Are you looking for some tried-and-true sales and marketing insights to help elevate your own skill set? Then you do not want to miss this episode of The Coaching Equation! Today on the show, we are joined by a special guest, Michael Hunter, the Founder of PersonalBrand.com and Spiffy Checkouts. In an episode bursting with goodness, we dig into Michael’s entrepreneurial journey, how to craft irresistible offers in sales and marketing, the inevitable trials and tribulations of being a business owner, and key areas to focus on. Michael also emphasizes the importance of seeking mentorship not just from videos and books, but from hands-on mentors as he unpacks the power of proximity. This episode is loaded with enough information to fill up an entire notebook, so let's dive in!

Key Points From This Episode:

• What got Michael interested in pursuing a journey in digital marketing.
• How having a commission-only sales job at 17 helped Michael later in his entrepreneurship.
• He explains how his marketing journey started to unfold.
• Michael recounts key “forge-ahead” moments along his path.
• He unpacks the idea of 45-degree angle moves.
• The moment his focus zoomed in on checkouts and how Spiffy came to fruition.
• Why mobile optimization of your platform is (still) important.
• Key points for successful conversion-based optimized checkout pages.
• Michael’s thoughts on what makes for an irresistible offer.
• The four forces of an irresistible offer.
• Successfully marketing something that isn’t the “instant pill.”
• What separates the people who build a successful and profitable personal brand from those who don’t.
• Michael shares advice on how to identify the things we should handle ourselves versus the ones we should delegate or outsource to others.
• The importance of being proficient in the top five skill sets it takes to run your business.
• Why copyright is the number one skill you should be proficient at (in this industry).
• He highlights the value of having hands-on, tailored advice from face-to-face mentors.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Michael Hunter on LinkedIn

Spiffy Checkouts

Personal Brand

Tony Robbins

Brendan Bouchard

Spiffy Checklist

Sign Up for Spiffy

Ryan Lang on LinkedIn

Brook Bishop on LinkedIn

Empire Partners

Empire Academy

The Coaching Equation Podcast on iTunes

Business is not for the faint-hearted. If you’re going to not only create a business but actually maintain it for the long haul, then you have to make sure that you’re asking yourself the right questions; that you have the necessary tools; and that you’re fully kitted in mental and emotional armor to withstand any challenge that comes your way. Today’s mission of cultivating sustainable business success begins with a fundamental question: Are you in it for the long haul or only while it’s easy? Next, we discuss the current state of the world, what it’s like to be a leader in wartime versus during peace, the importance of starting with ‘why’, and how to build lasting resilience as a business leader. We also explain why business is never easy and only for gladiators, how to stay ahead of the competition, the best motivations for sustained success, and how to build a formidable mindset. We end with some important questions that you need to ask yourself before going any further in your business venture, the value of building momentum, and more advice for overcoming any business obstacle that stands in your way.

Key Points From This Episode:

• A question that matters: Are you in it for the long haul or just as long as it’s easy?
• The state of the world, and being a wartime business owner versus a peace-time leader.
• Understanding the importance of ascertaining your ‘why’ amidst modern business challenges.
• How to build resilience and soldier through business difficulties as a leader.
• Why business is never, has never, and will never be easy; it’s only for gladiators.
• How the competition is always too strong for you to rest on your laurels.
• Why money is not the greatest motivator for long-term success.
• Building the right mindset and securing your mental and emotional armor.
• Why asking yourself the right questions is vital for success and longevity, and how to do it.
• More advice for navigating common business trials, and the value of building momentum.
• Pressing questions to be asking yourself before diving deeper into business.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Tony Robbins

“Lost in Space” Danger, Will Robinson

Gladiator

'Simon Sinek Bagel Story'

Ryan Lang on LinkedIn

Brook Bishop on LinkedIn

Empire Partners

Empire Academy

The Coaching Equation Podcast on iTunes

Are you making common mistakes that could hold back your sales team's success? In this episode of The Coaching Equation, we dive deep into the top five sales leadership mistakes that leaders unknowingly make and, more importantly, how to fix them. We discuss the problem of setting clear expectations for sales teams and how to communicate, clarify, and verify sales outcomes effectively. Discover what a healthy sales environment looks like and the common missteps sales leaders make when attempting to create one. Explore the difference between coaching and management, how a typical sales team is structured, and how to find the sweet spot between autonomy and micro-management. Gain insights into the value of regular check-ins with team members, the leadership style that is successful in sales, the characteristics of a true leader, and much more! Join us as we uncover the keys to becoming a more effective sales leader and learn how to turn these common mistakes into stepping stones for success.

Key Points From This Episode:

• The importance of setting clear expectations and communicating effectively.
• What role certainty plays in sales and why it’s vital for the success of sales teams.
• How setting reasonable and achievable goals keeps your sales team motivated.
• Key differences between setting sales targets and sales standards.
• Common pitfalls leaders should avoid when creating a work environment.
• Tips for dealing with team members who are not hitting their sales targets.
• When to be a coach and when to be a manager as a sales leader.
• Strategies for balancing team autonomy with management outcomes.
• The type of environment a servant leader fosters compared to a traditional leader.
• Final takeaways and how to start becoming a better leader today!

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Outwitting the Devil

Ryan Lang on LinkedIn

Brook Bishop on LinkedIn

Empire Partners

Empire Academy

The Coaching Equation Podcast on iTunes