Manage Smarter

This week, we're talking about something that can really set you apart in the business world: personal branding. Gain valuable insights on leadership and team dynamics with host Chip Gray. Join us each week for a brand new bonus Extra Point episode. In less than 5 minutes, you'll get additional insights about the psychology of leadership and management from the producers of the Manage Smarter podcast. Find all of the Manage Smarter episodes on ManageSmarter.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tom Beener is a securities attorney turned author, known for his book 'It's Better to March in Circles Than Not March at All.' Growing up with a father who was both a policeman and involved in the New York mob, Tom Beener was exposed to a world of gambling and organized crime from a young age. Despite these influences, he pursued a career in law, becoming a securities attorney. His experiences have given him a deep understanding of the balance between moral integrity and ambition in business. Through his storytelling, Tom offers actionable insights into high-stakes decision-making and leadership under pressure, making his contributions to discussions on ethics in business both compelling and invaluable. GET THE BOOK: https://www.amazon.com/Better-March-Circles-Than-Not-ebook/dp/B0DDLHN2L2 KEY TAKEAWAYS: Ethics in Business: The importance of maintaining a strong moral compass in business,highlighting how ethical decision-making can impact credibility and trust. Leadership Under Pressure: The discussion explores how leadership in high-stakes situations parallels everyday management, emphasizing the need for decisive and clear communication. Leaders are advised to make decisions without over-explaining, as this can lead to unnecessary debate and controversy. Decision-Making Strategy: Tom introduces the concept of 'never complain, never explain' as a strategy for effective decision-making. This approach encourages leaders to focus on facts and outcomes rather than getting bogged down in justifications, which can lead to exposure and vulnerability. Credibility as Currency: Credibility is likened to currency, highlighting that it takes time to build but can be quickly lost through poor decisions. Maintaining credibility requires consistent ethical behavior and decision-making that aligns with organizational values. Avoiding Rule Bending: Tom warns against bending rules, as it can undermine a leader's credibility and trustworthiness. Leaders are encouraged to adhere to established codes of conduct to maintain integrity and foster a trustworthy organizational culture. "You don't dwell. The more you try to explain your actions, the more you open the door for debate." - Tom Beener #leadership #mafia #morals #conscience #businessethics #ethics #management #toughdecisions #HR #businessdecisions #business #sales #mob #highpressurejobs Connect with Manage Smarter Hosts · Website: ManageSmarter.com · LinkedIn: Audrey Strong · LinkedIn: C. Lee Smith Connect with SalesFuel · Website: http://salesfuel.com/ · Twitter: @SalesFuel · Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/salesfuel/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we're tackling a topic that can make or break your business: hiring the right people. Gain valuable insights on leadership and team dynamics with host Chip Gray. Join us each week for a brand new bonus Extra Point episode. In less than 5 minutes, you'll get additional insights about the psychology of leadership and management from the producers of the Manage Smarter podcast. Find all of the Manage Smarter episodes on ManageSmarter.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we're getting into how salespeople can make sales technology your secret weapon. Gain valuable insights on leadership and team dynamics with host Chip Gray. Join us each week for a brand new bonus Extra Point episode. In less than 5 minutes, you'll get additional insights about the psychology of leadership and management from the producers of the Manage Smarter podcast. Find all of the Manage Smarter episodes on ManageSmarter.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Growing up in Western Kansas, John Marvin initially pursued a career in marketing and advertising and shares his journey from being fired to adopting a new mindset, then transitioning to pharmaceutical sales at the suggestion of his father, a family physician. This path eventually led him to Texas State Optical, where he became President in 2001. Under his leadership, the organization transitioned from a traditional franchise to a member-owned cooperative, focusing on younger optometrists and leveraging technology such as AI to enhance patient care. John's innovative approach and dedication to mindset have helped Texas State Optical navigate industry challenges, including the impact of private equity and the shortage of optometrists, positioning the company for continued growth and success. KEY TAKEAWAYS: Mindset is Key: John Marvin emphasizes the transformative power of mindset in achieving success. He believes that having a positive outlook and a growth mindset can significantly influence one's career trajectory and personal development. Adapt or Die: The evolution of Texas State Optical is a classic example of adapting to market changes. By transitioning from a franchise to a brand license company and focusing on younger optometrists, TSO has managed to stay relevant in a competitive industry. AI in Healthcare: Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing healthcare, including optometry. AI enhances diagnostic capabilities and customer service, offering opportunities for improved patient care and operational efficiency. Customer Experience Matters: In healthcare, the patient experience extends beyond clinical care. John Marvin highlights the importance of service quality, suggesting that practitioners should focus on the overall experience to build credibility and attract patients. Sales Credibility: Effective sales strategies require understanding customer needs before offering solutions. John Marvin advises salespeople to engage in active listening and inquiry to build credibility and better align their offerings with client needs. "Mindset rules everything. Like everything is secondary to mindset and the inner game you play to achieve success. Business doesn't stay static. So you gotta be able to adapt or die." - John Marvin Connect with John Marvin www.tso.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdmarvin/ Connect with Manage Smarter Hosts · Website: ManageSmarter.com · LinkedIn: Audrey Strong · LinkedIn: C. Lee Smith Connect with SalesFuel · Website: http://salesfuel.com/ · Twitter: @SalesFuel · Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/salesfuel/ #mindset #business #leadership #AI #optical #opticians #career #careertips #careerclimb Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we're talking about keeping those 4th quarter sales strong by avoiding distractions. Gain valuable insights on leadership and team dynamics with host Chip Gray. Join us each week for a brand new bonus Extra Point episode. In less than 5 minutes, you'll get additional insights about the psychology of leadership and management from the producers of the Manage Smarter podcast. Find all of the Manage Smarter episodes on ManageSmarter.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we're talking about setting the anchor to build sales confidence. Gain valuable insights on leadership and team dynamics with host Chip Gray. Join us each week for a brand new bonus Extra Point episode. In less than 5 minutes, you'll get additional insights about the psychology of leadership and management from the producers of the Manage Smarter podcast. Find all of the Manage Smarter episodes on ManageSmarter.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we dive into the transformative power of transparency and honesty in leadership with Grace Gavin, co-founder of Know Honesty. Grace shares her insights on how open communication can reduce anxiety, ease aggression, and limit indecision in the workplace. Drawing from her diverse background and personal experiences, including her father's battle with cancer, Grace emphasizes the importance of being truly and freely yourself. Discover practical exercises like 'The Agreement' and 'Fake You' to enhance your communication skills. Whether you're a leader or team member, learn how to build a better culture of trust and openness. KEY TAKEAWAYS: -The Importance of Transparency in Leadership: Transparency is crucial in leadership as it helps reduce anxiety, ease aggression, and limit indecision. Leaders must find the right balance between sharing enough information and not oversharing to maintain effective communication within their teams. -Building Trust Through Open and Honest Communication: Trust is essential for effective communication, and it starts with leadership. Leaders should be trained to be open and honest, creating a culture where employees feel safe to express their thoughts and ideas without fear of negative consequences. -Practical Exercises for Enhancing Communication Skills: Simple exercises like 'The Agreement' and identifying 'Fake You' can help individuals improve their communication skills. These exercises encourage people to be honest and open, fostering better relationships and more effective teamwork. -The Impact of AI on Communication: While AI can aid in generating ideas and writing, it may lead to communication that lacks authenticity and human connection. It's important to use AI as a tool for brainstorming while ensuring that genuine human interaction remains at the forefront of communication strategies. "Honesty at the root of it, as we define it, is being truly and freely yourself speaking into what you want and how you feel. If we are not doing it, speaking honestly, being open to others, I don't think it's the best use of our time or this life that we have." - Grace Gavin FREE ASSESSMENT HERE: https://knowhonesty.com/ASSESSMENT/ Connect with Grace Gavin knowhonesty.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/grace-gavin/ Connect with Manage Smarter Hosts · Website: ManageSmarter.com · LinkedIn: Audrey Strong · LinkedIn: C. Lee Smith Connect with SalesFuel · Website: http://salesfuel.com/ · Twitter: @SalesFuel · Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/salesfuel/ #honesty #workplaceculture #employees #humanresources #leadership #workplacedrama #workdrama #communication #AI #artificialintelligence Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we're discussing a topic that's tough but crucial: managing layoffs without ruining your reputation. Gain valuable insights on leadership and team dynamics with host Chip Gray. Join us each week for a brand new bonus Extra Point episode. In less than 5 minutes, you'll get additional insights about the psychology of leadership and management from the producers of the Manage Smarter podcast. Find all of the Manage Smarter episodes on ManageSmarter.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we're discussing how managers can build team cohesion through joy. Gain valuable insights on leadership and team dynamics with host Chip Gray. Join us each week for a brand new bonus Extra Point episode. In less than 5 minutes, you'll get additional insights about the psychology of leadership and management from the producers of the Manage Smarter podcast. Find all of the Manage Smarter episodes on ManageSmarter.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Andrew Barry is a seasoned expert in learning and development, with a rich background that includes executive roles at global organizations such as KPMG. He is the founder and CEO of Curious Lion, a company dedicated to high-performance leadership and learning. Andrew and his team have successfully developed thousands of leaders at prominent clients like Workday, Pinterest, IMG, and USAA. His innovative approach to corporate training is heavily influenced by his experience as a mentor in the 'Write of Passage' writing course, which he describes as the best cohort-based training program he has ever been a part of. In this episode, Barry delves into transformative learning and leadership. He discusses the role of curiosity, adaptive intelligence, and AI in training programs. Barry also offers practical tips for managers to foster continuous learning and align personal growth with business objectives. Discover how to create high-performance teams and navigate today's corporate complexities. Key Takeaways: -Learning as Transformation: Learning isn't just about transferring information; it's about transforming the learner. Managers need to focus on lifelong learning philosophies, especially in the age of AI, to ensure continuous growth and development. -Curiosity-Driven Development: Managers should identify what their team members are curious about and align these interests with business objectives. -Effective Use of After Action Reviews: Conducting thorough after-action reviews by unpacking stories from all team members can lead to better learning outcomes. -Role of Emotional Presence in Leadership: Instead of focusing on executive presence, leaders should aim for emotional presence. Being authentic, vulnerable, and having a strong point of view can make leaders more effective and increases credibility. "Learning isn't the transfer of information, it is the transformation of the learner. Information used to be power. Knowledge is still power. But really, I think it's forced us to think a lot about what is the difference between information and knowledge." - Andrew Barry #learning #professionaldevelopment #training #AI #artificialintelligence #knowledge #knowledgetransfer #credibility #leaders #managers #CEO #talentdevelopment Connect with Andrew Barry https://curiouslionlearning.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/realandrewbarry Connect with Manage Smarter Hosts · Website: ManageSmarter.com · LinkedIn: Audrey Strong · LinkedIn: C. Lee Smith Connect with SalesFuel · Website: http://salesfuel.com/ · Twitter: @SalesFuel · Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/salesfuel/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we're tackling a topic that every manager needs to master: employee retention. Gain valuable insights on leadership and team dynamics with host Chip Gray. Join us each week for a brand new bonus Extra Point episode. In less than 5 minutes, you'll get additional insights about the psychology of leadership and management from the producers of the Manage Smarter podcast. Find all of the Manage Smarter episodes on ManageSmarter.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we're diving into a fresh approach to setting sales goals that could change the way you think about time management. Gain valuable insights on leadership and team dynamics with host Chip Gray. Join us each week for a brand new bonus Extra Point episode. In less than 5 minutes, you'll get additional insights about the psychology of leadership and management from the producers of the Manage Smarter podcast. Find all of the Manage Smarter episodes on ManageSmarter.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Marjorie Hook is the Vice President of People and Culture for Openly, where she focuses on the employee life cycle and sustaining a world-class remote culture. With over 15 years of experience leading people functions for both large tech companies and high-growth tech startups, Marjorie brings a wealth of knowledge in managing remote teams and fostering a cohesive work environment. She joined Openly in 2022 and has been instrumental in implementing innovative strategies to enhance employee engagement and productivity in a fully remote setting. Key Takeaways include: -Building a Remote Culture: Creating a cohesive remote culture requires intentional efforts to foster connection, trust, and clear communication. Utilize collaboration tools and establish clear goals and expectations to ensure everyone is aligned and engaged. -Handling Difficult Conversations: Managers need to be observant and sensitive when having difficult conversations over Zoom. It's crucial to create a space that allows for processing and follow-up, replicating the in-person experience as much as possible. -Effective Use of Slack: Establish standards for using Slack to avoid miscommunication and ensure it’s used appropriately for quick information sharing rather than major decision-making. Managers should step in when conversations become unproductive or heated. -Managing Time Zones: For teams spread across different time zones, establish core working hours that overlap and use the end caps of the day for individual work. This ensures effective communication and collaboration despite geographical differences. -Addressing Employee Burnout: Remote work can lead to higher levels of burnout and loneliness. Managers should look for signs of stress and provide support and resources to help employees maintain their mental health and well-being. “Remote workplace, everything has to be a little bit more explicit, I think. Having written records of what individuals are doing and what teams are doing, really important as well, using collaboration tools so that you can have both asynchronous and synchronous work happening at the same time.” – Marjorie Hook #RemoteWork #Leadership #RemoteTeams #Communication #TeamBuilding #MentalHealth #RemoteManagement Connect with Marjorie Hook openly.com/ https://www.facebook.com/openlyllc https://www.linkedin.com/in/marjoriehook/ Connect with Manage Smarter Hosts · Website: ManageSmarter.com · LinkedIn: Audrey Strong · LinkedIn: C.Lee Smith Connect with SalesFuel · Website: http://salesfuel.com/ · Twitter: @SalesFuel · Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/salesfuel/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we're discussing a topic that's on everyone's mind: how to use AI for efficiency and productivity in the workplace. Gain valuable insights on leadership and team dynamics with host Chip Gray. Join us each week for a brand new bonus Extra Point episode. In less than 5 minutes, you'll get additional insights about the psychology of leadership and management from the producers of the Manage Smarter podcast. Find all of the Manage Smarter episodes on ManageSmarter.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we're diving into another crucial topic for leaders: Dealing with "Quiet Quitting" in the workplace. Gain valuable insights on leadership and team dynamics with host Chip Gray. Join us each week for a brand new bonus Extra Point episode. In less than 5 minutes, you'll get additional insights about the psychology of leadership and management from the producers of the Manage Smarter podcast. Find all of the Manage Smarter episodes on ManageSmarter.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we dive deep into the world of negotiation with Andres Lares, managing partner at Shapiro Negotiations Institute and co-author of 'Persuade: The 4-Step Process to Influence People and Decisions.' Andres shares invaluable insights on how to negotiate effectively, whether you're discussing salary, closing a business deal, or navigating complex negotiations in the sports industry. Learn about the importance of credibility, engaging emotion, and facilitating action to achieve successful outcomes. Key Takeaways include: -The Importance of Not Making the First Offer: In salary negotiations, it's generally advised not to make the first offer. Instead, lean on the employer's expertise and ask them to provide a range or number first. -Multi-Faceted Negotiation Strategy: Don't focus on just one aspect like salary; consider other negotiables such as title, bonus, PTO, health insurance, and 401k matching. This allows for better optimization and trade-offs. -Four-Step Process to Influence: The four steps are credibility, engaging emotion, logic, and facilitating action. This methodology helps in making a compelling case and ensuring the desired action takes place. -The Power of Nice: Being nice doesn't mean being weak. You can still be aggressive and confident while maintaining empathy and building lasting relationships through deep discovery and asking great questions. -Handling Common Objections: When faced with objections like 'not in the budget,' ask probing questions to understand the real issue and find alternative solutions. This helps in maintaining credibility and finding a path to yes. #sales #salesnegotiations #jobsnegotiations #negotiate #negotiations #managernegotiations #sellingnegotiations #negotiationtips Connect with Andres Lares: www.shapironegotiations.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreslares/ Connect with Manage Smarter Hosts · Website: ManageSmarter.com · LinkedIn: Audrey Strong · LinkedIn: C. Lee Smith Connect with SalesFuel · Website: http://salesfuel.com/ · Twitter: @SalesFuel · Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/salesfuel/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we're diving into another crucial topic for leaders: How to Reengineer Your Sales Training Program. Gain valuable insights on leadership and team dynamics with host Chip Gray. Join us each week for a brand new bonus Extra Point episode. In less than 5 minutes, you'll get additional insights about the psychology of leadership and management from the producers of the Manage Smarter podcast. Find all of the Manage Smarter episodes on ManageSmarter.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we're discussing an interesting point: How Body Language Can Make or Break a Sale. Gain valuable insights on leadership and team dynamics with host Chip Gray. Join us each week for a brand new bonus Extra Point episode. In less than 5 minutes, you'll get additional insights about the psychology of leadership and management from the producers of the Manage Smarter podcast. Find all of the Manage Smarter episodes on ManageSmarter.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tara May, CEO of Aspiritech and International Neurodiversity Advocate, discusses the importance of embracing autism in the workplace. Aspiritech employs 90% autistic professionals, highlighting their unique strengths. Tara shares her insights on fostering innovation, cultural transformation, and the ROI of kindness. Learn how to create an inclusive environment that leverages the talents of autistic individuals. Takeaways include: 1 Neurodiversity in the Workplace: Tara May emphasizes the importance of integrating neurodivergent individuals, particularly those on the autism spectrum, into various levels of a company. This approach not only fosters innovation but also enhances productivity by leveraging unique skill sets. 2 ROI of Kindness: Tara May advocates for a company culture that prioritizes kindness and psychological safety. This philosophy not only improves employee well-being but also drives business success and innovation. 3 Career Progression for Autistic Employees: Aspiritech focuses on undoing the low self-esteem instilled in autistic individuals from a young age. By emphasizing strengths and potential, the company ensures meaningful career progression for its neurodivergent employees. 4 Unique Strengths of Autistic Employees: Autistic individuals often excel in tasks requiring high levels of focus and the ability to spot anomalies in large data sets. These strengths make them particularly well-suited for roles in tech services, including software testing and AI model building. 5 Universal Design and Employee-Centric Approach: Aspiritech employs universal design principles to create an inclusive work environment. This employee-centric approach ensures that all team members, regardless of neurodiversity, can thrive both in work and life. "Autistic people don't just belong in entry level positions or single departments. When we are able to pair a business need with something an autistic person has an incredible passion for, magic happens, productivity is insane." - Tara May #autism #autismspectrum #neurodivergent #sensory #inclusiveworkplace #employees #managers #podcast #managesmarter #salesfuel Connect with Tara May www.taranicoalmay.com www.aspiritech.org https://www.linkedin.com/in/taranmay/ Connect with Manage Smarter Hosts · Website: ManageSmarter.com · LinkedIn: Audrey Strong · LinkedIn: C.Lee Smith Connect with SalesFuel · Website: http://salesfuel.com/ · Twitter: @SalesFuel · Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/salesfuel/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices