Breakfast Leadership Show

Thoughtful Thursday: Emotional Intelligence: A Thoughtful Interview with Paul Bramson

Quick recap
The main topics discussed in the conversation between Paul from Bramson Companies and Michael D. Levitt include the evolution of the workplace, the importance of emotional intelligence, the shift towards work-life harmony, effective communication and burnout, the value of having a personal board of advisors, personal accountability, the impact of remote work on workplace dynamics, and the significance of workplace happiness.
Emotional Intelligence in Workplace Evolution
Paul Bramson discussed their experience in training, keynote speaking, and working with different organizations. They highlighted significant shifts in the workplace over the past four years, including the entry of Gen Z into the workforce, the trend towards remote work, the evolution of sales strategies, and the increased need for emotional intelligence in leadership. Michael D. Levitt agreed with Bramson's points, noting the growing emphasis on emotional intelligence. Bramson emphasized the importance of emotional intelligence and communication, which he felt had been overlooked even after the financial crisis.
 
 
Work Culture Evolution: Balancing Work-Life Harmony
Michael and Paul Bramson discussed the evolution of work culture over the years, specifically the shift from a strict separation of work and personal life to a focus on work-life harmony. They emphasized the importance of understanding and accommodating employees' personal circumstances that might affect their work. They also touched upon the role of information and how it can be utilized to allocate resources and ensure project success. The conversation concluded with the agreement that having more information does not necessarily mean success, but rather how that information is used is crucial.
 
 
Burnout and Communication in the Workplace
Paul Bramson and Michael D. Levitt discussed the importance of effective communication and the impact of burnout in the workplace. They emphasized that employees feel unheard and disconnected, leading to burnout. They also highlighted the complexity of leaving an organization due to the same issues that may be present elsewhere. Michael suggested that individuals should debrief themselves when leaving an organization to understand their role in the situation.
 
 
Personal Board of Advisors for Decision Making
Paul Bramson and Michael D. Levitt discussed the value of having a personal board of advisors for decision making and accountability. They emphasized the importance of having older or more experienced individuals who can provide constructive feedback and help maintain focus. The discussion also highlighted the significance of running new ideas by this board for careful analysis and scrutiny. Michael D. Levitt stressed the importance of setting priorities, reflecting on feedback, and being open to constructive criticism. He also emphasized the need for patience, the benefits of being present in communication, and the link between these principles and effective leadership.
 
 
Personal Accountability and Emotional Intelligence
Michael and Bramson discussed the importance of personal accountability and the need to avoid a victim mentality. Michael shared his own experiences with burnout and how he took responsibility for his actions instead of blaming others. He emphasized the importance of curiosity and learning new things. Bramson noted the emergence of a new element of emotional intelligence, the social quotient, and predicted it would gain significant traction in the future.
 
 
Workplace Dynamics: Loss of Personal Connections
Michael D. Levitt and Paul Bramson reflected on the changes in workplace dynamics, emphasizing the loss of personal connections and conversations that happened outside of work. They contrasted this with the early days of their careers when workplaces fostered deeper relationships and socialization. They observed that in today's workplaces, where remote work is increasingly common, employees often do not know each other's personal lives, even after working together for years. Paul Bramson shared that some companies they work with require younger employees to work on-site for the first two years to foster connections and build a sense of community.
 
 
Workplace Happiness and Remote Work Shared Spaces
Michael D. Levitt and Paul Bramson discussed the importance of workplace happiness and the benefits of remote work. They talked about the concept of shared spaces for remote work, where people from different companies rent rooms or desks, creating a sense of community. They also touched on the popularity of in-person events and conferences despite the availability of virtual options. Bramson mentioned his active presence on LinkedIn and his website, PaulBramson.com. They also discussed the impact of technology on interviews and meetings, noting that while virtual interactions aren't the same as in-person ones, they are still effective.
Website:  https://PaulBramson.com
Linkedin:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulbramson/
 
 

Thoughtful Thursdays: Navigating Tumultuous Times with AJ Amyx

In this insightful episode of the Breakfast Leadership Show, host Michael Levitt chats with the transformational coach and bestselling author AJ Amyx. They explore AJ's journey and his role as a brand manager for a software company, Social Glow. Engaging in a dynamic discussion, they tackle the effects of the ongoing pandemic on society, emphasizing the need for self-reflection and personal responsibility.
The hosts highlight various strategies for navigating chaotic periods, preventing burnout, and living a fulfilling life aligned with personal vision and purpose. They also delve into the state of inflation and how individuals can successfully navigate these complex times by making conscious personal choices and shifts.
Switching victimhood mentality for a proactive attitude, they explore the concept of "radical responsibility." They advise on the importance of acceptance as a survival tool, whether facing severe weather conditions or a life-altering diagnosis.
The episode likewise spotlights the need to genuinely feel and control our emotions, discussing the benefits of conscious breathing as part of this process. This power-packed conversation is a must-listen for anyone seeking to take charge of their life amidst uncertainty and turbulence.
To discover more about our work and how Social Glow can help build resilient communities, visit SocialGlow.com.

Resource Wednesday: Unleashing Creativity with Wave Video

Welcome to a new episode of The Breakfast Leadership Show's Resource Wednesday series, hosted by Michael Levitt, renowned keynote speaker, best-selling author, and chief burnout officer of the Breakfast Leadership Network.
In this episode, Michael shares his experience with Wave Video, a video creation tool he and his team use to produce engaging video content for their brand. Wave Video's simplicity has made it a staple in his content creation process.
Whether you are a seasoned leader, an aspiring entrepreneur, or simply looking to learn more, these mini-clips speak volumes on how to enhance your leadership skills, foster a healthy company culture, and adopt effective learning techniques. Wave Video's user-friendly interface and flexible design options enable you to bring ideas alive through the medium of video, furthering your reach and impact.
From transforming blog articles into concise videos with catchy music and high-quality graphics to uploading content on various social platforms such as YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok, Wave Video offers a multifaceted approach to sharing your subject matter expertise. As indicated by its success within the Breakfast Leadership Network, this tool can significantly boost your viewership and overall online presence.
Michael highly recommends Wave Video as a resource to help generate captivating content. Interested to give it a try? Find the link in the show notes to sign up. Tune in and boost your business and personal branding journey with these insights. Remember, the sky's the limit!
Thank you for tuning into The Breakfast Leadership Show, part of The Breakfast Leadership Network. For more business and life empowerment tips, visit our website at breakfastleadership.com.
Link to get Wave Video:  https://fas.st/t/BZwRFBCL
 

The 80/20 CEO: A Leadership Discussion with Bill Canady

Bill Canady has over 30 years of experience as a global business executive in a variety of industries and markets focused on industrial and consumer products and services. As a leader, he concentrates on aligning with key stakeholders to set a clear and compelling vision that will rally an organization to drive growth, control costs, and increase profitability. One of the keys to his success is he develops strong leaders and management teams and establishes deep relationships. His experience encompasses global public, private, and sponsor-owned companies.
Bill is the CEO of both OTC Industrial Technologies and Arrowhead Engineered Products (AEP). OTC is an industrial distribution company located in Columbus, OH, that has $1 billion in sales with 1,900+ employees and over 60 sales/distribution offices in 40 states. During his tenure, OTC has grown revenues by more than 43% and earnings over 78%. AEP is a leading supplier of non-discretionary, mission-critical, aftermarket replacement parts for a wide variety of motorized vehicles and equipment headquartered in Blaine, MN, and has $1.5 billion in sales with 3600+ employees and sells in over 50 countries.
During his career, Bill has been responsible for leading several organizations through their most important challenges and opportunities, often in complicated regulatory, investor, and media environments. He discovered a passion and knack for the art and science of business. Taking the tools and techniques that he developed growing multibillion-dollar companies, he created the Profitable Growth Operating System (PGOS) and set out to help owners and operators around the world profitably grow their companies.
PGOS is a time-tested set of simple tools and processes that fosters a common culture creating value for all stakeholders: customers, employees, suppliers, and shareholders. PGOS shows how to increase the productivity of assets, increase profits, and make better decisions at every level of a business.
Bill graduated summa cum laude from Elmhurst University with a Bachelor of Science inBusiness Administration and received his MBA from the University of Chicago, Booth School of Business. He is a veteran of the United States Navy
Book:  https://amzn.to/44ca12N
Social Linkswww.linkedin.com/in/bill-canadywww.facebook.com/Billcanady2www.instagram.com/billcanady2

How Non-Food Franchising Can Be Your Next Opportunity- A discussion with Jon Ostenson

Jon Ostenson
Jon is a multi-brand franchisee of 5 fast growing franchises located in Atlanta, Minneapolis, and Miami, a top 1% global franchise consultant, the best-selling author of Non-Food Franchising: The Better Path to Business Ownership, and the former President of ShelfGenie, an Inc. 500 franchise with 200+ locations.
 
He is a shining example of the success that can be achieved when someone follows their dreams. Seven years ago, while serving as the VP of Sales for Carter's Inc., responsible for $350M+ in annual sales, and after 20+ years in corporate America, Jon did the unthinkable and walked away while at the top of his career to pursue his dream of becoming an entrepreneur—even though, at the time, he wasn't quite sure what he wanted that path to look like.
 
His risk paid off, as he ended up in the industry he has dubbed ‘non-food franchising’, where he has had tremendous success, which has given him the autonomy many entrepreneurs desire, allowing him to commit over 90% of his time to helping others realize their own aspirations of freedom and generational wealth creation through business ownership.
 
Through his company FranBridge Consulting, Jon has helped thousands of entrepreneurs and investors understand all aspects of non-food franchising and has introduced them to opportunities from the 600+ high-growth brands that he represents. 
 
Jon also frequently contributes to publications such as Forbes, Inc., Bloomberg, The Franchise Journal, and Franchise Connect, where he writes about franchising and franchise investments.
Summary
 
Franchising opportunities overview @ 0:00
Jon outlined the benefits of franchising for new business owners, including starting with an established brand, playbook, and support system to leverage decades of expertise and avoid reinventing the wheel.
Benefits of franchising for new business owners @ 6:00
Jon argued franchising provides numerous advantages, such as guidance from franchisor experts and peer franchisees exchanging best practices, ensuring product-market fit and optimized operations and marketing from the start.
Non-food franchising opportunities @ 9:37
Jon emphasized exploring non-food industries like property services, noting insulation's $52B market, and discussed opportunities in health/wellness and services for kids, seniors, and families that remain recession-resilient.
Franchise stacking and portfolio growth @ 14:25
Jon discussed clients growing their franchise portfolios through adding units of their primary brand or complementary/diversifying brands for increased income streams and risk mitigation.
Semi-passive franchising investment @ 14:57
Jon outlined the option of operating as an investor/manager through hiring professionals to run day-to-day operations while still overseeing the business as an asset with tax benefits and eventual exit value.
Non-Franchising Financializing book overview @ 20:08
Jon's book shares opportunities beyond food franchising and how its profits support charity. It generates interest and jumpstarts the vetting process for new franchisee candidates.
Closing and next steps @ 21:55
Jon provided contact details and offered the book to listeners, emphasizing FranBridge's role in navigating franchise placement. 
 
 

Unlocking Profitable Vacation Rental Investing with Shawn Moore, Founder of Vodyssey.com

Shawn Moore is an active real estate investor, the host of theVacation Rental Revolution podcast, and the founder of Vodyssey.com, the #1 Vacation Rental Investing Education company in theworld. Shawn has one goal in mind: to cut through all of the noiseand help you find success in acquiring, managing & marketing a profitable vacation rental portfolio.Shawn has helped hundreds of new and experienced investorsalike build a profitable vacation rental portfolio. If you don’t catchhim at the office, he will be spending time with his wife and twokids on a river, beach, or mountain somewhere where phones andComputers don’t work.Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/RealShawnMooreWebsite: https://vodyssey.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/vacationrentalrevolutionInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/vodysseyshawnmoore/

Thoughtful Thursdays: How To Conquer Your Business with Erin Marcus

Founder & CEO of Conquer Your Business
I help entrepreneurs and small business owners get the financial and emotional freedom they need to build a business and a life they’re proud of by learning how to Be In Charge, Take Action, and Get Results!
I have been mentoring, training, teaching, and coaching for more than twenty years. I love helping people take action they didn’t think possible, do things they didn’t think they could do, and succeed beyond what they dared to dream.
 
https://conqueryourbusiness.com/media-kithttps://www.facebook.com/ErinMarcusConquerYourBusiness, https://www.instagram.com/erinmarcusconqueryourbusiness, https://www.linkedin.com/in/erinmarcusconqueryourbusiness, https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLFD-aM6LmA10FQrFC_QchQ
Business Operations Transition Discussion
Erin and Michael discussed their approach to business operations, with Erin emphasizing her role in helping business operators transition to business owners. Erin stressed that this shift isn't about more work, but different work, and she helps her clients understand this. Michael added that it's important to remember the initial goals of the business, and not to wait too long to transition from doing all tasks to owning a business.
Business vs. Nonprofit Operations
Erin and Michael discussed the importance of treating a business as a business, not just a task to be completed. Erin emphasized that business owners should hire for expertise rather than just task completion, and then allow the hired experts to create processes without micromanaging. She also highlighted the need for businesses to have a vision caster who sets the parameters, but doesn't manage the day-to-day operations. Michael agreed, noting that he had to learn to not micromanage his employees after coming from a corporate background. He also pointed out that nonprofits often 'dumb things down', treating their operations less like a business.
Delegation, Strategy, and Expert Help in Business
Michael and Erin discussed the importance of delegation and strategy in business. Michael emphasized the need to pay others what they're worth to free up time for more important tasks. Erin stressed the danger of trying to solve business problems with marketing tactics, arguing that a strategy problem requires a strategic solution. Both agreed on the value of recognizing what you don't know and seeking help from experts. They also highlighted the common issue of entrepreneurs assuming they know how to grow a business, despite having no formal training in it.
Authenticity and AI in Online Presence
Erin and Michael discussed the challenges of projecting perfection online, with Erin emphasizing the importance of authenticity and vulnerability. They touched on the use of AI tools to help with tasks such as graphic design, with Erin noting that while AI can make the marketplace noisier, it also provides opportunities to stand out by being oneself. They also discussed the potential of AI in generating ideas and preventing writer's block, but agreed that authenticity and personal input are still crucial. Erin offered help to Michael for their next discussion and mentioned her work, which can be found at conqueryourbusiness.com.

A Discussion with Game On Nation founder Steve Shenbaum

Steve Shenbaum is the founder of Game On Nation, a nationally recognized communication firm that employs game dynamics and improvisation to teach high-performance teamwork as well as communication, story-telling, public-speaking and presentation skills.Game On Nation provides authentic and down-to-earth courses, keynotes, and custom training programs that are widely accessible and extremely successful. For over 27 years, Steve and his company have helped people at the highest level of every sphere in the country, including leaders at Fortune 100 companies, college and professional sports teams, all branches of the military, NASA, and the U.S. House of Representatives.Steve gained notoriety for his early acting career, with featured roles in popular comedy films and shows such as Space Jam, Will & Grace, and American Pie 2. He understands the immense power of positive humor, and his professional success allows access to high-level audiences and clients.Notable clients Steve has worked with include Yao Ming, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Carmelo Anthony, Sydney Crosby, Abby Wambach, and the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team, to name a few. One of those notable clients, Alex Smith, the #1 NFL draft pick in 2005, shared this testimonial:"Steve has had a major impact on my career by giving me tangible techniques to improve my communication, leadership, and overall development both on and off the field. He's also an incredible encourager and one of the funniest people I know.”Steve’s authenticity and knowledge of team building and experiential learning have not gone unnoticed; he created and oversaw the communication, leadership, and media training program at IMG Academy from 2003-2012.He aims to help human-resource executives, learning and development experts, young professionals, and emerging leaders and coaches looking to infuse positive humor, substance and authenticity into their message—or simply anyone who loves Ted Lasso or Mr. Rogers, as they would dig Steve’s vibe of kindness, empathy, and engagement.
Mission Statement and Workplace Culture
Michael D. Levitt and Steve Shenbaum discussed the importance of organizations understanding and aligning on their mission statements and the behaviors that embody them. Steve emphasized the need to go beyond the mission statement, engage with team members, and agree on behaviors that reflect the mission. He also highlighted the value of asking deeper questions and doing the necessary work to understand and address underlying issues. Michael agreed, noting the importance of preventative care over reactive measures, and the necessity of having difficult conversations about workplace culture. He shared an example of an abrupt departure from an organization, suggesting that such incidents could be prevented with better understanding and alignment.
Communication and Expectation Setting in Workplace
Michael and Steve discussed the importance of communication and expectation setting in the workplace. They identified a communication issue where employees felt unheard or misunderstood by management, which could have been prevented by open dialogue. They also highlighted the role of leadership in effectively delegating tasks and checking in on the workload of their employees. Additionally, they emphasized the need to establish clear expectations for employees, such as work hours and communication protocols, to avoid misalignment and ensure accountability.
Learning and Management Styles in the Workplace
Steve and Michael discussed the importance of understanding individual learning and management styles within the workplace. Steve emphasized the need for individuals to recognize what works for them and what doesn't, and the role of leadership in supporting their team. Michael noted that different generations may require different management styles. They also discussed the success of Steve's business, which is not niche in terms of audience, but is niche in terms of its delivery style, specifically focusing on presentation skills.
Improvisation for Team Building
Steve Shenbaum discussed the focus of his team on presentation and teamwork skills, using improvisation as a tool. He highlighted the importance of finding common ground to bring out people's talents and learning styles in a positive way. Steve also stressed the need to do challenging things together in a safe environment, and how improvisation can help create a strong bond. He emphasized the importance of communicating and trusting each other, and celebrating small wins. Michael D. Levitt shared his personal experience with a team building exercise that revealed similarities between him and a colleague who had a different perception of him, which Steve used to highlight the importance of focusing on behaviors rather than labels.
Workplace Culture and Productivity
Steve Shenbaum and Michael D. Levitt discussed the importance of workplace culture and productivity. Steve suggested a number of changes to enhance work processes, including adjusting meeting schedules, eliminating lunch and learns, and treating employees with respect. He shared insights from FC Cincinnati's general manager, who attributed their success to simple practices like sharing meals and acknowledging people's birthdays. Steve also mentioned that his company, Game On Nation, provides resources to improve presentation and communication skills.