The Fire Time Podcast
Tim Reed
Are you tired of presentations that are only half relevant to your business? Many speakers are not practitioners of their material, simply teachers—not so with The Fire Time Podcast. This podcast is for the hearth industry and by the hearth industry. Host Tim Reed has over a decade of experience in the hearth industry, making conversations with guests relevant and extremely practical. In Season One, Tim speaks with twelve hearth industry leaders and provides content relevant to any position, whether on the retail or manufacturing side. Hearth companies everywhere are lost because the landscape of business has changed dramatically in the last ten years. They are trying hard, but they just don’t know what to do. The Fire Time Podcast equips hearth companies to win by sharing ideas and innovation from the best minds in our industry. This podcast will give you the tools to move the needle in your company and win in the changing landscape. This podcast is the first of its kind—specific to the business that you work in every day and simple enough to teach you what’s needed to succeed. Do not miss out on The Fire Time Podcast, available for Apple and Droid devices or at www.itsfiretime.com/podcast. The simple and repeatable steps provided will empower you to grow the bottom line of your company and inspire the team that you lead. ABOUT: Tim Reed is the Retail Sales Leader at Fireside Home Solutions in the Pacific Northwest where he helps his team members make it so stupidly easy to buy from them that there is no excuse not to. Starting as individual salesperson in an empty warehouse, he has grown Fireside’s Retail division by millions (after cutting his marketing budget by 90%). Tim has been invited all over the country to teach companies how to market effectively to their customers and sell more than ever before. His YouTube videos, sales blog, and “Fire Time Podcast” have become a resource for the industry and are actively helping thousands of people rethink their paradigms so that they can grow their businesses in the changing landscape. Tim learned “just enough to be dangerous” about sales, marketing, web development, and leadership from years of playing guitar in a failing punk band—which he swears has uniquely qualified him for his job today. Now considered one of the most innovative minds and compelling communicators in the industry, Tim uses his platform to serve others, helping them create clear messages that are wildly compelling to their audiences. Tim lives in Portland, Oregon with his wife, Jessica, two children, Olivia and Luke, and his 90 pound Golden Retriever, Walter. He still plays guitar in a failing punk band. CONTACT: tim@itsfiretime.com | www.itsfiretime.com
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jun 25, 2019 • 56min
Tim Reed - Make it Easy
There is an epidemic in our industry. Hearth companies are confusing customers out of buying their products every year by the thousands. The worst part is that most companies don’t even realize it–because it’s all that they’ve known. It’s the truth, hearth companies are confusing customers every day with: Confusing websites Insider language Complicated sales processes Difficult price quotes Ineffective marketing But it doesn’t have to be that way. You can take control of your business and make it simple for customers to buy from you. This episode will show you how to:
Cut out all of the noise that’s confusing your customers (you may not know it, but this is everywhere in your business)
Reframe your messaging to only talk about what solves your customers’ problems (most hearth companies are getting this wrong)
Create tools that make it radically easy for your team to sell to those customers (they will sell more than ever if you can do this) Your company can take control and win more customers than ever. This episode will show you the pitfalls that hearth companies are blind to because they are too close to what they do. Don’t waste another year doing the same old thing–letting your business run you! Rather, grow your business like never before, create a framework that can easily scale, maximize your marketing dollars, and make the money that you have always wanted.
Jun 18, 2019 • 42min
Jack Goldman - What is the HPBA?
If you're like most businesses in the hearth industry, you hear about the HPBA every year at your local affiliate meeting—but most of it is in one ear and out the other. The truth is that many business owners are so caught up in the whirlwind that they can't break free to think about the bigger things that are needed to grow longterm. In today's episode, Tim sits down with Jack Goldman (President and CEO | Hearth, Patio and BBQ Association) to talk about the national perspective on what is facing our industry and why dealer's need to understand it. Today's episode will teach you: What the HPBA is and how it's working to protect and promote our industry The biggest challenges that could hurt your business in the near future How to work with HPBA if a local regulations threaten you Why volunteering to get involved can help grow your business This conversation is a must-listen if you are in the hearth industry (or building materials industry in general). Learn what you need to get involved and take control of your business!
Jun 11, 2019 • 36min
Jeni Forman - Why She Buys
If you're like most companies in our industry then your staff is weighted heavily towards the male side of the gene pool. When that's the case we can often overlook who it is that has the buying power in most transactions and it's... the woman! Consumer studies today are showing just how much buying power women have and it's something that many businesses are blind to. In today's episode, I sit down with Jeni Forman (Senior VP of US Sales and Marketing, Hearth & Home Technologies) to get her perspective on sales, marketing, the state of our industry, and yes, how to understand a woman's perspective when it comes to buying our products. In today's episode:
Understand what a woman is looking for when they come into your business (the concept is simple, but most guys miss it)
Discover why "requisite variety" is the key to not confusing our customers (this is a game-changer)
Learn what the #1 issue facing our industry is (it's probably not what you think)
Don't miss this conversation with one of the most prominent women in our industry and learn what your business can do to connect with customers like never before!
Jun 4, 2019 • 43min
Resources to Help You Win
One of the questions that I get most often is, "Tim, what are the resources that have helped you?". Based on that, this week's episode goes through books, podcasts, gear and some other miscellaneous things that have helped grow myself (and my company)—I know they can do the same for you. In this episode: Get my list of "Top 6 Books" that are absolute must-reads Learn which 4 podcasts you need to have on rotation Find out what gear can help you on a day to day basis Understand the tools that I use daily to win If you've been looking for resources to help jumpstart your growth as a professional (and a person for that matter), then this episode is for you.
May 28, 2019 • 48min
JJ Peterson - Building a Storybrand
Most companies think they have a message that makes sense to their customers when it's actually confusing them. The reason is because companies are too close to what they do and aren't able to back up enough to see from the perspective of their customers. In today's episode, JJ Peterson from Storybrand sits down to talk about how their 7 part framework can connect businesses with their customers like never before. If you think your messaging may be confusing for your customers then this episode is for you:
Learn why the framework of story connects a customer to your business like nothing else (believe me, this is a game changer)
Understand why your business should never play the "Hero" in marketing (and why you should instead become the "Guide")
Listen to JJ explain the 7 part Storybrand framework from start to finish (this can make a radical difference for you right away)
Don't miss out on learning what you need to move the needle in your marketing. This framework is proven to work regardless of the size of your business and customer base. You can finally take control of your marketing and clearly explain the value that your company offers in a way that your customers understand. Links from today's show: Buy a copy of "Building a Storybrand"Listen to the Building a Storybrand PodcastGo to a Storybrand Live Workshop
May 21, 2019 • 49min
Clay Leavitt - Questions From a Fireplace Skeptic
In today's episode of the Fire Time Podcast the tables turn and Clay Leavitt (VP of Sales, Marcus Lumber) grills Tim with questions ranging from team building, to motivation, to leadership skills. In this episode, Tim and Clay cover:
How to approach tough conversations with team members (the way that you do this makes all of the difference)
The way to manage your time to do the things you need (it comes down to simple decisions)
The secret to staying motivated and not burning out (it all comes down to the word "blessing")
Why reading is the king when it comes to personal growth (and this is coming from a guy who hosts a podcast)
Don't miss the insights in this conversation—they could be what you need to take the next steps in the way that you are leading your team! You can email Clay and let him know he needs to start selling fireplaces at: clay@marcuslumber.com
May 14, 2019 • 34min
Kaleb Tinsley - The Next Generation
Do you have a hard time motivating millennials in your business? In today's episode, we talk with Kaleb Tinsley (Hearthside Distributors, Tennessee) about the young generation in the hearth industry. If you want to hear the inside scoop on what millennials are thinking (and what is important to them) then don't miss this conversation:
Learn what millennials are looking for from their employers (it's not what you think)
Understand how they learn from the generation before them (believe me, they are learning from you)
Discover the #1 attribute that you have to have if you want to win in your career (it's amazing how many people miss this)
If you can learn to motivate millennial workers in your company you'll find that they are some of hardest workers and best problem solvers you've ever encountered. Don't miss this opportunity to get the inside scoop on what is important to them!
May 6, 2019 • 50min
5 Things You Need to Survive NSPS
I know that you want to be a winning hearth company that grows every year. In order to do that, you’re always looking to sell more fireplaces. The problem that the impending NSPS is changing everything and there is all kinds of misinformation about what you can and can’t sell, which makes you feel like you’ll never be able to figure it out. That’s just plain wrong because you can’t make purchasing decisions on bad information! I know how it feels to be a dealer that's facing the NSPS, that's why I grabbed Grant Falco (Owner, Falco's) and Chris Neufeld (VP, Blaze King) for this episode to talk through the five things you need to survive NSPS: Believe the facts and not the hype Prepare your 2020 inventory now Be aware of the discounts that are coming Beware of manufacturers who are taking shortcuts Get the latest scoop from HPBA If you have more questions after this episode, we are hosting an NSPS Q & A on Facebook Live (tomorrow morning) to answer all of your questions and here are the details: Tuesday, May 7th 7am PDT (10am EDT) Click here to RSVP Links from today's episode:
HPBA Regional Affiliates (please join your local affiliate group if you aren't already part of one)
Facebook Live Q & A on 5/7/19
Blaze King (Walla Walla, WA)
Falco's (Spokane, WA)
Apr 30, 2019 • 50min
Jerry Isenhour - How to Train and Lead Your Team
Most businesses struggle everyday to find good people, but have no idea how to train them when they come onboard. This leads to burnout, frustration and stress all the way around. In today's episode, Jerry Isenhour (President, CVC Success Group) sits down with Tim Reed to cover how companies need to train their team members if they want them to stick around longterm, and what leaders need to understand about growing a hearth company in the changing landscape. In this episode:
Learn how online training is actually possible in this industry (some techs can be trained in as little as 6 weeks)
Understand what is going through millennials minds when they are searching for a job (and how they can become your highest performing workers)
Discover what every leader needs if they are going to be relevant to their employees (this may not be what you would think)
Don't miss what Jerry has to say about this—he has been helping companies across the country for decades and can help you finally move the needle! Contact Jerry (or sign up for online training that will move the needle for you): jerry@cvcsuccessgroup.com https://cvcsuccessgroup.com
Apr 23, 2019 • 57min
Carter Harkins & Taylor Hill - Why Follow Up Matters
If you're like most hearth companies, you don't have a system of follow up that you use with customers—and it's costing you hundreds of thousands of dollars. In today's episode, Carter Harkins and Taylor Hill (Founders of Closing Commander) stop by to talk about how to create a follow up system that makes you money and maximizes the work that your team does on the sales floor. In today's episode we cover:
Why most companies don't follow up with estimates (its the dirty secret in our industry)
The reason that customers don't remember you like you think they do (which is why you have to follow up)
How many salespeople focus on the wrong end of the funnel (and what it takes to change that)
What it takes to create a world class follow up system (and what kind of results you can see)
You can outpace the competition and stay ahead in your market by mastering the follow up process—the steps in this episode can help you get there. Notes from today's show: Special Offer for 10% off of Closing CommanderCarter Harkins and Taylor Hill - https://sparkmarketer.com Closing Commander Website Video Link for this episode
