Twins Talk it Up Podcast

Episode 111: Scale with Peer Groups

We all have blinders which can lead toward a reliance upon strengths and minimize focus on areas of weakness. There are just some things that only a fellow business leader will see and understand. This is the value of peer groups, and an investment on this level can be the difference between incremental and exponential growth.We are fortunate to have Dennis O’Connell join us to speak about the impact that can come from being in a peer group, and why we need to know and focus on the right numbers. Dennis is the COO of the Taylor Business Group, where his organization coaches Managed Service Providers (MSP) owners on how to maximize the value of their business. In addition to the groups themselves, Dennis and his team at Taylor Business Group (also known by TBG) provide additional resources and tools to support the partner experience. One of those is a financial & reporting modeling tool, better known as ‘Roadmap to Profitability'. This tool is to help owners identify the areas where they are doing great in, as well as those areas in need of more attention. Dennis believes that this tool helps to understand what 'good looks like’ and without that, you don't know what to target.Dennis also touched on the importance of having a finely tuned sales engine, and on the areas an owner should focus on in order to best position their business for sale. He stated that buyers look for clean books, great people and good processes. To learn more about Dennis, Taylor Business Group and the upcoming BigBIG Conference, visittaylorbusinessgroup.com/ and don’t forget about his special invitation code (BB22-TBG-DISCO-13FA).--- more ---If you are looking to learn the art of audience engagement while listening for methods to conquer speaking anxiety, deliver persuasive presentations, and close more deals, then this is the podcast for you.Twins Talk it Up is a podcast where identical twin brothers Danny Suk Brown and David Suk Brown discuss leadership communication strategies to support professionals who believe in the power of their own authentic voice. Together, we will explore tips and tools to increase both your influence and value. Along the way, let’s crush some goals, deliver winning sales pitches, and enjoy some laughs.Danny Suk Brown and David Suk Brown train on speaking and presentation skills. They also share from their keynote entitled, “Identically Opposite: the Pursuit of Identity”.Support and Follow us:YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UCL18KYXdzVdzEwMH8uwLf6gInstagram: @twinstalkitupInstagram: @dsbleadershipgroupTwitter: @dsbleadershipLinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/twins-talk-it-up/LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/dsbleadershipgroup/Facebook: facebook.com/TwinsTalkitUpFacebook: facebook.com/dsbleadership/Website: dsbleadershipgroup.com/TwinsTalkitUp

Episode 110: Power of Peace Leadership

Disputes and differences of opinion can lead to tension in the workplace, impacting both performance and productivity. Knowing how to de-escalate conflict is a necessary leadership skill and should not be reserved just for the HR Department. By way of Elite Public Image, our friend Kit Cummings joins the program to shed some light on how to de-escalate tension, conflict and have difficult conversations. Kit is an author, speaker, President and Founder of the Power of Peace Project, a 501(c)(3) organization that is committed to redirecting underserved youth, reducing the overall incidence of youth crime, rehabilitating young inmates, lowering academic dropout rates, and inspiring young people to discover and develop their untapped power and potential.Kit shares principles that are applicable to any environment, from the most dangerous prisons to the most reputable companies. His 7 Principles include:1. Seek first to understand2. Find common ground 3. Walk a mile in their shoes before you judge4. Practice active listening and pause before responding5. Practice compassionate communication and use your influence for peace6. When wrong, promptly admit it and quickly make amends7. Treat with dignity and respect especially when you disagreeKit strongly believes that servant leadership can inspire, that words are powerful, and that those in positions of influence must also be aware of their own energy and body language. One of his mantras is, “I see you, I feel you, I got you”. Mahatma Gandi, Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King, Jr. were agents of peace. You also can move hearts with your message of peace and resolution. To learn more about Kit, his books and the work he is doing, visit powerofpeaceproject.com/ and kitcummings.com/--- more ---If you are looking to learn the art of audience engagement while listening for methods to conquer speaking anxiety, deliver persuasive presentations, and close more deals, then this is the podcast for you.Twins Talk it Up is a podcast where identical twin brothers Danny Suk Brown and David Suk Brown discuss leadership communication strategies to support professionals who believe in the power of their own authentic voice. Together, we will explore tips and tools to increase both your influence and value. Along the way, let’s crush some goals, deliver winning sales pitches, and enjoy some laughs.Danny Suk Brown and David Suk Brown train on speaking and presentation skills. They also share from their keynote entitled, “Identically Opposite: the Pursuit of Identity”.Support and Follow us:YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UCL18KYXdzVdzEwMH8uwLf6gInstagram: @twinstalkitupInstagram: @dsbleadershipgroupTwitter: @dsbleadershipLinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/twins-talk-it-up/LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/dsbleadershipgroup/Facebook: facebook.com/TwinsTalkitUpFacebook: facebook.com/dsbleadership/Website: dsbleadershipgroup.com/TwinsTalkitUp

Episode 109: Focus on the Micro You

For so many leaders, the charge has been to sacrifice personal well-being for the sake of the overall entity. If you want to see a drastic change within your organization, you might want to start with yourself. Could effective change be accelerated if you simply begin with a focus on the ‘micro you’? We welcome Jim Frawley to the program to speak about the importance of coaching and attention to the 'micro you'. Jim is an Executive Coach, Organizational Consultant and CEO of Bellwether Hub, helping corporations maximize their efficiency and elevate growth. Jim is also an author, keynote speaker and a fellow podcaster with a program by the same name Bellwether Hub.Among the many interests Jim has, he is also an avid runner and has completed an IronMan. We ask him what running has to do with leadership. We also dive into his book entitled, Adapting in Motion: Finding Your Place in the New Economy. He states that no leader can make a change or adapt to change unless they are truly ready and willing. Jim addresses the question of 'how do you adapt to change, when you don't know what changes are coming? The only way to respond to the macro change is to focus on the micro individual and how they will respond to those potentially difficult moments. This is the fundamental work - to start on yourself before you are able to best support others.In his practice, Jim uncovers insecurities, unhealthy narratives and belief systems that clients have bought into or have accepted that may not be supporting their ultimate goals. He also encourages the spirit of curiosity and the asking of great questions. He learned that a question is a legitimate request for information, for the purpose of helping leaders come to discovery, to take ownership and to solve challenges. To learn more about Jim and his work, visit bellwether http://bellwetherhub.com/ Also be sure to check out his podcast by the same name and pick up his book entitled Adapting in Motion: Finding Your Place in the New Economy--- more ---If you are looking to learn the art of audience engagement while listening for methods to conquer speaking anxiety, deliver persuasive presentations, and close more deals, then this is the podcast for you.Twins Talk it Up is a podcast where identical twin brothers Danny Suk Brown and David Suk Brown discuss leadership communication strategies to support professionals who believe in the power of their own authentic voice. Together, we will explore tips and tools to increase both your influence and value. Along the way, let’s crush some goals, deliver winning sales pitches, and enjoy some laughs.Danny Suk Brown and David Suk Brown train on speaking and presentation skills. They also share from their keynote entitled, “Identically Opposite: the Pursuit of Identity”.Support and Follow us:YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UCL18KYXdzVdzEwMH8uwLf6gInstagram: @twinstalkitupInstagram: @dsbleadershipgroupTwitter: @dsbleadershipLinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/twins-talk-it-up/LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/dsbleadershipgroup/Facebook: facebook.com/TwinsTalkitUpFacebook: facebook.com/dsbleadership/Website: dsbleadershipgroup.com/TwinsTalkitUp

Episode 108: From the Edge of Disaster to Success

Here is an adage that might sound familiar, ‘you can learn this the easy way or the hard way, but either way, you are going to learn’. Building an organization can be very rewarding, but it does come with its risks. What resources are available to help guide you through potential challenges and how can you successfully lead your organization from the edge of disaster to a position of success? We are honored to have our good friend Vaughn Thurman join us to speak about the release of his book entitled, Lessons From the Edge of Business Disaster: A Leader’s Guide to Survival and Recovery. Vaughn is the Founder and Chief Evangelist at HighGear, a leading no-code workflow automation platform provider based in Frederick Maryland.We ask Vaughn about how he was able to take his organization from a position of trying to survive to one that is thriving in our discussion with Vaughn, we also discussed:The importance of having great counselA fate worse than failureFostering a great organizational culture where a team can flourish and succeedThe value of learning to say noWhen to treasure reputation over personal prideThis quote from Vaughn speaks volumes of the passion he has for his team. "I was working towards the model of a genius with 1000 helpers, instead of someone who is helping 1000 geniuses.” We also appreciate the endorsement for our speaking and training!For more information about Vaughn and his organization, visit highgear.comBe sure to also pick up a copy of his book, Lessons From the Edge of Business Disaster: A Leader’s Guide to Survival and Recovery.--- more ---If you are looking to learn the art of audience engagement while listening for methods to conquer speaking anxiety, deliver persuasive presentations, and close more deals, then this is the podcast for you.Twins Talk it Up is a podcast where identical twin brothers Danny Suk Brown and David Suk Brown discuss leadership communication strategies to support professionals who believe in the power of their own authentic voice. Together, we will explore tips and tools to increase both your influence and value. Along the way, let’s crush some goals, deliver winning sales pitches, and enjoy some laughs.Danny Suk Brown and David Suk Brown train on speaking and presentation skills. They also share from their keynote entitled, “Identically Opposite: the Pursuit of Identity”.Support and Follow us:YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UCL18KYXdzVdzEwMH8uwLf6gInstagram: @twinstalkitupInstagram: @dsbleadershipgroupTwitter: @dsbleadershipLinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/twins-talk-it-up/LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/dsbleadershipgroup/Facebook: facebook.com/TwinsTalkitUpFacebook: facebook.com/dsbleadership/Website: dsbleadershipgroup.com/TwinsTalkitUp

Episode 107: Drive Traffic to Increase Exposure and Scale

Being able to drive more traffic to your website or podcast can translate into incredible growth. This is why so many organizations are looking for creative ways to maximize their search engine optimization (SEO). We have invited our friend Brandon Leibowitz to shed some light on how you can improve your search engine optimization (SEO) and watch your website or program rise the ranks to the top of search-engine results. This means getting on that ever important first page. Brandon is the Owner of SEO Opitmizers, a digital marketing company that focuses on helping SMBs get more online traffic, which in turn converts into leads, sales and more clients. He is also a podcaster with his program entitled, Get More Sales & Leads Using SEO by Brandon LeibowitzSome of what you will hear in our discussion with Brandon include:What is meant by the term backlinks and why this is important for growing your businessThe importance of leveraging analytics for analytics, such as Google analytics and Google Search ConsoleHow often there should be new content in the form of blogs or articles on your websiteWhat you should know about ‘key words’, show notes and time stamping To learn more about Brandon, SEO Optimizers and to take advantage of his special gift for our listeners, visit seooptimizers.com/gift/--- more ---If you are looking to learn the art of audience engagement while listening for methods to conquer speaking anxiety, deliver persuasive presentations, and close more deals, then this is the podcast for you.Twins Talk it Up is a podcast where identical twin brothers Danny Suk Brown and David Suk Brown discuss leadership communication strategies to support professionals who believe in the power of their own authentic voice. Together, we will explore tips and tools to increase both your influence and value. Along the way, let’s crush some goals, deliver winning sales pitches, and enjoy some laughs.Danny Suk Brown and David Suk Brown train on speaking and presentation skills. They also share from their keynote entitled, “Identically Opposite: the Pursuit of Identity”.Support and Follow us:YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UCL18KYXdzVdzEwMH8uwLf6gInstagram: @twinstalkitupInstagram: @dsbleadershipgroupTwitter: @dsbleadershipLinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/twins-talk-it-up/LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/dsbleadershipgroup/Facebook: facebook.com/TwinsTalkitUpFacebook: facebook.com/dsbleadership/Website: dsbleadershipgroup.com/TwinsTalkitUp

Episode 106: Master Speaking to Impact Your Career

How can mastering communication skills support your career? Why do top performers invest in public speaking coaching and training? We are excited to share notes and this platform with our friend and fellow public speaking coach Brenden Kumarasamy. Brenden is a YouTuber and the Founder of MasterTalk, where he provides tips, coaching and training for driven leaders looking to master the art of speaking. Brenden believes that if you want to get into a leadership role, it is essential that you master communication. We ask him to speak on how storytelling can be a key skill for advancing the platforms and careers of professionals. He looks at speaking and storytelling as a 'game of prioritization' and much like the completion of any jigsaw puzzle. Focus on one thing at a time, incorporate simple exercises and the art of practice. He also reinforces what we've experienced through our work with professionals and organizations: When organizations invest in their people through public speaking training and coaching, they accelerate their growth Coaching can shorten the runway, leading to results much sooner than without the influence and support of coaching Consistent practice to consistent results. Brenden stated that confidence cannot be bought, but only earned through repetition.Brenden also spoke about the differences with presenting in person compared with presenting online. The three were eye contact, energy and audience accessibility. He believes that if you are to use YouTube or any type of marketing tools, that it is imperative to build content around the needs of your clients and the questions that they have about your product or service. Add value by answering their questions. For more information about Brenden Kumarasamy and MasterTalk, visit his YouTube MasterTalk channel. For our listening audience, he is also offering a free zoom interactive training on communication at rockstarcommunicator.com--- more ---If you are looking to learn the art of audience engagement while listening for methods to conquer speaking anxiety, deliver persuasive presentations, and close more deals, then this is the podcast for you.Twins Talk it Up is a podcast where identical twin brothers Danny Suk Brown and David Suk Brown discuss leadership communication strategies to support professionals who believe in the power of their own authentic voice. Together, we will explore tips and tools to increase both your influence and value. Along the way, let’s crush some goals, deliver winning sales pitches, and enjoy some laughs.Danny Suk Brown and David Suk Brown train on speaking and presentation skills. They also share from their keynote entitled, “Identically Opposite: the Pursuit of Identity”.Support and Follow us:YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UCL18KYXdzVdzEwMH8uwLf6gInstagram: @twinstalkitupInstagram: @dsbleadershipgroupTwitter: @dsbleadershipLinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/twins-talk-it-up/LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/dsbleadershipgroup/Facebook: facebook.com/TwinsTalkitUpFacebook: facebook.com/dsbleadership/Website: dsbleadershipgroup.com/TwinsTalkitUp

Episode 105: Protected and Represented

Having access to legal, accounting and other expertise is important for helping your business scale and grow as efficiently as possible. Add to your team, expert representation who will help protect and support your growth goals. Mariela C. D'Alessio is a Partner, Owner and Chair of Estates & Trusts at Smith, Gildea & Schmidt LLC, a leading Baltimore Regional Law Firm. Mariela is also a member of the Baltimore County Bar Association Executive Council.Mariela dispels common misconceptions of being a lawyer, how she grows her practice and why public speaking skills are a major component to her success. Leverage your network, strategic partnerships and the power of client referrals. Mariela is also passionate about education and sharing insight on complex topics for leaders on aspects of the law, specifically estates and trusts. Protect your family and your business by understanding what a Trust, Will and Power of Attorney are and how this can be an incredibly important piece of your Estate Planning efforts. To learn more about Mariela, her practice and why having legal representation can be a valued partner and team member, visit www.sgs-law.com/--- more ---If you are looking to learn the art of audience engagement while listening for methods to conquer speaking anxiety, deliver persuasive presentations, and close more deals, then this is the podcast for you.Twins Talk it Up is a podcast where identical twin brothers Danny Suk Brown and David Suk Brown discuss leadership communication strategies to support professionals who believe in the power of their own authentic voice. Together, we will explore tips and tools to increase both your influence and value. Along the way, let’s crush some goals, deliver winning sales pitches, and enjoy some laughs.Danny Suk Brown and David Suk Brown train on speaking and presentation skills. They also share from their keynote entitled, “Identically Opposite: the Pursuit of Identity”.Support and Follow us:YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UCL18KYXdzVdzEwMH8uwLf6gInstagram: @twinstalkitupInstagram: @dsbleadershipgroupTwitter: @dsbleadershipLinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/twins-talk-it-up/LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/dsbleadershipgroup/Facebook: facebook.com/TwinsTalkitUpFacebook: facebook.com/dsbleadership/Website: dsbleadershipgroup.com/TwinsTalkitUp

Episode 104: Successful Design for the Post Covid Workplace

The ongoing health, human, and economic impacts of the Covid-19 health pandemic have emphasized how important design is for our work and home environments. Commercial space design is a vital partner for creating sanitary spaces, and for controlling the spread of infectious diseases. What does your physical workplace communicate? We welcome our friend Kimberley Karlson, Owner and Principal Designer of Misguided Angel Interior Designs, a Baltimore, Maryland commercial and residential design firm. We are fortunate to engage in a discussion with Kimberley on the importance of creating more collaborative, inclusive and safe workspaces. Kim strongly believes that great design will lead to safer work environments and an increase in productivity. Her philosophy is that function must always come first, before aesthetics ever enters the picture with design. Her conviction is that as an entrepreneur, you should never stop having a learning mindset. The art of listening has enabled her to continually win business and deliver amazing results. She is incredibly confident and does noty shy in speaking with executives and Board of Directors. Leverage your network and develop a marketing plan to keep that pipeline full. It’s hard to know exactly what the long-term implications of the Covid-19 pandemic will be, but it’s clear that design experts like Kimberley will be on the forefront of supporting safer workplaces. To learn more about Kim and her work, visit www.misguidedangeldesigns.com--- more ---If you are looking to learn the art of audience engagement while listening for methods to conquer speaking anxiety, deliver persuasive presentations, and close more deals, then this is the podcast for you.Twins Talk it Up is a podcast where identical twin brothers Danny Suk Brown and David Suk Brown discuss leadership communication strategies to support professionals who believe in the power of their own authentic voice. Together, we will explore tips and tools to increase both your influence and value. Along the way, let’s crush some goals, deliver winning sales pitches, and enjoy some laughs.Danny Suk Brown and David Suk Brown train on speaking and presentation skills. They also share from their keynote entitled, “Identically Opposite: the Pursuit of Identity”.Support and Follow us:YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UCL18KYXdzVdzEwMH8uwLf6gInstagram: @twinstalkitupInstagram: @dsbleadershipgroupTwitter: @dsbleadershipLinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/twins-talk-it-up/LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/dsbleadershipgroup/Facebook: facebook.com/TwinsTalkitUpFacebook: facebook.com/dsbleadership/Website: dsbleadershipgroup.com/TwinsTalkitUp

Episode 103: 7 Forms of Respect

The Golden Rule states that you should treat others the way you would like to be treated. The Platinum Rule states that you should treat others the way they want to be treated. What happens if you don’t know how they want to be treated? What happens when miscommunication, misunderstanding and feeling a lack of respect enters the picture? We are fortunate to have Dr. Julie Pham joins Twins Talk it Up to discuss another dimension of this in what she coined as the Rubber Band Rule. Dr. Julie Pham is an author and the CEO of CuriosityBased, an organizational development firm based in Seattle, WA. We dive into her latest book, entitled, 7 Forms of Respect: A Guide to Transforming Your Communication and Relationships at Work.What does respect mean to you? Julie’s research on this topic of respect led to the development of a framework for understanding how to communicate respect within the workplace. Those forms or categories of respect include:ProcedurePunctualityInformationCandorConsiderationAcknowledgmentAttentionPrioritizing and being able to describe your preference, along with learning what other leaders and colleagues prefer will increase both effectiveness and clarity in communication.Julie also shares that practicing curiosity can be broken down to:Increasing self-awareness (being curious about yourself)Building relationships (being curious about others & allowing them to be about you)Communicating clearly (asking and listening with curiosity)Building a great culture is critical for the success of any organization. Spark conversation, curiosity and trust. To learn more about Dr. Julie Pham, her work on the topic of respect and to pick up a copy of her book, visit formsofrespect.com/--- more ---If you are looking to learn the art of audience engagement while listening for methods to conquer speaking anxiety, deliver persuasive presentations, and close more deals, then this is the podcast for you.Twins Talk it Up is a podcast where identical twin brothers Danny Suk Brown and David Suk Brown discuss leadership communication strategies to support professionals who believe in the power of their own authentic voice. Together, we will explore tips and tools to increase both your influence and value. Along the way, let’s crush some goals, deliver winning sales pitches, and enjoy some laughs.Danny Suk Brown and David Suk Brown train on speaking and presentation skills. They also share from their keynote entitled, “Identically Opposite: the Pursuit of Identity”.Support and Follow us:YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UCL18KYXdzVdzEwMH8uwLf6gInstagram: @twinstalkitupInstagram: @dsbleadershipgroupTwitter: @dsbleadershipLinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/twins-talk-it-up/LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/dsbleadershipgroup/Facebook: facebook.com/TwinsTalkitUpFacebook: facebook.com/dsbleadership/Website: dsbleadershipgroup.com/TwinsTalkitUp

Episode 102: Scaling Sales Success

The Covid-19 pandemic affected nearly every aspect of life and business, leading organizations scrambling for solutions to stay afloat. Many companies were forced to scale down or close their doors. Others became flexible, resourceful and eventually took advantage of the changing landscape. Through strategic assessment, they sought opportunities for growth and found a way to scale up. We are pleased to have Dave Mattson, CEO and President of Sandler back on the program to share about his leadership journey, scaling his company for success and about his book entitled, Scaling Sales Success: 16 Principles for Sales Leaders. Sandler is an international training and consulting organization, with over 250 offices in 32 countries, training over 31,000 professionals each year. Sandler was named the top franchise by franchise Business Review and their podcast entitled How to Succeed, has now eclipsed 500 episodes recorded with over 2 million downloads, making it a top 50 podcast on iTunes. Despite the challenges from the health pandemic, Dave shared that they were able to increase the Sandler organizational staff by 38%, including key Senior Leadership. They were able to rebrand and integrate their own Learning Management System or LMS. They also focused on strategic partnerships, including a new one with HubSpot, one of the industry's leading CRM platforms. Dave shared about how important it is for leaders to be strategically inquisitive, and that managers should follow the 70/30 rule, meaning that they should be talking only 30% of the time. Being present, ‘knowing your cookbook’ and leading by example are also important elements for success.--- more ---If you are looking to learn the art of audience engagement while listening for methods to conquer speaking anxiety, deliver persuasive presentations, and close more deals, then this is the podcast for you.Twins Talk it Up is a podcast where identical twin brothers Danny Suk Brown and David Suk Brown discuss leadership communication strategies to support professionals who believe in the power of their own authentic voice. Together, we will explore tips and tools to increase both your influence and value. Along the way, let’s crush some goals, deliver winning sales pitches, and enjoy some laughs.Danny Suk Brown and David Suk Brown train on speaking and presentation skills. They also share from their keynote entitled, “Identically Opposite: the Pursuit of Identity”.Support and Follow us:YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UCL18KYXdzVdzEwMH8uwLf6gInstagram: @twinstalkitupInstagram: @dsbleadershipgroupTwitter: @dsbleadershipLinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/twins-talk-it-up/LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/dsbleadershipgroup/Facebook: facebook.com/TwinsTalkitUpFacebook: facebook.com/dsbleadership/Website: dsbleadershipgroup.com/TwinsTalkitUp