Denise Gosnell

From Mediocre to Marvelous: How to Build a High-Performance Team that Delivers Results

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As a business owner, your success relies heavily on your team’s ability to perform at a high level. Building a high-performance team isn’t just about hiring the most talented individuals. It requires careful planning, communication, and leadership. In this article, we’ll discuss the tips and steps you can take to build a high-performance team that delivers results.

1. Hire the Right People

The first step in building a high-performance team is to hire the right people. This means finding individuals who have the skills and experience needed to perform their job duties effectively. However, it’s not just about skills and experience. It’s also about finding individuals who are a good fit for your company culture. Keep in mind that the best candidates are often not actively looking for new opportunities, so you may need to seek them out through networking, referrals, or specialized job boards.

To help you find the right candidates for your team, consider using recruitment tools such as:

2. Set Clear Expectations

Once you’ve hired the right people, it’s important to set clear expectations for their job roles and responsibilities. This means outlining what is expected of them, including their performance targets, timelines, and deliverables. You should also communicate your company’s values, goals, and mission to ensure everyone is aligned.

To help you set clear expectations, consider using project management tools such as:

3. Encourage Collaboration

One of the keys to building a high-performance team is encouraging collaboration. This means creating an environment where individuals can share ideas, offer feedback, and work together to achieve common goals. Collaboration also helps to promote creativity and innovation, as different perspectives are brought to the table.

To encourage collaboration, consider using communication and collaboration tools such as:

4. Provide Ongoing Training and Development

To maintain a high-performance team, it’s important to provide ongoing training and development opportunities. This means investing in your team’s skills and knowledge, whether through internal or external training programs, mentoring, or coaching.

To provide ongoing training and development, consider using learning management systems such as:

5. Recognize and Reward Success

Finally, it’s important to recognize and reward success. This means celebrating achievements and milestones, whether through bonuses, promotions, or other incentives. Recognizing success helps to motivate and inspire your team, fostering a culture of excellence.

To recognize and reward success, consider using employee recognition and rewards tools such as:

In conclusion, building a high-performance team requires careful planning, communication, and leadership. By hiring the right people, setting clear expectations, encouraging collaboration, providing ongoing training and development, and recognizing and rewarding success, you can build a team that delivers results and drives business success.

Remember, building a high-performance team takes time and effort, but the rewards are well worth it. A high-performance team can increase productivity, drive innovation, and improve overall business performance.

Mastering the Art of Business Networking To Skyrocket Your Company’s Growth

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As a business owner, networking can be a powerful tool to grow your business and create meaningful connections with other professionals in your industry. However, not all networking efforts are created equal, and it’s important to approach networking with the right mindset and strategy to see real results. In this article, I will explore the importance of business networking, share some tips and strategies for successful networking, and provide insights on Mastermind groups.

The Importance of Business Networking

In today’s business world, networking is no longer a luxury, but a necessity. Building strong relationships with other professionals can help you expand your knowledge and skills, create new business opportunities, and gain access to valuable resources and connections. Whether you’re a small business owner looking to build your client base, or a CEO seeking to expand your network of industry contacts, networking can help you achieve your goals.

Networking can take many forms, from attending industry events and conferences to joining online forums and groups. However, successful networking is not just about showing up and handing out business cards. To build real connections with other professionals, it’s important to approach networking with the right mindset and strategy.

Tips for Successful Networking

1. Be Authentic: One of the most important aspects of successful networking is being authentic. People can sense when you’re being insincere or trying to sell them something. Instead, focus on building genuine relationships with other professionals by showing a genuine interest in their work and asking thoughtful questions.

2. Give Before You Get: Networking is not just about what others can do for you, but what you can do for them. Instead of focusing solely on your own needs, look for ways to add value to the people you meet. Whether it’s sharing your expertise, making introductions, or offering your time and resources, being generous and helpful can go a long way in building lasting relationships.

3. Follow Up: One of the biggest mistakes people make in networking is failing to follow up after an initial meeting or conversation. To make a lasting impression and build a real connection, it’s important to follow up with the people you meet. Whether it’s sending a personalized email, connecting on social media, or scheduling a follow-up call or meeting, taking the time to stay in touch shows that you value the relationship. This may sound obvious, but most people actually never follow-up when they say they will after an event.

4. Attend Industry Events and Conferences: Attending industry events and conferences can be a great way to meet new people, learn about the latest trends and developments in your field, and gain access to valuable resources and insights. To make the most of these events, come prepared with a clear goal in mind, be open and friendly, and take the time to engage with others and build meaningful connections.

5. Use Social Media: Social media can be a powerful tool for networking, allowing you to connect with other professionals in your industry, share your expertise, and stay up-to-date on the latest news and trends. To use social media effectively, focus on building a strong profile, sharing valuable content, engaging with others, and using hashtags and other tools to connect with people who share your interests and goals.

6. Volunteer and Give Back: Volunteering and giving back to your community can be a great way to meet new people, build your network, and make a positive impact in the world. By volunteering your time and resources to a cause you believe in, you can connect with like-minded individuals and demonstrate your commitment to making a difference.

7. Join a Mastermind Group: One of the most effective ways to network and build real connections is through Mastermind groups. These are communities of like-minded individuals who come together to share their knowledge and expertise, provide support and accountability, and help each other achieve their goals. Through my own experience as a member of multiple business owner/CEO mastermind groups for the past 15 years, I have met and formed relationships with some of the most successful and influential people in my industry, gained access to valuable resources and insights, and built a strong network of peers and mentors who have helped me achieve my goals.

My good friend and client, Joe Polish, is a strong advocate of the power of networking and building real human connections. He often says, “Be nice to the people you meet on the way up. They are the same people you meet on the way down.” This quote has resonated with me and reminds me that networking is not just about what others can do for you, but about building real connections and adding value to the people you meet. Joe recently released a bestselling book, “What’s In It For Them”, regarding this very topic.

In conclusion, networking is a powerful tool for building your business and creating meaningful connections with other professionals. To do it right, it’s important to approach networking with the right mindset and strategy, be authentic, generous, and follow up, attend industry events and conferences, use social media effectively, volunteer and give back to your community, and join a Mastermind group.

By taking these steps and making a genuine effort to connect with others, you can build a strong network of peers and mentors who can help you achieve your goals, expand your knowledge and skills, and make a positive impact in the world. With this in mind, go forth and build your network, and remember to always be kind, authentic, and generous in your networking efforts.

Don’t Panic! How to Course Correct in Business When Things Go Wrong

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As a business owner, you know that things don’t always go according to plan. It’s totally natural for “shit to hit the fan from time to time”, as I like to say. Even when you have a great life and business, there will be times when setbacks occur.

Whether it’s a sudden change in the market, an unexpected competitor, or a project that didn’t go as planned, setbacks are a natural part of running a business. The key is not to panic when things go wrong. Instead, you need to learn how to course correct.

Think of it like using a GPS to navigate to a destination. You’re driving along, following the route, when suddenly you come across a road closure. Your GPS doesn’t panic. It simply recalculates the route and gives you new directions to reach your destination. In the same way, you need to have a plan in place for when things go wrong in your business.

Here are some tips for course correcting when things go wrong:

1. Stay Calm and Focused

The first step when things go wrong is to stay calm and focused. It’s easy to panic and feel overwhelmed, but that won’t help you find a solution. Take a deep breath, assess the situation, and start thinking about what you can do to make things right.

2. Reevaluate Your Plan

When things go wrong, it’s a good time to reevaluate your plan. Are you still on track to reach your goals, or do you need to adjust your strategy? Look at your business plan and see if there are any changes you can make to get back on track. This may involve rethinking your marketing, changing your pricing, or pivoting your business model.

3. Communicate with Your Team

Your team is your biggest asset when things go wrong. They can help you come up with solutions and implement new strategies. It’s important to communicate with them and keep them informed about what’s going on. Be transparent about the situation, and let them know what steps you’re taking to address it.

4. Be Flexible

Flexibility is key when it comes to course correction. You may need to make quick decisions or change direction at a moment’s notice. Don’t be afraid to pivot your business if that’s what it takes to get back on track.

5. Focus on Solutions, Not Problems

When things go wrong, it’s easy to get caught up in the problem. Instead, focus on finding solutions. Brainstorm with your team, seek out expert advice, and look for creative ways to overcome the challenge.

6. Learn from Your Mistakes

Every setback is an opportunity to learn and grow. Take the time to reflect on what went wrong and what you could have done differently. Use this knowledge to improve your business and avoid making the same mistakes in the future.

7. Stay Positive

Finally, it’s important to stay positive. When things go wrong, it’s easy to feel discouraged and defeated. But remember, setbacks are a natural part of running a business. Keep your eye on the bigger picture and stay focused on your goals.

In conclusion, course correction is an essential skill for any business owner. When things go wrong, it’s important to stay calm, reevaluate your plan, communicate with your team, be flexible, focus on solutions, learn from your mistakes, and stay positive. By following these tips, you’ll be able to navigate any obstacle and keep your business on track. Just like a GPS, it’s nothing to panic over – you just set a new course.

5 Must-Have A.I. Tools for Business Owners to Boost Productivity and Creativity

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If you’re like me and most other business owners, you’re always looking for ways to stay ahead of the competition and be more productive. The good news is that with the advancements of artificial intelligence (A.I.) that have just occurred, there are a ton of innovative tools available that can help you achieve your business goals and literally free up 20% or more of your time (and your team’s time) if you use them correctly.

In this article, I’ll cover five cutting-edge A.I. tools that are my new “current favorites”. You can (and should) consider leveraging these right now to take your business to the next level. I personally find it’s best to use a combination of these tools together in order to achieve maximum results.

1. Jasper.ai: The All-In-One A.I. Writing Assistant

Writing is an essential part of any business, from drafting emails to creating marketing copy. However, not everyone has the natural talent or time to write compelling content. That’s where Jasper.ai comes in. Jasper.ai is an A.I.-powered writing assistant that can help you improve the quality and speed of your writing. I’ve been using Jasper for about 5 months (before Chat GPT – mentioned later in this article – even became mainstream).

Jasper.ai can help you create content that is clear, concise, and engaging. You can use Jasper.ai to write blog posts, Facebook ads, sales letters, and more. You can use Jasper “recipes” for complex projects, or leverage the new Jasper Chat feature to provide Jasper with commands like a real human and have it respond back with comprehensive results.

One of the best use cases for Jasper.ai is creating persuasive sales copy. Personally, I like use Jasper.ai in combination with ChatGPT for maximum results. And Jasper just released a new business edition that offers additional features for using their AI features across teams.

2. Bhuman.ai: Create A.I. Customized Videos

Bhuman.ai is an A.I.- powered video creation platform that can help you create professional-looking videos in a fraction of the time it would take to do it manually.

You can use Bhuman.ai to create videos that promote your products or services or provide helpful tips or tutorials. Bhuman.ai can also help you generate videos from scratch using A.I. algorithms that can mimic human video creation processes.

One of the best use cases for Bhuman.ai is creating totally customized videos for your customers and subscribers at scale. The way it works is you can record a video once and then send it to multiple people with parts of the videos customized with their name, something specific about them, etc. It looks like you recorded the personalized video just for them.

This is so efficient and allows you to repurpose that same video over and over (to hundreds or even thousands of people) with unique customizations. I’ve been waiting for a long time for a tool like this that doesn’t sound fake at the parts it customized, and it’s finally here with BHuman. I can’t wait to put this tool into action and will report back on results.

3. Compose.ai: The A.I. Writing Tool for Busy Professionals

Writing is an essential part of any business, but it can be a time-consuming and tedious process. That’s where Compose.ai comes in. Compose.ai is an A.I.-powered writing tool that can help you create high-quality content quickly and easily.

Compose.ai uses advanced algorithms to analyze your writing style and provide suggestions for improving it. From tone and voice to style and structure, Compose.ai can help you create content that is engaging, informative, and effective.

One of the best use cases for Compose.ai is drafting professional emails. With Compose.ai, you can write clear and concise emails that effectively convey your message. You can also use Compose.ai to write articles, social media content, blog posts, and more. I’ll be testing this one out further and will provide results and more use cases.

4. Midjourney.com: A.I. Image Creation and Manipulation Tool

As you are probably aware, creating high-quality images can be time-consuming and require specialized skills. That’s where Midjourney.com comes in. Midjourney.com is an A.I.-powered image creation and manipulation tool that can help you create stunning images for your business in a matter of minutes.

Midjourney.com uses advanced A.I. algorithms to analyze and generate images. With Midjourney.com, you can create social media graphics, website images, logos, infographics, and more. Midjourney.com can also manipulate existing images to enhance their quality, remove backgrounds, or add visual effects.

One of the best use cases for Midjourney.com is creating customized graphics when you just can’t find what you’re looking for on a stock image site. You can create eye-catching graphics that capture your audience’s attention and promote your brand. You can also use Midjourney.com to create infographics that visually represent complex data or information.

You may still need to further edit the image in Canva or Photoshop to overlay text, or to make further changes. But Midjourney is incredibly powerful at taking your instructions in plain English commands and outputting 4 different images for you to choose from or refine further. It’s wicked cool.

5. ChatGPT: The A.I. Writing Tool for Idea Generation and Drafting Content

ChatGPT is an A.I-powered writing tool that can help you generate ideas, outline, and draft blog posts, articles, and other forms of content. It happens to be my current favorite content creation tool, but I still love Jasper too for different reasons.

ChatGPT uses advanced algorithms to generate ideas based on your input and past content. One of the best use cases for ChatGPT is idea generation for blog posts or articles. With ChatGPT, you can enter a topic or keyword, and it will generate a list of ideas that you can use to write a comprehensive article.

You can also use ChatGPT to create a complete blog article that you can iterate back and forth on with it through a few revisions if necessary to get it the way you want. I’ve found that the better the prompts you give ChatGPT, the better the results you get. I’m very specific with prompts, down to the topics that I want the article to include, the quotes I want mentioned, the stories I want told, etc. For example, 80% of this article was written from my ChatGPT prompts, and the other 20% is what I manually customized to add my own nuances that were easier to just type into the article myself than to explain to ChatGPT.

Leveraging the right A.I. tools can give your business a significant competitive edge. Jasper.ai, Bhuman.ai, Compose.ai, Midjourney.com, and ChatGPT are all innovative A.I. tools that can help you boost productivity, creativity, and customer satisfaction. By incorporating these tools into your business operations, you can streamline your workflows, save time and resources, and take your business to the next level.

If you’d like to work with me and other business owners on leveraging the power of A.I. in your business, you should join me in my Grow by Subtraction Accelerator program where we have made leveraging the power of A.I. for fast growth a top priority. Sign up for a free Grow by Subtraction Roadmap session and we’ll build you a custom roadmap for growing your business and improving your operations, and will tell you about the program and how it works too.

How to Outrun the Competition: Accelerate Your Growth with a 24/7 Operation (On Any Budget)

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As a business owner, you know that time is one of your most valuable resources. However, what if you could have more time? What if your business could operate around the clock, even while you sleep? A 24/7 operation may seem daunting, but it is possible even on a tight budget. You can leverage technology and remote workers to create an operation that fits your budget and helps you accelerate your growth.

Just like the tortoise in the classic fable of the tortoise and the hare, it is steady, consistent progress on the right things that wins the race.

One of the best ways to achieve a 24/7 operation on a budget is by hiring remote workers in the Philippines, such as through sites such as onlinejobs.ph. You can hire full time college educated workers for $800-$1400 USD per month as a ballpark, depending on the job duties and their experience. And they have great English speaking skills so it’s easy to communicate without the language barriers you face when hiring in other countries. English is taught in schools in the Philippines as a mandatory language.

What’s also great about the Philippines is that their time zone is opposite the US time zones, so with around 10-12 hours difference, you can have a Filipino team start working when your U.S. team ends for the day. That is perfect for steady progress!!

I’ve been using Filipino team members to work with my U.S. team for the last 15 years. With their strong work ethic, positive attitude, and excellent English skills, I’ve found that working with Filipino remote workers can help accelerate your business’s growth dramatically.

To get started with a 24/7 operation, here are some tips to help you:

1. Embrace technology

The first step to creating a 24/7 operation is to embrace technology. There are a lot of tools out there that can help you automate your business processes and make communication more efficient. For example, you can use project management software like Trello or Asana to assign tasks and monitor progress. You can also use communication tools like Slack or Microsoft Teams to stay in touch with your team and ensure that everyone is on the same page.

2. Hire remote workers

One of the easiest ways to create a 24/7 operation is to hire remote workers who are overseas (such as in the Philippines for reasons I mentioned before). Thanks to the internet, you can hire talented people from all over the world to work for your business. Sites such as onlinejobs.ph, Upwork, and Freelancer can connect you with skilled workers who are willing to work on a flexible schedule. By hiring remote workers, you can have someone working on your business even when you’re not.

I love waking up each day and getting to see the progress that was made by my remote team while I was asleep. My U.S. team can then pick up the pace and move the progress along again, and the cycle repeats each day. It’s truly amazing how much this accelerates your progress.

3. Coordinate your team’s schedules

To make a 24/7 operation work, you need to coordinate your team’s schedules. This means making sure that you have people working at all times, even if they’re in different time zones. One way to do this is to have overlapping shifts, where some team members work during the day and others work at night. Another option is to have a rotating schedule, where team members take turns working different shifts.

4. Keep communication lines open

When you have a 24/7 operation, it’s important to keep communication lines open. You need to make sure that everyone is on the same page and that information is flowing smoothly. This means setting up regular check-ins, using collaboration tools, and making sure that everyone knows what’s expected of them.

5. Be flexible

Finally, it’s important to be flexible when creating a 24/7 operation. Things may not always go according to plan, and you need to be able to adapt to changing circumstances. This means being open to new ideas, experimenting with different strategies, and being willing to make changes as needed.

Creating a 24/7 operation can be a game-changer for your business. By leveraging technology, hiring remote workers, and coordinating schedules, you can create an efficient and productive operation that helps you achieve your business goals.

The Power of Core Values: A Guide to Skyrocketing Your Company’s Growth

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As a business owner, you probably want to see your company grow and flourish, reaching new heights of success and profitability. But how can you achieve this? There are many strategies and techniques that businesses use to drive growth, but one that is often overlooked is the power of core values, which are near and dear to my heart.

That’s right, those fundamental beliefs and principles that guide your company’s behavior and decision-making. They can help you create a clear sense of purpose and direction, build a strong and unified team, and establish a strong brand identity that resonates with customers. If you’re not leveraging the power of core values to drive your business forward, then you’re missing out on a whole world of awesomeness.

To help you harness the power of core values, I’ve put together this guide with tips and strategies inspired by Darius Mirshahzadeh’s book, The Core Value Equation. If you’re not familiar with the book, it’s a great read that provides a step-by-step guide for developing and implementing core values in your business.

Tip #1: Develop Clear and Concise Core Values

The first step in using core values to skyrocket your company’s growth is to develop clear and concise core values. Your core values should be easy to understand and communicate, both internally and externally. They should be memorable and inspiring, and they should reflect the unique identity and values of your company.

To develop your core values, Darius recommends starting by defining your company’s purpose, vision, and mission. This will help you clarify what your company stands for and what you hope to achieve. From there, you can identify the key values that are most important to your company, such as integrity, innovation, teamwork, or customer focus.

It’s important to keep your core values focused and concise. Darius recommends limiting the number of core values to between three and seven, to ensure that they are easy to remember and focus on.

Tip #2: Live Your Core Values Every Day

Once you’ve defined your core values, the next step is to live them every day. Darius suggests that ideally your employees should know the core values by heart and your customers should have heard you say them or seen them prominently. Your core values should guide every aspect of your company’s behavior and decision-making, from hiring and training to marketing and customer service. Your employees should be empowered to make decisions that align with your core values, and your customers should feel a strong connection to your values through your products and services.

To live your core values, it’s important to create a culture that reinforces them. This can include celebrating and recognizing employees who exemplify your core values, integrating your values into your company’s mission statement and marketing materials, and creating rituals and traditions that reflect your values.

Tip #3: Measure and Refine Your Core Values

Finally, to truly harness the power of core values, it’s important to measure and refine them over time. This can help you ensure that your core values remain relevant and effective as your company grows and evolves.

Darius recommends setting clear and measurable goals for each of your core values, and regularly tracking and reporting progress towards these goals. This can help you identify areas where your company may be falling short, and make necessary adjustments to ensure that your values remain a guiding force for growth and success.

Additionally, it’s important to regularly assess and refine your core values as your company evolves. As you grow, your values may need to adapt to new challenges or opportunities, and it’s important to be willing to revisit and refine your values to ensure that they remain relevant and effective.

Using core values to drive growth and success is not a new concept, but it’s one that is often overlooked or undervalued by business owners. By developing clear and concise core values, living those values every day, and measuring and refining your values over time, you can create a powerful and enduring foundation for your company’s growth and success.

So, if you want to take your business to the next level, consider exploring the power of core values and putting them to work in your company today. And if you want to learn more, be sure to check out Darius’s book, The Core Value Equation, which provides a wealth of insights and strategies for harnessing the power of core values.

In summary, your core values can be the driving force behind the growth and success of your business. By developing, living, and refining your core values, you can create a strong and unified team, build a powerful brand identity, and connect with your customers on a deeper level. So take the time to define your core values and put them to work in your business today – you won’t regret it!

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