Info

Absolute Advantage Podcast

The Absolute Advantage is about learning from some of the world’s most successful entrepreneurs, leaders, and achievers at the top of their game. When chasing your dreams, a lot of times there isn’t a need to reinvent the wheel. Instead, shorten your path to success by learning from the stories, strategies and concepts shared by our guests. Then shorten it even further by learning about amazing resources (books, webinars, tools, software, events, coaching, etc.) that should be on your radar. You are not alone in the challenges you face! It's my mission to help you walk away with at least one idea you can apply each episode and to offer content that inspires, encourages and helps you grow and progress QUICKLY both professionally and personally.
RSS Feed
Absolute Advantage Podcast
2021
May


2020
March
February
January


2019
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January


2018
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January


2017
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January


2016
December
November
October
September
August


All Episodes
Archives
Now displaying: July, 2018
Jul 25, 2018

In 2007, Roy Austin founded Rockwell Business Solutions, LLC (RBS), to provide coaching, mentoring, and seminars for small businesses. His passion is helping small business owners achieve their vision and potential to move their business to the next level. RBS has been involved in business development, mergers and acquisitions, investor relations, and negotiations with partners and vendors, particularly banks. Clients include Crescent Investments, Inc.; Cargo Group, LLC; Cargo Transportation Services, LLC; Blue Diamond Pool Services, Inc.; Bottles Up, Inc.; Atlas Surveying, Inc.; Cornerstone Physical Therapy; Polmak LLC; and D. J. Powers, Inc., to mention a few. Through his involvement in BNI (Business Networking International) and other groups he has met and worked with hundreds of small business owners.

Roy is a coach, not a consultant. Consultants tell you what to do; Coaches teach you how to do! Roy is the author of The Alligator Business Solution, which was released March 28, 2017. The book is, in essence, a user’s manual for small businesses. His experience, education, and community service provide a wealth of information for his readers and clients. He also has extensive speaking experience.

From his early years in the military to his most recent work as a CFO for a freight forwarder and customs broker, author Roy Austin has spent his life building the foundation of knowledge that he now leverages to help businesses. He works closely with leaders of small to midsize businesses who are discovering that there’s more to running a business than simply knowing their trade.

Roy and his team help manage the business, marketing and operational side for a wide range of organizations and he brings his vast expertise to each coaching project. Roy shared: “I began to realize that small businesses are started by people who know how to do the work, but doing the work and running a business are two different skill sets.”

Roy uses the term “coaching” instead of “consulting” to indicate that he wants to bring people alongside throughout the process. Coaches are able to help empower their clients to refine valuable leadership skills. Explore how the best players working together may not always create the best team — but that the best team working together can change the world.

There are 7 key leadership traits that will cause people to follow you. These include listening skills, knowing where you’re going, understanding the fundamental purpose of your business, and a matching set of values. Roy also notes that creating a culture that people want to be a part of is an important aspect of retaining star performers.

Listen to the full episode with Roy Austin of Rockwell Business Solutions to hear more insight on a range of topics of interest to businesses, such as how each individual hire is a crucial part of maintaining your organization’s culture.

Jul 18, 2018

Anni Keffer is a nationally recognized educator, speaker, author, and entrepreneur who is passionate about youth leadership. She has been featured on CBS, ABC, NBC, and FOX affiliates as well as in a number of publications, including Yahoo, Pittsburgh Post Gazette, New York Business Journal, Miami Herald, Mompreneur Media, and more. She’s the founder of the Young Women of Influence Conference and an in-demand leadership speaker. Anni was nominated for WHIRL Magazines Women In Business 2016, and is a co-author of Girls Lead. Her new book is Leadership Built On Why: A Guide for Young Adults.

Author Anni Keffer’s most recent book, Leadership Built on Why, is starting conversations among young adults and encouraging them to take advantage of the opportunities to lead regardless of their age. Her focus is on supporting women and young adults as they overcome external and internal criticism and find the inner strength and inspiration to seize the mantle of leadership. In this episode, Anni Keffer discusses how her leadership traits manifested and offers advice for other young people and women of all ages to overcome negativity and trust their own leadership potential.

From an early age, Anni’s family were leaders in their community and in their careers. From this introduction to leadership, Anni realized that no one will pass you the torch — in order to be successful, you must reach out and grab it! Leadership is about making a conscious decision to make an impact in the world, serving people by giving back at both a local and global level.

One of the biggest takeaways is that while we see successful people in the media every day, what we don’t see is the struggle that they each went through to attain greatness. They didn’t magically wake up one day and claim wealth and a new lifestyle beyond our dreams. Instead, they worked tirelessly every day until their dreams came to fruition. You have to follow your passion — focus on what excites you personally or something that frustrates you greatly so you can change the world.

When you’re hearing negativity from others, it can be easy to get bogged down in those feelings. Instead, separate yourself from that feeling and respond with love and peace. Negative comments often come from a place of jealousy, from individuals who don’t have your same self-belief and trust.

Throughout the episode, Anni Keffer unpacks what it means to truly dig deep into your thoughts and feelings to release positivity and free yourself to become a true leader.

Ready to hear more and be inspired? Listen to the full episode now!

Resources:

Jul 11, 2018

Melinda F. Emerson, known as SmallBizLady, is America’s #1 Small Business Expert. She is an internationally known keynote speaker and an expert on small business start up, business development, and social media marketing. In addition to being a former columnist for The New York Times, she is frequently quoted by other media organizations including The Wall Street Journal, CNBC, Fortune, MSNBC and Fox News.

Emersons small business advice is widely read reaching more than 3 million entrepreneurs each week online. She is the host of #Smallbizchat, the longest running live chat on Twitter for small business owners. She publishes a resource blog www.succeedasyourownboss.com.

Emerson is the bestselling author of Become Your Own Boss in 12 Months and the ebook How To Become a Social Media Ninja. She is the founder and president of the Quintessence Group, an award-winning marketing consulting firm based in Philadelphia, PA. Notable Clients Include: FedEx, ADP, Pitney Bowes, American Express, Dell, Staples, Sams Club, Chase Bank, Facebook, IKEA, Verizon, Wells Fargo, and Xerox.

Shortly after graduating from Virginia Tech, Melinda Emerson landed at her dream job. A journalism student, she was hired as a producer at the age of 23. Soon, after going from the frying pan to the skillet, she realized that she wanted more than that dream, a better career. She saw Oprah Winfrey as a model, another journalist who went on to start successful businesses.

In this episode, Melinda Emerson talks about how she set out on her own business adventure with a laptop, fax machine, and a dream. She tapped her skills as an investigative journalist to research her strategy, build networks, and won an opportunity from a business incubator. Within a couple of years, her firm became the largest female-owned production company in Philadelphia. Awards followed, along with lucrative contracts.

She compiled every “expensive mistake” she made along the way and these helpful notes became the basis for her first major book.

Her goal is to boost small business entrepreneurs everywhere so they experience success and learn the lessons she shares with them. We need to build our personal leadership in order to bring success to our business activities. Melinda Emerson reminds listeners that they never lose in business: They either win or they learn of mistakes that need to be corrected.

This is a very inspiring interview!

Ways to contact Melinda:

1