One Next Step: Management Tips & Tools for Small Business Owners: Recent Episodes

BELAY

It’s time to run your business – and stop letting it run you. One Next Step, hosted by BELAY CEO and author Tricia Sciortino and Lisa Zeeveld, CFO and COO, is the most practical business podcast in the world. It provides tangible takeaways and actionable insights for listeners every week so leaders can affect change in their business immediately. Because after working with thousands of entrepreneurs, executives, and organizations, powerhouse virtual staffing company BELAY has the real-world business knowledge to help real-life leaders get more done and see more results. World-renown guests like Daymond John and Michael Hyatt join Tricia and Lisa weekly to share the small steps, experiences, coaching and resources that have helped them propel their businesses and lead with confidence. For podcast show notes and additional resources on business growth for the business owner, visit OneNextStepPodcast.com

If you find yourself thinking you need to grow before you can start bringing on help, you might have it backwards. Often, investing in the right people can free you up to focus on growing far more efficiently than you could on your own. Today’s guests are a powerful team who have learned this truth through firsthand experience: Geoff Welch and Trúc Towns.

Geoff is a leadership consultant helping growth-focused leaders simplify their work so they can accomplish more than they thought possible. When he was ready to delegate some of his administrative work, he brought on Trúc, an experienced executive assistant he found through BELAY. Trúc and Geoff talk with Tricia about their experience of learning to work together and their top tips for getting started working with a virtual assistant. Geoff also explains how delegation has allowed him to play to his strengths in both his career and his personal life.

3 Key Takeaways1. Every person with a remarkable impact started with a belief in what was possible.If you have an idea and a passion for carrying it out, there’s no reason why you can’t make an impact on a national or even global scale. The people you look up to now were once starting out just like you.

2. No matter your situation, there is help out there for you.Many of us think we need to grow more before we can ask for help, but we tend to have it backwards. No matter where you live or how small your business might be, there are steps you can take today to start investing in the support you need. And when you begin to delegate, it will give you the freedom to focus on growing your impact.

3. Delegation is a collaborative process.A great virtual assistant balances proactivity with a willingness to take things one step at a time. If you’re not sure how to delegate, they can help you figure out next steps. It’s OK to start small, as long as you’re starting somewhere!

Links and Resources:

Geoff Welch’s website
BELAY Virtual Assistants

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In today's fast-paced and interconnected world, harnessing the power of technology and artificial intelligence has become essential for businesses and professionals aiming to thrive in their respective fields. Today, we have the privilege of hearing from a remarkable duo who have embraced the potential of AI to enhance their productivity and streamline their work processes.

Wes Gay is a StoryBrand Certified Guide, Agency Owner, and Private Workshop Facilitator. And since 2016, he’s helped hundreds of organizations find clarity with StoryBrand. Jodi Reiter is an accomplished Executive Assistant, bringing a wealth of experience from the marketing, advertising and photography industries as she supports Wes. They sat down with Ryan to share their experiences, strategies and success stories in utilizing AI to collaborate more efficiently and achieve remarkable outcomes. Listeners will learn about the most impactful AI tools on the market and how to weave them into your daily workflow.

Welcome to Episode 128 of One Next Step.

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Today on the podcast, we have a special episode courtesy of our friends at the Maxwell Leadership Podcast. BELAY CFO Lisa Zeeveld sat down with Mark Cole recently to co-host an episode of the Maxwell Leadership Podcast about how to get time back as a leader.

The conversation was so great that we wanted to be sure our One Next Step listeners could hear it too.

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In this Bonus Next Step, Tricia and LZ share how to identify and prioritize your most important emails so they don’t get lost in the mix.

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Communication is a critical part of leadership. But managing email can be tedious and frustrating for busy leaders.

In this episode, Tricia and LZ will discuss their strategies for email management and reaching “inbox zero.” Leaders will get new ideas about how to manage email, how Tricia and LZ delegate to their virtual assistants, how they prioritize their emails, and a lot more!

Welcome to episode 126 of One Next Step.

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In this Bonus Next Step, Ashley Webb shares the one thing she wishes she would have known before starting this process of building relationships with potential partners and affiliates.

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B2B marketing can often be hit or miss. And determining and getting access to your target market can also be difficult. The best way to find and access that target market is to align yourself with companies who already have relationships with those people. They can introduce you to that market directly using their relationship, trust and team. Our goal is for business owners to be able to more effectively leverage partnerships and affiliates in their sales and marketing efforts.

In this episode, we’ll be joined by BELAY Sr. Acquisitions Manager, Ashlee Webb. She will chat with us about how to build and scale your business using partnerships and affiliates.

Welcome to episode 125 of One Next Step.

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In this Bonus Next Step, Theresa Summerlin breaks down the pros and cons of hiring a virtual assistant to help run your social media, versus hiring a dedicated social media manager.

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There’s a major difference between recognizing that social media is important and having the knowledge and skills you need to use it effectively. If you’re struggling to find the time to devote to social media, or you want to take your strategy to the next level, it might be time to hire a social media manager.

In this episode, BELAY VP of Marketing Amy Appleton talks with Solutions Consultant Theresa Summerlin about the different ways that hiring a social media expert can help your business’ marketing, sales, and customer service. Theresa also shares some practical tips for leaders who are managing their own accounts and discusses a few key signs that it might be time to start outsourcing this piece of your business.

Welcome to episode 124 of One Next Step.

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In this Bonus Next Step, Tricia and LZ share some of the key red flags to look out for when someone isn't right for the job.

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What makes up the perfect virtual assistant? What should leaders be looking for when they are hiring this important position?

In this episode, Tricia and LZ will share the key attributes that make up a great VA, from their decades of experience in interviewing, hiring, and being them. They’ll leave our listeners empowered and equipped to find the right fit for the job, knowing exactly what to look for in a great VA.

Welcome to episode 123 of One Next Step.

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In this Bonus Next Step, Ryan Fitzgerald shares what benefits business owners and leaders fail to think about when it comes to the hybrid, remote model.

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In this episode we’ll talk with BELAY’s own Ryan Fitzgerald, who is our Senior Marketing Manager. He’ll talk about the benefits of fractional, hybrid workforces.

With so many businesses going remote over the last two years, Ryan has some incredible insight into the benefits they are beginning to see as remote companies, and what the business world looks like moving forward. Business owners who are on the fence about remote work should get a lot from this episode.

Welcome to episode 122 of One Next Step.

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In this Bonus Next Step, Amy Appleton tells small business owners and solopreneurs without someone dedicated to marketing, where do they can go to get help.

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Return on Investment (ROI). Every business leader knows what it is, and knows it’s important, but how many really have put a plan in practice to build a healthy ROI in their marketing? In this episode, Amy Appleton, Director of Marketing at BELAY, rejoins the podcast to talk with LZ about all things ROI. They’ll discuss what a good ROI looks like, how to know when you’re succeeding with ROI, what to do when things go wrong, what type of technology can help, and more.

Welcome to episode 121 of One Next Step.

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In this Bonus Next Step, Madison Morgan share some of the characteristics that sets a great VA apart from the crowd during the interview process.

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The process of finding a great virtual assistant can feel overwhelming, so it’s important to make sure you know what traits you’re looking for and how to screen for them in the interview process. In this episode, BELAY Director of Talent Madison Morgan will share an overview of BELAY’s proven process for hiring great VAs. She’ll also explain how partnering with BELAY can save leaders an enormous amount of time and stress.

Listeners should leave this episode with an understanding of what it takes to hire a virtual assistant, as well as the benefits of working with BELAY rather than hiring someone on their own.

Welcome to episode 120 of One Next Step.

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It’s the leader’s job to chart the direction of the business. However, even with a clear vision, selecting the right goals can be challenging and overwhelming, especially when there are more options and opportunities than resources. Without specific goals, you and your team will struggle to focus and maximize the return on your effort.

Tracking progress often feels just as confusing. Even the most profit-minded leaders sometimes question if they’re headed in the right direction and wonder how if what they’re doing is working.

This week, we're revisiting one of our favorite (and first) episodes of the podcast in case you missed it back in 2020. In this episode, Tricia and Lisa interview entrepreneur, best-selling author, and investor of ABC Network’s Shark Tank, Daymond John about taking control of your game by setting goals and tracking progress for your business.

Welcome to One Next Step.

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In this Bonus Next Step, Carrie Fabris explains what “all in” means and shares a few tips for leaders to help them confront the barriers keeping them from experiencing everything life has to offer.

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We all want to hire people who are good at what they do, but how do we make sure we’re allowing our team members to play to their unique strengths? This is a question that Carrie Fabris has helped many leaders answer as a coach and a speaker, and in this episode, she’s going to share her insight with our listeners.

Anyone who listens to this episode should gain a better understanding of what it means to leverage your strengths in your personal and professional life, while also equipping others to do the same.

Welcome to episode 119 of One Next Step.

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In this Bonus Next Step, John Duisberg shares how building a great employee experience helps businesses attract quality talent, and how leaders can best communicate their unique culture to prospective employees.

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67% of employees say burnout has worsened during the pandemic, so it’s more important than ever for leaders to prioritize the employee experience. In this episode, John Duisberg, co-founder of Cooleaf and host of “The Great Retention,” will break down some of the common problems he’s seen when it comes to employee experience, and he’ll share practical steps leaders can take to better engage their team members and improve retention in the process.

Leaders who listen to this episode should feel convinced that experience and engagement are something they need to focus on, and they should each walk away with at least one practical action step that’s applicable for their business.

Welcome to episode 118 of One Next Step.

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Even the most capable working professionals struggle with self-doubt, costing themselves time, money, opportunities, and their reputations.

In this special episode, Lisa interviews Tricia, focusing on her approach to helping leaders harness their grit and trust their gut so they can defeat self-doubt, gain confidence, and make progress on their priorities.

Welcome to this episode of the One Next Step Podcast.

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In this Bonus Next Step, Mike Byam explains how leaders can give recognition that resonates with employees and makes them feel appreciated but not create a sense of entitlement.

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For leaders dealing with hiring and retention issues, employee recognition is probably not their top priority. But Mike Byam believes it should be. In this episode, he’ll explain why recognition is vital for a healthy work culture, and he’ll break down the specific types of recognition and communication that today’s employees are looking to receive from their employers.

Leaders should walk away from this episode with a clear understanding of why recognition matters, as well as actionable steps they can take to build recognition into the routines of their business.

Welcome to episode 117 of One Next Step.

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In this Bonus Next Step, Tony & Kristina Ebel share the biggest lesson they’ve learned about relationships from running a business together.

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Many business owners who hire a virtual assistant expect that it will help them stay organized professionally, but people don’t always realize that working with a VA can also empower you to build a healthier personal life. This is especially true for today’s guests, Tony and Kristina Ebel, because they are spouses who run two successful businesses together. Tony and Kristina are the owners of The Pediatric Experience, which includes both a brick and mortar and an online business.

In this episode, Kristina and Tony will talk through some of the biggest challenges they’ve faced while building their businesses, and they’ll explain how hiring a BELAY virtual assistant has helped them grow both individually and collectively.

Welcome to episode 116 of One Next Step.

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In this Bonus Next Step, Kim Stone shares with LZ a few key signs that it might be time to step into something new.

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As someone who’s spent 25 years advancing through the top organization’s in sports and entertainment, including the Miami HEAT and Golden State Warriors, Kim Stone is an expert at seeking out new challenges and opportunities within her organization. In this episode, Kim is going to explain how she balances staying hungry for new opportunities with enjoying the present and conserving her energy to lead for the long haul. Welcome to episode 115 of One Next Step.

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In this Bonus Next Step, Bruce Ackerman talks about the most important things you can do to create a lasting partnership with your new VA right from the start.

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When scaling a business, it’s natural to reach a point where you feel like your limited capacity is slowing down the business’ growth.

In this episode, LZ will talk with Bruce Ackerman about his experience hiring a BELAY virtual assistant. Bruce is the founder of Printavo, a software company that helps screen printing shops stay organized as they grow. Bruce will also talk about some of the biggest challenges he’s overcome while building his business and will share advice for other entrepreneurs.

Welcome to episode 112 of One Next Step.

Brian Dodd is the Director of New Ministry Relationships at Injoy Stewardship Solutions. In this bonus episode, he’ll answer the question:

If there was one sports figure that you most respect - who is it, why, and what’s one of the big lessons from them?

In this episode, Brian Dodd will talk with LZ about everything he learned while writing about leadership in 2021. The goal is to help leaders measure their success, build winning cultures, understand the true difference between success and failure, and a lot more. Leaders should walk away with a wide range of knowledge after listening to this episode.

Welcome to episode 113 of One Next Step.

In this Bonus Next Step, Jon Gordon explains how positive leaders can create a greater impact by inspiring positivity in their team members. He also describes how a positive, relationship-focused mindset can strengthen your team’s connection and commitment.

Positivity is not sticking your head in the sand to ignore challenges, but rather facing them head on with optimism and courage. In this episode, author and speaker Jon Gordon explains how positive leadership can transform your organization. He also shares success stories he’s seen firsthand from some of the world’s top organizations, and he lays out some practical steps you can take to start becoming a more positive leader today.

Welcome to episode 112 of One Next Step.

What worked for your business on social media in the past — even six months ago — will probably not work today. Social media is constantly changing, and keeping up with the latest trends and growth strategies is a full-time job. So in this episode, BELAY Social Media Strategist Jessica Doehling provides a state of the union on social media in 2022.

She breaks down the biggest trends, explains how to determine which platforms you should focus on, and gives an overview of the most important things to include in a social media strategy. Whether you’re running your own socials or just want to better understand the landscape your marketing team is working in, this conversation is packed with useful information.

Welcome to episode 111 of One Next Step.

What do you do when you think you need to make a change, but you’re not sure which path to take? Jeff Henderson is incredibly familiar with this feeling, and he’s learned through experience how to identify, prepare for, and take the next step.

In this episode, Jeff shares some of the key lessons from his new book, “What to Do Next.” He breaks down a few key signs that you might be ready for a change, explains why it’s so important to create optimal options, and shares some strategies for building and accessing your personal network. Whether you’re a leader who’s currently in the midst of a transition, or you want to prepare yourself to make a change in the future, this episode is full of valuable insight!

Welcome to episode 110 of One Next Step.

Communication is one of the most important parts of a leader’s job, and yet 66% of leaders report feeling uncomfortable communicating with their employees. In this episode, BELAY Vice President of Operations Matt Seaton unpacks four necessities for communicating effectively with your team. He also shares practical tips for implementing those strategies and explains how leaders of remote and hybrid teams can build connections even without physical proximity.

Welcome to episode 109 of One Next Step.

Every entrepreneur’s journey is unique, but there are a few key characteristics that can increase your chances of success at whatever business you choose to build. In this episode, Monica Allen talks through some of those characteristics and shares the biggest lessons she’s learned throughout more than twenty years of entrepreneurship.

Monica is the co-founder and COO of Zeus' Closet, owner of Monica Allen Interiors, and host of the “Become Your Own Boss” podcast. She discusses some of the common issues facing today’s entrepreneurs, shares a few of her favorite resources, and explains why she’s focused on calibration instead of balance.

Welcome to episode 108 of One Next Step.

To create a great organizational culture, you first need to establish your mission, vision, and values. But it doesn’t stop there. Leaders also need to find ways to consistently communicate those values in both words and actions.

In this episode, BELAY CFO Lisa Zeeveld and CEO Tricia Sciortino break down the process of building culture, from defining your values to integrating those values into your team’s daily routines. Tricia and Lisa also share some creative examples of the ways BELAY has implemented the core values of gratitude, fun, and vision.

Welcome to episode 107 of One Next Step.

Many leaders wait until they’re completely overwhelmed to start delegating, but hiring someone before you reach that point can help you build a more successful working relationship.

In this episode, BELAY CEO Tricia Sciortino talks with Chick-fil-A operator Rob Herold and his BELAY virtual assistant, Mindy Brewer. Rob and Mindy share practical insight about the process of onboarding and beginning to delegate to a VA. They also explain how their partnership frees Rob up to focus on the things he does best. Whether you’re currently working with a VA or you’re considering hiring one but aren’t sure if you’re ready, this episode is full of valuable information.

Welcome to episode 106 of One Next Step.

As a leader, you’re responsible for setting the tone when it comes to your team’s productivity. But in a culture where many of us confuse busyness for productivity, it can be difficult to find the daily rhythms and structures that help you and your team accomplish your most important tasks.

In this episode, BELAY CFO Lisa Zeeveld talks with Director of Marketing Amy Appleton about four strategies leaders can use to be more productive with their time, physical space, meetings, and delegation. They share practical tips for becoming a better delegator, setting up a physical space that’s conducive to productivity, structuring meetings for maximum effectiveness, and more.

Welcome to episode 105 of One Next Step.

When you work with other people, hard conversations are inevitable.

In this episode, Lisa talks with Krisha Buehler and Lori Friedman from BELAY about the framework they use when having difficult conversations, and they’ll talk through the specific approaches they would take in three different workplace scenarios. This conversation will be full of information that listeners can start implementing in their own conversations right away.

Welcome to episode 104 of One Next Step.

Strong relationships are one of the keys to building a great company culture, especially for remote or hybrid teams. In this episode, BELAY CFO Lisa Zeeveld shares a few key hacks for leading with empathy, setting clear expectations, and creating a culture where feedback is encouraged.

Whether you’re new to working with hybrid teams or you’re an experienced leader who just wants to learn more, this episode is full of practical advice and insight.

Welcome to episode 103 of One Next Step.

When you’re looking to grow your business, the answer is usually less about working harder and more about delegating effectively. That’s why Stacy Tuschl is so focused on helping business owners stop getting in the way of their own growth.

In this episode, Stacy shares practical advice leaders can use to start delegating, creating more accountability among team members, and setting up systems that allow the business to keep running smoothly.

If you are feeling burnt out or overworked, or you’ve been trying to grow and just can’t seem to make it happen, this episode will provide some valuable but simple next steps you can take.

Social media and email marketing are powerful tools for reaching new customers and prospects, but using them effectively requires a shift in perspective. To talk about this topic, we’re joined by Kevin Jennings, owner of Junction 32.

Kevin will share some practical tips for making the most of your social media presence, measuring your marketing success, and helping people transition from followers and subscribers into customers.

If you’re a business owner who’s struggling to get traction with social media and email marketing, or you don’t have a strong online presence yet and want to get started, this episode is full of great advice.

In this episode, One Next Step is hosted by Tonia Benas, BELAY’s Talent Acquisition Recruiter & D&I Committee Co-Chair, and Beth Thompson, BELAY’s HR Generalist. They will talk about the importance and value of diversity and inclusion in business, and they’ll also explain BELAY’s journey in making this topic a priority.

The audience should feel motivated to help make their workplace more diverse, and they’ll have the strategies and resources to do just that.

Welcome to episode 100 of One Next Step.

In this episode, LZ and Tricia will talk to busy leaders about the importance of taking time off. Too many leaders and business owners go so hard that they don’t take time for themselves.

LZ and Tricia will help leaders understand why vacation time is so important, both mentally and physically. And they’ll explain some strategies and techniques leaders can use to help them implement healthy processes that allow them to get away.

Welcome to episode 99 of One Next Step.

Tim Schurrer is the former VP of Talent Management and Culture at StoryBrand, and the author of a new book, “The Secret Society of Success.” He is dedicated to helping leaders stop chasing the spotlight and redefine success so they can start making an impact that goes far beyond themselves.

If you are a leader who is tired of trying to climb the ladder of success, or you’re struggling to figure out your purpose, this episode can help.

Welcome to episode 98 of One Next Step.

Harris III is a professional illusionist, speaker, storyteller, and entrepreneur. He is passionate about helping solopreneurs move out of their old life and old ways of thinking and find the new life they want to live. His transformation map and concept of the Wonder Switch are life-changing tools for entrepreneurs.

If you are an entrepreneur or leader who feels stuck and possibly unmotivated, this episode is just for you.

Welcome to episode 97 of One Next Step.

Some business owners don’t understand the value of having a bookkeeper. They might not even realize how beneficial bookkeepers are until they have one in place.

In this episode, Catherine Bowman will talk about her first-hand experience as a BELAY bookkeeper, and how bookkeepers help their clients save time and money. She’ll also talk about how they help entrepreneurs wisely manage and spend their hard-earned dollars.

Welcome to episode 96 of One Next Step.

In this episode, we are joined by Mohammad Anwar, the President and CEO of Softway. He’s authored a Wall Street Journal best-selling book called Love as a Business Strategy, and he’s going to talk to us about how to implement this transformational idea all around building a culture of resilience, belonging and success.

Listeners should feel hopeful and ready to at least begin thinking about making some changes in their business and culture after listening to Mohammad.

Welcome to episode 95 of One Next Step.

In this special episode, BELAY CEO Tricia Sciortino joins The EntreLeadership Podcast, where she talks with their host George Kamel about how finding a high-performing assistant who thinks like a leader can help business owners take back their time and focus.

The conversation was so enlightening that the One Next Step team wanted their listeners to hear the original interview with audio generously provided by The EntreLeadership Podcast.

Welcome to episode 94 of One Next Step.

Bringing on a new position can be a hefty investment for any business. Most small business owners shy away from bringing on a bookkeeper because they aren't sure how to get the most bang for their buck. What they don’t know, yet are the many ways a bookkeeper can bring value to a small business.

In this episode, Melissa Baggett, the senior client success consultant at BELAY, and Melissa Tidwell, solutions consultant, continue their talk about the surprising ways a business can use a bookkeeper to grow their business while saving money along the way.

Welcome to episode 93 of One Next Step.

Bringing on a new position can be a hefty investment for any business. Most small business owners shy away from bringing on a bookkeeper because they aren't sure how to get the most bang for their buck. What they don’t know, yet are the many ways a bookkeeper can bring value to a small business.

In this episode, Melissa Baggett, the senior client success consultant at BELAY, and Melissa Tidwell, solutions consultant, will team up to talk about the surprising ways a business can use a bookkeeper to grow their business while saving money along the way.

Welcome to episode 92 of One Next Step.

What does it take to be an industry leader? Tiff and Leon Chen basically built an industry from scratch when they created Tiff’s Treats, an amazing company that delivers warm cookies to your door.
They have raised hundreds of millions of dollars to create the Tiff’s Treats brand, built around technology, charity, and warm moments. In this episode, they’ll talk about how they built their company, how they’ve used technology while still growing and creating personal moments, how they approach fundraising, and much more.

Welcome to episode 91 of One Next Step.

Many people never reach their potential simply because they are scared and fearful about stepping out. Jason Drees is the CEO of Jason Drees Coaching and the author of Do the Impossible: Unlock Your Full Potential with the Power of Mindset. He’s an expert in helping people change their lives by changing the way they think.

In this episode, he talks with Tricia about how everyone can cultivate a mindset that allows them to be more successful and fulfilled. He’s incredibly confident that anyone can achieve goals that they once thought were impossible.

Welcome to episode 90 of One Next Step.

Are you looking to build and grow your marketing and sales processes? If so, this Masterclass episode is just for you.

Tricia, LZ, and several guests will help small business owners who might not have a fully staffed sales/marketing team learn how to take their marketing game to the next level.

Welcome to episode 88 of One Next Step.

We don’t often think that culture and branding are connected. But Ted Vaughn – co-author of Culture Built My Brand and co-founder of Historic Agency – will show us otherwise.

In this episode, he will talk about the Marquee Culture Method, what it is, how it works, and how to put it in place in your organization. You will better understand how culture and branding are related and what you need to do to win more customers.

Welcome to episode 86 of One Next Step.

This is the second of a two-part episode about delegation. Matt Seaton, VP of Operations at BELAY, joins the podcast to discuss the nuts and bolts of delegation.

He and Lisa will talk about how to be effective at delegation, how much you should delegate, the differences between remote vs traditional, how to build a culture of delegation and much more.

Welcome to episode 85 of One Next Step.

In the first of a two-part episode about delegation, LZ and BELAY’s Director of Marketing, Amy Appleton, will share how a leader can know when it’s time to start delegating, the obstacles they’ll face, and how to develop trust with other team members (i.e. contractors, employees, etc.).

They’ll also talk about the myth of the “Superhero ideology” and why “I’m fine” just doesn’t always cut it.

Welcome to episode 84 of One Next Step.

Tax season is something that most business owners dread, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Bookkeepers can help you better prepare throughout the year so that when taxes roll around you don’t have to experience that overwhelmed feeling.

In this episode, Tricia and Lisa will discuss the ways a bookkeeper can help you prepare your business and alleviate the stress of tax season.

Welcome to episode 83 of One Next Step.

What do new small business owners need to know? What are some challenges and opportunities they are facing right now?

J.R. McNair, a small business consultant who is considered to be one of the nation’s foremost experts on startup businesses, joins us to talk about just that. He’s also the founder of The Velocity Accelerator and Small Business Day: The nation's largest startup launch event. He’ll chat with us about some trends he’s seeing in small businesses and what we can learn from the thousands of small businesses he’s worked with.

Welcome to episode 82 of One Next Step.

What does a CEO need from their COO? And more specifically, what does a leader need from their direct report, and vice versa

McKenzie Reeves Decker is the COO of System & Soul, and she works for a visionary, driven leader. In this episode, she talks about how to make the most of a relationship with your leader, and why it’s so hard for some leaders to ask for and receive help.

Welcome to episode 81 of One Next Step.

What’s the current landscape of leadership and how has it changed over the last few years?

Clay Scroggins is an outstanding speaker and author of a new book called The Aspiring Leader's Guide to the Future: 9 Surprising Ways Leadership is Changing. In this episode, he’ll join Lisa to help our listeners understand what some of the changing trends are in leadership and how they can prepare for them.

Welcome to episode 80 of One Next Step.

Leaders are always making decisions, and when we’re in tune with awareness we’re better equipped to make those important decisions.

Dave Richards is the CEO and Lead Coach at Elite Performance Associates and a former executive director for John Maxwell’s company. In this episode, he’ll talk with Tricia about self-awareness, relational awareness and situational awareness and how leaders can benefit from more of each.

Welcome to episode 79 of One Next Step.

Most entrepreneurs are so busy making money that they aren’t very good at managing it. The solution? A remote bookkeeper.

In this episode, Brooke Cecil, the Director of Client Relations at BELAY, will talk to Lisa about some problems entrepreneurs face when wanting to get started with a bookkeeper, and how to overcome them.

Welcome to episode 78 of One Next Step.

The most important aspect of keeping your business afloat is how you manage your finances. However, not every startup and small business out there can afford to make the leap of hiring a CFO.

In this masterclass episode, Tricia and LZ will dig into the question: While you’re still building your business, what tools are essential to making sure you keep your finances in order to scale your company?

Welcome to episode 77 of One Next Step.

This is a special recap episode highlighting some of our most popular content from the past year.

Excerpts include Tricia and LZ’s advice on how to say no and help employees be productive without micromanaging. Tricia and LZ’s assistants, Kate and Melissa, join the podcast to discuss best practices for working with an assistant. Ian Morgan Cron sits down with our hosts to talk about the Enneagram and how it relates to self-awareness and leadership. And Krisha Buehler walks us through building a supportive and available remote work culture.

Welcome to episode 76 of One Next Step.

As business leaders, we can sometimes hear the term “go-to-market” and immediately think “marketing.” But that is only part of the equation and Sangram Vajre is here to tell us why.

In this episode, we are joined for a second time by Sangram Vajre, Co-Founder and Chief Evangelist of Terminus. He offers his unique take on go-to-market strategies (aka, bringing new products and new business to the market). He will tell us about his 4 questions that help launch products, create ideal customers, and gain a competitive advantage.

He’ll explain the basics of a go-to-market strategy and how leaders can effectively begin using it to take their organization to the next level.

Welcome to episode 75 of One Next Step.

Andy Stanley says, “Unexpressed gratitude feels like ingratitude to the ones for whom you are grateful.” I don’t think most of us are ungrateful for our teams. However, it’s common for leaders to struggle with remembering to show appreciation for their team when they see them every day.

In this episode, we’re going to help you better communicate your appreciation for your team even if you’re working remotely. What gets rewarded gets repeated in any organization, and remote teams are no different. Now more than ever, team members need to know their hard work is seen and valued.

Welcome to One Next Step.

Many leaders are so busy with the day-to-day of running their business that they take little time to invest in themselves and their teams. Whitney Johnson has seen that throughout her career and now helps leaders spend more time focusing on personal and team growth.

Whitney is the CEO of Disruption Advisors, an Inc. 5000 2020 fastest-growing private company in America, one of the 50 leading business thinkers in the world as named by Thinkers50, and the host of the popular podcast Disrupt Yourself. In this episode, Whitney talks with Tricia about why leaders don’t invest in their teams and how to get started.

Welcome to episode 74 of One Next Step.

When companies think of staff or customers posting on their social media channels, they become fearful. What will be said? Will this hurt my business? How can I make it stop if it gets out of hand?

Phil Pallen, CEO of Phil Pallen Collective and the host of the Brand Therapy podcast, joins Tricia and Lisa to help you overcome these fears and see how social media can be an incredible sales tool, allowing you to use your team members and customers as ambassadors for your brand.

Welcome to episode 73 of One Next Step.

Every leader has to make important decisions. But the truth is, many leaders aren’t that great at it.

In this episode, Daniel Harkavy, the CEO of Building Champions and leadership author, will help you understand his approach with the 7 perspectives of effective leaders – and how you can use that approach to help yourself, and your team, become better at decision making.

Welcome to episode 72 of One Next Step.

Even the most capable working professionals struggle with self-doubt, costing themselves time, money, opportunities, and their reputations.

In this special episode, Lisa interviews Tricia, focusing on her approach to helping leaders harness their grit and trust their gut so they can defeat self-doubt, gain confidence, and make progress on their priorities.

Welcome to episode 71 of One Next Step.

Business professionals often lack the guidance they need to grow their careers, which limits their opportunities, influence, and impact. When they have a proven process to help them develop their emotional intelligence, relationships, and skillset, they gain confidence, accelerate their growth, master their goals, and succeed personally and professionally.

In this special episode, Tricia will interview Lisa about how you can unlock your leadership potential, a topic she’s extremely passionate about.

Welcome to episode 70 of One Next Step.

Most leaders want to be successful. But, for many, success comes at a price. They might be high-performers in their careers, but the other aspects of their lives have taken a hit.

In this episode, LZ talks with Sheri Riley, a life strategist, empowerment speaker, and successful author of Exponential Living, about why so many high-performing leaders struggle with this, what to do about it, and what life can look like on the other side. You can stop spending 100% of your time on 10% of who you are.

Welcome to episode 69 of One Next Step.

If you’ve ever searched for business books on Amazon, you know the choices are almost unlimited. Where do you even start?

In this episode, Lisa and BELAY's Director of Marketing, Amy Appleton, are joined by Bryan Kelly, a strategic advisor, investor, and founder of Stroke of Genius. His Stroke of Genius program provides busy leaders with key ideas to execute from popular business books. Today, he’ll chat about how leaders and readers can identify the right books for them, then quickly identify and retain the advice they need to become better leaders.

Welcome to episode 68 of One Next Step.

As business owners, we know that our sales team needs to be incentivized. But they also need to feel confident that their entire job isn’t based on simple sales numbers.

Today, we’re joined for a second time by Lisa Seal, the VP of Revenue at BELAY. Lisa has a brilliant mind for sales, and she’s had years of experience with this topic. She’s helped BELAY structure a business compensation plan that is beneficial to both BELAY and its sales team. In this episode, she’s going to share with our listeners her best practices for designing a successful comp plan.

Welcome to episode 67 of One Next Step.

How do successful businesses stand out from their competition? Many business leaders think they know the answer, but some may be operating under dated advice that’s no longer applicable.

Chris Walker is the CEO Refine Labs and host of the “State of Demand Gen Podcast,” and he’s redefined how businesses play the differentiation game, helping them use those unique elements of what they do to separate themselves and drive leads. In this episode, Lisa and special guest host Dorian Usherwood will talk with Chris about how his system can help our podcast listeners understand how to differentiate their businesses, build their brand, and make more sales.

Welcome to episode 66 of One Next Step.

In this special episode, Tricia and LZ welcome the Vice President of Marketing at BELAY, Dorian Usherwood. Dorian has 26 years of experience in brand strategy development, customer experience, and brand development and management among many other skills.

Dorian is a master at using visual expression as a way to communicate a marketing message. So we’re going to talk to him about that, as well as what leaders need to know about creating a great brand experience for their company – and how to use that to really move the company forward.

Welcome to episode 65 of One Next Step.

Everything of value is built on trust. You’ll pay more for the trusted brand, follow the trusted leader, and buy from the trusted salesperson. Trust is the single uniqueness of the greatest leaders, organizations, and brands of all time.

In this episode, Tricia and LZ are joined by David Horsager, CEO of Trust Edge Leadership Institute and the best-selling author of The Trust Edge. He’s here to discuss his 8 pillars of trust and how you can practically become more trustworthy as a leader.

Welcome to episode 64 of One Next Step.

Leaders are constantly making decisions. Some of them are easy, like where to take the team to lunch, and some of them are incredibly hard, like budget cuts and layoffs. With so many decisions, it’s easy to get paralyzed out of fear of making the wrong choice, or simply not being able to see the best option.

In this episode, Tricia and LZ talk with Jeff Shinabarger, CEO of Plywood People, a former leader at Catalyst, and a successful author. He’ll talk about how to be better at decision-making as leaders, including understanding how to make the right choices even in difficult circumstances, discovering our decision-making style, and using that style to benefit our teams and organization.

Welcome to episode 63 of One Next Step.

Organizations often focus their marketing on a few channels that have worked for them in the past without understanding other opportunities to promote their business and make an impact. Unfortunately, this leaves their organization vulnerable if even one of their previous tactics or channels doesn’t produce at previous levels. How can leaders at these organizations better use all marketing channels – both online and offline – to help them achieve the best possible results?

In today’s episode, Tricia will be joined by our friend, Michael Taggart, the COO of Envoy Media Group, an award winning direct-response marketing company. He’ll talk with us about how he uses online and offline marketing channels for his clients so they can better market their organizations.

Welcome to episode 62 of One Next Step.

Knowing what you want to say is just half the battle. Actually communicating it in an effective, engaging way is the hard part.

Joining us this episode to talk about this topic is one of the best communicators in the country – Lydia Fenet. She’s the global managing director and lead benefit auctioneer at Christie’s in New York City. She’s also a gifted speaker and the author of the widely acclaimed book, The Most Powerful Woman in the Room is You. She’ll talk with Tricia and LZ about how to communicate your message in a way that captures and holds your audience’s attention.

Welcome to episode 61 of One Next Step.

Whether you have a sales team or are still in a sales role as a leader, you need to know how to overcome objections and pushback in the sales process. So how can you honor people’s objections while still closing the sale and delivering your product or service?

Today we’re going to talk about just that with Lisa Seal, who is BELAY’s VP of Revenue. Lisa has years of experience in growth management across several industries and various sales environments. She empowers our team at BELAY to really exceed their growth targets and has been instrumental in helping the organization grow – which, you might have guessed it, involves overcoming pushbacks and making sales!

Welcome to episode 60 of One Next Step.

Corporate gifting is nothing new. For years, businesses have been branding coffee mugs, hats, and koozies and giving them away to potential clients. But John Ruhlin goes next level when it comes to gifting.

In this episode, Tricia and LZ chat with Ruhlin, a gifted speaker, author of Giftology, and founder of The Ruhlin Group, a gift strategy, and logistics company. He’ll talk about how he uses high-end gifts customized to his clients to cut through the noise, increase referrals, and strengthen retention. He tells you how to give, what to give, when is the best time to give, and how to make a giving strategy that has the most impact on your clients.

Welcome to episode 59 of One Next Step.

As a small business owner and leader, promoting your business and promoting yourself is essentially the same thing. But in today’s world of social media, many people are turned off by what they consider to be narcissistic self-promotion. No one wants to be “that person.” However, there is a way to promote your business in a tasteful, professional way.

In this episode, Tricia and LZ will talk with Debby Stone, the founder, and CEO of Novateur Partners and author of The Art of Self-Promotion. Debby will share her great ideas on how to get over the discomfort of self-promotion and how to promote in a way that’s tasteful, professional, and connects with others – instead of turning them off.

Welcome to episode 58 of One Next Step.

In this special episode, our very own Amy Appleton, Director of Marketing at BELAY, sits down with Wes Gay, the Chief Guide at Wayfinder. Wes is a certified StoryBrand guide who helps brands use the power of story to create a clear and compelling message for their employees and customers.

He’ll show you why story matters – and how by leveraging the right words you can grow your business and attract the right people. By implementing some simple changes, you’ll be able to keep your story alive.

Welcome to episode 57 of One Next Step.

Successful leaders want to make a profit, but they also want to be good to their people. Joining us for this episode is Joel Manby, the former CEO, and director of SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment, and the author of the popular book Love Works. Joel was also featured on CBS’ hit show, Undercover Boss, where he made an impact on the show’s 18 million viewers by demonstrating the beauty of servant leadership.

Joel is going to share with us how leaders can make sure they are prioritizing their most important asset – their team – while also making sure the business is thriving.

Welcome to episode 56 of One Next Step.

Is bookkeeping really that important? The short answer: Yes!

The long answer? Well, you’ll just have to listen to this special episode in which guest host Amy Appleton, BELAY’s Director of Marketing, sits down to talk with Jen Barden, BELAY’s Director of Finance.

They’ll share specifics on what business owners should tackle first when approaching new processes or utilizing people to help them with their finances. You’ll learn the importance of having a bookkeeper on your team who is knowledgeable, proactive, reliable, and capable of keeping you informed of your financial records.

Welcome to episode 55 of One Next Step.

Your spouse will eventually feel the ups and downs of your business — whether you work together as co-owners or whether your spouse is completely uninvolved in the day-to-day. So how can you make sure your spouse is involved in your business in a healthy way?

In today’s episode, Lisa talks with O.L. and Sway Buckley, hosts of the super-popular MarriedPreneur Life podcast, about how to properly engage your spouse in your business. They have been down this road and have years of wisdom to offer us.

Welcome to episode 54 of One Next Step.

Today’s business leaders are pulled in lots of different directions as they lead organizations navigating rapid change, meet the demands of home, and experience pressure to be all things to all people. Transformative leaders lead from their center instead of their circumstances so they can work from a place of calm, clarity, and conviction.

In today’s episode, we’re joined by Amy Balog, the CEO of Connextion Point, who has worked with Fortune 500 executives and their teams to help these highly talented folks find a clear pathway for higher return leadership behaviors that directly impact business performance. She’s here to help us understand how we can have those same results.

Welcome to episode 53 of One Next Step.

We all know 2020 had a profound impact on businesses across America, and nonprofits were no different. With resources tight and fundraising down, how can nonprofits have a positive outlook on the future? What can they be doing now to ensure they’ll still be making an impact on the causes they’re passionate about a decade from now?

Bob Rodgers, the CEO of Street Grace, joins us on this episode to talk about this important subject. Street Grace is an amazing nonprofit that continues the fight to completely eradicate sex trafficking, a multi-billion dollar illegal global industry. Bob does incredible work, and he’ll talk to Tricia and Lisa about his story, what it’s been like leading a nonprofit through a pandemic, and what the future looks like for nonprofit organizations.

Welcome to episode 52 of One Next Step.

With more and more companies permanently or temporarily going remote, leaders are having to find new ways to adjust to being involved and productive with their teams.

So, whether you’re new to this whole remote work thing or a seasoned veteran, how can you make sure your employees are productive without being all in their business. In other words, how can you be a good leader without micromanaging? Tricia and LZ will talk about this and more in this week’s episode.

Welcome to episode 51 of One Next Step.

In this special edition of One Next Step, we’re celebrating the 50th episode of the podcast by sharing a few highlights from some of our most popular episodes. We have had so many great episodes, so it was hard to narrow it down but we picked a few favorites.

You’ll hear from Daymond John from Shark Tank, Michael Hyatt, Megan Hyatt Miller, Colleen Stanley, and the founders of BELAY, Bryan and Shannon Miles, as they talk about topics like the biggest barrier to work-life balance, the most important part of your strategic plan, why salespeople underperform, and how delegation empowers team members and drives performance. So settle in and enjoy this special episode.

Welcome to episode 50 of One Next Step.

Now that most corporate work or traditional desk jobs have shifted to remote positions, the myths of remote work have evolved from the 1990s mindset of questioning if it was effective to an extreme focus on constant availability, which is equally dangerous.

In this episode, Lisa and Tricia will address the new myths of remote work, especially for those leading organizations, so leaders can lead well remotely without burning out personally.

Welcome to episode 49 of One Next Step.

What’s the one thing a good leader can’t live without? An assistant!

In today's episode, we’re taking a deep dive into making the most of a virtual assistant – everything from gaining trust, building a relationship, practicing good communication, and more.

Joining us will be Katie Lantukh and her virtual assistant, Ari Adler, to share their insights from working together for the last year. Katie is the CEO of Murphy Marketing, a messaging agency that helps its clients find the right ways to communicate their message. She and Ari will walk us through some best practices on how leaders and their virtual assistants can make the most of their time together.

Welcome to episode 48 of One Next Step.

After years of mastering productivity and leadership in a shared office environment, many successful leaders have been forced to work and lead from home over the last year. Some have decided they personally miss the office and hate working from home.

In this masterclass episode, Tricia and LZ acknowledge that working from home isn’t for everyone. They’ll diagnose why someone may not like it and help customize a personal work environment that enables that person to thrive even if their organization is remote.

Welcome to episode 47 of One Next Step.

Can you afford an executive assistant?

The real question is: Can you afford not to have one? As a leader, most of us are moving a hundred miles a minute, going through the day at a blistering pace, with phone calls, meetings and important decisions every hour.

Some entrepreneurs just getting started might consider having an executive assistant as an unnecessary luxury. But our guest today, Jason Pond – the CEO at Grizzly Broadband – knows that’s just not the case. He’s joining us to talk about the power of having an executive assistant, specifically how it can elevate your capacity and effectiveness as a leader, both personally and professionally.

Welcome to Episode 46 of One Next Step.

“Should I franchise?”

It’s a question all successful business owners think about at some point. But a lot needs to happen before you take that first step: What type of factors should be in place before deciding to franchise, and how can you know if franchising is the right move for you?

Today we’ll talk with Tom DuFore, the CEO of Big Sky Franchise Team, where he supports and consults with Big Sky Franchise Team’s clients on their expansion and franchise efforts. So if you’ve ever wondered about how to and when to start scaling your business, Tom has the answers.

Welcome to Episode 45 of One Next Step.

The market always evolves. While the pandemic has created additional financial pressure for most businesses, it also rendered some business models obsolete or struggling to hold on while serving a shrinking market.

In this episode, we’ll talk about how to navigate a significant loss in revenue so your business can survive and soon return to the place where it thrives.

Welcome to episode 44 of One Next Step.

Business leaders say finding great people is one of their most common challenges. And even when they’re able to hire great people, leaders often don’t know how to keep and continue developing them.

Joining us today to talk about this topic is Mrs. Dee Ann Turner. She spent 33 years at Chick-fil-A, Inc. as the Vice President of Talent. The company’s first female officer, she was instrumental in building and growing Chick-fil-A’s well-known culture and talent systems. She’s going to talk to us about how to keep and develop extraordinary talent and build an organizational culture that attracts world-class talent and consistently delights customers.

Welcome to episode 43 of One Next Step.

As leaders, we often spend lots of time identifying a great candidate yet we overlook our responsibility to equip them. Finding a great person is half the battle. An unequipped employee will cost you more time, money, and stress.

In this episode, we are joined again by Krisha Buehler, BELAY’s VP of Human Resources. She’ll talk with us about how you can successfully onboard employees so they consistently and quickly add value to your organization.

Welcome to episode 42 of One Next Step.

As leaders, few decisions carry a price as hefty as hiring the wrong person. It costs us time, money, productivity, morale, and, in extreme cases, relationships with clients and team members.

In this week’s episode, we’re going to discuss this issue with Krisha Buehler, BELAY’s VP of Human Resources. She’ll share a few tips on how you can more effectively identify the right people, avoid the wrong people, and safeguard your company culture so you get the help you need without comprising the help you have.

Welcome to episode 41 of One Next Step.

Does fun in the workplace really matter? Absolutely!

In this masterclass episode of One Next Step, Tricia and Lisa talk about the ins and outs of creating a fun company culture – and why creating one matters. The truth is, building a positive and fun company culture is one of the best and easiest ways to recruit new talent and keep your current talent feeling fulfilled and dedicated to your mission.

Welcome to episode 40 of One Next Step.

As leaders, we surprisingly struggle to pick the right people for our teams, which leaves us disappointed, frustrated and asking if we’ll ever get the help we need to grow our organization. In this episode, we’ll discuss this issue with Brooke Cecil, BELAY’s Director of Client Relations.

Brooke and her team oversee our client experience, and a big part of their role is matching more than one thousand executive assistants, bookkeepers, and website specialists with business leaders all over the country with different needs in different situations. She knows how to help business leaders identify the right fit for their team. And she’s here to share a few tips on how you can more effectively identify who’s right and who’s wrong for your organization.

Welcome to episode 39 of One Next Step.

One of the most simple — yet hardest — ways to enjoy work and get more fulfillment in life is learning how to say “no.” But the demands on your time, combined with the sense of responsibility you feel for your customers, team members, and family, might often compel you to say “yes” to every request and stretch yourself thin as you attempt to support everyone well.

In this episode, we’ll talk about how leaders can say “no” – and, in some cases, “not now” – to opportunities, projects, meetings, and even your internal desire to stay involved. That way, you’ll have more margin for your most important priorities and responsibilities only you can do.

Welcome to episode 38 of One Next Step.

In this episode, we’re talking about burnout and energy management with Mary Brooks, the owner of Sustainable Nutrition and the Fuel Better Formula. She has a Master’s Degree in Nutrition and is a certified Integrative Nutrition Coach. She has more than 28 years of experience in health coaching and helps people get to the root cause of low energy, fatigue, and burnout.

This year, especially, has been a challenge for all of us. Learning to work at home, having kids home all day while attempting remote school, feeding them and the family, and not to mention the stress of keeping your family safe during the pandemic — it’s been a lot to juggle emotionally and physically. Mary’s own burnout experience led to health complications which led her to make radical changes in her life. Today, she wants to help you do just that.

Welcome to episode 37 of One Next Step.

This week, Lisa and Tricia continue their conversation about the Enneagram with the author of The Road Back to You, Ian Morgan Cron. In this episode, he shares highlights of Enneagram numbers 6 through 9, what motivates them, and what it’s like to work with them.

As an Enneagram expert, trained psychotherapist and priest, Ian knows personality types inside and out. He helps us better understand how the Enneagram can be such a helpful tool for the workplace or really any relationship in your life.

Welcome to episode 36 of One Next Step.

This episode is all about the Enneagram and how to interact with all personality types at work. We’ll be joined by Ian Morgan Cron, a champion of the Enneagram, awakener of people, and bestselling author of the popular Enneagram book, The Road Back to You.

As a pioneer in the contemporary Enneagram movement, Ian is a highly sought-after speaker for large conferences and corporate boardrooms alike. In this first of a two-part interview, Ian will share highlights of Enneagram numbers 1 through 5, what motivates them, and what it’s like to work with them.

Welcome to episode 35 of One Next Step.

In this week’s episode, Lisa and Tricia talk with someone who is highly respected both in the for-profit and nonprofit world — Jeff Henderson. He’ll discuss a concept most entrepreneurs think about as they are launching but usually leave behind in the hustle and bustle of a task-oriented workplace.

During those early days when you are trying to get your feet off the ground, you may not have the time or cash flow for your team to strategize and plan big. What leaders sometimes fail to focus on is — what are the true needs of our customers? How can we meet them where they are? And the biggest concept: why doing good is just plain good business.

Welcome to episode 34 of One Next Step.

In this episode, we’re going to explore the response “I’m fine!” “On average, we say "I’m fine" 14 times a week, but only 19% of us actually mean it. You know the experience: you’re walking down the office hall and someone casually says, “Hey, how are you today?” What is your instinctual response? Most people say “Fine, thank you. How are you?” And the response repeats itself. Why did that become such a common and acceptable response? It’s almost as casual as saying “hi.”

We all say it; sometimes we mean it and sometimes we don’t. Today we will explore why it’s a popular response, why society views it as an acceptable answer, how we and the members of our team can have more honest, vulnerable relationships, and what we can do when we’re not fine.

Welcome to episode 33 of One Next Step.

In this episode, Tricia and LZ welcome Casey Graham, co-founder and CEO of Gravy, an organization that helps businesses collect unpaid recurring payments. Before launching Gravy, Casey founded The Rocket Company where he helped church leaders scale their financial leadership and fundraising opportunities.

Not only has Casey launched three businesses, but he’s authentic and passionate about helping business owners. He understands what makes a business successful and what can lead to its failures. Today, Casey is going to help us recognize how unsatisfied owners create unfocused and unmotivated leaders, and what to do about it.

Welcome to episode 32 of One Next Step.

Working with an executive assistant isn’t a one size fits all experience. Each leader has their own communication style and management style and so does each EA. Being able to use your unique qualities to better work together as a team can be the catapult to your potential as a leader and your growth as an organization.

This week, we are continuing our conversation around how to help you better lead your organization by learning to leverage your executive assistant in more effective ways. Here to join us again for this conversation are our very own executive assistants, Kate Sawtelle and Melissa Lawrence. They are ready to jump in and help us discuss how leaders can best work with their executive assistant to build trust, effectively create expectations, and better communicate.

Welcome to episode 31 of One Next Step.

It’s easy to find yourself in the weeds of running your business but knowing the right time to lean into your team is essential to maximizing your organization's growth. Our executive assistants have helped us navigate through the good, the bad and the ugly. We wouldn’t be able to lead our organization well without their support.

We’re honored to have our assistants Kate Sawtelle and Melissa Lawrence join us for this podcast. They’re ready to help us unpack the ways their support has made all the difference to the way we lead, and we will share ways to effectively leverage your EA so that you can get better organized and lead with more freedom.

Welcome to episode 30 of One Next Step.

Everything was different in 2020 as we all faced new and challenging hardships. Some goals shifted, some were thrown out the window, and some we were able to hang on to regardless of what was happening around us. However, no matter what 2021 looks like, we can try to find balance as we continue to lead our organizations and personal lives.

If this new year continues to throw us curveballs, the great thing is, we are adaptable. With an initial plan, we just need to reevaluate and adjust when things don’t go according to that plan. So join us as we talk about focusing on your professional and personal goals.

Welcome to episode 29 of One Next Step.

Scaling sales teams is a challenge. So many products or companies fail because teams didn’t figure out a few key ingredients. Today Scott Leese joins us to talk about just that. When it comes to sales, Scott Leese is the man. Not only is he an author, and we will talk about his book Addicted to the Process, but he is the founder of both Scott Leese Consulting and The Surf and Sales Summit.

He joins us today to talk about building a successful sales team while leading it as a small business owner, giving all of us the best tips to find the right salespeople who can grow your team and eventually your business.

Welcome to episode 28 of One Next Step.

Kendra Lewis became a mom as a high school senior and faced many challenges early in her life. Pushing herself to rise above what others said, Kendra worked full time while going to night school. She faced homelessness and doubt. But Kendra eventually graduated with three degrees, created multiple businesses, and has worked for some of the largest Fortune 500 companies in the world.

However, working for a Fortune company was not her dream. Her mission was to work with small businesses. She wanted to help entrepreneurs launch their ideas into the world – and that’s exactly what she’s doing today! Join us this episode as Kendra shares her passion to transform small businesses.

Welcome to episode 27 of One Next Step.

Sometimes being pushed in a different direction can turn out to be the biggest blessing of our lives and careers. That’s exactly what happened to Steven Carse, one of the brains behind King of Pops – the delicious popsicles. King of Pops all started as a conversation in Central America. Over the years, that conversation and dream turned into a reality.

Steven was laid off from his corporate job during the Great Recession so it was on to a new dream for him. A few months later, Steven’s brother left his job as a lawyer to join the family business. Now, not only does King of Pops want to provide good food, but Steven and his brother are relentless community supporters and strive to generate unexpected moments of happiness for everyone they encounter. Today Steven Carse joins us to talk about growing a business from the ground up.

Welcome to episode 26 of One Next Step.

At some point, you’re going to hopefully spend time and money building your organization’s brand (if you’re not already). However, in the beginning, more people will likely know you than those that know the name of your company. So your personal brand will probably carry more weight in your community or network than your business. How do you leverage that reality to support the growth of your business?

In this episode, we’ll be joined by Kevin B. Jennings, a personal brand strategist and the CEO of Junction 32, a marketing services firm for small businesses. Specifically, we’ll talk about what a personal brand is, why it matters, and how it can help you gain more clients and better lead your team.

Welcome to episode 25 of One Next Step.

We want you to win in your organization. In order to win, you must work well with others who don’t think or process the way you do. And whether you are working from home or back in an office setting, the key is putting forth the effort to learn how to work better together, even if that is using helpful resources like the Enneagram.

It’s a challenging time with many organizations working remotely, which brings another challenging layer to team connectedness and understanding. In this episode, we’ll dive into a discussion on how we learned to use our differences to our advantage.

Welcome to episode 24 of One Next Step.

Burnout is real, but it’s also misunderstood. Burnout comes from constant exposure to emotional and interpersonal stressors at work or at home, or even both! And who fits that bill? Hard working, high-achieving leaders like you, me and everyone listening to this podcast. People who don’t care rarely get burned out.

Joining us this week is Carey Nieuwhof, founder and CEO of Carey Nieuwhof Communications, which produces content and training resources for leaders. He will share wisdom gained from helping millions of leaders online and from his own experience understanding, avoiding, and battling back from burnout.

Welcome to episode 23 of One Next Step.

We’ve all met people or heard stories of people who were the best in their field — earned lots of money, helped lots of people, and received lots of praise, but we later discover that their personal life was in shambles or they were burdened by depression. Every business leader listening to this podcast knows there is a psychological price associated with being in charge. Inc. Magazine once referred to as “the downside of being up.”

Today, we’re going to learn tips and strategies to make sure your success at work adds to, not subtracts from, your life. We’ll be joined by Anthony Flynn – the founder of Amazing CEO and the CEO of The WorkFaith Connection. Anthony is talking with us about how to align your career with your life so it adds joy and fulfillment.

Welcome to episode 22 of One Next Step.

In this episode, we’re going to help you learn how to conduct a year-end review that focuses not just on financial performance but team performance and organizational culture. Experience doesn’t make you wiser. Evaluated experience makes you wiser. We’ll walk you through a few things you can do on your own or with your team to wrap up and review the year. Our goal with this episode is to help you maximize what you learn from this year, remind you of all that you accomplished, and give you something to go back and celebrate with your team.

At BELAY, our clients struggle with “finding the right people.” Being unable to find the right team member is one of the most common challenges business leaders have. Joining us in this episode is William Vanderbloemen, one of the best people to help because he knows how to get it right.

As the founder and CEO of Vanderbloemen Search Group, William and his team specialize in helping Christian organizations like churches, nonprofits, schools, and values-based businesses find executives to lead them. He will give us a peek into how top organizations promote their positions in a way that attracts top talent.

Welcome to episode 20 of One Next Step.

Andy Stanley says, “Unexpressed gratitude feels like ingratitude to the ones for whom you are grateful.” I don’t think most of us are ungrateful for our teams. However, it’s common for leaders to struggle with remembering to show appreciation for their team when they see them every day.

In this episode, we’re going to help you better communicate your appreciation for your team even if you’re working remotely. What gets rewarded gets repeated in any organization, and remote teams are no different. Now more than ever, team members need to know their hard work is seen and valued.

Welcome to episode 19 of One Next Step.

If you have any desire to grow your business, you’ll eventually have to develop more people capable of supporting the organization. You’ll need people who can confidently and competently step into leadership roles. In this episode, we will help you get more out of your team by developing them as leaders and give you a tiny peek into BELAY’s approach to leadership development.

Joining us to talk about this are the founders and chairs of BELAY, Bryan and Shannon Miles. We will be talking about how they grew a world class organization and stepped out of the day-to-day by trusting leaders and grooming them to run it all!

Welcome to episode 18 of One Next Step.

Organizational culture is critical for our company’s success, but it’s often discussed like it’s a mysterious force that magically makes things awesome (think ‘Best Place to Work’ awards) or toxic (think ‘lots of bad reviews on Glassdoor’). While culture is powerful, it doesn’t haven’t to be mysterious, and there are practical things you can do to shape the environment you and your team work in every day.

In this episode, we’ll be chatting with Jenni Catron, speaker, author and CEO at The 4Sight Group. She will help us gain a better understanding of what company culture is, why it's important and how we can create a strong culture within our organization.

Welcome to episode 17 of One Next Step.

Like it or not, people are judging us before they know us. That may feel superficial, but the reality is consciously or unconsciously, others assess your appearance, speech, energy, personality, and behavior all the time. From those assessments, they form opinions about your likely strengths, weaknesses, and capabilities, and decide if they want to further engage with you.

In this episode, we’re going to learn to become aware of how we’re showing up and what we can do about it. We’ll be joined by Steve Herz, President of The Montag Group – a talent agency representing broadcasters on networks like NBC Sports, ESPN, and CNN – to talk with us about how we can use authority, warmth, and energy to amplify the effectiveness of our communication and connection with others. He’ll help us win trust, respect, and influence at work.

Welcome to episode 16 of One Next Step.

Your systems and processes do more than ensure quality; they save your organization time and provide clarity in expectations. If you are doing everything well as an organization, but you're not documenting what you do, your business is vulnerable and unable to scale. You are reinventing the wheel every time, counting on people to uphold an unspoken standard or pick up things through osmosis, overly relying on people who know your business to continue working for your business, or all of the above.

In this episode, we want to help you take the lid off of your business's potential by helping you identify the processes and systems you need to grow your business. These processes will help you deliver a great customer experience, hire the right people, convert leads, and more. All great organizations have nailed this down so that they ensure a certain level of quality and consistency.

Welcome to episode 15 of One Next Step.

Let’s be real. If you follow our podcast, you’re likely ambitious and driven to succeed. But, with that drive and ambition, it’s easy for demands at work to compete with priorities at home. At times, the pull of your professional and personal lives can make you feel like there’s no way to experience success in both areas. Today, we’re going to learn strategies to ensure winning at work doesn’t prevent us from winning where it matters most – with our families.

Joining us to talk about how to win at work and home is Megan Hyatt Miller, COO of Michael Hyatt & Company, a leadership development organization. She’s also the co-host of the popular business podcast, Lead to Win. An amazing leader, wife and mother, Megan will be sharing with us how to succeed in our personal and professional lives simultaneously.

Welcome to episode 14 of One Next Step.

As you and your organization navigate or enter the season of annual business planning, we want to help you turn meaningful commitments into measurable financial outcomes shared with leaders and team members in the form of next year’s goals. An essential part of this process is budgeting. Budgets make initiatives real as you outline how these decisions should impact your revenue, expenses, and profit.

In this episode, we’re going to help you build a plan for your company’s money by teaching you how to create an annual budget for your business. While this may not be the sexiest topic, it is the difference between break-even, a black hole, or a growing bottom line. To help you build or refresh your budget BELAY’s COO and former CFO, Lisa Zeeveld, is going to break down the essentials of a business budget and walk us through the budgeting process she’s perfected over the years.

Welcome to episode 13 of One Next Step.

Every business leader eventually faces the challenge of reaching a crossroads and deciding then what to do next. This crossroad may happen with projects, products, or even your people. Those moments beg the question: Are we making sufficient progress to continue with the current plan (or person), or do we need to change direction? For some, the decision is easy because you have no choice but to change. For others, it's more complicated. If you decide it pivot, you'll have to navigate changes, but these changes may be the key to unlocking your organization's potential growth.

In this episode, we are talking about how and when to pivot in your business with Brian Riley, the co-founder and CEO of Guardian Bikes, a Mark Cuban company. He will share how he made shifts in his organization to create more value for consumers and more cash for the business.

Welcome to episode 12 of One Next Step.

Many small business owners, especially in their companies' early stages, are experts on the product or service they provide, not the financial numbers. Even experienced business owners may find themselves so busy making sure everything gets done that they rarely have time to sit down and dig into the numbers. We want leaders like you to understand the financial numbers in their business so you can make better decisions and improve the health of your finances.

In this episode, we'll share the top three financial metrics that matter most in your business and how to use them to lead your business. Our guide will be BELAY's financial guru Lisa Zeeveld, the current COO and former CFO of BELAY.

Welcome to episode 11 of One Next Step.

It’s business planning season, which hopefully means you and your team will soon be reviewing recent performance, outlining future initiatives, creating budgets, and listing new hires. While leaders want to build a plan that provides clarity and specificity, the plan should also be so energizing and compelling that our teams want to implement it. It must also contain clear accountabilities, so there’s no confusion about who does what.

Today, we’re going to learn a blindspot or two in the annual business planning process and receive tips on how to overcome them. In this episode, we’ll discuss why most strategic and annual plans fail (and what to do about it). Our guest is Michael Hyatt, the bestselling author and the CEO of Michael Hyatt & Company — a leadership development company.

Welcome to episode ten of One Next Step.

The number one complaint prospects have about salespeople is they talk too much. Also, business leaders' common complaints about salespeople aren't meeting their sales quote; it's typically related to things like a bad attitude, not being a team player, or being overly aggressive with prospects. Soft skills resolve all of these issues. However, most leaders focus on hiring new sales team members based on hard skills like industry and selling experience.

In this episode, we'll be talking about how emotional intelligence and soft skills produce hard sales results with Colleen Stanley, a sales trainer and the president of SalesLeadership, Inc., a sales development firm. She will talk with us about how to build high-performing sales teams through the power of emotional intelligence.

Welcome to episode nine of One Next Step.

Small businesses have to maximize the effectiveness and contribution of every investment and every resource to grow. Acquiring new customers is a priority with or without a team member dedicated solely to sales or marketing. Sales and marketing cannot wait if you want to grow beyond where you are. So, what do you do if you’re short on time to do-it-yourself and don’t have enough money to hire someone else? Today, we’re going to answer that question.

In this episode, we’ll be talking about how to market your business without a marketing person on your team and introducing a strategy referred to as ‘marketing by committee.’ We’ll be joined by Amy Appleton, BELAY’s Director of Marketing. She is going to help you leverage your existing resources to market and grow your organization.

Welcome to episode eight of One Next Step.

Focus can multiply the impact of an organization’s efforts. However, distractions divide and diffuse impact. One of the greatest sources of distractions in most small businesses is us — the leaders. It’s in our nature to see all of the things that can be improved and all of the trends we need to capitalize on, but it’s on us to keep our team focused on the main thing. Luckily, there are strategies that allow us to explore the possibilities without derailing our team.

In this episode, we’ll be learning how and when to prototype and pilot new ideas before we launch them, and we’ll be joined by David Farmer, the Vice President of Restaurant Experience at Chick-fil-A — the third-largest restaurant chain in America.

Welcome to episode seven of One Next Step.

Industry peers, work colleagues and business media tells us all the things we need to be doing to grow our business. However, even for growing businesses, there’s not enough time or money to do everything. So, we’re left with questions like ‘Where do we start?’ and ‘How do I hire first?

In this episode, we tackle these questions and share a few tips on how you can fill the first three roles you need on your marketing team without prematurely taking on the financial burden of full-time staff positions. We’ve asked BELAY’s Director of Marketing, Amy Appleton, to join us on the podcast and guide us so we make the right investment in the growth of our organizations.

Welcome to episode six of One Next Step.

For many small business owners, especially those just starting out, it’s hard to find your competitive edge against long-established companies already in the marketplace. Sure, they’ve got the marketing and the large budgets, but don’t count yourself out of the game too quickly. What many new business owners have on their side that many established businesses don’t is the scrappy desire to level the playing field and establish themselves as a viable business.

In today’s episode, we’ll be talking with Sangram Vajre, co-founder and chief evangelist of Terminus, an account-based marketing software for B2B organizations. He shares how building a community can help build your business, and how those connections can turn into huge profit.

Welcome to episode five of One Next Step.

As business leaders, we’re still experiencing the effects of COVID-19 on the economy and we likely will for some time. It flipped hiring and recruiting things to an employer’s market, it pushed all events online turning the event planning and production companies into technology and digital media businesses, and it expedited the global era of remote work. Today, we’re going to learn how it’s possible to go fully remote quickly without hindering productivity or team culture and what possibilities emerge as a result.

In this episode, we’ll be discovering how the company Pushpay went 100% remote almost overnight and never missed a beat with clients or team members, and we’ll be joined by their Chief Ambassador, Troy Pollock, to guide us through their experience, what they learned, and how it’s changing work at Pushpay permanently.

Welcome to episode four of One Next Step.

As social issues related to inequalities and inequities re-emerge near the top of our national conversation, many business leaders are appropriately trying to leverage their influence to make a difference. However, you must first lead yourself well before you can lead others. Going a step further, we should lead our organizations well before our organizations attempt to influence and lead our communities. For most organizations, this should start with building a diverse and inclusive culture.

In this episode, we’ll be talking about how building a diverse team helps us build a stronger business, and we’ll be joined by Dethra U. Giles, CEO of ExecuPrep — an HR consultancy — to help us create organizations that leverage our team members’ differences as an advantage.

Welcome to episode three of One Next Step.

Leading in 2020 has not been easy for anyone, but communication is a not-so-obvious reason why many businesses are dealing with challenges better than others. Winning organizations start with effective communication. They have strong communication capable of navigating the inevitable highs and lows of business.

In this episode, we’re going to learn how great companies communicate to create clarity, alignment and focus among leaders and team members from Daniel Tardy, Executive Vice President of EntreLeadership at Ramsey Solution — Dave Ramsey’s organization.

Welcome to episode two of One Next Step.

It’s the leader’s job to chart the direction of the business. However, even with a clear vision, selecting the right goals can be challenging and overwhelming, especially when there are more options and opportunities than resources. Without specific goals, you and your team will struggle to focus and maximize the return on your effort.

Tracking progress often feels just as confusing. Even the most profit-minded leaders sometimes question if they’re headed in the right direction and wonder how if what they’re doing is working.

The challenges of 2020 have only made setting goals and tracking progress harder. In this episode, we interview entrepreneur, best-selling author, and investor of ABC Network’s Shark Tank Daymond John about taking control of your game by setting goals and tracking progress for your business.

Welcome to episode one of One Next Step.

Before our first official episode releases on Tuesday, July 7, we wanted to give you a preview of what’s ahead in the One Next Step podcast. In our podcast preview, BELAY's CEO, Tricia Sciortino, and COO, Lisa Zeeveld, share what you can expect from the podcast each week. You'll also learn how to submit your business questions to be answered on the podcast and hear a sneak peek into a few of the interviews ahead on upcoming episodes.

Listen, subscribe on your favorite podcast platform, and join us on July 7 for our first official episode.

The hosts of One Next Step – BELAY CEO Tricia Sciortino and COO Lisa Zeeveld – share their stories about how they came to BELAY, how their differences have made them work so well together, and how they plan on making this – wait for it – the most practical business podcast in the world.

Subtle and understated, right? We thought so, too.

The One Next Step podcast is the small business mentor you’ve always wanted. Hosted by BELAY’s CEO Tricia Sciortino and COO Lisa Zeeveld, this podcast is sharing real-world business knowledge that will help real-life leaders. Even well-known guests like Daymond John and Michael Hyatt will focus on business basics that will help everyday leaders get more done and see more results. Listen and discover why we’re calling it the most practical business podcast in the world.