Launch Youniversity

Turning Good Intentions into Reality in Your Career, Business and Life

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099: MADE SOUTH’S Chris Thomas on Pivoting: How to Know When to Shift Your Business Model

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The Launch Youniversity Podcast
The Launch Youniversity Podcast
099: MADE SOUTH’S Chris Thomas on Pivoting: How to Know When to Shift Your Business Model
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Summary:

The two most commonly recurring factors in any launch are you and uncertainty. This is why at Launch Youniversity, we spend so much time talking about how to lead yourself and deal with the unexpected that will inevitably occur. In today’s episode, we talk to Chris Thomas, CEO and founder of MADE SOUTH, a company that hosts crafted events that celebrate the South’s culture, food, and entertainment. Chris shares how he quickly had to modify his original idea for MADE SOUTH despite early success. For launchers, success is validating; however, if you’re not careful, it can be misleading. Hear Chris’s story about the shifts he made and how he was able to stay true to his passion and mission while shifting his business model and method.

Welcome to episode 99 of the Launch Youniversity Podcast.

Links + Resources:

MADE SOUTH

MADE SOUTH Holiday Market

065: Using Data to Launch Intelligently and Responsibly

Grace Works Ministries

Gospel Business Strategies podcast

Three Takeaways:

  • Sometimes you have to change your business model, and that’s OK.
    As Chris shared in today’s podcast, launchers only know what they know; when that knowledge changes, sometimes (see: most times) changes have to be made for your idea to be more effectively executed. Change is OK; in fact, it’s celebrated. Don’t be so married to your original idea that you miss out on all the good stuff that awaits you with a shift in your business model.
  • Ask yourself, “What kind of foundation have I laid for my business or idea?”
    Does your current foundation best support your current business model or a better one? Do you have sound processes in place that support your overall goal? If the answers to these questions are, “No,” then you’ll need to pivot your current business model toward something that makes more sense.
  • Lean into those around you. Launching your idea was never meant to be done alone.
    Some of your best business advice can come from those around you. Ask your trusted circle what they think of your current business model and how they would do things differently. Your closest allies can provide you with a much-needed fresh perspective.

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!

5 Hacks for Becoming A Better Learner Today

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We say it all the time around here: Launchers are learners.

Whether you’re an entrepreneur launching a business or an intrapreneur leading an idea, it’s part of your job to keep pace with your peers, your customers, and the industry you’re operating in. As David says: If this time next year, you’re the same person that you are today, you’re slowly becoming irrelevant.

If you spend just a small amount of time each day devoted to learning, by this time next year you’ll be anything but irrelevant. [Read more…] about 5 Hacks for Becoming A Better Learner Today

095: How To Be A Life-Giving Leader — An Interview with Tyler Reagin of Catalyst

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The Launch Youniversity Podcast
The Launch Youniversity Podcast
095: How To Be A Life-Giving Leader — An Interview with Tyler Reagin of Catalyst
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Summary:

According to a Gallup study, only 51 percent of employees say they’re engaged at work. Another 16 percent are considered “actively disengaged,” they’re unhappy, they complain about their work circumstances, and are overall disinterested in the company they work for and the work they do. In a Randstad study, only 53 percent of workers believe their boss values their opinion, and only 35 percent of workers feel inspired by their boss.

As leaders, we often see how much improvement is needed on our teams, but we often don’t look within ourselves for the changes we need to make. In today’s episode, Tyler Reagin, president of leadership conference, Catalyst, shares how leaders and launchers can avoid being a part of the majority of lackluster leaders and transform into leaders who serve their people well.  

Welcome to episode 95 of the Launch Youniversity Podcast.

Links + Resources:

Tyler Reagin

Catalyst Leader

The Life-Giving Leader: Learning to Lead from Your Truest Self

John Maxwell

Leaders Eat Last: Why Some Teams Pull Together and Others Don’t

Taylor Guitars

028: Brad Lomenick on Launching Catalyst, Scaling Success and Being the Right Kind of Leader

Three Takeaways:

1. Take care of your people. Good leaders love well those they lead. When you don’t care for those you lead, turnover rates are higher, thus decreasing productivity and tainting the overall mission. Spend time getting to know those on your team and nurture a culture that will be hard to leave.

2. Be comfortable in who you are. So many people spend their lives feeling a tension between who they want to be and who they are right now. If you want to be an effective leader and overall happier person, you need to operate from your truest self.

3. Have confidence in your calling. Whether you’re launching a book or a new idea, remember your passion and why you’re doing what you’re doing. Outline your boundaries and stick to them, remaining true to your mission the entire time. The result will be an authentic launch you can be proud of.

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!

092: 5 Ways to Overcome Your Blind Spots as a Leader

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The Launch Youniversity Podcast
The Launch Youniversity Podcast
092: 5 Ways to Overcome Your Blind Spots as a Leader
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Summary:

Leadership doesn’t come without its share of missteps, that’s for sure. But approached the correct way, those mistakes you make — whether as a business owner or someone who works inside an organization — can lead to opportunities for growth. Today, mentors Jeff Henderson, Shane Benson, and David Farmer share what they’ve learned about leadership through years of setbacks, triumphs, and having the right people around them who offered candid feedback. In this episode, you’ll learn five ways to overcome the common roadblocks that might be a barrier to successful leadership.

Welcome to episode 92 of the Launch Youniversity Podcast.

Links + Resources:

Personal Brand Assessment

Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. Dweck

Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup

Dr. Henry Cloud

Five Takeaways:

1. Embrace self awareness. It’s impossible to keep up a constantly fast pace. If you try, you’re well on your way to burnout. Take some time to pause and reflect about where you are and where you’re headed. Whether you journal or take personal assessments, your growth depends on your ability to rest and reflect.

2. Seek feedback immediately. A lack of feedback on your performance is a breeding ground for blind spots in your leadership. Sure, some feedback will feel critical and tough to hear, but the only way you can improve your work and relationships is when you stop and listen to what others have to say about them.

3. Acknowledge your struggles. No one is perfect and no rational person expects you to be. Find some people you can be honest with about the challenges you’re experiencing. If you don’t acknowledge your struggles, your self awareness will most definitely take a hit.

4. Invite accountability. It’s one thing to ask for advice, but it’s a totally different thing when you trust the advice you’ve been given and act on it appropriately. Surround yourself with people who will tell you the truth and who want to see you succeed no matter how tough the feedback.

5. Don’t hide behind your brand. Transparency builds trust. When you show people who you really are and what values you stand by, your product or business will reap the benefits.

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!

088: How To Use Real Time Storytelling To Promote Your Business

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The Launch Youniversity Podcast
The Launch Youniversity Podcast
088: How To Use Real Time Storytelling To Promote Your Business
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Summary:

Behind every brand is a good story, and how well you tell that story is the difference between gaining influence and customers or stalling your brand’s growth potential. In today’s episode, host, Kevin Jennings, talks with Clark Campbell, founder of Social Lion, a company that provides real-time social media content for brands and live events. Clark shares how brands have the opportunity to start engaging their consumers in a more meaningful, purposeful way with the use of features such as Instagram Stories, Snapchat, and Facebook Live.

Welcome to episode 88 of the Launch Youniversity Podcast.

Links + Resources:

Social Lion

The Launch Loop ebook

The Inevitable: Understanding the 12 Technological Forces That Will Shape Our Future

Real Time Summit

Three Takeaways:

  • Do your research. Take some time each day to watch the Instagram Stories of brands you admire. How are they telling their stories? What’s working well for them? What captured your attention? This is a learning process — make a list of the things they do well and the things they could change and then start adding these ideas to the way you tell your brand story.
  • Practice your storytelling. Choose a platform feature — whether Instagram Stories, Facebook Live, or Snapchat — and start sharing your story as it’s happening. Give your consumers a behind-the-scenes look about some element of your product or process or keep them in the loop during a live event.
  • Have a plan. Success is planned. If you’re going to be covering a live event, take a look at the activities, breakouts, and keynote speakers and decide whether you’re going to do a Facebook Live stream or snapshots of the day via Instagram or Snapchat. With a plan, you can have more thorough, thoughtful coverage.

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!

 

062: Dealing with Conflict, Different Opinions and Challenging People

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Dealing with Conflict, Difficult Opinions and Challenging People in the workplace via the Launch Youniversity Podcast
The Launch Youniversity Podcast
062: Dealing with Conflict, Different Opinions and Challenging People
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SUMMARY:

No matter how much you may love your job and your coworkers… you will 100% encounter conflict, different opinions and challenging people in the workplace. It’s normal! And it’s not always bad. When you come across these less-than-comfortable moments, Kevin and David are sharing what the best course of action is.

Welcome to episode 62 of the podcast.

LINKS + RESOURCES:

Brian Preston of Lamon Luther on LYP 049

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey

The Johari Window Model

5 Dysfunctions Of A Team by Patrick Lencioni

THREE KEY TAKEAWAYS:

1. Not all tension is bad
Believe it or not, there’s such thing as good tension. In fact, it’s inherently healthy. Healthy tension means that there’s diverse opinions, thoughts and perspectives. Healthy tension means that you’re looking at things from many angles. This is a good thing. It means that your team isn’t a bunch of robots who think the same thing all the time, if there’s no tension then there probably isn’t much learning or growing either.

2. Seek first to understand
When you find yourself in conflict with a person, the best thing you can do is ask questions (genuinely—not condescending or passive aggressively) about why they feel the way they do. Let the other person know that you are genuinely interested in listening to their side of the conflict. Repeat back to them what you’re hearing, so that there’s no miscommunication. After doing this, you may still feel like you’re right and they’re wrong. But you gave them and yourself the opportunity to see things from the other side. Our first reaction is to defend, but it needs to be to listen.

3. Go to the person first
If you’re experiencing conflict with somebody, discuss it with them directly first. Don’t gossip with others about it or immediately tell your leader (who then may blindsight the person by speaking with them about your issue that you’ve never shared with them). Go to them, try and work towards an understanding together, and if you still can’t solve the problem then approach a leader or two together.