Becoming Preferred

Michael Vickers
  • 5.0 (5)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED WEEKLY
Becoming Preferred

In this informative and practical podcast, Michael and his guests share the latest strategies and tactics to help you become the preferred provider (the emotional favorite) in the markets you serve. The key insights and strategies discussed, come from Michael's experience working with many of the finest brands in business today and his guest interviews will inspire you, educate you, and give you the tools you need to be successful in today's turbulent and competitive marketplace.

  1. Jane McCarthy – Embrace Your Strengths

    2 DAYS AGO

    Jane McCarthy – Embrace Your Strengths

    SEASON: 4 EPISODE: 36    Episode Overview: Ever feel like you're not quite living up to your full potential? My guest today is Jane McCarthy, a force of nature dedicated to helping you clear mind clutter, embrace your strengths and thrive with hope.  Jane's a coach, speaker, and strategist who empowers individuals to unlock their hidden talents and create a life they truly love. Get ready to be inspired as we dive into Jane's powerful strategies for maximizing your potential, and living your best life. Join me now for my conversation with Jane McCarthy. Guest Bio:  With over 30 years of experience, including a trailblazing career at Verizon, Jane McCarthy is a HOPE Activator who empowers people to clear mind clutter and embrace their strengths. A pioneer in telecommuting and job sharing, Jane’s speaking and workshop facilitation are filled with positivity, infectious enthusiasm, and unwavering support.  Jane’s inspired audiences of 700K globally with her message of HOPE: Holding On to Positive Energy. As the founder of JaneSTORM, she connects people and ideas, guiding them to lead with heart and achieve success, both live and virtually. Resource Links: Website: Janestorm.comProduct Link: https://www.janestorm.com/deckofhope Insight Gold Timestamps: 03:41 They said, “When you show up, we don't brainstorm, we JaneStorm!” 04:37 Don Clipton said 50 years ago, “What would we do if we focused on people's strengths instead of their weaknesses?” 06:15 You're kind of renowned for what you talk about as the top 5 strengths 08:22 You talk about maximizing potential 09:03 W hat is the story you're telling yourself? 11:50 All anybody ever wants is to be seen, heard, valued, and understood 14:54 I learned about David Hawkins, who is a scientist  16:26 Knowing what people do well and then having them focus on that 18:47 You always want to come from ‘how’ and ‘what’ questions  20:10 DEI is a trigger word 22:36 How do you want to hold on to positive energy in a team?  23:26 When you become a strengths based culture 25:29 Have you determined an origin for the strengths? 27:30 Are some of these attributes or strengths more important than others to develop? 30:08 It's knowing your audience 33:24 What's required to fix it and create the transformation that's required 35:21 I think you made a very important point where we have to put ourselves in the other person's shoes 36:18 Jane Storm, positive force for your future 37:29 That is my superpower: looking at things absolutely from the glass is half full  Connect Socially: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jane-mccarthy-janestorm/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JaneStormHopeActivator YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@janestorm6033 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janestorm_hopeactivator/ Email: Jane@Janestorm.com Sponsors:  Rainmaker LeadGen Platform Demo: a href="https://bookme.michaelvickers.com/lite/rainmaker-leadgen-platform-demo"...

    40 min
  2. Dr. Stefanie Boyer – Sales Enablement with AI

    FEB 10

    Dr. Stefanie Boyer – Sales Enablement with AI

    SEASON: 4 EPISODE: 35 Episode Overview: Ever feel like you are working hard, but not always smart? This week on Becoming Preferred, we're diving into the world of sales enablement with Dr. Stefanie Boyer, a true expert in the field.  Stefanie helps businesses equip their sales teams with the tools, resources, and strategies they need to close deals and boost revenue. She's here to break down what sales enablement really is, why it matters, and how you can implement it in your own organization. Get ready to transform your sales performance with my guest, Stefanie Boyer.  Guest Bio:  Dr. Stefanie Boyer, Professor of Marketing at Bryant University, is the Co-Founder of RNMKRS, a virtual platform for training and assessing sales talent. She is Executive Director of the Northeast Intercollegiate Sales Competition, linking organizations with top talent, and is the recipient of the prestigious American Marketing Association Sales Educator of the Year Award. Stefanie coauthored The Little Black Book of Social Media, Strategies to Ignite Your Business, Influencer, and Professional Brand. She brings unique and valuable experience to the classroom and to organizations that want to build their client base. Since 2003, Dr. Boyer has held various roles in training and developing sales professionals working in sales and preparing to go into sales. Her expertise leverages self-directed learning philosophies to help organizations get more out of their training resources. What does that mean? Your team will learn more effectively and efficiently and you will see an improvement in performance when you use this approach. Dr. Boyer uses an adaptability approach to training teams to shorten their decision making cycle and capitalize on revenue opportunities. Dr. Boyer created a sales movement at Bryant University with a sales minor, various sales competitions and events, a vibrant sales team and mentorship programs. She strives to bring together the brightest sales students and leading sales organizations in the northeast and expanding around the country for networking, recruiting, competition and skill-building. Dr. Boyer has won several teaching, innovation, research and service awards over the years in the sales field. You can find more information about her research and the training she does in the following outlets: Wall Street Journal, Sales Education Foundation Annual Magazine, Journal of Business Research, Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, Journal of Selling, International Journal of Education, Journal of Marketing Analytics, Journal of Self-Directed Learning, Marketing Management Journal, Journal of Marketing Channels, Journal of Business to Business Marketing, Journal of Managerial Issues, Journal of Marketing Education, Journal for Advancement of Marketing Education, Academy of Marketing Studies Journal, International Journal of Sales, Marketing and Retailing, and the Journal of Research and Interactive Marketing, among others. B.A., M.B.A., Ph.D. University of South Florida. Resource Links: Website: Website: https://www.bryant.edu/academics/faculty/boyer-stefanieProduct Link: a...

    42 min
  3. Returning Guest, Sandie Eggers – Cultivating Gratitude, Even in Adversity

    FEB 3

    Returning Guest, Sandie Eggers – Cultivating Gratitude, Even in Adversity

    SEASON: 4 EPISODE: 34 Episode Overview: Are you experiencing adversity or challenges, personally or professionally? Life’s storms are inevitable. These storms affect us by bringing anxiety and worry, depression, and lack of motivation. They rob us of our physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Either you are just coming out of one, you are currently in one, or you will soon be in one.  We cannot escape them, but learning how to navigate them is the key. To help us cultivate gratitude, even in adversity, is speaker and life coach, Sandie Eggers. Guest Bio:  “Do nothing and be dead in a few days,” were the words Sandie Eggers heard from her husband’s surgeon, words that began her greatest season of challenge to date. The two main things that enabled Sandie to weather this life storm were God and the transformational power of gratitude. Sandie is passionate about helping others by sharing what she’s learned so that they, too, can better navigate through their own life storms. In addition to having authored the book, “Live Boldly and Embrace Joy” about her life-altering experience, Sandie also shares her knowledge through online courses, webinars, and workshops. She speaks to civic, religious, and corporate groups. FUN FACT: Sandie now lives in the low country. By God’s grace and blessing, she has achieved one of her personal goals: living in a place where the only “white stuff” she sees is beach sand. Resource Links: Website: https://www.yourlifeabundant.comProduct Link: https://www.amazon.com/Embrace-Each-Day-Joy-Laughing-ebook/dp/B00LK9WKVC Insight Gold Timestamps: 03:44 The greatest adversity that I'd gone through was the terminal illness of my husband 05:02 While we couldn't control this monster called cancer…. 06:18 It's easy when we're living in an environment like we're living 08:45 Your work centers a lot on fostering an attitude of gratitude 10:19 You talk about gratitude being a practice 11:19 There's some specific techniques that you can use when you're a pessimist  13:16 You can begin to see the good out of a very bad situation 13:32 Declare an International Be Kind to (Fill in Your Name) Day! 14:47 Having gratitude to something outside yourself 17:56 How does the mechanism of gratitude get us out of that place, that negative space? 19:47 There's physical benefits, though, that come from having gratitude as well 23:12 How can we then cultivate gratitude, not only for the good things in our lives 24:47 Hey, thanks so much, I appreciate you 25:30 Remember that you’re not alone 27:03 Your book, Embrace Each Day with Joy Connect Socially: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/your-life-abundant Email: YLA-info@protonmail.com Sponsors:  Rainmaker LeadGen Platform Demo: https://bookme.michaelvickers.com/lite/rainmaker-leadgen-platform-demo Rainmaker Digital Solutions: https://www.rainmakerdigitalsolutions.com/ Resources: https://becomingpreferred-podcast.com/resources/

    29 min
  4. Behdad Jamshidi – Finding the Right Marketing Partner for Your Business

    JAN 27

    Behdad Jamshidi – Finding the Right Marketing Partner for Your Business

    SEASON: 4 EPISODE: 33 Episode Overview: Marketing can be tricky, and expensive if you get it wrong. Choosing the right strategy, and agency partners can be a real game-changer. That’s where my next guest comes in. His company has vetted over 800 marketing agencies to find the best at what they do.   If you are looking to save time and money finding the perfect agency or contractors for business, then you are going to enjoy my conversation with the founder of CJAM Marketing, Behdad Jamshidi.  Guest Bio:  Behdad Jamshidi started CJAM Marketing after realizing that most companies don’t know how to evaluate the value of a marketing agency or assess their own needs. Since every business is different not only in their needs but where they are at in the growth process, it isn’t a one size fits all. In the past 5 years, Behdad (or Bee) has met with and assessed 971+ marketing agencies and vetted them down to a lean 100+ preferred partners across all marketing niches. After pairing hundreds of businesses with the right partners, he’s found his skillset lies in the matchmaking process. Featured in MarketWatch, Bloomberg, National Post and the Financial Post, Bee’s unique background in marketing, engineering, consulting, leadership, sales and strategy, has allowed him to serve as the conduit between business owners and the marketing teams they need. Resource Links: Website: https://cjammarketing.com/Free Consultation: https://cjammarketing.com/book-a-call-general/ Insight Gold Timestamps: 02:22 I ended up working for a company called Telus 03:43 There's a gap between marketing agencies 05:52 Most businesses only do one meeting before they end up hiring the marketing agency  08:41 Some of the biggest mistakes I see 10:32 You talk about chemistry as a key factor and how important it is 12:21 Let's talk about price 16:15 So, a couple of the red flags that you'll get 18:04 How important is it to find an agency with niche or niche expertise 20:00 When you talk about the references 22:07 Should businesses or your clients be wary of the agencies that promise guaranteed results? 25:10 Basically you need a marketing executive with an understanding of sales 28:18 You've got to go back to the drawing board 31:28 if you want great customer service, be a great customer Connect Socially: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cjam-marketing/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cjammarketing Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cjammarketing/ Email: bjamshidi@cjammarketing.com Sponsors:  Rainmaker LeadGen Platform Demo: https://bookme.michaelvickers.com/lite/rainmaker-leadgen-platform-demo Rainmaker Digital Solutions: https://www.rainmakerdigitalsolutions.com/ Resources: https://becomingpreferred-podcast.com/resources/

    35 min
  5. James Brown – Build a Thriving Business (and Have a Life)

    JAN 20

    James Brown – Build a Thriving Business (and Have a Life)

    SEASON: 4 EPISODE: 32 Episode Overview: Ready to build a thriving business without sacrificing your life? If you want to transform your business into a well-oiled machine by implementing the right processes and systems that drive efficiency and growth, so that you can spend less time struggling and more time achieving the results you’ve always envisioned, then you are going to enjoy my conversation with author, speaker and coach, and founder of the Business Accelerator Institute, James Brown. Guest Bio:  James is the CEO and Founder of Business Accelerator Institute and Perseverance Squared. He launched his first business in 1994, quickly expanding it to multiple top-performing locations with $8 million in annual revenue. In 2014, James shifted to coaching, guiding over 350 business owners through strategic growth. As a fractional CEO at How To Manage a Small Law Firm, he helped launch Small Law Firm University, generating $3 million in revenue within a year. In 2023, he founded Perseverance Squared, followed by the Business Accelerator Institute to help professional service providers transform their businesses and lives. James also co-founded Welcome Home Legacy Holdings, a real estate investment company aiming for $100 million in assets. James holds a Business degree from Lindenwood University and a JD from St. Louis University. He has been recognized as “St. Louis’ Best Attorney to Have on Your Side” and “Bankruptcy Lawyer of the Year,” with features in USA Today and The Wall Street Journal. James is the CEO/Founder of Business Accelerator Institute and Perseverance Squared where he is a business consultant with a strong background in law. He launched his first business in 1994 and rapidly expanded to multiple top-performing locations reaching $8M in annual revenue. In 2014, James transitioned to coaching, guiding over 350 business owners to significant growth through strategic management and marketing. As a fractional CEO/SLFU Program Manager at How To Manage a Small Law Firm, he launched Small Law Firm University, growing it to $3 million in revenue within a year, and developed a C M O program that generated an additional $2 million annually. With a Business degree from Lindenwood University and a JD from St. Louis University, James is a recognized industry expert and co-author of the best-selling book Shift Happens. He has earned numerous accolades for his legal expertise and business acumen. Resource Links: Website: https://businessaccelerator.institute/Product Link: https://businessaccelerator.institute/preferred Insight Gold Timestamps: 02:02 D on't ever tell me I can't do something 03:17 They believe their doubts and they doubt their beliefs 03:46 It's called the doctrine of sacrifice  05:28 The biggest challenge always is mindset 06:48 The lowest and worst use of a business owner's time is actually doing the production itself 08:19 They see hiring and they see marketing as an expense 10:28 So let's talk about identifying the accelerator mindset 11:59 I look at it like stories in a building 15:57 What do you think causes the limiting beliefs in the first place? 16:37 Limiting beliefs to me, come from one of two places 17:51 Let's talk about measuring success beyond the bottom line 19:56 Everybody’s 'why' is different 20:49 Do you have examples of a transformation experience 23:19 I call them stop gaps 25:08 I think some people need more hand holding than others 25:45 When you're surrounded by like minded individuals, magic happens 26:29 I just got done reading this a...

    34 min
  6. Christian Jack – Frontal Cortex Persuasion

    JAN 13

    Christian Jack – Frontal Cortex Persuasion

    SEASON: 4 EPISODE: 31 Episode Overview: Are you tired of feeling like you’re always chasing the next sale or struggling to meet quota? Ready to close more deals with less effort and resistance? Want to set higher-quality appointments that convert? Are you looking to increase your income and career opportunities? All of these are achievable when you learn to ethically and effectively influence others.  My guest today will share with us his insights on how to build genuine relationships and help you transform how you approach every sale or opportunity. Join me now for my conversation with the founder of The Sales Dojo, Christian Jack. Guest Bio:  Christian Jack is a highly respected sales coach and growth consultant with a proven ability to scale businesses to multiple eight figures. He provides fractional CRO services, one-on-one coaching, and tailored sales training that empower professionals and entrepreneurs to achieve sustainable growth.  Specializing in influence, persuasion, and sales frameworks, Christian has successfully brokered millions in deals and coached hundreds of professionals, managers, leaders, and sales pros on mastering key skills like body language, leadership, and communication. His practical, personalized approach enables clients to maximize their influence, boost performance, and achieve long-term success. Resource Links: Website: https://thesalesdojo.co/ Insight Gold Timestamps: 01:37 Some of the most important things as I was being raised were discipline and consistency 03:29 What can I do where I will have ultimate job security forever 06:29 Some people call it the ‘post trust era’ 08:24 I think AI is still in its infancy 10:23 Let's talk about how people buy 11:20 You've developed a process, Frontal Cortex Persuasion, FCP  12:40 The biggest portion that gets in the way of people making buying decisions is usually the frontal cortex 14:14 How do you get somebody's attention? 16:21 Getting people's attention is the first step towards starting any sort of sales process 17:02 Next one is Bonding 19:04 This one is the comprehension stage 21:35 You're starting to get them problem aware, product aware, etc 23:36 You emphasize the importance of mindset and self belief when it comes to selling 24:38 Comes down to having the consistency and the discipline to realize that your thoughts shape your reality 26:33 I think our role is to not necessarily fake our confidence, but to protect our confidence 29:36 Lots of people will get stuck in one narrow minded view of certain topics in their life 31:14 The biggest hit to a salesperson's confidence is going to be selling a product or service that they don't actually believe in 33:28 The internal voice is so much more powerful than the external voice 34:41 What the prospect says is gospel, and what you say is garbage 35:03 You don't rise to the level of your goals, you fall to the level of your standards 35:39 The biggest thing that a lot of companies miss out on when they're hiring…. 37:37 The biggest thing that anybody can do in order to make more sales is…. Connect Socially: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christian-jack-989306295/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/christian.jack.58152/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@christianjack.tiktok YouTube: a href="https://www.youtube.com/@therealchristianjack"...

    41 min
  7. Jay Dhahan – Uncage Your ROAR

    JAN 6

    Jay Dhahan – Uncage Your ROAR

    SEASON: 4 EPISODE: 30 Episode Overview: Feeling stuck, or unfulfilled? Want to learn how to tap into your inner potential and achieve greatness? We often hear about physical performance, but what about neuro-performance? How can entrepreneurs and business professionals optimize their brain function for peak productivity, better decision-making, and increased resilience in the face of challenges? My guest today, is a global speaker, coach, and serial entrepreneur renowned for his transformative approach to personal and business growth. Please join me for my conversation with Jay Dhahan. Guest Bio:  Jay Dhahan is a distinguished global speaker, coach, and serial entrepreneur renowned for his transformative approach to personal and business growth. As the founder and CEO of NextGen Wealthy, Jay leverages his expertise in behavioral science, neuro-linguistics, and hypnotherapy to empower leaders to master their mindset, communication, and connections in today's digital age.  With a wealth of experience in commercial real estate development, Jay has built an impressive 8-figure portfolio, underscoring his commitment to excellence and generational wealth creation. Resource Links: Website: https://jaydhahan.com/Website: https://nextgenwealthy.com/Product Link: https://www.skool.com/jaydhahan-free Insight Gold Timestamps: 03:09 I got access to money and that positioned me in the wrong places 05:15 nextgenwealthy.com 06:50 To be successful in organizations, I think we have to be entrepreneurs 08:03 How are we actually helping people take their life to the next level? 10:43 You’ve got to give yourself time to think 11:48 It doesn't teach things like communication skills, it doesn't teach financial literacy 12:32 I think now it's more about ‘people capital’ 14:52 You teach a concept called Uncaging Your Roar 16:05 We focus on brotherhood, blessings, and breakthroughs 17:20 There's a fine line between fearlessness and recklessness 19:37 Let's go back to the Boomers 22:07 When we look at the instant gratification 23:00 You also teach the importance of neuro-performance in business 24:10 Of the common 7 emotions that we feel, 6 are negative 25:51 How does Jay start his day in order to get the mindset in the right place?  28:21 Not to overcomplicate it 28:34 T he app called Blinkist.com 29:47 I don't believe in work life balance 31:57 Fulfillment needs to be more of a focus than just sales Connect Socially: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaydhahan/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JDhahan  X (Twitter): https://x.com/JayDhahan YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@jaydhahan Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jaydhahan/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nextgenwealthy/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jaydhahan Email: a href="mailto:info@nextgenwealthy.com"...

    36 min
  8. Liz Brooks – Podcast Marketing, The Key to Differentiation

    12/16/2024

    Liz Brooks – Podcast Marketing, The Key to Differentiation

    SEASON: 4 EPISODE: 29 Episode Overview: Ready to level up your PR game? In today’s competitive marketplace, one of the best ways to position yourself as a thought leader, enhance your reputation, and attract potential clients or customers is through Podcast interviews.  This popular PR tool provides you a unique opportunity to connect with your target audience, build credibility, and share your story in an authentic and engaging way. To help us understand how to use podcasts as an effective PR strategy, is my guest, PR Podcast Marketing Specialist, Liz Brooks. Guest Bio:  Liz Brooks is a client and media relations professional with a specialized focus on guiding SMEs and brands through strategic Podcast Interview Marketing campaigns. With a rich background in PR, including experience with prominent traditional media outlets and leading blue-chip agencies, Liz combines her expertise in media relations with innovative podcast marketing strategies.  Her ability to harness the power of creative storytelling allows clients to effectively engage target audiences, build brand authority, and achieve tailored communication goals. Liz’s sophisticated approach to blending podcast marketing and PR ensures maximum outreach and impact, making her a trusted advisor for brands looking to navigate the evolving media landscape with precision and innovation. Resource Links: Website: https://interviewvalet.com/liz/  Podcast Production Platforms we would recommend: Descript: https://www.descript.comAlitu: https://alitu.com Insight Gold Timestamps: 01:59 I've been a long life musician 04:01 I didn't realize that I've been doing PR this whole time 06:24 Now with Interview Valet, I act as a PR strategist and also a client account manager 07:48 60 or 70 % of podcasts fail because they don't get past 5 or 6 episodes  08:49 If you want to get into podcasting, first of all, you really have to want it 09:32 Lots of great software programs, Descript 10:09 It's also a statistic that people will trust their favorite podcasters more than other news sources  11:46 Big shoutout to Interview Valet 12:45 There are the folks that go for the daily podcasts 14:44 I think it really matters on the content  15:11 30 to 40 minutes is usually the sweet spot 18:04 If you really want to be able to measure results, start using welcome pages 19:05 What are some of the key coaching techniques  20:43 What is a problem that you help solve? 22:28 What do you recommend from Interview Valet’s perspective? 23:46 You say, and teach, that authenticity is crucial for podcast interviews 25:43 What trends or emerging trends do you see in podcast PR? 27:58 There's some industries or segments that have a reputation for being a little dry and maybe boring  30:15 What advice would you give listeners who want to leverage podcasting as a powerful tool 32:01 InterviewValet.com/Liz Connect Socially: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizgbrooks/ Email: liz@interviewvalet.com Sponsors:  Rainmaker LeadGen Platform Demo: a...

    34 min
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About

In this informative and practical podcast, Michael and his guests share the latest strategies and tactics to help you become the preferred provider (the emotional favorite) in the markets you serve. The key insights and strategies discussed, come from Michael's experience working with many of the finest brands in business today and his guest interviews will inspire you, educate you, and give you the tools you need to be successful in today's turbulent and competitive marketplace.

Information

  • Creator
    Michael Vickers
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2025
  • Episodes
    144
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 Michael Vickers
  • Show Website
    Becoming Preferred

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