do you generate leads for free on social media? You don’t. You have to make an investment: either time or money. Ben Fewtrell shares how you can use social media in your business. He developed an 8-step process to make sure you are generating sales and leads using social media.

* Press play above to listen to this weeks Podcast *

Step 1: Establish your business goals. Make sure your social media strategy aligns with your goals. Know your goals and how you are going to get there! Step 2: What are your marketing objectives? Do you want people to book an appointment, buy something, or view a Webinar? Make sure your objectives are very clear. What are you willing to invest to make your objectives happen? Step 3: Identify your ideal customers. Think about who you want to target as your audience. Create a look-alike audience in Facebook using your email database. Use LinkedIn to connect with potential customers. Step 4: Research your competition. Check out what they are doing and what is working. Then, do something in your own way that will deliver the same results. Discover their strengths and weaknesses, which will help you with your own strategy. Step 5: Choose what social media platforms to use. Start with just one, and do it well. Then you can move on to additional platforms. But don’t do more than five platforms. You don’t have the resources or time. Step 6: Decide on what type of content you will use – podcasts, blogs, videos, Webinars, etc. You can reuse and repurpose content. For example, use a podcast transcript to create a blog post. Develop a schedule because you need to be able to consistently generate worthwhile content. Content is King! Step 7: Decide on your budget and resources. You are going to have to spend some money. For example, you will have a team that handles various tasks – and you will need to pay them. Also, you will need to set aside time to regularly check your social media pages. Step 8: Decide on roles. Who will do what and when? Find the right person for the job and have the roles clearly defined. In this episode of Business Brain Food you will learn:

** How to generate leads and sales

** Why you need to invest time or money

** The importance of developing a strategy/platform

** 8-Step Process

** Social media platforms to use

Resources mentioned in this episode:

** Downloadable: 8-Step Downloadable Cheat Sheet

** Join Ben Fewtrell on: LinkedIn

** Join Ben Fewtrell on: Twitter

** Join Ben Fewtrell on: Facebook

** Statistics: Social Media Statistics Australia

** Other Podcasts: Amy Porterfield

Subscribe on iTunes

Is your Business utilising Social Media?

Does your business have a Facebook page? Are you on Twitter? LinkedIn? If not, you need to use the 8-step process to grow your business! Also, if you are enjoying these Business Brain Food podcasts, then make sure to share them via social media sites or email the links to family and friends. A lot of time and effort goes into producing each of these podcasts with the goal in mind of the more people we can inspire about business the better. You can help us do just that! Until next time, have a profitable day! Cheers, Ben Fewtrell (02) 9111 5000

Direct download: BBF052_How_to_Grow_your_Business_using_Social_Media_with_Ben_Fewtrell.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm AEDT

How to Build the Business of Your Dreams

If you won the lottery, what would you do? Would you continue to do what you are doing? Are you passionate about what you do? Keith Abraham Is the “Master of Passion.” He is a speaker, writer, best-selling author, and thought leader on passionate performance and building. He is passionate about what he is doing!

Keith has developed 12 questions to ask yourself to discover your passion and to build the business of your dreams. Questions include: How many customers do you need? How many employees and offices would you have? How many days off would you have each year? How many hours would you work each week? All of the questions help you determine where you are and give you clarity to get you where you want to go.

* Press play above to listen to this weeks Podcast *

Life is made up of four components: What you love to do, like to do, have to do, and hate to do. The majority of our lives are comprised of what we have to do and hate to do. Do you hate what you are doing? Or do you have a calling? Find your passion and this will give you the energy and enthusiasm to go through the have to and hate to items. You can either pursue your passion and earn an income by doing it; or go out and earn a living so you have the resources to pursue your passion. Get on the right path and pursue your passion! In this episode of Business Brain Food you will learn:

** Questions to ask

** Four components of passions

** How to find your passion

** Four components of life

** Two categories of passion

Resources mentioned in this episode:

** Keith Abraham: www.keithabraham.com

** Keith Abraham Blog: www.keithabraham.com/blog

** Keith Abraham Products: www.keithabraham.com/products

** International Speaker: www.keithabraham.com/keynote-speaker

** Cheat Sheet and Exercise Download: New Version Handout

** TradeUP Australia: tradeupaustralia.com.au

** The Plumbettes: www.linkedin.com/company/the-plumbettes

** Ben Fewtrell LinkedIn: au.linkedin.com/in/benfewtrell

** Ben Fewtrell Twitter: twitter.com/bfewtrell

** Ben Fewtrell Facebook: www.facebook.com/ActioncoachANZ

** The Magic of Thinking Big: www.amazon.com/The-Magic-Thinking-David-Schwartz/dp/0671646788

** Tripit: www.tripit.com

Subscribe on iTunes

Do you have the business of your dreams?

If not, use the questions provided in this podcast to build such a business! Also, if you are enjoying these Business Brain Food podcasts, then make sure to share them via social media sites or email the links to family and friends. A lot of time and effort goes into producing each of these podcasts with the goal in mind of the more people we can inspire about business the better. You can help us do just that! Until next time, have a profitable day! Cheers, Ben Fewtrell (02) 9111 5000

Direct download: BBF051_How_to_Build_the_Business_of_your_Dreams_with_Keith_Abraham.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm AEDT

Profiling for Business Success With Dr. Tony Alessandra

Have you ever had problems with co-workers because you just did not mesh with them? The company you work for probably didn’t use a DISC assessment when building your team! A DISC assessment measures someone’s behavioural style - how they behave with others. DISC stands for four different patterns of behavior: D=dominance, I=influence, S=Steadiness, and C=Conscientiousness. Everyone has a mixture of all four areas. A DISC assessment is accurate, simple, and practical.

* Press play above to listen to this weeks Podcast *

Dr. Tony Alessandra owns a company called Assessments 24x7, which offers assessments, training, and support. Many businesses use profiling and personality tools and assessments for sales training, leadership training, team building, and communication management. Then businesses can get more sales, have better leaders and managers, and put a great team together. An assessment is an incredible strategic tool that offers tremendous value to your company! In this episode of Business Brain Food you will learn:

** Different types of assessments

** Definition of a DISC assessment

** Difference between natural and adaptive styles

** How businesses use DISC assessments

** Background of Assessments 24x7

** Difference between Myers-Briggs and DISC assessments

** How to implement assessment results

** How personality types impact all areas of your life

Resources mentioned in this episode:

** Tony Alessandra: www.alessandra.com

** Assessments 24x7: www.assessments24x7.com

** Follow Ben Fewtrell on Twitter: https://twitter.com/bfewtrell

** Digital Disruptors to Challenge Bricks and Mortar Banks: www.abc.net.au/am/content/2015/s4217362.htm

** BBF:028 The Great Fragmentation with Steve Sammartino: http://actioncoachanz.com/bbf028-the-great-fragmentation-with-steve-sammartino

** ActionCOACH: actioncoachanz.com/stitcher

** The Magic of Thinking Big: http://www.amazon.com/The-Magic-Thinking-David-Schwartz/dp/0671646788

** Speakers Office: www.speakersoffice.com

** The One Minute Manager: http://www.amazon.com/Minute-Manager-Kenneth-Blanchard-Ph-D/dp/074350917X

** Words With Friends App: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/new-words-with-friends/id804379658?mt=8

Subscribe on iTunes

Do you use assessments when hiring and training?

Take the advice offered in this podcast on why it is important to use assessments to take your business to the next level. Also, if you are enjoying these Business Brain Food podcasts, then make sure to share them via social media sites or email the links to family and friends. A lot of time and effort goes into producing each of these podcasts with the goal in mind of the more people we can inspire about business the better. You can help us do just that! Until next time, have a profitable day! Cheers, Ben Fewtrell (02) 9111 5000

Direct download: BBF050_Profiling_for_Business_Success_with_Dr_Tony_Alessandra.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm AEDT

BBF:049 15 Tips for Business Success

Some of the tips are broad, while some are specific. But each of these 15 tips makes a business successful, and they will help you succeed. Some tips you will already have in place for your business, while others have not been implemented by you – yet!

* Press play above to listen to this weeks Podcast *

The tips are in no specific order – so you can order them in a way that best suits you!

** Be organised: Otherwise you will miss things, and they will go astray. Create “To Do” lists; manage yourself to be effective and efficient; and use a diary to document all things that happen. Listen to BBF 045 that focuses on productivity.

** Stay Focused: Follow One Course Until Successful! It is not what you say “Yes” to, but what you say “No” What are you not doing or no longer doing?

** Develop a yearn to learn: Learn on a constant basis. Listen to podcasts and audio books. Take time to learn more.

** Recurring Sales: Make sure your business has some way to generate recurring income/sales. Contact your customers on a regular basis to let them know more about your products.

** Give great service! What kind of customer experiences have you had lately? What do they score on a scale of 1-10?

** Be consistent: Your customers know what they are going to get from your business. Be consistent in what you deliver.

** Stop worrying about your competition: Keep an eye on them and what they are up to, but don’t compare your business with others.

** Stop waiting for perfection: Take action now! Perfect is unattainable! And nothing is ever finished.

** Join or start a Mastermind group: To start off, read the book, “Think & Grow Rich.” Leverage off of other people. No one knows everything. So as a group, you can accomplish more!

** Know your numbers: Don’t be one of those who do not know their break-even point, have a cash flow forecast, a budget, etc. – cardinal sins of business!

** Have a responsive Web site: It needs to work on any device – iPad, smartphone, tablet, computer, etc.

** Build a team: The team will do the work when you are not there. Also, you can outsource anything.

** Learn from your mistakes: Don’t get upset – that won’t fix anything. Instead, learn from them.

** Action plan: Have some sort of action plan in place that includes your goals and other pieces.

** Put time into Marketing: Do as much marketing as anything else in your business. At least 50 percent of your resources need to go into marketing if you want your business to grow.

For more details on each tip, listen to the entire podcast! It will be worth your time! In this episode of Business Brain Food you will learn:

** Tips, workshops, and groups on how to use social media

** Tips to utilise as an individual

** Tips to implement in a business

** External and internal tips

Resources mentioned in this episode:

** Smashing Social Media Workshop: smashingsocialmedia.com

** Social Media Mentoring Group: actioncoachanz.com/smgroup

** Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook: www.amazon.com/Jab-Right-Hook-Story-Social

** BBF:045 How to Double Your Productivity with Colin Boyd: actioncoachanz.com/bbf045-how-to-double-your-productivity-with-colin-boyd

** Apple Inc: apple.com

** Audible: www.audible.com

** McDonald's: mcdonalds.com

** Richard Branson: www.virgin.com/richard-branson

** Think & Grow Rich: www.amazon.com/Think-Grow-Rich-Napoleon-Hill

** BBF:048 People You Must Surround Yourself With for Business Success: http://actioncoachanz.com/bbf048-people-you-must-surround-yourself-with-for-business-success-with-jen-harwood

** Bizow Online: bizowonline.com.au

** Fiverr: fiverr.com

** Elance: elance.com

** Planning Club: http://actioncoachanz.com/contact-us

Subscribe on iTunes

Is your business successful?

Make sure to use the tips provided in this podcast to take your business to the next level. Also, if you are enjoying these Business Brain Food podcasts, then make sure to share them via social media sites or email the links to family and friends. A lot of time and effort goes into producing each of these podcasts with the goal in mind of the more people we can inspire about business the better. You can help us do just that! Until next time, have a profitable day! Cheers, Ben Fewtrell (02) 9111 5000

Direct download: BBF049_15_tips_for_Business_Success.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm AEDT

People You Must Surround Yourself with for Business Success with Jen Harwood

Do the people who surround you help make you successful in business? If not, then you probably don’t have a “Great 8” team. Jen Harwood is the author of The Greatness Principle, which describes the eight relationships that people need in their business lives to cause greatness. The Great 8 is comprised of people who invest in you and have your best interest at heart. Harwood developed The Greatness Principle after working one-on-one with numerous businesses and learning about what made them successful - having a core group of people around them that they trust and confide in. But how do you get started? How do you find these people? Who do you choose?

* Press play above to listen to this weeks Podcast *

You are looking for certain types of individuals for your team. You want a motivator, bystander, catalyst, scholar, anchor, enthusiast, grounder, and sage that fill the mind, body, spiritual, and emotional areas of your life in business. By having a team, you are not giving up control. Instead, you are allowing them to give you points of view, feedback, and information that you may not see or understand. They give you different perspectives in order for you to make the best choices and decisions. In this episode of Business Brain Food you will learn:

** The purpose of the Greatness Principle

** Eight types of relationships involved with the Greatness Principle

** The importance of balance in perspectives

** How to build a Great 8 team

** How to communicate and connect with your team

Resources mentioned in this episode:

** The Greatness Principle: www.greatnessprinciple.com

** Jen Harwood: jenharwood.com

** Business Brain Food, Episode #2: Keys for Successful Networking with Jen Harwood

** Business Brain Food, Episode #3: John Dwyer Spills the beans on attracting more clients

** Napoleon Hill Foundation: www.naphill.org

Subscribe on iTunes

Look around at the people who surround you

Do they help make you successful in business? If not, then follow the advice provided in this podcast. Also, if you are enjoying these Business Brain Food podcasts, then make sure to share them via social media sites or email the links to family and friends. A lot of time and effort goes into producing each of these podcasts with the goal in mind of the more people we can inspire about business the better. You can help us do just that! Until next time, have a profitable day! Cheers, Ben Fewtrell (02) 9111 5000


How to Succeed as a Solo Business Owner with Robert Gerrish

Whether you start your own business in a garden shed, lavatory or spare bedroom, how do you get it up and running when you are on your own? About 73 percent of Australians operate a business on their own. You are not alone! You can connect and support each other. Robert Gerrish is the founder of Flying Solo, an online microbusiness community that offers help, coaching, and support for those who operate a business from home on their own.

* Press play above to listen to this weeks Podcast *

Solo business owners experience freedom and flexibility, but they face many challenges, as well. They usually don’t have a team to bounce ideas off of, they have to find enough clients for steady revenue, and there is so much to do. It can be stressful and overwhelming. To be a successful solo business owner, you need to focus on clarifying, planning, strategizing, and organizing your business. The Flying Solo website is a fantastic resource for entrepreneurs and we highly recommend that you head over to the website and check it out for yourselves. Also, time management, discipline, and accountability are must-have skills. Have a very clear vision of where you want to go with your business and your life! Create a business that works for you. Take time for yourself and to spend with family and friends. Move away from your desk. That’s when you come up with your best ideas! “The time you enjoy wasting, is not wasted time.” – as said by Bertrand Russell, John Lennon, and others. In this episode of Business Brain Food you will learn:

** The biggest challenges of home-based businesses

** How to overcome those challenges

** The importance of having a vision and plan for your business

** How to use resources such as books

** About outsourcing work and tasks

** Why to document procedures and processes

** Tips on how start your own business

Resources mentioned in this episode:

** Robert Gerrish: www.robertgerrish.com

** Flying Solo: www.flyingsolo.com.au

** Flying Solo Facebook: facebook.com/FlyingSoloAU

** Qt Gold Coast Hotel: www.qtgoldcoast.com.au

** Jonathan MacDonald: jonathanmacdonald.com

** 28 Thoughts On Digital Revolution: jonathanmacdonald.com/books/

** TEDx: www.ted.com/about/programs-initiatives/tedx-program

** ABC Four Corners: http://iview.abc.net.au/programs/four-corners

** E-Myth: michaelegerbercompanies.com/web

** Goole Docs: www.docs.google.com

Subscribe on iTunes

Do you have a home-based business?

Do you need help and guidance starting your business? Use the information provided in this podcast to reach out to others. We would also highly recommend checking out the Flying Solo website if you are an Entrepreneur. It contains so many great resources to help you in each and every aspect of your business and you certainly wont be disappointed with what you find. Also, if you do have a business and you would like a mentor of whom you can meet with in person and speak about tactics to help you grow your business, then speak with us at ActionCOACH today about Business Coaching. Our business coaches help business owners all over the world and are able to help direct and guide you as well. Until next time, have a profitable day! Cheers, Ben Fewtrell (02) 9111 5000

Direct download: BBF047_How_to_succeed_as_a_solo_business_owner_with_Robert_Gerrish.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm AEDT

AutoPilot Your Business with Heather Porter and Andrew McCauley

Are you living in a cave? Are you still scratching your head about Twitter and other social media sites? Then, as a business owner and/or entrepreneur, you need to learn how to use social media to drive marketing and sales. First, you need a web site for your business. AutoPilot and automate your site to convert visitors into customers and generate sales. Your Web site should sculpt your customer’s journey!

* Press play above to listen to this weeks Podcast *

How do you autopilot your business and Web site? Get help! Andrew McCauley and Heather Porter, founders of AutoPilot Your Business, help business owners utilize online and social media marketing. AutoPilot teaches and educates people on how to use these platforms for their business. Also, it helps businesses concentrate on getting online and developing a strong Web presence. Here are some key tips to follow:

** Your Web site needs to be viewable on both computers and mobile devices.

** Make sure to feature fresh, unique, and relevant content.

** Simplify your site - less clicks and scrolling the better!

In this episode of Business Brain Food you will learn:

** How to utilize the online world and social media

** About tools and plug-ins to use for your Web site

** What devices are used to view Web sites

** How to set-up a Web site (hosting, domain, themes, design, etc.)

** What to include on your site (forms, blogs, about)

** About opt-in giveaway items (checklists, downloads, etc.)

** About email autoresponders (Mail Chimp, Constant Contact, etc.)

** How to drive traffic to your Web site

Resources mentioned in this episode:

** AutoPilot Your Business: www.autopilotyourbusiness.com

** AutoPilot Your Business – Connect With Us Socially: aybsocial.com

** AutoPilot Your Business Podcasts: autopilotyourbusiness.com/podcasts/

** Snapchat: snapchat.com

** WordPress.com: wordpress.com

** WordPress.org: wordpress.org

** Envato Market: themeforest.net

** LeadPages: leadpages.net

** MailChimp: mailchimp.com/

** Constant Contact: www.constantcontact.com

** Campaign Monitor: www.campaignmonitor.com

** AWeber: www.aweber.com

** Outbrain: www.outbrain.com

** Kalin's PDF Creation Station: wordpress.org/plugins/kalins-pdf-creation-station

** Dropbox: dropbox.com

** 6 Steps to Fast Track Your Business: businessfasttrack.com.au

Subscribe on iTunes

Is your Web site everything it can be?

Does it bring in customers and generate sales? If not, make sure to use the tips and advice provided in this podcast to improve your site! Also, if you are enjoying these Business Brain Food podcasts, then make sure to share them via social media sites or email the links to family and friends. A lot of time and effort goes into producing each of these podcasts with the goal in mind of the more people we can inspire about business the better. You can help us do just that! Until next time, have a profitable day. Cheers, Ben Fewtrell (02) 9111 5000

Direct download: BBF046_Autopilot_Your_Business_with_Heather_Porter_and_Andrew_McCauley.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm AEDT

How to Double Your Productivity with Colin Boyd

Many of us struggle to get everything done for work. We log a ridiculous amount of work hours. There are so many distractions like cell phones and tablets that take away our focus. How can we be more productive and stay focused when there is so much to do and we are being pulled in so many directions? And how do we get rid of the Superman mentality?

* Press play above to listen to this weeks Podcast *

Colin Boyd will share hacks on how we can get more done in less time by being more efficient and productive. He is a high-performance, leadership, and productivity coach. He helps business professionals be more productive and become better leaders and influencers. Colin encourages business owners and employees to follow various tips, including learning to let go of a few things by outsourcing some tasks, making lists of what you want to achieve each day, and taking time to be inspired to think about planning and other strategic tasks. It’s not about how many hours you work. It’s about what time you spend working on! In this episode of Business Brain Food you will learn:

** How to handle and reduce distractions

** The six modes of work

** How to create five must-haves for each day

** About tools and apps that help you be productive

** The three forces of focus

** The Brazilian Barbecue concept

** About mistakes made that effect productivity

Resources mentioned in this episode:

** Colin Boyd

** Hewlett-Packard Co.

** Suncorp Insurance

** Flight Centre

** Gloria Jeans

** Aurora Energy

** LS Travel Retail

** The Perfect Wave

** Anytime Fitness

** fiverr.com

** oDesk

** Evernote

** Wunderlist

** OmniFocus

** Dropbox

** The Charisma Myth

** Voxer

** 6 Steps to Fast Track Your Business

Subscribe on iTunes

Now it is up to you!

Are there just not enough hours in the day to get all of your work done? No worries. Just use the information provided in this podcast to get more done is less time. If there are things, that after listening to this podcast that you decide to implement, we would love to hear about it. You can let us know by simply putting your key take a ways in the comments section below. Until next time, have a profitable day! Cheers, Ben Fewtrell (02) 9111 5000

Direct download: BBF045_How_to_Double_your_Productivity_with_Colin_Boyd.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm AEDT

Predicting the Future of Business with Mark McCrindle

Mark McCrindle is a social researcher, author, futurist, and the go-to-guy for predicting the future of business. However, he doesn't even use a crystal ball! Mark researches trends and spends time trying to understand what is happening in society – social trends to be aware of in business. His research methods include online panels, online surveys, pen-and-paper studies, focus groups, and interviews. Research offers an opportunity to gain insight and respond to changing needs.

* Press play above to listen to this weeks Podcast *

We are in the midst of the most transformative decade. It is important for businesses to observe, understand, and respond to changes in technology. Don’t get stuck in the 80s! People of all ages use technology and social media. It doesn't matter whether you are a Baby Boomer or a Generation Xer. Have you heard the phrase, “Retired and wired”? It is about the attitude, not the age or generation. Businesses need to have a non-stop quest for survival and transformation when it comes to changes in trends. Don’t be resistant to change – it may mean the difference between failure and success! In this episode of Business Brain Food you will learn:

** How research is conducted

** How to make research findings available

** About current and future trends in business

** About the impact of social media and technology on business

** How businesses adapt to changes in technology

** How to handle different generations of employees and customers

** Whether businesses should utilize online selling/services

** How to maximize value and increase loyalty for your business

Resources mentioned in this episode:

** Mark McCrindle's Website

** View the various McCrindle Research Reports

** Business Brain Food Podcast #41 with Genevieve George

** Gerry Harvey

** WhatsApp

** John Wesley

** The Tipping Point

** Ben Fewtrell – Twitter

** Ben Fewtrell – LinkedIn

** Ben Fewtrell – Facebook

** Ben Fewtrell – ActionCOACH

Subscribe on iTunes

Are you a business owner?

Use the information provided in this podcast to address the needs of all generations when it comes to the ever-changing world of technology and future trends. Also, if you are enjoying these Business Brain Food podcasts, then make sure to share them with family and friends and anyone else that you feel will get a lot from them. A lot of time and effort goes into producing each of these podcasts with the goal in mind of the more people we can inspire about business the better. You can help us do just that! Until next time, have a profitable day. Cheers, Ben Fewtrell (02) 9111 5000

Direct download: BBF044_Predicting_the_future_of_business_with_Mark_McCrindle.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm AEDT

Go Bananas Marketing Your Business with Franziska Iseli-Hall

These days, everything is online, right? Well, that makes for a lot of online clutter, and it’s not all about being online and social media. When it comes to marketing your business, make sure to use both online and "offline/old school" marketing strategies. Think about it... don’t you miss junk mail?

* Press play above to listen to this weeks Podcast *

Franziska Iseli-Hall is a winner of the “Young Entrepreneur of the Year” award and is a leading marketing strategist. She works for Basic Bananas, which offers marketing education courses. She helps businesses learn how to use both offline and online marketing strategies. How do you attract new customers and retain existing ones? Offline marketing includes strategic partnerships and direct mail; and online marketing includes social media advertising, functional Web sites, and webinars. Business owners need to understand the power of using both. It is important that your marketing is authentic, original, enticing, and relates to customers. The best marketing doesn’t look like marketing! In this episode of Business Brain Food you will learn:

** Offline and online marketing strategies

** The importance of using both online and offline marketing

** Tips for successful direct mail campaigns

** How to build strategic partnerships

** About building targeted databases

** How to follow up with new and existing customers/clients

** How to use social media sites for advertising

** Which are the best low-cost items or giveaways to offer for generating leads

Resources mentioned in this episode:

** Basic Bananas

** Basic Bananas Blast Off Workshop

** Franziska Iseli-Hall Facebook

** Franziska Iseli-Hall Twitter

** John Lee Dumas Podcast

** Pat Flynn/Smart Passive Income Podcast

** Influence by Robert Cialdini

Subscribe on iTunes

What methods do you use to market your business?

Use the methods used in this podcast to take your business to the next level! Also, if you are enjoying these Business Brain Food podcasts, then make sure to share them via social media sites or email the links to family and friends. And make sure to follow Franziska Iseli-Hall on social media, say hello and let her know that you heard about her on this podcast. You never know... She might be able to help you out. Until next time, have a profitable day! Cheers, Ben Fewtrell (02) 9111 5000   I could not find her Instagram link.

Direct download: BBF043_Go_Bananas_Marketing_your_Business_with_Franziska_Iseli_Hall.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm AEDT

From Idea to Author-ity with Maria Carlton

Have you ever thought about writing a book? Many feel overwhelmed when it comes to such a dream. It feels like a much bigger project than it actually is. But if you are an authority or expert in your field of work – that is a great reason to write a book!

* Press play above to listen to this weeks Podcast *

These days, everyone believes they can write a book. But a good book is well written, well promoted, and has credibility. Writing a book is an opportunity to show people that you are an authority or expert. It is a great way to market yourself, and it is a credibility builder. Maria Carlton is a transformation specialist and marketing communication coach. Also, she is an author and has written several books, including “From Idea to Author-ity.” This book enables people to know all about publishing their own books. It provides answers to several questions: How do I plan my book? How do I market it? How do I get started? How do I publish my own book? And many more questions… How can you utilise your talents, knowledge, and expertise to write a book that will put you into a position of authority? Maria Carlton is here to help you! In this episode of Business Brain Food you will learn:

** Why you should publish your own book

** The formula used to write and publish a book

** How much time it takes to write and publish a book

** About a writer’s expectations and the reality of publishing

** How to market and promote you and your book

** How to work with editors and mentors

** The differences between quality and rubbish books

** About the costs involved in writing and publishing a book

Resources mentioned in this episode:

** mariacarlton.com

** From Idea to Author-ity

** Six Golden Rules for Writing a Book

** Dixie Carlton – Beyond the Shadows

** Andrew Griffiths - BBF Episode #21

** Michelle Bowden - BBF Episode #12

** Dale Beaumont

** Dan Poynter

** National Speakers Association of Australia

** Mindy Gibbins-Klein

** Malcolm Gladwell

** Diana Gabaldon

** ActionCOACH Referral Program

Subscribe on iTunes

Are you an expert in your field of work?

Have you ever thought about writing a book? Use the advice provided in this podcast to get started with writing your very first book. Also, if you are enjoying these Business Brain Food podcasts, then make sure to share them via social media sites or email the links to family and friends. A lot of time and effort goes into producing each of these podcasts with the goal in mind of the more people we can inspire about business the better. You can help us do just that! Until next time, have a profitable day. Cheers, Ben Fewtrell (02) 9111 5000

Direct download: BBF042_From_Idea_to_Authority_with_Maria_Carlton.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm AEDT

How a Young Entrepreneur Handles Rapid Growth with Genevieve George

We all have heard about young entrepreneurs who hit the big time due to their fast-growing businesses. To name just a few … Mark Zuckerberg/Facebook, Andrew Mason/Groupon, and Matthew Mullenweg/WordPress. Such instances have changed the dynamics of the workforce. It is no longer about finding a career, but thinking about what you want to get out of your life, not just your career.

* Press play above to listen to this weeks Podcast *

Is there something you need, but there are no resources? That is a great opportunity to start a business. It’s not easy, but get out there and give it a go! Try new things. You only live once… That’s exactly what 23-year-old Genevieve George did! In 2012, she started OneShift, an online jobs network company that matches employees with employers. Now, she has more than 40 employees, and her company has won several awards. What does someone go through when growing a business? What are the “ins and outs”? What are the risks? There are four main aspects regarding business growth:

** Employees: As you grow your business, you will need more people. You will need to have training, job descriptions, advertisements, and other items in place. A lot goes into hiring people!

** Money: New business owners will burn through money to pay for equipment, offices, employees, and other items.

** Plan: Make sure to have a business plan in place. Identify your company’s goals, predict what may happen in the future, pay attention to trends, determine a budget, etc. Then, make sure to regularly review your business plan.

** Profits: As you grow your company, keep an eye on your profits. You can use your profits to pay for expenses (which will increase). Of course, make sure your company is making profits!

In this episode of Business Brain Food you will learn:

** Challenges arise during fast business growth

** The importance of hiring and retaining employees

** Costs and expenses are necessary to grow a business

** How to plan for your company’s future

** Why to keep track of profits

** About surrounding yourself with mentors

** How to review performance and feedback

** How to use public relations and social media

Resources mentioned in this episode:

** OneShift

** OneShift Blog

** E-Commerce Leaders Playbook

Subscribe on iTunes

Are you thinking about starting a business?

Use the tips and advice provided in this podcast to get going! Also, if you are enjoying these Business Brain Food podcasts, then make sure to share them via social media sites or email the links to family and friends. A lot of time and effort goes into producing each of these podcasts with the goal in mind of the more people we can inspire about business the better. You can help us do just that! Until next time, have a profitable day! Cheers, Ben Fewtrell


Partner Up Marketing with Simone Novello

Marketing is difficult to do. It is unpredictable and risky. It takes some work to get it right. And if you are going to succeed, you can’t do it alone! It is time to partner up. Learn to schmooze and have great experiences together.

* Press play above to listen to this weeks Podcast *

Simone Novello shares her 6-step process for partnering up with similar businesses or businesses with a similar target market to accelerate your business’ growth. Novello runs a company called PartnerUp, which helps develop and implement strategic partnership and alliance partnership marketing. She takes the guess work out of partnerships! Partnerships are built on trust. The three golden rules for successful partnerships are to have a(n):

  1. Win-win approach
  2. Aligned target market
  3. Value alignment

The biggest mistake made in partnering up is not having the right mindset. You can’t partner when you are desperate. Other mistakes include thinking your business is too small to have a partner; you are ill-prepared for the partnership; and you approach the wrong partner at the wrong time. Finding the right partnership can lead to a fabulous return on investment for your business! In this episode of Business Brain Food you will learn:

** The definition of strategic and alliance partnership marketing

** About mistakes made with partnerships

** Golden rules for partnerships

** Why business and growth plans and strategies are important

** About the different types of partnerships

** How to use selective generosity

** A 6-step process to partner up

Resources mentioned in this episode:

** partnerup.com.au

** partnerfast.com.au

** actioncoachanz.com/rp

** businessfasttrack.com.au

** dlea.com.au

** aussie.com.au/about-us/meet-john-symond.html

Subscribe on iTunes

Are you ready to partner up?

Use the 6-step process discussed in this podcast to develop a successful partnership. Also, if you are enjoying these Business Brain Food podcasts, then make sure to share them via social media sites or email the links to family and friends. A lot of time and effort goes into producing each of these podcasts with the goal in mind of the more people we can inspire about business the better. You can help us do just that! Until next time, have a profitable day. Cheers, Ben Fewtrell

Direct download: BBF040_Partner_Up_Marketing_Simone_Novello.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm AEDT

Daniel Flynn – Thankyou Group

Are you thirsty? Go to your refrigerator to get a bottle of water or to your tap to fill a glass with water. Do you take that clean water for granted? Thousands of children die every day from water-borne disease and 900,000 million people don’t have access to clean water.

* Press play above to listen to this weeks Podcast *

Daniel Flynn is a co-founder and managing director of the Thankyou Group, which was created to provide clean water to people in third-world countries where clean water was not available. Thankyou utilises a social enterprise business model. The company distributes profits quarterly and 100 percent of its profits go to funding aid and development projects.

Thankyou is a business. It’s about making money, but for a greater purpose.

Cone Cause Evolution Study reported the following:

** 83% want more products, services, and retailers they use to support causes

** 88% find it acceptable for businesses to engage a cause or issue in their marketing

** 90% want companies to tell them how they are supporting causes

** 85% possess a more positive impression of a product or brand when it supports a cause they care about

If you are thinking about supporting a cause, do it! Everyone in a business can make a global impact—changing the world in a simple way—but it has to be a genuine effort and not just to boost sales. Thankyou’s success didn’t happen overnight. Flynn and his team members struggled and worked hard, and even experienced some failures. It was a roller coaster journey that helped Thankyou figure out what needed to happen to go enter the mainstream markets and be successful!

In this episode of Business Brain Food you will learn:

** Whether cause marketing is worthwhile

** Results from the Cone Cause Evolution Study

** How to get your product in major stores

** How to use social media to promote your product

** From failures and challenges and to never give up

** About expanding product lines and brand awareness

** How to execute ideas

** Why it is important to work as a team

Resources mentioned in this episode:

** www.thankyou.co

** www.thankyou.co/water

** facebook.com/thankyougroup

** twitter.com/thankyou_group

** instagram.com/thankyougroup

** www.dmn3.com/dmn3-blog/cause-marketing-supporting-a-cause-is-good-business

** www.facebook.com/7Eleven

** www.richdad.com

Subscribe on iTunes

What are you passionate about?

How do you want to change the world? Use the tips offered in this podcast to create a business that focuses on helping a specific cause that matters to you. Also, if you are enjoying these Business Brain Food podcasts, then make sure to share them via social media sites or email the links to family and friends. A lot of time and effort goes into producing each of these podcasts with the goal in mind of the more people we can inspire about business the better. You can help us do just that!

Until next time, have a profitable day.

Cheers,
Ben Fewtrell
(02) 9111 5000

 

Direct download: BBF039_Daniel_Flynn_ThankYou_Group.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm AEDT

Leverage Social Media Content Marketing with Trevor Young

Social media is a marketing strategy. But how do you utilize and leverage social media to become a subject matter expert and build your business?

* Press play above to listen to this weeks Podcast *

Trevor Young is a public relations (PR) warrior who uses social media to put money in the bank. He wrote a book titled, “microDOMINATION.” It describes how to leverage social media and content marketing to build a mini-business empire around your personal brand. Blogs, podcasts, and videos are some of the ways to participate in social media. If you are not sure where to start, then start a blog to share your knowledge and thoughts.

It is important to build an audience and community around your brand by providing social media content that is helpful, useful, and valuable. How is the information you provide going to help people? It is a matter of quality over quantity when it comes to content.

You need to attract people who are interested in your thoughts and beliefs. If they follow you, the people are the ones who determine leaders and experts. Your reputation is built over time. People will share your content and recommend you to others. Build your personal brand over a period of time, and that is when the opportunities start coming.

Today, marketing forces businesses to think about and listen to their audience: What’s in it for them when it comes to your products and business?

In this episode of Business Brain Food you will learn:

** Ten life hacks you can use to become more productive in your business

** How social media is used to earn money and profits

** About successful social media experts like Darren Rowse and Gary Vaynerchuk

** How to become an subject matter expert

** Why it is important to create useful and valuable content

** How public relations has changed due to the Internet and social media

** How to build an audience and community around your brand

** How to find time to be consistent on content creation

Resources mentioned in this episode:

** www.trevoryoung.me

** twitter.com/trevoryoung

** www.trevoryoung.me/rr-podcast-guests/

** www.rescuetime.com

** productivemag.com

** www.wunderlist.com

** meetedgar.com

** hootsuite.com

** getcoldturkey.com

** inboxpause.com

** www.barnesandnoble.com/w/tipping-point-malcolm-gladwell/1100221685?ean=9780316346627

** www.garyvaynerchuk.com

** www.problogger.net

** blog.firebrandtalent.com/about

** www.davidmeermanscott.com

** www.podlegal.com.au

** jaybaer.com/about-jay

Subscribe on iTunes

Use Social Media

Use the tips mentioned in this podcast to take your business to the next level by utilizing social media! Also, if you are enjoying these Business Brain Food podcasts, then make sure to share them via social media sites or email the links to family and friends. A lot of time and effort goes into producing each of these podcasts with the goal in mind of the more people we can inspire about business the better. You can help us do just that!

Until next time, have a profitable day.

Cheers, Ben Fewtrell

 

Direct download: BBF038_Leverage_Social_Media_Content_Marketing.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm AEDT

Bounce Forward with Sam Cawthorn

Everyone has problems – at work and in life. Sam Cawthorn discovered success from his adversity and overcoming tough times. He was a sales representative who fell asleep at the wheel and was hit by a semi-trailer truck. He was in the hospital for more than five months and was told he might not survive or walk again. He was in a wheelchair for a year, and his right arm was amputated.

* Press play above to listen to this weeks Podcast *

There are three main ingredients to focus on during difficult times:

  1. Proximity: Surround yourself with positive and supportive people (wife, parents, children, etc.).
  2. Leverage Happiness: Learn and decide to be grateful and happy rather than bitter and depressed.
  3. Bounce Forward and Not Back: Don’t go back to where you have been. Instead, the toughest times generate growth.

Sam Cawthorn realised he was alive for a reason and purpose. He has a valuable message to share and wants to help people with their own personal transformation. To describe his journey of self-discovery, he is now a motivational speaker and has written several books, including Bounce Forward. Also, he has partnered with Google to create the Institute for Professional Speakers, which teaches people all aspects involved with public speaking.

In this episode of Business Brain Food you will learn:

** How to bounce forward, not back

** Tips to stand out as a person of influence

** Why it is important to have mentors

** The need for your message to have value

** How to deliver your message through social media, books, and other outlets

** How to connect with and engage target audiences

Resources mentioned in this episode:

** www.samcawthorn.com

** www.samcawthorn.com/shop

** www.instituteforprofessionalspeakers.com

** www.samcawthorn.com/professional-speakers/2014-q3-c/

** caringforpeople.org

** www.hiahomeshow.com.au

** www.blackdoginstitute.org.au

Subscribe on iTunes

Are you okay?

Having a bad day at work? Did you get sad news about a family member? Everyone experiences tough times. You can use this podcast to bounce forward. Also, if you are enjoying these Business Brain Food podcasts, then make sure to share them via social media sites or email the links to family and friends. A lot of time and effort goes into producing each of these podcasts with the goal in mind of the more people we can inspire about business the better. You can help us do just that! Until next time, have a profitable day. Cheers, Ben Fewtrell

Direct download: BBF037_Bounce_Forward_Sam_Cawthorn.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm AEDT

From Unknown to Expert with Catriona Pollard

CP Communications founder Catriona Pollard shares information on how to go from being an unknown to an expert in any field. She knows just how to do that because she went from being an unknown in the public relations (PR) field to becoming an expert and is now known as one of the Top 100 PR people to follow on Twitter and a PR leader, mover, and shaker in Sydney.

* Press play above to listen to this weeks Podcast *

Pollard started with nothing when figuring out how to grow her business. She realized that she needed to step into the spotlight and own her expert knowledge. She built trust and recognition by sharing her stories and experience. Through personal development and growth, she developed a system and wrote a book on how to become a recognized expert.

Subscribe on iTunes

Her 5-star system for becoming an expert focuses on:

  1. Identify Purpose and Motivation: Why do you want to share your experience?
  2. Set the Scene/Stage: What do you do? Develop your personal brand by creating an elevator statement, key messages, biographies, and other foundation items. The words you use should be heard, remembered, and repeated.
  3. Turn on the Spotlight: Develop a personal Web site and blogs to share your stories and experience.
  4. Utilize the Media/Journalists: Learn how the media and journalists work and what sparks their interest. Use tactics to get journalists to write about you.
  5. Own Your Expertise: Grow your role as an expert through various social media outlets.

In this episode of Business Brain Food you will learn:

** How to go from an unknown to an expert in a specific field

** To use a 5-Star system to become an expert

** To identify your purpose and motivation for becoming an expert

** How to use blogs, Web sites, networking events, and other resources to promote your personal brand

** What to do to get the media and journalists to write about you

** How to become a thought leader and influencer

Resources mentioned in this episode:

** http://www.catrionapollard.com/

** https://twitter.com/CPCPR/

** http://www.cpcommunications.com.au

** https://www.facebook.com/cpcommunications

** https://www.youtube.com/user/PublicRelationsTips

** http://actioncoachanz.com/bbf012-how-to-present-with-michelle-bowden

** https://publicrelationssydney.com.au/

** https://unknowntoexpert.com/

** https://www.pinterest.com/cpcpr/

** https://plus.google.com/+CpcommunicationsAu/posts

** http://www.ted.com/about/programs-initiatives/tedx-program

** https://en.todoist.com/

** http://www.amazon.com/Cave-Snow-Tenzin-Palmos-Enlightenment/dp/1582340455

Subscribe on iTunes

Use Social Media

Use the power of social media to become an expert in your field! Also, if you are enjoying these Business Brain Food podcasts, then make sure to share them via social media sites or email the links to family and friends. A lot of time and effort goes into producing each of these podcasts with the goal in mind of the more people we can inspire about business the better. You can help us do just that!

Until next time, have a profitable day!

Cheers, Ben Fewtrell

 

Direct download: BBF036_Unknown_to_Expert_Catriona_Pollard.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm AEDT

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