Episode 69: 7 Ways To Leverage Your Introvert Edge in Sales, with Matthew Pollard
“I think this is the massive thing for introverts. You have to be congruent with what you’re selling, so you can’t just put a price tag out there and be ok with it. You need to have that validated, and there are ways to test that so it feels comfortable for you.” – Matthew Pollard
Introverts often feel that certain barriers exist making sales harder to do than their extroverted counterparts. Today’s Finding Brave expert guest reveals that introverts actually have an advantage in selling, and he shares his 7-step process to discovering what he calls the “introvert’s edge.”
Matthew Pollard is responsible for five multi-million-dollar business success stories in his home country of Australia, all before the age of 30. His humble beginnings, the adversities that he faced, and his epic rise to success are inspirational stories of how anyone, with the right motivation and the right strategies, can achieve anything they set their mind to.
Today, he’s a bestselling author whose book, The Introvert’s Edge, has received endorsements from Harvard, Princeton, Neil Patel, and Marshall Goldsmith, just to name a few. He’s been featured by Fox, NBC, Fortune, Forbes, INC., Entrepreneur, and CEO – and he’s also the founder of Small Business Festival, which INC. has named a Top-3 national conference for small business.
Whether you’re an introvert or not, I’m know this powerhouse interview will help you find brave and close your own power gaps. What Matthew shares here isn’t just about sales–at the core it’s really about how to shine in the world doing what you love, while helping others in the process.
Highlights from this Episode:
- Some of the early struggles Matthew faced growing up and what he considers to be a turning point for him [4:15]
- How he first learned to develop his sales skills [8:40]
- Why introverts benefit more from a proven sales system than extroverts do [11:10]
- The very first step in the sales process that he recommends someone take [14:40]
- What Matthew sees to be the biggest problem introverts face in selling and how to use storytelling to overcome it [21:20]
- How to tell if you’ve done the sales process right [31:10]
- What to do if you’re struggling with how to present your pricing to potential clients [34:18]
- The process Matthew uses to screen prospects and determine who is an ideal fit for his products [42:05]
For More Information:
http://www.matthewpollard.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewpollardspeaker/
https://twitter.com/matthewpollard_
https://www.instagram.com/matthewpollardspeaker/
https://www.facebook.com/MatthewPollardSpeaker/
Resources Mentioned:
Get The First Chapter of Matthew’s Book, The Introvert’s Edge: How the Quiet and Shy Can Outsell Anyone
His Podcast & YouTube Channel
Matthew’s Rapid Growth Academy & 6-Week Intensive
Small Business Festival & His Other Events
Kathy’s Forbes Blog with Matthew, How An Introverted Australian With A Disability Built Huge Momentum For U.S. Small Businesses
60: How to Crack The Funding Code for Your Startup, with Judy Robinett
QUOTES:
“I did have a lot of struggles growing up, and I think that the adversities that we have in life seed the success of our future.” [3:58]
“I had to make the decision that sales had to be a systematic process, because if I wasn’t in control, my year was going to be horrible.” [8:59]
“If you’re always trying to create repeatable and improving results over the long-term, you always get much better outcomes.” [14:16]
“If you do everything well, the sales should just become a natural outcome.” [15:08]
“The problem is as an introvert, we end up stuck in our head trying to work out what to say and a lot of times what comes out is this massive education system.” [24:46]
“A story is a wonderful way of educating somebody of what you do, inspiring them that it’s possible for them, while also underlying the fact that you’re the only logical choice [of who] to work with.” [28:11]
“I will always do what I can to help as many people as possible, as long as I can keep it up. The people that do the work, I will be happy to support.” [44:50]
“If we avoid sales and we avoid marketing, we’re really just counting the days until our business is closing.” [49:29]
Sponsor Highlight!
I’m thrilled to share that Audible.com is a sponsor of Finding Brave! Take advantage of their great special offer of one FREE book of your choice with a 30-day FREE membership trial! And feel free to keep the book even if you cancel the membership. Click here to sign up for your free book! http://www.audibletrial.com/FindingBrave
Watch the video of this episode!
Now you can experience each Finding Brave episode in both audio and video formats! Check out new and recent episodes on my Youtube channel at YouTube.com/kathycaprino. And please leave us a comment and a thumbs up if you like the show!
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Episode 68: How To Rapidly Build A More Efficient Team and Business, with Nick Sonnenberg
“One of the biggest mistakes I made at Leverage was premature scaling. We grew too quickly, and we didn’t have our internal processes and operations well dialed in. We didn’t have our product perfected, so enjoy being small as long as possible and use that time to build a solid foundation.” – Nick Sonnenberg
When it comes to scaling your business, there comes a time when you will need help from outside resources to get to that next level you wish to get to. Today’s Finding Brave guest gives a roadmap for how we can scale our businesses efficiently and effectively, and how we can avoid the “bigger is better” trap that many entrepreneurs fall into along the way.
Nick Sonnenberg is a serial entrepreneur with a passion for creating companies that disrupt the way people live. He is the co-founder of Leverage, founder and CEO of Efficient Frontier Solutions, Inc. as well as being a contributor and the co-author of the book Idea to Execution.
Before making the jump to the startup technology space, Nick spent more than eight years on Wall Street as a high-frequency algorithmic trader. His personal mission is to help busy entrepreneurs and executives optimize their lives in a meaningful way and help them go from idea to execution in as few steps as possible.
Nick is someone who is always looking for a better way to do things, and by using the lessons he’s learned about growing businesses, you can achieve what you define as “success” in the most pain-free and streamlined way possible for you, your team, and your clients.
Highlights from this Episode:
- The ways that Nick’s company helps the entrepreneurs they work with on a daily basis [4:27]
- His transition from a career on Wall Street to starting Leverage, and how he now uses those skills he developed [6:36]
- Nick’s ultimate dream and what he’s doing to define a new way for how the marketplace operates [13:48]
- What is holding many entrepreneurs back from scaling, delegating and creating business models that work for both them and their clients [18:45]
- A massive risk that a lot of companies are taking and how Nick avoided making this mistake in the past [22:56]
- What’s even more important that your “to-do” list [23:29]
- His strategies for scaling the right way [23:31]
- How to know it may be time to change the way you are doing business [28:26]
- What to focus on instead of just metrics such as revenue or the number of clients you have [31:58]
For More Information:
https://www.facebook.com/getleverageva/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicksonnenberg/
Resources Mentioned:
Nick’s Book, Idea to Execution: How to Optimize, Automate, and Outsource Everything in Your Business
His Leverage Podcast
Email Nick for Information on Upcoming Workshops
Slack, Process Street, Zapier & AskNicely
66: How To Build Your Thought Leadership and Get Known For Your Ideas, with Robin Farmanfarmaian
The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don’t Work and What to Do About It by Michael E. Gerber
QUOTES:
“I think that no matter what company you’re building, you always have to make sure you’re passionate about it and that it’s solving a problem.” [6:25]
“At that time I was 30 years old and no kids, no family and had some savings. I decided to throw myself into the deep end to be an entrepreneur.” [12:37]
“When you’re trying to figure out how to do something you don’t know how to do, you just need to know the ‘who.’ To figure out the ‘how,’ that’s kind of another way of thinking about what we try to achieve with Leverage. We try to be your ‘who,’ so you don’t need to figure out how to do it.” [23:54]
“It’s really lonely being an entrepreneur, and it’s so critical to have that support system.” [29:54]
“People like to brag about things like revenue or size of team, and it can be distracting. It was distracting for us, and it ultimately hurt us to celebrate those numbers.” [32:05]
“If the quality is so high that people can’t live without us, and our retention is super-high, the revenue is naturally going to come.”
Sponsor Highlight!
I’m thrilled to share that Audible.com is a sponsor of Finding Brave! Take advantage of their great special offer of one FREE book of your choice with a 30-day FREE membership trial! And feel free to keep the book even if you cancel the membership. Click here to sign up for your free book! http://www.audibletrial.com/FindingBrave
Watch the video of this episode!
Now you can experience each Finding Brave episode in both audio and video formats! Check out new and recent episodes on my Youtube channel at YouTube.com/kathycaprino. And please leave us a comment and a thumbs up if you like the show!
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Episode 67: Why You're Still Hiding on LinkedIn - What You Need to Know and Change, with William Arruda and Ora Shtull
“People are compelling not only because of credentials and accomplishments. They’re compelling because they are likable. What makes you likable? When you talk about what you’re passionate about, when you talk about what you value, and you talk about what your mission on this Earth is.” – William Arruda
“Women, in particular, think self-promotion is a dirty word, but here’s the funny thing. It’s the successful professionals who know that when you stay quiet about your achievements and your accomplishments, and even your leadership or thought expertise, you’re going to be overlooked.” – Ora Shtull
As a professional, you most likely have a LinkedIn profile, but are you taking full advantage of how this platform can help build and advance your career? It’s not just “nice” to be on LinkedIn now, it’s an absolute must to place your digital brand in the forefront, and today’s Finding Brave guests provide their expert LinkedIn strategies that you can use to blast your career upward.
William Arruda and Ora Shtull are the co-founders of CareerBlast.TV, a personal branding plus platform for professionals who want to stand out and succeed.
William has been credited with turning the concept of personal branding into a global industry. He delivers personal and social branding keynotes all over the world. William is the author of Career Distinction, Ditch Dare Do, and the upcoming, Digital You.
Ora is a sought-after executive Coach in New York City. She’s built a stellar reputation over 20 years helping leaders get promoted and land on the “top most powerful” industry lists. She’s the author of The Glass Elevator: A Guide to Leadership Presence for Women on the Rise and the upcoming, Power Up your Personal Brand.
William and Ora are two of the world’s top authorities on personal branding and career advancement, and they offer their amazing resource, Power Up Your LinkedIn Profile, which will start building your personal brand and fast-track your career growth – today!
Highlights from this Episode:
- Why LinkedIn is so important, how it’s evolved over the years and what mindset you should have when using it [4:08]
- How using LinkedIn effectively can allow you to do your current job better, and is not just for seeking new opportunities [5:39]
- What people are ashamed of and the main reasons they are hiding on LinkedIn [12:15]
- What the “brandscaping” trend is and how you can start doing it today [15:58]
- Fascinating insights about how women are using LinkedIn versus how men do [24:10]
- The amazing things that can happen when you understand and embrace who your true target is on LinkedIn [27:40]
- Why people are so scared to ask for and give written recommendations on LinkedIn [29:38]
- When you should be asking for recommendations and the right way to do it [31:51]
- The top 3 things you can do now on LinkedIn to get you moving towards your career goals [37:40]
And take advantage of a generous 50% discount savings that William and Ora are kindly offering to my community, on their Power Up Your LinkedIn Profile video training! CLICK HERE to access the training for only $99!
For More Information:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/careerblast/
https://www.instagram.com/careerblast/
https://www.facebook.com/careerblast/
https://twitter.com/careerblastme
Resources Mentioned:
Power Up Your LinkedIn Profile (with bonuses!)
William’s Books Career Distinction: Stand Out by Building Your Brand & Ditch. Dare. Do! 3D Personal Branding for Executives
Ora’s Book, The Glass Elevator: A Guide to Leadership Presence for Women on the Rise
William’s First Appearance on Finding Brave
Weber Shandwick study & 2014 study of social CEOs
QUOTES:
“The new mindset for LinkedIn and people haven’t really adopted this year, is that LinkedIn is a place I go to do my job better.” [William, 4:57]
“LinkedIn Groups are professional associations on steroids. You go to a professional associate in your local city and there might be a hundred or two hundred people there. You go to a LinkedIn Group focused on a certain topic, and there could be tens or hundreds of thousands of people you could connect with.” [William, 5:57]
“You’re revving up your personal brand, and your personal brand will only promote the corporate brand. So when you show up with confidence, and when you show up with thought leadership or with expertise, that’s a beautiful reflection on your company.” [Ora, 8:34]
“One of the biggest challenges I experience in working with people is that people are afraid to be different.” [William, 21:34]
“We have to redefine who our target audience is. It’s not the people in the office or cubicle next to you. It’s much broader than that, and if you embrace that, the world of opportunity falls on your lap.” [Ora, 28:00]
“If you believe in what you do, you want to share it broadly.” [Ora, 30:55]
“If you’re not getting it done, kiss procrastination goodbye and get some support.” [Ora, 36:40]
“If you are not creating a profile that’s reflective of who you are in the real world, then you are missing out on huge opportunities. Whatever people see, that is who you are to them.” [William, 38:08]
Sponsor Highlight!
I’m thrilled to share that Audible.com is a sponsor of Finding Brave! Take advantage of their great special offer of one FREE book of your choice with a 30-day FREE membership trial! And feel free to keep the book even if you cancel the membership. Click here to sign up for your free book! http://www.audibletrial.com/FindingBrave
Watch the video of this episode!
Now you can experience each Finding Brave episode in both audio and video formats! Check out new and recent episodes on my Youtube channel at YouTube.com/kathycaprino. And please leave us a comment and a thumbs up if you like the show!
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Episode 66: How To Build Your Thought Leadership and Get Known For Your Ideas, with Robin Farmanfarmaian
“My fundamental truth behind The Thought Leader Formula, besides the solution to #MeToo, is that 90% of people have the ability to be a thought leader, we just have to understand how to follow that path.” – Robin Farmanfarmaian
Being a thought leader is building a business, and almost anyone can do it with the right mindset. To become a thought leader though, you need to know and hone your business model, revenue streams, and who your customer is. Today’s Finding Brave guest shows us how we can do this, whether we are an entrepreneur, work in a corporate setting, or have a side gig.
Robin Farmanfarmaian is a professional speaker, entrepreneur, and angel investor driving high-level business development for a wide array of organizations in the medical and biotech fields and beyond.
Empowering professionals, Robin also works with executives, entrepreneurs, consultants and other professionals who want to become thought leaders in order to accelerate their career and business goals. Her 1st book, The Patient as CEO: How Technology Empowers the Healthcare Consumer, is a #1 Best Seller on Amazon. Her 2nd book, The Thought Leader Formula, is out now.
It’s been a journey for Robin to become who she is today, and the very personal story she reveals in this episode can help many of us see that we too can share our ideas in a bigger way than we are currently, and why that’s a gift to the world.
Highlights from this Episode:
- What compelled Robin to write her latest book and why she says it was a tough decision to write it [2:50]
- Her two-step solution for issues facing professional women in the #MeToo era [5:31]
- The first steps to take to get known for your idea [10:18]
- Robin’s concept of “You, Inc.” and why you should be aware of your personal brand, regardless of what work you do professionally [13:48]
- What your “fundamental truth” is and why it’s something that you’ll need to identify [16:08]
- How to launch your first entrepreneurial venture if startup funds are an issue and what level of investment Robin has made in her business to become a thought leader [19:50]
- What to consider if you are a first time writer and how you should be viewing your book in terms of financial returns from it [24:08]
- Ways that your book can be “9 products in 1” [26:18]
- Where to begin if you have an idea, or group of ideas, that you want to turn into your first book [28:26]
- What readers of Robin’s latest book can expect to get from it [32:17]
For More Information:
https://www.linkedin.com/pub/robin-farmanfarmaian/4/401/31
https://www.facebook.com/Robinff
Resources Mentioned:
The Thought Leader Formula Online Course (with 50% for the month of April 2019 using code “April50”) & Free Workbook
Robin’s Latest Book, The Thought Leader Formula: Strategically Leverage Your Expertise to Drive Business & Career Goals
Her First Book, The Patient as CEO: How Technology Empowers the Healthcare Consumer
Kathy’s Book, Breakdown, Breakthrough
Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action, by Simon Sinek
QUOTES:
“Become known for your ideas and your brain so that people can’t hurt you anymore, and then send the elevator back down for other women.” [5:33]
“(Writing) that book gives you more credibility than an MBA.” [6:47]
“The very first step to becoming a thought leader is to step back and figure out your business model and your revenue stream. Those things are going to then indicate your customer avatar and who you want to reach.” [10:18]
“People do not buy what you do, they buy why you do it. So identify your ‘Why’ as it relates to your business model and revenue stream.” [16:16]
“It is a long-term vision. Becoming a thought leader is not something that’s going to take you just a few months.” [19:51]
“If you think you can become a thought leader for zero dollars, I am going to tell you right now you will fail.” [20:46]
“The vast majority of your clients probably are never going to read your book, but the fact that they know your book exists is what books you for keynote speaking, or can get you a client.” [25:00]
Sponsor Highlight!
I’m thrilled to share that Audible.com is a sponsor of Finding Brave! Take advantage of their great special offer of one FREE book of your choice with a 30-day FREE membership trial! And feel free to keep the book even if you cancel the membership. Click here to sign up for your free book! http://www.audibletrial.com/FindingBrave
Watch the video of this episode!
Now you can experience each Finding Brave episode in both audio and video formats! Check out new and recent episodes on my Youtube channel at YouTube.com/kathycaprino. And please leave us a comment and a thumbs up if you like the show!
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Episode 65: How To Be A True Connector and Why That Transforms Your Life and Career, with Michelle Tillis Lederman
“A connector is someone who is people-focused in their approach to interactions, to life, to business, and to everything. If we prioritize our relationships and our people, whether they are professional or personal, we will get the advantage, which simply means faster, easier, and better.” – Michelle Tillis Lederman
The way we connect with others is so important because connectors get results faster, easier, and better. Today’s Finding Brave guest reveals not only how connectors have a way of thinking and acting that enable stronger connections, but also shares how anyone can be a connector, not just extroverts.
Michelle Tillis Lederman, one of Forbes Top 25 Networking Experts, is the author of four books including the internationally known, The 11 Laws of Likability, and her latest The Connectors Advantage. Michelle is a connection creator and CEO of Executive Essentials, which provides customized communications and leadership programs for Fortune 500, non-profit, university, and government clients. A former finance executive and NYU Professor, Michelle is a regular in the media appearing on NBC, CBS, Fox, NPR, the Wall Street Journal, NY Times, CNBC, and others.
There are many different types of connectors, a whole spectrum in fact, as Michelle shows us in this episode. By becoming a better connector, you’ll see that we do live in a friendly and warm Universe, but ultimately it comes down to each one of us learning how to trust ourselves, and others.
Highlights from this Episode:
- Why Michelle feels that her book is needed right now, and how it differs from other books on connection that are available [3:42]
- The difference between networking and connecting [5:19]
- What she means when she says there is an “Introvert’s Edge” that exists [7:39]
- Examples from her own life that show how true relationships can be a great benefit [11:02]
- How helping others often takes less than you think it will [15:44]
- The strategies Michelle uses for determining whether to say “Yes” or “No” to opportunities she is presented [19:14]
- The very first way we can level up with our own connecting [25:44]
- What a niche connector is and how you can broaden your horizons to become a super connector, and even global connector [27:00]
- A simple but powerful tip for anyone being interviewed [28:34]
- What having a relationship-driven leader will do for an organization [31:59]
For More Information:
http://theconnectorsadvantage.com
https://michelletillislederman.com/
https://executiveessentials.org/
https://www.facebook.com/MichelleTillisLederman
http://www.linkedin.com/in/communicationexpertspeaker
https://twitter.com/mtlederman
http://www.youtube.com/user/MichelleLederman
https://www.instagram.com/mtlederman/
Resources Mentioned:
Michelle’s Latest Book, The Connector’s Advantage: 7 Mindsets to Grow Your Influence and Impact (with bonuses) & All Of Her Previous Books
Michelle’s Blog & YouTube Channel
60: How to Crack the Funding Code for Your Startup, with Judy Robinett
How Women Rise: Break the 12 Habits Holding You Back from Your Next Raise, Promotion, or Job by Sally Helgesen and Marshall Goldsmith
59: 11 Essential Shifts Every Leader Must Embrace, with John C. Maxwell
UCLA Loneliness Scale (Version 3)
28: The Epidemic of Loneliness In the Workplace and How To Cure It, with Mike Stallard
QUOTES:
“We’re in the network age, and our best and most important assets are our relationships.” [3:58]
“I always talk about appreciating the differences, but better yet, call out the similarities. We have to dig a little bit deeper to find them, but they’re typically there. They’re just not as visibly obvious at all times.” [4:40]
“I wanted people to understand that it is nurture over nature. Anybody can fuse these mindsets into their interactions to reap the same reward, but they don’t have to do it in the same way.” [7:46]
“You need to know what you want, but if you don’t ask for it, you’re not getting it. There’s no way to get the advantage if you don’t ask.” [14:48]
“Connectors do what they say they’re going to do, they follow up and they follow through.” [17:36]
“Faster, easier, and better. It’s all because of our connections, so get connected.” [25:32]
“The more people who we bring in that have that generous spirit, the greater and the more rich the conversations are. So as we start to initiate more, we move from a responsive to acting connector.” [26:33]
Sponsor Highlight!
I’m thrilled to share that Audible.com is a sponsor of Finding Brave! Take advantage of their great special offer of one FREE book of your choice with a 30-day FREE membership trial! And feel free to keep the book even if you cancel the membership. Click here to sign up for your free book! http://www.audibletrial.com/FindingBrave
Watch the video of this episode!
Now you can experience each Finding Brave episode in both audio and video formats! Check out new and recent episodes on my Youtube channel at YouTube.com/kathycaprino. And please leave us a comment and a thumbs up if you like the show!
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Episode 64: How to Get Hired for Your Strengths, with Scott Anthony Barlow
“Once you start focusing on using your strengths, once you know what those are, you have the ability to add a different value to the world and contribute in a way that you weren’t contributing before when you were trying to partition yourself in a lot of different ways.” – Scott Anthony Barlow
On this episode of Finding Brave, our expert guest shares how we have a much better chance of attaining career happiness when we focus on our strengths first. However, just because you’re good at something doesn’t necessarily mean that you should be doing it as your career. What he shares today will shift your mindset around your strengths, getting you excited about pivoting to be who you want to be, as well as achieving the impact you want to make in the world.
Founder and CEO of Happen to Your Career, Scott Anthony Barlow, has been featured on CNBC, Yahoo, CareerBuilder, Fast Company and Huffington Post and various Colleges and Universities as a top expert on Career Happiness.
He and his team run 2 of the top 5 “Career Change” Podcasts on iTunes including the Happen to Your Career Podcast.
Scott is proof that your dream life and career really aren’t as far away as you feel it may be. Just believing that you are worth it, you can take the necessary steps to take control of your journey and make it happen.
Highlights from this Episode:
- Why most people don’t seem to understand their strengths and the gifts they have to offer [5:07]
- A way to identify your strengths if you aren’t sure of them [7:55]
- What are “signature strengths” [9:00]
- How we often get misguided in what we should be pursuing for our career based on our perceived strengths [10:57]
- Ways to add value to your employer, and an example of how Scott did this for an organization in his previous role [13:48]
- The “trifecta” we should be looking for when deciding on what we want to do for work [16:50]
- What’s behind the myth that we can’t make money doing what we love [19:13]
- The reasons that no past experience is wasted if you leave your corporate job [21:50]
- Why a lot of assessments don’t work, and an example of one that works well in moving the people that take it forward [28:28]
- What a great quantitative assessment will do [31:30]
- The exciting ways that Scott and his team are helping others recognize and act upon their strengths [35:13]
For More Information:
https://www.happentoyourcareer.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottanthonybarlow
https://twitter.com/HTYCpodcast
https://twitter.com/scottabarlow
https://www.instagram.com/happentoyourcareer/
https://www.instagram.com/scottanthonybarlow
https://www.facebook.com/happentoyourcareer
https://www.facebook.com/scottabarlow
Resources Mentioned:
Scott’s The Ultimate Guide to Using Your Strengths to Get Hired
Kathy’s 6 Dominant Action Styles Quiz
Kathy’s Free Career Path Self-Assessment
QUOTES:
“When we get feedback in the world, it’s often appreciation for our skills, and those things that are just the tip of the iceberg. However, that’s not our actual strength.” [10:57]
“I felt very compelled to make sure if I was doing something, that I was actually capturing people’s attention and doing so in a way that was going to cause them to change their behavior.” [15:18]
“I don’t enjoy, like or find a lot of use for assessments. I find that more often than not, for the average person, it is misleading more so than anything else. What I do find to be very useful is those assessments that allow you to learn more about yourself.” [29:23]
“What we do as an organization is help people identify what really creates an ideal career for them, and then we help them connect that to the real world.” [35:19]
“You have to decide that you no longer want to accept where you’re at in your life, or what you’re receiving and what you’re putting out into the world right now. Once you decide that there can be something that’s better for you, even if you don’t know what it is, you want to commit to finding that.” [36:20]
Sponsor Highlight!
I’m thrilled to share that Audible.com is a sponsor of Finding Brave! Take advantage of their great special offer of one FREE book of your choice with a 30-day FREE membership trial! And feel free to keep the book even if you cancel the membership. Click here to sign up for your free book! http://www.audibletrial.com/FindingBrave
Watch the video of this episode!
Now you can experience each Finding Brave episode in both audio and video formats! Check out new and recent episodes on my Youtube channel at YouTube.com/kathycaprino. And please leave us a comment and a thumbs up if you like the show!
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Episode 63: The Power Of Image: How To Design Your 'Style Signature’ with Audrey Beaulac
“If you know what your best is, then you know your best colors and you know your style personality. You can take all of those and enhance yourself to be memorable, to be recognizable, and to have an impact.” – Audrey Beaulac
Everywhere we turn we’re bombarded by messages from people telling us what we “should” look like. However, this Finding Brave expert guest shows us why style is so much more than just clothes we wear and the way we style our hair, as it’s really about taking control of your style profile and creating a ‘Style Signature’ that gets you noticed and remembered.
Since 1994, Audrey Beaulac has been the style strategist and secret weapon of prominent executives, entrepreneurs and change agents.
Audrey’s lifelong depth of style sense goes beyond simply following trends to instead create an intimate connection between her clients and their wardrobes. As a highly sought after Style Strategist, her focus is on creating a cohesive collection that gets to the root of your ultimate goal – your authenticity personified.
Audrey shows us how to start identifying your style, and the ways to gain awareness around certain fashion triggers. Creating your own wardrobe story can be energizing because when you’re in harmony with your personal appearance and how you feel, it can lead to having more power and bravery in your life.
Highlights from this Episode:
- Why it’s so hard for many of us to figure out our own style [3:10]
- Who Audrey serves and helps now and how she got her start with fashion and style [4:05]
- What our work attire could be telling us [7:20]
- How she uses questions to help drill down to the essence of someone’s style [8:15]
- What is a “style signature” how it can give you more power [12:25]
- Color basics and what to consider when choosing what to wear [14:55]
- Where people are going wrong with their fashion [18:57]
- Why men too can struggle to develop a style [22:40]
- What our style says to others and why it’s so much more than just the clothes we wear or how we style our hair [23:30]
- The next steps to take in your own fashion journey [29:45]
- How success has a look that is available at any price point [32:42]
For More Information:
http://www.audreybeaulacstyle.com/
https://www.facebook.com/audreybeaulacstyle/
https://twitter.com/audreybeaulac
https://www.linkedin.com/in/audreybeaulacstyle/
Resources Mentioned:
Audrey’s Signature Style Guide
Her Book, The Profile Workbook: A Systematized Way To Identify Your Personal Style
QUOTES:
“I think it is really hard to find our own style because there’s so much information out there, but so little of it has to do with the individual.” [3:14]
“If we’re wearing things that don’t feel like us, we could be in the wrong career.” [7:28]
“I think when we connect with our clothing and what we’re wearing, it fortifies us not to listen to those messages because we feel good. We feel empowered, and we feel triggered by the confidence of connecting.” [11:15]
“You want the freedom to express yourself because you’ve earned it.” [13:04]
“If you work a color palette, you’ll have more interchangeability throughout your whole wardrobe.” [18:34]
“Men are starting to deal with some of the same problems that women do. They’re becoming size-conscious and they’re starting to really notice the effects of wearing something that doesn’t have the comfort level that they’re used to.” [22:57]
“When you have a cohesive look, you’re harmonious to look at, and people will keep their eyes on you longer. They’ll be more interested in you.” [24:20]
“Clothing should be a great frame, but we still have to be the ones that come out. We should be ahead of the clothing, it shouldn’t be all about that.” [24:43]
Sponsor Highlight!
I’m thrilled to share that Audible.com is a sponsor of Finding Brave! Take advantage of their great special offer of one FREE book of your choice with a 30-day FREE membership trial! And feel free to keep the book even if you cancel the membership. Click here to sign up for your free book! http://www.audibletrial.com/FindingBrave
Watch the video of this episode!
Now you can experience each Finding Brave episode in both audio and video formats! Check out new and recent episodes on my Youtube channel at YouTube.com/kathycaprino. And please leave us a comment and a thumbs up if you like the show!
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Episode 62: How to Land a Corporate Board Role and Expand Your Influence, with Sheila Ronning
“There’s cash to be made, but don’t go in it just to make the money. You need to figure out why you’re wanting to serve on a corporate board. I always say that our members are life learners because they have no desire to one day just retire and do full-time gardening.” – Sheila Ronning
Are you an executive woman who believes strongly that she has something important to offer an outside organization? Maybe you’ve considered pursuing a corporate board role, but you just weren’t sure how to do this, or where to even begin? Today’s Finding Brave guest walks us through everything we need to know about sitting on a corporate board, and why this is something all women executives should consider.
A leadership and networking expert and board strategist, Sheila Ronning is a trailblazer in working toward gender equality in the boardroom. In 2002 she founded Women in the Boardroom with a revolutionary vision to create an environment where women could assist other women in achieving their leadership and corporate board service goals. In a little more than 15 years, she has scaled Women in the Boardroom from concept to membership organization with global reach across multiple industries, and influence in private and public boardrooms, including Fortune 100 companies.
Not only does Sheila provide a realistic and helpful framework for pursuing corporate board opportunities in this episode, but she reveals how to determine which ones we should be focusing on, the common mistakes made in pursuing board roles, how this process differs from a job search, and much more.
Highlights from this Episode:
- What is board service, and why it’s so important for executive women to engage in [3:43]
- Where to find the compensation plans for sitting on any publicly-owned company board, and how private company boards will differ [5:20]
- How the desired skill sets for board members has shifted [11:18]
- How to approach landing a board role and where Sheila sees women going wrong with this [15:03]
- A sample elevator pitch you can use if you are interested in serving on a board of a publicly-owned company [25:24]
- Why networking and introductions, are so powerful [27:56]
- How to determine if a role is the right one for you and if you’re the right fit for the company [30:34]
- The reasons that organizational leaders should be advocating for their female executives to apply for board positions, and how they can facilitate this [31:50]
For More Information:
https://womenintheboardroom.com
https://twitter.com/boardroomwomen
https://twitter.com/RonningSheila
https://www.instagram.com/womenintheboardroom/
https://www.linkedin.com/groups/147283
https://www.facebook.com/womenintheboardroom
Resources Mentioned:
Sheila’s Recorded Webinar, Serving on a Corporate Board
Kathy’s Forbes Blog with Sheila, Why Companies Need To Advocate For Their Female Executives To Join Boards
Kathy’s 6 Dominant Action Styles Quiz
QUOTES:
“I focus on helping women get paid for their time. Women do not need to come to me to help volunteer themselves.” [4:55]
“Serving on a corporate board is also giving back because you are helping a company get from one level to the next.” [8:44]
“It takes more than a credit card. We can’t just join an organization and all of the sudden get onto a board. We have to do the work.” [15:03]
“Know what your value add is and know what they’re looking for because your network is most likely going to be how you’ll accomplish getting on a corporate board.” [26:30]
“You want to make sure it’s the right fit for you too. It’s not just all about them. If it’s not the right fit for you, you’re not going to do your best.” [30:11]
Sponsor Highlight!
I’m thrilled to share that Audible.com is a sponsor of Finding Brave! Take advantage of their great special offer of one FREE book of your choice with a 30-day FREE membership trial! And feel free to keep the book even if you cancel the membership. Click here to sign up for your free book! http://www.audibletrial.com/FindingBrave
Watch the video of this episode!
Now you can experience each Finding Brave episode in both audio and video formats! Check out new and recent episodes on my Youtube channel at YouTube.com/kathycaprino. And please leave us a comment and a thumbs up if you like the show!
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Episode 61: Hearing and Heeding Your Wake-Up Call, with Darren Virassammy
“It was actually a friend of mine that pointed out the juxtaposition of these two independent wake-up calls that put it all together. The juxtaposition here that was so powerful was that in that moment, I realized I have to live my potential not for me only, but for the next generation.” – Darren Virassammy
Sometime in life it takes a wake-up call, or multiple ones, to help someone realize who it is they should be in life and how they are called to help others. Today’s Finding Brave guest is no exception, as his wake-up calls placed him on a path to help others realize that everyone deserves a great place to work and that any workplace can be great.
Darren Virassammy is the Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of 34 Strong, comprised of a team that believes everyone deserves a great place to work and that any workplace can be great. A leading expert in the global employee engagement community, the 34 Strong team leverages the strengths-based approach to human development to create massive shifts within organizations, both culturally and on the bottom line. He and his team have created sustainable change in microbusinesses, all the way up to large organizational teams at the FDA, Bank of America, and The California Department of Public Health. Recently, Darren has keynoted for Hitachi Global Women’s Conference, The Rotary World Peace Conference, The Professional Grounds Management Society, and author Mike Michalowicz’s Profit Con.
As Darren reveals, in order to sustain excellence we must play to our strengths and manage around our weaknesses. In this episode, he provides the tools to help identify what he calls your areas of “Grind, Greatness, and Genius” that will help you truly live your own message.
Highlights from this Episode:
- Darren’s wake-up call that happened just one week after his first child was born [4:45]
- The amazing experience he has a few months later that had him question everything about his life to that point [8:14]
- Why many of us miss signs from the Universe and the first step to take to stop doing this [12:14]
- A reframe for looking at how the seemingly little tasks you do fit into the big picture for your life and vision[16:17]
- What motivates Darren to do what he does on a daily basis [23:12]
- How his company is shifting the workplaces of today and who will really be the change agents for this to happen [25:22]
- Where they start when working with organizations who don’t value their female or other employees [28:29]
- An exercise you can do to identify your strengths and weaknesses and how this can benefit your experience in the workplace [34:29]
- Why we should be asking for support for others when going through our own wake-up calls [39:40]
For More Information:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/strengthsfinder/
https://www.facebook.com/34strong/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/34-strong-inc-/
Resources Mentioned:
Darren’s Grind.Greatness.Genius Exercise
34 Strong Video Overview
Darren’s Keynote: Creating Excellence Through Strengths (from Profit Con 2018):
59: 11 Essential Shifts Every Leader Must Embrace, with John C. Maxwell
44: How To Live In Your Zone Of Genius, with Gay Hendricks
The strengths-based parenting book titled Play to Their Strengths co-authored by Darren’s 34 Strong Business partner, Brandon Miller, and Brandon’s wife Analyn Miller
Kathy’s Career Path Self-Assessment
Darren on the Creative Warriors Podcast
QUOTES:
“I had just met my daughter, and here I was staring down the barrel of death.” [4:54]
“I was just relishing life, because I was finally pausing to enjoy the two most important people in my life: my wife and my daughter.” [8:36]
“A few minutes to ask yourself to stop doing and focus on being, and investing in that time, can be incredibly profound for us.” [14:30]
“If we’re going to create the future that we want to have, it doesn’t happen in one fell swoop. It is driven by the habits that we create every single day.” [17:09]
“The long-term focus of what we’re working to do is creating great places to work.” [25:50]
“Remember that nobody can do you better than you can do you. There’s only one version of you.” [35:19]
“In those wake-up calls, sometimes we can realize it’s not that we have to do everything. There are others that are out there that can help us.” [39:40]
Sponsor Highlight!
I’m thrilled to share that Audible.com is a sponsor of Finding Brave! Take advantage of their great special offer of one FREE book of your choice with a 30-day FREE membership trial! And feel free to keep the book even if you cancel the membership. Click here to sign up for your free book! http://www.audibletrial.com/FindingBrave
Watch the video of this episode!
Now you can experience each Finding Brave episode in both audio and video formats! Check out new and recent episodes on my Youtube channel at YouTube.com/kathycaprino. And please leave us a comment and a thumbs up if you like the show!
OTHER WAYS TO ENJOY THIS POST:
Episode 60: How to Crack The Funding Code for Your Startup, with Judy Robinett
“So part of it is being really clear on what your goal is, and then think about who you need to help you get there, and then where do those people hang out?” – Judy Robinett
A major challenge today for entrepreneurs with startups is the issue of funding. My guest on this episode of Finding Brave shares her deep expertise on what the funding ecosystem really looks like, how you can get funded faster, the key issues you’ll need to have a grasp on regarding your venture to get funded, and more.
Judy Robinett is the author of the new book Crack the Funding Code: How Investors Think and What They Need to Hear to Fund Your Startup, and her previous book How to Be a Power Connector: The 5-50-150 Rule, #1 of The Top Ten Business Books of 2014 by Inc.com.
Robinett is a business thought leader who is known as “the woman with the titanium digital Rolodex.” She has been profiled in Inc., Forbes, Venture Beat, Huffington Post, and Bloomberg Businessweek as a sterling example of the new breed of “super connectors” who use their experience and networks to accelerate growth and enhance profitability.
In her more than 30 years of experience as an entrepreneur and corporate leader, Robinett has served as the CEO of both public and private companies and in management positions at Fortune 500 companies. She has been on the advisory boards of Illuminate Ventures, an early-stage venture capital firm based in Menlo Park, California; Pereg Ventures, a venture capital firm based in New York; and Springboard Enterprises based in Washington, DC.
She was a managing director of Golden Seeds Angel Network (the third most active angel investment group and one of the largest in the U.S.); the CEO of publicly traded Medical Discoveries; and she served on the faculty of Goldman Sachs’s 10,000 Small Businesses program. She consults internationally with businesses looking for U.S. investors.
Today, Judy offers a proven framework for taking action to get funding for your vision. As you’ll hear, there is no lack of funding available, but you must in the right room, connect with the right people, and know the rules in order to play the game.
Highlights from this Episode:
- What are the biggest fears that entrepreneurs have when trying to get funding and how they can reframe their mindsets around this [5:28]
- Where to start with your funding pitch and what absolutely has to be included in it [8:06]
- At what point in your business’s life should you be starting to seek investment [10:04]
- Why Judy wrote her latest book and how it can help startups get prepared to get funding [12:09]
- The biggest mistakes she sees entrepreneurs making and the prejudices that women face getting capital [14:54]
- How to find angel investors and early-stage venture capitalists [15:56]
- The 3 “C’” of what investors want from you [18:04]
- How the entrepreneurial mindset differs from the corporate one, and why Judy has always gravitated towards being an entrepreneur [19:36]
- The reasons why relationship building is critical [21:31]
- The way Judy personally evaluates an entrepreneurs’ pitch to her [23:39]
- Who you’ll want to surround yourself with to help you reach your visions [27:46]
For More Information:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/judyrobinett
https://twitter.com/judyrobinett
Resources Mentioned:
Judy’s New Book, Crack the Funding Code: How Investors Think and What They Need to Hear to Fund Your Startup (with bonuses)
Kathy’s Forbes Blog with Judy, How To Avoid The Three Worst Blunders Entrepreneurs Make In Pitching Investors
She Means Business Documentary
QUOTES:
“Realize what the investors need is a great deal, so their big problem, you can solve it.” [5:44]
“Switch your mindset and understand that you’re bringing an opportunity that they need. Focus on that.” [6:41]
“There’s no lack of money, but it’s really important how you position yourself, and you can make luck happen.” [17:43]
“The truth is you have to build relationships. People have to know, like, and trust you before they’ll fund you.” [21:33]
“Just learn to add value. Make an introduction, recommend a book, send an article, and show people you care. All of us need to be cared about.” [33:40]
Sponsor Highlight!
I’m thrilled to share that Audible.com is a sponsor of Finding Brave! Take advantage of their great special offer of one FREE book of your choice with a 30-day FREE membership trial! And feel free to keep the book even if you cancel the membership. Click here to sign up for your free book! http://www.audibletrial.com/FindingBrave
Watch the video of this episode!
Now you can experience each Finding Brave episode in both audio and video formats! Check out new and recent episodes on my Youtube channel at YouTube.com/kathycaprino. And please leave us a comment and a thumbs up if you like the show!