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It’s a New Year! Here at the Success In Business Podcast, it’s time to take a look back at the highlights of 2015, and to cast our gaze towards the year to come. What does 2016 have in store for the SIBP?
In this free-wheeling discussion, host and business coach Tom Ryan talks with producer and co-host Jason Pyles about lessons learned (both personally and professionally), the value of being present, and some big ideas for the future. Continue reading
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When you’re billing by the hour, every moment you spend talking with a potential client matters. That’s one reason why those hour-long initial consultations can be so frustrating, particularly when they don’t result in a sale. Is there an alternative? Have you been doing it wrong this whole time?
In this episode, host and business coach Tom Ryan continues his seven-point plan to make the most out of an initial consultation. As always, Tom is joined by co-host and producer Jason Pyles. Continue reading
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Meeting with prospective clients can be a time-intensive process. It can also be a frustrating one, particularly when those meetings don’t result in a sale. There are few things more disheartening than spending an hour talking over coffee with a potential client, only to have them give their business to someone else.
In this episode, host and business coach Tom Ryan discusses a seven-point plan to make that initial consultation both more efficient and more likely to result in a sale. As always, Tom is joined by co-host and producer Jason Pyles. Continue reading
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Firing an employee is one of the most uncomfortable things you can do as an entrepreneur. From letting underperforming sales reps go to strategic downsizing, it’s always a thorny process filled with conflicting emotions. The smaller the company, the more intense those personal relationships tend to be, making things even more complex. There are times where firing people is inevitable, and where the best you can hope for is to make it as painless of a process as possible.
In this episode, host and business coach Tom Ryan discusses the best practices for letting employees go. As always, Tom is joined by co-host and producer Jason Pyles. Continue reading
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Shades, ‘stache, and wolf-print t-shirt
In addition to his work as a raconteur and podcast host, Tom Ryan is a business coach with the Kauffman Foundation Entrepreneur in Residence program in Asheville, NC. As always, Tom is joined by co-host and producer Jason Pyles. Continue reading
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Merry Christmas and happy holidays from the Success in Business Podcast. Your host, Tom Ryan, and the producer, Jason Pyles, hope you’re happy and healthy and enjoying this special time with your family and friends.
This brief recording is to let you know that we will be taking a short break and will not release an episode on December 24 and 25 — Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
But we shall return on Monday, December 28, with more how-to advice and expert counsel for aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners for the Success in Business Podcast. Join us!
So, we’ll look forward to catching up with you again on Monday!
Merry Christmas! Continue reading
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Investors love asking tough questions after a business pitch. They may start off with softball questions, but sooner or later they will start throwing you some real curveballs. How you react to those tricky, probing and often unexpected questions says a lot about your ability to manage the daily challenges of being an entrepreneur.
In this episode, host and business coach Tom Ryan wraps up this three-part series with the “junk balls” of the post-pitch Q&A session. As always, Tom is joined by co-host and producer Jason Pyles. Continue reading
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As you’re wrapping up your pitch presentation, it’s inevitable that your would-be investors will have questions. In part one, host and business coach Tom Ryan covered the obvious, predictable questions you can easily knock out of the park. Now it’s time to talk about the less-easy questions.
In this episode, he takes a look at the tougher, less-obvious topics that can all too easily trip you up if you aren’t prepared. Tom is joined, as always, by producer and co-host Jason Pyles. Continue reading
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Starting a business is always tricky. Launching a company in a completely new market niche is even trickier. But starting a business with family? That can be one of the riskiest moves of all. Unless you’re the Baumgarten brothers. Even before they launched PRO-Hydro Beverages, Mark and Alan have been looking for a way to work together.
In this final interview installment, host and business coach Tom Ryan talks to the Baumgarten brothers about anticipating the competition, managing their brand, and maintaining a healthy work/life balance. As always, Tom is joined by co-host and producer Jason Pyles. Continue reading
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Breaking into the health market is one thing, but could a company like PRO-Hydro Beverages actually find customers in Coca-Cola’s demographic? With generational shifts away from carbonated, sugary beverages and vitamin-enhanced flavored water drinks on the rise, it’s not outside the realm of possibility. What is the H2Pro go-to-market strategy, and how will their soon-to-launch “2.0” distribution model expand their market reach”
In this episode, host and business coach Tom Ryan talks to the Baumgarten brothers about the perils and appeal of today’s fizzy drinks, their take on the lean startup approach, and the lessons learned from Dollar Shave Club’s market disruption. As always, Tom is joined by co-host and producer Jason Pyles. Continue reading