The Perfect Plan: Elite Leadership & Decision-Making Strategies for Business Growth | Dr. Don Barden & Ann Carden

The Perfect Plan: Elite Leadership & Decision-Making Strategies for Business Growth | Dr. Don Barden & Ann Carden

In this powerful episode of Expert In You, host Ann Carden sits down with renowned economist, leadership expert, and author of The Perfect Plan, Dr. Don Barden, to uncover the mindset and decision-making strategies behind elite business performance. Drawing from decades of research into high achievers, leadership psychology, and institutional finance, Dr. Don Barden reveals the science behind what separates top-performing leaders from everyone else - and how entrepreneurs can apply those same principles to accelerate growth and influence. In This Episode, You’ll Discover: * The leadership principles elite performers use to scale faster * How understanding the “why” behind behavior drives stronger decisions and better results * The neuroscience of influence, communication, and high-performance leadership * Dr. Don Barden’s 3-step “Perfect Plan” framework for business growth * Why gratitude, emotional intelligence, and clarity create lasting success Whether you’re a founder, consultant, executive, or coach, this episode delivers practical insights on leadership, sales, and strategic thinking that can help you elevate your business and impact. 🎧 Tune in now to learn how elite leaders think, communicate, and execute - and how you can apply the Perfect Plan to your own success. Key Moments:  05:14 Working on international deals 07:27 Backing insights with science 09:55 Staying present to extend success 12:52 Corporate structure and communication 16:47 Return on Time Investment 20:10 Effective presentation techniques 22:23 Co-creating with buyers 25:58 Building Genuine Connections Through Gratitude 28:57 Making work easy for others 32:04 Evolving meaning of "perfect"   About The Guest :  Dr. Don Barden is a classically trained economist and globally recognized expert in leadership and decision-making. He spent 25 years as a corporate executive in institutional finance and global economics, building teams that averaged over $1 billion in annual revenue. During his doctoral studies at Columbia International University, he identified a common thread among elite leaders that became the foundation for his book The Perfect Plan, now published in 39 countries worldwide.   Don was named one of the Top 30 Most Transformational Leaders in North America by John Maxwell, the 2018 Entrepreneur of the Year by the Atlanta Business Chronicle, and received full honors from the Department of Defense and the 75th US Army Ranger Regiment. He lectures at Oxford University, The Wharton School of Business, and Wake Forest University, and is a frequent instructor at the US Army Ranger Leadership and Professional Development Program.   His newest work, Here Come the Girls, is a #1 Amazon release in economics exploring the global leadership shift that will occur between 2028 and 2032 as women take over global leadership roles. Don is the founder of Perfect Plan Consulting and The Perfect Plan community, where he brings his frameworks directly to entrepreneurs and leaders ready to grow.   How to connect Dr. Don Barden :  Website : https://www.linkedin.com/in/donwbarden/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/donwbarden/] LinkedIn: https://donbarden.com/ [https://donbarden.com/]   About the host:  Ann Carden is a highly sought-after Business Growth Consultant, Marketing Strategist, and #1 Bestselling Author, with over 41 years of experience helping small businesses, entrepreneurs, and coaches scale their success. As a Professional Speaker and three-time published author, Ann has coached and consulted hundreds of professionals across more than 80 industries.   Why Choose Ann Carden?  With a diverse background that spans over four decades, Ann has developed a deep understanding of what it takes to succeed in business growth, marketing strategies, and entrepreneurship. She spent 13 years in corporate management before launching her own businesses, where she thrived for 35 years. Ann’s entrepreneurial journey began out of financial necessity, and she successfully grew her first business to an international level - even before the Internet era.   Work with Ann Carden  If you're ready to take your business to the next level, Ann offers customized solutions to help you grow. Whether you’re a coach, consultant, or small business owner, Ann’s proven strategies can drive significant growth in revenue and market reach.  Get Free Resources: ➡️ Access Ann's Free Training: www.expertinyou.biz  ➡️ Read the latest edition of Expert in You Magazine: https://expertinyoumagazine.com/magazine [https://expertinyoumagazine.com/magazine]   Ready to grow your business? 📞 Book a strategy call today: https://acarden.com [https://acarden.com] 🔗    🌐Website: https://annlcarden.com  📞Contact Us: www.acarden.com  💟Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ann.carden.509 [https://www.facebook.com/ann.carden.509]  💟Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anncardenconsulting/ [https://www.instagram.com/anncardenconsulting/]  💟LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anncarden-business-consultant-coach [https://www.linkedin.com/in/anncarden-business-consultant-coach]

How Niching Down Helped Marilyn Jenkins Build a High-Growth Marketing Agency for Law Firms | Ann Carden

In this insightful episode of Expert In You, host Ann Carden sits down with Marilyn Jenkins, founder and CEO of Law Marketing Zone, to explore how specialization, systems, and smart marketing strategies can transform a service business into a scalable growth machine. After building and selling multiple businesses, Marilyn found her sweet spot helping law firms dominate their local markets through targeted marketing, strategic positioning, and strong lead generation systems. Together, Ann and Marilyn unpack why niching down creates faster growth, how AI is reshaping digital marketing, and why the most successful agencies combine technology with human expertise and relationship-driven strategy. ⚖️ In This Episode, You’ll Learn: * Why specialization gives agencies a major competitive advantage * How law firms can leverage local SEO and lead generation for consistent growth * The role of AI in modern marketing - and where human strategy still wins * How to build scalable systems and expert-led teams * Why marketing success depends on both lead generation and strong sales processes Whether you’re an agency owner, consultant, or service-based entrepreneur, this episode offers practical insights on scaling smarter, positioning stronger, and building a business designed for long-term success. 🎧 Tune in now to learn how to stand out in a crowded market and create sustainable growth through specialization and strategy. Key Moments:  04:05 Digital marketing strategies overview 08:20 Importance of Specializing in Business 11:35 Ideal client criteria for law firms 14:53 Improving client intake process 17:29 Qualifying guests for the podcast 20:11 Specializing in a niche field 25:07 Working with AI and prompts 27:13 Critiquing business strategy 31:56 Embracing remote work benefits 33:35 Hiring full-time employees 36:48 Hiring experts for changing fields 41:31 Knowledge sharing and exit strategies 46:19 Working with various business types About the guest : Marilyn Jenkins is a digital growth strategist and founder of Law Marketing Zone®, specializing in helping law firms scale their business. Since the early 90s, she has developed strategic digital marketing plans spanning paid ads, SEO, Google Business Profile optimization, and a 24/7 bilingual call center. Her expertise has generated remarkable results, including some clients exceeding seven-figure revenues and achieving a return on investment over 14x. An expert in her field, Marilyn hosts the top 2.5% podcast, *Leadership In Law*, where she interviews prominent legal professionals on topics vital to growth and team building. Her cable TV show, The Marketing Zone, is on NowMedia.TV networks.    How to connect Marilyn: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marilynjenkins/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/marilynjenkins/] Website: https://lawmarketingzone.com/ [https://lawmarketingzone.com/] Get Marilyn’s book at https://amzn.to/4h6j4ra [https://amzn.to/4h6j4ra]   About the host:  Ann Carden is a highly sought-after Business Growth Consultant, Marketing Strategist, and #1 Bestselling Author, with over 41 years of experience helping small businesses, entrepreneurs, and coaches scale their success. As a Professional Speaker and three-time published author, Ann has coached and consulted hundreds of professionals across more than 80 industries.   Why Choose Ann Carden?  With a diverse background that spans over four decades, Ann has developed a deep understanding of what it takes to succeed in business growth, marketing strategies, and entrepreneurship. She spent 13 years in corporate management before launching her own businesses, where she thrived for 35 years. Ann’s entrepreneurial journey began out of financial necessity, and she successfully grew her first business to an international level - even before the Internet era.   Work with Ann Carden  If you're ready to take your business to the next level, Ann offers customized solutions to help you grow. Whether you’re a coach, consultant, or small business owner, Ann’s proven strategies can drive significant growth in revenue and market reach.  Get Free Resources: ➡️ Access Ann's Free Training: www.expertinyou.biz  ➡️ Read the latest edition of Expert in You Magazine: https://expertinyoumagazine.com/magazine [https://expertinyoumagazine.com/magazine]   Ready to grow your business? 📞 Book a strategy call today: https://acarden.com [https://acarden.com] 🔗    🌐Website: https://annlcarden.com  📞Contact Us: www.acarden.com  💟Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ann.carden.509 [https://www.facebook.com/ann.carden.509]  💟Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anncardenconsulting/ [https://www.instagram.com/anncardenconsulting/]  💟LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anncarden-business-consultant-coach [https://www.linkedin.com/in/anncarden-business-consultant-coach]

From Special Forces to Fortune 500: Chris Majer’s Blueprint for Transformational Leadership & 10X Growth | Ann Carden

In this powerful episode of Expert In You, host Ann Carden sits down with Chris Majer, founder and CEO of the Human Potential Project (HP2), whose leadership work has impacted everyone from Army Special Forces and Olympic athletes to Fortune 500 giants like Microsoft, Boeing, and AT&T. Chris shares his extraordinary journey and reveals what it really takes to create lasting transformation inside organizations not just temporary motivation or surface-level training. From driving massive business turnarounds to helping leaders develop “embodied competence,” this conversation dives deep into the future of leadership, learning, and high performance. 🚀 In This Episode, You’ll Learn: * Chris Majer’s proven framework for transformational leadership * Why practice and embodiment matter more than theory alone * How the Human Potential Project creates measurable organizational growth * The leadership shifts required for modern teams and businesses * Lessons from coaching elite performers from Special Forces to Fortune 500 executives Whether you’re a founder, executive, consultant, or team leader, this episode offers practical wisdom on building stronger leaders, scaling performance, and creating change that actually sticks. 🎧 Tune in now to discover how to unlock human potential and drive extraordinary results in business and leadership.   Key Moments:  07:04 Length of cultural shift programs 11:53 Building trust in coaching relationship 14:03 Working with people in Seattle 15:59 Learning to delegate leadership 19:47 Manufacturing airplane doors efficiently 25:12 Young manager challenges the status quo 27:21 Investment in Human Potential Project 30:41 Building trust and team commitment 33:01 Introducing new leadership practices 38:01 Feedback from workshop attendees 41:14 Early days in advisory services 43:36 Struggling with financial decisions 47:32 Challenges with HR and budget constraints 51:12 Identifying your real buyers About the guest :  Chris Majer is the Founder and CEO of The Human Potential Project (HP2) and a globally recognized leadership and transformation expert. Over the past three decades, he has worked with everyone from Army Special Forces and Olympic athletes to Fortune 500 companies including Microsoft, AT&T, Intel, and Boeing - helping organizations unlock high performance and generate measurable business results. An Amazon best-selling author and sought-after keynote speaker, Chris is known for his groundbreaking work in leadership, organizational culture, and Commitment Based Management, with clients documenting more than $4 billion in value created through his transformational strategies. How to connect Chris:  Website: http://www.humanpotentialproject.com [http://www.humanpotentialproject.com/]  LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrismajer/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrismajer/]  Facebook Profile: https://www.facebook.com/chris.majer.75 [https://www.facebook.com/chris.majer.75]  About the host:  Ann Carden is a highly sought-after Business Growth Consultant, Marketing Strategist, and #1 Bestselling Author, with over 41 years of experience helping small businesses, entrepreneurs, and coaches scale their success. As a Professional Speaker and three-time published author, Ann has coached and consulted hundreds of professionals across more than 80 industries.   Why Choose Ann Carden?  With a diverse background that spans over four decades, Ann has developed a deep understanding of what it takes to succeed in business growth, marketing strategies, and entrepreneurship. She spent 13 years in corporate management before launching her own businesses, where she thrived for 35 years. Ann’s entrepreneurial journey began out of financial necessity, and she successfully grew her first business to an international level - even before the Internet era.   Work with Ann Carden  If you're ready to take your business to the next level, Ann offers customized solutions to help you grow. Whether you’re a coach, consultant, or small business owner, Ann’s proven strategies can drive significant growth in revenue and market reach.  Get Free Resources: ➡️ Access Ann's Free Training: www.expertinyou.biz  ➡️ Read the latest edition of Expert in You Magazine: https://expertinyoumagazine.com/magazine [https://expertinyoumagazine.com/magazine]   Ready to grow your business? 📞 Book a strategy call today: https://acarden.com [https://acarden.com] 🔗    🌐Website: https://annlcarden.com  📞Contact Us: www.acarden.com  💟Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ann.carden.509 [https://www.facebook.com/ann.carden.509]  💟Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anncardenconsulting/ [https://www.instagram.com/anncardenconsulting/]  💟LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anncarden-business-consultant-coach [https://www.linkedin.com/in/anncarden-business-consultant-coach]

Why Smart Consultants Go Upmarket in the AI Era (Not Cheaper) | Premium Positioning with Ann Carden

In this high-impact episode of Expert In You, Ann Carden tackles one of the biggest mistakes consultants and service-based entrepreneurs are making today: moving downmarket in response to AI, competition, and economic pressure. While many are lowering prices and chasing volume, Ann explains why this strategy leads straight into the competition trap—and how going upmarket is the real path to profitability, differentiation, and long-term growth. If you want to future-proof your business in an AI-driven world, this episode will challenge your thinking and show you a smarter way forward. 🚀 In This Episode, You’ll Discover: * Why lowering your prices can damage your brand and profitability * How AI is widening the gap between commodity services and premium expertise * The key to attracting high-end clients who value results—not discounts * How to reposition your services to stand out in a crowded market * Why “working higher” beats working harder every time If you’re an experienced consultant, coach, or B2B service provider ready to escape the race to the bottom and move into premium positioning, this episode gives you the clarity and strategy to do it. 🎧 Tune in now to learn how to elevate your expertise, attract better clients, and win in the new economy. Key Moments:  06:07 Moving your business upmarket 08:20 Staying valuable in tough times 11:46 Elevating your business strategy 14:08 Considering investing in a business 17:12 Podcast disclaimer and subscribe reminder About the host:  Ann Carden is a highly sought-after Business Growth Consultant, Marketing Strategist, and #1 Bestselling Author, with over 41 years of experience helping small businesses, entrepreneurs, and coaches scale their success. As a Professional Speaker and three-time published author, Ann has coached and consulted hundreds of professionals across more than 80 industries.   Why Choose Ann Carden?  With a diverse background that spans over four decades, Ann has developed a deep understanding of what it takes to succeed in business growth, marketing strategies, and entrepreneurship. She spent 13 years in corporate management before launching her own businesses, where she thrived for 35 years. Ann’s entrepreneurial journey began out of financial necessity, and she successfully grew her first business to an international level - even before the Internet era.   Work with Ann Carden  If you're ready to take your business to the next level, Ann offers customized solutions to help you grow. Whether you’re a coach, consultant, or small business owner, Ann’s proven strategies can drive significant growth in revenue and market reach.  Get Free Resources: ➡️ Access Ann's Free Training: www.expertinyou.biz  ➡️ Read the latest edition of Expert in You Magazine: https://expertinyoumagazine.com/magazine [https://expertinyoumagazine.com/magazine]   Ready to grow your business? 📞 Book a strategy call today: https://acarden.com [https://acarden.com] 🔗    🌐Website: https://annlcarden.com  📞Contact Us: www.acarden.com  💟Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ann.carden.509 [https://www.facebook.com/ann.carden.509]  💟Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anncardenconsulting/ [https://www.instagram.com/anncardenconsulting/]  💟LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anncarden-business-consultant-coach [https://www.linkedin.com/in/anncarden-business-consultant-coach]

The Future of Leadership Is Female: Why Women Could Dominate Global Leadership by 2028 | Dr. Don Barden & Ann Carden

In this thought-provoking episode of Expert In You, host Ann Carden sits down with renowned economist and leadership expert Dr. Don Barden to explore a bold prediction: women could dominate global leadership roles by 2028. Drawing from his research and insights from his book Here Come the Girls, Dr. Don breaks down the economic, cultural, and leadership trends driving this major global shift - and why businesses that fail to adapt may get left behind. This conversation explores the real data behind women’s rising influence in leadership and how this transformation could reshape organizations, industries, and economies worldwide. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: * Why women are positioned to lead the next major leadership shift * The economic impact of increased female leadership globally * How women leaders influence retention, innovation, and company culture * Why organizations must adapt to remain competitive * What this leadership evolution means for the future of business Whether you’re an executive, entrepreneur, or emerging leader, this episode offers a fascinating look at one of the biggest leadership shifts happening right now - and what it means for your future. 🎧 Tune in now to explore the data, trends, and opportunities shaping the next era of leadership.   Key Moments:  05:47 Observing women in leadership change 06:30 Predicting women leading by 2028 11:26 Complexity of family dynamics 13:19 Men supporting women in leadership 17:50 Reflecting on personal growth 20:12 Embracing humility in business 24:07 Women's evolving role in society 28:44 Cultural dynamics in South Korea 31:48 Balancing family and work changes 34:30 Impact of changing leadership styles 36:12 Discussing women's leadership strengths 39:42 Retaining and reshuffling loyal employees 42:39 Traditional male leadership approach 47:22 Improving employee retention 51:36 Collaborating for mutual growth   About The Guest :  Dr. Don Barden is a classically trained economist and globally recognized expert in leadership and decision-making. He spent 25 years as a corporate executive in institutional finance and global economics, building teams that averaged over $1 billion in annual revenue. During his doctoral studies at Columbia International University, he identified a common thread among elite leaders that became the foundation for his book The Perfect Plan, now published in 39 countries worldwide.   Don was named one of the Top 30 Most Transformational Leaders in North America by John Maxwell, the 2018 Entrepreneur of the Year by the Atlanta Business Chronicle, and received full honors from the Department of Defense and the 75th US Army Ranger Regiment. He lectures at Oxford University, The Wharton School of Business, and Wake Forest University, and is a frequent instructor at the US Army Ranger Leadership and Professional Development Program.   His newest work, Here Come the Girls, is a #1 Amazon release in economics exploring the global leadership shift that will occur between 2028 and 2032 as women take over global leadership roles. Don is the founder of Perfect Plan Consulting and The Perfect Plan community, where he brings his frameworks directly to entrepreneurs and leaders ready to grow.   How to connect Dr. Don Barden :  Website : https://www.linkedin.com/in/donwbarden/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/donwbarden/] LinkedIn: https://donbarden.com/ [https://donbarden.com/]   About the host:  Ann Carden is a highly sought-after Business Growth Consultant, Marketing Strategist, and #1 Bestselling Author, with over 41 years of experience helping small businesses, entrepreneurs, and coaches scale their success. As a Professional Speaker and three-time published author, Ann has coached and consulted hundreds of professionals across more than 80 industries.   Why Choose Ann Carden?  With a diverse background that spans over four decades, Ann has developed a deep understanding of what it takes to succeed in business growth, marketing strategies, and entrepreneurship. She spent 13 years in corporate management before launching her own businesses, where she thrived for 35 years. Ann’s entrepreneurial journey began out of financial necessity, and she successfully grew her first business to an international level - even before the Internet era.   Work with Ann Carden  If you're ready to take your business to the next level, Ann offers customized solutions to help you grow. Whether you’re a coach, consultant, or small business owner, Ann’s proven strategies can drive significant growth in revenue and market reach.  Get Free Resources: ➡️ Access Ann's Free Training: www.expertinyou.biz  ➡️ Read the latest edition of Expert in You Magazine: https://expertinyoumagazine.com/magazine [https://expertinyoumagazine.com/magazine]   Ready to grow your business? 📞 Book a strategy call today: https://acarden.com [https://acarden.com] 🔗    🌐Website: https://annlcarden.com  📞Contact Us: www.acarden.com  💟Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ann.carden.509 [https://www.facebook.com/ann.carden.509]  💟Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anncardenconsulting/ [https://www.instagram.com/anncardenconsulting/]  💟LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anncarden-business-consultant-coach [https://www.linkedin.com/in/anncarden-business-consultant-coach]