Wisdom Comes With Wrinkles

Episode #34: Being true to yourself is the inner revolution that changes everything.

Alicia died while giving birth to her only son, and was brought back to life. At the time, she thought the ordeal was over with. Little did she know, everything in her life was about to change - for the better. Even though Alicia has endured a multitude of chronic illnesses since, she's learned and gained so much. Alicia and I talked about how she had to learn how to slow down and take care of herself. She knew if she didn't, someone else would have to do it for her. She didn't want to place that burden on anyone else.   Alicia learned to ask a vital question of her body whenever she faced a decision, "What do you want me to know?” The body is incapable of lying. This helped Alicia go from living life on autopilot, to living from her true authentic self. She encourages her clients to also slow down and listen within. This is one of the best gifts you can give to yourself when faced with tough choices or important decisions about anything and everything. Alicia Morrow is a Master Coach. Gifted Intuitive. Speaker. Writer. Mother. Artist. Alchemist. Queen. Creatrix. She knows first-hand what it takes to navigate and transcend difficult circumstances. She’s faced incredible challenges head on and knows what it takes to rebuild, celebrate and trust life in the aftermath of it all. Alicia Morrow’s Web-Site: https://aliciamorrow.com [https://aliciamorrow.com/] Deborah Brown-Volkman’s web-site: https://www.SurpassYourDreams.com [https://www.surpassyourdreams.com/]

Episode #33: Your customers work inside your company as well.

Sybil Stershic is a believer in internal marketing to engage employees and customers as explained in her quote: “The way your employees feel is the way your customers will feel. And if your employees don’t feel valued, neither will your customers.” Employees need to be considered "internal" customers who deserve as much attention as actual "external" customers. She has a point. During our conversation, Sybil spoke to me about the earlier years of her career when she watched her employer wait until the last moment to let co-workers know about new initiatives. It never made sense to her why the people who needed to know the most were told the least and often last. She considered it a lack of respect for employees. This led Sybil to start Quality Service Marketing, an internal marketing company she has owned for 35 years. As her business evolved, a connection framework to address this problem emerged. * Connect employees to the organization - to know where they fit in and what's expected of them. * Connect employees to the customer - the more they know about their customers, the better they can take care of them. * Connect employees to other employees - to better understand how their work is interrelated and how together they impact the bottom line. Simple to grasp. Easy to overlook. Sybil Stershic’s Web-Site: http://www.qualityservicemarketing.com [http://www.qualityservicemarketing.com/] Sybil Stershic’s LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sybilstershic [https://www.linkedin.com/in/sybilstershic] Deborah Brown-Volkman’s web-site: https://www.SurpassYourDreams.com [https://www.surpassyourdreams.com/]

Episode #32: It is NOT OK to check in and touch base.

“I can’t do this job.” Adrian was a mom with 2 young children who needed flexibility at a time when there was no work from home. So, she started a business. She knew she was good at sales. 34 years later, the rest is history. Adrian is a believer in building relationships. In the beginning of her career, she had people call her to “check-in.” She didn’t know what they meant. Thus, she didn’t know what to say. Those conversations were awkward. She said to herself: there has to be a better way to interact with people. Thus, a formula was born: The 3 I’s. The first I: Introductions. Take the time to introduce people with similar synergies to each other. You don’t know where it will end up, but the introduction will be appreciated. The second I: Invitations. We all get invited to something. Spread the word and invite someone else who you think would also be interested. The third I: Information. Did a web-site link or newsletter grab your attention? Send it to someone who you think could benefit. My interview with Adrian was interesting. Her approach is high touch with low pressure. When you listen, you will learn ways to build relationships that you don’t usually hear of. Or, think of. Adrian Miller is the President of Adrian Miller Sales Training, a sales training and consulting agency with a very simple goal, to help you accomplish, exceed, and then blow-away your sales objectives. They provide customized sales training solutions, one-to-one coaching and group sessions to impart tips, techniques and tactics that generate sales results, sales consulting that will help to create sales processes and materials that will drive your sales endeavors, and sales management for ongoing sales direction and leadership. Adrian Miller’s web-site: https://www.adrianmiller.com [https://www.adrianmiller.com/] Adrian Miller’s LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amillersalestraining [https://www.linkedin.com/in/amillersalestraining] Deborah Brown-Volkman’s web-site: https://www.SurpassYourDreams.com [https://www.surpassyourdreams.com/]

Episode #31: Move on.

Andrea Pass is a PI for PR. (Private Investigator for Public Relations). She built her career around communications and is extremely passionate about her work and the work she does for her clients. But, it was not always like this.   After working for a bully boss, Andrea found the courage to switch companies. But deep inside, she felt that she was meant to be her own boss. She listened to her gut and took a leap of faith to start her own company. Andrea took that leap at age 56. A testament that you are not too old to make a career pivot. Andrea talked to me about how it’s OK to move on. But, you want to be smart about it. Do your research; then go into planning mode. Talk to people. Magic and valuable information is shared in conversations. And, learn something every day. These are the keys to a successful transition. Andrea Pass Public Relations creates and implements public relations campaigns in a wide range of categories including consumer products, lifestyle, business-to-business, education, health/wellness/fitness, beauty, food, authors, and non-profits. Andrea Pass’ web-site: https://www.andreapasspr.com [https://www.andreapasspr.com/] Andrea Pass’ LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrea-pass [https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrea-pass] Deborah Brown-Volkman’s web-site: https://www.SurpassYourDreams.com [https://www.surpassyourdreams.com/]

Episode #30: Be independent.

At age 40, Lynnaire had an epiphany, “I am going to be unemployable in the years ahead. I need to do something about it now.” After years of toxic work environments, she’d had enough. “I’ve got to get out of here. I will do something on my own.” Fast forward 20 years later, Lynnaire has accomplished her goal. She has become: * The #1 LinkedIn expert in her home country, New Zealand * A top 20 LinkedIn expert worldwide * The author of several books, including “Link∙Ability, 4 powerful strategies to maximise your LinkedIn success” AND “LinkedIn, Business Gold – Building Awareness, Authority and Advantage with LinkedIn Company Pages, co-authored with Michelle J Raymond” She has also: * Attracted international attention (and clients) * Guested on numerous podcasts (including this one) Lynnaire believes we all have a personal brand. Showcase yours and stay employable no matter what career or business you choose to be in. Lynnaire Johnston’s LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lynnairejohnston [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lynnairejohnston] Lynnaire Johnston’s Link∙Ability membership site: https://www.wordwizard.co.nz/membership [https://www.wordwizard.co.nz/membership] Lynnaire Johnston’s “77 Tips for Getting a Head Start with LinkedIn” https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7005302943901962240 [https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7005302943901962240] Deborah Brown-Volkman’s web-site: https://www.SurpassYourDreams.com [https://www.surpassyourdreams.com/]