You’ve just launched your business and you already have more work than you can do on your own. Or your business is growing so fast your team can’t keep up. Whatever the situation, organizations may find themselves asking the same question: Should we hire a full-time employee or a contractor? [Read more…] about How to Decide What Positions are Contract Jobs Versus New Hires
hiring
The 5 Surprising Things Holding Back Your Business
Every entrepreneur hits the point. The point where growth is slowing, there’s discord or miscommunication amongst the team, and you can’t seem to get a win.
The good news is you’re not alone. This happens to every business owner eventually. The bad news is not every entrepreneur is able to turn their business around when they get there. [Read more…] about The 5 Surprising Things Holding Back Your Business
105: How to Build a Great Team and Develop Leaders
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Summary:
Anything worth accomplishing will take time, and the seasoned entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs know nothing can be accomplished without the right team around you to help lead the charge of your vision. But for many of us, whether newly inducted into a leadership role or a person who has been used to working alone, growing a team and investing in others to grow their leadership is somewhat of a challenge.
Today, we are honored to have Heather Zempel on the podcast. Once a biological engineer on Capitol Hill, the now-discipleship pastor and campus ministries director at Mark Batterson’s National Community Church talks to us about the importance of team building, what to look for when adding someone to your team, and the right ingredients to developing leadership on your team.
Welcome to episode 105 of the Launch Youniversity Podcast.
Links + Resources:
Heather Zempel: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
Radical Candor: Be a Kick-Ass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity
Crucial Conversations Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High, Second Edition
The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable
Switch: How to Change Things When Change Is Hard
The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership: Follow Them and People Will Follow You
Big Change, Small Groups: Four Ideas to Help You Lead Adult Small Groups
Three Takeaways:
1. Build the Best Team
Make sure these three types of people are sitting around your table: Someone who can bring something to the table through experience and expertise; someone who can bring someone else to the table (think brand evangelist); and someone who can learn something through this process. These three types of people bring experience, more voices, and innovation to any process.
2. Remember Alignment is Key
Clearly communicate your vision, expectations, and be intentional about creating the culture you want on your team. When you’re communicating well and growing together, your team will be one that lasts through the ups and downs of anything you face.
3. Develop Other Leaders
When trying to cultivate leadership in those on your team, make sure you maximize your time by continuing your own growth, whether through reading or listening to podcasts; follow another leader you admire and ask how you can help them promote their vision; focus on your own growth through accountability and intentionality.
Thank you for listening to the Launch Youniversity Podcast! If you have a question that you want to be answered on the podcast… ask us here!
10 Things Seasoned Entrepreneurs Know
We’ve gotten to interview some incredible guests on this podcast. A top clothing designer, a best-selling author and Justin Beiber’s vocal coach… to name a few. While every entrepreneur has a unique perspective, there are a few common denominators that most everyone has learned along the way. [Read more…] about 10 Things Seasoned Entrepreneurs Know
037: Life Lessons From Launching An Agency with Blake Howard of Matchstic
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Summary:
On today’s episode of the Launch Youniversity Podcast, David is sitting down with Blake Howard. Blake is a passionate entrepreneur and co-founder of Atlanta-based Matchstic, a brand identity firm. Blake is sharing his story on how he got started, how he built a thriving business and the lessons he learned along the way.
Welcome to episode 37 of the Launch Youniversity Podcast.
Links + Resources:
Designing Brand Identity: An Essential Guide for the Whole Branding Team by Alina Wheeler
Three Takeaways:
1. Find Your Genius.
This is something we say as often as we can on the podcast. Find your genius: the place where your talent and passion collide. Blake had a talent for art and a passion for business. This led him to graphic design, which was the first step in ultimately opening up his own branding agency, Matchstic
2. Let Tough Seasons Shape You.
Matchstic was hit hard in the 2008/2009 recession. They lost clients and had to make painful layoffs. They could have let the recession sink them, but they let their hard season refine them. It was in those times where they realized the need to find what they were the absolute best at and focus on it. That’s how they narrowed their focus on branding.
3. Perfect Your Pitch.
Blake told David that Launch Youniversity’s own Jeff Henderson gave him advice years ago on how to prepare and perfect a pitch: Problem, solution and action.
1. Identify the problem you’re trying to solve
2. Explain the solution
3. Invite people to take action
If you’d like Jeff to dedicate a full podcast episode on perfecting your pitch, let us know on Facebook or Twitter.
019: Launch Lessons with Shani Godwin, CEO of Communiqué
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Summary:
This week, Launch Youniversity is honored to be joined by Shani Godwin, President and CEO of Communiqué USA, Inc, a marketing communications firm based out of Atlanta. After completing her MBA in Marketing, Shani realized that her unique blend of education, professional background and natural talents could help companies find their voice and communicate more effectively with their consumers. So in 2002, Shani left her job in Corporate America and founded Communiqué USA. They started small, but grew organically and quickly, and now, 15 years later, they advise large national brands on everything from global communications strategy to local marketing.
Welcome to episode 19 of the Launch Youniversity Podcast.
Links + Resources:
Three Takeaways:
1. Understand your “why”. What are you passionate about? Begin to think about how that idea can be used in the marketplace. Shani purposely pursued careers that allowed her to connect with her passions. No one ever directed Shani towards entrepreneurship, but it was very clear when she started down the path that it was in her zone and in her sweet spot.
2. Take a step of faith—not a leap. As Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.” When you don’t make a move, you can miss the opportunity and the moment. Don’t let yourself get sucked into the paralysis of analysis. Surround yourself with advisors to encourage you to take that next step—and help you avoid pitfalls.
3. You can’t grow until you let go. As Communiqué grew, Shani had to focus on leading instead of doing, so her advisors had a 90 day transition plan created. Shani told herself, “If I let go of the work, the business will fail.” But what she found was that the quality of the work only increased, and making the decision was the hardest part. Once she took a step back from doing the work, she was able to focus on being the visionary the company needed to succeed.