Welcome to the Bulletproof Startups Podcast, where we help business owners and CEOs become conscious leaders and build a power team so they can let go, get strategic, and know they are adding the most value possible to their company every single day. I am your host, Simone Janssen, and this podcast is about one thing only, becoming the real CEO of your business by building leveraged teams. You've built a great product or service, but although you have a team you are still in everything. Your ...
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E121 - Leadership Beyond Fear: Inspiring The Next Generation Of Teams
33:30
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33:30This episode is all about leadership - the stark contrast between fear-based approaches and the type of inspirational leadership that truly drives results. As Simone shares, the old-school leadership styles that may have worked in the past are now falling flat, especially with the influx of younger Gen Z employees entering the workforce. The realit…
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E120 - Unlocking The Mindset Of Freedom And Wealth: From Operators To Entrepreneurs
28:11
28:11
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28:11Simone and Nicky explore the journey from being business operators to becoming true entrepreneurs. The conversation underscores how authenticity in business creates both fulfillment and market success. By introducing Jung's archetypes, they offer a framework for entrepreneurs to connect with their true selves and communicate more effectively. Nicky…
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E119 - AI Isn't Optional Anymore: Why Small Business Owners Must Adapt or Fall Behind
17:19
17:19
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17:19AI is revolutionizing small businesses across all industries - from contractors to medical clinics to restaurants. What previously took weeks or months (accountability frameworks, hiring systems, org charts) can now be done in minutes with tools like the AI Business Scaling Blueprint, which combines AI efficiency with my 20+ years of leadership exp…
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E118 - Vision-Aligned Hiring: Beyond Skills to Find True Alignment
16:42
16:42
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16:42Looking for the right employees in today's market is challenging, especially for small business owners seeking qualified, accountable, and strategic talent. This episode explores why successful hiring goes beyond skills to find true motivational alignment. The most revealing interview question is simple: "Why do you want to work here?" The answer r…
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E117 - Hiring Right: Navigating Growth Challenges
30:37
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30:37In this eye-opening conversation with hiring expert Corey Harlock from Key Hire, we dive into why so many small businesses struggle with talent acquisition and what you can actually do about it. The brutal truth? Most business owners make three critical hiring mistakes: Unclear role definition (what does success actually look like?) No defined hiri…
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E116 - Asking For The Sale: Marketing And Copywriting For Scalability
29:32
29:32
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29:32Samantha and Simone discussed the critical role of copywriting and marketing in driving business growth and scalability: Salespeople need to be confident in asking for the sale, as effective copywriting can streamline the process. Audience education through low-ticket courses, etc. improves lead quality by helping customers understand value. Unders…
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E115 - The Hiring Paradox: Why Your Dream Team Keeps Ghosting You
18:21
18:21
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18:21The brutal truth? Most small businesses aren't "hiring ready." When 87% of owners can't find qualified candidates, it's time to look in the mirror. This podcast unpacks the Small Business Death Spiral: can't hire quality people → work yourself to exhaustion → no time to train mediocre hires → poor performance → lost customers → reduced profits → ca…
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E114 - The Manager Effect On Employee Performance
21:13
21:13
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21:13In today's episode, we tackle the critical influence managers have on employee performance and business growth. While 70% of employees would quit over a bad manager, research shows managers can be the second most influential people in employees' lives—creating enormous potential for positive impact. Many small business owners fall into the "just hi…
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E113 - Hacking The Watercooler: High Performance By Community
17:17
17:17
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17:17The modern office is a living social system, yet most fail to cultivate real connections. Over a third of employees would rather clean a toilet than ask a coworker for help - "social muscle atrophy" from remote work and impersonal tools. The result? Quiet quitting, disengagement, and a sense that work is just individual tasks, not shared endeavors.…
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E112 - When Passion And Purpose Drive Smart Growth
35:04
35:04
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35:04In this Episode, special guests Vicky and Jo from Canine Business Academy from the UK share how they help their typically operator focused clients become the leaders of successful dog training businesses. Listen to this fun, colored by British-isms episode as we discuss the importance of being the brand of your business and it reflecting who you ar…
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In this episode, host Simone tackles a critical issue for small business owners - establishing a profit-centric mindset throughout your entire organization. We'll discuss why every role in your company needs to be directly or indirectly driving profitability, and provide a strategic framework for instilling this profit-focused culture in your team.…
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E110 - Coming Out On Top: Thriving In Change Fostering Resilience And Adaptability
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18:41
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18:41In today’s fast-changing world, great leaders don’t resist change—they embrace it, pivot quickly, and lead with trust and empathy. In this episode we’ll explore: How to pivot quickly as a leader How to maintain trust in times of crisis How to lead with empathy during uncertainty By the end, you’ll have actionable strategies to become a more adaptab…
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E109 - Launch And Scale Without Wasting Your Money And Resources
25:35
25:35
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25:35In this episode we are excited to talk with David Hirschfeld, owner of https://launch1st.tekyz.com/ about the right way to start and scale without making the biggest mistake that costs founders precious time, money and momentum. Simone and David discuss the 4 main areas of focus: 1—How starting with the vision is only the beginning but may have to …
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E108 - Where Elon Musk Is Right And Wrong And How You Can Do Better
13:36
13:36
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13:36In this episode, we explores the CEO updates or the 5-15 concept. The podcast delves into the benefits of this approach for business owners, how to effectively implement it, and the importance of distinguishing its use in a business context versus a governmental one. Key Takeaways: Understanding the 5-15 Concept Helps business owners stay informed …
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As business leaders, we often know the changes we need to make to drive our organizations forward—delegate more, have difficult conversations, embrace innovation. Yet we find ourselves stuck in our "uncomfortably comfortable" routines, unable to take the necessary steps outside our familiar (but limiting) comfort zones. In this episode, we unpack t…
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In this eye-opening episode, we dive deep into the real-world challenges facing minority/immigrant employees - and uncover concrete strategies small business leaders can use to guide their teams through turbulent times with empathy, trust, and a relentless focus on shared purpose. Key Topics Covered: Understanding the Struggles Your employees are d…
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E105 - The crisis of employee (dis)engagement
21:12
21:12
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21:12Employee engagement has hit a decade-low, with less than a third of employees feeling truly engaged at work. This crisis is driven by factors like rapid organizational changes, remote/hybrid work challenges, and a lack of clear priorities, consistent feedback, and accountability from leadership. In this episode, we'll cover 5 essential practices yo…
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E104 - The Highest Cost In Business… Why Do Employees Really Quit Their Jobs?
23:01
23:01
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23:01Are you tired of feeling trapped in the endless cycle of firefighting and micromanagement in your business? In this episode, we dive deep into the single biggest factor holding your company back from explosive, sustainable growth - and it all comes down to empowering your team to think and act like entrepreneurs. We explore the proven strategies fo…
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E103 - Unleashing The Superpowers Of Gen Z: A Small Business Owner's Guide
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19:35
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19:35As a small business owner, you're probably all too familiar with the dreaded "Gen Z" workforce. The entitled, distracted, always-online youngsters who seem to have a completely different set of priorities and expectations than the generations that came before them. It's enough to make even the most seasoned entrepreneur want to pull their hair out …
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E102 - Building the Right Team for Business Growth and Exit with Pete Mohr
30:04
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30:04Guest: Pete Mohr, certified exit planner and Kolbe coach Key Topics Covered: The importance of having a clear external-facing "promise" for your business Using the Kolbe assessment to understand how your team naturally makes decisions and takes action Leveraging Kolbe insights to improve communication, alignment, and role fit within your team The v…
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E101 - Stop Thinking About It: The One Thing Holding Your Business Back In 2025 (It's Not What You Think)
22:53
22:53
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22:53Small business owners, it's time to decide that enough is enough. This year, in 2025, commit to breaking the cycle, empowering your team, and unlocking the growth and freedom you deserve. Take the first step by watching this video to identify where you're the bottleneck in your business. Visit http://www.bulletproofbusinessgrowth.com/scalingbluepri…
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E100!!! - Mastering the Art of Networking with Michael Forman
31:10
31:10
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31:10Guest: Michael Forman, author of "Networking Unleashed" and networking expert Key Topics Covered: The importance of quality over quantity when it comes to networking - being selective about the conversations you have Tips for introverts on how to approach networking events, including bringing a "wingman" to help facilitate conversations The step-by…
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E99 - Time Thief Tracker: Reclaim Your Time, Accelerate Your Growth
23:07
23:07
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23:07As small business owners, we're often trapped in the day-to-day, unable to focus on strategic growth. The consistent roadblock to scaling and sustainable success isn't lack of skill or vision; it's lack of time. In this episode, you'll learn how to implement the Time Thief Tracker – a simple yet powerful system to identify and address your time-was…
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E87 - PIPs - Your Secret Weapon To Unlock Your 2025 Growth
21:13
21:13
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21:13Performance improvement plans (PIPs) often get a bad rap, but I'm here to tell you that when done right, they can be a total game-changer for hitting your 2025 growth goals. Traditional performance reviews simply aren't cutting it anymore. They lack the structure and accountability needed to drive real improvements in employee performance. But a we…
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Building a "Lean Profit Machine": Unlocking the Power of Six Sigma and Lean
23:10
23:10
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23:10If you're a business owner or leader who's tired of constantly fighting fires and struggling to drive sustainable growth, this podcast episode is a must-listen. Simone Janssen reveals the powerful methodology they've used to help countless organizations break free from chaos and unlock new levels of operational efficiency and profitability. And it …
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Your Exit Strategy… How Well Will You Do?
33:20
33:20
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33:20In this episode, Simone and Joshua Monge, a fractional COO specializing in business optimization, discussed the critical steps business owners should take to prepare for a successful exit. They highlighted the importance of proper structuring, documentation, and maintaining a scalable business identity separate from the owner. The conversation cove…
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Right People, Right Seats: Hiring Your #2
25:17
25:17
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25:17Are you a founder or CEO looking to take your organization to the next level? The key might just be in your second-in-command. In this essential new episode, we dive deep into the power of the #2 role and how to navigate the opportunities and pitfalls of this critical hire. Join us as we explore: -The critical functions and responsibilities of a st…
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E94 - Resilience: The Foundation For Your Vision In 2025
21:59
21:59
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21:59In this episode we are diving deep into the power of crafting an inspiring, hope-filled vision for your organization in 2025 and beyond. Too often, leaders get caught up in day-to-day firefighting without a clear roadmap for long-term growth. But the most resilient, transformative businesses are the ones that can step back, envision a brighter futu…
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This episode stresses the importance of designing your core mission and offering for scale upfront. Too often, entrepreneurs lose focus chasing shiny opportunities that dilute their message over time, killing growth potential. To scale efficiently, focus on four levers: 1) Do you love the daily work? Passion fuels excellence. 2) Are you unequivocal…
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E92 - The Art Of Feedback: Gold Or Disaster
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30:11
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30:11In this episode, learn best practices for delivering feedback that encourages growth rather than crushing motivation. Discover why establishing a two-way dialogue through active listening is key to gaining understanding and buy-in. Hear how keeping feedback specific with illustrative examples provides clarity on where to improve. Find out why balan…
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E91 - Why Micromanaging Is Highly Underrated
22:47
22:47
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22:47Why Micromanaging is Highly Underrated Many founders pride themselves on empowering teams by staying out of the weeds. But does letting go of responsibilities too quickly undermine your ability to guide a growing company? In this episode, we'll explore how transitioning from owner to CEO demands adapting your leadership style to meet new challenges…
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Gen Z is one of the biggest labor and talent pools available to business owners right now and… to be the company they want to work for, many business owners need to update their leadership practices and culture. Tune in to learn practical steps for cultivating a servant culture where people feel valued, engaged and able to contribute their best wor…
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E80 - What To Do As The CEO - And What NOT To...
31:38
31:38
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31:38Push your business to the next level through focused leadership development. As entrepreneurs, it's easy to get caught up in the day-to-day tasks and operational duties and lose sight of the bigger strategic picture. But to truly scale, we must replace ourselves in our current roles and start thinking - and working - at a higher level. In this epis…
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Here is an interesting hack: even if you team is not remote, building an intentional, remote culture is your key to excellence and freedom… We’ll talk about the secrets to building a self-sufficient team through clarity, accountability and connection from anywhere. Part of this is auditing your current cultural processes, communicating expectations…
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Team Of Excellence Or Culture Of Oversight And Control?
28:43
28:43
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28:43Tune in to learn how leaders can cultivate a self-managing, passion-driven team through the power of culture. Discover how implementing the right systems for clear goals, feedback and connection can unleash autonomy and accountability from anywhere. You'll also gain insights on hiring for fit with your mission from the start and incentivizing the b…
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E86 - Thinking Like A Winner: How To Stop Distractions From Derailing Your Day
24:22
24:22
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24:22Learn the mindset skills champions use to handle problems objectively, stay solution-focused, and refuse to let emotional hijacks sabotage their performance. And—this in not just on you, get your entire team to focus in this manner. Discover tactics like addressing issues efficiently, keeping perspective with your "why", and optimizing your state t…
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E85 - Get 20 Hours Back: Maximize Your Time, Live In Your Sweet Spot
22:24
22:24
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22:24Could you use 20 hours of your time back? Are You Working IN Your Business or ON It? Discover how optimizing your time through strategic scheduling, time blocking, delegation done right, and prioritizing focus over busy-ness can yield outsized returns. Learn techniques to reclaim up to 20 hours weekly for high-impact work. Want more? Watch this tra…
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E84 - Optimize Your Hiring Process For More Profits
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28:52
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28:52Is Your Hiring Fueling Growth or Becoming an Obstacle? Discover how clarifying each role's strategic impact, defining financial metrics, and structuring responsibilities around priority outcomes empowers top performance from day one. Tune in for strategies to maximize talent through aligned purpose and ignite sustainable momentum. Register here for…
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E83 - Are You Empowering Problem-Solvers or Co-Dependence?
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26:11
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26:11Discover how to optimize your team to become independent thinkers and problem-solvers. We'll explore practical strategies for fostering a culture of trust, transparency, and continuous learning. Tune in for strategies to unlock your team's full potential and build a resilient, agile organization that thrives on innovation and accountability. Want m…
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E82 - Red Flags For Bad Leadership (That Will Shut Your Business Down…)
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23:15
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23:15People don't leave companies, they leave leaders... Ever heard this before? In an environment where hiring is tough and retaining is even tougher, you can't afford any of these "faux pas'" because now this is the difference between thriving and not. Discover common pitfalls that signal a lack of care and focus and learn proven strategies for foster…
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E81 - Hiring Your 2nd In Command: Wins And Pitfalls
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22:44
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22:44When is it Time to Hire your 2nd in command? Learn strategies for defining this critical role and assessing your readiness to leverage your #2. Gain insights on finding the right cultural fit and setting them up for success through onboarding, goal setting and ongoing support. Tune in to unleash your company's full potential. For more detail go to …
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E80 - Master the Hiring Process - A Framework for Ensuring Every New Hire Produces More Profits
30:02
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30:02Discover a blueprint for structuring recruitment, onboarding and ongoing development so new hires seamlessly integrate into your high-performance culture. Learn tactics to efficiently train and support them through key performance milestones. Tune in to optimize your approach for true long-term retention and impact. Check out the replays for last w…
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E79 - Mastering The Hiring Process. Lessons Learned
29:47
29:47
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29:47Ever find yourself procrastinating on hiring because it's been a fiasco before? Discover why focusing on developing a sound hiring system is more important than any single hire. Gain insights on choosing the right candidates effectively through standardized practices. Listen to optimize your recruitment strategies for long-term growth. Not register…
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E78 - Realign Roles And Maximize The Machine For Revolutionary Output
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24:18
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24:18Wonder sometimes where all your resources go?? We'll talk about how optimizing team structures can supercharge your results. Discover a framework for evaluating, refining and realigning roles to focus efforts on high-impact initiatives. Listen now to pick up actionable tactics for motivating peak performance through strategic job design. Fore more …
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E77 - Future Focused Leadership: What’s Different In Q3
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33:29In our latest epidote, learn tangible strategies for Future-Focused Leadership-- get ready for Q3! I'll discuss how to balance quality and growth, attract top talent, persevere with passion, prioritize customers, and get your time back—all crucial for hitting Q3 goals. Discover optimized processes, focused recruiting, performance culture and more p…
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E76 - Why Most Businesses Don't Have Enough Sales
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26:15
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26:15Are you the only one focused on sales? Right there, you are leaving millions on the table Discover proven strategies to align your whole team to revenue, turn your culture around, and maximize results through daily rituals and teamwork. Learn how the top 1% use focused practices to move their teams into a whole new league where EVERYBODY focuses on…
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E75 - The 3 Keys to Unlocking YOUR New Level
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33:23
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33:23Getting in your way of your own growth? Learn the 3 vital keys for ANY business owner to get to the next level—no matter what industry, phase or size of business. It always starts with time and bandwidth, can’t get done without getting out of the weeds and more strategic and of course, you need the Quickstart steps to build your team of self-led ro…
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Always struggling for more leads and sales? There are some serious myths about the cause of this. Learn how to unleash hidden talents within your existing force to start closing more deals daily. Discover the simple yet powerful processes proven to optimize even unknown skills and light a fire under results. Tune in to get your sales team operating…
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E73 - More On Better Hiring, Retention And Setting Your Team Up To Deliver!
22:02
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22:02Tired of high turnover and plateaued growth? Learn how successful business owners develop talented teams from within using accountability, feedback and learning systems to unlock potential. Tune in to get the vital secrets for increasing retention, engagement and sparking exponential performance across your ranks.…
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E72 - Accountability Systems: From Chaos to Calm
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23:01Fed up with the daily rollercoaster of an unaccountable, chaotic business? Discover uncommon accountability tactics that can liberate you from overwhelm and upheaval for good. Learn how implementing structure like focus frames and growth planning can cultivate team performance you never knew you had within your ranks. JOIN NOW to find the calm in t…
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