In his appearance on yesterday’s episode of Smashing the Plateau, Ric Edelmen spoke at length about the influence that his entrepreneur parents had on him, and how he learned about how to run a business from them. Here, in an excerpt from that interview, he tells the story of how his parents built their business,…

During his interview on yesterday’s episode of Smashing the Plateau, DMSQD co-founder Mark Asquith spoke about maintaining work-life balance and not letting entrepreneurial perfectionism become a liability rather than a strength. Here, he shares the people, communities, and texts that help him keep a sense of perspective as he builds his business. 1. My wife,…

In his interview yesterday on Smashing the Plateau, Michel Bayan (EVP at Fragmob) discussed how to maintain a sense of perspective during periods of intense stress. Here, he shares some of the people and philosophies he looks to for inspiration and balance: 1. Yoga and “Eastern thought in general” “When one door closes, another one…

In his appearance on yesterday’s episode of Smashing the Plateau, sales expert Eric Lofholm touched on many topics, from successful sales psychology to business adaptability. Here, he provides the top three influences who have shaped how he approaches his business: 1. Jay Abraham “Jay has taught me how to think in combinations. This is Steve…

Yesterday, SEO experts Wil Reynolds and Jeremy Pound faced off on Smashing the Plateau, and quickly found common ground in their philosophies towards managing client expectations in a field of few (or no) guarantees. This synchronicity was mirrored in their reading recommendations: both independently recommended Chip Heath for entrepreneurs looking to expand. For growing and directing a…

Following his interview for the Smashing the Plateau podcast, Tony Rose provided listeners with a set of five recommendations for becoming a better manager of different kinds of capital—particularly, in these books, of human capital. 1. Dan Sullivan, a.k.a. “The Strategic Coach.” Rose writes: “His simple processes for entrepreneurs are life-changing. He convinced me I have…

During their appearance on Smashing the Plateau, Dorie Clark and Eric Ruben drew on their huge range of experiences (in law, literature, performance, business, academia and more) to discuss personal branding and reputation management. After the episode, each provided a list of two people who had influenced them. The resulting list is a wonderfully diverse set…

Yesterday’s episode of Smashing the Plateau featured Wanda Allen, who spoke about her follow-up strategies for ensuring sales success. After our interview, she provided us with a list of five figures who had been crucial to her development in the field: 1. Brian Tracy: “I heard Brian Tracy speak 25 years ago, and his no-nonsense…

Where does Dr. Cheryl Lentz derive inspiration for her refractive thinking? After her interview on Smashing the Plateau, she provided a group of five thinkers that she identified as having been particularly important to the development of her ideas: 1. Peter Senge: MIT professor, systems scientist, and author of The Fifth Discipline: The Art and…

At the end of his interview on Smashing the Plateau, Jeffrey Hayzlett listed five people who helped shape who he became over the course of his life; he noted that “The people that have been real pivotal in my career aren’t the people who typically you’re going to see with Twitter accounts, or on the front…

We’re pleased to present a dual installment for this week’s top influencers. Face-Off participants Richard Laermer and Tony Grass offer their takes on business growth on this week’s episode. (If you missed the Face-Off, go back and listen here.) Here are the influencers Richard and Tony credit in helping them achieve their own growth in…

Our last guest on “Smashing the Plateau” was Rémy Chaussé, a self-proclaimed UNstuckologist. Rémy helps people get over themselves to finally get a move on. (If you missed Rémy, go back and listen here.) Rémy admits she’s had some help along the way. Here are the people she has turned to and how she sees…

Our most recent “Smashing the Plateau” episode featured Nella Barkley, who helped us understand some of the challenges facing leaders and offered ways to combat them. (If you missed Nella, go back and listen here.) Nella hasn’t weathered the storm alone. Here are three people who she says have been instrumental as sources of inspiration.…

On our most recent episode of “Smashing the Plateau,” Founder of Young & Successful Media, Jennifer Kushell, discusses her passion for young entrepreneurial spirit. (If you missed Jennifer, go back and listen here.) Just like the kids Jennifer seeks to support, she herself has had help along the way. Here are six of the resources…

Our most recent “Smashing the Plateau” episode showcased the talents of Natural Born Coaches podcast host Marc Mawhinney. Marc shared his secrets of launching and sustaining a daily coaching podcast. (If you missed Marc, go back and listen here.) Getting your own project off the ground is no small accomplishment. Keeping it from crashing is…

Jim Canterucci was our most recent guest on “Smashing the Plateau.” In our chat with Jim, he talked about the finer points of leadership in 2015, and how the position has undergone a transformation. (If you missed Jim, go back and listen here.) Jim’s idea of a new leadership normal hasn’t been cultivated strictly on…

Our most recent “Smashing the Plateau” episode featured Baby Boomer digital marketing guru Kalynn Amadio. Her ideas on bringing the vast world of online back to simple one-on-one chats are total winners. (If you missed Kalynn, go back and listen here.) But Kalynn has been lucky enough to get a helping hand along the way.…

On our most recent “Smashing the Plateau” episode, we featured Geri Mazur, a marketing expert who helps businesses stay relevant in today’s fast-paced climate. She gave us some stellar tips on creating a sense of demand, then fulfilling it. (If you missed Geri, go back and listen here.) Geri couldn’t have done it alone. Over…

Our most recent “Smashing the Plateau” episode featured mentor, author, presenter, and sales expert Heather Pich. She gave us great insight into the factors that hold people back from achieving their goals. (If you missed Heather, go back and listen here.) Like a lot of business professionals, Heather knows she isn’t self-made. Here are 5…

On the last episode of “Smashing the Plateau,” we brought you content marketing expert and author C.C. Chapman. C.C. made some great points about getting excited about new projects and admitting your weaknesses. (If you missed C.C., go back and listen here.) Like mostly everyone, C.C. knows he couldn’t have done it alone. Here are…

On the last episode of “Smashing the Plateau,” you listened to Dr. Iman Bugaighis discuss her involvement with Libya and the fight for civil freedoms and change. (If you missed Iman, go back and listen here.) One of the main things she emphasizes is the role of teamwork and support, and she has a handful…

On the last episode of “Smashing the Plateau,” we brought you CEO at BizGro, JC Maldonado. JC offered tips for staying relevant in the new year and keeping growth steady. (If you missed JC, go back and listen here.) Like most everyone, JC admits he’s had some great help along the way in his career.…

Yesterday we brought you Peter Thomson, a veteran business and personal growth strategist and whiz at creating and marketing information products. (If you missed Peter, go back and listen here.) Peter has turned to many people in his career for help and inspiration. Here he’s offered his top 5, with the hope that others can…

Yesterday we brought you Lisa Cron, a story expert and author of Wired for Story: The Writer’s Guide to Using Brain Science to Hook Readers From the Very First Sentence.  (If you missed Lisa, go back and listen here.) Lisa talked about how story translates fact into emotion, so we can understand how a product…

Yesterday we brought you Lisa Gibson, an expert conflict mediator. In Lisa’s episode of “Smashing the Plateau,” she goes into great detail about businesspeople finding their story. She also preaches the importance of personal harmony. (If you missed Lisa, go back and listen here.) Lisa knows help is vital to leaders’ overall success. Here are…