Grow For It‪!‬ Jim Ray Consulting Services Management Business Development and Marketing

Episode 28:  It’s my pleasure to welcome Michael Hall, Executive Advisor with Hall & Associates to discuss the topic of Human Analytics.  As Mike describes it, think of this as Moneyball for companies.  He uses analytics to help business leaders to gain valuable insights when it comes to managing, leading and inspiring employees and managers.
Human Analytics
Mike begins with a definition, from Google, that captures the essence of Human Analytics.  “The systematic identification and quantification of the human drivers of business outcomes.” 
Similar to the move Moneyball, this approach focuses heavily on analytic data, rather than the more subjective evaluations of a person’s innate wiring and likely performance in a particular role.  Mike quotes Jim Collins from his book Good to Great, the objective is to “Get the right people on the bus, get the wrong people off the bus and the right people in the right seats.”
Could You and Your Organization Benefit from a Conversation with Mike?
Contact Mike Hall for a confidential discussion.
Website:         http://www.mikeghall.com
Phone:             (502) 303-2164
Thank you for taking the time to listen to this episode.  From more information on business-related issues, visit my website at www.JimRayConsultingServices.com.
Got Podcast? Finally, if you’re interested in developing and launching a podcast for your business or organization, I’d be happy to help.  I provide this service on a regional basis.  Visit my podcast production services page for more information.
 
Until next time, remember, if you need help with your small business, Let’s Grow For It!

Episode 27:  I’m happy to welcome Rita Ernst to the studio to discuss the launch of her new Show Up Positive book.  You may remember Rita from Episode 22.  She is an industrial/organizational psychologist, who became a business consultant and now, a published author.  She’s appeared in the local news, on radio and to a book signing with 70 people.  Let’s learn about how her approach to helping individuals to have a positive impact.
To order a copy of the Show Up Positive book, click one of the links on this page:  https://jimrayconsultingservices.com/podcast/the-show-up-positive-book-by-rita-ernst/
I want to thank you for taking the time to listen to this episode.  From more information on business-related issues, visit my website at www.JimRayConsultingServices.com.
Got Podcast? Finally, if you’re interested in developing and launching a podcast for your business or organization, I’d be happy to help.  I provide this service on a regional basis.  Visit my podcast production services page for more information.
Until next time, remember, if you need help with your small business, Let’s Grow For It!

Episode 26:  I’m happy to welcome Marcy Young to the studio for today’s episode.  Marcy is the Founder and CEO of HR Alliance LLC, in Louisville, Kentucky.  She’s developed a business model enabling companies to contract with her and her team of HR specialists, without having to hire them in-house.  It’s an ideal way to get the HR expertise a business needs for ongoing help, project-based initiatives or a hybrid plan customized to meet specific needs and/or situations. Does Your Company Need Help with an HR Issue?
Contact Marcy Young and her team of HR Professionals for a confidential discussion.
Website:         https://yourhralliance.com/
Phone:             (502) 689-6009
Thank you for taking the time to listen to this episode.  From more information on business-related issues, visit my website at www.JimRayConsultingServices.com.
Got Podcast? Finally, if you’re interested in developing and launching a podcast for your business or organization, I’d be happy to help.  I provide this service on a regional basis.  Visit my podcast production services page for more information.
Until next time, remember, if you need help with your small business, Let’s Grow For It!
 

Episode 25:  Cyber security and cyber theft are real issues for small business owners.  There are now cyber liability insurance policies available to cover you, should you fall victim.  In this episode, I interview Beth Combs and David Goheen from Gallagher, a large insurance company providing multi-line insurance, risk management and consulting services.
Thank you for taking the time to listen to this episode.  From more information on business-related issues, visit my website at www.JimRayConsultingServices.com.
Got Podcast? Finally, if you’re interested in developing and launching a podcast for your business or organization, I’d be happy to help.  I provide this service on a regional basis.  Visit my podcast production services page for more information.
Until next time, remember, if you need help with your small business, Let’s Grow For It!

Episode 24:  Ever think about writing a book?  In this episode, I interview Cathy Fyock who’s a professional book writing coach.  We’ll discuss how she works with her authors, why you should consider writing book and part of the process involved in accomplishing it.
Cathy began coaching after writing her own books.  She had been consulting, but wasn’t as happy in this role, as she’d hoped.  She had managed to write 4 of her 5 books in less than 6 weeks.  A colleague asked her about her process for accomplishing this so efficiently.  That’s when it actually dawned on her that her process did, in fact, exist.  She was invited to give a program on it and engage in a coaching role.  That’s where it all began.
Many people want to write a book.  They recognize the need, but they don’t understand where to get started or how to stay on course to complete it.  Cathy has the solution to these and many other challenges.
What Types of Clients Does Cathy Fyock Help?
Cathy works with professional speakers, consultants, coaches, thought-leaders, solopreneurs, wealth advisors, CPAs, attorneys and realtors.  If you use your expertise as a strategy to serve your client base, codifying that expertise is a way to educate, inspire and sell your client base.
Having published a book can position you as an industry expert.  It lends a high-level of credibility to your personal and professional brand.  The topics in your book can help people realize an alignment between their goals and your ability to help them to achieve those goals. 
Your book will help promote a sense of trust and authenticity between you and your target audience.  Cathy is a huge fan of writing your own book, rather than using a ghost writer.  The process will help you to clarify your thoughts and mastery of the topic.
It May Not Be Easy
Cathy admits, writing a book is hard work.  In fact, most of her clients don’t actually love to write.  This is why having a coach is vital to the book’s organization, your accountability or other support issues.
Authority is one of Cathy’s latest projects.  It’s about the power of authorship.  It’s an anthology of stories and perspectives from 15 different thought-leaders who share their advice and experience.  It’s already a Wall Street Journal and USA Today best-seller.
3 Basic Challenges for Authors
The first challenge is FOCUS.  It’s developing the strategic plan for your book that aligns with your business strategy.  The second challenge is TIME.  It relates to disciplining yourself to find the time with an already busy schedule. The third challenge is DEALING with that NEGATIVE INTERNAL VOICE.   It’s the classic imposter syndrome.  This can be one of the greatest obstacles for some authors.  Cathy serves as their cheerleader to encourage them to accomplish what they’re capable of accomplishing.
Once the Manuscript is Written
Cathy functions as a “developmental editor.”  Cathy can work with you to ensure all the correct pieces fit together regarding flow, logic and the ability to foster reader-engagement.  She is not a publisher, but she has extensive connections with publishers and can help an author to find the right one for him/her and the subject matter. 
There are different models for publishers.  Cathy realizes the need for her authors to be able to purchase their own books at cost.  They need to maintain creative control and own the copyright (as well as future rights).  You have to understand the fine print.  Cathy can help you to navigate part or all of it.  She understands the business aspect of writing a book.
How Does Cathy Fyock Work with Authors?
Cathy loves to speak with anyone who’s even thinking about the idea, with no obligation.  For those who are ready, she offers multiple types of services.  Her Coaching Service is her main program.  It’s a one-on-one process that lasts 6 months.  It encompasses strategy planning, account

Episode 23:  I invited my friend and colleague Andrew Aebersold to join me to discuss mental health marketing.  He’s the Founder/CEO of Mediaura, a digital marketing company in Jeffersonville, IN.  Today’s discussion will focus on issues related to effectively marketing a solo practitioner (e.g. therapist), a practice group or a larger company, such as a behavioral health facility.  Both of us have experience in this healthcare segment.
Marketing a mental health practice requires an understanding of the unique issues both practitioners and prospective patients/clients have regarding treatment. 
One of the realities we deal with is the fact that often, really good practitioners are not typically good marketers.  It requires a different skill set. This can create some significant challenges for the practice, especially in the digital marketing space.
There are universal issues most businesses face:
Competition is strong Conveying the specific area(s) of mental health you serve Differentiating your practice’s services offerings from the competition Targeting the ideal type(s) of clients for your practice Cultivating and deploying the proper messaging to overcome the above challenges Insurance coverage is often a factor.  The person contacting your office may be clinically viable, but not financially viable due to insurance coverage issues.  If your practice doesn’t accept insurance, it adds another variable.  Mental health marketing is very complex.
Andrew and his team at Mediaura have distinct experience marketing behavioral health practices, on a regional basis.  Many of them are located outside of our local area.  He comments about how even the best marketing tactics and strategies can fail, if the internal processes are not executed properly, when people begin contacting the practice.  We’ll explore that later in this episode.
Common Mistakes Practice Owners Make
It’s not uncommon to see a mental health practitioner turn over the marketing responsibility to people who may have been involved with the practice in the past.  There’s often a motivation to help that person by entrusting them with your marketing, because they may be acutely aware of the issues and can speak to them.  That sounds well and good, but it doesn’t always result in the progress the business needs to maintain and to grow.
If you’ve been burned by the above effort, you may be tempted to engage a large agency as a way of overcompensating for the first attempt.  This can quickly lead to significant expenses for a new website and other moves that sound good on paper.  These engagements may also require the practice owner to sign long-term contracts, regardless of performance.  It’s important to understand that what works for a general business, may not work when it comes to marketing a mental health practice. 
Finally, the practice owner may decide to throw up the hands and task the office manager with handling the marketing for the practice.  This decision might neglect to consider the amount of work responsibilities that person already has on his/her plate.  It may not be a skill he/she has to generate the results you’re hoping to deliver. 
Remember, marketing is about much more than simply posting pictures and memes on Facebook or Instagram.  Those images need to be “on brand.”  They’re affecting and influencing the way people perceive your brand and how the react to your brand’s value proposition.  If executed poorly, it can cripple your brand.
However, it might be a good idea to make your internal person the liaison between the practice and the marketing team.  It can make the communication much more efficient.  The scheduling of onsite activities can be more easily coordinated. 
Using Different Messaging
Effective mental health marketing means differentiating your messaging, based on the separate communication platforms you engage.  For instance, what might work in Instagram, may