Stories Behind the Grind

#80 Key Strategic Questions Every Business Owners Should Ask with Karan Anand

On this episode of Stories Behind the Grind, listen to my conversation with Karan, director of Monitor Deloitte. We discuss the 5 key strategic questions every business owners should ask, how to approach problem solving and finding the core problem and how to develop your own strategic thinking.   Also discover:   How Karan's deeper understanding of identity led him to strategy consulting The impact of Karan's work in the community The story they (YSPN) want to tell in Australia and the legacy they want to leave behind The crossover between what Karan has done in his network to their own business Fundamentals of Deloitte's approach to strategy Karan's way of consulting with clients Strategic cascade of choices What winning aspiration is Where you would play How you will win The distinctive capabilities for you to win What management systems are On strategy being a tool for problem-solving and choice making Importance of employee engagement, employee morale, and better outcomes How business owners should approach strategy and strategic thinking in their business using the 5 strategic questions The thing you said you are going to do versus the thing you are actually doing Breaking down problems Challenges Karan's clients have to overcome when undergoing the problem-solving process What business owners can do to start their own strategic thinking     Links: Young Sikh Professionals Network - https://www.yspn.org.au/ Monitor Deloitte - https://www2.deloitte.com/in/en/pages/strategy-operations/monitor-deloitte/topic/monitor-deloitte.html Playing to Win by A.G. Lafley and Roger Martin - https://www.amazon.com/Playing-Win-Strategy-Really-Works-ebook/dp/B00AJVJ1HI HBR's 10 Must Reads on Strategy - https://www.amazon.com/HBRs-10-Must-Reads-Strategy/dp/1511367075 Competitive Strategy by Michael Porter - https://www.amazon.com/Competitive-Strategy-Techniques-Industries-Competitors-ebook/dp/B001CB34J0   Karan on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/karanviranand/

#79 The role of sales in how buyers make decisions with Darcy Smyth

On this episode of Stories Behind the Grind, you'll hear from Darcy Smyth, co-director of Why Bravo and the Sales Game. Learn how Sales has changed over the last 30 years, how your buyers make decisions and what role "Play" has in Business.   Topics How Darcy got into psychology What prompted Darcy to combine psychology and sales Using selling to solve someone elses problem Sales as a service How the world of sales has evolved over the last 5 years Adapting to the ability to sell socially How social media changed the way we market and sell The shift in businesses brought about by COVID-19 Taking the sales game from an in-person event to a virtual environment The Role of play in business Key factors that influence how buyers make their decisions How business can best position themselves in the digital environment Darcy's definition of the grind   Links: The Sales Game - https://www.sales.game/

#78 The Three Key Advertising Cycles and How To Stay Front of Mind with Kim Barrett

On this episode of Stories Behind the Grind, you'll hear from a Facebook marketer and best selling author Kim Barrett who is the CEO of Your Social Voice and has helped business grow to 7 figures.   We discuss where the opportunities are in the marketing world right now, the 3 key advertising cycles and which to focus on first and how not to fall into this common marketing mistake.   Also discover   How an interest in tropical fish catapulted Kim into the world of Marketing Common mistakes when advertising on Facebook The NOC method to putting together an effective Facebook ad. How to spot opportunities in uncertainty  How to stay fresh in people's minds How businesses can stand out in Facebook and make their presence known The three advertising cycles to generate a positive ROI for your business Future developments in Facebook Challenges Kim faced while growing his business   Links: Kim on LinkedIn - https://au.linkedin.com/in/realkimbarrett Kim on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/realkimbarrett/ Your Social Voice - https://www.yoursocialvoice.com.au/

#77 Breaking Through in the Social Media World with Mireille Ryan

On this episode of Stories Behind the Grind, you'll hear from Social Media marketing expert Mireille who is the CEO of the Social Media Marketing Institue.   We discuss how to break through to you ideal audience, how to resonate with your followers and what the future of Social Media looks like.   Also learn   How Mireille grew her fitness business internationally with social media How Mireille transitioned from fitness to social media marketing  Leveraging your ability to talk to your ideal audience through social media marketing Building your network through social media and understanding your demographic and its characteristics Mireille's recommendation when tackling two different demographics in your business Boosting your social media audience engagement The future of social media How to build relationship with your audience Importance of stories in your marketing messages Mireille's definition of the Grind.   Links:   Social Media Marketing Institute - smminstitute.com.au Mireille on LinkedIn - https://au.linkedin.com/in/mireilleryan Mireille on Twitter - https://twitter.com/mireilleryan?lang=en Be sure to follow me on Instagram @aidanvoc Subscribe to the podcast on Apple, or anywhere else you listen to your podcasts. You can find this episode plus all the previous episode here. If you haven't already, please rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts!

#76 How to Effectively Manage Accelerating Change in Your Business with Don Mackenzie

On this episode of stories behind the grind, listen to my conversation with Don Mackenzie, managing director of Adizes. You'll learn how to effectively manage accelerating change in your business, the 4 key working styles that every business needs to harness and how to build mutual trust and respect     How Don's entrepreneurial journey began Lessons Don learned and carried through in his career How to achieve your vision, mission and implement strategy When to restructuring where you are at versus realigning yourself to where the future is Key characteristics of a business with high mutual trust and respect How to manage the change loop in a business Reacting to an accelerating change in your environment The Four different styles in Business and how they interact Constructive versus destructive conflict Why people should be last   Links: Don on LinkedIn - https://au.linkedin.com/in/domckenzie Adizes Australia - https://adizes.com.au/