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In this episode I’m talking with Justin Chen, co-founder of PickFu, who is interested in good information about customers and potential customers.  PickFu is a consumer research platform companies use to get fast, reliable feedback from real people. And companies can use this data to help them make better data-driven decisions about their products.  We talked about: The story behind PickFu The primary function of PickFu in aiding decision-making processes The importance of continuous learning and internal debates in shaping growth strategies The role AI plays in the process and some areas where using AI would be counterproductive Justin’s personal journey from corporate employee to entrepreneur The significance of patience and customer feedback in the SaaS industry Some of the challenges that arise when transitioning from small startup to a business that’s growing There is some good wisdom here for anyone wanting to take their business to the next level, so I invite you to have a listen.   RESOURCES MENTIONED: Website:  https://www.pickfu.com/  LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinchen/  If you're interested in how quizzes can help you gather customer feedback and what else they can do for your business, download my free Grow Your Business By Asking The Right Questions With Quizzes guide.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Collaborations that bring benefits to everyone involved are so cool to be involved in. Recently, I jumped on a call with this week’s guest, Therman Trotman, to see whether I could help out the people he works with. Therman is a family man, an Army veteran and IT guy with 16 years of experience.  He teaches project managers how to implement Microsoft Sharepoint.   And he had some questions about how the financial side of project management works.  I’ve got a lot of project management experience, so when he reached out for someone to talk to, I put up my hand. An hour and a half later, we were still talking.  And we ended up with enough material for this podcast (which I’m sharing with you today) and for his podcast.  And we will definitely be talking again, because there was a lot more we could have covered. We talked about: People over technology and why that matters Why working better and living better are worth focusing on How Therman was able to take skills he developed over the years and turn them into a business that supports his family and gives him the lifestyle he wants How getting started managing a team can seem like a no-go zone, and why starting small can help Entrepreneurship, bright shiny object syndrome and project management How project management disciplines can help you achieve business goals Project management and/or procurement as potential careers  If you’re interested in how project management can help you with your business, I invite you to have a listen. Or if you know someone who is wondering what career to choose, point them to this episode, where they will gain a bit of insight into project management and procurement as disciplines. RESOURCES MENTIONED: LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/therman-trotman-15790b33 Website:  https://www.thesphelpdesk.com/  Book:  10X Is Easier Than 2X:  How World Class Entrepreneurs Achieve More By Doing Less (affiliate link) Book:  Traction:  Get A Grip On Your Business (affiliate link) SPI Pro Community:  https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/spi-pro (affiliate link)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Have you ever struggled with creating an online presence for your brand new business?  Especially if you have zero experience with website building or how to build a sales funnel? Anhely Millan, the voice behind Sustainability for Kids, has “been there, done that” and learned how to turn those challenges into learning opportunities. Anhely is on a mission to provide education in sustainable practices and develop collaboration opportunities for the greater good of our planet. She discovered her passion for education when she was a Chemistry teacher for a secondary school while studying Applied Chemistry at University. That experience made her want to continue educating children in complex topics. In early 2022, Anhely founded Sustainability for Kids and published her first educational book 'The World Behind Recycling' with the aim of providing children the knowledge and tools to embrace sustainability in their day-to-day activities. Join me as we dive into Anhely Millan’s journey of setting up her website with zero knowledge, navigating through many, many iterations of that website and her “aha” moment with Canva, all thanks to her hairdresser! We also talked about: The pressing need for a shift in mindset amongst entrepreneurs AND people who care about sustainability, prioritising collaboration over competitiveness The challenges faced by entrepreneurs when setting up online platforms The role of family, acquaintances, and sometimes even a hairdresser in a business journey The importance of resilience in business, fueled by passion and purpose The impactful role that community support and validation plays in an entrepreneur’s journey RESOURCES MENTIONED: Canva (affiliate link) Sustainability for Kids website Anhely’s LinkedIn Profile Made By Many Hands website Migrant Women In Business website See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Digital assets are an interesting alternative to real estate these days in terms of investment opportunities. I’ve been doing some “learning by doing” hands-on research in this space and I’ve got a couple of longer-term projects on the boil.  One of my ongoing projects is to buy an existing content-based online business and increase its value.  And one of my other projects is learning how to build a content-based online business from scratch.  One that will, at some point, generate more than just pennies in revenue every month. So in this podcast episode, I walk you through the pros and cons of each option, based on what I’ve learned so far.   RESOURCES MENTIONED Interview:  With online business buying expert, Sophie Howard (Episode 150)   My Project Website:  The Menopause Effect Sophie Howard's Free Masterclass:  Buying On Online Business (affiliate link) Website Sales Platforms: Flippa:  https://flippa.com  Empire Flippers:  https://empireflippers.com  Motion Invest:  https://www.motioninvest.com/    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, I had the pleasure of interviewing the amazing Patti DiNucci. Patti is an expert in something that has always intrigued me: networking. And not just any kind of networking, but doing it better, rather than doing it more. As entrepreneurs, we are constantly bombarded with advice about the importance of networking to find clients. But for someone like me, there's a limit to how much networking I can handle before needing a breather. Patti's perspective is refreshing and makes me think, "Maybe there's a better way to approach networking." Patti brings a wealth of knowledge and experience as a speaker, workshop facilitator, and consultant. Join me as we delve deeper into the art of networking with her and discover how we can improve our networking skills without feeling overwhelmed. So, grab your favourite beverage, sit back, and get ready to learn some practical tips and insights on networking from the brilliant Patti DiNucci. Let's jump right into it! RESOURCES MENTIONED: Book:  The Intentional Networker:  Attracting Powerful Relationships, Referrals and Results In Business (affiliate link)    Book:  More Than Just Talk: The Essential Guide For Anyone Who Wants To Enjoy Better Conversations (affiliate link) Website:  https://intentionalnetworker.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pattidenucci/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you’re like most small business owners, you’ve had to make decisions about what tools to use in your business.  For example, which email service provider should you use?  Or which website platform should you use? Should you use WordPress? Or Squarespace? Or … the list of options just goes on and on. Recently, I went through the process of selecting a new social media scheduling tool.  The one I was using just wasn’t doing the job anymore.   And I needed something with more functionality, but was still affordable. In this episode I’ll walk you step by step through the process I used to decide which social media scheduling tool to buy.  I’ve used this process many times over the years, both as a Chief Information Officer and as a small business owner  And the fundamental parts of the process are the same for both. RESOURCES MENTIONED: Software Selection Process Checklist - Free Download:  https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/softwarechecklist  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Ever wanted to ditch your day job?  Or wondered what it's like to create a portfolio of income-generating websites? Our guest today, Jake Lang, founder of The Entrepreneur Ridealong, shares his journey from blogging on the commute to and from his day job, to successfully running multiple online businesses, all while juggling a family and five dogs. This insightful chat gives you a glimpse into the world of passive income, niche markets, and SEO. My guest is an expert in creating and managing online businesses in niche markets. With a successful background in insurance, he has built a sustainable system that generates passive income. In addition to his first venture, he has expanded into new niches, always prioritizing high-value content and understanding market needs. WE ALSO TALKED ABOUT: How he utilised train commutes and lunch breaks to build his first online business. The importance of trust in establishing affiliate relationships. The reasons behind his preference for text-based online courses and the unique value they bring to his niche. His adventure into yet another niche market, Agile certification. To learn more about creating a passive income business, understanding niche markets, and tips on SEO, tune in to this episode! RESOURCES MENTIONED: Website:  https://theentrepreneurridealong.com/    Book - Step One:  The Surprisingly Simple Process To Research, Validate, and Choose The Perfect Online Business Idea (affiliate link) Website:  https://steponebook.com/  Book - Use Your Job To Quit Your Job:  A Proven Blueprint To Forming Your Best Entrepreneur Ideas And Starting Your Business (affiliate link) Want regular access to tips, techniques and advice from experts about growing your business?  Sign up here. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Leading High Performing Teams Even If You're Feeling Burned Out Yourself With Mark Butler As a business owner, you’re expected to be thought leader, cheerleader, vision provider and all round good example for your team.  But how do you do that?  Especially when there are days when all you want to do is stay in bed and pull the covers over your head. I'm excited to introduce our guest for this episode, Mark Butler, a mental health expert and strategist. I first heard Mark a few months ago and I was drawn to his insights on mental health, mindset, and high performance, especially during these sometimes overwhelming post pandemic times.  Mark shares his own entrepreneurial journey to where he is now, and how he helps organisations manage mental wellbeing and psychological health in the workplace.  We also talked about: Australia’s new psychosocial hazards legislation that may well have an impact on your business The characteristics of high performing teams and what those look like How to avoid burnout as a leader Mark’s approach to working with high performance teams This conversation will resonate with anyone facing tough hurdles, not just business leaders, inspiring us all to turn our struggles into strengths.  Have a listen and please share the episode with others who will benefit from it, too.   RESOURCES MENTIONED: Website:  https://www.markbutler.com.au/ Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/mark.butler.16503323 Linkedin:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-butler/ Book:  UP YOURS!: The Pursuit of Radical Self-care (affiliate link)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Imagine having a special needs child, a full-time job, and an undying passion to make a difference in the world. Our guest in this episode walks in these shoes every day. Because of his personal situation, Amit Chawla has become an expert in financial planning for parents of children with special needs. His story is one of determination, resilience, and a deep commitment to providing a better life for his son.  And what he and his wife have been through lit up a desire to help other parents navigate through similar challenges.  WE ALSO TALKED ABOUT: The challenges and rewards of starting a business from the ground up (while working full-time). The role of marketing and automation in business development. The importance of financial control, especially in the context of a side project. The different strategies for financial planning for parents of children with special needs. This conversation will resonate with anyone facing tough hurdles, inspiring us all to turn our struggles into strength.  Have a listen and please share the episode with others that will benefit from it, too!   RESOURCES MENTIONED: Website:  myspecialfinancialplanning.com Private Facebook Group:  PlanningForSpecialNeeds YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@PlanningForSpecialNeeds See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.