ShopTalk 16 - We All Have the Same 24 Hours

In this Episode, I discuss the simple fact that we all have the same 24 hours and if you want to achieve your goals and use the "I don't have the time" excuse - then you're not Making the time required to make things happen. 
Providing free value in your desired direction to get your foot in the door is one way to get what you're after, if you're always in it for Money (24/7) then you'll be discredited as being paid to care. 

Time Management is also crucial to understand. Which is exactly why I decided to hang out at Chenault Vineyards for this one.

Follow @ #ShopTalkGuys

USEFUL REFERENCES____________________________________________________


Laura Vanderkam (TED TALK: Gain Control of your Free Time)
https://www.ted.com/talks/laura_vanderkam_how_to_gain_control_of_your_free_time

Tim Ferriss - Tools of Titans
http://amzn.to/2xYCBIP


Alex Becker - 10 Pillars of Wealth
http://amzn.to/2wIht9x

David DiSalvo - What Makes your Brain Happy, and why you should do the opposite
http://amzn.to/2wNwjXm

Leonard Mlodinow - How Your Unconscious Mind Rules Your Behavior 
http://amzn.to/2xv5YRr

ShopTalk 15 (Parts 1 & 2) - Why Entrepreneurship Should be Taught in Schools

In this Episode, that is split I discuss Why Entrepreneurship Should be Taught in Schools; there are so many factors to consider and so many routes that could lead to an individual's personal success. 

I discuss this topic coming from a position of having gone through the traditional route and stopping midway to realize that it's not all it's chocked-up to be.
I'm coming from the direction that exposes these (Normal Life) issues and discuss beginning down a road toward (Entrepreneurship) indestructible wealth.

In Part 2, I go more in-depth with a personal endeavor Dynamic Results- Personal Training Studio, the process of understanding a financial education, What Assets and Liabilities really ARE and MEAN, and provide a few book samples I'd recommend.

Event sample:

http://blogs.colgate.edu/tiainstitute/2013/04/07/little-talks-big-ideas-sarah-stewart/

Book Samples:

Walmart

Sam Walton - Made in America

http://amzn.to/2xlPA3N

James McQuivey - Digital Disruption

http://amzn.to/2w7ft8B

Mark Cuban - How to WIN at the Sport of Business

http://amzn.to/2wHyekJ

Dynamic Results: an Entrepreneurial Endevour

Back in April 2017, I had the opportunity to meet with Justin Rudolph of Dynamic Results. 

Suffice to say, we'd met here and there at meetings and networking events for the local businesses and Chamber based gatherings; so we were familiar with one another.

I'd come across his card and reached out for a proposition to see how I could help him grow his business based upon where he was in the cycle (his achievements, goals, desires and client base; most importantly: How Hungry was He?).

After listening to him for about 20mins (now I reflect back, it's been 4-5 months and we're going to be starting to grow his business based upon an internal restructuring plan), I knew he was the kinda cat who would appreciate expansion of his brand. I voluntarily met with him for months giving insight and helping him boost his repor with people and become visible by tweaking things. Now we have a calendar schedule for the next 2 quarters, the next year and 3 year plan for branding him and the steps necessary to get him there (including check points, value proposition and requirements).

But for me it all started with an interest in producing a marketing video for a personal trainer to boost their business and to add that valuable diversity to my portfolio of work.

Now/ unlike 4-5 months ago: I'm looking into being an Operations Manager + Marketing Director for him. I feel that him allowing me to represent his brand and our combined hunger to succeed and bring something more to the marketplace is a mutually beneficial partnership; this is the kind of mindset that sets leaders apart from followers. 

In the next Post, ShopTalk 15: I actually feature Justin in Part 2 (Entrepreneurship in Schools).

For more Check out the Link below:

Dynamic Results - Personal Training Studio

a year bald: Quarter 2

My Short Term list of opportunities was met; not without discourse and challenge though - I didn't expect any different. I did however (at least thought) put myself to believing that I might be able to enjoy some of my short term wins...(yeah wins...). That was a kind of a misplaced expectation.

So where am I currently?

I've got 4 partnerships and 2 small businesses, and lately it seems like, the harder I try and get better feedback - the worse off I'm placing myself. Or maybe I judge my position too brashly; perhaps things are all better from outside my perspective. Having High As Hell expectations for yourself can be very aggravating when you're not hitting your marks consistently. In addition to the fact that I'm branching out on some of the things I'd been putting off for quite some time. Being Conatantly Hungry has it's ups and downs - learning business requires patience, resilience, thick-skin and a solid sense of personal psychology (as well as being able to analyze situations and people).

Of course I'm going to reflect on my daily grind before I discuss anything relative to my project-

a year bald Quarter 2

This quarter was definitely more emotionally charging from a human standpoint. I actually pushed off the 2nd quarters release for an additional 2 weeks and then almost lost track of doing it.

I had a niece born and then 2 weeks later my Grandfather passed away. And as I mention in the Vlog; I've got a childhood friend getting married next month. So hopefully that's the extent of the human condition I experience during this project. Emotions can be quite the driving force between what you feel like doing and not - how you experience and interpret your surroundings (relative to the world at large).

For those not familiar with the concept of EQ (aka: EI: Emotional Intelligence) I would like to advocate you familiarize yourself (Primal Leadership: Daniel Goleman).

Last Month: Early April; something has been eating at me and I couldn't figure out why I had been holding back from asking every bald person in sight about their experiences being bald.

• I reflected on the concept that I didn't want to force people into a reluctant type interview; I'd gain their concent first

• I preferred not to become a public nuisance

• It becomes tedious to constantly seek out the bald, and discuss them. There's really no depth to the approach and it becomes aimless in a sea of social sensationalism.

So, as I maintained my original approach and just interact with people in my vacinity; I woke up on April 3rd and had my epiphany.

"I'm kinda tired of talking with people about what it is to be bald"

Bare in mind that the project has not run it's course; it's into it's 7th month now. I'm determined to make it happen.

Though, as of right this moment - I have poison ivy on my arms and hands. This next shave will have to be done by my wife as I'm not able/ willing to risk getting poison ivy on my head by accident; That's just not something I want to experience. Period.

So as you watch the vlog for Quarter 2 keep in mind that it was a more emotionally charged quarter for me and having had a couple of breakthroughs -

"I'd rather just be bald and live life versus constantly addressing it"

The Motions (American Pool and Spa)

So recently I've partnered up with American Pool & Spa in Richmond, KY.

They're interested in dominating their local space; can't say I blame them.

Beyond simply taking on the role of their marketing director (emails, social media, website); to me if you want to dominate a space you've got to be Hungry and Willing to try new things to grow your client base.

This starts by expanding your ideology for success. For Justin and Myself, we enjoy bouncing ideas back-and-forth on what's the NEXT cool thing we could do for the business?

Needless to say, we fill our pipeline up quick and then implement it too. 

As a small media business, this kind of opportunity came knocking at my door and I'd have been an idiot to pass it up. 

As I mentioned to Justin 

"I've been waiting for a business with the gumption to WANT to Succeed and double, triple and quadruple sales in the next year or two -  I'd love to help you guys dominate your market space!"

As we're both inspired by the likes of Gary Vaynerchuk, Grant Cardone, Adam h. Michaels, Tai Lopez, Marcus Lemonis, Mark Cuban and more - we decided to start "The Motion" vlog amid other Marketing Actions!

Check out the Pilot and Let us know your thoughts in the comment section of American Pool & Spa's Facebook page :)

[Join us as we install a HotSpring spa; from beginning to end we show you from a very transparent point of view of how we begin the day, things that can happen, how we handle situations and find solutions.

At the end of the day, we all go through "The Motions" rather it's at work/business or personal life.]

Check'em out:

Website
Americanpoolandspaky.com

Youtube (American Pool and Spa KY)
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCOFTXXeCQ2FBy0UHRFVAgQ

Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/americanpoolandspa_richmondky/

Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/americanpoolandspaky

Dancing for Goldfish

Why competing for shorter attention span's won't work in the long run of Marketing

Every day I get a  series of calls, Messages, emails, you name it. Generally there in regards to condensing a story that was produced- with the intent on focusing toward either a niche Group of people, or the general public; hoping that by throwing a bunch of darts one will stick to the board.

The current direction of marketing is oversaturated with the Industry consensus that the average person's attention span is shorter than that of a goldfish. Uniquely enough, The rate of information retention is even worse. Having dealt with this for quite some time; I've often ask myself, and then eventually my clients "if we make the story too short, we can't get all the ideal information in there effectively." 

The premise of a desired sales pitch is obvious, The call to action is obvious, but we're not connecting with the audience as deeply in the same way. 

This may lead to a couple of sales (which are only comparable in market percentages to that of impulse purchases at a major retailer), but your long run numbers are going to suffer. Which means you'll end up spending more with a cheaper rate of conversion. The problem is you didn't take the time to connect with your audience no matter how broad or narrow that spectrum is.

Now with any market, there's eventually a breaking point, A turnaround point, or a group that does things differently and gains a greater market appeal over shorter period of time because they take the TIME to tell a compelling story. While biting the upfront costs for long run conversion.

Content is key as many people have come to understand, but valuable content is the Holy Grail of Marketing.

When a company or group work with a client that is willing to take the time, energy and resources necessary to tell a good story. Their rate of conversion will ultimately be significantly more than those who tell a quick-cheap-story designed to raise adrenaline.

Most people are under the impression that the market demands: 

Money now. Results now.

When in fact the brand growing route is: 

Story now. Results tomorrow.

When you take the time to connect with people in a meaningful fashion- versus spitting out quick deals, for faster cash. The long run results yield better results.

Building a brand is a lot like farming.

You want to test the soil (market), 

you want to identify the season best for your crops (what's trending, what's not), 

then you want to prep the land (survey), 

you want to plant your seeds (market test), 

you want to water your seeds (share results and target audiences), 

you want to keep watch over your crop/ maintain (market fluctuations), 

and eventually you want to harvest (make sales).

By not following these procedures, reevaluating strategy, identifying

market fluctuations and learning to build a brand; this collection is likely to capsize unsynced companies. 

In addition, wasting the client's money at no avail.

So in essence, if you're not taking the time to connect clients and customers in a meaningful fashion. In the long-run, all you were really doing was dancing for goldfish.

And Goldfish don't Blink.

(If you're a blog reader or Vlog watcher: Let me know if you have any thoughts)

Have a Solid Day!

-Steve

a year bald (February)

So, February was an interesting month. Starting with a solid interview with Comedian Larry Starks, whom I was networked with by Joe Allen (work/travel colleague via Prepspin). So, I'd been trying to coordinate this interview about 3 times; the first was late November after we returned from the Trip to Florida covering basketball for bd Global. The Goal was December.13th; come the day for the interview - I also had intention to shoot the last scene for my short film: LIVE from Baghdad!

That was earlier on in the day. IF you've kept up with the Vlog, that didn't turn out how I'd planned and put me in a rut based on the events of that day. 

My drone took off on me due to magnetic interference and on top of that, it landed in a lesser part of town where I was flying it and was then stolen while attempting to recalibrate from a rough landing.

So I rescheduled the interview and then things came up again - work as usual.

So on the third attempt, we got it done. I got a full hour and 20 mins worth of dialogue with Larry and I cut it down to the prime points for the needs of the interview.

You can check out more of Larry Starks on: (StarksTV.com)

From there, I reached out to a group in Baltimore that I'm hoping to work with around mid-summer while I planned being out that way for Beast Coast 2017 (Parkour Event) anyway. I won't disclose whom specifically, but it's a larger project initiative for a small media company to tackle. Maybe not initiative wise; that's simple enough. But the audience I'd be able to reach with the message would be amazing; making that sort of impact on such a large scale would really be something else for sure.

In addition, I'm still training and doing my weekly parkour progressions and working on ShopTalk as well; training my body and mind with different activities to stay focused on the greater long-term game. 

I'm also getting way more fluent at shaving my head and can get it knocked-out in about 7 minutes flat now; much better than needing help and branching off on my own at 15-20min shaves.

The Basil Farm is coming along as I've been using every weekend to travel to Waynesburg, KY and get each next step in the process knocked out a little bit at a time. In fact, I'm excited that the last frost is coming soon and I've nearly got the pallet fence completed (heavy winds took out a few pallets this past weekend; we'll get it handled). However, it's coming along nicely. And I've got part of my seeds started in 72 cell starter kits; only have 10% of the basil and all of the tomato seeds started out of 4 types of basil, tomatoes, peppers, onions and radishes. 

My Basil Farm is Going to happen. :)

The rest of the month has been training, planning, networking and honing my skills in new facets for delivering more value to the world a little at a time. I'm Hungry! + I get into silly-antics still.