Idaho Business Podcast

You've certainly heard about AI and all that it's doing out there in the world, but did you know what it can be doing for you and your business?   Prepare to be blown away!   Let's just say you are leaving way too much on the table if you're not looking into this as a solution for your company.   In this interview, marketing and artificial intelligence guru Brian Hanson tells podcast host Spencer...

We all want the best for our businesses and teams but at times we put too much on our shoulders and try to bite off more than we can chew. It's time to choose only two items/goals that will move the needle forward for your business or team this quarter. Why only two? It's too easy to say you're going to tackle a whole list of goals in 3 months and then keep pushing tasks down the line because you...

You are crazy busy, we know it and you know it. When it comes to hiring for positions in your company are you just dialing in a boilerplate template you found on Indeed to post a job? If so, how has that worked for you so far?  I'm here to tell you there is a better way! Starting with the rules of that position first then moving to outcomes you are halfway there to writing a great description for...

Nowadays it seems like everyone is so negative—the way people talk, the way they drive, and especially with comments on social media!   In the midst of all of this aggression, rudeness, and oftentimes jealousy, how do you stay positive and happy?   You might think, well, I just tune it out; this stuff about being cheery is dumb, who has time for that?   But did you know that positive thinking will...

We all have those days and or weeks where we look back and say what did I even do today. Even though you know you were busy. Have you thought certain events were a certain day to find out they were the following day? If you can relate, this episode is for you. I can be the king at this! This is why I have to go back to the basics and track my time when I feel disorganized. It's simple but so easy...

If you are a business owner/leader who finds it nearly impossible to delegate certain tasks and obligations to others in your organization, I would implore you to force yourself to go away on vacation for one, if not two weeks.   While you're away, identify problems that arise which you typically handle, but under the circumstances, suddenly require intervention by someone or something else.   Doi...

It's about cross training your staff. When Betty in accounting is sick for a week or Peter is away for XZY reason, you have other people that know their roles enough to fill the gap while they're absent. So your company doesn't have to be at a standstill in that area. Having your staff create a "cheat sheet" for their positions. This is huge. Especially as these rockstars get promoted, you can hir...

You've closed the deal and you're probably chomping at the bit to get your hands on your new business and start working it.   First off, remember:  Y our new employees and leadership have their caution radars going off all over the place.   So you need to love on them, and not change much as you first take control.   They need to know that their jobs are secure and that you are going to take care...

My business partner Jackson Wood and I just closed our first deal. I wanted to share some of the things we learned as we went through this process and now executing our transition plan. What a great time to be alive and looking for opportunities! We have at our fingertips millions of businesses owned by baby boomers going up for sale. Many of these businesses are fantastic. The problem is that onl...

Just as Uber did to the taxi industry, Neal Smith and his company NSJ Construction are disrupting the framing industry!   After two decades spent framing walls for new buildings, Neal decided there had to be a streamlined and more modern way of getting the job done.   Now, NSJ Construction produces pre-built, high-quality wall panels, designed to be erected far more quickly, compared to traditiona...

How long has it been since you've googled your business? What about looking at your own website? Have you made any changes or edits in the last 1-3 years? You are probably missing out on some key sales opportunities. It's time to really pay attention to who we are trying to reach as our customers. For example- you are only offering a chat contact feature but many older generations also want the op...

How many of us are putting in hard hours of work day in and day out just to end the day, week, month with less than stellar results? Are you blaming your teams, managers? Are you tracking anything in your businesses or teams to actually measure productivity? If you're not, this episode is a great jumpstart on how to start putting some of this into practice so you don't have to wait until the books...

How many of us have left our offices for a work trip or vacation thinking "I hope this place is still here when I get back!"   Then, do you proceed to worry about things as you are away; checking up on your team incessantly to make sure everything is still operating?   That's not the way to live or manage a team.   You attract negativity and things actually do go wrong.   What if I told you that y...

Too many of us are tying everything we have to our businesses and aren't planning for our retirements. Did you know that the average baby boomer business owner has an average of $202,000 saved for retirement? They need to sell their businesses to retire with dignity. Did you also know that only 1 out of 11 businesses actually sell? It's time to take action, know where the money in our businesses i...

Many of us are still pushing ourselves to the limit physically and mentally with all the tasks of operating and running our businesses.  What would you do though if your physical abilities were taken from you permanently or temporarily? Would your business be able to function still? If you are the one changing every tire, servicing each HVAC or pounding every nail you are going to be in trouble. ...

Have you ever been asked at the end of the week, "How was your week?   What did you do?"   And as you paused to respond, did you recall only how busy you were; not a single thing you actually did?   YOU ARE NOT ALONE!   This happens to many of us.   We're 100 percent "taking care of business," but are we being proactive or reactive?   Too often we're being reactive; just handling what comes at us...

I think when we are starting a business and we are new to the whole experience, it's overwhelming. We are just trying to keep our heads above water and learn progressively through our experiences. This works but only so much. Especially when you think about all those who have gone before you and have been successful in your business. This is why reading books from professionals is on my list today...

It's a new year and you have benchmarks to hit and life to enjoy!   What can you do to drastically increase your client attraction abilities?   There are five important rules we cover today that will give you the superpowers to get the job done.   The most important thing though is to enjoy your life and enjoy the process throughout this year!   - Spencer Ward       If you are feeling the love, ma...

Too many of us are hesitant to spend money implementing email marketing or designing a great business website.  Or maybe we don't have time to do it all ourselves.   Instead of constantly avoiding these potentially huge advancements for your business because "you've never done it before," why not just dive in, and see how much your business can grow along with your customer loyalty.   Learn what a...

We're all busy! How do you want to be remembered by those you love, your children, your spouse, your friends? After your professional life is over will you have friends or family wanting to be a part of your life? Will they want to come home for Christmas?  You can't change what has happened in the past but we can change the future.  Find time now to spend with your family/friends without having y...

Are you putting in the work day in and day out without getting the advancement opportunities you've been hoping for? If you own your own business are you growing without seeing the additional money you thought you'd see as you grew your business? So much can change with just a one degree course correction or change. Relying on our own abilities and knowledge sometimes is not enough. Are you humble...

If you have not read the E-Myth you are missing out! Many of us are working for lunatics because in the business we own the business cannot run without you!  How would you set up your business if it was going to be used as a model for 5000 other businesses? Would you run it the same way as you do now? If you're like me, you're probably thinking that you could be doing things better.  It's time to...

When you place quality first, the volume will follow. From volume, your organization will benefit from profits. Placing quality before the profits is how Jake Erickson from Bingham Memorial Hospital does it and it's how many organizations will survive the tests of time. If you are constantly striving to add value to those you serve, your business will naturally grow. If you've ever wanted to sit d...

You may not want to listen to this episode.   I tell a story that even my own mother doesn't know.   It's a near death experience I had in Zimbabwe when I was serving as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.   I relate this story to making decisions in our lives, not being scared to take action, and allowing our first attempts to not be perfect.   It's time to not liste...

What's still left undone on your goal sheet? Why? What's stopping you? Is it something you should even be doing?  Looking at the goals that are worthwhile and knocking them out of the park within these last two months of the year can be done. Even if it's a weight loss goal and you haven't started yet. Make the step, hire a dietician, invest in your future. If it's wanting to get a few more X amou...