Stories Behind the Grind

 

How Karan's deeper understanding of identity led him to strategy consulting

The impact of Karan's work in the community

The story they (YSPN) want to tell in Australia and the legacy they want to leave behind

The crossover between what Karan has done in his network to their own business

Fundamentals of Deloitte's approach to strategy

Karan's way of consulting with clients

Strategic cascade of choices

What winning aspiration is

Where you would play

How you will win

The distinctive capabilities for you to win

What management systems are

On strategy being a tool for problem-solving and choice making

Importance of employee engagement, employee morale, and better outcomes

How business owners should approach strategy and strategic thinking in their business using the 5 strategic questions

The thing you said you are going to do versus the thing you are actually doing

Breaking down problems

Challenges Karan's clients have to overcome when undergoing the problem-solving process

What business owners can do to start their own strategic thinking

 

 

Young Sikh Professionals Network - https://www.yspn.org.au/

Monitor Deloitte - https://www2.deloitte.com/in/en/pages/strategy-operations/monitor-deloitte/topic/monitor-deloitte.html

Playing to Win by A.G. Lafley and Roger Martin - https://www.amazon.com/Playing-Win-Strategy-Really-Works-ebook/dp/B00AJVJ1HI

HBR's 10 Must Reads on Strategy - https://www.amazon.com/HBRs-10-Must-Reads-Strategy/dp/1511367075

Competitive Strategy by Michael Porter - https://www.amazon.com/Competitive-Strategy-Techniques-Industries-Competitors-ebook/dp/B001CB34J0

 

Karan on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/karanviranand/

On this episode of Stories Behind the Grind, you'll hear from Darcy Smyth, co-director of Why Bravo and the Sales Game. Learn how Sales has changed over the last 30 years, how your buyers make decisions and what role "Play" has in Business.

 

How Darcy got into psychology

What prompted Darcy to combine psychology and sales

Using selling to solve someone elses problem

Sales as a service

How the world of sales has evolved over the last 5 years

Adapting to the ability to sell socially

How social media changed the way we market and sell

The shift in businesses brought about by COVID-19

Taking the sales game from an in-person event to a virtual environment

The Role of play in business

Key factors that influence how buyers make their decisions

How business can best position themselves in the digital environment

Darcy's definition of the grind

The Sales Game - https://www.sales.game/

On this episode of Stories Behind the Grind, you'll hear from a Facebook marketer and best selling author Kim Barrett who is the CEO of Your Social Voice and has helped business grow to 7 figures.

 

We discuss where the opportunities are in the marketing world right now, the 3 key advertising cycles and which to focus on first and how not to fall into this common marketing mistake.

 

Also discover

 

On this episode of Stories Behind the Grind, you'll hear from Social Media marketing expert Mireille who is the CEO of the Social Media Marketing Institue.

 

We discuss how to break through to you ideal audience, how to resonate with your followers and what the future of Social Media looks like.

 

Also learn

 

On this episode of stories behind the grind, listen to my conversation with Don Mackenzie, managing director of Adizes. You'll learn how to effectively manage accelerating change in your business, the 4 key working styles that every business needs to harness and how to build mutual trust and respect  

 

How Don's entrepreneurial journey began

Lessons Don learned and carried through in his career

How to achieve your vision, mission and implement strategy

When to restructuring where you are at versus realigning yourself to where the future is

Key characteristics of a business with high mutual trust and respect

How to manage the change loop in a business

Reacting to an accelerating change in your environment

The Four different styles in Business and how they interact

Constructive versus destructive conflict

Why people should be last

 

Links:

Don on LinkedIn - https://au.linkedin.com/in/domckenzie

Adizes Australia - https://adizes.com.au/

 

Also discover

 

How Carrie transitioned from being an athlete to entrepreneur

 

Key factors that has helped Carrie scale her business

 

Changing and shifting the self-employed mindset

 

Major blockers for professionals who want to start their side hustles

 

How to keep on track and move past the criticism of others. 

 

What is commonly overlooked that reduces your teams morale

 

The number one personal development and leadership platform

 

Carrie's advice for professionals who are raising a family and would like to have a side hustle and be in control of their future

Using adventure in your day-to-day life

 

On starting a non-profit organization

 

Leaving a legacy

 

Carrie's definition of the grind

 

Carrie on LinkedIn 

Carrie on Instagram 

Tandem Consulting 

Tandem Giving, Inc 

Be sure to follow me on Instagram and say Hi @aidanvoc

Subscribe to the podcast on Apple, or anywhere else you listen to your podcasts.

You can find this episode plus all the previous episode here.

About the Host

On this episode of stories behind the grind, listen to my conversation with Josh Lewis, founder of Dorks delivered, one of Australia's fastest growing IT companies.

 

We discuss how to stop trading time for money, whether to build your brand or build your business first and how to start automating your business whether you're well established, or just starting out. 

 

Also discover

 

What approach Josh used to begin being an entrepreneur at a young age (and still uses it to this day)

The key lessons Josh learned from his parents that you can apply in your business

How a focus on automation can change the way you focus on problem solving

How to transition from time-based to a results based offering 

How Dorks Delivered has flipped the traditional IT provider business model

What you can do to start automating your business

How to transition from an Entrepreneur to a CEO

3 key mindset shifts that will change the way you look at the world and your business

How to know who to serve 

Why it's critical to refine your message and why competing on price is the quickest way to exit your industry

Josh's definition of the grind

 

Links

Podcast link:  Business Built Freedom
YouTube Channel link: Dorks Delivered 

 

Be sure to follow me on Instagram and say Hi @aidanvoc

Subscribe to the podcast on Apple, or anywhere else you listen to your podcasts.

You can find this episode plus all the previous episode here.

About the Host

On this episode of Stories Behind the Grind listen to my conversation with Yaz, founder of the World's Biggest Garage Sale who have diverted over 3.3 million kilograms of goods from Landfill.

 

We discuss why leading with authenticity builds stronger connections, the power of transparency in business and how you can get involved with the circular economy.

 

 

What prompted Yaz to leave a lucrative corporate job to start the World's Biggest Garage Sale.

 

Lessons learnt from failing multiple times

 

Practices you can use to get back up again after a setback

 

The power of authenticity and being the true version of yourself

 

Yaz's Favourite quote she teaches to her kids

 

How to build an authentic business

 

How running an authentic business has allowed the World's Biggest Garage Sale to become more impactful

 

Cascading impacts to the community

 

Why you should take your community with you on your business journey

 

How people can get involved in the circular economy

 

The power of incremental change

 

How to make the most out of your people

 

What Yaz learnt from the passing away of her mother

 

Yaz's personal and professional struggles

 

What it all comes back to

 

 

Be sure to follow me on Instagram and say Hi @aidanvoc

Subscribe to the podcast on Apple, or anywhere else you listen to your podcasts.

You can find this episode plus all the previous episode here.

About the Host

This episode is the final installment of a 3-part special on the Future of Work. Once again, I was accompanied by Tim Walmsley of BenchOn,  Damian Walsh of Sidekicker and Justin Falk of TalentVine.

 

 

How Benchon helps to bridge the peaks and troughs in business

 

How TalentVine allows businesses to leverage the time and cost of recruiters to fill positions quickly and efficiently

 

How Sidekicker helps connect future employees in the Hospitality, office support and warehousing industries 

 

The effects of flexible work arrangements on job applications and finances and the responsibility of society and governments

 

The role and responsibilities government has in legislating change

 

Which types of businesses that are going to last in the future

 

What responsibilities universities have in educating the next generation  

 

Micro-credentialing and how to stay ahead of the development curve and to future proof yourself

 

The power and challenges of internships for both graduates and businesses 

 

The new way of getting skilled up and the skills that should be invested in the future

 

Closing thoughts on the Future of Work

 

Be sure to follow me on Instagram @aidanvoc

Subscribe to the podcast on Apple, or anywhere else you listen to your podcasts.

You can find this episode plus all the previous episode here.

If you haven't already, please rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts!

This episode is the second part of a special 3-part series on the future of work and I talked to Tim Walmsley of BenchOn and Damian Walsh of Sidekicker.

 

We focus on individuals and what they can do right now to make the most of the Future of Work

 

BenchOn and Sidekicker are both platforms that deal with the workforce of the future and enables individuals to harness their skillsets to adapt to industry changes.

 

BenchOn is an online platform that matches a business's idle staff to short-term contracts from reputable companies and government agencies. Sidekicker is an online staffing platform that instantly connects businesses with pre-qualified skilled staff.

 

Damian's background and what attracted him to be part of Sidekicker

Navigating the difference between new world and old world thinking

What separates a good business from a great business

Overview of the gig economy

What the future of work looks like

Being part of the contingent workforce

The role age plays in terms of job security and stability

Why the future of work is all about personal choice

How to differentiate your business and attract top talent

What is integrated talent and how to make the most of them

The growth of the hybrid job

The move to higher transparency and what it means when hiring staff

How to maximise your capability

The key habit of the future of work

 

Links:

Sidekicker - sidekicker.com/au

BenchOn - https://www.benchon.com/

In this part 1 of a special 3-part series on the future of work, I talked to Tim Walmsley of BenchOn and Justin Falk of TalentVine. BenchOn and TalentVine are bot platforms designed for the workforce of the future. Both enable businesses (both large and small) to take advantage of future changes in the workforce.

 

BenchOn is an online platform that matches a business's idle staff to short-term contracts from reputable companies and government agencies. 

 

TalentVine provides employers and recruiters with the clarity and confidence to make better hiring decisions on the critical roles within their organisations.

 

Topics:

How TalentVine began

The story behind starting BenchOn

What the future of work looks like and what opportunities will it bring

Are the fears surrounding AI and automation rightly founded?

The effect of automation on people

How to work like a human 

How business owners can communicate change more effectively to their employees

Should people look to take on more specialised roles?

What small business owners should be excited about?

What stops large organizations being agile and how to counteract it

What businesses can do to prepare themselves for the Future of Work

 

Links:

BenchOn - https://www.benchon.com/

TalentVine - https://www.talentvine.com.au/

2019 Deloitte Global Human Capital Trends report - https://www2.deloitte.com/content/dam/Deloitte/cz/Documents/human-capital/cz-hc-trends-reinvent-with-human-focus.pdf

 

Be sure to follow me on Instagram and say Hi @aidanvoc

Subscribe to the podcast on Apple, or anywhere else you listen to your podcasts.

You can find this episode plus all the previous episode here.

 

Tammy Rant - Founder of TushBaby

 

 

Tammy's life growing up and the start of her entrepreneurial journey

What a TushBaby is

How Tammy got the idea to start TushBaby

On starting her Kickstarter campaign

On having a successful appearance on Shark Tank

Changes after Tammy's appearance on Shark Tank

Dealing with the competition

Importance of branding

The growth and evolution of TushBaby after Shark Tank

Advice on making an appearance in Shark Tank

Tammy's biggest learning from her Kickstarter journey

On making a global impact

 

TushBaby - https://tushbaby.com/

Email Address: tammy@tushbaby.com

 

On this episode of we talk about what a tough conversation actually is, why we avoid having them and how to set one up to maximise the benefits and minimise the risks of having one.

 

 

How David got into coaching and consulting

David's deep insights on his journey during the early years

What a tough conversation is

How to have tough conversations

Why people avoid tough conversations

The 4-Step Tough Conversations Blueprint

Advice to those who experience difficulties when having tough conversations

What to keep in mind before you have a tough conversation.

David's grand vision for helping teams and businesses thrive through tough conversations

David's definition of the grind

 

Play for Real - http://playforreal.life/

 

Be sure to follow me on Instagram and say Hi @aidanvoc

Subscribe to the podcast on Apple, or anywhere else you listen to your podcasts.

You can find this episode plus all the previous episode here.

 

On this episode of Stories Behind the Grind, listen to my conversation with Melissa Yu, founder of Australia's largest streetware and lifestyle expo.

 

We discuss how to develop self-awareness in yourself and your team, how to foster positivity as an entrepreneur and the importance of speaking up about mental health.

 

 

How Melissa started her entrepreneurship journey

How to develop awareness of your strengths and weaknesses

Collaboration vs Competition - which approach is better?

What Melissa's life was like growing up

Dealing with her parents’ separation as a child

How Melissa forged her own identity

Why our identities are always shifting and developing

Advice to those entrepreneurs who are feeling lonely

Melissa's  journey as a mental health advocate

What must be done to beat the stigma about mental health issues

How Melissa recovers and prevents burn out

Melissa's view on multitasking

Encouraging positivity in your life and in the lives of the people you serve

Melissa's definition of the grind

 

Melissa Yu on LinkedIn - https://au.linkedin.com/in/melissayu1990

Melissa on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mellieyu/

Melissa on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/melyuofficial/

MCO Events - https://www.mcoevents.com.au/

Ego Expo - https://www.egoexpo.com.au/

 

Be sure to follow me on Instagram and say Hi @aidanvoc

Subscribe to the podcast on Apple, or anywhere else you listen to your podcasts.

You can find this episode plus all the previous episode here.

What Eleanor learned about resilience in preparing for and completing 2 World Records

Where Eleanor's mindset developed from

What was growing up like for Eleanor

The 2 core learning styles that underpins Eleanor's success 

Common regrets of the elderly

How to overcome the expectations from others

Similarities between the long adventures Eleanor has been on and running a business

Current state of being an entrepreneur

How you can consistently keep showing up when you're physically depleted

Eleanor's meditation practice

Exposing yourself to unknown situations

Eleanor's definition of the grind

 

Links:

Cycling Home From Siberia by Rob Lilwall - https://www.amazon.com/Cycling-Home-Siberia-Rob-Lilwall-ebook/dp/B0043VD5YA

 

Losing Sight of Shore - https://www.netflix.com/ph/title/80169548

 

Eleanor on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/eleanorjcarey/?hl=en

 

Why row an ocean - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ExcOUDhFy_s

Episode 38 Defining Culture and Improving Founder Mental Health with Aaron Birkby - https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/38-defining-culture-improving-founder-mental-health/id1315760449?i=1000429554052

 

Peak Persona - http://www.peakpersona.com/  

Be sure to follow me on Instagram and say Hi @aidanvoc

Subscribe to the podcast on Apple, or anywhere else you listen to your podcasts.

You can find this episode plus all the previous episode here.

Three ways you can support this podcast

1. Take a screenshot of this podcast and send it to a friend who may like it
2. Rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts!
3. Connect with me @aidanvoc (I respond to all DM’s there)

On this episode of Stories Behind the Grind, listen to my conversation with Adam Houlahan, founder of Prominence Global and a true leader when it comes to LinkedIn. We discuss what microniching and why it's so important, the fundamentals of creating high quality content, and how to optimise your time to build your prominence on LinkedIn

 

 

Adam’s pivotal moments that led him to where he is today

Dealing with the naysayers during the early days of LinkedIn

Significant changes in the LinkedIn platform

How people can break through the noise 

Building prominence on LinkedIn

How to use LinkedIn effectively

What micro niching is

What’s holding people back from doing micro niching

Biggest lesson Adam learned while communicating on LinkedIn

How a partnership with B1G1 has boosted Adam's social impact

Adam's definition of the grind

 

Subscribe to the podcast on Apple, Spotify, Google, or Stitcher.

Be sure to follow me on Instagram @aidanvoc

If you haven’t already, please rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts!

 

Links:

Connect with Adam - https://adamhoulahan.com/

The LinkedIn Playbook by Adam Houlahan - https://www.amazon.com/LinkedIn-Playbook-Contacts-Customers-Conne

 

INFLUENCER by Adam Houlahan - https://www.amazon.com/INFLUENCER-Becoming-Highly-Influential-Industry-ebook/dp/B07L1CL62Z

 

 

On this episode of Stories Behind The Grind, listen to my conversation with Dr. Karen Sutherland, who currently leads the social media and public relations disciplines at the University of the Sunshine Coast, and brings with her over 20 years marketing experience.

 

We discuss how to build trust and integrity in your business to develop long term customer relationships, how to best deal with negative feedback from online and in person reviews, and how to build engagement with your audience

 

 

How Karen started into marketing

Marketing lessons Karen learned form working with social enterprises 

Importance of authenticity and knowing the brand's story for small business owners

Karen's advice to those who struggle to put themselves out there and communicate their story

How to build engagement

How to Break through the noise

On building relationships vs selling

Building trust with the people you work with

Thoughts on social media as we head into 2020

How to respond when your business is being attacked by a competitor or a disgruntled customer who left negative feedback

How best to Manage feedback

Karen's definition of the grind

 

Links:

Karen on Facebook

Karen on Twitter 

Karen on Instagram 

Karen on LinkedIn 

Karen's website 

Renat's life mission of eradicating suffering and increasing quality of life

 

Dealing with higher order problems

 

How Renat found his life's mission

 

Future technologies that Renat is excited about

 

The benefits of information fasting

 

Why micro-habits are more beneficial than big changes 

 

What results Renat has experienced from using micro-habits

 

Why having small quick wins are critical to realise ambition

 

The impact of environment on performance

 

Advice to those who want to stay at the top level to maximise their ambitions

 

How to be brave and have a warrior mindset

 

Engineering frameworks useful for personal growth

 

Renat's definition of the grind

 

Renat's life manifesto

 

Links:

 

Lifestyle Engineering - https://www.lifestyle.engineering/

Renat on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabitov

 

Be sure to follow me on Instagram and say Hi @aidanvoc

Subscribe to the podcast on Apple, or anywhere else you listen to your podcasts.

You can find this episode plus all the previous episode here.

Four ways you can support this podcast

1. Take a screenshot of this podcast and send it to a friend who may like it
2. Take your Grind to the next level by implementing a sales funnel to turn your passive website visitors into paying customer with ClickFunnels, the #1 sales funnel software in the world. You can get a free trial by going to www.clickfunnels.com
3. Rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts!
4. Connect with me @aidanvoc (I respond to all DM’s there)

Daniel is a Powerful John Maxwell Certified Speaker with 14 years experience in the arena of Leadership Development & Team Building, Sales Mastery, and Confidence Coaching.

 

He is the International Best Selling Author of "You Were Born to Fly", a book written to inspire and give people the high-performance habits and confidence needed to be the leaders of their own destiny.

 

Daniel is not just a motivational keynote speaker, he gives your organization the principles, skills, and mindset to develop and build a winning team. He encourages them to "Be Original", to love and believe in themselves at all times, to value their own opinion, and to step out of their comfort zones.

 

We discuss how to build a people first business, how to prevent becoming complacent, and the 4 core principles of leaders (no matter your title).

 

Be sure to follow me on Instagram and say Hi @aidanvoc

Subscribe to the podcast on Apple, or anywhere else you listen to your podcasts.

You can find this episode plus all the previous episode here.

Four ways you can support this podcast

1. Take a screenshot of this podcast and send it to a friend who may like it
2. Take your Grind to the next level by implementing a sales funnel to turn your passive website visitors into paying customer with ClickFunnels, the #1 sales funnel software in the world. You can get a free trial by going to www.clickfunnels.com
3. Rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts!
4. Connect with me @aidanvoc (I respond to all DM’s there)