Ace Hardware’s CEO and President John Venhuizen joins this week’s episode to share his company’s story of successfully reinventing itself to fight against ever-increasing competition from big box stores. With more than 4,800 stores locally owned and operated across the globe, it’s wasn’t an easy job. The secret? An irrational commitment and pursuit of amazing customer service and a whole lot of excellent leadership, culture and community along the way. Whether your company is big or small, you’re going to want to listen to this conversation.
Small-Business Tax Preparation Checklist
In today’s world with all of its diversions, it’s harder than ever to concentrate. But don’t give up! It’s still possible to focus intensely on cognitively demanding tasks, says this week’s featured guest, Cal Newport. The author and professor joins us to share his tips on a better way to avoid all those disruptions and transform your mind and habits.
It’s been estimated that more than 80% of our time awake is spent on autopilot, leading to a life of missed moments and even less enjoyment at home and at work. This week’s guest, Chris Baréz-Brown, is on a mission to help us escape that routine. The inspirational speaker, author and business beatnik joins us to share his tips on how to feel more conscious, joyful and inspired, and how to avoid missing what matters most.
Life is a series of negotiations. And in this week’s episode, we’re going to show how to be the best at it with the help of a former FBI international hostage negotiator. Chris Voss joins us to share effective tactics and strategies you can use to become more persuasive in both your professional and personal life and how to solve business communication challenges with these hostage negotiation techniques.
We’re taking a look back at 2016 by sharing clips from our favorite podcast episodes of the year based on the number of downloads and feedback from our listeners. We’re also featuring our top five EntreLeadership tools.
Want to make 2017 the best year yet? Then listen in, because organizational strategist, social innovator and executive coach Steve Graves joins us to share his practical steps for winning next year. Whether you are a start-up, a growing enterprise, or ready to pass the keys to the next generation, this episode is for you.
If the word innovation had a poster boy, it would be this week’s guest, Tim Ferriss. This entrepreneur, self-improvement guru, podcast host and best-selling author of The 4-Hour Workweek joins us to share his story. Tim discusses how to handle rejection, how to overcome fears, and why, at the end of the day, it’s never just about us. This is a fascinating conversation you don’t want to miss.
Imagine trying to lead a team without the power to hire, fire or promote. Even tougher? That team was the worst-performing one in its entire division. So what do you do? If you are former Naval Captain Mike Abrashoff, you focus on your leadership—not the crew’s deficiencies. His results were spectacular. Abrashoff turned the ship around and made it number one. He joins us to share his story and give some practical tips. Also on the show, EntreLeadership Coach John Felkins answers your business questions. Don’t miss these great conversations!
Jonah Berger, author of Contagious, explains the science behind why some products go viral while others don’t. Learn how to make your brand spread like wildfire without breaking your budget. Also, podcast listener and EntreLeadership Master Series attendee Brett Fischer shares his heart behind founding Victory Lane Camp, a support and therapy community for children with disabilities and their families. Get inspired by his passion and learn how EntreLeadership has helped him carry out his goal of spreading hope to those in need.
Imagine trying to launch a brand with a different team, different country, different culture and different language every week. Impossible, right? Not if you’re this week’s special guest, Kat Cole. The Group President of Focus Brands, parent company to well-known franchises like Cinnabon, Auntie Anne’s Pretzels, Carvel and Moe’s Southwest Grill, joins us to discuss her amazing story. Plus, Kat shares how building trust with your team is one of the main ingredients of success. Also on tap, we’re heading down to Main Street to learn from EntreLeader Adam Kugel, CEO of Kugel Corporation in Chehalis, Washington.
Free Tool: "5 Habits That Kill Team Unity"
When it comes to leadership, no one plays a more critical role than a military officer. The decisions they make can mean life or death. On this week’s episode, we’re featuring one of the best. Lt. Gen. George Flynn, USMC (Ret.) spent 38 years in the Marines, serving in some of the highest levels of leadership in the military. He currently consults with major corporations, think tanks and universities on organizational adaption and leadership. He joins the podcast to discuss the winning attributes of outstanding leaders and how you can build trust within your team.
Free Tool: "5 Habits That Kill Team Unity"
Country music legend and The Celebrity Apprentice winner John Rich joins us for our first live podcast straight from EntreLeadership Master Series. Hear John’s thoughts on taking risks, overcoming intimidating situations, and breaking through difficult barriers in business. In addition, EntreLeadership favorite and best-selling author Dr. Henry Cloud joins us to talk about the emotional impact your behavior as a leader makes on your team.
If you want to build a Steve Jobs-like environment, where innovation and creativity reign, cookie-cutter won’t cut it. Learn from management consulting expert Lisa Kay Solomon as she discusses how to design strategic conversations that accelerate change. Lisa will show you how to get your employees to view themselves as innovators, not clock-punchers.
If the attitude of entitlement is a disease, this week’s featured guest has the cure. Psychologist, leadership expert and best-selling author Dr. John Townsend joins us to share steps for leading those with an I-deserve-special-treatment mindset, whether it’s found in your team members, customers, kids . . . or even yourself! These are practical tools for a life of success.
Emotions are the primary drivers of our behavior, and we’re all hard-wired to let them get the upper hand. So how do you deal with them? This week’s guest, Dr. Travis Bradberry, discusses how understanding and increasing your emotional intelligence can take your leadership skills and workplace performance to new heights. Dr. Bradberry is the award-winning author of Emotional Intelligence 2.0 and co-founder of TalentSmart, the world’s leading provider of emotional intelligence tests and training.
Kelly Leonard, Executive Vice President of The Second City—the world’s premier comedy theater and school of improvisation—joins us to discuss how the skills used in improv can easily transfer to leadership and business. He shares techniques that can help any organization develop innovators, encourage adaptable leaders, and build transformational businesses.
Researcher and business consultant Marcus Buckingham returns to talk about making the most of your God-given talents and how you can use them to contribute to others. The former senior researcher at the Gallup Organization and best-selling author shares plenty of tips . . . plus a new way of thinking about your strengths that can be life-changing.
Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author Charles Duhigg returns to the podcast for a cutting-edge look at the science of productivity. He explains how we can improve at the things we do how and how to get more done without sacrificing what we care about most. This is a fascinating conversation. Also on tap, Dave discusses one of our core values: crusading. And always, we’re giving away FREE tools, so listen in!
In today’ economy, businesses that are winning create connections and community. And this week’s guest is going to share how to do exactly that. Robbie Kellman Baxter joins us to discuss the membership economy and how to find your super users. Because when you make your customers feel like they are members of a club, you’ll make more money and perform a really valuable service. Also on this episode, we’re sharing an EntreLeader’s story on turning a stop sign into a starting line, and we’re giving you free tools to help you win.
Entrepreneur extraordinaire and best-selling author Carrie Wilkerson joins us to talk some personal-growth gold, including how to be successful without leaving those you love behind and how to handle difficult conversations with one of your toughest employees—you! Also on this episode, EntreLeadership Coach John Felkins stops by to answer some small-business questions from our listeners.
You’re in for a special treat this week because legendary college football coach Lou Holtz joins us to talk football and so much more! One of the most celebrated and accomplished coaches in sports history, Lou has made a career of inspiring his players and motivating them to be winners. It’s advice that will transfer directly to you and your business! If you want to be a success and be a better leader, listen to this great conversation.
What would you do if you were only 24 years old, had no experience in business, and were asked to take the helm of your legendary father’s multi-million-dollar company? If you’re Amanda Holmes, you ask a lot of questions, say yes, and double business within two years. The CEO of Chet Holmes International is a marketing, sales and social-media wiz, and she’s sharing her story with you on this week’s podcast. This is a conversation you don’t want to miss.
What makes some people prosper while others struggle simply trying to get through the day? Jon Gordon, multi-best-selling author, joins us to discuss the keys to long-term sustainable growth at business and home. He discusses the simple factors of success that anyone can easily put into practice. Start loving your life again by listening in to this episode today!
If you find yourself stretched too thin, losing momentum, or working yourself to death without a lot of traction, listen in. Greg McKeown, best-selling author of Essentialism, teaches leaders of the most innovative companies around the world how to achieve the disciplined pursuit of doing less and getting more done. Greg shares his tips on finding out what’s important and breaking the habit of being distracted by things that don’t matter. It’s a seriously unique conversation that can help you break your business through to the next level.
As a leader, it’s your job to bring out the best in others. But how do you become a person of positive influence? This week’s guest, best-selling author and leadership expert Dr. Jackie Freiberg, lays out some practical, easy-to-implement ideas to get you started on the journey. If you want to become a better leader, build a brand you can be proud of, and live a life of significance, begin with this episode.