200 episodes

Launched in 2014, Smashing the Plateau shares weekly stories, strategies and ideas to help consultants, coaches and small business owners build success as entrepreneurs following long careers as high-achieving employees.

We believe you should be able to take control over your career destiny, do what you love, what you’re competent at doing, and get paid what you’re worth, consistently.

We are committed to the success of expertise-based businesses.

Ready to go even deeper?

The Smashing the Plateau Community uses a structured, supportive process to implement the kinds of strategies we discuss in this podcast. It is a community that is built to be a safe, caring place, where inclusive, direct, active and empowering conversations are welcome.

If you want to get your consulting, coaching or small business to grow, on your own terms, so that you can deliver great results to your ideal clients, while supporting the lifestyle you want, and you don’t want to do it alone, apply to become a member of the Smashing the Plateau Community.

Learn more at https://smashingtheplateau.com.

Smashing the Plateau Smashing the Plateau

    • Business
    • 5.0 • 139 Ratings

Launched in 2014, Smashing the Plateau shares weekly stories, strategies and ideas to help consultants, coaches and small business owners build success as entrepreneurs following long careers as high-achieving employees.

We believe you should be able to take control over your career destiny, do what you love, what you’re competent at doing, and get paid what you’re worth, consistently.

We are committed to the success of expertise-based businesses.

Ready to go even deeper?

The Smashing the Plateau Community uses a structured, supportive process to implement the kinds of strategies we discuss in this podcast. It is a community that is built to be a safe, caring place, where inclusive, direct, active and empowering conversations are welcome.

If you want to get your consulting, coaching or small business to grow, on your own terms, so that you can deliver great results to your ideal clients, while supporting the lifestyle you want, and you don’t want to do it alone, apply to become a member of the Smashing the Plateau Community.

Learn more at https://smashingtheplateau.com.

    How To Build Your Own Strategy For Launching And Scaling Exponential Business Growth Featuring Geoffrey Kent

    How To Build Your Own Strategy For Launching And Scaling Exponential Business Growth Featuring Geoffrey Kent

    Geoffrey Kent is an esteemed educator, coach, entrepreneur, and the brain behind Think Big with Geoffrey Kent. With an impressive entrepreneurial trajectory spanning over half a century, Geoffrey has crafted a robust methodology that empowers entrepreneurs to devise their personalized strategies to initiate, responsibly escalate, and successfully exit their businesses. Geoffrey, a Wharton School of Business MBA holder with a focus on Entrepreneurial Management, has also shared his expertise at Lincoln University and carried out more than 20 entrepreneurial initiatives in the past five decades.
    In today's episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn how Geoffrey Kent built his entrepreneurial university online and share his insights on creating generational wealth. 
    Geoffrey and David discuss:
    Geoffrey's journey to entrepreneurship and the creation of his course [00:17:55]The importance of narrating your course and turning it into a book [00:23:45]The platform Geoffrey made to teach entrepreneurs online [00:23:55]Geoffrey's focus on Alignable as a platform for teaching [00:24:10]The creation of Entrepreneur University on Alignable [00:24:20]The unconventional approach of Entrepreneur University on Alignable [00:24:45]How to get more information about Geoffrey's work [00:25:00]Geoffrey's presence on various platforms for disseminating daily content [00:25:25]
    Learn more about Geoffrey at www.thinkbigwithgeoffreykent.com, and search "Think Big with Geoffrey Kent" on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Quora, Alignable, and YouTube.
    Thank you to our sponsor: 
    The Smashing the Plateau Community 

    • 27 min
    How To Integrate Ai With Human Connection For Effective Communication Featuring Jürgen Strauss

    How To Integrate Ai With Human Connection For Effective Communication Featuring Jürgen Strauss

    Dr. Jürgen Strauss, the founder of Innovabiz, is globally celebrated as a human-centered podcasting coach. He guides high achievers in leveraging podcasting for business growth. Having produced over 590 InnovaBuzz Podcast episodes, his expertise resides at the intersection of technology, human behavior, and marketing. 
    He utilizes his years of experience in both the corporate and small business sectors to cultivate deep connections, thus broadening the professional networks of high-impact individuals. He expertly integrates generative AI, such as ChatGPT, with human connection to enhance effective communication. Beyond his professional pursuits, he is a passionate photographer, speaker, and cyclist.
    In today's episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn how to pivot according to your audience's needs, the significance of asking the right questions, and how to utilize AI tools for more human-like interactions.
    Jürgen and I discuss:
    The importance of audience understanding and quick adaptation [00:13:50]How Jurgen pivoted his business approach [00:14:00]Jurgen's methods of understanding the market [00:14:30]The art of asking meaningful questions [00:14:40]The concept of assistance versus help [00:15:00]How to identify gaps and contribute effectively [00:15:30]Jurgen's dream for Flywheel Nation [00:19:10]The benefits of being in a community [00:20:00]Jurgen's definition of community [00:21:40]The application of ChatGPT in business [00:22:10]How to leverage AI tools for human connection [00:23:35]
    Learn more about Jurgen at www.innovabiz.co and more about his community at www.innovabiz.co/flywheel.
    Thank you to our sponsor: 
    The Smashing the Plateau Community 

    • 27 min
    How To Make Work More Productive, Valuable, Meaningful, And Impactful Featuring Thomas Bertels

    How To Make Work More Productive, Valuable, Meaningful, And Impactful Featuring Thomas Bertels

    Thomas Bertels is a management consultant and business transformation expert. He has more than 25 years’ experience helping companies across a range of industries, from start-ups to Fortune 5, transform how work gets done. Thinkers360 has recognized Thomas as a Top 50 Thought Leader on the Future of Work and Design Thinking. 
    He has written several books and numerous articles on work design, process improvement, business transformation, and organizational learning. His latest book is ‘Fixing Work: Designing Jobs Employees Love’ ( Greenleaf Book Group). He is also the host of the Work Matters podcast, where he explores in conversations with thought leaders and executives what leaders can do to fix work.
    In this episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn how to make work more productive, valuable, meaningful, and impactful.
    Thomas and I discuss:
    Thomas's journey in consulting and his transformation towards innovative work design [00:17]How the evolution of publishing affected his process of authoring "Fixing Work" [02:25]The prevalent challenges of being a thought leader in today's ever-evolving landscape [06:01]A deep-dive into the emerging models of consulting, focusing on productization and a client-focused approach [09:31]The principles and practical components of his work design framework [12:02]The significance and role of community in consulting [18:10]
    Learn more about Thomas Bertels at:
    Homepage www.purpose.works Book Site www.fixing-work.com Newsletter purposeworks.substack.com Diagnostic www.mymojo.works Podcast https://www.youtube.com/@WorkMatterspodcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasbertels/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/purpose-works-consulting/
    Thank you to our sponsor:
    The Smashing the Plateau Community

    • 25 min
    How To Make Critical Decisions and Understand The Importance Of Inner Resourcefulness Featuring Namita Purohit

    How To Make Critical Decisions and Understand The Importance Of Inner Resourcefulness Featuring Namita Purohit

    Namita Purohit left a promising career at Microsoft and embarked on her journey as an entrepreneur, fueled by her deep-rooted belief in Eastern Wisdom. She champions the idea of cultivating inner resourcefulness and emphasizes the importance of community in both personal and professional development.
    In today's episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn how to make critical decisions, understand the importance of inner resourcefulness, and the crucial role communities play in our lives.
    Namita and I discuss:
    Namita's transition from Microsoft to entrepreneurship [00:12:29]The significance of decision-making and freedom [00:14:53]The concept of inner resourcefulness [00:20:35]Valuing personal pleasure and priorities over societal pressure [00:19:30]The role of communities in our lives [00:26:40]Namita's coaching brand EASE, focusing on emotional awareness, spirituality, and excellence [00:27:30]
    Learn more about Namita at https://www.namitapurohit.com
    Thank you to our sponsor: 
    The Smashing the Plateau Community 

    • 26 min
    The Importance of Structure and Accountability in Establishing And Growing Your Own Business Featuring Sara Murray

    The Importance of Structure and Accountability in Establishing And Growing Your Own Business Featuring Sara Murray

    Sara Murray is an advisor, consultant, and speaker working with leaders and sales teams to unlock the untapped potential in their prospecting and business development efforts. 
    With a focus on construction, real estate, hospitality, design, and technology industries, Sara empowers professionals to enhance their communication skills, approach prospecting creatively, and effectively address business needs rather than simply push products.
    As the host of the popular podcast "Prospecting on Purpose," Sara provides a valuable platform for discussions on prospecting, sales, business strategies, and mindset, leaving listeners with tangible takeaways and increased confidence.
    In today's episode of Smashing the Plateau, you'll learn about the importance of structure and accountability in establishing and growing your own business. Sara offers practical advice and tangible methods for achieving your sales goals and creating a successful business model.
    Sara and I discuss:
    The transition from corporate life to entrepreneurship [02:04]The process of establishing structure in your business [04:15]Decision-making in terms of which business model to pursue [07:51]The role of workshops in growing a business [10:37]Practical ways of developing business sales [14:12]The benefits of using a podcast as a resource [16:19]Navigating challenges in entrepreneurship [20:41]Strategies for personal and business growth [23:14]Resource availability and how to get in touch with Sara [25:55]
    Learn more about Sara at connect.saramurray.com and follow her on LinkedIn. You can also access her podcast, Prospecting on Purpose, on YouTube and all significant platforms where podcasts are available.
    Thank you to our sponsor: 
    The Smashing the Plateau Community

    • 28 min
    How To Balance Life And Work While Increasing Productivity And Achieving Business Success Featuring Marcey Rader

    How To Balance Life And Work While Increasing Productivity And Achieving Business Success Featuring Marcey Rader

    Marcey Rader believes health powers productivity. As the founder of RaderCo, she helps corporate refugees banish burnout through practical tools and sustainable habits.
    Marcey is a multi-certified health and productivity expert, a digital wellness practitioner, three-time author, has spoken on five continents, and is part of the 1% of speakers worldwide with the distinguished Certified Speaking Professional® designation. 
    In today's episode of Smashing the Plateau, Marcey shares her wealth of knowledge on how to bring balance into your life and work while skyrocketing your productivity and achieving success in your business.
    Marcey and I discuss:
    How Marcey transitioned from being the primary earner in her family to becoming an entrepreneur [02:15]The importance of a coach and a mastermind group in her business journey [04:22]Dealing with the corporate mindset and the challenges it presents when starting your own business [09:02]Techniques for placing value on your services [14:11]Marcey's insights on the importance of a carefully curated group in leadership roles [19:30]
    Learn more about Marcey www.helloraderco.com and www.marceyrader.com.
    Thank you to our sponsor: 
    The Smashing the Plateau Community 

    • 25 min

Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5
139 Ratings

139 Ratings

Annie Fran ,

Invaluable for consultants!

David’s created a powerful series for any consultant or coach who wants to strike out in their own, love what they do, and make money doing it. Fabulous guests and and a treasure trove of insights!!

jonathanstark ,

Incredible service to the community

Smashing the Plateau is a fabulous resource for anyone looking to make the leap from corporate career to solo business owner. Thanks to David for putting this together!

Jason Van Orden ,

Thoroughly Enjoy Chatting with and Listening to David

I’ve been on David’s podcast twice now. I always enjoy the thoughtful conversations we have. If you’re a “corporate refugee” looking to strike out on your own (or currently trying to grow a new venture), I highly recommend listening.

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