The Builders

In this dynamic episode of the builders, host Matt engages with Ben Johnson, the innovative CEO behind Particle 41, to unravel the complex interplay between technology, entrepreneurship, and business growth. The dialogue opens doors into the formulaic aspects of transforming ideas into executable and profitable business ventures, with Ben underscoring the vitality of thorough market research and entrepreneurial adaptability. The conversation covers the nuances of business strategy, market segmentation, and the importance of addressing industry needs with a creative touch. Pondering the technological advancements since the days of the Commodore 64, Ben reminisces on his formative experiences with tech and how his journey has led him to equip companies with the tools to thrive in a modern, digitally-driven landscape. Key insights into the role of technology in scaling businesses are explored as Ben maps out the process of transitioning from legacy systems to cloud-based solutions. As an advocate for custom software at customer-touch points, he provides a pragmatic view on leveraging technology as a conduit for business growth and customer engagement. Key Takeaways: A successful entrepreneur needs to validate their business ideas with market research and be willing to pivot or adapt as necessary. Building a business often requires a co-founder or team that can complement one's skill sets and share a unified vision for growth. Moving businesses from legacy systems to the cloud is not merely trendy; it's strategic for scalability and future-proofing. Investing in custom software can offer high value at the intersection between customer experience and brand identity. Engaging in mastermind groups and seeking counsel through coaching or advisory services can be pivotal for business owners at any growth stage.

In an enlightening episode of the builders podcast, Jeremy Shapiro dives deep into the intricacies of structuring and scaling a business. His insights into drawing up an effective organizational chart and identifying key roles underlying current business operations serve as the foundation for strategic growth. From discussing the critical differences between working in versus on the business, to the significance of hiring and delegating effectively, this episode is a treasure trove for any entrepreneur looking to elevate their enterprise to the next level. Jeremy emphasizes the vital role of documenting roles, responsibilities, and key performance indicators (KPIs) to enable not just delegation, but informed and focused team productivity. He also challenges common entrepreneur reservations such as the fear of losing control over quality, and the misconception that scaling requires exponential increases in team and resources. Key Takeaways: Map out an organizational chart for your business as it stands today, identifying all the roles and responsibilities, not titles. Understand the difference between working on your business (strategic planning and vision) versus working in it (daily operations). The freedom gained by hiring others can increase your business's capacity, even if new hires aren't performing at the same level initially. Recognizing the importance of letting go of perfectionism can accelerate business progression and focus on value delivery. Identifying and leveraging the ‘superpowers’ or strengths within your team can lead to cross-pollination of skills and ideas, fostering growth and innovation.

In this engaging episode, guest Kristin Schvago shares her deep insights into branding, marketing, and creating a customer-focused business strategy. The conversation unlocks the often-overlooked simplicity behind marketing and selling—fulfilling promises and satisfying customer desires. Kristin emphasizes that branding should not be overcomplicated; it's fundamentally about making and keeping promises to customers. Drawing from her extensive experience, she elaborates on the significance of understanding customers' desires, concerns, and questions to streamline the buying process. Creating a 'jerk-free' business and work environment is a central theme, as Kristin advocates for workplaces devoid of individuals who make things harder for others. Key Takeaways: Branding is about the promise made to customers, while the brand represents the promises kept. Effective branding and marketing can be simplified to understanding and fulfilling customer desires. Interviewing five to seven customers of a particular segment can lead to actionable insights for businesses. A strategy to maintain a 'jerk-free' business environment is critical for reducing stress and improving productivity. Kristin prescribes empathy and love as guiding principles for entrepreneurship and interactions within businesses.

In this episode, listeners get an insider's perspective on the enigmatic world of website analytics with Philippa Games, a seasoned expert in the field. Philippa demystifies the process of dissecting analytics and leveraging the data to bolster business objectives. Understanding the narratives behind the numbers is her forte, making her insights invaluable for businesses looking to extract actionable steps from overwhelming data sets. Philippa emphasizes starting with clear business and website goals before diving into the analytics. Customizing tools like Google Analytics four to fit these goals can yield insights into customer behaviors and preferences. Philippa shares fascinating case studies where analytics led to the creation of new products or the optimization of existing processes—demonstrating that with the right analytical approach, data can be transformed into a strategic asset. Key Takeaways: Every page of your website should have a strategy, and understanding what actions you want visitors to take is crucial. Site search analytics can offer a gold mine of insights into what your audience is looking for, which can drive content and product development. Setting up analytics properly is vital to ensure accurate data collection for meaningful insights. Holistic analysis involving a blend of technical skill and creative thinking can reveal unexpected opportunities for business growth. Consulting with analytics experts like Philippa can help businesses interpret overwhelming data to make informed decisions.

In this introspective episode of "The Builders," host Matt Levenhagen takes a deep dive into the philosophy of lean startups, beyond the surface of initial business launches, and applies it to internal business processes and ventures. His refreshing take on minimizing risk and fostering innovation through rapid, iterative testing of products and services comes to life through real-life examples drawn from his decades-long experience in the trenches of entrepreneurship and internet marketing. Matt discusses his journey from testing various special reports to hitting gold with a report on PPC advertising, which eventually morphed into a robust 200-page guide and associated products. Listen in as he unravels how this lean startup approach allowed him to refine his business strategies over the years, leading to the evolution of his agency and its offerings. Moreover, Matt provides insights into his current suite of plugins developed under Unified Plugins, detailing the lean methodology in action within his product development process. Key Takeaways: Lean startup principles can be effectively applied to product and service innovation within an established business, not just at the startup phase. Rapid, iterative testing with minimum viable products (MVPs) can save time and resources while finding the market fit. A successful product or service can evolve from a simple test, such as Matt's special report on PPC advertising, which grew into a larger, profitable venture. It's essential to gauge the market's response to a product or service before fully committing to its development. A lean approach can be applied to various business areas, from plugins and digital products to services and even marketing strategies.

In this engaging episode, Matt welcomes intellectual property expert Andrei Minkoff to explore the significance of trademarks for entrepreneurs. The conversation starts with Andrei's foundational story, which is rooted in his father's encounter with copyright infringement, fueling Andrei's eventual immersion into the world of intellectual property law. Andrei shares his journey from Russia to Canada, his struggles with establishing his law career overseas, and how these experiences led him to launch Trademark Factory. With profound insights into the trademarking process, Andrei highlights the importance of protecting one's brand and the ingenuity of his business model, which guarantees results for a flat fee. Key Takeaways: Trademarks are crucial for legal brand ownership and enforcement against imitation. Andrei Minkoff’s journey in IP law was inspired by his father's struggle with copyright infringement in Russia. Founding Trademark Factory, Andrei developed a unique trademark registration service with guaranteed results for a guaranteed budget. Statistics show a high percentage of trademark applications initially get rejected, highlighting the importance of professional help in the process. Entrepreneurs should value their brand and consider trademarking early to avoid costly legal disputes.

In this engaging episode of the Builders Podcast, host Matt welcomes Jeannette Sibly, an expert in leadership coaching and talent advising. With decades of experience and a hands-on approach to driving tangible business results, Jeannette shares insights from the trenches that are particularly relevant to small and medium-sized business leaders. Jeannette discusses the nuances of hiring, the transformative power of effective coaching, and the common pitfalls that companies face in the employment process. From the importance of knowing who you're hiring to the critical role of job fit in an employee's success, Jeannette emphasizes the high cost of intuition-based hiring and the substantial benefits of a structured, data-driven approach. Listeners are provided with a wealth of knowledge, including actionable strategies for improving hiring processes and optimizing team performance. Jeannette's focus on people challenges and her tools for understanding the core of an individual make this episode a must-listen for any business owner or manager looking to refine their hiring and management practices. Key Takeaways: Hiring the right people is less expensive than training and exiting, but doing it poorly can be costly and detrimental to your business. Jeannette advocates for a balanced hiring approach, with one-third of the decision based on interviews, one-third on vetted assessments, and one-third on thorough due diligence. Proper assessments are vital for determining job fit; legitimate assessments should have technical manuals, high validity and reliability, and account for distortion. Employers must understand that job fit is the number one indicator of job success, and not all capable job applicants will necessarily fit the job. Leadership and hiring managers should be equipped with the right questions and tools to discern between an interviewee's rehearsed responses and their true potential and fit for the role.

In this episode of "The Builders," we are thrilled to have Jim Bishop, a renowned leadership coach with a background as a trained scientist, share his unique insights on transforming leadership and executive coaching's pivotal role. Jim takes us on his journey from his scientific beginnings to becoming an influential figure in human resources and leadership. He discusses his holistic strategy for reshaping work cultures, emphasizing the shift from reactive measures to proactive leadership styles that significantly impact workplace dynamics. Our conversation with Jim illuminates the essential transition leaders must undergo, especially in the face of challenges brought about by the pandemic. He highlights the importance of adaptability and emotional intelligence in today's rapidly changing business environment. By focusing on midlife leaders, Jim offers guidance on navigating through these shifts with a redefined sense of purpose and connectedness, which is vital for personal and organizational growth.Key Takeaways: Jim Bishop's expertise lies in enhancing work cultures and honing the leadership skills of executives through effective coaching. The evolution from traditional training methods to a coaching-centric approach enables leaders to transform their experiences into powerful tools for cultural change. The unprecedented disruptions of 2020 have underscored the need for a leadership paradigm shift, prioritizing flexibility and emotional intelligence. Bishop's approach is particularly impactful for midlife leaders striving to recalibrate their definitions of success to focus on more meaningful aspects like purpose and legacy. Embracing authenticity in leadership fosters a dynamic team environment and culture, paving the way for innovation and improved organizational performance. This episode not only explores Jim's transformative coaching methods but also delves into how leaders can navigate the complexities of today's business world with resilience and foresight. Join us as we uncover the strategies for building a culture that thrives on innovation, purpose, and connectedness.

In this enlightening episode, Matt welcomes Mark Grabin, an advocate for utilizing mistakes as opportunities for growth in business settings. With a compelling commitment to the concept of continuous improvement, Mark shares his extensive experience and insights on the positive transformation of workplaces. From the onset, Mark delves into his diverse background, explaining the trajectory of his career that led him to focus on fostering better organizational cultures through continuous improvement and lean management principles. He reflects on his early days in manufacturing and how a move to healthcare consulting offered a broader perspective on the necessity of empowering employees and recognizing the universal desire to contribute meaningfully to one's work. As the conversation unfolds, Mark emphasizes the importance of cultivating psychological safety in the workplace, asserting that an environment where employees feel secure to raise concerns, admit mistakes, and seek help is pivotal for fostering continuous learning and growth. He further discusses how the principles he learned in manufacturing and healthcare can apply to any business, and underscores the role leaders play in modeling constructive responses to mistakes. Key Takeaways: Continuous improvement and respect for employees are critical components of lean management and organizational success. Psychological safety and effective problem-solving are foundational for building a culture that embraces learning from mistakes. Mistakes should not be met with punishment but should be used as opportunities for improvement and prevention of future errors. Organizations benefit from self-assessment and openness to change, especially when persistent issues are rooted in systemic problems. Mark Grabin's work includes books, podcasts, speaking engagements, and his company, Kinexis, which focuses on supporting continuous improvement through software.

In this enlightening conversation, Matt and AJ Saunders delve into the strategies and mindsets required to harness the power of e-commerce and digital marketing to advance business goals. The episode provides a deep dive into creating a minimal viable online presence and building upon it through strategic marketing efforts. The host and guest commence by examining the essence of starting small when venturing into e-commerce. AJ emphasizes the significance of establishing a straightforward, functional system that allows for testing and growth, urging businesses to transition from traditional methods to more automated, customer-centered online solutions. They then pivot to the vital role of content strategy and social media presence in scale and outreach. AJ illustrates this with his personal victory on LinkedIn, where consistent, strategic posting led to real business opportunities. Key Takeaways: A fundamental starting point for any e-commerce endeavor is developing a minimal viable product or service – focusing on strategy over breadth. Incremental marketing strategies are vital to test the waters before allocating major resources. Networking and strategic content sharing can significantly contribute to business growth. Consistent, value-driven engagement on platforms like LinkedIn can help attract ideal clients over time. A library of content, such as a Trello board filled with social media post ideas and drafts, can streamline and inspire regular posting.