Monthly Archives: January 2016

Ep. 151 – Why Content Marketing Matters

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SIBP-Blog-NEW-3What is it about content marketing that makes it so compelling and effective? Is it purely a function of the way we consume media, or is there a generational shift at work? And what does it mean for how customers relate to brands?

In today’s episode of the Success In Business podcast, host and coach Tom Ryan answers some of these questions using both the hard data about how it works, and the deeper common knowledge about the effectiveness of storytelling. As always, Tom is joined in this discussion by co-host and producer Jason Pyles. Continue reading →

Ep. 150 – What Is Content Marketing?

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SIBP-Blog-NEW-1The way businesses connect with customers is constantly changing. There’s no better example of this than the current move towards using “content marketing” to reach those customers directly. Content marketing is a big deal, particularly in a world where social media has become a primary marketing channel, but is it really that different from traditional marketing and advertising?

As host and business coach Tom Ryan explains, “If you don’t get onboard the content marketing train, you’re going to be left at the station.” As always, Tom is joined in this discussion by co-host and producer Jason Pyles. Continue reading →

The Four Ps Of Scaling: An Overview

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IMG_2329Growing a business is always a challenge. Even with great founders, outstanding products or services, encouraging profits and exceptional momentum, there is no guarantee that scaling that business will be a smooth process. Not only are there the logistical issues when it comes to things like opening new locations, training new staff and creating a consistent customer experience, but there are other, easily overlooked elements to consider as an operation expands.

On a personal level, scaling a business is also stressful. Operating a single-shop business is demanding enough, and it can easily take a huge toll on your personal life. Expanding your operation by even a single location can have an exponential impact on your family life, friendships. and your health. From your ability to sleep to the simple sanity of downtime, every part of your life will be affected. Continue reading →

Ep. 149 – New Year’s Resolutions for Your Business: Part 2

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SIBP-Blog-NEW-2In the last episode of the Success In Business Podcast, host Tom Ryan and co-host Jason Pyles discussed their 2016 business resolutions. In part two, they talk about two more resolutions for the New Year, one to start doing and one to stop. Learn why a profit-focused mindset matters for every entrepreneur, and why being unbalanced can result in needless stress as you build your business.

In addition to his work as a podcaster, Tom Ryan is a business coach and Kauffman Foundation Entrepreneur In Residence based in Asheville, NC. Co-host Jason Pyles is a producer for several successful podcasts, including Movie Podcast Weekly. Continue reading →

Startup Capital: 5 Steps For Determining How Much Money You Need To Raise

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SIBP-Blog-NEW-B-5In my last post, I explained how to determine your startup expenses. That’s an important step for determining your outside capital needs, but it’s not the whole story. To get an accurate idea of how much money your business will need to reach the place where it is generating a profit, you need to see the bigger picture.

By following these five steps, you will have a much better idea of your actual funding needs. This is the exact kind of information investors and lenders will need to see before they open up their checkbooks. Continue reading →

Ep. 148 – New Year’s Resolutions for Your Business: Part 1

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SIBP-Blog-NEW-2A new year bring with it the promise of a fresh start, both for you and your business. For many entrepreneurs out there, this means it’s time to start getting serious. Are you ready to stop “playing business”? Are you ready to get out of the mindset of working “in your business” and start working “on your business”? If so, today’s podcast is for you.

Host and business coach Tom Ryan talks about his business resolutions for this year, from “stop doing” to “start doing” goals. As always, Tom is joined by producers and co-host Jason Pyles. Continue reading →

Ep. 147 – The Four P’s of Scaling Your Business: Part 3 – Planning and Pace

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SIBP-Blog-NEW-4“Building the airplane in the air” might be a survivable strategy for a high-growth startup, but for an established company looking to scale, it’s rarely anything other than a disaster. If you want to scale your business sanely, you need to have a rock-solid plan in place. That means knowing where you’re going, and getting there at a realistic pace.

In this final episode of the Four Ps of Scaling Your Business, host and business coach Tom Ryan talks about the final two piece to the puzzle: Planning and Pace. As always, Tom is joined by producer and co-host Jason Pyles. Continue reading →

Startup Capital: One-Time Costs and Ongoing Expenses

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SIBP-Blog-NEW-B-3As you raise startup capital, one of the first questions you should ask yourself is “What do I need this money for?” It can be a tricky question to answer, as there are a lot of expenses associated with starting a business. To understand how much money you need, you need to start with your expenses.

While every startup is different, most early stage businesses share similar needs. These generally break down into two broad categories: One-time costs and ongoing expenses. In this post, I’ll explain the differences between these two kinds of expenses, and give you some general examples of each. Continue reading →

Ep. 146 – The Four P’s of Scaling Your Business: Part 2 – Process

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SIBP-Blog-NEW-3Expanding a business into multiple locations requires more than just the logistics of renting a space and hiring new staff. Successful scaling means building a new level of efficiency and developing clear company practices, all while creating a consistent customer experience. At the same time, it can also require a balancing act between empowering the on-site management while building up centralized processes.

In this episode, host and business coach Tom Ryan explores the fundamentals of process, the second “P” in his Four P’s of Scaling series. As always, Tom is joined by producer and co-host Jason Pyles. Continue reading →

Ep. 145 – The Four P’s of Scaling Your Business: Part 1:B – People (The Outback Model)

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Bloomin' Onion. Photo source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/mastermaq/

Bloomin’ Onion. Photo source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/mastermaq/

No matter what your business plan, you’re going to need the right people to make it happen. That’s even more true as you scale your business. Grow too quickly without bringing the right partners on, and the quality of your service or product will suffer. Try to do it all yourself, however, and you’ll be spread paper thin before you know it.

In this episode, host and business coach Tom Ryan talks about Outback Steakhouse’s highly aggressive — and highly successful — expansion strategy, and the lessons it can teach any company looking to scale. As always, Tom is joined by co-host and producer Jason Pyles. Continue reading →