SoTellUs Time

The Most Profitable Skill You're Ignoring: How Listening Can 10X Your Business Growth

What if the key to explosive growth, happier employees, and loyal clients wasn't another marketing tactic — but something much simpler? In this episode of SoTellUs Time, hosts Trevor and Troy Howard uncover one of the most underrated business superpowers of all time: listening. You'll discover how the world's most successful companies — from Microsoft to Starbucks, LEGO, Toyota, and Zappos — transformed their culture, customer loyalty, and profits by learning to truly hear what people were saying. This episode breaks down exactly how to apply those same listening strategies inside your business — to increase team morale, drive innovation, and attract lifelong customers. Whether you're a small business owner, team leader, or entrepreneur, these lessons will change how you communicate forever. ⏱️ Episode Breakdown: 00:00 - Intro: The most profitable skill you're overlooking 01:00 - Why listening is a business superpower 03:00 - How listening transformed Microsoft's culture 05:00 - The hidden goldmine: listening to your employees 09:00 - How Ritz-Carlton, Toyota & Southwest turned feedback into millions 13:00 - Listening to clients: the key to retention and referrals 17:00 - What Starbucks, Netflix & small businesses do differently 21:00 - Listening to data & reviews like LEGO and Spotify 23:00 - Turning what you hear into powerful action steps 25:00 - The challenge: practice deep listening this week 💡 Key Takeaways: Listening isn't passive — it's strategic awareness. Employees are your greatest innovation source when you actually hear them. Customers will tell you how to grow if you ask the right questions. Data is your silent advisor — it's speaking volumes about what matters most. True leaders turn what they hear into measurable action. 🚀 Featured Business Stories: Microsoft's "Learn-It-All" transformation under Satya Nadella Ritz-Carlton's $2,000 empowerment rule Toyota's "Kaizen" idea system Starbucks' crowd-sourced innovation platform LEGO's revival through fan feedback Zappos' customer-first culture 🎯 Who This Episode Is For: Business owners & entrepreneurs Managers & team leaders Customer service professionals Anyone who wants to build stronger teams, happier clients, and a smarter company 📢 Your Challenge: This week, listen deeply to one employee, one client, and one piece of feedback — then take action. The smartest leaders don't just talk… they listen. 👉 Watch more episodes of SoTellUs Time for powerful strategies that grow your business, improve your team, and skyrocket customer loyalty: 🎥 youtube.com/sotellus #BusinessGrowth #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #TeamBuilding #SoTellUsTime #CustomerExperience #EmployeeEngagement #ListeningSkills #SatyaNadella #MicrosoftCulture #Starbucks #LEGO #Toyota #Zappos #Netflix #Spotify #CustomerFeedback #BusinessPodcast #TrevorHoward #TroyHoward #SoTellUs #SmallBusinessTips #EntrepreneurMindset #BusinessLeadership #InnovationCulture #ClientRetention #CommunicationSkills #CompanyCulture #CustomerLoyalty #SoTellUsReviews

The Follow-Through Formula: How Successful Entrepreneurs Actually Finish What They Start (and Crush Procrastination)

How many brilliant ideas have you started but never finished? A new website, marketing campaign, or system that got 80% done — then lost steam? You're not alone. In this episode of SoTellUs Time, hosts Trevor and Troy Howard reveal the exact Follow-Through Formula successful entrepreneurs use to finish what they start, turn ideas into action, and get real business results. 🔥 You'll discover: ✅ Why most projects stall before the finish line ✅ The 5-step "Follow-Through Formula" to complete ANY project ✅ How to regain momentum when motivation fades ✅ The secret power of clarity, accountability, and celebration ✅ Real-world success stories of teams that went from stuck to scaling fast If you've ever felt like you're always "working on" something but rarely finishing — this episode will change that. You'll walk away with a repeatable system to turn your big ideas into completed, revenue-driving wins for your business. 💡 TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 – Introduction: Why so many great ideas go unfinished 02:00 – The #1 reason projects stall (and how to fix it fast) 05:00 – The Follow-Through Formula: 5 steps to finish strong 12:00 – Real-world success story: from stalled to scaling 14:00 – Wrap-up: Your challenge for the week 💬 QUOTE WORTH SHARING: "Motivation starts a project. Systems finish it." — Trevor Howard 🎥 WATCH NEXT: 👉 How to Spot Hidden Revenue Streams in Your Business 👉 The Business Owner's Guide to Managing Stress Like a Pro 👉 Why Every Business Needs an Emergency Plan (and How to Build One) 📲 FOLLOW & CONNECT: ✅ Subscribe for more business growth strategies: youtube.com/sotellus ✅ Learn how SoTellUs helps businesses get more reviews, referrals, and revenue: https://www.sotellus.com ✅ Follow us on Instagram & Facebook @SoTellUs #SoTellUsTime #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #Motivation #Productivity #FollowThrough #GoalSetting #Accountability #SuccessHabits #Mindset #Leadership #SmallBusiness #FinishStrong #Procrastination #BusinessTips #EntrepreneurLife #TrevorHoward #TroyHoward #SoTellUsPodcast #SelfImprovement #SystemsThatScale

Manage Stress Like a Pro: A Business Owner's Guide to Staying Calm, Focused & in Control

Running a business is tough — but burning out doesn't have to be part of the journey. In this powerful episode of SoTellUs Time, hosts Trevor and Troy Howard reveal how to manage stress like a pro — the same way top-performing entrepreneurs, CEOs, and elite leaders handle pressure without losing their sanity. 💥 You'll discover: ✅ Why business owners are more prone to chronic stress than most people ✅ The early warning signs of burnout that you can't afford to ignore ✅ 3 proven strategies to manage stress effectively (used by elite business owners!) ✅ How to stay calm and make clear decisions even when everything feels chaotic ✅ The mindset shift that separates overwhelmed entrepreneurs from unstoppable leaders From real-world examples like "Sarah's Bakery" to practical tools you can use immediately — this episode gives you the roadmap to protect your energy, focus, and peace of mind. Whether you're hustling to grow your startup, managing a busy service business, or leading a large team, these techniques will help you: 💪 Reclaim your time 💪 Improve your mental clarity 💪 Boost your business performance 💪 And enjoy the entrepreneurial journey again! 🎯 TIMESTAMPS 00:00 – Introduction: Why You Can't Pour From an Empty Cup 02:00 – Why Business Owners Are Especially Prone to Stress 05:00 – Recognizing the Warning Signs of Burnout 07:00 – Strategy #1: Control What You Can, Let Go of What You Can't 10:00 – Strategy #2: Build Recovery Into Your Schedule 13:00 – Strategy #3: Delegate & Automate for Freedom and Focus 17:00 – Final Takeaways & Challenge 🚀 WANT TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS FASTER? Visit 👉 https://www.sotellus.com and discover how SoTellUs helps you get more reviews, automate your marketing, and generate more sales — stress-free. 🎧 LISTEN TO MORE EPISODES: 🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@sotellus 🎙️ Spotify: https://spotify.com/sotellustime 🍎 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sotellustime 💬 CONNECT WITH US: 📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/sotellus 💼 Facebook: https://facebook.com/sotellus 🌐 Website: https://www.sotellus.com #SoTellUsTime #EntrepreneurMindset #BusinessOwnerTips #StressManagement #EntrepreneurLife #Leadership #BurnoutPrevention #BusinessGrowth #MentalHealth #WorkLifeBalance #SmallBusiness #Delegation #Automation #EntrepreneurWellness #SuccessHabits #MindsetMatters #Productivity #CEOHabits #StressRelief #EntrepreneurMotivation #TrevorHoward #TroyHoward

Disaster-Proof Your Business: Create an Emergency Plan to Save You from Total Shutdown

Most business owners think, "That'll never happen to me." But when disaster strikes — from data breaches to power outages, or even your top employee quitting overnight — the businesses that survive are the ones that prepared in advance. In this episode of SoTellUs Time, Trevor and Troy Howard break down why every business needs an emergency plan and give you the exact steps to build one that protects your people, profits, and peace of mind. 🚨 Here's what you'll learn in this episode: 00:00 – Intro: Why preparation is your greatest advantage 01:00 – Why most businesses skip creating an emergency plan (and the costly mindset behind it) 04:00 – The shocking cost of not being prepared (FEMA stat: 40% of businesses never reopen after a disaster!) 07:00 – What every business emergency plan should include: Communication, roles, backups, recovery 11:00 – How to build your plan in 5 simple, actionable steps 14:00 – Real-world example: How one café's lack of preparation cost them their business 17:00 – Call to Action: How to identify your top three business risks this week 💡 Key Takeaway: Emergencies are unpredictable — but your response doesn't have to be. With a solid plan, you can turn chaos into control and protect everything you've built. 🎯 In this episode, we cover: Emergency preparedness for small businesses Business continuity and disaster recovery plans How to handle a data breach or cyberattack Protecting your business from natural disasters Crisis communication strategies for your team and customers Backup systems, leadership roles, and recovery planning ✅ Action Step: Spend 30 minutes this week identifying your top 3 business risks and outline your first response steps. 💬 Join the conversation: Have you experienced a business emergency? Share your story below — it might help another business owner prepare! 👥 About SoTellUs Time: Welcome to SoTellUs Time — the podcast for entrepreneurs, small business owners, and go-getters who want to scale smarter, serve better, and stay ahead of the curve. Hosted by Trevor and Troy Howard, creators of SoTellUs, the world's only review platform that lets your customers leave video, audio, and written reviews instantly! 🎧 Watch more episodes → https://www.youtube.com/@sotellus 🚀 Learn how SoTellUs helps businesses get more reviews, referrals, and revenue → https://www.SoTellUs.com #EmergencyPlan #BusinessContinuity #SoTellUsTime #BusinessGrowth #Entrepreneurship #SmallBusinessTips #CrisisManagement #DisasterPreparedness #BusinessStrategy #Cybersecurity #Leadership #BusinessOwners #BusinessPodcast #EntrepreneurMindset #SoTellUs

Unlock Hidden Profits: 5 Secret Revenue Streams Every Business Is Missing

Most business owners are sitting on hidden profits they don't even know exist! 💎 In this episode of SoTellUs Time, Trevor and Troy Howard reveal how to spot and seize hidden revenue opportunities already inside your business — no new products, no massive investments, just smarter strategy. 🎯 Episode Goal: Help business owners uncover overlooked income streams, fix profit leaks, and make small tweaks that create big financial gains. 🚀 What You'll Learn in This Episode: 00:00 - Intro: The hidden gold inside your business 01:00 - Why Hidden Revenue Gets Overlooked 👉 Comfort zones, busyness, and lack of tracking are silent killers of profit. 💡 Example: A company discovered 30% of leads never got follow-ups! 04:00 - 5 Hidden Revenue Sources Most Businesses Miss 1️⃣ Unconverted Leads – Old calls, quotes, and emails = instant cash flow. 2️⃣ Upselling & Cross-Selling – Train your team to suggest smarter add-ons. 3️⃣ Pricing & Value Perception – Compete on experience, not discounts. 4️⃣ Recurring Revenue Opportunities – Create memberships or care plans. 5️⃣ Operational Inefficiencies – Trim waste, boost margins. 10:00 - How to Find Hidden Opportunities in YOUR Business 🔍 Audit your customer journey. 📊 Track conversions, repeat sales, and lead follow-ups. 💬 Ask your team what they see daily — they know where the gaps are! 13:00 - Turning Insight Into Action ✅ Start small: focus on one improvement this week. ✅ Measure, reinvest, repeat. 💬 "Hidden revenue isn't about working harder—it's about working smarter." 💡 Bonus Tip: Most businesses can uncover 5-10% more profit within 30 days by reactivating cold leads and refining pricing strategies. 📣 Join the Conversation: Comment below: 👉 What's one area of your business that might be hiding extra revenue? 🧠 Watch Next: 📺 How to Turn Competitors Copying You Into an Advantage 📺 The Secret to Getting 5-Star Reviews on Autopilot 💼 About SoTellUs Time: Hosted by Trevor and Troy Howard, founders of SoTellUs.com — the world's only verified video review platform — this podcast helps business owners grow smarter, scale faster, and dominate their markets using proven systems and automation. 👉 Subscribe for weekly business growth episodes: 🎧 youtube.com/@sotellus 👍 Like this video if it sparked new ideas for your business! 🔔 Hit the bell so you never miss a strategy that could boost your profits. #BusinessGrowth #Entrepreneurship #Revenue #SoTellUsTime #Profitability #BusinessStrategy #SmallBusinessTips #IncreaseSales #RecurringRevenue #TrevorHoward #TroyHoward #Automation #MarketingStrategy #SoTellUs