Will Talks Biz

Justin Breen joins us again to talk about his newest book, Epic Life. This book focuses on how to build collaborative global companies while putting your family first. It's what many people want, but don't know how to do. Justin certainly does though because in addition to being a husband and dad, he runs two global companies, both a PR firm and a SaaS platform. Key Takeaways:  {7:03} Epic Life wa...

Justin Breen joins us to give us a glimpse into the knowledge and experiences shared in his book, Epic Business. In addition to being a husband and dad, he runs two global companies, both a PR firm and a SaaS platform. Key Takeaways: {4:02 } Justin shares that the greatest joy of being an entrepreneur is showing my son's that this world exists. It was not something he thought he wanted to do, but...

Recently Cassie applied for a position for one of my businesses to see how I have set up my hiring process. As much as I would love to hire her, we are instead using her experience to talk about the reasoning behind the system I set up for positions that come available Key Takeaways: {1:56} By asking more detailed questions about someone's motivation or their responses to video clips I include all...

Lee Cockerell is back to share more of his leadership knowledge. Today we talk about how in leadership you can create a culture of developing employees. Lee's book, Customer Rules, includes a number of rules that are also helpful for a leader. One chapter that always speaks to me is, " Be like a bee." Key Takeaways: {2:09 } There was an old story about a little girl asking Walt Disney is he still...

Lee Cockerell, former Executive Vice President of Walt Disney World Resort, is someone we have talked about frequently. Since retiring from Disney he has written several books, does speaking, and has the Cockerell Academy where he offers a varity of leadership courses. Today he joins to talk more about his book, Career Magic Key Takeaways: {2:07} Lee wrote the book as a way to look back at his car...

Telling people that you sold of business to a competitor intrigues them. The idea of a competitor has created connection to thinking we have to beat them or be the best.  Looking at competitors as your adversary often comes down to your mindset. Key Takeaways: {3:57 } You might have more in common with your competitors than you do with other people. They are often going through similar things, bei...

Anyone hired to work at The Disney Company goes through an onboarding process called Traditions. This is where you learn the history of the company, the values how we are to act them out, and key customer service. Part of the experience includes meeting people from positions throughout the company. This occurs before moving into more specific department and role training. The interactions with lea...

Bonuses are used in businesses for a variety of ways. Lately we are hearing a lot about interview-based bonuses. The ones I have used are incentive based bonuses. I have used them as a tool to motivate and inspire. While bonuses may bring a quick result, I have learned a few lessons along the way including their long term impact. Key Takeaways: {1:43} Short term bonuses are the ones that are typic...

When you scale quickly it become easy to find yourself surrounded by toxic employees. Embezzlement, theft, and everything in-between can happen if you aren't on top of toxic behavior.  One thing I would tell my younger self is to fire them the moment they become toxic. Today I share my experiences on leading a team when the issue of a toxic employee is brought up. Key Takeaways: {2:40 } What I def...

Today Cassie and I talk about some of the challenges that come when you are starting your own business. Right away I ask her about one of the action items that we discussed when she was a guest on an episode of Ask Will. It lead me to ask, "What's stopping you?".  {1:57 } Get people in your team or as a contractor to take care of some of the things you need done within your business so you can gro...

Today we continue the "Ask Will" series, where entrepreneurs from a variety of backgrounds and levels can share their concerns and get insight from me.  This episode is with Katie Currens, founder and Chief Engagement Officer of One Spark Solutions. Katie's non-linear career showed her the need for people to reconnect with their curiosity and creativity professional purpose. The biggest challenge...

Any time you put yourself out in the work, whether it be in business or a book, you are opening yourself up to receiving negative feedback. My perspective on reviews has shifted since publishing my own book. When you look at reviews as opportunities to learn and improve, the current and future customers can be forgiving. Customers should love you so much that they want to leave a review. {2:48} Ne...

When I look back at my early years in school, I remember the times a teacher would have students read out loud, regardless of our ability. Kids would become impatient when I'd not know a word. For me it unlocked a competitive side that was not going to let that happen anymore. {2:03} Public reading is my greatest fear. It was even more in school, so I started looking ahead to prepare for my turn....

Entrepreneurs tend to look at other entrepreneurs and get caught up in comparison. This can cause feelings of imposter syndrome.    {1:36} The more shiny objects or things that you try to chase after or brag about, the more you will set you up for failure. Any time I got overly confident about my business something big would happen and set me back. {3:07} Hire because you actually have a need or b...

We are kicking off a series of episodes called, "Ask Will". Entrepreneurs from a variety of backgrounds and levels can share their concerns and get insight from me.   This episode is with Cassie Tucker, co-founder of CAMM Media. She asks, "After bootstrapping and building all aspects of my business, I am ready to scale. How can I start delegating so I can build the business to double and even trip...

All job seekers have a 26.2% probability of receiving a job offer. Typically entry level positions have more offers than other roles, but for any position it really comes down to the interview process. {2:18} Who you higher will greatly affect your whole team. To consciously think about who you are hiring is what I mean about hiring slow. Don't just hire anyone that shows up to an interview. {4:08...

Hiring slow and firing fast was not a concept I was familiar with early in my career. That all changed when I started focusing more on customer service. {1:33} If you want to have the best customer service, you have to hire the best based on what your business needs {3:14} When you set clear expectations it leaves no room for misunderstanding {4:34}The clearest way I fire someone is based on "will...

The day that changed my life was the day my former business partner ended the partnership by clearing out the store and bank account.  My mantra "without customers you don't have a business" was born based on the events that followed that discouraging experience. I knew I had to make sure the customers wouldn't leave, which is why I turned my focus to customer service. {4:08}If a customer thinks y...

Failure is a common denominator. There are many moments that we count as failures that are so big we never forget them. Change happens with what you decide to do next. Do you give up or do you persevere? Will kept his dyslexia a secret for over 30 years "I Can't Read: A Guide to Success Through Failure" is Will's book about his experience having dyslexia His book talks about navigating life as a s...