In this episode of The Business Gay Podcast, host Calan Breckon speaks with special guest, Gregg Brown.

With a career spanning 30 years, Gregg is an internationally recognized speaker, advisor, entrepreneur, and business mentor. Gregg was part of the team that opened the first wave of Starbucks in Canada. His insights on change and the future of work have been featured in Forbes, Newsweek, Rolling Stone, and Entrepreneur, as well as on CTV’s The Social and Global News.

Gregg has been mentoring entrepreneurs with Canada’s LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce (CGLCC) for many years. He believes small businesses and entrepreneurs build community and create opportunities for people to express their creativity in the world. He is the author of the #1 Amazon bestseller “Spark Action: How to Lead Change That Matters” which has just been named as one of the top business books to read in 2024 by Thinkers 360.

Gregg holds a Master`s of Social Science Degree from the University of Leicester in the UK, with a focus on organizational psychology, leadership and performance and is an Associate Member of the American Psychological Association.

Watch on YouTube

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Links mentioned in this episode:

• BeChangeReady.com





• "Spark Action: How to Lead Change That Matters" - Book





• 6 Things NOT to Say (And What to Say Instead!)





• Gregg on LinkedIn





• Gregg on Instagram

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Key Takeaways for quick navigation:

• [00:02:46 ] Gregg Brown discusses common pitfalls for new entrepreneurs, such as focusing too much on branding, websites, and logos instead of prioritizing revenue generation and market validation.





• [00:04:42 ] The importance of getting feedback from non-biased sources, like mentors or peers, is highlighted to help entrepreneurs refine their products or services.





• [00:11:31 ] Moving from a sales-focused mindset to one of building relationships and asking how to help potential clients can lead to better business outcomes.





• [00:13:08 ] Gregg and Calan discuss how unsolicited direct messages and sales pitches on platforms like LinkedIn can negatively impact business relationships.





• [00:15:46 ] Gregg emphasizes the importance of building agility and adaptability in organizations to navigate changes brought on by AI and the future of work.





• [00:18:23 ] While AI can be helpful for outlining and generating content, it's essential to maintain a unique voice and critical thinking skills to stand out in the market.





• [00:25:13 ] Interpersonal skills such as empathetic leadership and conflict resolution are becoming increasingly important in the workplace, especially as polarization rises.





• [00:43:38 ] The conversation touches on the need for workers to relentlessly prioritize tasks and maintain work-life balance to avoid burnout and increase productivity.