I had to have Jay McBain back on the show to continue our conversation from July, 2020 about customer obsession, journey mapping and the future of week. A year has gone by since then and I wanted to look at what he was seeing transformed, stagnant and a no go. With that in mind we ventured into conversation about opportunity costs and how at some point it becomes numeric and definable. But should you quantify it or leap and take the risk on the opportunity? We also talked about making decisions, not making decisions and staying static are actually all forms of making a decision. And because he is top futurist Jay McBain, we talked about the future of work, why it is important to map your customers journey with you if you want a successful business and customer experience beyond the first sale. Jay leads Forrester's research and advisory for global channels, alliances, and partnerships. He focuses on B2B marketing in the age of the customer; understanding and navigating the complexity of multiple routes to market; ensuring contextual and relevant content to accelerate the indirect sales process; and describing the technology infrastructure to build and support channel relationships. His background is in channel leadership, sales, marketing, and operations, with a specific emphasis on indirect sales strategy/execution, covering multiple industries, segments, and underlying technologies. Jay is renowned for his industry thought leadership and expertise in partner recruitment, development, and acceleration through effective partner coverage, enablement, communication, and incentives. He is an expert in building and leveraging channel communities and one of the global leaders in social media, partner marketing automation, and other indirect growth strategies. Jay provides research, advisory, and consulting to companies ranging from Fortune 100 vendors to startups on the entire scope of their channel and alliance strategies. He is a contributing author and has been cited in numerous channel media publications, including Channel Reseller News (CRN), ChannelPro, ChannelE2E, The VAR Guy, MSPMentor, Channelnomics, Computer Dealer News (CDN), Australia Reseller News (ARN), eChannelNews, Business Solutions Magazine, ChannelLine, ChannelInsider, SearchITChannel, Redmond Channel Magazine, Vertical Systems Reseller, Channel Buzz, and SMB Nation. He also maintains a popular blog on channel trends. Jay is based in Florida but advises vendors, distributors, and partners around the world.

It's All About the Questions

Opportunity Costs - Jay McBain

Forget finding your unique value proposition. Focus on making yourself chooseable. That's what my guest Belinda Weaver believes is more important to focus on instead of trying to figure out what makes you, your company or your products different than your competitors. She believes that "we don't need to be 100% unique in business...we have to become chooseable. What does that mean though and how do you position yourself to become chooseable? Belinda and I discuss three areas you can shine a spotlight on to make yourself chooseable and have your business land more clients. Belinda Weaver helps people write copy that makes them money. Whether it's teaching copywriters how to run successful businesses or business owners how to write more effective copy Belinda has courses, coaching and mentoring that builds skills and confidence. But she wasn't always a copywriter. Belinda worked as a computer programmer, then in marketing before discovering copywriting was her jam. Since then, her business - Copywrite Matters - has not only survived but grown while she's moved between Australia, England and the USA, and had two kids. She cohosts the popular copywriting podcast, Hot Copy with Kate Toon and is regularly featured in the media such as Copyblogger, Business Insider, Amy Porterfield's pod and The Copywriter Club. An Aussie living in California with her pug, two daughters and husband (listed in order of neediness)... Belinda is obsessed with Doctor Who, English murder mysteries and making the perfect lemon curd.

Make Yourself Chooseable - Belinda Weaver

I never turn down a chance to have John David Mann on the show. I crave reading any book, article, blog or social media post or even just an email he sends. Each word is crafted. Not just typed onto a page but crafted to create maximum lift to the entire manuscript, post or other type of written composition. No wonder he is a multiple New York Times bestselling author and that The Go-Giver, cowritten with the amazing Bob Burg, is a must read around the world. On this episode we discuss John David Mann's latest project with Brandon Webb, Steel Fear. Their first fiction novel which has been optioned to TV as has a second book in the series was just released and it required a different way of writing and thinking as John explains on the show. We also talk about his other passion project that was an unplanned one, Write Good, (Or At Least Gooder!) If you've read Stephen King's famous book, On Writing, you will want to sign up on John's email list to get a copy of this fan only book. Share your thoughts about this episode and one takeaway on social media and tag me on all platforms @TheLauraSteward

Steel Fear, Write Good or Gooder, Fan Geeking Out - John David Mann

Becoming a Navy SEAL is hard enough but then becoming a SEAL Sniper and then SEAL Sniper instructor and then being asked to revamp SEAL Sniper training is not something many have on their resumes. Add NY Times Bestselling author, entrepreneur, military advisor, father, pilot, philanthropist and several other things to the list and you have an exciting repeat guest to my show. Brandon Webb recently took a detour from his prolific non-fiction writing and wrote his first fiction novel, Steel Fear. Picture this, serial killer, aircraft carrier at sea... I devoured it in one sitting. We talked about writing differences between non-fiction and fiction, where the premise for the book came from, his travels during COVID with his son and why his son is going to college in Europe versus the USA. And, because I rarely get to speak to someone of Brandon's level when it comes to world events, we also talk about Afghanistan from the perspective of someone who has served there and still is informed.  

Steel Fear, Navy SEAL Sniper, Afghanistan, Writing - Brandon Webb

Covid has put health at the top of many minds this past year plus and my guests are no exception. Tracey Welson-Rossman and Dr. Marta Becker were watching what was happening with patients being diagnosed with long-haul covid and decided to do something to help patients and their doctors track symptoms and come up with a common language to work towards healing. The result is an app, Journal My Health, that is being used to track not only long Covid symptoms but also those with other chronic illnesses. How they developed the app, what it can mean for patient-doctor interactions and why we should all be journaling our health are just some of the questions asked on this episode. Tracey Welson-Rossman Founder, CEO Journal My Health Tracey Welson-Rossman brings her years of experience in the technology and entrepreneurial space, along with her own healthcare journey, to create this app for patients. Marta T. Becker, MD Chief Medical Officer Marta T. Becker, MD is a board-certified otolaryngologist-Head and Neck surgeon in private practice in the Philadelphia. She graduated from Harvard University and the Harvard-MIT Health Sciences and Technology (HST) division of Harvard Medical School and was residency-trained at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She is a partner at the single-specialty practice Berger Henry ENT Specialty Group. She is passionate about using digital tools and the internet to help improve patients healthcare experience and outcome.

Journal My Health - Journaling Health to be Heard and Heal

Thomas Kies, or as I know him, Tom, just released his fourth novel in the Geneva Chase Mystery series. Books that you will want to devour from the first page until the last. I know from experience.  Writing novels is a passion for this former journalist and life experiences have given him lots of stories to tell and complex characters to create. But that is not all he does. His day job is running a Chamber of Commerce in North Carolina and serving on numerous boards about the environment. Listen as Tom shares how he juggles writing, advocating for small business owners and keeping the barrier island relevant and environmentally sound as it grows. Author of the Geneva Chase Mystery Series, Thomas Kies lives and writes on a barrier island on the coast of North Carolina with his wife, Cindy. He has a long career working for newspapers and magazines, primarily in New England and New York, and is currently working on his next novel. When he’s not writing mysteries, Thomas Kies is the President of the Carteret County Chamber of Commerce. Contact Tom

Shadow Hill - Thomas Kies - Novelist, Small Business Advocate and Environmentalist

Illness prevented an earlier post of this episode recorded on June 29, 2021 yet the content is perfectly relevant today and always. giving ourselves permission to "kickass" as Angie Colee puts it is not something easy to do for most people. Many look for outside permission to excel and live full out for their dreams. Take a listen as guest Angie Colee shares how she learned to give herself permission to live a life she defines including leaving safety behind for a covid duration nomad tour of living her dreams all across America, quitting a dream copywriting job for a major Internet marketer and stepping into being single and loving it. She also shares how you can too. Angie Colee is a confidence coach and business strategist who works with creative entrepreneurs to help them conquer fears, break through anxiety blocks, and start or grow a business with rockstar confidence. So many would-be freelancers and entrepreneurs let fear stop them before they get started, and Angie's made it her mission to help more people learn how to deal with those fears and confidently step into the spotlight. Angie knows what it's like to have ideas and a powerful desire to show people what you can do. She's had to sneak smart, proven marketing strategies by clueless corporate know-it-alls... and been yelled at (by those same know-it-alls) when those strategies went on to make the company millions of dollars. She realized how often ego gets in the way at big companies, and that you can't tap into your full potential when you're giving your all to a corporation that won't give its all to you.  If you're tired of being told what to do by clueless assholes and know you were meant for more, Angie's your girl. She's been coaching and running creative teams for companies like Lowes, Product Launch Formula, Copy Chief, and Orzy Media for years. In that time has helped hundreds of creative freelancers start their own successful businesses. She’s written and strategized dozens of multimillion dollar campaigns (including two during a pandemic) and her work is responsible for more than $50 million in direct to consumer sales. Angie holds a Master of Entertainment Industry Management from Carnegie Mellon University, which means she understands the unique challenges faced by creatives in business. Her degree blends more traditional MBA expertise with the art of valuing and monetizing creative work. She was in the third graduating class of this creative business hybrid program.  

Permission to Kickass - Angie Colee

What do you call someone who is a Hip Hop artist, Yoga instructor, helps companies and individual create their brands and tell their stories? I call him Rajiv Nathan. Known as the Startup Hypeman in the world of startup pitching for funding, Rajiv Nathan AKA RajNation, spends his time helping companies of all sizes tell their stories. Not just for venture capital funding but also to their future customers and existing staff.  On this episode Rajiv shares how he uses all of his own story as a rapper, yoga teacher, MMA emcee and entrepreneur to help others excel in all they do. He exemplifies his belief that you can turn everything you enjoy into a career, without burnout! One key? Understanding and communicating your POV. Known as the Heavyweight Champion of Story, Rajiv 'RajNATION' Nathan is Founder of Startup Hypeman, helping growing companies not suck at telling their story so they stand out to their audience, stand apart from competitors, and break through in their category. He was named an "Agent of Change" by Huffington Post, has given a TED Talk, and been featured in Inc, Forbes, and more. He's also a hip hop artist, yoga instructor, and host of the popular show Startup Hypeman: The Podcast. Talk to him about Hamilton, WWE, or Seinfeld and you'll have a friend for life. www.startuphypeman.com 

Hip Hop, Yoga, Pitching, Branding and Podcasting - Rajiv Nathan

Working with staff is not easy. Add into that the long time relationship of a closely knit family who knows how to push each other's buttons and it could end up being a disaster. Or not. Can a father and daughter work together and perform as a team without drama? When the team is Neal and Tara Johnson the answer is yes. During this episode Neal and Tara share honest and thoughtful answers on why they started working together, how they handle conflict, how Neal has learned how to push Tara out of her comfort zone and why Tara embraces it now. We also discuss how they handle being in the mortgage business during an unprecedented market and how they both balance work and play. Neal Johnson has over 40 years of Financial Services Experience and 20 years specializing in Mortgage Lending. He has the expertise to work with clients to find the right mortgage to fit their individual needs. Neal has lived in his community for over 50 years. During his professional career, he has served in many Leadership roles including the Economic Development Commission, Melbourne Regional Chamber of Commerce, and AMIKids Space Coast. He is also a member of the Civilian Military Community Relations Council and was the 2018 Member of the Year. Neal spends his free time with his wife Terri, and their standard poodle Cody, taking their RV on trips all over Florida. Tara Johnson was born and raised in Melbourne Florida and has been in retail banking for 10 years, and Mortgage banking for 4 years. During her professional career, she has honed in her leadership skills, following after her Father’s footsteps in the community. She is the Past Chair for the Melbourne Regional Chamber ENGAGE Young Professionals, and current Chair for the Chamber Ambassadors, as well as on the Board of Directors for the Melbourne Regional Chamber, and LovingNeighbor, a local non-profit. She was recognized as the ENGAGE Young Professional of the year for 2019, Women of Excellence nominee for 2020, as well as 2019 SpaceCoast Business Under 40 winner in the Finance category. When she isn’t spending time at the Disney Parks, she spends her time going on adventures with her close friends, family and boyfriend. Her pride and joy is her Husky Pit mix, Cesar.

Father and Daughter Team = Success - Neal and Tara Johnson

When it's your birthday you get to talk about whatever lights you up and gets you excited and for me that is talking all things Star Wars, Star Trek, Marvel, DC and Harry Potter with a few friends. Take a listen as we debate characters, shows, directors and the shifting timelines of our favorite shows and movies. I am joined by Brits James Adam and Mark Asquith and fellow U.S. woman in tech Janet Schijns as we share what got us into being a Sci-Fi, fantasy, superhero fan, our favorite characters and what we really think about those alternative time lines!

Star Wars, Star Trek, Marvel, DC and a bit of Harry Potter

Jennifer Pestikas has lived her life choosing courage and overcoming self doubt to build an amazing career leading others/ Along the way she realized that becoming friends with yourself is one of the best things you can do. On this episode we talk about self-compassion, how Jennifer is making new boxes to reframe her life and how you can too. She also shares several powerful questions you can ask to thrive no matter your situation. Jen Pestikas has always been a type-A super achiever. She was the one who got straight A’s in school and was devastated when she got a B. Jen was the one who held herself to such high standards and needed to check all of the boxes in life. After she grew up, that super achieving nature followed her to her career in the corporate world. After 20 years in corporate, climbing the ladder in financial services from a bank teller to a Senior Vice President and doing “all the right things”, Jen’s health took a turn for the worse in 2019 and she ended in total burnout. After years of striving, she felt like an empty shell – without passion and direction in her career and life. While the time of healing that followed was so hard, it was also a gift. It made Jen look at herself and realize she didn’t need to be perfect. She could let herself off the hook from checking all those boxes and not try to be a super woman. Jen finally understood what she wanted for the first time in her life. And what she wanted was to give back to women so they could avoid the same traps of striving, perfectionism and not speaking their truth. Jen currently runs the Brave Women at Work podcast and maintains the bravewomenatwork.com

Thriving and Leading as an Intrapreneuer - Jennifer Pestikas

Kim Meninger is on a mission. A mission to stop imposter syndrome from stopping women from achieving their dreams. Having lived it herself she knows the constant battle of your own mind to tell you you can't possibly be good enough to do something. Her mission is so important to her she even created a podcast called, The Imposter Syndrome Files, and has a free 7 day challenge to greater confidence. On this episode Kim shares how she learned to not let a fear response be her lead into, or not into, an opportunity, how re-defining your value can help release imposter syndrome and a few more questions she asks herself to keep her mind free of imposter syndrome. As a women’s leadership coach, Kim Meninger is passionate about empowering women to become more confident, visible and influential leaders. Having spent over 10 years in the high-tech industry, she experienced first-hand the unique challenges and opportunities facing women in traditionally male-dominated environments. She strives to be the resource to women that she did not have during her own corporate career. Kim has a BA in psychology and an MBA from Boston College. She is an ICF Associate Certified Coach and CCE Board Certified Coach with certifications in career, executive and leadership development coaching. The Impostor Syndrome Files Podcast: https://impostorsyndrome.buzzsprout.com/ Free Impostor Syndrome Challenge – 7 Days to Greater Confidence: https://yourcareersuccess.com/impostor-syndrome-challenge/

Kicking Imposter Syndrome to the Curb - Kim Meninger

When all your competitors are merging or being bought outright, what do you do? Do you stay independent or do you look to do the same as them? When they all lock into one business focus, do you do the same or do you carve your own path? Jason Bystrak and Peter DiMarco, Vice Presidents at D&H Distributing (104 year old family owned company), join me on this episode to talk about how to know what you should do for your business. They know firsthand the questions you need to ask yourself and whether you should care what your competitors are doing. The conversation also goes into how a $5 billion company operates with 36% employee ownership versus a $50 billion company. I especially loved the conversation about egos, complicating things and the bottoms-up versus top-down method of deciding your businesses next steps. If you have employees, or are thinking about adding staff for the first time, Peter's insights into hiring practices will open your eyes. Jason Bystrak is the vice president of the cloud and services business unit for D&H Distributing, and leads a team of cross-functional experts responsible for the strategy and execution of the company’s XaaS ("Everything as a Service") business, helping channel partners deliver total solutions in a subscription model. He oversees technology practice areas including cloud, professional services, security and unified communications. He is the chair of the Channel Development Advisory Council for CompTIA, previously served as chair for CompTIA’s cloud community, and has been named to ChannelPro-SMB’s list of 20/20 Visionaries, as well as CRN’s 100 People You Don’t Know But Should. He frequently offers insight into the opportunity and future of cloud at strategic industry events, including CompTIA’s ChannelCon, Channel Partners and IT Nation. Peter DiMarco joined D&H in 2015 as vice president of VAR sales, Computer Products Division (CPD). He oversees sales teams working with all value-added resellers that sell through the CPD division, including commercial, government and education solution providers as well as managed service providers. Peter manages the inside and outside sales teams, solutions and Cloud support teams focused on new market growth strategies, aimed at helping its SMB solution providers evolve towards larger mid-market sales opportunities and solutions. He is focused on driving VAR engagement efforts including the VAR Track events at D&H's trade shows, and a new K-12 Advisory Board focusing on this vertical market, in addition to driving new programs and support services. Peter previously served as an IT channel development leader at EarthLink, and has coordinated sales initiatives with partners such as Microsoft, Cisco, Dell, Lenovo, VMware, Apple, Juniper, Citrix and HP. His IT distribution experience includes a vice president of VAR sales position at Ingram Micro.

Charting Your Own Course When Others Do Different - Jason Bystrak & Peter DiMarco

There were some audio issues for two minutes. I apologize. My mom always told me don't borrow worry from tomorrow. I've not been really great about letting go worry. Do I obsessively worry? No. But many do. Any many others get into worry cycles. Rene Brent has written a powerful Book, Breaking Your Worry Agreement. On this episode Rene shares strategies and tactics she has developed over the course of her career to help her clients break their personal worry agreements and live a life filled with increased joy and connection to those around you. We also answer questions around, Is worry ever helpful? Can you worry too little? and what happens in your body when you worry about worrying. Rene has been a RN for 30 years and has worked in ICU, Trauma/ER and the Recovery Room. In her experience, she was inspired by the powerful mind/body connection and how self-awareness and reframing negative thoughts helps us heal emotionally and physically. It was a natural transition for Rene Brent to go from being a healer of the body to a healer of the mind. She is passionate about helping her clients use the power of the mind and move forward in their lives and reach personal and professional goals. Rene Brent’s solo practice is located in Maitland, Florida. She is certified as a Clinical and Transpersonal Hypnotherapist.  Rene Brent is an International speaker and a #1 International Best Selling Author of  “How Big Is Your BUT?”. On March 16th, 2021 Rene released her latest book “Breaking the Worry Agreement” and has already reached International Best Seller status on Amazon. Rene Brent is a registered member of The American Council of Hypnotherapist (ACHE) and the International Association of Interpersonal Hypnotherapist (IAIH) 

Breaking Your Worry Agreement - Rene Brent

How dealing with world leaders caused Denise Thomas to develop BEE Mindfulness methods to change lives and reduce stress. If you thinking putting deals together for just your business can be stressful imagine traveling all over the world to put together trade agreements with world and religious leaders, politicians at all levels and more. And then picture doing all that while living in your home with several generations of family. Take a listen as Denise shares the questions she asks herself, how she strives to live her life in its natural rhythm and silence is a gift we give ourselves. For more than two decades Denise Thomas has proven a dynamic auditor and extraordinarily compassionate leader.  She lives and works from heart center that allows her to maneuver with easy through global diplomatic waters.  She has engaged ambassadors, heads of state, top religious leaders, senators, business executives and other key leaders both globally and domestically to achieve strategic objectives, guide community leaders, and build successful enterprises including advising on strategic growth, foreign business development and planning, cultural fluency, inclusion, belonging, training facilitation and content creation.  Denise currently services as Trade Director of Africa, Middle East, and Europe Trade for World Trade Center Arkansas, she has successfully navigated challenges, and created new pathways for growth and success with global partners to benefit from trade mutually. A self-proclaimed Impact Strategist, she sees opportunities when others see adversity. Denise’s superpower is building relationships to establish a more creative solution to problems, create more effective communications, and moving people to live a more productive lives for the great good. 

From International Trade Leader to a Life filled with BEE Mindfulness - Denise Thomas

Through interviews and conversations on her U.S. broadcast radio show on WAXE 107.9 FM and iHeart radio, Laura Steward, award winning and international bestselling author, brings you leading entrepreneurs, business, technology, caregiving support and health experts and uses her own experience running a multi-state technology services company she founded and eventually sold, to guide you to asking better questions for your business and life all with actionable advice and a few laughs along the way.

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It's All About the Questions

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