Becoming Preferred – Details, episodes & analysis

SEASON: 4 EPISODE: 17

Episode Overview:

Are you ready to supercharge your LinkedIn presence and transform your career or business with the power of AI? Today we have an absolute powerhouse joining us on the show. It’s my pleasure to introduce Mary Fain Brandt, a true expert in optimizing LinkedIn profiles and leveraging artificial intelligence for explosive business growth. Mary is the go-to guru for professionals looking to stand out in the digital landscape.

Her expertise spans from crafting magnetic LinkedIn profiles to implementing cutting edge AI strategies that propel business forward. So whether you’re an entrepreneur looking to make waves, a marketing pro aiming to stay ahead of the curve, or an executive seeking to amplify your personal brand, Mary’s insights are pure gold. Join me now for my conversation with Mary Fain Brandt.

Guest Bio: 

For over two decades, Mary Fain Brandt has been a powerhouse in the training and facilitation world, amassing a wealth of experience that speaks volumes. With a portfolio of over 500 clients, Mary's ability to unlock LinkedIn's full potential is unmatched, making her the go-to expert you need.

Mary is also a Certified AI Consultant, diving deep into AI to deliver cutting-edge insights and strategies for her clients. Saving them hundreds of hours and thousand of dollars. Turning Chaos into Calm and freeing them up to do the work they love [not all the boring mundane behind the scenes tasks!]

Resource Links:

• Website: https://www.masteritwithmary.com/
• Product Link: https://www.masteritwithmary.com/aiservices

Insight Gold Timestamps:

03:21 I had no idea how to start a business, really self-taught

04:31 I just dove all in to learn how to use LinkedIn

08:02 What are the biggest mistakes or challenges that you see

09:32 My tagline is, I take you from boring to badass on LinkedIn

11:45 Personal branding can convey who you are and what you do

13:11 After 2020, one of the biggest changes, what happened on LinkedIn….

15:48 Stories sell, facts tell 

17:26 When's the right time to do maybe a text only

18:53 Say what you need to say

20:21 I’m not a fan of emojis all over LinkedIn, those belong on Instagram

24:26 Can you share a success story….

25:38 I think everyone's heard of AI, not everyone's embracing it

27:08 Chat GPT just hit 100 million users

28:24 You call it a level up and elevate tool

29:15 A LinkedIn newsletter is a great marketing tool

31:16 Do not “Pitch-Slap” someone in a DM

33:42 If you don't have a brand, start there

34:02 You have to stay top of mind, and tip of tongue in today's world

Connect Socially:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maryfainbrandt/

LinkedIn Post Mentioned : Do Not Pitch Slap People in a DM

Podcast: https://scaleupbusiness.buzzsprout.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maryfainbrandt/

Freebies:

SEASON: 4 EPISODE: 16

Episode Overview:

Everyone in every industry and every role has customers. Your success depends on how efficiently you can solve your customers’ problems, adapt as those problems change, and influence their behavior to drive the results you want. Objectives and Key Results, or OKRs, give you the framework to do that.

However, adopting OKRs successfully is no easy feat. It requires changing the way you work, think about your work, and plan for the work you’ll do in the future. So whether you’re an OKR newcomer, or a pro needing a tune-up, my guest today will share his insights on how to put customers at the center, navigate uncertainty, and succeed with OKRs. Join me now for my conversation with author, speaker, and product innovation strategist, Josh Seiden.

Guest Bio: 

Josh Seiden has worked with hundreds of organizations as an individual contributor, leader, founder, and consultant. 

As software designer–turned–coach, consultant, and speaker, he's helped organizations fuse strategy, become customer-centric, and utilize evidence-based decision-making to become more agile (with a lowercase “a”), make better products, and achieve greater success. Along with his co author Jeff Gothelf, he's written two previous books. Their new book is: Who Does What By How Much? A Practical Guide to Customer-Centric OKRs 

Resource Links:

• Website: Website: www.joshuaseiden.com
• Product Link: https://www.joshuaseiden.com/books

Insight Gold Timestamps:

01:16 Your latest book, Who Does What by How Much: A Practical Guide to Customer Centric OKRs

01:45 OKR stands for Objectives and Key Results

04:39 The most common misconception about OKRs 

05:38 OKRs imply we're going to do something different

07:18 As a leader, you've got responsibility for the whole company

09:21 The challenge is that we lose track of who that customer is and what their point of view is

10:52 The first step in OKR is….

12:28 What are the factors that are success factors?

13:19 We say OKRs are three things

14:49 I work in HR, who's my customer?

16:08 Who does what, by how much?

20:50 They're a goal setting framework

22:15 Innovation is the intersection of new capabilities and unmet customer needs

24:08 We know leadership plays a crucial role in the success of the OKRs

27:37 We don't necessarily know the answer beforehand

28:24 It's asking the right question and measuring the right question

29:45 I think there's an opportunity for us to have better conversations in the workplace

32:38 Who's the target of my work? What are they trying to do? How can I help them do it? 

Connect Socially:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jseiden/

Twitter: https://x.com/jseiden

Email: [email protected]

Sponsors: 

Rainmaker LeadGen Platform Demo: https://bookme.michaelvickers.com/lite/rainmaker-leadgen-platform-demo

Rainmaker Digital Solutions:

SEASON: 4 EPISODE: 7

Episode Overview:

Welcome to this episode of Becoming Preferred, where we’re going to deep dive into the world of modern selling and performance excellence. I'm thrilled to have Rob Harrison, the CEO of Magnifyde, joining us today. Rob is a seasoned sales leader with a track record of driving exponential growth and empowering sales teams to achieve their full potential.

In this episode, Rob and I will unravel the intricate dynamics of today's marketplace, shedding light on the essential elements that underpin successful performance selling. We'll dissect the crucial role of mindset in navigating the ever-evolving sales landscape and uncover the power of cultivating effective habits that breed sustained success. Join me now for my conversation with Rob Harrison.

Guest Bio: 

Rob is the Co-founder & CEO of Magnifyde, has years of experience leading sales teams and has a background of serving twelve years in the British military. He has developed a technique that exponentially increases company closure rates across multiple platforms. He is also the creator of Magnifyde Academy, where he molds inexperienced individuals into sales masters. His impressive track record includes skyrocketing monthly revenue for many of his clients from $10k to over $100k in a matter of months.

He has spoken at several in-person and virtual sales events such as M&A Mastery, Upgraded Coach 100K/Month Sales Machine, 5D Coaching Live, and Read the Lead.

Resource Links:

• Website: https://magnifyde.io/
• Product Link: https://magnifyde.io/#solutions

Insight Gold Timestamps:

03:43 I got lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time

07:38 You still need to be the subject matter expert, even if you're a salesperson

08:18 Take the word enthusiasm, and the last four letters, the I A S M for I Am Sold Myself

09:27 How do you attack the mindset of the person 

10:36 It's having the right mindset before you get going

12:54 What's the biggest common challenge that you see? 

14:41 Never done sales before, but willing to learn

15:22 So you have to retrain them on the process, so that becomes the default

17:17 Enthusiasm has to be there

18:29 A groundbreaking technique that significantly improves company closure rates 

20:26 Before they know it, 60% of their work week is actually spent in sales

23:27 Let's talk about the process on habits and skills

25:20 Then it became totally normal to wake up either before my alarm, or on my alarm at 5am

27:27 People are motivated differently

29:30 Appointment setters are also very important to be a subject matter expert

Connect Socially:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-harrison-665699216/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/magnifyde.io

Blog: https://magnifyde.io/category/all/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rob.h.8/

Email: [email protected]

Sponsors: 

Rainmaker LeadGen Platform Demo: https://bookme.michaelvickers.com/lite/rainmaker-leadgen-platform-demo

Rainmaker Digital Solutions:

SEASON: 1 EPISODE: 25

Episode Overview: 

Looking to grow your influence and your visibility, whether you’re an entrepreneur, small business, association, or corporation. If you are looking to attract leads, build your brand, and click with crowds using social media, content marketing, and PR, then you are going to enjoy my conversation with an international trends speaker, coach, and host of the podcast “Growing Social Now”, Barbara Rozgonyi!

Guest Bio: 

Barbara Rozgonyi leads CoryWest Media, a creative marketing communication consultancy that attracts attention, builds brands, and connects communities. Named after Barbara’s mother and grandmother, CoryWest Media inspires innovation as it fuels growth. Barbara is an international trends speaker with a Hungarian heritage, digital marketing advisor since 2002, and sales leadership guide for all types of teams. With future vision, Barbara began publishing her top-ranked blog, wiredPRworks, in 2006. An early social media advocate, Barbara founded Social Media Club Chicago in 2008. Her podcast, Growing Social Now, launched in 2021. She serves on the National Speaker Association Carolinas Chapter’s board of directors as Vice President of Membership and lives in Charlotte, North Carolina right between the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Atlantic ocean.

Resource Links:

• Website: https://barbararozgonyi.com 

Insight Gold Timestamps:

05:30 Video has really changed our lives

09:29 There are influencers everywhere

14:32 Look at the different types of clients you’re trying to reach

18:30 What is the customer experience?

19:00 4D: Digital, Direct, Dynamic, Data

22:49 CPR: Challenge, Process, Result

31:57 Personalized as possible

Connect Socially:

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/barbararozgonyi

Facebook: https://facebook.com/rozgonyi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/wiredprworks

YouTube: https://youtube.com/barbararozgonyi

Instagram: https://instagram.com/barbararozgonyi

Podcast: http://www.growingsocialnow.com

Email: [email protected] 

Sponsors: 

Rainmaker Digital Solutions: https://www.rainmakerdigitalsolutions.com/

Resources: https://becomingpreferred-podcast.com/resources/

Next Episode: Emotional Intelligence - The Key to the Customer Experience with John Brennan!

SEASON: 1 EPISODE: 24

Episode Overview:

As business professionals, the pressures, stress, and expectations we face can take a toll on our resilience and drain our sense of resourcefulness, leaving us stressed with motivational fatigue. We can combat this fatigue when we use humor to be more resilient, enhance productivity and team enthusiasm. To help us understand how to develop and employ humor in our businesses and profession is author, speaker, and humorist coach, Tim Gard.

Guest Bio: 

Tim Gard is a motivational, funny keynote speaker, corporate entertainer, and emcee. Tim is known for bringing tears of laughter to audiences worldwide. More than an insightful and funny guy, Tim teaches people to be more resilient and resourceful using their own comedic style. He also coaches businesses on how to enhance productivity through employee enthusiasm by using appropriate workplace humor.

An internationally recognized authority on stress reduction and conflict resolution, Tim’s easy- to-implement techniques demonstrate ways to diffuse, deal with, and ultimately avoid stressful encounters. Tim does not make light of serious issues; rather, he shines a light on previously unseen possibilities to overcome challenging situations.

Resource Links:

• Website: https://timgard.com/
• Product Link: https://timgard.com/shop

Insight Gold Timestamps:

08:39 It’s only stupid if you do it twice

10:42 You change your perception, you create a different reality

12:52 It’s important that we learn to laugh at ourselves

16:54 When in doubt, leave it out

21:38 If we exaggerate too much, it invalidates everything

23:31 Sniglets

32:49 We really need to recharge

36:20 We all smile and laugh in the same language

Connect Socially:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timgard/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/funwithtim 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/funwithtim

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TimGard

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/funwithtim/

Email: [email protected]

Sponsors: 

Rainmaker Digital Solutions: https://www.rainmakerdigitalsolutions.com/

Resources: https://becomingpreferred-podcast.com/resources/

Next Episode: Growing Your Business Socially with Barbara Rozgonyi!

SEASON: 1 EPISODE: 23

Episode Overview:

Our Voice is the most important tool to live a passionate, fulfilled, and authentic life. There’s a beautiful, complex, and deeply psychological connection between one’s nature, one’s voice, and one’s community. Our words, the way we share them, and the very sound of our voice can change minds, move mountains, convey important messages, bring audiences to tears, and transform the existence of others. 

The way we communicate is a direct tool for leadership and change. Once we learn how to use our voice - without fear, hesitation, or the belief that we must fit into a mold - that’s when the magic happens. To help us understand the power of voice and speak authentically is author, speaker and coach Laura Handke.

Guest Bio: 

Laura Handke is an inspirational and energetic facilitator, writer, speaker and certified Transformational Voice® teacher, committed to helping others express themselves fully in the world.

Laura helps new and experienced speakers and performers feel comfortable, confident and personally expressive speaking in front of people or on camera.

It’s never too late, or too early, to learn to express your inner voice in the outer world.

Resource Links:

• Website:  https://laurahandke.com/
• Product Link: https://laurahandke.com/shop/

Insight Gold Timestamps:

06:33 It’s a disconnection between the head and the heart

06:59 How important is confidence

09:08 The inner voice and the outer voice

16:13 Being in the moment

19:17 The more you use your authentic voice 

21:14 The emotional impact

25:54 Your breath is the river that is carrying the sound of your voice

30:11 The cadence of your voice

38:48 What you should avoid

Connect Socially:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-handke-47267b8/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/laurahj

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFCsuEmvnslIQ4S0UAnawWw

Email: [email protected]

Link to Book: Breath by James Nester

Sponsors: 

Rainmaker Digital Solutions: https://www.rainmakerdigitalsolutions.com/

Resources: https://becomingpreferred-podcast.com/resources/

Next Episode: Using Humor as a Professional Skill with Tim Gard!

SEASON: 1 EPISODE: 22

Episode Overview:

Are you a leader that is focused on building a stronger culture with long-term retention in mind? Looking for new strategies to increase your team’s productivity and results?

If you are looking for ways to develop environments that help your people bring their best selves to the work they do, then you are going to enjoy my conversation with Leadership expert, speaker, coach and advisor Shawna Schuh.

Guest Bio: 

A lifetime adventurer, entertainer, and leadership expert, Shawna Schuh is an innovative thought-leader who can help you unpack the pesky problems you encounter when you lead people.

With a curious mind, herself, and a Master’s Certificate in Neuro-Linguistic Programming, Shawna is exceptionally skilled in the art of uncovering leadership blind spots through coaching, facilitating leadership groups, and catapulting leaders out of the leadership weeds and into leading teams effectively.

Having worked with organizations like Nike and Columbia Sportswear to associations such as Fashion Group International and the National Speakers Association, Shawna shares a unique perspective so that the information and ideas she promotes stick and work.

Shawna addresses any and all issues relating to people skills. Her presentations are humorous, overflowing with energy and packed with practical results driven information that will positively maximize profits.

Resource Links:

• Website: https://www.ShawnaSchuh.com
• Product Link: https://www.ShawnaSchuh.com

Insight Gold Timestamps:

04:42 3% of people in the world are continuously educating themselves

04:52 Teams are tired of being told and sold

06:12 Do you know what your next step is?

07:34 The quality of the answers are really in direct proportion to how masterful your questions are

08:35 Are you in your own way?

09:10 What is that I really want from the exchange?

12:18 Pick up your get-up-and-go

18:00 it's not the word. It's the intent behind the word

23:43 The ones that are the most hurtful humans are probably the ones hurting the most

27:41 What did you get done today? What are you most proud of?

28:50 Win Wednesdays

29:54 If you invest in you, no market can take it from you

34:58 In closing….

Connect Socially:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnaschuh/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shawna.schuh/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/shawnaschuh

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=shawna+schuh

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shawnaschuh/

Email: [email protected]

Sponsors: 

Rainmaker Digital Solutions: https://www.rainmakerdigitalsolutions.com/

Resources: https://becomingpreferred-podcast.com/resources/

Next Episode: Free Your Authentic Voice and Find Your Power with Laura Handke!

SEASON: 1 EPISODE: 21

Episode Overview:

Ready to supercharge your personal and professional life with tools for lifelong learning and possible change?

Are you mid-career or at the halftime of life wondering, “What’s next?” Are you or your company experiencing a huge change, or lacking innovation & creativity? Don’t spend another minute stuck on an endless roundabout.

If you want to hear a message of inspiration, hope and authentic growth, you’re going to enjoy my interview with Deborah Johnson.

Guest Bio: 

Deborah Johnson knows what it feels like to be stuck. She came from the gig economy while also raising 3 sons, so she’s very familiar with reinvention. Deborah took a huge risk to put her solo headliner music show on large stages. None of her friends were doing anything like this, so it took getting beyond the self-doubt & wondering if she could really do it. And she did!! 

But when the Great Recession of 2008-09 hit, many of her large music shows were cancelled, but she noticed that speakers were still working so she expanded her platform to also include speaking & writing with a process to help others maximize their skills, talents & resources. Deborah shares a message of inspiration, hope & authentic growth. 

Inspirational speaker, author and international award-winning music artist, Deborah helps others get unstuck by producing and executing a successful plan for their second half. Up for multiple GRAMMY Awards and spending over 20 years in the entertainment industry, she's an expert on how to constantly reinvent yourself in a gig-economy. Deborah is the author of five books, and speaks and performs in both live and virtual events. She is also the past president of the National Speakers Association, Los Angeles.

Resource Links:

• Website:  https://goalsforyourlife.com/
• Product Link: https://goalsforyourlife.com/goal-setting-products/

Insight Gold Timestamps:

08:03 You've got to get to a place where you take that risk

09:03 Be willing to re-write and work hard

10:05 The band of hope 

16:43 The roundabout

19:43 Change I won’t to I will

24:04 How could I have done that a little bit better?

27:29 Successfully evaluate where you are and where you want to be

29:51 Creativity is a way to progress and has no limits.

34:29 Clarify your purpose

Connect Socially:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborahjjohnson/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/deborah.johnson

Twitter: https://twitter.com/debjohnsonworks

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DJWorks

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deborah_johnsonworks/

Email: [email protected]

Podcast: http://womenathalftime.com/

Sponsors: 

Rainmaker Digital Solutions: https://www.rainmakerdigitalsolutions.com/

Resources: 

SEASON: 1 EPISODE: 20

Episode Overview:

To bring attention to National Suicide Prevention Week in the United States, we wanted to share this special episode with Suicide Prevention Speaker, Frank King.

National Suicide Prevention Week is an annual weeklong campaign to inform and engage health professionals and the general public about suicide prevention and the warning signs of suicide. By drawing attention to the problem of suicide, the campaign also strives to reduce the stigma surrounding the topic, as well as encourage the pursuit of mental health assistance and support people who have attempted suicide. 

Suicide is the leading cause of death in the United States and a major public health concern. When a person dies by suicide, the effects are felt by family, friends, and communities. And when it comes to suicide, language matters. 

Suicide is preventable, but to prevent it, we must talk about it, and the way we talk about it matters. And so to help us understand and learn more about suicide and suicide prevention is my guest, Frank King.

Guest Bio: 

As a former writer for the Tonight Show for 20 years and a full-time speaker and comedian, Frank King knows how to infuse humor into his content and uses his personal experiences to highlight the importance of maintaining your mental health. Participants in Frank’s programs will gain an understanding of the mental health challenges, how to maintain a positive and profitable workplace culture, how to reduce stress, and promote both team and management well being.

As a humorous keynote speaker, Frank brings his corporate brand of comedy to educate, inspire, and finally, entertain…with ah-has, and a sprinkling of ha-ha’s, in a one of a kind presentation on matters of life and death.

He blends his experience as a clean, clever stand-up comedian, an award-winning syndicated humor columnist, and as a warrior in his own lifelong battle with depression and thoughts of suicide, for content-packed and eminently listenable keynote presentations and workshops.

Resource Links:

• Website:  www.TheMentalHealthComedian.com
• Product Link: https://www.yourtedxcoach.com

Insight Gold Timestamps:

04:31 Change the language

05:12 The majority of people who died by suicide did not want die

08:05 The number one so-called addiction for suicide is gambling addiction 

10:28 Brene Brown said, vulnerability is a superpower

15:27 People with depression, tend to think in the immediate

16:37 Gamification

18:22 Practice these five things....

23:12 Suicidal call lifeline, dial 9-8-8

25:55 Burdensomeness

29:43 Top 3 signs of depression

36:50 Suicide prevention Text Line. Text ‘Help’ or ‘Connect’ to 741-741

37:04 Signs somebody may be considering suicide

Connect Socially:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/frankkingthemhcomedian

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/thementalhealthcomedian

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/theMHcomedian

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thementalhealthcomedian

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/mentalhealthcomedian

Email: 

SEASON: 1 EPISODE: 19

Episode Overview: 

Is conflict hampering your results? This episode will show you how to focus on the tasks at hand, provide you with confidence when navigating difficult situations, and gain peace in your professional and personal relationships. The Collaboration Effect will give you the framework you need for active listening, connecting with others, and negotiating closure even with difficult people. After listening to this episode with our guest, Michael Gregory, you will take actions to overcome tough situations and enhance collaboration with others.

Guest Bio: 

Michael Gregory is the founder of Michael Gregory Consulting, LLC. Mike is an international speaker, author, and consultant who helps clients identify, address and resolve issues with the IRS, business to business, and within businesses (shareholder disputes, succession planning) so that they can take advantage of The Collaboration Effect™. He has helped hundreds of clients work through conflicts and negotiate winning solutions.

Mike has helped hundreds of clients resolve conflicts and negotiate winning solutions business to government (IRS), business to business and within businesses.

• Accredited Senior Appraiser in Business Valuation with the American Society of Appraisers
• Certified Valuation Analyst with National Association of Certified Valuators and Analysts
• Qualified Mediator with the Minnesota Supreme Court

Resource Links:

• Website: https://mikegreg.com
• Product Link: https://mikegreg.com/books

Insight Gold Timestamps:

01:53 If we collaborate with each other we can get things done

09:43 Being heard is very significant

18:09 It's either reducing the pain or increasing the gain

21:35 The sooner we can begin to relate to each other and with whatever we have in connections, (social media) the better that relationship going forward

25:59 What have you been thinking about lately?

25:12 My favorite question is what would you like to have happened?

26:50 Know what you want. Ask for it. Have three reasons why it's beneficial for them. (Author, John Baker)

27:51 Organizations should choose collaboration over competition

31:52 When you have folks operating as a team and you're aligned in business, you will be successful

38:37 What are some things that you have done with others in this last year to make an impact?

41:07 It's not about me, it’s all about we, but we starts with me 

Connect Socially:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikegregconsult/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michaelgregoryconsultingllc/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mikegregconsult

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmhQ3z8hhsXTAHuqlfn1mdw  

Email: [email protected]

Sponsors: 

Rainmaker Digital Solutions: https://www.rainmakerdigitalsolutions.com/

Resources: https://becomingpreferred-podcast.com/resources/

Next Episode: Suicide Prevention....Start the Conversation with Frank King!