Business Growth University

How To Design The Org. Structure Of Your Company (EP33)

What kind of team structure helps your business grow without creating confusion or slowing people down? In this episode of Business Growth University, host Alan breaks down how to build an org structure that fits your company at its current stage. He explains the three key layers of a strong organization: decision-makers, directors, and freelancers, and shows how each role supports clarity, ownership, and momentum. Using simple examples like a castle, a moat, and a champagne tower, he makes a big topic easy to understand. This episode is a helpful guide for business owners who want to protect their brand, empower their team, and grow with more confidence as their company gets bigger. Resources and references mentioned in the episode: * 2026 NLU Business Model: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xUC8UTT5aJeQgcF-K0c9QRlqll4o3yef/view?usp=sharing [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xUC8UTT5aJeQgcF-K0c9QRlqll4o3yef/view?usp=sharing] * The 3 Layers: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1iN3dGMMcS8lOJ3X6eHYufEWPcDdhsTv3/view?usp=sharing [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1iN3dGMMcS8lOJ3X6eHYufEWPcDdhsTv3/view?usp=sharing] * Moat Around the Castle: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ikR1iqQWgqH8noTPdAYy36b7M8CLqE3u/view?usp=sharing [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ikR1iqQWgqH8noTPdAYy36b7M8CLqE3u/view?usp=sharing] * The Champagne Tower: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1SlcD3ZxGrJqQHXfv76nVHhn4S13HUtmE/view?usp=sharing [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1SlcD3ZxGrJqQHXfv76nVHhn4S13HUtmE/view?usp=sharing] * Steve Jobs' Org. Chart: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1LP6ynMYQ9ia1476xCjUaVxxEXW3dQD5Q/view?usp=sharing [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1LP6ynMYQ9ia1476xCjUaVxxEXW3dQD5Q/view?usp=sharing] How to connect with Alan? 📧 alan@nextleveluniverse.com Follow Alan on Instagram: instagram.com/alazaros88 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alan.lazaros LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alanlazarosllc/ Join the Next Leven University Monthly masterclass: https://www.nextleveluniverse.com/monthly-meetups/ [https://www.nextleveluniverse.com/monthly-meetups/] Join Book Club: https://www.nextleveluniverse.com/next-level-book-club/ [https://www.nextleveluniverse.com/next-level-book-club/] Episode highlights: (1:58) The three layers of an organization (5:27) Gatekeepers, promoters, and decision-makers explained (8:03) The champagne tower model of leadership (11:09) Why does more growth require more structure (15:13) Responsibility, accountability, and clear roles (18:38) When to build an org chart and when to keep it simple

The Math Behind How To Scale Your Company (EP32)

What if the biggest key to scaling your business is not a huge leap, but a tiny improvement repeated every single day? In this focused episode of Business Growth University, Alan breaks down his 191X concept and explains how 0.1% daily growth can turn into 9% quarterly growth and 41% year-over-year growth. Using simple math, he shows why steady action beats quick wins and why the long game matters more than most people think. He also compares the unrelenting tortoise to the arrogant hare to show how consistency, humility, and daily effort create massive results over time. This episode is a strong reminder that success in business, health, wealth, and love comes from tracking habits, moving the needle each day, and trusting the compound effect even when progress feels slow. The Unrelenting Tortoise Versus The Arrogant and Entitled Hare: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pCBj5JXC2ITl3wB-iU_PKCyaoZRTsex1/view?usp=sharing [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pCBj5JXC2ITl3wB-iU_PKCyaoZRTsex1/view?usp=sharing] How to connect with Alan? 📧 alan@nextleveluniverse.com Follow Alan on Instagram: instagram.com/alazaros88 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alan.lazaros LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alanlazarosllc/ Join the Next Leven University Monthly masterclass: https://www.nextleveluniverse.com/monthly-meetups/ [https://www.nextleveluniverse.com/monthly-meetups/] Join Book Club: https://www.nextleveluniverse.com/next-level-book-club/ [https://www.nextleveluniverse.com/next-level-book-club/] Episode highlights: (0:56) The 191X concept explained (1:19) How 0.1% daily growth adds up to major business gains (3:03) Why Alan teaches a long-term, legacy-focused approach (4:05) The tortoise vs. hare lesson in business growth (5:19) Live calculator examples showing compound growth in action (7:19) Why results can feel small in the early years (9:32) How consistency creates a 191X outcome over time (10:39) Why daily momentum matters more than intensity (11:46) How the concept applies to health, wealth, and love (12:27) Why tracking habits and metrics every day matters

How to Define Your Exact Target Demographic (EP31)

What if the reason you’re stuck in business isn’t your strategy, but the people you’re trying to serve? In this quick, high-impact episode of Business Growth University, the host shares a hard truth learned from 11 years and over 6,800 coaching sessions: your product is not for everyone. He breaks down how he discovered his “absolutely people” through trial and error, and why humility, work ethic, and a strong desire for personal growth are non-negotiables. He also reveals his “absolutely not people” list and explains how protecting your time and energy is key to real success.  Finally, he walks through a simple Venn diagram to help you define your true target demographic based on desire, money, sacrifice, and necessity. If you want better clients and better results, this episode is a must-listen. How to connect with Alan? 📧 alan@nextleveluniverse.com Follow Alan on Instagram: instagram.com/alazaros88 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alan.lazaros LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alanlazarosllc/ Join the Next Leven University Monthly masterclass: https://www.nextleveluniverse.com/monthly-meetups/ [https://www.nextleveluniverse.com/monthly-meetups/] Join Book Club: https://www.nextleveluniverse.com/next-level-book-club/ [https://www.nextleveluniverse.com/next-level-book-club/] Episode highlights: (0:00) Why you must get clear on your ideal client  (1:18) The early days of the business and the lack of clarity  (2:32) Expecting one audience but attracting another  (3:19) Clarity comes from trial and error  (4:30) Defining your “absolutely people” (10-10-10 traits)  (6:54) Why humility is non-negotiable  (8:23) The “absolutely not people” acronym introduced  (10:10) Breaking down unstable and naive  (10:48) Manipulative and entitled explained  (11:41) Delusional vs. coachable  (12:52) Significance-driven, arrogant, and immature traits  (14:50) The Venn diagram framework  (17:01) Desire vs. necessity  (19:30) Why protecting your standards protects your success

How to Master Business Finances (EP30)

What if the fastest way to grow your business isn’t a fancy strategy, but keeping three money rules so simple you can repeat them in your sleep? In this episode, Alan breaks business finance down into a clear “money triangle”: earn more, spend less, and invest the difference. He explains how earning more starts with lead generation, stronger marketing, and treating sales like helping and inviting. Then he gets real about why tracking revenue and expenses (especially payroll) is non-negotiable if you want to stay profitable. Finally, he shows how smart investing, not “spending”, creates a snowball effect that can take you from $100K to $1M over time. Simple. Practical. Powerful. How to connect with Alan? 📧 alan@nextleveluniverse.com Follow Alan on Instagram: instagram.com/alazaros88 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alan.lazaros LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alanlazarosllc/ Join the Next Leven University Monthly masterclass: https://www.nextleveluniverse.com/monthly-meetups/ [https://www.nextleveluniverse.com/monthly-meetups/] Join Book Club: https://www.nextleveluniverse.com/next-level-book-club/ [https://www.nextleveluniverse.com/next-level-book-club/] Episode highlights: (0:00) The promise and power of referrals  (1:12) Why mastering business finances matters  (3:07) Business as a vehicle, money as fuel  (4:10) The three-part finance formula  (5:22) Earn more through lead generation and service  (10:19) Delivering on your promise and tracking revenue  (11:11) Spend less by optimizing and tracking costs  (13:37) Invest for ROI, not just “spend”  (16:42) The snowball effect from $100K to $1M  (20:25) Free breakthrough session and momentum reminder

How Sales Actually Works (EP29)

What if selling wasn’t about selling at all?  In this powerful episode of Business Growth University, Alan flips the script on everything you think you know about sales. Instead of focusing on products, he challenges business owners, coaches, and service providers to focus on transformation. Whether you're offering fitness coaching, web design, or even starting a podcast, Alan shares a simple truth: people don’t buy things, they buy results. He breaks down a clear and relatable framework for connecting your services to your audience’s goals, replacing the word "sales" with words like help, lead, and invite. From coaching tips to brand trust and personal stories, this episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to grow their business without sounding “salesy.” Download How Sales Actually Works here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xcA-chrrzSK3DniV6XGNtMP_VTrLEZ2k/view?usp=sharing [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xcA-chrrzSK3DniV6XGNtMP_VTrLEZ2k/view?usp=sharing] How to connect with Alan? 📧 alan@nextleveluniverse.com Follow Alan on Instagram: instagram.com/alazaros88 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alan.lazaros LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alanlazarosllc/ Join the Next Leven University Monthly masterclass: https://www.nextleveluniverse.com/monthly-meetups/ [https://www.nextleveluniverse.com/monthly-meetups/] Join Book Club: https://www.nextleveluniverse.com/next-level-book-club/ [https://www.nextleveluniverse.com/next-level-book-club/] Episode highlights: (0:00) Why sales is really about transformation (1:10) Reframing sales as helping and leading (2:17) Everyone is selling something...even leaders (3:19) Apple AirPods as a real-life example (4:05) Difference between clients and customers (6:13) Branding + marketing = easier sales (7:48) Real client numbers + business structure at NLU (10:08) What makes Alan’s coaching work (11:46) Four rules of his coaching program (13:10) The real reason people aren’t successful (17:01) One decision can change your life (18:52) Selling something you love (like Good Will Hunting) (19:44) Two reasons people buy: opportunity or pain (20:25) Trust: the heart of any sale (21:01) Final encouragement to keep the momentum