Thought Leaders Business Lab Podcast

Today we've been called in to help a business owner with a challenge that is holding him back from the growth he desires. In this episode, Shaun has graciously and courageously accepted the challenge to have his website and social media pages, analyzed live on the show. We point out the dissonance in each form and suggest notes that can convert Shaun’s business into a masterpiece. For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode: https://samanthariley.global/podcast/193-conversations-with-samantha-and-tim-shaun-premnath  

One of the most essential skills of a great leader is one that is not always easy to do; it’s the ability to have courageous conversations.  In most of our relationships, whether at work, at home, or with friends, we’re all so busy being polite that we fail to engage and say what we honestly think and feel. We often don’t deal with a difficult situation thinking it will eventually go away, and that is when things can really go bad.  In this episode, we unpack the 5 steps to having courageous conversations, and how important it is to get comfortable with the uncomfortable conversations. Getting comfortable with confrontation and saying what is on your mind helps you not only create better quality relationships but improve as a leader as well.  WHAT YOU’LL DISCOVER IN THIS EPISODE: What is a courageous conversation? (3:04) Our internal monologue (10:55) Step 1: Mastering your stories (12:37) Step 2: Finding your facts (12:49) Step 3: Begin with the end in mind (13:34) Resolution and solution-focused (13:48) St

Intellectual property, or IP, is the physical manifestation - an invention, book, video, class, podcast - that is created from your thoughts and imagination. For thought leaders, IP is fundamental. It is the tool they use to build and expand their audience, build their online presence, earn more money, and more time. The digital age has radically changed the way expertise is valued and accessed. But it is not enough to know what you know. You must find a way to share your knowledge in a way that engages your audience.  In this episode we unpack the steps to packaging your intellectual property and turning it into your unique methodology.  As individuals, we each have different IP because of the way we think and understand things. Because of this, there is no one way to productize your knowledge. It takes experience and continuous learning to find out the best way for you to package your IP.  You don’t have to do it all. The important thing is to follow your natural curiosity and remain your authentic self. WH

Many busy entrepreneurs hire virtual assistants, also known as VA’s, but don’t know how to onboard, train, or even assign tasks to these remote employees. In the end, they think that hiring VA’s doesn’t work. In this episode, Nathan Hirsch shares tips on what to expect when hiring VAs, different types of assistants, what to consider when hiring VAs, and what systems to implement to maximize the skills and talents of different VAs.  Take the first step in cracking the VA code in this episode. From July 3 to July 10 midnight PST, get a 25% discount for Cracking the VA Code. That includes a 1 Year Membership to Outsource School and a 1 Year Subscription to SimplySOP. CLICK HERE to get your 25% discount  - be sure to use the code ‘LAB’ at checkout. For full show notes and links visit: http://samanthariley.global/podcast/190-cracking-the-va-code-with-nathan-hirsch

Do you want to make more sales?  Before you try and get more leads, take a look at your sales pipeline. Your sales pipeline plays an important role in the growth of your business. Successful entrepreneurs master their sales pipeline to guarantee consistent success instead of roller-coaster income. Improving your sales pipeline means reviewing your entire process and following up.  In this episode, we go through the 10 stages of your sales pipeline and how important each stage is.  Having a follow-up process is critical for your business and your sales pipeline is your documentation of the follow-up process. To access the full show notes with links and resources, go to:   http://samanthariley.global/podcast/189-managing-your-sales-pipeline-to-grow-your-business

Filling up your cup is not enough. If you give from a full cup, it gets empty real quick. The secret is to fill it up so that it overflows and only then can you freely give from the overflow.  In this episode, Michelle Powell shares the 10 Foundational Principles to Master Wellness and how you can implement these in your life as an entrepreneur to show up as the best version of yourself. Sometimes it’s the simple things that are the most profound when it comes to self-care. Because your relationship with yourself is a 24/7 relationship that you cannot escape, it is only right to put yourself first. WHAT YOU’LL DISCOVER IN THIS EPISODE: Giving from the overflow (3:04) How essential your health is (5:00) Mainstream health vs wellness (7:17) How being unwell can impact you as an entrepreneur (8:33) 10 Foundational Principles to Mastering Your Wellness (11:59) #1 Proper Hydration (13:09) #2 Nutrition (14:57) Nutrition tips (16:33) #3 Sleep (19:31) #4 Breathing Patterns (21:15) #5 Relationships (25:42) #6 Thought

Sales are the lifeblood of any business. But why do we find it difficult to talk about sales? Why do we feel uncomfortable or sometimes pushy when it comes time to making a sale?  In this episode, we discuss why we need to get comfortable with sales and the strategies and mindsets to create a better flow of income.  By having better conversations, we don’t just gain sales but we gain an opportunity to create a greater impact. Through these tips, you’ll be able to get more comfortable with your next sale, which is the lifeblood that your business needs and the help that your client needs. WHAT YOU’LL DISCOVER IN THIS EPISODE: Getting comfortable with sales (2:58) Time kills all deals  (3:58) The important of chasing up sales with clients (5:46) Making sales is one of the most important skills in business (6:16) Reasons why people find sales so difficult (6:50) Combining solution and sales conversations (14:15) Hiding behind the proposal (15:17) Strategies to help you do better sales (16:50) Money mindset (18:

Time is the most valuable thing for any entrepreneur. As your business becomes busier by the second and demands are piling up every day, it can be difficult to keep up. There always seems to be something that demands your attention.  Instead of asking yourself “how do I fit all these tasks in?”, try asking yourself “how do I remove myself from the equation and still achieve great results?”  In this episode, we deep dive into how to really find freedom in your business and the power of building a business that can work without you. A business that is independent of its owner is worth much more than an owner-dependent one. A business that truly serves your life is a business that gives you the freedom of choice. WHAT YOU’LL DISCOVER IN THIS EPISODE: Look at business as a product that can be bought, sold and add value to (6:56) Find your zone of genius (8:51) Building yourself a job (09:03) Trying new things out (9:33) Finding the balance between trying new things and dipping your toe in the water (10:32) What

When you change your limiting beliefs, you can change your life. This is exactly what Tyson did to grow his business.  Never having been part of a group program before, Tyson opened his mind and tried something new. Through the intensive group where he found his people, he was able to learn from everyone’s unique experiences, wins, and losses. In this episode, Tyson shares how he launched his very first online group coaching program and made $20,000 in less than a month. He gives us his insights into how this has been a huge game-changer for his business. We deep-dive into the details including his social media audience size, the size of his list, the doubts he had along the way, and how he got his coaching program done in such a short time-frame. If you too want to learn the 4-step framework on launching your online program in the next 30 days, and how you can use this framework for yourself, join us here! WHAT YOU’LL DISCOVER IN THIS EPISODE: Why niching works every time (11:30) The power of group programs

Having paying clients is the lifeblood of any business. However, in today’s competitive market, knowing how to generate leads is more complex today than it has ever been. While generating clients and customers takes time, you can speed up the process by learning how to prospect effectively. In this episode Steve Gordon shares the essential tools to attract potential clients and to build a business that is a lot more profitable, creating a better and brighter future for your business. WHAT YOU’LL DISCOVER IN THIS EPISODE: Identifying your ideal client and their problems (6:26) How do you pick your ideal client and focus on them? (9:39) Business decision vs Marketing decision (10:58) What’s your number? Identifying your ideal number of clients (13:19) Thin Marketing (16:15) Human connection is the way forward (19:56) Business results come from connections and relationships (20:05) Where can we find our ideal clients? (23:19) The Target 100 Solution (23:30) The purity of intent (27:04) Join the discussion thre

With almost everyone on social media nowadays, it’s most likely that your prospects are there too. Social media plays a huge part in your company’s marketing strategy and indeed, it is one of the best ways to connect with people. But the question is not IF we should but HOW we can use social media’s dominance on the world scene to grow our business.  In this episode, we unpack the ways to leverage social media to grow your audience and your business through effective tactics and principles. WHAT YOU’LL DISCOVER IN THIS EPISODE: Social media and marketing (2:48) 3 main problems of your social media marketing (4:22) What kind of content you should be posting? (5:04) The ideal mix of social media posts (10:00) Creating content with high engagements (11:16) The Social Influence Pyramid (11:46) Training the behaviour of our followers (13:54) 3 things to do when someone comments on your post (14:46) Why your content is not getting engagement(15:16) Posting content when it’s not timely (16:04) Vanity metrics (18:35

Branding isn’t just a logo.  However, you still must create a consistent visual branding strategy if you want to stand out. To even start a business - you must have a strong WHY.  Your brand is you. Your business is you. Your brand’s success depends on its authenticity. Figure out your WHY and what you stand for.  Branding is possibly the single most powerful thing you can do for your business. It’s not simply a logo but the sum total of what your target market experiences and feels when they see your brand.  In this episode, Brittani Duval shares her insights on the different aspects of branding and the importance of building a consistent and authentic brand to take your business to the next level. WHAT YOU’LL DISCOVER IN THIS EPISODE: Defining what a brand is (5:52) The first step to bring your brand together (7:41) Ideal client avatar (9:38) How do we mesh our brand identity and what our ideal client would want? (10:35) How can you make your brand stand out? (16:05) How to create a consistent brand: Tools

Whether you’re working on new initiatives for your existing business or starting a new business, developing an innovative business model is vital for the growth and success of your business. A leveraged model can bring significant benefits. In this episode, we unpack the 5 things to consider before launching your online program.  With a solid program, you’ll have a clearer perspective and a structural tool to guide your business on the right path.  WHAT YOU’LL DISCOVER IN THIS EPISODE: The reason your subscribe button is not working right now (4:01) Stages of the customer journey (4:17) Point #1: Reverse engineer what you want your business and lifestyle to look like (7:38) Pricing your product and service (11:05) Point #2: Create from your zone of genius and create your unique delivery model (11:42) No such thing as the forever program (12:40) Point #3: Creating a hybrid model (15:26) The Program matrix model (18:23) Point #4: Execution (21:48) Why some businesses fail in the first years (23:30) Point #5: E

How can you, as a leader get your idea out of your head and into someone else’s so that they can “see” what you are saying? In this episode of the Thought Leaders Business Lab, Todd shares his four-part framework on VisuaLeadership.  He talks about the power of visual thinking in leadership in order to improve understanding and engagement across your organization. Through his methodology, he uses visual thinking to leverage the power of mental models, visual imagery, metaphor or analogy, and storytelling to more effectively and efficiently manage and lead your people. Know your vision and have the right tools to turn it into reality. WHAT YOU’LL DISCOVER IN THIS EPISODE: Picture superiority effect (6:19) Dual Coding Theory (6:41) What is Visual Leadership? (6:54) What does it mean to have a leadership vision? (7:36) Learning curves for leaders (10:04) The burden of miscommunication (10:34) The four-part framework of Visual Leadership (10:51) #1 Visual Images and Drawing (13:11) #2 Mental Models and Framework

When you’re building a virtual team, it’s important to hire for culture instead of only skills. But how can entrepreneurs be sure they are hiring the best fit for the job and their company’s culture? Managing a remote set of team members comes with its own unique challenges, and companies must have a structured plan on how to support their virtual teams.  In this episode, you’ll learn the five steps to hiring and managing a virtual team that will help you reach your company’s vision, and be able to take advantage of the benefits of working with great talent, from anywhere in the world.  WHAT YOU’LL DISCOVER IN THIS EPISODE: Step 1: Finding and hiring a virtual assistant (4:35) Step 2: Creating an effective job description (7:30) Hire for fit not for skills (12:37) Job posting tips to distinguish qualified applicants (13:28) Step 3: The onboarding and training process (15:43) Why weekly team meetings are important (20:50) Step 4: Creating a cohesive team through a virtual communal workspace (23:12) Step 5: Fe

Businesses have to adapt to new environments and look for solutions faster than ever before.  Leaders who have the ability to see and seize opportunities as they present themselves, especially during these challenging times are those who can create a culture of progressive growth for their companies. In this episode, Kiri Maree shares with us her insights on how to lead in an uncertain world, and maintain economic growth while focusing on improving human well-being. “The more that we have an understanding of what is and isn’t working for us and other people, the better we are able to direct our conversation and make smarter decisions as leaders.” Through these solutions, leaders are able to work for today while thinking forward and at the same time understand the importance of achieving equally significant improvements in human well-being. What is the one thing you can do today to shift the dial forward for you, your business, and humanity? WHAT YOU’LL DISCOVER IN THIS EPISODE: How has connectivity today bec

With everyone working from home due to the strict lockdown, how can we make sure that we find a balance between work, rest, and play? As the physical boundaries of work and home blur, it can be difficult to get things done and still create time for ourselves to rest and recharge.  In this episode, discover these top 5 tips that will help you better manage your time and energy thus getting more work done and maintaining your well-being and sound health at the same time. WHAT YOU’LL DISCOVER IN THIS EPISODE: Point #1: Morning routine (6:40) Point # 2: Plan ahead (11:42) Making priorities (13:13) Point #3: Systems (17:56) Point #4: Working Sprints (22:23) Putting away distractions (23:30) Point #5: Block out sections of your calendar (24:32) Blocking self-care time (26:27) Join the discussion thread for this episode over at The Thought Leaders Business Lab Community Facebook Group. For full show notes and links visit:  https://samanthariley.global/podcast/177

You made the decision to start your own business. Now the next challenge is how to scale your business so it can grow without solely relying on you. “Work on your business, not in your business,” as they say.  As the leader of your business, you are responsible for steering the ship - you are in charge of the big picture.  Scaling your business means creating an environment to enable and support the growth of your company.  In order to do so, it requires careful planning, effective systems, and the right team In today’s episode, Samantha is joined by her husband, Leon, and they share their best practices when it comes to growing their team and incorporating the right tools and training to better scale their business. WHAT YOU’LL DISCOVER IN THIS EPISODE: How hiring good team members can change your business (03:05) Just because you can do everything doesn’t mean you should (04:19) Debunking the myths around work and hiring (06:22) The importance of communication with your virtual team (12:19) Systems and Pro

It is definitely a challenging time for many businesses at the moment.  But there are many opportunities in the coaching and expert industry right now. Now is the time to think creatively, think about the concerns your clients have and how you can best serve them.  In today’s episode, Samantha is joined by her husband, Leon, and they share five things that are working in their business so give you some ideas on how you can grow your coaching business in the current economic climate.   WHAT YOU’LL DISCOVER IN THIS EPISODE: What worked #1: Taking their live event online (6:27) How to maintain the energy online for your attendees (8:40) What they did to create an event atmosphere  (9:45) Some things that didn’t work in an online situation (12:50) What worked #2: Offering services that your audience needs right now (16:44) What worked #3: Looking for the growth opportunities (22:00) What worked #4: Increasing our network and strengthening community (26:49) What worked #5: Putting aside things for learning (30:18

Do you consider yourself as an expert in your field?  Does your network know that you are an expert in your industry or niche?  Being an expert is just one side of the coin. Being known as a thought leader is another.  But first, what is a thought leader? In today’s episode, Samantha and Tim define what a thought leader is and what it really takes to be known as a thought leader.  They also share some tips on how to build your positioning in the next 90 days.  WHAT YOU’LL DISCOVER IN THIS EPISODE: What is a thought leader? (3:22) The work involved in being a thought leader (5:45) The Novice to Expert Model (7:16) Tip #1: Stay on your lane (9:45) Tip #2: Staking your position (13:03) Tip #3: Create the image (15:56) Tip #4: Commit to doing the work (20:40) Tip #5: Content and more content (23:42) Join the discussion thread for this episode over at The Thought Leaders Business Lab Community Facebook Group. For full show notes and links visit:  https://samanthariley.global/podcast/174 Haven’t left a review ye