The Friday Habit

Today we have two amazing guests from The Perk, a leadership and culture development company! Steph Richter and Emily Edeman are Leadership Coach & Company Culture Consultants. Ben has personally hired them to help him with developing the culture at Knapsack.Main Topic NotesWhat is company culture?How can a business owner solidify their culture and have it work even when they're gone?How can a business owner develop better leaders to take things off of their shoulders?What is DEI, and what can small business owners do to be proactive with DEI?Recap / TakeawaysCulture is the daily behaviors of you and the people on your teamYour company has a culture whether you know it or notCulture is continuously evolving and changingInstead of having core values, define core behaviors to make your culture extremely clearReview your core behaviors on a weekly basisAsk potential hires questions that relate to your core behaviorsDEI isn't only about recruitment, there's more you can doGet your info from more diverse sources (different authors or podcast hosts)Use a scorecard to be more objective in your hiring process (this helps overcome biases)Great cultures are built on trust, communication and alignmentTo keep remote workers, have a weekly team meeting (everyone has their own screen)Have 1-on-1's on a weekly basisGo to TheFridayHabit.com to find show notes for this episode. There you can also find links to our websites and ways to get in touch. At the bottom of the page you can download our guide to the Friday Habit system that will show you how to set aside one full day each week dedicated to working on your business instead of in your business.Subscribe & ReviewIf you enjoyed this episode please subscribe and leave us a review in the Apple podcasts app.Voice MemoIf you have a question or a topic you’d like us to cover don’t forget to record us a quick voice memo and send it to hello@thefridayhabit.com

Amy Hardison White has been in the startup world since before the bubble, with a background in copywriting and content marketing. Her focus today is helping accounting startups and payment providers acquire new users with targeted content strategy. Recap / TakeawaysTake notes on what is happening in customer conversations.Where are your target customers hanging out online?Consider the strengths and weaknesses of your team (writing, video, etc)Repurposing your content (make your podcast into an article or video)If you don't have time to write it, have someone on your team interview you.It's okay to lower your own expectations on production value—just get it out there!Check out "Obviously Awesome" book (about product positioning)Links:https://www.amyhardisonwhite.comAmy's Podcast: Scrappy Fintech Marketing https://www.amyhardisonwhite.com/podcastObviously Awesome: How to Nail Product Positioning so Customers Get It, Buy It, Love ItGo to TheFridayHabit.com where you can also find links to our websites and ways to get in touch. At the bottom of the page you can download our guide to the Friday Habit system that will show you how to set aside one full day each week dedicated to working on your business instead of in your business.Subscribe & ReviewIf you enjoyed this episode please subscribe and leave us a review in the Apple podcasts 

Amy Hardison White has been in the startup world since before the bubble, with a background in copywriting and content marketing. Her focus today is helping accounting startups and payment providers acquire new users with targeted content strategy. Recap / TakeawaysTake notes on what is happening in customer conversations.Where are your target customers hanging out online?Consider the strengths and weaknesses of your team (writing, video, etc)Repurposing your content (make your podcast into an article or video)If you don't have time to write it, have someone on your team interview you.It's okay to lower your own expectations on production value—just get it out there!Check out "Obviously Awesome" book (about product positioning)Links:https://www.amyhardisonwhite.comAmy's Podcast: Scrappy Fintech Marketing https://www.amyhardisonwhite.com/podcastObviously Awesome: How to Nail Product Positioning so Customers Get It, Buy It, Love ItGo to TheFridayHabit.com where you can also find links to our websites and ways to get in touch. At the bottom of the page you can download our guide to the Friday Habit system that will show you how to set aside one full day each week dedicated to working on your business instead of in your business.Subscribe & ReviewIf you enjoyed this episode please subscribe and leave us a review in the Apple podcasts

Pamela Gail Johnson founded the Society of Happy People in 1998, created the first three globally celebrated happiness holidays, and is the author of Practical Happiness: Four Principles to Improve Your Life. She was an award-winning salesperson for American Express and Staples, and now helps leaders and teams create happier workplace cultures.Main Topic NotesWhat does happiness mean to you? (When we're feeling good)Can people that complain and are negative be happy? Is that what makes them happy?Is happiness elusive?Happiness zappersChaosFearAnnoyancesControllable vs. uncontrollableHow can we learn more about these 31 types of happiness?Four Principles to Improve Your LifeHappiness is personalHappiness zappers are manageableHappiness changes as you changeHappiness is not always the sameRecap / TakeawaysHappiness is personal (people have different set points of happiness, and that's ok)Entrepreneurs are happier on average than traditional employeesIf you're very unhappy, happiness might be too high of an aspiration to start with. Just get to a neutral point firstA fake smile can actually trigger endorphins and trigger real happinessSmiling during sales calls can help increase sales, even if you're not on a video callMake sure your goals are your own, not society's goals for youSometimes Happiness can just be feeling a little bit better than the moment beforeWe tend to minimize happy moments (we're really happier than we might think)Connect with Pamelapamelagailjohnson.comConnect With UsGo to TheFridayHabit.com to find show notes for this episode. There you can also find links to our websites and ways to get in touch. At the bottom of the page you can download our guide to the Friday Habit system that will show you how to set aside one full day each week dedicated to working on your business instead of in your business.If you enjoyed this episode please subscribe and leave us a review in the Apple podcasts app.If you have a question or a topic you’d like us to cover don’t forget to record us a quick voice memo and send it to hello@thefridayhabit.comThanks for listening to The Friday Habit.Until next time. Live every day like it’s Friday.

Pamela Gail Johnson founded the Society of Happy People in 1998, created the first three globally celebrated happiness holidays, and is the author of Practical Happiness: Four Principles to Improve Your Life. She was an award-winning salesperson for American Express and Staples, and now helps leaders and teams create happier workplace cultures.Main Topic NotesWhat does happiness mean to you? (When we're feeling good)Can people that complain and are negative be happy? Is that what makes them happy?Is happiness elusive?Happiness zappersChaosFearAnnoyancesControllable vs. uncontrollableHow can we learn more about these 31 types of happiness?Four Principles to Improve Your LifeHappiness is personalHappiness zappers are manageableHappiness changes as you changeHappiness is not always the sameRecap / TakeawaysHappiness is personal (people have different set points of happiness, and that's ok)Entrepreneurs are happier on average than traditional employeesIf you're very unhappy, happiness might be too high of an aspiration to start with. Just get to a neutral point firstA fake smile can actually trigger endorphins and trigger real happinessSmiling during sales calls can help increase sales, even if you're not on a video callMake sure your goals are your own, not society's goals for youSometimes Happiness can just be feeling a little bit better than the moment beforeWe tend to minimize happy moments (we're really happier than we might think)Connect with Pamelapamelagailjohnson.comConnect With UsGo to TheFridayHabit.com to find show notes for this episode. There you can also find links to our websites and ways to get in touch. At the bottom of the page you can download our guide to the Friday Habit system that will show you how to set aside one full day each week dedicated to working on your business instead of in your business.If you enjoyed this episode please subscribe and leave us a review in the Apple podcasts app.If you have a question or a topic you’d like us to cover don’t forget to record us a quick voice memo and send it to hello@thefridayhabit.comThanks for listening to The Friday Habit.Until next time. Live every day like it’s Friday.

An early employee of Apple and Head of Innovation at Redbox, Mark Achler has been creating and investing in tech startups since 1986. Today, he is a founding partner of MATH Venture Partners, a technology venture capital fund, and an adjunct professor at the Northwestern Kellogg School of Management.Mert Iseri co-founded SwipeSense, a healthcare technology company acquired by SC Johnson in 2020. Prior to that, he co-founded Design for America, a national network of students using design thinking to create social impact, now part of the IBM Watson Foundation. He is currently an Entrepreneur in Residence at MATH Venture Partners.Main Topic NotesHow to sell your startupThe importance of FAIR - Fit, alignment, integration and rationaleHaving an annual Exit TalkRecap / TakeawaysDon't see interactions as a single transactional moment in time, but as the start of a long-term relationshipStay humble and give backWhen you're a good manager, it's not about you, it's about your employees. You have to help them grow in their career and that will build trustDon't view selling your startup as an ending, but the beginning of something new to comeWhen you sell you must make sure the buyers, employees, and customers are all considered and valuedFind a buyer that makes what you do more valuable togetherDon't wait to start talking to potential buyers when you want to sell. Start years before.FAIRFitIs there is a cultural fit between the companies?AlignmentAre you aligned internally and with the acquiring company?IntegrationIs there a plan in place where these companies can deliver value together?RationaleCan you explain why joining forces strategically multiplies value?Annual exit talkHave a scheduled yearly time for the CEO to talk about how they're feeling about an exitDepending on why and when you're being bought, you can focus on adding value in that areaConnect with MertTwitterLinkedInConnect with MarkLinkedInExit Right BookConnect With UsGo to TheFridayHabit.com to find show notes for this episode. There you can also find links to our websites and ways to get in touch. At the bottom of the page you can download our guide to the Friday Habit system that will show you how to set aside one full day each week dedicated to working on your business instead of in your business.

An early employee of Apple and Head of Innovation at Redbox, Mark Achler has been creating and investing in tech startups since 1986. Today, he is a founding partner of MATH Venture Partners, a technology venture capital fund, and an adjunct professor at the Northwestern Kellogg School of Management.Mert Iseri co-founded SwipeSense, a healthcare technology company acquired by SC Johnson in 2020. Prior to that, he co-founded Design for America, a national network of students using design thinking to create social impact, now part of the IBM Watson Foundation. He is currently an Entrepreneur in Residence at MATH Venture Partners.Main Topic NotesHow to sell your startupThe importance of FAIR - Fit, alignment, integration and rationaleHaving an annual Exit TalkRecap / TakeawaysDon't see interactions as a single transactional moment in time, but as the start of a long-term relationshipStay humble and give backWhen you're a good manager, it's not about you, it's about your employees. You have to help them grow in their career and that will build trustDon't view selling your startup as an ending, but the beginning of something new to comeWhen you sell you must make sure the buyers, employees, and customers are all considered and valuedFind a buyer that makes what you do more valuable togetherDon't wait to start talking to potential buyers when you want to sell. Start years before.FAIRFitIs there is a cultural fit between the companies?AlignmentAre you aligned internally and with the acquiring company?IntegrationIs there a plan in place where these companies can deliver value together?RationaleCan you explain why joining forces strategically multiplies value?Annual exit talkHave a scheduled yearly time for the CEO to talk about how they're feeling about an exitDepending on why and when you're being bought, you can focus on adding value in that areaConnect with MertTwitterLinkedInConnect with MarkLinkedInExit Right BookConnect With UsGo to TheFridayHabit.com to find show notes for this episode. There you can also find links to our websites and ways to get in touch. At the bottom of the page you can download our guide to the Friday Habit system that will show you how to set aside one full day each week dedicated to working on your business instead of in your business.

We're celebrating 100 episodes of The Friday Habit with a look back at Mark and Ben's top favorite episodes so far. Thank you to everyone who has listened and learned alongside of us! We're looking forward to the next 100!Ben's Favorite Episodes:1. Episode #21: Morning Rituals for a Better Life2. Episodes #62-63: How to Live Every Day Like It's Friday with Mark Labriola IIEpisode 62: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-friday-habit/id1495985093?i=1000515445923Episode 63: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-friday-habit/id1495985093?i=10005163912403. #23-24: Productize Your Business with Greg HickmanEpisode 23: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-friday-habit/id1495985093?i=1000482326652Episode 24: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-friday-habit/id1495985093?i=1000483974221Mark's Favorite Episodes:Episode #42: Thinking Time: Your New Secret Weapon2. Episodes #12-13: Stop Trading Your Time for Money with Jonathan StarkEpisode 12: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-friday-habit/id1495985093?i=1000471734097Episode 13: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-friday-habit/id1495985093?i=10004724841603. Episode #2: Strategies to Beat ProcrastinationConnect With UsGo to TheFridayHabit.com to find show notes for this episode. There you can also find links to our websites and ways to get in touch. At the bottom of the page you can download our guide to the Friday Habit system that will show you how to set aside one full day each week dedicated to working on your business instead of in your business.If you enjoyed this episode please subscribe and leave us a review in the Apple podcasts app.If you have a question or a topic you’d like us to cover don’t forget to record us a quick voice memo and send it to hello@thefridayhabit.comThanks for listening to The Friday Habit.Until next time. Live every day like it’s Friday.

Natalie Dawson is the EVP and Partner of Cardone Ventures, a management consulting firm designed to help businesses grow, and the author of the new book, TeamWork: How to Build a High-Performance Team. This book covers all the nuts and bolts of what goes into building an incredible team including what it takes to attract strong talent, how to write a compelling job description, and even the best practices for onboarding someone new.Natalie Dawson is an expert in developing people and building scalable teams. She has interviewed, hired, trained, and led thousands of employees over the course of her career, most recently as Co-Founder and Partner of Cardone Ventures, a management consulting, joint ventures, and private equity firm that helps business owners achieve their personal, professional, and financial goals through the growth of their business. With no cost of capital, no outside investment, in 30 months Cardone Ventures has generated 60 million in revenue and over 30 million in EBITDA. Natalie is responsible for the operations and finding, hiring, aligning, developing and retaining the team that allows the business to scale profitably.Main Topic NotesHow can you predict whether new hires will be a good fit for the rest of the team?What are your 5-year professional goals?Personality assessment (R3 assessment) - measure stabilityDISC Assessment or Myers BriggsTell us about some mistakes you've made and what you learned from them?How do you pitch an idea or a vision to a team? How do you get them all on board?Vision: Imagine a world (share with them the vision)Commitment: Ask them to deliver something specific, you make a commitment tooExecution: Define everything that needs to happenWhat are some practical ways to keep all of your team on the same page as it gets bigger?Daily all team meeting where you share wins from yesterdayWhat are some practical tips for onboarding new hires? (what's the right and wrong way?)Onboarding is like bootcamp (immerse them quickly to see if they have what it takes)How do you do training?Have a SOPTell me, show me, let me, coach meHow can you make letting someone go less painful?You have to correct people in the moment when something goes wrongMove quickly into giving warnings and performance improvement planTeamwork BookPhase 1: Alignment (mission, vision, core values, interview process)Phase 2: Development (read books either your team will help you grow, or you'll have to outsource)Phase 3: Transition (upward in the organization, or transition out)Recap / TakeawaysAsk: What are your 5-year professional goals?Have potential hires take a DISC Assessment or Myers BriggsWhen you're pitching a team, first you say "Imagine a world" to set the future visionWhen your team grows, do a daily all team meeting sharing wins to keep people on the same pageOnboarding is like bootcamp (immerse them quickly to see if they have what it takes)When training, use the Tell me, show me, let me, coach me methodYou have to correct people in the moment when something goes wrong so that it doesn't become too emotionalConsider making it so that everyone on the team can bring in a lead and get a commission10-20% incentive targetConnect With Nataliehttps://www.cardoneventures.comhttps://www.instagram.com/natalieworkman/Connect With UsGo to TheFridayHabit.com to find show notes for this episode. There you can also find links to our websites and ways to get in touch. At the bottom of the page you can download our guide to the Friday Habit system that will show you how to set aside one full day each week dedicated to working on your business instead of in your business.If you enjoyed this episode please subscribe and leave us a review in the Apple podcasts app.If you have a question or a topic you’d like us to cover don’t forget to record us a quick voice memo and send it to hello@thefridayhabit.comThanks for listening to The Friday Habit.Until next time. Live every day like it’s Friday.

Natalie Dawson is the EVP and Partner of Cardone Ventures, a management consulting firm designed to help businesses grow, and the author of the new book, TeamWork: How to Build a High-Performance Team. This book covers all the nuts and bolts of what goes into building an incredible team including what it takes to attract strong talent, how to write a compelling job description, and even the best practices for onboarding someone new.Natalie Dawson is an expert in developing people and building scalable teams. She has interviewed, hired, trained, and led thousands of employees over the course of her career, most recently as Co-Founder and Partner of Cardone Ventures, a management consulting, joint ventures, and private equity firm that helps business owners achieve their personal, professional, and financial goals through the growth of their business. With no cost of capital, no outside investment, in 30 months Cardone Ventures has generated 60 million in revenue and over 30 million in EBITDA. Natalie is responsible for the operations and finding, hiring, aligning, developing and retaining the team that allows the business to scale profitably.Main Topic NotesHow can you predict whether new hires will be a good fit for the rest of the team?What are your 5-year professional goals?Personality assessment (R3 assessment) - measure stabilityDISC Assessment or Myers BriggsTell us about some mistakes you've made and what you learned from them?How do you pitch an idea or a vision to a team? How do you get them all on board?Vision: Imagine a world (share with them the vision)Commitment: Ask them to deliver something specific, you make a commitment tooExecution: Define everything that needs to happenWhat are some practical ways to keep all of your team on the same page as it gets bigger?Daily all team meeting where you share wins from yesterdayWhat are some practical tips for onboarding new hires? (what's the right and wrong way?)Onboarding is like bootcamp (immerse them quickly to see if they have what it takes)How do you do training?Have a SOPTell me, show me, let me, coach meHow can you make letting someone go less painful?You have to correct people in the moment when something goes wrongMove quickly into giving warnings and performance improvement planTeamwork BookPhase 1: Alignment (mission, vision, core values, interview process)Phase 2: Development (read books either your team will help you grow, or you'll have to outsource)Phase 3: Transition (upward in the organization, or transition out)Recap / TakeawaysAsk: What are your 5-year professional goals?Have potential hires take a DISC Assessment or Myers BriggsWhen you're pitching a team, first you say "Imagine a world" to set the future visionWhen your team grows, do a daily all team meeting sharing wins to keep people on the same pageOnboarding is like bootcamp (immerse them quickly to see if they have what it takes)When training, use the Tell me, show me, let me, coach me methodYou have to correct people in the moment when something goes wrong so that it doesn't become too emotionalConsider making it so that everyone on the team can bring in a lead and get a commission10-20% incentive targetConnect With Nataliehttps://www.cardoneventures.comhttps://www.instagram.com/natalieworkman/Connect With UsGo to TheFridayHabit.com to find show notes for this episode. There you can also find links to our websites and ways to get in touch. At the bottom of the page you can download our guide to the Friday Habit system that will show you how to set aside one full day each week dedicated to working on your business instead of in your business.If you enjoyed this episode please subscribe and leave us a review in the Apple podcasts app.If you have a question or a topic you’d like us to cover don’t forget to record us a quick voice memo and send it to hello@thefridayhabit.comThanks for listening to The Friday Habit.Until next time. Live every day like it’s Friday.