Take Flight – Business Growth Strategies with Business Coach Dan Holstein

Do you know what it's like to buy from your business?  Do you understand your customer’s buying journey? Do you know what hoops you make your customer jump through in order to do business with you? Is it possible that your buying process is annoying your customer?Regardless of whether you run a large enterprise or a small business, your customer's experience of you will attract them to come back again and again - or frustrate them until they are lured away by your competition.  If they think you don’t care, they’ll happily go somewhere else.This week we focus on common things business owners do to drive customers away, and what to do about it!Connect with me on LinkedInWatch episodes on our YouTube Channel Watch THIS episode on our YouTube Channel Schedule a Discovery Call with me www.kaizenperformance.com

With everything you have on your plate, starting a new initiative might seem like an overwhelming task. Thinking something is going to be harder than it is, might lead you to procrastinate, leading to time constraints and making that task seem ever more difficult.Sound familiar? I think we've all been there at one point or another - I know I have. In this week's video, I share a simple strategy you can put to work today to help you get some of those daunting tasks off of your ToDo list, and on to your Done list!Connect with me on LinkedInWatch episodes on our YouTube Channel Watch THIS episode on our YouTube Channel Schedule a Discovery Call with me www.kaizenperformance.com

Are you Driven or Ambitious? And why does it matter?  The first female NFL coach, Dr. Jen Welter, was the keynote speaker at a conference I attended a few years ago where she put this question to us all in the audience. It made us pause and most of us were not sure!  She explained how these words define our outlook and what is really motivating us all.  In this week’s video, we discuss the difference in out attitudes and work / life enjoyment depending on whether we are driven, or ambitious - or a little bit of both!Connect with me on LinkedInWatch episodes on our YouTube Channel Watch THIS episode on our YouTube Channel Schedule a Discovery Call with me www.kaizenperformance.com

Do you ever feel like you need to babysit your team because they have trouble completing some tasks successfully and consistently? I know many business owners who feel that way. And it is usually because they don't have an effective framework to train their team members, or they just don't invest enough time training them to be effective.In this week's video, I share with you a 5 step training framework I learned from my flight instructors while getting my pilot's license. Using this 5 step process to train your team will result in more effective team members, better execution, and free you up to focus on what's most important in your business.Connect with me on LinkedInWatch episodes on our YouTube Channel Watch THIS episode on our YouTube Channel Schedule a Discovery Call with mewww.kaizenperformance.com 

This is a critical question for you: How much are you personally needed every day in your business?  How much is reliant on you, your decisions, and your experience? Are you so important that it keeps you from taking a few days off or take a holiday and completely disconnect? In this week’s video I share a practical strategy for HOW to become less important in your day-to-day operations, so you can have more time off, as well as focus on leading the strategic growth of your enterprise.Connect with me on LinkedInWatch episodes on our YouTube Channel Watch THIS episode on our YouTube Channel Schedule a Discovery Call with me www.kaizenperformance.com

As the CEO of your business, your responsibilities over time have likely increased in both number and volume.  There comes a time when you need to make a critical hire to take many of those vital responsibilities off your plate.  Once you do that, you can focus on the strategic areas of your business, and grow your enterprise.  In this week’s video, I’ll be sharing what the responsibilities of this critical hire would be, the attributes of an ideal person, and how to know if it’s time to bring them on.Connect with me on LinkedInWatch episodes on our YouTube Channel Watch THIS episode on our YouTube Channel Schedule a Discovery Call with me www.kaizenperformance.com

I was at the airport recently and I got thinking about the windsock as it was blowing around in the gusting winds. A windsock is a simple yet critical tool for pilots, as it tells them what direction the wind is blowing and at what speed, which is extremely important when you’re taking off or landing a plane.What areas of your business do you need to know the velocity and direction?Cash flow?Lead flow?Sales?In today's episode, I share how to choose what to measure in order to make effective decisions, take the right action, manage your business well, and most importantly, be able to scale.Connect with me on LinkedInWatch episodes on our YouTube Channel Watch THIS episode on our YouTube Channel Schedule a Discovery Call with me www.kaizenperformance.com

Have you ever been in a state of thinking that a particular situation can't change, nothing is going to work, and become resigned to the fact that this is just kinda how it is? Watch to learn the simple process to getting unstuck and achieve different and better outcomes.Connect with me on LinkedInWatch episodes on our YouTube Channel Watch THIS episode on our YouTube Channel Schedule a Discovery Call with me www.kaizenperformance.com

Whenever we interact with our customers, we are having an impact on them. The impact is rarely neutral, and usually either positive or negative. When we have a positive impact, its like making a little deposit into their emotional bank account. Having a negative impact on a customer is like making a withdrawal from their emotional bank account. Whether we are making a deposit or withdrawal is based on how our customer feels after interacting with you or your team.Here’s a little story to illustrate the concept. My son and I were flying cross country and I had paid extra to get a window seat. We’re big airplane fans and we wanted to see the sights as we were flying across the country. We get to our row, and there’s actually no window! Just the bulkhead! So frustrating!--Connect with me on LinkedInWatch episodes on our YouTube Channel Watch THIS episode on our YouTube Channel Schedule a Discovery Call with me www.kaizenperformance.com

I find that when talking with business owners that they find it’s difficult to get and stay consistent on their most important tasks because life just gets in the way. So I want to share with you a little story and a technique so that you can gain and maintain your consistency in doing the successful things that you need to do to achieve your goals.Jerry Seinfeld, one of the most successful comics ever was asked by an up-and-coming comic “How did you become so successful?” And Jerry answered “I just don’t break the chain.” And the young comic says “What chain? Watch to learn Jerry's simple strategy to help you execute consistently.Connect with me on LinkedIn Watch episodes on our YouTube Channel Watch THIS episode on our YouTube Channel Schedule a Discovery Call with me www.kaizenperformance.com 

Do you find meetings a waste of time and energy? Most business owners do too, because meetings are plagued with some of these chronic challenges:They never start on time.People don't come prepared.You feel like the changes discussed in the meetings don't actually happen.Participants are distracted and not paying attention.The consultation rambles. You never get through the agenda.In this weeks video I share a lot of simple, easy to implement strategies to turn your meetings from time wasters to productivity makers.  Take notes!0:00 Introduction0:15 Rev Up Your Business with Dan Holstein1:24 Timed Agenda3:07 Progress3:38 RED Yellow Green5:19 Challenges Offline5:45 Mindset Check-inConnect with me on LinkedInWatch episodes on our YouTube Channel Watch THIS episode on our YouTube Channel Schedule a Discovery Call with me www.kaizenperformance.com

This week I want to talk to you about personality styles and behavioural styles.Think about this: on your team do you have anybody that kind of drives you nuts?Are you looking at their difference as a weakness?If you are, I'd like to challenge you to  look at their difference as a strength.For example, if you're high energy a lot of motion person, you're getting out there making things happen, and you've got someone on your team that's a little bit slower paced and reserved, they're looking out for your best interest so they might just be checking those balances that you're not seeing.Conversely, if you're a little bit of a slower paced individual maybe a little bit conflict avoidant, maybe not as "out there" having somebody on your team that's got a lot of great energy and is willing to get out there and shake things up might be a real strength as well although you might find it a little intimidating.We want to make sure we've got a well-rounded team.  A solid team, whether you're individual and it's the contractors or support people you have, we want to have a lot of variety in our personality styles and behavioural styles on the team.When we see them as a strength we can be a lot stronger together. If we see our differences as challenges we're going to be nitpicking and feeling frustrated all the time. So this week my challenge to you is look at the people you're working with.  If you find some differences in their style that is sometimes frustrating for you, try to find the strength in it.  Find out, why did you bring them on board in the first place? Why are you guys working together? What was the amazing thing you saw in them that made you want them on board in the first place? What is that strength? Try to get around those differences, look for the strengths.Connect with me on LinkedInWatch episodes on our YouTube Channel Watch THIS episode on our YouTube Channel Schedule a Discovery Call with me www.kaizenperformance.com

Have you ever said that you wanted to be, do, or have something and then immediately or shortly thereafter you decided that you couldn't be, do, or have that thing.And then you talked yourself out of it.What happens there? You're inspired with the idea of something that you could do, but then you made a decision that it wasn't possible for you.  Something I want you to think about is when that happens, is that a logical or an emotional response?It's emotional right?Logically if there's something that you want to be do or have why couldn't you do it?If it's been done before, I'm sure it's possible for you.  We have these emotional responses sometimes that talk us out of taking any action at all towards something that we're excited about. That eliminates the possibility that we can ever achieve what we want to achieve.In this episode, learn how to move through the negative "can't do it" so you can achieve what you want to achieve!As you grow, as your identity develops, as a business owner, you're achieving new things, you'll have new ideas on what's possible for you, new negative responses that you need to get through, new ways of getting started, more consistencies to increase your probability more profitability, and guess what? Now we think we can do something else as well.So this is the whole loop:  Possibility leading to probability, leading to profitability.Connect with me on LinkedInWatch episodes on our YouTube Channel Watch THIS episode on our YouTube Channel Schedule a Discovery Call with me www.kaizenperformance.com

Hear the story of entrepreneur Juliet Aurora who started her enterprise out of pure necessity in the spare bedroom of her house 20 years ago, and how she and her husband Steve Loates grew it into a national bookkeeping firm that has earned Intuit's highest Accolade: Firm of the Future.Along the way, Juliet and Steve had a lot of ups and downs - and eventually grew not only their company, but wrote a book, started a bookkeeping training company, a podcast - and launched a charitable foundation! Theirs is an incredible story, full of learnings and lessons that will resonate with the journey many entrepreneurs have taken. Enjoy! www.aissolutions.caConnect with me on LinkedInWatch episodes on our YouTube Channel Watch THIS episode on our YouTube Channel Schedule a Discovery Call with mewww.kaizenperformance.com 

Do you ever feel nervous about trying something new in business or life? This week, my daughter Megan and I discuss strategies to push through the nervousness, jitters and limiting beliefs that can keep us from trying new things and achieving what we want to accomplish!If you've ever thought:- Can I even do it?- What will happen if I fail?- What if I don't do a good enough job?- What's going to happen if I DO succeed?--- You're going to want to watch this week's video!And call us at 905-876-2234 for a conversation about your unique business situation!"Our limitations are just our imagination" - unknownConnect with me on LinkedInWatch episodes on our YouTube Channel Watch THIS episode on our YouTube Channel Schedule a Discovery Call with me www.kaizenperformance.com

Are you hard on yourself? Are ya? You…I’m talkin to you.Yeah, maybe not all the time but sometimes…a little bit of that negative self-talk kickin in there about this, that, or the other thing. Maybe it’s how much money you’ve made, or didn’t. How much time you’re working in your business or not, or that thing that you didn’t do just quite right or perfect enough. I work with a lot of business owners and talk to a lot of business owners and I find that they can be positive, optimistic individuals on the outside, and then when we dig in a little bit, we realize they’re not actually that happy with their performance.  Despite all the outward signs that they’re doing a great job.Connect with me on LinkedIn Watch episodes on our YouTube Channel Watch THIS episode on our YouTube Channel Schedule a Discovery Call with me www.kaizenperformance.com

Have you ever had one of those days where you'd prefer to just stay home, and not go into your business and deal with all the stress? I think we've all been there at one point or another. As business owners, we are subject to a lot of pressure, stress and challenges on a daily basis: Meeting client expectations, handling cashflow issues, staffing issues, competition, marketing, sales, finance - the list goes on. Running a business can be tough, and can take a toll on a business owner. In this week's video, I interview psychotherapist Brian Janes who works with and helps a lot of business owners. In our chat, Brian shares strategies for business owners on how to manage and reduce stress, regain balance, recognize the signs of mental health challenges and how to get help if things get really challenging. I learned a lot in my conversation with Brian, and I'm sure you will too. If you ever struggle with stress in your business or life, please watch this video. And if you want to talk to Brian, you can reach him at: Brian JanesImpact Counselling Serviceshttps://www.impactcounselling.com (905) 746-7428Connect with me on LinkedInWatch episodes on our YouTube Channel Watch THIS episode on our YouTube Channel Schedule a Discovery Call with me www.kaizenperformance.com

The effectiveness and quality of your team is a significant factor in the valuation of your business. In addition to the amazing people on your team, you might have some staff that you regard as a consistent headache but continue to keep them on. Maybe they’ve got some key relationships with customers, or they’ve been with the business for a long time.  Perhaps you feel it will be difficult - or impossible -  to replace them and “it’s a tough job market right now.” Whatever your reasons, watch this week’s episode to find out exactly how they are negatively impacting your business valuation, and how to take a frank assessment of your team to identify the toxic employees who may need to be replaced.Connect with me on LinkedInWatch episodes on our YouTube Channel Watch THIS episode on our YouTube Channel Schedule a Discovery Call with me www.kaizenperformance.com

As business owners, it's easy (and sometimes tempting) to allow ourselves to get pulled into too many roles in our businesses.And let's face it, who doesn't like to be the person with all the answers and solutions?The challenge we have is that we can get spread too thin.The result is a business that constantly relies on us, which reduces our freedom and limits the business value. This can also mean the business will be harder to sell when it's time to exit.In this week's video, I share a strategy to help you get out of the day to day IN the business work, and back ON the strategic work of growing your business.Connect with me on LinkedInWatch episodes on our YouTube Channel Watch THIS episode on our YouTube Channel Schedule a Discovery Call with me www.kaizenperformance.com

Does your business have an 'X-Factor' that makes it really stand out from your competition?  This week, in episode 2 of 10 in our Driving Business Value series, we discuss how to determine what your X-Factor is, and how it sets you apart from your competitors, and keeps your customers coming back to you. Knowing and developing what makes your business unique and valued in your marketplace will increase the value of your business when you’re ready to exit!  Check out this week’s video to find out why, and how to make the most of your X Factor!Connect with me on LinkedInWatch episodes on our YouTube Channel Watch THIS episode on our YouTube Channel Schedule a Discovery Call with mewww.kaizenperformance.com