Welcome to the KeyHire Solutions Podcast, where we cover small business issues, including leadership development, hiring strategies, management structure, hiring challenges, workplace culture, and more. We’re here to help you stop grinding and start growing. Join us for weekly chats about small business management with Corey Harlock, our organization design, hiring process, talent acquisition expert, and CEO of KeyHire Solutions. As an entrepreneur, Corey understands the challenges owners fa ...
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The Boomerang Effect: Rehiring Right or Getting It Wrong?
20:33
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20:33This week on The KeyHire Podcast, Corey Harlock dives into the growing trend of Boomerang employees—former team members who return after time away. He unpacks what makes them unique, how they can support your business growth goals, and the right way to bring them back into your team. From hiring challenges and the hiring process to organization des…
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You are 100% Right in a 200% World (with Dr. Robert Johnson)
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42:59Clear communication can make or break a business. In this episode, host Corey Harlock sits down with Dr. Robert Johnson, Founder & Managing Partner of Shoreline Partners, to explore powerful strategies leaders can use to enhance communication within their companies. Dr. Johnson shares insights on why being “100% right” isn’t always enough in a worl…
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In this episode of The KeyHire Podcast, Corey dives into the latest findings from the 2025 National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) Small Business Report and unpacks what they mean for hiring in today’s tough economic climate. With labor shortages, rising wage expectations, and increased competition for top talent, Corey explores the real…
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The Difference Between Building a Brand & Building a Business (with Eric Malka)
36:25
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36:25We're sitting down with Eric Malka, CEO of Strategic Brand Investments and Founder of The Art of Shaving, to explore the crucial distinction between building a business and building a brand. Eric shares his journey from launching and scaling a premium grooming company to becoming an expert in brand strategy and investment. He explains why a strong …
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Unlocking Business Growth with No-Code Solutions (with Xan Hong)
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37:22In this episode of The KeyHire Podcast, host Corey Harlock sits down with Xan Hong, Founder and Principal Consultant of Drive Phase Consulting, to explore how small businesses can leverage no-code software to streamline their operations, improve efficiency, and build custom tools without the need for a developer. Xan shares real-world insights on h…
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How to Create a Job Description (The Right Way)
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30:34In this episode of The KeyHire Podcast, host Corey Harlock dives into the critical process of defining roles and responsibilities to create an effective job description. Hiring the right person starts with clearly understanding what the role requires and how it fits into the larger goals of the business. Corey breaks down common mistakes business o…
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Bridging the Gap: Hiring, Empowering, and Retaining Veterans (with Mike Hutchings)
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50:14On this episode of The KeyHire Podcast, host Corey Harlock sits down with Mike Hutchings, CEO of Combined Arms, to explore the advantages of hiring veterans. As a veteran himself, Mike brings firsthand insight into the challenges veterans face when transitioning to the workforce and the unique strengths they offer as employees. Corey and Mike discu…
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The Power of PEOs for Small Business (with Suzanna Martinez)
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39:45This week on The KeyHire Podcast, Corey Harlock sits down with Suzanna Martinez, CEO of PEO for the CEO, to explore how a Professional Employer Organization (PEO) can be a game-changer for small businesses. From handling HR, payroll, and compliance to providing access to competitive benefits, a PEO can help business owners focus on growth while red…
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Curating an Exceptional Candidate Experience
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27:32In this episode of The KeyHire Podcast, host Corey Harlock dives into one of the most overlooked yet critical aspects of hiring—creating an outstanding candidate experience. Small business owners often struggle to attract and retain top talent, but the key to success lies in how they engage candidates throughout the hiring process. Corey breaks dow…
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What Small Business Leaders NEED Know About Marketing in 2025 (with Heather Manes)
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41:21Is Your Marketing Ready for 2025? We’re diving deep into the marketing landscape of 2025 with Heather Manes, President & Strategic Director of Savage Brands. As technology, consumer behavior, and branding strategies evolve, small business owners need to stay ahead of the curve to remain competitive. Heather shares expert insights on what’s working …
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Using Assessments The Right Way (with Brian Gelt)
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40:00In this episode of The KeyHire Podcast, we’re joined by Brian Gelt, Founder of Peoplytix, for an in-depth conversation on how small business owners can transform their hiring process with the power of job assessments. With years of experience helping businesses make smarter talent decisions, Brian breaks down the science and strategy behind these t…
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In this episode of The KeyHire Podcast, host Corey Harlock, CEO of KeyHire Solutions, dives into the critical role a competitive mindset plays in attracting and securing top talent. In today’s job market, small business owners are up against fierce competition for the best candidates. Corey breaks down why traditional hiring strategies often fall s…
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Connecting With Customers Using EMPATHY (with Jim Matuga)
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45:07Check out our sponsor: https://bit.ly/CS-KeyHire Be KeyHire's Next Success Story: https://bit.ly/KHSuccess Episode 43 of The KeyHire Podcast, hosted by Corey Harlock, dives into the art of connecting with customers on a deeper, more meaningful level. This week’s guest, Jim Matuga, Founder of InnerAction Media, brings his wealth of experience in mar…
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Upgrading Your Current Employees (with Chris Leonard)
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47:09Check out our sponsor: https://bit.ly/CS-KeyHire Be KeyHire's Next Success Story: https://bit.ly/KHSuccess This week on The KeyHire Podcast, we're diving into a critical challenge many business owners face as they scale: what to do when some employees can’t keep up with the growth. Joining us is Chris Leonard, Owner of No Impediments, a company ded…
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How Business Valuations REALLY Work (with Len Bruskiewitz)
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43:49Check out our sponsor: https://bit.ly/CS-KeyHire Be KeyHire's Next Success Story: https://bit.ly/KHSuccess In this insightful episode of The KeyHire Podcast, Corey Harlock is joined by Len Bruskiewitz, a Certified Business Coach at FocalPoint, to delve into the essential yet often misunderstood topic of business valuation. Len explains why understa…
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Check out our sponsor: https://bit.ly/CS-KeyHire Be KeyHire's Next Success Story: https://bit.ly/KHSuccess We've had a fantastic year full of great guests, fun moments and important advice for small business owners across the country. This week, we're taking a look back at our 2024 with some advice from our favorite episodes, moments with our amazi…
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Using Resolutions to Help Increase Retention
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21:22Check out our sponsor: https://bit.ly/CS-KeyHire Be KeyHire's Next Success Story: https://bit.ly/KHSuccess In this episode of The KeyHire Podcast, Corey Harlock takes a deep dive into the powerful relationship between aligning incentives and achieving lasting employee satisfaction and retention. Far beyond simply offering monetary rewards or standa…
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Hiring Right The First Time (with Casey Gromer)
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48:01Check out our sponsor: https://bit.ly/CS-KeyHire Be KeyHire's Next Success Story: https://bit.ly/KHSuccess Welcome to The KeyHire Podcast, where we explore strategies and insights to help small business owners build strong, successful teams. This week, we’re thrilled to have Casey Gromer, MBA, join us as our guest. Casey is a seasoned Fractional In…
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How to ACTUALLY Reduce Your Costs (with Hans Stronck)
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42:04This episode is sponsored by Career Spring: https://bit.ly/CS-KeyHire Become KeyHire's Next Success Story: https://bit.ly/KHSuccess Connect with Hans: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hansstronck/ ERA Group.com (713) 391-4746 We're joined by Hans Stronck, Global Enterprise Partner at Expense Reduction Analysts, to tackle a topic that’s always top of min…
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Answering YOUR Questions (with Matt Wills)
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43:39Learn more about Matt: www.luminousconsultants.com This episode is sponsored by Career Spring: https://bit.ly/CS-KeyHire Become KeyHire's Next Success Story: https://bit.ly/KHSuccess Welcome to The KeyHire Podcast! This week, we’re diving into the most frequently asked questions submitted by our audience, offering practical strategies to help you s…
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Learn more about CareerSpring: https://bit.ly/CS-KeyHire Become KeyHire's Next Success Story: www.keyhire.solutions/testimonials In this episode of The KeyHire Small Business Podcast, Corey Harlock addresses a critical issue for small business owners: how to re-hire your current employees when they’ve been offered a position with another company. C…
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Effectively Engaging with Younger Generations (with Dale Wetmore)
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33:24Learn more about Dale: https://www.giftofnextgen.com Connect with Dale: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dalewetmore/ Become KeyHire's Next Success Story: www.keyhire.solutions/testimonials Welcome to The KeyHire Podcast, where small business owners gain actionable insights to grow and succeed. Hosted by Corey Harlock, CEO and Principal Consultant of Ke…
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Growing WITH Your Leadership Team (with Paul Thornton)
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44:22In this episode, we're diving into the critical topic of growing your leadership team in alignment with your business. Corey is joined by Paul Thornton, an experienced author and adjunct professor at Springfield College, who brings his unique perspective on leadership development and team growth. Explore how to identify the right talent, foster a c…
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Getting the BEST Deal on Your Insurance (with Kristy Nagel-Rogers)
33:43
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33:43In this episode of The KeyHire Podcast, host Corey Harlock sits down with Kristy Nagel-Rogers, Market President (Houston) at Cadence Insurance, to uncover the secrets to getting the best deal on your business insurance. Small business owners often overlook important factors when it comes to securing the right insurance policy, and mistakes can be c…
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Giving Back & Growing Your Business through Internships (with Paul Posoli)
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38:43We're sitting down with Paul Posoli, CEO & Founder of Career Spring, to delve into the transformative power of internships for small businesses. Paul shares his expertise on how internships can be more than just a short-term staffing solution; they can serve as a strategic tool for business growth and community engagement. Offering internships not …
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Disengaged Employees: Is It My Fault? (with Dr. Benjamin Ritter)
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50:07In this episode of The KeyHire Podcast, host Corey Harlock tackles the critical issue of employee disengagement in small businesses with guest Dr. Benjamin Ritter, a leadership, executive, and career coach at LFY Consulting. Together, they explore how disengaged employees can negatively impact company performance and workplace culture. Dr. Ritter s…
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How to Create a Website that ACTUALLY Converts (with James Hipkin)
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42:07In today’s digital world, a website is often the first point of contact between your business and potential customers. But having a website isn’t enough—you need one that converts. In this episode of The KeyHire Podcast, host Corey Harlock sits down with James Hipkin, CEO & Founder of Inn8ly, to dive deep into what makes a website effective for sma…
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How to Delegate as a Control Freak (with Gina Cotner)
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39:36
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39:36Welcome to the KeyHire Small Business Podcast! In this episode, host Corey Harlock, CEO of KeyHire Solutions, is joined by special guest Gina Cotner, CEO & Founder of Athena Executive Services. Together, they dive deep into one of the biggest challenges many small business owners face: letting go of micromanaging. If you struggle with control and f…
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"Am I Wasting my Money?" - How to use Financial Projections to increase your Revenue (with Young Han)
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40:34This week, we're joined by Young Han, Founder of Forever Young Agency and Host of The Girl Dad Show, for an in-depth conversation on the power of financial projections in driving business success. Young shares his wealth of experience working with small businesses and startups, breaking down the often-overlooked importance of financial forecasting …
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The Founder Bottleneck is Real: Building a Team to Sell Your Business (with Craig Dickens)
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36:37Welcome to The KeyHire Podcast, where we dive deep into the strategies for building, scaling, and selling your small business. In this episode, your host Corey Harlock, Principal Consultant at KeyHire Solutions, sits down with Craig Dickens, Chairman of Merit Investment Bank, to discuss the critical steps in assembling a winning team for a successf…
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Breaking the Mold: How to Inspire Retention & Reduce Turnover
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33:18
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33:18Struggling to retain your best employees? Corey Harlock, CEO and Principal Consultant of KeyHire Solutions, shares expert tips on how small business owners can create an environment that fosters employee engagement and builds a happy, thriving workplace. Retaining top talent is critical to the success of any business, and Corey explains practical, …
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Improving Less for Better Results (with Chad Bareither)
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47:46This week we're speaking with Chad Bareither from Bareither Group Consulting, LLC. We're exploring how small business owners can achieve better results by concentrating on improving fewer processes. Chad reveals his proven strategies for performance improvement, highlighting the significance of prioritizing and refining key areas within a business …
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The Power of Servant Leadership (with Kurt Uhlir)
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48:17As a small business owner, self-reflection and the ability to identify your leadership style are crucial for personal and organizational growth. However, this can often be a challenging process. Understanding the nuances of your approach to leadership is essential for fostering a positive and productive work environment. Today, we're diving deeper …
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Mastering AI For Your Business (with Lauren Glynn)
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35:59AI has become a household topic, frequently discussed in articles, the news, and by our peers. But how can small business owners leverage AI to enhance their daily productivity? In this context, productivity tips for small business owners become invaluable, especially when integrating AI productivity hacks into their routine. To explore this furthe…
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Utilizing the Power of Short-Form Video (with Corey Walker)
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42:41Many social media platforms have pivoted to prioritize short-form video, as it has quickly become the medium preferred by most users. But how can you create engaging short-form video content to grow your small business? Today, we're speaking with Corey Walker, CEO of TheMarketingSpecialist.com and Author of Instagram for Dummies, about the importan…
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Identifying the perfect hire can be a challenging task, but finding and retaining a candidate who truly fits your requirements can be even tougher. Today, we will discuss the crucial importance of establishing a skilled labor pipeline for your small business. This pipeline is essential not only for meeting your current needs but also for ensuring f…
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Overcoming Imposter Syndrome (with Kevin Palmeri)
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35:04Imposter syndrome can affect anyone at any time, making it easy to feel like you don't belong or aren't worthy of your position. But we're here to tell you that you are worthy of every bit! We're speaking with Kevin Palmeri, host of Next-Level University, to discuss his personal journey with imposter syndrome and how you can utilize some of the sam…
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Lessons from a Green Beret (with Joshua Wathen)
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49:04The Green Berets are an elite military force renowned for their leadership, discipline, efficiency, and effectiveness. These traits are not only essential in military service but can also be a tremendous asset for any business owner aiming to build high-performing teams. The leadership principles and rigorous training that the Green Berets undergo …
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Work Smarter: How To Maintain Balance While Growing (with Jordan Tait)
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52:44Oftentimes we equate working extra hours as what's "necessary" to ensure that our business is growing at the pace we desire. Many entrepreneurs initially start their business to give themselves a healthier work/life balance, but quickly find themselves working 80 hour weeks to grow their business. We're speaking with Jordan Tait, Founder of The Int…
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A Promise to Grow Your Small Business (with Tony Diamond)
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42:40Branding is often overlooked by many small businesses, but a cohesive brand can be advantageous to businesses of any size. We're speaking with Tony Diamond, Founder of TDThink, on the importance of establishing a company identity, mistakes to avoid, and three steps you can take today to get started. Learn more about Tony: tdthink.com Schedule a Fre…
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How to: Filter the BEST Advice (with Benjamin Friedman)
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38:21As a business owner, you're likely to receive advice (wanted or not) about how to best run your business. How do you know who to listen to and whose advice should you be taking? We're speaking with Benjamin Friedman, President & Founder of Build Scale Grow, on his proven methods for setting healthy boundaries when asking for feedback, and how to fi…
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Working with Your Local Economic Council (with John Marez)
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40:54As entrepreneurs, we often overlook the benefits of government when establishing our businesses and growing roots in our communities. We're speaking with John Marez, Principle Consultant a JMar Management Consulting & elected official, about the positive influences economic councils can have on your business and how you can work with your local cou…
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Interviewing for a position and love a candidate? Chances are, that means somebody else does too! Today we're discussing a key aspect of the hiring process that is often overlooked: either be ready to go when you find the right match or risk losing them to a faster-moving competitor. Learn more about KeyHire: www.keyhire.solutions Schedule a Call w…
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Building a Functional, Cohesive & Healthy Leadership Team (with Rusty Smith)
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43:32Leadership can be one of the toughest challenges for an entrepreneur, and building a team of leaders to help your business succeed can be even tougher. We're speaking with Rusty Smith, President of the Center for Growth and Professional EOS implementor, on strategies you can use to build a leadership team that is not only effective, but contributes…
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Are You a Family First Business or Business First Family (with Rob Ferguson)
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39:17Every family business is different, and priorities often dictate how you run your business and the goals you wish to achieve. We're speaking with Rob Ferguson, Founder of The Ferguson Alliance, about the difference between a Family-First Business and a Business-First Family. Learn more about Rob: ferguson-alliance.com Schedule a Free Call with Core…
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A complete hiring process often interviewing & interacting with candidates from a wide variety of backgrounds - so how do you compare achievements between two entirely different candidates? This week, Corey is reviewing the importance of changing your perception of "good" when it comes to hiring for your small business. Learn more about KeyHire & s…
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Future Proof Your Business with Succession Planning (ft. Dr. Nannette Miner)
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33:09After investing years - or maybe even decades - building your business, it can be a daunting and emotional task to set up a plan for the future. We're speaking with Nanette Miner, Founder of The Training Doctor, to discuss the importance of setting up an effective leadership pipeline and defining an actionable succession plan. Learn more about Nane…
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Taking Control of Your Saboteurs (with Jane Weddle)
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37:32Running a business can be a mentally strenuous activity in both your personal and professional life. It's important to maintain a positive balance and work to improve your mental fitness. We're speaking with the CEO of Jane Weddle Coaching, Jane Weddle, to learn how entrepreneurs and CEO's leverage the Positive Intelligence™ Mental Fitness Operatin…
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Maximizing Capabilities & Optimizing Your Strengths (with Sean Flaherty)
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39:03As a small business owner, it can be easy to fall into the trap of wanting to do everything yourself. We're speaking with Sean Flaherty, Vistage Speaker & Managing Partner at ITX, about how you can identify your strengths and talents to optimize your small business for success. Learn More About Sean: https://itx.com Learn More About Corey: https://…
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Crafting an Effective First Time Offer (with Craig Andrews)
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43:08Perfecting your "elevator pitch" or optimizing your marketing message can be difficult for many business owners. We're speaking with Craig Andrews, Founder of allies4me, about his proven method that mimics the stages of courtship to help companies find strangers and convert them into high-paying customers. A First-Time Offer is like a coffee date t…
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