Making Waves at C-Level: Business Tips for Executives, Leaders, and Entrepreneurs

Growing your career is one thing, but keeping it going is something else. The guest on episode 687 knows how to not only “Raise Your Game”… but how to “Sustain Your Game”. Alan Stein Jr is a speaker, author, and performance expert who has a lot of great advice on how to succeed as an individual and a team.

Alan Stein Jr is the hardest working person in the speaking business. He began his keynote career five years ago, and is now one of the busiest speakers in the United States. He has a great attitude and a work ethic that is hard to beat. 

About Alan Stein Jr.

Alan Stein, Jr. is an experienced keynote speaker and author. At his core, he’s a performance coach with a passion for helping others change behaviors. He spent 15+ years working with the highest performing basketball players on the planet (including NBA superstars Kevin Durant, Steph Curry, and Kobe Bryant). Through his customized programs, he transfers his unique expertise to maximize both individual and organizational performance.

Alan is a dynamic storyteller who delivers practical, actionable lessons that can be implemented immediately. He teaches proven principles on how to utilize the same approaches in business that elite athletes use to perform at a world-class level.

His previous clients include American Express, Pepsi, Sabra, Starbucks, Charles Schwab, and Penn State Football, and many more.

The strategies from Alan’s book, Raise Your Game: High Performance Secrets from the Best of the Best, are implemented by both corporate and sports teams around world.

https://thomsinger.com/podcast/sustain-your-game

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Episode 686 we talk about thriving in business over the long run. The guest, Dave Yoho, started his business in 1962 and has run the daily operations as president every day for nearly 60 years. He is now 93 years old and is still learning, growing, and making decisions to expand his business. 

We talk about how the word of business has changed, and how it has stayed the same. People still struggle with sales, marketing, training, hiring, business plans, replicable models, etc…  Dave Yoho is dedicated to understanding the needs of others and how to convey messages which will benefit his clients, readers, and audience members in finding solutions to problems.

His secret to success and longevity? Energy, Persuasion, Optimism, and Discipline.  

Thom closes the interview by pointing out that many people look to the 22 years old entrepreneur for advice, when looking to someone with nearly 7 decades in business might be a better way to find a path to long-term success. 

About Dave Yoho

Founded a company at age 28, which eventually operated with 22 branches in 13 states and in the early 1970’s had a volume of $60 million.

His ideas and counseling have brought success to thousands. Dave Yoho’s experience representing Fortune 500 companies as well as entrepreneurs gives him a rich history of profit improvements, turn-arounds and in-depth problem solving.

He is the President of the oldest, largest and most successful consulting company representing small businesses.

He has appeared in over 100 training videos. He is the author of the best-selling book: Have a Great Year Every Year (Oakhill Press). His company developed the sales methods which are used by the most successful people in the in home sales industry.

Major Accomplishments:

Developed: The step selling system (originally “Six Sales to a Sale”).

Created: The most effective system for hiring and training salespeople.

Introduced: The total offer concept – “Post-negative” suggestion – The acceptance/rejection close – The preferred customer discount – Audio/video training systems for every level of the industry – How to run a more profitable business – Customer satisfaction selling.

Presents: High energy, motivational training seminars (over 5,000 paid presentations).

Researched: For over 17 years, the concept of communication then developed and introduced Power Linguistics™ (a complete study course).

Provides: Advice and direction for public and private corporations.

https://thomsinger.com/podcast/dave-yoho

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 685 is a conversation about company culture. In starting your company, growing your company, or managing the move to a virtual workplace, the culture is key to success. The guest on this show, Rich Walker, has been obsessed with culture even before he started his company. 

In this interview he shares 4 key tips to the culture of his organization:

1. We must design software so easy to use that it does not need a users guide.

2. We must provide outstanding customer service.

3. We love what we do and we hire people to roles they want and love.

4. We do what we say we are going to do. 

About Richard Walker

Richard Walker is the CEO and co-founder of Quik!.

Having started 10 companies since age 12, published 2 books, and father to three boys, Richard empowers people to do their best work. Prior to starting Quik!, Richard was a financial advisor with Financial Network and a business consultant with Arthur Andersen. He started Quik! in 2002 to help people spend less time on paperwork and more time on what they do best.

About Quik!

Quik! is the industry leader in enterprise forms automation service and provides an extensive library of fillable forms. Quik! eliminates handwriting on forms which translates to fewer errors and faster processing for paper-driven transactions. As an

added benefit, Quik! saves a tree every hour of every day.

For more… Visit www.quikforms.com or find Richard on LinkedIn to get a free copy of his book, “It’s My Life! I Can Have The Job I Want”.

Connect – http://richarddwalker.com/

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/quikformsceo/

Twitter – https://twitter.com/quikformsceo

Https://thomsinger.com/podcast/richard-walker

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In episode 684 Thom Singer talks with tech sales superstar Chris Bussing about how to “Get The Meeting”. Sales is a great career, but before you can get to closing the big sales and collecting the commission, you have to get the meeting with the prospect. Throughout his sales career, Chris Bussing has been applauded for his talents in getting past the voicemail, reaching prospects, and getting the meetings.  

In this interview Chris Bussing shares his five tips and the “TRUMP CARD” of how to get meetings. When working in a sales career, lead generation is just the first step. It is convincing that lead to talk to the sales professional / business development executive. Figuring out the right mindset and understanding ways to objection handling is key to a successful sales career.  

Chris Bussing says:

Nothing is better than a warm lead (this is the “Trump Card” key to getting appointments). But if you do not have an introduction from a mutual connection, the 5 tips are:

1. Relate like a rock start

2. Channel your inner “hostage negotiator”

3. Give to get / the law of reciprocity

4. Throw in special sauce – be different and be human

5. Always be closing – make the ask

About Chris Bussing

One Saturday morning during his senior year at Georgetown University, Chris Bussing stumbled into a career fair where he shook hands with a recruiter from Oracle. What he didn’t realize at the time was that that fateful handshake would shake up his future in the best of ways. 

That summer he began a career in software sales, and after being promoted at Oracle within a year, he took a leap from Boston to Austin to work for Google. At Google he fast tracked his way to Field Sales at 26 as one of the youngest In the position and, most recently, he joined an international startup as one of the founding sales Execs where is helping grow their US business and take them public. 

During his 6 years in sales, Chris Bussing has discovered it to be a transformative career that can create financial freedom and foster both skills and a network that are priceless assets that can be taken with you for the rest of your life.

Chris is committed to helping more people access the opportunities that a successful career in tech sales brings with it, and on a deeper level, unlock the potential they don’t know is within themselves to reach new heights and find their unique flavor of fulfillment.

https://www.ThomSinger.com/podcast/chris-bussing

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 683 is a conversations with Bob Pike. Bob helps people unlock learning and unleash performance. People are told to learn, but not taught to learn. He spent his long career showing others the power of learning. He built a multi-million dollar training and consulting company that he sold (but that does not mean he retired! He is still actively teaching and motivating others).

Starting as a pastor her joined a training company, and then another training company, before realizing he could not earn everything he wanted if other people were calling the shots. He has learned along the way to invest in himself and others in good times and bad. And even though he has had some situations where others took advantage of him in business, he never stopped. He actively decided to make everything a lesson and recommit to growth.  

Some key points in this interview:

1. Invest in people

2. learn from every situation

3. take risks

4. Break goals down into smaller ones and let everyone contribute

5. Work with Passion

6. show people how you can help them

7. Do not let a “no” stop you

About Bob Pike

Bob is known as the “Trainer’s Trainer”. He has written more than 35 books on training and performance and designed more than 600 training programs of a day or longer. He has keynoted, trained, and consulted in more than 25 countries. More than 150,000 trainers on 5 continents have graduated from his multiple day train the trainer programs. He was chief designer of the Leadership Encounter with Jesus. He has received the Instructional Systems Association’s Thought Leader Award, LLJ’s Devine Servant Award and in 2021 received the Association for Talent Development’s (formerly ASTD) Lifetime Achievement Award.

Sr. VP – Master Education Industries – 1969-1973, VP – Personal Dynamics Institute – 1973-1980, Chairman/CEO, The Bob Pike Group – 1980-2013,Chairman Emeritus/Founder The Bob Pike Group 2013-2015 Founder/Editor, The Creative Training Techniques newsletter (now the Training and Performance Forum- 1987 – present

Chairman of the Executive Board – Lead Like Jesus – 2004 – 2010, member of the National Board – Lead Like Jesus – 2002 -present

https://thomsinger.com/podcast/bob-pike

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For episode 682, Thom Singer sits down with Mark Victor Hansen to talk about how when you “A.S.K. you G.E.T.”. This is a motivational interview that will challenge you to think bigger.  

About Mark Victor Hansen

Mark Victor Hansen is best known as the co-author for the Chicken Soup for the Soul book series and brand, setting world records in book sales, with over 500 million books sold. Mark also worked his way into a worldwide spotlight as a sought-after keynote speaker, and entrepreneurial marketing maven, creating a stream of successful people who have created massive success for themselves through Mark’s unique teachings and wisdom. With his endearing charismatic style, Mark captures his audience’s attention as well as their hearts. Having spoken to over 6,000 audiences world-wide with his one-of-a-kind technique and masterful authority of his work, time and again he continues to receive high accolades from his audiences as one of the most dynamic and compelling speakers and leaders of our time.

He is also a prolific writer with 307 books authored or co-authored. Many popular books such as the Power of Focus, The Aladdin Factor, Dare to Win, One Minute Millionaire which has inspired and helped thousands of people the world over to become millionaires. Mark has also made a profound influence through his extensive library of audio programs, video programs and enriching articles in the areas of self-development, life mastery, leadership, exponential business growth, big thinking, sales achievement, and publishing success. His knowledge is a culmination of 44 years of cross-disciplinary research, international travel, media and consultations.

Mark’s has appeared on Oprah, CNN and The Today Show), and in national print media including TIME, US News & World Report, USA Today, The New York Times and Entrepreneur, Success as well as being featured on countless radio and newspaper interviews as he assures people everywhere that “with the right principles and mentors, you can easily create the life of your dreams.” 

https://www.thomsinger.com/podcast/mark-victor-hansen

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In episode 680 of the “Making Waves at C-Level” podcast, we meet Jill Raff. She is an expert on employee experience and in this interview she shares how to be an employer of choice via how you treat you people. When you build the right culture inside your company, you positively impact the bottom line.  

About Jill Raff

Jill Raff is the globally recognized expert, amongst the Top 150 Global Customer Experience Thought Leaders and Influencers, who works with executive leadership who recognizes the paradigm shift; the non-negotiable creation of a more humanized work culture prioritizing their internal customers, their employees. 

Through speaking, consulting, courses, and workshops, Jill helps clients, such as McDonald’s and Coca-Cola, that acknowledge their people are their greatest asset, and need help creating systems and procedures to develop the collaborative culture which exhibits this core value.

Work with Jill to become the Employer of Choice and gain employee and customer lifetime value through her methodology connecting the employee experience (EX) to the customer experience (CX)- EX2CX™. She works with organizations co-creating a human-centered workplace of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. Regardless of industry, it will be evident that your “people bottom line” will get you to your financial bottom-line goals, and beyond. 

While many professionals talk about customer experience – Jill Raff has lived it from day one. Jill grew up working with her parents, owner/operators of one of the first McDonald’s franchises, store #150. Her customer service philosophy originated from observing her parent’s work and interactions with legendary founder, Ray Kroc. EX and CX are in Jill’s DNA.

Based on her diverse background working in multiple industries – and living in 7 countries – Jill developed her Inside-Out Framework™, described as “where McDonald’s and Michelin meet.”

Partner with Jill to turn employees into brand ambassadors and customers into raving fans. Her client’s find benefits in Transforming Transactions Into Interactions™, leadership potential, employee engagement, strong communication and emotional intelligence producing a strong ROI. Avoid the great resignation. Establish a genuine Connection-Culture throughout your Employee Journey. 

Create 5-star customer experiences through EX2CX™ — Jill’s unique strategy that Turns Your Employees Into Advocates and Customer Magnets.

https://thomsinger.com/podcast/jill-raff

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this interview, Kymberli Speight sits down and shares her definition of networking and why business relationships matter.  

About Kymberli Speight

Kymberli Speight believes in enhancing your personal brand to reach your target audience. She is an author, professional speaker and executive coach. She wrote the book I Need To Know You: How to Meet Ordinary Extraordinary People and Improve Your Life where she chronicles her journey meeting 100 people in 100 days—their stories—and what she learned along the way.

Kymberli knows people do business with, promote, and hire people they know, like, and trust, but first you must become known. She also believes that people’s stories play a powerful role in changing the lives of others. Everyone, not just celebrities, has a story worth being told. She regularly speaks to audiences about networking and improving your personal brand.

“Kymberli is an excellent presenter, and brought the material to life even in a virtual setting. Kymberli brought an interesting approach to relationship building to our Employee Resource Groups during our annual event. She connects well with her audience, shares stories and examples, and provides excellent expertise.” – Reggie Willis

She is certified at the master’s level with the Reach personal branding process and holds additional certifications in executive coaching, career coaching, Conversational Intelligence, and several others. Kymberli is currently serving as the President of NSAAustin.

Her claim to fame is that she once spent $954M. Early in her career, as an active duty Air Force officer, she was the buyer for 36 McDonald Douglas F-15E fighter jets.

Kymberli is married to a retired Air Force colonel and has two adult sons. She is a graduate of the United States Air Force Academy and considers it a privilege to have served in the Air Force for 5 years active duty and 6 years in the reserves. Kymberli is passionate about giving back to the various communities she comes from.

About The Book: “I Need To Know You”

Wanting to improve your organization’s work relationships? Build stronger business partnerships? Or perhaps gain and develop new customer relationships Do you need to find your new tribe or desire a more connected community? Meet ordinary, extraordinary people and improve your life.

Whether for business or personal reasons, after reading I Need To Know You, you will walk away with the necessary tools to make more meaningful connections and then deepen those relationships.

https://thomsinger.com/podcast/kymberli-speight

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In episode 679 Cheryl Jones joins the conversation on “Making Waves at C-Level” to talk about MINDSET. She helps people change what they do so that they can reach their dreams. People often get stuck in their minds, and Chery is an expert in helping people see how their thoughts are misleading them.

About Cheryl Jones

Cheryl C Jones is a speaker, author, and mindset transformation coach. She works with successful women who secretly struggle with impostor syndrome, self-sabotage, or over-worry and are ready to make BIG changes in their lives.

When she speaks, she delivers informative and interactive presentations that immediately transform minds and behavior. When she coaches, she identifies and clears the thoughts and beliefs that have limited her client’s ability to accomplish her goals – freeing her to soar to greater heights.

Cheryl has over 25 years of experience influencing the way individuals think to be more positive and proactive. She has shaped the thinking of those in the medical, hospitality, sports, funeral homes, and sales industries. Before owning her coaching and speaking firm, she spent ten years in the hospitality industry working for several major hotel chains and a marine theme park.

In 2019, she authored the book Emotional Self Mastery, The Best Book on Regaining Personal Power, Self-Confidence and Peace, and the book’s 90-day Companion Journal by the same name. She is a Past President of NSA – Austin (National Speakers Association) and a Past President of ATD (Association for Talent Development). Cheryl has been married for over three decades and has two adult sons. She loves to grow vegetables, sip French Champagne, hug her dog – Milo.

https://thomsinger.com/podcast/cheryl-jones

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of “Making Waves at C-Level” we hear from Rick Lozano, the author of Acoustic Leadership. He shares his person journey and how when he added his passion for music into his business, it all came together. Be sure to listen to the whole interview, as the parody song about how people send annoying LinkedIn connection requests is unique and fun.

About Rick Lozano

Rick Lozano, CSP, helps people unlock potential and amplify their talent, and he does it all with his unique blend of energy, expertise, and a musician’s soul.

With twenty years of experience in award-winning talent and leadership development programs, Rick brings his unique approach to audiences across the globe, combining his expertise as a world-class speaker with his talents as a singer/songwriter and musician.

He is the author of Acoustic Leadership – Develop A Leadership Culture That Resonates and the owner of Unlock & Amplify®. He has built a reputation for his refreshing delivery that leaves audiences raving and – more importantly – with action items they can immediately implement to produce change.

He has served on the program advisory committees for the Association of Talent Development (ATD) three times and is currently the President-Elect of the Austin Chapter of the National Speakers Association (NSA). He and his wife, Angela, are both avid hikers and scuba divers and live in San Antonio with two cats and two kids.

For more information, visit ricklozano.com or his Linktree

https://linktr.ee/ricklozano

About the Book- Acoustic Leadership: Develop A Leadership Culture That Resonates

In this uber-connected, global, and dynamic world, your organization needs leaders who help people do their best work. And the traditional approaches to leadership – and who is a leader – are sorely in need of updating.  

In Acoustic Leadership, Rick Lozano uses the emotional power of music along with engaging storytelling, forward-thinking examples, and his unique voice and musician’s soul to connect us to leadership in a new way. 

The result? A thoroughly relevant, insightful, and FUN book on leadership and business that you’ll actually enjoy reading.

Time to unlock and develop the leadership potential that is all around us – and within us.

https://thomsinger.com/podcast/rick-lozano

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices