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Trailblazer - Igniting Business & Community

David McDonald & John Oliver

Showcasing how businesses and communities use tools that enable them to take steps to celebrate wins and help others win as they blaze the trail of success.

Join us as we learn together through discussions of new trends around businesses and bringing in guests that are walking the trails where business and community meet.

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  • 20 episodes
  • Updated Jun 27, 2021

Episodes20

Newest first
  • Jun 27, 2021 · 26 min

    eCommerce vs Social Selling

    eCommerce has become a big topic in business especially after the year we just had. However all eCommerce is not equal and in some cases it does not make sense. Social selling is another term that has run hand in hand with eCommerce but again not the same and not beneficial in all circumstances. Topic 1: What is eCommerce and how do you know it fits eCommerce is simply creating an online store to sell your products and services Not all eCommerce platforms are the same - cost, marketing services, build time and functionality Add shameless plug for how Mobileteer helps eCommerce clients Topic 2: What is social selling and how do you know it fits Social selling is creating brand awareness and building relationships with customers either in person or online. For our talk we will focus on the online side This is done using online content to appeal to your customers as well as appealing to social changes that may be happening that could bring more sales to your company

  • Jun 8, 2021 · 16 min

    Is your business a wealth asset or just income generation?

    Sub-topic 1 - How to look at your business within your overall wealth (1 stock/Asset?) It’s generally ok if your business is your only asset driver, Dave have you ever looked at it like that. Sub topic 2 - With great risk comes great reward. This is why entrepreneurs exist right? How do we get by if this is our only asset? Loans, (leverage), partnerships (Advisors) Hedge (Side hustles) People (Hiring great people Conclusion- What does this actually mean, why does this matter, what can we do? You need to think about the risk and diversify just like any other asset class What are the risks, what happens when these risks come along? Business performance risk, systemic risk, cycle risk What should your other assets look like? Liquidity, diversification (different drivers), non correlation, Risk adjusted (Insurance?)

  • Mar 10, 2021 · 27 min

    Importance of Chambers and Chamber Membership

    Today is all about Chambers of Commerce, an important network in your community and to your business. As we speak with our guest we are going to look at a few topics and get first hand experience. Today we would like to welcome Janelle Best, Director of the Howell Chamber of Commerce to the Trailblazer show. Welcome Janelle Topic 1: What does a Chamber do for the community? Topic 2: Importance of Chamber membership? What do you say to members that feel they are not getting what they want from a membership Topic 3: What are some of the specific areas of a Chamber should a business owner look at to advance just being a member in the directory?

  • Feb 22, 2021 · 38 min

    Are you meeting your customers needs

    Are you meeting your customer’s needs? Whether you are in the service, retail or restaurant industries, your customers' needs are whey they come to do business with you especially as we re-engage. Do you know your customer’s needs and have you asked? If not you would be amazed at the pointers or suggestions your regular customers can provide that could really boost your business and profit. Topic 1: Products and services Are there new products or services you should/could offer Are there products that need to be updated ( like we talked about last episode out with the old and in with the new) Update your services and products...please! Topic 2: Purchasing and loyalty options Purchasing - In store, online, social media Loyalty - should you or should you not Digital or traditional Topic 3: After sales support or follow up Thank you emails After for referrals or social media comments Save contact info for renewable orders

  • Feb 14, 2021 · 40 min

    Out with the old In with the New

    What areas of your business are you holding onto the old ways and need to get with the new way of doing business? Topic 1: Is it your old way of planning your business budget Old - Ledgers, monthly to month planning, only using CPA’s New - Digital tools like Quickbooks, full financial team, looking at the full year planning while having quarterly alternatives ready Team- their tools! Wave, digital tracking software Topic 2: Is it growth strategies Old - Mailers, focus on gaining new customers only, basic websites New - Social media, videos, online shopping, digital loyalty, focus on existing customers shopping experience Topic 3: Is it connecting Old - connecting with customers and staff New - community, network organizations, local non-profits Digital, video meeting, recorded video Project mgt software

  • Feb 1, 2021 · 38 min

    Is Multiple Streams of Income Right for You? With Guest Carl Gunderson

    Question/Topic 1: So a little bit of a no brainer question but why is having multiple - streams of income important now compared to 5 or `10 years ago? Question/Topic 2: If someone is looking at getting into multiple streams of income whether they are existing business owners or are looking at this to get into business, what are 3 things they should be looking for to give them the best foundation for success? Question/Topic 3: Carl, as we know you work and network with a lot of business owners, can you share with our listeners why business owners who are already growing their business should also consider multiple streams of income? Question/Topic 4: Ok Carl so we have covered the importance of multiple income streams, why current business owners should look into it. Now what are the advantages aside from the obvious of money still coming in why business owners that are transitioning into retirement or needing to change their career path should look at multiple streams of income? Use skills there a team environment that I can still make it work

  • Jan 27, 2021 · 36 min

    Let’s get real - if you are not using digital you are missing out

    As we get into this, we are going to break down 3 key digital technologies you can implement easily and we are going to focus on the retail/restaurant and service businesses. Topic 1: Digital communications. Social media - posts vs. live Chat Bot Text messages Email Topic 2: E-Commerce / Fast purchases E-commerce Upgrade POS/Credit card systems Tablet ordering webinars Topic 3: Internal digital Inventory database CRM Connectivity between all devices - desktop to mobile

  • Jan 20, 2021 · 38 min

    New Year - Not the same you or your business

    So let’s get you excited about what 2021 can hold for you with a question: What are you going to do to make 2021 the best year yet for you and your business? Topic 1 - Excited about new features/program Is it eCommerce - if not it should be Online tools like website upgrade (no not social media but we will get to that) Is it keeping carryout or curbside a forever option innovations… big Topic 2: Working on your business Staff and new leadership Coaches/Mentors or planning team

  • Dec 28, 2020 · 23 min

    Passion for Revisited

    Passion is one of the leading characteristics needed to run the race of a successful business. That is why we wanted to talk another look at this topic and share some insights different from the episode on passion a few weeks ago.

  • Dec 28, 2020 · 39 min

    2020 year end - let's look back to launch forward

    This week we are going to take a look back on some things that made 2020 very interesting that can help propel your business forward as we run (hopefully) into 2021 and highlight some of the past episodes that are great to listen to again along with some fan favorites. Fan favorites and really great topics on ways to help grow your business include Ep 4 - Referral marketing/networking Ep 2 - Marketing in a new marketplace Ep 8 - Interview with Clark on business and community Ep 7 - Connecting with your DDA and Main Street Organizations with Special Guest Kate Litwin Ep 28 - Selling should be a part of your business everyday Ep 27 - Why the "Why" you started your business is so important Business challenges in 2020 that lead to changes that are not going away Use of community partnerships Keeping your team passionate about the goals eCommerce/Social media and technology Importance of having a team and business coaching

  • Dec 28, 2020 · 23 min

    Holidays - Good for Business?

    Questions to ponder: Holiday boost or bust Is the last month of the year important to you How can we focus on the essentials during busy holiday season Topic 1: How to make the holidays and year end a boost not a bust Topic 2: Use the last month of the year to springboard into the new year Topic 3: Focus on the essentials, distractions galore

  • Nov 17, 2020 · 27 min

    Passion for Life and Business

    Some questions that you are having right now as we get started, maybe its: I have passion for what I am doing but I don't know how to share it Does my passion really relate to the profit or growth of my business Yeah I lost of fire now what Topic 1: Sharing your passion Your passion for what you do and bring to the community needs to be shared with both staff and your customers Your passion should not only come out when you are helping your customers but also in your marketing Topic 2: Passion and Profit It is easy to have passion for what you are doing when you are doing great and making that money However if you passion wanes then sadly so does your profit - this does not mean you need to be the slap happy smiley person all the time Topic 3: Let’s get the passion back Take a step back and recharge If you shared your passion with staff or customers - ask them why are they are excited about your business which is always a great reminder for you Get a team around you to remind you how awesome you are

  • Nov 4, 2020 · 30 min

    Business Train of Net Profit, Business Valuation & Capital

    Why is net profit so important and what can it be used for aside from paying taxes What is your business valuation, including pre-money, post-money and net profit effect Capital - you want it, need it, how to get it and does net profit help Topic 1: Net Profit Gross Revenue minus operating expenses before taxes How to make the most of your revenue to make sure you are getting the net profit you worked so hard to gain Make sure your net profit is not eaten up by other things like taxes Topic 2: Business Valuation Pre-money Post-Money Net profit effect on valuation Topic 3: Capital When to raise and how General uses Using net profit as capital to continue your growth

  • Nov 4, 2020 · 34 min

    Profit - Get Some!

    What is profit? This is not a duh moment What are some things we can do to maximize profit? What should we be doing once we have profit? Topic 1: What makes up profit Profit is not just the difference between but you bought and sold something for Why is profit so important Topic 2: How to maximize business to reach profit Deals with vendors and service providers Mix of products/services offered to make profit Marketing - Deal or no deal Topic 3: You have profit, yah now what So sadly a lot of new founders or businesses still in the weird startup/early growth space take profit and just put it back in the business Pay yourself Fund other programs to enhance your business - We are talking new advancements not operations

  • Oct 29, 2020 · 31 min

    What does more revenue mean to you, multiples?

    Is your business producing revenue? Notice we didn’t say profit What would it do you need to focus on to get, grow or boost your revenue This may be weird for some of you, does your business or have you thought about multiple lines of revenue? Topic 1: Producing revenue Revenue growth path from startup to success Foundation to turn revenue into profit Topic 2: Revenue focus Focus - is it just to make money or grow a successful business Ways to grow or boost revenue Topic 3: Multiple lines the answer to your revenue Multiple products/services Multiple locations Multiple ways to make money

  • Oct 14, 2020 · 29 min

    2020 Success or a bust, you decide

    Questions we want to throw out there: Its 4th quarter and the holidays are coming - are you ready? What new things have you put into action or are thinking about and just not put into play yet? Are you ready for 2021? If not its a coming whether you are or not. Topic 1: What are your plans for the 4th quarter and holidays Partnering with community partners Events at your business Topic 2: New things you are doing, or you adapted to this Spring that will stick Did you update your online or eCommerce abilities Did you offer new services like curbside or delivery Did you launch new products or services Topic 3: Are you ready for 2021 It is time to plan for how you are going to ramp up after the holidays What are you hoping for in 2021 and what are you doing to make it happen

  • Oct 6, 2020 · 29 min

    Selling should be a part of your business everyday

    What we want to share today is the “Selling” in your business goes far beyond selling a product or service and should never be in the arena of “I hate selling or being sold to”. Here a few questions to get us started in the fun world of selling as an everyday function of your business. Are you selling your why daily? Are you selling your products/services or are you helping make your customers lives better? Are you positioned for sales opportunities including ultimately selling your business? Topic 1 - Selling your “Why” Are you selling your “Why” to yourself every morning to get you ready for the day Selling your “Why” is also sharing your why to staff and customers alike Shout your “Why” throughout your community Topic 2: Sales should be helping your customers not just making the “sale” So you think you can sell - get ready for a whole lot of “NO” Learn the needs of customers (kind of a no brainer) but take it one step farther and discover their why for coming in today Upselling is not a bad word - get over it and your customers will thank you Topic 3: Be open to sales opportunities including the selling of your business Take calls and appointments from people selling you things that could help your business Be open to evolving your business to increase sales Always be in a position to sell your business if the right time and offer comes along

  • Sep 22, 2020 · 31 min

    Why the "Why" you started your business is so important

    Last episode we talked about your why in Why the hell are you in business in the first place. So in keeping with our goal to get our listeners thinking, we again have three questions for you. Do you believe your why? Does your why tell in your story? Does anyone care about your why?