Like Nobody's Business show

Like Nobody's Business

Summary: Business Success Coach and Strategic Planning Consultant, Lalita Amos, of Total Team Solutions, LLC, discusses key issues for the success of small businesses. Her show features thoughtful interviews, breaking news and how-to's to keep you at the top of your game. True to her coach's calling, she serves up the real deal in business straight -- no chaser.

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  • Artist: Lalita L. Amos
  • Copyright: (c) 2006 Total Team Solutions, LLC || Music courtesy of RoyaltyFreeMusic.com

Podcasts:

 LNB #038: When the #%$! Hits the Fan (Disaster Preparedness) | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 00:20:18

Do you have a disaster plan? Given that we in the Northern Hemisphere are just entering hurricane and tornado season, we would do well to know what to do. Write a brief (you know how much I love working from one page) plan, including medical other disasters, give it to a trusted party and then practice. However, there are those disasters that are entirely personal, like a very sick parent, partner or child. Do you know how to keep your business running or will your business run out of gas? ------------ For more info: Question Line: 214 615 6505, pin #3895 Comment Line: 214 615 6505, pin #3386 www.totalteamsolutions.com/podcast/podcasting.htm totalteam.blogspot.com

 LNB #037: Messy, the New Neat? (organization & productivity) | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 00:17:17

Neatness is overrated. More relevant are questions of productivity and effectiveness rather than how pristine your office space is. CONSIDERATIONS: Are you a serial (single thought processes) or a parallel (multiple trains of thought) thinker? Do you have separate private thinking spaces (which you can keep in whatever way works for you) and public meeting spaces (which you can keep in pristine condition for meetings with prospects or clients)? RESOURCES: * Intelligent Office: http://www.ioindy.com * Abrahamson and Freedman's book, A Perfect Mess: The Hidden Benefits of Disorder--How Crammed Closets, Cluttered Offices, and On-the-Fly Planning Make the World a Better Place DON'T FORGET: Stop Selling Like a Man Teleclass: 27 February, 9 Pacific/12 Central. Check back here or at Toni’s welsite for more details. HOW TO REACH TONI NELL http://www.springboardconsulting.biz/ FOR MORE INFORMATION Lalita Amos http://www.TotalTeamSolutions.com/podcast/podcasting.htm http://totalteam.blogspot.com 214 615 6505, 3895 for questions or comments

 LNB #036: Truth Telling While Selling | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 00:23:42

This episode includes an interview with the fabulous Toni Nell of Springboard Consulting. Focusing on one of the key steps in her "Stop Selling Like a Man" program, she helps us understand the importance of truth-telling while selling. Toni Nell of Springboard Consulting is a player. She’s worked with A-List clients (like Morgan Stanley) and been the go-to-gal for such business luminaries as Jim Horan (One Page Business Plan) and Michael Gerber (The E-Myth Revisited). In her own right, she’s seen and done about everything in a sales context. What she’s learned is that selling is truly about understanding and moving into the world of your prospect or client – lock, stock and teardrop. Your PowerPoint presentations and glossy brochures be damned. Key steps to being your ever-so-wonderful, authentic selling self include 1. Relaxing At a sales call, there may be nothing for you to DO, except be fully competent and ask, “So why am I here?” Your curiosity makes you powerful. 2. Show up 3. Listen without agenda 4. TELL THE TRUTH (this episode) 5. Let go of the outcome ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Stop Selling Like a Man Teleclass: 27 February, 9 Pacific/12 Central. Check back here or at Toni’s welsite for more details. HOW TO REACH TONI NELL http://www.springboardconsulting.biz/ FOR MORE INFORMATION Lalita Amos http://www.TotalTeamSolutions.com/podcast/podcasting.htm http://totalteam.blogspot.com 214 615 6505, 3895 for questions or comments

 LNB #035: Care and Feeding of Partnerships | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 00:24:38

We spend more time picking an Ob/Gyn that will birth our babies than we do building the business partnerships that provide the income we need to take care of said babes. We know that one out of nine new businesses experience a five year failure rate and that the survivors may not be fairing all that well. For partnerships, more attention is spent on the legal and financial positioning of the partnership - whether it was a limited partnership. S or C Corporation, whether it was taxed like a partnership or a corporation and how the partners would get money from the partnership. Little information exists out there on how to have an effective partnership -- one where you don't continually fantasize about pitching one or all partners under the bus. Once the structure is in place, where do we go to work? Smaller firms tend to stay more tactical and, unfortunately, have a harder time getting and staying strategic. Business planning is a single event, usually tied to getting start-up funding needed to open the doors, but not an informative, educational process designed to help you understand the needs of the business and the needs and best thinking of the partners. Business partnerships tend to work best when the partners have done the work of understanding each other. Knowing these things about each partner is crucial to determining how to best allocate them as resources: * What are you good at? * What can you do competently, but need support for (like, I can do the financials well, but it really takes it out of me)? * What do you do badly? Now, everything in a partnership isn't always a box of kittens (warm and fluffy). Conflict happens. The question is: what do we do when we're not on the same page? Conflict, by its nature, is positional. People square off on things that really don't matter most but, instead, on old wounds or superficialities. By asking partners what they're committed to for the business, the partnership or themselves, you can begin to move towards what matters most. Consider this book: The Partnership Charter: How to Start Out Right with Your New Business Partnership (Or Fix the One You're in), by David Gage is a good resource for putting together (or repairing) business partnerships. For legal and tax advice, of course, see a legal or tax expert. --------------- FOR MORE INFORMATION Lalita Amos http://www.TotalTeamSolutions.com/podcast/podcasting.htm http://totalteam.blogspot.com 214 615 6505, 3895 for questions or comments

 LNB #034: Stop Selling Like a Man (Be Yourself) | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 00:32:00

This episode is NOT about women. What it’s about is selling in such a way that in bringing your A-Game you bring yourselves. Toni Nell of Springboard Consulting is a player. She’s worked with A-List clients (like Morgan Stanley) and been the go-to-gal for such business luminaries as Jim Horan (One Page Business Plan) and Michael Gerber (The E-Myth Revisited). In her own right, she’s seen and done about everything in a sales context. What she’s learned is that selling is truly about understanding and moving into the world of your prospect or client – lock, stock and teardrop. Your PowerPoint presentations and glossy brochures be damned. Key steps to being your ever-so-wonderful, authentic selling self include 1. Relaxing At a sales call, there may be nothing for you to DO, except be fully competent and ask, “So why am I here?” Your curiosity makes you powerful. 2. Show up 3. Listen without agenda 4. Tell the truth 5. Let go of the outcome ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Stop Selling Like a Man Teleclass: 13 February, 9 Pacific/12 Central. Check back here or at Toni’s welsite for more details. HOW TO REACH TONI NELL http://www.springboardconsulting.biz/ FOR MORE INFORMATION Lalita Amos http://www.TotalTeamSolutions.com/podcast/podcasting.htm http://totalteam.blogspot.com 214 615 6505, 3895 for questions or comments

 LNB #033: Open Book Management | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 00:17:26

OPEN BOOK MANAGEMENT Key Elements * Provide employees and key contributors with all the information they need to help the business be successful Financial data Profit data Performance data Cost of goods/services sold, etc. * Train these good people how to use and understand this information * Give these people responsibility for the numbers under their control. * Provide these people with a financial stake in how the company performs. Resources: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_Book_Management The Human Equation (book) Fast Company Magazine (February, 2007 issue, page 112) For More Info -------------------- Lalita Amos http://www.TotalTeamSolutions.com/podcast/podcasting.htm http://totalteam.blogspot.com 214 615 6505, 3895 for questions or comments

 LNB 032: Staying off the "Road to Hell" (Achieving Goals) | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 00:26:44

Considerations for success in achieving 2007 goals: Courage -- see Wesley Autrey Structures for existance Structures for fulfillment What matters most Resources: Landmarkeducation.com ------------ For more info: Question Line: 214 615 6505, pin #3895 Comment Line: 214 615 6505, pin #3386 www.totalteamsolutions.com/podcast/podcasting.htm totalteam.blogspot.com

 LNB #031: What Matters Most | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 00:19:48

"That which matters most must never be at the mercy of that which matters least." -- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Never confuse what you want in your business with what you'd be willing to settle for. Further, be clear that your business exists to fully fund your life and interests -- not just to make money. Be clear what you want the money for, so you make certain that you pay due diligence to those things as well. Special thanks for 2006: - John Weymouth (Medisurg.com) and YorkAli Walters (imajination.com) for insisting I podcast (blame them). - YorkAli for opening up the blogosphere for me. - Rodney Amos for helping me sort out the the audio issues. - Jim Horan, Lynne and Toni (onepagebusinessplan.com) for a new world of planning execution. - Toni Nell (springboardconsulting.biz) for her support and friendship. - You listeners - My clients for their courage and commitment. ------------ For more info: Question Line: 214 615 6505, pin #3895 Comment Line: 214 615 6505, pin #3386 www.totalteamsolutions.com/podcast/podcasting.htm totalteam.blogspot.com

 LNB #030: Get the Most of What's Left of '06 | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 00:14:23

On a recent call with consultants from all over North America, we generated a list of things we could do to get the most of this waning year. Here are the highlights of our conversation (with my own offerings added for spice) and my invitation to try some of the things we're doing now to ramp up for 2007. * Take someone new (or weird) out to breakfast or lunch. * Send out information to begin lining up speaking gigs. * Finalize my own One Page Business Plan. Done! * Write out 3 things I won't do again in 2007. Oh, Lord -- just 3 things. * Remember the power of "Thank You." * Pick people to help shamelessly. I like this one. * Finish that one project I've been procrastination on. Mine is a booklet on habits, thinking and business success. * Build on successes from the past. * Schedule two, 1-week vacations for 2007. For me, that means no tech. * Write down three things that would make 2007 better. * Do year-end check-in calls with clients (as Jim Horan of One Page Plan fame says, "leaving the sales hat off."). * Attend holiday parties with a smile and a question. * Call five non-clients I haven't spoken with in 6 months. * Take the last week of 2006 off. ------------ For more info: Question Line: 214 615 6505, pin #3895 Comment Line: 214 615 6505, pin #3386 www.totalteamsolutions.com/podcast/podcasting.htm totalteam.blogspot.com

 LNB #029: One Page Proposals? | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 00:20:57

While on my "one page kick" I didn't want to leave out one of my favorites: The One-Page Proposal: How to Get Your Business Pitch onto One Persuasive Page. I found the book several years ago and have used the principles the author espouses religiously in my business with great success. Key elements: - Title and Subtitle, defining the entire proposal - Target and Secondary Targets, clarifying the goals of the project - Rationale, with information about the client's needs and why the project is needed - Financials, with info on what money is needed and how it will be spent - Status, showing where things stand now - Action, listing the next steps and what you need the prospect to do. While this process isn't workable for all types of proposal opportunities, it can help introduce you and your thinking to a prospect and have them chomping at the bit for your detailed plan. ------------ For more info: Question Line: 214 615 6505, pin #3895 Comment Line: 214 615 6505, pin #3386 www.totalteamsolutions.com/podcast/podcasting.htm totalteam.blogspot.com

 LNB #028: Collaborative Business Ventures | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 00:23:14

Consider bringing in others to help round out the gaps. However, as you're marshalling the troops, be sure to focus on the things that matter -- particularly before you start creating a business proposal for services. Joint Ventures What you need to know about a joint venture (JV) is that it is a business entity (partnership or corporation) that the members or member organizations create. Wikipedia lists these reasons to JV: Internal reasons: spreading cost and risk; maximizing financial and other resources, creating economies of scale, accessing new tech and customers, leveraging innovative managerial and process practices. Competitive goals: gaining the upper hand on the competition, generating velocity in market entry, increasing flexibility. Strategic goals: use of synergies, improved technology and other skills, diversifying and broadening reach. Collaborative Ventures Here, several business owners or specialists join forces to gain market advantage. Things to consider, chiefly, are how you'll manage risk and cost -- items that are usually taken care of in a JV arrangement. You'll need to consider how you'll manage budget, communication, contracting among each participant (who'll be the prime contact and contractor and who'll be the subs), fees for each service offered/needed, which services are strategic and which ones are tactical and, of course, you'll need to ensure that everyone has the kinds of insurance and other protections in place. Do the background check on each participant. This way you can head off trouble in advance. Anyone who would be unwilling to be checked isn't someone you want to work with. If you're the one with questionable info, be sure you can truthfully and fully explain the circumstance. People can understand if you've fallen and gotten up. No one, however, likes surprises in a business deal. ------------ For more info: Question Line: 214 615 6505, pin #3895 Comment Line: 214 615 6505, pin #3386 www.totalteamsolutions.com/podcast/podcasting.htm totalteam.blogspot.com

 LNB #027: Being Remarkable | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 00:27:13

Everybody says they provide great customer service, but are they extraordinary or just plan ordinary? Some considerations: * Remarkable will get you heard over the din. * Remarkable isn't what YOU think it is -- it's what your customers, vendors, suppliers and employees think it is. * Remarkable may be something small. * People may insist that your remarkable offering isn't feasible, necessary or possible. * Remarkable may develoop over time and be inperceptible to you. Read: The Big Moo The Purple Cow The Red Fez ------------ For more info: Question Line: 214 615 6505, pin #3895 Comment Line: 214 615 6505, pin #3386 www.totalteamsolutions.com/podcast/podcasting.htm totalteam.blogspot.com

 LNB #026: Resistance is Futile | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 00:26:20

When you have the systems, the business plan and the structures to succeed, what gets in the way of your ability to win? Lewin's Model of Change Unfreeze: old systems comes back to conscious arwareness and there's a committment to change Move: create and apply the new systems, strategies and plans Re-Freeze: lock in new behaviors such that they become automatic While you're changing, there are several types of resistance mindsets (Denise O'Connor) Survivor (Covert/Unconscious): unaware that they're out of synch. Think they're operating from the new system Zombie (Overt/Unconscious): seem unable to change and don't see their behaviors as resistance Saboteur (Covert/Conscious): pretend to support the change, but inwardly hope the change will go away Protector (Overt/Conscious): believe their refusal will help the company ------------ For more info: Question Line: 214 615 6505, pin #3895 Comment Line: 214 615 6505, pin #3386 www.totalteamsolutions.com/podcast/podcasting.htm totalteam.blogspot.com

 LNB #025: Objectives, Strategies & Actions | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 00:23:26

As the final part of this series on business planning, we cover Objectives, Strategies and Actions. These elements round out your business plan and will help clarify what you want to produce, the broad approaches and specific actions you'll take. Useful Business Planning Resources: + The One Page Business Plan for the Creative Entrepreneur + Fast Company (great magazine for business owners) + Business 2.0 [6-month subscription] Requests: + Record an intro to this podcast. Want to know more? llamos@totalteamsolutions.com + Visit my Guestmap and let me know where you're listening from + Take a quick survey on this podcast (www.totalteamsolutions.com/podcast/podcasting.htm) + Tell a friend about this podcast and about the e-zine + Comment on the blog (totalteam.blogspot.com) _______________________________________ Call the Question Line: 214 615 6505, ext. 3895 (Stumped about a business issue? Skip down to the bottom, if you'd like to ask your question on the podcast!) Call the Comment Line: 214 615 6505, ext. 3386 (Is this podcast working for you? Is there something you'd like to see me do differently?)

 LNB #024: Without Vision, the People (and Businesses) Perish | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 00:30:10

Not having a clear vision and mission will add unnecessary complexity to your business. It will be harder to stay on track and to determine quickly whether a new opportunity is consistent with your model. However, the concepts of Vision and Mission have become obscured with consultant-speak. Here's a simple way to plan these two important factors into your business plan. Vision: include your target market, niche, products/services, territory, scope, productivity level, and other key factors. Mission: use as few words as possible to convey why you're building the company you're building.  Get these resources:  The One Page Business Plan with CD-ROM  The One-Page Proposal: How to Get Your Business Pitch onto One Persuasive Page ________________________________ For more info: www.totalteamsolutions.com/podcast/podcasting.htm totalteam.blogspot.com Questions: 214 615 6505, pin 3895 Comments: 214 615 6505, pin 3386 This month: looking for small biz "podcast personalities." Intriqued, visit the podcast page of my website. I need you to praise -- and pan -- this podcast. Visit the podcast page of the site to complete the 2-question survey.

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