Business Growth Lab

If you have a new product, when should you start paid advertising? This is a question we discuss on today’s episode. We spoke to someone who has a new low-priced product and a highly-engaged social media presence. We suggested his biggest opportunity was to spend more time on organic lead generation strategies and refine his messaging prior to beginning paid ads. In this episode, we share the six steps that are essential in implementing successful organic lead generation strategies. We cover tips on social media channels, optimized content, call-to-action tips, list expansion, moving from public to private conversations, and how to refresh your audience. These are not complicated steps, but you have to ensure you spend time on each step for your strategy to work for you and your brand. WHAT YOU’LL DISCOVER IN THIS EPISODE: A case of a business owner with a new low-price product who wants to do paid Facebook ads (2:04) Who are organic lead generation strategies better for? (05:25) Should you treat marketing like a tap that you can turn on whenever you need customers? (6:27) Even with a big budget for paid ads, organic lead generation strategies can still be advantageous for your business (8:37) Step 1: Show up on the right channel (9:47) Step 2: Keep content on-topic, unique and authentic (11:15) Step 3: Put a call to action but don’t post “right hooks” (sales posts) all the time (19:45) Step 4: Always grow your lists (24:56) Step 5: Take conversations from social media or emails to private conversations (29:12) Step 6: Always refresh your audience (31:37) For full show notes and links visit: https://samanthariley.global/podcast/199-organic-lead-generation-strategies Join the discussion thread for this episode over at The Thought Leaders Business Lab Community Facebook Group.

In today’s world where everyone is over-accessible, where there is constant interruption and demand for your attention even after work hours, it’s easy for your personal and professional boundaries to blur. Entrepreneurs often find it difficult to set personal boundaries because of their passion for what they do, so they forego the importance of boundaries. Without it, productivity decreases, and your clients and business will suffer. In this episode, Marcia shares why having boundaries at work is essential for entrepreneurs. We delve into the different ways you can set healthy boundaries in your business. Determine what is important to you in your life and then create your boundaries from there. To create a better business, you first have to protect your businesses’ most important asset and that is you. WHAT YOU’LL DISCOVER IN THIS EPISODE: Burnout is inevitable (4:23) Unable to care for your clients because of burnout (6:50) A-ha moments during rest (7:26) Having boundaries helps your clients in the long run (7:57) Over-accessibility of everyone (9:02) Not having to reply right away (11:07) Putting up boundaries to protect yourself (12:07) Coming from your highest values gives you insight into the boundaries you need to set (14:19) Removing notifications from your phone (14:40) The best way to treat a client (15:03) Be a good example to your clients (16:37) Caring for your clients does not mean them having access to you 24/7 (16:47) People with boundaries are respected more (17:35) Enabling others to be resourceful (18:32) “How I Work” Document (19:06) Boundary board (20:02) Professional life boundaries (22:23) You control your calendar (24:17) Journaling (26:36) Boundary boss (26:50) Boundary buddy (28:44) Questioning yourself because of your boundaries (29:17) New level, new devil (29:35) Prior proper planning prevents poor performance (31:04) Time blocking (31:34) You are your own advocate (32:17) For full show notes and links visit: https://samanthariley.global/podcast/198-the-importance-of-boundaries-with-marcia-sheehan Join the discussion thread for this episode over at The Thought Leaders Business Lab Community Facebook Group.

Adopting new tools can help you save time, energy, and optimize and improve your business processes. However, it can also take a lot of time to research, find them and then experiment with how to best utilize them. In this episode, we share the tools that we are experimenting within our business and why we’ve chosen to use them. Buying new tools is like buying a car. If you learn to drive and pay the maintenance, upkeep, and insurance, that car will take you on adventures. But if you just keep it in your driveway, it’s never going to work. Whatever tools you choose to use for your business, it doesn’t have to be high tech it just has to be effective and a good fit for you and your business. What new tools have you implemented so far? WHAT YOU’LL DISCOVER IN THIS EPISODE: Boom Arm (5:45) Blue Yeti Microphone (7:20) Zencastr (9:00) Squadcast (10:33) ClickUp (11:25) FreshDesk (13:14) CRM (15:46) Good Notes (16:20) Rocket Book Fusion (19:20) Second Screen (21:45) Mophie (23:34) Battery pack (24:58) Black Magic Switcher (25:36) 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/197-experimenting-with-new-business-tools

Remember that life happens FOR you and not TO you. When you recognize and embrace that, the truth is, that even a global pandemic is happening for you and won’t stop you from creating the life you want. In this episode, we delve into how you can create the life you want through your habits, the people you surround yourself with, your mindset, and beliefs. If you work on something every single day, eventually you are going to get there. It’s all about being persistent in the process. Remember that living on purpose does not happen by accident. Spend time today writing down who you want to be in every area of your life. Decide who you want to be, and then take action every single day. WHAT YOU’LL DISCOVER IN THIS EPISODE: Procrastinating in our comfort zone (7:53) Creating your life on purpose (10:00) Life happens for you, not to you (11:00) Morning routine (11:50) Setting your intentions at the start of the day (12:26) Your goals for the day (13:35) Enjoy the journey through loving life itself (14:33) Coping vs Creating (15:56) Pivoting in the time of crisis (17:24) Changing your habits (19:07) Seek somebody who emulates the habits you want to emulate (20:55) Consume content that can feed your brain (21:06) Surrounding yourself with the right people (22:44) Who is your tribe? (23:57) Patience is key to the world of possibilities (28:28) The thin line between allowing and forcing (30:05) The opposite of curiosity is judgment (30:57) Changing should to could (32:50) We all want to be authentic but don’t want to be judged (34:30) Let the song of your soul sing (36:48) Judgment is something that we do that keeps us separate (37:33) The 4 Minute Millionaire (38:02) Celebrate your life as often as possible (43:08) What are you creating now? (45:47) Be present (46:36) Create joy (46:49) Living on purpose does not happen by accident (49:25) 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/196-setting-the-stage-for-the-performance-of-your-life-with-ryan-stanley

In this episode, we answer questions from you, the listener, and share our tips on on how to grow and scale your business. We delve into the importance of having a strong rest ethic, prioritizing tasks, and planning for your business. WHAT YOU’LL DISCOVER IN THIS EPISODE: Taking time out from your business (3:15) Prioritize the top 3 things on your list (5:00) How to start your recording your systems and processes (7:00) Planning for 2021 (12:30) Be open to innovation and new ways to do things (15:28) What is a Facebook lead ad? (16:25) Tips for using Facebook lead ads (18:46) How to re-engage a cold list (20:21) The Nine Word Email (22:08) Tips when using the Nine Word Email (23:06) Should I pay an introducer fee? (26:23) Cost of acquisition (28:21) For full show notes and links visit: https://samanthariley.global/podcast/195-the-as-to-your-qs/

Are you eager to start or scale your business but feel like there are obstacles preventing you from growth? It’s important to know what it is that’s holding you back from your full potential and oftentimes, that roadblock is you. Launching and growing a business is never easy. Feeling out of your depth and not good enough can be a natural part when first starting your business. But what separates successful entrepreneurs from the others is their willingness to be uncomfortable and face their fears. In this episode, I share the three things that have held me back from building my business as fast as I wanted and how I turned these roadblocks around. The road to becoming a strong and successful founder is long and challenging. But for those willing to invest the time in becoming self-aware, the rewards are well worth it. Successful business owners are those who don’t stop learning, adapting, and pushing themselves to grow. How are you currently holding yourself back? For full show notes and links visit: https://samanthariley.global/podcast/194-the-3-greatest-challenges/

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) Step 4: Plan it out (14:17) Step 5: Having the conversation (15:04) In person or on the phone(17:30) Avoid courageous conversations through email (18:42) The impact of having courageous conversations (23:27) Building trust with your team (24:14) Creating a safe environment for your team (25:24) Discomfort over resentment (29:25) Clear is kind (29:33) Join the discussion thread for this episode over at The Thought Leaders Business Lab Community Facebook Group. For full show notes and links visit: http://samanthariley.global/podcast/192-courageous-conversations-with-ally-nitschke

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. WHAT YOU’LL DISCOVER IN THIS EPISODE: We all have different Intellectual Property (4:29) We have different influences (5:10) “That person copied me” (6:01) What you’re talking about is pulled from different places (6:37) 4 Steps to package your IP (8:46) Being afraid to choose a niche (10:33) What is a niche? (11:14) KEEP Principle: Knowledge, Expertise, Experience, Passion (14:55) Embracing your failures (19:55) Creating your methodology (24:26) Creating your delivery and visual models (27:40) Building authority (32:37) Three ways to help you build authority (33:11) The more you share your message, the more methodologies you create (34:09) Join the discussion thread for this episode over at The Thought Leaders Business Lab Community Facebook Group. For full show notes and links visit: http://samanthariley.global/podcast/191-how-to-package-your-ip

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 Thoughts and Emotions (28:16) The gut-brain connection (29:29) #7 Work and Finances (32:23) #8 Stressors (35:52) Healthy and unhealthy aspects of stress (38:03) What works for one might not work for another (41:34) #9 Movement (44:03) #10 Being true to yourself (47:40) Unpacking your core values (48:07) Your “muchness” (48:30) Join the discussion thread for this episode over at The Thought Leaders Business Lab Community Facebook Group. For full show notes and links visit: http://samanthariley.global/podcast/188

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 (18:27) Helping people to take away their pain (22:05) Organization and systematization of your process (23:01) Practice and role play to get your sales skills down (28:51) Proposals and quotes (31:46) Sales is a way to help people (35:38) Join the discussion thread for this episode over at The Thought Leaders Business Lab Community Facebook Group. For full show notes and links visit: http://samanthariley.global/podcast/187/

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 are you already great at that you’re just not seeing? (12:07) Ask others where they see your greatest value is (13:06) Going all in (14:54) Mental shifts you need to make a change (16:16) Removing yourself from your business (19:07) Make the decision that you’re going to do it (20:10) Knowing your personality and who you are (21:28) Running your own race (22:10) Say no to cookie-cutter systems (22:38) Realization of financial freedom (25:17) The leader stage of your business (27:34) Entrepreneurship is constant problem solving (34:16) The value of building a business that can work without you (34:37) What’s the point of growing? (43:00) Life isn’t about me but about we (44:18) 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/186

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 and webinars (17:30) One-on-one clients vs Groups (20:03) How you can learn from everyone in your group (22:08) People make time for things they want to do (28:43) Get in there and do the work (31:30) Changing your mindset of what you’re capable of (32:25) Embracing new ways of delivering content (33:50) Find your people (34:48) Join the discussion thread for this episode over at The Thought Leaders Business Lab Community Facebook Group. For full show notes and links visit: http://samanthariley.global/podcast/185/

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 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/184

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) Comments and Shares are deeper engagements than likes (21:10) Should people sell on social media? (22:03) Join the discussion thread for this episode over at The Thought Leaders Business Lab Community Facebook Group. For full show notes and links visit: http://samanthariley.global/podcast/183/

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 and Tips (17:19) The importance of consistent visuals of a brand (22:28) One thing to remember when building a brand (24:35) 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/182

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: Everything is an evolution (24:55) Own your expertise (27:00) RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: The 4-Hour Workweek by Timothy Ferris 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/181

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 Frameworks (15:56) #3 Metaphors and Analogies (22:36) #4 Storytelling and Humor (14:25) (27:05) The beginner’s mind (18:50) Storytelling and story listening (29:39) 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/180

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: Feedback and performance management (26:12) Designing roles around responsibilities and outcomes (27:59) For full show notes and links visit: https://samanthariley.global/podcast/179

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 become even more important? (3:28) How can people lead without shrinking away because of fear of what others might say? (5:06) Reset, Pivot and Shift your vision (5:50) How can you be certain in an uncertain world? (7:05) Working for Today while thinking forward (7:55) What are you going to spring-board off? (10:38) Increasing economic growth while adding humanity impact (11:47) How can we get clarity to step into leadership? (13:22) Asking questions and opening conversations (14:55) What is a Thought Leader? (20:16) Understanding patterns and why we need to pay attention to them (21:45) Identifying and filling gaps (25:16) Collaboration is the answer (27:26) Examples of good collaboration eco-systems (29:20) The Global Human Intelligence Forum (32:15) Disrupting patterns (33:33) The importance of asking for help (34:58) The importance of a clear and strong vision (35:52) What is your 1 thing to shift the dial forward? (42:50) 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/178

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 Procedures (13:16) Why training your team and giving the context of their tasks is crucial (14:35) The significance of inclusiveness and belonging (16:55) How do you grow your team? (18:45) 3 different ways to grow your team (24:14) How much does it cost to hire a team member? (33:38) 4 Points to take note of when hiring (36:40) 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/176

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) For full show notes and links visit: https://samanthariley.global/podcast/175 What’s working in your business right now? Join the discussion thread for this episode over at The Thought Leaders Business Lab Community Facebook Group.

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 yet? We’d love your help to get to 100 reviews. All you have to do is go to http://samanthariley.global/itunes Thanks so much for your support of the show Do you have a guest suggestion for the Thought Leaders Business Lab podcast, a suggestion for a topic, or maybe a question you’d like answered on the show? Click here and let us know: https://samanthariley.global/submit-suggestion/

Are you feeling unchallenged with what you are doing and feel that you are not living to your full potential? Constantly asking yourself if this is all there is in your life? We are living in a world that pressures us to do what other people think we should be doing. And often, we have no idea what we actually want. Today’s guest, Aimee J, is here to inspire you to chase your dreams and to live an authentic life - the life that you truly desire. WHAT YOU’LL DISCOVER IN THIS EPISODE: Being honest and authentic to yourself (9:23) The power of starting somewhere (17:34) Knowing every aspect of your business (19:42) The benefit of hiring coaches (27:10) Being the best version of yourself (29:45) The danger of overnight successes (33:58) Following people blindly versus finding your unique focus (35:18) 5 different ways of identifying people and relationships (37:08) Aimee J. is a nationally recognized inspirational speaker and host of the top valued Chasing Dreams Podcast. As a lawyer with a masters in computer science and a former NASA engineer, Aimee has worked for a multitude of multi-million dollar organizations including CareFirst and Comcast. With tens of thousands of downloads, Aimee has interviewed over 200 people including New York Times best-selling author Luvvie Ajayi, as well as executive educators, Hollywood entertainers, successful entrepreneurs, and online influencers. Aimee now travels and speaks across the country inspiring anyone who feels a little incomplete, to live their own authentic life. For full show notes and links visit: https://samanthariley.global/podcast/173 Haven’t left a review yet? We’d love your help to get to 100 reviews. All you have to do is go to http://samanthariley.global/itunes Thanks so much for your support of the show! Do you have a guest suggestion for the Thought Leaders Business Lab podcast, a suggestion for a topic, or maybe a question you’d like answered on the show? Click here and let us know: https://samanthariley.global/submit-suggestion/

If you are looking for a way to add a new stream of income to your business or re-purpose the assets you currently have in your existing business so you can reach a larger audience, an online program could be a fantastic option for you. The market is expected to continue to grow rapidly and its growth can be attributed to the fact that e-learning is much more time-flexible and can be easily accessed anytime, anywhere. Is building an online program for you? In this episode, Samantha and Tim discuss the four steps you need to take to design, build and launch an online course in 30 days. They also talk about their new program, the Knowledge Business Launch Formula (KBLF) and how you can join in with the action. WHAT YOU’LL DISCOVER IN THIS EPISODE: The first step: Foundation (11:25) Questions to ask before creating an online course (12:37) Unpacking the knowledge that you have (13:07) The second step: Design (17:44) How to improve your conversion event (19:29) Creating the framework (20:18) What is your delivery modality? (21:10) The third step: Building (24:40) The fourth step: Launching (29:35) KNOWLEDGE BUSINESS LAUNCH FORMULA (KBLF) Knowledge Business Launch Formula is for experts in their field who would like to design, build and launch an online program in the next 30 days. This is for you if you: Have proven expertise in your field You want to launch a program in the next 30 days and are prepared to move quickly You want to re-purpose your current business assets to create another stream of income You’re willing to invest 3-5 hours a week over the next 4 weeks You've been putting off a move to online for a while now For more information, visit winmoreclients.au/kblf 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/172

Entrepreneurship is full of risks. From the moment that you decide to open a business, you are betting on your income, your talent and your future. So with all the risks involved, should you start a business in the hope of possibly getting the long term benefits? Or should you find a job and accept monthly paychecks even though you’re sacrificing your personal freedom? Today’s guest, Josh Cantwell, shares his journey of being an entrepreneur and not having to work for a boss. He also talks about how a life-threatening illness changed his perspective and values in business and taught him to be more daring in entrepreneurship. WHAT YOU’LL DISCOVER IN THIS EPISODE: Having a boss versus having a mentor (5:35) The difference between taking a job and being an entrepreneur (10:22) The ingredient that stokes creativity (12:42) Importance of your personal brand (18:56) Leveraging your brand through different platforms (21:00) How values affect entrepreneurship (25:30) How Wall Street values companies (31:21) Stand-out traits of successful people (36:05) Forecasting the vision to the team (39:00) The ultimate goal of entrepreneurship (42:47) For full show notes and links visit: https://samanthariley.global/podcast/171 Haven’t left a review yet? We’d love your help to get to 100 reviews. All you have to do is go to http://samanthariley.global/itunes Thanks so much for your support of the show! Do you have a guest suggestion for the Thought Leaders Business Lab podcast, a suggestion for a topic, or maybe a question you’d like answered on the show? Click here and let us know: https://samanthariley.global/submit-suggestion/

Michael S. Dell, founder and CEO of Dell Technologies once said, “By questioning all the aspects of our business, we continuously inject improvement and innovation into our culture.” Learning is a continuous process in business. In asking questions, you take the first step in this life-long journey of learning. In this episode, Samantha and Tim gathered several fantastic questions and answer them based on their personal views and experiences. WHAT YOU’LL DISCOVER IN THIS EPISODE: How do you craft a message that attracts the right people? (8:14) The K.E.E.P. Principle (11:04) How do we handle losing clients? (13:02) Being careful about discounting (18:30) How do you serve with integrity but still pay the bills? (19:08) Two things about discounts (22:33) Things to consider when extending the credit (21:18) How to make the most of online networking opportunities (24:43) 5 things to put in your email content (28:53) LIVE ONLINE TRAINING Design, Build and Launch your Online Business Program in 30 Days or Less by Samantha Riley and Tim Hyde Thursday, April 23rd - 12pm Sydney / Wednesday, April 22nd 7pm PST 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/170 Haven’t left a review yet? We’d love your help to get to 100 reviews. All you have to do is go to http://samanthariley.global/itunes Thanks so much for your support of the show! Do you have a guest suggestion for the Thought Leaders Business Lab podcast, a suggestion for a topic, or maybe a question you’d like answered on the show? Click here and let us know: https://samanthariley.global/submit-suggestion/

Podcasting can be an amazing platform for you to grow your authority and your brand. Having a podcast is a great way to share your unique perspective and educate your audience on how you can possibly help them. Today’s guest is Heneka Watkins-Porter who talks about the considerations before you start a podcast. WHAT YOU’LL DISCOVER IN THIS EPISODE: The first thing to consider when starting your podcast (5:35) Identifying your perfect avatar (7:22) The importance of keywords (11:30) Plan, plan, plan (14:28) How many podcast episodes should you have on your launch? (16:55) Communicating with your listeners (18:33) Does the time matter in releasing your podcast? (20:30) Tips on launching your podcast (24:10) The technical stuff and platforms that you need (25:38) Going past your fears (26:32) The power of that podcast has (33:24) For full show notes and links visit: https://samanthariley.global/podcast/169

The entire world is on a crazy roller-coaster ride... We ended 2019 creating plans and talking about how much we’re looking forward to 2020. We were excited about implementing our fresh ideas. However, things took a massive turn and plans have been put on hold for an indefinite period of time. With many factors of our life being affected, it has put us in a position of uncertainty. Whilst it’s challenging, how we deal with this uncertainty is crucial. In this episode, Samantha and Tim talk about how you can lead and take charge in this time of uncertainty. There are three lenses; how are you dealing with life right now, what is your clients perspective, and how are you being perceived by your audience. WHAT YOU’LL DISCOVER IN THIS EPISODE: The first stage of grief: Denial (7:09) The second stage of grief: Anger (8:15) Handling anger and posting in social media (10:00) What is deliberate intent? (11:15) The third stage of grief: Bargaining (11:40) What combats uncertainty? (14:49) The fourth stage of grief: Depression (16:48) Uncertainty? Or perceive certainty? (17:58) The final stage of grief: Acceptance (19:42) For full show notes and links visit: https://samanthariley.global/podcast/168 Haven’t left a review yet? We’d love your help to get to 100 reviews. All you have to do is go to http://samanthariley.global/itunes Thanks so much for your support of the show! Do you have a guest suggestion for the Thought Leaders Business Lab podcast, a suggestion for a topic, or maybe a question you’d like answered on the show? Click here and let us know: https://samanthariley.global/submit-suggestion/

With much of the world currently in lockdown, most people are now working from home. With the whole family at home, the kids being around 24/7 and not being able to get out of the house for a break, there are a host of challenges being experienced that many people have not dealt with before. So how do you survive and be productive in this season of lockdown? Whilst working from home is completely doable, it can be made much easier by implementing some simple strategies and organization. This Thursday’s episode, Samantha and Tim, who has been working from home for more than 10 years, share some valuable tips on not just how to survive, but thrive when working from home. WHAT YOU’LL DISCOVER IN THIS EPISODE: The benefits of a morning routine (4:54) Things to do in your daily routine (9:46) The importance of stepping away from work (11:09) The benefits of setting up a work space (12:29) Managing your own and your client’s expectations (16:15) Your work and your kids (17:32) Having fun despite the lockdown (19:32) Connect with your community (20:00) Turning away from the negativity in your social media newsfeed (20:30) For full show notes and links visit: https://samanthariley.global/podcast/167 Haven’t left a review yet? We’d love your help to get to 100 reviews. All you have to do is go to http://samanthariley.global/itunes Thanks so much for your support of the show!

Connecting with someone on the other side of the world isn’t nearly as difficult as it has been in the past. In days gone by, building your network outside of your local area was a challenge. But with social media platforms such as LinkedIn, the world is getting smaller and smaller. With just a few clicks, you can connect with somebody from another continent and open the conversation that could potentially lead to a meaningful business relationship. In this episode, Samantha is joined by Australia’s most connected person on LinkedIn, Leanne Isaacson, and she talks about the value of building connections on LinkedIn. Get empowered and be confident with using LinkedIn as a platform for widening your scope of influence. WHAT YOU’LL DISCOVER IN THIS EPISODE: Connecting on LinkedIn is like a virtual handshake (5:06) What activities should you do more of on LinkedIn? (15:01) The difference between posting on LinkedIn and Facebook (15:31) What is the true value of LinkedIn? (19:10) Tips on building your first connections (28:01) Who are you supposed to connect with? (30:20) Having the confidence to grow your connections (35:37) Should you interact with all your connections? (36:26) For full show notes and links visit: https://samanthariley.global/podcast/166

Wouldn’t it be awesome to be able to launch a new program in just one week? In these times when it seems like everything is spinning so quickly, there are opportunities to build something new, and create a new source of revenue. But does it have to be completely new? Do you need to start from scratch? Not at all. In this episode, Samantha and Tim will guide you through how to launch a program in just a week. They share how they have done it themselves, so you can replicate what they’ve done for yourself. WHAT YOU’LL DISCOVER IN THIS EPISODE: The importance of listening to what the market needs (5:16) Your bag of tricks and how you can use it (8:04) How to choose relevant deliverables so your program is attractive to customers (9:06) The value of being clear to your team (11:48) How to find your audience (13:08) The significance of referral partners (15:42) The outcome of being available to your clients (16:19) Get out there. Deliver your awesomeness. Help people. People are wanting to be led and helped right now. And by you not delivering what you have to help them, you are actually doing them a disservice. KNOW MORE ABOUT KNOWLEDGE BUSINESS LAUNCH FORMULA (KBLF) Knowledge Business Launch Formula is for experts in their field. This is for you if you are: Are feeling uncertain about your future Have proven expertise in your field Are prepared to move quickly Can do the work Willing to invest 3-5 hours a week over the next 4 weeks You've been putting off a move to online for a while now For more information, visit winmoreclients.au/kblf For full show notes and links visit: https://samanthariley.global/podcast/165 Haven’t left a review yet? We’d love your help to get to 100 reviews. All you have to do is go to http://samanthariley.global/itunes Thanks so much for your support of the show! Do you have a guest suggestion for the Thought Leaders Business Lab podcast, a suggestion for a topic, or maybe a question you’d like answered on the show? Click here and let us know: https://samanthariley.global/submit-suggestion/

We are currently in an uncertain economy, where the rules are rapidly changing. Some businesses are taking a dip, and it’s easy to just bury your head in the sand. When your business is your sole source of income, this can pose a real challenge. However, even though we are in uncertain times, there are multiple ways to confidently take the steps needed to keep revenue coming through the door. In this episode, Samantha shares ‘The 2020 Business Reinvention Model’ and shares the three ways to reinvent your business amidst the current situation. WHAT YOU’LL DISCOVER IN THIS EPISODE: Regroup and organize for the new times (2:30) Sustaining your business by increasing your visibility (3:34) Getting support from your coaches (4:58) Importance of self-care during this time (5:24) Realign your business (6:40) Match your message with your expertise (7:51) Should you change your business model? (8:13) Revitalizing your business (9:52) Now is the time to increase your collaborations (11:01) LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Facebook Group - The Thought Leaders Business Lab Community Click here to learn more about The Knowledge Business Launch Formula For full show notes and links visit: https://samanthariley.global/podcast/164 Haven’t left a review yet? We’d love your help to get to 100 reviews. All you have to do is go to http://samanthariley.global/itunes Thanks so much for your support of the show! Do you have a guest suggestion for the Thought Leaders Business Lab podcast, a suggestion for a topic, or maybe a question you’d like answered on the show? Click here and let us know: https://samanthariley.global/submit-suggestion/

The past week has felt like a year for many of us, and we’re unsure what’s going to happen next. It is easy to just stop all the marketing and sales when we’re in uncertain times. But is that what we should be doing? Whilst you can’t control what is happening around you, we can control the dialogue of whats next so you can paint the future. And marketing is a good place to start. In this episode, Samantha and Tim give light on why you should not stop marketing and what you can consider to pivot given the current conditions. They also share something new and exciting that they have coming up... WHAT YOU’LL DISCOVER IN THIS EPISODE: Control the things you can control (7:42) Should you create more marketing content? (8:21) Business as a marketing machine (9:19) What kind of marketing content should you put? (11:02) Doing everything with empathy (11:16) Don’t stop marketing (14:55) Change your expectations (16:42) You are not alone (20:00) NEW PROGRAM!Knowledge Business Launch Formula (KBLF) Knowledge Business Launch Formula is for experts in their field. This is for you if you are: Are feeling uncertain about your future Have proven expertise in your field Are prepared to move quickly Can do the work Willing to invest 3-5 hours a week over the next 4 weeks You've been putting off a move to online for a while now For more information, visit winmoreclients.au/kblf For full show notes and links visit: https://samanthariley.global/podcast/163 Haven’t left a review yet? We’d love your help to get to 100 reviews. All you have to do is go to http://samanthariley.global/itunes Thanks so much for your support of the show! Do you have a guest suggestion for the Thought Leaders Business Lab podcast, a suggestion for a topic, or maybe a question you’d like answered on the show? Click here and let us know: https://samanthariley.global/submit-suggestion/

The military and entrepreneurship are two very different worlds, yet share many similarities. In this time of crisis, we can learn so much from the military in regards to leadership and how to respond when faced with stressful situations. Most importantly, how do you lead yourself and become your business’ greatest warrior? In this episode, Bram shares his expertise on the subject of leadership, and the lessons he learned from the military that we can use in the business realm. WHAT YOU’LL DISCOVER IN THIS EPISODE: Emotional intelligence in leadership (11:05) Imposed discipline to self discipline (17:00) Quick decision-making in stressful situations (19:52) How visualizing the problem prepares you (21:33) Complexity and structure (26:47) How the principles of leadership apply to business (42:15) Self leadership (46:02) For full show notes and links visit: https://samanthariley.global/podcast/162 Haven’t left a review yet? We’d love your help to get to 100 reviews. All you have to do is go to http://samanthariley.global/itunes Thanks so much for your support of the show! Do you have a guest suggestion for the Thought Leaders Business Lab podcast, a suggestion for a topic, or maybe a question you’d like answered on the show? Click here and let us know: https://samanthariley.global/submit-suggestion/

All businesses right now are experiencing a sudden shift that is beyond everybody’s control. What you’ve been planning for months is suddenly turned on its head, and our confidence is being tested. We are not just battling a health crisis, but we are being challenged in business and our thoughts are revolving around how to stay afloat in this situation and come out of the other side. WHAT YOU’LL DISCOVER IN THIS EPISODE: How businesses are affected by each other (6:34) What is the worst thing you can do? (7:14) What is the best thing you can do? (8:56) Showing genuine concern to your clients (10:24) Reaching out to your team and showing care (11:51) Do you hold back marketing in this time of crisis? (14:55) Opportunity amidst the crisis (19:15) Turning what you already have into something new (20:13) Marketing that you could be implementing now (20:59) What you can do to innovate in your business (30:37) Building your capability (32:46) The positive side of the crisis (33:23) For full show notes and links visit: https://samanthariley.global/podcast/161 Haven’t left a review yet? We’d love your help to get to 100 reviews. All you have to do is go to http://samanthariley.global/itunes Thanks so much for your support of the show! Do you have a guest suggestion for the Thought Leaders Business Lab podcast, a suggestion for a topic, or maybe a question you’d like answered on the show? Click here and let us know: https://samanthariley.global/submit-suggestion/

Today's marketplace is ever changing and if you don’t stop and check in once in a while, you can easily lose direction. Are you staying in touch with what your customers needs are and how is your business evolving to serve them better than the competition? In this episode, Patti Mara the author of the book UpSolutions discusses the new rules of business and how entrepreneurs can reposition themselves for success while increasing the growth of their business and profitability. Haven’t left a review yet? We’d love your help to get to 100 reviews. All you have to do is go to http://samanthariley.global/itunes Thanks so much for your support of the show! Do you have a guest suggestion for the Thought Leaders Business Lab podcast, a suggestion for a topic, or maybe a question you’d like answered on the show? Click here and let us know: https://samanthariley.global/submit-suggestion/ For full show notes and links visit: https://samanthariley.global/podcast/160 WHAT YOU’LL DISCOVER IN THIS EPISODE: How coaching is becoming a commodity? (4:12) Why you shouldn’t call yourself a coach (5:49) How to use your clients words to talk to the market (7:44) What are the new business rules? (8:40) What questions are your customers really asking? (12:43) Playing the right game of business (22:42) Setting up your team to win (17:20) The three mindset shifts you need to make (21:18) Upselling or Up Solutions? (26:46) How you can create an on brand experience (31:00) What is the Touch Point Scorecard (33:20)

Social media is only as effective as the strategy supporting it. Creating and sharing posts and images will not be enough; nor effective solely if that’s the entirety of the strategy. Social media is important and will help you stay top of mind with your prospects, but creating the right strategy and making sure that this strategy works is critical. So what makes a successful social media marketing strategy? In today’s episode, Samantha and Tim share how to create a successful social media marketing strategy that will not only place you in front of your future prospects, but also transition those prospects into clients. WHAT YOU’LL DISCOVER IN THIS EPISODE: The two groups of people using Social Media (3:30) What constitutes a successful social media campaign? (4:10) The five keys of a successful social media marketing campaign (7:45) The importance of knowing your avatar (9:42) DIY people and Done For You people (12:32) Know where your ideal clients hang out (14:12) Having an effective conversion strategy (17:15) Earned media versus owned media (20:16) How to measure the results of a campaign (21:57) The two currencies you can use (23:55) Review and adjust for optimal campaigns (28:51) Making micro-changes when testing & measuring (30:03) For full show notes and links visit: https://samanthariley.global/podcast/159 Haven’t left a review yet? We’d love your help to get to 100 reviews. All you have to do is go to http://samanthariley.global/itunes Thanks so much for your support of the show! Do you have a guest suggestion for the Thought Leaders Business Lab podcast, a suggestion for a topic, or maybe a question you’d like answered on the show? Click here and let us know: https://samanthariley.global/submit-suggestion/

Numbers. Finances. Financial reports and systems. These are just some of the words that challenge business owners often but something that is extremely crucial in any business. But what if you don’t consider yourself a numbers person? If you can resonate, then this podcast is for you. In this episode, Samantha and Meryl talk about what you need to know to be confident in knowing your numbers and building a strong financial system that will work for you. WHAT YOU’LL DISCOVER IN THIS EPISODE: Tips on financing your way into a business (8:58) First stepping stone to building your business (11:14) The Profit First methodology (12:34) Being confident with numbers (15:30) Importance of getting the right team for your business (17:00) What knowing your numbers actually mean (17:23) The two key financial reports you need to have (19:13) Elements of a financial system (19:46) Do you need to use an accounting system like Xero straight away? (21:38) Disadvantages of using a Spreadsheet in the long run (24:21) Communicating with your accountant (26:03) Financial system frameworks (27:20) For full show notes and links visit: https://samanthariley.global/podcast/158 Haven’t left a review yet? We’d love your help to get to 100 reviews. All you have to do is go to http://samanthariley.global/itunes Thanks so much for your support of the show! Do you have a guest suggestion for the Thought Leaders Business Lab podcast, a suggestion for a topic, or maybe a question you’d like answered on the show? Click here and let us know: https://samanthariley.global/submit-suggestion/

Reaching and sustaining your first $10K month is an awesome benchmark for any small business. While exciting, scaling from start up to to $10K per month doesn’t come without its challenges. On today's episode Samantha and Tim discuss the different stages to work through when scaling your business and what you can do to help your chances of success. They also dive into what you need to do to make sure that you continue to maintain that $10K month on month and consistent reliable income. Haven’t left a review yet? We’d love your help to get to 100 reviews. All you have to do is go to http://samanthariley.global/itunes Thanks so much for your support of the show! Do you have a guest suggestion for the Thought Leaders Business Lab podcast, a suggestion for a topic, or maybe a question you’d like answered on the show? Click here and let us know: https://samanthariley.global/submit-suggestion/ For full show notes and links visit: http://samanthariley.global/podcast/157 WHAT YOU’LL DISCOVER IN THIS EPISODE: What it means to get your first $10K Month (2:41) The different stages on the journey of getting to $10K (3:58) Why you need a clearly defined product (6:16) Solve your customers problems (8:11) Conversations are important (10:07) How are you managing conversations (13:31) Stick at it and stay on track! (15:43) What problem is your content solving? (20:22)

Do not be afraid of being who you are. Be yourself. We hear these words all the time… But do these phrases apply to business? To personal branding? And what do they actually mean? As a business owner or entrepreneur, your scope of influence is as wide as you can imagine. But can being yourself make you an effective influencer? In today’s podcast episode, Laura Bull shares how being who you are will help you build an authentic personal brand. WHAT YOU’LL DISCOVER IN THIS EPISODE: What is an influencer? (2:14) Influencer or manipulator? (3:54) Shared identity with the market (7:00) What parts of yourself you need to bring out (8:28) Three elements of branding (9:58) How the three elements of branding work together (19:34) How important is it to build a brand (25:25) Branding vs no branding (27:21) Staying authentic in branding (29:11) Understanding bad narratives (31:22) Flaws. Embrace or hide? (32:00) For full show notes and links visit: https://samanthariley.global/podcast/156 Haven’t left a review yet? We’d love your help to get to 100 reviews. All you have to do is go to http://samanthariley.global/itunes Thanks so much for your support of the show! Do you have a guest suggestion for the Thought Leaders Business Lab podcast, a suggestion for a topic, or maybe a question you’d like answered on the show? Click here and let us know: https://samanthariley.global/submit-suggestion/

Social media can deliver great results and help you attract your ideal clients. Conversely, you can spend a lot of time creating content, and not reap any benefits. On today's episode Samantha and Tim discuss the importance of consistent content creation and talk about some of the reasons that your content strategy might not be working. They also dive into what you need to do to make sure that you are creating content for your market that's effective, relative to your niche, and consistently broadcast. Haven’t left a review yet? We’d love your help to get to 100 reviews. All you have to do is go to http://samanthariley.global/itunes Thanks so much for your support of the show! Do you have a guest suggestion for the Thought Leaders Business Lab podcast, a suggestion for a topic, or maybe a question you’d like answered on the show? Click here and let us know: https://samanthariley.global/submit-suggestion/ For full show notes and links visit: http://samanthariley.global/podcast/155 WHAT YOU’LL DISCOVER IN THIS EPISODE: Is content marketing still viable? (2:51) Why your content strategy isn’t working (4:14) How often should your content go out? (6:43) Are you producing the right content? (7:42) Are you giving away too much? (8:57) Leading your prospect to take the next step (9:27) Create the correct content for your niche (13:10) What problem is your content solving? (15:30) How to publish content consistently (19:57)

As business owners and entrepreneurs you have to make sales to stay in business. Getting leads into your sales funnel is only one step in the process. There are more steps that need to be taken to turn that lead into a customer. And one of those steps is actually asking for the sale... But what is it about selling that makes many people feel icky when it comes time to invite a prospect to work with you? And how can you change your process to avoid that feeling? Imagine having a step by step process that had you converting double the sales you are now. How much more positive would you feel to get on those sales calls? In this episode, today’s guest Tiji Thomas joins me to talk about how to increase your sales conversions. Haven’t left a review yet? We’d love your help to get to 100 reviews. All you have to do is go to http://samanthariley.global/itunes Thanks so much for your support of the show! Do you have a guest suggestion for the Thought Leaders Business Lab podcast, a suggestion for a topic, or maybe a question you’d like answered on the show? Click here and let us know: https://samanthariley.global/submit-suggestion/ For full show notes and links visit: https://samanthariley.global/podcast/154 WHAT YOU’LL DISCOVER IN THIS EPISODE: Getting leads that don’t convert to sales (3:30) Selling versus serving (6:09) There needs to be skin in the game (8:53) Stop giving away the farm (11:21) Focus on the right type of question (16:08) The process most people miss before the call that affects conversions (17:40) The feel good power of sales (26:08) Why you need to follow a system (27:53) How important are qualified leads? (34:34)

Entrepreneurship isn’t right for everyone. So how do you know if it’s the right fit for you? On today's episode Samantha and Tim discuss what entrepreneurship is and what it means to ride the entrepreneurial roller coaster. They also dive into what you need to do if you are thinking about making the leap from employment to going it alone as an entrepreneur and business owner. That’s today’s discussion. Haven’t left a review yet? We’d love your help to get to 100 reviews. All you have to do is go to http://samanthariley.global/itunes Thanks so much for your support of the show! Do you have a guest suggestion for the Thought Leaders Business Lab podcast, a suggestion for a topic, or maybe a question you’d like answered on the show? Click here and let us know: https://samanthariley.global/submit-suggestion/ For full show notes and links visit: http://samanthariley.global/podcast/153 WHAT YOU’LL DISCOVER IN THIS EPISODE: Is entrepreneurship right for you? (4:33) What exactly is an entrepreneur ? (7:00) Do you need to be a self starter? (10:04) Are you willing to put in the work? (12:07) Get comfortable with being uncomfortable (14:17) Resilience is a must have (15:59) Getting started requires resourcefulness (17:05) Are you in a position of stability (17:44) Why you need a solid plan (21:00)

As entrepreneurs and business owners, we are constantly creating content. From social media posts, to sales pages and emails, most people find it super difficult to produce in a way that delivers the outcomes we are wanting. Why do we find it so difficult to write copy for our own products and ask for the sale? Wouldn’t it be great if there was a system that you could follow to make the task easier? In this episode, Alyson Lex joins us to talk about the five pillars that you can use to help to produce effective copy and connect with your prospects. Haven’t left a review yet? We’d love your help to get to 100 reviews. All you have to do is go to http://samanthariley.global/itunes Thanks so much for your support of the show! Do you have a guest suggestion for the Thought Leaders Business Lab podcast, a suggestion for a topic, or maybe a question you’d like answered on the show? Click here and let us know: https://samanthariley.global/submit-suggestion/ For full show notes and links visit: https://samanthariley.global/podcast/152 WHAT YOU’LL DISCOVER IN THIS EPISODE: What happens when we don’t write directly to our ideal customer avatar (6:20) Poking the bruise (13:15) Don’t wimp out - make the offer (15:19) Become clear on your call to action (18:48) Prime your audience for the price (19:15) Do you struggle to sell your own product? (22:42) The confused mind doesn’t buy (25:30) How copy cosmetics help (32:25) Different customers need different delivery (34:34) Why you should never stop marketing (38:03)

The opportunities for media exposure are out there if you know where to look and who to ask. On today's episode Sam and Tim discuss simple strategies on how you can use media opportunities effectively to grow your brand and get your message out there. They also dive into what you need to do to prepare your profile, and why it’s so important to make sure your niche and branding are on point to attract the right attention. And once you do get the opportunities how do you capitalise on those relationships you are creating? That’s today’s discussion. Haven’t left a review yet? We’d love your help to get to 100 reviews. All you have to do is go to http://samanthariley.global/itunes Thanks so much for your support of the show! Do you have a guest suggestion for the Thought Leaders Business Lab podcast, a suggestion for a topic, or maybe a question you’d like answered on the show? Click here and let us know: https://samanthariley.global/submit-suggestion/ For full show notes and links visit: http://samanthariley.global/podcast/151 WHAT YOU’LL DISCOVER IN THIS EPISODE: The importance of being seen as the expert (4:09) Why is your brand message so important? (5:01) Being clear on your topic (8:41) Why you need to ask for the opportunity (10:59) Where to find the opportunities (15:21) Capitalise on new connections (19:06) How to maximise your exposure (20:50) Create content from media opportunities (23:01)

People usually think of branding being logos, colors, and catchy phrases. Whilst that’s one part, branding is so much more than that. You can use cool tag lines and fancy images and yet not stand out amongst the crowd. Personal branding is about how people perceive you and say about you. In this episode, Ben Baker joins us to talk about personal branding and how it can affect your business. Ben shares tips about where to begin to establish your personal brand, and the importance of it in business. Haven’t left a review yet? We’d love your help to get to 100 reviews. All you have to do is go to http://samanthariley.global/itunes Thanks so much for your support of the show! Do you have a guest suggestion for the Thought Leaders Business Lab podcast, a suggestion for a topic, or maybe a question you’d like answered on the show? Click here and let us know: https://samanthariley.global/submit-suggestion/ For full show notes and links visit: https://samanthariley.global/podcast/150 WHAT YOU’LL DISCOVER IN THIS EPISODE: What is a personal brand? (0:50) Knowing when to use the right analogy to connect to your personal brand (2:03) The importance of having a personal brand (7:19) Being a commodity VS. Having a community (13:19) How powerful is your personal brand? (15:19) If you’ve never had a personal brand, do you need to bother now? (21:04) Placing you personal brand in a positive light (25:28) Reaching your prime (29:33) Where to start when creating your brand (35:44)