Posts by David Shriner-Cahn

Ann Louden is founder and CEO of the Ann Louden Company following three decades in Texas as a senior administrator in higher education. 

We discuss:

• A job offer that switches gears [1:48]
• An empowering awareness for going into the unknown without a preparation [7:36]
• Why you should take the opportunity to leave [9:20]
• A sounding board for moving forward [15:08]
• A tiny speck in a giant array of diversity [17:34]
• Overlaying patterns of existence in a new place [19:38]
• The highest level of playing field for non-profit organizations [22:30]

Leading efforts to raise more than $150 million, Ann’s expertise in non-profit philanthropy enabled her recent move to New York City. A consultant and speaker, Ann is the author of the upcoming book “Connection as a Superpower: How Social Courage Gives You the Edge in Life and Love.”

Learn more about Ann at www.annlouden.com.

Brief Description of Gift

A free download of the Ten Attributes of a Connector

URL for free gift

www.annlouden.com

Nathan Hirsch is an entrepreneur and expert in remote hiring and e-commerce. 

We discuss:

• Entrepreneurship has a funny way of throwing you around [2:19]
• The internal job it takes to do small, consistent things every day [3:49]
• Key ingredients for working with virtual assistants [6:52]
• Making a decision to sell that’s a win for everybody [8:22]
• Cracking the VA code [11:26]
• Helpful resources to make an informed decision when selling your business [13:39]
• The challenges and opportunities that come with opening a business during a global economic disruption [15:09]
• The name of the game: systems and processes [17:30]
• How to add value to a client when you’re not an expert at what they ask for [21:34]

Nathan co-founded FreeeUp.com with 5k and grew it to 12 million a year in revenue. FreeeUp was then acquired in 2019. It is a marketplace that connects businesses with pre-vetted freelancers in e-commerce, digital marketing, and much more. Nathan has sold over $30 million online and regularly appears on leading business podcasts around the world.

Learn more about Nathan at outsourceschool.com, his personal Facebook, his business page on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.

Brief Description of Gift

Free tool for seeing how many virtual assistants you can afford

URL for Free Gift

outsourceschool.com/vacalculator

Thank You to Our Sponsor: SiteHub

www.smashingtheplateau.com/sitehub

Monika is a marketing consultant helping entrepreneurs scale fast by building social proof and expert status, and blending automation, organic and paid marketing for faster growth.

We discuss:

• Achieving a larger reach in a noisier Internet space [1:37] 
• Every pivot makes you better at what you do [4:23]
• How to make your [financial] business visible online [6:58]
• Three online sales strategies that low-budget business owners can immediately implement [9:01]
• How to overcome the agony of getting your first piece of content out there [13:21]
• Swap [15:37]
• Why speaking online might give you more traction than speaking in your neighborhood [17:44]
• How social proof beats experience and skills [18:24]
• The perseverance one needs to start and keep up with the global online trends [19:39]
• The next level of online marketing [20:39]

Learn more about Monika at https://theexpertimpact.com/opf and Facebook.

Thank You to Our Sponsor: SiteHub

www.smashingtheplateau.com/sitehub

Teresa Isabel Dias is a pharmacist with over 25 years of professional experience in community pharmacy and drug information in Toronto.  

We discuss:

• Nobody gives bad news over the phone [2:06]
• Old and unemployable but courageous enough to follow a dream [3:37]
• Opportunities that appear based on unexpected circumstances [6:24]
• How business owners can stop wasting their expertise [8:41]
• The two lists that will speed up your business growth [11:40]
• It takes a village to raise a child [13:07]
• How to focus the core of your strengths [15:01]
• Why it’s essential to take health to the workplace [16:56]
• Inexpensive changes that go a long way to make a woman feel and work better [18:23]

In 2013 she became a Menopause Practitioner (NCMP) certified by the North American Menopause Society (NAMS) and founded MenopausED, a boutique-style virtual women’s health practice, specialized in menopause. She raises awareness and provides education about menopause to help women navigate the change so their lives, relationships, and work can thrive. In December 2019, the drug information department she worked at for 12 years closed, and now she’s working full time on her business.

Learn more about Teresa at https://menopaused.org/.

Brief Description of Gift

Free subscription to MenopausED Newsletter / a free 15 min Discovery phone call / a Lunch and Learn Session for female employees

URL for free gift

https://menopaused.org/

Steve Feld is a coach, author, professional speaker, and award-winning business management executive. He has with over 30 years of extensive senior-level experience in highly competitive industries. An expert in all aspects of business, Steve has a large passion for everything business.

We discuss:

• A great relationship of giving back [1:37]
• The collaborative method: the power of mastermind groups [4:54]
• The problem with new consultants and coaches trying to jump the cubicle [6:28]
• Why you should “use” a sniper rifle when targeting your customers [8:34]
• Top three problems of small business owners [9:20]
• Building a strong niche business in less than a month [10:23]
• It’s hard to see all the trees in a forest [13:30]
• How being a published author changes clients’ perspectives [16:18]
• The importance of having systems and processes for thriving in challenging times [19:37]
• Why nobody is going to steal your idea [20:53]

Steve created and owned six-figure businesses and operated three others. He managed divisions for three brand name Fortune 500 companies. Steve has written three books about business. He co-owns a publishing company geared to coaches, consultants, and experts. Steve also conducts workshops and training on a variety of subjects for business owners.

Learn more about Steve at https://www.bizcoachsteve.com.

Brief Description of Gift

Spotlight book program where anyone can get their own “expert” book published within 30 days

URL for Free Gift

http://spotlight-books.com

Thank You to Our Sponsor: SiteHub

www.smashingtheplateau.com/sitehub

Dr. Sarabeth Berk is a hybrid professional who also researches hybrid professional identity. She calls herself a creative disruptor because she blends her artist/researcher/educator/designer identities to lead and create innovation strategies that radically connect resources and people in new ways. 

We discuss:

• How job titles can cause a professional identity crisis [1:53]
• The spectrum of jobs that gets people out of their boxes [4:38]
• Why hybrid individuals can work both as entrepreneurs and employees [5:28]
• What happens in the intersection of your professional identities [8:41]
• The aha moments of new keywords and language that define yourself [11:48]
• Hybridity as a brand and a way to distinguish yourself in the workforce [16:36]
• How to stand out in a crowded field [18:18]
• Why it’s crucial to revisit and examine the hybrid side of our professional work [20:34]

After Sarabeth underwent her own professional identity crisis, she learned she was a hybrid and that concept revolutionized her career path. Now, she’s obsessed with changing the way we see the workforce and helping professionals realize that their unique value lies at the intersections of their multiple identities. 

Learn more about Sarabeth at www.morethanmytitle.com.

Brief Description of Gift

Use code smashing10 to receive a 10% discount for an online course to help you find your hybrid identity

URL for free gift

courses.morethanmytitle.com

James has 15+ years of “in the trenches” marketing experience. He is happy to have worked together with businesses from dozens of industries and hundreds of people over that time. James meets you where you are (with no judgment), and specializes in coming up with a concrete plan to move your business forward. Most importantly, James teaches you to believe in your business and yourself.

We discuss:

• Ideas are a dime a dozen [1:51]
• How to take back control of your company once you’ve put its fate in the hands of another company [3:54] 
• Random acts of marketing [6:30]
• It’s not funny when you’re missing money [8:14]
• The number one reason why people switch companies [11:06]
• Three key elements for increasing your marketing presence [13:08]
• Responsive ability: How small businesses should talk to customers [14:59]
• All you need to be doing is fostering and connecting [16:40]
• Why you should start a group on social media now [21:40]

James teaches his clients not just the step-by-step “how-to”, but he also teaches his clients how to think about marketing strategically. This puts the power back into your own hands. James has been featured in both the Globe & Mail and also the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC).

Learn more about James at https://www.lookaheadmarketing.com/erf.

Brief Description of Gift

Two free documents: “How to Market to Your Customers in the Past, Present and Future” and “Facebook Ads Structures That Actually Work”

URL for Free Gift                       

www.smashingtheplateau.com/lam

Scott is a change management specialist who closes the gap between strategy and implementation. His years of experience translating between planners and doers aids in shepherding teams in the same direction – especially in times of change. 

We discuss:

• Hiring for fit, or why life at work might become hard [2:00]
• How to have a quick transition from being an employee to becoming an entrepreneur [4:20]
• Why it’s important to schedule time for personal work [7:57]
• Bullets of successes to rely on [10:16]
• Why talking to yourself out loud in the woods is beneficial for your self-confidence [12:26]
• The importance of investing in a cup of coffee [13:29]
• When you know you’ve waited too long to start [15:17]
• The difference between 4% and 74% [17:53]
• How the best plumber becomes the best supervisor [19:23]
• Augmenting live consulting through automated delivery system [22:01]

Scott draws on his Business Management degree from Cornell University as well as a broad book of experiences to build success. From creating new and innovative businesses to shaping the culture within teams and organizations, his work is informed by his various roles as an entrepreneur, supervisor, and board member. 

In 2018 Scott found himself once again developing an entrepreneurial role after leaving higher education facilities, and uses his experience helping others develop leadership and communication skills.

Learn more about Scott at http://alchemieacademy.com.

Brief Description of Gift

A 30-minute consultation call to help listeners develop their own story; A sales personal strengths inventory

URL for free gift

https://mdom9ijm.pages.infusionsoft.net

As the founder of NextCareer Coaching, Elizabeth Borelli has remained a top-ranked career counsellor for multi-national talent conglomerate Lee Hecht Harrison since 2016. She leverages a BA in Psychology and ICF Coaching Credential with multiple accreditations to help her clients find their niche, build their brand and reach their business goals.

We discuss:

• A windy road to a purpose-driven role [1:55]
• Why getting sales as quickly as possible is key to pivoting [5:20]
• How to speed up a start-up business if you have been laid off [7:20]
• The mechanics of prioritizing in networking [9:41]
• The mistake a lot of people make when reaching out to people in their network [13:07]
• A confused mind always says “no” [16:20]
• How to approach an introduction to a second-level decision maker [18:47]
• The [in]credible power of referrals [19:53]
• The more you connect, the more likely you’re going to be connected [21:21]

Learn more about Elizabeth at  www.nextcareercoaching.com.

Brief Description of Gift

A complimentary coaching consultation

URL for free gift

https://nextcareercoaching.com/gift

As a Sociocultural Anthropologist, Jenean Merkel Perelstein has studied behavior change across many different cultures. From the markets and prisons of India to the boardrooms across America, Jenean has learned and implemented change strategies that have saved lives and made fortunes.

We discuss:

• Why we start resenting what we used to love [2:39]
• Broadening the horizon of what success means as a way to solidify your self-confidence [6:11]
• The problem of an anthropologist when dealing with his/her own workplace culture [8:11]
• The feeling of being on a fast train for which you don’t have a ticket [9:39]
• Why you need to get out of your own way [10:57]
• Conflicting beliefs that hold you back from finding clients [13:00]
• How to make change stick before reaching a level of frustration [15:44]
• The commonalities that mess up with productivity [18:20]
• The type of leadership required for “fixing” workplace culture [20:11]
• How to sustain a level of positivity to sustain a level of productivity [22:02]

Jenean is a Business Anthropologist, U.S. Patent holder, and revered speaker who worked as a medical anthropologist before becoming CEO of Alchemie Academy where she has enriched workplace culture for clients ranging from solopreneurs to Fortune 100 companies. When not speaking, she mentors organizations to grow their workplace culture, develop their leadership skills, and achieve a higher level of positivity, productivity, and profitability.

Learn more about Jenean at https://standinyourstrength.com/.

Brief Description of Gift

Your Personal Strength’s Declaration – steps to help you stand in your strength

URL for Free Gift

http://standinyourstrength.com/goingsolo  

Andrew Tarvin is the Founder and CEO of Humor That Works, teaching professionals how to use humor to achieve better business results. 

We discuss:

• Comedy equals tragedy plus time [1:53]
• Stress is not a bad thing when dealt with humor [2:41]
• How engineers could be funny as well [4:00]
• A humor map that helps you strategize laughter as a business tool [6:20]
• How to use humor to strengthen your network [7:30]
• Why it’s important to understand the different styles of humor [9:23]
• Curating humor breaks for greater efficiency at work [10:26]
• Laughter as a way to get people on the same side together [12:49]
• What tracking and rating managers’ humor could improve at work [13:56]
• Why you should start your town hall meetings with knock-knock jokes [17:39]
• Elevating humor as a vital skill to learn [19:48]

Andrew has partnered with leading organizations including IBM, the UN, and the FBI to solve human challenges with humor solutions.

A best-selling author, Andrew has been featured in The Wall Street Journal and FastCompany, and was named a Visionary Under 40 by the P&G Alumni Network. His TEDx talk on the skill of humor has been viewed more than six million times, only half of which were his mother.

Learn more about Andrew at https://www.humorthatworks.com.

Brief Description of Gift

A 7-day humor challenge

URL for Free Gift

https://www.humorthatworks.com

Thank You to Our Sponsor: SiteHub

www.smashingtheplateau.com/sitehub

Sharon Cully is the founder of Simply Processes, where she helps entrepreneurs find the time to grow their business, make more money and create more freedom. 

We discuss:

• The shock and the relief of a redundancy package [2:21]
• How a team leader helps their team let go of a job [7:34]
• How to face the emotions of transition [9:00]
• The freedom of having a temporary contract [11:17]
• Creating the possibility where you don’t see it [13:24]
• The craftsmanship of online sales [16:30]
• The key to getting unstuck of daily operational details [18:09]
• How to increase income and decrease stress levels by putting processes in place [19:31]
• How a smooth supply chain process could significantly change success levels [20:56]

With 15+ years’ experience working with leading global brands, Sharon has helped companies around the world increase performance, minimize costs and meet customers’ needs. She now helps entrepreneurs scale up by gaining control of their business processes. Sharon was made unexpectedly redundant from a corporate role in 2013, starting a long journey of discovery, which eventually led her to setting up her consulting business.

Learn more about Sharon at www.simplyprocesses.com and LinkedIn.

Brief Description of Gift

Two gifts: a free 45-minute session called Scale Up Your Business, and access to my white paper called Leading your team through a big change with confidence

URL for Free Gift

www.simplyprocesses.com/goingsolo

Terry Ogburn is the owner of Ogburn’s Business Solutions. He has developed a Business Development Process that helps Entrepreneurs and Business Owners learn the importance of working on your business instead of being caught up in the day-to-day grind. His unique system and personal devotion to the development of others has contributed to the excess of hundreds of small to large business ventures.

We discuss:

• The best people to sell your business to [2:06]
• If you take care of the customer, the customer takes care of you [4:11]
• Why it’s smarter to empower the frontline person than the manager [5:54]
• How low-margin businesses could forecast sales and expenditures [8:57]
• The stages of business development that would require help [13:07]
• The words you should [not] put on your business card [15:42]
• Embracing technology as a key to multitasking [17:30]
• The 30-2-2 Rule: how to sell in an era when nobody wants to be sold [20:47]

Terry began his business career in 1979 when he invested his last $118.42 to start an air conditioning service business. At that time, he had no car or truck, but he did have the knowledge and ability to build relationships. By 1983, he was a top 5 nominee for Small Businessman of the Year. In 1984, he won the award for Outstanding Young Businessman of the Year for the State of Florida. In 1985, successful in his business and recognized as a leader in the business community, he began to mentor other small business owners. In 1989 he developed his own business success program based on his experience and the teachings of his favorite business books. 

His program was so successful that in 1992 Terry was asked to join UniGlobe Active Travel as a Director of Operations to boost individual store performance. Within months, he took the store to a $2.5 million Dollar Travel Agency. He then took the program national to improve performance organization wide. In 1994 he became a founding team member of EXA Travel International and took on the role of Director of Training & Development and within two years the company grew to 11 regional offices, with over 2000 franchisees and went public in late 1996.

Learn more about Terry at https://terryogburn.com/ and http://www.ogburnsbusinesssolutions.com.

Brief Description of Gift

Free Coaching Session

URL for Free Gift

http://www.terryogburn.com

Thank You to Our Sponsor: SiteHub

www.smashingtheplateau.com/sitehub

After over 25 years in corporate HR, Marion established the Witte Consulting Group in 2019, an HR consulting, career/executive coaching and team facilitation business. 

We discuss:

• The “lucky” ones who are victims of organizational restructuring [2:00]
• Listening as a way to fine-tune the areas to work on [5:11]
• The power of referrals: having your very first client cold call you [9:04]
• The pillars of positive mind and maintenance during tough times [11:48]
• The success and monetary value in saying “no” [14:25]
• The ideal client of an HR consultant and executive coach [15:59]
• The most important thing to do after a job loss [17:23]

Leveraging her experience in the chemical and life sciences industries especially DSM and Dow Chemical Marion develops people and organizations globally. Marion is a Certified Master coach and an Everything DiSC national partner. She received her MBA in Human Resources from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Marion believes that everyone has a story that deserves to be heard and she enables leaders and teams to find their potential

Learn more about Marion at https://www.fivebehaviors.com/witteconsultinggroup andLinkedIn.

Brief Description of Gift

Complimentary one hour coaching session

URL for Free Gift

Message Marion on LinkedIn or send her an email at marion@witteconsultinggroup.com

Kat McLead is the creator of Pinpoint Your Perfect Business: *the* proven framework for pinpointing your perfect niche for a high profit, high purpose, and high pleasure business while staying MOM first.

We discuss:

• Why the riches are truly in the niches [1:40]
• The most common [mom] traps when moving into entrepreneurship [6:56]
• What to do when circumstances change in your niche business [10:04]
• The art of combining skills for developing a high-profit business [12:17]
• The best way to start a niche business [13:58]
• The signs that show you which is the right business for you [15:28]
• When it is the appropriate time to pivot after niching down [18:13]
• How to craft the offer that your clients want to buy [19:14]

Kat helped sex workers transition out of the adult industry into high profit entrepreneurship 13 years ago. And that’s how she developed the Profit and Purpose Framework. It’s since been continually refined and is now designed specifically for busy moms.

She started her first multiple 6 figure business 20 years ago, and hasn’t slowed down since, not even after having her son. A fun fact: That business’ profits meant that she had way more money than her husband when they first got married, and was able to pay the entire $450,000 down payment on their home. 

Learn more about Kat at https://www.sahmentrepreneur.com

Brief Description of Gift

The 4 Key Steps to Starting Your Own Ideal, High Profit Business as a busy Stay at Home Mom

URL for Free Gift

https://www.sahmentrepreneur.com

Thank You to Our Sponsor: SiteHub

www.smashingtheplateau.com/sitehub

Cynthia Sestito is a chef/ restaurant owner and consultant. She has been in this business for 25 years. Before that she had a clothing and fabric / houseware goods company in Paris and New York. Cynthia has two dresses in the Met collection/ awards.

We discuss:

• Self-protection at times of adversity [2:40]
• The propelling factor of never being successful enough [4:14]
• How to maneuver into the next part of dealing with the COVID-19 situation [7:09]
• Why you can’t be afraid of challenging times [9:04]
• New worlds that can make cooking exciting again [10:48]
• Heightening a dinner experience: smell, flavor and health [13:04]
• Sticks and seeds and lousy weed [18:25]
• The time to hear yourself [21:50]
• A memoir of life and food [24:31]
• What makes a cooking book stands out [26:49]

In 2017, Cynthia woke up to find her catering business was gone, for myriad reasons, including kitchen fire and burns, loss of license, loss of home and a bad partnership. Cynthia is currently trying to reestablish her catering on a smaller scale, and she is creating foods in the world of micro-dosed cannabis. 

Cynthia is an alumnae of the show Top Chef, and she recently appeared on the Netflix show Cooked with Cannabis. She has spent the last two years writing a cannabis cookbook and the outline / recipes for a memoir cookbook.

Learn more about Cynthia at www.cynfulfood.com, www.cynfulycanna.com and Instagram.

Thank You to Our Sponsor: SiteHub

www.smashingtheplateau.com/sitehub

Andrew Schmertz spent 15 years in the media business, serving as a reporter for NY1 and business anchor for WABC-TV. He was a senior exec at WNET/PBS when he co-founded Hopscotch Air. He was laid off from WNET and was faced with running a new airline.

We discuss:

• A laid-off pilot coming back to his calling [2:28]
• The long-term positive effect of being laid off [4:26]
• The psychological process of producing material even if it doesn’t have any monetary reward [7:13]
• The key to going solo: making your bed and wearing your shoes [9:23]
• [12:43]
• The two biggest ingredients to being able to get through a crisis [15:46]
• What smart people need to possess to turn dreams into reality [19:43]

Learn more about Andrew at https://flyhopscotch.com/.