Interview

450: Amazon Analytics and Amazon Optimization: Do E-Commerce Right, Run Your Business on Systems, and Make Data-Driven Decisions with Reed Menssa

November 29, 2017

Reed Menssa from Advanced Amazon Consulting is a successful Amazon and online physical products seller who has developed many software tools and systems to help other Amazon sellers succeed. Reed's AZoptimizer and AZanalyzer software has produced profitable results for every type of seller and can be used for any skill level. He is an expert in his field and loves to share his knowledge and experience with others to help them succeed. Reed's software and consulting businesses help increase profits substantially for thousands of online sellers, every year.

Quotes:

“Data really drives this industry a lot. You should never be guessing, because that leads to uncomfortable situations where you have to then go back and try and figure those issues out.” – Reed Menssa

“I like to own my own thing. I like to be able to run it the way I want to run it, and I like not having to rely on someone else's good graces.” – Reed Menssa

“A lot of people have great ideas, but they don't know if it's actually going to sell or not, because they don't know where to look.” – Reed Menssa

Takeaways:

02:14 Accurate data is the backbone of successful Amazon selling, eliminating guesswork and reducing potential business risks.

12:13 Comprehensive product research means analyzing entire keyword pages, not just individual competitors, to understand market dynamics.

17:20 Using precise tracking methods like the 999 trick can provide real sales numbers, moving beyond unreliable best seller ranking estimates.

21:38 Amazon product indexing is critical - if you're not indexed for specific search terms, your product won't appear in relevant searches.

22:23 Successful business growth requires systematic approaches and informed decision-making, not random experimentation.

Visit AZAnalyzer to Claim Your Free Trial, Differentiation Worksheet & 30-Minute Skype Call

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 27:41 — 25.3MB) | Embed

448: Stop Being the Bottleneck, Change Your Habits, Escape Scarcity Thinking and Amplify Your Success with Melanie Benson

November 27, 2017

Melanie Benson from Rapid Cash Strategies is a Profit Amplifier, and has a gift for guiding fast-paced, mission-driven entrepreneurs to thrive in their small business. Melanie can quickly identify what derails you from productivity and progress – ultimately freeing you to scale your influence and income without overwhelm.

Melanie hosts the weekly podcast, Amplify Your Success, is author of Rewired for Wealth, coauthor of Entrepreneur.com's Start Up Guide to Starting an Information Marketing Business and has her success tips featured in magazines such as American Express OPEN Forum, Bloomberg BusinessWeek, Woman's Day, Parenting Magazine, and University of Phoenix Alumni Magazine.

She is on the Executive Team for the Women Speaker's Association as well as is Council Chair for the Association of Transformational Leaders.

Quotes:

“The thought ‘I can't afford it’ is probably the single biggest bottleneck that exists. What we're doing is telling our mind that we can't. When we lead with ‘I can't afford it,’ it literally shuts our problem-solving brain down.” – Melanie Benson

“Success and comfort don't always hold hands. We have to be willing to step out on that ledge and not know how to do something in order to achieve things we've never achieved before.” – Melanie Benson

“Just because you don't know how to do something doesn't mean you shouldn't go for it.” – Melanie Benson

Takeaways:

04:50 Your mindset is the primary driver of business success, acting like a water hose that can either trickle or flow with opportunities.

11:34 Making a bold decision without knowing the entire path is more powerful than staying stuck in fear and uncertainty.

16:24 Avoiding failure can actually cause you to repeat failures by keeping you trapped in scarcity thinking instead of success energy.

20:41 Identifying your high-payoff business activity is crucial for quickly moving the income needle forward.

24:24 Building a team is essential for business growth, as you'll eventually hit a point where you cannot expand if you're working alone.

Claim Your Checklist: 10 Rapid Cash Strategies to Create a Quick Cash Infusion for Your Small Business

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 31:24 — 28.7MB) | Embed

447: Level Up By Being a Direct Sales Troubleshooter, Amplify Your Strengths, and Scale Your Business Using the Five Sales Steps with Nathan Walker

November 24, 2017

Nathan Walker is a self-made millionaire, entrepreneur, direct sales expert, and business owner. With over 15 years of direct sales experience and business building he's changed the lives of many with his ability to 'Level Up' your life; regardless the industry!

Nathan is professionally affiliated with Brad Lea, Grant Cardone, Henry Kaminski, Akbar Sheik, and Arne Giske. He currently trains and educates sales teams within is businesses on a regular basis via calls, webinars, zoom, and live events. If Nathan is all about one thing, it’s this – Direct Sales! At the young age of 33, he’s built a few multi-million dollar companies all based around one thing, selling; more specifically selling in the home!

Along with that, he has several success stories under his belt. Success stories like Corey who was making $8.00 an hour at a Weber grill factory, and will now make over $200k this year alone. This is all due to Nathan’s sales process, and training. Stories like that is Nathan’s real passion in life.

Quotes:

“You've got to sell people on what they care about, not what you care about.” – Nathan Walker

“If they don't like me, don't trust me, or don't respect me, they're not going to do business with me. I could have the best product in the world, but if I don't like you—or if there's something missing—I'm probably not going to do business with you.” – Nathan Walker

“There's a lot of money going around in this world. There's a lot of opportunity in this world, and you get one shot. Your days are numbered, whether we want to admit it or not.” – Nathan Walker

Takeaways:

05:04 Focus on solving real customer problems they actually care about, not just pushing your product features.

11:20 Build sales teams around individual strengths instead of trying to make everyone a well-rounded performer.

20:24 Ask targeted questions to understand what specific problems matter most to the customer before presenting solutions.

25:02 Create a clear, step-by-step sales process that guides customers logically from initial contact to final purchase.

30:48 Maximize your potential and opportunities because life is short and you only get one chance to go all out.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 33:38 — 30.8MB) | Embed

446: Attend the Right Networking Events, Lay the Groundwork for Better Joint Ventures, Land Clients, Become a Connector, and Follow Up with Lori Saitz

November 23, 2017

Lori Saitz from ZenRabbit started life as an extremely shy child. Her report cards regularly included, “Lori is very bright but she needs to learn how to speak up in class.” - Lori Saitz (pronounced Sites) has become a nationally recognized marketing expert, master networker and relationship-builder.

In 2003, she launched Zen Rabbit Baking Company and introduced the world to The Gratitude Cookie. In order to build that company, she had to overcome her hesitancy to talk to strangers, and learn how to network effectively to find clients and referral sources. Today, as a networking strategy coach and speaker, she works with quiet people on getting past the fear of networking, managing their energy, and feeling more comfortable connecting, so they can find success.

Her services are in demand by consultants, entrepreneurs, business owners, and business professionals who need to figure out which networking events are worth going to so they’re not wasting hundreds of dollars; what to say once they’re there so they don’t look foolish; and how to follow up afterward so their efforts aren’t wasted.

Quotes:

“We're naturally attuned to storytelling. Storytelling goes back centuries in human history. The storytelling part really cements and makes you more memorable.” – Lori Saitz

“Follow-up is the most important part. Where most people fall down is in the follow-up, because we all have the best of intentions.” – Lori Saitz

“If you can take control and make it more interesting by asking better questions of your conversational partners, it becomes easier and more enjoyable.” – Lori Saitz

Takeaways:

05:50 Strategic networking means choosing events with the right people, not attending every possible gathering.

06:32 Managing personal energy is crucial when attending networking events, especially for introverted professionals.

10:28 Preparing a clear, concise answer to "What do you do?" helps quiet professionals feel more confident and memorable.

17:01 Asking thoughtful, interesting questions transforms surface-level conversations into meaningful professional interactions.

25:36 Follow-up is the most critical part of networking, and setting specific calendar time for post-event communication ensures connections aren't lost.

Resources

Zen Rabbit: Networking Strategies for Quiet People (Website)
Lori Saitz (LinkedIn)
Lori Saitz (Twitter)
Highrise HQ (Client Relationship Management tool)
Insightly (Site)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 37:36 — 34.4MB) | Embed

442: Masterminds: The Secret Shortcut to Success, Focus, Clarity, Speed, and Action with Charlene Burke

November 15, 2017

Charlene Burke says that you shouldn't go it alone when it comes to your online business, so she founded Search by Burke. Charlene believes that a mastermind group is "the secret shortcut to success" and is an information professional and mastermind group expert, with a background in marketing and engineering. She provides small and medium sized businesses with research that answers their questions about market opportunities, industry trends, and what's working for their competitors.

We discuss the importance of you joining a mastermind, types of masterminds to join, what to avoid when you join one, and how to get the most from them.

Quotes:

“A mastermind group is designed to help you navigate through challenges using the collective intelligence of others.” – Charlene Burke

“If you are the one who caused your problem, and you are the one who has decided to come up with the answer, you are using the same thoughts and brain that actually caused the problem.” – Charlene Burke

“You can't be a taker. You can't just sit in on a group to check it out.” – Charlene Burke

Takeaways:

01:50 Mastermind groups are powerful tools for solving business challenges through collective intelligence and peer support.

10:25 Successful mastermind participation requires giving as much value as you receive, not just taking advice.

21:56 A strong group leader is crucial for maintaining group health, resolving conflicts, and ensuring productive discussions.

23:03 Joining a mastermind can help introverted professionals improve communication skills and build confidence.

29:45 When selecting a mastermind group, ask detailed questions about group structure, expectations, and conflict resolution.

Resources

Search By Burke (Website)
Charlene Burke (LinkedIn)
No More Sabotage: Developing Your Success Mindset (Book)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 35:05 — 32.1MB) | Embed

441: Website Optimization, A/B Split Testing and Heatmaps: How to Double Your Customers, Sales and Profits with Conversion Fanatic Justin Christianson

November 14, 2017

Justin Christianson is the #1 bestselling author of Conversion Fanatic: How to Double Your Customers, Sales and Profits with A/B Testing.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 28:15 — 25.9MB) | Embed

The book is based on years of experience running thousands of split tests on hundreds of campaigns and is the definitive guide to getting more out of your marketing efforts. It's designed to help you find and test breakthrough marketing ideas faster and more adeptly than your competition can keep up with, so you convert more website visitors into paying customers faster and at a lower cost than they can.

He's the co-founder and President of Conversion Fanatics, a full service Conversion rate optimization company, member of the Forbes Agency council as well as the host of the weekly marketing podcast, CMO Roundtable. We talk today about Justin and his team's strategy, process, and mindset when it comes to increasing conversions, improving the website visitor experience, decreasing ad costs, and skyrocketing clicks & sales.

Quotes:

“At the end of the day, it doesn't matter what you or I think of the website—it matters what the visitors think, because they're the ones who are your customers or potential customers.” – Justin Christianson

“The only way to really get and keep a competitive advantage is to constantly be testing to try to beat your high score.” – Justin Christianson

“Optimization never stops, because markets are constantly changing and evolving.” – Justin Christianson

Takeaways:

04:18 Always test website changes scientifically instead of making assumptions about what might improve conversions.

07:18 Companies need at least 30,000 monthly unique visitors to conduct meaningful A/B testing effectively.

12:09 Optimization is an ongoing process that requires constant analysis and adaptation to changing market conditions.

20:07 Focus on customer benefits rather than just listing product features when marketing.

27:04 Don't give up on testing and optimization efforts too quickly - patience and persistence are key to discovering significant improvements.

Resources

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 28:15 — 25.9MB) | Embed

440: Meditation, Journaling, and Gratitude: Tap Into the Three Habits for High Performance State of Flow with Enthusiastic Clay Green

November 13, 2017

Clay Green, speaker, trainer, and expert. What do you want to do better, in both your business and your life? What ever that "thing" is, Clay can help you apply high performance principles to achieve, excel, and get more out of life. To break the usual destructive patterns blocking your way, have self-awareness and move forward, you need to apply the three fundamental principles: meditation (2-5 minutes a day), journaling, and gratitude.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 42:08 — 96.4MB) | Embed

We also talk about getting into the flow state and its four stages:

struggle: where you're focused on a problem
release: get away from the problem and take a break
flow: get inspired
recovery: coming back to reality

Quotes:

“You cannot stay in a state of flow 24/7—you can't, because your body is burning energy. You have to fuel, you have to rest, and your brain has to recover.” – Clay Green

“Control your mind so that you can control your day.” – Clay Green

“My first and most important lesson that I teach people is: think—do not react.” – Clay Green

Takeaways:

02:31 High-performance habits like meditation, journaling, and gratitude form a foundational framework for personal and professional success.

13:02 Breaking complex goals into manageable daily practices helps overcome mental barriers and achieve long-term transformation.

22:21 The state of flow can be intentionally accessed through specific habits, allowing for heightened productivity and creativity without extreme risks.

32:41 Meditation is a powerful tool for controlling your mind and improving daily performance, requiring just 2-5 minutes of consistent practice.

38:56 Entrepreneurs often get stuck by reacting emotionally instead of thoughtfully processing challenges, which blocks their potential for growth.

Resources

Clay Green (Official Site)
Clay Green (LinkedIn)
Custom Mastermind (Site)
Stealing Fire by Steven Kotler (Book)
The Rise of Superman by Steven Kotler (Book)
High Performance Habits by Brendon Burchard (Book)
Relaxation One (app)
Insight Timer (app)
Headspace (app)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 42:08 — 96.4MB) | Embed

439: Grow Your Business Using Project Management Software, Systems, Flow, Documentation and Troubleshooting with Bryan Weinert

November 10, 2017

As the Founding Partner of Incipient, Bryan Weinert oversees product strategy, implementation, and client relations while spearheading an adept team that is determined to push the envelope in custom software technology. From funded startups to large-scale enterprise solutions in finance, healthcare, pharmaceutical, and supply chain management industries, his foolproof solutions have benefited a wide range of clientele.

Quotes:

“As humans, we're all creatures of habit—especially when those habits are bringing good returns. But just because you're getting a return doesn't mean it's the return you should be getting.” – Bryan Weinert

“Reflection is key in any business for any business owner on a monthly basis. You should have processes that allow you to reflect on your progress.” – Bryan Weinert

“It's always easier for someone on the outside, with no preconceived expectations, to offer advice than for anyone involved who might just want to tell you what you want to hear.” – Bryan Weinert

Takeaways:

04:19 Prioritize scalable processes that can grow with your business without requiring complete system overhauls.

08:30 Build a knowledge database that captures recurring problems and their solutions to improve customer service and team efficiency.

12:54 Document your business processes to uncover hidden inefficiencies and create opportunities for technological improvement.

14:43 Seek outside perspectives to identify blind spots in your current business workflows and communication strategies.

15:30 Focus on time-consuming tasks as the primary starting point for business optimization and automation.

Resources

Incipient (Product Growth Company)
Incipient (Twitter)
Bryan Weinert (LinkedIn)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 22:34 — 51.7MB) | Embed

438: Be of Service and Value to Others: How to Network, Build Loyalty, Develop Relationships, and Express Gratitude with Meredith Bell

November 9, 2017

Meredith Bell has been an entrepreneur since 1982, and she's an expert in helping companies develop the people side of their business. Meredith is co-founder and President of Performance Support Systems, a global software company based in Virginia. Their products are used by leadership coaches and consultants as well as internal learning and development professionals to help managers become more effective leaders.

One of Meredith strengths is building strong relationships. She and her business partners have worked together for 25 years, and many of their clients and resellers have done business with them for 20 years. She understands what’s required to build the loyalty and commitment that lead to repeat business and referrals, and we talk today about how to help others, follow up, and actively listen to make sales easy again.

Quotes:

“The more I give, the more comes back to me.” – Meredith Bell

“Most people don't have enough others in their lives who show a genuine interest in who they are, what they're doing, and what's important to them.” – Meredith Bell

“When your attitude is focused on serving and being helpful, it makes a huge difference in the response you get.” – Meredith Bell

Takeaways:

02:29 Effective leadership hinges on clear communication, active listening, and genuine appreciation of team members.

11:07 Reaching out to authors, experts, or professionals can create unexpected opportunities through genuine curiosity and support.

17:51 Building strong relationships requires a mindset of serving others and finding ways to help them without expecting immediate returns.

24:57 Most people lack meaningful connections, so showing authentic interest in someone's work can create lasting professional relationships.

27:13 Expressing gratitude and providing small, thoughtful gestures can significantly impact professional interactions.

Resources

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 34:23 — 78.7MB) | Embed

437: Fulcrum Investing and the State of Logic: How to Stand Out, Get Noticed, Build the Right Team, and Make Great Decisions with Kevin Van Eekeren

November 8, 2017

Kevin Van Eekeren started his career as a logistic officer for a SWAT team, which gave him insight into the criminal justice world, and he soon found that through training SWAT teams better he could reduce the use of force while bettering the national security of our country. Fulcrum Tactical was born out of that idea, and within 18 months he expanded it from a charity to a for-profit company. He started investing in startups on the side but focused on Fulcrum Tactical and his new venture, Fulcrum Farms a sustainable farm producing high-quality meat and eggs for families and restaurants in the Chicagoland area. After six years Kevin sold Fulcrum Tactical and moved on to investing in startups full-time by starting Fulcrum Investing. Kevin spends his free time co-hosting The State of Logic Podcast and has also continued his passion for farming.

Quotes:

“While we never want to hurt anyone's feelings, it's also important to give people our honest assessment of the possible ability for success of an idea or a company.” – Kevin Van Eekeren

“It is the investor's job to call an ugly baby an ugly baby when necessary, in order to be the best person you can be for that entrepreneur.” – Kevin Van Eekeren

“The CEO cannot be working in the business. He has to be working on the business.” – Kevin Van Eekeren

Takeaways:

03:12 Media and information sources often prioritize sensationalism over truth, making critical thinking and fact-checking essential.

06:33 Quick, honest feedback is more valuable to entrepreneurs than prolonged, sugar-coated responses.

09:18 Startup success depends more on the quality of the founding team than the specific industry or product.

09:49 Successful investing requires a rigorous, objective process that removes personal bias and focuses on the entrepreneur's potential.

15:00 Building a business means focusing on the big picture strategy while empowering a skilled team to handle execution details.

Resources

The State of Logic (Podcast)
Fulcrum Investing (Website)
Kevin Van Eekeren (LinkedIn)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 20:47 — 47.6MB) | Embed

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