Find My Catalyst Podcast

Mike Simmons
  • 5.0 (33)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY
Find My Catalyst Podcast

We all have problems we are looking to solve. We know that there are solutions out there, but we struggle with this. How do we find the solution, where does the nudge come from to help us take the next step, and start solving tough problems. The intention of this podcast is to help you find your catalyst and take that next step. The Find My Catalyst Podcast is a weekly podcast with Catalyst Sale founder Mike Simmons. We discuss real stories with practical application, in the context of leadership, problem solving, decision making, thinking, goal setting and execution. Other topics discussed include - Systems, Frameworks, Sales Strategy, Revenue Operations, Training, Onboarding, Sales Enablement, Organization Enablement, Workforce Development, Coaching, and Mentoring.

  1. Golf, Community, Business, and Life with Terence Daniels

    DEC 16

    Golf, Community, Business, and Life with Terence Daniels

    Terence Daniels is an experienced golfer, community-builder, and business strategist. A former college athlete, Terence shares how his love for golf evolved into a passion for connecting people and leveraging lessons from the sport to enhance both personal and professional growth. He recently launched The Cactus Club AZ, a local golf community initiative aimed at fostering connections and sharing insights within Arizona’s vibrant golf scene. Key Quotes "Golf is a long journey, just like business. You might birdie one hole and bogey the next, but it's about how you plan and adjust that determines your success." "Community is the best part of golf—connecting with people you wouldn’t meet otherwise while learning and growing together." "Confidence is key in golf and business. If you believe in your approach, the likelihood of success is much higher." In this episode, Terence Daniels explores the parallels between golf and business, emphasizing the value of community, data-driven improvement, and strategic planning. He discusses his journey from competitive golf to building The Cactus Club AZ and shares tips for beginners, including the importance of group lessons and practicing with purpose. FInd Your Catalyst at https://www.findmycatalyst.com/ Key Takeaways Golf as a Catalyst for Growth Embrace the challenge: Golf teaches patience and resilience, traits essential for personal growth. Learn from others: Play with better golfers to improve, just as mentorship accelerates professional development. Focus on small wins: Like improving a single skill in golf, success in life builds incrementally. Community Drives Success Shared interests build connections: Golf brings together diverse people, fostering lifelong relationships. Group lessons ease intimidation: For beginners, community learning reduces pressure and builds confidence. Cross-community opportunities: Golf creates overlap with other interests, sparking unexpected collaborations. Parallels Between Golf and Business Strategic planning matters: In golf, as in business, understanding the “course” ahead leads to better results. Use data to improve: Track performance to identify weaknesses and focus your practice. Learn to fail fast: Both golf and business require resilience and quick recovery from setbacks. Confidence and Perspective Trust your preparation: Confidence in tested methods increases success in high-pressure situations. Adjust your lens: A fresh perspective, like setting the camera correctly in golf, changes how you solve problems. Avoid comparison: Stay focused on your journey, whether in golf or business. Starting Your Golf Journey Begin at the range: Use rental clubs and explore options like Topgolf for fun introductions. Join group clinics: Affordable and beginner-friendly, clinics build skills in a supportive environment. Celebrate progress: Success comes in small steps, like hitting the sweet spot or mastering one club. Links and Resources Connect with Terence Daniels: https://x.com/terencedaniels https://www.instagram.com/terencedaniels/ http://thecactusclubaz.com  https://www.linkedin.com/in/terencedaniels/  Tools and Apps Discussed: Garmin Golf App, Arccos Golf

    51 min
  2. A.I. - Tools, Use Cases, Practical Application, and Risks with Jonathan Moss

    DEC 12

    A.I. - Tools, Use Cases, Practical Application, and Risks with Jonathan Moss

    Jonathan Moss, a thought leader in AI and emerging technologies, dives into how AI can help streamline processes, empower individuals, and unlock creative potential. As a passionate advocate for leveraging AI as a "thought partner," Jonathan shares insights on practical use cases, the future of AI agents, and strategies for overcoming adoption hurdles. Key Quotes from Jonathan Moss "AI is not going to replace your job, but someone who uses AI in the same job as you will replace you." "Think of AI as an intern; it needs clear instructions, context, and practice to deliver great results." "The tools we use today are enabling humans to do better human things—they simplify and empower." In this episode, Jonathan Moss explains how AI tools can revolutionize workflows, from eliminating mundane tasks to supporting strategic decision-making. By viewing AI as an extension of human creativity, Jonathan emphasizes the importance of integrating these tools thoughtfully to achieve measurable outcomes while managing risks effectively. Key Takeaways 1. AI as a Thought Partner AI excels at augmenting human creativity by handling repetitive tasks. It can brainstorm solutions and highlight blind spots in decision-making. A successful approach to AI requires learning and refining prompts. 2. Enhancing Efficiency Across Functions AI tools reduce time spent on non-strategic tasks like meeting preparation. Conversational intelligence platforms can automate coaching workflows. Documenting and optimizing processes with AI saves significant time and resources. 3. Exploring Practical AI Applications AI simplifies research for market analysis, strategic planning, and onboarding. Platforms like ChatGPT and Notebook LM enable dynamic learning and adaptation. Real-world use cases include creating recipes, designing workflows, and enhancing customer interactions. 4. Mitigating Risks in AI Adoption Ensure data security by leveraging private models or walled garden setups. Address workforce concerns by emphasizing AI as a tool for enhancement, not replacement. Regularly validate AI outputs to prevent inaccuracies or over-reliance. 5. Future Trends: Custom LLMs and AI Agents Smaller, customized large language models (LLMs) tailored to specific needs will dominate. AI agents can autonomously accomplish objectives, such as travel bookings or process automation. Tools like Relevance AI and Notebook LM offer glimpses of this future potential. Actionable Challenge for Listeners Start small with AI: use a tool like ChatGPT or Canva for a personal task, such as brainstorming ideas or creating visuals. Reflect on how the tool simplifies the process and builds confidence for professional applications.

    53 min
  3. Better Meetings: Using the Jobs to Be Done Framework with Mike Simmons

    DEC 8

    Better Meetings: Using the Jobs to Be Done Framework with Mike Simmons

    Mike Simmons explores the art of effective meetings using a "Jobs to Be Done" framework. As a leadership coach and expert in organizational dynamics, Mike breaks down common meeting challenges, offers actionable strategies, and introduces practical tools for fostering clarity, engagement, and collaboration. Three Key Quotes from Mike Simmons "Clarity is key—if you don't have a specific objective for the meeting, you're setting everyone up for frustration." "Stop combining decision-making, information-sharing, and collaboration into one meeting—it wastes time and energy." "Leverage the collective intelligence of your team to solve problems and design solutions collaboratively." Mike dissects meeting inefficiencies and introduces an approach that leverages a "Jobs to Be Done" framework to improve the effectiveness of your meetings. Categorizing meetings into decision-making, information-sharing, and collaborative types. By avoiding multitasking and fostering clarity, leaders can eliminate wasted time, enhance engagement, and drive meaningful outcomes. Tools like guided whiteboard sessions and clear next steps improve team alignment and accountability. Five Key Takeaways Define Meeting Objectives Clearly Meetings without objectives lead to confusion and wasted time. Use tools like a call plan to set the purpose and desired outcomes. Align the team on specific goals before starting. Different Types of Meetings Serve Different Purposes Decision-making: Share criteria and ensure alignment in advance. Information-sharing: Prepare pre-read materials and anticipate Q&A. Collaboration: Solve problems, design solutions, or align strategies as a group. Avoid Combining Meeting Types Multitasking meetings dilute focus and reduce effectiveness. Assess each meeting’s purpose and categorize accordingly. Create specialized agendas for each meeting type to enhance efficiency. Clarify and Assign Next Steps Use tools like color-coded notes or whiteboards to document decisions. Specify “who will do what by when” to ensure accountability. Publicly document agreements to eliminate misunderstandings. Harness the Power of Collaboration Guided whiteboard sessions enhance problem-solving and team cohesion. External facilitators can neutralize biases and encourage fresh perspectives. Leverage team diversity to innovate and tackle complex challenges effectively.

    29 min
  4. Three Hiring Mistakes and How to Solve Them - Tim Dyck and Mike Simmons

    NOV 25

    Three Hiring Mistakes and How to Solve Them - Tim Dyck and Mike Simmons

    Tim and Mike dive into the challenges businesses face in hiring, the importance of leadership, and how fractional leadership can be a game-changer for organizations. They explore common hiring pitfalls, misconceptions about experience and skills, and the role mindset plays in leadership and business success. Their conversational style combines humor and actionable insights. Three Key Quotes: "If you think your leadership is defined by how much you meddle in day-to-day operations, you're doing it wrong." "Experience doesn’t predict future performance or motivation to succeed." "Hiring isn’t about finding a perfect resume—it’s about finding someone motivated and passionate to grow with your organization." Tim and Mike tackle hiring challenges, from assessing candidates effectively to crafting meaningful job descriptions. They emphasize the need for clear, repeatable hiring processes and the importance of mindset in leadership. With practical advice and engaging anecdotes, they shed light on overcoming biases, redefining "fit," and leveraging fractional leadership to drive growth. Find Your Catalyst at https://www.findmycatalyst.com/fractional Key Takeaways: Hiring Right is Critical: Success begins with the right team; everything else builds from there. Misguided job descriptions often exclude exceptional candidates. Skills matter, but motivation and passion are the ultimate drivers. Common Hiring Challenges: Overreliance on experience instead of transferable skills. Ineffective interview processes fail to reveal true potential. Biases and unrealistic expectations hinder decision-making. Building Better Hiring Processes: Map out processes to ensure consistency and measurable outcomes. Incorporate feedback loops to refine hiring strategies. Align job descriptions with real organizational needs, not templates. Fractional Leadership as a Solution: Fractional leaders provide specialized expertise without long-term commitments. They can elevate internal teams by modeling forward-thinking practices. Suitable for various roles, including HR, operations, and marketing. The Power of Mindset: Leadership challenges often stem from insecurity and lack of focus. Embracing openness and adaptability fosters better hiring and team dynamics. Leaders who think differently can inspire innovation and drive change.

    33 min
  5. Lead Generation and Leadership for Business Growth with John Karsant

    NOV 22

    Lead Generation and Leadership for Business Growth with John Karsant

    John Karsant, founder of LevelUp Leads, shares his journey from tennis coaching to establishing a successful lead generation agency. With years of experience in sales development, John provides insights on building pipelines, hiring sales development representatives (SDRs), and the importance of aligning sales processes with organizational goals. Key Quotes: "If you don’t have a sales process and expect an SDR to figure it out, you’re setting them up for failure." "A lot of outbound campaigns fail because companies overlook the small things—like having a professional website and a clear social presence." "Don’t rely on one channel for leads; diversifying your approach is the key to long-term success." John Karsant discusses the essentials of building a scalable sales pipeline and the pitfalls of outsourcing sales development too early. He highlights the importance of leadership, process documentation, and aligning marketing and sales efforts. John also emphasizes the role of consistent branding and creating trust with potential clients. Find Your Catalyst at https://www.findmycatalyst.com/ 5 Key Takeaways: Start with the Basics: Document processes early, even if they evolve over time. Ensure internal resources are in place before outsourcing. SDRs need direction and tools to succeed; don’t hire without a solid sales framework. Outsourcing Sales Development: Pros: Faster go-to-market, reduced overhead, and immediate access to expertise. Cons: Risk of misalignment without clear internal processes. Choose outsourcing when the focus is on rapid scalability and experimentation. Building a Professional Presence: A polished website builds trust and credibility. Case studies and customer testimonials are critical for proving your value. Social media activity enhances visibility and establishes authority in your field. The Right Time for SDRs: Ensure product-market fit before scaling outreach. SDRs thrive when companies provide clear guidelines and ICP (Ideal Customer Profile). Avoid hiring if your company lacks a defined process or materials to support sales. Effective Lead Generation Strategies: Combine inbound and outbound efforts for maximum impact. Use data-driven insights, like growth rates and employee turnover, to identify prospects. Diversify lead-generation tactics to adapt to market changes and reduce risk. Connect with John Karsant on LinkedIn or visit LevelUp Leads to learn more about streamlining your sales development process. If you enjoyed this episode, share it with someone who would benefit and tag John and the host on LinkedIn or Twitter.

    49 min
  6. Three tools to improve your leadership capabilities today - with Mike Simmons

    NOV 21

    Three tools to improve your leadership capabilities today - with Mike Simmons

    Mike Simmons, leadership advisor, coach, guide and host of the "Find My Catalyst" podcast, emphasizes self-leadership as the foundation for guiding others. With years of experience helping leaders and teams achieve alignment and success, Mike shares actionable tools and insights for effective decision-making, communication, and goal execution. Key Quotes "Leadership starts with self. If you're looking for leadership, start with a mirror." "Use these tools as your lever, know where to place it based on your skills, and you will start moving the world." "The journey of 10,000 steps starts with one. Take one step aligned with your strategy to achieve your goals." In this episode, Mike explores the importance of self-awareness, confidence, and self-worth in leadership. He introduces practical tools like the 2x2 decision-making matrix and the game plan framework to improve execution and achieve meaningful results, encouraging listeners to adopt a mindset of continuous learning. Find your Catalyst at https://www.findmycatalyst.com/ 5 Key Takeaways Self-Leadership is the Foundation of Success Start with self-awareness, self-confidence, and self-worth. Leadership is a mindset: focus on controlling the controllables. Strong self-leadership attracts others and builds trust. Effective Decision-Making with the 2x2 Matrix Prioritize tasks by urgency and importance to manage time. Use energy and impact as criteria to focus on fulfilling and effective work. Delegate tasks that are high-impact but drain energy to create partnerships. Communication is a Two-Way Process Understand both your objectives and the audience’s needs. Use the "who, what, and next steps" framework for effective meetings. Clear communication fosters trust and ensures alignment. Goal Setting and Execution Simplified Break big goals into manageable steps to maintain focus. Align daily tactics with overarching strategies for maximum efficiency. Always define the "where," "how," and "when" for achieving goals. Leverage Tools to Drive Results Leadership is about using the right tools in the right context. Develop problem-solving, decision-making, and communication skills. Regularly iterate and refine strategies in a collaborative environment.

    27 min
  7. Better Meetings through Jobs to Be Done, Design, Planning, and Execution - with Mike Simmons

    NOV 17

    Better Meetings through Jobs to Be Done, Design, Planning, and Execution - with Mike Simmons

    Mike Simmons explores the intersection of leadership and meetings, focusing on how intentional planning and effective communication transform gatherings into powerful catalysts for success. He shares insights on running impactful meetings, leveraging collaboration, and cultivating leadership from self-awareness to organizational influence. 3 Key Quotes from Mike Simmons "Leadership starts with self. Once you lead yourself well, you earn the right to lead others." "Design backward and execute forward—clarity on objectives leads to impactful meetings." "Collaboration thrives when the right people are in the room, listening and engaging authentically." In this episode, Mike shares how leadership principles can transform meetings into catalysts for action. From decision-making to collaboration, he outlines strategies to align teams, solve problems, and achieve goals. Mike highlights tools like guided whiteboard sessions and the importance of starting with self-leadership to build stronger, thriving organizations. Find Your Catalyst at https://www.findmycatalyst.com/ 5 Key Takeaways Leadership in Meetings Effective leadership starts with self-awareness and self-confidence. Leading others is earned through personal growth and success. Leadership extends from individuals to teams, then organizations. Types of Meetings Decision-making: Provide clarity and criteria for group choices. Information-sharing: Engage through Q&A while conveying structured content. Collaboration: Solve problems or align on strategies collectively. Meeting Design Principles Have a call plan: Know objectives, participants, and desired outcomes. Design backward: Plan meetings to achieve specific next steps. Limit action steps: Keep follow-ups focused and manageable. Guided Whiteboard Sessions Enhance engagement using visual collaboration tools. Leverage group intelligence to align on tactics and strategies. Outside facilitators bring unbiased perspectives to problem-solving. Event and Meeting Preparation Define goals: Outline clear objectives for every interaction. Utilize tools: Event apps can facilitate connections and planning. Be curious: Engage with others authentically to build lasting relationships. Schedule a Guided Whiteboard Session with your team at https://www.findmycatalyst.com/whiteboard

    21 min
  8. How to Create Video that Makes an Impact with Tiger Joseph

    NOV 12

    How to Create Video that Makes an Impact with Tiger Joseph

    Tiger Joseph is the founder of Video Builders, a company that helps businesses create effective video content for B2B audiences. With a background in documentary filmmaking, Tiger emphasizes authentic storytelling and concise messaging, aiming to connect on an emotional level with viewers. Key Quotes "Storytelling is about transforming beliefs or behaviors. If your content doesn’t have a clear message, it just becomes noise." "Creating video content is about being real—picking up your phone and sharing one thing that will help your audience." "Every video should start with a strong hook; it’s a promise to the viewer about what they’re going to get." 5 Key Takeaways 1. The Power of Storytelling in Business Storytelling helps people connect by breaking down complex ideas into relatable narratives. It transforms beliefs or behaviors by focusing on emotional connections rather than just tasks or metrics. Using a clear structure (beginning, problem, solution) keeps audiences engaged and leads to better message retention. 2. Importance of Simplicity in Content Creation Start by addressing one problem and providing one solution to keep the message clear. Avoid overcomplicating; focus on how your content will help the audience change or think differently. Simplicity leads to action—each piece of content should encourage viewers to make a change. 3. Hooks and Structure for Engaging Video Content The hook should clearly define the problem and hint at the solution to grab attention immediately. Break content into small points and always answer the "so what?" to keep it engaging and informative. Closing with a clear action item helps turn interest into action. 4. Adapting Your Message for Different Mediums Visual media (video) can convey tone and personality better than text, which requires imagination. Consistent video posting helps build trust and allows viewers to feel connected to you over time. Using text elements, like captions, enhances understanding and makes content accessible across platforms. 5. Video Production Basics for Business Lighting and camera setup are important but secondary to the message and content quality. Start with the equipment you have and focus on delivering valuable ideas rather than perfect visuals. Bullet points or brief scripts help keep the content focused and reduce overthinking. By following Tiger Joseph’s advice on video content creation, listeners can better understand how to craft meaningful, action-oriented videos that resonate with their audience.

    49 min
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5
out of 5
33 Ratings

About

We all have problems we are looking to solve. We know that there are solutions out there, but we struggle with this. How do we find the solution, where does the nudge come from to help us take the next step, and start solving tough problems. The intention of this podcast is to help you find your catalyst and take that next step. The Find My Catalyst Podcast is a weekly podcast with Catalyst Sale founder Mike Simmons. We discuss real stories with practical application, in the context of leadership, problem solving, decision making, thinking, goal setting and execution. Other topics discussed include - Systems, Frameworks, Sales Strategy, Revenue Operations, Training, Onboarding, Sales Enablement, Organization Enablement, Workforce Development, Coaching, and Mentoring.

Information

  • Creator
    Mike Simmons
  • Years Active
    2016 - 2024
  • Episodes
    432
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2023 Catalyst Sale
  • Show Website
    Find My Catalyst Podcast

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