She Talks Business Lisa Larter

Sharpen Your Business Systems for Success  
This week on She Talks Business, I’ll be recording the second “My Take” series where I will give you my opinion and what I took away from my most recent read. We’ll be talking about Nick Sonnenberg’s Come Up for Air: How Teams Can Leverage Systems and Tools to Stop Drowning in Work. 
 
The short version: This is excellent. It’s a fantastic, super smart book. I highly recommend you read it and apply its principles to your team. 
 
Essentially, this whole book is about doing more efficient work so you can literally come up for air. This includes taking your communication and separating it between internal and external, taking your planning for projects and ensuring that you have the right work management tools, and then taking your resources and making sure you have an efficient knowledge base and the right process management tools. 
 
Your Business is Only as Effective as Your Systems 
I open the episode with Dr. W. Edward Deming’s 94% Rule, which basically says 94% of the results you experience in your business all stem from your processes and systems, not the individuals making up your team. 
When operating in your business and setting up systems for your team, there is a tendency to outgrow your system or identify how a system isn’t working the way you’d hoped. Instead of reassessing and starting from scratch with a new system, we tend to put bandaids and make exceptions so we can continue using this already established but not very effective system. 
What really needs to happen, and Nick really sheds light on this, is we need to assess all of our systems in their entirety to ensure that they are serving their purpose and making your life and your team’s life easier. 
 
CPR: Communication, Planning, Resources
Nick Sonnenberg's CPR framework lays the foundation for categorizing and optimizing business processes. Breaking down internal and external communication, streamlining planning tools, and effectively managing resources can prevent your team from "drowning in work." This method strategically simplifies processes, enabling teams to focus on what they do best: driving the business forward.
 
Effective Systems Improve Your Culture 
I even argue that good systems not only increase efficiency and your team’s bandwidth but they can also enhance your company's culture. Clear guidelines can reduce frustration and allow employees to focus on their work without unnecessary interruptions or too much time trying to find what they need to do their work. Effective systems show your team that you value their time and well-being and that you want to make it as easy as possible for them to succeed. 
 
Nick’s book, Come Up For Air, helps you figure out your communication processes,  your project management system, and how to manage your resources. It even goes into how to better your onboarding and shows you how to buy back time with more efficient systems. It’s an excellent book that will have you setting your team and your business up for success. 
 
I hope this take was useful for you and that you grab your own copy. If you do, be sure to tag me and Nick on social media so we know you were inspired by this episode. 
 
What’s In This Episode The 94% Rule by W. Edwards Deming states most workplace results are due to systems and processes, not individual efforts.
Defaulting to temporary solutions rather than evaluating the system as a whole cuts down on efficiency.
CPR stands for Communication, Planning, and Resources.
“Stop the scavenger hunt" for information by implementing effective systems that cut down on time and increase productivity. 
 
What To Do Next Visit lisalarter.com/e151 for all resources from this episode.

Energy & Emotional Wellness in Your Business   
Let's sit down with Tracy Litt, a renowned teacher of science and spirituality and the founder of The School of Becoming. In this episode, we're talking about science and spirituality on a business podcast because I believe the more connected to yourself you become, the more work you do on yourself, and the better you become as an entrepreneur, business owner, and leader.
Tracy is an international bestselling author, podcast host, and emotional healing healer. She holds her license in professional coaching, neurology, somatics, and hypnotherapy. Her institute, the School of Becoming, integrates consciousness, neuroscience, healing, and energetics to help students evolve into the next-level version of themselves.  
From Victim to Victor
Tracy describes her journey as going from completely asleep as a single mother on food stamps to completely awake as the CEO of her own personal growth company, which helps individuals along the same journey. 
Tracy evolved significantly—from perceiving herself as a victim of her circumstances to fully embracing personal responsibility. This shift played a pivotal role in changing her life trajectory and shaping her methodology, which she now shares with countless individuals seeking personal and professional growth.
Shift Your Mindset & Feel Your Emotions 
Tracy presents four tactical recommendations to nurture professional growth, which can help individuals shift states and foster personal development. These include engaging in regular breathing exercises, creating space for processing emotions, embracing gratitude and mindfulness, and relying on spiritual support. 
Her advice is actionable and grounded in a pragmatic understanding of the challenges faced by professionals today.
Remove "Woo" from Your Vernacular 
We discuss the often-derogatory label of "woo," and Tracy urges for a more inclusive understanding that brings together scientific evidence and spiritual practices. This merger is not about esoteric beliefs but about understanding the role of energy and the universe in our everyday lives—redefining the essence of existence as spirit in human form.
Feel, Process, and Evolve
Tracy stresses the importance of acknowledging and truly feeling your emotions in order for them to guide us through our personal evolution. This emotional processing is critical to dealing with the increasing rates of anxiety and depression in society. 
The Power of Intentional Evolution 
Tracy emphasized the concept of intentional evolution—the idea that we can rewire our brains to influence our future, countering the belief that past performance predicts future outcomes. This empowering perspective gives us the agency to evolve our habits and practices to change the trajectory of our lives.
Tracy is a light in this world. You can feel her passion and her knowledge come through in this episode. The journey towards personal and professional growth is complex but attainable. I really enjoyed having her on my show this week, and I can’t wait to see how you like this show! 
Be sure to listen, subscribe, and share this episode!
 
What’s In This Episode Tracy Litt's personal journey from victimhood to empowerment
The significance of tuning into the body's signals over mental chatter
Four tactical approaches to improve growth and handle anxiety, depression, and burnout
Exploring the integration of emotions in achieving personal growth
The negative impact of technology and distractions on mental well-being
 
What To Do Next Visit lisalarter.com/e150 for all resources from this episode.

Strategies for Powerful Communication  
This week’s special guest, Kathryn Janicek, helps people overcome something many of us fear more than death - public speaking. I loved this conversation because she shared so many valuable tips to improve in so many speaking scenarios, including presentations, interviews, and meetings - so much more than just speaking on a stage. 
After being laid off by a network when she was working as their VP of News, Kathryn leveraged her expertise in coaching news personnel and pivoted to create a niche for herself. Today, she has found great success in media training and public speaking coaching for professionals. 
Kathryn is a three-time Emmy award-winning media and public speaking trainer with over 25 years of experience. She has shaped the communication and presentation skills of executives across diverse industries, from small businesses to a hundred billion dollar companies.
Kathryn’s company, Janicek Performance Group, specializes in media interactions, board presentations, high-stakes communications, stage presence, and impactful messaging. 
In this episode, we talk a lot about what it takes to overcome your fear of speaking, how to eliminate filler words, and how to self-coach yourself to show up and present better on stage or Zoom.
We learn that professionalism is about more than the substance of our work. It's also about how we present our ideas, negotiate at the table, and build supportive networks. 
Kathryn believes in the power of a compelling narrative, whether you're in front of a camera or addressing a boardroom. Her personalized coaching sessions help clients master the art of storytelling and the nuances of effective communication that resonate with their audience. 
 
Feel Your Best to Perform Your Best 
Something as simple as ensuring you wear comfortable clothes and shoes can make a dramatic difference in your performance and presentation. When you feel good and confident in clothes that fit or know your makeup or hair was done by a professional, it is worth the extra money or effort because it will show in your delivery and presentation. 
 
Scaling Your Business with Sustainable Growth 
Scaling a service-based company isn't just about increasing client numbers; it's about creating a business model that generates a steady source of income, even in the owner's absence. 
Kathryn shares her wisdom on structuring services, ensuring client retention, and focusing on monthly recurring revenue. 
 
Enhancing Communication Skills 
Kathryn insists that self-awareness, pausing effectively, and eliminating unnecessary filler words can significantly improve one's public speaking endeavors.
This was a fun episode to record, and I can't wait to have Kathryn back! She left us with incredible, actionable advice that any of us can implement to improve our presence when addressing audiences in a one-on-one or one-to-many setting. Thanks for listening!
 
What’s In This Episode Tips for improving stage presence and effective messaging
The impact of societal expectations on women's stage appearance
Strategies for addressing common speaking issues like posture and filler words
Scaling a service-based business through diverse service offerings
 
What To Do Next Visit lisalarter.com/e149 for all resources from this episode.

Your Business Doesn't Have to Suck the Energy Out of You  
Exhausted from running your business? You're not alone. Successful entrepreneur Jamie Palmer discovered Human Design and transformed her work. Curious how?
This week, you'll explore human design, a tool that can help you build a fulfilling business based on your unique design. Learn how human design empowers strategic decisions and builds a business that truly works for you. Ready to ditch burnout? Let's go!
 
What Is Human Design?
Ever heard someone ask if you've "done your HD"? Human Design is a system for understanding yourself. It uses your birth date to create a chart that reveals your type (how you interact with the world), profile (the persona you project), strengths (centers), and energy levels (gates and channels). This can help you discover ideal work environments, who you collaborate best with, and even if you're wired for multitasking or methodical work. You only need your birth date, time, and location to get your free chart and insights into your unique human design.
 
How Does Human Design Help You?
Human Design can help you break societal expectations and live a more fulfilling life. By understanding your unique energy type through a Human Design chart, you can discover what you're naturally here to do. This can be especially helpful in business, where you're often bombarded with advice on how to be successful. Human Design can help you identify your most effective strategies based on your strengths and weaknesses. The key is to take action on the insights you gain from your Human Design chart.
 
Approaching Human Design in Business
Human Design is often used as a basic personality test, but it goes much deeper than that. Jamie's approach focuses on practical applications. She uses real-life examples to educate people on how Human Design can inform business decisions. This includes business models, offers, launch strategies, and marketing. By understanding your Human Design type, you can discover what strategies actually work best for you. Ultimately, the goal is to empower people to make their own business decisions and not blindly follow generic advice.

Human Design isn't about generic advice—it's about understanding YOU and what works best for your natural design. Ready to stop hustling and start thriving? Check out Jamie's website to grab your free Human Design chart and explore more resources to help you design the business of your dreams. You can also get a copy of Jamie's book Human Design For Business free by using the code SHETALKSBUSINESS.
 
What’s In This Episode Embracing change in business
Human design for business owners
Building a business with a purpose
 
What To Do Next Visit lisalarter.com/e148 for all resources from this episode.
 

Building Brand Credibility in the Digital Age  
This week's episode on She Talks Business is a thought-provoking and insightful conversation with Debbie Lu, where you'll hear about the evolving landscape of business, the impact of AI on marketing, the significance of public relations, and the power of strategic relationships.
 
Driven by a passion for media, Debbie immigrated to Canada from China to pursue journalism. Despite facing a language barrier, she hustled throughout her twenties, building a network through internships and mentors. This relentless drive led her from Ottawa to Toronto's PR scene, proving hard work and a “never-give-up” attitude can open doors.
 
The Power of Public Relations
Public relations is about managing a brand's reputation through the media. PR specialists like Debbie handle negative press and craft positive stories to get media coverage, like interviews with CEOs or experts. Unlike marketing, which focuses on sales, PR builds consumer credibility and trust. For small businesses, a PR professional can package your expertise into stories for relevant media outlets, positioning you as a regional business expert.
 
Traditional vs. Modern Marketing Strategies
Marketing has exploded online, with social media replacing traditional channels. Influencer marketing is especially huge, allowing brands to partner with trusted online personalities to reach their target audiences. Small businesses can leverage this by directly contacting influencers or collaborating with local micro-influencers with engaged followers. The key is building relationships and understanding what resonates with that influencer's audience. Follower count isn't everything—look for influencers who can connect with potential customers and drive sales.
 
Revolutionizing Marketing and Making it Accessible
While traditional media fades, accessible online tools like AI are putting the power of marketing directly in businesses' hands. This translates to potentially lower costs, with some companies managing marketing in-house. However, the efficiency and expertise agencies bring are still a draw, especially for larger corporations. 
By automating tasks and streamlining workflows, AI has the potential to reduce marketing costs significantly. Agencies can complete their tasks faster, allowing them to charge lower retainer fees. This democratization of marketing, fueled by AI, could make sophisticated strategies more accessible to businesses of all sizes.
 
Don't miss out on this inspiring episode of She Talks Business! Learn from Debbie's journey and gain valuable insights on navigating the future of media and marketing for your own business. Head to your favorite streaming platform and subscribe to She Talks Business for more thought leadership discussions.
 
What’s In This Episode Harnessing the power of influencer marketing
The rise of AI in marketing
Navigating public relations for small businesses
Embracing the art of selling
 
 
What To Do Next Visit lisalarter.com/e147 for all resources from this episode.
 

What To Focus On So Your Business Succeeds Something new is starting for She Talks Business this week, and I'm excited to share it with you. I recently did a season with my niece, Mackenzie, and I had so much fun answering her questions about owning and running a business. So, I called out on Facebook and asked if anyone else would be interested in sitting in the host seat, picking my brain, and asking me anything.
Today's guest, Ali Marks, is the first to volunteer. Let me tell you a little bit about her. She is a vibrant force in Sarasota, Florida's real estate scene. 
Ali is a dedicated realtor and a passionate small business owner of Loyd Robbins Co., a boutique brokerage specializing in residential, commercial, and business brokerage. Her work is deeply rooted in a rich tradition of honesty, integrity, dedication, loyalty, and customer service.
Business Results over Vanity Metrics
Social media engagement metrics, including likes, comments, and shares, can be easily inflated. The true measure of success is if your business is actually generating outcomes. 
Focusing on vanity metrics like engagement can be misleading. The ultimate goal is growth; the most important indicator is whether your customers find your business through social media channels. 
Companies should prioritize real-world outcomes over chasing social media engagement metrics.
Change in Entrepreneurship
"Pivoting" in business is nothing new. As an entrepreneur, you should understand it as a continuous process of growth and adaptation. The key is embracing change and experimentation and constantly seeking new and improved operating methods. 
Don't be afraid to let go of things that no longer serve you, even your successful ventures, to avoid stagnation and maintain your creative spark. 
Make responsible decisions, though, by considering the financial impact and potential consequences before making any drastic changes. Calculated pivots and calculated risks are critical for long-term success.
Encouragement for Young Entrepreneurs
The foundation of any successful business is generating profit. Your profit is what fuels your personal income, reinvestment, and growth. 
The big mistake many entrepreneurs make is overspending, causing them financial stress and the pressure to constantly sell just to make ends meet. 
Strategically playing with your numbers can clarify your pricing and financial goals. If you underestimate your costs and pricing solely, that hinders your profitability. Don't be afraid to use aggressive pricing strategies, like tripling your costs, to establish a healthy profit margin so that you have room for negotiation. 
When Things Aren't Going How You Expect
You're going to have unexpected challenges as an entrepreneur. When this happens, try to step back and diagnose the situation, analyzing what's causing the issue. 
Then, practice gratitude, focusing on the positive aspects and resources you possess. This helps to counter the negative self-talk that can amplify your problems. 
Finally, invest in yourself through attending events, connecting with like-minded individuals, and building your professional network. This network is a valuable support system. 
The fear of starting a business is universal, regardless of your age. 
What’s In This Episode Focus on Actual Business Results
Permission to Pursue Opportunities
Financial Viability and Pricing for Profit
What To Do Next Visit lisalarter.com/e146 for all resources from this episode.