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Big life lesson for my son. Oct 26, 2023

Wearing my Blockbuster shirt, and my son (Roman) asked, “what’s that, Dad?”

I explain to him that years ago, we would drive to a store and pull videos from a shelf to watch.  

Then I told him that the gentleman who started Netflix flew to Blockbuster’s...

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Just because something is trendy... Oct 26, 2023

Just because something is trendy, is going viral, or culturally acceptable, does not mean you should share those stories.

If the stories you’re sharing aren’t connecting with your prospects, you should revamp your story strategy.

 

P.S If you want story ideas, check out my 150+...

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If you talk about your company's core values, youโ€™re wasting your time. Oct 26, 2023

Don’t focus on company core values, at least the words of those values; focus on your company core stories that exemplify your core values!

Prove to me the values you say you have.  Storytelling paints the picture. 

Share more stories!

 

P.S If you want story ideas, check out...

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My friend had a boss that never let him take off from work. ๐Ÿ‘‡ Oct 26, 2023

His boss was happy because if she hit a certain amount of revenue, she’d get a BIG bonus! 

She got the bonus the first year she was the director.

After a year, over 50% of all the employees found other jobs.

They ran to other managers that would treat them with dignity and respect.

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Just so you know, โ€œsuccessโ€ is an extremely subjective term. Oct 26, 2023

You don’t need to conform to others’ version of success.

Recently, someone laughed at me because I turned down a significant amount of business this quarter to spend more time with my family.

However, this decision was in complete alignment with my definition of success.

Never let...

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The Journey of LinkedIn Storytelling | Stories With Traction Podcast Oct 20, 2023

 

 

PODCAST EPISODE SUMMARY: In this episode, Rachel Simon and Matt Zaun talk about their journey with LinkedIn and how they’ve leveraged the platform for business growth.

RACHEL SIMON BIO: Rachel is the Founder & CEO of Connect the Dots Digital, where she focuses on LinkedIn...

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๐ˆ๐ญโ€™๐ฌ ๐ฉ๐ซ๐ž๐ญ๐ญ๐ฒ ๐ฌ๐ข๐ฆ๐ฉ๐ฅ๐ž: ๐ฉ๐ž๐จ๐ฉ๐ฅ๐ž ๐ฅ๐จ๐ฏ๐ž ๐ญ๐จ ๐ฅ๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ๐ž๐ง ๐ญ๐จ ๐ฌ๐ญ๐จ๐ซ๐ข๐ž๐ฌ! Oct 20, 2023

People want to feel that they can trust you, and the quickest way you can build that trust is through storytelling.

In addition, people are yearning for a real connection.

Understanding this is an opportunity for you and a chance to empower people through your personal and business stories.

Talk...

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Egotistical managers are killing your company. Oct 20, 2023

In my early 20s, I had a boss that was dripping with arrogance. It was repulsive. All of my co-workers couldn't stand being around him. He sucked the oxygen out of the room. The problem was he had such a major inferiority complex that he had to puff himself up to try to get others to think he was...

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Stop making this mistake! Oct 20, 2023

Just because you know it doesn’t mean that everyone in your audience knows it.

I made this mistake for years.

I kept too many insights and stories inside, thinking that everyone knew it.

But what I failed to realize was that what I did was my world, and actually, very few people knew it.

...

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The Story of BenefitsDNA | Stories With Traction Podcast Oct 17, 2023

EPISODE MENTIONED IN INTRO: The Importance of Learning Tours with Kirsten Yurich.


PODCAST SUMMARY: In this episode, Justin Leader and Matt Zaun talk about the healthcare industry and why Justin founded BenefitsDNA.

JUSTIN LEADER BIO: Justin is the President and Founding Partner of BenefitsDNA....

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The Journey of LinkedIn Storytelling Oct 17, 2023

Recently, flew to Atlanta. Had lunch with RACHEL SIMON. This Friday, we have a podcast episode launching called, “The Journey of LinkedIn Storytelling.”

You should listen to it.

Stay tuned.

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๐Ÿ’ช I have a secret weapon. It's the reason behind my success... Oct 17, 2023

I have amazing friends.

Not just any friends; people that I could call at 2 a.m. (if I was in trouble) friends.

Today, one of those friends gets a little older.

This man helped me...

Launch my speaking business (8-years-ago) and my podcast (3-years-ago).

He's been there for me through thick and...

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Words Oct 17, 2023

Words
Words
Words
Words
Words
Words
Words
Words
Words
Words
Words
Words
Words
Words
Words
Words
Words
Words
Words
Words
Words
Words
Words
Words
Words
Words
Words
Words
Words

…matter!  Choose them very carefully!

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BIG MISTAKE! ๐Ÿคฏ Oct 17, 2023

Constable & Robinson was the first publisher approached by J.K Rowling. 

They turned Harry Potter down.

They suggested that Rowling take a writing class because they thought her work stunk.

She went on to sell over 500,000,000 books.

Just because some people don’t like your work, it...

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The Story of BenefitsDNA Oct 17, 2023

When I finished recording this episode, I sat in complete silence because I had to fully process the stories that Justin Leader shared with me.

When your mission and vision are so powerful that you can bring people to tears, you know you're having an impact.

Check out the full conversation.

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Last year, I made a decision. ๐Ÿ˜ฌ Oct 10, 2023

At the time, it was a huge risk.

I made the decision while staring at El Capitan (in Yosemite) with my wife.

For those of you who aren't aware, a climber named Alex Honnold free-soloed the mountain, meaning he climbed without any ropes.

He was asked why in the world he would do such a thing, and...

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Wanna build a story right now? Answer this questionโ€ฆ Oct 09, 2023

What is a secret you kept from people for way too long? 

Here, I’ll go first. Almost everything that I start, I have an inferiority complex with. It took me hundreds of talks before I felt comfortable speaking, it took me writing an article every week for 2 years to feel...

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All of the dead bodies were clutching their tools. Oct 06, 2023

“Tool subduction” not only kills a climber's chance at reaching the top of the mountain, but it could also destroy your business.

You could be too focused on the “tools” and not on the right strategy.

“Lack of strategic clarity leads to tactical frustration.”

...

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Why Some Leaders Suffer | Stories With Traction Podcast Oct 06, 2023

SHOW NOTES:

SUMMARY: In this episode, Don Schmincke and Matt Zaun talk about why a lack of strategic clarity leads to tactical frustration.

DON SCHMINCKE BIO: For over 35 years, Don and his team have consulted and trained executives in North America, South America, Europe, and India. Additionally,...

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Just a dozen days โ€˜til I speak at the Charlotte Motor Speedway! Oct 05, 2023

My 9-year-old son Elliot told me to buy some NASCAR stuff to get mentally prepared.

I’ll be doing 3 strategic storytelling workshops there!

If my audiences apply what I share, they’ll speed up their…

Sales
Growth 
and Impact

Can’t wait for these talks!

T-minus 12...

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Don't tell people about all the great work you're doing. Oct 04, 2023

First they laugh. 

Then they can’t believe it. 

Then they deny that they doubted you in the first place. 

Success zips a lot of mouths. 

Don't tell people about all the great work you're doing.  Show them. 

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Scroll-stopping... Oct 04, 2023

...easy-to-read... 

…and scannable...

This is the content that LinkedIn loves.

Writing outstanding content is not even close to enough; you MUST optimize your posts to stand out.

Here are 7 tips to create scroll-stopping, scannable, and easy-to-read content on LinkedIn...

1) Use...

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HAVING ANOTHER BABY! Oct 03, 2023

Creating this baby took work.

You all laugh, but it takes a lot of energy.

Oh, we’re not having another kid.

I'm talking about my new strategic storytelling course.

It's been my baby for the last couple of months.

My wife told me to focus on it. She said lots of people are missing...

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I remember several years ago hitting rock bottom. Oct 02, 2023

I took a significant financial risk and lost, putting my family in a very difficult position. 

The night it all came crashing down, I sat on my couch crying since I knew how tough the road ahead would be. 

My wife sat down next to me and said, “you need to keep going. I want you...

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