My Takes

Jonathan Saar

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MARKETING
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My Takes by Jonathan Saar

5D AGO

The Power of Non-Negotiables: Sustaining Yourself When Life Won’t Slow Down – Episode 25

Welcome back to My Takes! Ever catch yourself saying, "It's been a crazy week, things will slow down?" I've got a reality check for you, courtesy of a good friend: they won't. This week, I'm sharing the crucial shift in perspective that moved me from futile hope to actionable recovery. If you feel like you're constantly chasing your tail, tune in to hear why planning your non-negotiable recovery period is the only way to sustain yourself through the craziness. What's your non-negotiable? Let me know in the comments! Key Timestamps/Show Highlights: 0:00 - The Comforting Lie: Why saying "It's been a crazy week" is a trap. 0:45 - The Reality Check: Why "normal" is never coming back. 1:05 - The Futility of Waiting: Realizing why hoping for things to "slow down" is pointless. 1:29 - The Solution: Finding and planning your non-negotiable recovery period. 1:55 - Sustain the Craziness: How personal non-negotiables keep you going.
FEB 13

Branding Fail: Google Maps Led Me to Denim, Not Dinner – Episode 24

Welcome back! In this week's "My Take", I dive into a bizarre experience I had downtown that perfectly illustrates the pitfalls of poor branding. Ever follow Google Maps only to end up somewhere completely unexpected? Find out how a simple search for "Fancy Groceries" landed me in a high-end denim store! Join me as I share my real-time reaction to brand misrepresentation and discuss why choosing the right name for your company is crucial to avoid losing sales and confusing customers. Show Highlights/Key Timestamps: 00:00 - The Grocery Store Hunt Gone Wrong: Kicking off the episode with a real-life blunder—searching for snacks and finding high-fashion denim instead. 01:15 - "Fancy Groceries" vs. Reality: What happens when your business name promises one thing but delivers something completely different? (The definition of Brand Misrepresentation). 02:30 - Winston-Salem Store Spotlight (Cool but Confusing): A shout-out to the cool store owner and the aesthetics, despite the branding fail. 03:45 - My Marketing Takeaways: Why a deceptive name can lead to lost sales and branding headaches—a critical lesson for all business owners.

1 min
FEB 6

The Secret Weapon: Why Character (Not Structure) Wins Content – Episode 23

Welcome back! I'm Jonathan Saar, and this week I'm broadcasting from the cool, character-filled streets of Winston-Salem, North Carolina. It got me thinking: does your content have character? We often get so structured and stiff that we kill the authenticity that actually connects with an audience. If the algorithms punish scripted content, why are we still so formal? In this quick episode, I dive into how embracing your unique character—your brand's passion and vision—is the only way to build a real audience. Don't be stiff; build character! Key Timestamps / Highlights 00:00 – Winston-Salem Character Check: Exploring a cool, retro college town and what it means to have 'character.' 00:35 – Content's Character Crisis: Why are we so scripted and formal in our content creation? 00:50 – The Algorithm Secret: How being "stuffy and stiff" actually harms your reach on most platforms. 1:10 – Does Your Content Speak You?: The essential question for aligning your content with your brand and vision. 1:30 – Building Your Audience: The real challenge of building a following when your content lacks personality.

2 min
JAN 30

Stop, Analyze, Move Forward: How to Use Metrics for Business Pivots – Episode 22

Hey everyone, Jonathan Saar here with 'My Takes'! Ever feel like you've gone off-track, even when you thought you were on the right path? Today, I'm sharing a little lesson from my recent hike, where I had to stop, analyze, and move forward—a lesson that applies perfectly to checking your business metrics and client progress. Are your current efforts actually moving you in the right direction? Tune in to find out why making those tiny pivots is the key to success. Don't forget to hit like and subscribe for more 'My Takes'! Show Highlights & Timestamps 0:00 - Welcome to 'My Takes': Storm King Hiking Lesson 0:45 - The crucial phrase: Stop, Analyze, Move Forward 1:10 - Backtracking: When metrics signal you're off-course 1:45 - Making little pivots for big results 2:15 - Client conversations: Applying the analyze-and-adjust mindset

1 min
JAN 16

The Number One Content Rule That Never Changes (Even with AI): Write for People – Episode 21

Hey everyone, Jonathan Saar here! Today, I’m digging into an article I read about writing content for artificial intelligence, and honestly? My takeaway is simple: it’s "more of the same." We used to worry about keyword stuffing, and now the advice is about answering questions for AI. But doesn't that just bring us back to the golden rule of content? Tune in to find out why your content strategy should still be 100% focused on people, and how that is the only way to win the AI content game. Plus, stick around to the end for a shout-out to some other great content you should be checking out! Key Timestamps / Show Highlights 00:00 More of the Same: Why the latest AI content advice feels familiar. 00:15 From Keyword Stuffing to AI: The evolution of SEO and content best practices. 00:30 The Core Principle: Why "write for people" is the timeless content rule. 00:45 AI's Role in Curation: How great, human-focused content succeeds with AI. 00:58 Content Mediums: Applying the human-first rule to podcasts, videos, and beyond.

2 min
JAN 9

Is Your “Grit” Just Stupidity? Why Taking Care of Your Health is the Ultimate Hustle – Episode 20

What does 'Grit' really mean? For years, I thought it meant working late, hitting every goal, and pushing through no matter the cost. My health paid the price. On today's ride through Stuart State Forest, my Garmin reminded me of this powerful word, and I realized my definition had to change. Are you confusing determination with self-destruction? Tune in for my take on how to truly build sustainable grit—the kind that lets you show up better tomorrow. Show Highlights/Timestamps: 0:00 - What is 'Grit' on a Garmin watch? Rethinking a core metric. 0:25 - Defining grit: Determination, digging your heels in, and taking a challenge head-on. 0:55 - The "Stupidity" of Early Grit: Why pushing too hard can be counterproductive. 1:35 - Health Nosedive: Was my hustle culture just stupidity in disguise? 2:08 - True Grit Defined: Prioritizing health for better performance and clarity. 2:35 - Postponing a Call: The "Grit" to step away and hit the gym. 2:56 - Sustainable Grit: How to keep showing up strong every single day.

3 min
JAN 7

Bask in the Moment Before the Next Project – Episode 19

Hey everyone, Jonathan Saar here! I'm sharing a quick take from the beautiful Stewart State Forest. We're always pushing, always tracking, but when was the last time you actually paused to enjoy the view? Today, I’m talking about why stopping to reflect on your hard work—whether it's your Q4 goals or just today’s achievements—is the most crucial thing you can do for yourself and your team. We'll dive into the importance of basking in the moment before rushing to the next project. Watch the full episode and ask yourself: Are you truly enjoying the view of your success? Show Highlights/Timestamps 0:00 - Opening in Stewart State Forest: Why I had to stop the ride. 0:35 - The "Beat Records" trap: The danger of constant tracking and stats. 0:50 - Realizing the Importance of the View: A lesson learned from friends. 1:05 - The Work Parallel: From project to project—do we ever stop? 1:20 - Enjoy the View: A challenge to reflect on your year, quarter, and day. 1:35 - Reflection: Why basking in the accomplishment is vital for team morale.

2 min
JAN 5

Company Roadmaps: The Must-Have Tool for Growth and Team Focus – Episode 18

Hey everyone, Jonathan Saar here! Ever feel lost on the trail... or in your business? I recently had a ride on a beautiful but unmarked path, and it was a huge reminder about the power of a clear direction. In this episode, we're talking about roadmaps—why I've changed my mind about them and why your company needs one, like, yesterday. Are you keeping your team focused? Do your customers know what's coming next? Tune in to find out how a simple roadmap can completely change your perspective and drive growth! Highlights/Timestamps 0:00 - The Unmarked Trail: Why Getting Lost Reminded Me of Business Roadmaps 1:30 - You Can't Go Wrong: The Universal Benefit of a Company Roadmap 2:05 - Internal Focus: How Roadmaps Keep Your Team Laser-Focused 2:45 - External Transparency: Why Software Companies Share Customer Roadmaps 3:15 - My Takeaways: The Driver's Seat Position on Planning for Success [powerepress]

2 min
JAN 2

Facing the Business Unknown: Steer Into the Wave – Episode 17

Hey everyone, Jonathan Saar with My Takes! Ever been totally thrown off course? I was on an "awesome ride" in the Poconos that turned into a muddy, bike-carrying trek through the unknown. Today, I'm sharing what that unexpected challenge taught me about facing the "unknown" in business—from economic shifts to campaign risks. Are you ready to steer into the wave? Let's talk about the fortitude it takes to navigate those unfamiliar waters, both on the trail and in the boardroom. Show Highlights & Timestamps (0:00) The Poconos Plot Twist: When an "awesome ride" turns into an unexpected survival trek (and what I learned from lifting my bike over creeks). (0:47) Navigating the Unpassable Terrain: The moment I realized my research wasn't enough, and how to deal with overwhelming obstacles. (1:18) Business Unknowns: Economy, Campaigns & Consumer Decisions: Shifting the focus from the trail to the boardroom—what keeps us up at night? (1:45) Steer Into the Wave (Star Trek Nexus Analogy): Why running from the unknown isn't an option, and the courage it takes to face it head-on. (2:10) Fortitude and Team Courage: The key leadership move when entering uncertain territory: making sure your team is with you.

3 min
12/31/2025

AI Business Storm: Why You MUST Ride the Uncharted Trail – Episode 16

Hey everyone, Jonathan Saar here! Ever found yourself staring down an uncharted trail with a storm on the way? That's exactly where I was today, biking through Iroquois Heights right here in Hamilton, Ontario. It got me thinking: are you riding the storm of new business territory, like AI, or watching from the sidelines? Tune in as I share my thoughts on why embracing the unknown is the only way to keep your business from being left out in the cold. Let's talk trailblazing, tech, and tackling those tricky obstacles! Key Highlights/Timestamps: 0:00 - Riding into the Storm: The unique challenge of mountain biking uncharted territory in Canada. 0:45 - Business Parallels: Why facing a cold front on the trail is like navigating AI and new tech in business. 1:10 - Don't Sit on the Sidelines: The critical need to adopt new business models and get "into it." 1:35 - Iroquois Heights Trail: Quick thoughts on the beautiful, technical trails and the Hamilton, Ontario location. 2:00 - Trailblazing Business Security: Thoughts on content management, AI's role, and protecting proprietary intellectual property.

2 min

10 Episodes

My Takes by Jonathan Saar

Creator

Jonathan Saar
Years Active

2025 - 2026
Episodes

10
Rating

Clean
Show Website

My Takes