Cassie Tucker is back, and we are unpacking five lessons learned from live events and how they are run, especially in this post covid world. These lessons may be specific to a live event setting, but they are principles that can extrapolate into just about any arena of business.
First, set yourself up for adjustments. Every single day something will change. When you expect it and plan for it, you will keep everything running smoothly. Have backups. Think through the worst-case scenario and plan accordingly. Second, you win by thinking inside the box. Innovation is great, but if there are rules and policies required to be able to participate, it is better to stay in line and innovate around the non-negotiables.
Next, you will get more done by influence than authority. You may have the authority needed to force an issue, but if you can steer and direct with influence, everyone will have a better experience. If you find yourself at the point that you must use your authority, something has already gone wrong. Fourth, people want to be with people. Creating the opportunity and space for face time and connection will help establish a report and an environment that people want to be in.
Last, be ready rather than get ready. If you must get "ready," you are already losing. Keep in mind the highest authority in your company and run your area in such a way that you will be excited when they show up because it is an opportunity for them to see how well it is going. Leaders are proactive, and if you are ready from the get-go, you can pivot and adjust as things come up.
These lessons not only make for superb events, but they will also create a strong environment for any business out there.
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There are lessons to be learned from most interactions and experiences. They can then be applied to many different areas of life. Cassie Tucker and I are taking some time today to extrapolate the seven lessons I learned from my time in the Luxury Homebuilder business.
First, show up on time. Do that, and you will always have an advantage. It is simple, but something that people notice. Second, simply put, do what you say you will do. Be a person of your word, and people will talk about you behind your back in the best way possible. Third, always be upfront about costs. Don’t try to bait people with the promise of a lower price and then inflate it at the last minute. If there is ever any reason for a price increase, make sure you communicate scope creep as soon as possible.
Next, show your work. Give people the ability to see behind the veil. Share stories and pictures of where the work is getting done. People appreciate transparency. Make sure your communication is clear and copious. You cannot over-communicate when people are investing time and money. Next, the office or point of entry to your space sets the expectation for your business. When people walk in, that experience will set their expectations for what you do behind the scenes. What foot are you putting forward?
Lastly, use words wisely. You may like how something sounds, but if it isn’t providing clarity for the customer, get rid of it. Eliminate the fluff so you can be concise and clear. Regardless of your industry or the service you offer, the foundation is the same. Create a consistent, clear, and valued product from start to finish.
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We live in a day when politics can be a very dividing topic. Rather than looking at the divides that surround it, Peter Hinga and I are taking a deeper look at the lessons we can take from politics and apply them to our personal brand.
Peter Hinga started his political journey volunteering on local campaigns as a teenager. He and his father bonded over politics in a surprising way. He progressed through internships and made his debut in the congressional campaign circuit in 2004. He has run campaigns and now focuses on consulting.
Running for office has many lessons that are applicable across the board. Understanding your why and making sure that you want to set your hand to something is not a respecter of industry. Whether you are a politician, an entrepreneur, or an employee, your personal brand is front-facing. Connections and buy-in create influence. Getting involved and upfront with your potential audience in an industry will help you build connections and gain experience you can’t gain any other way.
No matter your industry, you need to be authentic. Don’t just be a talking head spouting talking points and lose yourself in the process. You can say all the right things and still fall flat if you don’t lean into what makes you uniquely you.
Know your audience, really get to know them. It can be tempting to spread out but don’t make the mistake of going broad right away. Start at your home base where you are strongest and then build from there.
Lastly, make sure you know how to roll with the punches. Don’t take things personally, but recognize when you can apply feedback. Get in front of the negative and approach things from a place of transparency rather than being caught off guard.
Resources:
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I recently received not one, but two of the same type of marketing pieces. I hate to say it, but it wasn’t the best marketing I have seen. It got me thinking, what makes a good marketing piece? I have Cassie Tucker back with me again to dive a little deeper into what makes a good piece and what these landscaping companies can do to improve on their attempts at getting their services out to the public.
Check out what others in your industry are doing and learn from it. Determine where your future clients are going to find info on the services you offer. Once you identify where make sure you are there. Maybe it is on review sites or inside local Facebook groups. Wherever it is, make sure you have representation.
It is ok to change your marketing focus by season. Often, people are looking for services at certain times. Make it simple to find you. Spend time getting to know people. Take the initiative and network with individuals in complementary industries. This is a great way to get your business in front of those who need your services.
Last, remember that experience is key. The best advertisement you can get is word of mouth from happy customers. Make sure your messaging is key, and you equip your team to provide consistent service. You can have the best marketing possible, but without providing consistent customer service, you may as well be tossing business cards tied in a bag with a rock.
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Lee Kitchen is back for our follow-up episodes where we flip the script, and my guest becomes the interviewer. Lee came up with a fun set of questions, and I can’t wait to answer them.
First, when you were young, what did you want to be when you grew up? I had a top three that were about as different as you can come up with. But they all make sense in their way.
Second, if you were a Disney tour guide, what four attractions would you make sure your guests saw? Well, you will have to listen for the suggestions, but I will let you know you need a park hopper pass to see them all…or stay for multiple days.
Third, in eight years as a park ranger, how many yogi bear jokes did you hear? A lot. But there was something I was asked or told many more times, and it might surprise you.
Lastly, I let Ken sneak in a bonus question…and I’ll give you a hint…the answer earned me a label of “squirrel guy”. I hope you enjoy these questions and answers today. I know I did.
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One definition of insanity is doing the same thing repeatedly, but expecting a different result. Today, most industries have a rapidly changing landscape, and it is not enough to approach questions and problems from the same angle. Lee Kitchen is here unpacking the concept of Design Thinking and how you can set yourself apart by learning to look at your situation from a different perspective.
Lee Kitchen is one magical dude. After a 32-year career with Disney, he now brings his experience and knowledge to companies everywhere. He is a speaker, consultant, and trainer who specializes in challenging the approach we take to problem-solving and transforming it into a journey of discovery.
All too often, when presented with a problem, the baseline approach is to tackle it head-on. The linear approach seems to be a default in many industries. Design Thinking is a structured way of thinking that takes an abstract or sideways approach to tackle an issue.
There are four aspects to Design Thinking: scoping, empathizing, ideating and inspiring and idea developing. Scoping is all about taking apart your challenge and reassembling it in a way that ensures you are tackling the "right" challenge. Once you identify the correct challenge, you can’t simply rely on the data; you must humanize it. Dig deep with your customers and make sure you are approaching your challenge with the end in mind. Once you have your idea and your research, get everyone together, not just the experts. Brainstorm and hear from everyone involved. The last piece is making sure you have the infrastructure in place to implement your decisions and gain traction.
It is important to be challenged in the way you look at things. Breaking out of what you have always done and looking at situations from a new vantage point will keep you from being left behind.
Resources:
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We live in a competitive world. For every skill or discipline, there is a number of practitioners. So what can you do to set yourself apart and make the best offer possible? Dan Cockerell returns to share the lessons he has learned over the past three years.
Dan Cockerell is the former Vice President of the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. His podcast, Come Rain or Shine, centers on creating and maintaining a magical culture in any organization. He is a speaker, consultant, and coach and has a lot to offer when it comes to submitting pitches and making offers that are irresistible.
When you submit an offer or a pitch, it is important to differentiate yourself from the beginning. Respond quickly to inquiries. Clearly explain your methodology and what you do. Don’t try to sell; try to understand. Ask questions and then use their answers to help form what it is you can do for them. Dan submits a custom video for requests to help potential clients clearly communicate what they will receive from him. Lastly, give a tiered cost structure. At least two options, three if you can. Don’t alienate clients by giving them a one-and-done offer.
When you commit yourself to understanding how to serve, you will be able to submit the best possible offer and set yourself apart from the competition.
Resources:
The Perch Membership Community-Special Offer: $1/first month; $49/month after
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It is an honor to have Colonel Kevin Benson with me. Col. Benson is highly decorated. His military career spans 30 years, during which he was the Director of the School of Advanced Military Studies and has become an Adjunct Scholar at West Point. As impressive as his career has been, even more, impressive is the extreme wisdom and humility that guides him.
The poem ‘If’ by Rudyard Kipling ends with a challenge to fill the “unforgiving minute with sixty seconds worth of distance run”. Col. Benson took this challenge to heart, pursuing his Ph.D. as a means of filling that unforgiving minute.
It is important to take the opportunities we have been given and refuse to rest on our laurels, no matter how impressive. Like those who have gone before, it is our responsibility to challenge ourselves and give back. Passing on what we know to the younger generation helps them to succeed as well.
One of the best ways we can grow is to move beyond asking what or how questions. We need to be asking why. Asking why helps us to uncover the reasoning behind past decisions. When we can understand the context of the moment, we can understand the decision that was made and what the end goal was.
Past or present, we can always find the opportunity to learn from others. Embrace that you aren’t the smartest person in the room. Everyone can contribute, and you can learn from anyone and everyone if you set your mind to. A humble leader refuses to throw anything away but evaluates and takes in the ideas presented. The way we approach the minute sets the standard.
Resources:
Red Teaming by Bryce Hoffman
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Once again, it is time for a guest on the show to turn the tables and ask me three questions. Col. Kevin Benson returns with a few thought-provoking questions that I am excited to answer for you today. Listen until the end, he also unpacks a special extension on our previous conversation about filling the unforgiving minute.
First, how did you come to conclude that conducting podcast interviews was your chosen line of work? This is an interesting question. Would you believe it, like many things, stemmed from my love of parks?
What delighted you about being a park ranger? This is an easy answer. What is more appealing, dealing with numbers or being in the outdoors?
Last, what is a path that you thought about taking but didn’t? If it weren’t for a three-month car trip, I may have ended up working for one of the most stable and well-known companies in Illinois. I’m grateful for that trip.
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I am excited to say Jeff Nole has returned! After a year without getting together in person, the stars have aligned, and we spent the last three days hiking at Glacier National Park. When I think of Jeff Noel, I think of a man that knows how to live in the present moment. He has invested time and energy into cultivating a life of being present, and that is something we all need a little more of.
There is a moment in time that is right now. Appreciating that moment and being grateful is a key component in being happy. Gratitude is part of the context of being happy. Every day, there are so many things to be grateful for. When we are intentional about appreciating our present and are grateful for it, we will be happy.
Being present doesn’t happen by accident. It takes intentionally building structure and processes and investing energy around being present. As you work being present and being grateful into your life, it becomes muscle memory. It becomes easier and easier to do.
If you are looking for a simple first step to being present, it is simply to enjoy where you are. Allow moments to happen organically. Linger in the present instead of looking for what is coming next. Enjoy what’s here right now; what’s in front of you. Life moves fast. Take autopilot off and start steering your own life toward embracing your present moment. Embrace the concept of compounded interest and let gratitude grow through slow and steady deposits invested in your present moment.
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It’s that time again. Cassie Tucker returns to bring three questions of her own creation to the table. Full disclosure, I do turn the tables on her towards the end.
First, what is your favorite national park and why? This is a pretty easy question for me, but it is a tie. It all depends; are you looking for scenic views or majestic wildlife?
Second, outside of the podcasts you and your clients have, what is your favorite podcast? I have a few. Would it surprise you to learn that one of them actually has five-hour episodes, and I listen to the whole thing? It’s that good.
Lastly, What is one of the biggest mistakes you see made in podcasting, and how can podcasters correct it? The biggest mistakes boil down to follow-through and how you interact with your listener…but you will have to listen to hear the specifics.
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I am excited to have a special guest with me. Cassie Tucker is new to our team and is my assistant. She is a former Disney team member, entrepreneur, and business owner, and overall amazing person. We connected after she reached out to Lee Cockerell to work with us. It took four years, and we are grateful to have her on the team.
As someone who has worked on a wide range of teams, from retail to advertising agencies, Cassie has experience when it comes to joining new teams. She knows what she brings to the table: strategy, project management, collaboration, and a get it done attitude. But what do you need to do to successfully come onboard a new team?
Ask a lot of questions and be open to others teaching you. Be humble and really dial in on understanding how things work. Talk to everyone and familiarize yourself with other departments. Identify who to go to get the answers you need. Most companies have a “culture” they introduce to you when onboarding; however, culture is how they do things and how things get done in their unique setting.
Lastly, be willing to learn new skills. Seek out improving your own tool belt, and don’t be afraid to utilize resources beyond what is provided to you. Be ambitious, and don’t be afraid to seek out what you need to thrive.
Resources:
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Influence can open more doors for you than a title can.
To illustrate the power of influence, I share a fun story from my time as a financial analyst at a commercial bank.
Yes, I was a bit devious, but it was all in good fun.
Listen to the episode to hear the incident that could have gotten me fired. The takeaway from the episode is to focus on influence.
Don't worry about a big title. Don't worry about likes and comments on social media. Focus on people. And as you build relationships you will get more influence.
Once you have influence, the rest will take care of itself.
Back on the Jody Maberry Show is Tanner Brock from the Changing Discord podcast.
During this October 2020 interview, Tanner and I discuss the culture cycle of curiosity. Using my career trajectory as a guide, Tanner highlights the keys to timely decision-making and strategy. Additionally, he explores ways we can allow mentors and colleagues to provide input. As much as we want to tell our story, sometimes we must let others tell their story to determine what occupational path we should take.
Accordingly, rather than ask, "What do I have to lose", dare to imagine “What will my story be?” Applying this paradigm change, the sky is the limit to what you can accomplish.
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We are live from Kansas City, MO where I have the pleasure of attending Tanner Brock’s first live event. You may remember when I mentioned Tanner Brock is the person that makes me glad to do what I do. Mike Simmons, the host of the Catalyst Sales Podcast, is also with us.
Tanner has an amazing story. He started out working in a warehouse, never rising above the status quo. So how did Tanner go from not shaving and never tucking in his shirt to putting on a live event? The thing that set Tanner apart was his ability to ask good questions and apply the feedback he received. By investing in relationships that could be fostered and grown, he created a sense of accountability that allowed him to grow.
No matter who you are, you possess the power and potential to impact others. You don’t know who is listening as you share your struggles and your stories. Sharing your journey can lead to life changes in others. Seek wisdom and pass it on. Be a lifelong learner and share what you learn with those around you.
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It’s that time again. Whenever I have the pleasure of interviewing a guest, I always have them back for a role reversal. JeffBrown returns to ask any three questions of his choosing.
First, have you seen Werewolves within? Also, can you clarify the difference between a park ranger and a forest ranger? This may seem like a simple yes or no answer, but you’d be surprised to learn the answer involves a reality show and unpacking how to differentiate between park and forest rangers.
Second, you host multiple podcasts. What is your favorite aspect of podcasting? (And which is your favorite?) I’ll give you a hint. The first part is an easy answer for me and has to do with the messages on the shows I host. The answer to the second part may or may not surprise you.
Lastly, you are always reading at least three books at any given time. One business book. One Self Development book. And one book purely for entertainment. If you were to recommend one book in each category, what books would you recommend? Well, you will have to listen to find out.
Resources:
Creating Disney Magic by Lee Cockerell
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If you have been listening to the show for a while, you may be familiar with the name JeffBrown (and you know why it needs to be said in one breath). Jeff is the host of the Read to Lead Podcast. He is here discussing his new book, Read to Lead.
Jeff has been working on his podcast for eight years, and over that time, he has interviewed a few amazing authors. Jesse Wisnewski approached Jeff with a book idea he had previously pitched to a publisher. They rejected it due to a lack of platform. Jesse's initial idea, The Readers Edge, resonated with Jeff. Jeff joined the project, which they renamed Read to Lead, and the rest is history.
We have all heard that knowledge is power. And knowledge has long been associated with books and reading. As Jeff explains, one of the most powerful things about reading is the ability to gain a modicum of functional mastery on a topic by reading five books on any given topic. The idea that you can pick up a book for twenty bucks and walk away with someone’s expertise is astounding. No wonder we equate reading with power.
We live in a time where there are many ways to assimilate books. In addition to hard copies, we also have digital and audio formats. Different books call for different mediums. Audiobooks are great for entertainment and books meant to change how you think. However, books that we want to retain and understand on a deeper level are better digested in traditional print. There is something special that happens mentally and spatially when we read physical books. It impacts our retention and comprehension.
Jeff offers a few tips for getting the most out of the books that you read. First, challenge yourself to pick up a physical copy and read. Second, use the Pomodoro technique to help you focus, reading for 25 or 50-minute increments. Then start a new Pomodoro and make your notes. Third, try listening to an audiobook at 1.75 speed while reading along in the physical book. It will allow you to read quicker and retain more. Last, teach what you are learning to others. Teaching helps you to synthesize what you have learned, so you retain and comprehend more.
Resources:
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My family and I just wrapped up our stay at Glacier National Park. We had the pleasure of staying at the Granit Park Chalet during our stay. After arriving home and processing our trip, I have six lessons I learned from this trip that I am sharing with you. Jeff Noel is returning today to go over those lessons with me.
Jeff also made a point that is worth mentioning. Practice, over time, creates compound interest. Anything you practice, over time, gets easier and more like second nature; like taking a family vacation and coming away with life lessons.
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