Listen to “#630 How to Build a Business That Isn’t All About You” on Spreaker.
On this episode of The Small Business Radio Show…
SEGMENT 1 with Thomas Michael Hogg, starting at 0:00: One of the things that Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel used to say is “never let a crisis go to waste.” Well, this year definitely has been a crisis and for small business an almost extinction event. So how can you take advantage of this crisis?
SEGMENT 2 with Harma Hartouni, starting at 16:00: We have heard many stories of resilience and success on this show, but strap in, you have never heard one like this. Harma shares his experience as a gay Middle Eastern man, surviving a horrific car accident, coming to America, and pursing a career in real estate despite the disapproval from his family and his culture.
SEGMENT 3 with Rita Goodroe, starting at 34:45: Everyone loves a good story, and so do your customers! Here’s how to use storytelling to build your brand.
More on each segment below.
Segment 1: Thomas Michael Hogg, author of Profitable Growth Strategy, is a consultant and mentor with more than 20 years of market and work experience in Germany, Mexico, Switzerland and the USA. He has been an advisor to global companies such as PepsiCo (Germany), adidas (Germany), Campbell’s Soup, Johnson Controls, Bulkmatic, among other multinational companies.
1:30 – How to position yourself best when there is a crisis.
4:30 – How can you plan your business strategy for a crisis? What does it mean to “think like a German”?
7:30 – Own your niche: How the German “niche” management approach has led Germany to become a leader in international trade.
9:30 – Advice for people who have had to reimagine their business to ensure their future.
11:15 – The importance of focusing on your existing employees and clients.
Segment 2: Harma Hartouni is a self-made entrepreneur and developer, owns a real estate company employing hundreds of residential and commercial real estate agents in Southern California, and runs the #1 ranked real estate business in his region. His memoir, Getting Back Up: A Story of Resilience, Self-Acceptance & Success, tells the story of his life growing up in Iran, where he suffered from bullying and abuse as a teen and young adult. Then, he almost died during a horrific car accident and had to re-learn how to walk. He came to America as an outcast gay Middle Eastern man and built the life of his dreams. Today he is one half of a power couple and a father of three kids.
16:00 – Take us back to your childhood. What were your early years like growing up as a minority in Iran?
19:00 – Why did you decide to come to America?
20:30 – Harma’s experience coming out as a gay Middle Eastern man.
23:00 – How did you get started in real estate even though it was frowned upon in your culture? What gave you the skills to be successful?
26:15 – Why you should not be the sole focus of your business: The importance of helping the people around you grow and thrive, and how it inspires dedication and ownership. Your business isn’t all about you
29:30 – The question you must ask yourself before choosing a business partner.
30:45 – Why every business leader needs a glass of “shut the F* up water” on their desk.
Segment 3: Rita Goodroe is a business strategist, international speaker and sales coach helping entrepreneurs leverage the power of curiosity to create meaningful relationships and build profitable businesses. Rita uses storytelling to break tough topics down into practical, easily implementable actions.
34:45 – What are the great stories that will come out of the COVID-19 pandemic?
37:15 – What do you say to small business owners who say their business doesn’t have a good story?
41:00 – What’s a brand that uses storytelling well?
43:00 – What makes storytelling so powerful?
45:00 – How can you empower your customers to use storytelling to promote your business?
48:30 – You have to be authentic, transparent, and congruent with your storytelling.
