The StoryBrand Podcast

When running a growing team, developing your employees is no small feat. Today's conversation with Tennessee Governor Bill Lee offers guidance and a solid example of how you can educate and strengthen your workforce to position your business for massive growth! -- At Business Made Simple we help you understand what's wrong with your business and show you how to fix it. Just go to BusinessMadeSimple.com and for only $275 annually you'll get instant unlimited access to all of our online courses, including our signature course, How To Grow A Business, plus live coaching events with Donald Miller every month. Take the mystery out of growing your business today at BusinessMadeSimple.com.

In a story, a character never takes action on their own. They need to be challenged. The same is true for your customer! As the guide in your customer's story, you must let them know what's at stake if they don't buy your product then clearly call them to action by asking for a commitment to buy. This week, J.J. and April unpack the Call To Action, or CTA, section of the StoryBrand framework and show you: How to create a strong Call To Action or CTA for your customer Specific examples of effective CTAs Exactly where to position CTAs in your website to increase customer engagement We also talk with Angie Schultz, one of our amazing StoryBrand Certified Marketing Guides, who shares how clarifying her client's CTA lead to amazing results! Contact StoryBrand Certified Guide Angie Schultz directly at ClarifyYourMessage.com/Angie-Schultz. -- Every week on Marketing Made Simple, marketing experts Dr. J.J. Peterson and April Sunshine Hawkins give you practical marketing tips rooted in the StoryBrand framework and show you how to invite customers into a beautiful story where they become the hero and you become their guide. And when you help your customers win, you win. Subscribe to weekly episodes, dropping every Wednesday in the Marketing Made Simple feed! Just search "Marketing Made Simple" on Apple Podcast, Spotify or wherever you enjoy podcasts. Begin applying the StoryBrand Framework to your marketing by creating your own BrandScript for FREE at MyStoryBrand.com.

When one of your team members decides to leave your company, even for the best reasons, it is crucial to conduct a great exit interview. Without one you are missing an opportunity to collect valuable feedback for improving how you hire and retain top talent. Today Don, J.J. and Koula discuss exactly what's needed in an effective exit interview and provide a list of strategic questions to capture honest feedback while also positioning your team member to leave with a great sense of closure. Sadly, today's conversation also acts an exit interview for our co-host Koula Callahan. Koula is truly a foundational pillar at Business Made Simple and is off to new and fantastic opportunities! But before she leaves, we are extremely grateful she has allowed this personal conversation to air on the podcast, giving you an inside look at how to craft and conduct a great exit interview. -- Take the mystery out of growing your business and go to BusinessMadeSimple.com. For only $275 annually you'll get instant unlimited access to all of our online courses, including our signature course, How To Grow A Business, plus live coaching events with Donald Miller every month. Take the mystery out of growing your business today at BusinessMadeSimple.com.

You should always begin your customer's story by identifying what they want then define their problem to spark interest in how you can help them overcome that problem. Next, reveal yourself as their guide by expressing empathy and demonstrating authority. Now is the time to ask your customer for a commitment to buy your product however that won't happen unless you have a clear and simple plan for them to follow. This week, J.J. and April unpack Plan section of the StoryBrand framework and show you how to: -Build a great three step plan, no matter your business, giving your customer a clear path to buying from you -Use specific language in your marketing to activate your customer to make a commitment to buy -Clearly show your customer how buying your product will make their life better -- Every week on Marketing Made Simple, marketing experts Dr. J.J. Peterson and April Sunshine Hawkins give you practical marketing tips rooted in the StoryBrand framework and show you how to invite customers into a beautiful story where they become the hero and you become their guide. And when you help your customers win, you win. Subscribe to weekly episodes, dropping every Wednesday in the Marketing Made Simple feed! Just search "Marketing Made Simple" on Apple Podcast, Spotify or wherever you enjoy podcasts. Begin applying the StoryBrand Framework to your marketing by creating your own BrandScript for FREE at MyStoryBrand.com.

We live in a time filled with conflict and uncertainty, feeling like we're stuck watching from the sidelines ready to give up. But even as we are constantly bombarded by our news and social feeds, there are proven steps you can follow allowing you to plant the seeds of transformation to create change within your business, community and even your world. Today John Maxwell, leadership expert, change-maker and author of the new book, Change Your World, joins the conversation and shares the simple steps you need to finally break through the noise and achieve the change your world is so desperately needing! -- Order John Maxwell's new book, Change Your World, and get access to bonus content at ChangeYourWorld.com Have questions about growing your skills as a leader? Join the conversation by getting access to our upcoming live Member Exclusive Q&A: How to Grow Your Leadership Skills with Donald Miller and Doug Keim on Thursday, July 29 at 10a by going to BusinessMadeSimple.com. Once you sign up you'll also gain instant access to every one of our on-demand business courses as well as our upcoming monthly live coaching events. Grow your leadership skills by registering today at BusinessMadeSimple.com. Take the mystery out of growing your business and go to BusinessMadeSimple.com. For only $275 annually you'll get instant unlimited access to all of our online courses, including our signature course, How To Grow A Business, plus live coaching events with Donald Miller every month. Take the mystery out of growing your business today at BusinessMadeSimple.com.

Many businesses feel like they have something to prove and position themselves as the hero in their story. But customers aren't looking for another hero, they're looking for a guide! When you position yourself as the guide, showing customers exactly how your product can fix their problems and transform them into the hero, you're destined to win! This week, J.J. and April unpack the Guide section of the StoryBrand framework and show how you can: -Use specific language throughout your marketing to position your brand as the guide -Combine empathy and authority to build trust and engagement -Craft your marketing tools, like a sales email, through the voice of a guide -- Every week on Marketing Made Simple, marketing experts Dr. J.J. Peterson and April Sunshine Hawkins give you practical marketing tips rooted in the StoryBrand framework and show you how to invite customers into a beautiful story where they become the hero and you become their guide. And when you help your customers win, you win. Subscribe to weekly episodes, dropping every Wednesday in the Marketing Made Simple feed! Just search "Marketing Made Simple" on Apple Podcast, Spotify or wherever you enjoy podcasts. Begin applying the StoryBrand Framework to your marketing by creating your own BrandScript for FREE at MyStoryBrand.com.

The character of your business is a critical driver of sustained success. Without character, there is no trust. So if your customers are reluctant to commit to buying your products or your team members are constantly at odds, you definitely need to listen to this episode! We're joined by Frank Calderoni, CEO of Anaplan (a cloud-based business planning software company) and author of the new book, Upstanding. Frank breaks down how you can align your business around a character-led culture to build trust and improve your bottom line. -- Order Frank Calderoni's new book, Upstanding, at UpstandingCharacter.com. Finally take the mystery out of growing your business and go to BusinessMadeSimple.com. For only $275 annually you'll get instant unlimited access to all of our online courses, including our signature course, How To Grow A Business, plus live coaching events with Donald Miller every month. Take the mystery out of growing your business today at BusinessMadeSimple.com.

Can you name the specific problem your business solves for your customers? Identifying your customers' problem deepens their interest in the story you invite them in and shows you truly understand them. It's the "hook" of your story, but without it, your customers have no reason to engage with your brand causing your story to fall flat. This week, J.J. and April guide you through the Problem section of the StoryBrand framework and how you can: -Clearly identify the problem you solve -Breakdown that problem into Three Levels of Conflict your customers are facing -Implement problem-language into your marketing and messaging J.J. also talks with Aleya Harris, one of our amazing StoryBrand Certified Marketing Guides, who shares how she worked to specify the problem for a client who was stuck in the weeds trying to figure out exactly what they solved for their customers. Contact StoryBrand Certified Guide Aleya Harris at ClarifyYourMessage.com/Aleya-Harris. -- Clarify your messaging in only 48 hours by registering for the StoryBrand Marketing Livestream happening July 19th and 20th. Businesses that clarify their message and build a sales funnel are the ones that thrive in the marketplace. At the StoryBrand Marketing Livestream, you'll get both done in 48 hours AND get real time coaching in an online breakout room to make sure that you're getting it right. Register now at StoryBrand.com. Every week on Marketing Made Simple, marketing experts Dr. J.J. Peterson and April Sunshine Hawkins give you practical marketing tips rooted in the StoryBrand framework and show you how to invite customers into a beautiful story where they become the hero and you become their guide. And when you help your customers win, you win. Subscribe to weekly episodes, dropping every Wednesday in the Marketing Made Simple feed! Just search "Marketing Made Simple" on Apple Podcast, Spotify or wherever you enjoy podcasts. Begin applying the StoryBrand Framework to your marketing by creating your own BrandScript for FREE at MyStoryBrand.com.

Sometimes it can feel like you're constantly stuck in the same soul-sucking routine day after day, like a hamster in a wheel. And even if it's not draining all your energy, it can still be mentally exhausting. That is exactly why we invited David Eagleman to the podcast! David is a neuroscientist and best-selling author of the Pulitzer nominated Livewired: The Story of the Ever-Changing Brain and gives you simple and easy ways to break out of your routine, improve brain health and gain back your energy at work and at home. -- Order David Eagleman's newest book, Livewired: The Story of the Ever-Changing Brain, at Eagleman.com/Books. Finally take the mystery out of growing your business and go to BusinessMadeSimple.com. For only $275 annually you'll get instant unlimited access to all of our online courses, including our signature course, How To Grow A Business, plus live coaching events with Donald Miller every month. Take the mystery out of growing your business today at BusinessMadeSimple.com.

As a brand, you must define what your customer wants. As soon as you define that, a story question forms in their mind: Can this brand really help me get what I want? Without this, the customer has very little interest in the story. This week, J.J. and April guide you through the Character section of the StoryBrand framework and how you can: -Define exactly what your customer wants -Plug that specific language into your marketing -Help transform your customer into the hero after they use your product or service to get what they want April also talks with Stacey Moore, one of our amazing StoryBrand Certified Marketing Guides, who shares an example of how she redefined what her client's customer really wanted and how it not only clarified their message but grew their business. -- Every week on Marketing Made Simple, marketing experts Dr. J.J. Peterson and April Sunshine Hawkins give you practical marketing tips rooted in the StoryBrand framework and show you how to invite customers into a beautiful story where they become the hero and you become their guide. And when you help your customers win, you win. Subscribe to weekly episodes, dropping every Wednesday in the Marketing Made Simple feed! Just search "Marketing Made Simple" on Apple Podcast, Spotify or wherever you enjoy podcasts. Begin applying the StoryBrand Framework to your marketing by creating your own BrandScript for FREE at MyStoryBrand.com.

Have a minute? If you're like most business leaders today, the answer is probably no. But you need open windows of time during the day in order to thrive, especially if you're growing a business. On this episode special guest Juliet Funt, author of A Minute To Think, shows you how to find moments of "white space", or strategic pauses, throughout your day to eliminate mindless tasks, enhance your performance and productivity, and reinvent the way you work. -- Pre-order A Minute To Think at JulietFunt.com and then go to JulietFunt.com/BusinessMadeSimple for a free Facilitated Book Club Guide designed to deliver deeper insights and even more "ah-ha" moments about A Minute to Think! Plus, the first 1500 people to sign up will also receive an invitation to a 30-minute virtual Q&A with Juliet. Ask her anything about streamlining workflows, improving productivity, reclaiming your focus, and more! Finally take the mystery out of growing your business and go to BusinessMadeSimple.com. For only $275 annually you'll get instant unlimited access to all of our online courses, including our signature course, How To Grow A Business, plus live coaching events with Donald Miller every month. Take the mystery out of growing your business today at BusinessMadeSimple.com.

In every great story, the main character goes on a journey and by the end she transforms from zero to hero. This is called identity transformation. The same is true for your marketing. When you participate in your customer's identity transformation you are going to win! This week J.J. and April unpack the first part of the StoryBrand framework, identity transformation, and how you can apply it so your customers feel like they've transformed after purchasing your product or service. April also talks with Macy Robison, one of our amazing StoryBrand Certified Marketing Guides, about how she directly used identity transformation inside the marketing of one of her clients and how it literally transformed their business! -- Every week on Marketing Made Simple, marketing experts Dr. J.J. Peterson and April Sunshine Hawkins give you practical marketing tips rooted in the StoryBrand framework and show you how to invite customers into a beautiful story where they become the hero and you become their guide. And when you help your customers win, you win. Subscribe to weekly episodes, dropping every Wednesday in the Marketing Made Simple feed! Just search "Marketing Made Simple" on Apple Podcast, Spotify or wherever you enjoy podcasts. Begin applying the StoryBrand Framework to your marketing by creating your own BrandScript for FREE at MyStoryBrand.com.

Running a business, you constantly run into challenges that need creative solutions. But what happens when you've hit a creative rut and time is ticking? This episode's special guest Josh Linkner, author of Big Little Breakthroughs, shows you exactly how to reclaim your creativity using five brainstorming techniques to help solve your trickiest problems and unlock your biggest opportunities! -- Order Josh Linkner's book Big Little Breakthroughs and access exclusive bonus content at BigLittleBreakthroughs.com Finally take the mystery out of growing your business and go to BusinessMadeSimple.com. For only $275 annually you'll get instant unlimited access to all of our online courses, including our signature course, How To Grow A Business, plus live coaching events with Donald Miller every month. Take the mystery out of growing your business today at BusinessMadeSimple.com.

Does your company have a clear message? If not, it could be costing you thousands or more! That's exactly why we've invited Donald Miller, author of Building a StoryBrand and Marketing Made Simple, as our first guest. Don will guide you through the StoryBrand framework which has already helped thousands of businesses clarify their message to turn browsers into buyers. Listen and learn how to create marketing that is easy and that works! -- Every week on Marketing Made Simple, marketing experts Dr. J.J. Peterson and April Sunshine Hawkins give you practical marketing tips rooted in the StoryBrand framework and show you how to invite customers into a beautiful story where they become the Hero and you become their Guide. When you help your customers win, you win. Subscribe to weekly episodes, dropping every Wednesday in the Marketing Made Simple feed! Just search "Marketing Made Simple" and look for the smiling J.J. on Apple Podcast, Spotify or wherever you enjoy podcasts. Implement the StoryBrand Framework into your marketing by creating your own BrandScript for FREE at MyStoryBrand.com.

The post-COVID spending boom is coming! Is your business positioned to get the most out of it? Joshua DuBois, co-founder and CEO of Gauge.ai, returns to the podcast giving his top three predictions on exactly what you need do to get ahead of the game this upcoming quarter. -- Find out more about Joshua DuBois at Gauge.ai Start on your path to becoming a Business Made Simple Professional at BusinessMadeSimple.com. For only $275 annually you get instant access to all of our online courses, including our signature course How To Grow A Business, plus live coaching events with Donald Miller every month. Take the mystery out of growing your business and go to BusinessMadeSimple.com today!

Showing your customer exactly how your product can transform their life is essential if you want your business to win! It's called identity transformation and in an upcoming episode of Marketing Made Simple, you'll learn what language to use in your messaging to engage your customer's identity transformation by inviting them into a beautiful story. Every Wednesday, starting June 23, marketing experts Dr. J.J. Peterson and April Sunshine Hawkins will deliver practical marketing tips rooted in the StoryBrand framework you can immediately apply to improve your marketing and get more cash in the door. On Marketing Made Simple we believe your marketing should be easy and it should work. Finally learn how to build your marketing the right way and SUBSCRIBE NOW!

We tend to equate success with working hard and think anything worth getting is worth working for, no matter the cost. But once we reach the level success we've dreamt about, we're too burnt out to even enjoy it. Does this resonate with you? If so, pause and listen to today's conversation with Greg McKeown, author of the new book Effortless. Greg will teach you how to prioritize and reframe your priorities to make things easy allowing you to finally focus on what matters most. If you are constantly living inside your last edge of energy, this conversation is the reprogramming you need so can finally stop wearing your burn out as a badge of honor. -- Order Effortless at GregMcKeown.com/Books/Effortless/ and listen to Greg's new What's Essential podcast at GregMcKeown.com/Podcast/ Start on your path to becoming a Business Made Simple Professional at BusinessMadeSimple.com. For only $275 annually you get instant access to all of our online courses, including our signature course How To Grow A Business, plus live coaching events with Donald Miller every month. Take the mystery out of growing your business and go to BusinessMadeSimple.com today!

If your company does not have a clear message, it could be costing you thousands if not more! But don't worry because our brand new Marketing Made Simple podcast is here for you and here's a teaser of our very first episode with special guest Donald Miller, author of Building a StoryBrand, Marketing Made Simple and Business Made Simple. Every Wednesday, starting June 23, marketing experts Dr. J.J. Peterson and April Sunshine Hawkins will deliver practical marketing tips rooted in the StoryBrand framework you can immediately apply to improve your marketing and get more cash in the door. On Marketing Made Simple we believe your marketing should be easy and it should work. Finally learn how to build your marketing the right way and SUBSCRIBE NOW!

Are you feeling helpless or stuck in perpetual chaos emerging into the post-COVID landscape? Today's guest, Carey Lohrenz, author of Span of Control, offers a solution. As the first female F-14 Tomcat Fighter Pilot in the U.S. Navy, Carey has been there and breaks down exactly how you can overcome that helpless feeling to navigate uncertainty and equip yourself to truly perform under pressure! -- Order Span of Control at CareyLohrenz.com then take the Span of Control test to find our if you're equipped to perform under pressure at CareyLohrenz.com/Span-Of-Control-Test Start on your path to becoming a Business Made Simple Professional at BusinessMadeSimple.com. For only $275 annually you get instant access to all of our online courses, including our signature course How To Grow A Business, plus live coaching events with Donald Miller every month. Take the mystery out of growing your business and go to BusinessMadeSimple.com today!

Have you been trying to start up a business but keep dragging your heals overthinking every detail? If so, you need to listen to this episode! Special guest, Ellen Bennett, author of Dream First, Details Later and Founder/CEO of Hedley & Bennett, shares how she grew a $300 apron start-up into a multimillion dollar company. You'll come away knowing how to squash your doubt and build a personal playbook for taking action before you stop yourself again! -- Click here to order Dream First, Details Later then find your perfect apron at HedleyAndBennett.com Start on your path to becoming a Business Made Simple Professional at BusinessMadeSimple.com. For only $275 annually you get instant access to all of our online courses, including our signature course How To Grow A Business, plus live coaching events with Donald Miller every month. Take the mystery out of growing your business and go to BusinessMadeSimple.com today!

This week we're asking the question, "What would happen if you shift the need to control to a need to empower?" Special guests Charles Koch and Brian Hooks, co-authors of Believe In People: Bottom Up Solutions for a Top Down World, give you their answer in this captivating conversation. They explain how an obsession with control is at the root of many of our current problems and offer a solution through empowerment. For anyone wanting to become the best version of themselves and make a true difference inside their business or community, this conversation acts as the perfect roadmap! -- Order Believe In People: Bottom Up Solutions for a Top Down World and learn more about Stand Together at BelieveInPeopleBook.com Start on your path to becoming a Business Made Simple Professional at BusinessMadeSimple.com. For only $275 annually you get instant access to all of our online courses, including our signature course How To Grow A Business, plus live coaching events with Donald Miller every month. Take the mystery out of growing your business and go to BusinessMadeSimple.com today!

Special guest, Ryan Deiss, digital marketing expert and CEO of Digital Marketer, is back to continue guiding you step-by-step through a digital marketing strategy that will help your business scale and make you more money. -- Find out more about Ryan Deiss at DigitalMarketer.com Start on your path to becoming a Business Made Simple Professional at BusinessMadeSimple.com. For only $275 annually you get instant access to all of our online courses plus live coaching sessions with Donald Miller every month. Take the mystery out of growing your business and go to BusinessMadeSimple.com.

These days your business needs an effective digital marketing strategy not only to keep up with the competition but in order for it to fly far and fast. Without one, you could be headed for a crash landing! But don't worry—we've got you covered because over the next two episodes special guest, Ryan Deiss, digital marketing expert and CEO of Digital Marketer, guides you step-by-step through a digital marketing strategy to help your business scale and make you more money. -- Find out more about Ryan Deiss at DigitalMarketer.com Start on your path to becoming a Business Made Simple Professional at BusinessMadeSimple.com. For only $275 annually you get instant access to all of our online courses plus live coaching sessions with Donald Miller every month. Take the mystery out of growing your business and go to BusinessMadeSimple.com.

Most people think success is a solo endeavor – you have to do it alone and there's no one else who can help you get there. But the reality is that we are surrounded by resources and people who can support us in our journey toward success. This week's guest, Leah Glover Hayes, host of the podcast "Her Story of Success", shares inspiring stories of women trailblazers, entrepreneurs, artists and business leaders from all walks. She's distilled their advice into three keys to success you can use in any area of your life. These keys will help set you on the path to what matters most. -- Find out more about Leah Glover Hayes and her podcast, "Her Story of Success" at HerStoryOfSuccess.com If you want to become a Business Made Simple professional, sign up for pro access at BusinessMadeSimple.com and get all our online courses plus access to live coaching sessions with Donald Miller every month. Go pro at BusinessMadeSimple.com

The failure rate for startups is 90%. That means 9 out of 10 businesses will fail! It doesn't have to be this way though. If you know the patterns causing these failures and avoid them, your chances for success increase dramatically. This week's guest, Tom Eisenmann, Professor of Business Administration at Harvard Business School and author of "How Startups Fail", surveyed 470 entrepreneurs and investors about their failed businesses and discovered six distinct patterns leading to their failure. In this episode we discuss and unpack those patterns so you know exactly what to avoid when starting your own business or investing in someone else's. -- Order Tom Eisenmann's "Why Startups Fail" now! If you want to become a Business Made Simple professional, sign up for pro access at BusinessMadeSimple.com and get all our online courses plus access to live coaching sessions with Donald Miller every month. Go pro at BusinessMadeSimple.com

No matter what your role is within your business, there will be a time when you need to step in and take over something somebody else has built. Not knowing how to manage that transition could put you in a nose dive toward disaster. So how can you successfully lead something you didn't start? This week special guest, Tyler Reagin, author of "Leading Things You Didn't Start", answers that question! He gives you the five steps you'll need when taking over any project, department or company. -- Order "Leading Things You Didn't Start" at TylerReagin.com/LifeGivingLeader If you want to become a Business Made Simple professional, sign up for pro access at BusinessMadeSimple.com and get all our online courses plus access to live coaching sessions with Donald Miller every month. Go pro at BusinessMadeSimple.com

You know you have a story to tell but struggle how to even begin telling it. Where should you start? Is it captivating? Who really wants to hear your story? It's overwhelming. That's why we're answering the question, "How and why should you write your story?" We're joined by special guest Allison Fallon, author of "The Power of Writing It Down", who's helped hundreds of people find their voice, tell their stories, and share them with the world. In this episode she'll walk you step-by-step on how to start writing your story and the best way to tell it. -- Let Allison help you start writing your story at WriteYourStory.com If you want to become a Business Made Simple professional, sign up for pro access at BusinessMadeSimple.com and get all our online courses plus access to live coaching sessions with Donald Miller every month. Go pro at BusinessMadeSimple.com

The post-COVID wave: most of us are thinking about it but few of us feel prepared for it. What's going to happen to our businesses? How will consumer behavior change? What exactly is this "new normal?" These are the exact questions we are answering this week. Joshua DuBois, founder of Gauge.ai, a market research firm that surveys tens of thousands of people per day, will share what you can expect in Q2 of this year and how your business can be prepared for the changes that will come as the world emerges from COVID. -- Find out more about Joshua DuBois at Gauge.ai If you want to become a Business Made Simple professional, sign up for pro access at BusinessMadeSimple.com and get all our online courses plus access to live coaching sessions with Donald Miller every month. Go pro at BusinessMadeSimple.com

On this week's episode we're answering the question, "Is it possible to grow your business working only six hour days?" Michael Hyatt, co-author of the new book "Win At Work & Succeed At Life," is convinced you can. You'll hear why as he shares his insight into how fewer, more focused hours can lead to significant growth in your business. -- Order Michael Hyatt's new book, "Win at Work & Succeed At Life" and get access to exclusive bonus content at WinAndSucceedBook.com/BMS When you become a Business Made Simple Professional, you get access to our library of courses that take the mystery out of growing a business. Become a Business Made Simple Professional today at BusinessMadeSimple.com

It feels like just about everyone is trying to "build their online platform" these days. But only the people who do it right are the ones that reap the benefits. And yes -- there is a "right" way to do it. On this week's episode, John Lee Dumas, author of the book "The Common Path to Uncommon Success" shares a step-by-step plan for how you can produce consistent content for your platform that doesn't feel cheesy and allows you to expand your influence. -- Find out more about The Common Path to Uncommon Success at UncommonSuccessBook.com When you become a Business Made Simple Professional, you get access to our library of courses that take the mystery out of growing a business. Become a Business Made Simple Professional today at BusinessMadeSimple.com

This week we're answering the question: How can non-profits who want to fundraise less, raise more money and build a community of monthly givers? Special guest, Vik Harrison of Charity: Water, an organization that to date has delivered clean and safe drinking water to over 10 million people across the globe, gives you the answer! Then host Donald Miller walks you step-by-step through crafting the perfect mission statement for any type of business. -- Find out more about Vik Harrison at VikHarrison.com and CharityWater.org When you become a Business Made Simple Professional, you get access to our library of courses that take the mystery out of growing a business. Become a Business Made Simple Professional today at BusinessMadeSimple.com

You're negotiating all the time without even knowing it. And that's a problem, because your success in life depends on how well you can negotiate. That's why in this week's episode we're teaching you the six things every great negotiator does to create more win/win outcomes in work and in life. Don also talks with Dr. John Lowry, President of the Lowry Group and instructor of our newest course at Business Made Simple University - Negotiation Made Simple. John shares what it's like inside a high stakes negotiation and his approach for achieving the desired outcome. -- Find out more about The Lowry Group at LowryGroup.net Get access to the course Negotiation Made Simple at NegotiationMadeSimple.com Want to become a Business Made Simple Certified Coach? Apply now at CertifiedBusinessCoach.com Needing to hire a Business Made Simple Certified Coach? Go to HireACoach.com At Business Made Simple, we teach you everything you need to know to grow a business — BusinessMadeSimple.com

This week Martin Lindstrøm, author of The Ministry of Common Sense and expert at helping businesses around the world unleash their common sense, joins Don, Koula and J.J. Martin shows how to embrace empathy and unlock pure common sense to help grow your business and make you more money! -- Find out more about Martin Lindstrøm and his book The Ministry of Common Sense at MartinLindstrom.com/Ministry-Of-Commonsense Want to become a Business Made Simple Certified Coach? Apply now at CertifiedBusinessCoach.com Needing to hire a Business Made Simple Certified Coach? Go to HireACoach.com At Business Made Simple, we teach you everything you need to know to grow a business — BusinessMadeSimple.com

Run out of cash and your business will crash! That's why in this final episode of our seven-part series, How Your Business is an Airplane, we explain exactly how to manage your finances, giving you a plan to keep your business fueled with cash. Don also talks with finance guru, Mike Michalowicz, who shows you how to implement his Profit First method. -- Find out more about Mike Michalowicz or Profit First at ProfitFirstProfessionals.com Want to become a Business Made Simple Certified Coach? Apply now at CertifiedBusinessCoach.com Needing to hire a Business Made Simple Certified Coach? Go to HireACoach.com At Business Made Simple, we teach you everything you need to know to grow a business — BusinessMadeSimple.com

A coke machine in the break room or a food truck party for your staff might sound like a fun idea. But the reality is – that's overhead, and it's slowing your business down (and costing you money). In part six of our seven-part series, How Your Business is an Airplane, we're focusing on overhead. Sure, you're going to have some expenses that don't drive crazy revenue, and sometimes that's okay. The answer isn't to cut those expenses altogether – it's to learn this simple formula so you know what's worth your time, and what's holding you back. -- Want to become a Business Made Simple Certified Coach? Apply now at CertifiedBusinessCoach.com Needing to hire a Business Made Simple Certified Coach? Go to HireACoach.com At Business Made Simple, we teach you everything you need to know to grow a business — BusinessMadeSimple.com

There's a myth that says it takes dozens of bad product ideas to uncover one good one. The problem is, that means you're sending revenue down the drain. In part five of our seven part series, How Your Business is an Airplane, we're focusing on the wings of the airplane – or your product. You don't have to waste any more time creating dead-end products. Do these two things and you'll knock your product ideas out of the park the first time. -- Learn more about Allison Trowbridge how her company, Copper, can help you build meaningful community through book clubs by joining the waitlist at MeetCopper.com Want to become a Business Made Simple Certified Coach? Apply now at CertifiedBusinessCoach.com Needing to hire a Business Made Simple Certified Coach? Go to HireACoach.com At Business Made Simple, we teach you everything you need to know to grow a business — BusinessMadeSimple.com

If you're running your own business then you know selling your product can be a challenge. Whether it's finding leads, crafting the perfect pitch or dealing with crippling self doubt, you need to sell your product to stay in business. We're taking a slight detour from our 7-Part Series, How Your Business Is Like An Airplane, to talk with Jamie Kern Lima, who is no stranger to overcoming obstacles. As co-founder of IT Cosmetics, she grew the company from her living room into a $1.2 billion megabrand, all in less than ten years! And she accomplished it all by pushing through her fear of selling. Don and Jamie have an enlightening one-on-one conversation giving you the insight you need to overcome your fear of selling and come out the other side more confident than ever. This is Business Made Simple. -- Pre-order Jamie's new book, "Believe IT", at believeit.com. Order "Business Made Simple" NOW on Amazon or wherever you buy books. Then register for our first ever Business Made Simple Summit livestream on February 9 for FREE! Go to BusinessMadeSimpleSummit.com and register using your receipt or order number. Want to become a Business Made Simple Certified Coach? Apply now at CertifiedBusinessCoach.com Needing to hire a Business Made Simple Certified Coach? Go to HireACoach.com At Business Made Simple, we teach you everything you need to know to grow a business — BusinessMadeSimple.com

You've got no shortage of customers in your pipeline, but getting them to sign on the dotted line? That's a completely different story. In Part Four of our series, How Your Business is an Airplane, we're focusing on the Left Engine – Sales. You don't have to go full-on used car salesman to get your leads to convert. There's a better way, and we're teaching it to you in this episode. -- Want to become a Business Made Simple Certified Coach? Apply now at CertifiedBusinessCoach.com Needing to hire a Business Made Simple Certified Coach? Go to HireACoach.com At Business Made Simple, we teach you everything you need to know to grow a business — BusinessMadeSimple.com

Here's the sad reality: countless businesses close their doors every day. It's not always for the same reason, and sometimes, the problems in a business totally sneak up on you. In Part Three of our series, How Your Business is an Airplane, we're focusing on the Right Engine (aka - great marketing). Getting this essential piece of a business right could truly be the difference between if your business succeeds, or if you have to close your doors...for good. -- Want to become a Business Made Simple Certified Coach? Apply now at CertifiedBusinessCoach.com Needing to hire a Business Made Simple Certified Coach? Go to HireACoach.com At Business Made Simple, we teach you everything you need to know to grow a business — BusinessMadeSimple.com

What if leadership wasn't about rallying your team around a mission or being liked? What if great leadership meant mastering seven core competencies that actually drive your team forward? In Part Two of our series, How Your Business is an Airplane, we're focusing on The Cockpit. Don, Koula, and JJ break down each of these seven pillars (and spoiler alert: they may not be what you think). ... Want to become a Business Made Simple Certified Coach? Apply now at CertifiedBusinessCoach.com Needing to hire a Business Made Simple Certified Coach? Go to HireACoach.com At Business Made Simple, we teach you everything you need to know to grow a business — BusinessMadeSimple.com

In this inaugural episode of the Business Made Simple podcast, our hosts, Donald Miller, Dr. J.J. Peterson and Koula Callahan explain how a business really works and debate whether or not your college degree was worth the investment. ... Want to become a Business Made Simple Certified Coach? Apply now at CertifiedBusinessCoach.com Needing to hire a Business Made Simple Certified Coach? Go to HireACoach.com At Business Made Simple, we teach you everything you need to know to grow a business — BusinessMadeSimple.com

Well, friends, we did it! We've wrapped on yet another year of the Building a StoryBrand Podcast. And you know what that means: it's time for the annual "Best of" episode. On this year's episode, we've pulled together some of the best nuggets of wisdom from guests like Adrienne Bankert, Matthew McConnaughey, and even our very own Business Made Simple President, Doug Kiem. So join us as we revisit some amazing business (and life) advice we got in 2020. Head to storybrand.com/survey to complete our 2020 Listener Survey before December 31 for a chance to win a $50 Amazon Gift Card! Just head over to storybrand.com/survey and give us your feedback!

There is no doubt we're all craving a return to normalcy. But is getting back to the way things were what your customers actually want? Joshua DuBois, market research expert and CEO of Gague.ai, gives Don some surprising insight. Peeking into his "crystal ball", Joshua predicts how trends will change so you and your business can be more than ready heading into 2021! Head to storybrand.com/survey to complete our 2020 Listener Survey before December 31 for a chance to win a $50 Amazon Gift Card! Just head over to storybrand.com/survey and give us your feedback! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

There are specific qualities that highest paid people possess. I don't mean integrity or honesty or kindness — those are characteristics you have to have in order to be a decent human. I'm talking about tangible character traits that make you a value-driven professional. Traits like understanding how to receive feedback, de-escalating drama and prioritizing your highest return opportunities. There's a reason the highest paid people are where they are — and I want to teach you why. If you develop these characteristics, you become seen as a valuable "product" that organizations will want to invest in. Not too dissimilar from a good stock, you become the type of employee who gives your organization a great return. And when you give an organization a great return, they're more likely to pay you more. A lot more. In this week's episode I'll explain the 10 characteristics of every value-driven professional and how you can develop them. When you embody these traits, you'll increase your economic value on the open market and your career will soar.

Have you ever found yourself feeling a bit...meh.. about your career trajectory? You're proud of what you've accomplished, and you should be. But you just can't shake the fact that you feel unfulfilled and that there's got to be more to life... It wasn't too long ago when Good Morning America news anchor, Paula Faris, found herself in the same rut. So she decided to change things. She quit her job and completely re-engineered her life to discover her true purpose. What some might have thought was a drastic move, Paula knew was right. On this week's episode, she shares her journey of finding a career that aligned with her purpose and offers practical tools to help you clear out the clutter and find meaning in life.

Many artists think sheer talent and creativity are all they need to turn their art into a lucrative business. Sadly, here's what usually ends up happening: they realize talent alone isn't going to cut it so they resort to being a "starving artist" and never really achieve the type of success they once dreamt possible. Elida Field could have easily fallen into the same trap, but her focus and determination propelled her into a profitable career she loves. In this week's episode, she'll share her process for how she defeated the "starving artist" phase and built a profitable career as an artist. If you're a creative and need a plan to help you monetize your art and build a successful career, this episode will help!

In a candid moment from his back porch, Don shares a few ways you can break through the noise at the dinner table this Thanksgiving and focus on what really matters--sharing love and connection with friends and family. Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving!

Fate is a terrible writer -- and it shouldn't be the one in the driver's seat of your life. But there has to be a balance between fate and control, right? Matthew McConaughey's take on this topic is an inspiring one, and in this week's interview, he talks about how fate works together with self-determination to help you create the life you really want. He argues that ego is actually a healthy thing and that there is a beautiful balance between freedom and responsibility (in his terms, "giddy-up and innate ability.") This epic conversation with Don and Matthew will inspire you to learn from your setbacks, take back control of your life, and develop the kind of optimism that will help you succeed.

We all want to live a meaningful life, but if we're honest, we've been letting fate author our story for way too long. A meaningful life doesn't happen when we let fate write it for us. A meaningful life happens when we create and follow a life plan that gives us a clear direction and purpose. Imagine knowing every task you completed was contributing to a life full of meaning. Imagine waking up each day not in a fog, but with a clear sense of purpose. That's exactly what you'll experience when you create and follow the life plan Donald Miller teaches in this episode. These five steps will help you take back control of your life so you wake up every day knowing your work matters and is part of an incredibly meaningful story.

Most people think there are those who are "just born" creative, and those who just aren't. Seth Godin would disagree. He believes that creativity, like riding a bike, is a skill everyone can learn and develop over time. It's an important skill, too, and if we don't develop practices that keep us creative, we could get left behind. In today's episode, Seth gives us insight into how we can become more creative with our work. Whether you're a graphic designer, and architect, a CEO or a receptionist, these practices will help you grow and become a more valuable professional.