Posts by David Shriner-Cahn
From CMO To Television Host With Jeffrey Hayzlett
“You can make your own reality. Just change it.”
Jeffrey Hayzlett is one passionate entrepreneur. As the former CMO of Eastman Kodak, and current Chairman and CEO of the Hayzlett Group, Jeffrey knows what it takes to take your business to the next level. During his impressive career, Jeffrey has bought and sold over 250 companies, and is now a world-renowned, primetime television and radio host. Today he discusses why lack of focus is the biggest challenge facing entrepreneurs, and what leaders should do in order to drive change in their businesses.
In this episode, you’ll discover:
- Why stories and excuses get in the way of entrepreneurs leveling up their businesses.
- The importance of social media (and why some leaders should avoid it).
- The differences between being an entrepreneur of a small business and the C-suite of a major corporation.
- How to create a mood that is beneficial to your business.
- The similarities between being a leader and a cowboy.
Jeffrey Hayzlett is a global business celebrity and former Fortune 100 C-suite executive. Currently, Jeffrey is the Chairman of C-Suite Network, and leads The Hayzlett Group and TallGrass Public Relations. He is a primetime business TV host, and shares his executive insight and commentary on television networks including MSNBC, Fox Business, and C-Suite TV. Hayzlett is a former Bloomberg contributing editor and primetime host, and appeared as a guest celebrity judge on NBC’s Celebrity Apprentice with Donald Trump for three seasons.
He is the executive producer of a number of global television projects, and the Celebrity Editor of the largest circulation social media and business magazines in the world. With a strong following in business and social media communities, he’s recognized as one of the Top 10 C-suite Twitterers and a key influencer in the social media landscape. He has been cited in Forbes, SUCCESS, Mashable, Marketing Week, and Chief Executive. Jeffrey is also the author of two bestselling business books: The Mirror Test and Running the Gauntlet.
Learn more about Jeffrey on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.
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Empowering Your People
Yesterday on Smashing The Plateau, Hollie Mileski discussed what it means to be a conscious leader, and how empowering your people will better their lives and better your business. Here are some of her biggest influences: 1) Marianne Williamson Her poem, The Deepest Fear, has become a go-to resource in times of fear and uncertainty. …
Read Full PostBecoming a Conscious Leader With Hollie Mileski
“We somewhat forget that at the end of the day, we’re talking people to people, and conscious leadership is really about saying, okay, who am I as a leader, and what do I want to bring to my organization today?”
Hollie Mileski is the champion of change. As the founder of Highjump Leadership, she helps businesses develop new leadership strategies that respect, empower, and cultivate their employees. Today she discusses why your employees need to be seen and heard, how to change your leadership methodology, and the personal experiences that led her to become a conscious leader.
In this episode, you’ll discover:
- The definition of conscious leadership.
- Why leaders need to have a people-centric focus in their businesses.
- The importance of aligning your core values and philosophies.
- How to create real employee engagement.
- The importance of vulnerability in leadership.
After a successful sales and marketing career, Hollie Mileski shifted to strategy consulting, supporting global Fortune 500 clients. During this time, she led, managed, and delivered strategic change programs ranging from $500K to $15MM to $100MM+ in value and impacting tens of thousands of individuals globally. This journey led her to coach and train senior executives on how to successfully connect with their team, communicate clearly, and gain buy-in.
Leveraging this experience, Hollie launched Highjump Leadership and developed The 5 C’s of Conscious Leadership – a forward-thinking system for creating connection in your business and between individuals. Hollie co-creates with business owners and executives to RAISE THE BAR on their leadership and communication style so that they engage more authentically and with more impact.
Learn more about Hollie at highjumpleadership.com, LinkedIn and Twitter.
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The Power of Flexibility
On yesterday’s episode of Smashing The Plateau, Kristen Robinson discussed how she overcame adversities of military life to start her own successful business. Here are some of her biggest influences: 1) Lisa Sasevich She is my amazing business coach. 2) Rosetta Thurman She is my equally amazing accountability partner. 3) Jordana Jaffe In her courses,…
Read Full PostHow To Start A Business When Your Life Is Unpredictable With Kristen Robinson
“Be flexible. Be flexible and open to what happens and what comes your way.”
As a military spouse, Kristen Robinson sought out to start a business that fit her unpredictable lifestyle. Now a booming entrepreneur, Kristen helps other businesses grow their social media presence, while also mentoring other military spouses to achieve their career goals. Today she discusses how military businesses can overcome adversity, and why flexibility and freedom are the keys to success.
In this episode, you’ll discover:
- How to turn your online business into a thriving enterprise.
- How to create leverage while maintaining flexibility.
- The importance of Facebook and other social media outlets for entrepreneurs.
Kristen Robinson is the Social Media Head Coach of KR Design and is known as the Military Spouse Business Mentor. Kristen started her company KR Design to create a business to support her husband’s military career while constantly moving from one location to the next. She loves her business because it allows her to do what she loves from anywhere in the world.
Learn more about Kristen at KristenRDesign.com, myfacebookadsecrets.com, LinkedIn and Twitter.
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A Leader Of Development
On yesterday’s episode of Smashing The Plateau, Philip Spiegelman discussed his role in transforming South Florida from a snowbird destination to one of the world’s most luxurious locations for real estate. Below are some of his biggest influences: 1) Emmett Logan He’s a very low-key gentleman with a fascinating business background, and he’s been coming…
Read Full PostTransforming And Developing Markets With Philip Spiegelman
“In every negative cycle there is opportunity … and I think our way of dealing with things has always been to identify who we can possibly do business with, target those people properly, service them … and treat those people with the best experience they’ve ever had in purchasing property.”
Philip Spiegelman was instrumental in transforming South Florida from small winter getaway to luxury goldmine. Today he discusses what it took to turn Miami into one of the most alluring and lucrative real estate markets in the world, as well as his exciting new ventures into global markets.
In this episode, you’ll discover:
- How to adjust your products and build new networks through shifting markets.
- How to successfully navigate through economic downturns.
- Why the exciting and multicultural market in Miami is appealing to a variety of buyers.
- Why maintaining his organization through economic ups and downs was the biggest challenge he’s faced as an entrepreneur.
- How to identify potentiality and capitalize on opportunity.
- How to meet the needs of various cultures when developing in foreign markets.
Philip J. Spiegelman is one of the world’s most successful and influential experts in the marketing and sales of luxury condominium projects. Phillip and his partner Craig Studnicky founded International Sales Group (ISG) nearly 30 years ago. Today it is the globe’s preeminent full-service marketing and sales organization for high-end, high-rise condominiums. To date, ISG has marketed and sold more than $16 billion in prestigious properties for leading developers.
Philip is also a principal of RelatedISG International Realty, a strategic alliance with Miami’s famed Related Group.
Learn more about Philip at ISG and LinkedIn.
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Achieving The Ultimate Rapid Growth
On yesterday’s episode of Smashing The Plateau, Matthew Pollard discussed how he is able to turn small, stagnate businesses into growing powerhouses. Here are some of his biggest influences: 1) Kerwin Rae This was my first-ever seminar. Kerwin Rae is a wonderful speaker from Australia, and one of the things he taught me was a…
Read Full PostThe Rapid Growth Guru With Matthew Pollard
“As soon as you realize that any single process is learnable, then everything is possible.”
If you are looking to turn your business into a moneymaking machine, then look no further than Matthew Pollard. He is a globally recognized expert in niche marketing and sales systemization, as well as a renowned public speaker and coach. Today he discusses his winning strategies for achieving maximum results for his clients, as well as his fascinating journey from door-to-door salesman to rapid growth mastermind.
In this episode, you’ll discover:
- How to define what rapid growth means to you.
- Why you need to create the right systems and processes in order to rapidly grow your business.
- Common reasons why companies aren’t able to attain rapid growth.
- Why the rapid growth point period can be extremely perilous for an unprepared business
- Why the right marketing message and sales strategy are critical in attaining rapid growth.
Matthew Pollard is the Rapid Growth Guy! With five multimillion-dollar business success stories to his name (and a prestigious Young Achiever Award), Matthew has been characterized as a true differentiation, niche marketing, and sales systemization powerhouse.
Matthew is a recurring guest on Fox7’s Good Day Austin, as well as a featured contributor to CEO, Entrepreneur, and Top Sales World Magazine. He is also a sought after judge at America’s most prominent startup events including Google Start-Up Weekend, AngelHack, and Microsoft’s 60 Seconds to Startup. Matthew now brings about rapid growth and business transformation all over the world through his many speaking and coaching activities, as well as his top-rated iTunes podcast Better Business Coach.
Learn more about Matthew at LinkedIn, Twitter, matthewpollard.guru and entrepreneur.com.
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The “War Against Bland.”
Yesterday on Smashing The Plateau, Jean Tang discussed copywriting for humans, and how her company (and personal) strategy has helped clients achieve better results through engaging and anti-generic writing. Here are some of her biggest influences: 1) E-Myth Revisited When my company was two days old, I relished learning about the distinctions among entrepreneurs, technicians,…
Read Full PostWriting For Humans With Jean Tang
“The actual growth period is exciting in and of itself. Here is a goal I set for myself, it’s so exciting to see myself achieving it, I know how to work hard to do it and I’m completely motivated in the process.”
Jean Tang is the definition of “overachiever.” She is a piano prodigy, Ivy League and law school graduate, former journalist and booming entrepreneur. Jean found her true calling in copywriting and armed with her impressive inventory of skills founded MarketSmiths, a copywriting agency whose mission is to create copy that is captivating, strategic and most importantly, human. Today she discusses copywriting for humans and why she is predisposed to (and loves) achieving goals.
In this episode, you’ll discover:
- Her “war on bland” and the importance of writing for humans instead of algorithms.
- How she combines storytelling and logic to create accessible, engaging and professional writing.
- How to take different (and creative) approaches without feeling generic.
- Why knowing who isn’t your client is just as vital as knowing who is your client.
- Why you need to hold on to your values when hitting plateaus.
- Why you need to reset, walk away and approach a problem with fresh eyes.
A champion of high-end content, Jean is a living tribute to copywriting for humans. In 2012, at a TEDx talk, she declared her now widely viewed “War Against Bland.” The visionary founder of MarketSmiths, Jean leads her growing team to captivate, inspire, and motivate readers. She has helped thousands of global clients generate revenue from words (up to 12,000% ROI), and transformed the writing of hundreds of seminar attendees at the SXSW Interactive Festival (2014 and 2015), SXSW V2V (2014), the Small Business Summit (2014, NYC), and other venues.
Jean’s strategy is informed by an obsession with how to make words powerful, memorable, and actionable. Her knowledge draws liberally from a decade spent writing for The New York Times, New York Magazine, T+L, other top publications, and Fortune 100 corporations such as Pfizer. A veritable ‘word photographer,’ she trains her writers how to weave dazzling imagery against razor-sharp precision, and set it to a rhythm that’s pleasing to the brain.
In 2007, Jean saw the need for copywriting for humans: bite-sized, seductive, and jargon-free. She launched MarketSmiths, a creative copywriting agency dedicated to replacing generic content with the careful strategy of words.
Learn more about Jean on marketsmiths.com, LinkedIn and follow her on Twitter.
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The Best Buyer Strategy
On yesterday’s episode of Smashing the Plateau, Amanda Holmes shared her emotional journey from novice to sales mogul. Utilizing the best buyer strategy, Amanda (following in her father’s footsteps) works with companies to double their sales. Here are some of her biggest influences: 1) Chet Holmes My father always told me I could be whatever…
Read Full PostDoubling Your Sales With Amanda Holmes
“How do I duplicate myself so that I can have a sales team, so that I’m not the only salesperson? So that I can have more people delivering our products or services, and it’s really taking the time to work on their business as opposed to just working in it.”
After the tragic loss of her father, Amanda Holmes became the CEO of his multi-million dollar company, Chet Holmes International. Grief-stricken and with little experience, Amanda was thrust into chaos, but came out a magnate on the other side. Today she discusses why following her father’s methodology turned her into a thriving CEO and sales maven and how businesses can use the same methods to double their sales.
In this episode, you’ll discover:
- How to balance emotional and tactical components to deal with the most difficult challenges.
- How to harness and accept your vulnerability.
- The best buyer strategy and how to use it.
- Why businesses with a “one man army” will never hit the one million dollar mark.
- Why you should take an educational or valued approach with best buyers.
- The importance of tracking, measuring and truly understanding your metrics.
Think about this for a moment: You’re 24 years old having graduated from USC just 2 years earlier with a music degree (and a promising performing arts career). Suddenly you are faced with an incredible decision to stay the course with your original career path or pivot to become the CEO of your father’s incredibly successful multi-million dollar enterprise. An enterprise with more than a 100 employees, most of whom are 20 years your senior and have a longer history at the company. At 24, Amanda Holmes made that decision and became the CEO of Chet Holmes International and hasn’t looked back since.
Learn more about Amanda at chetholmes.com, LinkedIn, Case Study, howtodoublesales.com and Twitter. You can also attend her webinars, and read more about her journey in this Inc article by Bill Carmody.
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Bettering The Lives of Smaller Entrepreneurs
Yesterday on Smashing The Plateau, Bill Dost inspired us with his passion for helping smaller entrepreneurs better their lives and better their businesses. Here are some of his biggest influences: 1) God I center my entire life and my business around my faith. 2) Brian Houston He is the founder of our church denomination that…
Read Full PostMaking An Impact With Bill Dost
“You can ask how theology and finance can mix, for me it’s about changing the lives of people … it’s about making the world a better place.”
Bill Dost is more than just a brilliant entrepreneur; he’s also an impassioned philanthropist and theologian whose company stands for making great social impact and bettering the lives of small businesses. Today he reveals how he conquered failure and how his faith inspires him to help smaller entrepreneurs achieve their dreams.
In this episode, you’ll discover:
- The importance of finding a balance between your work life and your personal life.
- Why you learn more from your failures than your successes.
- How to control what you can, let go of what you can’t, and seek strong, targeted help in times of crisis.
- The connections between theology and finance.
- Why Bill believes the financial industry has the power to end the cycle of poverty.
- The struggles between marriage and entrepreneurship.
- How to define what success means to you.
Rev. Dr. K. Bill Dost, an entrepreneur with interests in a variety of fields, got his start in the Asset Finance field over 18 years ago working for Fidelity Leasing. In the year 2000 in Canada he started D&D Leasing to service the entrepreneurial segment of the SME field and expanded into the UK in 2009 when he opened D&D Leasing UK Ltd. He sits on a number of boards including the Finance and Lease Association, Asset Finance Professionals Association and the Toronto Chapter of Entrepreneurs Organization where he was the 2013-2014 President and served on the Canadian Conference Committee.
Today he serves on the Canadian Regional Council. A Fellow of the Leasing Foundation, Director for the FLA and AF-PA, he believes it is not enough to simply run a finance company successfully but that one must give back into their community both in their own business and outside of it as well, to that end he not only serves on various committees but also holds an annual charity event to raise awareness and funds for small and often unknown charities. Among other degrees he holds a Doctorate of Theology and an MBA in Human Resource Management.
Learn more about Bill on LinkedIn, danddleasing.com, and Twitter.
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The Consumer Mindset
Yesterday on Smashing The Plateau, Donna Fullerton discussed the importance of delving deep into the mind and behaviors of consumers in order to grow a successful business. Here are some of her biggest influences: 1) Tony Robbins His book Awaken The Giant Within and Mastery University helped me believe I could create a business and…
Read Full PostStepping Into The Mind Of The Consumer With Donna Fullerton
“You have to step into your consumer’s head. What is it that the consumer needs to know to feel that this is the product for them? So rather than what the product does, it’s how what it does benefits the consumer.”
Donna Fullerton credits a childhood love of curiosity for leading her into an incredible career in qualitative research. With an extensive background in advertising, her expertise lies in communicating directly with consumers and identifying their behaviors and motivations. Today, Donna discusses why probing the minds of the consumer is the only way to grow a successful business.
In this episode, you’ll discover:
- Why “brand connection” is how most consumers make their decisions.
- The best methods for uncovering the consumer mindset.
- The consumer’s major motivations for purchasing goods and services.
- The indispensible value of digital focus groups and face-to-face interactions with your customers.
- Why social media is now part of the marketplace and its contribution to consumer behaviors.
- How smaller companies can keep up with bigger budgets and resources.
Donna Fullerton’s roots are in the world of advertising, where she developed a passion for qualitative research, a commitment to consumer advocacy and building collaborative client relationships. Her focus is on helping marketers effectively leverage their brand strengths, achieve meaningful brand differentiation and optimize business decision-making.
By applying her extensive toolkit of skills – diverse category experience, innovative and traditional techniques, communications effectiveness, creative problem solving, leadership development and coaching – Donna is able to uncover the deepest levels of consumer motivation. She has Advanced Degrees and Executive Certifications in Marketing/Strategic Marketing Management Business and recently added personal development author (The Freedom Zone: Your Gateway to Love, Liberty and Happiness) to her list of accomplishments.
Learn more about Donna on LinkedIn, dmfcominc.com, New-Take and thefreedomzone.com.
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Making And Maintaining A Successful Business
Yesterday on Smashing the Plateau, Jeff Mehl discussed his three principles of success and how they’ve helped him in building multiple businesses. Here are some of his biggest influences: 1) Michael Gerber The first edition of The E-Myth came out early in my business career, and made it clear to me that there was much…
Read Full PostFrom Registered Nurse To Successful Entrepreneur With Jeff Mehl
“You need to be able to once in a while stop and put your head up, and look around and see where you’re going … and I think this is where most small businesses fail, there’s no plan.”
Jeff Mehl takes us on his fascinating journey from registered nurse to two-time business owner and entrepreneur. Today, he discusses his three fundamental rules for building a successful business and how to find the best insight from the places you’d least expect.
In this episode, you’ll discover:
- His three principles of success.
- Why the craziest notions can lead to brilliant business decisions.
- How offering free services can build your business and raise your retention rates.
- Why you need a long-term plan that transcends finances and numbers.
- The value of seeking outside perspectives to identify your blind spots.
Jeff Mehl and his wife Valerie are both Registered Nurses. After working as nurses for a number of years, they decided to start their first business, which they closed in 2009 after 22 years. From that experience, Jeff learned two important principles: 1) Your business should support your lifestyle, not become a lifestyle, and 2) Be content with what you have, whether a little or a lot, because there are no guarantees in life!
In 2006, Jeff and Valerie founded Daybreak Virtual Staffing with a mission to provide clients the kind of support they lacked in their previous business. Jeff is a passionate entrepreneur and business owner. He describes his entrepreneurial journey as “a really great ride!”
Learn more about Jeff on LinkedIn and Twitter.
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Tipping The Scales
On yesterday’s episode of Smashing the Plateau, Frank Bria discussed the four keys of scale and their importance in building a successful and scalable business. Here are some of his biggest influences: 1) Michael Port He was my personal mentor, and he helped me create a mission-based business. 2) Chris Ducker He really helped me…
Read Full PostHow To Create A Scalable And Successful Business With Frank Bria
“Change is hard. Making the change that is necessary to scale your business is difficult. It’s not difficult in the classic sense, but it’s difficult personally. Deep down we really have to change our mindset, change our focus.”
Frank Bria is all about tipping the scales. By embracing change and creating a scalable business, Frank teaches entrepreneurs how to transform their small companies into profit powerhouses. Today he reveals the pivotal epiphany that led him to create a scalable (and successful) business that aligned with his personal priorities.
In this episode, you’ll discover:
- The four keys of scale and how to use them to grow your business.
- His “law of metamorphosis” and how changing your mindset is vital to taking major steps forward.
- Why micromanagement will prevent you from succeeding.
- How to shift a personality-based business to a scalable one.
- Why you need to fire yourself and delegate tasks.
- Why you need outside perspectives to break through barriers.
Frank Bria helps consultants and coaches turn their 6-figure practice into a 7-figure business. As author of the book Scale, Frank knows what it takes to turn a small business into a thriving enterprise. He has built and sold tech start ups and consulted for the largest international corporations in high tech, finance, and retail on 4 continents. He now takes what he used to teach to the Fortune 500 and applies it to entrepreneurs looking to scale their businesses. He is a 3-time author, speaker, strategist, and host of the podcast, The 6 to 7 Figures Show.
Learn more about Frank on frankbria.com, LinkedIn, and follow him on Twitter.
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The Power of Kindness
Yesterday on Smashing the Plateau, Orly Wahba taught us to embrace and spread kindness, believe in ourselves and recognize our great potential. Here are some of her biggest influences: 1) Maestro: A Surprising Story About Leading by Listening This book by Roger Nierenberg is a must read for anyone in a position of leadership. During…
Read Full PostUniting The World Through Kindness With Orly Wahba
“You have to remind yourself that your self is great … there’s no reason why you’re not. Each person is unique and special and significant in their own way. Even though we might be one in seven billion the number that matters is that you’re one.”
Orly Wahba is changing the world one kind conversation at a time. She is an educator, activist, entrepreneur and Founder of Life Vest Inside, whose mission is to empower people with kindness and to help us recognize the exceptional potential inside all of us. Today she explains why embracing our inner resources, believing in ourselves and spreading kindness will save the world.
In this episode, you’ll discover:
- Why every project is a “work in progress” and how to push through the uncertainties.
- The significance of empowerment, kindness and believing in yourself.
- How to address fears and take the necessary (and scary) steps forward in life and in business.
- How reminding yourself why you’re doing it will lead to how you’ll do it.
- How authenticity will connect you to others.
- Why listening and receiving information is just as important as giving it.
- Why hardships will lead to revelations and strength.
- How to fight through adversity to achieve your dreams.
Orly Wahba is an educator, entrepreneur and community activist who is passionate about inspiring and motivating people to make the world a kinder place. In 2011, Orly founded Life Vest Inside, a non-profit organization with a mission to empower and unite the world with kindness. Through Life Vest Inside, Orly encourages people to embrace the incredible power of giving and recognize that in times of hardship, kindness (like a life vest) keeps the world afloat.
LVI gained international acclaim when Orly’s award-winning film Kindness Boomerang went viral, receiving over 30 million views and counting, and eventually landed her a spot to speak at TED2013 on the magic of kindness.
Orly began her career in kindness as a Middle School educator empowering children to embrace unity, build their self-value, and use their power to influence the world for good. As her kindness community grows by the thousands, more people are experiencing the addictiveness in the giving of kindness.
Learn more about Orly at Life Vest Inside, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, the Dance For Kindness website and watch her TED Talk.
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Making Your Message Resonate
Yesterday on Smashing the Plateau, Susan Lindner discussed her journey from healthcare advocate to PR and marketing mogul. Susan explained why having a powerful message is the only way to connect with audiences and with customers. Here are some of her biggest influences: 1) Muhammad Yunus He is the pioneer of microcredit, and he explains…
Read Full PostCreating And Connecting That Killer Message With Susan Lindner
“The one underlying thread … is a killer message, and you will never connect with people on the level that you need to without a message that resonates with the audience you are trying to reach.”
Susan Lindner is the master of making incredible connections. As a former anthropologist and healthcare advocate for AIDS/HIV patients, Susan understands the significance of a powerful message and having it resonate with different audiences. Today she discusses her journey from healthcare consultant to marketing mogul and why having a fundamental understanding of your message is the key to making incredible connections with any audience.
In this episode, you’ll discover:
- Why a killer message is needed to resonate with the audience you’re trying to reach.
- How to adapt your message to different markets by understanding the core needs of your audience.
- Why it’s critical to know why you do what you do and how to use it to create your message.
- The importance of doing what feels right and why every team member must share the same company values.
- Why seeking out customers who share your values and vision is the key to easy (and successful) marketing.
- Marketing strategies that create a “shared partnership” with your customers.
Susan Lindner believes that incredible connections can change the world. As the CEO and Founder of Emerging Media, an award-winning PR · Marketing · Branding · Social Media agency, she develops breakthrough strategies that connect her clients to the right media, communities, influencers and prospects. According to her clients, Susan is relentless in pursuing the game-changing opportunities that achieve her clients’ business goals.
Prior to her 10 years in marketing, Susan worked on women’s health issues as an epidemiologist and anthropologist in HIV/AIDS at the Centers for Disease Control/NYC Department of Health, as a researcher in New York’s top hospitals and as a consultant and social development officer with international non-profits in the US and Southeast Asia.
Learn more about Susan at Emerging Media, LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
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