Business Brain Food

We’ve gone pretty out there this week on BBF as we welcome Business Futurist, Craig Rispin onto the show. Craig is a world expert on how advances in technology can affect business – he is basically using technology as his corporate crystal ball! He’s worked as a future consultant for some of the biggest companies in the world, like Toyota, IBM, Symantec, Kimberly Clark etc. And he even likes to do drone racing in his spare time… a futuristic sport if ever there was one!

In a far-reaching discussion with Ben, he shared with us some of his tips on how to stay ahead of the game:

** The development of technology is actually predictable – it is possible to find out what is in progress.

** It’s a great time to be an SME. With technology growing at an ever-increasing rate, SMEs are better positioned than large corporates to embrace the change.

** Semi-autonomous vehicles are set to be our next “watershed moment” like the Iphone was.

** As a business owner you should identify these watershed moments and see how you can gain some business as a result of it. It is not just about working with the innovative product itself… how about the many links in the supply chain?

** Make yourself part of a network. When it comes to staying ahead in business, there is real safety in numbers.

The wider point is that managing AdWords is all about fine tuning. There is a big element of trial and error here, so it’s important you stay on top of what is working for you and what isn’t. Be ruthless with the campaigns that are struggling – don’t just wait around for them to come good. In this episode of Business Brain Food you will learn:

** Why ignoring innovation was the main reason for the demise of Kodak

** The rapid rise of Tesla Motors

** How the world of commerce is currently changing

** The trend of robotics

** The 8 technologies that will impact SMEs in the near future

** How colossal computing can help your business

** The potential of co-working

  Resources mentioned in this episode:

** Craig’s website: http://www.futuretrendsgroup.com

** Craig’s Linkedin: https://au.linkedin.com/in/craigrispin

** Elon Musk books on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias=aps&field-keywords=elon+musk

** Elon Musk interview @ Code Conference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsixsRI-Sz4

** Other book recommendations:

** https://www.amazon.com.au/Abundance-Future-Better-Than-Think-ebook/dp/B005FLOGMM/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1465261052&sr=1-1&keywords=abundance+the+future+is+better+than+you+think

** https://www.amazon.com.au/Bold-Create-Wealth-Impact-World-ebook/dp/B00LD1RZGM/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1465261138&sr=1-1&keywords=bold

** https://www.amazon.com.au/Exponential-Organizations-organizations-better-cheaper-ebook/dp/B00OO8ZGC6/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1465261164&sr=1-1&keywords=exponential+organisations

** Abundance Is Our Future TED Talk: http://www.ted.com/talks/peter_diamandis_abundance_is_our_future

** Ben’s free business coaching consultation: http://www.businessassessment.com.au

** Sponsor the show: ben@maxmyprofit.com.au, put in subject line “interested in sponsoring BBF”

** Ben’s Daily Business Tips podcast: http://www.dbtpodcast.com

** Facebook: facebook.com/businessbrainfood

** Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/businessbrainfood

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

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

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

  As Craig says, “if we don’t remake ourselves every few years, we’re going backwards”. Listen to Craig today and find out how your business can keep pushing the boundaries. 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: BBF095_Know_First_Be_First_and_Profit_First_with_Craig_Rispin.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm AEDT

Greg Cassar is fast becoming a legend of the BBF podcast… we like him so much that we’ve invited him back for the third time! As one of Australia’s leading marketing coaches, there’s simply no one better at describing the technicalities of marketing in simple terms. This week we major on the world of Google AdWords, and how to use it best to get your business featured on google in order to generate leads.

Here are some of the best snippets:

** Remember the power of advertising on a search engine V advertising anywhere else. When someone types something in to google, they already want something.

** Google only charges you as the client when someone clicks the ad.

** Don’t forget Google Places For Business. You don’t need to pay for the right to appear on their map.

** Although the Google AdWords interface is user-friendly, you’re probably best using a professional for your campaigns in the first instance.

** Make sure any advert drives people to a focused page. A common mistake people make is to create a campaign ad for something specific that merely drives the traffic to a generic home page.

** Google prefers one page to be about one thing – always remember this.

** Track your activity! All of the tracking codes are there as part of the service – make sure you utilize them.

  The wider point is that managing AdWords is all about fine tuning. There is a big element of trial and error here, so it’s important you stay on top of what is working for you and what isn’t. Be ruthless with the campaigns that are struggling – don’t just wait around for them to come good. In this episode of Business Brain Food you will learn:

** How to get results from an agency

** How to appear on the google map

** The “relevance + direct response” equation

** “Buying intent key words”

** The potential consequences of using landing page templates

** The importance of call tracking

** The “authority” of a site

** Cost per acquisition versus cost per click

  Resources mentioned in this episode:

** This week’s sponsors, Bartercard are offering an interest-free line of credit of 10,000 AUD with a bonus 500 AUD. Visit: bartercard.com.au/actioncoach for an exclusive offer for Business Brain Food listeners

** Greg’s article on “How to do keyword research with google’s keyword planner” (http://com.au/google/keyword-planner/)

** Greg’s site (http://www.collective.com.au)

** Greg’s new podcast (http://www.salesforprofit.com)

** Sponsor the show: ben@maxmyprofit.com.au, put in subject line “interested in sponsoring BBF”

** Ben’s Daily Business Tips podcast (http://www.dbtpodcast.com)

** Facebook (facebook.com/businessbrainfood)

** Facebook group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/businessbrainfood)

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

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

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

  As Greg reminded us, the cliché goes “google knows more about you than your partner”, so make sure you take heed of his marketing advice and get up to speed with 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

Direct download: BBF094_How_to_Turn_Google_AdWords_Into_a_Cash_Spewing_Machine.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm AEDT

We’re all trying to make money in our businesses, but do we really know how to handle the money? Joan Sotkin explains to us some of the emotional pitfalls related to the process of making money, and what you can do to avoid them. Joan is the author of the hugely popular book “Build Your Money Muscles” and hosts The Prosperity Show podcasts which is now over 200+ episodes old. We know firsthand just what an achievement that is!

Joan is all about an holistic approach to business, having learnt from her own bankruptcy, and also from her inability to cope with financial success. She’s had a long and spiritual journey which began the day she asked herself “why do my brothers have what they want, and I don’t?” Read on for some of the spiritual nuggets that have helped Joan succeed in business and in life outside of it:

** Our emotions are our decisions. Emotions are our bridge from our internal world and the world around us.

** Meditation is a great tool to help find your own good judgment.

** The emotional habits that we learn through childhood can often hold us back. Don’t underestimate the quality of your heart-felt judgment.

** Money doesn’t take care of itself – you have to take care of it.

The main message to understand is that any amount of money means something emotionally. Whether it’s high or low, more than enough or not enough, there is an emotional reaction to it. Once you understand what that emotional reaction means you can find ways to change it for the better, or keep repeating the good feeling. In this episode of Business Brain Food you will learn:

** The emotion around money

** How shame can affect financial judgment

** How “touch” affects our everyday life

** “The identity factor”

** How to handle suddenly coming in to money

** The difference between feeling emotions and burying emotions

  Resources mentioned in this episode:

** This week’s sponsors, Bartercard are offering an interest-free line of credit of 10,000 AUD with a bonus 500 AUD. Visit: bartercard.com.au/actioncoach for an exclusive offer for Business Brain Food listeners.

** Joan’s site: (http://prosperityplace.com/)

** Joan’s course: The Financial Freedom Formula (https://www.udemy.com/financial-freedom-formula/)

** Rode Videomic Me - directional microphone for ipad/iphones (http://www.rode.com/microphones/videomicme)

** Videoshop app for editing video (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.videoshop.app)

** Youtube Uploader (http://download.cnet.com/Youtube-Video-Splitter-Uploader/3000-2194_4-75000404.html)

** Sponsor the show: ben@maxmyprofit.com.au, put in subject line “interested in sponsoring BBF”

** Ben’s Daily Business Tips podcast (http://www.dbtpodcast.com)

** Facebook (facebook.com/businessbrainfood)

** Facebook group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/businessbrainfood)

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

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

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

  It’s really important that you judge success in more lateral terms than money earned or money lost. Listen to the show for a load of shortcuts that will tell you how. 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: BBF093_Improve_Your_Relationship_with_Money_with_Joan_Sotkin.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm AEDT

We all want a better world, right? Our guest this week will explain just how easy it is for us to use our simple day-to-day business as a path towards a better world. And what’s more, we will discuss the enhanced power of connection that a giving company has with its customers, and just how valuable this can be.

The man with the plan this week is Paul Dunn; a world-renowned business guru, known as “The Wizard of Wow”. It’s certainly the first time we’ve had someone on the show who’s given four Tedx talks – this man is certainly worth listening to. What’s more, he’s one of the reasons we’re here at all, because he actually helped found Actioncoach alongside our good mate Brad Sugars. Nowadays, Paul fronts up B1G1 (Buy One Give One) which is a system to enable SMEs and their customers to help good causes with every single transaction. Paul is all about connection, so below are a few of the key points he made about how to connect with people in business:

** It’s not about getting a ‘wow’, it’s about getting an ‘oh’. Remember that a shock is not necessarily a good way of connecting.

** An estimated 2.5bn emails are sent per second, so we need to think long and hard about how we can make a stronger connection than the competition.

** Consider doing things a little bit differently in order for people to feel compelled to make a connection with you, i.e. setting appointments at unusual times like “3:50”.

** People do not have as much time to delve into the detail of business concepts as they used to, so a few small touches in the delivery could make all the difference.

** Because of the volume of competition out there, building trust has never been more important, and one surefire way of doing that is by showing that your company is conscientious.

  As Paul says, “there has never been a time like this” in the world of commerce. On the one hand that means that competition has never been more fierce, but on the other hand it means that the technology is there to enable businesses and their customers to give something back, and all parties to increase their connections with each other. In this episode of Business Brain Food you will learn:

** How to build moments of connection

** Examples of how B1G1 can enable businesses to give something back

** The concept of Behavioural Economics

** “The love triangle”

** How to use “why” as an attractive business proposition

  Resources mentioned in this episode:

** Paul’s site: (http://www.b1g1.com)

** Book VIP tickets for an event in Sydney with Paul on June 15th (http://www. http://actioncoachanz.com/vip-event)

** Ben’s Daily Business Tips podcast (http://www.dbtpodcast.com)

** Facebook (facebook.com/businessbrainfood)

** Facebook group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/businessbrainfood)

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

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

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

  Pauls’ concept really is something that is changing the world, so have a listen to understand just how you can be a part of it, and how this can enhance your connections with your customers. 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: BBF092_The_Power_of_Small_with_Paul_Dunn.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm AEDT

It’s always great to get one of our previous guests back on the show to give us a chance to get into even more detail. Alex Pirouz is something of a Linkedin legend, so in this episode we’ve asked him for his advice on how to use Linkedin to court the media.

Alex did his own survey and found out that 94.5% of journalists in the publications he analysed were on Linkedin, so if you want a tool to connect you to the media, look no further. Below are some of Alex’s top tips for using Linkedin to connect with the media:

** You are who google says you are, and a Linkedin profile is a fundamental part of that.

** In your Linkedin profile, think about the possible objections that a potential collaborator may have, and try and answer those.

** Don’t automatically accept every bit of coverage that is offered to you – make sure it is relevant to whatever brand image you want to project.

** When trying to connect with someone on Linkedin, always make the effort to write a customized message.

** Don’t just connect with anyone – it’s always worth checking just how active somebody is, for example.

** At the beginning of your media strategy, create a top 3 publications hit list, and then do a Linkedin search for each relevant reporter.

  Never forget the concept of “adding value” when doing any of the above. It’s an obvious statement, but it’s true. Just like out in the real world, you’re more likely to get something out of people on Linkedin if you build a rapport with them and make it look like you can bring something to their table, so don’t just go steaming in with a pitch asking for coverage. In this episode of Business Brain Food you will learn:

** The credibility of association

** The kind of challenges that journalists face, and how you could solve them

** “The moment of truth”

** How to weed out dodgy Linkedin profiles

** Which journalists will be the most effective for you

  Resources mentioned in this episode:

** My Podcast Review (http://www.mypodcastreview.com)

** Alex’s site (http://www.linkfluencer.com)

** Help A Reporter (http://www.helpareporter.com)

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

** Free, no-obligation business coaching chat with a member of Ben’s team: (http://actioncoachanz.com/free-business-coaching-session)

** Ben’s Daily Business Tips podcast (http://www.dbtpodcast.com)

** Facebook (facebook.com/businessbrainfood)

** Facebook group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/businessbrainfood)

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

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

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

  Linkedin can often be more effective and significantly less expensive than hiring a PR firm to court the media on your behalf. Alex’s simple advice will tell you all you need to know 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: BBF091_How_To_Get_More_Media_Coverage_Using_LinkedIn_With_Alex_Pirouz.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm AEDT

Are you enduring your career, or are you enjoying your career? Our guest this week has kindly given us the toolkit to make sure we enjoy our careers. Mark McKeon has become a master of the art of mind control and high performance, thanks to 20+ years as a performance coach in the AFL and beyond.

What sets Mark apart from many gurus is that he is qualified in the physiology of performance, as well as the mental side. He’s just as comfortable talking about adrenaline and cortisol as he is about positive thinking and prioritising. His book, “The Go Zone”, is a culmination of his years of work and study, so we talked to him about how his “Go Zone” framework can be used by people to achieve maximum performance. Here were some of the highlights:

** Be in control of events rather than letting events control you.

** Stress in itself is not a bad thing – in fact, we all need a certain level of stress to remain healthy – but not recovering from stress is extremely harmful.

** Know your diary three weeks in advance and compartmentalise everything from the most important tasks right down to time off.

** Consider using a buzzer or some kind of automatic mechanism to help you compartmentalise your days.

** Have no shame in letting people know that you are not to be disturbed when you’re in your most important time slot of the day (AKA, your “Go Zone”). You could wear a hat, lock the door, turn your phone off etc. etc.

** Mark’s optimum length for being 100% focused on your own tasks is 2 hours

What’s in your mind has a clear physical impact which, in turn, affects the way you think and the way you perform. This is why getting a hold of each day is so important. The “Go Zone” is part of a framework to make sure you don’t sleepwalk into bad mental and physical habits. In this episode of Business Brain Food you will learn:

** The value of business coaching

** How to buy yourself more time

** How to get over the guilt of not doing work

** What a “Go Zone” means

** How to handle the weekend

** The control of adrenaline

** How cortisol can create unhealthy habits

  Resources mentioned in this episode:

** Mark’s email address: mark@mckeon.com.au

** Mark’s website: http://www.markmckeon.com/

** Business Brain Food Facebook Group – What should we do for the 100th show? Post your ideas to the group! (www.facebook.com/groups/businessbrainfood)

** Free, no-obligation business coaching chat with a member of Ben’s team: (http://actioncoachanz.com/free-business-coaching-session)

** Ben’s Daily Business Tips podcast (http://www.dbtpodcast.com)

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

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

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

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

  Remember that there is some concrete science behind the ups and downs of the working day - it can be physically measured in terms of adrenaline, blood sugar etc. – it’s not just the random factor of “having a bad day” or “having a good day”. The good news is; you can control it. Have a listen to Mark and he’ll show you how. The science behind it is complex, but the way to apply it is very simple indeed. Now get in that Go Zone! 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: BBF090_Work_Life_Balance_and_High_Performing_Teams.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm AEDT

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again; if your company is not on Facebook, then it should be. If you are on Facebook, then you can benefit from learning about the many different advertising options on offer, so this week we’ve got Samuel Junghenn on the show: a man who knows Facebook advertising inside out.

Samuel has used Facebook to push his own marketing business as well as for numerous different clients, so he has certainly been there and done it. He shared some great tips with Ben this week. We can’t mention them all here so do have a listen, but see below for some snippets:

** 74% of people will look you up online, even if they’ve heard about you before, so your online presence is vital.

** People seeing your ads is not what makes you money – it’s what happens after that.

** Be careful of people who claim to be ‘gurus’ of Facebook marketing. If they’re spending all of their time teaching then they probably aren’t keeping up with the marketing trends.

** The days of flashing banner ads are basically over. Think of your advertising as something that is down-to-earth and, ideally, part of a conversation about an issue that your audience is already having.

** If you’re running a competition, make sure the prize is relevant to a product or service your company is offering.

** Don’t make your Facebook audience too big. Optimum target audiences should be in between 10,000 and 100,000.

** Whatever campaign you do, it is vital you have the right mechanism to capitalize on any increased interest, i.e. a robust CRM system.

** Consider your strategy in three sections: “audience”, “offer” and “follow up”.

  There are many different forms of advertising on Facebook, but be cautious about spending too much money on the most simple methods. It’s worth understanding the ad manager properly and taking more time to focus your campaign. In this episode of Business Brain Food you will learn:

** How to target different subsets of audiences

** The different types of Facebook ads

** Layering

** Native advertising

** Examples of how to harvest qualified leads

** Video advertising on Facebook

** The relevance of Facebook likes

** How to measure boosted posts

  Resources mentioned in this episode:

** Samuel’s marketing agency: http://www.thinkbigonline.com

** Samuel’s personal website/blog: http://www.samueljunghenn.com

** Business Brain Food Facebook Group – What should we do for the 100th show? Post your ideas to the group! (facebook.com/groups/businessbrainfood)

** Sponsor the show: ben@maxmyprofit.com.au, put in subject line “interested in sponsoring BBF”

** Free, no-obligation business coaching chat with a member of Ben’s team: (http://actioncoachanz.com/free-business-coaching-session)

** Ben’s Daily Business Tips podcast (http://www.dbtpodcast.com)

** Facebook (facebook.com/businessbrainfood)

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

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

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

The different options on offer can be daunting, but that doesn’t mean that you should avoid Facebook marketing altogether. Even if you need to use an agency to do your marketing for you, you will only get the best out of your Facebook marketing campaigns if you understand the basics. 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: BBF089_Using_Facebook_Ads_To_Generate_Leads.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:36am AEDT

LinkedIn is hardly a new phenomenon, but do you really know how to utilise it properly for your business? Our guest this week, Jason Miller, certainly does. He’s the worldwide group manager for content marketing, so you can be pretty sure that he knows what he’s talking about. He came into the world of marketing after a career in music, first as a band member and then as an artist development professional for Sony Music. He became fascinated by the potential of the internet for bands/musicians to interact with their fans, but his employers didn’t share his enthusiasm, so he left and made it his mission to become an expert on all things internet marketing. He’s also written an Amazon #1 bestseller, Welcome To The Funnel, but if you want some of his insight without buying the book, see below, and then have a listen to the show!

** Write a good headline on your profile, and it doesn’t have to be short and snappy. This is your chance to give a brag summary of the services you offer.

** Don’t forget that LinkedIn profiles are searchable on google, so make sure they are optimised properly.

** The most effective blog posts on LinkedIn are commentaries on current news in your industry.

** Remember that anyone who interacts with blog posts on LinkedIn is directly contactable – they are not just faceless usernames like you would see below most other articles.

** Although a lot can be done on LinkedIn for free, it’s worth fully understanding the power of the premium services + also the potential of sponsored content.

** A LinkedIn company page is an absolute must.

  In this episode of Business Brain Food you will learn:

** How to write an appropriate profile

** The power of LinkedIn blogging

** When it’s appropriate to connect with people

** What you get from LinkedIn Premium

** How LinkedIn integrates with Slideshare

** LinkedIn Sales Navigator

  Resources mentioned in this episode:

** Ben’s LinkedIn Profile: (https://www.LinkedIn.com/in/benfewtrell)

** Jason’s LinkedIn: (https://www.LinkedIn.com/in/jsnmiller)

** Slideshare: (http://www.slideshare.net/)

** The Sophisticated Marketer’s Guide To LinkedIn (https://business.LinkedIn.com/marketing-solutions/c/14/1/sophisticated-guide-for-marketing)

** Jason’s site: (http://www.welcometothefunnel.com/)

** Business Brain Food Facebook Group – What should we do for the 100th show? Post your ideas to the group! (facebook.com/groups/businessbrainfood)

** Sponsor the show: ben@maxmyprofit.com.au, put in subject line “interested in sponsoring BBF”

** Free, no-obligation business coaching chat with a member of Ben’s team: (http://actioncoachanz.com/free-business-coaching-session)

** Ben’s Daily Business Tips podcast (http://www.dbtpodcast.com)

** Facebook (facebook.com/businessbrainfood)

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

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

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

  As Jason says, “people spend time on social networks, but they invest in LinkedIn”. Can you really afford to not be an expert on the biggest networking facility in the world? Jason will show you the ropes! 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: BBF088_From_Heavy_Metal_to_LinkedIn_Marketing.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm AEDT

Richard Maloney knows what it takes to build a winning team. After having done his time as an AFL player, he became an expert on motivation and mind coaching in the sporting arena. He was so successful (to the tune of 25 Premierships) that directors and fans of the teams he worked with recruited him into their businesses, and he now has a worldwide business that helps companies maximize their potential through team building.

Rich has seen proof that the main teambuilding techniques in the world of sport are applicable to the world of business, and has authored a great book called ‘The Minds Of Winning Teams’. See below for a sneak preview of some of his best advice. As you’ll see, it’s surprisingly simple.

** When things are at their worst, it is a great window of opportunity to make change.

** A key responsibility of a leader is to keep learning and growing.

** Taking pressure off a leader by dividing it among other members of the leadership team is one of the best things you can do to improve your business.

** Create a critical mass of ‘we’ people rather than ‘me’ people.

** Hierarchy is basically a thing of the past.

** Don’t see millennials as a problem – see them as the solution.

** Social connection is the most important aspect of teambuilding

  And there’s plenty more where this came from. If you listen to Richard for 45 minutes, you can’t fail to find something that will help engage your team in business. In this episode of Business Brain Food you will learn:

** What a true leader really is

** How to re-engage employees

** The ‘quality, unity, trust, truth’ equation

** How to create social connection

** How to create a leadership group

** How to define a business in terms of its ‘heart’ and its ‘brain’

  Resources mentioned in this episode:

** Business Brain Food Facebook Group – What should we do for the 100th show? Post your ideas to the group! (facebook.com/groups/businessbrainfood)

** Richard’s teambuilding website – check out the free employee engagement survey (http://www.engageandgrow.com.au)

** Richard’s mind training site: (http://www.qualitymind.com.au)

** Richard’s email address: richard@engageandgrow.com.au

** Sponsor the show: ben@maxmyprofit.com.au, put in subject line “interested in sponsoring BBF”

** Free, no-obligation business coaching chat with a member of Ben’s team: (http://actioncoachanz.com/free-business-coaching-session)

** Ben’s Daily Business Tips podcast (http://www.dbtpodcast.com)

** Facebook (facebook.com/businessbrainfood)

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

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

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

  ‘Engagement is the new leadership’ as Richard says, so understanding how the likes of Richard build engagement is vital to the future of your business. And we don’t just have his word for it either. Deloitte recently released the results of a survey that listed ‘employee engagement and culture’ as the number one priority for every business, so make it your priority today by having a listen! 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: BBF087_Turning_De-Energised_Businesses_into_Rocking_Success_Stories.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm AEDT

We’ve got an interesting twist this week, as we speak to one of our loyal listeners about how he’s helping businesses around the world. Paul Higgins has a great corporate track record after having worked 18 years at Coca Cola, and now he has his own business which helps other companies automate those fiddly day-to-day tasks in order to free them up the time to think big and scale up the business. What’s more, Paul somehow managed to listen to 80+ BBF podcasts in just a couple of weeks, with my voice at double speed!

Paul talks specifically about a software package called Podio, which is what he uses to empower businesses to free up their time. In short, it is a different take on a CRM/internal reporting system, modeled on the concept of customisable templates and themes that we would normally associate with web building packages like Wordpress. Paul has a particularly personal stake in this. Because of a debilitating kidney disease, there will be a time when he will have to be on a dialysis machine for a number of hours every day, so this inspired him to find the perfect methodology for how to delegate day-to-day tasks and free up time. He wants his business to be able to run without him, and he wants to teach you to do the same. Below are some of the key points from the conversation:

** It takes a human being on average 16 minutes to refocus on a particular task, so it’s vitally important to eliminate distractions like constantly replying to emails.

** There are apps out there that can prevent you from opening certain applications on your computer or phone at certain times, and thus can help you focus on the job in hand.

** Poor implementation is of a system is a more likely reason for system inefficiency than a poor system itself.

** For implementing a new task-management system, it’s best to tailor it so it suits those at the very top of the company first. Once it has been proven to save time at executive level – the level where there is normally the biggest bottle-neck – then the value of the system can be fully ‘sold’ to the rest of the organisation.

** Successful entrepreneurs spend 20% of their time working on their business rather than working in it.

The last point is the most telling. It’s very easy for people at an executive level to be swamped by day-to-day tasks which distract them from the bigger picture. The solution is not to ignore them, but to find a system that can process them efficiently enough to free up time to think about developing the business beyond the day-to-day. In this episode of Business Brain Food you will learn:

** The concept of the “the time target”

** The inner workings of Podio

** The ‘discovery’ methodology

** How to fight ‘superman syndrome’

** How to use offshore virtual assistants to maximise efficiency

** How emails can be turned into tasks without actually having to read them

  Resources mentioned in this episode:

** Paul’s website: (http://www.bolloempire.com)

** Sponsor the show: ben@maxmyprofit.com.au, put in subject line “interested in sponsoring BBF”

** Free, no-obligation business coaching chat with a member of Ben’s team: (http://actioncoachanz.com/free-business-coaching-session)

** Ben’s Daily Business Tips podcast (http://www.dbtpodcast.com)

** 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)

  Have you ever thought “I’m sure I can find a better system of working, but I don’t want to go through the hassle of implementing it”? It’s an understandable view, but listening to an hour of Paul talking will persuade you that it’s the wrong view, and that you should go out and make the effort to automate your business as best you can. As Paul says, “most people’s fears never come true”, and in the case of the business information system that Paul uses, he has the evidence to prove 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

Direct download: BBF086_Use_technology_to_scale_your_business_Paul_Higgins.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm AEDT