Bryan Smeltzer‘s Podcast on driving your brand, product, and marketing through an innovation driven mindset and disruptive strategies.
CHRONICLE 204
The Visionary Chronicles PodcastTHE VISION | Precision Vision | 12 Steps to Leading with Unwavering Focus CHRONICLE: June 12th, 2025
CHRONICLE INTRO |Series | The Visionary Leader — The Success Principles of the World’s Greatest Visionaries
Welcome to another episode of The Visionary Chronicles, and our featured series based on my new book, The Visionary Leader: The Success Principles of the World’s Greatest Visionaries. In this episode, we explore one of the most defining traits of every great leader: Precision Vision—the ability to lead with clarity, consistency, and unwavering focus.
This episode is titled "THE VISION | Precision Vision — 12 Steps to Leading with Unwavering Focus", and it draws directly from the pages of The Visionary Leader. We’re diving deep into how visionary leaders use focused vision to cut through distractions, align teams, and build brands that innovate with purpose and perform with precision.
----more----
About
Bryan Smeltzer is a bestselling author, business executive, and entrepreneur. He has held executive leadership positions in brand business development, multi-category product development, and global marketing at major international companies, including Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, Schutt Sports, and others.
Bryan also founded a men's apparel brand and successfully ran it for ten years before selling it to a venture capital firm.
----more----The Visionary Chronicles PodcastBryan hosts The Visionary Chronicles podcast, which Feedspot has ranked as the #1 Visionary and one of the Top 50 Marketing Podcasts.Follow The Visionary Chronicles Podcast | The Visionary Chronicles Sign Up ----more----The Visionary LeaderThe Visionary Leader | The Success Principles of the World’s Greatest Visionaries , the follow up book, the my bestseller The Visionary Brand, explores the mindset, strategies, and principles that define world-changing leaders who disrupt industries and inspire generations. Drawing insights from history’s most influential visionaries, this book serves as a blueprint for those striving to lead with purpose, innovation, and bold aspiration.Now available for Pre-Order | The Visionary Leader----more----The Visionary BrandBryan is the author of the bestselling book The Visionary Brand,The Success Formula Behind the World's Most Visionary Brands. The book received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for Best Non-fiction in the Marketing Genre.Purchase The Visionary Brand book | The Visionary Brand
----more----The Visionary FilesFollowing the release of his book, Bryan launched The Visionary Brand MasterCourse. Available at TheVisionaryFiles.com, this course features 18 video learning segments, totaling nearly two hours of training to unleash brand leadership potential.
Sign up for The Visionary Brand MasterCourse | The Visionary Brand Course
----more----LiquidMind | Brand AdvisoryBryan is at the helm of LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that collaborates with start-ups and established mid to large-cap consumer brands. The company empowers businesses to think and act differently, cultivate passionate cultures, and execute strategies relentlessly.
Sign up for a FREE Advisory SESSION | LiquidMind Meeting
SESSIONS | One 2 One AdvisoryLiquidMind offers bespoke Sessions One 2 One Advisory Services, providing personalized brand guidance through direct sessions with expert strategists. This service is ideal for launching new products or repositioning brands.
Sign up for a Sessions One 2 One Meeting | Sessions Meeting
----more----
Newsletter
Sign up for Bryan's FREE Newsletter | NEWSLETTER
----more----
BLOG
Visit Bryan's BLOG Site | BLOG
----more----
FOLLOW
Follow Bryan |
----more----
Contact Bryan
CHRONICLE 203
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast THE VISION | The Flexible Future | How Adaptive Vision Drives Innovation CHRONICLE: June 5th, 2025
CHRONICLE INTRO |The Visionary Chronicles
Series | The Visionary Leader — The Success Principles of the World's Greatest Visionaries
Episode Title | THE VISION | The Flexible Future | How Adaptive Vision Drives Innovation
Welcome to The Visionary Chronicles and our ongoing series based on my new business leadership book, The Visionary Leader, The Success Principles of The World’s Greatest Visionaries.
“Inflexibility in Vision kills innovation. Great leaders hold tightly to purpose, but lightly to plans.” — Bryan Smeltzer, The Visionary Leader
Today’s episode—“The Flexible Future | How Adaptive Vision Drives Innovation”—dives into one of the most misunderstood yet powerful traits of visionary leadership: the ability to hold a clear vision while remaining flexible in how to reach it.
Too often, leaders mistake vision for rigidity. But true visionaries understand that while their destination remains fixed, their path must be flexible. The world changes. Markets evolve. Technology disrupts. Yet great leaders stay anchored to their purpose while adapting their strategies to meet the future on its terms.
In this episode, we’ll uncover how adaptive vision isn't a weakness—it’s a strength that empowers innovation, speeds up decision-making, and enables long-term relevance.
Discover how adaptive vision fuels innovation, leadership, and growth in business. Dive in, get inspired, and share your thoughts with the Visionary Chronicles community!
CHRONICLES:
00:00 Welcome & Series Intro
01:54 The Power of Vision
04:05 Adaptive Vision Explained
10:16 Flexibility Drives Innovation
14:55 Real-World Examples
18:24 Leading With Flexibility
22:56 Final Takeaways
Explore how adaptive vision drives innovation and leadership, with real-world business examples, actionable tips, and inspiration for transformative growth.
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast was ranked the #1 Global Visionary Podcast & Top 50 Marketing podcast by Feedspot.
----more----
AboutBryan Smeltzer is a bestselling author, business executive, and entrepreneur. He has held executive leadership positions in brand business development, multi-category product development, and global marketing at major international companies, including Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, Schutt Sports, and others.
Bryan also founded a men's apparel brand and successfully ran it for ten years before selling it to a venture capital firm.
----more----The Visionary Chronicles PodcastBryan hosts The Visionary Chronicles podcast, which Feedspot has ranked as the #1 Visionary and one of the Top 50 Marketing Podcasts.Follow The Visionary Chronicles Podcast | Subscribe to The Visionary Chronicles----more----The Visionary LeaderThe Visionary Leader | The Success Principles of the World’s Greatest Visionaries , the follow up book, the my bestseller The Visionary Brand, explores the mindset, strategies, and principles that define world-changing leaders who disrupt industries and inspire generations. Drawing insights from history’s most influential visionaries, this book serves as a blueprint for those striving to lead with purpose, innovation, and bold aspiration.Now available for Pre-Order | The Visionary Leader----more----The Visionary BrandBryan is the author of the bestselling book The Visionary Brand,The Success Formula Behind the World's Most Visionary Brands. The book received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for Best Non-fiction in the Marketing Genre.Purchase The Visionary Brand book | The Visionary Brand ----more----The Visionary FilesFollowing the release of his book, Bryan launched The Visionary Brand MasterCourse. Available at TheVisionaryFiles.com, this course features 18 video learning segments, totaling nearly two hours of training to unleash brand leadership potential.
Sign up for The Visionary Brand MasterCourse | The Visionary Brand Course
----more----LiquidMind | Brand AdvisoryBryan is at the helm of LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that collaborates with start-ups and established mid to large-cap consumer brands. The company empowers businesses to think and act differently, cultivate passionate cultures, and execute strategies relentlessly.
Sign up for a FREE Advisory SESSION | LiquidMind Meeting
----more----SESSIONS | One 2 One AdvisoryLiquidMind offers bespoke Sessions One 2 One Advisory Services, providing personalized brand guidance through direct sessions with expert strategists. This service is ideal for launching new products or repositioning brands.
Sign up for a Sessions One 2 One Meeting | Sessions Meeting
----more----
NewsletterSign up for Bryan's FREE Newsletter | NEWSLETTER
----more----
BLOGVisit Bryan's BLOG Site | BLOG
----more----
FOLLOW Follow Bryan |
----more----
Contact Bryan * Email | bryan@LiquidMindsite.com
CHRONICLE 202
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast
The Visionary’s Blueprint — 17 Core Principles for Transformational Leaders
SERIES | The Visionary Leader, The Success Principles of The World’s Greatest Visionaries
RELEASE DATE | 06/30/25
CHRONICLE: May 29th, 2025
CHRONICLE INTRO |
Welcome to a special episode of The Visionary Chronicles. We continue our new Series based on my latest book, The Visionary Leader: The Success Principles of the World’s Greatest Visionaries. In this episode, we explore The Visionary’s Blueprint—a foundational set of 17 Core principles that define the mindset, character, and behavior of transformative, world-changing leaders.
“Leadership is the capacity to translate vision into reality.” — Warren Bennis
Uncover the "17 Principles of Visionary Leadership" that define the world's most transformative leaders!
In this episode of The Visionary Chronicles, we explore the essential traits and strategies that leaders like Steve Jobs, Albert Einstein, and Elon Musk used to shape industries, build brand culture, and achieve long-term success. Whether you're leading a business, building a brand, or seeking personal growth, these principles are your roadmap to sustainable growth and innovation.
Learn how visionary leaders inspire movements, embrace purpose-driven innovation, and future-proof their organizations with bold decision-making and strategic insights. Discover how to empower your team, foster a winning culture, and turn challenges into opportunities. From the power of foresight to the resilience needed to thrive in uncertainty, these lessons will help you unlock your potential and transform your leadership journey.
Join the conversation and gain actionable takeaways to apply in your personal and professional life. Watch now to uncover how you can create a lasting impact, drive business growth, and position your brand for success. Don’t forget to like, comment, and share your thoughts—your vision starts here!
CHRONICLES |
00:00 - Intro
04:50 - Inspirational Quote
07:20 - Visionary Leadership as a Movement Creator
10:02 - Purpose-Driven Innovation in Leadership
11:48 - Future Visionary Leadership
15:38 - The 4 Pillars of Visionary Leadership
26:39 - Building Sustainable Success
29:09 - Subscribe for Updates
30:03 - Thank You for Your Support
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast was ranked the #1 Global Visionary Podcast & Top 50 Marketing podcast by Feedspot.
----more----
About
Bryan Smeltzer is a bestselling author, business executive, and entrepreneur. He has held executive leadership positions in brand business development, multi-category product development, and global marketing at major international companies, including Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, Schutt Sports, and others.
Bryan also founded a men's apparel brand and successfully ran it for ten years before selling it to a venture capital firm.
----more----
The Visionary Chronicles PodcastBryan hosts The Visionary Chronicles podcast, which Feedspot has ranked as the #1 Visionary and one of the Top 50 Marketing Podcasts.Follow The Visionary Chronicles Podcast | Subscribe to The Visionary Chronicles ----more----The Visionary LeaderThe Visionary Leader | The Success Principles of the World’s Greatest Visionaries , the follow up book, the my bestseller The Visionary Brand, explores the mindset, strategies, and principles that define world-changing leaders who disrupt industries and inspire generations. Drawing insights from history’s most influential visionaries, this book serves as a blueprint for those striving to lead with purpose, innovation, and bold aspiration.Now available for Pre-Order | The Visionary Leader----more----
The Visionary BrandBryan is the author of the bestselling book The Visionary Brand,The Success Formula Behind the World's Most Visionary Brands. The book received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for Best Non-fiction in the Marketing Genre.Purchase The Visionary Brand book | The Visionary Brand
----more----
The Visionary FilesFollowing the release of his book, Bryan launched The Visionary Brand MasterCourse. Available at TheVisionaryFiles.com, this course features 18 video learning segments, totaling nearly two hours of training to unleash brand leadership potential.
Sign up for The Visionary Brand MasterCourse | The Visionary Brand Course
----more----
LiquidMind | Brand AdvisoryBryan is at the helm of LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that collaborates with start-ups and established mid to large-cap consumer brands. The company empowers businesses to think and act differently, cultivate passionate cultures, and execute strategies relentlessly.
Sign up for a FREE Advisory SESSION | LiquidMind Meeting
----more----
SESSIONS | One 2 One AdvisoryLiquidMind offers bespoke Sessions One 2 One Advisory Services, providing personalized brand guidance through direct sessions with expert strategists. This service is ideal for launching new products or repositioning brands.
Sign up for a Sessions One 2 One Meeting | Sessions Meeting
----more----
Newsletter
Sign up for Bryan's FREE Newsletter | NEWSLETTER
----more----
BLOG
Visit Bryan's BLOG Site | BLOG
----more----
FOLLOW
Follow Bryan |
----more----
Contact Bryan
CHRONICLE 201
The Visionary Chronicles PodcastFuturecasting | 5 Key Principles on The Power of Leadership ForesightCHRONICLE: May 22nd, 2025
CHRONICLE INTRO |
Welcome back to The Visionary Chronicles, where we uncover the principles of Visionary leadership, innovation, and long-term success.
In this episode of The Visionary Chronicles, we delve into the transformative power of strategic foresight—the ability of leaders to anticipate future trends and strategically position their brand ahead of disruption. Visionary leaders don't just respond to change; they prepare for it, shape it, and sometimes even create it.
"The best way to predict the future is to create it." — Peter Drucker
Strategic foresight isn't speculation. It's a structured approach to future readiness. It empowers leaders to uncover weak signals, analyze industry shifts, and craft strategies that keep their organizations relevant. In this conversation, we'll explore how companies like Amazon, Netflix, and LEGO used foresight and forecasting to pivot and innovate before the rest of the World caught up.
Whether you're building a startup or steering a legacy brand, mastering foresight can be the competitive edge that leads to sustained growth.
Join the Visionary Chronicles as we dive deep into strategic foresight and futurecasting. Discover how visionary leaders anticipate trends for lasting impact. Share and discuss!
Together, let's shape the future and leave a legacy of visionary leadership.
CHRONICLES |
00:00 Introduction
00:55 Future Casting Explained
04:13 Strategic Foresight
08:46 Five Key Principles
16:53 Real-World Examples
19:22 Final Thoughts
22:20 Book Announcement
Explore Visionary leadership through futurecasting and strategic foresight. Discover principles for anticipating trends. Click to learn and engage.
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast was ranked the #1 Global Visionary Podcast & Top 50 Marketing podcast by Feedspot.
----more----
AboutBryan Smeltzer is a bestselling author, business executive, and entrepreneur. He has held executive leadership positions in brand business development, multi-category product development, and global marketing at major international companies, including Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, and Schutt Sports.
Bryan also founded a men's apparel brand and successfully ran it for ten years before selling it to a venture capital firm.
----more----The Visionary Chronicles PodcastBryan hosts The Visionary Chronicles podcast, which Feedspot has ranked as the #1 Visionary and one of the Top 50 Marketing Podcasts.Follow The Visionary Chronicles Podcast | Subscribe to The Visionary Chronicles----more----The Visionary LeaderThe Visionary Leader | The Success Principles of the World's Greatest Visionaries, the follow-up book to my bestseller The Visionary Brand, explores the mindset, strategies, and principles that define world-changing leaders who disrupt industries and inspire generations. Drawing insights from history's most influential visionaries, this book serves as a blueprint for those striving to lead with purpose, innovation, and bold aspiration.Now available for Pre-Order | The Visionary Leader----more----The Visionary BrandBryan is the author of the bestselling book The Visionary Brand,The Success Formula Behind the World's Most Visionary Brands. The book received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for Best Non-fiction in the Marketing Genre.Purchase The Visionary Brand book | The Visionary Brand
----more----The Visionary FilesFollowing the release of his book, Bryan launched The Visionary Brand MasterCourse. Available at TheVisionaryFiles.com, this course features 18 video learning segments, totaling nearly two hours of training to unleash brand leadership potential.
Sign up for The Visionary Brand MasterCourse | The Visionary Brand Course
----more----LiquidMind | Brand AdvisoryBryan is at the helm of LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that collaborates with startups and established mid to large-cap consumer brands. The company empowers businesses to think and act differently, cultivate passionate cultures, and execute strategies relentlessly.
Sign up for a FREE Advisory SESSION | LiquidMind Meeting
----more----SESSIONS | One 2 One AdvisoryLiquidMind offers bespoke Sessions One 2 One Advisory Services, providing personalized brand guidance through direct sessions with expert strategists. This service is ideal for launching new products or repositioning brands.
Sign up for a Sessions One 2 One Meeting | Sessions Meeting
----more----
NewsletterSign up for Bryan's FREE Newsletter | NEWSLETTER
----more----
BLOGVisit Bryan's BLOG Site | BLOG
----more----
FOLLOW Follow Bryan |
----more----
Contact Bryan * Email | bryan@LiquidMindsite.com
CHRONICLE 200
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast “NEW” Book Pre-Release!The Visionary Leader, The Success Principles of The World’s Greatest Visionaries* AUTHOR | Bryan Smeltzer * RELEASE DATE | 06/30/25
CHRONICLE: May 19th, 2025
CHRONICLE INTRO |
Welcome to The Visionary Chronicles, a podcast exploring the principles behind the world’s most disruptive innovators, legendary entrepreneurs, and generational brands.
I’m your host, Bryan Smeltzer — bestselling author of The Visionary Brand, founder of LiquidMind, and today, I’m excited to introduce my latest book, The Visionary Leader: The Success Principles of the World’s Greatest Visionaries.
This episode is a special one — we will dive into the insights, stories, and timeless strategies that make up the DNA of generational Visionary leaders. Whether you're a business leader, creative thinker, or someone chasing a purpose-driven path, this book was written with you in mind.
Praise for The Visionary Leader
“The Visionary Leader: The Success Principles of The World’s Greatest Visionaries goes beyond most discussions of leadership to inject the concept of vision into the process. While this addition may initially seem like a small adjustment, in fact, it represents a big divergence from many books about leadership, in that it promotes visionary thinking as a major part of the leadership process.” - D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review
“Readers will leave Smeltzer’s work with increased awareness of how to recognize—and transform into—a visionary leader, as he maintains a strong focus throughout and offers a wealth of real-life examples to enhance understanding.” - Sr. Critic Review, BookLife /Publishers Weekly
BOOK INFORMATION |
Title | The Visionary Leader
Subtitle | The Success Principles of the World’s Greatest Visionaries
Author | Bryan Smeltzer
Purchase | The Visionary Leader
OVERVIEW | THE VISIONARY LEADER
The Visionary Leader explores the principles, qualities, and strategies that define the world’s most impactful Visionary leaders. Through historical examples and actionable insights, readers will be empowered to embrace their potential, overcome adversity, and lead with purpose. The book serves as both a guide and an inspiration for aspiring leaders, entrepreneurs, and change-makers, demonstrating how Visionary leadership drives innovation, builds lasting cultures, and transforms industries and societies.
From Steve Jobs to Mahatma Gandhi, from Henry Ford to Jesus, the book highlights the transformative impact of these Visionaries, offering a roadmap for cultivating their extraordinary traits. The Visionary Leader encourages readers to take bold action and become catalysts for positive change, armed with resilience, creativity, and faith.
I provide strategic insights on how leaders like Einstein, Tesla, and Abraham Lincoln overcame adversity, fueled innovation, and built legacies that transcend time. Learn how to harness the power of purpose, passion, and perseverance to ignite change and drive business growth in today’s complex world.
Key Takeaways |
Explore the core principles behind visionary leaders and iconic brands.
Learn how to empower your team and build a thriving brand culture.
Discover actionable strategies to overcome challenges and lead with impact.
CHRONICLES:
00:00 - Intro
03:20 - Visionary Leadership
11:48 - Characteristics of Visionary Leaders
18:15 - Defining the Vision
22:18 - Importance of the Book
24:56 - Gratitude and Acknowledgments
25:41 - Future Episodes Preview
27:01 - Special Surprise Announcement
Don’t miss this opportunity to gain practical tools for transforming your leadership style and unlocking your full potential. Join the conversation! Share your thoughts, comment below, and let us know which visionary leader inspires you most.
Ready to take the next step? Grab your pre-release copy of The Visionary Leader and start on a journey to redefine leadership, innovate boldly, and inspire purpose-driven success. Keep pushing boundaries and shaping the future. Stay true, stay authentic, and be great!
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast was ranked the #1 Global Visionary Podcast & Top 50 Marketing podcast by Feedspot.
----more----
About
Bryan Smeltzer is a bestselling author, business executive, and entrepreneur. He has held executive leadership positions in brand business development, multi-category product development, and global marketing at major international companies, including Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, Schutt Sports, and others.
Bryan also founded a men's apparel brand and successfully ran it for ten years before selling it to a venture capital firm.
----more----
The Visionary Chronicles PodcastBryan hosts The Visionary Chronicles podcast, which Feedspot has ranked as the #1 Visionary and one of the Top 50 Marketing Podcasts.Follow The Visionary Chronicles Podcast | The Visionary Chronicles Sign Up ----more----The Visionary LeaderThe Visionary Leader | The Success Principles of the World’s Greatest Visionaries , the follow up book, the my bestseller The Visionary Brand, explores the mindset, strategies, and principles that define world-changing leaders who disrupt industries and inspire generations. Drawing insights from history’s most influential visionaries, this book serves as a blueprint for those striving to lead with purpose, innovation, and bold aspiration.Now available for Pre-Order | The Visionary Leader----more----The Visionary BrandBryan is the author of the bestselling book The Visionary Brand,The Success Formula Behind the World's Most Visionary Brands. The book received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for Best Non-fiction in the Marketing Genre.Purchase The Visionary Brand book | The Visionary Brand
----more----The Visionary FilesFollowing the release of his book, Bryan launched The Visionary Brand MasterCourse. Available at TheVisionaryFiles.com, this course features 18 video learning segments, totaling nearly two hours of training to unleash brand leadership potential.
Sign up for The Visionary Brand MasterCourse | The Visionary Brand Course
----more----LiquidMind | Brand AdvisoryBryan is at the helm of LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that collaborates with start-ups and established mid to large-cap consumer brands. The company empowers businesses to think and act differently, cultivate passionate cultures, and execute strategies relentlessly.
Sign up for a FREE Advisory SESSION | LiquidMind Meeting
----more----SESSIONS | One 2 One AdvisoryLiquidMind offers bespoke Sessions One 2 One Advisory Services, providing personalized brand guidance through direct sessions with expert strategists. This service is ideal for launching new products or repositioning brands.
Sign up for a Sessions One 2 One Meeting | Sessions Meeting
----more----
NewsletterSign up for Bryan's FREE Newsletter | NEWSLETTER
----more----
BLOGVisit Bryan's BLOG Site | BLOG
----more----
FOLLOW
Follow Bryan |
----more----
Contact Bryan
CHRONICLE 199
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast VISION Meets EXECUTION | 4 Essential Frameworks for Turning Ideas into AchievementCHRONICLE: May 8th, 2025
CHRONICLE INTRO |
Welcome to this episode of The Visionary Chronicles, where we explore the essence of brand leadership, innovation, and long-term impact.
In today’s chronicle, " VISION Meets EXECUTION | 4 Essential Frameworks for Turning Ideas into Achievement," we’re exploring what it truly means to be a Visionary brand and how the intersection of big-picture thinking and disciplined execution defines those who lead versus those who follow.
"Vision without execution is hallucination."
— Thomas Edison
At this critical crossroad, many leaders stall—either stuck in strategy without momentum or too deep in tactics without direction. But Visionary brands stand apart because they’ve mastered this intersection. They know that…
Let’s break down what creates this synergy—and how your brand can lead from the front.
----more----
About
Bryan Smeltzer is a bestselling author, business executive, and entrepreneur. He has held executive leadership positions in brand business development, multi-category product development, and global marketing at major international companies, including Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, Schutt Sports, and others.
Bryan also founded a men's apparel brand and successfully ran it for ten years before selling it to a venture capital firm.
----more----
The Visionary Chronicles PodcastBryan hosts The Visionary Chronicles podcast, which Feedspot has ranked as the #1 Visionary and one of the Top 50 Marketing Podcasts.Follow The Visionary Chronicles Podcast | The Visionary Chronicles Sign Up ----more----The Visionary LeaderThe Visionary Leader | The Success Principles of the World’s Greatest Visionaries , the follow up book, the my bestseller The Visionary Brand, explores the mindset, strategies, and principles that define world-changing leaders who disrupt industries and inspire generations. Drawing insights from history’s most influential visionaries, this book serves as a blueprint for those striving to lead with purpose, innovation, and bold aspiration.Now available for Pre-Order | The Visionary Leader----more----The Visionary BrandBryan is the author of the bestselling book The Visionary Brand,The Success Formula Behind the World's Most Visionary Brands. The book received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for Best Non-fiction in the Marketing Genre.Purchase The Visionary Brand book | The Visionary Brand
----more----The Visionary FilesFollowing the release of his book, Bryan launched The Visionary Brand MasterCourse. Available at TheVisionaryFiles.com, this course features 18 video learning segments, totaling nearly two hours of training to unleash brand leadership potential.
Sign up for The Visionary Brand MasterCourse | The Visionary Brand Course
----more----LiquidMind | Brand AdvisoryBryan is at the helm of LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that collaborates with start-ups and established mid to large-cap consumer brands. The company empowers businesses to think and act differently, cultivate passionate cultures, and execute strategies relentlessly.
Sign up for a FREE Advisory SESSION | LiquidMind Meeting
----more----SESSIONS | One 2 One AdvisoryLiquidMind offers bespoke Sessions One 2 One Advisory Services, providing personalized brand guidance through direct sessions with expert strategists. This service is ideal for launching new products or repositioning brands.
Sign up for a Sessions One 2 One Meeting | Sessions Meeting
----more----
Newsletter
Sign up for Bryan's FREE Newsletter | NEWSLETTER
----more----
BLOG
Visit Bryan's BLOG Site | BLOG
----more----
FOLLOW
Follow Bryan |
----more----
Contact Bryan
CHRONICLE 198
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast CHRONICLE: May 1st, 2025
Decoding Visionary Leadership | The 5 Essential Traits That Drive Success CHRONICLE INTRO |
Welcome to this episode of The Visionary Chronicles, where we explore the ageless leadership lessons imparted by some of history’s most influential figures.
In this episode, we explore " Decoding Visionary Leadership | The 5 Essential Traits That Drive Success", drawing insights from the lives and legacies of Steve Jobs, Leonardo da Vinci, Albert Einstein, Thomas Edison, Socrates, and Alexander the Great. These leaders, spanning different eras and disciplines, shared common traits that propelled them to greatness—traits that continue to inspire and guide us today.
Stay tuned next week, as we continue our Visionary Leadership series with our next EPISODE: “Crossroad To Success | The Intersection of Vision and Execution."
Why are authentic, true Visionaries so rare? What traits do most have in common, and how can you apply these in your Leadership?
"The secret of change is to focus all of your energy not on fighting the old, but on building the new."- Socrates
----more----
About
Bryan Smeltzer is a bestselling author, business executive, and entrepreneur. He has held executive leadership positions in brand business development, multi-category product development, and global marketing at major international companies, including Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, Schutt Sports, and others.
Bryan also founded a men's apparel brand and successfully ran it for ten years before selling it to a venture capital firm.
----more----The Visionary Chronicles PodcastBryan hosts The Visionary Chronicles podcast, which Feedspot has ranked as the #1 Visionary and one of the Top 50 Marketing Podcasts.Follow The Visionary Chronicles Podcast | The Visionary Chronicles Sign Up----more----
The Visionary LeaderThe Visionary Leader | The Success Principles of the World’s Greatest Visionaries , the follow up book, the my bestseller The Visionary Brand, explores the mindset, strategies, and principles that define world-changing leaders who disrupt industries and inspire generations. Drawing insights from history’s most influential visionaries, this book serves as a blueprint for those striving to lead with purpose, innovation, and bold aspiration.Now available for Pre-Order | The Visionary Leader----more----
The Visionary BrandBryan is the author of the bestselling book The Visionary Brand,The Success Formula Behind the World's Most Visionary Brands. The book received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for Best Non-fiction in the Marketing Genre.Purchase The Visionary Brand book | The Visionary Brand
----more----The Visionary FilesFollowing the release of his book, Bryan launched The Visionary Brand MasterCourse. Available at TheVisionaryFiles.com, this course features 18 video learning segments, totaling nearly two hours of training to unleash brand leadership potential.
Sign up for The Visionary Brand MasterCourse | The Visionary Brand Course
----more----LiquidMind | Brand AdvisoryBryan is at the helm of LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that collaborates with start-ups and established mid to large-cap consumer brands. The company empowers businesses to think and act differently, cultivate passionate cultures, and execute strategies relentlessly.
Sign up for a FREE Advisory SESSION | LiquidMind Meeting
----more----SESSIONS | One 2 One AdvisoryLiquidMind offers bespoke Sessions One 2 One Advisory Services, providing personalized brand guidance through direct sessions with expert strategists. This service is ideal for launching new products or repositioning brands.
Sign up for a Sessions One 2 One Meeting | Sessions Meeting
----more----
NewsletterSign up for Bryan's FREE Newsletter | NEWSLETTER
----more----
BLOGVisit Bryan's BLOG Site | BLOG
----more----
FOLLOW Follow Bryan |
----more----
Contact Bryan
CHRONICLE 197
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast TRANSFORMED | How Artificial Intelligence is Reshaping the Business LandscapeCHRONICLE: April 24th, 2025
CHRONICLE INTRO |Welcome back to The Visionary Chronicles, where we uncover the principles of Visionary leadership, innovation, and long-term success.
"Artificial intelligence is not just a technological evolution, but a fundamental shift in how we create value. The companies that harness it effectively won't just improve their operations—they'll reimagine their entire business." — Satya Nadella
Welcome to another impactful episode of The Visionary Chronicles, where we dive into the trends, technologies, and tactics shaping the future of visionary leadership. Today’s episode—“TRANSFORMED | How Artificial Intelligence is Reshaping the Business Landscape”—explores one of the most profound shifts in modern business: the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its transformational impact on how we lead, innovate, and grow.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer the future—it’s your new strategic business partner, reshaping how visionary leaders drive innovation, empower teams, and achieve sustainable growth. In this insightful episode of The Visionary Chronicles, we explore how AI is transforming brand culture, enhancing leadership strategies, and unlocking new opportunities for long-term success.
Discover actionable strategies to integrate AI into your business, from fostering a growth mindset to redefining leadership roles in this age of exponential disruption. Learn how AI can accelerate product development, optimize operations, and deliver hyper-personalized customer experiences. With insights from thought leaders like Satya Nadella and lessons from iconic brands like Amazon and Coca-Cola, this episode equips you with the tools to lead with purpose, strategy, and courage.
Together, let’s shape the future and leave a legacy of visionary leadership.
CHRONICLES |
00:00 - Intro
01:33 - Inspirational Quote
06:05 - Exponential Disruption in Business
08:31 - AI Redefining Business Operations
09:33 - Visionary Leaders Leveraging AI
10:47 - AI Inflection Point: Importance of Now
13:16 - AI as a Strategic Business Partner
15:49 - Leadership Redefined in the AI Era
19:14 - Innovation at the Speed of Thought
21:33 - Ethical AI: Leadership Imperative
24:46 - Leadership Redefined in the Age of AI
27:19 - Will You Lead or Be Disrupted?
28:00 - Thank You for Tuning In
29:59 - Claim Your Free Advanced Reader Copy
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast was ranked the #1 Global Visionary Podcast & Top 50 Marketing podcast by Feedspot.
----more----
AboutBryan Smeltzer is a bestselling author, business executive, and entrepreneur. He has held executive leadership positions in brand business development, multi-category product development, and global marketing at major international companies, including Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, Schutt Sports, and others.
Bryan also founded a men's apparel brand and successfully ran it for ten years before selling it to a venture capital firm.
----more----The Visionary Chronicles PodcastBryan hosts The Visionary Chronicles podcast, which Feedspot has ranked as the #1 Visionary and one of the Top 50 Marketing Podcasts.Follow The Visionary Chronicles Podcast | The Visionary Chronicles Sign Up----more----
The Visionary LeaderThe Visionary Leader | The Success Principles of the World’s Greatest Visionaries , the follow up book, the my bestseller The Visionary Brand, explores the mindset, strategies, and principles that define world-changing leaders who disrupt industries and inspire generations. Drawing insights from history’s most influential visionaries, this book serves as a blueprint for those striving to lead with purpose, innovation, and bold aspiration.Now available for Pre-Order | The Visionary Leader----more----
The Visionary BrandBryan is the author of the bestselling book The Visionary Brand,The Success Formula Behind the World's Most Visionary Brands. The book received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for Best Non-fiction in the Marketing Genre.Purchase The Visionary Brand book | The Visionary Brand
----more----
The Visionary FilesFollowing the release of his book, Bryan launched The Visionary Brand MasterCourse. Available at TheVisionaryFiles.com, this course features 18 video learning segments, totaling nearly two hours of training to unleash brand leadership potential.
Sign up for The Visionary Brand MasterCourse | The Visionary Brand Course
----more----LiquidMind | Brand AdvisoryBryan is at the helm of LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that collaborates with start-ups and established mid to large-cap consumer brands. The company empowers businesses to think and act differently, cultivate passionate cultures, and execute strategies relentlessly.
Sign up for a FREE Advisory SESSION | LiquidMind Meeting
----more----SESSIONS | One 2 One AdvisoryLiquidMind offers bespoke Sessions One 2 One Advisory Services, providing personalized brand guidance through direct sessions with expert strategists. This service is ideal for launching new products or repositioning brands.
Sign up for a Sessions One 2 One Meeting | Sessions Meeting
----more----
Newsletter
Sign up for Bryan's FREE Newsletter | NEWSLETTER
----more----
BLOG
Visit Bryan's BLOG Site | BLOG
----more----
FOLLOW
Follow Bryan |
----more----
Contact Bryan
CHRONICLE 196
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast The Change Compass | 5 Leadership Strategies When the Path is UnclearCHRONICLE: April 17th, 2025
CHRONICLE INTRO |
Welcome back to The Visionary Chronicles, where we uncover the principles of Visionary leadership, innovation, and long-term success.
"The only constant in business is change. Those who learn to manage and embrace it will thrive; those who fear it will be left behind." — Richard Branson
Welcome to this special episode of The Visionary Chronicles, where we explore the challenges and triumphs of business leadership in times of uncertainty. Today’s episode—"The Change Compass | Leadership When the Path is Unclear"—dives into one of the most crucial traits of visionary leadership: navigating change with confidence, clarity, and conviction.
Key Takeaways
How to embrace uncertainty as a catalyst for innovation.
The power of adaptive leadership and rapid decision-making.
Why purpose and vision are your ultimate guiding compass.
The importance of transparent communication to empower your team.
Building a resilient culture that thrives in turbulent times.
CHRONICLE CONTENT
00:00 - Intro
02:04 - Inspirational Quote
06:06 - Great Leaders Thrive in Crisis
07:22 - Embracing Uncertainty for Strategy
10:04 - Power of Adaptive Leadership
12:47 - Anchoring Teams for Success
20:24 - Purpose and Vision for Team Alignment
21:20 - Importance of Communication
21:50 - Building a Resilient Culture
23:18 - Final Thoughts and Takeaways
26:33 - Characteristics of a Visionary Leader
28:30 - Visionary Leader Interviews
29:50 - Contact Information for Bryan
Uncertainty isn’t your enemy—it’s your opportunity to lead boldly, think differently, and rise above the noise.
----more----
AboutBryan Smeltzer is a bestselling author, business executive, and entrepreneur. He has held executive leadership positions in brand business development, multi-category product development, and global marketing at major international companies, including Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, Schutt Sports, and others.
Bryan also founded a men's apparel brand and successfully ran it for ten years before selling it to a venture capital firm.
----more----The Visionary Chronicles PodcastBryan hosts The Visionary Chronicles podcast, which Feedspot has ranked as the #1 Visionary and one of the Top 50 Marketing Podcasts.Follow The Visionary Chronicles Podcast | The Visionary Chronicles Sign Up ----more----The Visionary LeaderThe Visionary Leader | The Success Principles of the World’s Greatest Visionaries , the follow up book, the my bestseller The Visionary Brand, explores the mindset, strategies, and principles that define world-changing leaders who disrupt industries and inspire generations. Drawing insights from history’s most influential visionaries, this book serves as a blueprint for those striving to lead with purpose, innovation, and bold aspiration.Now available for Pre-Order | The Visionary Leader----more----The Visionary BrandBryan is the author of the bestselling book The Visionary Brand,The Success Formula Behind the World's Most Visionary Brands. The book received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for Best Non-fiction in the Marketing Genre.Purchase The Visionary Brand book | The Visionary Brand
----more----The Visionary FilesFollowing the release of his book, Bryan launched The Visionary Brand MasterCourse. Available at TheVisionaryFiles.com, this course features 18 video learning segments, totaling nearly two hours of training to unleash brand leadership potential.
Sign up for The Visionary Brand MasterCourse | The Visionary Brand Course
----more----LiquidMind | Brand AdvisoryBryan is at the helm of LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that collaborates with start-ups and established mid to large-cap consumer brands. The company empowers businesses to think and act differently, cultivate passionate cultures, and execute strategies relentlessly.
Sign up for a FREE Advisory SESSION | LiquidMind Meeting
----more----SESSIONS | One 2 One AdvisoryLiquidMind offers bespoke Sessions One 2 One Advisory Services, providing personalized brand guidance through direct sessions with expert strategists. This service is ideal for launching new products or repositioning brands.
Sign up for a Sessions One 2 One Meeting | Sessions Meeting
----more----
Newsletter
Sign up for Bryan's FREE Newsletter | NEWSLETTER
----more----
BLOG
Visit Bryan's BLOG Site | BLOG
----more----
FOLLOW
Follow Bryan |
----more----
Contact Bryan
CHRONICLE 195
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast Strategy Execution | 5 Tips on How to Develop a Visionary Strategy to Sustained Growth
CHRONICLE: April 10th, 2025
CHRONICLE INTRO |
Welcome back to The Visionary Chronicles, where we uncover the principles of Visionary leadership, innovation, and long-term success. In this series, The Road to Visionary Leadership, we’ve explored the defining traits of visionaries who challenge the status quo, inspire transformation, and build lasting legacies.
" The essence of strategy is choosing what not to do.” – Michael Porter
In this Episode, CHRONICLE 195, we explore a critical aspect of leadership—Strategy Execution.
Many companies develop visionary strategies, but few successfully execute them to achieve sustained growth. Visionary leaders understand that strategy is not just about planning; it’s about disciplined execution, adaptability, and long-term thinking.
How do you create and execute a strategy that drives continuous growth, innovation, and market leadership? In this episode, I’ll break down five key tips to developing a Visionary strategy for sustained growth.
Discover strategies for visionary, sustained growth! Learn crucial tips from industry giants. Share your thoughts and lead the change!
CHRONICLE SEGMENTS
00:00 Introduction
01:56 Generational Success
03:49 Strategy Essence
06:14 Vision vs Planning
08:36 Five Key Tips
13:42 Brand Loyalty
15:42 Market Shifts
19:30 Visionary Team
22:43 Final Thoughts
Explore five tips on visionary strategy execution for sustained growth. Learn from industry leaders and optimize your leadership approach for long-term success.
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast was ranked the #1 Global Visionary Podcast & Top 50 Marketing podcast by Feedspot.
----more----
About
Bryan Smeltzer is a bestselling author, business executive, and entrepreneur. He has held executive leadership positions in brand business development, multi-category product development, and global marketing at major international companies, including Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, Schutt Sports, and others.
Bryan also founded a men's apparel brand and successfully ran it for ten years before selling it to a venture capital firm.
----more----The Visionary Chronicles PodcastBryan hosts The Visionary Chronicles podcast, which Feedspot has ranked as the #1 Visionary and one of the Top 50 Marketing Podcasts.Follow The Visionary Chronicles Podcast | The Visionary Chronicles Sign Up----more----
The Visionary LeaderThe Visionary Leader | The Success Principles of the World’s Greatest Visionaries , the follow up book, the my bestseller The Visionary Brand, explores the mindset, strategies, and principles that define world-changing leaders who disrupt industries and inspire generations. Drawing insights from history’s most influential visionaries, this book serves as a blueprint for those striving to lead with purpose, innovation, and bold aspiration.Now available for Pre-Order | The Visionary Leader----more----The Visionary BrandBryan is the author of the bestselling book The Visionary Brand,The Success Formula Behind the World's Most Visionary Brands. The book received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for Best Non-fiction in the Marketing Genre.Purchase The Visionary Brand book | The Visionary Brand
----more----
The Visionary FilesFollowing the release of his book, Bryan launched The Visionary Brand MasterCourse. Available at TheVisionaryFiles.com, this course features 18 video learning segments, totaling nearly two hours of training to unleash brand leadership potential.
Sign up for The Visionary Brand MasterCourse | The Visionary Brand Course
----more----LiquidMind | Brand AdvisoryBryan is at the helm of LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that collaborates with start-ups and established mid to large-cap consumer brands. The company empowers businesses to think and act differently, cultivate passionate cultures, and execute strategies relentlessly.
Sign up for a FREE Advisory SESSION | LiquidMind Meeting
----more----SESSIONS | One 2 One AdvisoryLiquidMind offers bespoke Sessions One 2 One Advisory Services, providing personalized brand guidance through direct sessions with expert strategists. This service is ideal for launching new products or repositioning brands.
Sign up for a Sessions One 2 One Meeting | Sessions Meeting
----more----
Newsletter
Sign up for Bryan's FREE Newsletter | NEWSLETTER
----more----
BLOG
Visit Bryan's BLOG Site | BLOG
----more----
FOLLOW
Follow Bryan |
----more----
Contact Bryan
CHRONICLE 194
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast CHRONICLE: April 3rd, 2025
SERIES | The Road to Visionary Leadership CHRONICLE 9 | Leaving a LegacyCHRONICLE INTRO |
Welcome to The Visionary Chronicles and the final EPISODE in our nine-part series, The Road to Visionary Leadership.
This SERIES is inspired by the new book I will be releasing this July, The Visionary Leader, The Success Principles of The World’s Greatest Visionaries, available for “PRE-SALE” NOW at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books A Million, and all global retailers.
This is the follow-up to my first bestselling, award-winning book, The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind The World’s Most Visionary Brands.
We have also created The Visionary Brand MasterCourse from the book available at TheVisionaryFiles.
"A leader is a dealer in Hope." - Napoleon Bonaparte
Welcome back to The Visionary Chronicles, where we uncover the principles of Visionary leadership, innovation, and long-term success. In this series, The Road to Visionary Leadership, we’ve explored the defining traits of visionaries who challenge the status quo, inspire transformation, and build lasting legacies.
In this 9th Chronicle, we focus on one of the most profound aspects of leadership—leaving a legacy.
----more----
About |
Bryan Smeltzer is a bestselling author, business executive, and entrepreneur. He has held executive leadership positions in brand business development, multi-category product development, and global marketing at major international companies, including Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, Schutt Sports, and others.
Bryan also founded a men's apparel brand and successfully ran it for ten years before selling it to a venture capital firm.
----more----
The Visionary Chronicles PodcastBryan hosts The Visionary Chronicles podcast, which Feedspot has ranked as the #1 Visionary and one of the Top 50 Marketing Podcasts.Follow The Visionary Chronicles Podcast | The Visionary Chronicles Sign Up ----more----
The Visionary LeaderThe Visionary Leader | The Success Principles of the World’s Greatest Visionaries , the follow up book, the my bestseller The Visionary Brand, explores the mindset, strategies, and principles that define world-changing leaders who disrupt industries and inspire generations. Drawing insights from history’s most influential visionaries, this book serves as a blueprint for those striving to lead with purpose, innovation, and bold aspiration.Now available for Pre-Order | The Visionary Leader----more----The Visionary Brand----more----Bryan is the author of the bestselling book The Visionary Brand,The Success Formula Behind the World's Most Visionary Brands. The book received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for Best Non-fiction in the Marketing Genre.Purchase The Visionary Brand book | The Visionary Brand
----more----
The Visionary FilesFollowing the release of his book, Bryan launched The Visionary Brand MasterCourse. Available at TheVisionaryFiles.com, this course features 18 video learning segments, totaling nearly two hours of training to unleash brand leadership potential.
Sign up for The Visionary Brand MasterCourse | The Visionary Brand Course
----more----
LiquidMind | Brand AdvisoryBryan is at the helm of LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that collaborates with start-ups and established mid to large-cap consumer brands. The company empowers businesses to think and act differently, cultivate passionate cultures, and execute strategies relentlessly.
Sign up for a FREE Advisory SESSION | LiquidMind Meeting
----more----
SESSIONS | One 2 One AdvisoryLiquidMind offers bespoke Sessions One 2 One Advisory Services, providing personalized brand guidance through direct sessions with expert strategists. This service is ideal for launching new products or repositioning brands.
Sign up for a Sessions One 2 One Meeting | Sessions Meeting
----more----
Newsletter
Sign up for Bryan's FREE Newsletter | NEWSLETTER
----more----
BLOG
Visit Bryan's BLOG Site | BLOG
----more----
FOLLOW
Follow Bryan |
----more----
Contact Bryan
SERIES | The Road to Visionary Leadership | CHRONICLE 8 | Continuous Learning & AdaptionThe Visionary Chronicles PodcastCHRONICLE 193
CHRONICLE: March 27th , 2025
CHRONICLE INTRO |
Welcome to The Visionary Chronicles and the launch of our nine-part series, The Road to Visionary Leadership.
This SERIES is inspired by the new book I will be releasing this July, The Visionary Leader, The Success Principles of The World’s Greatest Visionaries, available for “PRE-SALE” NOW at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books A Million, and all global retailers.
This is the follow-up to my first bestselling, award-winning book, The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind The World’s Most Visionary Brands.
We have also created The Visionary Brand MasterCourse from the book available at TheVisionaryFiles.
"I am not afraid of an army of lions led by a sheep; I am afraid of an army of sheep led by a lion.." – Alexander The Great
Welcome back to The Visionary Chronicles, where we uncover the principles of Visionary leadership, innovation, and long-term success. In this series, The Road to Visionary Leadership, we’ve explored the defining traits of visionaries who challenge the status quo, inspire transformation, and build lasting legacies.
In this 8th Chronicle, we explore a defining characteristic of all great leaders—the ability to learn and adapt continuously.
----more----
About Bryan Smeltzer is a bestselling author, business executive, and entrepreneur. He has held executive leadership positions in brand business development, multi-category product development, and global marketing at major international companies, including Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, Schutt Sports, and others.
Bryan also founded a men's apparel brand and successfully ran it for ten years before selling it to a venture capital firm.
----more----The Visionary Chronicles PodcastBryan hosts The Visionary Chronicles podcast, which Feedspot has ranked as the #1 Visionary and one of the Top 50 Marketing Podcasts.Follow The Visionary Chronicles Podcast | The Visionary Chronicles Sign Up ----more----The Visionary BrandBryan is the author of the bestselling book The Visionary Brand,The Success Formula Behind the World's Most Visionary Brands. The book received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for Best Non-fiction in the Marketing Genre.Purchase The Visionary Brand book | The Visionary Brand
----more----The Visionary FilesFollowing the release of his book, Bryan launched The Visionary Brand MasterCourse. Available at TheVisionaryFiles.com, this course features 18 video learning segments, totaling nearly two hours of training to unleash brand leadership potential.
Sign up for The Visionary Brand MasterCourse | The Visionary Brand Course
----more----LiquidMind | Brand AdvisoryBryan is at the helm of LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that collaborates with start-ups and established mid to large-cap consumer brands. The company empowers businesses to think and act differently, cultivate passionate cultures, and execute strategies relentlessly.
Sign up for a FREE Advisory SESSION | LiquidMind Meeting
----more----SESSIONS | One 2 One AdvisoryLiquidMind offers bespoke Sessions One 2 One Advisory Services, providing personalized brand guidance through direct sessions with expert strategists. This service is ideal for launching new products or repositioning brands.
Sign up for a Sessions One 2 One Meeting | Sessions Meeting
----more----
Newsletter
Sign up for Bryan's FREE Newsletter | NEWSLETTER
----more----
BLOG
Visit Bryan's BLOG Site | BLOG
----more----
FOLLOW
Follow Bryan |
----more----
Contact Bryan
CHRONICLE 192
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast CHRONICLE: March 20th , 2025
SERIES | The Road to Visionary Leadership CHRONICLE 7 | Measuring & Celebrating Success
CHRONICLE INTRO |
Welcome to The Visionary Chronicles and the launch of our nine-part series, The Road to Visionary Leadership.
This SERIES is inspired by the new book I will be releasing this July, The Visionary Leader, The Success Principles of The World’s Greatest Visionaries, available for “PRE-SALE” NOW at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books A Million, and all global retailers.
This is the follow-up to my first bestselling, award-winning book, The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind The World’s Most Visionary Brands.
We have also created The Visionary Brand MasterCourse from the book available at TheVisionaryFiles.
"I am not afraid of an army of lions led by a sheep; I am afraid of an army of sheep led by a lion.." – Alexander The Great
Welcome back to The Visionary Chronicles, where we uncover the principles of visionary leadership, innovation, and long-term success. In this series, The Road to Visionary Leadership, we’ve explored the defining traits of visionaries who challenge the status quo, inspire transformation, and build lasting legacies.
In this Seventh Chronicle, we explore an often-overlooked yet essential aspect of leadership—measuring and celebrating success.
Join us on a journey through visionary leadership! Discover success strategies, learn the art of celebration, and get inspired to lead! Share your thoughts below.
CHRONICLE SEGMENTS
00:00 Introduction
00:53 Chronicle Overview
03:16 Alexander's Quote
06:53 Leadership Traits
11:18 Measuring Success
23:27 Celebrating Success
27:27 Final Thoughts
Unlock visionary leadership strategies and celebrate success with insights on driving innovative business growth. Join the journey and share your thoughts!
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast was ranked the #1 Global Visionary Podcast & Top 50 Marketing podcast by Feedspot.
----more----
About
Bryan Smeltzer is a bestselling author, business executive, and entrepreneur. He has held executive leadership positions in brand business development, multi-category product development, and global marketing at major international companies, including Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, Schutt Sports, and others.
Bryan also founded a men's apparel brand and successfully ran it for ten years before selling it to a venture capital firm.
----more----
The Visionary Chronicles PodcastBryan hosts The Visionary Chronicles podcast, which Feedspot has ranked as the #1 Visionary and one of the Top 50 Marketing Podcasts.Follow The Visionary Chronicles Podcast | The Visionary Chronicles Sign Up ----more----The Visionary BrandBryan is the author of the bestselling book The Visionary Brand,The Success Formula Behind the World's Most Visionary Brands. The book received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for Best Non-fiction in the Marketing Genre.Purchase The Visionary Brand book | The Visionary Brand
----more----The Visionary FilesFollowing the release of his book, Bryan launched The Visionary Brand MasterCourse. Available at TheVisionaryFiles.com, this course features 18 video learning segments, totaling nearly two hours of training to unleash brand leadership potential.
Sign up for The Visionary Brand MasterCourse | The Visionary Brand Course
----more----LiquidMind | Brand AdvisoryBryan is at the helm of LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that collaborates with start-ups and established mid to large-cap consumer brands. The company empowers businesses to think and act differently, cultivate passionate cultures, and execute strategies relentlessly.
Sign up for a FREE Advisory SESSION | LiquidMind Meeting
----more----SESSIONS | One 2 One AdvisoryLiquidMind offers bespoke Sessions One 2 One Advisory Services, providing personalized brand guidance through direct sessions with expert strategists. This service is ideal for launching new products or repositioning brands.
Sign up for a Sessions One 2 One Meeting | Sessions Meeting
----more----
Newsletter
Sign up for Bryan's FREE Newsletter | NEWSLETTER
----more----
BLOG
Visit Bryan's BLOG Site | BLOG
----more----
FOLLOW
Follow Bryan |
----more----
Contact Bryan
CHRONICLE 191
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast CHRONICLE: March 13th , 2025
SERIES | The Road to Visionary Leadership CHRONICLE 6 | Empowering & Developing Your TeamCHRONICLE INTRO |
Welcome to The Visionary Chronicles and the launch of our nine-part series, The Road to Visionary Leadership.
This SERIES is inspired by the new book I will be releasing this July, The Visionary Leader, The Success Principles of The World’s Greatest Visionaries, available for “PRE-SALE” NOW at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books A Million, and all global retailers.
This is the follow-up to my first bestselling, award-winning book, The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind The World’s Most Visionary Brands.
We have also created The Visionary Brand MasterCourse from the book available at TheVisionaryFiles.
"Your success in life isn't based on your ability to simply change. It is based on your ability to change faster than your competition, customers and business." - Mark Sanborn
Welcome back to The Visionary Chronicles, where we uncover the principles of visionary leadership, innovation, and long-term success. In this series, The Road to Visionary Leadership, we’ve explored the defining traits of visionaries who challenge the status quo, inspire transformation, and build lasting legacies.
In today’s episode, Chronicle 6: Empowering and Developing Your Team, we shift our focus to a critical aspect of sustainable leadership—investing in your people. The best leaders don’t just create a vision—they develop the next generation of leaders to carry it forward. A visionary leader understands that success isn’t just about individual excellence but about building, empowering, and elevating those around them.
Join us on the Visionary Chronicles as we delve into empowering visionary leadership. Discover strategies to inspire and develop your team. Share your insights!
CHRONICLE SEGMENTS
00:10 Welcome
01:28 Leadership Style
02:12 New Book Insights
04:31 Success Quote
05:34 Team Empowerment
08:04 Series Recap
11:28 Developing Teams
20:48 Leadership Examples
28:15 Legacy & Conclusion
Explore visionary leadership strategies to empower evolving teams and inspire future leaders.
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast was ranked the #1 Global Visionary Podcast & Top 50 Marketing podcast by Feedspot.
----more----
AboutBryan Smeltzer is a bestselling author, business executive, and entrepreneur. He has held executive leadership positions in brand business development, multi-category product development, and global marketing at major international companies, including Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, Schutt Sports, and others.
Bryan also founded a men's apparel brand and successfully ran it for ten years before selling it to a venture capital firm.
----more----The Visionary Chronicles PodcastBryan hosts The Visionary Chronicles podcast, which Feedspot has ranked as the #1 Visionary and one of the Top 50 Marketing Podcasts.Follow The Visionary Chronicles Podcast | The Visionary Chronicles Sign Up ----more----The Visionary BrandBryan is the author of the bestselling book The Visionary Brand,The Success Formula Behind the World's Most Visionary Brands. The book received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for Best Non-fiction in the Marketing Genre.Purchase The Visionary Brand book | The Visionary Brand
----more----The Visionary FilesFollowing the release of his book, Bryan launched The Visionary Brand MasterCourse. Available at TheVisionaryFiles.com, this course features 18 video learning segments, totaling nearly two hours of training to unleash brand leadership potential.
Sign up for The Visionary Brand MasterCourse | The Visionary Brand Course
----more----LiquidMind | Brand AdvisoryBryan is at the helm of LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that collaborates with start-ups and established mid to large-cap consumer brands. The company empowers businesses to think and act differently, cultivate passionate cultures, and execute strategies relentlessly.
Sign up for a FREE Advisory SESSION | LiquidMind Meeting
----more----SESSIONS | One 2 One AdvisoryLiquidMind offers bespoke Sessions One 2 One Advisory Services, providing personalized brand guidance through direct sessions with expert strategists. This service is ideal for launching new products or repositioning brands.
Sign up for a Sessions One 2 One Meeting | Sessions Meeting
----more----
Newsletter
Sign up for Bryan's FREE Newsletter | NEWSLETTER
----more----
BLOG
Visit Bryan's BLOG Site | BLOG
----more----
FOLLOW
Follow Bryan |
----more----
Contact Bryan
CHRONICLE 190
The Visionary Chronicles PodcastCHRONICLE: March 6th , 2025
SERIES | The Road to Visionary Leadership CHRONICLE 5 | Leading Through ChangeCHRONICLE INTRO |Welcome to The Visionary Chronicles and the launch of our nine-part series, The Road to Visionary Leadership.
This SERIES is inspired by the new book I will be releasing this July, The Visionary Leader, The Success Principles of The World’s Greatest Visionaries, available for “PRE-SALE” NOW at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books A Million, and all global retailers.
This is the follow-up to my first bestselling, award-winning book, The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind The World’s Most Visionary Brands.
We have also created The Visionary Brand MasterCourse from the book available at TheVisionaryFiles.
"Your success in life isn't based on your ability to simply change. It is based on your ability to change faster than your competition, customers and business." - Mark Sanborn
This episode continues our Journey through The Road to Visionary Leadership Series with Chronicle 5 | Leading Through Change. Change is an inevitable part of leadership. Whether navigating market disruptions, organizational transformations, or personal growth, visionary leaders understand that the key to success is not avoiding change but embracing and leading through it.
----more----
About |Bryan Smeltzer is a bestselling author, business executive, and entrepreneur. He has held executive leadership positions in brand business development, multi-category product development, and global marketing at major international companies, including Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, Schutt Sports, and others.
Bryan also founded a men's apparel brand and successfully ran it for ten years before selling it to a venture capital firm.
----more----The Visionary Chronicles PodcastBryan hosts The Visionary Chronicles podcast, which Feedspot has ranked as the #1 Visionary and one of the Top 50 Marketing Podcasts.Follow The Visionary Chronicles Podcast | The Visionary Chronicles Sign Up ----more----The Visionary BrandBryan is the author of the bestselling book The Visionary Brand,The Success Formula Behind the World's Most Visionary Brands. The book received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for Best Non-fiction in the Marketing Genre.Purchase The Visionary Brand book | The Visionary Brand
----more----The Visionary FilesFollowing the release of his book, Bryan launched The Visionary Brand MasterCourse. Available at TheVisionaryFiles.com, this course features 18 video learning segments, totaling nearly two hours of training to unleash brand leadership potential.
Sign up for The Visionary Brand MasterCourse | The Visionary Brand Course
----more----LiquidMind | Brand AdvisoryBryan is at the helm of LiquidMind, a global brand strategy firm that collaborates with start-ups and established mid to large-cap consumer brands. The company empowers businesses to think and act differently, cultivate passionate cultures, and execute strategies relentlessly.
Sign up for a FREE Advisory SESSION | LiquidMind Meeting
----more----SESSIONS | One 2 One AdvisoryLiquidMind offers bespoke Sessions One 2 One Advisory Services, providing personalized brand guidance through direct sessions with expert strategists. This service is ideal for launching new products or repositioning brands.
Sign up for a Sessions One 2 One Meeting | Sessions Meeting
----more----
Newsletter
Sign up for Bryan's FREE Newsletter | NEWSLETTER
----more----
BLOG
Visit Bryan's BLOG Site | BLOG
----more----
FOLLOW
Follow Bryan |
Contact Bryan
EPISODE 189
The Visionary Chronicles PodcastCHRONICLE: February 27th , 2025
Remote Leadership | How to Manage Remote Teams Effectively " Common sense is not so common.” – Voltaire
Chronicle Intro |Welcome to The Visionary Chronicles! Today’s episode focuses on a crucial leadership skill: How to Manage Remote Teams Effectively.
episode focuses on a crucial leadership skill: Managing Remote Teams Effectively.
Remote work has become the norm, but leading virtual teams requires a new mindset and strategies.
In today’s Episode we'll cover:
Let’s dive in!
----more----
About |
Bryan Smeltzer is a bestselling author, business executive, and entrepreneur. He has held executive leadership positions in brand business development, multi-category product development, and global marketing at major international companies, including Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, Schutt Sports, and others.
Bryan also founded a men's apparel brand and successfully ran it for ten years before selling it to a venture capital firm.
----more----
The Visionary Chronicles PodcastBryan hosts The Visionary Chronicles podcast, which Feedspot has ranked as the #1 Visionary and one of the Top 50 Marketing Podcasts.Follow The Visionary Chronicles Podcast | The Visionary Chronicles Sign Up----more----
The Visionary BrandBryan is the author of the bestselling book The Visionary Brand,The Success Formula Behind the World's Most Visionary Brands. The book received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for Best Non-fiction in the Marketing Genre.Purchase The Visionary Brand book | The Visionary Brand
----more----
The Visionary FilesFollowing the release of his book, Bryan launched The Visionary Brand MasterCourse. Available at TheVisionaryFiles.com, this course features 18 video learning segments, totaling nearly two hours of training to unleash brand leadership potential.
Sign up for The Visionary Brand MasterCourse | The Visionary Brand Course
----more----
LiquidMind | Brand AdvisoryBryan is at the helm of LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that collaborates with start-ups and established mid to large-cap consumer brands. The company empowers businesses to think and act differently, cultivate passionate cultures, and execute strategies relentlessly.
Sign up for a FREE Advisory SESSION | LiquidMind Meeting
----more----SESSIONS | One 2 One AdvisoryLiquidMind offers bespoke Sessions One 2 One Advisory Services, providing personalized brand guidance through direct sessions with expert strategists. This service is ideal for launching new products or repositioning brands.
Sign up for a Sessions One 2 One Meeting | Sessions Meeting
----more----
Newsletter
Sign up for Bryan's FREE Newsletter | NEWSLETTER
----more----
BLOG
Visit Bryan's BLOG Site | BLOG
----more----
FOLLOW
Follow Bryan |
----more----
Contact Bryan |
CHRONICLE 188
The Visionary Chronicles PodcastCHRONICLE: February 20th, 2025
SERIES | The Road to Visionary LeadershipCHRONICLE 4 | Effective Communication & Inspiring GreatnessCHRONICLE INTRO |
Welcome to The Visionary Chronicles and the launch of our new SERIES, The Road to Visionary Leadership.
This SERIES is inspired by the new book I will be releasing this July, The Visionary Leader, The Success Principles of The World’s Greatest Visionaries, available for “PRE-SALE” NOW at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books A Million, and all global retailers.
This is the follow-up to my first bestselling, award-winning book, The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind The World’s Most Visionary Brands. We have also created a NEW along MasterCourse from my bestselling book, The Visionary Brand,The Success Formula Behind The World’s Most Visionary Brands, available at TheVisionaryFiles.com.
"The best way to predict your future is to create it." - Abraham Lincoln
In today’s episode, we continue our Road to Visionary Leadership series with Chronicle 4 | Effective Communication & Inspiring Greatness.
This is #4 in our Road to Visionary Leadership Series, please check out our other EPISODES on The Visionary Chronicles, and be sure to SUBSCRIBE to receive the latest EPISODES!
The best leaders don’t just react to the future—they anticipate and shape it.
Join 'The Visionary Chronicles' for insights into effective leadership communication—an essential skill for inspiring greatness. Engage, share, and subscribe!
CHRONICLE SEGMENTS
00:10 Welcome
01:39 Chronicle #4 Intro
05:15 Communication vs. Commodity
09:16 Effective Communication
11:56 Power of Communication
18:02 Storytelling
20:26 Impactful Communication
22:44 Visionary Leaders
33:29 Closing Remarks
Discover insights on visionary leadership, effective communication, and inspiring greatness in this engaging podcast episode. Comment and share your thoughts!
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast was ranked the #1 Global Visionary Podcast & Top 50 Marketing podcast by Feedspot.
----more----
About |Bryan Smeltzer is a bestselling author, business executive, and entrepreneur. He has held executive leadership positions in brand business development, multi-category product development, and global marketing at major international companies, including Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, Schutt Sports, and others.
Bryan also founded a men's apparel brand and successfully ran it for ten years before selling it to a venture capital firm.
----more----The Visionary Chronicles PodcastBryan hosts The Visionary Chronicles podcast, which Feedspot has ranked as the #1 Visionary and one of the Top 50 Marketing Podcasts.Follow The Visionary Chronicles Podcast | The Visionary Chronicles Sign-Up ----more----The Visionary BrandBryan is the author of the bestselling book The Visionary Brand,The Success Formula Behind the World's Most Visionary Brands. The book received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for Best Non-fiction in the Marketing Genre.Purchase The Visionary Brand book | The Visionary Brand
----more----The Visionary FilesFollowing the release of his book, Bryan launched The Visionary Brand MasterCourse. Available at TheVisionaryFiles.com, this course features 18 video learning segments, totaling nearly two hours of training to unleash brand leadership potential.
Sign up for The Visionary Brand MasterCourse | The Visionary Brand Course
----more----LiquidMind | Brand AdvisoryBryan is at the helm of LiquidMind, a global brand strategy firm that collaborates with start-ups and established mid to large-cap consumer brands. The company empowers businesses to think and act differently, cultivate passionate cultures, and execute strategies relentlessly.
Sign up for a FREE Advisory SESSION | LiquidMind Meeting
----more----SESSIONS | One 2 One AdvisoryLiquidMind offers bespoke Sessions One 2 One Advisory Services, providing personalized brand guidance through direct sessions with expert strategists. This service is ideal for launching new products or repositioning brands.
Sign up for a Sessions One 2 One Meeting | Sessions Meeting
----more----
Newsletter
Sign up for Bryan's FREE Newsletter | NEWSLETTER
----more----
BLOG
Visit Bryan's BLOG Site | BLOG
----more----
FOLLOW
Follow Bryan |
----more----
Contact Bryan
CHRONICLE 187
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast CHRONICLE: February 13th , 2025
SERIES | The Road to Visionary Leadership CHRONICLE 3 | Strategic Foresight & PlanningCHRONICLE INTRO |
Welcome to The Visionary Chronicles and the launch of our new series, The Road to Visionary Leadership.
This SERIES is inspired by the new book I will release this July, The Visionary Leader, and my newMasterCourse frommy bestselling book, The Visionary Brand, available at TheVisionaryFiles.com.
"Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower."-Steve Jobs
In today’s episode, we continue our Road to Visionary Leadership series with Chronicle 3 | Strategic Foresight & Planning.
CHRONICLE 187
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast
CHRONICLE: February 13th , 2025
SERIES | The Road to Visionary Leadership
CHRONICLE 3 | Strategic Foresight & Planning
CHRONICLE INTRO |
Welcome to The Visionary Chronicles and the launch of our new series, The Road to Visionary Leadership.
This SERIES is inspired by the new book I will release this July, The Visionary Leader, and my newMasterCourse frommy bestselling book, The Visionary Brand, available at The Visionary Files.
"Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower."-Steve Jobs
In today’s episode, we continue our Road to Visionary Leadership series with Chronicle 3 | Strategic Foresight & Planning.
Unlock visionary leadership with strategic foresight, planning, and case studies from leading brands. Comment, share, and inspire your network today!
CHRONICLE SEGMENTS
00:00 Introduction
01:55 Visionary Leadership
03:59 Power of Foresight
10:16 Planning Pillars
16:18 Case Studies
19:24 Actionable Strategies
25:18 Conclusion
Discover strategic foresight in leadership with insights, planning pillars, and key case studies. Join the Visionary Chronicles journey today.
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast was ranked the #1 Global Visionary Podcast & Top 50 Marketing podcast by Feedspot.
----more----
About |Bryan Smeltzer is a bestselling author, business executive, and entrepreneur. He has held executive leadership positions in brand business development, multi-category product development, and global marketing at major international companies, including Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, Schutt Sports, and others.
Bryan also founded a men's apparel brand and successfully ran it for ten years before selling it to a venture capital firm.
----more----The Visionary Chronicles PodcastBryan hosts The Visionary Chronicles podcast, which Feedspot has ranked as the #1 Visionary and one of the Top 50 Marketing Podcasts.Follow The Visionary Chronicles Podcast | The Visionary Chronicles Sign-Up ----more----The Visionary BrandBryan is the author of the bestselling book The Visionary Brand,The Success Formula Behind the World's Most Visionary Brands. The book received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for Best Non-fiction in the Marketing Genre.Purchase The Visionary Brand book | The Visionary Brand
----more----The Visionary FilesFollowing the release of his book, Bryan launched The Visionary Brand MasterCourse. Available at TheVisionaryFiles.com, this course features 18 video learning segments, totaling nearly two hours of training to unleash brand leadership potential.
Sign up for The Visionary Brand MasterCourse | The Visionary Brand Course
----more----
LiquidMind | Brand AdvisoryBryan is at the helm of LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that collaborates with start-ups and established mid to large-cap consumer brands. The company empowers businesses to think and act differently, cultivate passionate cultures, and execute strategies relentlessly.
Sign up for a FREE Advisory SESSION | LiquidMind Meeting
----more----SESSIONS | One 2 One AdvisoryLiquidMind offers bespoke Sessions One 2 One Advisory Services, providing personalized brand guidance through direct sessions with expert strategists. This service is ideal for launching new products or repositioning brands.
Sign up for a Sessions One 2 One Meeting | Sessions Meeting
----more----
Newsletter
Sign up for Bryan's FREE Newsletter | NEWSLETTER
----more----
BLOG
Visit Bryan's BLOG Site | BLOG
----more----
FOLLOW
Follow Bryan |
----more----
Contact Bryan
CHRONICLE 186
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast
CHRONICLE: February 4th , 2025
CHRONICLE 2 | SERIES
The Road to Visionary Leadership | Building a Culture of Innovation
Chronicle Intro |
Welcome to The Visionary Chronicles and the launch of our new series, The Road to Visionary Leadership.
This SERIES is inspired by the new book I will release this July, The Visionary Leader, and my newMasterCourse from The Visionary Brand book, available at TheVisionaryFiles.com.
"Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower."-Steve Jobs
In this episode, we’ll break down;
As we dive in, remember | Innovation is not a department—it’s a mindset.
As we dive in, remember | Innovation is not a department—it’s a mindset
Welcome to the Visionary Chronicles! Discover how to cultivate innovation and leadership. Share your thoughts and insights with us in the comments.
CHRONICLE SEGMENTS
00:00 Introduction
00:54 Series Overview
02:01 Culture of Innovation
04:26 Sustaining Cultures
07:13 Case Studies
10:01 Defining Innovation
12:00 Role of Leadership
17:00 Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration
20:00 Leadership and Innovation
31:59 Conclusion
Explore visionary leadership to cultivate innovation and growth within businesses. Discover key strategies for building innovative cultures.
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast was ranked the #1 Global Visionary Podcast & Top 50 Marketing podcast by Feedspot.
About |
Bryan Smeltzer is a bestselling author, business executive, and entrepreneur. He has held executive leadership positions in brand business development, multi-category product development, and global marketing at major international companies, including Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, Schutt Sports, and others.
Bryan also founded a men's apparel brand and successfully ran it for ten years before selling it to a venture capital firm.
The Visionary Chronicles PodcastBryan hosts The Visionary Chronicles podcast, which Feedspot has ranked as the #1 Visionary and one of the Top 50 Marketing Podcasts.Follow The Visionary Chronicles Podcast | The Visionary Chronicles Sign Up The Visionary BrandBryan is the author of the bestselling book The Visionary Brand,The Success Formula Behind the World's Most Visionary Brands. The book received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for Best Non-fiction in the Marketing Genre.Purchase The Visionary Brand book | The Visionary Brand
The Visionary FilesFollowing the release of his book, Bryan launched The Visionary Brand MasterCourse. Available at TheVisionaryFiles.com, this course features 18 video learning segments, totaling nearly two hours of training to unleash brand leadership potential.
Sign up for The Visionary Brand MasterCourse | The Visionary Brand Course
LiquidMind | Brand AdvisoryBryan is at the helm of LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that collaborates with start-ups and established mid to large-cap consumer brands. The company empowers businesses to think and act differently, cultivate passionate cultures, and execute strategies relentlessly.
Sign up for a FREE Advisory SESSION | LiquidMind Meeting
SESSIONS | One 2 One AdvisoryLiquidMind offers bespoke Sessions One 2 One Advisory Services, providing personalized brand guidance through direct sessions with expert strategists. This service is ideal for launching new products or repositioning brands.
Sign up for a Sessions One 2 One Meeting | Sessions Meeting
Newsletter
Sign up for Bryan's FREE Newsletter | NEWSLETTER
BLOG
Visit Bryan's BLOG Site | BLOG
FOLLOW
Follow Bryan |
Contact Bryan
EPISODE 185
The Visionary Chronicles PodcastCHRONICLE: January 30th, 2025
Mastering AI Integration | A Business Blueprint" Common sense is not so common.” – Voltaire
Chronicle Intro |
Welcome to The Visionary Chronicles. Today, we’re discussing a topic essential for anyone in a growth phase and determining what is needed to succeed as a leader in your industry. It’s how to integrate AI into your business model effectively.
With all the madness around AI, having a clear, definitive plan in place is critical to long-term success; however, you must know the “Who?”, “What?”, “Why?, “When?” and “Where?” with your plan and execution. Before implementing, define the needs, determine resources, outline expectations, and determine the execution timeline.
Ready to disrupt the market? LiquidMind empowers your brand to evolve, adapt, and thrive in today's dynamic landscape. We provide the strategic guidance and operational support you need to succeed.
CHRONICLE SEGMENTS
00:00 Introduction
00:53 Simplifying AI
02:02 Generative AI Use
03:22 Integration Challenges
04:42 Brand Strategy
06:02 Key Questions
07:44 Lifecycle Execution
09:27 Product Innovation
11:12 Content Challenges
12:41 Personalization
14:51 Customer Support
16:19 Decision Support
19:20 Design Tools
20:39 Learning Development
22:50 Cybersecurity
24:04 Scenario Planning
26:59 Conclusion
Explore practical AI integration strategies for business growth. Implement and measure effectively to gain a competitive edge. Join the conversation now!
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast was ranked the #1 Global Visionary Podcast & Top 50 Marketing podcast by Feedspot.
----more----
About |
Bryan Smeltzer is a bestselling author, business executive, and entrepreneur. He has held executive leadership positions in brand business development, multi-category product development, and global marketing at major international companies, including Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, Schutt Sports, and others.
Bryan also founded a men's apparel brand and successfully ran it for ten years before selling it to a venture capital firm.
The Visionary Chronicles PodcastBryan hosts The Visionary Chronicles podcast, which Feedspot has ranked as the #1 Visionary and one of the Top 50 Marketing Podcasts.Follow The Visionary Chronicles Podcast | The Visionary Chronicles Sign Up ----more----The Visionary BrandBryan is the author of the bestselling book The Visionary Brand,The Success Formula Behind the World's Most Visionary Brands. The book received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for Best Non-fiction in the Marketing Genre.Purchase The Visionary Brand book | The Visionary Brand
----more----The Visionary FilesFollowing the release of his book, Bryan launched The Visionary Brand MasterCourse. Available at TheVisionaryFiles.com, this course features 18 video learning segments, totaling nearly two hours of training to unleash brand leadership potential.
Sign up for The Visionary Brand MasterCourse | The Visionary Brand Course
----more----LiquidMind | Brand AdvisoryBryan is at the helm of LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that collaborates with start-ups and established mid to large-cap consumer brands. The company empowers businesses to think and act differently, cultivate passionate cultures, and execute strategies relentlessly.
Sign up for a FREE Advisory SESSION | LiquidMind Meeting
----more----SESSIONS | One 2 One AdvisoryLiquidMind offers bespoke Sessions One 2 One Advisory Services, providing personalized brand guidance through direct sessions with expert strategists. This service is ideal for launching new products or repositioning brands.
Sign up for a Sessions One 2 One Meeting | Sessions Meeting
----more----
Newsletter
Sign up for Bryan's FREE Newsletter | NEWSLETTER
----more----
BLOG
Visit Bryan's BLOG Site | BLOG
----more----
FOLLOW
Follow Bryan |
----more----
Contact Bryan |
The Visionary Chronicles PodcastCHRONICLE 184
January 16th, 2025
CHRONICLE I
The Road to Visionary Leadership | Understanding Visionary Leadership & MindsetChronicle Intro |
Welcome to The Visionary Chronicles and the launch of our new series, The Road to Visionary Leadership.
This SERIES is inspired by the new book I will release this July, The Visionary Leader, and my newMasterCourse from The Visionary Brand book, available at TheVisionaryFiles.com.
"Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower."-Steve Jobs
In this first episode, we delve into the foundation of what it means to be a Visionary leader and the mindset required to inspire and drive ongoing, generational transformation.
Visionary leadership is not just about having a bold vision—it’s about fostering an innovative culture and resilient mindset that enables leaders to chart a path forward despite continual barriers and challenges.
----more----
About |
Bryan Smeltzer is a bestselling author, business executive, and entrepreneur. He has held executive leadership positions in brand business development, multi-category product development, and global marketing at major international companies, including Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, Schutt Sports, and others.
Bryan also founded a men's apparel brand and successfully ran it for ten years before selling it to a venture capital firm.
----more----The Visionary Chronicles PodcastBryan hosts The Visionary Chronicles podcast, which Feedspot has ranked as the #1 Visionary and one of the Top 50 Marketing Podcasts.Follow The Visionary Chronicles Podcast | The Visionary Chronicles Sign Up ----more----The Visionary BrandBryan is the author of the bestselling book The Visionary Brand,The Success Formula Behind the World's Most Visionary Brands. The book received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for Best Non-fiction in the Marketing Genre.Purchase The Visionary Brand book | The Visionary Brand
----more----The Visionary FilesFollowing the release of his book, Bryan launched The Visionary Brand MasterCourse. Available at TheVisionaryFiles.com, this course features 18 video learning segments, totaling nearly two hours of training to unleash brand leadership potential.
Sign up for The Visionary Brand MasterCourse | The Visionary Brand Course
----more----LiquidMind | Brand AdvisoryBryan is at the helm of LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that collaborates with start-ups and established mid to large-cap consumer brands. The company empowers businesses to think and act differently, cultivate passionate cultures, and execute strategies relentlessly.
Sign up for a FREE Advisory SESSION | LiquidMind Meeting
----more----SESSIONS | One 2 One AdvisoryLiquidMind offers bespoke Sessions One 2 One Advisory Services, providing personalized brand guidance through direct sessions with expert strategists. This service is ideal for launching new products or repositioning brands.
Sign up for a Sessions One 2 One Meeting | Sessions Meeting
----more----
Newsletter
Sign up for Bryan's FREE Newsletter | NEWSLETTER
----more----
BLOG
Visit Bryan's BLOG Site | BLOG
----more----
FOLLOW
Follow Bryan |
----more----
Contact Bryan
CHRONICLE 182
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast
CHRONICLE: January 16th, 2025
Entrepreneurial Mindset | How to Adapt, Survive & Thrive
Chronicle Intro |
Welcome to The Visionary Chronicles. Today, we’re diving into a topic essential for anyone navigating the start-up or growth phase of the business landscape and determining what is needed to succeed as a leader in the environment. It’s having an Entrepreneurial Mindset.
This episode is about how to adapt, survive, and ultimately thrive in a constantly changing world. Whether launching a startup, scaling a business, or simply dreaming of building something impactful, this episode will provide actionable insights to help you navigate uncertainty, seize opportunities, move and stay ahead of your competition.
Discover the entrepreneurial mindset to adapt, survive, and thrive. Explore strategies, overcoming pitfalls, and leveraging innovation. Share your thoughts and success stories!
CHRONICLE SEGMENTS
00:00 Introduction
00:53 Entrepreneurial Mindset
02:37 Adapting and Thriving
06:15 New World Understanding
12:00 Resilient Traits
15:19 Thriving Strategies
18:55 Overcoming Pitfalls
21:29 Final Thoughts
27:54 Closing Remarks
Discover innovative business strategies with Visionary Chronicles. Uncover insights from industry leaders to fuel growth and navigate challenges. Explore now!
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast was ranked the #1 Global Visionary Podcast & Top 50 Marketing podcast by Feedspot.
----more----
About |
Bryan Smeltzer is a bestselling author, business executive, and entrepreneur. He has held executive leadership positions in brand business development, multi-category product development, and global marketing at major international companies, including Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, Schutt Sports, and others.
Bryan also founded a men's apparel brand and successfully ran it for ten years before selling it to a venture capital firm.
----more----The Visionary Chronicles PodcastBryan hosts The Visionary Chronicles podcast, which Feedspot has ranked as the #1 Visionary and one of the Top 50 Marketing Podcasts.Follow The Visionary Chronicles Podcast | The Visionary Chronicles Sign Up ----more----The Visionary BrandBryan is the author of the bestselling book The Visionary Brand,The Success Formula Behind the World's Most Visionary Brands. The book received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for Best Non-fiction in the Marketing Genre.Purchase The Visionary Brand book | The Visionary Brand
----more----The Visionary FilesFollowing the release of his book, Bryan launched The Visionary Brand MasterCourse. Available at TheVisionaryFiles.com, this course features 18 video learning segments, totaling nearly two hours of training to unleash brand leadership potential.
Sign up for The Visionary Brand MasterCourse | The Visionary Brand Course
----more----
LiquidMind | Brand AdvisoryBryan is at the helm of LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that collaborates with start-ups and established mid to large-cap consumer brands. The company empowers businesses to think and act differently, cultivate passionate cultures, and execute strategies relentlessly.
Sign up for a FREE Advisory SESSION | LiquidMind Meeting
----more----SESSIONS | One 2 One AdvisoryLiquidMind offers bespoke Sessions One 2 One Advisory Services, providing personalized brand guidance through direct sessions with expert strategists. This service is ideal for launching new products or repositioning brands.
Sign up for a Sessions One 2 One Meeting | Sessions Meeting
----more----
Newsletter
Sign up for Bryan's FREE Newsletter | NEWSLETTER
----more----
BLOG
Visit Bryan's BLOG Site | BLOG
----more----
FOLLOW
Follow Bryan |
----more----
Contact Bryan |
Visionary Leadership | Key Traits of VisionariesThe Visionary Chronicles Podcast CHRONICLE 183
CHRONICLE: January 9th, 2025
Welcome to this episode of The Visionary Chronicles, where we explore the ageless leadership lessons imparted by some of history’s most influential figures. In this episode, we explore "Visionary Leadership | 5 Traits of Visionaries," drawing insights from the lives and legacies of Steve Jobs, Leonardo da Vinci, Albert Einstein, Thomas Edison, Socrates, and Alexander the Great. These leaders, spanning different eras and disciplines, shared common traits that propelled them to greatness—traits that continue to inspire and guide us today.
"Thank you to those who have subscribed to The Visionary Chronicles" and for those of you who have not, please go to bryansmeltzer.com"
Visionary Leadership | Key Traits of Visionaries Chronicle Intro |
Why are authentic, true Visionaries so rare? What traits do most have in common, and how can you apply these in your Leadership?
"The secret of change is to focus all of your energy not on fighting the old, but on building the new."- Socrates
Unlock the secrets of iconic visionary leaders! Dive into five leadership traits from legends like Steve Jobs and Socrates. Perfect for sparking growth!
The Visionary Chronicles, a business strategy Podcast where we provide insight to those looking for creative, executable strategies built around the latest disruptive ideas, innovative cultures, product creators and marketing solutions.
CHRONICLE SEGMENTS
00:00 Introduction
00:54 Visionary Leader
03:51 Leadership Traits
06:31 Relentless Curiosity
12:08 Embracing Failure
14:07 Inspirational Vision
16:52 Wisdom and Integrity
18:16 Passionate Innovation
21:12 Key Takeaways
30:37 Closing Remarks
Explore The Visionary Chronicles podcast for expert insights on transformational business strategies. Uncover leadership lessons from iconic visionaries. Subscribe now!
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast was ranked the #1 Global Visionary Podcast & Top 50 Marketing podcast by Feedspot.
----more----
About |
Bryan Smeltzer is a bestselling author, business executive, and entrepreneur. He has held executive leadership positions in brand business development, multi-category product development, and global marketing at major brands like Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, Schutt Sports, and other international companies.
Bryan also founded a men's apparel brand and successfully ran it for ten years before selling it to a venture capital firm.
----more----The Visionary Chronicles PodcastBryan hosts The Visionary Chronicles podcast, which Feedspot has ranked as the #1 Visionary and one of the Top 50 Marketing Podcasts.Follow The Visionary Chronicles Podcast | The Visionary Chronicles Sign Up ----more----The Visionary BrandBryan is the author of the bestselling book The Visionary Brand,The Success Formula Behind the World's Most Visionary Brands. The book received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for Best Non-fiction in the Marketing Genre.Purchase The Visionary Brand book | The Visionary Brand
----more----The Visionary FilesFollowing the release of his book, Bryan launched The Visionary Brand MasterCourse. Available at TheVisionaryFiles.com, this course features 18 video learning segments, totaling nearly two hours of training to unleash brand leadership potential.
Sign up for The Visionary Brand MasterCourse | The Visionary Brand Course
----more----
LiquidMind | Brand AdvisoryBryan is at the helm of LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that collaborates with start-ups and established mid to large-cap consumer brands. The company empowers businesses to think and act differently, cultivate passionate cultures, and execute strategies relentlessly.
Sign up for a FREE Advisory SESSION | LiquidMind Meeting
----more----SESSIONS | One 2 One AdvisoryLiquidMind offers bespoke Sessions One 2 One Advisory Services, providing personalized brand guidance through direct sessions with expert strategists. This service is ideal for launching new products or repositioning brands.
Sign up for a Sessions One 2 One Meeting | Sessions Meeting
----more----
Newsletter
Sign up for Bryan's FREE Newsletter | NEWSLETTER
----more----
BLOG
Visit Bryan's BLOG Site | BLOG
----more----
FOLLOW
Follow Bryan |
----more----
Contact Bryan |
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast
EPISODE 181
CHRONICLE: December 27th, 2024
Brand Culture | How to Build A Strong Brand Culture
“We’re here to put a dent in the universe. Otherwise why else even be here?- ”Steve Jobs
CHRONICLE INTRO |
Welcome to The Visionary Chronicles!
Here, we support you on this journey through leadership, innovation, and the strategies that set Visionary brands apart. Every episode, we delve into what makes companies—and their leaders—succeed, sharing insights to help you on your path to building a sustainable and influential brand.
Building a strong and sustainable brand culture is a centerpiece of Visionary leaders. They recognize that brand culture is the foundation for long-term success and drives employee engagement, customer loyalty, and business growth. The following are strategic areas where visionary leaders focus their efforts while building a sustainable brand culture:
Discover how to build a strong brand culture with insights from visionary leaders. Unlock secrets to success and empower your team. Don't miss out, watch and share!
CHRONICLE SEGMENTS
00:00 Introduction
00:53 Importance of Culture
03:22 Sustainable Culture
07:55 Inspiring Purpose
14:21 Hiring for Culture
18:47 Long-Term Success
28:44 Final Thoughts
30:37 Conclusion
Learn to build and sustain a strong brand culture with insights from leading visionaries like Steve Jobs. Empower your team for long-term success. Watch now!
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast was ranked the #1 Global Visionary Podcast & Top 50 Marketing podcast by Feedspot.
Subscribe | The Visionary Chronicles
----more----
About |Bryan Smeltzer is a bestselling author, business executive, and entrepreneur. He has held executive leadership positions in brand business development, multi-category product development, and global marketing at major brands like Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, Schutt Sports, and other international companies.
Bryan also founded a men's apparel brand and successfully ran it for ten years before selling it to a venture capital firm.
----more----The Visionary Chronicles PodcastBryan hosts The Visionary Chronicles podcast, which Feedspot has ranked as the #1 Visionary and one of the Top 50 Marketing Podcasts.Follow The Visionary Chronicles Podcast | The Visionary Chronicles Sign Up ----more----The Visionary BrandBryan is the author of the bestselling book The Visionary Brand,The Success Formula Behind the World's Most Visionary Brands. The book received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for Best Non-fiction in the Marketing Genre.Purchase The Visionary Brand book | The Visionary Brand
----more----The Visionary FilesFollowing the release of his book, Bryan launched The Visionary Brand MasterCourse. Available at TheVisionaryFiles.com, this course features 18 video learning segments, totaling nearly two hours of training to unleash brand leadership potential.
Sign up for The Visionary Brand MasterCourse | The Visionary Brand Course
----more----LiquidMind | Brand AdvisoryBryan is at the helm of LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that collaborates with start-ups and established mid to large-cap consumer brands. The company empowers businesses to think and act differently, cultivate passionate cultures, and execute strategies relentlessly.
Sign up for a FREE Advisory SESSION | LiquidMind Meeting
----more----SESSIONS | One 2 One AdvisoryLiquidMind offers bespoke Sessions One 2 One Advisory Services, providing personalized brand guidance through direct sessions with expert strategists. This service is ideal for launching new products or repositioning brands.
Sign up for a Sessions One 2 One Meeting | Sessions Meeting
----more----
Newsletter
Sign up for Bryan's FREE Newsletter | NEWSLETTER
----more----
BLOG
Visit Bryan's BLOG Site | BLOG
----more----
FOLLOW
Follow Bryan |
----more----
Contact Bryan |
The Visionary Chronicles PodcastEPISODE 180
CHRONICLE: December 20th, 2024
Empowering Your Teams to Be Different & Think Big!“Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish.”– Steve
CHRONICLE INTRO | Welcome to The Visionary Chronicles!
Here, we support you on this journey through leadership, innovation, and the strategies that set Visionary brands apart. Every episode, we delve into what makes companies—and their leaders—succeed, sharing insights to help you on your path to building a sustainable and influential brand.
To empower teams to Think Big and Be Different—like the aspirational Steve Jobs—a Visionary leader must cultivate an environment that fosters creativity, boldness, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. The following are several areas where leaders can focus their empowerment efforts to consistently and effectively inspire their teams to achieve this Visionary mindset.
Dive into empowering your teams to think big with insights and strategies drawn from visionary leaders. Explore principles for fostering innovation and leadership. Share your thoughts in the comments!
CHRONICLE SEGMENTS
00:00 Introduction
00:54 Discussing Teams
01:52 Apple and Jobs
03:16 Visionary Leaders
04:32 Empowering Teams
10:08 Setting Standards
18:27 Bold Risk Taking
28:26 Big Ideas
33:57 Final Thoughts
Learn to empower teams and build visionary leaders through innovative strategies and principles from business icons like Steve Jobs.
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast was ranked the #1 Global Visionary Podcast & Top 50 Marketing podcast by Feedspot.
Subscribe | The Visionary Chronicles
----more----
About |Bryan Smeltzer is a bestselling author, business executive, and entrepreneur. He has held executive leadership positions in brand business development, multi-category product development, and global marketing at major brands like Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, Schutt Sports, and other international companies.
Bryan also founded a men's apparel brand and successfully ran it for ten years before selling it to a venture capital firm.
----more----The Visionary Chronicles PodcastBryan hosts The Visionary Chronicles podcast, which Feedspot has ranked as the #1 Visionary and one of the Top 50 Marketing Podcasts.Follow The Visionary Chronicles Podcast | The Visionary Chronicles Sign Up ----more----The Visionary BrandBryan is the author of the bestselling book The Visionary Brand,The Success Formula Behind the World's Most Visionary Brands. The book received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for Best Non-fiction in the Marketing Genre.Purchase The Visionary Brand book | The Visionary Brand ----more----The Visionary FilesFollowing the release of his book, Bryan launched The Visionary Brand MasterCourse. Available at TheVisionaryFiles.com, this course features 18 video learning segments, totaling nearly two hours of training to unleash brand leadership potential.
Sign up for The Visionary Brand MasterCourse | The Visionary Brand Course
----more----LiquidMind | Brand AdvisoryBryan is at the helm of LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that collaborates with start-ups and established mid to large-cap consumer brands. The company empowers businesses to think and act differently, cultivate passionate cultures, and execute strategies relentlessly.
Sign up for a FREE Advisory SESSION | LiquidMind Meeting
----more----SESSIONS | One 2 One AdvisoryLiquidMind offers bespoke Sessions One 2 One Advisory Services, providing personalized brand guidance through direct sessions with expert strategists. This service is ideal for launching new products or repositioning brands.
Sign up for a Sessions One 2 One Meeting | Sessions Meeting
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Sign up for Bryan's FREE Newsletter | NEWSLETTER
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The Visionary Chronicles PodcastEPISODE 179
CHRONICLE: December 12th, 2024
AI Branding Strategy | How Visionary Brand Leaders Utilize Artificial Intelligence " Common sense is not so common.” – Voltaire
CHRONICLE INTRO |
Welcome to The Visionary Chronicles!
Here, we support you on this journey through leadership, innovation, and the strategies that set Visionary brands apart. Every episode, we delve into what makes companies—and their leaders—succeed, sharing insights to help you on your path to building a sustainable and influential brand.
With all the madness around AI, having a clear, definitive plan in place is critical to long-term success; however, you must know the “Who?”, “What?”, “Why?, “When?” and “Where?” with your plan and execution. Before implementing, define the needs, determine resources, outline expectations, and determine the execution timeline.
Discover how visionary brands leverage AI for innovation and growth. Explore strategies for product ideation, content creation, and customer interaction. Share your thoughts below!
CHRONICLE SEGMENTS
00:10 Introduction
01:17 Implementing AI
04:27 Integrating AI
10:54 Content Creation
14:24 Automated Support
22:04 Cybersecurity
26:35 Conclusion
Explore the role of AI in branding strategies and how AI leaders utilize it for innovation and growth.
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast was ranked the #1 Global Visionary Podcast & Top 50 Marketing podcast by Feedspot.
Subscribe | The Visionary Chronicles
----more----
About |Bryan Smeltzer is a bestselling author, business executive, and entrepreneur. He has held executive leadership positions in brand business development, multi-category product development, and global marketing at major brands like Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, Schutt Sports, and other international companies.
Bryan also founded a men's apparel brand and successfully ran it for ten years before selling it to a venture capital firm.
----more----
The Visionary Chronicles PodcastBryan hosts The Visionary Chronicles podcast, which Feedspot has ranked as the #1 Visionary and one of the Top 50 Marketing Podcasts.Follow The Visionary Chronicles Podcast | The Visionary Chronicles Sign Up----more----
The Visionary BrandBryan is the author of the bestselling book The Visionary Brand,The Success Formula Behind the World's Most Visionary Brands. The book received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for Best Non-fiction in the Marketing Genre.Purchase The Visionary Brand book | The Visionary Brand
----more----
The Visionary FilesFollowing the release of his book, Bryan launched The Visionary Brand MasterCourse. Available at TheVisionaryFiles.com, this course features 18 video learning segments, totaling nearly two hours of training to unleash brand leadership potential.
Sign up for The Visionary Brand MasterCourse | The Visionary Brand Course
----more----LiquidMind | Brand AdvisoryBryan is at the helm of LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that collaborates with start-ups and established mid to large-cap consumer brands. The company empowers businesses to think and act differently, cultivate passionate cultures, and execute strategies relentlessly.
Sign up for a FREE Advisory SESSION | LiquidMind Meeting
----more----SESSIONS | One 2 One AdvisoryLiquidMind offers bespoke Sessions One 2 One Advisory Services, providing personalized brand guidance through direct sessions with expert strategists. This service is ideal for launching new products or repositioning brands.
Sign up for a Sessions One 2 One Meeting | Sessions Meeting
----more----
Newsletter
Sign up for Bryan's FREE Newsletter | NEWSLETTER
----more----
BLOG
Visit Bryan's BLOG Site | BLOG
----more----
FOLLOW
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Contact Bryan |
The Visionary Chronicles PodcastEPISODE | 178
CHRONICLE: December 5th, 2024
Visionary Leader DNA | Becoming Visionary “The Visionary starts with a clean sheet of paper and re-imagines the world.” – Malcolm Gladwell
CHRONICLE INTRO |
Welcome to The Visionary Chronicles!
Here, we support you on this journey through leadership, innovation, and the strategies that set Visionary brands apart. Every episode, we delve into what makes companies—and their leaders—succeed, sharing insights to help you on your path to building a sustainable and influential brand.
With the release of The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind The World’s Most Visionary Brands, I’m often asked, “What is the makeup of a Visionary Leader?”. The question is often asked, and the answer is seldom achieved.
Unlock the secrets of Visionary leadership! Explore the DNA of generational leaders and essential traits for success. Share your thoughts in the comments and spread the word!
CHRONICLE SEGMENTS
00:23 Visionary Intro
01:04 Visionary Brand
01:50 Leader DNA
03:17 Manuscript Offer
06:16 Clear Vision
08:20 Innovative Thinking
10:28 Strategic Thinking
12:53 Empathy & Emotional Intelligence
14:48 Courage & Resilience
15:46 Charisma & Influence
16:58 Adaptability & Learning
17:21 Ethical Values
20:46 Leadership Barriers
29:53 Visionary Mindset
31:33 Contact & Outro
Discover visionary leadership insights and learn how to inspire change. Explore essential traits for generational impact. Join the conversation!
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast was ranked the #1 Global Visionary Podcast & Top 50 Marketing podcast by Feedspot.
Subscribe | The Visionary Chronicles
----more----
About |
Bryan Smeltzer is a bestselling author, business executive, and entrepreneur. He has held executive leadership positions in brand business development, multi-category product development, and global marketing at major brands like Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, Schutt Sports, and other international companies.
Bryan also founded a men's apparel brand and successfully ran it for ten years before selling it to a venture capital firm.
----more----The Visionary Chronicles PodcastBryan hosts The Visionary Chronicles podcast, which Feedspot has ranked as the #1 Visionary and one of the Top 50 Marketing Podcasts.Follow The Visionary Chronicles Podcast | The Visionary Chronicles Sign Up ----more----The Visionary BrandBryan is the author of the bestselling book The Visionary Brand,The Success Formula Behind the World's Most Visionary Brands. The book received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for Best Non-fiction in the Marketing Genre.Purchase The Visionary Brand book | The Visionary Brand
----more----The Visionary FilesFollowing the release of his book, Bryan launched The Visionary Brand MasterCourse. Available at TheVisionaryFiles.com, this course features 18 video learning segments, totaling nearly two hours of training to unleash brand leadership potential.
Sign up for The Visionary Brand MasterCourse | The Visionary Brand Course
----more----
LiquidMind | Brand AdvisoryBryan is at the helm of LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that collaborates with start-ups and established mid to large-cap consumer brands. The company empowers businesses to think and act differently, cultivate passionate cultures, and execute strategies relentlessly.
Sign up for a FREE Advisory SESSION | LiquidMind Meeting
----more----SESSIONS | One 2 One AdvisoryLiquidMind offers bespoke Sessions One 2 One Advisory Services, providing personalized brand guidance through direct sessions with expert strategists. This service is ideal for launching new products or repositioning brands.
Sign up for a Sessions One 2 One Meeting | Sessions Meeting
----more----
Newsletter
Sign up for Bryan's FREE Newsletter | NEWSLETTER
----more----
BLOG
Visit Bryan's BLOG Site | BLOG
----more----
FOLLOW
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Contact Bryan |
The Visionary Chronicles PodcastCHRONICLE | 177
November 21st, 2024
Visionary Goals | How to Balance Short & Long-Term Goals"The best way to predict the future is to create it." - Peter Drucker
CHRONICLE INTRO |
Welcome to The Visionary Chronicles!
Here, we support you on this journey through leadership, innovation, and the strategies that set Visionary brands apart. Every episode, we delve into what makes companies—and their leaders—succeed, sharing insights to help you on your path to building a sustainable and influential brand.
Unlock strategies to balance short and long-term goals in this insightful episode of Visionary Chronicles. Share your thoughts in the comments!
CHRONICLE SEGMENTS
00:00 Welcome
00:54 Balancing Goals
02:10 Visionary Insights
03:32 Audience Interaction
05:16 Effective Practices
06:48 Planning Challenges
10:41 Achieving Balance
11:24 Conclusion
Discover how to effectively balance short- and long-term goals with insights from Visionary Chronicles. Learn strategies for sustainable business growth.
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast was ranked the #1 Global Visionary Podcast & Top 50 Marketing podcast by Feedspot.
Subscribe | The Visionary Chronicles
----more----
About |
Bryan Smeltzer is a bestselling author, business executive, and entrepreneur. He has held executive leadership positions in brand business development, multi-category product development, and global marketing at major brands like Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, Schutt Sports, and other international companies.
Bryan also founded a men's apparel brand and successfully ran it for ten years before selling it to a venture capital firm.
----more----The Visionary Chronicles PodcastBryan hosts The Visionary Chronicles podcast, which Feedspot has ranked as the #1 Visionary and one of the Top 50 Marketing Podcasts.Follow The Visionary Chronicles Podcast | The Visionary Chronicles Sign Up ----more----The Visionary BrandBryan is the author of the bestselling book The Visionary Brand,The Success Formula Behind the World's Most Visionary Brands. The book received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for Best Non-fiction in the Marketing Genre.Purchase The Visionary Brand book | The Visionary Brand
----more----The Visionary FilesFollowing the release of his book, Bryan launched The Visionary Brand MasterCourse. Available at TheVisionaryFiles.com, this course features 18 video learning segments, totaling nearly two hours of training to unleash brand leadership potential.
Sign up for The Visionary Brand MasterCourse | The Visionary Brand Course
----more----LiquidMind | Brand AdvisoryBryan is at the helm of LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that collaborates with start-ups and established mid to large-cap consumer brands. The company empowers businesses to think and act differently, cultivate passionate cultures, and execute strategies relentlessly.
Sign up for a FREE Advisory SESSION | LiquidMind Meeting
----more----SESSIONS | One 2 One AdvisoryLiquidMind offers bespoke Sessions One 2 One Advisory Services, providing personalized brand guidance through direct sessions with expert strategists. This service is ideal for launching new products or repositioning brands.
Sign up for a Sessions One 2 One Meeting | Sessions Meeting
----more----
Newsletter
Sign up for Bryan's FREE Newsletter | NEWSLETTER
----more----
BLOG
Visit Bryan's BLOG Site | BLOG
----more----
FOLLOW
Follow Bryan |
----more----
Contact Bryan |
The Visionary Chronicles PodcastCHRONICLE | 176
November 14th, 2024
How to Pitch Your IDEA | 3 Requirements for Securing Your Investment"Success is not final, failure is not fatal, it is the courage to continue that counts.” – Winston Churchill CHRONICLE INTRO | Welcome to The Visionary Chronicles!
Here, we dive into the insights, lessons, and principles that can drive your brand—and your vision—to success. Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or a seasoned business leader, we explore strategies to become a Visionary brand. Today’s episode focuses on one of the most crucial stages of turning your ideas into reality: Pitching your Idea and Securing Your Investment.
Discover how to pitch your idea and secure investment with three essential requirements. Learn practical tips for a successful business presentation. Share your thoughts!
CHRONICLE SEGMENTS
00:10 Introduction
00:53 Funding Challenges
03:09 Pitching Ideas
04:44 Investor Pitch Tips
05:23 Essential Requirements
06:24 Business Statistics
09:55 Value Proposition
15:29 Data Validation
19:56 Profitability Path
27:02 Conclusion
27:15 Thank You and Outro
Learn to pitch ideas effectively and secure investment with key tips. Discover practical insights for business success and growth. Join us for more.
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast was ranked the #1 Global Visionary Podcast & Top 50 Marketing podcast by Feedspot.
Subscribe | The Visionary Chronicles
----more----
About |
Bryan Smeltzer is a bestselling author, business executive, and entrepreneur. He has held executive leadership positions in brand business development, multi-category product development, and global marketing at major brands like Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, Schutt Sports, and other international companies.
Bryan also founded a men's apparel brand and successfully ran it for ten years before selling it to a venture capital firm.
----more----
The Visionary Chronicles PodcastBryan hosts The Visionary Chronicles podcast, which Feedspot has ranked as the #1 Visionary and one of the Top 50 Marketing Podcasts.Follow The Visionary Chronicles Podcast | The Visionary Chronicles Sign Up ----more----The Visionary BrandBryan is the author of the bestselling book The Visionary Brand,The Success Formula Behind the World's Most Visionary Brands. The book received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for Best Non-fiction in the Marketing Genre.Purchase The Visionary Brand book | The Visionary Brand
----more----The Visionary FilesFollowing the release of his book, Bryan launched The Visionary Brand MasterCourse. Available at TheVisionaryFiles.com, this course features 18 video learning segments, totaling nearly two hours of training to unleash brand leadership potential.
Sign up for The Visionary Brand MasterCourse | The Visionary Brand Course
----more----LiquidMind | Brand AdvisoryBryan is at the helm of LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that collaborates with start-ups and established mid to large-cap consumer brands. The company empowers businesses to think and act differently, cultivate passionate cultures, and execute strategies relentlessly.
Sign up for a FREE Advisory SESSION | LiquidMind Meeting
----more----SESSIONS | One 2 One AdvisoryLiquidMind offers bespoke Sessions One 2 One Advisory Services, providing personalized brand guidance through direct sessions with expert strategists. This service is ideal for launching new products or repositioning brands.
Sign up for a Sessions One 2 One Meeting | Sessions Meeting
----more---- Newsletter
Sign up for Bryan's FREE Newsletter | NEWSLETTER
----more----
BLOG
Visit Bryan's BLOG Site | BLOG
----more----
FOLLOW
Follow Bryan |
Contact Bryan |
The Visionary Chronicles PodcastCHRONICLE | 175
November 7th, 2024
The Essential Keys to Unlocking Business Growth & Success"Success is not final, failure is not fatal, it is the courage to continue that counts.” –
Winston Churchill
CHRONICLE INTRO |
How do Brands sustain long-term growth? What principles do they instill inside their brands, and what traits do they share? We will discuss these in detail.
Unlock business success with key insights into what drives growth. Explore the essential role of ideas, teams, and timing in thriving businesses. Share your thoughts below!
CHRONICLE SEGMENTS
00:00 Introduction
00:33 Success Factors
02:35 Great Ideas
05:08 Team Dynamics
08:06 Product Development
11:47 Sales Strategy
13:30 Fulfillment Process
16:25 The Luck Factor
17:25 Pivot Strategies
19:06 Customer Experience
21:44 Conclusion
Explore vital business success insights, including innovative leadership, product strategies, and customer-centric growth for sustained business achievements.
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast was ranked the #1 Global Visionary Podcast & Top 50 Marketing podcast by Feedspot.
----more----
About |
Bryan Smeltzer is a bestselling author, business executive, and entrepreneur. He has held executive leadership positions in brand business development, multi-category product development, and global marketing at major brands like Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, Schutt Sports, and other international companies.
Bryan also founded a men's apparel brand and successfully ran it for ten years before selling it to a venture capital firm.
----more----The Visionary Chronicles PodcastBryan hosts The Visionary Chronicles podcast, which Feedspot has ranked as the #1 Visionary and one of the Top 50 Marketing Podcasts.Follow The Visionary Chronicles Podcast | The Visionary Chronicles Sign Up ----more----The Visionary BrandBryan is the author of the bestselling book The Visionary Brand,The Success Formula Behind the World's Most Visionary Brands. The book received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for Best Non-fiction in the Marketing Genre.Purchase The Visionary Brand book | The Visionary Brand
----more----The Visionary FilesFollowing the release of his book, Bryan launched The Visionary Brand MasterCourse. Available at TheVisionaryFiles.com, this course features 18 video learning segments, totaling nearly two hours of training to unleash brand leadership potential.
Sign up for The Visionary Brand MasterCourse | The Visionary Brand Course
----more----LiquidMind | Brand AdvisoryBryan is at the helm of LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that collaborates with start-ups and established mid to large-cap consumer brands. The company empowers businesses to think and act differently, cultivate passionate cultures, and execute strategies relentlessly.
Sign up for a FREE Advisory SESSION | LiquidMind Meeting
----more----SESSIONS | One 2 One AdvisoryLiquidMind offers bespoke Sessions One 2 One Advisory Services, providing personalized brand guidance through direct sessions with expert strategists. This service is ideal for launching new products or repositioning brands.
Sign up for a Sessions One 2 One Meeting | Sessions Meeting
----more----
NewsletterSign up for Bryan's FREE Newsletter | NEWSLETTER
----more----
BLOG
Visit Bryan's BLOG Site | BLOG
----more----
FOLLOW
Follow Bryan |
Contact Bryan |
The Visionary Chronicles PodcastCHRONICLE | 174
October 31st, 2024
The Leadership Pressure To Always BE ‘ON’ | Mastering the Balance Between Presence and PeaceCHRONICLE INTRO |
The Modern Leadership Dilemma |
Visionary Leaders face increasing pressure to be constantly available and responsive in today's fast-paced, always-connected world. The digital age, with its 24/7 communication channels, has blurred the lines between personal and professional time, making it harder for brand leaders to disconnect from reality.
This constant demand can create a dilemma, as leaders feel they must always be "ON" to meet the expectations of their teams, clients, and organizations.
"Thank you to those who have subscribed to The Visionary Chronicles" and for those of you who have not, please go to bryansmeltzer.com"
Discover how leaders can balance being 'on' with personal peace. Learn tips to prevent burnout and maintain effectiveness. Comment and share your thoughts!
CHRONICLE SEGMENTS
00:00 Introduction
01:39 Leadership Pressure
02:24 Empowering Others
05:10 Availability Challenges
08:24 Burnout Impact
12:30 Decision Making Risks
15:46 Team Morale Effects
19:54 Prevention Strategies
22:31 Organizational Support
25:30 Conclusion
Explore leadership pressures and strategies for achieving balance. Prevent burnout and enhance effectiveness with these insights.
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast was ranked the #1 Global Visionary Podcast & Top 50 Marketing podcast by Feedspot.
----more----
About |
Bryan Smeltzer is a bestselling author, business executive, and entrepreneur. He has held executive leadership positions in brand business development, multi-category product development, and global marketing at major brands like Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, Schutt Sports, and other international companies.
Bryan also founded a men's apparel brand and successfully ran it for ten years before selling it to a venture capital firm.
----more----The Visionary Chronicles PodcastBryan hosts The Visionary Chronicles podcast, which Feedspot has ranked as the #1 Visionary and one of the Top 50 Marketing Podcasts.Follow The Visionary Chronicles Podcast | The Visionary Chronicles Sign Up ----more----The Visionary BrandBryan is the author of the bestselling book The Visionary Brand,The Success Formula Behind the World's Most Visionary Brands. The book received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for Best Non-fiction in the Marketing Genre.Purchase The Visionary Brand book | The Visionary Brand
----more----The Visionary FilesFollowing the release of his book, Bryan launched The Visionary Brand MasterCourse. Available at TheVisionaryFiles.com, this course features 18 video learning segments, totaling nearly two hours of training to unleash brand leadership potential.
Sign up for The Visionary Brand MasterCourse | The Visionary Brand Course
----more----
LiquidMind | Brand AdvisoryBryan is at the helm of LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that collaborates with start-ups and established mid to large-cap consumer brands. The company empowers businesses to think and act differently, cultivate passionate cultures, and execute strategies relentlessly.
Sign up for a FREE Advisory SESSION | LiquidMind Meeting
----more----SESSIONS | One 2 One AdvisoryLiquidMind offers bespoke Sessions One 2 One Advisory Services, providing personalized brand guidance through direct sessions with expert strategists. This service is ideal for launching new products or repositioning brands.
Sign up for a Sessions One 2 One Meeting | Sessions Meeting
----more----
NewsletterSign up for Bryan's FREE Newsletter | NEWSLETTER
----more----
BLOG
Visit Bryan's BLOG Site | BLOG
----more----
FOLLOW
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Contact Bryan |
CHRONICLE 173
The Visionary Chronicles PodcastOctober 24th, 2024
Oakley's Soul Searching | How Oakley Lost its Brand Soul “The only way to predict the future is to create it.” – Jim Jannard
CHRONICLE INTRO |How does an iconic brand like Oakley lose its Soul once its Visionary leaves? How does a brand stay on course once its driver has left the building?
When Jim Jannard, founder of Oakley, sold the company to Luxottica in 2007 for $2.1 billion, many argued that Oakley lost much of its brand value and "soul."
Dive into Oakley's journey and uncover how it lost its soul post-acquisition. Discover lessons on brand vision, culture, and innovation. Share your thoughts!
CHRONICLE SEGMENTS
00:00 Introduction
01:33 Oakley Evolution
04:08 Loss of Vision
11:37 Shifting Strategy
19:20 Brand Dilution
29:50 Conclusion
Explore how Oakley lost its brand soul post-acquisition and learn key lessons on brand culture and vision.
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast was ranked the #1 Global Visionary Podcast & Top 50 Marketing podcast by Feedspot.
----more----
About |
Bryan Smeltzer is a bestselling author, business executive, and entrepreneur. He has held executive leadership positions in brand business development, multi-category product development, and global marketing at major brands like Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, Schutt Sports, and other international companies.
Bryan also founded a men's apparel brand and successfully ran it for ten years before selling it to a venture capital firm.
The Visionary Chronicles PodcastBryan hosts The Visionary Chronicles podcast, which Feedspot has ranked as the #1 Visionary and one of the Top 50 Marketing Podcasts.Follow The Visionary Chronicles Podcast | The Visionary Chronicles Sign-Up ----more----The Visionary BrandBryan is the author of the bestselling book The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World's Most Visionary Brands. The book received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for Best Non-fiction in the Marketing Genre.Purchase The Visionary Brand book | The Visionary Brand
----more----The Visionary FilesFollowing the release of his book, Bryan launched The Visionary Brand MasterCourse. Available at TheVisionaryFiles.com, this course features 18 video learning segments, totaling nearly two hours of training to unleash brand leadership potential.
Sign up for The Visionary Brand MasterCourse | The Visionary Brand Course
----more----
LiquidMind | Brand AdvisoryBryan is at the helm of LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that collaborates with start-ups and established mid to large-cap consumer brands. The company empowers businesses to think and act differently, cultivate passionate cultures, and execute strategies relentlessly.
Sign up for a FREE Advisory SESSION | LiquidMind Meeting
----more----SESSIONS | One 2 One AdvisoryLiquidMind offers bespoke Sessions One 2 One Advisory Services, providing personalized brand guidance through direct sessions with expert strategists. This service is ideal for launching new products or repositioning brands.
Sign up for a Sessions One 2 One Meeting | Sessions Meeting
----more----
Newsletter
Sign up for Bryan's FREE Newsletter | NEWSLETTER
----more----
BLOG
Visit Bryan's BLOG Site | BLOG
----more----
FOLLOW
Follow Bryan |
Contact Bryan |
----more----
The Visionary Chronicles PodcastCHRONICLE 171
October 10th, 2024
Brand Vision | 11 Steps to Creating & Executing a Powerful Brand Vision“THINK DIFFERENT” – Steve Jobs
CHRONICLE INTRO |
How do brand leaders create a clear, passionate, compelling vision? How do they sustain this vision and passion through generations? Follow these steps, to realizing your vision!
"Thank you to those who have subscribed to The Visionary Chronicles" and for those who have not, please go to bryansmeltzer.com."
Learn how to craft a powerful brand vision in just 11 steps. Discover strategies to lead your company to long-term success. Comment your thoughts!
CHRONICLE SEGMENTS
00:00 Introduction
01:10 Think Different
05:18 Crafting Vision
11:42 Team Engagement
17:22 Vision Recap
20:01 Conclusion
Create and execute a powerful brand vision with 11 strategic steps. Discover key insights for long-term business success. Join the discussion today!
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast was ranked the #1 Global Visionary Podcast & Top 50 Marketing podcast by Feedspot.
----more----
About |
Bryan Smeltzer is a bestselling author, business executive, and entrepreneur. He has held executive leadership positions in brand business development, multi-category product development, and global marketing at major brands like Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, Schutt Sports, and other international companies.
Bryan also founded a men's apparel brand and successfully ran it for ten years before selling it to a venture capital firm.
----more----The Visionary Chronicles PodcastBryan hosts The Visionary Chronicles podcast, which Feedspot has ranked as the #1 Visionary and one of the Top 50 Marketing Podcasts.Follow The Visionary Chronicles Podcast | The Visionary Chronicles Sign-Up ----more----The Visionary BrandBryan is the author of the bestselling book The Visionary Brand,The Success Formula Behind the World's Most Visionary Brands. The book received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for Best Non-fiction in the Marketing Genre.
Purchase The Visionary Brand book | The Visionary Brand
----more----The Visionary FilesFollowing the release of his book, Bryan launched The Visionary Brand MasterCourse. Available at TheVisionaryFiles.com, this course features 18 video learning segments, totaling nearly two hours of training to unleash brand leadership potential.
Sign up for The Visionary Brand MasterCourse | The Visionary Brand Course
----more----
LiquidMind | Brand AdvisoryBryan is at the helm of LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that collaborates with start-ups and established mid to large-cap consumer brands. The company empowers businesses to think and act differently, cultivate passionate cultures, and execute strategies relentlessly.
Sign up for a FREE Advisory SESSION | LiquidMind Meeting
----more----
SESSIONS | One 2 One AdvisoryLiquidMind offers bespoke Sessions One 2 One Advisory Services, providing personalized brand guidance through direct sessions with expert strategists. This service is ideal for launching new products or repositioning brands.
Sign up for a Sessions One 2 One Meeting | Sessions Meeting
----more----
NewsletterSign up for Bryan's FREE Newsletter | NEWSLETTER
----more----
BLOGVisit Bryan's BLOG Site | BLOG
----more----
FOLLOW
Follow Bryan |
Contact Bryan |
The Visionary Chronicles PodcastCHRONICLE | 172
October 3rd, 2024
Futurecasting | The Visionary Leader's Roadmap to Success"The best way to predict the future is to create it." - Peter Drucker
Chronicle Intro |
How do Visionaries predict their Future?
What method do they use to create a success formula consistently?
Futurecasting is a method utilized by almost every, great Visionary Leader throughout history, and the main reason why so few ever leave a Visionary legacy.
"Thank you to those who have subscribed to The Visionary Chronicles" and for those of you who have not, please go to bryansmeltzer.com"
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast was ranked the #1 Global Visionary Podcast & Top 50 Marketing podcast by Feedspot.
About |
Bryan Smeltzer is a bestselling author, business executive, and entrepreneur. He has held executive leadership positions in brand business development, multi-category product development, and global marketing at major brands like Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, Schutt Sports, and other international companies.
Bryan also founded a men's apparel brand and successfully ran it for ten years before selling it to a venture capital firm.
The Visionary Chronicles PodcastBryan hosts The Visionary Chronicles podcast, which Feedspot has ranked as the #1 Visionary and one of the Top 50 Marketing Podcasts.Follow The Visionary Chronicles Podcast | The Visionary Chronicles Sign-Up The Visionary BrandBryan is the author of the bestselling book The Visionary Brand,The Success Formula Behind the World's Most Visionary Brands. The book received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for Best Non-fiction in the Marketing Genre.Purchase The Visionary Brand book | The Visionary Brand
The Visionary FilesFollowing the release of his book, Bryan launched The Visionary Brand MasterCourse. Available at TheVisionaryFiles.com, this course features 18 video learning segments, totaling nearly two hours of training to unleash brand leadership potential.
Sign up for The Visionary Brand MasterCourse | The Visionary Brand Course
LiquidMind | Brand AdvisoryBryan is at the helm of LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that collaborates with start-ups and established mid to large-cap consumer brands. The company empowers businesses to think and act differently, cultivate passionate cultures, and execute strategies relentlessly.
Sign up for a FREE Advisory SESSION | LiquidMind Meeting
SESSIONS | One 2 One AdvisoryLiquidMind offers bespoke Sessions One 2 One Advisory Services, providing personalized brand guidance through direct sessions with expert strategists. This service is ideal for launching new products or repositioning brands.
Sign up for a Sessions One 2 One Meeting | Sessions Meeting
Newsletter
Sign up for Bryan's FREE Newsletter | NEWSLETTER
BLOG
Visit Bryan's BLOG Site | BLOG
FOLLOW
Follow Bryan |
Contact Bryan |
The Visionary Chronicles PodcastCHRONICLE | 170
September 26th, 2024
The Visionary Brand | The Courage | Having The Courage to Achieve Your DestinyContent from Bryan's new Award Winning, Bestselling Book
The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World's Most Visionary Brands
“We must build dikes of courage to hold back the flood of fear.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.
CHRONICLE INTRO |
There are Business principles and there are Life principles. These are mutually exclusive, but they work in parallel to define who we are as a person or brand. Finding a way to stay true to both will lead to a more prosperous, kind, and giving life, both personally and professionally. Not merely making the effort, but genuinely, willfully caring about what you are doing makes all the difference
"Thank you to those who have subscribed to The Visionary Chronicles" and for those of you who have not, please go to bryansmeltzer.com"
Discover the courage behind visionary brands and how to achieve your destiny. Learn practical principles from iconic brands and real-world applications. Share your thoughts in the comments!
CHRONICLE SEGMENTS
00:00 Introduction
00:36 Book Success
03:00 Courage Chapter
06:17 Authentic Living
10:38 Interdependent Culture
15:29 Life Principles
22:50 Being Different
25:54 Visionary Plan
29:42 Future Content
30:31 Concluding Remarks
Explore the courage behind visionary brands and learn principles for business success. Gain insights from iconic brands and practical applications. Share your thoughts in the comments!
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast was ranked the #1 Global Visionary Podcast & Top 50 Marketing podcast by Feedspot.
----more----
About |
Bryan Smeltzer is a bestselling author, business executive, and entrepreneur. He has held executive leadership positions in brand business development, multi-category product development, and global marketing at major brands like Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, Schutt Sports, and other international companies.
Bryan also founded a men's apparel brand and successfully ran it for ten years before selling it to a venture capital firm.
----more----The Visionary Chronicles PodcastBryan hosts The Visionary Chronicles podcast, which Feedspot has ranked as the #1 Visionary and one of the Top 50 Marketing Podcasts.Follow The Visionary Chronicles Podcast | The Visionary Chronicles Sign Up----more----
The Visionary BrandBryan is the author of the bestselling book The Visionary Brand,The Success Formula Behind the World's Most Visionary Brands. The book received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for Best Non-fiction in the Marketing Genre.Purchase The Visionary Brand book | The Visionary Brand
----more----
The Visionary FilesFollowing the release of his book, Bryan launched The Visionary Brand MasterCourse. Available at TheVisionaryFiles.com, this course features 18 video learning segments, totaling nearly two hours of training to unleash brand leadership potential.
Sign up for The Visionary Brand MasterCourse | The Visionary Brand Course
----more----
LiquidMind | Brand AdvisoryBryan is at the helm of LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that collaborates with start-ups and established mid to large-cap consumer brands. The company empowers businesses to think and act differently, cultivate passionate cultures, and execute strategies relentlessly.
Sign up for a FREE Advisory SESSION | LiquidMind Meeting
----more----SESSIONS | One 2 One AdvisoryLiquidMind offers bespoke Sessions One 2 One Advisory Services, providing personalized brand guidance through direct sessions with expert strategists. This service is ideal for launching new products or repositioning brands.
Sign up for a Sessions One 2 One Meeting | Sessions Meeting
----more----
Newsletter
Sign up for Bryan's FREE Newsletter | NEWSLETTER
----more----
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Visit Bryan's BLOG Site | BLOG
----more----
FOLLOW
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The Visionary Chronicles Episode 90
The Visionary Brand | The Creative Engine | Category DisruptionCONTENT FROM; The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands
Available across all global book retailers
PODCAST: CASE STUDY: CATEGORY DISRUPTION
True Wisdom come to each of us when we realize how little we understand about life, ourselves, and the world around us.”
Wisdom from Socrates
In 1980, Sony introduced the Walkman, considered revolutionary at the time. It was a disruptive product that allowed us to carry our music with us on the go. However, the downfall of the Walkman is it was never adapted through generations.
The Walkman is a testament to the leadership you attain due to disruption. As I have discussed, Disruptive Innovation on another level, but you cannot build your Innovation Pipeline without Disruption.
----more----About Bryan Smeltzer is a bestselling author, business executive, and entrepreneur. He has held executive leadership positions in brand business development, multi-category product development, and global marketing at major brands like Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, Schutt Sports, and other international companies.
Bryan also founded a men's apparel brand and successfully ran it for ten years before selling it to a venture capital firm.
----more----The Visionary Chronicles PodcastBryan hosts The Visionary Chronicles podcast, which Feedspot has ranked as the #1 Visionary and one of the Top 50 Marketing Podcasts.Follow The Visionary Chronicles Podcast | The Visionary Chronicles Sign Up----more----
The Visionary BrandBryan is the author of the bestselling book The Visionary Brand,The Success Formula Behind the World's Most Visionary Brands. The book received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for Best Non-fiction in the Marketing Genre.Purchase The Visionary Brand book | The Visionary Brand
----more----
The Visionary FilesFollowing the release of his book, Bryan launched The Visionary Brand MasterCourse. Available at TheVisionaryFiles.com, this course features 18 video learning segments, totaling nearly two hours of training to unleash brand leadership potential.
Sign up for The Visionary Brand MasterCourse | The Visionary Brand Course
----more----
LiquidMind | Brand AdvisoryBryan is at the helm of LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that collaborates with start-ups and established mid to large-cap consumer brands. The company empowers businesses to think and act differently, cultivate passionate cultures, and execute strategies relentlessly.
Sign up for a FREE Advisory SESSION | LiquidMind Meeting
----more----
SESSIONS | One 2 One AdvisoryLiquidMind offers bespoke Sessions One 2 One Advisory Services, providing personalized brand guidance through direct sessions with expert strategists. This service is ideal for launching new products or repositioning brands.
Sign up for a Sessions One 2 One Meeting | Sessions Meeting
----more----
NewsletterSign up for Bryan's FREE Newsletter | NEWSLETTER
BLOG
Visit Bryan's BLOG Site | BLOG
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Contact Bryan |
The Visionary Chronicles Episode 85
The Visionary Brand | The Creative Engine | Be Disruptive & Be DifferentTHE VISIONARY BRAND BOOK: THE ELEMENTS OF A SUCCESSFUL FORMULA
CONTENT FROM; The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands
Available across all global book retailers
PODCAST: The Creative Engine | Be Disruptive, Be Different
“Think big, think disruptive. Execute with full passion.”
Disruption is a word thrown these days loosely, but only a few true innovators realize its true meaning and actual executions. Disruption is innovation on another level, and innovation is merely a stepping to along the path to Disruption.
Disruptions move a brand in a new direction, creating a market that did not exist or re-building something broken.
----more----About Bryan Smeltzer is a bestselling author, business executive, and entrepreneur. He has held executive leadership positions in brand business development, multi-category product development, and global marketing at major brands like Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, Schutt Sports, and other international companies.
Bryan also founded a men's apparel brand and successfully ran it for ten years before selling it to a venture capital firm.
----more----The Visionary Chronicles PodcastBryan hosts The Visionary Chronicles podcast, which Feedspot has ranked as the #1 Visionary and one of the Top 50 Marketing Podcasts.Follow The Visionary Chronicles Podcast | The Visionary Chronicles Sign Up----more----
The Visionary BrandBryan is the author of the bestselling book The Visionary Brand,The Success Formula Behind the World's Most Visionary Brands. The book received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for Best Non-fiction in the Marketing Genre.Purchase The Visionary Brand book | The Visionary Brand
----more----
The Visionary FilesFollowing the release of his book, Bryan launched The Visionary Brand MasterCourse. Available at TheVisionaryFiles.com, this course features 18 video learning segments, totaling nearly two hours of training to unleash brand leadership potential.
Sign up for The Visionary Brand MasterCourse | The Visionary Brand Course
----more----
LiquidMind | Brand AdvisoryBryan is at the helm of LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that collaborates with start-ups and established mid to large-cap consumer brands. The company empowers businesses to think and act differently, cultivate passionate cultures, and execute strategies relentlessly.
Sign up for a FREE Advisory SESSION | LiquidMind Meeting
----more----
SESSIONS | One 2 One AdvisoryLiquidMind offers bespoke Sessions One 2 One Advisory Services, providing personalized brand guidance through direct sessions with expert strategists. This service is ideal for launching new products or repositioning brands.
Sign up for a Sessions One 2 One Meeting | Sessions Meeting
----more----
NewsletterSign up for Bryan's FREE Newsletter | NEWSLETTER
BLOG
Visit Bryan's BLOG Site | BLOG
FOLLOW
Follow Bryan |
Contact Bryan |
The Visionary Chronicles Episode 80
The Visionary Brand | The Creative Engine | How to Become Market-Driving VS Market-DrivenAbout Bryan Smeltzer is a bestselling author, business executive, and entrepreneur. He has held executive leadership positions in brand business development, multi-category product development, and global marketing at major brands like Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, Schutt Sports, and other international companies.
Bryan also founded a men's apparel brand and successfully ran it for ten years before selling it to a venture capital firm.
----more----The Visionary Chronicles PodcastBryan hosts The Visionary Chronicles podcast, which Feedspot has ranked as the #1 Visionary and one of the Top 50 Marketing Podcasts.Follow The Visionary Chronicles Podcast | The Visionary Chronicles Sign Up----more----
The Visionary BrandBryan is the author of the bestselling book The Visionary Brand,The Success Formula Behind the World's Most Visionary Brands. The book received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for Best Non-fiction in the Marketing Genre.Purchase The Visionary Brand book | The Visionary Brand
----more----
The Visionary FilesFollowing the release of his book, Bryan launched The Visionary Brand MasterCourse. Available at TheVisionaryFiles.com, this course features 18 video learning segments, totaling nearly two hours of training to unleash brand leadership potential.
Sign up for The Visionary Brand MasterCourse | The Visionary Brand Course
----more----
LiquidMind | Brand AdvisoryBryan is at the helm of LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that collaborates with start-ups and established mid to large-cap consumer brands. The company empowers businesses to think and act differently, cultivate passionate cultures, and execute strategies relentlessly.
Sign up for a FREE Advisory SESSION | LiquidMind Meeting
----more----
SESSIONS | One 2 One AdvisoryLiquidMind offers bespoke Sessions One 2 One Advisory Services, providing personalized brand guidance through direct sessions with expert strategists. This service is ideal for launching new products or repositioning brands.
Sign up for a Sessions One 2 One Meeting | Sessions Meeting
----more----
NewsletterSign up for Bryan's FREE Newsletter | NEWSLETTER
BLOG
Visit Bryan's BLOG Site | BLOG
FOLLOW
Follow Bryan |
Contact Bryan |
The Visionary Chronicles Episode 79
The Visionary Brand | The Creative EngineAbout Bryan Smeltzer is a bestselling author, business executive, and entrepreneur. He has held executive leadership positions in brand business development, multi-category product development, and global marketing at major brands like Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, Schutt Sports, and other international companies.
Bryan also founded a men's apparel brand and successfully ran it for ten years before selling it to a venture capital firm.
----more----The Visionary Chronicles PodcastBryan hosts The Visionary Chronicles podcast, which Feedspot has ranked as the #1 Visionary and one of the Top 50 Marketing Podcasts.Follow The Visionary Chronicles Podcast | The Visionary Chronicles Sign Up----more----
The Visionary BrandBryan is the author of the bestselling book The Visionary Brand,The Success Formula Behind the World's Most Visionary Brands. The book received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for Best Non-fiction in the Marketing Genre.Purchase The Visionary Brand book | The Visionary Brand
----more----
The Visionary FilesFollowing the release of his book, Bryan launched The Visionary Brand MasterCourse. Available at TheVisionaryFiles.com, this course features 18 video learning segments, totaling nearly two hours of training to unleash brand leadership potential.
Sign up for The Visionary Brand MasterCourse | The Visionary Brand Course
----more----
LiquidMind | Brand AdvisoryBryan is at the helm of LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that collaborates with start-ups and established mid to large-cap consumer brands. The company empowers businesses to think and act differently, cultivate passionate cultures, and execute strategies relentlessly.
Sign up for a FREE Advisory SESSION | LiquidMind Meeting
----more----
SESSIONS | One 2 One AdvisoryLiquidMind offers bespoke Sessions One 2 One Advisory Services, providing personalized brand guidance through direct sessions with expert strategists. This service is ideal for launching new products or repositioning brands.
Sign up for a Sessions One 2 One Meeting | Sessions Meeting
----more----
NewsletterSign up for Bryan's FREE Newsletter | NEWSLETTER
BLOG
Visit Bryan's BLOG Site | BLOG
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Contact Bryan |
The Visionary Chronicles PodcastCHRONICLE | 169 September 19th, 2024
Brand Team Leadership | Five Areas High Octane Teams Do Consistently"Great things in business are never done by one person. They're done by a team of people.” - Steve Jobs
Hiring, building, and nurturing high-performance teams has long been a holy grail for brands. Each team has unique needs, personalities, and individual triggers that drive passion in each team member. So how does a brand build a competent team that gets along with one another and consistently produces superior results…consistently, not just one-hit wonders?
----more----
About |
Bryan Smeltzer is a bestselling author, business executive, and entrepreneur. He has held executive leadership positions in brand business development, multi-category product development, and global marketing at major brands like Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, Schutt Sports, and other international companies.
Bryan also founded a men's apparel brand and successfully ran it for ten years before selling it to a venture capital firm.
----more----The Visionary Chronicles PodcastBryan hosts The Visionary Chronicles podcast, which Feedspot has ranked as the #1 Visionary and one of the Top 50 Marketing Podcasts.Follow The Visionary Chronicles Podcast | The Visionary Chronicles Sign Up ----more----The Visionary BrandBryan is the author of the bestselling book The Visionary Brand,The Success Formula Behind the World's Most Visionary Brands. The book received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for Best Non-fiction in the Marketing Genre.Purchase The Visionary Brand book | The Visionary Brand
----more----The Visionary FilesFollowing the release of his book, Bryan launched The Visionary Brand MasterCourse. Available at TheVisionaryFiles.com, this course features 18 video learning segments, totaling nearly two hours of training to unleash brand leadership potential.
Sign up for The Visionary Brand MasterCourse | The Visionary Brand Course
----more----
LiquidMind | Brand AdvisoryBryan is at the helm of LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that collaborates with start-ups and established mid to large-cap consumer brands. The company empowers businesses to think and act differently, cultivate passionate cultures, and execute strategies relentlessly.
Sign up for a FREE Advisory SESSION | LiquidMind Meeting
SESSIONS | One 2 One AdvisoryLiquidMind offers bespoke Sessions One 2 One Advisory Services, providing personalized brand guidance through direct sessions with expert strategists. This service is ideal for launching new products or repositioning brands.
Sign up for a Sessions One 2 One Meeting | Sessions Meeting
----more----
NewsletterSign up for Bryan's FREE Newsletter | NEWSLETTER
BLOG
Visit Bryan's BLOG Site | BLOG
----more----
FOLLOW
Follow Bryan |
Contact Bryan |
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast
CHRONICLE | 168
September 10th, 2024
Welcome to The Visionary Chronicles Podcast. In this episode, we're diving into a topic crucial for every business leader and entrepreneur: Brand Vision.
In this episode, we'll explore the art and science of creating a compelling vision for your brand. Whether launching a startup or reimagining an established company, a clear brand vision is your foundation for long-term success, guiding every decision and shaping your future.
We'll unpack:
So, if you're ready to take your brand from where it is to where it could be, stay tuned. We're about to embark on a journey that could transform your business and impact your industry.
Let's dive in and start crafting your brand's visionary future.
"Thank you to those who have subscribed to The Visionary Chronicles" and for those of you who have not, please go to bryansmeltzer.com"
Visionary Mindset | How to Create A Vision for Your BrandChronicle Intro |
What sets excellent, Visionary leaders apart from others who aspire to emulate their success? What traits do they possess and use to achieve such historical status?
"Think Different." - Steve Jobs
Unlock your brand's potential with a visionary mindset! Learn how to create a compelling vision that guides your success. Watch, share, and build a visionary brand today!
CHRONICLE SEGMENTS
00:00 Introduction
00:44 Brand Vision
01:47 Succinct Statements
03:05 Vision Importance
05:45 Setting Vision
07:32 Purpose Understanding
09:31 Market Analysis
12:32 Vision Statement
15:53 Periodic Review
19:53 Closing Remarks
Discover how to create a visionary brand with effective strategies and visionary mindset. Learn the importance of vision and how to set goals for lasting success.
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast was ranked the #1 Global Visionary Podcast & Top 50 Marketing podcast by Feedspot.
About |
Bryan Smeltzer is a bestselling author, business executive, and entrepreneur. He has held executive leadership positions in brand business development, multi-category product development, and global marketing at major brands like Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, Schutt Sports, and other international companies.
Bryan also founded a men's apparel brand and successfully ran it for ten years before selling it to a venture capital firm.
The Visionary Chronicles PodcastBryan hosts The Visionary Chronicles podcast, which Feedspot has ranked as the #1 Visionary and one of the Top 50 Marketing Podcasts.Follow The Visionary Chronicles Podcast | The Visionary Chronicles Sign Up The Visionary BrandBryan is the author of the bestselling book The Visionary Brand,The Success Formula Behind the World's Most Visionary Brands. The book received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for Best Non-fiction in the Marketing Genre.Purchase The Visionary Brand book | The Visionary Brand
The Visionary FilesFollowing the release of his book, Bryan launched The Visionary Brand MasterCourse. Available at TheVisionaryFiles.com, this course features 18 video learning segments, totaling nearly two hours of training to unleash brand leadership potential.
Sign up for The Visionary Brand MasterCourse | The Visionary Brand Course
LiquidMind | Brand AdvisoryBryan is at the helm of LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that collaborates with start-ups and established mid to large-cap consumer brands. The company empowers businesses to think and act differently, cultivate passionate cultures, and execute strategies relentlessly.
Sign up for a FREE Advisory SESSION | LiquidMind Meeting
SESSIONS | One 2 One AdvisoryLiquidMind offers bespoke Sessions One 2 One Advisory Services, providing personalized brand guidance through direct sessions with expert strategists. This service is ideal for launching new products or repositioning brands.
Sign up for a Sessions One 2 One Meeting | Sessions Meeting
Newsletter
Sign up for Bryan's FREE Newsletter | NEWSLETTER
BLOG
Visit Bryan's BLOG Site | BLOG
FOLLOW
Follow Bryan |
Contact Bryan |
The Visionary Chronicles PodcastCHRONICLE 166 |
Date | August 28th, 2024
The Visionary Brand | The Artist | How Creators Change Our WorldContent from Bryan's new Award Winning, Bestselling Book
The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World's Most Visionary Brands
Chronicle Intro |
Why is Culture integral to the Success Formula of Truly Visionary Brands? What does it take to build a great culture, one that others gravitate to and have an ongoing passion? We will discuss the Artist behind the Culture.
“I set as a goal the maximum capacity that people have—I settle for no less. I make myself a relentless architect of the possibilities of human beings.” – Benjamin Zander, Conductor, Boston Philharmonic
Explore how Visionary brands and Artists reshape our world. Discover inspiring stories and insights on the human factor driving creativity and innovation. Comment and share your thoughts!
CHRONICLE SEGMENTS
00:00 Introduction
00:38 Visionary Brand
01:33 Award-Winning Book
03:12 Cultural Impact
04:10 Steve Jobs Story
07:28 Human Factor
10:04 Cultivating Artistry
14:54 Vincent van Gogh
20:02 Impact on Society
23:28 Final Thoughts
25:45 Conclusion
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast is Ranked the #1 Global Visionary Podcast & Top 50 Marketing podcast by Feedspot.
----more----
About |
Bryan Smeltzer is a bestselling author, business executive, and entrepreneur. He has held executive leadership positions in brand business development, multi-category product development, and global marketing at major brands like Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, Schutt Sports, and other international companies.
Bryan also founded a men's apparel brand and successfully ran it for ten years before selling it to a venture capital firm.
----more----The Visionary Chronicles PodcastBryan hosts The Visionary Chronicles podcast, which Feedspot has ranked as the #1 Visionary and one of the Top 50 Marketing Podcasts.Follow The Visionary Chronicles Podcast | The Visionary Chronicles Sign Up ----more----The Visionary BrandBryan is the author of the bestselling book The Visionary Brand,The Success Formula Behind the World's Most Visionary Brands. The book received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for Best Non-fiction in the Marketing Genre.Purchase The Visionary Brand book | The Visionary Brand
----more----The Visionary FilesFollowing the release of his book, Bryan launched The Visionary Brand MasterCourse. Available at TheVisionaryFiles.com, this course features 18 video learning segments, totaling nearly two hours of training to unleash brand leadership potential.
Sign up for The Visionary Brand MasterCourse | The Visionary Brand Course
----more----
LiquidMind | Brand AdvisoryBryan is at the helm of LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that collaborates with start-ups and established mid to large-cap consumer brands. The company empowers businesses to think and act differently, cultivate passionate cultures, and execute strategies relentlessly.
Sign up for a FREE Advisory SESSION | LiquidMind Meeting
SESSIONS | One 2 One AdvisoryLiquidMind offers bespoke Sessions One 2 One Advisory Services, providing personalized brand guidance through direct sessions with expert strategists. This service is ideal for launching new products or repositioning brands.
Sign up for a Sessions One 2 One Meeting | Sessions Meeting
----more----
Newsletter
Sign up for Bryan's FREE Newsletter | NEWSLETTER
----more----
BLOG
Visit Bryan's BLOG Site | BLOG
----more----
FOLLOW
Follow Bryan |
Contact Bryan |
The Visionary Chronicles PodcastCHRONICLE 167 August 28th, 2024Welcome to this episode of The Visionary Chronicles, where we explore the ageless leadership lessons imparted by some of history’s most influential figures. In this episode, we explore "Visionaries | 5 Leadership Traits of Visionary Icons," drawing insights from the lives and legacies of Steve Jobs, Leonardo da Vinci, Albert Einstein, Thomas Edison, Socrates, and Alexander the Great. These leaders, spanning different eras and disciplines, shared common traits that propelled them to greatness—traits that continue to inspire and guide us today.Visionaries | 5 Leadership Traits of Visionary IconsChronicle Intro |
Why are authentic, true Visionaries so rare? What traits do most have in common, and how can you apply these in your Leadership?
"The secret of change is to focus all of your energy not on fighting the old, but on building the new."- Socrates
Discover the 5 key traits that define visionary leaders like Steve Jobs and Socrates. Learn to lead with passion, wisdom, and relentless curiosity. Share your thoughts and subscribe!
CHRONICLE SEGMENTS
00:00 Introduction
00:50 Visionary Leader Book
01:56 Five Leadership Traits
04:40 Rare Visionaries
07:39 Relentless Curiosity
11:14 Embracing Failure
13:18 Inspirational Vision
16:09 Wisdom and Integrity
17:46 Passion Drives Innovation
19:44 Applying Traits
21:42 Concluding Thoughts
Explore 5 leadership traits of iconic visionaries like Steve Jobs and Socrates. Lead with passion, wisdom, and relentless curiosity. Join the discussion and share!
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast was ranked the #1 Global Visionary Podcast & Top 50 Marketing podcast by Feedspot.
About |
Bryan Smeltzer is a bestselling author, business executive, and entrepreneur. He has held executive leadership positions in brand business development, multi-category product development, and global marketing at major brands like Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, Schutt Sports, and other international companies.
Bryan also founded a men's apparel brand and successfully ran it for ten years before selling it to a venture capital firm.
The Visionary Chronicles PodcastBryan hosts The Visionary Chronicles podcast, which Feedspot has ranked as the #1 Visionary and one of the Top 50 Marketing Podcasts.Follow The Visionary Chronicles Podcast | The Visionary Chronicles Sign Up The Visionary BrandBryan is the author of the bestselling book The Visionary Brand,The Success Formula Behind the World's Most Visionary Brands. The book received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for Best Non-fiction in the Marketing Genre.Purchase The Visionary Brand book | The Visionary Brand
The Visionary FilesFollowing the release of his book, Bryan launched The Visionary Brand MasterCourse. Available at TheVisionaryFiles.com, this course features 18 video learning segments, totaling nearly two hours of training to unleash brand leadership potential.
Sign up for The Visionary Brand MasterCourse | The Visionary Brand Course
LiquidMind | Brand AdvisoryBryan is at the helm of LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that collaborates with start-ups and established mid to large-cap consumer brands. The company empowers businesses to think and act differently, cultivate passionate cultures, and execute strategies relentlessly.
Sign up for a FREE Advisory SESSION | LiquidMind Meeting
SESSIONS | One 2 One AdvisoryLiquidMind offers bespoke Sessions One 2 One Advisory Services, providing personalized brand guidance through direct sessions with expert strategists. This service is ideal for launching new products or repositioning brands.
Sign up for a Sessions One 2 One Meeting | Sessions Meeting
Newsletter
Sign up for Bryan's FREE Newsletter | NEWSLETTER
BLOG
Visit Bryan's BLOG Site | BLOG
FOLLOW
Follow Bryan |
Contact Bryan |
CHRONICLE 165
The Visionary Chronicles PodcastCHRONICLE: August 14th, 2024
Ford's EV Vision Failure | Ford's Execution Failure on Electric Vehicles "Whether you think you can, or you think you can't – either way, you're right." – Henry Ford
Dive into an engaging discussion on Ford's electric vehicle vision and its execution failures. Explore the missteps, cultural challenges, and leadership issues that hindered their success. Share your thoughts and subscribe for more insights!
CHRONICLE SEGMENTS
00:00 Introduction
00:11 Vision Failure
01:08 Industry Titans
02:16 Culture Challenges
03:15 Ford's Journey
04:32 Market Factors
05:39 Competitive Strategies
06:52 Vision vs Execution
07:21 Founded by Visionary
09:35 Tesla's Strategy
11:21 Learning from Failure
14:17 Early Initiatives
19:21 Leadership Missteps
21:04 Competitive Weaknesses
23:37 Organizational Challenges
27:17 Execution Failure
29:56 Production Delays
34:35 Conclusion
Explore Ford's missteps in the EV market and learn valuable business lessons. Discussing industry challenges, leadership, and market strategies.
----more----
About |
Bryan Smeltzer is a bestselling author, business executive, and entrepreneur. He has held executive leadership positions in brand business development, multi-category product development, and global marketing at major brands like Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, Schutt Sports, and other international companies.
Bryan also founded a men's apparel brand and successfully ran it for ten years before selling it to a venture capital firm.
----more----The Visionary Chronicles PodcastBryan hosts The Visionary Chronicles podcast, which Feedspot has ranked as the #1 Visionary and one of the Top 50 Marketing Podcasts.Follow The Visionary Chronicles Podcast | The Visionary Chronicles Sign Up ----more----The Visionary BrandBryan is the author of the bestselling book The Visionary Brand,The Success Formula Behind the World's Most Visionary Brands. The book received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for Best Non-fiction in the Marketing Genre.Purchase The Visionary Brand book | The Visionary Brand
----more----The Visionary FilesFollowing the release of his book, Bryan launched The Visionary Brand MasterCourse. Available at TheVisionaryFiles.com, this course features 18 video learning segments, totaling nearly two hours of training to unleash brand leadership potential.
Sign up for The Visionary Brand MasterCourse | The Visionary Brand Course
----more----
LiquidMind | Brand AdvisoryBryan is at the helm of LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that collaborates with start-ups and established mid to large-cap consumer brands. The company empowers businesses to think and act differently, cultivate passionate cultures, and execute strategies relentlessly.
Sign up for a FREE Advisory SESSION | LiquidMind Meeting
----more----SESSIONS | One 2 One AdvisoryLiquidMind offers bespoke Sessions One 2 One Advisory Services, providing personalized brand guidance through direct sessions with expert strategists. This service is ideal for launching new products or repositioning brands.
Sign up for a Sessions One 2 One Meeting | Sessions Meeting
----more----
Newsletter
Sign up for Bryan's FREE Newsletter | NEWSLETTER
----more----
BLOG
Visit Bryan's BLOG Site | BLOG
FOLLOW
Follow Bryan |
Contact Bryan |
CHRONICLE 164
The Visionary Chronicles PodcastCHRONICLE: August 14th, 2024
The Visionary Brand | The New Age | Be Distinct or Become Extinct "Distinct or extinct." – Tom Peters
Bryan Smeltzer is a bestselling author, business executive, and entrepreneur. He has held executive leadership positions in brand business development, multi-category product development, and global marketing at major brands like Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, Schutt Sports, and other international companies.
Bryan also founded a men's apparel brand and successfully ran it for ten years before selling it to a venture capital firm.
The Visionary Chronicles PodcastBryan hosts The Visionary Chronicles podcast, which Feedspot has ranked as the #1 Visionary and one of the Top 50 Marketing Podcasts.Follow The Visionary Chronicles Podcast | The Visionary Chronicles Sign-Up
The Visionary BrandBryan is the author of the bestselling book The Visionary Brand,The Success Formula Behind the World's Most Visionary Brands. The book received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for Best Non-fiction in the Marketing Genre.
Purchase The Visionary Brand book | The Visionary Brand
The Visionary FilesFollowing the release of his book, Bryan launched The Visionary Brand MasterCourse. Available at TheVisionaryFiles.com, this course features 18 video learning segments, totaling nearly two hours of training to unleash brand leadership potential.
Sign up for The Visionary Brand MasterCourse | The Visionary Brand Course LiquidMindBryan is at the helm of LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that collaborates with start-ups and established mid to large-cap consumer brands. The company empowers businesses to think and act differently, cultivate passionate cultures, and execute strategies relentlessly.
Sign up for a FREE Advisory SESSION | LiquidMind Meeting
Sessions LiquidMind offers bespoke Sessions One 2 One Advisory Services, providing personalized brand guidance through direct sessions with expert strategists. This service is ideal for launching new products or repositioning brands.
Sign up for a Sessions One 2 One Meeting | Sessions Meeting
Sign up for Bryan's FREE Newsletter | NEWSLETTER
Visit Bryan's BLOG Site | BLOG
Follow Bryan |
Contact Bryan |
CHRONICLE 163
CHRONICLE: July 30th, 2024
Leadership Balance | Finding Your Life Balance" Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.” – Confucius
Many Leaders we talk about within our LiquidMind Leadership Sessions have difficulty balancing Leadership and Life. The issue is widespread in leaders but hard to correct. I find most leaders either do not realize they have a problem until someone hits them over the head, or they fear falling behind; they can’t stop a fast-moving train. If you do not try, you will eventually crash and burn; it is not a matter of “if” but “when.” I have seen it play out too many times.
Balancing Leadership and Life can be challenging, but with consistent and dedicated planning, effective time management, and taking care of yourself through the process, it is possible to achieve a balance.
Through our Leadership Sessions with LiquidMind, I have found the following to be Priorities for finding Leadership and Life balance.
Remember that achieving Leadership and Life balance is an ongoing process that requires self-awareness, adaptability, and effective communication.
Evaluate your priorities and make priority choices to ensure that you dedicate time and energy to your professional and personal life.
Remember, once the hourglass of time runs out, you can not turn it over and start again!
Enjoy Your Life, Find Balance!
Stay True, Stay Authentic, be Different, and be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
Bryan Smeltzer, President
LiquidMind Inc.
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
© All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2024
----more----
Bryan SmeltzerBryan Smeltzer is a consumer products business executive and entrepreneur. He has held executive-level roles in business development, Product, and marketing with some of the world's most prestigious brands, including Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, and Schutt Sports, among other international brands. He also founded a men’s apparel brand, successfully running a profitable business for ten years, eventually selling to a VC firm.
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The Visionary Chronicles PodcastHe also hosts a Podcast called The Visionary Chronicles, ranked as the #1 Visionary and Top 50 Marketing Podcasts by Feedspot for 2022 & 2023, and recently finished his first bestselling book, The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands, and recently received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for BEST Non-fiction, Marketing Genre book.
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The Visionary FilesWith the book's release, Bryan created The Visionary Brand MasterCourse. The Master Course site at The VisionaryFiles.com includes a Master Course with 18 Video Learning segments and almost 2 hours of Visionary lessons training. Over the past five weeks, over 1,500 brand brands and Entrepreneurs have taken the Master Course! Unleash your potential as a brand leader and take the Master Course.
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SESSIONS Introducing Sessions One 2 One: Personalized Brand Strategy Advisory
LiquidMind is proud to announce our new Sessions One 2 One Advisory Services. This bespoke offering connects you directly with our expert strategists for tailored brand guidance.
Whether you're launching a new product or repositioning your entire brand, our One 2 One sessions provide the focused attention and strategic expertise you need to excel in today's market.
Ready to elevate your brand strategy? Let's talk about how Sessions One 2 One can drive your success.
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LiquidMindBryan oversees LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that partners with start-ups and establishes mid to large-cap consumer brands to empower businesses to think differently, be different, drive a passionate culture, and execute relentlessly.
You can contact or follow him at;
email | bryan@LiquidMindsite.com
Facebook | @bryansmeltzer33
IG | @bryan_smeltzer
X | @bryansmeltzer
LinkedIn | linkedin.com/in/bryansmeltzer/
CHRONICLE 162
CHRONICLE: July 23rd, 2024Digital Retail Revolution | How Visionary Brands are Building the New E-comm Landscape"In a crowded marketplace, fitting in is a failure. In a busy marketplace, not standing out is the same as being invisible."
Seth Godin
Welcome to The Visionary Chronicles. Today, we're diving into the future of e-commerce. We'll look at how Visionary, a leading-edge brand, is adopting emerging technologies to reshape online retail and the evolution of new digital-age consumers.
E-commerce has seen explosive growth, accelerated by the global pandemic. In 2023, global e-commerce sales hit $6.3 trillion, projected to reach $8.1 trillion by 2026. This isn't just growth; it's a seismic shift in how we shop and do business.
Let's start with the tech transforming online shopping to understand the opportunity. Currently, augmented and virtual reality are creating immersive buying experiences. Imagine virtually trying on clothes or visualizing furniture in your home before buying. Companies like IKEA and Warby Parker already use AR to boost sales and reduce returns.
Voice Language Processing (VLP) through Voice commerce is another game-changer. With smart speakers in millions of homes, voice shopping is set to hit $80 billion annually by 2023. Alexa, order more coffee pods!
Another rapidly growing technology is AI and machine learning, which are personalizing the shopping experience like never before. They predict what you want before you know you want it, and Netflix video or Nike style recommendations are becoming the norm across e-commerce.
Blockchain is also enhancing security and transparency. It's not just for crypto anymore. Walmart uses blockchain to trace food from farm to shelf, boosting consumer trust.
Also, let's talk about changing consumer behaviors. Mobile is now king. Over 70% of e-commerce sales now happen on smartphones. If your site is mobile-optimized, you're gaining customers. Simple to do, not everyone does it! Just Do it!
Sustainability is no longer optional. 65% of consumers want to buy from purpose-driven brands that advocate sustainability. This applies to products, packaging, shipping, and corporate practices. To gain an edge beyond product, build a sustainability story into your brand.
Social commerce is also booming. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok are becoming virtual malls. Live shopping events, popularized in China, are gaining traction globally. These are brand strategies that, if adopted and authentically managed, can build both revenue and brand equity over time.
Vertical buying journey. Consumers now expect seamless omnichannel experiences. They might research on mobile, buy on desktop, and pick up in-store. Brands that can't offer this flexibility are falling behind.
So, what does this mean for brands or entrepreneurs? It's a world of challenge and opportunity. You need to stay agile, embracing new technologies and platforms. But you don't need to do everything. Find your niche. Maybe you focus on sustainability, or perhaps you excel at creating AR experiences.
The key is to know your customer. Use data to understand their preferences and behaviors. Personalization is no longer a luxury; it's an expectation.
Avoid trying to compete with Amazon on logistics. Instead, compete on experience, on curation, on community. Build relationships with your customers that go beyond transactions.
Looking ahead, what can we expect? The lines between physical and digital retail will continue to blur. We'll see more experiential retail, where stores become showrooms and fulfillment centers for online orders.
Cryptocurrency payments will become more mainstream, offering new ways to transact globally.
The metaverse presents intriguing possibilities. Virtual storefronts in shared digital spaces could revolutionize how we discover and interact with products.
To wrap up, here are three key takeaways:
The future of e-commerce is exciting and full of potential. It's not just about selling products online anymore; it's about creating digital experiences that delight and engage customers.
That's all for this episode of The Visionary Chronicles. If you found this valuable, please share it with a fellow entrepreneur. And remember to subscribe for more insights on the future of business.
Until next time, keep innovating and stay visionary.
Stay True, Stay Authentic, be Different, and be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
Bryan Smeltzer, President
LiquidMind Inc.
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
© All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2024
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Bryan Smeltzer
Bryan Smeltzer is a consumer products business executive and entrepreneur. He has held executive-level roles in business development, Product, and marketing with some of the world's most prestigious brands, including Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, and Schutt Sports, among other international brands. He also founded a men’s apparel brand, successfully running a profitable business for ten years, eventually selling to a VC firm.
----more----
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast
He also hosts a Podcast called The Visionary Chronicles, ranked as the #1 Visionary and Top 50 Marketing Podcasts by Feedspot for 2022 & 2023, and recently finished his first bestselling book, The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands, and recently received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for BEST Non-fiction, Marketing Genre book.
----more----
The Visionary Files
With the book's release, Bryan created The Visionary Brand MasterCourse. The Master Course site at The VisionaryFiles.com includes a Master Course with 18 Video Learning segments and almost 2 hours of Visionary lessons training. Over the past five weeks, over 1,500 brand brands and Entrepreneurs have taken the Master Course! Unleash your potential as a brand leader and take the Master Course.
He is also a member of the Board of Advisors at UCI’s BCIE along with their New Venture Program, an Innovation Advisor at the UCI’s Applied Innovation program at the Cove, a Mentor/Advisor to UCLA’s Price Center Venture Accelerator Program, and a Mentor/Advisor at the San Diego Sports Innovators Accelerator (SDSI) center.
----more----
LiquidMind
Bryan oversees LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that partners with start-ups and establishes mid to large-cap consumer brands to empower businesses to think differently, be different, drive a passionate culture, and execute relentlessly.
You can contact or follow him at;
email | bryan@LiquidMindsite.com
Facebook | @bryansmeltzer33
Instagram | @bryan_smeltzer
X | @bryansmeltzer
LinkedIn | linkedin.com/in/bryansmeltzer/
EPISODE 161
CHRONICLE: July 10th, 2024
Content from Bryan’s new Award Winning, Bestselling Book
The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World's Most Visionary Brands.
The Visionary Brand | The UX | User Engagement Strategies"Creativity is just connecting things. When you ask creative people how they did something, they feel a little guilty because they didn't really do it, they just saw something. It seemed obvious to them after a while. That's because they were able to connect experiences they've had and synthesize new things.” – Steve Jobs
THE UX | ENGAGEMENT
User engagement must happen early and frequently as you provide value to your current or potential customers. Of course, value can take several forms and functions. Most powerfully, it can be offered through personalization, which bonds the customer to your brand lifestyle as we saw in the previous podcasts. Everyone wants to feel wanted and understood, no matter what you sell. The closer you can match an experience to individual needs, the closer you come to building a relationship with the customer, eventually turning them into a brand advocate (part of the community) or ambassador (part of the brand).
Engaging with current customers within the Loyalty Loop and securing new consumers is a delicate balance for brands. Visionary brands use a clearly defined UX and engagement strategy to balance value with acquisition effectively. The value proposition can cross over to the acquisition side, but its approach is much different as it matches lifestyle enhancement versus price point compression.
Once a customer has joined the brand community, they will adapt to the brand’s product life cycles and choose either early adopter or late adopter product acquisition timing. A brand’s ability to know where their customers are on the adoption curve will tip the marketing investment scales relative to messaging, personalization, and social engagement, in addition to Lifetime Customer Value (LTV).
This is a fine art, and being able to read demographic profiles, engage with personalization, and consistently message lifestyle improvements through the adoption cycle will help you attain a loyal base of brand advocates. These advocates are the ones who allow you to control your brand’s destiny . . . but it wasn’t always so easy.
Before direct-to-consumer (DTC) channel opportunities, brands would only engage through one-way external communications such as; mailers, flyers, unsolicited e-mails, etc.—none of which allows for the kind of personalization that can be realized today. This world is much different now, where brands are in the driver’s seat. This is an essential shift in our culture, as brands want to control their engagement across all channels (ref. the Omni-Channel podcast). In maintaining their destiny, they can better define all aspects of the purchase loop, marketing, product cycles, engagement platforms, and direct communications.
Of course, you must know how to drive through this shift! Even as your brand is more equipped to secure its own future, there is also the need to understand the intricacies of building, developing, and growing brand awareness and equity. With time, this is relatively easy and inexpensive, though you will now find more tools to fine-tune your engine. The digital world we live in waits for no one, so either jump in and start driving or run the risk of getting run over.
Engage with your current customers, stay true to your brand foundation, and build trust and loyalty while advocating the virtues of your products. These current advocates are your company’s most valuable asset, and will assist with acquiring new members into your community. They can be measured, they can be engaged, they can be activated . . . or they can be ignored. Ensure you do not ignore—always engage, always provide value beyond product, and you will be rewarded with a mutually beneficial relationship.
“Take care of your customers and they will take care of you.”
THE UX | EMPATHIZE
Understanding and empathizing with your customers brings a personal touch to your creations. Empathy is understanding your consumers’ world, perceptions, and values and providing products or solutions that enhance their lifestyle, either through better products or processes.
This personal touch perspective reflects the simple sophistication principle we discussed earlier, bringing your vision of a better way to life—simplicity in the product design, The
sophistication in how it makes your world better. Visionary brands find this both challenging and enlightening, as it makes you leave your comfort zone and move into the reality of the solution you want. It drives ongoing passion for the product and how it will improve one’s life by saving time, improving relationships, or being more efficient or effective. Whatever the motive, creating this product is a labor of love for the brand team.
In defining what creates an attribute worthy of providing empathy for its end user, brands will ask:
Is this a solution looking for a problem, or a problem looking for a solution?
As simple as this question sounds, many brands have yet to ask it and ventured forward, blinded by their short-sightedness.
Finding solutions to everyday problems is an easier path to success, as it can be translated more effectively and realized quicker by end users. The beauty of finding a solution is found in its application in the real world, where the idea becomes reality. In creating solutions, there is a way to connect the community to the brand and eventually to a product ecosystem fully integrated with their daily life. This drive to join the ecosystem is driven by empathy, as the customer is looking for solutions that are not yet reality but are opportunities to simplify their life.
Throughout The Visionary Brand, we have discussed these vertical brand touchpoints. The more interconnected they become, the more diverse the ecosystem becomes to satisfy the needs of many while personalizing the experience for each. Empathy may seem intangible, but the more tangible a brand makes this connection, the more it finds how much its products have impacted individuals, families, and communities across its community.
Empathy is intuition about when something suits the brand and can genuinely impact a person’s life. When you give a person the ability to spend more time at home with the family or a loved one, this value becomes tangible. Visionary brands understand the impact of this tangible value, and ultimately, revenue growth follows. Visionary brands think beyond products; they value the solutions their products provide for their community.
Ultimately, building a visionary-quality UX is about putting together building blocks to form a complex structure for engaging and interacting with your consumers. From the idea through to purchase, you’re shooting for a seamless execution of a brand that knows the wants and needs of its customers better than they know themselves.
Understand your customers. Empathy for improving their lives will help you find solutions to give them what they currently do not have—more time, family, money, and life. Let this empathy fuel your brand’s interactions and product pipeline. This will make you visionary in your customers’ eyes and make your brand a valuable part of their everyday lives.
Stay True, Stay Authentic, be Different, and be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
Bryan Smeltzer, President
LiquidMind Inc.
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
© All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2024
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BRYAN SMELTZER
Bryan Smeltzer is a consumer products business executive and entrepreneur. He has held executive-level roles in business development, Product, and marketing with some of the world's most prestigious brands, including Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, and Schutt Sports, among other international brands. He also founded a men’s apparel brand, successfully running a profitable business for ten years, eventually selling to a VC firm.
----more----
THE VISIONARY CHRONICLES
He also hosts a podcast called The Visionary Chronicles, ranked as the #1 Visionary and Top 50 Marketing Podcasts by Feedspot.
He recently finished his first bestselling book, The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands, and recently received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for BEST Non-fiction, Marketing Genre book.
SUBSCRIBE to the Visionary Chronicles Podcast!
Just click the FOLLOW button, and you're in!
SUBSCRIBE to the Visionary Chronicles Podcast, and get a FREE e-book edition of The Visionary Brand!
Go to the link below, select Review, and send a screenshot to bryan@liquidmindsite.com.
APPLE PODCAST
SPOTIFY
PODBEAN
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THE VISIONARY FILES
With the book's release, Bryan created The Visionary Brand MasterCourse. The Master Course site at The VisionaryFiles.com includes a Master Course with 18 Video Learning segments and almost 2 hours of Visionary lessons training. Over the past fourteen weeks, over 1,500 brand leaders and Entrepreneurs have taken the Master Course! Unleash your potential as a brand leader and take the Master Course.
Sign up for the Visionary Brand Course, and get a FREE hardcopy edition of The Visionary Brand and a “Be Visionary” coffee mug!
----more----
LIQUIDMIND
Bryan oversees LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that partners with start-ups and establishes mid to large-cap consumer brands to empower businesses to think differently, be different, drive a passionate culture, and execute relentlessly.
You can contact or follow him at;
bryan@LiquidMindsite.com
@bryansmeltzer33
@bryan_smeltzer
@bryansmeltzer
linkedin.com/in/bryansmeltzer/
EPISODE 160
CHRONICLE: July 3rd, 2024
Competitive Edge | Forging a Path to Market Domination"Know your enemy and know yourself, and you can fight a hundred battles without disaster."
Sun Tzu, The Art of War
The Forces of Competition, which determine strategic planning and marketplace execution, are shared among all industries. Those who can anticipate both industry and competitive moves will succeed for generations.
Anticipation is the "Art of War," and brands who fight and win the battle without having pulled a sword are the ones who have mastered the "Art of Competition." But unfortunately, many have gone to war and have shown nothing for their efforts; a strategy built on a foundation of brute force inevitably fails.
Find a way to determine outcomes before they are fought, and you will build a team and a brand set on a solid foundation, a fortress others cannot enter. Creating a culture where everyone knows their role, works together to ensure the foundation stands, and others envy what you have made and want to know your future Vision. The best they can hope for is to follow your path but never lead.
There are several forces brands must be aware of to execute The Art of Competition in the marketplace.
New Blood
With this scenario, new blood is the latest entry into your category, one who has a new idea and provides a potentially better service or product.
Combatting this competitor takes anticipation, an innovation process, and the ability to never look over your shoulder. Each of these allows a brand to advance with its Vision while ensuring this new blood is blocked or eliminated from establishing a beachhead without doing anything different. Changing course is not an option, but pivoting without disrupting your business is critical.
Scale
The scale was a strategy many were caught off guard by during the pandemic, and most were unable to recover in whole or in part.
However, the winning formula is to attain sufficient scale with a manufacturing matrix with the core competencies needed to produce a consistently excellent product and out-innovating yourself first.
Community
Loyalty, recurring revenue, and value creation are foundational to longevity. These pieces of your foundation will create a wall no competitor can climb.
This takes consistency, an understanding of who your customer is, what they value, and why they buy your products and is a strategic weapon built off your team's shoulders.
Commodity Players
The Imitators, not the Innovators, are the commodity players. They are not to be feared; instead, they are the ones to be called out and challenged at every turn.
Imitators churn great Ideas into inferior-quality products and lower-tier price points. As a result, they do not build a trusting, loyal community that embraces the value provided by the brand but rather a following looking for the next significant "draw-down."
Some have been successful with this strategy, but this is like building your foundation on the sand vs. rock. YOUR CHOICE.
Rivals
The most threatening part of a brand executing its future Vision is its direct Rival, those who have authentically built a loyal community, created their innovation pipeline, and stayed true to their foundation.
They are to be respected, but the Art of War principles are genuinely beneficial and provide the most benefit. You want to anticipate the moves of your Rivals, find ways to outflank them, diminish their impact, and put the fires out before they start.
The Art of War is winning without having gone to battle. So what can you do to anticipate your Rival's next move and step out and take risks, never to relinquish your lead?
The Art of Competition is understanding the landscape, anticipating your Rival's moves, outflanking your Competition, and finding ways to win the battles through a strategy where you never have to draw your weapon! Find a way to win!
Stay True, Stay Authentic, be Different, and be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
Bryan Smeltzer, President
LiquidMind Inc.
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
© All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2024
----more----
Bryan Smeltzer
Bryan Smeltzer is a consumer products business executive and entrepreneur. He has held executive-level roles in business development, Product, and marketing with some of the world's most prestigious brands, including Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, and Schutt Sports, among other international brands. He also founded a men’s apparel brand, successfully running a profitable business for ten years, eventually selling to a VC firm.
----more----
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast
He also hosts a Podcast called The Visionary Chronicles, ranked as the #1 Visionary and Top 50 Marketing Podcasts by Feedspot for 2022 & 2023, and recently finished his first bestselling book, The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands, and recently received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for BEST Non-fiction, Marketing Genre book.
----more----
The Visionary Files
With the book's release, Bryan created The Visionary Brand MasterCourse. The Master Course site at The VisionaryFiles.com includes a Master Course with 18 Video Learning segments and almost 2 hours of Visionary lessons training. Over the past five weeks, over 1,500 brand brands and Entrepreneurs have taken the Master Course! Unleash your potential as a brand leader and take the Master Course.----more----
LiquidMind
Bryan oversees LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that partners with start-ups and establishes mid to large-cap consumer brands to empower businesses to think differently, be different, drive a passionate culture, and execute relentlessly.
You can contact or follow him at;
email | bryan@LiquidMindsite.com
Facebook | @bryansmeltzer33
Instagram | @bryan_smeltzer
X| @bryansmeltzer
LinkedIn | linkedin.com/in/bryansmeltzer/
EPISODE 159
CHRONICLE | June 26th, 2024
Fail Faster | How Failing Fast Can Lead to Success"My great concern is not whether you have failed but whether you are content with your failure."
Wisdom from Abraham Lincoln
Failure is not fatal, but if you do not embrace Failure and make it a part of your Culture, it can prevent you from realizing your Vision.
Many companies profess to be "Innovative" yet squash any new out-of-the-box thinking that disrupts the company's status quo and your business category. Therefore, it is crucial to embrace your failures, learn from them, and adapt to move your IDEAs from paper to people.
Commercializing your IDEA is the inevitable goal, but if the product you envisioned does not match reality, there will be issues with your community and the brand itself. If you are to be a leader, you must embrace Failure and Risk to create what others may not have thought of or felt was impossible. Otherwise, you are truly just a commodity. Having the courage to do what is right for the brand is what all Visionaries have in common. Beyond product, beyond Culture, is sticking to your Foundational Principles, which drive your brand forward.
The brands that continually drive innovation embrace Failure as a learning experience and will be the ones to survive any storm. Look at history, and you will see brands that have failed and those who are still with us today. A common thread, stronger than steel, is the will to create what others said was impossible. This challenge brings out the passionate courage in all Visionaries and the satisfaction of proving others wrong.
Remember Edison's famous quote when inventing the light bulb.
"I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work…."
Imagine if Edison had given up at so-called "Failure" on try 9,998? A different world than the one we live in today. I am thankful for his vision and perseverance in not giving up!
What are these Failure Stepping Stones to eventual Success?
Failure is inevitable when creating anything significant! So embrace Failure and Risk and be rewarded with generational products and a culture committed to Success.
Stay True, Stay Authentic, be Different, and be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
Bryan Smeltzer, President
LiquidMind Inc.
#TheVisionaryChroniclesPodcast
#TheVisionaryBrandBook
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
© All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2024
----more----
Bryan Smeltzer is a consumer products business executive and entrepreneur. He has held executive-level roles in business development, Product, and marketing with some of the world's most prestigious brands, including Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, and Schutt Sports, among other international brands. He also founded a men’s apparel brand, successfully running a profitable business for ten years, eventually selling to a VC firm.
----more----
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast
He also hosts a Podcast called The Visionary Chronicles, ranked as the #1 Visionary and Top 50 Marketing Podcasts by Feedspot, and recently finished his first bestselling book, The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands, and recently received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for BEST Non-fiction, Marketing Genre book.
----more----
The Visionary Files
With the book's release, Bryan created The Visionary Brand MasterCourse. The Master Course site at The VisionaryFiles.com includes a Master Course with 18 Video Learning segments and almost 2 hours of Visionary lessons training. Over the past five weeks, over 1,500 brand brands and Entrepreneurs have taken the Master Course! Unleash your potential as a brand leader and take the Master Course.
He is also a member of the Board of Advisors at UCI’s BCIE along with their New Venture Program, an Innovation Advisor at the UCI’s Applied Innovation program at the Cove, a Mentor/Advisor to UCLA’s Price Center Venture Accelerator Program, and a Mentor/Advisor at the San Diego Sports Innovators Accelerator (SDSI) center.
----more----
LiquidMind
Bryan oversees LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that partners with start-ups and establishes mid to large-cap consumer brands to empower businesses to think differently, be different, drive a passionate culture, and execute relentlessly.
You can contact or follow him at;
email | bryan@LiquidMindsite.com
Facebook | @bryansmeltzer33
Instragram | @bryan_smeltzer
X | @bryansmeltzer
LinkedIn| linkedin.com/in/bryansmeltzer/
EPISODE 158
CHRONICLE: June17th , 2024
Generative AI | How Companies Can Successfully Integrate Artificial Intelligence
" Common sense is not so common.” – Voltaire
With all the madness around AI, having a clear, definitive plan in place is critical to long-term success; however, you must know the “Who?”, “What?”, “Why?, “When?” and “Where?” with your plan and execution. Before implementing, define the needs, determine resources, outline expectations, and determine the execution timeline.
Visionary brands can leverage Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance the brand lifecycle execution process from ideation and product creation, marketing execution, development, sourcing, and operations, and gain a competitive edge.
Here are some ways in which Generative AI can be utilized.
Product and Service Innovation | Use generative AI to brainstorm and generate ideas for new products and services. AI models can analyze market trends, consumer preferences, and industry data to suggest innovative concepts. This can accelerate the ideation process and lead to the development of more innovative products.
Content Creation | Deploy generative AI for content creation, including writing articles, generating marketing copy, or creating social media posts. Language models can assist in producing high-quality, engaging content, saving time and resources for the business.
Personalized Customer Experiences | Implement AI-driven personalization in customer interactions. Generative models can analyze customer data to create personalized recommendations, messages, and experiences, enhancing customer satisfaction and engagement.
Automated Customer Support | Integrate generative AI into customer support systems to provide automated responses to common queries. This improves customer service efficiency, allowing team members to focus on complex issues while AI handles routine inquiries.
Supply Chain Optimization | Use generative AI to optimize supply chain processes. Predictive modeling can help in demand forecasting, inventory management, and logistics optimization, ensuring a more efficient and cost-effective supply chain.
Decision Support | Leverage generative AI for decision support systems. These systems can analyze large datasets, market trends, and various factors to assist brands in making well-informed, data-driven decisions.
Design and Creativity | Apply generative AI in design processes for graphic design, product design, or architecture. AI can assist in generating creative ideas, designs, and prototypes, enhancing the overall creative process.
Learning and Development | Use generative AI for employee training and development. AI-driven systems can create customized training modules, simulate real-world scenarios, and provide personalized learning experiences based on individual employee needs.
Predictive Analytics | Implement generative AI for predictive analytics. These models can analyze historical data to predict future trends, market changes, and potential risks, enabling brands to adjust strategies proactively.
Human Resources | Utilize generative AI in recruitment processes for resume screening, candidate matching, and even conducting initial interviews. This can streamline the hiring process and efficiently identify the most suitable candidates.
Cybersecurity | Enhance cybersecurity measures by using generative AI to detect and respond to potential threats. AI can analyze patterns in network traffic, identify anomalies, and predict and prevent security breaches.
Simulation and Scenario Planning | Use generative AI for simulating and planning various business scenarios. This can help brands test the resilience of their strategies and make informed decisions in anticipation of different outcomes.
Generative AI is a powerful tool, however when implementing generative AI in business, it's crucial to consider ethical considerations, data privacy, and potential biases in AI models. Regular monitoring, feedback loops, and continuous improvement are essential to ensure the responsible and effective use of AI technologies.
With these tools, which are improving literally by the second, it is important to stay ahead of this curve, or you will lose your competitive advantage, and potentially your foundational vision along the way.
Stay True, Stay Authentic, be Different, and be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
Bryan Smeltzer, President
LiquidMind Inc.
#TheVisionaryChroniclesPodcast
#TheVisionaryBrandBook
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
© All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2024
----more----
Bryan Smeltzer
Bryan Smeltzer is a consumer products business executive and entrepreneur. He has held executive-level roles in business development, Product, and marketing with some of the world's most prestigious brands, including Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, and Schutt Sports, among other international brands. He also founded a men’s apparel brand, successfully running a profitable business for ten years, eventually selling to a VC firm.
----more----
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast
He also hosts a Podcast called The Visionary Chronicles, ranked as the #1 Visionary and Top 50 Marketing Podcasts by Feedspot for 2022 & 2023, and recently finished his first bestselling book, The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands, and recently received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for BEST Non-fiction, Marketing Genre book.
----more----
The Visionary Files
With the book's release, Bryan created The Visionary Brand MasterCourse. The Master Course site at The VisionaryFiles.com includes a Master Course with 18 Video Learning segments and almost 2 hours of Visionary lessons training. Over the past five weeks, over 1,500 brand brands and Entrepreneurs have taken the Master Course! Unleash your potential as a brand leader and take the Master Course.
He is also a member of the Board of Advisors at UCI’s BCIE along with their New Venture Program, an Innovation Advisor at the UCI’s Applied Innovation program at the Cove, a Mentor/Advisor to UCLA’s Price Center Venture Accelerator Program, and a Mentor/Advisor at the San Diego Sports Innovators Accelerator (SDSI) center.
----more----
LiquidMind
Bryan oversees LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that partners with start-ups and establishes mid to large-cap consumer brands to empower businesses to think differently, be different, drive a passionate culture, and execute relentlessly.
You can contact or follow him at;
email | bryan@LiquidMindsite.com
Facebook | @bryansmeltzer33
Instragram | @bryan_smeltzer
X | @bryansmeltzer
Linked In | linkedin.com/in/bryansmeltzer/
EPISODE 156
CHRONICLE | May 31st, 2024
Content from Bryan’s new Award Winning, Bestselling Book
The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World's Most Visionary Brands.
The Visionary Brand | 156 | PREMIUM | The Visionary Brand | The UX | Creating a Seamless User Experience"Our DNA is as a consumer company - for that individual customer who's voting thumbs up or thumbs down. That's who we think about. And we think that our job is to take responsibility for the complete user experience. And if it's not up to par, it's our fault, plain and simply.” – Steve Jobs
A seamless user experience (UX) should always be the goal for any premium brand. The UX is a multifaceted puzzle built from the brand's foundational principles of the brand itself, and as such, you always need to look out for consumer time and value when it comes to UX. Being able to provide a seamless, fully integrated brand experience rather than a disjointed UX is a clearly defined point of difference over your competition.
Think beyond the purchase cycle; Visionary brands extend the UX into all company areas, and how a brand interacts at these levels will create an unforgettable UX by design.
For example, think of when you engage with a brand. Whether product, information, events or some other value-driven need, the experience always sets a good brand apart from the rest and keeps you coming back.
There are several principles these brands have in common, and they are consistently always executed:
76% of complaints are from having a bad service experience.
Make sure you do not do the same. Be different, be memorable, be personal.
The touchpoints experienced by a customer are what create your seamless, end-to-end UX cycle. From the outset of this book, I have continually mentioned that visionary brands think beyond an isolated or siloed approach. They analyze the overall UX, how this product will impact their daily lives, and how to develop it to be user-friendly and out of the box. At the very beginning of a product’s development, they are asking questions such as:
“How will this make our lives better?” “Where does it fit?”
“Why are we doing this?” “What is our POD?”
“When will it be ready?” “Who will buy this?”
These need to be asked early on, and unless they are cohesively and collectively answered with a clear strategy built around marketplace execution, the answers will not be apparent to those you are communicating with. You cannot be at all places at all times, so ensure your voice is adequately translated through your consumer engagement, whether online or in person. This can take the form of product marketing literature translated in easy terms, sites dedicated to brand or product experiences, merchandising, point of purchase, videos, or ambassadors, to name a few. All of this pre-product commercialization planning leads directly to an excellent UX.
Creating a seamless buyer experience is essential for consumer brands aiming to sustain lifetime value, build loyalty, and increase customer satisfaction. Here are key strategies to achieve this:
By focusing on these strategies, consumer brands can create a seamless and satisfying buyer experience that meets and exceeds customer expectations, creating loyalty and encouraging repeat business.
Stay True, Stay Authentic, be Different, and be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
Bryan Smeltzer, President
LiquidMind Inc.
#TheVisionaryChroniclesPodcast
#TheVisionaryBrandBook
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
© All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2024
----more----
BRYAN SMELTZER
Bryan Smeltzer is a consumer products business executive and entrepreneur. He has held executive-level roles in business development, Product, and marketing with some of the world's most prestigious brands, including Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, and Schutt Sports, among other international brands. He also founded a men’s apparel brand, successfully running a profitable business for ten years, eventually selling to a VC firm.
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THE VISIONARY CHRONICLES
He also hosts a podcast called The Visionary Chronicles, ranked as the #1 Visionary and Top 50 Marketing Podcasts by Feedspot.
He recently finished his first bestselling book, The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands, and recently received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for BEST Non-fiction, Marketing Genre book.
SUBSCRIBE to the Visionary Chronicles Podcast!
Just click the FOLLOW button, and you're in!
SUBSCRIBE to the Visionary Chronicles Podcast, and get a FREE e-book edition of The Visionary Brand!
Go to the link below, select Review, and send a screenshot to bryan@liquidmindsite.com.
APPLE PODCAST
SPOTIFY
PODBEAN
----more----
THE VISIONARY FILES
With the book's release, Bryan created The Visionary Brand MasterCourse. The Master Course site at The VisionaryFiles.com includes a Master Course with 18 Video Learning segments and almost 2 hours of Visionary lessons training. Over the past fourteen weeks, over 1,500 brand leaders and Entrepreneurs have taken the Master Course! Unleash your potential as a brand leader and take the Master Course.
Sign up for the Visionary Brand Course, and get a FREE hardcopy edition of The Visionary Brand and a “Be Visionary” coffee mug!
----more----
LIQUIDMIND
Bryan oversees LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that partners with start-ups and establishes mid to large-cap consumer brands to empower businesses to think differently, be different, drive a passionate culture, and execute relentlessly.
----more----
You can contact or follow him at;
email | bryan@LiquidMindsite.com
Facebook | @bryansmeltzer33
Instagram | @bryan_smeltzer
X | @bryansmeltzer
LinkedIn | linkedin.com/in/bryansmeltzer/
EPISODE 157
X CHRONICLE | May 30th, 2024
Visionary Success | How Do Brands Sustain Generational Success" Success depends upon previous preparation, and without such preparation, there is sure to be a failure." – Confucius
Why do so few brands survive, much less gain generational success? This question is critical to defining a Visionary brand—those who have a Vision and maintain this Vision while sticking to their path regardless of circumstances. This strategy is much easier said than done, and this is why so few Visionary generational brands have achieved generational success.
Visionary brands that sustain generational success and growth typically exhibit several vital characteristics. Here are the primary strategies these brands execute relentlessly:
By personifying these principles and practices, Visionary brands can sustain their success and growth across generations, continually adapting and thriving in an ever-changing market landscape.
Stay True, Stay Authentic, be Different, and be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
Bryan Smeltzer, President
LiquidMind Inc.
#TheVisionaryChroniclesPodcast
#TheVisionaryBrandBook
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
© All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2024
----more----
BRYAN SMELTZER
Bryan Smeltzer is a consumer products business executive and entrepreneur. He has held executive-level roles in business development, Product, and marketing with some of the world's most prestigious brands, including Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, and Schutt Sports, among other international brands. He also founded a men’s apparel brand, successfully running a profitable business for ten years, eventually selling to a VC firm.
----more----
THE VISIONARY CHRONICLES
He also hosts a Podcast called The Visionary Chronicles, ranked as the #1 Visionary and Top 50 Marketing Podcasts by Feedspot, and recently finished his first bestselling book, The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands, and recently received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for BEST Non-fiction, Marketing Genre book.
----more----
MENTORSHIP | BOARD MEMBERSHIP
He is also a member of the Board of Advisors at UCI’s BCIE along with their New Venture Program, an Innovation Advisor at the UCI’s Applied Innovation program at the Cove, a Mentor/Advisor to UCLA’s Price Center Venture Accelerator Program, and a Mentor/Advisor at the San Diego Sports Innovators Accelerator (SDSI) center.
----more----
LIQUIDMIND
Bryan oversees LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that partners with start-ups and established mid to large-cap consumer brands to empower businesses to think differently, be different, drive a passionate culture, and execute relentlessly.
You can contact or follow him at;
email | bryan@LiquidMindsite.com
Facebook | @bryansmeltzer33
Instagram | @bryan_smeltzer
X| @bryansmeltzer
LinkedIn | linkedin.com/in/bryansmeltzer/
EPISODE 154
CHRONICLE: May 22nd, 2024
Content from Bryan’s new Award Winning, Bestselling Book
The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World's Most Visionary Brands.
The Visionary Brand | The FUEL | Inspire Through Personalization & Ambassadors" Inspiration exists, but it has to find us working.” – Pablo Picasso
INSPIRE THROUGH PERSONALIZATION
To create and maintain your strategy for maintaining and growing a premium brand, you can’t just invest in product creation; you must also invest in developing the messaging, marketing, and merchandising. To be perceived as premium, the message must match the reality at all levels of consumer engagement, from the anticipation of the purchase activation and eventual use.
Visionary brands separate themselves from the competition at each level of engagement; knowing each point of contact is critical to the brand's overall success. The best way to manage this engagement is through personalization.
Inspiring your community through personalization is the holy grail for visionary brands. Achieving this strategy successfully will give you access to significant amounts of data, metric analysis, and dynamic reporting to sharpen your focus. The most efficient way to gather this information and decipher what is needed versus what is not is by using AI (artificial intelligence) to provide accurate, individualized data targeted to the consumer level, the amount of analysis that must be computed and spit out into a legible format is mind-boggling.
Measuring long-term consumer value through tangible metrics is critical to the predictability of brand equity and revenue growth. This measure was previously unattainable but is now a critical digital dashboard for any brand's ongoing heartbeat.
Pre-purchase acquisition costs, transaction value, turn rate, and post-purchase value are essential metrics. The more focused a brand is on refining these targeted campaigns, the better they can personalize the UX, enhancing loyalty and defining lifetime value.
Brand personalization is a powerful strategy that allows businesses to connect with their consumers on a more personal and individualized level. By tailoring their products, services, and communication to meet the specific needs and preferences of individual customers, companies can create a more engaging and memorable brand experience. The following are some key aspects to consider for effective brand personalization.
By effectively implementing these aspects of brand personalization, businesses can create a more meaningful and engaging connection with their consumers, increasing customer loyalty, satisfaction, and, ultimately, better business outcomes.
ASPIRE THROUGH AMBASSADORS
Keeping the fire of your brand fed with plenty of fuel isn’t easy. Fortunately, you don’t have to do it all on your own! Visionary brands utilize brand ambassadors to support the internal team. These are the individuals who carry the brand’s voice beyond the company's four walls, the ones who are the most passionate users of the brand’s products and consistently promote the product benefits.
The key is finding ambassadors who are authentic to their category. If you are a running brand, find an authentic runner; if you are a football brand, find an elite (NFL) player. It seems
simple, but most companies do not understand the value this provides to a brand. Along with being authentic, make sure they have a following you can leverage.
For this strategy to work as planned, the brand ambassadors’ reach and voice need to be authentic, meaning they are always honest in their opinions. Brand ambassadors must be carefully selected, as they are an extension of your brand and reflect your product and culture.
Be selective but also proactively engaged with your brand ambassadors. They will give you reach beyond what the average digital metrics can provide. They give you a “ground force” of visual and verbal tangible touchpoints.
Visionary brands engage with their ambassador community throughout the creation process, as they can provide feedback for the product team when necessary and guide the development of the latest product.
Sportswear brands heavily utilize professional ambassadors to promote their products through various strategies.
By strategically partnering with elite professional athletes across various sports, sportswear brands leverage their fame, talent, and relatability to drive product credibility, brand loyalty, and consumer aspiration.
These strategies utilized by Visionary brands provide ongoing authentication and loyalty, increasing customer lifetime value, which is the lifeblood of all companies, not just brands.
Stay True, Stay Authentic, be Different, and be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
Bryan Smeltzer, President
LiquidMind Inc.
#TheVisionaryChroniclesPodcast
#TheVisionaryBrandBook
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
© All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2024
----more----
BRYAN SMELTZER
Bryan Smeltzer is a consumer products business executive and entrepreneur. He has held executive-level roles in business development, Product, and marketing with some of the world's most prestigious brands, including Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, and Schutt Sports, among other international brands. He also founded a men’s apparel brand, successfully running a profitable business for ten years, eventually selling to a VC firm.
----more----
THE VISIONARY CHRONICLES
He also hosts a podcast called The Visionary Chronicles, ranked as the #1 Visionary and Top 50 Marketing Podcasts by Feedspot.
He recently finished his first bestselling book, The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands, and recently received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for BEST Non-fiction, Marketing Genre book.
SUBSCRIBE to the Visionary Chronicles Podcast!
Just click the FOLLOW button, and you're in!
SUBSCRIBE to the Visionary Chronicles Podcast, and get a FREE e-book edition of The Visionary Brand!
Go to the link below, select Review, and send a screenshot to bryan@liquidmindsite.com.
APPLE PODCAST
SPOTIFY
PODBEAN
----more----
THE VISIONARY FILES
With the book's release, Bryan created The Visionary Brand MasterCourse. The Master Course site at The VisionaryFiles.com includes a Master Course with 18 Video Learning segments and almost 2 hours of Visionary lessons training. Over the past fourteen weeks, over 1,500 brand leaders and Entrepreneurs have taken the Master Course! Unleash your potential as a brand leader and take the Master Course.
Sign up for the Visionary Brand Course, and get a FREE hardcopy edition of The Visionary Brand and a “Be Visionary” coffee mug!
----more----
LIQUIDMIND
Bryan oversees LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that partners with start-ups and establishes mid to large-cap consumer brands to empower businesses to think differently, be different, drive a passionate culture, and execute relentlessly.
You can contact or follow him at;
email | bryan@LiquidMindsite.com
Facebook | @bryansmeltzer33
Instagram | @bryan_smeltzer
X| @bryansmeltzer
LinkedIn | linkedin.com/in/bryansmeltzer/
CHRONICLE: May 16th, 2024
EPISODE 155
Leadership Trust | How to Build Trust in Yourself & Your Team through Difficulties"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." – Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)
Everyone faces adversity. Having Faith and building Trust is at the core of many of the greatest generational, visionary leaders. Being or becoming a Visionary leader can be a lonely Journey. This Journey will provide many valleys and mountain experiences. In The Visionary Chronicles, I wanted to give a platform for professional success and personal support.
As an Entrepreneur or a Visionary leader, you take on the roles of the Visionary, a passionate believer, and ongoing support provider. Each role takes a toll on you professionally and personally, during good times and, most importantly, during difficult times. These are the days when the Journey becomes the hardest, and few can navigate successfully. Those who build Trust create a legacy, and those who do not lose Integrity, Trust, and the Passion for executing the Vision.
Most podcasts discuss leadership styles or principles, but few discuss the long-term benefit of building Trust for themselves and with their team.
Building Trust with yourself and team becomes even more crucial for effective leadership during difficult times.
Transparent Communication | Be open and honest about the team's challenges and potential organizational impact. Share information transparently, including successes and setbacks, to maintain Trust and credibility.
Proactive Listening | Take the time to listen to team members' concerns, ideas, and feedback. Demonstrate empathy and understanding, validating their feelings and experiences.
Lead with Integrity | Model integrity and ethical behavior in all actions and decisions.
Stay true to your values and principles, even in adversity, to build Trust and respect.
Provide Clarity and Direction | Offer clear direction and guidance to the team, outlining priorities and expectations during challenging times. Communicate a compelling vision for the future to inspire confidence and commitment.
Empower and Support | Empower team members by delegating authority and providing them with the resources and support they need to succeed. Offer encouragement and reassurance, showing confidence in their abilities to overcome challenges.
Celebrate ALL Wins | Acknowledge and celebrate small victories and milestones, no matter how insignificant they seem. This boosts morale and reinforces a sense of progress and accomplishment, even in difficult times.
Maintain Stability and Consistency | Provide stability and consistency in leadership during turbulent times. Avoid making sudden changes or knee-jerk reactions that could undermine Trust and confidence.
Build Resilience | Foster a culture of resilience by emphasizing adaptability, perseverance, and a growth mindset. Encourage team members to learn from setbacks and challenges, using them as personal and professional development opportunities.
Demonstrate Faith and Optimism | Express Faith and optimism in the team's ability to overcome obstacles and emerge stronger from adversity. Share stories of past successes and remind the team of their collective strength and ongoing resilience.
Lead with Vulnerability and Authenticity | During challenging periods, leaders should be transparent about the situation and their doubts or uncertainties. Admitting they don't have all the answers and being open about struggles builds Trust through authenticity. This authenticity can foster deeper connections and Trust among team members.
Communicate Frequently and Honestly | Trust is built through clear, consistent communication. Leaders should provide regular updates, even when the news is uncompromising. Being upfront about setbacks and changes preserves trustworthiness.
Remain Steady and Resilient | When things get complicated, Teams look to leaders as pillars of strength and perseverance. Remaining calm, focused, and resilient in the face of obstacles cultivates Trust in the leader's ability to navigate the crisis.
Uphold Foundational Principles | Sticking to your foundational principles, especially when tough choices arise, demonstrates integrity that nurtures self-trust and team trust. Leaders must "walk the talk" consistently.
Remain Accountable | Take responsibility for mistakes, follow through on commitments, and hold the team accountable, too. Practicing accountability nurtures trustworthiness.
By implementing these strategies, leaders can foster trust between themselves and their team, even during the most challenging times, laying the foundation for continued collaboration, innovation, and success.
By integrating these principles into their daily life and leadership practices, business leaders can create a positive and impactful work environment where Faith, integrity, and compassion are central to organizational culture and success.Top of Form
Stay True, Stay Authentic, be Different, and be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
Bryan Smeltzer, President
LiquidMind Inc.
#TheVisionaryChroniclesPodcast
#TheVisionaryBrandBook
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
© All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2024
----more----
BRYAN SMELTZER
Bryan Smeltzer is a consumer products business executive and entrepreneur. He has held executive-level roles in business development, Product, and marketing with some of the world's most prestigious brands, including; Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, and Schutt Sports, among other international brands. He also founded a men’s apparel brand, successfully running a profitable business for ten years, eventually selling to a VC firm.
----more----
THE VISIONARY CHRONICLES
He also hosts a Podcast called The Visionary Chronicles, ranked as the #1 Visionary and Top 50 Marketing Podcasts by Feedspot, and recently finished his first bestselling book, The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands, and recently received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for BEST Non-fiction, Marketing Genre book.
----more----
MENTORSHIP | BOARD MEMBERSHIP
He is also a member of the Board of Advisors at UCI’s BCIE along with their New Venture Program, an Innovation Advisor at the UCI’s Applied Innovation program at the Cove, a Mentor/Advisor to UCLA’s Price Center Venture Accelerator Program, and a Mentor/Advisor at the San Diego Sports Innovators Accelerator (SDSI) center.
----more----
LIQUIDMIND
Bryan oversees LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that partners with start-ups and established mid to large-cap consumer brands to empower businesses to think differently, be different, drive a passionate culture, and execute relentlessly.
You can contact or follow him at;
emial | bryan@LiquidMindsite.com
Facebook | @bryansmeltzer33
Instagram | @bryan_smeltzer
X| @bryansmeltzer
LinkedIn | linkedin.com/in/bryansmeltzer/
EPISODE 152
CHRONICLE: May 7th, 2024
Content from Bryan’s new Award Winning, Bestselling Book
The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World's Most Visionary Brands* Readers Favorite Award Winner: Best, Non-fiction, Marketing book * Amazon Bestseller.
The Visionary Brand | The FUEL | How to Create A Visionary Marketing Strategy" In a crowded marketplace, fitting in is a failure. In a busy marketplace, not standing out is the same as being invisible.” – Seth Godin
The FUEL drives great brands to market aspirational products, create and grow an authentic culture, and further solidify their premium positioning.
The synergy realized through the power triad flow (Product, Marketing, and sales) concludes in a successful product launch and broad acceptance by your core consumer. The FUEL you inject into the brand takes the form of visionary marketing across all levels of your brand communications and consumer engagements, both visually and verbally. Ignite it inside your brand; you will feel it across your entire organization and community. The motivation and enthusiasm for your brand’s foundational principles keep your customers coming back and your team passionately driving your future.
FUEL, the marketing strategy that drives your brand, has become one of the most important components to successfully gaining market share and building brand equity. While the continual progression of digital marketing engagement across advertising platforms (social, digital, sponsorships, etc.) has increased, the timeframe in which you can impact your customer has steadily decreased. This provides a challenging backdrop for brands looking to move out of the noise and into their own quiet space. They need to find a way to connect quickly through aspirational messaging with authentic products.
Fuel runs out if you don’t top it off now and then. Your destiny is yours, so you must ensure it is carefully managed. This comes in the form of consistently reiterating your commitment to your ongoing foundational principles—why you exist. Visionary brands constantly inject this way into their brand in all areas, both inside and outside the company.
Jim Jannard, the Visionary founder of Oakley, always made a point of “re-energizing” the team, never letting us forget what we stood for as a brand. He would give inspirational speeches that built a passion for the brand and pride in being a part of its ongoing success. By injecting this brand inspiration into Oakley through visual (posters, videos, sponsorships) and verbal communications daily, Jim provided a great working experience and fostered pride in what we achieved. Again, as with any messaging, this was reinforced with more than just words; there was also plenty of visual messaging throughout HQ that served as a continual reminder of the dedication of the brand and the founder himself.
The Bloodline | Disruptive by Design | The Injection
Oakley was a brand that embraced disruption, not just with products but in everything we did each day. Whether in products, processes, marketing, engagement, or just being different from the rest, we succeeded where others failed, and this fuel drove us to achieve global market share, a dominating product category share, and revenue in excess of $1 billion.
Having visionary leaders who inspire the masses from the top down drives a passion for the brand and loyalty to its foundation. The brand leader supplies the fuel.
And just what does it look like to add that fuel to your brand? How does a visionary brand define, create, and grow through its messaging and positioning? Regardless of the product, visionary brands can inject inspirational and aspirational lifestyle messaging for their consumers, creating a strong connection point in their daily lives. This connection point eventually turns into your community, where your customers’ loyalty to your brand starts. In our new dynamic, digital age this may be where the relationship starts, but can usually end there as well. If you break trust, confuse your messaging, or disconnect with your core, this is a slow leak that can quickly become a gaping hole, flushing all the great work out with it.
The idea of inspiring your consumers to achieve more through your products or technology is where visionary brands build a dedicated consumer following. In this age of digital destruction for brick-and-mortar retail, creating, engaging with, and activating a base of followers (in other words, the ability to fuel your community) is integral to long-term success and viability. Inspire your customers to follow an aspirational lifestyle with your brand and no other company will be able to replicate it.
“The most important thing is to try and inspire people so that they can be great in whatever they want to do.” – Kobe Bryant
You will find that many diversified brands have aspirations as a cornerstone to their ongoing success: Nike, adidas, Ralph Lauren, and more. However, you cannot be a premium brand unless you have defined your aspirational positioning and can consistently deliver this message and value proposition to your target consumer. Fortunately, this can come about organically through staying true to your foundational principles and living up to them authentically through your brand’s culture—if you know who you are, there’s no need to fake it.
In creating their inspirational marketing campaign, “Just Do It,” Nike inspired the masses. The intent behind the campaign was to inspire individuals to achieve aspirational goals, with the product being the mechanism to assist them in achieving the goal. This was a brilliant campaign, as it was the first of its kind to drive messaging beyond product to a desired lifestyle. This would turn out to be a generational campaign. It was timeless and not specific to a sport, gender, or race. “Just Do It” was a campaign to get people active, engaged, and off the couch.
This is how you add Fuel to drive a brand—not through products but through messaging to your loyal community to let them know that the brand is here to help them achieve their goals. Brand, product, positioning, and engagement are key pieces of the puzzle to achieving visionary marketing, and together, they add to your brand’s fuel.
Stay True, Stay Authentic, be Different, and be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
Bryan Smeltzer, President
LiquidMind Inc.
#TheVisionaryChroniclesPodcast
#TheVisionaryBrandBook
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
© All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2024
----more----
BRYAN SMELTZER
Bryan Smeltzer is a consumer products business executive and entrepreneur. He has held executive-level roles in business development, Product, and marketing with some of the world's most prestigious brands, including Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, and Schutt Sports, among other international brands. He also founded a men’s apparel brand, successfully running a profitable business for ten years, eventually selling to a VC firm.
----more----
He also hosts a Podcast called The Visionary Chronicles, ranked as the #1 Visionary and Top 50 Marketing Podcasts by Feedspot for 2022 & 2023, and recently finished his first bestselling book, The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands, and recently received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for BEST Non-fiction, Marketing Genre book.
SUBSCRIBE to the Visionary Chronicles Podcast!
Just click the FOLLOW button, and you're in!
SUBSCRIBE to the Visionary Chronicles Podcast, and get a FREE e-book edition of The Visionary Brand!
Go to the link below, select Review, and send a screenshot to bryan@liquidmindsite.com.
APPLE PODCAST
SPOTIFY
PODBEAN
IHEART
PANDORA
PODCHASER
----more----
With the book's release, Bryan created The Visionary Brand MasterCourse. The Master Course site at The VisionaryFiles.com includes a Master Course with 18 Video Learning segments and almost 2 hours of Visionary lessons training. Over the past eleven weeks, over 1,784 brand leaders and Entrepreneurs have taken the Master Course! Unleash your potential as a brand leader and take the Master Course.
Sign up for the Visionary Brand Course, and get a FREE hardcopy edition of The Visionary Brand and a “Be Visionary” coffee mug!
----more----
Bryan oversees LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that partners with start-ups and establishes mid to large-cap consumer brands to empower businesses to think differently, be different, drive a passionate culture, and execute relentlessly.
You can contact or follow him at;
email | bryan@LiquidMindsite.com
Facebook | @bryansmeltzer33
Instagram | @bryan_smeltzer
X | @bryansmeltzer
LinkedIN | linkedin.com/in/bryansmeltzer/
CHRONICLE: May 1st, 2024
EPISODE 151
AI Marketing Automation | How to Integrate AI into your Marketing Strategy“AI is a tool. The choice about how it gets deployed is ours.” – Oren Etzioni
Visionary brands deploy Artificial intelligence and automation to reshape their marketing strategies in today's digital landscape fundamentally. By harnessing the power of machine learning algorithms and advanced analytics, brands can now deliver unprecedented levels of personalization and relevance to their customers.
AI systems can analyze vast amounts of data, from browsing behaviors and purchase histories to demographics and contextual signals, to gain deep insights into individual preferences and journeys. With these insights, brands can adapt content, offers, and experiences with laser-sharp precision, resulting in improved engagement, loyalty, and conversions. Increasing conversion, and loyalty, customer lifetime value.
Also, AI-driven predictive models empower brands to proactively anticipate customer needs and interests, enabling precise demo targeting, engagement and message timing for maximum impact. This predictive capability extends to marketing with dynamic creative campaigns. AI can automatically generate and test countless variations of ad creatives, copy, and visuals, identifying the top-performing assets for specific audience segments in real time.
Conversational marketing, managed by natural language processing (NLP) technology, is another area where AI revolutionizes brand-customer interactions. Chatbots and virtual assistants can engage in personalized conversations, provide recommendations, and even complete transactions, offering seamless, round-the-clock support and engagement at scale.
With AI, automation streamlines numerous marketing processes, from social media management and programmatic ad buying to email campaigns and lead nurturing. This increased efficiency allows marketing teams to focus on higher-value, strategic tasks while AI handles labor-intensive, data-driven operations.
As voice assistants gain traction, brands also leverage AI to optimize voice search strategies, create voice apps and skills, and deliver audio content and voice-based shopping experiences, catering to the shift towards conversational interfaces.
While the potential of AI and automation in marketing is immense, brands must strike a balance between leveraging these technologies and maintaining human oversight for strategic decision-making. However, the ability to operate with enhanced speed, relevance, and efficiency while providing AI-powered, data-driven customer experiences at scale is rapidly becoming a competitive necessity in today's dynamic marketing landscape.
AI and automation are transforming marketing in several key ways:
The key benefits are scalable personalization, increased efficiency through automation, enhanced customer experiences, and data-driven decision-making. However, challenges exist around data quality, algorithm bias, privacy concerns, and humans keeping control over automated systems.
Stay True, Stay Authentic, be Different, and be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
Bryan Smeltzer, President
LiquidMind Inc.
#TheVisionaryChroniclesPodcast
#TheVisionaryBrandBook
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
© All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2024
----more----
BRYAN SMELTZER
Bryan Smeltzer is a consumer products business executive and entrepreneur. He has held executive-level roles in business development, Product, and marketing with some of the world's most prestigious brands, including; Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, and Schutt Sports, among other international brands. He also founded a men’s apparel brand, successfully running a profitable business for ten years, eventually selling to a VC firm.
THE VISIONARY CHRONICLES
He also hosts a Podcast called The Visionary Chronicles, ranked as the #1 Visionary and Top 50 Marketing Podcasts by Feedspot, and recently finished his first bestselling book, The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands, and recently received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for BEST Non-fiction, Marketing Genre book.
MENTORSHIP | BOARD MEMBERSHIP
He is also a member of the Board of Advisors at UCI’s BCIE along with their New Venture Program, an Innovation Advisor at the UCI’s Applied Innovation program at the Cove, a Mentor/Advisor to UCLA’s Price Center Venture Accelerator Program, and a Mentor/Advisor at the San Diego Sports Innovators Accelerator (SDSI) center.
LIQUIDMIND
Bryan oversees LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that partners with start-ups and established mid to large-cap consumer brands to empower businesses to think differently, be different, drive a passionate culture, and execute relentlessly.
You can contact or follow him at;
email | bryan@LiquidMindsite.com
Facebook | @bryansmeltzer33
Instagram | @bryan_smeltzer
X | @bryansmeltzer
LinkedIn | linkedin.com/in/bryansmeltzer/
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast was ranked the #1 Global Visionary Podcast & Top 50 Marketing podcast by Feedspot in 2022 & 2023.
EPISODE 151
CHRONICLE: April 24th, 2024
Visionary Branding | How to Build a Brand Vision “THINK DIFFERENT” – Steve Jobs
Think Different, simple, but sophisticated, just like Steve wanted it to be. Not all brand Visions can be as sophisticated, yet having a Vision is critical to your success as a company. Establishing a Vision is one of, if not the most important, things you will do when starting your company. It sets the tone, the culture, the long-term goals, and what you want to accomplish. This is a lot to accomplish, but it must be succinct, and bringing it down to a few simple words will be your most challenging task.
Along with Steve’s Vision, think of other brands, BMW and “The Ultimate Driving Machine.”
Setting a Vision for your brand is crucial in defining its purpose, direction, and long-term goals. A well-crafted Vision statement helps guide your company's decisions, actions, and strategies. Here's an 11-point step-by-step guide on how to set a Vision for your brand:
Remember that a well-crafted Vision is not just a statement on paper; it's a guiding force that influences your brand's culture, strategies, and actions. It should resonate with everyone associated with the brand and inspire them to work together toward a common purpose.
Stay True, Stay Authentic, be Different, and be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
Bryan Smeltzer, President
LiquidMind Inc.
#TheVisionaryChroniclesPodcast
#TheVisionaryBrandBook
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
© All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2024
----more----
BRYAN SMELTZER
Bryan Smeltzer is a consumer products business executive and entrepreneur. He has held executive-level roles in business development, Product, and marketing with some of the world's most prestigious brands, including; Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, and Schutt Sports, among other international brands. He also founded a men’s apparel brand, successfully running a profitable business for ten years, eventually selling to a VC firm.
THE VISIONARY CHRONICLES
He also hosts a Podcast called The Visionary Chronicles, ranked as the #1 Visionary and Top 50 Marketing Podcasts by Feedspot, and recently finished his first bestselling book, The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands, and recently received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for BEST Non-fiction, Marketing Genre book.
MENTORSHIP | BOARD MEMBERSHIP
He is also a member of the Board of Advisors at UCI’s BCIE along with their New Venture Program, an Innovation Advisor at the UCI’s Applied Innovation program at the Cove, a Mentor/Advisor to UCLA’s Price Center Venture Accelerator Program, and a Mentor/Advisor at the San Diego Sports Innovators Accelerator (SDSI) center.
LIQUIDMIND
Bryan oversees LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that partners with start-ups and established mid to large-cap consumer brands to empower businesses to think differently, be different, drive a passionate culture, and execute relentlessly.
You can contact or follow him at;
email | bryan@LiquidMindsite.com
Facebook | @bryansmeltzer33
Instagram | @bryan_smeltzer
X | @bryansmeltzer
LinkedIn | linkedin.com/in/bryansmeltzer/
EPISODE 149
CHRONICLE: April 11th, 2024
Content from Bryan’s new Award Winning, Bestselling Book
The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World's Most Visionary Brands.
The Visionary Brand | Creating A Brand Ecosystem | How to Create Brand Stickiness"Brand is just a perception, and perception will match reality over time. Sometimes it will be ahead, other times it will be behind. But brand is simply a collective impression some have about a product.” – Elon Musk
What is STICKINESS?
How about a definition?
Stickiness is a term utilized by brands looking to create an ecosystem. At the core of their vision is creating a product or service that serves as a “hub” to the tentacles called an ecosystem.
These tentacles are what Apple has built over time, allowing it to continue building out additional services or interconnected products that serve a specific purpose for maximizing the use of its suite of products or services. It is a brilliant strategy but extremely hard to achieve sustainably over generations.
The platform is built first on a product that provides immediate and desirable value. This “core” product becomes the centerpiece for creating loyalty to the brand through a customer's realized value through use. Once the core has been developed, the tentacles can be bolted on, each an additive value to the core. I say “additive value” by design, as many brands that have failed to build a true ecosystem do not account for community or customer value. Instead, they look at increment income. Value degrades if the add-on is too expensive relative to value, is not a seamless integration, or is overly cumbersome, and the user experience (UX) is unfavorable.
Creating stickiness through developing a product or service ecosystem involves building a comprehensive and interconnected set of products, services, and experiences that cater to the needs and preferences of a brand’s community and customers.
Having worked with global brands through LiquidMind, where some have “stickiness,” and others are looking to create this, the following are some strategies we deploy with these brands relative to where they are in this Journey:
Interconnected Products and Services | Brands develop a range of products and services that complement each other and create a seamless user experience. For example, a technology company might offer a suite of devices (e.g., smartphones, tablets, laptops) that work together seamlessly, along with cloud services for data synchronization.
Cross-Platform Integration | Brands integrate their products and services across multiple platforms to provide a consistent user experience. This could involve ensuring compatibility between mobile apps, web services, and physical products, allowing users to transition effortlessly between different platforms or services.
Ecosystem Lock-In | Brands incentivize customers to stay within their ecosystem by offering exclusive features, content, or discounts. For example, a streaming service might provide original content only available to subscribers, encouraging users to remain loyal to the platform.
Data Sharing and Personalization | Brands collect data on user preferences and behaviors across their ecosystem to personalize the user experience. By leveraging insights from user data, brands can offer tailored recommendations, content, and services that enhance stickiness and customer satisfaction.
Community and Social Engagement | Brands foster a sense of community and social engagement within their ecosystem by providing forums, social media platforms, and other channels for users to connect. By building a community around their products and services, brands encourage user loyalty and advocacy.
Continuous Innovation | Brands innovate and iterate on their products and services to keep users engaged and excited. This could involve releasing regular updates, introducing new features, or expanding into new product categories to meet evolving customer needs.
Partnerships and Integrations | Brands form partnerships and integrations with other companies and platforms to extend the reach and functionality of their ecosystem. This could involve integrating with popular third-party services or collaborating with complementary brands to offer bundled products or services.
Overall, creating stickiness through a product ecosystem requires a combination of seamless integration, personalized experiences, community engagement, and continuous innovation to keep users engaged and loyal over the long term.
Stay True, Stay Authentic, be Different, and be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
Bryan Smeltzer, President
LiquidMind Inc.
#TheVisionaryChroniclesPodcast
#TheVisionaryBrandBook
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
© All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2024
----more----
Bryan Smeltzer
Bryan Smeltzer is a consumer products business executive and entrepreneur. He has held executive-level roles in business development, Product, and marketing with some of the world's most prestigious brands, including Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, and Schutt Sports, among other international brands. He also founded a men’s apparel brand, successfully running a profitable business for ten years, eventually selling to a VC firm.
He also hosts a Podcast called The Visionary Chronicles, ranked as the #1 Visionary and Top 50 Marketing Podcasts by Feedspot for 2022 & 2023, and recently finished his first bestselling book, The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands, and recently received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for BEST Non-fiction, Marketing Genre book.
SUBSCRIBE to the Visionary Chronicles Podcast!
Just click the FOLLOW button, and you're in!
SUBSCRIBE to the Visionary Chronicles Podcast, and get a FREE e-book edition of The Visionary Brand!
Go to the link below, select Review, and send a screenshot to bryan@liquidmindsite.com.
APPLE PODCAST
SPOTIFY
PODBEAN
The Visionary Brand MasterCourse
With the book's release, Bryan created The Visionary Brand MasterCourse. The Master Course site at TheVisionaryFiles.com includes 18 Video Learning segments and almost 2 hours of Visionary lesson training. Over the past eleven weeks, over 1,784 brand leaders and Entrepreneurs have taken the Master Course! Unleash your potential as a brand leader and take the Master Course.
Sign up for the Visionary Brand Course, and get a FREE hardcopy edition of The Visionary Brand and a “Be Visionary” coffee mug!
Bryan oversees LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that partners with start-ups and establishes mid to large-cap consumer brands to empower businesses to think differently, be different, drive a passionate culture, and execute relentlessly.
You can contact or follow him at;
email | bryan@LiquidMindsite.com
Facebook | @bryansmeltzer33
Instagram | @bryan_smeltzer
X | @bryansmeltzer
LinkedIn | linkedin.com/in/bryansmeltzer/
EPISODE 150
CHRONICLE: April 5th, 2024
The DNA of A Visionary Leader | How to Become Visionary“The Visionary starts with a clean sheet of paper and re-imagines the world.” – Malcolm Gladwell
With the release of The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind The World’s Most Visionary Brands, I often asked, “What is the makeup of a Visionary Leader?”. The question is often asked, and the answer is seldom achieved.
In today’s Podcast, I felt it would be beneficial to discuss the makeup or DNA of Visionary Leaders and some traits that hold leaders back from becoming visionary.
The DNA makeup of a generational visionary leader is a combination of inherent traits, learned skills, and experiences that enable them to inspire and guide others toward a compelling vision of the future. While there isn't a single formula that defines every visionary leader, there are several characteristics commonly associated with them:
Clear Vision | Visionary leaders have a clear and compelling vision of the future that inspires and motivates others. They can articulate this vision in a way that resonates with people and provides direction for their actions.
Innovative Thinking | Visionary leaders are often creative thinkers willing to challenge the status quo and explore new ideas and approaches. They are fearless in taking risks and experimenting with unconventional solutions to complex problems.
Strategic Thinking | Visionary leaders have a strategic mindset and can see the big picture while understanding the details. They can develop long-term plans and strategies to achieve their vision, and they are adept at adapting to changing circumstances.
Empathy and Emotional Intelligence | Visionary leaders understand the needs, motivations, and emotions of others. They are empathetic listeners who can connect with people personally and build strong relationships based on trust and mutual respect.
Courage and Resilience | Visionary leaders demonstrate courage and resilience in facing challenges and setbacks. They are not deterred by failure or criticism but instead use setbacks as opportunities for growth and learning.
Charisma and Influence | Visionary leaders often possess charisma and the ability to inspire and influence others through their words and actions. They have a magnetic presence that draws people to them and makes them effective communicators and persuaders.
Adaptability and Learning Agility | Visionary leaders are adaptable and open to learning new skills and perspectives. They are willing to change course if necessary and continuously seek opportunities for growth and development.
Ethical and Values-Driven | Visionary leaders operate with integrity and are guided by strong ethical values. They prioritize the greater good over personal gain and strive to positively impact the world.
While not every visionary leader will possess all of these traits to the same degree, they typically exhibit a combination of these qualities that enable them to effectively lead and inspire others toward a shared vision of the future.
The following are some common traits that hold leaders back from becoming Visionary.
These traits often hinder their ability to think innovatively, set a compelling vision, and inspire others to follow. Some of these traits include:
Short-Term Focus | Leaders overly focused on short-term results or immediate challenges may struggle to think strategically and envision the future. They may prioritize quick fixes over long-term solutions, preventing them from developing a visionary outlook.
Resistance to Change | Leaders who are resistant to change or overly attached to the status quo may struggle to embrace new ideas and innovations. They may be reluctant to challenge existing norms or explore alternative approaches, limiting their ability to envision a different future.
Micromanagement | Leaders who micromanage their teams and need control may stifle creativity and innovation. They may struggle to delegate tasks or empower others to take ownership of projects, hindering the emergence of new ideas and perspectives.
Lack of Empathy | Leaders who lack empathy or emotional intelligence may struggle to understand the needs and motivations of others. They may have difficulty connecting with their team members personally and inspiring them to work toward a shared vision.
Fear of Failure | Leaders who are afraid of failure or overly risk-averse may avoid taking bold initiatives or pursuing ambitious goals. They may prioritize safety and stability over innovation and experimentation, limiting their ability to envision and pursue visionary ideas.
Narrow-Mindedness | Leaders who are narrow-minded or closed off to diverse perspectives may struggle to think creatively and envision alternative futures. They may resist input from others or dismiss ideas that challenge their beliefs, limiting their ability to develop a visionary outlook.
Ego and Arrogance | Leaders who are driven by ego or arrogance may prioritize their interests and agendas over the needs of their team or organization. They may be more concerned with maintaining their status and power than setting a compelling vision and inspiring others to achieve it.
Lack of Strategic Thinking | Leaders who lack strategic thinking skills may struggle to develop a clear and coherent vision for the future. They may focus on day-to-day operations or tactical issues without considering the broader context or long-term implications, hindering their ability to become visionary leaders.
By recognizing and addressing these traits, leaders can cultivate a more visionary mindset and unlock their potential to inspire others and drive meaningful change.
At LiquidMind (LiquidMindsite.com), we work with our brands to set a cohesive marketing strategy, activation plan, ongoing investment analysis, and brand equity development and growth.
Stay True, Stay Authentic, be Different, and be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
Bryan Smeltzer, President
LiquidMind Inc.
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
© All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2024
Bryan Smeltzer is a consumer products business executive and entrepreneur. He has held executive-level roles in business development, Product, and marketing with some of the world's most prestigious brands, including Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, and Schutt Sports, among other international brands. He also founded a men’s apparel brand, successfully running a profitable business for ten years, eventually selling to a VC firm.
The Visionary Chronicles PodcastHe also hosts a Podcast called The Visionary Chronicles, ranked as the #1 Visionary and Top 50 Marketing Podcasts by Feedspot for 2022 & 2023, and recently finished his first bestselling book, The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands, and recently received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for BEST Non-fiction, Marketing Genre book.
The Visionary FilesWith the book's release, Bryan created The Visionary Brand MasterCourse. The Master Course site at The VisionaryFiles.com includes a Master Course with 18 Video Learning segments and almost 2 hours of Visionary lessons training. Over the past five weeks, over 1,500 brand brands and Entrepreneurs have taken the Master Course! Unleash your potential as a brand leader and take the Master Course.
He is also a member of the Board of Advisors at UCI’s BCIE along with their New Venture Program, an Innovation Advisor at the UCI’s Applied Innovation program at the Cove, a Mentor/Advisor to UCLA’s Price Center Venture Accelerator Program, and a Mentor/Advisor at the San Diego Sports Innovators Accelerator (SDSI) center.
LiquidMindBryan oversees LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that partners with start-ups and establishes mid to large-cap consumer brands to empower businesses to think differently, be different, drive a passionate culture, and execute relentlessly.
You can contact or follow him at;
email | bryan@LiquidMindsite.com
Facebook | @bryansmeltzer33
Instagram | @bryan_smeltzer
X | @bryansmeltzer
LinkedIn | linkedin.com/in/bryansmeltzer/
EPISODE 148
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast
CHRONICLE: March 26th, 2024
Brand Marketing Metrics | Create a Strategy for SuccessBrand Marketing Metrics matter and are essential to defining brand ROI. They establish marketing discipline, decision-making, investment analysis, assessing the effectiveness of critical activities, and validating how business outcomes are achieved.
It is how we determine, assess, and manage these metrics to build an effective marketing strategy that provides tangible brand equity benefits and a realized ROI.
The first step in building your Roadmap is determining the most critical data points to construct an analysis of brand investment value.
Metric Data Point Analysis
The Roadmap to the Value of Defining Marketing Metrics:
You must initial the analysis with metrics that track marketing investment performance, such as promos. Then, determine and measure the outcome and compare it to the expectations, such as;
The most common marketing ROI formulas are;
TOTAL: Marketing Return on Investment
FUNNEL: Marketing Return on Investment (LiquidMind action sports customer example)
The campaign cost ($30,000) generates 6,000 views of the video. Historical tracking projects 12 of the viewers will become qualified leads within 6 weeks, and 10 % will convert to revenue within 6-9 months = 72 sales. At a profit of $500/sale = $36,000 in revenue.
CUSTOMER EQUITY: Marketing Return on Investment (LiquidMind banking customer example)
Customer retention/attrition valuation; 10,000 customers, @ $2,000 annual profit/customer. The current attrition rate = 20%, invest $4M, and the goal is to reduce it to 17%.
Before; 10,000 * $2,000/20% - $100M
After; 10,000 * $2,000/17% = $117M
Customer Equity MROI; $17.6M (increase) - $4M(marketing)/$4M (marketing) = 340% MROI
These marketing metrics need to be combined with other metrics. Still, the most important ones are revenue growth, which realizes a tangible ROI, and customer satisfaction through the Net Promoter Score. The marketing team can measure the Value of brands equity value growth through other more intangible metrics such as;
In looking at brand marketing metrics, a recent study of CMOs in 2021 found the following are the most important for determining ROI.
As you can see, marketing metrics are important, but determining tangible benefits is paramount.
At LiquidMind (LiquidMindsite.com), we work with our brands to set a cohesive marketing strategy, activation plan, ongoing investment analysis, and brand equity development and growth determination.
Stay True, Stay Authentic, be Different, and be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
Bryan Smeltzer, President
LiquidMind Inc.
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
© All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2024
----more----
Bryan is a consumer products business executive and entrepreneur. He has held executive-level roles in business development, product, and marketing with some of the world's most prestigious brands, . He also founded a men's apparel brand, successfully running a profitable business for ten years, eventually selling to a VC firm.
Bryan hosts The Visionary Chronicles.
The Visionary Chronicles podcast is the #1 Global Visionary podcast and Top 50 Marketing podcast for 2022, 2023 & 2024, ranked by Feedspot.
In addition, he recently finished his first bestselling book, The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World's Most Visionary Brands. He received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for BEST Non-fiction, Marketing Genre book.
He is a member of the Board of Advisors at UCI's BCIE along with their New Venture Program, an Innovation Advisor at the UCI's Applied Innovation program at the Cove, a Mentor/Advisor to UCLA's Price Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation, and the UCLA Media, Entertainment and Sports programs, and the San Diego Sports Innovators Accelerator (SDSI) center.
Bryan oversees LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that partners with start-ups and established mid to large-cap consumer brands to empower businesses to think differently, be different, drive a passionate culture, and execute relentlessly.
email | bryan@LiquidMindsite.com
Facebook | @bryansmeltzer33
Instgram | @bryan_smeltzer
X | @bryansmeltzer
LinkedIn | linkedin.com/in/bryansmeltzer/
EPISODE 145
CHRONICLE: March 15th, 2024
Content from Bryan’s new Award Winning, Bestselling Book
The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World's Most Visionary Brands.
The Visionary Brand | Take Risks | How to Succeed through Risk Taking
"A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new.” – Albert Einstein
Risk is a part of a Visionary brand’s DNA; it is who they are and what they do. They consistently create, authentically build and continually disrupt. Nothing great was ever achieved without first embracing Risk.
Commodity companies avoid Risk at all costs, and authentic, visionary brands embrace it. The risk culture creates loyalty throughout the entire brand, creating an aspirational culture of which their community wants to be a part and an inspirational environment for their team to stay loyal for the long term.
Fail fast, fail often…
In creating a culture that embraces Risk and knowing this is the path to generational success, the by-product is LOYALTY, the lifeblood of all brands. Loyalty is connected to customer lifetime value (CLV) and reduced team turnover. Having been part of these culture-driven, risk-taking brands, they acquired, retained, and maintained the best talent on the planet. They knew by creating and sustaining this culture, they would surpass any competitor and drive a passion deep into the bloodline of everyone inside the brand.
Clearly, with this type of culture, a balance has to be struck between disruption, commercial viability, and the brand’s foundational values. Always lead, always be ‘’best in class”. In striking this balance, in being the leader, does this product “drive the market,” or is it “driven by the market?” This is a critical question all visionary brands must ask: What is the difference between being an innovator and an imitator?
“Safe is Risky.” – Seth Godin
Now that we set the expectation of why risk-taking is so foundational to a brand's success, what are some other principles engrained into all Visionary brands?
Don’t Play it Safe | Always have a Vision of what you “want” to be, not what you “have” to be.
Experiment | Edison would not have invented the lightbulb without this mindset.
Break Things, Embrace Creative Destruction | Break the “status quo,” always ask “Why”?
Never Give Up | Edison would not have created anything without this principle.
Don’t’ Bloody the Water | Stay out of shark-infested waters; find your blue water through disruption.
Always “Think Outside the Box” | Find a new way and adaptable products or technologies.
Visionary brands find ways to disrupt the status quo. Building an innovation pipeline of products, processes, or services allows a brand to surf the supply and demand chain. These brands constantly look for ways to “revolutionize” and evolve.
The ability to anticipate what your consumers need is a visionary gift few possess and why so many companies cannot survive.
There is no guarantee of success. However, risk-taking, not risk avoidance, is the proven path to sustaining long-term growth.
Stay true to yourself, embrace Risk, and create the future!
Stay True, Stay Authentic, be Different, and be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
Bryan Smeltzer, President
LiquidMind Inc.
#TheVisionaryChroniclesPodcast
#TheVisionaryBrandBook
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
© All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2024
Bryan Smeltzer is a consumer products business executive and entrepreneur. He has held executive-level roles in business development, Product, and marketing with some of the world's most prestigious brands, including Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, and Schutt Sports, among other international brands. He also founded a men’s apparel brand, successfully running a profitable business for ten years, eventually selling to a VC firm.
He also hosts a Podcast called The Visionary Chronicles, ranked as the #1 Visionary and Top 50 Marketing Podcasts by Feedspot for 2022 & 2023, and recently finished his first bestselling book, The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands, and recently received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for BEST Non-fiction, Marketing Genre book.
SUBSCRIBE to the Visionary Chronicles Podcast!
Just click the FOLLOW button, and you're in!
SUBSCRIBE to the Visionary Chronicles Podcast, and get a FREE e-book edition of The Visionary Brand!
Go to the link below, select Review, and send a screenshot to bryan@liquidmindsite.com.
APPLE PODCAST
SPOTIFY
PODBEAN
With the book's release, Bryan created The Visionary Brand MasterCourse. The Master Course site at The VisionaryFiles.com includes a Master Course with 18 Video Learning segments and almost 2 hours of Visionary lessons training. Over the past eleven weeks, over 1,784 brand leaders and Entrepreneurs have taken the Master Course! Unleash your potential as a brand leader and take the Master Course.
Sign up for the Visionary Brand Course, and get a FREE hardcopy edition of The Visionary Brand and a “Be Visionary” coffee mug!
Bryan oversees LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that partners with start-ups and establishes mid to large-cap consumer brands to empower businesses to think differently, be different, drive a passionate culture, and execute relentlessly.
You can contact or follow him at;
email | bryan@LiquidMindsite.com
Facebook | @bryansmeltzer33
Instagram | @bryan_smeltzer
X @bryansmeltzer
LinkedIn | linkedin.com/in/bryansmeltzer/
EPISODE 146
CHRONICLE: March 7th , 2024
AI Brand Marketing | 5 Areas Marketing Leaders Can Utilize Artificial Intelligence
" The Visionary starts with a clean sheet of paper and re-imagines the world.”– Malcolm Gladwell
Artificial Intelligence is quickly becoming a competitive weapon that all leaders must understand, define, and integrate into their brands. In particular, marketing leaders can leverage artificial intelligence (AI) in various areas to drive revenue through global market share gains and crush their competitors.
With all the seemingly relentless information and data, I am offering five key areas where Generative Artificial Intelligence can have an impact on marketing leaders.
Individualized Marketing Campaigns | AI enables marketing leaders to create highly customized marketing campaigns tailored to individual customer preferences, behaviors, and demographics. By analyzing vast amounts of data, AI-powered tools can segment audiences more effectively, identify relevant content and messaging, and deliver targeted campaigns across multiple channels, increasing engagement and conversion rates.
Campaign Analytics | Marketing leaders can use AI-driven campaign predictive analytics to forecast future market trends, customer behavior, and campaign performance. By analyzing historical data and identifying patterns and correlations, AI algorithms can provide valuable insights that help marketing leaders make more informed decisions and allocate resources more effectively, enabling them to stay ahead of competitors and capitalize on emerging opportunities.
Content Optimization | AI-powered content optimization tools can help marketing leaders improve the quality and relevance of their content to better resonate with target audiences. Natural Language Processing (NLP) algorithms can analyze content performance metrics, customer feedback, and social media trends to identify topics, formats, and messaging, more effectively driving engagement and conversion, enabling marketing leaders to optimize their content strategy and gain a competitive edge.
Customer Lifestyle Experience | AI technologies such as chatbots and virtual assistants can enhance the customer experience by providing personalized and responsive support throughout the Buyer Journey. Marketing leaders can leverage AI-powered conversational interfaces to engage customers in real time, answer questions, provide recommendations, and resolve issues efficiently, improving customer satisfaction and loyalty while gaining market share.
Marketing Automation | Through AI-powered marketing automation platforms, Marketing leaders can streamline and automate various marketing processes. From lead generation and nurturing to email marketing and campaign management, AI-driven automation tools can help marketing leaders optimize workflows, increase productivity, and deliver more consistent and targeted messaging across channels, enabling them to scale their marketing efforts and capture a larger market share.
By leveraging AI in these critical areas, marketing leaders can gain a competitive advantage, drive growth, and expand their market share in an increasingly competitive and data-driven landscape.
Stay True, Stay Authentic, be Different, and be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
Bryan Smeltzer, President
LiquidMind Inc.
#TheVisionaryChroniclesPodcast
#TheVisionaryBrandBook
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
© All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2024
Bryan Smeltzer is a consumer products business executive and entrepreneur. He has held executive-level roles in business development, Product, and marketing with some of the world's most prestigious brands, including Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, and Schutt Sports, among other international brands. He also founded a men’s apparel brand, successfully running a profitable business for ten years, eventually selling to a VC firm.
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast
He also hosts a Podcast called The Visionary Chronicles, ranked as the #1 Visionary and Top 50 Marketing Podcasts by Feedspot for 2022 & 2023, and recently finished his first bestselling book, The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands, and recently received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for BEST Non-fiction, Marketing Genre book.
The Visionary Files
With the book's release, Bryan created The Visionary Brand MasterCourse. The Master Course site at The VisionaryFiles.com includes a Master Course with 18 Video Learning segments and almost 2 hours of Visionary lessons training. Over the past five weeks, over 1,500 brand brands and Entrepreneurs have taken the Master Course! Unleash your potential as a brand leader and take the Master Course.
He is also a member of the Board of Advisors at UCI’s BCIE along with their New Venture Program, an Innovation Advisor at the UCI’s Applied Innovation program at the Cove, a Mentor/Advisor to UCLA’s Price Center Venture Accelerator Program, and a Mentor/Advisor at the San Diego Sports Innovators Accelerator (SDSI) center.
LiquidMind
Bryan oversees LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that partners with start-ups and establishes mid to large-cap consumer brands to empower businesses to think differently, be different, drive a passionate culture, and execute relentlessly.
You can contact or follow him at;
email | bryan@LiquidMindsite.com
Facebook | @bryansmeltzer33
Instragram | @bryan_smeltzer
X | @bryansmeltzer
LinkedIn | linkedin.com/in/bryansmeltzer/
EPISODE 147
CHRONICLE: February 28th, 2024
8 Keys to Business Success | Key Areas to Succeeding in Your Business
"Success is not final, failure is not fatal, it is the courage to continue that counts.” – Winston Churchill
The ability to build a successful company/brand has several inherent traits. Each has proven itself throughout generations. Those who follow a path already created will find the road forward easier than those who choose to create a new one.
I have found, through having founded my brand and working side-by-side with executive teams from many global brands (Nike, Adidas, Puma. TaylorMade. etc.), each has followed these steps in one way or another. Following or eventually finding the path others have created was crucial for building a thriving business.
The following factors were integral pieces of the puzzle when looking at the path these brands followed.
"Before anything else, preparation is the key to success.…"
Alexander Graham Bell
With digital e-comm and consumer attention spans shorter and expectations higher, you need to follow these principles others have followed successfully.
Stay True, Stay Authentic, be Different, and be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
Bryan Smeltzer, President
LiquidMind Inc.
#TheVisionaryChroniclesPodcast
#TheVisionaryBrandBook
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
© All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2023
Bryan Smeltzer is a consumer products business executive and entrepreneur. He has held executive-level roles in business development, Product, and marketing with some of the world's most prestigious brands, including Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, and Schutt Sports, among other international brands. He also founded a men’s apparel brand, successfully running a profitable business for ten years, eventually selling to a VC firm.
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast
He also hosts a Podcast called The Visionary Chronicles, ranked as the #1 Visionary and Top 50 Marketing Podcasts by Feedspot for 2022 & 2023, and recently finished his first bestselling book, The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands, and recently received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for BEST Non-fiction, Marketing Genre book.
The Visionary Files
With the book's release, Bryan created The Visionary Brand MasterCourse. The Master Course site at The VisionaryFiles.com includes a Master Course with 18 Video Learning segments and almost 2 hours of Visionary lessons training. Over the past five weeks, over 1,500 brand brands and Entrepreneurs have taken the Master Course! Unleash your potential as a brand leader and take the Master Course.
He is also a member of the Board of Advisors at UCI’s BCIE along with their New Venture Program, an Innovation Advisor at the UCI’s Applied Innovation program at the Cove, a Mentor/Advisor to UCLA’s Price Center Venture Accelerator Program, and a Mentor/Advisor at the San Diego Sports Innovators Accelerator (SDSI) center.
LiquidMind
Bryan oversees LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that partners with start-ups and establishes mid to large-cap consumer brands to empower businesses to think differently, be different, drive a passionate culture, and execute relentlessly.
You can contact or follow him at;
email | bryan@LiquidMindsite.com
Facebook | @bryansmeltzer33
Instagram | @bryan_smeltzer
X | @bryansmeltzer
LinkedIn | linkedin.com/in/bryansmeltzer/
@ElonMusk,@GuyKawasaki,@TomPeters,@SethGodin
Bryan Smeltzer is a consumer products business executive and entrepreneur. He has held executive-level roles in business development, Product, and marketing with some of the world's most prestigious brands, including Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, and Schutt Sports, among other international brands. He also founded a men’s apparel brand, successfully running a profitable business for ten years, eventually selling to a VC firm.
The Visionary Chronicles PodcastHe also hosts a Podcast called The Visionary Chronicles, ranked as the #1 Visionary and Top 50 Marketing Podcasts by Feedspot for 2022 & 2023, and recently finished his first bestselling book, The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands, and recently received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for BEST Non-fiction, Marketing Genre book.
The Visionary FilesWith the book's release, Bryan created The Visionary Brand MasterCourse. The Master Course site at The VisionaryFiles.com includes a Master Course with 18 Video Learning segments and almost 2 hours of Visionary lessons training. Over the three months, over 1,860 brand brands and Entrepreneurs have taken the Master Course! Unleash your potential as a brand leader and take the Master Course.
LiquidMind
Bryan oversees LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that partners with start-ups and establishes mid to large-cap consumer brands to empower businesses to think differently, be different, drive a passionate culture, and execute relentlessly.
You can contact or follow him at.
bryan@LiquidMindsite.com
@bryansmeltzer33
@bryan_smeltzer
@bryansmeltzer
linkedin.com/in/bryansmeltzer/
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast was ranked the #1 Global Visionary Podcast & Top 50 Marketing podcast by Feedspot in 2022 & 2023.
@ElonMusk
@GuyKawasaki
@TomPeters
EPISODE 142
CHRONICLE: February 12th , 2024
Content from Bryan’s new Award Winning, Bestselling Book
The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World's Most Visionary Brands* Readers Favorite Award Winner: Best, Non-fiction, Marketing book * Amazon Bestseller.
The Visionary Brand | Successful Branding | The Brand Is The Product " Extinction is the rule. Survival is the exception." – Carl Sagan
Generational, Visionary leaders committed to building a brand know how to build an authentic culture first and create aspirational products that match the brand positioning.
This strategy is easier said than done, and brands that have survived and then thrived over the years are the ones who have mastered the commitment to building a brand strategy and staying the course regardless of the circumstances.
The best analogy I can use is when you are caught in a storm and have a set course; just because it is storming does not mean you redirect entirely. Instead, you pivot, but eventually, you are set back on course. There is a significant difference between changing a course and redirecting a course. Change, and you lose Direction; stay the course, and keep your Soul.
Brands who have built a culture around premium positioning know they are selling a lifestyle centered around a product that enhances this lifestyle by making it more accessible, more convenient, or efficient.
Building a culture allows you to define “who you are?” and “what you do?”. Once this is anchored with a brand through its Culture, it creates a lifeblood throughout the entire Brand and a commitment to being authentic. The Culture is the company, and the Product is the Brand, each unique and needed to build a generational brand.
If you look at examples of iconic, generational brands, you will find that the Culture builds the team, and the product drives their vision. Consumers do not get excited for the next great toaster, they get excited through the next disruptive product from a brand that has created a lifestyle enhancement expectation around the next generation of their products. The brand advocates expect greatness, and the early adopters line up to purchase their products.
To continually meet this expectation, these brands must have a passionate, insanely great product team, an amazing marketing team, and a sales team armed with the latest product innovations they can surf for generations.
The key to a Brand’s success is ensuring the product matches the vision!
Matching a product to a brand's vision involves aligning the product's attributes, features, and values with the generational goals and DNA of the Brand.
Here are key steps a brand can take to ensure that its products are in harmony with its vision:
Define the Brand Vision | Clearly articulate the Brand's vision, mission, and values. This serves as the foundation for all product development decisions.
Understand Target Audience | Gain a deep understanding of the target audience's needs, preferences, and values. Identify how the product can fulfill or enhance the lives of your community in line with the Brand's vision.
Product Pipeline Development | Ensure that the product planning process aligns with the Brand's vision and goals. Consider how the product fits into the overall brand portfolio and supports the Brand's foundational vision.
Consistent Design and Packaging | Design the product, its packaging, and labeling in a way that reflects the Brand's visual identity and design principles. Consistent design elements contribute to a cohesive premium brand image.
Quality and Performance | Maintain high-quality standards for the product to uphold the Brand's reputation. Ensure that the product's performance meets or exceeds customer expectations, reinforcing positive associations with the Brand.
Marketing | Develop marketing campaigns emphasizing how the product aligns with the Brand's vision and values. Communicate the unique selling propositions that differentiate the product within the market.
Storytelling | Integrate the product into the Brand's overall narrative and storytelling. Showcase how the product contributes to realizing the Brand's vision and mission.
Iteration | Collect feedback on market trends. Use insights to iterate on the product, ensuring it remains relevant to the Brand's vision and responsive to evolving consumer needs.
Long-Term Planning | Consider the product's long-term implications for the Brand's vision. Plan for product extensions or updates that support the Brand's overall strategic direction.
By integrating the Brand's vision into every aspect of the product creation and marketing processes, a brand can create a more cohesive and meaningful connection between its products and its vision. This alignment contributes to building brand loyalty and resonating with consumers who share similar values.
Stay True, Stay Authentic, be Different, and be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
Bryan Smeltzer, President
LiquidMind Inc.
#TheVisionaryChroniclesPodcast
#TheVisionaryBrandBook
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
© All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2024
Bryan Smeltzer is a consumer products business executive and entrepreneur. He has held executive-level roles in business development, Product, and marketing with some of the world's most prestigious brands, including Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, and Schutt Sports, among other international brands. He also founded a men’s apparel brand, successfully running a profitable business for ten years, eventually selling to a VC firm.
He also hosts a Podcast called The Visionary Chronicles, ranked as the #1 Visionary and Top 50 Marketing Podcasts by Feedspot for 2022 & 2023, and recently finished his first bestselling book, The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands, and recently received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for BEST Non-fiction, Marketing Genre book.
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With the book's release, Bryan created The Visionary Brand MasterCourse. The Master Course site at The VisionaryFiles.com includes a Master Course with 18 Video Learning segments and almost 2 hours of Visionary lessons training. Over the past eleven weeks, over 1,784 brand leaders and Entrepreneurs have taken the Master Course! Unleash your potential as a brand leader and take the Master Course.
Sign up for the Visionary Brand Course, and get a FREE hardcopy edition of , The Visionary Brand, and a “Be Visionary” coffee mug!
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The Visionary Brand hardcover book.
"Be Visionary" inspirational coffee mug.
Bryan oversees LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that partners with start-ups and establishes mid to large-cap consumer brands to empower businesses to think differently, be different, drive a passionate culture, and execute relentlessly.
You can contact or follow him at;
email | bryan@LiquidMindsite.com
Facebook | @bryansmeltzer33
Instagram | @bryan_smeltzer
X | @bryansmeltzer
LinkedIn | linkedin.com/in/bryansmeltzer/
EPISODE 143
CHRONICLE: February 5th, 2024
Generative Artificial Intelligence | How Can Visionary Brands Successfully Integrate AI
" Common sense is not so common.” – Voltaire
With all the madness around AI, having a clear, definitive plan in place is critical to long-term success; however, you must know the “Who?”, “What?”, “Why?, “When?” and “Where?” with your plan and execution. Before implementing, define the needs, determine resources, outline expectations, and determine the execution timeline.
Visionary brands can leverage Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance the brand lifecycle execution process from ideation and product creation, marketing execution, development, sourcing, and operations, and gain a competitive edge.
Here are some ways in which Generative AI can be utilized.
Product and Service Innovation | Use generative AI to brainstorm and generate ideas for new products and services. AI models can analyze market trends, consumer preferences, and industry data to suggest innovative concepts. This can accelerate the ideation process and lead to the development of more innovative products.
Content Creation | Deploy generative AI for content creation, including writing articles, generating marketing copy, or creating social media posts. Language models can assist in producing high-quality, engaging content, saving time and resources for the business.
Personalized Customer Experiences | Implement AI-driven personalization in customer interactions. Generative models can analyze customer data to create personalized recommendations, messages, and experiences, enhancing customer satisfaction and engagement.
Automated Customer Support | Integrate generative AI into customer support systems to provide automated responses to common queries. This improves customer service efficiency, allowing team members to focus on complex issues while AI handles routine inquiries.
Supply Chain Optimization | Use generative AI to optimize supply chain processes. Predictive modeling can help in demand forecasting, inventory management, and logistics optimization, ensuring a more efficient and cost-effective supply chain.
Decision Support | Leverage generative AI for decision support systems. These systems can analyze large datasets, market trends, and various factors to assist brands in making well-informed, data-driven decisions.
Design and Creativity | Apply generative AI in design processes for graphic design, product design, or architecture. AI can assist in generating creative ideas, designs, and prototypes, enhancing the overall creative process.
Learning and Development | Use generative AI for employee training and development. AI-driven systems can create customized training modules, simulate real-world scenarios, and provide personalized learning experiences based on individual employee needs.
Predictive Analytics | Implement generative AI for predictive analytics. These models can analyze historical data to predict future trends, market changes, and potential risks, enabling brands to adjust strategies proactively.
Human Resources | Utilize generative AI in recruitment processes for resume screening, candidate matching, and even conducting initial interviews. This can streamline the hiring process and efficiently identify the most suitable candidates.
Cybersecurity | Enhance cybersecurity measures by using generative AI to detect and respond to potential threats. AI can analyze patterns in network traffic, identify anomalies, and predict and prevent security breaches.
Simulation and Scenario Planning | Use generative AI for simulating and planning various business scenarios. This can help brands test the resilience of their strategies and make informed decisions in anticipation of different outcomes.
Generative AI is a powerful tool, however when implementing generative AI in business, it's crucial to consider ethical considerations, data privacy, and potential biases in AI models. Regular monitoring, feedback loops, and continuous improvement are essential to ensure the responsible and effective use of AI technologies.
With these tools, which are improving literally by the second, it is important to stay ahead of this curve, or you will lose your competitive advantage, and potentially your foundational vision along the way.
Stay True, Stay Authentic, be Different, and be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
Bryan Smeltzer, President
LiquidMind Inc.
#TheVisionaryChroniclesPodcast
#TheVisionaryBrandBook
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
© All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2024
Bryan Smeltzer is a consumer products business executive and entrepreneur. He has held executive-level roles in business development, Product, and marketing with some of the world's most prestigious brands, including Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, and Schutt Sports, among other international brands. He also founded a men’s apparel brand, successfully running a profitable business for ten years, eventually selling to a VC firm.
He also hosts a Podcast called The Visionary Chronicles, ranked as the #1 Visionary and Top 50 Marketing Podcasts by Feedspot for 2022 & 2023, and recently finished his first bestselling book, The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands, and recently received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for BEST Non-fiction, Marketing Genre book.
With the book's release, Bryan created The Visionary Brand MasterCourse. The Master Course site at The VisionaryFiles.com includes a Master Course with 18 Video Learning segments and almost 2 hours of Visionary lessons training. Over the past five weeks, over 1,500 brand brands and Entrepreneurs have taken the Master Course! Unleash your potential as a brand leader and take the Master Course.
He is also a member of the Board of Advisors at UCI’s BCIE along with their New Venture Program, an Innovation Advisor at the UCI’s Applied Innovation program at the Cove, a Mentor/Advisor to UCLA’s Price Center Venture Accelerator Program, and a Mentor/Advisor at the San Diego Sports Innovators Accelerator (SDSI) center.
Bryan oversees LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that partners with start-ups and establishes mid to large-cap consumer brands to empower businesses to think differently, be different, drive a passionate culture, and execute relentlessly.
You can contact or follow him at;
email | bryan@LiquidMindsite.com
Facebook | @bryansmeltzer33
Instagram | @bryan_smeltzer
X | @bryansmeltzer
LinkedIn | linkedin.com/in/bryansmeltzer/
EPISODE 140
CHRONICLE: January 26th, 2024
Content from Bryan’s new Award Winning, Bestselling Book
The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World's Most Visionary Brands.
THE VISIONARY BRAND | Product Extinction | How to Eliminate Products & Gain Market Share
" Extinction is the rule. Survival is the exception." – Carl Sagan
Once a visionary brand successfully executes a breakaway/drawdown strategy, it must build a bridge to maintain the product lifecycle. To sustain a consistent flow of products from your pipeline, you must bring some products to extinction, sometimes at the height of their popularity. Implementing this strategy is critical but risky, as you bet the company on the next generation of products. However, unless you risk something, you gain nothing.
As discussed earlier, the Sony Walkman was one of the most recognizable case studies of product lifecycle saturation. This was a breakaway product when first introduced. However, Sony still needed to fully embrace the drawdown and extinction mentality fully, instead deciding to let it ride for some thirty years with only minor revisions. This strategy proved successful for a time, but this is a rare case. The danger with deploying such a strategy is you can get ambushed by your competitors, and you inevitably become a follower, no longer a leader. Having the market perception of being an innovative leader in your category carries with it prestige and privilege.
Most companies would assume any brand deploying the breakaway strategy must have a new product in the pipeline that will change the norm, establish a new way of thinking, or redefine a process. This was not the case with Sony and the Walkman—revolutionary in its day, it had a nice run for some 20 years but eventually died slowly in its last 10. The clincher was when Apple introduced the iPod, at which point it was game over for the Walkman. Ironically, the Walkman inspired Steve to find a better way to listen to music that was not so cumbersome or limited in portability. In analyzing the Walkman lifecycle, Apple knew better than to repeat Sony's mistakes, incorporating extinction in their product pipeline and having the courage to pull products at the peak of their popularity to keep their community hungry for what’s coming next.
Building a consistent and sustainable product extinction lifecycle flow creates limited supply, increasing demand on both the back end (drawdown) and the front end (breakaway). This has driven many brands, such as Apple, Microsoft, Nike, Adidas, TaylorMade, and Microsoft, to become some of the most valuable. These iconic brands have stood the test of time by building an innovative pipeline of products or services supported by a breakaway culture. Each of these brands succeeds by creating and adapting over a series of product iterations, adopting technologies that drive customer demand, and manipulating supply cycles through planned product extinction.
Here are some critical points in adopting an Extinction Strategy and Gaining Valuable Market Share.
Building a product innovation pipeline that can sustain continual and more rapid product extinction is where successful visionary brands move beyond their competitors. By holding to this Vision rooted in these Extinction principles, you will also successfully build sustainable brand value for both your shareholders and customers.
Stay True, Stay Authentic, be Different, and be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
Bryan Smeltzer, President
LiquidMind Inc.
#TheVisionaryChroniclesPodcast
#TheVisionaryBrandBook
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
© All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2023
Bryan Smeltzer is a consumer products business executive and entrepreneur. He has held executive-level roles in business development, Product, and marketing with some of the world's most prestigious brands, including Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, and Schutt Sports, among other international brands. He also founded a men’s apparel brand, successfully running a profitable business for ten years, eventually selling to a VC firm.
He also hosts a Podcast called The Visionary Chronicles, ranked as the #1 Visionary and Top 50 Marketing Podcasts by Feedspot for 2022 & 2023, and recently finished his first bestselling book, The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands, and recently received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for BEST Non-fiction, Marketing Genre book.
With the book's release, Bryan created The Visionary Brand MasterCourse. The Master Course site at The VisionaryFiles.com includes a Master Course with 18 Video Learning segments and almost 2 hours of Visionary lessons training. Over the past five weeks, over 1,500 brand leaders and Entrepreneurs have taken the Master Course! Unleash your potential as a brand leader and take the Master Course.
He is also a member of the Board of Advisors at UCI’s BCIE along with their New Venture Program, an Innovation Advisor at the UCI’s Applied Innovation program at the Cove, a Mentor/Advisor to UCLA’s Price Center Venture Accelerator Program, and a Mentor/Advisor at the San Diego Sports Innovators Accelerator (SDSI) center.
Bryan oversees LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that partners with start-ups and establishes mid to large-cap consumer brands to empower businesses to think differently, be different, drive a passionate culture, and execute relentlessly.
You can contact or follow him at;
email | bryan@LiquidMindsite.com
Facebook | @bryansmeltzer33
Instragram | @bryan_smeltzer
X | @bryansmeltzer
LinkedIN | linkedin.com/in/bryansmeltzer/
EPISODE 141
CHRONICLE: January 17, 2024
Visionaries | Martin Luther King Jr."We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.” – Martin Luther King Jr.
Martin Luther King Jr. (January 15, 1929 – April 4, 1968) was a clergyman, activist, and Visionary leader who played a pivotal role in the American civil rights movement, and his commitment to justice, equality, and nonviolent activism was unparalleled.
He was a visionary leader who used his powerful vision to inspire and lead the civil rights movement in the United States. His vision was rooted in justice, equality, and nonviolent protest.
“Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into a friend.” – Martin Luther King Jr.
Martin Luther King Jr. had a true vision, willing to risk his life to ensure it was realized.
What were some of the core principles of Martin Luther King’s vision?
I Have a Dream Speech | The famous "I Have a Dream" speech, delivered during the March on Washington in 1963, articulated a compelling vision of a racial integration and harmonious America. His vision emphasized the dream of equality, justice, and brotherhood, resonating with millions and becoming a defining moment in the civil rights movement.
Nonviolent Protest as a Guiding Principle | A vision grounded in the philosophy of nonviolent resistance. He envisioned a movement that would challenge injustice through peaceful protests, civil disobedience, and love rather than resorting to violence or hatred.
Belief in a Beloved Community | A vision extending beyond eliminating segregation. He spoke of the "Beloved Community," a society based on love, justice, and equality. This vision sought racial harmony, economic justice, and the end of poverty.
Inspire the Masses | Martin Luther King Jr.'s vision was not limited to a select few; it aimed to inspire the masses. By articulating a clear and aspirational vision, he motivated people from all walks of life to join the civil rights movement and work towards a common goal.
Appealing to Core American Values | A vision framed in terms of core American values, appealing to the principles of freedom, justice, and democracy as was in the Constitution.
Long-Term Vision | A long-term vision that extends beyond immediate victories. He understood that achieving civil rights required sustained effort and a commitment to transforming the underlying makeup of society.
Legislative Goals | A vision that includes specific legislative goals. He actively lobbied for the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, seeing these laws as critical steps toward realizing his broader vision of equality.
Legacy of Inspiration | A vision that left a lasting legacy that inspires movements for justice and equality. His speeches and writings continue to be studied and quoted, resonating with those who strive for a more impartial world.
Martin Luther King Jr.'s visionary leadership played a pivotal role in shaping the path of the civil rights movement. King was a charismatic and powerful speaker. His ability to communicate complex ideas in a way that resonated with a broad audience helped mobilize support for the civil rights movement.
Dr. King’s speeches and writings are celebrated for their power. He had a long-term vision for transformation beyond the immediate goals of the civil rights movement. He sought to address systemic issues of poverty, demonstrating a forward-looking perspective. His ability to articulate a powerful vision, grounded in moral principles and a commitment to nonviolent action, mobilized people to work towards a more just society.
This vision contributed to legal and societal changes and impacted our broader human rights and dignity struggles. King demonstrated unwavering courage in the face of adversity. He faced numerous threats to his safety but remained committed to his principles and the pursuit of civil rights, and his courage inspired others to join this struggle.
In summary, Martin Luther King Jr. exhibited visionary leadership through his inspiring vision, moral and ethical principles, courageous conviction, empathy, strategic leadership, inclusivity, commitment to nonviolent resistance, charismatic communication, long-term vision, and a lasting legacy of inspiration for social change.
Stay True, Stay Authentic, be Different, and be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
Bryan Smeltzer, President
LiquidMind Inc.
#TheVisionaryChroniclesPodcast
#TheVisionaryBrandBook
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
© All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2024
Bryan Smeltzer is a consumer products business executive and entrepreneur. He has held executive-level roles in business development, Product, and marketing with some of the world's most prestigious brands, including; Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, and Schutt Sports, among other international brands. He also founded a men’s apparel brand, successfully running a profitable business for ten years, eventually selling to a VC firm.
He also hosts a Podcast called The Visionary Chronicles, ranked as the #1 Visionary and Top 50 Marketing Podcasts by Feedspot, and recently finished his first bestselling book, The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands, and recently received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for BEST Non-fiction, Marketing Genre book.
With the book's release, Bryan created The Visionary Brand MasterCourse. The Master Course site at The VisionaryFiles.com includes a Master Course with 18 Video Learning segments and almost 2 hours of Visionary lessons training. Over the past five weeks, over 1,500 brand leaders and Entrepreneurs have taken the Master Course! Unleash your potential as a brand leader and take the Master Course.
He is also a member of the Board of Advisors at UCI’s BCIE along with their New Venture Program, an Innovation Advisor at the UCI’s Applied Innovation program at the Cove, a Mentor/Advisor to UCLA’s Price Center Venture Accelerator Program, and a Mentor/Advisor at the San Diego Sports Innovators Accelerator (SDSI) center.
Bryan oversees LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that partners with start-ups and established mid to large-cap consumer brands to empower businesses to think differently, be different, drive a passionate culture, and execute relentlessly.
You can contact or follow him at;
email | bryan@LiquidMindsite.com
Facebook | @bryansmeltzer33
Instragram | @bryan_smeltzer
X | @bryansmeltzer
LinkedIN linkedin.com/in/bryansmeltzer/
EPISODE 139
CHRONICLE: January 12th, 2023
Visionaries | Alexander The Great"There is nothing impossible to him who will try.” – Alexander The Great
Alexander was the son of King Philip II and received a classical education under the philosopher Aristotle. After his father's assassination, he ascended to the throne and quickly set out to fulfill his father's dream of uniting the Greek city-states and expanding their influence eastward.
Alexander the Great is one of the most successful military commanders in history. He is best known for creating one of the largest empires in the ancient world through a series of military campaigns covering a massive territory stretching from Greece to Egypt, Persia, and India.
Despite his remarkable achievements, Alexander's reign was relatively short-lived. He died in Babylon at the age of 32, under unclear circumstances—some theories suggest illness or poisoning. After his death, his empire was divided among his generals. Alexander's legacy has endured and resulted in current military and business leaders embracing many of his military strategies and leadership tactics.
Alexander the Great, the ancient Macedonian king and military conqueror, is considered a Visionary leader due to his extraordinary achievements and impact on the ancient world. Several characteristics contribute to his status as a Visionary leader.
Ambition and Vision | Alexander had grand ambitions from an early age. His vision extended beyond the borders of Macedonia, and he aspired to create a vast empire that would unite different cultures and peoples. His desire for conquest and expansion demonstrated a visionary mindset.
Military Genius | Alexander was a brilliant military strategist and tactician. His innovative tactics, such as using the phalanx (‘FAY-lanks) and introducing combined arms, played a crucial role in his success on the battlefield. His ability to adapt to different terrains and circumstances showcased his strategic vision.
Lead from the Front | Alexander led his armies from the front lines, often placing himself in the action, leading from the front. His personal courage and willingness to share the risks with his soldiers earned him their loyalty and admiration, contributing to the cohesion of his military forces.
Inspiring Leadership | Alexander possessed the ability to inspire his troops with a sense of purpose and loyalty. His charisma, speeches, and personal example motivated soldiers to endure long campaigns and face formidable enemies.
Cultural Integration | One of Alexander's visions was to create a unified empire, surpassing cultural and ethnic differences. He encouraged the integration of Persian and Macedonian cultures, blending customs and traditions to create a sense of unity among his diverse people.
Urban Planning and Infrastructure | Alexander implemented innovative urban planning and infrastructure projects in the cities he founded, such as Alexandria in Egypt. These cities became centers of culture, commerce, and learning, reflecting his forward-looking vision for a united empire.
Curiosity and Learning | Alexander had a deep curiosity about the world and a love for learning. He surrounded himself with scholars and intellectuals, his version of the “mastermind” concept, and his conquests facilitated knowledge exchange among different civilizations. His appreciation for diverse cultures contributed to a more inclusive vision for his empire.
Strategic Diplomacy | While known for his military conquests, Alexander also employed strategic diplomacy to solidify his rule. He incorporated local leaders into his administration, promoting collaboration and cooperation.
Vision for Exploration | Alexander's desire to explore the unknown and reach the ends of the known world, shown clearly by his journey to the easternmost regions of Asia, reflects a visionary spirit. His journey for discovery expanded geographical knowledge and cultural exchange.
Legacy of Civilization | Although his empire did not last long after his death, Alexander's vision left a lasting legacy. The spread of Hellenistic civilization, a blend of Greek and local cultures, influenced art, philosophy, and governance in the centuries that followed.
In summary, Alexander the Great's visionary characteristics include ambition, military genius, leading from the front, inspiring leadership, cultural integration, urban planning, curiosity and learning, strategic diplomacy, a vision for exploration, and a lasting legacy of Hellenistic civilization. His impact on the ancient world and his ability to envision a united and culturally diverse empire contribute to his recognition as a visionary leader.
Stay True, Stay Authentic, be Different, and be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
Bryan Smeltzer, President
LiquidMind Inc.
#TheVisionaryChroniclesPodcast
#TheVisionaryBrandBook
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
© All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2024
Bryan Smeltzer is a consumer products business executive and entrepreneur. He has held executive-level roles in business development, Product, and marketing with some of the world's most prestigious brands, including; Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, and Schutt Sports, among other international brands. He also founded a men’s apparel brand, successfully running a profitable business for ten years, eventually selling to a VC firm.
He also hosts a Podcast called The Visionary Chronicles, ranked as the #1 Visionary and Top 50 Marketing Podcasts by Feedspot, and recently finished his first bestselling book, The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands, and recently received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for BEST Non-fiction, Marketing Genre book.
With the book's release, Bryan created The Visionary Brand MasterCourse. The Master Course site at The VisionaryFiles.com includes a Master Course with 18 Video Learning segments and almost 2 hours of Visionary lessons training. Over the past five weeks, over 1,500 brand leaders and Entrepreneurs have taken the Master Course! Unleash your potential as a brand leader and take the Master Course.
He is also a member of the Board of Advisors at UCI’s BCIE along with their New Venture Program, an Innovation Advisor at the UCI’s Applied Innovation program at the Cove, a Mentor/Advisor to UCLA’s Price Center Venture Accelerator Program, and a Mentor/Advisor at the San Diego Sports Innovators Accelerator (SDSI) center.
Bryan oversees LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that partners with start-ups and established mid to large-cap consumer brands to empower businesses to think differently, be different, drive a passionate culture, and execute relentlessly.
You can contact or follow him at;
email | bryan@LiquidMindsite.com
Facebook | @bryansmeltzer33
Instagram | @bryan_smeltzer
X | @bryansmeltzer
Linked In | linkedin.com/in/bryansmeltzer/
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast was ranked the #1 Global Visionary Podcast & Top 50 Marketing podcast by Feedspot in 2022 & 2023.
EPISODE 138
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast
CHRONICLE: January 4th, 2024
Content from Bryan’s new Award Winning, Bestselling Book
The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World's Most Visionary Brands.
THE VISIONARY BRAND | The Product Vision | Building a Product Pipeline
" Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower." – Steve Jobs
Creating or building a Drawdown Product Pipeline is a strategy that the most innovative brands deploy. The strategy allows brands to position products along the entire Product Lifecycle curve, increasing market share while not degrading brand equity.
I was a part of the product leadership of several of these brands when they were created. It is challenging to develop and even more difficult to surf for generations. The strategy is to create a breakaway design, creation process, and culture inside the brand. This takes a Visionary leader, one who understands the risk it takes and the rewards for successfully creating a Breakaway product plan.
As I mentioned in my previous podcast, you can only create a product pipeline if you have successfully built a Breakaway design and creation culture. A cultural foundation built on anticipating what your customer wants, embracing risk, creating an idea machine, and being a relentless innovator who always strives for disruption! Having these places before building a product pipeline is why so few authentic brands and even fewer can sustain a culture of continuous disruption.
A key element to creating a product pipeline is understanding where to “fill the voids” with your price tiers. If you are a premium brand, you are already at the “best” level, and you must stay true to this tier. The question then becomes, “How” do we you build a pipeline that crosses into “good” and “better” price tiers without degrading brand equity? This is the question I always receive from brand leaders when doing our LiquidMind “ideation sessions.” It is a delicate balance, but it can be achieved if you understand the game.
The brand that plays this game the best is Apple. Apple always wants to create a breakaway product, load it on the front of the adoption curve for the “Innovators” to adopt and the “Early Adopters” to anticipate, and at the height of its popularity, pull it from the shelves and make it a previous generation product. This is before the “Early Majority” or “Late Majority” are allowed to purchase. This is called the “Innovators” adoption curve, which is much steeper than the traditional curve. In The Visionary Brand book, I provide an example of the “Innovators” curve.
Pulling the product from the shelf gives Apple “permission” to reduce the price of the previous generation, as long as there is another generation that feeds the front of the curve. Building this “pipeline” along the adoption curve creates a “product squeeze,” where Apple can secure market share along the entire curve without degrading brand equity—a brilliant strategy and extremely hard to pull off effectively.
Most brands we work with at LiquidMind understand the concept but are not always committed to executing it sustainably. This is Apple's lifeblood, along with other brands, and they have stayed committed to this strategy since Steve re-joined Apple.
So, having discussed this Product Pipeline strategy, what steps can your brand take toward achieving this generational pipeline?
Being a revolutionary innovator is a generational goal, and it takes a commitment from the Visionary leader to sustain its success. If your brand wants to be a generational leader while maintaining market share growth, you will need a sustainable, long-term strategy built around your product pipeline.
You can achieve greatness if you understand the rules of the game. Go ahead play the game, have fun, be relentless, be great!
Stay True, Stay Authentic, be Different, and be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
Bryan Smeltzer, President
LiquidMind Inc.
#TheVisionaryChroniclesPodcast
#TheVisionaryBrandBook
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
© All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2023
Bryan Smeltzer is a consumer products business executive and entrepreneur. He has held executive-level roles in business development, Product, and marketing with some of the world's most prestigious brands, including Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, and Schutt Sports, among other international brands. He also founded a men’s apparel brand, successfully running a profitable business for ten years, eventually selling to a VC firm.
He also hosts a Podcast called The Visionary Chronicles, ranked as the #1 Visionary and Top 50 Marketing Podcasts by Feedspot, and recently finished his first bestselling book, The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands, and recently received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for BEST Non-fiction, Marketing Genre book.
With the book's release, Bryan created The Visionary Brand MasterCourse. The Master Course site at The VisionaryFiles.com includes a Master Course with 18 Video Learning segments and almost 2 hours of Visionary lessons training. Over the past five weeks, over 1,500 brand leaders and Entrepreneurs have taken the Master Course! Unleash your potential as a brand leader and take the Master Course.
He is also a member of the Board of Advisors at UCI’s BCIE along with their New Venture Program, an Innovation Advisor at the UCI’s Applied Innovation program at the Cove, a Mentor/Advisor to UCLA’s Price Center Venture Accelerator Program, and a Mentor/Advisor at the San Diego Sports Innovators Accelerator (SDSI) center.
Bryan oversees LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that partners with start-ups and establishes mid to large-cap consumer brands to empower businesses to think differently, be different, drive a passionate culture, and execute relentlessly.
You can contact or follow him at;
email | bryan@LiquidMindsite.com
Facebook | @bryansmeltzer33
Instragram | @bryan_smeltzer
X | @bryansmeltzer
LinkedIn | linkedin.com/in/bryansmeltzer/
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast was ranked the #1 Global Visionary Podcast & Top 50 Marketing podcast by Feedspot in 2022 & 2023.
THE VISIONARY BRAND | The Product Vision | Creating A Breakaway Design Culture
"The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do.”– Steve Jobs
The Product Creation process is unique in its implementation and execution. Implementation must follow a strict Ideation process with the freedom to interact and mindstorm, and the team's makeup must be the Creators who know what it takes to disrupt the status quo. The execution is where the support system comes in, helping bring these Ideas to Reality.
To create a Breakaway product culture, you must first have a culture that believes in and embraces Disruption, blowing things up that do not make life easier or more efficient—a culture of risk, which inevitably determines your destiny. Many companies are uncomfortable in this environment, and why they are NOT brands. To achieve “best in class” status, you must create an authentic culture that embraces failure due to risk. The risk results in both rewards and failures. Remember, as I have stated before, NO great product has ever been created without first having failed, most times, again and again before successfully commercializing the Idea.
A Breakaway product creation culture demands you are “disruptive by design,” to become a category leader, you must have a clear vision of the future and determine what your community needs, not wants. Want is driven by the current environment; the future determines need. Think of the iPhone or the automobile; each Disruption was driven by a visionary leader who knew what they needed.
Visionary brands create what I call a Breakaway Pipeline. If you use the surfing analogy, surfing the funnel, the pipeline is the ultimate thrill. More importantly for brands, being able to surf this creative pipeline for generations and not becoming just another one-hit wonder.
If you have your sights set on being a Visionary brand, then one of the most critical ingredients of your formula is the Breakaway Pipeline, achieving category leadership through the following;
This road to achieving a sustainable Breakaway product pipeline is agonizing, bumpy, challenging, and painful but rewarding once you cross the finish line. However, this is not where it ends; it just means you have cut a path to long-term success.
Unless you consistently build and sustain your pipeline, you will lose momentum to your competitors, with declining market share and category growth. If you continue to surf this pipeline, it will sustain you for generations.
So, stay committed to your Ideation process, create an environment of freedom for your Creators, and build a pathway to realize your ideas and a culture of Disruption that bleeds throughout the entire brand!
Stay True, Stay Authentic, be Different, and be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
Bryan Smeltzer, President
LiquidMind Inc.
#TheVisionaryChroniclesPodcast
#TheVisionaryBrandBook
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
© All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2023
Bryan Smeltzer is a consumer products business executive and entrepreneur. He has held executive-level roles in business development, Product, and marketing with some of the world's most prestigious brands, including Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, and Schutt Sports, among other international brands. He also founded a men’s apparel brand, successfully running a profitable business for ten years, eventually selling to a VC firm.
He also hosts a Podcast called The Visionary Chronicles, ranked as the #1 Visionary and Top 50 Marketing Podcasts by Feedspot, and recently finished his first bestselling book, The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands, and recently received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for BEST Non-fiction, Marketing Genre book.
With the book's release, Bryan created The Visionary Brand MasterCourse. The Master Course site at The VisionaryFiles.com includes a Master Course with 18 Video Learning segments and almost 2 hours of Visionary lessons training. Over the past five weeks, over 1,500 brand leaders and Entrepreneurs have taken the Master Course! Unleash your potential as a brand leader and take the Master Course.
Bryan oversees LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that partners with start-ups and establishes mid- to large-cap consumer brands to empower businesses to think differently, be different, drive a passionate culture, and execute relentlessly.
You can contact or follow him at;
email | bryan@LiquidMindsite.com
Facebook | @bryansmeltzer33
Instgram | @bryan_smeltzer
X | @bryansmeltzer
LinkedIn | linkedin.com/in/bryansmeltzer/
EPISODE 137
CHRONICLE: December 7th, 2023AI Brand Strategy | How to Use Artificial Intelligence in Brand Strategy" Artificial intelligence is the new electricity." - Andrew Ng
Today's hot topic is AI, the who, what, when, where, and why. Most global brands we work with at LiquidMind want to know first what it is in definitive terms, how it can impact my brand, who can use it, and where we can apply it, making it measurable and lessening the overall impact.
Each of these is always a great question, and when we work with our brands to determine the best fit for AI, we usually bring it down to simplistic terms and data points. We whiteboard for them, write out solutions, and mindstorm ideas for application within the brand where we can measure results and enhance performance.
AI is not something to be feared, but you must understand. We have seen firsthand many brands implement AI for the sake of implementing AI. This is the wrong first step, as it creates confusion within the brand and inefficiencies outside the brand. Determining and pinpointing the best areas for implementation, communicating the effects to the team, and measuring results are great first starts.
Since we work with many brands on their go-to-market (GTM) strategy and ongoing strategies, I have outlined some starting points for brands to consider when analyzing Artificial Intelligence for their brands.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) can play a significant role in shaping and optimizing your brand strategy. Here are several ways you can leverage AI in the process of creating and refining your brand strategy:
Segmentation |* AI algorithms can help identify and analyze customer segments based on various parameters such as demographics, behavior, and product preferences. * Use AI to create personalized marketing strategies for consumer segments, ensuring more targeted and effective communication.
Analytics |* Leverage AI to predict future trends and consumer behaviors. This can build your brand strategy by anticipating market shifts and leapfrogging your competition. * Predictive analytics can also assist in forecasting demand for your products or services.
Chatbots and Virtual Assistants |* Implement AI-driven chatbots on your website or messaging platforms to enhance customer engagement. * Chatbots can provide instant support, answer queries, and gather valuable customer feedback, ensuring a positive brand experience.
Content Creation and Personalization |* Use AI tools to generate and optimize content for your brand. AI-powered content creation platforms can assist with copywriting, design, and video production. * Implement personalized algorithms to tailor content and experiences based on user preferences, improving engagement.
Social Media Monitoring |* Create AI tools for social media monitoring to track brand mentions, identify influencers, and gauge overall brand sentiment. * Analyze social media data to understand how your brand is perceived and adjust your strategy.
Dynamic Pricing Optimization |* Implement AI algorithms for dynamic pricing, adjusting prices based on demand, competitor pricing, and other global factors. * This can help maximize revenue and increase your brand competitiveness.
Supply Chain Optimization | * Integrate AI to optimize supply chain processes, predict demand, manage inventory efficiently, and timely deliveries. * This can contribute to a positive customer experience and reinforce your brand's reliability.
Employee Productivity and Insights |* Utilize AI tools to enhance internal processes, automate routine tasks, and provide valuable insights to improve decision-making. * This can contribute to a more efficient and innovative organizational culture, positively impacting your brand.
While AI can bring tremendous benefits, it's critical to implement it thoughtfully into your brand strategy, ensuring that it aligns with your brand values and enhances the internal support and the overall customer experience. Regularly review and update your AI-driven initiatives to stay current with technological advancements and evolving market dynamics.
Stay True, Stay Authentic, be Different, and be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
Bryan Smeltzer, President
LiquidMind Inc.
#TheVisionaryChroniclesPodcast
#TheVisionaryBrandBook
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
© All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2023
Bryan Smeltzer is a consumer products business executive and entrepreneur. He has held executive-level roles in business development, Product, and marketing with some of the world's most prestigious brands, including; Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, and Schutt Sports, among other international brands. He also founded a men’s apparel brand, successfully running a profitable business for ten years, eventually selling to a VC firm.
He also hosts a Podcast called The Visionary Chronicles, ranked as the #1 Visionary and Top 50 Marketing Podcasts by Feedspot, and recently finished his first bestselling book, The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands, and recently received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for BEST Non-fiction, Marketing Genre book.
With the book's release, Bryan created The Visionary Brand MasterCourse. The Master Course site at The VisionaryFiles.com includes a Master Course with 18 Video Learning segments and almost 2 hours of Visionary lessons training. Over the past five weeks, over 1,500 brand leaders and Entrepreneurs have taken the Master Course! Unleash your potential as a brand leader and take the Master Course.
He is also a member of the Board of Advisors at UCI’s BCIE along with their New Venture Program, an Innovation Advisor at the UCI’s Applied Innovation program at the Cove, a Mentor/Advisor to UCLA’s Price Center Venture Accelerator Program, and a Mentor/Advisor at the San Diego Sports Innovators Accelerator (SDSI) center.
Bryan oversees LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that partners with start-ups and established mid to large-cap consumer brands to empower businesses to think differently, be different, drive a passionate culture, and execute relentlessly.
You can contact or follow him at;
email | bryan@LiquidMindsite.com
Facebook | @bryansmeltzer33
Instagram | @bryan_smeltzer
X | @bryansmeltzer
EPISODE 135
CHRONICLE: November 29th, 2023
Venture Capital | How to Prepare Your Company"Go as far as you can see, when you get there, you'll be able to see farther..."
Leadership from JP Morgan
In looking at the factors and misconceptions behind why some companies get funded, others get left with no avenue to attaining the funding they feel they need or deserve.
Having done many deals, predominantly with Visionary entrepreneurs, start-ups, and mid-tier companies, I have found several reasons why some were able to gain interest, get a meeting, and finally culminate in funding.
Most questions I receive from the companies we work with at LiquidMind (LiquidMindsite.com) are how to locate a VC firm, their priorities, where they find deals, and when I will receive a Term Sheet. There are many points of contact, but I have broken these into five areas of focus when dealing with VC firms.
As you can see, this is very definitive outline but can change relative to the deal flow, opportunity, and other factors.
Although not an exact science, this gives you a good indicator of what is on a Venture Capital firm's radar, the best chances you may have for striking interest, and hopefully, a Term Sheet.
Good luck, and Enjoy the Ride!
Stay True, Stay Authentic, be Different, and be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
Bryan Smeltzer, President
LiquidMind Inc.
#TheVisionaryChroniclesPodcast
#TheVisionaryBrandBook
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
© All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2023
Bryan Smeltzer is a consumer products business executive and entrepreneur. He has held executive-level roles in business development, Product, and marketing with some of the world's most prestigious brands, including; Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, and Schutt Sports, among other international brands. He also founded a men’s apparel brand, successfully running a profitable business for ten years, eventually selling to a VC firm.
He also hosts a Podcast called The Visionary Chronicles, ranked as the #1 Visionary and Top 50 Marketing Podcasts by Feedspot, and recently finished his first bestselling book, The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands, and recently received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for BEST Non-fiction, Marketing Genre book.
With the book's release, Bryan created The Visionary Brand MasterCourse. The Master Course site at The VisionaryFiles.com includes a Master Course with 18 Video Learning segments and almost 2 hours of Visionary lessons training. Over the past five weeks, over 1,500 brand leaders and Entrepreneurs have taken the Master Course! Unleash your potential as a brand leader and take the Master Course.
Bryan oversees LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that partners with start-ups and established mid to large-cap consumer brands to empower businesses to think differently, be different, drive a passionate culture, and execute relentlessly.
You can contact or follow him at;
email | bryan@LiquidMindsite.com
Facebook | @bryansmeltzer33
Instagram | @bryan_smeltzer
X | @bryansmeltzer
LinkedIn | linkedin.com/in/bryansmeltzer/
EPISODE 133
CHRONICLE: November 24th, 2023
Content from Bryan’s new Award Winning, Bestselling Book
THE VISIONARY BRAND | The Product Vision | Innovate Don’t Imitate
" Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower.”– Steve Jobs
Creating a culture of innovation requires commitment, but most importantly, a top-down brand leadership that embraces failure and proactively pursues risk, both a requirement to be a Visionary brand. This formula creates a foundation for generational success.
I know Picasso once said, “Good artists copy, great artists steal,” but it is a short-term gain and not a long-term path to product innovation. Sometimes, this works, but this is the exception, not the rule.
Adaptation is one of the most significant IDEA generators, yet few embrace its power.
Adapting a technology from another industry to your product innovation pipeline is an awesome way to disrupt an industry.
Take the example of Nike’s Flywire, where the innovation team scoped the landscape for product inspiration and found it in suspension bridges. How could they find inspiration for a small product like footwear in such a large structure? Easy, they adapted the structural truss integrity into their shoes. They found a material stronger than steel, Vectran, that could stabilize the foot with minimal construction. From this innovative idea came the Flyknit product line, one of Nike's most successful products ever!
Finding ways to Adapt to Innovate vs Imitate is a vital piece of the Visionary formula I discuss in my new bestselling book, The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands. On sale now across all retailers, including Barnes and Noble, Books-A-Million, Amazon, Target, Walmart, etc.
Nurturing a culture of innovation is driven by finding to adapt the world to your products. Being an innovator means embracing a culture authentically and initially created without the need to see what your competitors are doing. Why follow when you can lead?
So, how do you create a Culture of Innovation?
Visionary brands have all of these in common and commit to their execution. Visionary brands are built around the foundation of originality and authentication.
Imitation is the short path to destruction, while disruptive innovation is a clear path to a successful product Vision.
Stay True, Stay Authentic, be Different, and be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
Bryan Smeltzer, President
LiquidMind Inc.
#TheVisionaryChroniclesPodcast
#TheVisionaryBrandBook
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
© All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2023
Bryan Smeltzer is a consumer products business executive and entrepreneur. He has held executive-level roles in business development, Product, and marketing with some of the world's most prestigious brands, including Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, and Schutt Sports, among other international brands. He also founded a men’s apparel brand, successfully running a profitable business for ten years, eventually selling to a VC firm.
He also hosts a Podcast called The Visionary Chronicles, ranked as the #1 Visionary and Top 50 Marketing Podcasts by Feedspot, and recently finished his first bestselling book, The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands, and recently received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for BEST Non-fiction, Marketing Genre book.
With the book's release, Bryan created The Visionary Brand MasterCourse. The Master Course site at The VisionaryFiles.com includes a Master Course with 18 Video Learning segments and almost 2 hours of Visionary lessons training. Over the past five weeks, over 1,500 brand leaders and Entrepreneurs have taken the Master Course! Unleash your potential as a brand leader and take the Master Course.
He is also a member of the Board of Advisors at UCI’s BCIE along with their New Venture Program, an Innovation Advisor at the UCI’s Applied Innovation program at the Cove, a Mentor/Advisor to UCLA’s Price Center Venture Accelerator Program, and a Mentor/Advisor at the San Diego Sports Innovators Accelerator (SDSI) center.
Bryan oversees LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that partners with start-ups and established mid to large-cap consumer brands to empower businesses to think differently, be different, drive a passionate culture, and execute relentlessly.
You can contact or follow him at;
email | bryan@LiquidMindsite.com
Facebook | @bryansmeltzer33
Instagram | @bryan_smeltzer
X | @bryansmeltzer
LinkedIn | linkedin.com/in/bryansmeltzer/
EPISODE 134
CHRONICLE: November 10th , 2023
Life Balance | How to Balance Leadership & Life" Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.” – Confucius
Many Leaders we talk about within our LiquidMind Leadership Sessions have difficulty balancing Leadership and Life. The issue is widespread in leaders but hard to correct. I find most leaders either do not realize they have a problem until someone hits them over the head, or they fear falling behind; they can’t stop a fast-moving train. If you do not try, you will eventually crash and burn; it is not a matter of “if” but “when.” I have seen it play out too many times.
Balancing Leadership and Life can be challenging, but with consistent and dedicated planning, effective time management, and taking care of yourself through the process, it is possible to achieve a balance.
Through our Leadership Sessions with LiquidMind, I have found the following to be Priorities for finding Leadership and Life balance.
Remember that achieving Leadership and Life balance is an ongoing process that requires self-awareness, adaptability, and effective communication.
Evaluate your priorities and make priority choices to ensure that you dedicate time and energy to your professional and personal life.
Remember, once the hourglass of time runs out, you can not turn it over and start again!
Enjoy Your Life, Find Balance!
Stay True, Stay Authentic, be Different, and be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
Bryan Smeltzer, President
LiquidMind Inc.
#TheVisionaryChroniclesPodcast
#TheVisionaryBrandBook
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
© All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2023
Bryan Smeltzer is a consumer products business executive and entrepreneur. He has held executive-level roles in business development, Product, and marketing with some of the world's most prestigious brands, including; Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, and Schutt Sports, among other international brands. He also founded a men’s apparel brand, successfully running a profitable business for ten years, eventually selling to a VC firm.
He also hosts a Podcast called The Visionary Chronicles, ranked as the #1 Visionary and Top 50 Marketing Podcasts by Feedspot, and recently finished his first bestselling book, The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands, and recently received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for BEST Non-fiction, Marketing Genre book.
He is also a member of the Board of Advisors at UCI’s BCIE along with their New Venture Program, an Innovation Advisor at the UCI’s Applied Innovation program at the Cove, a Mentor/Advisor to UCLA’s Price Center Venture Accelerator Program, and a Mentor/Advisor at the San Diego Sports Innovators Accelerator (SDSI) center.
Bryan oversees LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that partners with start-ups and established mid to large-cap consumer brands to empower businesses to think differently, be different, drive a passionate culture, and execute relentlessly.
You can contact or follow him at;
email | bryan@LiquidMindsite.com
Facebook | @bryansmeltzer33
Instagram | @bryan_smeltzer
X | @bryansmeltzer
LinkedIn | linkedin.com/in/bryansmeltzer/
EPISODE 132
CHRONICLE: November 1st, 2023
Failure | Fail Faster Succeed Sooner"My great concern is not whether you have failed, but whether you are content with your failure."
Wisdom from Abraham Lincoln
Failure is not fatal, but if you do not embrace Failure and make it a part of your Culture, it can prevent you from realizing your Vision.
Many companies profess to be "Innovative" yet squash any new out-of-the-box thinking that disrupts the company's status quo and your business category. Therefore, embracing your failures, learning from them, and adapting to move your IDEAs from paper to people is crucial.
Commercializing your IDEA is the inevitable goal, but if the product you envisioned does not match reality, there will be issues with your community and the brand itself. If you are to be a leader, you must embrace Failure and Risk to create what others may not have thought of or felt was impossible. Otherwise, you are truly just a commodity. Having the courage to do what is right for the brand is what all Visionaries have in common. Beyond product, beyond Culture, is sticking to your Foundational Principles, which drive your brand forward.
The brands that continually drive innovation embrace Failure as a learning experience and will be the ones to survive any storm. Look at history, and you will see brands that have failed and those who are still with us today. A common thread, stronger than steel, is the will to create what others said was impossible. This challenge brings out the passionate courage in all Visionaries and the satisfaction of proving others wrong.
Remember Edison's famous quote when inventing the light bulb.
"I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work…."
Imagine if Edison had given up at so-called "Failure" on try 9,998? A different world than we live in today. Thankful for his Vision and perseverance not to give up!
What are these Failure Stepping Stones to eventual Success?
Failure is inevitable when creating anything great! So embrace Failure and Risk and be rewarded with generational products and a culture committed to Success.
Stay True, Stay Authentic, be Different, and be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
Bryan Smeltzer, President
LiquidMind Inc.
#TheVisionaryChroniclesPodcast
#TheVisionaryBrandBook
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
© All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2023
Bryan Smeltzer is a consumer products business executive and entrepreneur. He has held executive-level roles in business development, Product, and marketing with some of the world's most prestigious brands, including; Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, and Schutt Sports, among other international brands. He also founded a men’s apparel brand, successfully running a profitable business for ten years, eventually selling to a VC firm.
He also hosts a Podcast called The Visionary Chronicles, ranked as the #1 Visionary and Top 50 Marketing Podcasts by Feedspot, and recently finished his first bestselling book, The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands, and recently received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for BEST Non-fiction, Marketing Genre book.
He is also a member of the Board of Advisors at UCI’s BCIE along with their New Venture Program, an Innovation Advisor at the UCI’s Applied Innovation program at the Cove, a Mentor/Advisor to UCLA’s Price Center Venture Accelerator Program, and a Mentor/Advisor at the San Diego Sports Innovators Accelerator (SDSI) center.
Bryan oversees LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that partners with start-ups and established mid to large-cap consumer brands to empower businesses to think differently, be different, drive a passionate culture, and execute relentlessly.
You can contact or follow him at;
email | bryan@LiquidMindsite.com
Facebook | @bryansmeltzer33
Instagram | @bryan_smeltzer
X | @bryansmeltzer
LinkedIn | linkedin.com/in/bryansmeltzer/
EPISODE 131
CHRONICLE: October 25th, 2023
Visionaries | Thomas Edison"Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration." – Thomas Edison
Thomas Edison was one of, if not the greatest, inventor of our time. He has over 1,000 patents for his inventions and played a critical role in shaping the world we live in today. His legendary ongoing persistence to commercialize his innovations led to the development of electric power, modern communication, and motion pictures.
Edison grew up in Port Huron, Michigan, and despite hearing problems at an early age, he showed an early interest in experimenting and product innovation. This interest led Edison to invent some of the world’s most significant innovations.
Some of Edison’s greatest creations;
Although most do not use one today, one of Edison's most significant inventions was the phonograph, the first device capable of recording and reproducing sound. This invention revolutionized the music and entertainment industries. The classic “vinyl” records and phonographs are still coveted today
Edison's development of the incandescent light bulbs brought illumination to the world. Although he did not invent the light bulb, he improved the design significantly, making it commercially viable. In commercializing the light bulb, it led to one of Edison’s most famous quotes;
"I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work." – Thomas Edison
Edison created the development of the electric power distribution system. He laid the foundation for the electric utility industry, allowing electricity to be generated in power stations and distributed to homes and businesses still used today.
Edison realized the development of motion pictures. He also invented the kinetoscope, an early motion picture exhibition device, along with the kinetoscope parlors, where people could watch short films. He would go on to build the world's first film production studio, the Black Maria.
Edison created storage batteries, which had various applications, including electric vehicles. His work in this area laid the foundation for future advancements in battery technology.
Edison commercialized the first telegraph, making it both efficient and reliable. These inventions in telegraphy were precursor growth of long-distance communication.
In his final years, Edison focused on experimental research. He created a research laboratory in West Orange, New Jersey, where he and his team worked on numerous projects. Edison continued to innovate on new ideas until his death.
Thomas Edison passed away on October 18, 1931, in West Orange, New Jersey, leaving a legacy of innovation and entrepreneurship. His contributions have had a lasting impact on the modern world, and he is remembered as one of the greatest inventors in history.
Although you may not be an Edison, you can be inspired by his relentless pursuit of greatness! Edison had a Vision no one else had, and it was up to him to realize this Vision no one else could see except him.
Take inspiration from Edison. We are fortunate to have had him and can relive his greatness through history.
Stay True, Stay Authentic, be Different, and be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
Bryan Smeltzer, President
LiquidMind Inc.
#TheVisionaryChroniclesPodcast
#TheVisionaryBrandBook
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
© All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2023
Bryan Smeltzer is a consumer products business executive and entrepreneur. He has held executive-level roles in business development, Product, and marketing with some of the world's most prestigious brands, including; Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, and Schutt Sports, among other international brands. He also founded a men’s apparel brand, successfully running a profitable business for ten years, eventually selling to a VC firm.
He also hosts a Podcast called The Visionary Chronicles, ranked as the #1 Visionary and Top 50 Marketing Podcasts by Feedspot, and recently finished his first bestselling book, The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands, and recently received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for BEST Non-fiction, Marketing Genre book.
He is also a member of the Board of Advisors at UCI’s BCIE along with their New Venture Program, an Innovation Advisor at the UCI’s Applied Innovation program at the Cove, a Mentor/Advisor to UCLA’s Price Center Venture Accelerator Program, and a Mentor/Advisor at the San Diego Sports Innovators Accelerator (SDSI) center.
Bryan oversees LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that partners with start-ups and established mid to large-cap consumer brands to empower businesses to think differently, be different, drive a passionate culture, and execute relentlessly.
You can contact or follow him at;
bryan@LiquidMindsite.com
@bryansmeltzer33
@bryan_smeltzer
@bryansmeltzer
linkedin.com/in/bryansmeltzer/
EPISODE 130
The Visionary Chronicles PodcastCHRONICLE: October 18th, 2023
Content from Bryan’s new Award Winning, Bestselling BookThe Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World's Most Visionary Brands.* 2022 Readers Favorite Award Winner: Best, Non-fiction, Marketing book * Amazon Bestseller.
THE VISIONARY BRAND | The Product Vision | 6 Steps to Executing Your Vision
" There’s a way to do it better…find it.” – Thomas Edison
The ability of a brand to establish, stick to, and have a consistent ideation and product lifecycle process is vital to long-term success.
Truly Visionary brands are the ones who understand the need to do away with the past to bring in the new, an innovation pipeline that sustains their “best-in-class” positioning. The “process” takes an authentic commitment from the top down.
I am not talking about a traditional lifecycle process where competitor's products are thrown on a table, and the product team is asked to create something better. I am talking about genuinely revolutionary thinking and execution.
I often say there is nothing more frustrating for a designer than to develop beautiful, disruptive creations to have them watered down to play it safe. The best example is concept car designers who, with their best intentions and efforts, pen out revolutionary designs that are scrapped for incremental improvement.
As Seth Godin says, “Safe if Risky!.” What a great quote! It does not resonate with those who are commodity companies and explains why there are so few “true” brands in our world! Risk is required to create a revolution and disrupt your category.
So what is your Product Vision, one that carries you for generations? If you can not answer this question, I would suggest this be an immediate priority. Playing “imitator” by copying competitor's products does not move you ahead; playing “integrator” by incrementally improving does not move you ahead of yourself, much less the competition; playing “innovator” is your key to unlocking generational success. Yes, it is risky, but so is playing it safe!
So what are the top 6 areas to establishing your Product Vision?
Establishing a Product Vision, a process that has carried you for decades will provide generational success. Make this a priority in your Visionary leadership, communicate this Vision constantly, and engrain it into your Culture!
Stay True, Stay Authentic, be Different, and be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
Bryan Smeltzer, President
LiquidMind Inc.
#TheVisionaryChroniclesPodcast
#TheVisionaryBrandBook
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
© All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2023
Bryan Smeltzer is a consumer products business executive and entrepreneur. He has held executive-level roles in business development, Product, and marketing with some of the world's most prestigious brands, including Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, and Schutt Sports, among other international brands. He also founded a men’s apparel brand, successfully running a profitable business for ten years, eventually selling to a VC firm.
He also hosts a Podcast called The Visionary Chronicles, ranked as the #1 Visionary and Top 50 Marketing Podcasts by Feedspot, and recently finished his first bestselling book, The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands, and recently received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for BEST Non-fiction, Marketing Genre book.
With the release of the book, Bryan has created The Visionary Brand MasterCourse. The Master Course site at The VisionaryFiles.com includes a Master Course with 18 Video Learning segments and almost 2 hours of Visionary lessons training. Over the past 5 weeks, we have had over 1,500 brand leaders and Entrepreneurs take the Master Course! Unleash your potential as a brand leader and take the Master Course.
He is also a member of the Board of Advisors at UCI’s BCIE along with their New Venture Program, an Innovation Advisor at the UCI’s Applied Innovation program at the Cove, a Mentor/Advisor to UCLA’s Price Center Venture Accelerator Program, and a Mentor/Advisor at the San Diego Sports Innovators Accelerator (SDSI) center.
Bryan oversees LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that partners with start-ups and established mid to large-cap consumer brands to empower businesses to think differently, be different, drive a passionate culture, and execute relentlessly.
You can contact or follow him at;
email| bryan@LiquidMindsite.com
Facebook | @bryansmeltzer33
Instagram | @bryan_smeltzer
X | @bryansmeltzer
LinkedIn | linkedin.com/in/bryansmeltzer/
CHRONICLE: October 11th, 2023
Business Success | Key Areas to Succeed in Your Business"Success is not final, failure is not fatal, it is the courage to continue that counts.” –
Winston Churchill
The ability to build a successful company/brand has several inherent traits. Each has proven itself throughout generations. Those who follow a path already created will find the road forward easier than those who choose to create a new one.
I have found, through having founded my brand and working side-by-side with executive teams from many global brands (Nike, Adidas, Puma. TaylorMade. etc.), each has followed these steps in one way or another. Following or eventually finding the path others have created was crucial for building a thriving business.
The following factors were integral pieces of the puzzle when looking at the path these brands followed.
"Before anything else, preparation is the key to success.…"
Alexander Graham Bell
With digital e-comm and consumer attention spans shorter and expectations higher, you need to follow these principles others have followed successfully.
Stay True, Stay Authentic, be Different, and be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
Bryan Smeltzer, President
LiquidMind Inc.
#TheVisionaryChroniclesPodcast
#TheVisionaryBrandBook
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
© All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2023
Bryan Smeltzer is a consumer products business executive and entrepreneur. He has held executive-level roles in business development, Product, and marketing with some of the world's most prestigious brands, including; Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, and Schutt Sports, among other international brands. He also founded a men’s apparel brand, successfully running a profitable business for ten years, eventually selling to a VC firm.
He also hosts a Podcast called The Visionary Chronicles, ranked as the #1 Visionary and Top 50 Marketing Podcasts by Feedspot, and recently finished his first bestselling book, The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands, and recently received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for BEST Non-fiction, Marketing Genre book.
He is also a member of the Board of Advisors at UCI’s BCIE along with their New Venture Program, an Innovation Advisor at the UCI’s Applied Innovation program at the Cove, a Mentor/Advisor to UCLA’s Price Center Venture Accelerator Program, and a Mentor/Advisor at the San Diego Sports Innovators Accelerator (SDSI) center.
Bryan oversees LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that partners with start-ups and established mid to large-cap consumer brands to empower businesses to think differently, be different, drive a passionate culture, and execute relentlessly.
You can contact or follow him at;
email | bryan@LiquidMindsite.com
Facebook | @bryansmeltzer33
Instragram | @bryan_smeltzer
X | @bryansmeltzer
LinkedIn | linkedin.com/in/bryansmeltzer/
The Visionary Chronicles PodcastCHRONICLE: September 27th, 2023
Brand Community | How to Build a Brand Social Following"The most important thing in communication is hearing what isn't said.” – Peter Drucker
Building a Brand Community is an effective way to engage with your customers, create loyalty, and a group of brand advocates who can help promote your products or services.
Building your Community requires precise brand positioning, diligence, consistent voice, values, and Vision.
Here are several steps to help you build a brand Community of Followers:
Know Your Audience:* Understand your target audience and their needs. What are their interests, preferences, and pain points? Knowing your audience is crucial for tailoring your Community to their interests.
Choose the Right Platform:* Select the appropriate platform for your Community. It could be a social media group, a dedicated forum on your website, a mobile app, or a combination of these. Choose a platform where your target audience is active.
Create Valuable Content:* Share high-quality, relevant content that resonates with your Community. This can include blog posts, videos, infographics, or other forms of content that provide value and encourage discussions.
Engage and Interact:* Actively participate in the Community by responding to comments, asking questions, and encouraging discussions. Show that you value your community members' input and opinions.
Encourage User-Generated Content:* Encourage community members to create and share content related to your brand. This can include reviews, testimonials, photos, and stories. Recognize and reward outstanding contributions.
Offer Exclusive Benefits:* Provide exclusive benefits to community members, such as discounts, early access to products, or special events. This gives them a reason to join and stay active in the Community.
Create a Sense of Belonging:* Foster a sense of belonging and Community among your members. Use inclusive language and make them feel like they are part of something special.
Moderate Effectively:* Implement clear community guidelines and moderate the Community to ensure a positive and respectful environment. Address any issues or conflicts promptly and fairly.
Host Events and Activities:* Organize online and offline events, webinars, workshops, or meetups that allow community members to connect with each other and your brand.
Listen and Adapt:* Pay attention to feedback and suggestions from your Community. Use this input to improve your products or services and adjust the community experience.
Measure Success:* Set clear goals for your brand community and track key metrics, such as engagement levels, membership growth, and user-generated content. Adjust your strategies based on the data.
Evolve:* As your brand community grows, evolve your strategies to meet changing needs and preferences. Be open to trying new approaches and experimenting with different engagement tactics.
Celebrate Milestones:* Recognize and celebrate community milestones and achievements. This can include anniversaries, reaching a certain number of members, or successful campaigns.
Promote Advocacy:* Encourage community members to become brand advocates by sharing their positive experiences with your brand outside the Community, such as on social media or through reviews.
Building a brand community takes time and consistent effort. It's essential to create a brand journey environment where members feel valued and connected to your brand's values and Vision. Over time, a strong brand community can become a powerful partner for your business, helping you build lasting relationships and driving long-term growth.
Stay True, Stay Authentic, be Different, and be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
Bryan Smeltzer, President
LiquidMind Inc.
#TheVisionaryChroniclesPodcast
#TheVisionaryBrandBook
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
© All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2023
Bryan Smeltzer is a consumer products business executive and entrepreneur. He has held executive-level roles in business development, Product, and marketing with some of the world's most prestigious brands, including; Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, and Schutt Sports, among other international brands. He also founded a men’s apparel brand, successfully running a profitable business for ten years, eventually selling to a VC firm.
He also hosts a Podcast called The Visionary Chronicles, ranked as the #1 Visionary and Top 50 Marketing Podcasts by Feedspot, and recently finished his first bestselling book, The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands, and recently received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for BEST Non-fiction, Marketing Genre book.
He is also a member of the Board of Advisors at UCI’s BCIE along with their New Venture Program, an Innovation Advisor at the UCI’s Applied Innovation program at the Cove, a Mentor/Advisor to UCLA’s Price Center Venture Accelerator Program, and a Mentor/Advisor at the San Diego Sports Innovators Accelerator (SDSI) center.
Bryan oversees LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that partners with start-ups and established mid to large-cap consumer brands to empower businesses to think differently, be different, drive a passionate culture, and execute relentlessly.
You can contact or follow him at;
email | bryan@LiquidMindsite.com
Facebook | @bryansmeltzer33
Instagram | @bryan_smeltzer
X | @bryansmeltzer
LinkedIn | linkedin.com/in/bryansmeltzer/
EPISODE 127
The Visionary Chronicles PodcastCHRONICLE: September 20th, 2023
Content from Bryan’s new Award Winning, Bestselling Book
The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World's Most Visionary Brands.
THE VISIONARY BRAND | The Culture Matrix | Leadership" Culture is the widening of the mind and of the spirit” - Jawaharlal Nehru
To be a Brand, you must first understand yourself, who you are, and what you do, then engrain a singular voice around these principles and apply this to every segment of your business. In other words, creating an authentic Culture, driven through a passionate Team and Community collectively realizing your Vision.
Brands who embrace this authentic Culture are often led through Servant leadership. Servant leadership is proactive and self-sacrificing and leads to a cohesive team loyal to a brand's long-term growth. Many brands, such as Patagonia, are committed to being Servant leaders and giving back whenever and wherever possible. The commitment is carried through in their brand culture;
“Patagonia supports environmental organizations with bold, direct-action agenda, and a commitment to long-term change.”
What an awesome cultural statement that reflects Servant leadership and consistent brand voice. The Vision of Patagonia through founder Yvon Chouinard’s eyes and carried through the brand and its team's bloodlines! A passion that has led to one of the world’s most successful and admired brands, a Vision to be a Servant leader, and to build a Culture that lasts for generations.
For your brand, Servant leadership can be carried through serving others without any hidden agenda for the betterment of the brand, employees, or customers on a global scale. By engraining Servant leadership into your Culture, a brand can better communicate its values and Vision to those looking to join your Tribe. However, always keep it authentic, real, and value-driven; this is the anchor of Servant leadership.
Another cultural value that meshes with Servant leadership is Character. A leader's Character, which consistently follows through at all levels of your brand, builds loyalty and trust across your team. A leader with character issues often drives inconsistent or unauthentic leadership. Authentic Character is a Foundational principle of Visionary leaders, and once it is broken, the entire foundation of a brand starts to crack. If severe enough, the whole brand may crumble; this is how vital Character is to a brand’s viability. It is not the brand's success that builds a great team; it is the consistent Vision, Character, and Servant leadership of its Visionary!
Diversity and Values leadership are additional areas required to create a solid brand Culture. Most brands fall short in these areas, not for lack of trying but not understanding the importance of maintaining both principles. You can’t simply pick and choose when you are committed to these principles; you need to be 100% committed once they are set. To say one thing and do another creates confusion, breaks trust, and reduces loyalty.
While at Oakley, we had a “take no prisoners” attitude, which bled through the entire brand culture and showed throughout our Community. We were the Visionaries, the category leaders, and we knew it. We were cocky and had an attitude. Best in class, or nothing!
Can you honestly say you understand “who you are and your culture?” If not, get to work and define it. Otherwise, you are a rudderless boat with no sense of direction or destination.
Anchor yourself and your brand in Servant leadership first, with consistent Character, defined Values, and brand Diversity.
So, in conclusion, in order to build a Culture that lasts for generations, and is tangible, authentic and genuine you must have the following;
These are anchors to the foundation of any great brand, and a Culture which sustains and maintains its passion to succeed.
Stay True, Stay Authentic, be Different, and be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
Bryan Smeltzer, President
LiquidMind Inc.
#TheVisionaryChroniclesPodcast
#TheVisionaryBrandBook
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
© All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2023
Bryan Smeltzer is a consumer products business executive and entrepreneur. He has held executive-level roles in business development, Product, and marketing with some of the world's most prestigious brands, including Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, and Schutt Sports, among other international brands. He also founded a men’s apparel brand, successfully running a profitable business for ten years, eventually selling to a VC firm.
He also hosts a Podcast called The Visionary Chronicles, ranked as the #1 Visionary and Top 50 Marketing Podcasts by Feedspot, and recently finished his first bestselling book, The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands, and recently received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for BEST Non-fiction, Marketing Genre book.
He is also a member of the Board of Advisors at UCI’s BCIE along with their New Venture Program, an Innovation Advisor at the UCI’s Applied Innovation program at the Cove, a Mentor/Advisor to UCLA’s Price Center Venture Accelerator Program, and a Mentor/Advisor at the San Diego Sports Innovators Accelerator (SDSI) center.
Bryan oversees LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that partners with start-ups and established mid to large-cap consumer brands to empower businesses to think differently, be different, drive a passionate culture, and execute relentlessly.
You can contact or follow him at;
bryan@LiquidMindsite.com
Facebook | @bryansmeltzer33
Instagram | @bryan_smeltzer
X | @bryansmeltzer
LinkedIn | linkedin.com/in/bryansmeltzer/
The Visionary Chronicles PodcastContent from Bryan’s new Award Winning, Bestselling Book
Te Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World's Most Visionary Brands.
THE VISIONARY BRAND | The Power Triad (PART II)"Stay hungry, stay foolish." – Steve Jobs
This quote from Steve is a passionate plea for creators never to be satisfied with the status quo. Always ask "Why” and “How” and search for answers to questions others have not yet asked. In response to these questions, find a way to separate your brand from the status quo; you need a transparent, cohesive process to ensure the greatest ideas become a reality!
In this podcast, I want to further our discussion on The Power Triad, the three engines that keep a brand thriving; Product, Marketing & Sales. Bringing insanely great products to market is a process, a method to the madness. You will often create a product when there seems to be no demand. The supply and demand problem, what to do, and how to do it?
When the Power Triad determines opportunities to disrupt or reinvent how a product works or how a process provides a solution, this is the front end of the ideation process. The Ideation process is driven by and led by the Product and Marketing teams, each responsible for a critical ingredient to a brand's ongoing success formula, starting with a premium product, commercialized when ready, not by Marketing but by the product team. When the Power Triad process is not followed correctly, when marketing gets ahead of Product, or Sales get ahead of Marketing, whatever the breakdown, it always leads to a disaster.
One real-life disaster, a case study in my new book The Visionary Brand, is when Under Armour, driven by my marketing success in its early years, decided to enter a new market, football cleats—a category without core expertise. During the commercialization process, marketing had committed a campaign budget to a specific release date, which the Product team had not signed up to. Although the Product team was not on board with releasing the Product, Marketing had commitments, and they took the lead with a product not ready for primetime. The release was a product disaster, having to return most of what was released. The real damage was related to trust and authenticity, which take decades to earn, and weeks to lose.
Lesson learned through the following formula.
When building your Power Triad, ensure they follow the process; Product to Marketing to Sales. There is input from each core group along the way, with most being in the front end of ideation, but Product must commercialize the Product, Marketing must market the Product, and Sales must Sell the Product. Simple but challenging for most brands to commit to and follow through.
In my new award-winning and bestselling book, The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World's Most Visionary Brands, I reference Breakout or Breakdown. You can either Breakout, where each needs each through Interdependence, or Breakdown, where each needs itself through Independence. The Power Triad is an Interdependent group of cross-functional team members working towards a singular goal. To crush the competition!
Build a great Power Triad team, and give them the Independence to be Interdependent on one another—the formula for success in building a generational product pipeline and loyal brand following.
Stay True, Stay Authentic, be Different, and be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
Bryan Smeltzer, President
LiquidMind Inc.
#TheVisionaryChroniclesPodcast
#TheVisionaryBrandBook
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
© All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2023
Bryan Smeltzer is a consumer products business executive and entrepreneur. He has held executive-level roles in business development, Product, and marketing with some of the world's most prestigious brands, including; Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, and Schutt Sports, among other international brands. He also founded a men’s apparel brand, successfully running a profitable business for ten years, eventually selling to a VC firm.
He also hosts a Podcast called The Visionary Chronicles, ranked as the #1 Visionary and Top 50 Marketing Podcasts by Feedspot, and recently finished his first bestselling book, The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands, and recently received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for BEST Non-fiction, Marketing Genre book.
He is also a member of the Board of Advisors at UCI’s BCIE along with their New Venture Program, an Innovation Advisor at the UCI’s Applied Innovation program at the Cove, a Mentor/Advisor to UCLA’s Price Center Venture Accelerator Program, and a Mentor/Advisor at the San Diego Sports Innovators Accelerator (SDSI) center.
Bryan oversees LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that partners with start-ups and established mid to large-cap consumer brands to empower businesses to think differently, be different, drive a passionate culture, and execute relentlessly.
You can contact or follow him at;
email | bryan@LiquidMindsite.com
Facebook | @bryansmeltzer33
Instagram | @bryan_smeltzer
X | @bryansmeltzer
LinkedIn | linkedin.com/in/bryansmeltzer/
EPISODE 125
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast
CHRONICLE: August 16th, 2023
Content from Bryan’s new Award Winning, Bestselling Book
The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World's Most Visionary Brands.
THE VISIONARY BRAND | The Culture Matrix
" Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power.” – Abraham Lincoln
A brand's bloodline, values, and foundational principles are carried out through its Culture. Within a brand, the Çulture is a living, breathing thing; everyone within the four walls can feel it, and those outside can see it. Building a Vision dedicated to sustaining a brand Culture is the core of a brand's ultimate success. Without it, you are merely a company selling products, a Commodity. With it, you gain loyalty from your team and long-term value from your Community.
So when you look at Culture, what is it, and how is it built? I am often asked, “What does a brand Culture look or feel like?” It is a phenomenon few experience, as there are so few genuine, authentic brands. I often say, just because you say you are a brand, does not mean you are a brand. A brand is an earned position, and Culture is a crucial ingredient to successfully crossing that bridge. Culture is an intuitive feel. Your products, communications, and bloodline connect everyone to the brand through a common thread called a Vision.
To build your Culture, there are four distinct areas to focus on.
Becoming a brand involves many ingredients to build the formula for success. Brands are defined by their Culture, set by a clear Vision. Their Products are consistently excellent, and their Lifestyle is tangible through Products and Vision.
If there is a disconnect between a brand's Vision and Culture, it starts to tear it apart, starting small but eventually infecting the entire company. Internal brand Torchbearers and external advocates are the ones who keep the Vision alive and pass along the torch to the next generation. This is how a brand becomes brand and generational; think Nike, BMW, Lamborghini, and Ralph Lauren are iconic and all generational in their success.
Build a Culture around becoming a brand through a Vision set by your Visionary. Stay consistently excellent, consistently authentic, and committed to your Vision. Become generational and leave your legacy for others to follow!
Stay True, Stay Authentic, be Different, and be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
Bryan Smeltzer, President
LiquidMind Inc.
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
© All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2023
Bryan Smeltzer is a consumer products business executive and entrepreneur. He has held executive-level roles in business development, Product, and marketing with some of the world's most prestigious brands, including; Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, and Schutt Sports, among other international brands. He also founded a men’s apparel brand, successfully running a profitable business for ten years, eventually selling to a VC firm.
He also hosts a Podcast called The Visionary Chronicles, ranked as the #1 Visionary and Top 50 Marketing Podcasts by Feedspot, and recently finished his first bestselling book, The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands, and recently received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for BEST Non-fiction, Marketing Genre book.
He is also a member of the Board of Advisors at UCI’s BCIE along with their New Venture Program, an Innovation Advisor at the UCI’s Applied Innovation program at the Cove, a Mentor/Advisor to UCLA’s Price Center Venture Accelerator Program, and a Mentor/Advisor at the San Diego Sports Innovators Accelerator (SDSI) center.
Bryan oversees LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that partners with start-ups and established mid to large-cap consumer brands to empower businesses to think differently, be different, drive a passionate culture, and execute relentlessly.
You can contact or follow him at;
email | bryan@LiquidMindsite.com
Facebook | @bryansmeltzer33
Instagram | @bryan_smeltzer
X | @bryansmeltzer
LinkedIn | linkedin.com/in/bryansmeltzer/
EPISODE 126
CHRONICLE: August 18th, 2023
Brand Vision | How to Create A Vision for Your Brand "Think Different." - Steve Jobs
Think Different, simple, but sophisticated, just like Steve wanted it to be. Not all brand Visions can be as sophisticated, yet having a Vision is critical to your success as a company. Establishing a Vision is one of, if not the most important, things you will do when starting your company. It sets the tone, the culture, the long-term goals, and what you want to accomplish. This is a lot to accomplish, but it must be succinct, and bringing it down to a few simple words will be your most challenging task.
Along with Steve’s Vision, think of other brands, BMW and “The Ultimate Driving Machine.”
Setting a Vision for your brand is crucial in defining its purpose, direction, and long-term goals. A well-crafted Vision statement helps guide your company's decisions, actions, and strategies. Here's an 11-point step-by-step guide on how to set a Vision for your brand:
Remember that a well-crafted Vision is not just a statement on paper; it's a guiding force that influences your brand's culture, strategies, and actions. It should resonate with everyone associated with the brand and inspire them to work together toward a common purpose.
Stay True, Stay Authentic, be Different, and be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
Bryan Smeltzer, President
LiquidMind Inc.
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
© All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2023
Bryan Smeltzer is a consumer products business executive and entrepreneur. He has held executive-level roles in business development, Product, and marketing with some of the world's most prestigious brands, including; Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, and Schutt Sports, among other international brands. He also founded a men’s apparel brand, successfully running a profitable business for ten years, eventually selling to a VC firm.
He also hosts a Podcast called The Visionary Chronicles, ranked as the #1 Visionary and Top 50 Marketing Podcasts by Feedspot, and recently finished his first bestselling book, The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands, and recently received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for BEST Non-fiction, Marketing Genre book.
He is also a member of the Board of Advisors at UCI’s BCIE along with their New Venture Program, an Innovation Advisor at the UCI’s Applied Innovation program at the Cove, a Mentor/Advisor to UCLA’s Price Center Venture Accelerator Program, and a Mentor/Advisor at the San Diego Sports Innovators Accelerator (SDSI) center.
Bryan oversees LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that partners with start-ups and established mid to large-cap consumer brands to empower businesses to think differently, be different, drive a passionate culture, and execute relentlessly.
You can contact or follow him at;
email | bryan@LiquidMindsite.com
Facebook | @bryansmeltzer33
Instragram | @bryan_smeltzer
X | @bryansmeltzer
LinkedIn | linkedin.com/in/bryansmeltzer/
EPISODE 124
CHRONICLE: August 9th, 2023
"Just say NO to COMMODITY!"
Tom Peters, The Circle of Innovation
Content from…
The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World's Most Visionary Brands.
Brand Positioning | Stay Premium Find Success
Positioning is a cornerstone piece of defining your brand strategy. Having described your brand's position in the marketplace, you will have determined your point of difference vs. your competition, how future products will enter your selected distribution channel, and what type of products will fit into your portfolio.
Each of these foundational questions is part of your positioning strategy. Within each question are deep-rooted answers which will direct your path as you move forward.
With Positioning, you are either premium or commodity, with a sprinkling of some brands in the middle of the road. Defined as "good," "better," or "best," Positioning, your objective should be to be the "best," or at the very least at the top tier of "better," but NEVER "good"! This is where the commodity companies, notice I said commodities and not brands, play, and you do not want to play in the bloody water—too many sharks and insufficient food or margin to s. Go where the water is clear, and no one fights over scraps. Granted, this is more difficult, as these waters are more vast, but it will support your success long-term. This is why being DIFFERENT is critical to a brand's success, not worrying about competition, and finding ways to stay ahead of the innovation curve and disrupt wherever possible.
When establishing the Positioning for your Brand, several questions must be asked.
Each of these sets a foundation for your Vision to where your brand can travel and what paths are prohibited. Travel down these paths and succeed, veer off course and fail. Your choice!
24/7
With data being consumed by your customers 24/7, how does a brand cut through the clutter? Once you have defined your Positioning, you need to set a cohesive, vertical strategy that allows you to engage with your community, build an authentic audience, and enable them to be a part of your growth. Remember, it is better to have ten authentic ambassadors of your brand than 1,000 who are not committed to supporting your Vision.
With 35-40 touchpoints a day, it is critical to have a set plan, a clear, cohesive strategy understood by all who are empowered to execute its success.
Once you have set your Positioning and determined your 24/7 marketing strategy, ensuring you stay the course, do not sell out, take shortcuts, or maneuver off course is critical. When a brand decides to pursue these, they end up having to put the brand in reverse, and they also damage community loyalty and the equity of all brands.
So as you set your course, start your Journey, stay True to who you are, define your brand culture, reward those who contribute to your success and never look in the rearview mirror. Keep blazing the path for others to follow.
Stay True, Stay Authentic, be Different, and be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
Bryan Smeltzer, President
LiquidMind Inc.
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
© All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2023
Bryan Smeltzer is a consumer products business executive and entrepreneur. He has held executive-level roles in business development, product, and marketing with some of the world's most prestigious brands, including; Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, and Schutt Sports, among other international brands. He also founded a men's apparel brand, successfully running a profitable business for ten years, eventually selling to a VC firm.
He also hosts a Podcast called The Visionary Chronicles. In addition, he recently finished his first bestselling book, The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World's Most Visionary Brands. He recently received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for BEST Non-fiction, Marketing Genre book.
He is a member of the Board of Advisors at UCI's BCIE along with their New Venture Program, an Innovation Advisor at the UCI's Applied Innovation program at the Cove, a Mentor/Advisor to UCLA's Price Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation, and the UCLA Media, Entertainment and Sports programs, and the San Diego Sports Innovators Accelerator (SDSI) center.
Bryan currently oversees LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that partners with start-ups and established mid to large-cap consumer brands to empower businesses to think differently, be different, drive a passionate culture, and execute relentlessly.
email | bryan@LiquidMindsite.com
Facebook | @bryansmeltzer33
Instagram | @bryan_smeltzer
Twitter | @bryansmeltzer
LinkedIn | linkedin.com/in/bryansmeltzer/
EPISODE 123
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast
CHRONICLE: August 2nd, 2023
PODCAST: Brand Alignment | Managing Marketing & Sales Teams
" Great things in business are never done by one person. They're done by a team of people.”
Wisdom from Steve Jobs
With over 88% of companies indicating a misalignment between marketing and sales on items such as; strategy, branding, and creation, it is an area that needs vast improvement across almost every brand.
Our clients at LiquidMind (LiquidMindsite.com), both large-cap through start-up, face the same issues, and most do not either recognize the misalignment or understand the process to improve the alignment. In addition, as more brands move to DTC, the sales cycle becomes more tangible on the direct-to-consumer side and with your retailers as they fight for both dollars and time. As a result, this alignment becomes more critical to a company's short and long-term success.
With most brands, you will find these two functional areas run independently when they should be working in parallel, ensuring the brand is in complete alignment across all channels and modes of communication. However, they need each other, and frustration, inefficiency, and misalignment set in when separated.
So how does a brand work to correct this misalignment?
At LiquidMind, we work with our brands on the following areas, and step by step, piece by piece, the alignment becomes a reality.
Content Creation
Based on the brand positioning, creative assets, and channels, marketing often makes assumptions that what they are creating is valuable to the sales teams, buyers, and customers. You must understand where, when, who, and how you create and communicate to define what is needed.
Is this content a valuable tool for the sales team, and does the marketing strategy take a regular "pulse" check with your brand community, buyers, and sales team? Creating for the sake of producing is not a strategy. Moving does not mean you are making progress.
To create alignment with Content Creation, ensure the sales team is mapping your creative strategy, both online and in-store. Also, provide your community with engaging with your content, and they find something "beyond" the product helpful.
Understand Need
More often than not, these two areas do not understand each other's needs. Always start with Marketing, and end with Sales. Just because you "create" something does not mean it is an effective tool for the sales force.
To better understand the need, have the sales team provide regular input on tangible tools to make their lives easier and provide branding, tools, and communications to make your communities' lives easier. Understanding and balancing both is critical to marketing your brand and ensuring you maintain brand equity and loyalty with both sales and customers.
Mind Merge
Regular sessions with the sales team, communicating marketing efforts, and applying the strategy daily builds trust with both organizations.
Merging ideas and concepts with reality will bring the Marketing Strategy to a more tangible level for the sales team. So get them involved, but sales must also understand their role in the process NOT to create, but rather provide details on NEEDS.
Tool Generation
Ensure marketing has laid out the sales team's tools, resources, and integrated brand strategy. The sales team needs to be seamless with "messaging" to buyers and consumers and the lead driven by marketing.
Without a clear strategy, vision, or plan, you can imagine how quickly this alignment can break down.
Ensure you provide online and offline marketing tools that both internal sales and external buyers or customers can use.
With the fast-paced, digital world we live in, aligning with everyone inside a brand is critical to the successful execution of your strategy. Frustration and misalignment can be replaced by an authentic, genuine passion and excitement for what your brand is doing and yet to accomplish. Together, lock arms, understand shared needs, complement one another strengths, and work on your weaknesses to better the brand!
Stay True, Stay Authentic, be Different, and be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
Bryan Smeltzer, President
LiquidMind Inc.
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
© All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2023
Bryan Smeltzer is a consumer products business executive and entrepreneur. He has held executive-level roles in business development, product, and marketing with some of the world's most prestigious brands, including; Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, and Schutt Sports, among other international brands. He also founded a men's apparel brand, successfully running a profitable business for ten years, eventually selling to a VC firm.
He also hosts a podcast called The Visionary Chronicles. The Visionary Chronicles podcast is the #1 Global Visionary podcast and Top 50 Marketing podcast for 2022 & 2023, ranked by Feedspot.
In addition, he recently finished his first bestselling book, The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World's Most Visionary Brands. He received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for BEST Non-fiction, Marketing Genre book.
He is a member of the Board of Advisors at UCI's BCIE along with their New Venture Program, an Innovation Advisor at the UCI's Applied Innovation program at the Cove, a Mentor/Advisor to UCLA's Price Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation, and the UCLA Media, Entertainment and Sports programs, and the San Diego Sports Innovators Accelerator (SDSI) center.
Bryan oversees LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that partners with start-ups and established mid to large-cap consumer brands to empower businesses to think differently, be different, drive a passionate culture, and execute relentlessly.
e-mail | bryan@LiquidMindsite.com
Facebook | @bryansmeltzer33
Instagram | @bryan_smeltzer
Twitter | @bryansmeltzer
LinkedIn | linkedin.com/in/bryansmeltzer/
CHRONICLE: July 25th, 2023
PODCAST: The Art of Competition | Creating a Strategy to Overcome Competitors
"Know your enemy and know yourself, and you can fight a hundred battles without disaster."
Sun Tzu, The Art of War
The Forces of Competition, which determine strategic planning and marketplace execution, are shared among all industries. Those who can anticipate both industry and competitive moves will succeed for generations.
Anticipation is the "Art of War," and brands who fight and win the battle without having pulled a sword are the ones who have mastered the "Art of Competition." But unfortunately, many have gone to war and have shown nothing for their efforts; a strategy built on a foundation of brute force inevitably fails.
Find a way to determine outcomes before they are fought, and you will build a team and a brand set on a solid foundation, a fortress others cannot enter. Creating a culture where everyone knows their role, works together to ensure the foundation stands, and others envy what you have made and want to know your future Vision. The best they can hope for is to follow your path but never lead.
There are several forces brands must be aware of to execute The Art of Competition in the marketplace.
New Blood
With this scenario, new blood is the latest entry into your category, one who has a new idea and provides a potentially better service or product.
Combatting this competitor takes anticipation, an innovation process, and the ability to never look over your shoulder. Each of these allows a brand to advance with its Vision while ensuring this new blood is blocked or eliminated from establishing a beachhead without doing anything different. Changing course is not an option, but pivoting without disrupting your business is critical.
Scale
The scale was a strategy many were caught off guard by during the pandemic, and most were unable to recover in whole or in part.
However, the winning formula is attaining sufficient scale with a manufacturing matrix with the core competencies needed to produce a consistently excellent product and out-innovate yourself first.
Community
Loyalty, recurring revenue, and value creation are foundational to longevity. These pieces of your foundation will create a wall no competitor can climb.
This takes consistency, an understanding of who your customer is, what they value, and why they buy your products and is a strategic weapon built off your team's shoulders.
Commodity Players
The Imitators, not the Innovators, are the commodity players. They are not to be feared; instead, they are the ones to be called out and challenged at every turn.
Imitators churn great Ideas into inferior-quality products and lower-tier price points. As a result, they do not build a trusting, loyal community that embraces the value provided by the brand but rather a following looking for the next significant "draw-down."
Some have been successful with this strategy, but this is like building your foundation on the sand vs. rock. YOUR CHOICE.
Rivals
The most threatening part of a brand executing its future Vision is its direct Rival, those who have authentically built a loyal community, created their innovation pipeline, and stayed true to their foundation.
They are to be respected, but the Art of War principles are genuinely beneficial and provide the most benefit. You want to anticipate the moves of your Rivals, find ways to outflank them, diminish their impact, and put the fires out before they start.
The Art of War is winning without having gone to battle. So what can you do to anticipate your Rival's next move and step out and take risks, never to relinquish your lead?
The Art of Competition is understanding the landscape, anticipating your Rival's moves, outflanking your Competition, and finding ways to win the battles through a strategy where you never have to draw your weapon! Find a way to win!
Stay True, Stay Authentic, be Different, and be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
Bryan Smeltzer, President
LiquidMind Inc.
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
© All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2023
Bryan Smeltzer is a consumer products business executive and entrepreneur. He has held executive-level roles in business development, product, and marketing with some of the world's most prestigious brands, including; Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, and Schutt Sports, among other international brands. He also founded a men's apparel brand, successfully running a profitable business for ten years, eventually selling to a VC firm.
He also hosts a podcast called The Visionary Chronicles. The Visionary Chronicles podcast is the #1 Global Visionary podcast and Top 50 Marketing podcast for 2022 & 2023, ranked by Feedspot.
In addition, he recently finished his first bestselling book, The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World's Most Visionary Brands. He received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for BEST Non-fiction, Marketing Genre book.
He is a member of the Board of Advisors at UCI's BCIE along with their New Venture Program, an Innovation Advisor at the UCI's Applied Innovation program at the Cove, a Mentor/Advisor to UCLA's Price Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation, and the UCLA Media, Entertainment and Sports programs, and the San Diego Sports Innovators Accelerator (SDSI) center.
Bryan oversees LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that partners with start-ups and established mid to large-cap consumer brands to empower businesses to think differently, be different, drive a passionate culture, and execute relentlessly.
bryan@LiquidMindsite.com
Facebook | @bryansmeltzer33
Instagram | @bryan_smeltzer
Twitter | @bryansmeltzer
LinkedIn | linkedin.com/in/bryansmeltzer/
CHRONICLE: July 10th, 2023
PODCAST: Marketing Metrics | Develop a Roadmap to Success We know that Marketing Metrics matter and are essential to defining brand ROI. They establish marketing discipline, decision-making, investment analysis, assessing the effectiveness of critical activities, and validating how business outcomes are achieved.
It is how we determine, assess, and manage these metrics to build an effective marketing strategy that provides tangible brand equity benefits and a realized ROI.
The first step in building your Roadmap is determining the most critical data points to construct an analysis of brand investment value.
Metric Data Point Analysis
The Roadmap to the Value of Defining Marketing Metrics:
You must initial the analysis with metrics that track marketing investment performance, such as promos. Then, determine and measure the outcome and compare it to the expectations, such as;
The most common marketing ROI formulas are;
TOTAL: Marketing Return on Investment
FUNNEL: Marketing Return on Investment (LiquidMind action sports customer example)
The campaign cost ($30,000) generates 6,000 views of the video. Historical tracking projects 12 of the viewers will become qualified leads within 6 weeks, and 10 % will convert to revenue within 6-9 months = 72 sales. At a profit of $500/sale = $36,000 in revenue.
CUSTOMER EQUITY: Marketing Return on Investment (LiquidMind banking customer example)
Customer retention/attrition valuation; 10,000 customers, @ $2,000 annual profit/customer. The current attrition rate = 20%, invest $4M, and the goal is to reduce it to 17%.
Before; 10,000 * $2,000/20% - $100M
After; 10,000 * $2,000/17% = $117M
Customer Equity MROI; $17.6M (increase) - $4M(marketing)/$4M (marketing) = 340% MROI
These marketing metrics need to be combined with other metrics. Still, the most important ones are revenue growth, which realizes a tangible ROI, and customer satisfaction through the Net Promoter Score.
The marketing team can measure the Value of brands equity value growth through other more intangible metrics such as;
In looking at brand marketing metrics, a recent study of CMOs in 2021 found the following are the most important for determining ROI.
As you can see, marketing metrics are important, but determining tangible benefits is critical.
At LiquidMind (LiquidMindsite.com), we work with our brands to set a cohesive marketing strategy, activation plan, ongoing investment analysis, and brand equity development and growth determination.
Stay True, Stay Authentic, be Different, and be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
Bryan Smeltzer, President
LiquidMind Inc.
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
© All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2023
Bryan Smeltzer is a consumer products business executive and entrepreneur. He has held executive-level roles in business development, product, and marketing with some of the world's most prestigious brands, including; Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, and Schutt Sports, among other international brands. He also founded a men's apparel brand, successfully running a profitable business for ten years, eventually selling to a VC firm.
He also hosts a podcast called The Visionary Chronicles. The Visionary Chronicles podcast is the #1 Global Visionary podcast and Top 50 Marketing podcast for 2022 & 2023, ranked by Feedspot.
In addition, he recently finished his first bestselling book, The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World's Most Visionary Brands. He received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for BEST Non-fiction, Marketing Genre book.
He is a member of the Board of Advisors at UCI's BCIE along with their New Venture Program, an Innovation Advisor at the UCI's Applied Innovation program at the Cove, a Mentor/Advisor to UCLA's Price Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation, and the UCLA Media, Entertainment and Sports programs, and the San Diego Sports Innovators Accelerator (SDSI) center.
Bryan oversees LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that partners with start-ups and established mid to large-cap consumer brands to empower businesses to think differently, be different, drive a passionate culture, and execute relentlessly.
bryan@LiquidMindsite.com
Facebook | @bryansmeltzer33
Instragram | @bryan_smeltzer
Twitter | @bryansmeltzer
linkedin.com/in/bryansmeltzer/
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast CHRONICLE: June 28th, 2023
"Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower." – Steve Jobs
Podcast: Product Ideation | 5 Steps to Creating a Product Ideation Process
The cornerstone of all generational, Visionary brands is the foundation of a Product Ideation and Commercialization process. Creating a product ideation process involves systematic steps to generate and evaluate innovative ideas for new products or product improvements.
Here are five steps to help you establish an effective product ideation process:
Remember, the product ideation process is iterative and should be flexible. It's essential to continuously refine and iterate on ideas based on feedback, market research, and evolving customer needs.
Stay True, Stay Authentic, be Different, and be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
Bryan Smeltzer, President
LiquidMind Inc.
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
© All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2023
Bryan Smeltzer is a consumer products business executive and entrepreneur. He has held executive-level roles in business development, product, and marketing with some of the world's most prestigious brands, including; Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, and Schutt Sports, among other international brands. He also founded a men's apparel brand, successfully running a profitable business for ten years, eventually selling to a VC firm.
He also hosts a podcast called The Visionary Chronicles. The Visionary Chronicles podcast is the #1 Global Visionary podcast and Top 50 Marketing podcast for 2022 & 2023, ranked by Feedspot.
In addition, he recently finished his first bestselling book, The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World's Most Visionary Brands. He received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for BEST Non-fiction, Marketing Genre book.
He is a member of the Board of Advisors at UCI's BCIE along with their New Venture Program, an Innovation Advisor at the UCI's Applied Innovation program at the Cove, a Mentor/Advisor to UCLA's Price Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation, and the UCLA Media, Entertainment and Sports programs, and the San Diego Sports Innovators Accelerator (SDSI) center.
Bryan oversees LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that partners with start-ups and established mid to large-cap consumer brands to empower businesses to think differently, be different, drive a passionate culture, and execute relentlessly.
e-mail | bryan@LiquidMindsite.com
Facebook | @bryansmeltzer33
Instagram | @bryan_smeltzer
Twitter | @bryansmeltzer
LinkedIn | linkedin.com/in/bryansmeltzer/
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast
CHRONICLE: June 22nd, 2023
"Great things in business are never done by one person. They're done by a team of people.”
Steve Jobs
PODCAST: Team Leadership | 5 Things High-Performing Teams Do Consistently
Hiring, building, and nurturing high-performance teams has long been a holy grail for brands. Each team has unique needs, personalities, and individual triggers that drive a passion in each team member. So how does a brand build a competent team and one who gets along with one another and consistently produces superior results…consistently, not just one-hit wonders?
First, when looking at building a high-performance team, understand there are primary needs of each team and individuals;
Autonomy; the ability to perform without hindrance.
Competence; having the skill set to perform.
Relatedness; being able to interact with other team members.
Then there are the three levels of support and building effectiveness in the team;
Dependance; INDIVIDUAL, the baby, the newbie, is learning from others. Crucial to have a process for onboarding.
Interdependence; TEAM, working with a group and being part of a team, finding a solution together.
Independence; LEADER, Leadership level, finding ways to make others successful. Be humble and grateful, and do not take credit for others' successes.
So what are the 5 Things that High Performing Teams do Consistently?
Building, managing, and growing successful teams for your brand takes a commitment to process and action. The approach to getting team members up to speed and the effort to assure they are satisfied with what it takes to be a part of a successful team and brand!
Stay True, Stay Authentic, be Different, and be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
Bryan Smeltzer, President
LiquidMind Inc.
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
© All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2023
Bryan Smeltzer is a consumer products business executive and entrepreneur. He has held executive-level roles in business development, product, and marketing with some of the world's most prestigious brands, including; Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, and Schutt Sports, among other international brands. He also founded a men's apparel brand, successfully running a profitable business for ten years, eventually selling to a VC firm.
He also hosts a podcast called The Visionary Chronicles. The Visionary Chronicles podcast is the #1 Global Visionary podcast and Top 50 Marketing podcast for 2022 & 2023, ranked by Feedspot.
In addition, he recently finished his first bestselling book, The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World's Most Visionary Brands. He received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for BEST Non-fiction, Marketing Genre book.
He is a member of the Board of Advisors at UCI's BCIE along with their New Venture Program, an Innovation Advisor at the UCI's Applied Innovation program at the Cove, a Mentor/Advisor to UCLA's Price Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation, and the UCLA Media, Entertainment and Sports programs, and the San Diego Sports Innovators Accelerator (SDSI) center.
Bryan oversees LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that partners with start-ups and established mid to large-cap consumer brands to empower businesses to think differently, be different, drive a passionate culture, and execute relentlessly.
bryan@LiquidMindsite.com
FB | @bryansmeltzer33
IG | @bryan_smeltzer
T | @bryansmeltzer
LI | linkedin.com/in/bryansmeltzer/
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast CHRONICLE: June 16th, 2023
Content from Bryan’s new Award Winning, Bestselling Book
The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World's Most Visionary Brands * Readers Favorite Award Winner: Best, Non-fiction, Marketing book * Amazon Bestseller.
THE VISIONARY BRAND | The Power Triad | Product, Marketing & Sales "Marketing is about values. It's a complicated and noisy world, and we won't get a chance to get people to remember much about us. So, we have to be really clear about what we want them to know about us." – Steve Jobs
This quote from Steve rings even more true today. In our world today, we must provide value-anchored brand principles that trickle down to all team members and our community. These voices communicate our brand and what we stand for in a world where few exist, and even fewer thrive!
In my new book, I discuss The Power Triad, the three engines that keep a brand alive and thriving; Product, Marketing & Sales. When working in unison with one another, these three engines create a beautiful concerto and realize ongoing success as they continue to grow the brand.
The Power Triad Formula;
The Power Triad is led by Product, supported by Marketing, and executed through Sales. They are independent and interdependent on one another, only able to achieve success through continued collaboration and respect for each other’s specific skill sets. If they remain independent, refusing to follow The Power Triad formula, they fail; if they achieve interdependence, relying on each other and following the proven formula, success follows. The Product team is traditionally the visionaries, the crazy ones, who provide the ideas and realize the vision. The Marketing team brings this reality to life, giving it room to breathe and bloodline to match the brand Vision to the reality of a new idea, concept, disruption, or innovation. Without this breath of life, the understanding of the brand bloodline, the idea will never have life, and the concept will never see the light of day. Each piece is integral and crucial to the Product's success and the brand's longevity. From Product to Marketing, then Sales, this stepped formula and interdependence with one another is a formula for building a generational brand.
Finally, once the idea and vision have been realized, given life, and been aligned with the brand bloodline, from idea to reality, the Sales team executes the Vision in the marketplace.
The Sales team has been along for the ride during the evolution of the idea through concept and commercialization. However, the eventual breathing of life into the idea, understanding the “why,” “what,” “when,” “where,” and “how,” now has the weapons to achieve success in the marketplace.
Brands who do not follow a formula for the evolution of their brand do not have a passion for success. The passion for success is what Visionaries build into the brands and WHY they are a brand. As I always discuss, just because you SAY you are a brand DOES NOT mean you are a brand. A brand is an earned right with as much culture as Product. The culture is built through consistently excellent products, communicated through bloodline marketing, and sold to your select community, providing value beyond the Product.
Follow The Power Triad formula, building interdependence between each team, following a consistent path to success, respecting the flow of innovation, translating the brand bloodline, and achieving revenue through selected brand channels.
Stay True, Stay Authentic, be Different, and be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
Bryan Smeltzer, President
LiquidMind Inc.
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
© All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2023
Bryan Smeltzer is a consumer products business executive and entrepreneur. He has held executive-level roles in business development, Product, and marketing with some of the world's most prestigious brands, including; Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, and Schutt Sports, among other international brands. He also founded a men’s apparel brand, successfully running a profitable business for ten years, eventually selling to a VC firm.
He also hosts a Podcast called The Visionary Chronicles, ranked as the #1 Visionary and Top 50 Marketing Podcasts by Feedspot, and recently finished his first bestselling book, The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands, and recently received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for BEST Non-fiction, Marketing Genre book.
He is also a member of the Board of Advisors at UCI’s BCIE along with their New Venture Program, an Innovation Advisor at the UCI’s Applied Innovation program at the Cove, a Mentor/Advisor to UCLA’s Price Center Venture Accelerator Program, and a Mentor/Advisor at the San Diego Sports Innovators Accelerator (SDSI) center.
Bryan oversees LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that partners with start-ups and established mid to large-cap consumer brands to empower businesses to think differently, be different, drive a passionate culture, and execute relentlessly.
You can contact or follow him at;
bryan@LiquidMindsite.com
Facebook | @bryansmeltzer33
Instagram | @bryan_smeltzer
Twitter | @bryansmeltzer
LinkedIn | linkedin.com/in/bryansmeltzer/
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast CHRONICLE: June 7th, 2023
"The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall." - Nelson Mandela
Podcast: Barriers to Success | 5 Priorities on How to Adapt and Overcome
Leadership is about overcoming when the challenge is the hardest. It is not when there is clear sailing without barriers to landing at your destination. Becoming a Leader is about adapting, finding ways to achieve success, and providing ongoing, consistent Leadership with a passionate Vision to ensure you stay on course.
Becoming a Leader is about failing. Having failed, you are better equipped to understand what it is like to take risks and understand what it takes to succeed. Failing is a prerequisite; if you have succeeded without failing, this was pure luck, or you set the bar too low. Taking risks, failing, and maybe failing again builds resilience in a Leader and the ability to see into the future, a Vision for what can be for a brand.
As a business leader, overcoming barriers to success is crucial for achieving your goals and driving your brand forward. Here are five ways you can tackle these barriers and significantly increase your chances of success:
Remember, overcoming barriers to success requires patience, perseverance, and a proactive approach. These strategies can enhance your leadership capabilities and guide your organization toward achieving its goals.
Stay True, Stay Authentic, be Different, and be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
Bryan Smeltzer, President
LiquidMind Inc.
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
© All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2023
Bryan Smeltzer is a consumer products business executive and entrepreneur. He has held executive-level roles in business development, product, and marketing with some of the world's most prestigious brands, including; Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, and Schutt Sports, among other international brands. He also founded a men's apparel brand, successfully running a profitable business for ten years, eventually selling to a VC firm.
He also hosts a podcast called The Visionary Chronicles. The Visionary Chronicles podcast is the #1 Global Visionary podcast and Top 50 Marketing podcast for 2022 & 2023, ranked by Feedspot.
In addition, he recently finished his first bestselling book, The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World's Most Visionary Brands. He received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for BEST Non-fiction, Marketing Genre book.
He is a member of the Board of Advisors at UCI's BCIE along with their New Venture Program, an Innovation Advisor at the UCI's Applied Innovation program at the Cove, a Mentor/Advisor to UCLA's Price Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation, and the UCLA Media, Entertainment and Sports programs, and the San Diego Sports Innovators Accelerator (SDSI) center.
Bryan oversees LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that partners with start-ups and established mid to large-cap consumer brands to empower businesses to think differently, be different, drive a passionate culture, and execute relentlessly.
bryan@LiquidMindsite.com
@bryansmeltzer33
@bryan_smeltzer
@bryansmeltzer
linkedin.com/in/bryansmeltzer/
The Visionary Chronicles PodcastCHRONICLE: MAY 25TH, 2023
"Leadership is the capacity to translate vision into reality."
Life from Warren Bennis
Podcast: Principles of Leadership | The New Leadership Formula
The new Leadership Formula is driven by the ability of a leader to motivate their teams to passionately embrace a Vision for the long-term benefit of the brand.The formula is not about being the nicest leader or someone with a singular compassion for all. It is finding the one who can skillfully understand the needs and motivations of others and turn this into an engine of progress and eventual pride for all. Being a respected leader is the goal, but few achieve this status. Most are either unwilling to be humble enough to share credit, smart enough to know what they don't know, or compassionate enough to understand what drives others vs. themselves.
Knowledge is not what makes great leaders who understand how to empower people and give all the gratitude and praise to others—a leader who embraces others, not themselves. A truly great leader understands that for a Vision to be realized, it must be adopted by all and shared by all until its completion. The Vision is to know that by empowering others, you are empowering yourself to accomplish greater things than you would realize. So take off the cape, understand your limitations and embrace the power of empowering others to succeed!
Understanding everyone has different motivations, and usually low on the list is monetary compensation vs. personal acknowledgment of a job well done. Finding the balance is critical for great leaders, and a mix that maximizes everyone's potential and builds passion across your entire team, everyone working together accomplishing a singular goal.
The new Leadership Formula is comprised of many elements; following are a few;
I am often asked if great leaders are born. This may be both true and false, but I feel that great leaders are born with the ability to lead, be compassionate, and absorb Pressure, and the other traits are learned. So the balance is they are born with the required leadership skills.
However, you can understand what is needed to be a great leader, be committed to these traits, be authentic, and be real, and your team will reward you with their loyalty!
Stay True, Stay Authentic, be Different, and be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
Bryan Smeltzer, President
LiquidMind Inc.
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
© All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2022
Bryan Smeltzer is a successful consumer products business executive and entrepreneur. He has held executive-level roles in business development, product, and marketing with some of the world's most prestigious brands, including; Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, and Schutt Sports, among other international brands. He also founded a men's apparel brand, successfully running a profitable business for ten years, eventually selling to a VC firm.
He also hosts a Podcast called The Visionary Chronicles. In addition, he recently finished his first bestselling book, The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World's Most Visionary Brands. He recently received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for BEST Non-fiction, Marketing Genre book.
He is a member of the Board of Advisors at UCI's BCIE along with their New Venture Program, an Innovation Advisor at the UCI's Applied Innovation program at the Cove, a Mentor/Advisor to UCLA's Price Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation, and the UCLA Media, Entertainment and Sports programs, and the San Diego Sports Innovators Accelerator (SDSI) center.
Bryan currently oversees LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that partners with start-ups and established mid to large-cap consumer brands to empower businesses to think differently, be different, drive a passionate culture, and execute relentlessly.
bryan@LiquidMindsite.com
@bryansmeltzer33
@bryan_smeltzer
@bryansmeltzer
linkedin.com/in/bryansmeltzer/
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast
CHRONICLE: May 18th, 2023
Content from Bryan’s new Award Winning, Bestselling Book
The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World's Most Visionary Brands.
THE VISIONARY BRAND | The Omni Channel Strategy | How to Disrupt Industry Norms
"Disrupt or be disrupted." - Eric Shinseki
This quote from Eric Shinseki, a retired US Army General, emphasizes the importance of brand disruption.
In today's fast-paced and constantly evolving business landscape, brands that fail to disrupt themselves and their industries risk being left behind. Disruptive brands challenge the status quo, shake up traditional models, and offer innovative solutions to customer problems.
By doing so, they can create a new market or take market share away from established players. This quote is a call to action for brands to disrupt themselves before others disrupt them proactively.
Visionary brands are constantly asking the question, “WHY?”. Why do things work the way they do? Why hasn’t anyone updated this process, or why can’t we change an industry?
All of these lead to breakthroughs at some point. You are not challenging the status quo unless you ask these questions!
While asking these questions, you must ensure the answers fit; who you are, what you do, how you work, and where you engage with your Community. These fit with the brand product, culture, community, and lifestyle. Authenticity is key to success and often takes a back seat to a product the brand feels is the next revolution, but it is an evolution, not a revolution, and you can risk lower adoption rates if it does not fulfill the brand promise.
So disrupting is an earned right, earned through trust and authentication. A product is only a product until users say it is awesome. So, trust, consistency, and greatness are earned through loyalty and anticipation. Many brands have built this user experience into their creative process, the ideation of their next great product, which somehow enhances their communities' life—easily explained, extremely difficult to execute, that is the creator's mindset. So what does Omni Channel Strategy for Disrupting Industry Norms look like?
You must have an authentic culture of risk-takers, idea generators, and brand missionaries to disrupt the norm. All importantly, all are required to build authentic products your Community adopts. Lifetime customer value!
Stay True, Stay Authentic, be Different, and be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
Bryan Smeltzer, President
LiquidMind Inc.
#TheVisionaryChroniclesPodcast
#TheVisionaryBrandBook
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
© All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2023
Bryan Smeltzer is a consumer products business executive and entrepreneur. He has held executive-level roles in business development, product, and marketing with some of the world's most prestigious brands, including; Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, and Schutt Sports, among other international brands. He also founded a men’s apparel brand, successfully running a profitable business for ten years, eventually selling to a VC firm.
He also hosts a Podcast called The Visionary Chronicles, ranked as the #1 Visionary and Top 50 Marketing Podcasts by Feedspot, and recently finished his first bestselling book, The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands, and recently received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for BEST Non-fiction, Marketing Genre book.
He is also a member of the Board of Advisors at UCI’s BCIE along with their New Venture Program, an Innovation Advisor at the UCI’s Applied Innovation program at the Cove, a Mentor/Advisor to UCLA’s Price Center Venture Accelerator Program, and a Mentor/Advisor at the San Diego Sports Innovators Accelerator (SDSI) center.
Bryan oversees LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that partners with start-ups and established mid to large-cap consumer brands to empower businesses to think differently, be different, drive a passionate culture, and execute relentlessly.
You can contact or follow him at;
bryan@LiquidMindsite.com
@bryansmeltzer33
@bryan_smeltzer
@bryansmeltzer
linkedin.com/in/bryansmeltzer/
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast
CHRONICLE: May 10th, 2023
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast was ranked the #1 Global Visionary Podcast & Top 50 Marketing podcast by Feedspot in 2022 & 2023
PODCAST: Courageous Leadership | 5 Principles of Courage in Leadership
"Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase." - Martin Luther King Jr.
This quote from Martin Luther King Jr. speaks to the importance of courage and faith in leadership. You may not always have a clear vision of the path ahead as a leader, but you must have faith in yourself and your team's abilities to take that first step forward.
Doing this creates momentum and builds confidence, which can help you navigate the challenges. This quote encourages leaders to have courage in their hearts and faith in themselves and their team, even when the path forward is uncertain.
Courage is a word not often used when describing Leaders, those who are Visionary. Instead, you will use; risk-taker, innovator, or disruptor, but all of these descriptors are built off a foundation of being courageous first. Courage is a trait that dates back centuries and is common in all Visionary leaders today.
For a Visionary leader to be considered generational, one who changes our daily lives for the better or disrupts an industry, you must take risks, but the pillar of risk is having a heart full of Courage. Unfortunately, not all leaders have this quality, and those who do are relentless in their pursuit of success, and achieving what others say is impossible.
Courage is a vital quality for effective brand leadership. Here are five principles for how to use courage in brand leadership:
Each of these is a foundational pillar of those who have the courage to risk being different, successful, and relentless in pursuing their Vision. They inspire others through their faith, make others better through creating a culture of success, always stand by their decisions, and are models for others to learn from as they progress in life.
Stay True, Stay Authentic, be Different, and be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
Bryan Smeltzer, President
LiquidMind Inc.
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
© All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2023
Bryan Smeltzer is a consumer products business executive and entrepreneur. He has held executive-level roles in business development, product, and marketing with some of the world's most prestigious brands, including; Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, and Schutt Sports, among other international brands. He also founded a men's apparel brand, successfully running a profitable business for ten years, eventually selling to a VC firm.
He also hosts a Podcast called The Visionary Chronicles. In addition, he recently finished his first bestselling book, The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World's Most Visionary Brands, and received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for BEST Non-fiction, Marketing Genre book.
He is also a member of the Board of Advisors at UCI's BCIE along with their New Venture Program, an Innovation Advisor at the UCI's Applied Innovation program at the Cove, a Mentor/Advisor to UCLA's Price Center Venture Accelerator Program, and a Mentor/Advisor at the San Diego Sports Innovators Accelerator (SDSI) center.
Bryan currently oversees LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that partners with both start-ups and established id to large-cap consumer brands to empower their businesses to think different, be different, drive a passionate culture, and execute relentlessly.
You can contact or follow him at;
bryan@LiquidMindsite.com
@bryansmeltzer33
@bryan_smeltzer
@bryansmeltzer
linkedin.com/in/bryansmeltzer/
The Visionary Chronicles PodcastCHRONICLE: April 25th, 2023
PODCAST: Artificial Intelligence in Brand Marketing | 5 Steps to Applying AI in Brand Marketing "The best way to predict the future is to create it." - Peter Drucker
The latest buzz in all aspects of business is how to apply Artificial Intelligence to my business model. However, having worked with many brands recently through our © LiquidMind MasterMind development, most are not adequately prepared to implement what they do not clearly understand.
We have found Artificial Intelligence to be an extremely useful resource when creating our content platforms across social, podcasts, and BLOGs, each unique and required in building your AI platform. We have used Open AI’s Chat GPT for quite some time and have integrated it into our daily routine.
Often, we need to take a step back and understand the intent, purpose, and goal of integrating an Artificial Intelligence initiative into their brands. Doing this lets us understand and determine where AI can best utilize, maximizing investment and time.
Here are five steps to applying artificial intelligence in brand marketing:
Artificial Intelligence is a strategic weapon that can provide a significant first-mover value if implemented correctly and appropriately. However, if it is to implement for the sake of implementing, you will fail and set your brand further behind rather than leading your peers.
Stay True, Stay Authentic, be Different, and be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
Bryan Smeltzer, President
LiquidMind Inc.
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
© All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2023
Bryan Smeltzer is a consumer products business executive and entrepreneur. He has held executive-level roles in business development, product, and marketing with some of the world's most prestigious brands, including; Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, and Schutt Sports, among other international brands. He also founded a men's apparel brand, successfully running a profitable business for ten years, eventually selling to a VC firm.
He also hosts a Podcast called The Visionary Chronicles. In addition, he recently finished his first bestselling book, The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World's Most Visionary Brands, and received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for BEST Non-fiction, Marketing Genre book.
He is also a member of the Board of Advisors at UCI's BCIE along with their New Venture Program, an Innovation Advisor at the UCI's Applied Innovation program at the Cove, a Mentor/Advisor to UCLA's Price Center Venture Accelerator Program, and a Mentor/Advisor at the San Diego Sports Innovators Accelerator (SDSI) center.
Bryan currently oversees LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that partners with both start-ups and established id to large-cap consumer brands to empower their businesses to think different, be different, drive a passionate culture, and execute relentlessly.
You can contact or follow him at;
bryan@LiquidMindsite.com
@bryansmeltzer33
@bryan_smeltzer
@bryansmeltzer
linkedin.com/in/bryansmeltzer/
The Visionary Chronicles PodcastCHRONICLE: April 19th, 2023
Content from Bryan’s new Award Winning, Bestselling BookThe Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World's Most Visionary Brands.
PODCAST: THE VISIONARY BRAND | The Omni Channel Strategy | How to Build a Brand Experience"Products are made in the factory, but brands are created in the mind." - Walter Landor
Saying you “are” a brand vs. actually “being” is a significant difference. Companies that say they are a brand but have no category pricing power nor a loyal customer base are not truly brands, they are commodities.
Calling yourself a brand is an earned right, carefully crafted through knowing who you are, how you are different, and consistently leading your category with the latest revolutionary products your customers eagerly anticipate. Most do not need your latest product but want to be a part of the early adopter crowd.
Over the years, building a brand has changed. It used to be where customer acquisition was the goal; now it is customer loyalty, long term customer value, not just transactional. I discuss this Journey in my latest book, The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands, creating a loyal customer through superior products, adding value beyond the product, and building trust in the relationship.
Creating loyalty and consistently providing a product or service that improves a person’s performance at work, at home, or in sports creates a bond that moves them into your brand, “ECO-SPHERE.” However, once they enter your ecosystem, it is up to you, the brand, to ensure they have a reason to stay. Ongoing revenue, and lasting value, that is the trade-off.
Brands like Adidas or Nike engage with their athletes or consumers long before they purchase, creating a bond through other athletes who authenticate their product, content which improves their performance, or through retailers who sell their products, creating a merchandising Lifestyle their community wants to be a part of.
This is a delicate balance, being authentic while not losing sight of the brand Vision. Creating a Brand Experience is a crucial principle and a foundation element all generational Visionary brands have adopted and is at the heart of their success.
In building this experience, what are the pieces of the puzzle put in place along with Journey?
Remember…
Employees know what is RIGHT for the brand, while your consumers know what to expect from your brand.
Building a brand around realizing and consistently making your Vision in your consumer's eyes must be generational. Be a once-in-lifetime brand, and it is not for those not committed to sticking to your brand vision and foundational values!
Stay True, Stay Authentic, be Different, and be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
Bryan Smeltzer, President
LiquidMind Inc.
#TheVisionaryChroniclesPodcast
#TheVisionaryBrandBook
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
© All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2023
Bryan Smeltzer is a consumer products business executive and entrepreneur. He has held executive-level roles in business development, product, and marketing with some of the world's most prestigious brands, including; Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, and Schutt Sports, among other international brands. He also founded a men’s apparel brand, successfully running a profitable business for ten years, eventually selling to a VC firm.
He also hosts a Podcast called The Visionary Chronicles, ranked as the #1 Visionary and Top 50 Marketing Podcasts by Feedspot, and recently finished his first bestselling book, The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands, and recently received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for BEST Non-fiction, Marketing Genre book.
He is also a member of the Board of Advisors at UCI’s BCIE along with their New Venture Program, an Innovation Advisor at the UCI’s Applied Innovation program at the Cove, a Mentor/Advisor to UCLA’s Price Center Venture Accelerator Program, and a Mentor/Advisor at the San Diego Sports Innovators Accelerator (SDSI) center.
Bryan oversees LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that partners with start-ups and established mid to large-cap consumer brands to empower businesses to think differently, be different, drive a passionate culture, and execute relentlessly.
You can contact or follow him at;
bryan@LiquidMindsite.com
FACEBOOK | @bryansmeltzer33
INSTAGRAM | @bryan_smeltzer
TWITTER | @bryansmeltzer
LINKEDIN | linkedin.com/in/bryansmeltzer/
The Visionary Chronicles PodcastCHRONICLE: April 7th, 2023
"I am not afraid of an army of lions led by a sheep; I am afraid of an army of sheep led by a lion."
Alexander the Great
Leadership Principles | The Pillars of Great LeadershipWhat makes for a Great Leader? Not just one who inspires confidence or provides direction, but someone who has the innate sense to see the future, envision a path to success, and inspire those who do not yet know this path to take the Journey with them.
These leaders inspire a team, a company, and a brand. They create a community outside the four walls, building Loyalty and inspiring everyone to reach a common goal with the confidence that they will succeed. With each of these qualities, it is easy to see why there are so few "true" leaders. Many delusional executives feel they are leaders, but it is merely a "chain of commitment" from the Team, not necessarily that they believe in their Vision.
For someone to be in this elite class of truly Visionary Leaders, they must embrace the unknown, stay calm amid the storms, show Compassion, learn from past failures, build Loyalty, and provide a Vision for others to follow passionately. I say passionately as this is crucial to execute the leader's Vision through others successfully. No great leader has ever succeeded by themselves, it takes an Army to take a leadership position in your market, and the more your leader has these Pillars, the more likely a brand is to succeed long-term. Success is not a "one-hit" wonder; it is a sustained level of success over generations.
In my new book, an AMAZON Bestseller, The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World's Most Visionary Brands, I discuss these Visionary Brands and some leaders who successfully navigated their brands to generational success.
The following are the Pillars of Truly Great, Visionary Leaders
Great Leadership does not always mean the most intelligent voice in the room. But, more often than not, it is someone who is cognitive, logical, compassionate, and direct and can see the future when others can not.
Stay True, Stay Authentic, be Different, and be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
Bryan Smeltzer, President
LiquidMind Inc.
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
© All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2022
Bryan Smeltzer is a consumer products business executive and entrepreneur. He has held executive-level roles in business development, product, and marketing with some of the world's most prestigious brands, including; Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, and Schutt Sports, among other international brands. He also founded a men's apparel brand, successfully running a profitable business for ten years, eventually selling to a VC firm.
He also hosts a Podcast called The Visionary Chronicles. In addition, he recently finished his first bestselling book, The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World's Most Visionary Brands, and received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for BEST Non-fiction, Marketing Genre book.
He is also a member of the Board of Advisors at UCI's BCIE along with their New Venture Program, an Innovation Advisor at the UCI's Applied Innovation program at the Cove, a Mentor/Advisor to UCLA's Price Center Venture Accelerator Program, and a Mentor/Advisor at the San Diego Sports Innovators Accelerator (SDSI) center.
Bryan currently oversees LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that partners with both start-ups and established id to large-cap consumer brands to empower their businesses to think different, be different, drive a passionate culture, and execute relentlessly.
You can contact or follow him at;
bryan@LiquidMindsite.com
@bryansmeltzer33
@bryan_smeltzer
@bryansmeltzer
linkedin.com/in/bryansmeltzer/
The Visionary Chronicles PodcastCHRONICLE: March 30th, 2023
"When something is important enough, you do it even if the odds are not in your favor..."
Wisdom from Elon Musk
ENTREPRENEURSHIP | Becoming an Entrepreneur
To become an entrepreneur, most think first of risk vs. reward. However, they must first align and define many principles, strategies, and cultural questions before putting pen to paper, then money to ideas.
Being an entrepreneur is not for everyone, and certainly not for those faint of heart. I know, having personally built a brand from scratch, it can put “dog years” on your career but also provide valuable experience only being an entrepreneur can provide. It has significant up-and-down cycles, rewards, and benefits, but it mostly takes a toll on you personally and professionally.
I should also preface what being a “true” entrepreneur is and what it is not. A “true” Entrepreneur starts from scratch, finds creative ways to find support, and leans heavily on internal strength, knowledge, faith and humility. What an entrepreneur is not is when they start with enough cash to support the long-term “potential,” has significant resources to provide for daily needs, and has taken risk off the table. There are many of these companies, and the hit rate with both is roughly the same. The former has learned to be resourceful, while the latter has learned to use resources. Both are business owners, but only one is an authentic Entrepreneur.
What are the questions to be asked and answered?
Becoming an entrepreneur involves defining a well-thought-out plan, represented by the following questions which need to be answered.
Within these questions are several more areas which need further thought. Within the scope of Goal setting are;
For Strategy, the following need to be defined;
On Execution, many areas will determine your success or eventual failure;
As you can see, many areas must be defined long before you question risk vs. reward. Most people know the answer, but most need help understanding what it takes to lessen the risk portion of the formula for long-term success.
Determine your path forward, your Strategy's reliability, and whether you can execute the plan.
Each is equally important, but all are part of a vital puzzle that must be put together before venturing into vast ocean of Entrepreneurship.
Stay True, Stay Authentic, be Different, and be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
Bryan Smeltzer, President
LiquidMind Inc.
#TheVisionaryChroniclesPodcast
#TheVisionaryBrandBook
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
© All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2023
Bryan Smeltzer is a consumer products business executive and entrepreneur. He has held executive-level roles in business development, product, and marketing with some of the world's most prestigious brands, including; Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, and Schutt Sports, among other international brands. He also founded a men's apparel brand, successfully running a profitable business for ten years, eventually selling to a VC firm.
He also hosts a Podcast called The Visionary Chronicles, and recently finished his first bestselling book, The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World's Most Visionary Brands, and recently received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for BEST Non-fiction, Marketing Genre book.
He is also a member of the Board of Advisors at UCI's BCIE along with their New Venture Program, an Innovation Advisor at the UCI's Applied Innovation program at the Cove, a Mentor/Advisor to UCLA's Price Center Venture Accelerator Program, and a Mentor/Advisor at the San Diego Sports Innovators Accelerator (SDSI) center.
Bryan currently oversees LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that partners with both start-ups and established id to large-cap consumer brands to empower their businesses to think different, be different, drive a passionate culture, and execute relentlessly.
You can contact or follow him at;
bryan@LiquidMindsite.com
@bryansmeltzer33
@bryan_smeltzer
@bryansmeltzer
linkedin.com/in/bryansmeltzer/
The Visionary Chronicles PodcastCHRONICLE: March 23rd, 2023
Content from…
The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World's Most Visionary Brands. Readers Favorite Award Winner; Top Marketing Book * Amazon Bestseller.*“Brand is just a perception, and perception will match reality over time. Sometimes it will be ahead, other times it will be behind. But brand is simply a collective impression some have about a product.” – Elon Musk
Available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, and all global book distribution outlets.
THE VISIONARY BRAND | Lifestyle Promotion | How to Promote a BrandLifestyle Marketing starts with understanding who your customer is, what they enjoy, how they live, and where they spend time, not money.
Ralph Lauren famously said, “We are selling a Lifestyle, not a Product.” The idea that you must sell a product is only part of the formula for building and sustaining a brand. A premium product with a defined point of difference, through performance, fabrication, or appearance, is definable; what is not definable is Lifestyle marketing, promoting a Lifestyle enhancement as a result of purchasing your product.
All brands understand the brand equity created by providing “value beyond product,” which creates Loyalty. Loyalty increases long-term customer value, an ongoing revenue stream to a brand for a lifetime.
Beyond product, what is your Value to a customer? Most, if not all, commodity brands will not be able to provide an answer beyond “value for the money,” if this is your competitive advantage, you have NO edge. This is why so few brands and countless commodities are on the market. If no brands created breakaway, innovative products, the commodity companies would be out of business. In fairness to these companies, they know who they are and what they can provide to their consumers.
Brands that look in the rearview mirror, constantly looking over their shoulder at who is knocking them off will only lose pace with their peers. Leave the legalities to the lawyers, move ahead with your creativity, continue to innovate, and DO NOT worry about these companies.
If you are doing your job, they will always be two or three generations behind, and you should be progressive enough to ensure your brand and product equity is always leading the market. Your customers expect this; your team and your Community expect this from you.
You noticed I said “community” and not “customer.” Communities are built, nurtured, and grown, while customers are transactional. I understand customers make up a Community, but how do you build a community vs. selling customers through selling a brand, Lifestyle, and image or Community your customer wants to be a part of while wearing or using your brand? Think Different, like Apple, Just Do It, like Nike, the Ultimate Driving Machine, like BMW, all ICONIC, all global brands, all selling a Lifestyle associated with their brand.
So how does a brand build, promote, and sell a Lifestyle?
Promoting and building a Lifestyle is a strategy only true, authentic brands can deploy in building their Community of Loyal consumers. Those brands that embrace this strategy become generational, and those who do not quickly fade and are never heard from again.
Be the ONE who embraces providing Value to your Community, and you will be richly rewarded through increased lifetime value. Be Premium, Be Real, Be Consistent, and Be Authentic, and you will BE a Success!
Stay True, Stay Authentic, be Different, and be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
Bryan Smeltzer, President
LiquidMind Inc.
#TheVisionaryChroniclesPodcast
#TheVisionaryBrandBook
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
© All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2023
Bryan Smeltzer is a consumer products business executive and entrepreneur. He has held executive-level roles in business development, product, and marketing with some of the world's most prestigious brands, including; Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, and Schutt Sports, among other international brands. He also founded a men’s apparel brand, successfully running a profitable business for ten years, eventually selling to a VC firm.
He also hosts a Podcast called The Visionary Chronicles, ranked as the #1 Visionary and Top 50 Marketing Podcasts by Feedspot, and recently finished his first bestselling book, The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands, and recently received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for BEST Non-fiction, Marketing Genre book.
He is also a member of the Board of Advisors at UCI’s BCIE along with their New Venture Program, an Innovation Advisor at the UCI’s Applied Innovation program at the Cove, a Mentor/Advisor to UCLA’s Price Center Venture Accelerator Program, and a Mentor/Advisor at the San Diego Sports Innovators Accelerator (SDSI) center.
Bryan oversees LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that partners with start-ups and established mid to large-cap consumer brands to empower businesses to think differently, be different, drive a passionate culture, and execute relentlessly.
You can contact or follow him at;
e-mail | bryan@LiquidMindsite.com
FACEBOOK | @bryansmeltzer33
INSTAGRAM | @bryan_smeltzer
TWITTER | @bryansmeltzer
LINKEDIN | linkedin.com/in/bryansmeltzer/
The Visionary Chronicles PodcastCHRONICLE: March 7th, 2023
Content from…The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World's Most Visionary Brands. Readers Favorite Award Winner; Top Marketing Book * Amazon Bestseller.*
“Be a yardstick of quality. Some people aren't used to an environment where excellence is expected.” – Steve Jobs
THE VISIONARY BRAND | Strategic Competitiveness
Strategic Competitiveness is born from a Brand that has established itself as premium and can be trusted to consistently provide the best level of products or services.
With the strategic weapon of premium brand positioning, a brand can extend its market share by deploying a Product Squeeze.
The Product Squeeze happens when a brand looks to extend its product mix beyond its core offering without degrading brand equity. That is the key, and it happens without destroying brand equity or community trust.
How does a brand achieve the “squeeze” successfully? It is best explained through marketplace reference. At TaylorMade, we had a commanding market share with Movable Weight Technology (MWT) with our “first mover” advantage. Our flagship product then was the R7 Series of woods and irons. However, our leading sporting goods retailer had requested additional products at a faster pace at differing price points.
All retail footprints are built off three distinct price tiers; Good, Better, and Best. We were the Best but needed a product covering all price tiers. Our strategy was to reintroduce a previous TaylorMade product series without the flagship tech of MWT. We would reintroduce the Burner product line. Great product, but with one distinct difference, no MWT Tech. Introducing the Burner line it allowed us to capture the “Better” Tier. With one Tier left to conquer, we would decrease product development and commercialization, allowing to introduce new generations of Best level products, and move the previous to the Good level, similar to Apple's strategy with all their products.
Once we built this three-product Tier strategy, we could “Squeeze” all competitors off the other two matrixes and command a more significant market share. Within 12-18 months, we moved from a mid-30% market share to a mid-50% market share: a fantastic accomplishment and something our retail partner did not anticipate would be so successful. You would think they would be excited, but they were concerned that one brand, TaylorMade commanded such market share power and could now command pricing power, as the brand is now the majority shareholder. Deploying the “Product Squeeze” so successfully allowed smaller to enter the market.
Strategic Competitiveness is about finding a way to leverage your brand equity without damaging brand loyalty. In other words, do not be greedy, be smart. Build consistently great products, build brand loyalty through your community, and partner with your retailer or DTC channel to leverage your Strategic strategy.
Finding ways to eliminate your competitors is a weapon few possess, and those who have this power must use it wisely and strategically.
Stay True, Stay Authentic, be Different, and be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
Bryan Smeltzer, President
LiquidMind Inc.
#TheVisionaryChroniclesPodcast
#TheVisionaryBrandBook
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
© All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2023
Bryan Smeltzer is a consumer products business executive and entrepreneur. He has held executive-level roles in business development, product, and marketing with some of the world's most prestigious brands, including; Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, and Schutt Sports, among other international brands. He also founded a men’s apparel brand, successfully running a profitable business for ten years, eventually selling to a VC firm.
He also hosts a Podcast called The Visionary Chronicles, and recently finished his first bestselling book, The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands, and recently received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for BEST Non-fiction, Marketing Genre book.
He is also a member of the Board of Advisors at UCI’s BCIE along with their New Venture Program, an Innovation Advisor at the UCI’s Applied Innovation program at the Cove, a Mentor/Advisor to UCLA’s Price Center Venture Accelerator Program, and a Mentor/Advisor at the San Diego Sports Innovators Accelerator (SDSI) center.
Bryan oversees LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that partners with start-ups and established mid to large-cap consumer brands to empower businesses to think differently, be different, drive a passionate culture, and execute relentlessly.
You can contact or follow him at;
bryan@LiquidMindsite.com
@bryansmeltzer33
@bryan_smeltzer
@bryansmeltzer
linkedin.com/in/bryansmeltzer/
The Visionary Chronicles PodcastCHRONICLE: February 22nd, 2023“I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work.” – Thomas Edison
Visionaries | Thomas EdisonThere are many great quotes on failure and the barriers you must overcome to succeed, but few resonate from such great leaders, the Visionaries.
Not a one-hit wonder but a generational success; luck is usually not part of the formula, just hard work, knowledge, and persistence.
Only a few true Visionaries have graced our planet, and even fewer today than in the past. These Visionaries, Rockefeller, Carnegie, JP Morgan, Ford, Einstein, Edison, and Jobs, contributed significantly to our way of life today.
Having discussed a few, I would like to discuss the greatest inventor of all time, Thomas Edison. Think of our world without music, voice communication, movies, or light. Yet, only a few know that Edison was also the father of the innovation process through teamwork.
Edison invented life-altering products like electric power, voice communications, sound recording, and motion pictures. These inventions included the phonograph, the motion picture camera, and the electric light bulb, and each has had a lasting impact on our world!
He established his first laboratory facility in Menlo Park, New Jersey, where many of his early inventions were developed. Over his desk Edison displayed a placard with Sir Joshua Reynold's quotation: "There is no expedient to which a man will not resort to avoid the real labor of thinking." This is an awesome quote, and when you are looking for continual inspiration, it is best to have one which reflects what the average person aspires to achieve and never realizes, versus those who have impacted our world, the Visionaries. I am always curious as to what, or who inspired these great Visionaries, and finding a quote such as this provides some insight.
Throughout his life, Edison did not always find success, even though his products provided life-changing solutions, such as DC power. The DC world would soon turn to AC, supplied by Tesla. The fight for control would become legendary and involve some of the most powerful men in the world, such as JP Morgan. Eventually, AC would win out and provide the current electrical grid.
Edison would later establish a botanical laboratory in Fort Myers, Florida, with businessmen Henry Ford and Harvey S. Firestone and a laboratory in West Orange, New Jersey, that featured the world's first film studio, the Black Maria. Imagine the mastermind power of Edison, Ford and Firestone. A legendary team!
With 1,093 US patents in his name and in other countries, Edison is regarded as the greatest inventor of our time. Edison married twice and had six children. He died in 1931 due to complications from diabetes.
True Visionaries impact not only our life but generations beyond, which is why there are so few. Edison was a legendary Visionary, inventor, and Idea generator. He carved the path for others to follow, but few, if any, will ever match his impact on our lives.
Stay True, Stay Authentic, be Different, and be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
Bryan Smeltzer, President
LiquidMind Inc.
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
© All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2023
Bryan Smeltzer is a consumer products business executive and entrepreneur. He has held executive-level roles in business development, product, and marketing with some of the world's most prestigious brands, including; Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, and Schutt Sports, among other international brands. He also founded a men’s apparel brand, successfully running a profitable business for ten years, eventually selling to a VC firm.
He also hosts a Podcast called The Visionary Chronicles, and recently finished his first bestselling book, The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands, and recently received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for BEST Non-fiction, Marketing Genre book.
He is also a member of the Board of Advisors at UCI’s BCIE along with their New Venture Program, an Innovation Advisor at the UCI’s Applied Innovation program at the Cove, a Mentor/Advisor to UCLA’s Price Center Venture Accelerator Program, and a Mentor/Advisor at the San Diego Sports Innovators Accelerator (SDSI) center.
Bryan oversees LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that partners with start-ups and established mid to large-cap consumer brands to empower businesses to think differently, be different, drive a passionate culture, and execute relentlessly.
You can contact or follow him at;
bryan@LiquidMindsite.com
@bryansmeltzer33
@bryan_smeltzer
@bryansmeltzer
linkedin.com/in/bryansmeltzer/
The Visionary Chronicles PodcastCHRONICLE: January 25th, 2022Content from…
The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World's Most Visionary Brands. Readers Favorite Award Winner; Top Marketing Book * Amazon Bestseller*
"The foundation stones for a balanced success are honesty, character, integrity, faith, love, and loyalty.”
Zig Ziglar
Brand Loyalty | The Loyalty Loop
Brands that understand the value of a customer and how to provide value beyond selling products are the ones that become generational, not transactional.
An authentic strategy around “how” you will provide value consistently and genuinely is vital to building loyalty with your Community. You noticed I did not say “Customer” but “Community.” Brands that understand the difference between the two are the ones who understand how their product affects a Community. You are building a Community of customers loyal to “Your” brand as a result of your continual flow of premium products, incremental or disruptive, that allow your Community to gain a performance edge or enhanced lifestyle experience.
As I have mentioned previously, Ralph Lauren once said, “we are selling a lifestyle, not a product,” and this rings true today. Before DTC/e-comm, brands were beholden to retailers to provide the ultimate experience you were hoping your Community would be loyal to over generations. Instead, it became a retail buying experience without any value beyond the product; in other words…transactional.
Before brands embraced the Loyalty Loop, customers were shoved through the purchase funnel, and you would move on to the next transaction. Today, brands can not afford to disengage after purchase; this is when brands must proactively provide “value beyond product.” So there are three principal components to the Loyalty Loop, which occurs post-purchase.
Brands that understand Community and the context of why it is imperative to create, grow, and authentically engage will be rewarded with significantly higher lifetime customer value!It is a fact that you can provide value to your Community that will allow them to “become” A, better runner, better swimmer, better triathlete, better football player, or any sport where improvement makes you more competitive this is the key to brand success. And guess what? This additional value has nothing to do with the product, and it has to do with providing support to use the product effectively and support with no ulterior motive.
As a brand, do not be so short-sighted that you lose your Community to gain a customer—lifetime value vs. transactional consumer.
Provide Value beyond Product, and become Community focused and authentic in all you do!
Stay True, Stay Authentic, be Different, and be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
Bryan Smeltzer, President
LiquidMind Inc.
#TheVisionaryChroniclesPodcast
#TheVisionaryBrandBook
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
© All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2023
Bryan Smeltzer is a consumer products business executive and entrepreneur. He has held executive-level roles in business development, product, and marketing with some of the world's most prestigious brands, including; Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, and Schutt Sports, among other international brands. He also founded a men’s apparel brand, successfully running a profitable business for ten years, eventually selling to a VC firm.
He also hosts a Podcast called The Visionary Chronicles, and recently finished his first bestselling book, The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands, and recently received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for BEST Non-fiction, Marketing Genre book.
He is also a member of the Board of Advisors at UCI’s BCIE along with their New Venture Program, an Innovation Advisor at the UCI’s Applied Innovation program at the Cove, a Mentor/Advisor to UCLA’s Price Center Venture Accelerator Program, and a Mentor/Advisor at the San Diego Sports Innovators Accelerator (SDSI) center.
Bryan currently oversees LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that partners with start-ups and established mid to large-cap consumer brands to empower businesses to think different, be different, drive a passionate culture, and execute relentlessly.
You can contact or follow him at;
e-Mail | bryan@LiquidMindsite.com
Facebook | @bryansmeltzer33
Instagram | @bryan_smeltzer
Twitter | @bryansmeltzer
LinkedIn | linkedin.com/in/bryansmeltzer/
The Visionary Chronicles PodcastCHRONICLE: January 26th, 2023
" Sometimes, when you innovate, you make mistakes. It is best to admit them quickly and get on with improving your other innovations."
Life from Steve Jobs
Steve Jobs | Leadership LessonsThere have been many books written on Steve, and I believe I have read every one. His life is so unique and impactful it is hard to wrap your arms around all that he accomplished in such a short time.
Success is never accomplished alone but rather through others who execute the leader's Vision. Steve had a special knack for “seeing the future” and “what could be”. Few leaders over the last several centuries have had this type of intuition. Vision is driven by Visionaries, those who can see what others cannot, those who are committed to realizing their vision through others and can see it through. See it through, as you will face many barriers and failures along the path to category disruption. This is what Steve was consistently looking to achieve, simple Sophistication through disruptive products, services, processes, or technologies. Michelangelo was also a great Visionary.
So how did Steve manage to keep this disruptive, innovative product pipeline flowing for generations? As a result, most of us still use them every day and are considered indispensable!
Steve would have a method to his genius and follow a fairly consistent process.
These principles are timeless, and everyone can take some part in these to build a better brand, a more passionate culture, and insanely great products. Take the time to commit to the Vision, and don’t compromise. This is not what Great brands do.
Stay True, Stay Authentic, be Different, and be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
Bryan Smeltzer, President
LiquidMind Inc.
#TheVisionaryChroniclesPodcast
#TheVisionaryBrandBook
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
© All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2023
Bryan Smeltzer is a consumer products business executive and entrepreneur. He has held executive-level roles in business development, product, and marketing with some of the world's most prestigious brands, including; Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, and Schutt Sports, among other international brands. He also founded a men’s apparel brand, successfully running a profitable business for ten years, eventually selling to a VC firm.
He also hosts a Podcast called The Visionary Chronicles, and recently finished his first bestselling book, The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands, and recently received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for BEST Non-fiction, Marketing Genre book.
He is also a member of the Board of Advisors at UCI’s BCIE along with their New Venture Program, an Innovation Advisor at the UCI’s Applied Innovation program at the Cove, a Mentor/Advisor to UCLA’s Price Center Venture Accelerator Program, and a Mentor/Advisor at the San Diego Sports Innovators Accelerator (SDSI) center.
Bryan currently oversees LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that partners with start-ups and established mid to large-cap consumer brands to empower businesses to think differently, be different, drive a passionate culture, and execute relentlessly.
You can contact or follow him at;
bryan@LiquidMindsite.com
@bryansmeltzer33
@bryan_smeltzer
@bryansmeltzer
linkedin.com/in/bryansmeltzer/
The Visionary Chronicles PodcastCHRONICLE: January 18th, 2023
"Just say NO to COMMODITY!"
Tom Peters, The Circle of Innovation
Content from…
The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World's Most Visionary Brands Readers Favorite Award Winner! Top Non-fiction, Marketing Genre Business Book * Amazon Bestseller!*
Premium Positioning | Finding your Brand PositioningPositioning is a cornerstone piece of defining your brand strategy. Having described your brand's position in the marketplace, you will have determined your point of difference vs. your competition, how future products will enter your selected distribution channel, and what type of products will fit into your portfolio.
Each of these foundational questions is part of your positioning strategy. Within each question are deep-rooted answers which will direct your path as you move forward.
With Positioning, you are either premium or commodity, with a sprinkling of some brands in the middle of the road. Defined as "good," "better," or "best," Positioning, your objective should be to be the "best," or at the very least at the top tier of "better," but NEVER "good"! This is where the commodity companies, notice I said commodities and not brands, play, and you do not want to play in the bloody water—too many sharks and not enough food or margin to be successful. Go where the water is clear, and no one fights over scraps. Granted, this is more difficult, as these waters are more vast, but it will support your success long-term. This is why being DIFFERENT is critical to a brand's success, not worrying about competition, and finding ways to stay ahead of the innovation curve and disrupt wherever possible.
When establishing the Positioning for your Brand, several questions must be asked.
Each of these sets a foundation for your Vision to where your brand can travel and what paths are prohibited. Travel down these paths and succeed, veer off course and fail. Your choice!
24/7
With data being consumed by your customers 24/7, how does a brand cut through the clutter? Once you have defined your Positioning, you need to set a cohesive, vertical strategy that allows you to engage with your community, build an authentic audience, and enable them to be a part of your growth. Remember, it is better to have ten authentic ambassadors of your brand than 1,000 who are not committed to supporting your Vision.
With 35-40 touchpoints a day, it is critical to have a set plan, a clear, cohesive strategy understood by all who are empowered to execute its success.
Once you have set your Positioning and determined your 24/7 marketing strategy, it is critical to ensure you stay the course, do not sell out, take shortcuts, or maneuver off course. When a brand decides to pursue these, they end up having to put the brand in reverse, and they also damage community loyalty and the equity of all brands.
So as you set your course, start your Journey, stay True to who you are, define your brand culture, reward those who contribute to your success and never look in the rearview mirror. Keep blazing the path for others to follow.
Stay True, Stay Authentic, be Different, and be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
Bryan Smeltzer, President
LiquidMind Inc.
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
© All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2023
Bryan Smeltzer is a consumer products business executive and entrepreneur. He has held executive-level roles in business development, product, and marketing with some of the world's most prestigious brands, including; Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, and Schutt Sports, among other international brands. He also founded a men's apparel brand, successfully running a profitable business for ten years, eventually selling to a VC firm.
He also hosts a Podcast called The Visionary Chronicles. In addition, he recently finished his first bestselling book, The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World's Most Visionary Brands. He recently received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for BEST Non-fiction, Marketing Genre book.
He is a member of the Board of Advisors at UCI's BCIE along with their New Venture Program, an Innovation Advisor at the UCI's Applied Innovation program at the Cove, a Mentor/Advisor to UCLA's Price Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation, and the UCLA Media, Entertainment and Sports programs, and the San Diego Sports Innovators Accelerator (SDSI) center.
Bryan currently oversees LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that partners with start-ups and established mid to large-cap consumer brands to empower businesses to think differently, be different, drive a passionate culture, and execute relentlessly.
bryan@LiquidMindsite.com
@bryansmeltzer33
@bryan_smeltzer
@bryansmeltzer
linkedin.com/in/bryansmeltzer/
The Visionary Chronicles PodcastCHRONICLE: January 11th, 2022"I put my heart and my soul into my work and have lost my mind in the process.."
Vincent Van Gogh
Brand Product Positioning | Selling Your SoulOver the years, we have seen brands come and go, each with a different reason for not surviving. But most, if not all, have made the crucial mistake of Selling their Soul.
This happens when a brand has carefully crafted a premium positioning in their respective marketplace and then decided to sell out and move into a channel their loyal customers did not expect or create a product not up to the brand's standards, much less the customer. So you end up Selling Your Soul for either short-term gain in exchange for long-term pain. Being a brand is much a lifestyle translation as it is a product. When you understand this, you know why you alienate your loyal community by cutting corners or putting your product where it does not belong.
The fear of failure can sometimes outweigh common sense, which is devastating when it happens. I am sure there are many times when you ask yourself, "whatever happened to that brand?". Often, Selling Your Soul is a fatal mistake. You are selling your Soul to make a quarter in revenue, move excess inventory, or find a new distribution channel. There is a way for a brand to navigate these waters successfully, but you must not drown in the process.
So what are the Rules for not Selling Your Soul?
Each of these points is meant to stop you from losing your Soul as a brand. This is something not given, but it is earned. The trust of your loyal customer, never break this bond.
Stay True, Stay Authentic, be Different, and be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
Bryan Smeltzer, President
LiquidMind Inc.
#TheVisionaryChroniclesPodcast
#TheVisionaryBrandBook
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
© All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2023
Bryan Smeltzer is a consumer products business executive and entrepreneur. He has held executive-level roles in business development, product, and marketing with some of the world's most prestigious brands, including; Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, Schutt Sports, among other international brands. He also founded a men’s apparel brand, successfully running a profitable business for ten years, eventually selling to a VC firm.
He also hosts a Podcast called The Visionary Chronicles, and recently finished his first bestselling book, The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands, and recently received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for BEST Non-fiction, Marketing Genre book.
He is also a member of the Board of Advisors at UCI’s BCIE along with their New Venture Program, an Innovation Advisor at the UCI’s Applied Innovation program at the Cove, a Mentor/Advisor to UCLA’s Price Center Venture Accelerator Program, and a Mentor/Advisor at the San Diego Sports Innovators Accelerator (SDSI) center.
Bryan currently oversees LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that partners with both start-ups and established, mid to large-cap consumer brands to empower their businesses to think different, be different, drive a passionate culture, and execute relentlessly.
You can contact or follow him at;
bryan@LiquidMindsite.com
@bryansmeltzer33
@bryan_smeltzer
@bryansmeltzer
linkedin.com/in/bryansmeltzer/
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast
CHRONICLE: December 13th, 2022
Podcast: Special Guest | David Meltzer
“I haven’t met a single successful person who hasn’t failed miserably.” – David Meltzer
We have a special guest on this week’s Podcast, David Meltzer. David has been a guest across many high-profile media platforms such as Entrepreneur, Ted X, ESPN, and Forbes, where he is a Top 10 Speaker.
These are just a few high-profile media outlets David has been a guest on, too many to mention. In addition, David also hosts the popular shows Office Hours, the Two Minute Drill and is the host of the Playbook Podcast.
His life mission is to empower OVER 1 BILLION people to be happy! I am not sure where David finds the time, but I am glad he is so committed to these principles, as he has impacted so many lives along the way.
David was our guest on The Visionary Chronicles Podcast, and we were able to ask him many intriguing, visionary questions and gain insight into what motivates him. In addition, David provides invaluable advice for Entrepreneurs and life lessons for those going through difficult times. He had achieved success and lost over 100M dollars, but was able to attain generational success again miraculously. Quite a story and we were privileged to have David take the time to tell his story.
Opening
Business
Life
Day to Day
The Playbook Podcast
Ending
You can find more information on David, his shows, and his podcast at;
DMeltzer.com
Email David at; david@DMeltzer.com
He also provides a FREE Friday Training Course, and you can find out more information at; https://free.dmeltzer.com/friday-training-1
Thanks once again to David Meltzer for stopping by The Visionary Chronicles.
Stay True, Stay Authentic, be Different, and be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
Bryan Smeltzer, President
LiquidMind Inc.
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
© All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2022
Bryan Smeltzer is a consumer products business executive and entrepreneur. He has held executive-level roles in business development, product, and marketing with some of the world's most prestigious brands, including; Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, and Schutt Sports, among other international brands. He also founded a men's apparel brand, successfully running a profitable business for ten years, eventually selling to a VC firm.
He also hosts a Podcast called The Visionary Chronicles. In addition, he recently finished his first bestselling book, The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World's Most Visionary Brands. He recently received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for BEST Non-fiction, Marketing Genre book.
He is a member of the Board of Advisors at UCI's BCIE along with their New Venture Program, an Innovation Advisor at the UCI's Applied Innovation program at the Cove, a Mentor/Advisor to UCLA's Price Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation, and the UCLA Media, Entertainment and Sports programs, and the San Diego Sports Innovators Accelerator (SDSI) center.
Bryan currently oversees LiquidMind Inc., (LiquidMindsite.com) a global brand strategy firm that partners with start-ups and established mid to large-cap consumer brands to empower businesses to think differently, be different, drive a passionate culture, and execute relentlessly.
Bryan's Contact Info...
e-mail: bryan@LiquidMindsite.com
Facebook: @bryansmeltzer33
Instagram; @bryan_smeltzer
Twitter: @bryansmeltzer
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/bryansmeltzer/
Podcast: Brand Bloodlines | Be The Best "A brand for a company is like a reputation for a person. You earn a reputation by trying to do hard things well."
Jeff Bezos
Perception becomes a reality, but this reality must be carefully crafted, honed, and managed each day as a true, authentic brand. Challenging, yes, but this is why there are so few premium brands in our world.
By design, to be a brand, you must BE a brand. Being a brand means living a lifestyle representative of what you want your Brand to stand for in the real world. I often quote Ralph Lauren, but his statement is true; "We are NOT selling a product; we ARE selling a Lifestyle." What an enlightening quote that should be shared by all who hope to become a brand at one point.
So these Bloodlines that are the makeup, the DNA of premium brands go well beyond product and must be injected into all aspects of the Brand. You can not be a great, premium brand with a superior product but horrible customer service. The result is an awful experience for your loyal customer and is a clear disconnect to becoming a premium brand. The Bloodlines of an excellent brand stretch into all aspects of your company; operations, finance, customer service, marketing, product, and sales.
A great analogy is Lamborghini, the ultimate car brand that has finely crafted its premium positioning, and everyone knows it, even those who have not purchased their machines. However, as powerful and beautiful as they are, they do not realize the ultimate performance their cars can produce if they are not finely tuned. The experience does not match the messaging, which would be an apparent disconnect.
Be the Best! Good, better, or best, your choice, but if your goal is to be premium, you must commit to being the Best in everything you do. Not just product, but everything! This is a challenge most companies are not committed to, and again why there are so few true, premium brands. Far too many companies overlook the simple things that most customers do not. It is the difference between a four vs. a five-star resort. It makes your customers loyal and provides the "stickiness" to keep them returning. What separates the Good from the Best? It is a relentless, ongoing commitment to the Best at all levels within your Brand and sustaining that as long as the Brand is alive. The foundation is destroyed as soon as you break this link within the Brand.
So what are some of these Bloodline traits to being the Best;
These are just some areas where Visionary brands have consistently been committed to succeeding within and outside their brands. It is a difficult challenge, but stay committed, be true to your Vision, and you will eventually succeed. Rome was not built in a day, it is a long haul, but the treasure awaits those who are committed to seeing it through.
Stay True, Stay Authentic, be Different, and be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
Bryan Smeltzer, President
LiquidMind Inc.
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
© All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2022
Bryan Smeltzer is a successful consumer products business executive and entrepreneur. He has held executive-level roles in business development, product, and marketing with some of the world's most prestigious brands, including; Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, and Schutt Sports, among other international brands. He also founded a men's apparel brand, successfully running a profitable business for ten years, eventually selling to a VC firm.
He also hosts a Podcast called The Visionary Chronicles. In addition, he recently finished his first bestselling book, The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World's Most Visionary Brands. He recently received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for BEST Non-fiction, Marketing Genre book.
He is a member of the Board of Advisors at UCI's BCIE along with their New Venture Program, an Innovation Advisor at the UCI's Applied Innovation program at the Cove, a Mentor/Advisor to UCLA's Price Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation, and the UCLA Media, Entertainment and Sports programs, and the San Diego Sports Innovators Accelerator (SDSI) center.
Bryan currently oversees LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that partners with start-ups and established mid to large-cap consumer brands to empower businesses to think differently, be different, drive a passionate culture, and execute relentlessly.
bryan@LiquidMindsite.com
@bryansmeltzer33
@bryan_smeltzer
@bryansmeltzer
linkedin.com/in/bryansmeltzer/
"Leadership is the capacity to translate Vision into reality."
Life from Warren Bennis
Podcast: Leadership Formula | The New Leadership Principles
The new Leadership Formula is driven by the ability of a leader to motivate their teams to passionately embrace a Vision for the long-term benefit of the brand.
The formula is not about being the nicest leader or someone with a singular compassion for all. It is finding the one who can skillfully understand the needs and motivations of others and turn this into an engine of progress and eventual pride for all. Being a respected leader is the goal, but few achieve this status. Most are either unwilling to be humble enough to share credit, smart enough to know what they don't know, or compassionate enough to understand what drives others vs. themselves.
Knowledge is not what makes great leaders who understand how to empower people and give all the gratitude and praise to others—a leader who embraces others, not themselves. A truly great leader understands that for a Vision to be realized, it must be adopted by all and shared by all until its completion. The Vision is to know that by empowering others, you are empowering yourself to accomplish greater things than you would realize. So take off the cape, understand your limitations and embrace the power of empowering others to succeed!
Understanding everyone has different motivations, and usually low on the list is monetary compensation vs. personal acknowledgment of a job well done. Finding the balance is critical for great leaders, and a mix that maximizes everyone's potential and builds passion across your entire team, everyone working together accomplishing a singular goal.
The new Leadership Formula is comprised of many elements; following are a few;
I am often asked if great leaders are born. This may be both true and false, but I feel inherently great leaders are born with the ability to lead, be compassionate, and absorb Pressure, and the other traits are learned. So the balance is they are born with the required leadership skills.
However, you can understand what is needed to be a great leader, be committed to these traits, be authentic, and be real, and your team will reward you with their loyalty!
Stay True, Stay Authentic, be Different, and be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
Bryan Smeltzer, President
LiquidMind Inc.
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
© All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2022
Bryan Smeltzer is a successful consumer products business executive and entrepreneur. He has held executive-level roles in business development, product, and marketing with some of the world's most prestigious brands, including; Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, and Schutt Sports, among other international brands. He also founded a men's apparel brand, successfully running a profitable business for ten years, eventually selling to a VC firm.
He also hosts a Podcast called The Visionary Chronicles. In addition, he recently finished his first bestselling book, The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World's Most Visionary Brands. He recently received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for BEST Non-fiction, Marketing Genre book.
He is a member of the Board of Advisors at UCI's BCIE along with their New Venture Program, an Innovation Advisor at the UCI's Applied Innovation program at the Cove, a Mentor/Advisor to UCLA's Price Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation, and the UCLA Media, Entertainment and Sports programs, and the San Diego Sports Innovators Accelerator (SDSI) center.
Bryan currently oversees LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that partners with start-ups and established mid to large-cap consumer brands to empower businesses to think differently, be different, drive a passionate culture, and execute relentlessly.
bryan@LiquidMindsite.com
@bryansmeltzer33
@bryan_smeltzer
@bryansmeltzer
linkedin.com/in/bryansmeltzer/
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast CHRONICLE: November 17th, 2022
"When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don't adjust the goals, adjust the action steps..."
Life Wisdom from Confucius
Podcast: Goals | How to Set Goals and Achieve Your Vision
With the new year upon us and the past year presenting so many challenges, the ability to set and move ahead with your Goals is imperative. It sets the Future, a Vision that moves us beyond the past and allows us to achieve that which seems unattainable. But how do you effectively set and achieve your goals? Interestingly, I engage with companies and leaders looking for answers to increasing innovation, productivity, or efficiency, each seemingly distinct but separate Goals. There is nothing wrong with this thinking other than the intent should be to tie them all together to improve your brand and teams. However, the realization hits them when they consistently fail and do not embrace the risk required to succeed. These scenarios reflect the real world, where only 8% of those who set goals achieve them.
In my new Visionary Chronicles Podcast, Goals | How to Set Goals and Achieve your Vision, I address this question, providing insightful principles on setting goals properly and executing them through a step-by-step process.
When setting Goals, they must be challenging but attainable. Here are ten proven Principles for assuring Goals are stretched but attainable ;
Within these principles, you will find roadblocks and barriers to achieving eventual Success. But just stick to your path no matter how rocky. The old cliché holds if it were easy, everyone would do it.
Set definitive goals, change your habits, find support along the way, and have Faith that all things will work together for good.
Stay True, Stay Authentic, be Different, and be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
Bryan Smeltzer, President
LiquidMind Inc.
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
© All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2022
Bryan Smeltzer is a successful consumer products business executive and entrepreneur. He has held executive-level roles in business development, product, and marketing with some of the world's most prestigious brands, including; Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, and Schutt Sports, among other international brands. He also founded a men's apparel brand, successfully running a profitable business for ten years, eventually selling to a VC firm.
He also hosts a Podcast called The Visionary Chronicles. In addition, he recently finished his first bestselling book, The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World's Most Visionary Brands. He recently received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for BEST Non-fiction, Marketing Genre book.
He is a member of the Board of Advisors at UCI's BCIE along with their New Venture Program, an Innovation Advisor at the UCI's Applied Innovation program at the Cove, a Mentor/Advisor to UCLA's Price Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation, and the UCLA Media, Entertainment and Sports programs, and the San Diego Sports Innovators Accelerator (SDSI) center.
Bryan currently oversees LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that partners with start-ups and established mid to large-cap consumer brands to empower businesses to think differently, be different, drive a passionate culture, and execute relentlessly.
bryan@LiquidMindsite.com
@bryansmeltzer33
@bryan_smeltzer
@bryansmeltzer
linkedin.com/in/bryansmeltzer/
The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World's Most Visionary Brands “Exceptionally well written, organized, and presented, The Visionary Brand must be considered essential reading for all aspiring entrepreneurs and corporate executives seeking to expand their market share.
The Visionary Brand is unreservedly recommended for community, corporate, college, university library Business Management instructional reference collections, and for the personal reading lists of entrepreneurs, MBA students, and corporate executives."
James Cox, Editor-in-Chief, Midwest Book Review
The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World's Most Visionary Brands
When I decided to write The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands, I was very fortunate to have been inside some of the world’s most creative, disruptive, and revolutionary brands.
These brands were each different, positioning themselves differently, engaging strategically, creating consistently, understanding why they exist, how they are unique, and building a culture that drives the passion for driving the brand forward. I found each fascinating and having been inside the walls of the executive suite seeing firsthand how these great brands operated was an experience few get to experience and witness. So, this experience, along with having a passion for reading and absorbing how other great brands were able to navigate the path to success for generations effectively, built a great base of knowledge both inside and outside these four walls. These insanely great companies and the leaders behind the curtain, the wizards pulling the brand along and successfully executing a Vision no one else could see or comprehend.
The experience was the inspiration, and this is where the Journey started. Having been with these brands and throughout my years, I found that there truly was no ONE Visionary brand, a company that had all the pieces in place. Some had most, but none had all to achieve this status. So as I prepared to write The Visionary Brand, I wanted it to be an outline of the pieces required to achieve Visionary level. Also, I intended to interpret the content quickly and apply it to your day-to-day and long-term strategy.
In having read hundreds of books, all either Bios of great leaders or disruptive brands, most were told from outside in perspective or academic standpoint. Neither of these is easily applied, nor are they beneficial unless you are a multi-billion brand with significant resources to execute their strategy. Therefore, I wanted to take an Entrepreneurial spin on building the structure of The Visionary Brand, which can be applied with limited resources, brands both big and small and measurement in results.
It has been a passion and longtime goal to write this book, many times wanting to hang up my pen and other times spilling out thoughts that seemed never-ending. Both extremes are why I feel The Visionary Brand is so tangible to leaders at all levels and industries.
You will find a clear, tangible path to understanding, achieving, and realizing the pieces of putting your Visionary brand puzzle together. I intended to make it clear, tangible, and fun to execute individually and as a team. Achieving Visionary status seems intangible to most, and it is meant to be by design. However, if you can acquire insight into building your path to generational success while putting these pieces in place, I will have served my purpose in writing The Visionary Brand!
Inside the cover of The Visionary Brand, you will step by step insight into what an authentic Visionary brand is, how this machine runs, what their point of difference is, and how these tangible and intangible points of difference allow them to crush their Competition.
Journey/Brand
It starts with my Journey to writing the book and then defines what a Brand truly is built from a foundational perspective.
Vision/Elements
The book then moves to Vision from the brand and how companies separate themselves through foresight and a product innovation pipeline. I discuss how this revolution is the difference that defines these Visionary brands and how imitators will never be leaders. The elements that set great brands apart and allow them to sustain their category leadership for generations. Disruption, being Different, and Case Studies around each.
Positioning/Omni-Channel
From Vision, I move to marketplace positioning and omnichannel strategy. Ensuring you are consistent in all you do, being authentic, ensuring the bloodlines are true to the Vision—strategic competitiveness, Lifestyle marketing, and being the best at ALL times.
Power Triad/Culture
Product/Marketing & Sales, the Power Triad. How they drive the brand forward, and how each builds a Culture to be envied by all their competitors.
Product Vision/Ecosystem
Breakaway design, innovation pipeline, drawdown strategy, and commercialization. Each a piece of a strategic arsenal brands deploy every day. They were leading through extinction and building an Ecosystem that allows the brands to capture a community and make a Loyal following.
Fuel/UX
Marketing is The Fuel that keeps a brand moving forward, executing on the Vision and ensuring its positioning always is consistent and authentic. Personalization and Ambassador engagement are two unique platforms for brands to ensure they continue to build their community, the heart, and soul of DTC revenue. Finally, the UX, empathizing and understanding your customers.
Artist/Courage
These are areas rarely discussed, but I felt they were probably the most important to put in my book. Without Artists and Courage, you have neither the creativity to be different to the guts to take risks.
In summary, The Visionary Brand was written for those looking to understand what is significant, being Visionary, being different to sustain long-term success, and what they do to create brand Loyalty. Also, it was written from an inside out perspective, understanding is as much personal, as it is business acumen. Be a Leader, Be a Visionary, Be Compassionate, Be Great!
Stay True, stay Authentic, be Different, be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
Bryan Smeltzer, President
LiquidMind Inc.
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
© All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2022
Subscribe to The Visionary Chronicles PODCAST, and receive The Visionary Chronicles Weekly Newsletter, along with a FREE copy of my new book;
THE VISIONARY BRAND, The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands.
I am providing a FREE copy with the hope you will review Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, or any other international distributions sites the book is currently being distributed.
It is always greatly appreciated when you spread the word through REVIEWS!
Enjoy!
Visionary Interviews, I will be doing some upcoming interviews with some icons in the industry. If you happen to know of someone, I may want to interview, please let me know. Just provide some brief information, and if it works, we will reach out.
LiquidMind
a Brand Strategy Firm for those looking to disrupt their industry, build a global digital platform, business execution leadership, or just need someone who understands your business's complexities and can provide solutions.
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast CHRONICLE: October 26th, 2022
"My great concern is not whether you have failed, but whether you are content with your failure."
Wisdom from Abraham Lincoln
Failure | Stepping Stone to Success Failure is not fatal, but if you do not embrace Failure and make it a part of your Culture, it can prevent you from realizing your Vision.
Many companies profess to be "Innovative" yet squash any new out-of-the-box thinking that disrupts the status quo of the company and your business category. Therefore, it is crucial to embrace your failures, learn from them, and adapt if you are to move your IDEAs from paper to people.
Commercializing your IDEA is the inevitable goal, but if the product you envisioned does not match reality, there will be issues with your community and the brand itself. If you are to be a leader, you must embrace Failure and Risk to create what others may not have thought of or felt was impossible. Otherwise, you are truly just a commodity. Having the courage to do what is right for the brand is what all Visionaries have in common. Beyond product, beyond Culture, is sticking to your Foundational Principles, which drive your brand forward.
The brands that continually drive innovation embrace Failure as a learning experience and will be the ones to survive any storm. Look at history, and you will see brands that have failed and those who are still with us today. A common thread, stronger than steel, is the will to create what others said was impossible. This challenge brings out the passionate courage in all Visionaries and the satisfaction of proving others wrong.
Remember Edison's famous quote when inventing the light bulb…
"I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work…."
Imagine if Edison had given up at so-called "Failure" on try 9,998? A different world than we live in today. Thankful for his Vision and perseverance not to give up!
What are these Stepping Stones to Success?
Failure is inevitable when creating anything great! So embrace Failure and Risk and be rewarded with generational products and a culture committed to Success.
Stay True, Stay Authentic, be Different, and be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
Bryan Smeltzer, President
LiquidMind Inc.
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
© All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2022
Bryan Smeltzer is a successful consumer products business executive and entrepreneur. He has held executive-level roles in business development, product, and marketing with some of the world's most prestigious brands, including; Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, Schutt Sports, among other international brands. He also founded a men’s apparel brand, successfully running a profitable business for ten years, eventually selling to a VC firm.
He also hosts a Podcast called The Visionary Chronicles, and recently finished his first bestselling book, The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands, and recently received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for BEST Non-fiction, Marketing Genre book.
He is also a member of the Board of Advisors at UCI’s BCIE along with their New Venture Program, an Innovation Advisor at the UCI’s Applied Innovation program at the Cove, a Mentor/Advisor to UCLA’s Price Center Venture Accelerator Program, and a Mentor/Advisor at the San Diego Sports Innovators Accelerator (SDSI) center.
Bryan currently oversees LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that partners with both start-ups and established, mid to large-cap consumer brands to empower their businesses to think different, be different, drive a passionate culture, and execute relentlessly.
bryan@LiquidMindsite.com
@bryansmeltzer33
@bryan_smeltzer
@bryansmeltzer
linkedin.com/in/bryansmeltzer/
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast
CHRONICLE: October 14th, 2022
"First comes thought; then organization of that thought, into ideas and plans; then transformation of those plans into reality. The beginning, as you will observe, is in your imagination."
Napoleon Hill
Transformation Forces | 4 Forces of Business Transformation
If you were to look at most decisions made inside the four walls of a brand, you would find most do not address all the areas within and outside the organization. This transformative decision-making process takes on a whole new level of importance relative to the state of the brand, the economy's condition, and the state of your community.
These are incorporated into the decision-making to determine the best path forward and alternatives in case you need to pivot. These critical factors are determined inside and outside your brand, the speed of implementation, and the internal forces applied.
With these factors comes strategic planning questions such as, "Is this transformation something that needs to happen over time or immediate?" think pandemic, think recession, and "is this something needed internally or externally?" think processes, think logistics.
Each of these pieces of the puzzle is broad but has synergy with one another. The more you can pinpoint the forces requiring transformation, the better prepared you are for the future and your ability to pivot when necessary quickly.
The first question, slow or fast transformation, is relative to how easy it is to implement and where the transformation is happening. Quick transitions occur with processes, procedures, management, or forces that can quickly adapt. Slow changes happen when legacy systems or outside forces are integrated. These involve global brands with many tentacles in the marketplace. Usually, this type of transformation involves both an internal and an outer segment. These are more complicated but typically have the most significant impact. So what do these 4 Forces look like in businesses?
It is best explained in 4 differing levels, each independent but interdependent on the other.
First, the Speed;
Second the Location;
The four factors may seem simplistic, and that is by design. If this were too convoluted, nothing would get implemented, and your brand will not transform. When determining if something needs to change, ask yourself these questions;
Transformation is easy to identify but hard to implement. Everyone wants the Status Quo, but this only puts you further behind your competition. Keep change easy to ID and easy to implement. Your brand, your Team, and your Community will thank you!
Stay True, Stay Authentic, be Different, and be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
Bryan Smeltzer, President
LiquidMind Inc.
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
© All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2022
Bryan Smeltzer is a successful consumer products business executive and entrepreneur. He has held executive-level roles in business development, product, and marketing with some of the world's most prestigious brands, including; Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, Schutt Sports, among other international brands. He also founded a men’s apparel brand, successfully running a profitable business for ten years, eventually selling to a VC firm.
He also hosts a Podcast called The Visionary Chronicles, and recently finished his first bestselling book, The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands, and recently received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for BEST Non-fiction, Marketing Genre book.
He is also a member of the Board of Advisors at UCI’s BCIE along with their New Venture Program, an Innovation Advisor at the UCI’s Applied Innovation program at the Cove, a Mentor/Advisor to UCLA’s Price Center Venture Accelerator Program, and a Mentor/Advisor at the San Diego Sports Innovators Accelerator (SDSI) center.
Bryan currently oversees LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that partners with both start-ups and established, mid to large-cap consumer brands to empower their businesses to think different, be different, drive a passionate culture, and execute relentlessly.
bryan@LiquidMindsite.com
@bryansmeltzer33
@bryan_smeltzer
@bryansmeltzer
linkedin.com/in/bryansmeltzer/
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast CHRONICLE: October 3rd, 2022
“Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase.”
Martin Luther King Jr.
Courageous Leadership | Having the Courage to achieve Success
With the Visionary Chronicles Podcast, I intend to take what I have learned over my years as a business leader, both as an owner and executive, with global brands and share meaningful, diverse topics.
A significant part of leadership is crucial as you face barriers: the ability to have the faith and courage to make a decision and “the right one” at the right time.
When I mention “the right one,” companies will often ask what I am referring to when is ask this question. I find that it is easy to make “a decision,” but not always easy to find and make the “right decision .”A decision that is consistent with the brand's foundational values and the company's culture. Taking the time to make the right decision takes both faith and courage, especially when the barrier seems impossible, but doing so will build integrity in your culture. It is a commitment to ensuring that decisions are well thought out from all angles, both financially and culturally. Also, having a transparent process with each angle viewed assures you keep an authentic, passionate culture and your foundational values intact without sacrificing long-term opportunities.
We now live in a society where inclusiveness, cultural authentication, and a passion for your brand values are vital pieces to success. Those who believe in the vision set by the brand and see a commitment to it daily are more productive and satisfied in their work.
Faith can take on many meanings, but most feel it is believing without yet seeing, a complete trust in someone to see you through. A Vision set by a leader through a path not yet seen, a product not yet built, a service not yet provided, or making a disruptive brand through a leadership committed to ongoing innovation, integrity, or the building of a culture that bonds every team member together, a passionate belonging to a long-term vision. The type of Vision set by Patagonia leader Yvon Chouinard. Some may agree or choose to disagree, but the passion within a leader's heart will drive them to success.
Not every brand will want to follow Yvon’s path, but I can guarantee they admire his Vision for doing his part in providing for the other's future. His passion is an example of many who had the faith and courage to BE DIFFERENT! Those who are different, the “square pegs in the round holes,” dare to think differently when everything is the same. So be Different, and have the courage to know that you can conquer all barriers set before you through a solid foundational faith.
When I discuss this concept with Visionary leaders, and the need to think beyond product or service and ensure your culture is authentic, they realize it is a crucial piece of their future. When setting your Vision or analyzing your already established vision, you may need to rethink your version of success. You will need to adapt to our new world, just as those working for your brand have adopted. Still, you must also understand the updated thought process to decision making, knowing who is watching and understanding their expectations to be authentic to your foundation.
How do you incorporate this Courageous Leadership into your Brand’s Foundation?
The barriers you face as a leader will always come, but you can conquer each without fear—your brand, teams, and community count on you to remain calm in the face of adversity.
In my new book, an AMAZON Bestseller, The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands, I discuss these Visionary Brands and some of the Leaders who successfully navigated their brands to generational success.
Leadership does not always mean the most intelligent voice in the room; more often than not, it is someone courageous with the faith to know all things work together successfully. If you are logical, compassionate, direct, and have the ability to see the future when others can not.
Stay True, Stay Authentic, be Different, and be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
Bryan Smeltzer, President
LiquidMind Inc.
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
© All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2022
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast CHRONICLE: September 20th, 2022
"Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase."
Martin Luther King Jr.
PODCAST: Team Leadership | 5 Things High Performing Teams do Consistently
Hiring, building, and nurturing high-performance teams has long been a holy grail for brands. Each team has unique needs, personalities, and individual triggers that drive a passion in each team member. So how does a brand build a competent team and one who gets along with one another and consistently produces superior results…consistently, not just one-hit wonders?
First, when looking at building a high-performance team, understand there are primary needs of each team and individuals;
Autonomy; the ability to perform without hindrance.
Competence; having the skill set to perform.
Relatedness; being able to interact with other team members.
Then there are the three levels of support and building effectiveness in the team;
Dependance; INDIVIDUAL, the baby, the newbie, is learning from others. Crucial to have a process for onboarding.
Interdependence; TEAM, working with a group and being part of a team, finding a solution together.
Independence; LEADER, Leadership level, finding ways to make others successful. Be humble and grateful, and do not take credit for others' successes.
So what are the 5 Things that High Performing Teams do Consistently?
Building, managing, and growing successful teams for your brand takes a commitment to process and action. The approach to getting team members up to speed and the effort to assure they are satisfied with what it takes to be a part of a successful team and brand!
Stay True, Stay Authentic, be Different, and be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
Bryan Smeltzer, President
LiquidMind Inc.
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
© All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2022
This is content from my new book, The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World's Most Visionary Brands.
I am proud to announce that The Visionary Brand received a Readers Favorite Award for BEST MARKETING Book, and is an Amazon Bestseller!
AMAZON: The Visionary Brand Book
The Pillars of Great Leadership
What makes for a Great Leader? Not just one who inspires confidence or provides direction, but someone who has the innate sense to see the future, envision a path to success, and inspire those who do not yet see this path to take the Journey with them.
These leaders inspire a team, a company and a brand. They create a community outside the four walls, building loyalty and inspiring everyone to reach a common goal with the confidence that they will succeed. With each of these qualities, it is easy to see why there are so few “true” leaders. There are a lot of delusional executives who feel they are leaders, but it is merely a “chain of commitment” from the team, not necessarily that they believe in their vision.
For someone to be in this elite class of truly Visionary Leaders, they must embrace the unknown, stay calm amid the storms, show compassion, learn from past failures, build loyalty, and provide a Vision for others to follow passionately. I say passionately as this is a key element to successfully executing the leader's Vision through others. No great leader has ever succeeded by themselves, it takes an Army to take a leadership position in your market, and the more your leader has these Pillars, the more likely a brand is to succeed long-term. Success is not a “one-hit” wonder, it is a sustained level of success over generations.
In my new book, an AMAZON Bestseller, The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands, I discuss these Visionary Brands and some of the Leaders who successfully navigated their brands to generational success.
The following are Pillars of a Truly Great, Visionary Leaders
Great Leadership does not always mean the smartest voice in the room, more often than not, it is someone who is cognitive, logical, compassionate, direct and has the ability to see the future when others can not.
Stay True, stay Authentic, be Different, be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
Bryan Smeltzer, President
LiquidMind Inc.
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
© All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2022
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast
CHRONICLE: August 15th, 2022
"I can't understand why people are frightened of new ideas. I'm frightened of the old ones..."
Wisdom from John Cage
IDEA ENGINE | How to Maximize Creativity Flow
In a 2018 LinkedIn Survey, Creativity was the number sought-after soft skillset.
Creativity is a Cornerstone for an Innovative Thinker and a Progressive Brand. The ability to consistently think of great IDEAS, understand the impact at a brand level, and ensure they are commercialized is a trait few possess and are willing to explore.
Exploration is a crucial piece of Creativity; having the guts to do what others say is "Impossible" and pursue a Dream and bring it to Reality for others to see. This Exploration brings excitement and passion to a brand. The willingness to FAIL and FAIL again for the pursuit of reaching the pinnacle of success. Those who are willing to take this challenge, not just once, but make it part of their DNA, their core Identity will succeed, not only in their markets but with their teams and community as well!
With Exploration comes an Artistry around successfully realizing your great IDEA. The creative mastery around molding the IDEA to match your Identity.
The Artist is the one who knows what the painting looks like before a brush is put to canvas. So be an Artist, understand the beauty behind the product, making your communities life more accessible and non-burdensome. The Simple Sophistication of a great product and the Artistry to deliver on your Brand Promise.
To Maximize IDEA flow, you must first be committed to Exploring, embracing Failure, and being an Artist, and all are collectively generating insanely GREAT IDEAS.
What are the areas required to Promote Creativity?
Many leaders agree that Innovation and Creativity are the most sought-after traits, but most do nothing to promote creating a Culture where Cognitive Thinkers can thrive!
Stay True, stay Authentic, be Different, be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
Bryan Smeltzer, President
LiquidMind Inc.
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
© All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2022
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast CHRONICLE: August 1st , 2022
"Know your enemy and know yourself, and you can fight a hundred battles without disaster."
Wisdom from Sun Tzu, The Art of War
PODCAST: Art of Competition | Creating a Strategy that Overcomes Competitive Forces The Forces of Competition, which determine strategic planning and marketplace execution, are shared among all industries. Those who can anticipate both industry and competitive moves will succeed for generations.
Anticipation is the "Art of War," and brands who fight and win the battle without having pulled a sword are the ones who have mastered the "Art of Competition." But unfortunately, many have gone to war and have shown nothing for their efforts; a strategy built on a foundation of brute force inevitably fails.
Find a way to determine outcomes before they are fought, and you will build a team and a brand set on a solid foundation, a fortress others cannot enter. Creating a culture where everyone knows their role, works together to ensure the foundation stands, and others envy what you have made and want to know your future Vision. The best they can hope for is to follow in your path but never lead.
There are several forces brands must be aware of to execute The Art of Competition in the marketplace.
New Blood
With this scenario, new blood is the latest entry into your category, one who has a new idea, provides a potentially better service or product.
Combatting this competitor takes anticipation, an innovation process, and the ability to never look over your shoulder. Each of these allows a brand to move ahead with your Vision while ensuring this new blood is blocked or eliminated from establishing a beachhead without doing anything different. Changing course is not an option, but pivoting without disrupting your business is critical.
Scale
The scale was a strategy many were caught off guard by during the pandemic, and most were unable to recover in whole or in part.
However, to attain sufficient scale with a manufacturing matrix with the core competencies needed to produce a consistently excellent product and out-innovating yourself first is the winning formula.
Community
Loyalty, recurring revenue, and value creation are foundational to longevity. These pieces of your foundation will create a wall no competitor can climb.
This takes consistency, an understanding of who your customer is, what they value, and why they buy your products is a strategic weapon built off your team's shoulders.
Commodity Players
The Imitators, not the Innovators, are the commodity players. They are not be feared, but rather these are the ones to be called out and challenged at every turn.
Imitators take great Ideas and churn them into inferior quality products and lower-tier price points. As a result, they do not build a trusting, loyal community that embraces value provided by the brand, but rather a following looking for the next significant "draw-down."
Some have been successful with this strategy, but this is like building your foundation on the sand vs. rock. YOUR CHOICE.
Rivals
The most threatening part of a brand executing its future Vision is its direct Rival, those who have authentically built a loyal community, created their innovation pipeline and stayed true to their foundation.
They are to be respected, but the Art of War principles are genuinely beneficial and provide the most benefit. You want to anticipate the moves of your Rivals, find ways to outflank them, diminish their impact, and put the fires out before they start.
The Art of War is winning without having gone to battle. So what can you do to anticipate your Rival's next move and step out and take risks, never to relinquish your lead?
The Art of Competition is understanding the landscape, anticipating your Rival's moves, outflanking your Competition, and finding ways to win the battles through a strategy where you never have to draw your weapon! Find a way to win!
Stay True, stay Authentic, be Different, be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
Bryan Smeltzer, President
LiquidMind Inc.
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
© All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2022
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast We discuss this and other business strategy topics and pressing issues facing Entrepreneurs, Executives, and Small Business Owners.
Please check out "The Visionary Chronicles" on these sites.
Available on
Podbean
Apple Podcast
Spotify
iHeart
Pandora
If you like what you hear, I would appreciate you providing a rating and following to receive my weekly Podcasts, along with exclusive content as a follower.
Subscribe to The Visionary Chronicles PODCAST, and receive The Visionary Chronicles Weekly Newsletter, along with a FREE copy of my new book;
The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands.
I am providing a FREE copy with the hope you will review Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, or any other international distributions sites the book is currently being distributed. It is always greatly appreciated to spread the word.
Enjoy!
Visionary Interviews, I will be doing some upcoming interviews with some icons in the industry. If you happen to know of someone, I may want to interview, please let me know. Just provide some brief information, and if it works, we will reach out.
Interview Form LiquidMind
a Brand Strategy Firm for those looking to disrupt their industry, build a global digital platform, business execution leadership, or just need someone who understands your business's complexities and can provide solutions.
LiquidMind
The Visionary Chronicles CHRONICLE: July 21st, 2022 " Great things in business are never done by one person. They're done by a team of people.” Wisdom from Steve Jobs
Alignment | Managing Marketing & Sales Alignment With over 88% of companies indicating a misalignment between marketing and sales on items such as; strategy, branding, and creation, it is an area that needs vast improvement across almost every brand. Our clients at LiquidMind (LiquidMindsite.com), both large-cap through start-up, face the same issues, and most do not either recognize the misalignment or understand the process to improve the alignment. In addition, as more brands move to DTC, the sales cycle becomes more tangible on the direct-to-consumer side and with your retailers, as they fight for both dollars and time. As a result, this alignment becomes more critical to a company's short and long-term success. With most brands, you will find these two functional areas run independently of one another when they should be working in parallel, ensuring the brand is in complete alignment across all channels and modes of communication. However, they need each other, and frustration, inefficiency, and misalignment set in when separated.
So how does a brand work to correct this misalignment? At LiquidMind, we work with our brands on the following areas, and step by step, piece by piece, the alignment becomes a reality. Content Creation Marketing often makes assumptions, based on the brand positioning, creative assets, and channels, that what they are creating is valuable to the sales teams, buyers, and customers. To define what is needed, you must understand where, when, who, and how you create and communicate. Is this content a valuable tool for the sales team, and does the marketing strategy take a regular "pulse" check with your brand community, buyers, and sales team? Creating for the sake of producing is not a strategy. Moving does not mean you are making progress. To create alignment with Content Creation, ensure the sales team is mapping your creative strategy, both online and in-store. Also, provide your community in engaging with your content, and they are finding helpful something "beyond" product.
Understand Need More often than not these two areas do not understand each other's needs. Always start with Marketing, and end with Sales. Just because you "create" something does not mean it is an effective tool for the sales force. To better understand the need, have the sales team provide regular input on tangible tools to make their lives easier and provide branding, tools, and communications to make your communities' Lives easier. Understanding and balancing both is critical to marketing your brand and ensuring you maintain brand equity and loyal with both sales and your customers.
Mind Merge Having regular sessions with the sales team, communicating marketing efforts, and applying the strategy daily builds trust with both organizations. Merging ideas and concepts with reality will bring the Marketing Strategy to a more tangible level to the sales team. So get them involved, but sales must also understand their role in the process, it NOT to create, but rather provide details on NEEDS.
Tool Generation Ensure marketing has laid out the tools, resources, and integrated brand strategy to the sales team. The sales team needs to be seamless with "messaging" to buyers and consumers and the lead driven by marketing. If there is no clear strategy, vision, or plan, you can imagine how quickly this alignment can break down. Ensure you provide online and offline marketing tools that can be used by both internal sales and external buyers or customers.
With the fast-paced, digital world we live in, aligning with everyone inside a brand is critical to the successful execution of your strategy. Frustration and misalignment can be replaced by an authentic, genuine passion and excitement for what your brand is doing and yet to accomplish. Together, lock arms, understand shared needs, and complement one another strengths, and work on your weaknesses to better the brand!
Stay True, stay Authentic, be Different, be Great! Enjoy the Journey!
Bryan Smeltzer, President
LiquidMind Inc. @LiquidMindsite.com @BryanSmeltzer.com © All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2022
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast In my new Podcast, Alignment | Managing Marketing & Sales Alignment , I discuss both the understanding of team misalignment and how to correct this going forward.
We discuss this and other business strategy topics and pressing issues facing Entrepreneurs, Executives, and Small Business Owners.
Please check out "The Visionary Chronicles" on these sites. Available on
Podbean Apple Podcast Spotify iHeart Pandora
If you like what you hear, I would appreciate you providing a rating and following to receive my weekly Podcasts, along with exclusive content as a follower.
Subscribe to The Visionary Chronicles PODCAST and receive The Visionary Chronicles Weekly Newsletter, along with a FREE copy of my new book; The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World's Most Visionary Brands, an AMAZON Bestseller!
I am providing a FREE copy hoping you will review Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, or any other international distribution sites the book is currently being distributed. It is always greatly appreciated to spread the word. Enjoy!
Visionary Interviews, I will be doing some upcoming interviews with some icons in the industry. If you happen to know of someone I may want to interview, please let me know. Just provide some brief information, and if it works, we will reach out.
LiquidMind a Brand Strategy Firm for those looking to disrupt their industry, build a global digital platform, business execution leadership, or just need someone who understands your business's complexities and can provide solutions.
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast
CHRONICLE: June 1st, 2022
“When we are in chaos, everybody has a plan to fix it. But it takes a leader of real understanding to straighten things out.”
Life Faith from Proverbs 28:2 (Mes)
THE VISIONARY CHRONICLES PODCAST
Leadership | Lead by Faith, not Fear
Faith is something all of us have embraced at one point in our lives, and we know if, more often than not comes at the darkest moments or times. This is a comfort we have, knowing that all things are possible through Faith.
We often try to take on the world or do not understand how the world operates or works, and trying to figure it out seems to be an impossible task. Through building my own company and having been with some of the world's most iconic brands, problems and barriers are an inevitable part of your evolution. It is where you turn in these times that makes the difference between just surviving or eternally thriving. The strength to know there is an end and the power to realize you will always have blessings through your Faith that will carry you through these storms of life.
Each has barriers of different magnitudes, but very few of us take the time to pray and know this is a test to strengthen us for both ourselves and others. Many people feel uncomfortable discussing their Faith, which is fine as long as you have an authentic Faith that reaches out in both the good times and bad times. You will have both, but to have a singular Faith is very reassuring and comforting.
Leaders who are open about their Faith and have an engraining belief in the blessings true Faith provides each day are more reassured during difficult times and understand there is an end to the struggles. Having a leader with this character and strength in these difficult times is assuring.
Leaders can embrace several biblical principles as they look to Lead through Faith.
“Some have refused to let Faith guide their decisions, and they have been destroyed like a wrecked ship.”
1 Timothy 1:19 (GW)
In creating this Podcast, I wanted to discuss ALL subjects, ones I intuitively knew entrepreneurs needed to hear and ones no one wanted to discuss. Faith played an essential role in assuring I would be able to knock down barriers put in front of me in my entrepreneurial journey. The reassurance that the storm would eventually end, and the light would again be bright.
This is also why I started the Saddleback Christian Entrepreneur Leadership Ministry at Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, CA, where Rick Warren is our Pastor and the author of Purpose Driven Life. Click on the image below to find information on our Ministry, or forward it to those you feel may benefit.
I hope you find this Podcast inspirational and you take it to heart. I am sure you will need the Faith to take you through a trying time or storm in your life.
Stay True, stay Authentic, be Different, and be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
Bryan Smeltzer, President
LiquidMind Inc.
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
© All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2022
In my new Podcast, Leadership | Lead by Faith, not Fear, I discuss how leaders need to lean on their Faith when barriers to success seem out of reach or when you need to reinvigorate your passion or lead your team through the storms you will inevitably face.
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast
We discuss this and other business strategy topics and pressing issues facing Entrepreneurs, Executives, and Small Business Owners.
Please check out "The Visionary Chronicles" on these sites.
Available on
Podbean
Apple Podcast
Spotify
iHeart
Pandora
If you like what you hear, I would appreciate you providing a rating and following to receive my weekly podcasts and exclusive content as a follower.
Subscribe to The Visionary Chronicles PODCAST and receive The Visionary Chronicles Weekly Newsletter, along with a FREE copy of my new book;
The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World's Most Visionary Brands.
I am providing a FREE copy hoping you will review Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, or any other international distribution sites.
Enjoy!
Visionary Interviews, I will be doing some upcoming interviews with some icons in the industry. If you know of someone, I may want to interview, please let me know. Just provide some brief information, and if it works, we will reach out.
LiquidMind
a Brand Strategy Firm for those looking to disrupt their industry, build a global digital platform, business execution leadership, or just need someone who understands your business's complexities and can provide solutions.
The Visionary Chronicles
CHRONICLE: May 27th, 2022
“The aim of marketing is to know and understand the customer so well the product or service fits him and sells itself…”
Wisdom from Peter Drucker
THE VISIONARY CHRONICLES PODCAST
Marketing Metrics | Developing a Roadmap
We know that Marketing Metrics do matter and are an essential contribution to defining brand ROI. They establish marketing discipline, decision making, investment analysis, assessing the effectiveness of critical activities, and validating how business outcomes are achieved.
It is how we determine, assess, and manage these metrics to build an effective marketing strategy that provides tangible brand equity benefits and a realized ROI.
The first step in building your Roadmap is determining the most critical data points to construct an analysis of brand investment value.
Metric Data Point Analysis;
The Roadmap to the Value of defining marketing metrics:
You will need to initial the analysis with metrics that track marketing investment performance, such as promos. Then, determine and measure the outcome and compare it to the expectations, such as;
The most common marketing ROI formula’s are;
TOTAL: Marketing Return on Investment
MROI (%) = Incremental revenue attributable to marketing ($) during the period – Marketing spending ($) ÷ Marketing spending ($)= % ROI
FUNNEL: Marketing Return on Investment (LiquidMind action sports customer-example)
Campaign cost ($30,000) generates 6,000 views of video. Historical tracking projects 12 of viewers will become qualified leads within 6 weeks and 10 % will convert to revenue within 6-9 months = 72 sales. At a profit of $500/sale = $36,000 in revenue.
Funnel MROI - $36,000-$30,000/$30,000 = 20% MROI
CUSTOMER EQUITY: Marketing Return on Investment (LiquidMind banking customer-example)
Customer retention/attrition valuation; 10,000 customers, @ $2,000 annual profit/customer. Current attrition rate = 20%, invest $4M and goal is to reduce to 17%.
Before; 10,000 * $2,000/20% - $100M
After; 10,000 * $2,000/17% = $117M
Customer Equity MROI; $17.6M (increase)- $4M(marketing)/$4M (marketing) = 340% MROI
These marketing metrics need to be combined with other metrics. Still, the most important ones are revenue growth, which realizes a tangible ROI, and customer satisfaction through the Net Promoter Score.
The marketing team can measure the Value of brands equity value growth through other more intangible metrics such as;
In looking at brand marketing metrics, a recent study of CMOs in 2021 found the following are the most important for determining ROI.
As you can see, marketing metrics are important, but determining tangible benefits is of the utmost importance.
At LiquidMind (LiquidMindsite.com), we work with our brands to set a cohesive marketing strategy, activation plan, ongoing investment analysis, and brand equity development and growth determination.
Stay True, stay Authentic, be Different, and be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
Bryan Smeltzer, President
LiquidMind Inc.
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
© All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2022
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast
In my new Podcast, Marketing Metrics | Develop a Roadmap, I discuss what are most important metrics in order to accurately determine marketing return on investment. With so many channels, combined with seemingly intangible results, how to you measure spends, and future investment strategy?
We discuss this and other business strategy topics and pressing issues facing Entrepreneurs, Executives, and Small Business Owners.
Please check out "The Visionary Chronicles" on these sites.
Available on
Podbean
Apple Podcast
Spotify
iHeart
Pandora
If you like what you hear, I would appreciate you providing a rating and following to receive my weekly podcasts and exclusive content as a follower.
Subscribe to The Visionary Chronicles PODCAST and receive The Visionary Chronicles Weekly Newsletter, along with a FREE copy of my new book;
The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World's Most Visionary Brands.
I am providing a FREE copy hoping you will review Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, or any other international distribution sites the book is currently being distributed. It is always greatly appreciated to spread the word.
Enjoy!
Visionary Interviews, I will be doing some upcoming interviews with some icons in the industry. If you happen to know of someone I may want to interview, please let me know. Just provide some brief information, and if it works, we will reach out.
LiquidMind
Empowering Disruptive Brands...
(LiquidMindsite.com)
Brand Strategy Firm for those looking to disrupt their industry, build a global digital platform, business execution leadership, or just need someone who understands your business's complexities and can provide solutions.
The Visionary Chronicles
CHRONICLE: May 12th, 2022
Inspiration "As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them…"
Life Wisdom from President John F. Kennedy
THE VISIONARY CHRONICLES PODCAST
PODCAST: Inspirational Leadership | How to Authentically Inspire Others
"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them…"
Iconic words from an inspirational President. Most, if not all, would wish to have such an inspirational leader to work for or be inspired by in life. Unfortunately, this is the case with most, but you can make a difference in others' lives, be inspiring, be authentic and live by your words!
As we know, having gone through the pandemic and a continual barrage of challenges over the years and decades, having an authentic, inspirational leader is a rare sighting these days.
The pandemic has taken a toll on our mental and physical health. Being able to inspire others through these challenges is undoubtedly a trait most would like to have, but nearly everyone ignores. It has been proven that those leaders who take the time to engage, providing an environment of trust, enthusiasm, renewal, gratitude, and recognition, are more likely to have enhanced performance from their Brand, lower employee turnover, more significant innovation, and a better culture. Not a bad return for a bit of investment of your time!
This attribute is a complementary skill set to a Visionary leader, and the one who adopts this authentic leadership style will reap long-term benefits. Conversely, the opposite of inspirational leadership, someone who lifts everyone around them is uninspiring, a grinder who never looks up to see those who are supporting them, someone with no level of gratitude, and someone who burns everyone out.
The inspirational leader gains energy from those you engage with, like a multiplier effect. Unlike traditional energy zappers, running, exercise, and emotions, passionate leaders feed off the positive energy of others.
In looking at the effects of positive, inspirational, Visionary leaders, the following are the result of being genuinely engaged, compassionate, and gracious;
Being a genuinely inspirational leader with endless energy and the ability to motivate others is not easy. Still, it becomes easy if you are authentically committed and the results are tangible.
Stay True, stay Authentic, be Different, and be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
Bryan Smeltzer, President
LiquidMind Inc.
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
© All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2022
In my new Podcast, Inspirational Leadership | How to Authentically Inspire Others, I discuss your role in being an authentic, passionate, and inspiring leader. This trait is rare, but those committed will make a positive change and impact other people's lives.
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast
We discuss this and other business strategy topics and pressing issues facing Entrepreneurs, Executives, and Small Business Owners.
Please check out "The Visionary Chronicles" on these sites.
Available on:
Google Play
Amazon Music
Podbean
Apple Podcast
Spotify
iHeart
Pandora
If you like what you hear, I would appreciate you providing a rating and following to receive my weekly podcasts and exclusive content as a follower.
Subscribe to The Visionary Chronicles PODCAST and receive The Visionary Chronicles Weekly Newsletter, along with a FREE copy of my new book;
The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World's Most Visionary Brands.
I am providing a FREE copy hoping you will review Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, or any other international distribution sites the book is currently being distributed. It is always greatly appreciated to spread the word.
Enjoy!
Visionary Interviews, I will be doing some upcoming interviews with some icons in the industry. If you happen to know of someone I may want to interview, please let me know. Just provide some brief information, and if it works, we will reach out.
BryanSmeltzer.com/podcasts
LiquidMind
a Brand Strategy Firm for those looking to disrupt their industry, build a global digital platform, business execution leadership, or just need someone who understands your business's complexities and can provide solutions.
LiquidMindsite.com
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast
CHRONICLE # 81: May 5th, 2022
"Data is not information, and information is not knowledge, knowledge is not understanding, understanding is not wisdom.”
Knowledge from Clifford Stoll
PODCAST: DIGITAL MARKETING | Building Customer Data Knowledge
Digital marketing has been moving at the speed of light, and most brands will be left in the dust. But unfortunately, they continue to manage their digital marketing strategy as if it was 1999, not 2022.
It is challenging to jump and stay on this fast-moving train without getting run over, but you must have a digital strategy that allows for knowledge learning.
Knowledge is the king of digital marketing, anticipating consumer needs, offering recommendations, and being proactive with products that match immediate needs.
Companies like Amazon are a model of how to anticipate consumer needs and continually adapt to changing conditions. Amazon is at the pinnacle of digital AI, and this has taken them decades to perfect. They sell over 4,000 products every minute, with over 55% recommended through their AI database. With a database of over 350 million items, they reset their algorithms within seconds. These recommendations are relative to Amazon assets; Prime, Prime Video, Amazon Fresh, and Whole Foods.
Google is another brand with an endless amount of consumer data and Shopping analysis algorithms. In addition, the interconnectivity of Google is ongoing, with over 25 billion data points connecting products with consumers.
Both Amazon and Google, along with many other brands, capture how individuals exercise, work, play, interact, vacation, and other activities which define specific recommendations.
The intent is to learn their customer's preferences and offer what they “may” need before they know it or when they are looking.
So how does a brand get started and stay ahead of this fast-moving train?
To build a digital marketing engine, you must have a “dynamic” strategy that can move with the changes in the digital marketing tools and algorithms they create. It is not an easy task, but one you must adopt to succeed in your DTC channel!
Stay True, stay Authentic, be Different, be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
Bryan Smeltzer, President
LiquidMind Inc.
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
© All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2022
In my new Podcast, Digital Marketing | Building Customer Data Knowledge, I discuss establishing a data knowledge structure for your company. Ensuring you accumulate, and use only useful data, along with respecting your communities privacy and continuing to provide value to your consumer.
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast
We discuss this and other business strategy topics and pressing issues facing Entrepreneurs, Executives, and Small Business Owners.
Please check out "The Visionary Chronicles" on these sites:
LiquidMindsite.com
BryanSmeltzer.com
Podbean
Apple Podcast
Spotify
iHeart
Pandora
Google Play
Amazon Music
If you like what you hear, I would appreciate you providing a rating and following to receive my weekly Podcasts, along with exclusive content as a follower.
Subscribe to The Visionary Chronicles PODCAST, and receive The Visionary Chronicles Weekly Newsletter, along with a FREE copy of my new book;
The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World's Most Visionary Brands.
An AMAZON BESTSELLER!
I am providing a FREE copy with the hope you will review Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, or any other international distributions sites the book is currently being distributed. It is always greatly appreciated to spread the word.
Enjoy!
Visionary Interviews, I will be doing some upcoming interviews with some icons in the industry. If you happen to know of someone, I may want to interview, please let me know. Just provide some brief information, and if it works, we will reach out.
LiquidMind
a Brand Strategy Firm for those looking to disrupt their industry, build a global digital platform, business execution leadership, or just need someone who understands your business's complexities and can provide solutions.
The Visionary Chronicles
CHRONICLE: April 21st, 2022
Inspiration "The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision."
Wisdom from Hellen Keller
THE VISIONARY CHRONICLES PODCAST
PODCAST: VISION | Set your Path & Stay on Course
Establishing a Vision for your Brand is difficult; sticking with the Vision is nearly impossible for most companies. There lies the difference between generational success and near-term failure. The inevitable fate of those who can consistently and continually execute their Vision is part of the rubble that makes up almost 95% of all start-ups. Failure…
As the Visionary behind your Brand, you must create a culture, an environment inside the four walls where the entire team feels they are contributing to the success of the Vision, a unified Vision of the longer-term future for your Brand.
This is difficult enough, and most leaders fail to execute the plan and see the Vision come to Life over the years. For example, a McKinsey study in 2018 found that only 16% of companies were committed to digital transformation, a necessary piece of a strategic puzzle for both being efficient and effective and Market Driving Brand. So you must commit to the Vision across all levels of the Brand to sustain your success.
In looking at what Visionary leaders create on their path to successfully navigating the course to executing the brand Vision:
Connect the Dots; as Steve Jobs so famously followed, it is a matter of "connecting the dots" as you move along your path. These Leaders have a structured plan, usually driven annually, connected through near-term action plans, accountability, tools, and proper resource allocation.
Embrace Freedom to Fail; Encourage Ideas, allow for the freedom to express how others' lives can be enhanced with our products or services. Never downplay Ideas until you have evaluated their potential impact; you may not see the light before it is too late.
Provide Tools & Support, providing an environment for experimentation with great Ideas! The more you nurture this iterative process, generating innovations and disruptive strategies, the more tangible your Innovation Pipeline becomes.
Setting your Vision is more effortless than sticking with your Vision. So be sure to have a process, both tangible and non-tangible, where others know expectations and all feel part of the process.
Stay True, stay Authentic, be Different, be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
Bryan Smeltzer, President
LiquidMind Inc.
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
© All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2022
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast
In my new Podcast, VISION | Set Your Path & Stay on Course, I discuss establishing a Vision for your company, and ensuring you stick with your commitment to being a leader through authentication and staying the course regardless of the headwinds.
We discuss this and other business strategy topics and pressing issues facing Entrepreneurs, Executives, and Small Business Owners.
Please check out "The Visionary Chronicles" on these sites.
Available on:
Podbean
Apple Podcast
Spotify
iHeart
Pandora
Google Play
Amazon
If you like what you hear, I would appreciate you providing a rating and following to receive my weekly Podcasts, along with exclusive content as a follower.
Subscribe to The Visionary Chronicles PODCAST, and receive The Visionary Chronicles Weekly Newsletter, along with a FREE copy of my new book;
The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World's Most Visionary Brands.
I am providing a FREE copy with the hope you will review Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, or any other international distributions sites the book is currently being distributed. It is always greatly appreciated to spread the word.
Enjoy!
Visionary Interviews, I will be doing some upcoming interviews with some icons in the industry. If you happen to know of someone, I may want to interview, please let me know. Just provide some brief information, and if it works, we will reach out.
LiquidMind
Brand Strategy Firm for those looking to disrupt their industry, build a global digital platform, business execution leadership, or just need someone who understands your business's complexities and can provide solutions.
The Visionary Chronicles
CHRONICLE: April 14th , 2022
Inspiration " "Know your enemy and know yourself, and you can fight a hundred battles without disaster."
Wisdom from Sun Tzu, The Art of War
PODCAST: BRAND GROWTH | Finding Another Avenue for Growth
Where do you find organic growth beyond your current core product lines or services?
In a recent survey of CEOs from large-cap brands, over 65% indicated that within 5 to 7 years, their industry competitors will be different than who they are now. Also, these new competitors will pose a significant market share threat to their core organic business.
A brand’s ability to find alternative sources of revenue will be vital to sustaining its long-term growth, finding another path to building a competitive edge within its core competency.
Over 40% of these brands’ ongoing revenue is projected to come from these new revenue streams, a vision set by the visionary leader who sees what is ahead and creates a path to realizing the future. The main engine for why these small start-ups can quickly become a threat is their ability to scale with little capital, nowhere near what was required in the past. Efficiency has become the new norm, and effective use of capital has become the new avenue to rapid revenue growth. Tools and technology will win for those who understand the opportunity and can quickly adapt to the ever-changing working environment.
Previously brands would incrementally grow revenue through the following means;
This is the traditional path to generational success. Still, this path has changed, and Brand will now need to find new avenues to maintain their category market share and continual, consistent growth. The growth will be executed by establishing another path and developing a new core business that can tangibly provide sustainable revenues and profitability. For instance, Apple's expansion beyond its core PC business, where they introduced the iPod, iPhone, and iPad, building an incomparable ecosystem. Once completed, moving into watches becomes the industry standard for the digital age.
To determine the viability and opportunity to build this new revenue path, I have found four key foundational elements that are needed to measure potential success:
Each of these by itself is never as good as all four working in unison. Therefore, to achieve sustainable growth, you must embrace the vision of finding a new, complementary path to success.
Stay True, stay Authentic, be Different, be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
Bryan Smeltzer, President
LiquidMind Inc.
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
© All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2022
In my new Podcast, BRAND GROWTH | Finding Another Avenue for Growth, I discuss the strategy defining a brand’s challenge, and the opportunity to find alternate revenue streams beyond their core, organic business.
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast
We discuss this and other business strategy topics and pressing issues facing Entrepreneurs, Executives, and Small Business Owners.
Please check out "The Visionary Chronicles" on these sites.
Available on
Podbean
Apple Podcast
Spotify
iHeart
Pandora
Google Play
Amazon
If you like what you hear, I would appreciate you providing a rating and following to receive my weekly Podcasts, along with exclusive content as a follower.
Subscribe to The Visionary Chronicles PODCAST, and receive The Visionary Chronicles Weekly Newsletter, along with a FREE copy of my new book;
The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands.
I am providing a FREE copy with the hope you will review Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, or any other international distributions sites the book is currently being distributed. It is always greatly appreciated to spread the word.
Enjoy!
https://amzn.to/3v0By7W
Visionary Interviews, I will be doing some upcoming interviews with some icons in the industry. If you happen to know of someone, I may want to interview, please let me know. Just provide some brief information, and if it works, we will reach out.
https://bryansmeltzer.com/podcasts/
LiquidMind
a Brand Strategy Firm for those looking to disrupt their industry, build a global digital platform, business execution leadership, or just need someone who understands your business's complexities and can provide solutions.
https://liquidmindsite.com/
The Visionary Chronicles PODCAST
CHRONICLE: March 30th, 2022
Inspiration "I can't understand why people are frightened of new ideas. I'm frightened of the old ones..."
Wisdom from John Cage
PODCAST: IDEAS| How to Maximize Creativity Flow
2018, LinkedIn Survey; Creativity is the number sought-after soft skillset.
Creativity is a Cornerstone for an Innovative Thinker and a Progressive Brand. The ability to consistently think of great IDEAS, understand the impact at a brand level, and ensure they are commercialized is a trait few possess and even are willing to explore.
Exploration is a crucial piece for Creativity; having the guts to do what others say is "Impossible" and pursue a Dream and bring it to Reality for others to see. This Exploration brings excitement and passion to a brand. The willingness to FAIL, and FAIL again for the pursuit of reaching the pinnacle of success. Those who are willing to take this challenge, not just once, but make it part of their DNA, their core Identity will succeed, not only in their markets but with their teams and community as well! With Exploration comes an Artisty around successfully realizing your great IDEA. The creative mastery around molding the IDEA to match your Identity.
The Artist is the one who knows what the painting looks like before a brush is put to canvas. So be an Artist, understand the beauty behind the product, making your communities life more accessible and non-burdensome. The Simple Sophistication of a great product and the Artistry to deliver on your Brand Promise.
To Maximize IDEA flow, you must first be committed to Exploring, embracing Failure, and being an Artist, and all are collectively generating insanely GREAT IDEAS.
What are the areas required to Promote Creativity?
Free your Mind, let the process take its Pace, provide boundaries and ensure these IDEAS are processed, commercialized, or blown up to make it great!
Be a Cognitive Thinker vs. a Logical Mindset; Take your time when flushing our IDEAS, understand the implication to the brand and your community. Then, find solutions through Great IDEAS.
Leave the Door Open; Allow IDEAS to enter the Creativity process, do not be quick to judge, and ensure Cognitive Thinkers are at the table, the Creative doers.
Only the Smart Illusion; Creativity is Cognitive, and why the Logic may not always be the best trait in building an Innovative Culture. Intelligence is often misplaced, put in the correct location it can be very productive, placed in the wrong location is disastrous. Having the ability to think of what "could be" vs. "what is" is the DIFFERENCE!
Implement Balance; When Steve Jobs took over at PIXAR, he implemented the "pluses" policy, meaning every negative needed to be balanced with a plus. This simple policy broke down gridlock at PIXAR and was integral to creating their first blockbuster, Toy Story.
More is Less; Brands feel the Ideation process is better served with more people providing more Ideas…the opposite is true; the best Ideation process, where it provides the best IDEAS, is one where the mindset is common Logic is left at the Door. Cognitive THINKERS ONLY!
Many leaders agree that Innovation and Creativity are the most sought-after traits, but most do nothing to promote creating a Culture where Cognitive Thinkers can thrive!
Stay True, stay Authentic, be Different, be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
Bryan Smeltzer, President
LiquidMind Inc.
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
© All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2022
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast
In my new Podcast, IDEAS | How to Maximize Creativity Flow, I discuss how understanding the exploration process, embracing Risk and a commitment to providing an environment where you embrace Failure is key to generating insanely Great IDEAS.
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast
We discuss this and other business strategy topics and pressing issues facing Entrepreneurs, Executives, and Small Business Owners.
Please check out "The Visionary Chronicles" on these sites.
Available on
Podbean
Apple Podcast
Spotify
iHeart
Pandora
If you like what you hear, I would appreciate you providing a rating and following to receive my weekly Podcasts, along with exclusive content as a follower.
Updates Subscribe to The Visionary Chronicles PODCAST, and receive The Visionary Chronicles Newsletter, along with a FREE Vision Notepad.
Visionary Interviews, I will be doing some upcoming interviews with some icons in the industry. If you happen to know of someone I may want to interview, please let me know. Just provide some brief information, and if it works, we will reach out.
LiquidMind
a Brand Strategy Firm for those looking to disrupt their industry, build a global digital platform, business execution leadership, or just need someone who understands your business's complexities and can provide solutions.
The Visionary Chronicles
CHRONICLE: March 16th, 2022
CONTENT FROM:
THE VISIONARY BRAND BOOK, The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands
“Exceptionally well written, organized, and presented, The Visionary Brand must be considered essential reading for all aspiring entrepreneurs and corporate executives seeking to expand their market share.
The Visionary Brand is unreservedly recommended for community, corporate, college, university library Business Management instructional reference collections, and for the personal reading lists of entrepreneurs, MBA students, and corporate executives."
James Cox, Editor-in-Chief, Midwest Book Review
PODCAST SERIES: THE VISIONARY BRAND | THE ELEMENTS OF A SUCCESSFUL FORMULA
Over the next several months I will be doing PODCAST’s on the The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands.
The book is now released, and available across all book distribution locations. I would always appreciate your support in spreading the word through a review on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, social media or any location you connect with others! Your word is what provides a connection to others who may have never heard of the book otherwise…
CONTENT FROM;
The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands
Available across all book retailers:
Amazon: The Visionary Brand
Barnes & Noble: The Visionary Brand
PODCAST: THE VISIONARY BRAND | The Elements of a Successful Formula
When you think of genuinely Visionary brands, those who have sustained generational success and have maintained category leadership simultaneously, each was built on Visionary foresight and pillars of success.
These pillars are foundational and must be kept intact regardless of circumstances, irrespective of wanting to change. This principle of building a foundation and hanging on through the storms you encounter, both creating and building your brand, is the most challenging but the most important. Brands are built on trust and loyalty, two ingredients of an innovative formula that today holds even more. These pillars are built slowly, methodically, and with authentication. Although building them takes generations, tearing them down takes only days, if not hours!
So what are these foundational principles all visionary brands adhere to as they move through the stages of brand equity growth, loyalty creation, and trust-building? It takes many different pieces to create a foundation worthy of being visionary, and all we discuss in The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands. I wrote The Visionary Brand from an inside-out perspective so those who have not experienced what the interworking of truly innovative brands look like and how they operate on a day-to-day basis.
So what are the main ingredients brands must understand, adopt and adhere to in order to achieve visionary status?
Each is the DNA make-up of a truly Visionary brand and the ones we discuss in detail in The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands.
In summary, The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands, was written for those looking to understand what is significant, being Visionary, being different to sustain long-term success, and what they do to create brand Loyalty. Also, it was written from an inside-out perspective, understanding is as much personal, as it is business acumen. Be a Leader, Be a Visionary, Be Compassionate, Be Great!
Stay True, stay Authentic, be Different, be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
Bryan Smeltzer, President
LiquidMind Inc.
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
© All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2022
In my new Podcast, The Visionary Brand | The Elements of a Successful Formula I provide an overview of the elements most, if not all, true Visionary brands and leaders embrace and execute against.
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast
We discuss this and other business strategy topics and pressing issues facing Entrepreneurs, Executives, and Small Business Owners.
Please check out "The Visionary Chronicles" on these sites.
Available on
Podbean
Apple Podcast
Spotify
iHeart
Pandora
If you like what you hear, I would appreciate you providing a rating and following to receive my weekly Podcasts, along with exclusive content as a follower.
Subscribe to The Visionary Chronicles PODCAST, and receive The Visionary Chronicles Weekly Newsletter, along with a FREE copy of my new book in exchange for a REVIEW;
THE VISIONARY BRAND, The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands.
I am providing a FREE copy with the hope you will provide a REVIEW on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, or any other international distributions sites the book is currently being distributed.
It is always greatly appreciated when you spread the word through REVIEWS!
Enjoy!
Visionary Interviews, I will be doing some upcoming interviews with some icons in the industry. If you happen to know of someone, I may want to interview, please let me know. Just provide some brief information, and if it works, we will reach out.
LiquidMind
A Brand Strategy Firm for those looking to disrupt their industry, build a global digital platform, business execution leadership, or just need someone who understands your business's complexities and can provide solutions.
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast
CHRONICLE: March 9th, 2022
CONTENT FROM:
THE VISIONARY BRAND, The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands
“Exceptionally well written, organized, and presented, The Visionary Brand must be considered essential reading for all aspiring entrepreneurs and corporate executives seeking to expand their market share. The Visionary Brand is unreservedly recommended for community, corporate, college, university library Business Management instructional reference collections, and for the personal reading lists of entrepreneurs, MBA students, and corporate executives." James Cox, Editor-in-Chief, Midwest Book Review
PODCAST SERIES: THE VISIONARY BRAND | THE VISION PARADOX
Over the next several months I will be doing podcasts on The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands. The book is now released, and available across all book distribution locations. I would always appreciate your support in spreading the word through a review on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, social media, or any location you connect with others! Your word is what provides a connection to others who may have never heard of the book otherwise…
CONTENT FROM: The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands Available across all book retailers:
Amazon: The Visionary Brand
Barnes & Noble: The Visionary Brand
Just because I can SEE… does not mean I have VISION…
The Vision Paradox is a dilemma faced by many brands. When building your teams, especially early on, you will find that they need complementary skillsets and the ability to orchestrate together. This analogy is very similar to when you hear a beautiful concerto, and all instruments complement one another. Making for a collective team, all know their role and core expertise. You do not want someone who does not know how to play the violin, playing a violin. This one failed, non-complimentary team member ruins this beautiful orchestration of a team. Some call it “staying in your lane” or “know what you know, and that which you do not,” either way, team members assigned to roles need to be complimentary to accomplish anything. Having been in global brands overseeing product, marketing, and business development, there is a method to success, and this method includes defining roles specific to team members' skillset. Suppose you are to move your brand into Visionary thinking and status. In that case, you must have all team members playing their roles, providing guidance, and leading the next revolutionary product, ensuring generational success. There are brand principles realized through the elimination of the Vision Paradox and adoption of a Visionary foundation;
Those humble enough to understand their weaknesses and utilize their strengths complement the brand team and become part of orchestration, a masterpiece driven by a passion for being part of the team who desire to be generational. In summary, The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands, was written for those looking to understand what is significant, being Visionary, being different to sustain long-term success, and what they do to create brand Loyalty. Also, it was written from an inside-out perspective, understanding is as much personal, as it is business acumen. Be a Leader, Be a Visionary, Be Compassionate, Be Great!
Stay True, stay Authentic, be Different, be Great! Enjoy the Journey!
Bryan Smeltzer, President LiquidMind Inc. @LiquidMindsite.com @BryanSmeltzer.com
© All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2022
In my new Podcast, The Visionary Brand | The DNA of a Visionary Brand (Part II), I discuss the Foundational Pillars required to move your Brand from the Status Quo to Visionary. The Pillars to successfully leading for generations.
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast We discuss this and other business strategy topics and pressing issues facing Entrepreneurs, Executives, and Small Business Owners.
Please check out "The Visionary Chronicles" on these sites. Available on
Podbean Apple Podcast Spotify iHeart Pandora If you like what you hear, I would appreciate you providing a rating and following to receive my weekly Podcasts, along with exclusive content as a follower.
Subscribe to The Visionary Chronicles PODCAST, and receive The Visionary Chronicles Weekly Newsletter, along with a FREE copy of my new book in exchange for a REVIEW; THE VISIONARY BRAND, The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands.
I am providing a FREE copy with the hope you will provide a REVIEW on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, or any other international distributions sites the book is currently being distributed.
It is always greatly appreciated when you spread the word through REVIEWS! Enjoy!
Visionary Interviews, I will be doing some upcoming interviews with some icons in the industry. If you happen to know of someone, I may want to interview, please let me know. Just provide some brief information, and if it works, we will reach out.
LiquidMind A Brand Strategy Firm for those looking to disrupt their industry, build a global digital platform, business execution leadership, or just need someone who understands your business's complexities and can provide solutions.
LiquidMind
The Visionary Chronicles
CHRONICLE: February 16th, 2022
CONTENT FROM MY NEW BOOK:
THE VISIONARY BRAND, The Success Formula Behind the World's Most Visionary Brands
Available across all book retailers on February 8th, 2022
“Exceptionally well written, organized, and presented, The Visionary Brand must be considered essential reading for all aspiring entrepreneurs and corporate executives seeking to expand their market share.
The Visionary Brand is unreservedly recommended for community, corporate, college, university library Business Management instructional reference collections, and for the personal reading lists of entrepreneurs, MBA students, and corporate executives."
James Cox, Editor-in-Chief, Midwest Book Review
PODCAST SERIES: THE VISIONARY BRAND | THE DNA OF A VISIONARY BRAND (PART II)
Over the next several months I will be doing podcasts on The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands.
The book is now released, and available across all book distribution locations. I would always appreciate your support in spreading the word through a review on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, social media, or any location you connect with others! Your word is what provides a connection to others who may have never heard of the book otherwise…
___________
Many principles make up the genetics of a Visionary brand's DNA; however, several critical elements ensure the formula is the right mix for successfully navigating the barriers all brands face throughout their lives.
Two additional items we will discuss are;
LOYALTY
Brand Loyalty is an earned right, not something that is purchased. Being able to retain, engage and build a meaningful relationship with your community is the holy grail of a brand’s long-term viability.
Generational brands, sustained and built equity over generations, are few and far between. However, one characteristic each has in common is consistently maintaining their core brand values.
Customers have many choices, very little time, and an even shorter attention span. The situation will not improve soon and will likely get much worse. A challenge non-Visionary companies face, and a new reality Visionary brands embrace. They know if they are genuine and authentic with their community, providing value beyond selling products and engaging throughout the entire purchase and following up post-purchase through the Loyalty Loop strategy, this process will succeed regardless of economic conditions.
Staying true to your principles, building a solid foundation where the brand pillars are clearly understood, and engaging with your customer are all critical strategies required to survive and thrive.
PILLARS
Now for the true Foundational Pillars to a brand’s ongoing success and ability to thrive regardless of the economic realities.
These Pillars are;
BRAND; the brand itself, the make-up of the Foundation.
VISION; the foundational day-to-day mission driven by a future aspiration, the future realized.
EXECUTION; the common goal shared by the entire brand, its ability to realize the Vision.
Each brand Pillar is critical to ensuring its longevity, its ability to stay true to the Vision, and a foundation built on rock, not sand, to withstand the forces of nature and the world.
These are what make for a Visionary Brand, start tearing down the pillars, and your foundation collapse, brand equity deteriorates, brand loyalty evaporates, brand positioning changes, and your future destiny is no longer in your hands.
Build your Foundation on solid rock, stay true to your Vision, pivot when necessary, but whatever future path you choose, it must not stray from these guiding principles.
In summary, The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands, was written for those looking to understand what is significant, being Visionary, being different to sustain long-term success, and what they do to create brand Loyalty. Also, it was written from an inside-out perspective, understanding is as much personal, as it is business acumen.
Be a Leader, Be a Visionary, Be Compassionate, Be Great!
Stay True, stay Authentic, be Different, be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
Bryan Smeltzer, President
LiquidMind Inc.
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
© All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2022
THE VISIONARY CHRONICLES PODCAST
In my new Podcast, The Visionary Brand | The DNA of a Visionary Brand (Part II), I discuss the Foundational Pillars required to move your Brand from the Status Quo to Visionary. The Pillars to successfully leading for generations.
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast
We discuss this and other business strategy topics and pressing issues facing Entrepreneurs, Executives, and Small Business Owners.
Please check out "The Visionary Chronicles" on these sites.
Available on
Google Play
Podbean
Apple Podcast
Spotify
iHeart
Pandora
If you like what you hear, I would appreciate you providing a rating and following to receive my weekly Podcasts, along with exclusive content as a Follower.
SUBSCRIBE:
Subscribe to The Visionary Chronicles PODCAST, and receive The Visionary Chronicles Weekly Newsletter, along with a FREE copy of my new book in exchange for a REVIEW;
THE VISIONARY BRAND, The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands.
I am providing a FREE copy with the hope you will provide a REVIEW on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, or any other international distributions sites the book is currently being distributed.
It is always greatly appreciated when you spread the word through REVIEWS!
Enjoy!
Visionary Interviews, I will be doing some upcoming interviews with some icons in the industry. If you happen to know of someone, I may want to interview, please let me know. Just provide some brief information, and if it works, we will reach out.
LiquidMind
a Brand Strategy Firm for those looking to disrupt their industry, build a global digital platform, business execution leadership, or just need someone who understands your business's complexities and can provide solutions.
The Visionary Chronicles
CHRONICLE: February 8th, 2022
CONTENT FROM:
THE VISIONARY BRAND, The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands
“Exceptionally well written, organized, and presented, The Visionary Brand must be considered essential reading for all aspiring entrepreneurs and corporate executives seeking to expand their market share.
The Visionary Brand is unreservedly recommended for community, corporate, college, university library Business Management instructional reference collections, and for the personal reading lists of entrepreneurs, MBA students, and corporate executives."
James Cox, Editor-in-Chief, Midwest Book Review
PODCAST SERIES: THE VISIONARY BRAND | THE DNA OF A VISIONARY BRAND
Over the next several months I will be doing podcasts on, The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands.
The book is now released, and available across all book distribution locations. I would always appreciate your support in spreading the word through a review on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, social media or any location you connect with others! Your word is what provides a connection to others who may have never heard of the book otherwise…
What makes a brand a brand? Is it . . .
Each of these can undoubtedly be a foundational piece of the make-up of a brand, and consumer perceptions are built on these separate components. However, I found in most instances, consumers perceive a brand as a lifestyle comprised of many different aspects, both inspirational and aspirational, or as a commodity, which serves a specific need or purpose.
For example, when Nike created the “Just Do It” or “Bo Knows” campaigns, Nike created an inclusionary active lifestyle and persona that allowed them to sell products, creating a culture built around demonstrating an inspirational lifestyle. These campaigns reflect its culture, made up of a community of like-minded athletes working towards the same aspirational goal. In other words, it sells a lifestyle more than it sells individual goods. And selling a lifestyle is now more critical than ever for a successful brand.
Selling a Lifestyle controlling your destiny is the path carved the pandemic, the reality of having to adapt, and the foresight to know this is the future. So what does this future look like as we see it?
I will discuss the first two key areas today and continue our discussions over the next several weeks.
THE BRAND
In this New Age of retail, brands can more easily adapt, engage, create, and control their destiny. Before this New Age of e-comm, DTC, the User Experience (UX) was critical to a brand's success, as Loyalty and authentic engagement are a priority, along with superior products. This UX needs to be controlled by the brand, as consumers' expectations shift to pre-purchase experience and post-purchase engagement. The retailer always maintained the purchase cycle, with many UX priorities left not being appropriately executed or authentically. Brands now control both their destiny and community loyalty. The retailer left having to somehow manage their ongoing Brick and Mortar business in parallel with these same brands opening their stores. Quite a balancing act and many retailers have not handled this transition correctly. Still, it represents an opportunity to partner with these global brands for those left standing.
Unless you ARE a Brand, you cannot BE a brand.
Creating a brand is an earned right that is not easily attained; ask all those new ventures left in the rubble of having had a great idea only to see it vanish before their eyes. Once you have achieved TRUE brand status, you have pricing and product control. The ability to achieve multi-tier distribution and build a global community loyal to your product, lifestyle, and brand all in one.
The retail revolution is real; those who adapt without sacrificing their core values are the ones who will successfully build a future for others to follow.
EVOLUTION
Every brand needs to be anchored in Foundation Principles, those things that make them a brand in the eyes of their consumer, their community, their loyal following.
However, brands can and need to evolve or pivot when they see an opportunity to change their Foundation and maximize what they have already built. Brands are built on marketplace positioning, such as; good, better, best, or premium, and clearly defined points of difference over the Competition.
The pandemic was a clear pivot point for brands, and those who evolved or adapted are the ones still standing today. But, you will notice those who pivoted did not sacrifice their Foundation! If you are built on a stone foundation, you can withstand the winds of time and fail. But, facing a challenge head-on is what visionary brands and leaders do, and they set the path for the future, a future others can not see until they clarify the vision.
We have been through and continue to struggle with one of the worst pandemics in our history, however in case you missed it, those brands who evolved early in the pandemic are the ones achieving record revenue growth.
Engaging with your core consumer directly, building a relationship, and providing value beyond the product is a formula for success. The brands now have complete control over the omnichannel experience with the pandemic. Those who clearly understand the customer journey, eliminate pain points and engage meaningfully and authentically with their community survive.
In summary, The Visionary Brand was written for those looking to understand what is significant, being Visionary, being different to sustain long-term success, and what they do to create brand Loyalty. Also, it was written from an inside-out perspective, understanding is as much personal, as it is business acumen. Be a Leader, Be a Visionary, Be Compassionate, Be Great!
Stay True, stay Authentic, be Different, be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
Bryan Smeltzer, President
LiquidMind Inc.
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
© All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2022
THE VISIONARY CHRONICLES PODCAST
In my new Podcast, The Visionary Brand | The DNA of a Visionary Brand (Part I), I discuss key principles that separate a brand and how applying these can set you apart for generations. The keys to successfully leading for generations.
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast
We discuss this and other business strategy topics and pressing issues facing Entrepreneurs, Executives, and Small Business Owners.
Please check out "The Visionary Chronicles" on these sites.
Available on:
Google Play
Amazon
Podbean
Apple Podcast
Spotify
iHeart
Pandora
If you like what you hear, I would appreciate you providing a rating and following to receive my weekly Podcasts, along with exclusive content as a follower.
SUBSCRIBE
Subscribe to The Visionary Chronicles PODCAST, and receive The Visionary Chronicles Weekly Newsletter, along with a FREE copy of my new book;
THE VISIONARY BRAND, The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands.
I am providing a FREE copy with the hope you will REVIEW Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, or any other international distributions sites the book is currently being distributed.
It is always greatly appreciated when you spread the word through REVIEWS!
Enjoy!
INTERVIEWS
Visionary Interviews, I will be doing some upcoming interviews with some icons in the industry. If you happen to know of someone, I may want to interview, please let me know. Just provide some brief information, and if it works, we will reach out.
LiquidMind
a Brand Strategy Firm for those looking to disrupt their industry, build a global digital platform, business execution leadership, or just need someone who understands your business's complexities and can provide solutions.
THE VISIONARY BRAND
The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands
Author, Bryan Smeltzer
“Exceptionally well written, organized, and presented, The Visionary Brand must be considered essential reading for all aspiring entrepreneurs and corporate executives seeking to expand their market share.
The Visionary Brand is unreservedly recommended for community, corporate, college, university library Business Management instructional reference collections, and for the personal reading lists of entrepreneurs, MBA students, and corporate executives."
James Cox, Editor-in-Chief, Midwest Book Review
When I decided to write The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands, I was very fortunate to have been inside some of the world’s most creative, disruptive, and revolutionary brands.
These brands were each different, positioning themselves differently, engaging strategically, creating consistently, understanding why they exist, how they are unique, and building a culture that drives the passion for driving the brand forward. I found each fascinating and having been inside the walls of the executive suite seeing firsthand how these great brands operated was an experience few get to experience and witness. So, this experience, along with having a passion for reading and absorbing how other great brands were able to navigate the path to success for generations effectively, built a great base of knowledge both inside and outside these four walls. These insanely great companies and the leaders behind the curtain, the wizards pulling the brand along and successfully executing a Vision no one else could see or comprehend.
The experience was the inspiration, and this is where the Journey started. Having been with these brands and throughout my years, I found that there truly was no ONE Visionary brand, a company that had all the pieces in place. Some had most, but none had all to achieve this status. So as I prepared to write The Visionary Brand, I wanted it to be an outline of the pieces required to achieve Visionary level. Also, I intended to interpret the content quickly and apply it to your day-to-day and long-term strategy.
In having read hundreds of books, all either Bios of great leaders or disruptive brands, most were told from outside in perspective or academic standpoint. Neither of these is easily applied, nor are they beneficial unless you are a multi-billion brand with significant resources to execute their strategy. Therefore, I wanted to take an Entrepreneurial spin on building the structure of The Visionary Brand, which can be applied with limited resources, brands both big and small and measurement in results.
It has been a passion and longtime goal to write this book, many times wanting to hang up my pen and other times spilling out thoughts that seemed never-ending. Both extremes are why I feel The Visionary Brand is so tangible to leaders at all levels and industries.
You will find a clear, tangible path to understanding, achieving, and realizing the pieces of putting your Visionary brand puzzle together. I intended to make it clear, tangible, and fun to execute individually and as a team. Achieving Visionary status seems intangible to most, and it is meant to be by design. However, if you can acquire insight into building your path to generational success while putting these pieces in place, I will have served my purpose in writing The Visionary Brand!
Inside the cover of The Visionary Brand, you will step by step insight into what an authentic Visionary brand is, how this machine runs, what their point of difference is, and how these tangible and intangible points of difference allow them to crush their Competition.
Journey/Brand
It starts with my Journey to writing the book and then defines what a Brand truly is built from a foundational perspective.
Vision/Elements
The book then moves to Vision from the brand and how companies separate themselves through foresight and a product innovation pipeline. I discuss how this revolution is the difference that defines these Visionary brands and how imitators will never be leaders. The elements that set great brands apart and allow them to sustain their category leadership for generations. Disruption, being Different, and Case Studies around each.
Positioning/Omni-Channel
From Vision, I move to marketplace positioning and omnichannel strategy. Ensuring you are consistent in all you do, being authentic, ensuring the bloodlines are true to the Vision—strategic competitiveness, Lifestyle marketing, and being the best at ALL times.
Power Triad/Culture
Product/Marketing & Sales, the Power Triad. How they drive the brand forward, and how each builds a Culture to be envied by all their competitors.
Product Vision/Ecosystem
Breakaway design, innovation pipeline, drawdown strategy, and commercialization. Each a piece of a strategic arsenal brands deploy every day. They were leading through extinction and building an Ecosystem that allows the brands to capture a community and make a Loyal following.
Fuel/UX
Marketing is The Fuel that keeps a brand moving forward, executing on the Vision and ensuring its positioning always is consistent and authentic. Personalization and Ambassador engagement are two unique platforms for brands to ensure they continue to build their community, the heart, and soul of DTC revenue. Finally, the UX, empathizing and understanding your customers.
Artist/Courage
These are areas rarely discussed, but I felt they were probably the most important to put in my book. Without Artists and Courage, you have neither the creativity to be different to the guts to take risks.
In summary, The Visionary Brand was written for those looking to understand what is significant, being Visionary, being different to sustain long-term success, and what they do to create brand Loyalty. Also, it was written from an inside-out perspective, understanding is as much personal, as it is business acumen. Be a Leader, Be a Visionary, Be Compassionate, Be Great!
Stay True, stay Authentic, be Different, be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
Bryan Smeltzer, President
LiquidMind Inc.
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
© All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2022
THE VISIONARY CHRONICLES PODCAST
In my new Podcast, The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands, I discuss my Vision for writing the book, the overview of the contents and how you can apply these Visionary Principles to your brand, create an innovation-driven product pipeline and build a passionate culture. The keys to successfully leading for generations.
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast
We discuss this and other business strategy topics and pressing issues facing Entrepreneurs, Executives, and Small Business Owners.
Please check out "The Visionary Chronicles" on these sites.
Available on
Amazon
Podbean
Apple Podcast
Spotify
iHeart
Pandora
If you like what you hear, I would appreciate you providing a rating and following to receive my weekly Podcasts, along with exclusive content as a follower.
Subscribe to The Visionary Chronicles PODCAST, and receive The Visionary Chronicles Weekly Newsletter, along with a FREE copy of my new book;
THE VISIONARY BRAND, The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands.
I am providing a FREE copy with the hope you will review Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, or any other international distributions sites the book is currently being distributed.
It is always greatly appreciated when you spread the word through REVIEWS!
Enjoy!
Visionary Interviews, I will be doing some upcoming interviews with some icons in the industry. If you happen to know of someone, I may want to interview, please let me know. Just provide some brief information, and if it works, we will reach out.
LiquidMind
a Brand Strategy Firm for those looking to disrupt their industry, build a global digital platform, business execution leadership, or just need someone who understands your business's complexities and can provide solutions.
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
© All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2022
THE VISIONARY CHRONICLES PODCAST
The Art of Competition | Creating a Strategy that Overcomes Competitive Forces
"Know your enemy and know yourself, and you can fight a hundred battles without disaster."
Wisdom from Sun Tzu, The Art of War
The Forces of Competition, which determine strategic planning and marketplace execution, are shared among all industries. Those who can anticipate both industry and competitive moves will succeed for generations.
Anticipation is the "Art of War", and brands who fight and win the battle without having pulled a sword are the ones who have mastered the "Art of Competition". But, unfortunately, many have gone to war and have shown nothing for their efforts; a strategy built on a foundation of brute force inevitably fails.
Find a way to determine outcomes before they are fought, and you will build a team and a brand set on a solid foundation, a fortress others can not enter. Creating a culture where everyone knows their role, works together to ensure the foundation stands, and others envy what you have made and want to know your vision of the future. The best they can hope for is to follow in your path but never lead.
There are several forces brands must be aware of to execute The Art of Competition in the marketplace.
New Blood
With this scenario, new blood is the latest entry into your category, one who has a new idea, provides a potentially better service or product.
Combatting this competitor takes anticipation, an innovation process, and the ability to never look over your shoulder. Each of these allows a brand to move ahead with your Vision while ensuring this new blood is blocked or eliminated from establishing a beachhead without you doing anything different. Changing course is not an option, but pivoting without disrupting your business is critical.
Scale
The scale was a strategy many were caught off guard by during the pandemic, and most were unable to recover in whole or in part.
To attain sufficient scale with a manufacturing matrix with the core competencies needed to produce a consistently excellent product and out-innovating yourself first is the winning formula.
Community
Loyalty, recurring revenue, and value creation are foundational to longevity. These pieces of your foundation will create a wall no competitor can climb.
This takes consistency, an understanding of who your customer is, what they value, and why they buy your products is a strategic weapon built off your team's shoulders.
Commodity Players
The Imitators, not the Innovators, are the commodity players. They are not be feared, but rather these are the ones to be called out and challenged at every turn.
Imitators take great Ideas and churn them into products of inferior quality and lower-tier price points. As a result, they do not build a trusting, loyal community that embraces value provided by the brand, but rather a following looking for the next significant "draw-down".
Some have been successful with this strategy, but this is like building your foundation on the sand vs. rock. YOUR CHOICE.
Rivals
The most threatening part of a brand executing its future Vision is its direct Rival, those who have authentically built a loyal community, created their innovation pipeline and stayed true to their foundation.
They are to be respected, but the Art of War principles are genuinely beneficial and provide the most benefit. You want to anticipate the moves of your Rivals, find ways to outflank them, diminish their impact, and put the fires out before they start.
The Art of War is winning without having gone to battle. So what can you do to anticipate your Rival's next move and step out and take risks, never to relinquish your lead?
The Art of Competition is understanding the landscape, anticipating your Rival's moves, outflanking your Competition, and finding ways to win the battles through a strategy where you never have to draw your weapon! Find a way to win!
Stay True, stay Authentic, be Different, be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
Bryan Smeltzer, President
LiquidMind Inc.
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
© All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2022
In my new Podcast, The Art of Competition | Creating a Strategy that Overcomes Competitive Forces, I discuss the Idea’s around anticipation and the Art of combatting your Competition through strategic mastery.
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast
We discuss this and other business strategy topics and pressing issues facing Entrepreneurs, Executives, and Small Business Owners.
Please check out THE VISIONARY CHRONICLES Podcast on these sites
Podbean
Apple Podcast
Spotify
iHeart
Pandora
Amazon
If you like what you hear, I would appreciate you providing a rating and following to receive my weekly Podcasts, along with exclusive content as a follower.
Subscribe to The Visionary Chronicles PODCAST, and receive The Visionary Chronicles Weekly Newsletter, along with a FREE copy of my new book;
The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands.
I am providing a FREE copy with the hope you will provide a review on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, or any other international distributions sites the book is currently being carried. It is always greatly appreciated, and to spread the word.
Enjoy!
https://bryansmeltzer.com/books/
Visionary Interviews, I will be doing some upcoming interviews with some icons in the industry. If you happen to know of someone I may want to interview, please let me know. Just provide some brief information, and if it works, we will reach out.
https://bryansmeltzer.com/podcasts/
LiquidMind
Brand Strategy Firm for those looking to disrupt their industry, build a global digital platform, business execution leadership, or just need someone who understands your business's complexities and can provide solutions.
https://youtu.be/xcIWAgKPgxY
Brand Team Alignment | Managing Marketing & Sales Alignment
“Great things in business are never done by one person. They're done by a team of people.” Wisdom from Steve Jobs
With over 85% of companies indicating a misalignment between marketing and sales on items such as; strategy, branding, and creation, it is an area that needs vast improvement across almost every brand. Our clients at LiquidMind(LiquidMindsite.com), both large-cap through start-up, face the same issues, and most do not either recognize the misalignment or understand the process to improve the alignment. In addition, as more brands move to DTC, the sales cycle becomes more tangible on the direct-to-consumer side and with your retailers, as they fight for both dollars and time. As a result, this alignment becomes more critical to a company's short and long-term success. With most brands, you will find these two functional areas run independently of one another when they should be working in parallel, ensuring the brand is in complete alignment across all channels and modes of communication. However, they need each other, and frustration, inefficiency, and misalignment set in when separated. So how does a brand work to correct this misalignment?
At LiquidMind, we work with our brands on the following areas, and step by step, piece by piece, the alignment becomes a reality.
Content Creation Marketing often makes assumptions, based on the brand positioning, creative assets, and channels, that what they are creating is valuable to the sales teams, buyers, and customers. To define what is needed, you must understand where, when, who, and how you create and communicate. Is this content a valuable tool for the sales team, and does the marketing strategy take a regular "pulse" check with your brand community, buyers, and sales team? Creating for the sake of producing is not a strategy. Moving does not mean you are making progress. To create alignment with Content Creation, ensure the sales team is mapping your creative strategy, both online and in-store. Also, provide your community in engaging with your content, and they are finding helpful something "beyond" product.
Understand Need More often than these two areas do not understand each other's needs. Always start with Marketing, and end with Sales. Just because you "create" something does not mean it is an effective tool for the sales force. To better understand the need, have the sales team provide regular input on tangible tools to make their lives easier and provide branding, tools, and communications to make your communities' Lives easier. Understanding and balancing both is critical to marketing your brand and ensuring you maintain brand equity and loyal with both sales and your customers.
Mind Merge Having regular sessions with the sales team, communicating marketing efforts, and applying the strategy daily builds trust with both organizations. Merging ideas and concepts with reality will bring the Marketing Strategy to a more tangible level to the sales team. So get them involved, but sales must also understand their role in the process, it NOT to create, but rather provide details on NEEDS.
Tool Generation Ensure marketing has laid out the tools, resources, and integrated brand strategy to the sales team. The sales team needs to be seamless with "messaging" to buyers and consumers and the lead driven by marketing. If there is no clear strategy, vision, or plan, you can imagine how quickly this alignment can break down. Ensure you provide online and offline marketing tools that can be used by both internal sales and external buyers or customers.
With the fast-paced, digital world we live in, aligning with everyone inside a brand is critical to the successful execution of your strategy. Frustration and misalignment can be replaced by an authentic, genuine passion and excitement for what your brand is doing and yet to accomplish. Together, lock arms, understand shared needs, and complement one another strengths, and work on your weaknesses to better the brand!
THE VISIONARY CHRONICLES PODCAST
Strategy | Successful Branding Strategies
(10 Principles Brands can deploy to sustain long-term revenue growth)
"For you to sleep well at night, the aesthetic, the quality, has to be carried all the way through…”
Wisdom from Steve Jobs
Brands many times struggle with first determining, then executing on their Vision. For a start-up or ongoing company to successfully anchor their company in foundational principles that will carry them for generations, they will need to bring their Vision to reality.
This foundation determines all the company stands for from the inside looking out. First, establish who you are, what is your definitive point of difference, why would someone purchase your product, and how you will authentically engage in building your Community, the lifeblood of Loyalty.
With the new age of digital, Loyalty is the lifeblood, but Authentication is the vein. Authentication is what continues to drive Loyalty and long-term customer value to a Brand.
Being Authentic is earned, not a right, and can quickly deteriorate, along with customer loyalty, revenue, and equity. Follow a clear path to building your brand, stay true to creating a Loyal community through authentic engagement, and ensure your Vision is communicated daily through both verbal and visual communications.
This branding flow will ensure all who enter the four walls of your brand clearly understand why you exist, where you are positioned, how you are different, and what is the path forward.
“As a consumer, you want to associate with brands whose powerful presence creates a halo effect that rubs off on you…”
Tom Peters
Stay True, stay Authentic, be Different, be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
Bryan Smeltzer, President
LiquidMind Inc.
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
© All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2021
In my new Podcast, Branding | Successful Branding Strategies, I discuss 10 Key Principles companies or brands need to deploy to sustain long-term revenue growth successfully.
We discuss this, along with other business strategy topics and pressing issues facing Entrepreneurs and Small Business Owners.
Please check out "The Visionary Chronicles" on these sites.
Available on
Podbean
Apple Podcast
Spotify
iHeart
Pandora
Amazon
If you like what you hear, I would appreciate your following to receive my weekly Podcasts, along with exclusive content as a follower.
Subscribe to The Visionary Chronicles PODCAST, and receive The Visionary Chronicles Newsletter, along with a FREE VISION Notepad.
Visionary Interviews, I will be doing some upcoming interviews with some icons in the industry. If you happen to know of someone, I may want to interview, please let me know. Just provide some brief information, and if it works, we will reach out.
The Visionary Brands, I will be launching my new book this fall. In preparation, I will be providing some additional, more in-depth discussions around what allows these Visionary Brands to sustain generational success.
LiquidMind
a Brand Strategy Firm for those looking to disrupt their industry, build a global digital platform, business execution leadership, or just need someone who understands the complexities of your business and can provide solutions.
The Visionary Chronicles PODCAST
CHRONICLE: December 17th, 2021
"I can't understand why people are frightened of new ideas. I'm frightened of the old ones..."
Wisdom from John Cage
PODCAST: CREATIVITY | How to Maximize IDEA Flow
2018, LinkedIn Survey; Creativity is the number sought-after soft skillset.
Creativity is a Cornerstone for an Innovative Thinker and a Progressive Brand. The ability to consistently think of great IDEAS, understand the impact at a brand level, and ensure they are commercialized is a trait few possess and even are willing to explore.
Exploration is a crucial piece for Creativity; having the guts to do what others say is "Impossible" and pursue a Dream and bring it to Reality for others to see. This Exploration brings excitement and passion to a brand. The willingness to FAIL, and FAIL again for the pursuit of reaching the pinnacle of success. Those who are willing to take this challenge, not just once, but make it part of their DNA, their core Identity will succeed, not only in their markets but with their teams and community as well! With Exploration comes an Artisty around successfully realizing your great IDEA. The creative mastery around molding the IDEA to match your Identity.
The Artist is the one who knows what the painting looks like before a brush is put to canvas. So be an Artist, understand the beauty behind the product, making your communities life more accessible and non-burdensome. The Simple Sophistication of a great product and the Artistry to deliver on your Brand Promise.
To Maximize IDEA flow, you must first be committed to Exploring, embracing Failure, and being an Artist, and all are collectively generating insanely GREAT IDEAS.
What are the areas required to Promote Creativity?
Free your Mind, let the process take its Pace, provide boundaries and ensure these IDEAS are processed, commercialized, or blown up to make it great!
Many leaders agree that Innovation and Creativity are the most sought-after traits, but most do nothing to promote creating a Culture where Cognitive Thinkers can thrive!
Stay True, stay Authentic, be Different, be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
Bryan Smeltzer, President
LiquidMind Inc.
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
© All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2021
THE VISIONARY CHRONICLES PODCAST
In my new Podcast, CREATIVITY | How to Maximize IDEA Flow, I discuss how understanding the exploration process, embracing Risk and a commitment to providing an environment where you embrace Failure is key to generating insanely Great IDEAS.
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast
We discuss this and other business strategy topics and pressing issues facing Entrepreneurs, Executives, and Small Business Owners.
Please check out "The Visionary Chronicles" on these sites.
Available on
Podbean
Apple Podcast
Spotify
iHeart
Pandora
Amazon
If you like what you hear, I would appreciate you providing a rating and following to receive my weekly Podcasts, along with exclusive content as a follower.
Subscribe to The Visionary Chronicles PODCAST, and receive The Visionary Chronicles Newsletter, along with a FREE Vision Notepad.
Visionary Interviews, I will be doing some upcoming interviews with some icons in the industry. If you happen to know of someone I may want to interview, please let me know. Just provide some brief information, and if it works, we will reach out.
LiquidMind
a Brand Strategy Firm for those looking to disrupt their industry, build a global digital platform, business execution leadership, or just need someone who understands your business's complexities and can provide solutions.
@LiquidMindsite.com
© All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2021
The Visionary Chronicles PODCAST
CHRONICLE: December 9th, 2021
Inspiration "Leadership is the art of getting someone else to do something you want done because he wants to do it..."
Wisdom from Dwight D. Eisenhower
Leadership Traits | How to Identify & Succeed
There are many leadership traits, each is unique, and each is either a strength or a weakness. Those who are humble enough to identify their inherent weaknesses and build them into strength will gain loyalty, and those who choose to ignore these weaknesses inevitably fail.
Having been a part of some of the most iconic brands and working with these leaders, I have found most embrace a Vision, and most can see the future. One way or another, find a way to bring it to reality. They are iconic, but each had a weakness; some recognized it, others ignored it.
In being a Leader, you must get the team together cohesively to execute your Strategy. Feeling as if you are part of and contributing to a brand's success is something all groups want to be a part of and want it ingrained into their Culture. Leaders who lack the self-awareness to address their weaknesses damage the Brand itself and its Culture, both very difficult to repair.
In looking at these Leaders from inside, and outside perspectives, I have found the following Traits to be the most common. Each is unique, each carries common weaknesses and strengths, but there are Counter traits to correct flaws.
Typically the flaw comes from being a short-term planner, not a long-term thinker, and short-sighted on what it will take to execute the plan and the competitive reaction.
Counter;
Ensure you understand long-term implications.
Impulsive, you crave the satisfaction of having made a decision, even though you may not have thoroughly worked through the impact across the Brand. You are not contemplating what is required to execute the plan and the consequences of your decision.
Counter;
Understand consequences.
Rigid, Firm, you control the environment, stick to a process and ensure everyone follows with no change considered. This Leader stifles creativity, eliminates risk, wants predictability, and a result, kills off innovation.
Counter;
Be Curious.
Insecure, you worry about decisions, those around you, and what they may think.
You are often taken advantage of without resistance, and as a result, Trust is degraded.
Counter;
All Leaders have frailties, and most are not considered Visionary, but understanding your Weaknesses and finding ways to Strengthen your faults will build loyalty and Trust with your team and your Brand!
Stay True, stay Authentic, be Different, be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
Bryan Smeltzer, President
LiquidMind Inc.
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
© All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2021
Podcast In my new Podcast, Leadership Traits | How to Identify & Succeed, I discuss how to identify common Leadership Traits, the pros and cons of each, and counteractions to take if you find yourself with an inherent weakness.
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast
We discuss this and other business strategy topics and pressing issues facing Entrepreneurs, Executives, and Small Business Owners.
Please check out "The Visionary Chronicles" on these sites.
Available on
Podbean
Apple Podcast
Spotify
iHeart
Pandora
Amazon
If you like what you hear, I would appreciate you providing a rating and following to receive my weekly Podcasts, along with exclusive content as a follower.
Subscribe to The Visionary Chronicles PODCAST, and receive The Visionary Chronicles Newsletter, along with a FREE Vision Notepad.
Visionary Interviews, I will be doing some upcoming interviews with some icons in the industry. If you happen to know of someone I may want to interview, please let me know. Just provide some brief information, and if it works, we will reach out.
Visionary Interviews
LiquidMind
a Brand Strategy Firm for those looking to disrupt their industry, build a global digital platform, business execution leadership, or just need someone who understands your business's complexities and can provide solutions.
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast
CHRONICLE: November 15th, 2021
"Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower..."
Wisdom from Steve
Persevere | How to Adapt to Opportunities and Succeed
In the environment we currently find ourselves in; it may be counterintuitive to suggest finding an opportunity to succeed versus maintaining the status quo.
I have worked directly with and met many global leaders, visionaries, those who set the path forward for brands. I found a common trait with each of these leaders, PERSEVERANCE, the ability to remain steadfast in executing on their VISION despite the difficulty in achieving its success. Perseverance is a trait that is easier said than done, and those who authentically have it more often than not succeed where others fail.
I have found over the years in being a part of or working directly with these global ICONIC brands (Oakley, TaylorMade, adidas, Nike, etc.), each has always found a way to set the path forward regardless of the fog that lies ahead.
It is one thing to define an opportunity; it is another to execute on the path to achieve its success. I have found there to be five distinct areas most of these visionaries and companies have in common when faced with realizing these new opportunities;
Stay True, stay Authentic, be Different, be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
Bryan Smeltzer, President LiquidMind Inc.
@LiquidMindsite.com @BryanSmeltzer.com
© All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2021
In my new Podcast, Persevere | How to Adapt to Opportunities and Succeed, I discuss how to find an opportunity through a disruption, execute a cohesive plan, and succeed.
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast
We discuss this and other business strategy topics and pressing issues facing Entrepreneurs, Executives, and Small Business Owners.
Please check out "The Visionary Chronicles" on these sites.
Available on
Podbean
Apple Podcast
Spotify
Amazon PODCASTS
Google PODCASTS
iHeart
Pandora
If you like what you hear, I would appreciate you providing a rating and following to receive my weekly Podcasts, along with exclusive content as a follower.
Subscribe to The Visionary Chronicles PODCAST, and receive The Visionary Chronicles Newsletter, along with a FREE Vision Notepad.
Visionary Interviews, I will be doing some upcoming interviews with some icons in the industry. If you happen to know of someone, I may want to interview, please let me know. Just provide some brief information, and if it works, we will reach out.
LiquidMind
A Brand Strategy Firm for those looking to disrupt their industry, build a global digital platform, business execution leadership, or just need someone who understands your business's complexities and can provide solutions.
THE VISIONARY CHRONICLES PODCAST
Bryan Smeltzers Podcast on driving your brand forward, reinvigorating your passion, while continuing to maintain and sustain your Vision for long term revenue growth. Discussions around disruptive strategies, and executable market drivers that provide a unique point of difference for you and your brand.
We discuss this along with other business strategy topics and pressing issues facing Entrepreneurs and Small Business Owners.
He is the author of The Visionary Brand, a book on how brands sustain and maintain their Vision over generations. Bryan is currently President of LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm located in Southern California.
If you enjoy The Visionary Chronicles Podcast, would be great if you could please leave a short Review at;
• iTunes/Apple Podcasts/The Visionary Chronicles
It takes about a minute and supports our growth and reach to others, along with getting some awesome interviews.
Please check out The Visionary Chronicles on these sites;
• Apple Podcast • Podbean • Spotify • iHeart • Pandora
The Visionary Chronicles RSS Feed (use for PODCAST players);
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• The Visionary Chronicles Newsletter
Interested in Sponsoring The Visionary Chronicles Podcast, or a segment? Please fill out this form; • bryansmeltzer.com/contact/
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The Visionary Chronicles PODCAST
CHRONICLE: November 4th, 2021
Inspiration "Good, better, best. Never let it rest. 'Til your good is better, and your better is best..."
Wisdom from St. Jerome
DTC Success | How to Thrive in Direct to Consumer Business
In my new PODCAST, I discuss defining, building, and growing your DTC channel and creating an authentic lifestyle experience.
Successful DTC brands devise a strategy around their core principles, representing a clear "point of difference" from their competitors, category or service and channel.
A brand must define these competitive weapons and deploy them across all lines of defense. These weapons include; digital marketing tiers and metrics analysis allowing you to pivot as needed, strategic and focused social media site development and growth, and authentic community engagement and user base growth. Developing a strategic, ongoing, and relevant game plan will allow a brand to protect its hard-earned equity and product positioning.
Another critical piece to successfully deploy your DTC business is defining your expectations across several tiers. Too many companies and brands we work with through LiquidMind (LiquidMindsite.com) have a very narrow focus, tunnel vision! Broaden and understand the actual landscape you face with DTC, both expansion opportunities and competitive challenges. These will encompass both tangible and intangible metrics. With so much data available, understanding the reasoning behind the numbers, along with the proper application of resources and investments, will determine your success, which means not merely throwing money at an opportunity without first analyzing the demo target and investment required to have an impact.
This investment and analysis require a deep dive to understand the landscape and if you want to become a big fish in a small pond or little fish in the ocean of other brands and similar products. Find your "open" water, define your platforms and understand the success metrics, both tangible and intangible.
The issue with many DTC models is they consider only the tangible but miss on the intangible. For example, all considerations and analyses are attrition, ROAS, CPC, CAC, price point compression, Loyalty, LTV, competitive set, and capabilities.
There are several areas I have defined through our work with both global and start-up brands which has allowed them to sustain long-term success with their DTC business;
Building, growing, and sustaining your DTC business will provide band equity creation and long-term community loyalty, and the ability to control your destiny.
Stay True, stay Authentic, be Different, be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
Bryan Smeltzer, President
LiquidMind Inc.
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
© All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2021
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast
I discuss this and other business strategy topics and pressing issues facing Entrepreneurs, Executives, and Small Business Owners.
Please check out "The Visionary Chronicles" on these sites.
Available on
Podbean
Apple Podcast
Spotify
iHeart
Pandora
Amazon
If you like what you hear, I would appreciate you providing a rating and following to receive my weekly Podcasts, along with exclusive content as a follower.
Subscribe to The Visionary Chronicles PODCAST, and receive The Visionary Chronicles Newsletter, along with a FREE Vision Notepad.
Visionary Interviews, I will be doing some upcoming interviews with some icons in the industry. If you happen to know of someone I may want to interview, please let me know. Just provide some brief information, and if it works, we will reach out.
LiquidMind
A Brand Strategy Firm for those looking to disrupt their industry, build a global digital platform, business execution leadership, or just need someone who understands your business's complexities and can provide solutions.
Check us out at LiquidMindsite.com
Bryan Smeltzers Podcast on driving your brand forward, reinvigorating your passion, while continuing to maintain and sustain your Vision for long-term revenue growth.
Discussions around disruptive strategies, and executable market drivers that provide a unique point of difference for you and your brand.
We discuss this along with other business strategy topics and pressing issues facing Entrepreneurs and Small Business Owners.
He is the author of The Visionary Brand, a book on how brands sustain and maintain their Vision over generations.
Bryan is currently President of LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm located in Southern California.
If you enjoy The Visionary Chronicles Podcast, would be great if you could please leave a short Review at;
It takes about a minute and supports our growth and reach to others, along with getting some awesome interviews.
The Visionary Chronicles RSS Feed (use for PODCAST players);
Sign up for The Visionary Chronicles Newsletter at;
Interested in Sponsoring The Visionary Chronicles Podcast, or a segment? Please fill out this form;
Follow me on the following social sites.
The Visionary Chronicles PODCAST
CHRONICLE: October 28th, 2021
"If we are to preserve culture, we must continue to create it...."
Wisdom from Johan Huzinga
PODCAST
Innovation Strategy | How to Effectively Implement an Innovation-Driven Culture
In my new PODCAST, I discuss integrating an innovation-driven culture inside your brand and the commitment it takes to succeed.
TRUE blood Brands find a way to set a Vision driven by an authentic need to Innovate, and Disrupt the Status Quo in their industry or product category.
With LiquidMind, I often am asked, "Where do I start?". For starters, Innovation is an engrained cultural phenomenon. Yes, a phenomenon, something intangible, built into a brand's culture, something you can SEE and FEEL. Thinks of brands, even though you may not be a part of their company, where you can FEEL and SEE the consistently great Innovation they aspire others to achieve!
Being an Innovator is something that is earned, something committed to throughout the company. It is protected by those Artists and Creators whose sole intent is to preserve the SOUL of the brand.
But, where is a company to start? First, it begins at the top, with a Vision to be "Best in Class" and a leader for others to follow. To attain this status, you are forced to innovate, not just one time…" no ONE HIT wonders allowed"…but continually and consistently, generation to generation, always GREAT!
There are several steps to implementing this strategy, and all I discuss in PODCAST, The Visionary Chronicles;
Innovation is more easily said than done; it takes a commitment to RISK and embracing FAILURE!
Stay True, stay Authentic, be Different, be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
Bryan Smeltzer, President
LiquidMind Inc.
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
© All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2021
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast
I discuss this and other business strategy topics and pressing issues facing Entrepreneurs, Executives, and Small Business Owners.
Please check out "The Visionary Chronicles" on these sites.
Available on
Podbean
Apple Podcast
Spotify
iHeart
Pandora
If you like what you hear, I would appreciate you providing a rating and following to receive my weekly Podcasts, along with exclusive content as a follower.
Updates Subscribe to The Visionary Chronicles PODCAST, and receive The Visionary Chronicles Newsletter, along with a FREE Vision Notepad.
Visionary Interviews, I will be doing some upcoming interviews with some icons in the industry. If you happen to know of someone I may want to interview, please let me know. Just provide some brief information, and if it works, we will reach out.
LiquidMind
A Brand Strategy Firm for those looking to disrupt their industry, build a global digital platform, business execution leadership, or just need someone who understands your business's complexities and can provide solutions.
© All Copyrights Reserved, Bryan Smeltzer
THE VISIONARY CHRONICLES PODCAST
Bryan Smeltzers Podcast on driving your brand forward, reinvigorating your passion, while continuing to maintain and sustain your Vision for long-term revenue growth.
Discussions around disruptive strategies, and executable market drivers that provide a unique point of difference for you and your brand.
We discuss this along with other business strategy topics and pressing issues facing Entrepreneurs and Small Business Owners.
He is the author of The Visionary Brand, a book on how brands sustain and maintain their Vision over generations.
Bryan is currently President of LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm located in Southern California.
If you enjoy The Visionary Chronicles Podcast, would be great if you could please leave a short Review at;
It takes about a minute and supports our growth and reach to others, along with getting some awesome interviews.
The Visionary Chronicles RSS Feed (use for PODCAST players);
Sign up for The Visionary Chronicles Newsletter at;
Interested in Sponsoring The Visionary Chronicles Podcast, or a segment? Please fill out this form;
Follow me on the following social sites.
The Visionary Chronicles PODCAST
CHRONICLE: October 15th, 2021
"The authentic self is the soul made visible..."
Wisdom from Sarah Ben Breathnach
PODCAST: Authentication | Foundation to a Brand's Success
In my new PODCAST, I discuss Authentication, what it is in by definition, and how Brands can assure they are Truly Authentic.
Most Brands realize that being Authentic is an essential piece of building long-term Loyalty; however, I have found that most do not know what it MEANS to be Authentic. It is an interesting dynamic, and one most Brands never commit to realizing in their day-to-day.
Being Authentic by definition is;
Your Authentic Brand ID has many different Elements, both tangible and non-tangible, equally crucial to creating a winning Formula, assuring you are staying true to your authentic foundational pillars and brand ETHOS.
You have the Traditional Brand ID Elements; Positioning, Mission, Vision, Personality, and Core Competencies. You also have the non-tangible Elements most Brands forget about or do not commit to; Value, Relationships, Culture, Expression. These, in most instances, are more important than tangible elements. These are the ONES that separate GREAT Brands from AVERAGE Brands!
The Brand that can consistently execute, commit to and support these core elements of a successful company are the ones who will be generational. Just look at some of the brands who fit this mold;
Having the courage to commit to being Great starts with your Foundational Pillars, those on which your Brand was built. Understanding first the Vision, second how to Execute, and third assuring you are Committed to supporting these Pillars stand.
Stay True, stay Authentic, be Different, be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
Bryan Smeltzer, President
LiquidMind Inc.
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
© All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2021
THE VISIONARY CHRONICLES PODCAST
Bryan Smeltzers Podcast on driving your brand forward, reinvigorating your passion, while continuing to maintain and sustain your Vision for long-term revenue growth.
Discussions around disruptive strategies, and executable market drivers that provide a unique point of difference for you and your brand.
We discuss this along with other business strategy topics and pressing issues facing Entrepreneurs and Small Business Owners.
He is the author of The Visionary Brand, a book on how brands sustain and maintain their Vision over generations.
Bryan is currently President of LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm located in Southern California.
If you enjoy The Visionary Chronicles Podcast, would be great if you could please leave a short Review at;
It takes about a minute and supports our growth and reach to others, along with getting some awesome interviews.
Please check out The Visionary Chronicles on these sites;
The Visionary Chronicles RSS Feed (use for PODCAST players);
Sign up for The Visionary Chronicles Newsletter at;
Interested in Sponsoring The Visionary Chronicles Podcast, or a segment? Please fill out this form;
Follow me on the following social sites.
If you like what you hear, I would appreciate you providing a rating and following to receive my weekly Podcasts, along with exclusive content as a follower.
Subscribe to The Visionary Chronicles PODCAST, and receive The Visionary Chronicles Newsletter, along with a FREE Vision Notepad.
Visionary Interviews, I will be doing some upcoming interviews with some icons in the industry. If you happen to know of someone, I may want to interview, please let me know. Just provide some brief information, and if it works, we will reach out.
LiquidMind
A Brand Strategy Firm for those looking to disrupt their industry, build a global digital platform, business execution leadership, or just need someone who understands your business's complexities and can provide solutions.
The Visionary Chronicles
CHRONICLE: October 7th, 2021
"There is no innovation and creativity without failure. Period..."
Wisdom from Brene Brown
Breakaway Products | Establishing a First Mover Advantage
In my new PODCAST, I discuss how Brands who have committed themselves to execute a Product Innovation platform driven by Failure and led through Breakaway goals is a Formula for Success
No great product has EVER been created without first failing! Failure is part of the process, but Failure also entails Managing Risk. The Risk is that things will not turn out as you had planned, but this part of being a generational leader, one who Disrupts while others are complacent.
Being able to find a way to Disrupt through Breakaway Products, ones that are Generational in their impact is the pinnacle of Brand innovation. To have this process integrated into your Brand, you first need to understand the commitment required, not just seasonally but all year long! This is where most brands jump off the boat for fear of failure, not realizing success.
The Breakaway concept is to realize a product that changes the game in your category, forces others to follow, and changes how we interact or perform in our day-to-day lives. The concept can be technology, consumer products, or any process which changes how we interact daily, and more often than not, something we thought we never needed. As Henry Ford famously said, "If I had asked my customer what they wanted, they would have said… 'a faster horse'." Look where we are at today due to Henry Ford's Vision, a true Visionary, one that changed our mode of transportation!
Being a Visionary means, you embrace Risk, understanding that this is a weapon to create great things or a paralyzing of Failure. Be Visionary, adopt Risk as part of your process, and know that failure is the stepping stone to eventual success. Although not all Risk is brilliant, you must know when to move on, or your Idea will bring you down to earth. Knowing the difference is being a Leader.
Be A Visionary, Be A Risk Taker, Be a Generational Brand! Breakaway from your Competition…
Stay True, stay Authentic, be Different, be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
Bryan Smeltzer, President
LiquidMind Inc.
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
© All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2021
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast
I discuss this and other business strategy topics and pressing issues facing Entrepreneurs, Executives, and Small Business Owners.
Please check out "The Visionary Chronicles" on these sites.
Available on
Podbean
Apple Podcast
Spotify
iHeart
Pandora
If you like what you hear, I would appreciate you providing a rating and following to receive my weekly Podcasts, along with exclusive content as a follower.
Subscribe to The Visionary Chronicles PODCAST, and receive The Visionary Chronicles Newsletter, along with a FREE Vision Notepad.
Visionary Interviews, I will be doing some upcoming interviews with some icons in the industry. If you happen to know of someone, I may want to interview, please let me know. Just provide some brief information, and if it works, we will reach out.
LiquidMind
A Brand Strategy Firm for those looking to disrupt their industry, build a global digital platform, business execution leadership, or just need someone who understands your business's complexities and can provide solutions.
© All Copyrights Reserved, Bryan Smeltzer
THE VISIONARY CHRONICLES PODCAST
Bryan Smeltzers Podcast on driving your brand forward, reinvigorating your passion, while continuing to maintain and sustain your Vision for long-term revenue growth.
Discussions around disruptive strategies, and executable market drivers that provide a unique point of difference for you and your brand.
We discuss this along with other business strategy topics and pressing issues facing Entrepreneurs and Small Business Owners.
He is the Author of The Visionary Brand, a book on how brands sustain and maintain their Vision over generations.
Bryan is currently President of LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm located in Southern California.
If you enjoy The Visionary Chronicles Podcast, would be great if you could please leave a short Review at;
It takes about a minute and supports our growth and reach to others, along with getting some awesome interviews.
The Visionary Chronicles RSS Feed (use for PODCAST players);
Sign up for The Visionary Chronicles Newsletter at;
Interested in Sponsoring The Visionary Chronicles Podcast, or a segment? Please fill out this form;
Follow me on the following social sites.
The Visionary Chronicles
CHRONICLE: September 29nd, 2021
"A wise human would have an understanding of the supply chain and how the pieces fit together. But it's against our nature to think about it..."
Wisdom from Paola Bacigalupi
PODCAST: Supply Chain Innovation | How to Strengthen your Weaknesses
In my new PODCAST, I discuss how businesses have identified the need to update, replace or reimagine their supply chain.
When the pandemic struck, many companies were forced to address their supply chain, and what they found was a weak foundation, one in need of repair long before the pandemic.
In working with global leaders of these brands, we found complacency in which as long as the wheels were turning, all was good; it was not until the wheels stopped that they recognized they did not have an adequate "fail-safe" supply chain.
The pandemic forced these companies to address their supply chain "weak links," strengthen these weaknesses, and assure they can absorb future disruptions. In this instance, they merely looked to manage the pandemic the best they could within the circumstances. They licked their wounds with both consumers and retailers.
In most instances, the strategy they deployed, such as lean manufacturing, was effective while their supply chain was moving, but when it stopped, it proved deadly. The lean method is still an effective strategy but needs additional foundational support around this structure. Support pillars such as; enhanced (multi-category) replicated sourcing, alternate geo-sourcing where political moves do not constrain capacity, increased capacity, and safety stock.
While consumers continue to demand quick-turn at lower prices, what is a brand to do without losing its competitive edge?
There are several key factors when evaluating your supply chain to determine your "fail safe" status;
Not all Brands suffered through the pandemic, but most used this as an opportunity to improve!
Stay True, stay Authentic, be Different, be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
Bryan Smeltzer, President
LiquidMind Inc.
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
© All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2021
THE VISIONARY CHRONICLES PODCAST:
Bryan Smeltzers Podcast on driving your brand forward, reinvigorating your passion, while continuing to maintain and sustain your Vision for long-term revenue growth.
Discussions around disruptive strategies, and executable market drivers that provide a unique point of difference for you and your brand.
We discuss this along with other business strategy topics and pressing issues facing Entrepreneurs and Small Business Owners.
He is the author of The Visionary Brand, a book on how brands sustain and maintain their Vision over generations.
Bryan is currently President of LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm located in Southern California.
If you enjoy The Visionary Chronicles Podcast, would be great if you could please leave a short Review at;
It takes about a minute and supports our growth and reach to others, along with getting some awesome interviews.
Please check out The Visionary Chronicles on these sites;
The Visionary Chronicles RSS Feed (use for PODCAST players);
Sign up for The Visionary Chronicles Newsletter at;
Interested in Sponsoring The Visionary Chronicles Podcast, or a segment? Please fill out this form;
Follow me on the following social sites.
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast
I discuss this and other business strategy topics and pressing issues facing Entrepreneurs, Executives, and Small Business Owners.
Please check out "The Visionary Chronicles" on these sites.
Available on
Podbean
Apple Podcast
Spotify
iHeart
Pandora
If you like what you hear, I would appreciate you providing a rating and following to receive my weekly Podcasts, along with exclusive content as a follower.
Subscribe to The Visionary Chronicles PODCAST, and receive The Visionary Chronicles Newsletter, along with a FREE Vision Notepad.
Visionary Interviews, I will be doing some upcoming interviews with some icons in the industry. If you happen to know of someone I may want to interview, please let me know. Just provide some brief information, and if it works, we will reach out.
LiquidMind
A Brand Strategy Firm for those looking to disrupt their industry, build a global digital platform, business execution leadership, or just need someone who understands your business's complexities and can provide solutions.
© All Copyrights Reserved, Bryan Smeltzer,2021
The Visionary Chronicles
CHRONICLE: September 22nd, 2021
Inspiration "Leadership is the capacity to translate Vision into Reality..."
Wisdom from Warren Bennis
The Visionary Chronicles PODCAST
VISIONARY LEADERSHIP | How to Realize your Future through a Crisis
In my new PODCAST, I discuss how Visionary leaders execute their strategy through a crisis and the stepped process they use to ensure they stay on track.
To determine your future, you need to analyze the past, determine the current state of your industry, and define opportunities to capture market share growth.
The need to examine your future is especially true as we work our way through the pandemic. Seeing how most, if not all, companies have had to pivot in one direction or another and change the way they operate.
-Adapt or Die!
-Change or die a Slow Death!
Adaptation has been a word thrown around a lot and is a necessary evil for most companies. Being able to adapt is one thing; wanting to adapt is another. Having worked with a very diverse, global group of brands through the pandemic, I can tell you most want to adjust but are fearful of the repercussions in an already unpredictable world! You need to adapt, finding ways to be more efficient, more effective, and more competitive. In the long run, you will come out of the back end of the pandemic in better shape than you were going in.
You need to analyze your path forward, find a way to strengthen your weaknesses and outline your path ahead. The Vision is still intact, ensure the Vision DOES NOT change, but the course to successfully executing the Vision can be altered. Adapt, be Flexible, be Nimble and move fast.
Working directly with these global brands who have successfully pivoted during this pandemic, I have found several key principles we adopted through LiquidMind Inc. to ensure their long-term success. First, they are clearly defined, constantly communicated, and understood by their role in their brand's successful exit through this crisis.
Not all plans are successful, but generational success is their reward for those who have a strategy that will win in the long run!
Stay True, stay Authentic, be Different, be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
Bryan Smeltzer, President
LiquidMind Inc.
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
© All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2021
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast
I discuss this and other business strategy topics and pressing issues facing Entrepreneurs, Executives, and Small Business Owners.
Please check out "The Visionary Chronicles" on these sites.
Available on
Podbean
Apple Podcast
Spotify
iHeart
Pandora
If you like what you hear, I would appreciate you providing a rating and following to receive my weekly Podcasts, along with exclusive content as a follower.
Subscribe to The Visionary Chronicles PODCAST, and receive The Visionary Chronicles Newsletter, along with a FREE Vision Notepad.
Visionary Interviews, I will be doing some upcoming interviews with some icons in the industry. If you happen to know of someone I may want to interview, please let me know. Just provide some brief information, and if it works, we will reach out.
LiquidMind
A Brand Strategy Firm for those looking to disrupt their industry, build a global digital platform, business execution leadership, or just need someone who understands your business's complexities and can provide solutions.
© All Copyrights Reserved, Bryan Smeltzer
Bryan Smeltzers Podcast on driving your brand forward, reinvigorating your passion, while continuing to maintain and sustain your Vision for long term revenue growth. Discussions around disruptive strategies, and executable market drivers that provide a unique point of difference for you and your brand.
We discuss this along with other business strategy topics and pressing issues facing Entrepreneurs and Small Business Owners.
He is the author of The Visionary Brand, a book on how brands sustain and maintain their Vision over generations. Bryan is currently President of LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm located in Southern California.
If you enjoy The Visionary Chronicles Podcast, would be great if you could please leave a short Review at;
• iTunes/Apple Podcasts/The Visionary Chronicles
It takes about a minute and supports our growth and reach to others, along with getting some awesome interviews.
The Visionary Chronicles RSS Feed (use for PODCAST players);
• https://feed.podbean.com/bryansmeltzer/feed.xml
Sign up for The Visionary Chronicles Newsletter at;
• The Visionary Chronicles Newsletter
Interested in Sponsoring The Visionary Chronicles Podcast, or a segment? Please fill out this form; • bryansmeltzer.com/contact/
Follow me on the following social sites.
• @liquidmindsite on Facebook • @liquidmindsite on Twitter • @bryansmeltzer33 on Facebook • @bryansmeltzer on Twitter • in/bryansmeltzer on Linkedin
The Visionary Chronicles PODCAST
CHRONICLE: September 9th, 2021
" Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower..."
Wisdom from Steve Jobs
INNOVATION MATRIX | How to Execute an Innovation Process
In my new PODCAST, I discuss how to define, implement and execute a tiered Innovation process, one that consistently outmaneuvers your competitors.
Building an effective, efficient, and consistent Innovation Driven brand is difficult and why so few have executed the process successfully. Those who have achieved this are richly rewarded, whether through Brand Equity, category leadership, or marketplace acceptance; each continues to add VALUE to the Brand itself.
The Process execution is the Goal, but what is the Process? The implementation is a multi-tier process, each mastered by those committed to relentless innovation and a foundational commitment to a free-flowing ideation flow. With this process in place, these brands know they can command higher price points through both revolutionary and incrementally better products at all price tiers. As a result, squeezing their competition at all levels, eventually moving them out of the market!
Competitors who are not committed to this process or do not know how to execute these Innovation tiers will imitate or move on to another category. Innovators DO NOT imitate; they find ways to Disrupt, building Breakaway products, moving them generations ahead. In sustaining this commitment to a Disruptive Culture, they produce both passionate internal teams and loyal communities committed to their Brand.
So what are these Innovation Matrix Tiers?
TIER I: CORE
You optimize current products, finding ways to improve without having to reinvent.
Life Cycle Adoption: Late Adopters
TIER II: INCREMENTAL
New products that enhance or complement current in-line programs. Provide value beyond current benefits, gain a new tier of consumers.
Life Cycle Adoption: Early Majority
TIER III: INNOVATION
An Ideation process that produces new, innovative products, processes, or services that align with your brand positioning. Provides unique benefits and lifestyle improvements significantly beyond the current product portfolio.
Life Cycle Adoption: Early Adopter
TIER IV: DISRUPTION
Commercializing a Breakaway design IDEA that completely reinvents a previous product or process CREATES a new way or method which significantly improves a process or lifestyle experience. Realizing a product most never knew they needed until it was created!
Life Cycle Adoption: Innovator
The Pinnacle of the Innovation Process is Disruption, and the reason so few are truly classified in this category. You can achieve an effective and consistent Innovation Process; you need to have a clear Vision, stay committed to its execution and embrace Failure to achieve Success.
Stay True, stay Authentic, be Different, be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
Bryan Smeltzer, President
LiquidMind Inc.
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
Bryan Smeltzers Podcast on driving your brand forward, reinvigorating your passion, while continuing to maintain and sustain your Vision for long term revenue growth.
Discussions around disruptive strategies, and executable market drivers that provide a unique point of difference for you and your brand.
We discuss this along with other business strategy topics and pressing issues facing Entrepreneurs and Small Business Owners.
He is the author of The Visionary Brand, a book on how brands sustain and maintain their Vision over generations.
Bryan is currently President of LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm located in Southern California.
If you enjoy The Visionary Chronicles Podcast, would be great if you could please leave a short Review at;
It takes about a minute and supports our growth and reach to others, along with getting some awesome interviews.
Please check out The Visionary Chronicles on these sites;
The Visionary Chronicles RSS Feed (use for PODCAST players);
Sign up for The Visionary Chronicles Newsletter at;
Interested in Sponsoring The Visionary Chronicles Podcast, or a segment? Please fill out this form;
Follow me on the following social sites.
The Visionary Chronicles
CHRONICLE: September 2nd, 2021
Inspiration "Brand is not a product, that's for sure; it's not one item. It's an idea, and it's a theory, it's a meaning, it's how you carry yourself. It's aspirational; it's inspirational..."
Wisdom from Kevin Plank, Founder UA
BRAND MATRIX | How to Define Your Identity
In my new PODCAST, I discuss how to define your Brand ID or checkup to see if your ID matches your original Vision.
A Brand Identity is driven by many different variables both inside and outside your company. These are defined and executed in a way where they are either Tangible on Non-Tangible. Each earned, each is authentic, and each variable carefully nurtured.
Many of these Brand ID variables are subliminal, meaning they are woven into the fabric of what is called your Brand, your Culture, your Beliefs, and your Products. These are why people gravitate to your Brand, the Lifestyle Factor, the Coolness Factor, the Premium Factor. Whatever the reason, these are variables that go beyond the product, providing an easier or more enjoyable Life for your Community, your Loyal enthusiasts.
So you must first understand how you want to be perceived and build a Vision around how the execute this perception. Finally, the perception must become a reality, as this drives the Passion inside the Brand and the inspiration outside your company. A passion for what you stand for, what you do, and what you create!
The structure of these Brand ID variables can be summed up in an ID Matrix which determines inside and outside perceptions against specific brand variables;
First, there are three levels of perception;
Second, there are three measurable variables against each of these perceptions;
Each of these defined as;
Stay True, stay Authentic, be Different, be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
© All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2021
Bryan Smeltzers Podcast on driving your brand forward, reinvigorating your passion, while continuing to maintain and sustain your Vision for long-term revenue growth. Discussions around disruptive strategies, and executable market drivers that provide a unique point of difference for you and your brand.
We discuss this along with other business strategy topics and pressing issues facing Entrepreneurs and Small Business Owners.
He is the author of The Visionary Brand, a book on how brands sustain and maintain their Vision over generations. Bryan is currently President of LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm located in Southern California.
If you enjoy The Visionary Chronicles Podcast, would be great if you could please leave a short Review at;
• iTunes/Apple Podcasts/The Visionary Chronicles
It takes about a minute and supports our growth and reach to others, along with getting some awesome interviews.
Please check out The Visionary Chronicles on these sites;
• Apple Podcast • Podbean • Spotify • iHeart • Pandora
The Visionary Chronicles RSS Feed (use for PODCAST players);
• https://feed.podbean.com/bryansmeltzer/feed.xml
Sign up for The Visionary Chronicles Newsletter at;
• The Visionary Chronicles Newsletter
Interested in Sponsoring The Visionary Chronicles Podcast, or a segment? Please fill out this form; • bryansmeltzer.com/contact/
Follow me on the following social sites.
• @liquidmindsite on Facebook • @liquidmindsite on Twitter • @bryansmeltzer33 on Facebook • @bryansmeltzer on Twitter • in/bryansmeltzer on Linkedin
@bryansmeltzer.com
@liquidmindsite.com
The Visionary Chronicles
CHRONICLE: August 25th, 2021
"If you're gonna make connections which are innovative... you have to not have the same bag of experiences as everyone else does..."
Wisdom from Steve Jobs
IDEATION | The Road to Realizing Great Products
In my new PODCAST, I outline how to implement an Ideation process that genuinely realizes excellent products.
Ideation is an essential foundational piece for every authentic brand, the ones that consistently realize innovative, disruptive products or services. It may seem simple enough to those who understand the word but not realized through not understanding the Process.
Ideation is the starting point for generating a great Idea first and foremost. This idea is developed not necessarily from what has already been created; incremental updates do not move the needle or create excitement. But instead, they more often are generated from that which has NOT yet been created or adapted from an alternative product or system.
A case in point is when Nike created Flywire, the product team adapted an idea originally invented for suspension bridges but saw how it could be ADAPTED for use in running shoes. When realized, this IDEA reinvented the category, and most brands adopted the flywire principles, which later moved into knit construction.
Ideation should be both challenging and fun at the same time. Naysayers are not allowed; those who neither contribute nor have the brain bandwidth to understand the Process. These ideas must be eventually vetted at the outset, but throughout Ideation, let the flood gates open to anything that will move your brand forward and disrupt your industry.
There are several core principles to making this Process a Reality, one that Realizes insanely Great Products;
Ideation is a Process; those who understand and appreciate its flow and the need to be creative are rewarded, sometimes with Disruptive, more often Innovation, and Adaptation.
Stay True, stay Authentic, be Different, be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
Bryan Smeltzer
© All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2021
In my new Podcast, IDEATION | The Road to Realizing Great Products, I discuss building and executing a genuinely great Ideation process.
I discuss this and other business strategy topics and pressing issues facing Entrepreneurs, Executives, and Small Business Owners.
Please check out "The Visionary Chronicles" on these sites.
Available on
Podbean
Apple Podcast
Spotify
iHeart
Pandora
If you like what you hear, I would appreciate you providing a rating and following to receive my weekly Podcasts, along with exclusive content as a follower.
Subscribe to The Visionary Chronicles PODCAST, and receive The Visionary Chronicles Newsletter, along with a FREE Vision Notepad.
Visionary Interviews, I will be doing some upcoming interviews with some icons in the industry. If you happen to know of someone I may want to interview, please let me know. Just provide some brief information, and if it works, we will reach out.
Visionary Interviews
LiquidMind
A Brand Strategy Firm for those looking to disrupt their industry, build a global digital platform, business execution leadership, or just need someone who understands your business's complexities and can provide solutions.
© All Copyrights Reserved, Bryan Smeltzer
@bryansmeltzer
@bryansmeltzer.com
The Visionary Chronicles PODCAST
CHRONICLE: August 18th, 2021
" Your premium brand had better be delivering something special, or it's not going to get the business.."
Wisdom from Warren Buffett
BRAND POSITIONING | Find Your Open Water Opportunities
In my new PODCAST, I outline how to find opportunities others may not see for lack of Vision or Insight.
When Finding your Open Water, the Opportunities others fail to see as a result of fighting over the same shark-infested, bloody water where others fish. A simple analogy, but one many fail to execute in the marketplace.
If you look at the vast open water of the ocean, it represents beauty in motion, most of which you can not see. This beauty flows in harmony, but when competition arises, it can get ugly quickly; survival mode kicks in.
This vast open water, so much beauty, but when it comes to defining and developing how to attack markets here on land, we fail to see the enormous number of opportunities. We wade into waters where we know predators exist vs. where they do not. So is the nature of companies surviving in our world trying to fight off much larger predators and gain market share. Find your open water; it exists; you just need the Vision to see it!
When finding your opportunity, one where you find calm, blue water, a space where you can dominate and be appreciated by those who love your Brand, many smaller brands have taken on the big predators and won. They proactively built a community of followers who appreciate an authentic product and Brand.
There are several areas of focus in determining where opportunities exist and finding your Open Water;
If any of these fall short or are not committed to your Brand, you will find yourself floating towards shark-infested, Bloody waters. Most commodity brands play here and piggyback off those who are Truly, Authentically Visionary.
Maintain each of these, and your success is much more likely. Although still challenging, your Destiny is in your hands, not in the hands of others.
This strategic alignment with key stakeholders throughout the Brand must be consistent from the top down.
Finding Open Water Opportunities is made more accessible by instituting these core principles. The Steps;
Stay True, stay Authentic, be Different, be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
© All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2021
In my new Podcast, BRAND POSITIONING | Find your Open Water Opportunities, I the process of positioning your Brand for success, finding your Opportunities, and ensuring your Success!
I discuss this and other business strategy topics and pressing issues facing Entrepreneurs, Executives, and Small Business Owners.
Please check out "The Visionary Chronicles" on these sites.
Available on
Podbean
Apple Podcast
Spotify
iHeart
Pandora
If you like what you hear, I would appreciate you providing a rating and following to receive my weekly Podcasts, along with exclusive content as a follower.
Subscribe to The Visionary Chronicles PODCAST, and receive The Visionary Chronicles Newsletter, along with a FREE Vision Notepad.
Visionary Interviews, I will be doing some upcoming interviews with some icons in the industry. If you happen to know of someone I may want to interview, please let me know. Just provide some brief information, and if it works, we will reach out.
Visionary Interviews
The Visionary Brand Intro
LiquidMind
A Brand Strategy Firm for those looking to disrupt their industry, build a global digital platform, business execution leadership, or just need someone who understands your business's complexities and can provide solutions.
https://youtu.be/xcIWAgKPgxY
Bryan Smeltzers Podcast on driving your brand forward, reinvigorating your passion, while continuing to maintain and sustain your Vision for long term revenue growth. Discussions around disruptive strategies, and executable market drivers that provide a unique point of difference for you and your brand.
We discuss this along with other business strategy topics and pressing issues facing Entrepreneurs and Small Business Owners.
He is the author of The Visionary Brand, a book on how brands sustain and maintain their Vision over generations. Bryan is currently President of LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm located in Southern California.
If you enjoy The Visionary Chronicles Podcast, would be great if you could please leave a short Review at;
• iTunes/Apple Podcasts/The Visionary Chronicles
It takes about a minute and supports our growth and reach to others, along with getting some awesome interviews.
The Visionary Chronicles RSS Feed (use for PODCAST players);
• https://feed.podbean.com/bryansmeltzer/feed.xml
Sign up for The Visionary Chronicles Newsletter at;
• The Visionary Chronicles Newsletter
Interested in Sponsoring The Visionary Chronicles Podcast, or a segment? Please fill out this form; • bryansmeltzer.com/contact/
Follow me on the following social sites.
• @liquidmindsite on Facebook • @liquidmindsite on Twitter • @bryansmeltzer33 on Facebook • @bryansmeltzer on Twitter • in/bryansmeltzer on Linkedin
The Visionary Chronicles
CHRONICLE: August 12th, 2021
"Every adversity, every failure, every heartache carries with it the seed of an equal or greater benefit..." Wisdom from Napoleon Hill
PODCAST: STARTUP | Steps to Avoiding Failure
In my new PODCAST, I outline the 10 Steps to Avoiding Failure with your Startup. Most Startups fail; unfortunately, this is a fact of life. But why? Most fail ever to deliver a return for the investment, and a VC/PE firm will go in knowing the rate of Success is 5%; their interest lies in the 5% left standing, not why the other 95% failed.
Too often, this equation and result seem to be driven by a simple cause and effect, a leadership team not prepared for Success. By Success I mean, defining a process common to those who did succeed and missing from those who failed. Although this is often a cause for failure, it was not the money but rather a seamless, executable process to ensure your success.
Through years of being with iconic brands, working with generational brands through LiquidMind, and pier group studies, I have found that the following ten steps to what makes most companies fail while others succeed. Now, this is not the only reason, nor is it the definitive list, but it is a core compilation of some of the prevalent causes of Failure;
Define the problem with a clear, well-defined Opportunity; Assure you understand all potential pitfalls to attaining your Vision, not just your tunnel Vision. Many Entrepreneurs see a great opportunity but fail to recognize all the detours they will need to realize their Vision.
Execute the Vision; Once you have clearly defined the Opportunity execute the plan to achieving this Opportunity. This is the time to simulate; test, fail, fail, fail option, refine the path and the solution.
Validate the Acceptance; get outside your four walls, and Validate your Assumptions. Right now, all you have is an IDEA, one that you have accepted; seek Acceptance from those who are targeting. Measure adoption, attrition, and value provided.
Balanced Decision Making; Risk is the path to Success; however, be sure to balance decisions to limit Risk and move forward with caution.
Make IT Happen; have a clearly defined, executable plan w/ contingencies with alternate paths. Understand your Risk (pt. 4), learn to Adapt, and limit Exposure.
Be Passionate; be a Visionary; carry the Torch both visually and verbally. Lead, and others will follow.
Bootstrap your way to Profitability; Profitability is the key to success; eventually, you will run out of money, and this will be your undoing. Ensure everyone understands their role and their piece of ensuring Success.
Share the Success; each is sacrificing, ensure they are rewarded through compensation, equity, and appreciation!
Expand and Thrive; stick to your Success Formula, adapt where needed, and grow your business.
SUCCEED; do not let up, keep your foot on the gas, exceed expectations of both your customer and team! Relentlessly INNOVATE and EXECUTE!
Being great starts at the top; it is the foundation for which all generational brands have thrived. The founding principles, the ability to adapt, the knowledge to know right and wrong, and culture are driven by a Passionate Vision to achieve Greatness.
Stay True, stay Authentic, be Different, be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
© All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2021
In my new Podcast, START-UP | Steps to Avoiding Failure, I discuss ten process steps you need to deploy at the outset of founding your company and the ongoing need to relentlessly follow your foundational principles to achieving Greatness
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast I discuss this and other business strategy topics and pressing issues facing Entrepreneurs, Executives, and Small Business Owners.
Please check out "The Visionary Chronicles" on these sites. Available on
Podbean Apple Podcast Spotify iHeart Pandora If you like what you hear, I would appreciate you providing a rating and following to receive my weekly Podcasts, along with exclusive content as a follower.
Updates Subscribe to The Visionary Chronicles PODCAST, and receive The Visionary Chronicles Newsletter, along with a FREE Vision Notepad.
Visionary Interviews, I will be doing some upcoming interviews with some icons in the industry. If you happen to know of someone I may want to interview, please let me know. Just provide some brief information, and if it works, we will reach out. Visionary Interviews
The Visionary Brand Intro
LiquidMind A Brand Strategy Firm for those looking to disrupt their industry, build a global digital platform, business execution leadership, or just need someone who understands your business's complexities and can provide solutions.
© All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2021
THE VISIONARY CHRONICLES PODCAST
Bryan Smeltzers Podcast on driving your brand forward, reinvigorating your passion, while continuing to maintain and sustain your Vision for long term revenue growth. Discussions around disruptive strategies, and executable market drivers that provide a unique point of difference for you and your brand.
We discuss this along with other business strategy topics and pressing issues facing Entrepreneurs and Small Business Owners.
He is the author of The Visionary Brand, a book on how brands sustain and maintain their Vision over generations. Bryan is currently President of LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm located in Southern California.
If you enjoy The Visionary Chronicles Podcast, would be great if you could please leave a short Review at;
• iTunes/Apple Podcasts/The Visionary Chronicles
It takes about a minute and supports our growth and reach to others, along with getting some awesome interviews.
Please check out The Visionary Chronicles on these sites;
• Apple Podcast • Podbean • Spotify • iHeart • Pandora
The Visionary Chronicles RSS Feed (use for PODCAST players);
• https://feed.podbean.com/bryansmeltzer/feed.xml
Sign up for The Visionary Chronicles Newsletter at;
• The Visionary Chronicles Newsletter
Interested in Sponsoring The Visionary Chronicles Podcast, or a segment? Please fill out this form; • bryansmeltzer.com/contact/
Follow me on the following social sites.
• @liquidmindsite on Facebook • @liquidmindsite on Twitter • @bryansmeltzer33 on Facebook • @bryansmeltzer on Twitter • in/bryansmeltzer on Linkedin
© All Copyrights Reserved, Bryan Smeltzer
"Thus, what is of supreme importance in war is to attack the enemy's strategy..."
Wisdom from Sun Tzu
STRATEGY EXECUTION | How to Define your Future Success
Strategy, either executed with a laser focus or a shotgun approach with no particular process or aim, the latter is sure to fail. In contrast, the laser focus with a relentless passion is sure to succeed. It is your choice and one that will surely set the wind in your sails.
To define this strategy process, it must first and foremost be cohesive and a common thread woven through the entire Brand. Each role is interdependent and executing your specific task is a key piece to ensuring a seamless process. Each part, each lesson, each piece of this intricate puzzle built from a strategy-driven through a shared vision.
At this point, the winners separate themselves from the losers, those who execute those who choose not to execute. The disruptors, the innovators, those who others follow, set the pace for the race that is ahead. They commit themselves to this process, and with a passion that flows through the entire Brand! The followers neither commit to a strategy nor choose to lead, only settle in with the pack waiting for someone to break out and follow. They will always be followers, waiting for the next significant breakthrough so they can find a way to move forward. It is not until the disruptor creates a path do they move.
So how do these generational, Visionary brands consistently define, refine and execute their Strategy?
First, you must have a process to develop your Strategy, and I have found there to be several steps to defining this strategic process most great brands adopt;
Deciding upon your strategic Path is built upon having a process that allows you to create opportunities for your Brand. Once you define, refine, commit to, and eventually implement this process, you will find significant opportunities to expand, contract, or move your Brand beyond your competitor's line of sight and achieve success.
Stay True, stay Authentic, be Different, be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
© All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2021
Bryan Smeltzers Podcast on driving your brand forward, reinvigorating your passion, while continuing to maintain and sustain your Vision for long term revenue growth.
Discussions around disruptive strategies, and executable market drivers that provide a unique point of difference for you and your brand.
We discuss this along with other business strategy topics and pressing issues facing Entrepreneurs and Small Business Owners.
He is the author of The Visionary Brand, a book on how brands sustain and maintain their Vision over generations.
Bryan is currently President of LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm located in Southern California.
If you enjoy The Visionary Chronicles Podcast, would be great if you could please leave a short Review at;
iTunes/Apple Podcasts/The Visionary Chronicles
It takes about a minute and supports our growth and reach to others, along with getting some awesome interviews.
Please check out The Visionary Chronicles on these sites;
The Visionary Chronicles RSS Feed (use for PODCAST players);
Sign up for The Visionary Chronicles Newsletter at;
Interested in Sponsoring The Visionary Chronicles Podcast, or a segment? Please fill out this form;
Follow me on the following social sites.
The Visionary Chronicles PODCAST
CHRONICLE: July 21st, 2021
"History is a relentless master. It has no present, only the past rushing into the future. To try to hold fast is to be swept aside..."
Wisdom from John F. Kennedy
RELENTLESS EXECUTION | How to Ensure a Consistent Execution Process
Relentless Execution is a trait few can truly say they have in place and are committed to with their brand or company. The overriding reason… it is HARD to implement correctly.
Too few brands understand the overriding commitment and integrated pieces of the puzzle that ensure a successful execution process, much less a relentless one. The core foundation of Relentless Execution is having a clear, concise, and well-communicated process and team expectations. Yes, team, a Vision is only as good as your ability to execute the strategy with the team, not an individual.
Being relentless does mean you are continually in people's faces, ensuring they are doing what you have told them to do, quite the opposite. Through your clearly defined execution process, everyone; knows their role, realizes the expectations, and how interdependent they are as a whole—being able to stay calm in the face of a storm and reward those who were integral to successfully realized the Vision.
The team must understand how they are an essential part of successfully executing the brand Vision, much like an orchestra, each instrument a key to playing in harmony. When one is out of crucial, everyone knows, but they make beautiful music together when played well and in unison.
Each person plays a role in successfully building and growing a brand, and each person must understand and appreciate what they contribute to its Execution.
In looking at Relentless Execution, what are the traits of those brands who have successfully integrated this within their Culture?
It is executing a cornerstone to all successful, generational, Visionary brands. It takes commitment to be the best through defining expectations and rewarding results!
Stay True, stay Authentic, be Different, be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
© All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2021
In my new Podcast, Relentless Execution | How to Ensure a Consistent Execution Process, I discuss how a clear, concise, and well-communicated execution process that is passionately embraced throughout the entire brand establishes leadership within their category.
.
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast
I discuss this and other business strategy topics and pressing issues facing Entrepreneurs, Executives, and Small Business Owners.
Please check out "The Visionary Chronicles" on these sites.
Available on
Podbean
Apple Podcast
Spotify
iHeart
Pandora
If you like what you hear, I would appreciate you providing a rating and following to receive my weekly Podcasts, along with exclusive content as a follower.
Subscribe to The Visionary Chronicles PODCAST, and receive The Visionary Chronicles Newsletter, along with a FREE Vision Notepad.
Visionary Interviews, I will be doing some upcoming interviews with some icons in the industry. If you happen to know of someone, I may want to interview, please let me know. Just provide some brief information, and if it works, we will reach out.
Visionary Interviews
LiquidMind
A Brand Strategy Firm for those looking to disrupt their industry, build a global digital platform, business execution leadership, or just need someone who understands your business's complexities and can provide solutions.
© All Copyrights Reserved, Bryan Smeltzer
THE VISIONARY CHRONICLES PODCAST
Bryan Smeltzers Podcast on driving your brand forward, reinvigorating your passion, while continuing to maintain and sustain your Vision for long term revenue growth.
Discussions around disruptive strategies, and executable market drivers that provide a unique point of difference for you and your brand.
We discuss this along with other business strategy topics and pressing issues facing Entrepreneurs and Small Business Owners.
He is the author of The Visionary Brand, a book on how brands sustain and maintain their Vision over generations.
Bryan is currently President of LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm located in Southern California.
If you enjoy The Visionary Chronicles Podcast, would be great if you could please leave a short Review at;
It takes about a minute and supports our growth and reach to others, along with getting some awesome interviews.
Please check out The Visionary Chronicles on these sites;
The Visionary Chronicles RSS Feed (use for PODCAST players);
Sign up for The Visionary Chronicles Newsletter at;
Interested in Sponsoring The Visionary Chronicles Podcast, or a segment? Please fill out this form;
Follow me on the following social sites.
PRODUCT: CASE STUDY | Degrading Brand Equity
Brand Equity, Difficult to Build, easy to Tear Down…
As we have discussed, you must have a cohesive, vertically integrated product creation process led by the Product team.
In addition to being led by the Product team, this process must involve the three engines of a brand; Product/Marketing/Sales (The Power Triad). This Power Triad affects all functional segments of the brand, and when the leadership of each is on the same page working together, they successfully execute the brand Vision, and it runs like a machine.
To create a cohesive team, working together as one (interdependent), you must first have established a Vision for the brand. This is a shared bond, one not to be broken and sacred as you continue to grow. The common bond is woven into a company and brings everyone together towards a common goal. Break this bond, and you break trust; you break the goodwill and community engagement. All crucial to maintaining your Brand Equity.
What happens when this is Bond is Broken, and the Vision is blurred?
One Case Study involved Under Armour as they were looking to enter the football cleat market. The brand Vision aligned with the product line extension opportunity, and they had established creditability with the market.
However, one crucial piece to be addressed before bringing a product to market; Is the product ready for Primetime, and does the final product match the brand Vision?
These are critical questions, and if a brand follows The Power Triad product ideation and commercialization flow, the answer should be Yes! However, in this instance, marketing moved up the process chain, overriding a product that was not ready for the market.
As a result, because of their established validation in the market, they were able to build a 30%+ market share in their first season, but this quickly evaporated once the product hit the field. Performance did not meet expectations, trust was broken, and authenticity was damaged.
Fortunately for Under Armour, this was not the end of the story as they were able to re-gain trust after pulling the product line from distribution and starting over. It was a painful lesson, but one that holds true when a brand does not follow its Vision and its foundational authenticity. The road back for Under Armour was long and hard, but to their credit were able to ride out the storm.
The is a Product Case Study in following your Vision, but knowing the process to execute the Vision and not take shortcuts. These shortcuts will cost you in the long run. So just Don't do It!
Stay True, stay Authentic, be Different, be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
© All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2021
Bryan Smeltzers Podcast on driving your brand forward, reinvigorating your passion, while continuing to maintain and sustain your Vision for long-term revenue growth.
Discussions around disruptive strategies, and executable market drivers that provide a unique point of difference for you and your brand.
We discuss this along with other business strategy topics and pressing issues facing Entrepreneurs and Small Business Owners.
He is the author of The Visionary Brand, a book on how brands sustain and maintain their Vision over generations.
Bryan is currently President of LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm located in Southern California.
If you enjoy The Visionary Chronicles Podcast, would be great if you could please leave a short Review at;
It takes about a minute and supports our growth and reach to others, along with getting some awesome interviews.
Please check out The Visionary Chronicles on these sites;
The Visionary Chronicles RSS Feed (use for PODCAST players);
Sign up for The Visionary Chronicles Newsletter at;
Interested in Sponsoring The Visionary Chronicles Podcast, or a segment? Please fill out this form;
Follow me on the following social sites.
Bryan Smeltzers Podcast on driving your brand forward, reinvigorating your passion, while continuing to maintain and sustain your Vision for long-term revenue growth.
Discussions around disruptive strategies, and executable market drivers that provide a unique point of difference for you and your brand.
We discuss this along with other business strategy topics and pressing issues facing Entrepreneurs and Small Business Owners.
He is the author of The Visionary Brand, a book on how brands sustain and maintain their Vision over generations.
Bryan is currently President of LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm located in Southern California.
If you enjoy The Visionary Chronicles Podcast, would be great if you could please leave a short Review at;
It takes about a minute and supports our growth and reach to others, along with getting some awesome interviews.
Please check out The Visionary Chronicles on these sites;
The Visionary Chronicles RSS Feed (use for PODCAST players);
Sign up for The Visionary Chronicles Newsletter at;
Interested in Sponsoring The Visionary Chronicles Podcast, or a segment? Please fill out this form;
Follow me on the following social sites.
Bryan Smeltzers Podcast on driving your brand forward, reinvigorating your passion, while continuing to maintain and sustain your Vision for long term revenue growth.
Discussions around disruptive strategies, and executable market drivers that provide a unique point of difference for you and your brand.
We discuss this along with other business strategy topics and pressing issues facing Entrepreneurs and Small Business Owners.
He is the author of The Visionary Brand, a book on how brands sustain and maintain their Vision over generations.
Bryan is currently President of LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm located in Southern California.
If you enjoy The Visionary Chronicles Podcast, would be great if you could please leave a short Review at;
It takes about a minute and supports our growth and reach to others, along with getting some awesome interviews.
Please check out The Visionary Chronicles on these sites;
The Visionary Chronicles RSS Feed (use for PODCAST players);
Sign up for The Visionary Chronicles Newsletter at;
Interested in Sponsoring The Visionary Chronicles Podcast, or a segment? Please fill out this form;
Follow me on the following social sites.
@liquidmindsite on Twitter
@bryansmeltzer33 on Facebook
Bryan Smeltzers Podcast on driving your brand forward, reinvigorating your passion, while continuing to maintain and sustain your Vision for long-term revenue growth.
Discussions around disruptive strategies, and executable market drivers that provide a unique point of difference for you and your brand.
We discuss this along with other business strategy topics and pressing issues facing Entrepreneurs and Small Business Owners.
He is the author of The Visionary Brand, a book on how brands sustain and maintain their Vision over generations.
Bryan is currently President of LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm located in Southern California.
If you enjoy The Visionary Chronicles Podcast, would be great if you could please leave a short Review at;
It takes about a minute and supports our growth and reach to others, along with getting some awesome interviews.
Please check out The Visionary Chronicles on these sites;
The Visionary Chronicles RSS Feed (use for PODCAST players);
Sign up for The Visionary Chronicles Newsletter at;
Interested in Sponsoring The Visionary Chronicles Podcast, or a segment? Please fill out this form;
Follow me on the following social sites.
@liquidmindsite on Twitter
@bryansmeltzer33 on Facebook
Bryan discusses how great brands establish leadership, and sustain their long-term success.
Bryan Smeltzers Podcast on driving your brand forward, reinvigorating your passion, while continuing to maintain and sustain your Vision for long-term revenue growth.
Discussions around disruptive strategies, and executable market drivers that provide a unique point of difference for you and your brand.
We discuss this along with other business strategy topics and pressing issues facing Entrepreneurs and Small Business Owners.
He is the author of The Visionary Brand, a book on how brands sustain and maintain their Vision over generations.
Bryan is currently President of LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm located in Southern California.
If you enjoy The Visionary Chronicles Podcast, would be great if you could please leave a short Review at;
It takes about a minute and supports our growth and reach to others, along with getting some awesome interviews.
Please check out The Visionary Chronicles on these sites;
The Visionary Chronicles RSS Feed (use for PODCAST players);
Sign up for The Visionary Chronicles Newsletter at;
Interested in Sponsoring The Visionary Chronicles Podcast, or a segment? Please fill out this form;
Follow me on the following social sites.
@liquidmindsite on Twitter
@bryansmeltzer33 on Facebook
In my new Podcast, Brand Community | How to Build an Authentic Community, I discuss why defining your Brand and building your Community authentically leads to a Loyal customer base.
Bryan Smeltzers Podcast on driving your brand forward, reinvigorating your passion, while continuing to maintain and sustain your Vision for long-term revenue growth.
Discussions around disruptive strategies, and executable market drivers that provide a unique point of difference for you and your brand.
We discuss this along with other business strategy topics and pressing issues facing Entrepreneurs and Small Business Owners.
He is the author of The Visionary Brand, a book on how brands sustain and maintain their Vision over generations.
Bryan is currently President of LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm located in Southern California.
If you enjoy The Visionary Chronicles Podcast, would be great if you could please leave a short Review at;
It takes about a minute and supports our growth and reach to others, along with getting some awesome interviews.
Please check out The Visionary Chronicles on these sites;
The Visionary Chronicles RSS Feed (use for PODCAST players);
Sign up for The Visionary Chronicles Newsletter at;
Interested in Sponsoring The Visionary Chronicles Podcast, or a segment? Please fill out this form;
Follow me on the following social sites.
@liquidmindsite on Twitter
@bryansmeltzer33 on Facebook
In this Culture & Community PODCAST EPISODE Bryan discusses the importance of both defining your Culture, and authentically building your Community.
Bryan Smeltzers Podcast on driving your brand forward, reinvigorating your passion, while continuing to maintain and sustain your Vision for long-term revenue growth.
Discussions around disruptive strategies, and executable market drivers that provide a unique point of difference for you and your brand.
We discuss this along with other business strategy topics and pressing issues facing Entrepreneurs and Small Business Owners.
He is the author of The Visionary Brand, a book on how brands sustain and maintain their Vision over generations.
Bryan is currently President of LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm located in Southern California.
If you enjoy The Visionary Chronicles Podcast, would be great if you could please leave a short Review at;
It takes about a minute and supports our growth and reach to others, along with getting some awesome interviews.
Please check out The Visionary Chronicles on these sites;
The Visionary Chronicles RSS Feed (use for PODCAST players);
Sign up for The Visionary Chronicles Newsletter at;
Interested in Sponsoring The Visionary Chronicles Podcast, or a segment? Please fill out this form;
Follow me on the following social sites.
@liquidmindsite on Twitter
@bryansmeltzer33 on Facebook
In this PODCAST Episode, Bryan discusses the strategies around Brand Evolution and why it is so critical for a Brand to continually evolve over time, vs just Existing.
Bryan Smeltzers Podcast on driving your brand forward, reinvigorating your passion, while continuing to maintain and sustain your Vision for long-term revenue growth.
Discussions around disruptive strategies, and executable market drivers that provide a unique point of difference for you and your brand.
We discuss this along with other business strategy topics and pressing issues facing Entrepreneurs and Small Business Owners.
He is the author of The Visionary Brand, a book on how brands sustain and maintain their Vision over generations.
Bryan is currently President of LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm located in Southern California.
If you enjoy The Visionary Chronicles Podcast, would be great if you could please leave a short Review at;
It takes about a minute and supports our growth and reach to others, along with getting some awesome interviews.
Please check out The Visionary Chronicles on these sites;
The Visionary Chronicles RSS Feed (use for PODCAST players);
Sign up for The Visionary Chronicles Newsletter at;
Interested in Sponsoring The Visionary Chronicles Podcast, or a segment? Please fill out this form;
Follow me on the following social sites.
@liquidmindsite on Twitter
@bryansmeltzer33 on Facebook
in this PODCAST, Bryan discusses the traits of successful Visionaries, and what sets them apart from those who do not succeed.
Bryan Smeltzers Podcast on driving your brand forward, reinvigorating your passion, while continuing to maintain and sustain your Vision for long-term revenue growth.
Discussions around disruptive strategies, and executable market drivers that provide a unique point of difference for you and your brand.
We discuss this along with other business strategy topics and pressing issues facing Entrepreneurs and Small Business Owners.
He is the author of The Visionary Brand, a book on how brands sustain and maintain their Vision over generations.
Bryan is currently President of LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm located in Southern California.
If you enjoy The Visionary Chronicles Podcast, would be great if you could please leave a short Review at;
It takes about a minute and supports our growth and reach to others, along with getting some awesome interviews.
Please check out The Visionary Chronicles on these sites;
The Visionary Chronicles RSS Feed (use for PODCAST players);
Sign up for The Visionary Chronicles Newsletter at;
Interested in Sponsoring The Visionary Chronicles Podcast, or a segment? Please fill out this form;
Follow me on the following social sites.
@liquidmindsite on Twitter
@bryansmeltzer33 on Facebook
Bryan discusses how to live your Life with a Passion, driven by Fearless thinking and achieving what others say is impossible.
Bryan Smeltzers Podcast on driving your brand forward, reinvigorating your passion, while continuing to maintain and sustain your Vision for long-term revenue growth.
Discussions around disruptive strategies, and executable market drivers that provide a unique point of difference for you and your brand.
We discuss this along with other business strategy topics and pressing issues facing Entrepreneurs and Small Business Owners.
He is the author of The Visionary Brand, a book on how brands sustain and maintain their Vision over generations.
Bryan is currently President of LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm located in Southern California.
If you enjoy The Visionary Chronicles Podcast, would be great if you could please leave a short Review at;
It takes about a minute and supports our growth and reach to others, along with getting some awesome interviews.
Please check out The Visionary Chronicles on these sites;
The Visionary Chronicles RSS Feed (use for PODCAST players);
Sign up for The Visionary Chronicles Newsletter at;
Interested in Sponsoring The Visionary Chronicles Podcast, or a segment? Please fill out this form;
Follow me on the following social sites.
@liquidmindsite on Twitter
@bryansmeltzer33 on Facebook
Bryan Smeltzers Podcast on driving your brand forward, reinvigorating your passion, while continuing to maintain and sustain your Vision for long-term revenue growth.
Discussions around disruptive strategies, and executable market drivers that provide a unique point of difference for you and your brand.
We discuss this along with other business strategy topics and pressing issues facing Entrepreneurs and Small Business Owners.
He is the author of The Visionary Brand, a book on how brands sustain and maintain their Vision over generations.
Bryan is currently President of LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm located in Southern California.
If you enjoy The Visionary Chronicles Podcast, would be great if you could please leave a short Review at;
It takes about a minute and supports our growth and reach to others, along with getting some awesome interviews.
Please check out The Visionary Chronicles on these sites;
The Visionary Chronicles RSS Feed (use for PODCAST players);
Sign up for The Visionary Chronicles Newsletter at;
Interested in Sponsoring The Visionary Chronicles Podcast, or a segment? Please fill out this form;
Follow me on the following social sites.
@liquidmindsite on Twitter
@bryansmeltzer33 on Facebook
@bryansmeltzer on Twitter
in/bryansmeltzer on Linkedin
Bryan discusses how to attract talent through proper branding, culture match, and proper retention strategies.
Bryan Smeltzers Podcast on driving your brand forward, reinvigorating your passion, while continuing to maintain and sustain your Vision for long-term revenue growth. Discussions around disruptive strategies, and executable market drivers that provide a unique point of difference for you and your brand.
We discuss this along with other business strategy topics and pressing issues facing Entrepreneurs and Small Business Owners.
He is the author of The Visionary Brand, a book on how brands sustain and maintain their Vision over generations. Bryan is currently President of LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm located in Southern California.
If you enjoy The Visionary Chronicles Podcast, would be great if you could please leave a short Review at;
• iTunes/Apple Podcasts/The Visionary Chronicles
It takes about a minute and supports our growth and reach to others, along with getting some awesome interviews.
Please check out The Visionary Chronicles on these sites;
• Apple Podcast • Podbean • Spotify • iHeart • Pandora
Sign up for The Visionary Chronicles Newsletter at;
• The Visionary Chronicles Newsletter
Interested in Sponsoring The Visionary Chronicles Podcast, or a segment? Please fill out this form; • bryansmeltzer.com/contact/
Follow me on the following social sites.
• @liquidmindsite on Facebook • @liquidmindsite on Twitter
• @bryansmeltzer33 on Facebook • @bryansmeltzer on Twitter • in/bryansmeltzer on Linkedin
In this episode of The Visionary Chronicles, Bryan discusses BURNOUT. With the past year behind us, and the ongoing issues facing most businesses, this is an opportune time to discuss this subject.
Most Entrepreneurs do not acknowledge, nor many times, recognize when Burnout is happening. What are the Causes, the Effects both professionally and personally, and how do you Respond in order to deal with Burnout?
Bryan Smeltzers Podcast on driving your brand forward, reinvigorating your passion, while continuing to maintain and sustain your Vision for long-term revenue growth.
Discussions around disruptive strategies, and executable market drivers that provide a unique point of difference for you and your brand.
We discuss this along with other business strategy topics and pressing issues facing Entrepreneurs and Small Business Owners.
He is the author of The Visionary Brand, a book on how brands sustain and maintain their Vision over generations.
Bryan is currently President of LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm located in Southern California.
If you enjoy The Visionary Chronicles Podcast, would be great if you could please leave a short Review at;
It takes about a minute and supports our growth and reach to others, along with getting some awesome interviews.
Please check out The Visionary Chronicles on these sites;
Sign up for The Visionary Chronicles Newsletter at;
Interested in Sponsoring The Visionary Chronicles Podcast, or a segment? Please fill out this form;
Follow me on the following social sites.
@liquidmindsite on Twitter
@bryansmeltzer33 on Facebook
In this PODCAST I discuss a Revolutionary product, versus one which is merely an Evolution. Both are important, but one will move you generations ahead on your Innovation Pipeline, the other will sustain your Product Life Cycle, but will eventually lead to extinction.
Bryan Smeltzers Podcast on driving your brand forward, reinvigorating your passion, while continuing to maintain and sustain your Vision for long-term revenue growth.
Discussions around disruptive strategies, and executable market drivers that provide a unique point of difference for you and your brand.
We discuss this along with other business strategy topics and pressing issues facing Entrepreneurs and Small Business Owners.
He is the author of The Visionary Brand, a book on how brands sustain and maintain their Vision over generations.
Bryan is currently President of LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm located in Southern California.
If you enjoy The Visionary Chronicles Podcast, would be great if you could please leave a short Review at;
It takes about a minute and supports our growth and reach to others, along with getting some awesome interviews.
Please check out The Visionary Chronicles on these sites;
Sign up for The Visionary Chronicles Newsletter at;
Interested in Sponsoring The Visionary Chronicles Podcast, or a segment? Please fill out this form;
Follow me on the following social sites.
Bryan discusses the factors and the process behind getting your company funded with a Venture Capital company. Having been a part of many deals over the years, I have found many factors and misconceptions to getting VC interest.
This along with studies that have been done with publications such as Harvard Business Review, Inc. and Entrepreneur provide a solid foundation for understanding how this deal process works.
Bryan Smeltzers Podcast on driving your brand forward, reinvigorating your passion, while continuing to maintain and sustain your Vision for long term revenue growth. Discussions around disruptive strategies, and executable market drivers that provide a unique point of difference for you and your brand.
We discuss this along with other business strategy topics and pressing issues facing Entrepreneurs and Small Business Owners.
He is the Author of The Visionary Brand, a book on how brands sustain and maintain their Vision over generations. Bryan is currently President of LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm located in Southern California.
If you enjoy The Visionary Chronicles Podcast, would be great if you could please leave a short Review at;
• iTunes/Apple Podcasts/The Visionary Chronicles
It takes about a minute and supports our growth and reach to others, along with getting some awesome interviews.
Please check out The Visionary Chronicles on these sites;
• Apple Podcast • Podbean • Spotify • iHeart • Pandora
Sign up for The Visionary Chronicles Newsletter at;
• The Visionary Chronicles Newsletter
Interested in Sponsoring The Visionary Chronicles Podcast, or a segment? Please fill out this form; • bryansmeltzer.com/contact/
Follow me on the following social sites.
• @liquidmindsite on Facebook • @liquidmindsite on Twitter
• @bryansmeltzer33 on Facebook • @bryansmeltzer on Twitter • in/bryansmeltzer on Linkedin
The Visionary Chronicles PODCAST on Henry Ford. How he moved from failure to success, and how his innovative mindset and products still impact our daily lives.
Bryan Smeltzers Podcast on driving your brand forward, reinvigorating your passion, while continuing to maintain and sustain your Vision for long-term revenue growth.
Discussions around disruptive strategies, and executable market drivers that provide a unique point of difference for you and your brand.
We discuss this along with other business strategy topics and pressing issues facing Entrepreneurs and Small Business Owners.
He is the author of The Visionary Brand, a book on how brands sustain and maintain their Vision over generations.
Bryan is currently President of LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm located in Southern California.
If you enjoy The Visionary Chronicles Podcast, would be great if you could please leave a short Review at;
It takes about a minute and supports our growth and reach to others, along with getting some awesome interviews.
Please check out The Visionary Chronicles on these sites;
Sign up for The Visionary Chronicles Newsletter at;
Interested in Sponsoring The Visionary Chronicles Podcast, or a segment? Please fill out this form;
Follow me on the following social sites.
@liquidmindsite on Twitter
@bryansmeltzer33 on Facebook
In this PODCAST, I discuss the TOP 5 Barriers leaders of brands, and brands themselves encounter when looking to achieve long-term success through short-term barriers.
You can either be caught flat-footed or understand the situation and adapt to the opportunity presented.
Bryan Smeltzers Podcast on driving your brand forward, reinvigorating your passion, while continuing to maintain and sustain your Vision for long-term revenue growth.
Discussions around disruptive strategies, and executable market drivers that provide a unique point of difference for you and your brand.
We discuss this along with other business strategy topics and pressing issues facing Entrepreneurs and Small Business Owners.
He is the author of The Visionary Brand, a book on how brands sustain and maintain their Vision over generations.
Bryan is currently President of LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm located in Southern California.
If you enjoy The Visionary Chronicles Podcast, would be great if you could please leave a short Review at;
It takes about a minute and supports our growth and reach to others, along with getting some awesome interviews.
Please check out The Visionary Chronicles on these sites;
Sign up for The Visionary Chronicles Newsletter at;
Interested in Sponsoring The Visionary Chronicles Podcast, or a segment? Please fill out this form;
Follow me on the following social sites.
@liquidmindsite on Twitter
@bryansmeltzer33 on Facebook
Bryan Smeltzers Podcast on driving your brand forward, reinvigorating your passion, while continuing to maintain and sustain your Vision for long term revenue growth.
Discussions around disruptive strategies, and executable market drivers that provide a unique point of difference for you and your brand.
We discuss this along with other business strategy topics and pressing issues facing Entrepreneurs and Small Business Owners.
He is the author of The Visionary Brand, a book on how brands sustain and maintain their Vision over generations.
Bryan is currently President of LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm located in Southern California.
If you enjoy The Visionary Chronicles Podcast, would be great if you could please leave a short Review at;
It takes about a minute and supports our growth and reach to others, along with getting some awesome interviews.
Please check out The Visionary Chronicles on these sites;
Sign up for The Visionary Chronicles Newsletter at;
Interested in Sponsoring The Visionary Chronicles Podcast, or a segment? Please fill out this form;
Follow me on the following social sites.
@liquidmindsite on Twitter
@bryansmeltzer33 on Facebook
Inspiring Greatness in your brand, team, or category requires a Leader who inspires those around them. Finding those who have these Leadership Principle/Crucibles is rare, but once found provide the Vision for generational success of your company.
In my latest Podcast The Visionary Chronicles I outline how these Leaders inspire Greatness, and how you can incorporate these principles with your brand or team.
Bryan Smeltzers Podcast on driving your brand forward, reinvigorating your passion, while continuing to maintain and sustain your Vision for long term revenue growth.
Discussions around disruptive strategies, and executable market drivers that provide a unique point of difference for you and your brand.
We discuss this along with other business strategy topics and pressing issues facing Entrepreneurs and Small Business Owners.
He is the author of The Visionary Brand, a book on how brands sustain and maintain their Vision over generations.
Bryan is currently President of LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm located in Southern California.
If you enjoy The Visionary Chronicles Podcast, would be great if you could please leave a short Review at;
It takes about a minute and supports our growth and reach to others, along with getting some awesome interviews.
Please check out The Visionary Chronicles on these sites;
Sign up for The Visionary Chronicles Newsletter at;
Interested in Sponsoring The Visionary Chronicles Podcast, or a segment? Please fill out this form;
Follow me on the following social sites.
@liquidmindsite on Twitter
@bryansmeltzer33 on Facebook
Bryan discusses the critical steps to realizing a seemingly great Idea. Seemingly, as Bryan outlines the 5 steps to properly and HONESTLY evaluating if a product should be commercialized.
Bryan Smeltzers Podcast on driving your brand forward, reinvigorating your passion, while continuing to maintain and sustain your Vision for long term revenue growth.
Discussions around disruptive strategies, and executable market drivers that provide a unique point of difference for you and your brand.
We discuss this along with other business strategy topics and pressing issues facing Entrepreneurs and Small Business Owners.
He is the author of The Visionary Brand, a book on how brands sustain and maintain their Vision over generations.
Bryan is currently President of LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm located in Southern California.
If you enjoy The Visionary Chronicles Podcast, would be great if you could please leave a short Review at;
It takes about a minute and supports our growth and reach to others, along with getting some awesome interviews.
Please check out The Visionary Chronicles on these sites;
Sign up for The Visionary Chronicles Newsletter at;
Interested in Sponsoring The Visionary Chronicles Podcast, or a segment? Please fill out this form;
Follow me on the following social sites.
@liquidmindsite on Twitter
@bryansmeltzer33 on Facebook
In my new Podcast, Goals | How the set yourself for Success through Strategic Goal Setting, I discuss how to properly set your goals, and the principles to achieving them whether in your personal or professional life.
Bryan Smeltzers Podcast on driving your brand forward, reinvigorating your passion, while continuing to maintain and sustain your Vision for long term revenue growth.
Discussions around disruptive strategies, and executable market drivers that provide a unique point of difference for you and your brand.
We discuss this along with other business strategy topics and pressing issues facing Entrepreneurs and Small Business Owners.
He is the author of The Visionary Brand, a book on how brands sustain and maintain their Vision over generations.
Bryan is currently President of LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm located in Southern California.
If you enjoy The Visionary Chronicles Podcast, would be great if you could please leave a short Review at;
It takes about a minute and supports our growth and reach to others, along with getting some awesome interviews.
Please check out The Visionary Chronicles on these sites;
Sign up for The Visionary Chronicles Newsletter at;
Interested in Sponsoring The Visionary Chronicles Podcast, or a segment? Please fill out this form;
Bryan Smeltzers Podcast on driving your brand forward, reinvigorating your passion, while continuing to maintain and sustain your Vision for long term revenue growth.
Discussions around disruptive strategies, and executable market drivers that provide a unique point of difference for you and your brand.
We discuss this along with other business strategy topics and pressing issues facing Entrepreneurs and Small Business Owners.
He is the author of The Visionary Brand, a book on how brands sustain and maintain their Vision over generations.
Bryan is currently President of LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm located in Southern California.
If you enjoy The Visionary Chronicles Podcast, would be great if you could please leave a short Review at;
It takes about a minute and supports our growth and reach to others, along with getting some awesome interviews.
Please check out The Visionary Chronicles on these sites;
Sign up for The Visionary Chronicles Newsletter at;
Interested in Sponsoring The Visionary Chronicles Podcast, or a segment? Please fill out this form;
Bryan discusses the importance of having properly prepared for pitching to Investors. The critical areas to execute in order to have a great meeting, and a presentation that leads to a potential deal.
Bryan Smeltzers Podcast on driving your brand forward, reinvigorating your passion, while continuing to maintain and sustain your Vision for long term revenue growth.
Discussions around disruptive strategies, and executable market drivers that provide a unique point of difference for you and your brand.
We discuss this along with other business strategy topics and pressing issues facing Entrepreneurs and Small Business Owners.
He is the author of The Visionary Brand, a book on how brands sustain and maintain their Vision over generations.
Bryan is currently President of LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm located in Southern California.
If you enjoy The Visionary Chronicles Podcast, would be great if you could please leave a short Review at;
It takes about a minute and supports our growth and reach to others, along with getting some awesome interviews.
Please check out The Visionary Chronicles on these sites;
Sign up for The Visionary Chronicles Newsletter at;
Interested in Sponsoring The Visionary Chronicles Podcast, or a segment? Please fill out this form;
Bryan discusses how to apply structure to your brand in order to build long term sustainable Innovation. He took examples from Apple and other companies that have implemented this structure to achieve ongoing success.
Bryan Smeltzers Podcast on driving your brand forward, reinvigorating your passion, while continuing to maintain and sustain your Vision for long term revenue growth. Discussions around disruptive strategies, and executable market drivers that provide a unique point of difference for you and your brand.
We discuss this along with other business strategy topics and pressing issues facing Entrepreneurs and Small Business Owners.
He is the author of The Visionary Brand, a book on how brands sustain and maintain their Vision over generations. Bryan is currently President of LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm located in Southern California.
If you enjoy The Visionary Chronicles Podcast, would be great if you could please leave a short Review at;
• iTunes/Apple Podcasts/The Visionary Chronicles
It takes about a minute and supports our growth and reach to others, along with getting some awesome interviews.
Please check out The Visionary Chronicles on these sites;
• Apple Podcast • Podbean • Spotify • iHeart • Pandora
Sign up for The Visionary Chronicles Newsletter at;
• The Visionary Chronicles Newsletter
Interested in Sponsoring The Visionary Chronicles Podcast, or a segment? Please fill out this form; • bryansmeltzer.com/contact/
The Visionary Chronicles
CHRONICLE: November 13th, 2020
" Success is the result of perfection, hard work, learning from failure, loyalty, and persistence..." Wisdom from Colin Powell
Loyalty Loop | How to Engage beyond Purchase
A brand's ability to engage, provide value, create loyalty, and build a community is correlated with their ability to create a complete product lifecycle buying experience…
The Loyalty Loop…
Gone are the days when the traditional purchase funnel remains effective (Awareness, Consider, Evaluate, and Purchase). Those who choose to engage with customers beyond purchase understand this is the most critical time when building a long-term relationship.
With e-comm becoming an integral segment of a brand's future revenue stream, their ability to seamlessly and authentically engage post-purchase builds loyalty. Loyalty can not be purchased, it is earned, earned through providing value beyond purchase, and personalizing their brand experience. It is not enough to create Awareness, you must build Loyalty. Loyalty is what creates Communities, and Advocates for the brand itself. The lifeblood and the growth of a brand will be realized through loyal communities, those who enjoy the brand experience and advocate their products.
This new way of engaging through the Loyalty Loop is to take the Traditional purchase funnel, and close the loop;
Traditional (STATIC) 1. Awareness 2. Consideration 3. Evaluate 4. Purchase
Loyalty Loop (DYNAMIC) 1. Enjoy 2. Advocate 3. Bond
Each touchpoint beyond purchase is critical to brand/product growth, whether a good or bad experience, it is always best to proactively engage beyond purchase, making the consumer feel you care for them personally.
" You give loyalty, you'll get it back. You give love, you'll get it back…" Tommy Lasorda
In my new Podcast, Loyalty Loop | How to Engage beyond Purchase I discuss why it is integral to a brands long term success to ensure they have a complete Loyalty Loop process in place, and it is integrated into the Foundational Pillars of the company, executed seamlessly.
We discuss this and other business strategy topics and pressing issues facing Entrepreneurs, Executives, and Small Business Owners.
Please check out "The Visionary Chronicles" on these sites. Available on
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If you like what you hear, I would appreciate you providing a rating and following to receive my weekly Podcasts, along with exclusive content as a follower.
Podcast on what Factors are key to building a Successful, long term business. There are many factors beyond a great product that must be executed in order to create, build and grow a brand.
Bryan Smeltzers Podcast on driving your brand forward, reinvigorating your passion, while continuing to maintain and sustain your Vision for long term revenue growth. Discussions around disruptive strategies, and executable market drivers that provide a unique point of difference for you and your brand.
We discuss this along with other business strategy topics and pressing issues facing Entrepreneurs and Small Business Owners.
He is the Author of The Visionary Brand, a book on how brands sustain and maintain their Vision over generations. Bryan is currently President of LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm located in Southern California.
If you enjoy The Visionary Chronicles Podcast, would be great if you could please leave a short Review at;
• iTunes/Apple Podcasts/The Visionary Chronicles
It takes about a minute and supports our growth and reach to others, along with getting some awesome interviews.
Please check out The Visionary Chronicles on these sites;
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Sign up for The Visionary Chronicles Newsletter at;
• The Visionary Chronicles Newsletter
Interested in Sponsoring The Visionary Chronicles Podcast, or a segment? Please fill out this form; • bryansmeltzer.com/contact/
Bryan discusses the Top Leadership Traits of Entrepreneurs, and how they can impact the development and growth of brands.
Bryan Smeltzers Podcast on driving your brand forward, reinvigorating your passion, while continuing to maintain and sustain your Vision for long term revenue growth. Discussions around disruptive strategies, and executable market drivers that provide a unique point of difference for you and your brand.
We discuss this along with other business strategy topics and pressing issues facing Entrepreneurs and Small Business Owners.
He is the author of The Visionary Brand, a book on how brands sustain and maintain their Vision over generations. Bryan is currently President of LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm located in Southern California.
If you enjoy The Visionary Chronicles Podcast, would be great if you could please leave a short Review at;
• iTunes/Apple Podcasts/The Visionary Chronicles
It takes about a minute and supports our growth and reach to others, along with getting some awesome interviews.
Please check out The Visionary Chronicles on these sites;
• Apple Podcast • Podbean • Spotify • iHeart • Pandora
Sign up for The Visionary Chronicles Newsletter at;
• The Visionary Chronicles Newsletter
Interested in Sponsoring The Visionary Chronicles Podcast, or a segment? Please fill out this form; • bryansmeltzer.com/contact/
In this Podcast, we discuss the reality behind why businesses either succeed or fail and the odds for both scenarios. I provide statistics and the top reasons for business failure.
Bryan Smeltzers Podcast on driving your brand forward, reinvigorating your passion, while continuing to maintain and sustain your Vision for long term revenue growth.
Discussions around disruptive strategies, and executable market drivers that provide a unique point of difference for you and your brand.
We discuss this along with other business strategy topics and pressing issues facing Entrepreneurs and Small Business Owners.
He is the Author of The Visionary Brand, a book on how brands sustain and maintain their Vision over generations.
Bryan is currently President of LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm located in Southern California.
If you enjoy The Visionary Chronicles Podcast, would be great if you could please leave a short Review at;
It takes about a minute and supports our growth and reach to others, along with getting some awesome interviews.
Please check out The Visionary Chronicles on these sites;
Sign up for The Visionary Chronicles Newsletter at;
Interested in Sponsoring The Visionary Chronicles Podcast, or a segment? Please fill out this form;
Bryan discusses how to effectively build, manage, and passionately lead a high octane brand team.
Bryan Smeltzers Podcast on driving your brand forward, reinvigorating your passion, while continuing to maintain and sustain your Vision for long term revenue growth. Discussions around disruptive strategies, and executable market drivers that provide a unique point of difference for you and your brand.
We discuss this along with other business strategy topics and pressing issues facing Entrepreneurs and Small Business Owners.
He is the author of The Visionary Brand, a book on how brands sustain and maintain their Vision over generations. Bryan is currently President of LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm located in Southern California.
If you enjoy The Visionary Chronicles Podcast, would be great if you could please leave a short Review at;
• iTunes/Apple Podcasts/The Visionary Chronicles
It takes about a minute and supports our growth and reach to others, along with getting some awesome interviews.
Please check out The Visionary Chronicles on these sites;
• Apple Podcast • Podbean • Spotify • iHeart • Pandora
Sign up for The Visionary Chronicles Newsletter at;
• The Visionary Chronicles Newsletter
Interested in Sponsoring The Visionary Chronicles Podcast, or a segment? Please fill out this form;
• bryansmeltzer.com/contact/
Bryan discusses Lifestyle Branding, the 5 critical points to ensuring you can effectively and authentically position your Brand to Drive Value beyond Product.
Bryan Smeltzers Podcast on driving your brand forward, reinvigorating your passion, while continuing to maintain and sustain your Vision for long term revenue growth.
Discussions around disruptive strategies, and executable market drivers that provide a unique point of difference for you and your brand.
We discuss this along with other business strategy topics and pressing issues facing Entrepreneurs and Small Business Owners.
He is the Author of The Visionary Brand, a book on how brands sustain and maintain their Vision over generations.
Bryan is currently President of LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm located in Southern California.
If you enjoy The Visionary Chronicles Podcast, would be great if you could please leave a short Review at;
It takes about a minute and supports our growth and reach to others, along with getting some awesome interviews.
Please check out The Visionary Chronicles on these sites;
Sign up for The Visionary Chronicles Newsletter at;
Interested in Sponsoring The Visionary Chronicles Podcast, or a segment? Please fill out this form;
https://bryansmeltzer.com/contact/
Bryan discusses how to strategically gain market share through "The Squeeze". Finding ways to tier price points without reducing equity while gaining category market share.
Bryan Smeltzers Podcast on driving your brand forward, reinvigorating your passion, while continuing to maintain and sustain your Vision for long term revenue growth. Discussions around disruptive strategies, and executable market drivers that provide a unique point of difference for you and your brand.
We discuss this along with other business strategy topics and pressing issues facing Entrepreneurs and Small Business Owners.
He is the Author of The Visionary Brand, a book on how brands sustain and maintain their Vision over generations. Bryan is currently President of LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm located in Southern California.
If you enjoy The Visionary Chronicles Podcast, would be great if you could please leave a short Review at;
• iTunes/Apple Podcasts/The Visionary Chronicles
It takes about a minute and supports our growth and reach to others, along with getting some awesome interviews.
Please check out The Visionary Chronicles on these sites;
• Apple Podcast • Podbean • Spotify • iHeart • Pandora
Sign up for The Visionary Chronicles Newsletter at;
• The Visionary Chronicles Newsletter
Interested in Sponsoring The Visionary Chronicles Podcast, or a segment? Please fill out this form; • bryansmeltzer.com/contact/
In this Podcast, we discuss 10 areas on how to effectively, and efficiently lead through a Crisis. This is timely based on where we find ourselves today and will provide valuable insight through any future Crisis.
Bryan Smeltzers Podcast on driving your brand forward, reinvigorating your passion, while continuing to maintain and sustain your Vision for long term revenue growth. Discussions around disruptive strategies, and executable market drivers that provide a unique point of difference for you and your brand.
We discuss this along with other business strategy topics and pressing issues facing Entrepreneurs and Small Business Owners.
He is the author of The Visionary Brand, a book on how brands sustain and maintain their Vision over generations. Bryan is currently President of LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm located in Southern California.
If you enjoy The Visionary Chronicles Podcast, would be great if you could please leave a short Review at;
• iTunes/Apple Podcasts/The Visionary Chronicles
It takes about a minute and supports our growth and reach to others, along with getting some awesome interviews.
Please check out The Visionary Chronicles on these sites;
• Apple Podcast • Podbean • Spotify • iHeart • Pandora
Sign up for The Visionary Chronicles Newsletter at;
• The Visionary Chronicles Newsletter
Interested in Sponsoring The Visionary Chronicles Podcast, or a segment? Please fill out this form; • bryansmeltzer.com/contact/
Follow Bryan; • Web; bryansmeltzer.com • Facebook; facebook.com/bryansmeltzer33 • Twitter; twitter.com/bryansmeltzer • LinkedIn; linkedin.com/in/bryansmeltzer • LiquidMind Inc;liquidmindsite.com • YouTube;BryanSmeltzer Channel
or Schedule a time to meet; • Calendy; calendly.com/liquidmind
Bryan discusses another generational Visionary, Andrew Carnegie. Carnegie an immigrant from Scotland went on to create the largest empire in US History at the time, Steel, eventually selling to JP Morgan for $480M in 1901.
Carnegie would then go on to become one of the most generous Philanthropists in American history. With a worth of over $309B in today's dollars, he would give most away.
Bryan Smeltzers Podcast on driving your brand forward, reinvigorating your passion, while continuing to maintain and sustain your Vision for long term revenue growth.
Discussions around disruptive strategies, and executable market drivers that provide a unique point of difference for you and your brand.
We discuss this along with other business strategy topics and pressing issues facing Entrepreneurs and Small Business Owners.
He is the Author of The Visionary Brand, a book on how brands sustain and maintain their Vision over generations.
Bryan is currently President of LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm located in Southern California.
If you enjoy The Visionary Chronicles Podcast, would be great if you could please leave a short Review at;
It takes about a minute and supports our growth and reach to others, along with getting some awesome interviews.
Please check out The Visionary Chronicles on these sites;
Sign up for The Visionary Chronicles Newsletter at;
Interested in Sponsoring The Visionary Chronicles Podcast, or a segment? Please fill out this form;
Follow Bryan;
or Schedule a time to meet;
Bryan discusses the 10 Foundational Branding Principles of successful, generational brands (Oakley, Nike, adidas, etc.).
Bryan Smeltzers Podcast on driving your brand forward, reinvigorating your passion, while continuing to maintain and sustain your Vision for long term revenue growth.
Discussions around disruptive strategies, and executable market drivers that provide a unique point of difference for you and your brand.
In having over 25 years of executive-level experience w/ some the worlds most Iconic brands; Oakley, K-Swiss, TaylorMade,adidas, Schutt Sports, Arena, across global business development, product creation, marketing strategy, and sales execution, Bryan brings a wealth of direct, first-hand knowledge of how brands sustain their Vision and drive generational growth.
Bryan has direct insight into the world of Entrepreneurship, having built a men's apparel brand, eventually selling to a Venture Capital firm after 10 years of profitable growth.
He is the author of "The Visionary Brand", a book on how brands sustain and maintain their Vision over generations.
Bryan is currently President of LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm located in Southern California.
Bryan discusses the qualities of great, Visionary leaders and how they are able to build, grow, and maintain a culture of authentication for generations. Each is unique, but all have these tangible qualities in common.
Bryan Smeltzers Podcast on driving your brand forward, reinvigorating your passion, while continuing to maintain and sustain your Vision for long term revenue growth.
Discussions around disruptive strategies, and executable market drivers that provide a unique point of difference for you and your brand.
In having over 25 years of executive-level experience w/ some the worlds most Iconic brands; Oakley, K-Swiss, TaylorMade,adidas, Schutt Sports, Arena, across global business development, product creation, marketing strategy, and sales execution, Bryan brings a wealth of direct, first-hand knowledge of how brands sustain their Vision and drive generational growth.
Bryan has direct insight into the world of Entrepreneurship, having built a men's apparel brand, eventually selling to a Venture Capital firm after 10 years of profitable growth.
He is the author of "The Visionary Brand", a book on how brands sustain and maintain their Vision over generations.
Bryan is currently President of LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm located in Southern California.
Bryan talks about the immediate, and long term value in Pivoting. In the current environment we are in being able to find opportunities and execute against your plan is crucial to your success.
Bryan Smeltzers Podcast on driving your brand forward, reinvigorating your passion, while continuing to maintain and sustain your Vision for long term revenue growth. Discussions around disruptive strategies, and executable market drivers that provide a unique point of difference for you and your brand. In having over 25 years of executive-level experience w/ some the worlds most Iconic brands; Oakley, K-Swiss, TaylorMade,adidas, Schutt Sports, Arena, across global business development, product creation, marketing strategy, and sales execution, Bryan brings a wealth of direct, first-hand knowledge of how brands sustain their Vision and drive generational growth. Bryan has direct insight into the world of Entrepreneurship, having built a men's apparel brand, eventually selling to a Venture Capital firm after 10 years of profitable growth. He is the author of "The Visionary Brand", a book on how brands sustain and maintain their Vision over generations. Bryan is currently President of LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm located in Southern California.
Bryan discusses Failure, and how embracing failure, taking risk and making this a foundational part of your brand and culture will lead to success.
Bryan Smeltzers Podcast on driving your brand forward, reinvigorating your passion, while continuing to maintain and sustain your Vision for long term revenue growth.
Discussions around disruptive strategies, and executable market drivers that provide a unique point of difference for you and your brand.
In having over 25 years of executive level experience w/ some the worlds most Iconic brands; Oakley, K-Swiss, TaylorMade,adidas, Schutt Sports, Arena, across global business development, product creation, marketing strategy, and sales execution, Bryan brings a wealth of direct, first hand knowledge of how brands sustain their Vision and drive generational growth.
Bryan has direct insight into the world of Entrepreneurship, having built a mens apparel brand, eventually selling to a Venture Capital firm after 10 years of profitable growth.
He is the Author of "The Visionary Brand", a book on how brands sustain and maintain their Vision over generations.
Bryan is currently President of LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm located in Southern California.
Bryan discusses The One Priority, and how to get things done in a world with so many distractions. Being able to focus, remain effective, and efficient is key to eliminating the daily frustration.
Bryan Smeltzers Podcast on driving your brand forward, reinvigorating your passion, while continuing to maintain and sustain your Vision for long term revenue growth. Discussions around disruptive strategies, and executable market drivers that provide a unique point of difference for you and your brand. In having over 25 years of executive-level experience w/ some the worlds most Iconic brands; Oakley, K-Swiss, TaylorMade,adidas, Schutt Sports, Arena, across global business development, product creation, marketing strategy, and sales execution, Bryan brings a wealth of direct, first-hand knowledge of how brands sustain their Vision and drive generational growth. Bryan has direct insight into the world of Entrepreneurship, having built a men's apparel brand, eventually selling to a Venture Capital firm after 10 years of profitable growth. He is the author of “The Visionary Brand”, a book on how brands sustain and maintain their Vision over generations. Bryan is currently President of LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm located in Southern California.
Bryan discusses having Vision vs Visionaries, and how they differ in running your brand and how you can apply Visionary Principles to your successful, long term growth.
Bryan Smeltzers Podcast on driving your brand forward, reinvigorating your passion, while continuing to maintain and sustain your Vision for long term revenue growth. Discussions around disruptive strategies, and executable market drivers that provide a unique point of difference for you and your brand. In having over 25 years of executive-level experience w/ some the worlds most Iconic brands; Oakley, K-Swiss, TaylorMade,adidas, Schutt Sports, Arena, across global business development, product creation, marketing strategy, and sales execution, Bryan brings a wealth of direct, first-hand knowledge of how brands sustain their Vision and drive generational growth. Bryan has direct insight into the world of Entrepreneurship, having built a men's apparel brand, eventually selling to a Venture Capital firm after 10 years of profitable growth. He is the author of “The Visionary Brand”, a book on how brands sustain and maintain their Vision over generations. Bryan is currently President of LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm located in Southern California.
Bryan discusses Visionaries and how they were able to Disrupt an Industry or create their own category. In this Podcast, Bryan discusses John D Rockefeller, founder of Standard Oil and one of the wealthiest Entrepreneurs ever.
Bryan Smeltzers Podcast on driving your brand forward, reinvigorating your passion, while continuing to maintain and sustain your Vision for long term revenue growth.
Discussions around disruptive strategies, and executable market drivers that provide a unique point of difference for you and your brand.
In having over 25 years of executive-level experience w/ some the worlds most Iconic brands; Oakley, K-Swiss, TaylorMade,adidas, Schutt Sports, Arena, across global business development, product creation, marketing strategy, and sales execution, Bryan brings a wealth of direct, first-hand knowledge of how brands sustain their Vision and drive generational growth.
Bryan has direct insight into the world of Entrepreneurship, having built a men's apparel brand, eventually selling to a Venture Capital firm after 10 years of profitable growth.
He is the author of “The Visionary Brand”, a book on how brands sustain and maintain their Vision over generations.
Bryan is currently President of LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm located in Southern California.
Bryan talks about how to remain Innovative, and not take short cuts through Imitation. Be true to your brand, and stay authentic.
Bryan Smeltzers Podcast on driving your brand forward, reinvigorating your passion, while continuing to maintain and sustain your Vision for long term revenue growth.
Discussions around disruptive strategies, and executable market drivers that provide a unique point of difference for you and your brand. In having over 25 years of executive-level experience w/ some the worlds most Iconic brands; Oakley, K-Swiss, TaylorMade,adidas, Schutt Sports, Arena, across global business development, product creation, marketing strategy, and sales execution, Bryan brings a wealth of direct, first-hand knowledge of how brands sustain their Vision and drive generational growth. Bryan has direct insight into the world of Entrepreneurship, having built a men's apparel brand, eventually selling to a Venture Capital firm after 10 years of profitable growth. He is the Author of “The Visionary Brand”, a book on how brands sustain and maintain their Vision over generations. Bryan is currently President of LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm located in Southern California.
Bryans discusses Stress, and how to manage through the dynamics of your daily life. He provides insight from Tim Ferris, and Stephen Covey on personal effectiveness and setting priorities.
Bryan Smeltzers Podcast on driving your brand forward, reinvigorating your passion, while continuing to maintain and sustain your Vision for long term revenue growth. Discussions around disruptive strategies, and executable market drivers that provide a unique point of difference for you and your brand. In having over 25 years of executive-level experience w/ some the worlds most Iconic brands; Oakley, K-Swiss, TaylorMade,adidas, Schutt Sports, Arena, across global business development, product creation, marketing strategy, and sales execution, Bryan brings a wealth of direct, first-hand knowledge of how brands sustain their Vision and drive generational growth. Bryan has direct insight into the world of Entrepreneurship, having built a men's apparel brand, eventually selling to a Venture Capital firm after 10 years of profitable growth. He is the author of “The Visionary Brand”, a book on how brands sustain and maintain their Vision over generations. Bryan is currently President of LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm located in Southern California.
Bryan talks about what it takes to build a Breakaway Design machine, and have sustained, long-term success.
Bryan Smeltzers Podcast on driving your brand forward, reinvigorating your passion, while continuing to maintain and sustain your Vision for long term revenue growth. Discussions around disruptive strategies, and executable market drivers that provide a unique point of difference for you and your brand. In having over 25 years of executive level experience w/ some the worlds most Iconic brands; Oakley, K-Swiss, TaylorMade,adidas, Schutt Sports, Arena, across global business development, product creation, marketing strategy, and sales execution, Bryan brings a wealth of direct, first hand knowledge of how brands sustain their Vision and drive generational growth. Bryan has direct insight into the world of Entrepreneurship, having built a mens apparel brand, eventually selling to a Venture Capital firm after 10 years of profitable growth. He is the Author of “The Visionary Brand”, a book on how brands sustain and maintain their Vision over generations. Bryan is currently President of LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm located in Southern California.
Bryan discusses some internal struggles Entrepreneurs deal with on a daily basis. Finding a way to through Faith and Courage, and find a balance in Life is key.
Bryan Smeltzers Podcast on driving your brand forward, reinvigorating your passion, while continuing to maintain and sustain your Vision for long term revenue growth. Discussions around disruptive strategies, and executable market drivers that provide a unique point of difference for you and your brand. In having over 25 years of executive level experience w/ some the worlds most Iconic brands; Oakley, K-Swiss, TaylorMade,adidas, Schutt Sports, Arena, across global business development, product creation, marketing strategy, and sales execution, Bryan brings a wealth of direct, first hand knowledge of how brands sustain their Vision and drive generational growth. Bryan has direct insight into the world of Entrepreneurship, having built a mens apparel brand, eventually selling to a Venture Capital firm after 10 years of profitable growth. He is the Author of “The Visionary Brand”, a book on how brands sustain and maintain their Vision over generations. Bryan is currently President of LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm located in Southern California.
Bryan discusses the word "Authentic". What does it mean to be Authentic as a Brand ? Breaking down the meaning, and understanding how to apply this to your Brand.
Bryan Smeltzers Podcast on driving your brand forward, reinvigorating your passion, while continuing to maintain and sustain your Vision for long term revenue growth. Discussions around disruptive strategies, and executable market drivers that provide a unique point of difference for you and your brand. In having over 25 years of executive level experience w/ some the worlds most Iconic brands; Oakley, K-Swiss, TaylorMade,adidas, Schutt Sports, Arena, across global business development, product creation, marketing strategy, and sales execution, Bryan brings a wealth of direct, first hand knowledge of how brands sustain their Vision and drive generational growth. Bryan has direct insight into the world of Entrepreneurship, having built a mens apparel brand, eventually selling to a Venture Capital firm after 10 years of profitable growth. He is the Author of “The Visionary Brand”, a book on how brands sustain and maintain their Vision over generations. Bryan is currently President of LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm located in Southern California.
Bryan discusses the origins of Visionary, generational brands. First up is Nike, a brand that truly started with nothing, and built an ICONIC company that still stands strong today.
Bryan Smeltzers Podcast on driving your brand forward, reinvigorating your passion, while continuing to maintain and sustain your Vision for long term revenue growth.
Discussions around disruptive strategies, and executable market drivers that provide a unique point of difference for you and your brand.
In having over 25 years of executive level experience w/ some the worlds most Iconic brands; Oakley, K-Swiss, TaylorMade,adidas, Schutt Sports, Arena, across global business development, product creation, marketing strategy, and sales execution, Bryan brings a wealth of direct, first hand knowledge of how brands sustain their Vision and drive generational growth.
Bryan has direct insight into the world of Entrepreneurship, having built a mens apparel brand, eventually selling to a Venture Capital firm after 10 years of profitable growth.
He is the Author of “The Visionary Brand”, a book on how brands sustain and maintain their Vision over generations.
Bryan is currently President of LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm located in Southern California.
Bryan discusses what it takes to become a Brand, and the "earned" rights of passage. This subject is one of many we will be discussing on our Podcast from our listeners. Please feel free to send your question, we will be selecting a question or subject discuss every 3-4 weeks.
Bryan Smeltzers Podcast on driving your brand forward, reinvigorating your passion, while continuing to maintain and sustain your Vision for long term revenue growth.
Discussions around disruptive strategies, and executable market drivers that provide a unique point of difference for you and your brand.
In having over 25 years of executive-level experience w/ some the worlds most Iconic brands; Oakley, K-Swiss, TaylorMade,adidas, Schutt Sports, Arena, across global business development, product creation, marketing strategy, and sales execution, Bryan brings a wealth of direct, first-hand knowledge of how brands sustain their Vision and drive generational growth.
Bryan has direct insight into the world of Entrepreneurship, having built a men's apparel brand, eventually selling to a Venture Capital firm after 10 years of profitable growth.
He is the author of “The Visionary Brand”, a book on how brands sustain and maintain their Vision over generations.
Bryan is currently President of LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm located in Southern California.
Bryan discusses how to successfully execute on your Product Ideation, be more effective, drive passion and ensure your culture is not damaged.
Bryan Smeltzers Podcast on driving your brand forward, reinvigorating your passion, while continuing to maintain and sustain your Vision for long term revenue growth.Discussions around disruptive strategies, and executable market drivers that provide a unique point of difference for you and your brand.In having over 25 years of executive level experience w/ some the worlds most Iconic brands; Oakley, K-Swiss, TaylorMade,adidas, Schutt Sports, Arena, across global business development, product creation, marketing strategy, and sales execution, Bryan brings a wealth of direct, first hand knowledge of how brands sustain their Vision and drive generational growth.Bryan has direct insight into the world of Entrepreneurship, having built a mens apparel brand, eventually selling to a Venture Capital firm after 10 years of profitable growth.He is the Author of “The Visionary Brand”, a book on how brands sustain and maintain their Vision over generations.
Bryan is currently President of LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm located in Southern California.
Bryan Smeltzer discusses how to effectively implement a Product Commercialization strategy. Execute effectively, Commercialize successfully...
Bryan Smeltzers Podcast on driving your brand forward, reinvigorating your passion, while continuing to maintain and sustain your Vision for long term revenue growth.Discussions around disruptive strategies, and executable market drivers that provide a unique point of difference for you and your brand.In having over 25 years of executive level experience w/ some the worlds most Iconic brands; Oakley, K-Swiss, TaylorMade,adidas, Schutt Sports, Arena, across global business development, product creation, marketing strategy, and sales execution, Bryan brings a wealth of direct, first hand knowledge of how brands sustain their Vision and drive generational growth.Bryan has direct insight into the world of Entrepreneurship, having built a mens apparel brand, eventually selling to a Venture Capital firm after 10 years of profitable growth.
He is the Author of “The Visionary Brand”, a book on how brands sustain and maintain their Vision over generations.
Bryan is currently President of LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm located in Southern California.
Bryan talks about specific, key areas to finding an open opportunity to drive your product or brand through uncharted waters. Find your Open Water, find your Opportunity...
Bryan Smeltzers Podcast on driving your brand forward, reinvigorating your passion, while continuing to maintain and sustain your Vision for long term revenue growth.Discussions around disruptive strategies, and executable market drivers that provide a unique point of difference for you and your brand. In having over 25 years of executive level experience w/ some the worlds most Iconic brands; Oakley, K-Swiss, TaylorMade,adidas, Schutt Sports, Arena, across global business development, product creation, marketing strategy, and sales execution, Bryan brings a wealth of direct, first hand knowledge of how brands sustain their Vision and drive generational growth. Bryan has direct insight into the world of Entrepreneurship, having built, a mens apparel brand, eventually selling to a Venture Capital firm after 10 years of profitable growth. He is the Author of “The Visionary Brand”, a book on how brands sustain and maintain their Vision over generations. Bryan is currently President of LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm located in Southern California.
Bryan takes you through his Journey, and why he decided to start this Podcast, and how it will benefit anyone looking to "Make a Dent in the Universe"
Bryan Smeltzers Podcast on driving your brand forward, reinvigorating your passion, while continuing to maintain and sustain your Vision for long term revenue growth.Discussions around disruptive strategies, and executable market drivers that provide a unique point of difference for you and your brand.In having over 25 years of executive-level experience w/ some the worlds most Iconic brands; Oakley, K-Swiss, TaylorMade,adidas, Schutt Sports, Arena, across global business development, product creation, marketing strategy, and sales execution, Bryan brings a wealth of direct, first hand knowledge of how brands sustain their Vision and drive generational growth.Bryan has direct insight into the world of Entrepreneurship, having built, a men's apparel brand, eventually selling to a Venture Capital firm after 10 years of profitable growth.He is the author of “The Visionary Brand”, a book on how brands sustain and maintain their Vision over generations.Bryan is currently President of LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm located in Southern California.