Twins Talk it Up Podcast

Episode 81: A Few Hours Can Make all the Difference

How can you maximize your effort to get the most out of your resources and save you both time and money? What if it were as simple as dedicating just a few hours each week? In this episode, we discuss strategies that our next guest not only consults his clients on, but on those he implements within his own practice to achieve incredible growth.Joining us is Jason Lockhart, CEO of Kitchen & Bath Marketing Solutions, a digital marketing solutions firm focused on serving the Kitchen and Bath Industry. Jason also serves as a Partner at Sinektiks, a creative services design firm. He is also a co-host of the Designer Discussions Podcast, a program around marketing, branding, PR, and business development, for design professionals.Jason shares some of what he advises his clients to consider when working with his firm. He shares his social media marketing 80/20 rule, which breaks down into 80% value and 20% self-promotion. He is a big believer in email marketing and stated that you only own ‘two properties: your website and your email list’. If you can manage your CRM, be consistent with your marketing messages and focus on your IPA’s (Income Producing Activities), then you will have identified a formula for doing more with less. Outsource that which can be done by other professionals or organizations and give your attention to those activities where your time would be best spent. Just a few hours on those IPA’s could make all the difference in being able to scale and effectively grow your business. To learn more about Jason and his organization, Kitchen & Bath Marketing Solutions, visit https://www.kitchenandbathmarketingsolutions.com/There, you will find free resources and information about his book entitled, The Complete Guide to Internet Marketing for the Kitchen and Bath Remodel Industry. Support and Follow us by Sponsoring, Subscribing & Downloading.--- 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 80: Branding Trends for 2022

The global health pandemic has impacted consumer behavior as hybrid and work from home models were implemented and spending habits changed due to a rise of economic uncertainty. Organizations have also had to adjust and have been driven to look at their branding. So, what branding trends will we see in this New Year? Our good friend Reggie Holmes joins us to share his thoughts and predictions about what this year will look like in area of branding. Reggie Holmes is the Founder and Creative Director at Enthuse Creative, a strategic branding and design studio based in the Washington DC Metro area.Branding is about influencing perception about your product, service, and organization. In other words, branding is about perceived value. The objective is to attract and create loyalty by delivering positive experiences that align with what the brand promises. Reggie shared that people want something to believe in, which reflects one of the trends of branding. Humanize the brand to create connection and community with your customers. We also touch on:Interactive websites to engage your target audienceBeing inclusive and incorporating content from customersPartnerships and aligning brandsMetaverse, NFTs and digital currencyWhen there should be a brand refreshTo learn more about Reggie and Enthuse Creative, visit https://www.enthusecreative.com/Support and Follow us by Sponsoring, Subscribing & Downloading.--- 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 79: Mental Health and Sports Performance

Week 17 of the NFL produced some astonishing drama. The scene was a game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the New York Jets with a star Wide Receiver who abruptly left the field of play. This action led to debate around his attitude and mental health. We are pleased to have Lisa Bonta Sumii join the program to speak about the importance of emphasizing mental health, and not just physical health. Lisa is the CEO & Founder with AthMindset, LLC and she also serves as the Mental Health and Sport Performance Specialist with the Oakland Roots Sports Club, a professional soccer club in the USL Championship (United Soccer League). While there have been more athletes including Michael Phelps, Naomi Osaka and Simone Biles to speak about mental health, more certainly needs to be done. We ask Lisa to share her thoughts about what happened with Antonio Brown and what more could be done to support athletes and their mental health. We touch on goal setting and why the focus should be more on process and performance goals, rather than just on outcome goals. There needs to be a cultural shift and a holistic approach by both athletes and organizations to ensure the absolute best care, education and resources are available. To learn more about Lisa Bonta Sumii and her work, visit https://athmindset.io/Be sure to Support and Follow us by Sponsoring, Subscribing & Downloading.--- 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 78: New Year, New Mindset, New Investment

Happy New Year! We are so excited for the start of a New Year and for the start of this third season of Twins Talk it Up. Thank you for supporting our program. Last year, we spoke about the impact of goal setting. We expressed how important it was to write your goals down and to consider applying the SMART system to those stated goals (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Time). In this episode, we identify and dive into the key for having a successful 2022. The key to unlocking and capturing an amazing year begins with having the right mindset. Having the right mindset is rooted in developing the right habit. Habit leads to behavior and behavior reinforces the mindset. Here is a highly recommended Twins Talk it Up book to add to your list. Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear is a must read.Listen in on wisdom that is shared specifically for business owners:1. Be flexible2. Take Self-Inventory3. Leverage your Network4. Get Certified. There is a rise in programs and resources to help support business owners including Microsoft and Women in Cloud (WIC). We talk about our businesses (AppMeetup, DSB Leadership Group), our upcoming books and about the Twins Talk it Up Program. Keep a lookout for our books as we provide release dates and even raffle some of them to our loyal supporters. Become a sponsor today by sending an email or DM on any of our social media platforms. Go into this year filled with anticipation and a resolve to invest in yourself and in your own growth. Have a determined mindset to do whatever it will take for you to experience growth, fulfillment, and happiness. Now go crush it! Be sure to Support and Follow us by Subscribing & Downloading.--- 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 77: Confident Mindset

What sets top performers apart from the rest? What is that determining factor – that one element needed to set yourself apart? Could it be as simple as having a confident mindset? We are pleased to have Meshell Baker join us to speak about how this is far too often the missing component for a successful and sustainable career. Meshell is the Owner of Meshell Baker Enterprises, a consulting firm focused on supporting women business owners, and sales leaders with the goal of empowering sales professionals to develop high-performance resilience and unstoppable confidence. Meshell emphasizes knowledge, training, and competence as a way to strengthen the mindset. She believes that sales is 80% emotional and only 20% logical, which is why prospects are buying you long before they buy your product or service. Therefore, it is so important to be clear on your personal why and on why you are selling. This conversation produced incredible nuggets and tips, including:Accepting your own valueBecoming resilient as you will hear rejectionsDevelop your network and value relationships (your net worth is equal to your network)Invest in yourself first thing every morningWe dive into this principle of personal daily investment as we touch on the book, 'The Miracle Morning' by Hal Elrod. In it, he lays out the acronym SAVERS, which stands for Silence, Affirmations, Visualization, Exercise, Reading, and Scribing. He is talking about developing positive habits and mindset by injecting a simple routine. Meshell states that 'habituating is the only way to achieve [sustained] success'. You need to own your success. To learn more about Meshell and her upcoming Virtual Vision Board Event, visit http://www.meshellbaker.com/Also take advantage of her Confident Mindset Handout https://bit.ly/TheConfidentMindsetHandoutBe sure to Support and Follow us by Subscribing & Downloading.--- 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 76: Better Needs to be Better

Let’s talk about leadership and why it is so important to lead with empathy. Compassion is foundational for a healthy environment, and one that will foster open communication and more valuable feedback. By now, we imagine that most have heard about the recent events surrounding Better.com and their CEO Vishal Garg. You may have even seen a video of him virtually addressing 900 employees, and stating, "If you're on this call, you are part of the unlucky group that is being laid off."We are going to discuss how better can indeed be better. If you want a better organization, however you measure success, then you must be better as a leader. You cannot expect the best from your teams and employees and yet not give them your very best. Invest in learning and in personal development. Look for the clues – the signs of either a healthy or a toxic culture. Do you have a voice? Can you speak without fear of losing your position? When people don't feel valued, performance suffers. When they don’t feel heard, productivity deteriorates. Better can be better, we all can. Be sure to Support and Follow us by Subscribing & Downloading.--- 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 75: Driving Economic Impact

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella outlined a commitment to increase diversity in representation and strengthen a culture of inclusion. We are fortunate to have two of the thought leaders helping to lead Microsoft's global channel inclusion strategy. Karen Fassio is the Director and head of Microsoft One Commercial Partner Group and is responsible for digital partner experience and operations, scale partner engagement and channel inclusion strategy. She is also a Co-Founder of Women in Cloud and has oversight of many programs and associations such as the IAMCP, WIC and BPGI. Regina Johnson is the strategy lead for Microsoft’s Black Partner Growth Initiative, an initiative to increase Black representation within the Microsoft partner ecosystem. Karen believes that as a company, Microsoft holds itself accountable for the kind of impact they want to make in the world, and that includes rethinking their infrastructure, security protocols, as well as their partner ecosystem.Regina makes a point that you must first admit that there is a problem before you can truly solve or present a solution for diversifying key leadership or senior-level positions. She also believes that having honest conversations are a part of that first step. She makes it clear that for lasting change to take place, you must be ‘intentional’. This encompasses a foundational shift in both the mindset and culture of the organization. Karen furthers this point by stating how opportunities could be lost and the overall organization affected, including their partner ecosystem, supply chain, and customer base, all because of a lack of true representation. She stated that organizations on this journey cannot just bring in a single minority or underrepresented leader, and then expect there to be a magnitude of impact. The challenge will be to bring in at a minimum 3 key leaders. We must go beyond a quota and bring in the very best talent into these senior-level positions. We also ask Karen about her work with the Buck Leonard Foundation (www.buckleonard.org/) and to share about future growth initiatives. Please take a moment to listen to Episode 53: Leading a Campaign to rename the MVP, where we speak with Sean Gibson, the great-grandson of the legendary baseball player Josh Gibson. Microsoft’s channel inclusion strategy is worthy of imitation. Learn more about their commitment by visiting https://aka.ms/partnergrowth and by emailing ptnrsupp@microsoft.comBe sure to Support and Follow us by Subscribing & Downloading.--- 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 74: Project Leadership in Everything

It’s that time of the year where parents will begin assembling gifts for their children. Don’t make the mistake of not following the directions. Who do organizations with far more complex projects look to when there may not be a guided set of directions?We are pleased that our friend Ben Chan is joining the program. He is Management Consultant, the Founder of CLYMB Consulting and host of the Organized Chaos Café Podcast. We ask Ben to reveal the value a good Project Manager can bring to a team and an organization. We touch on everything from the impact of the health pandemic to the dynamics of a team. We even ask him who his favorite comedian is. This is a strategy Ben uses to assess the team members he is leading before every project. This is one of the many techniques he uses to learn the strengths of the members of the team. Would you rather have the absolute best talent or the best possible team chemistry? Ben shared that from his experience, the root cause for projects failing was due to poor communication. This was shown to be true at every level: stakeholders, sponsors, and team members. We ask him how he holds team members accountable. He referenced personal examples and even the Marvel’s Avengers to discuss the importance of accountability and teamwork. He equated accountability to the word integrity. Ben also shares why it is so crucial that a project leader be decisive. You cannot afford to waffle on making decisions as that will certainly impact the constraints of Scope, Time and Budget. You will also appreciate his approach to making goals or should we say objectives for the New Year. Project management principles and project leadership can show up anywhere. To learn more about Ben and CLYMB Consulting, visit https://www.clymbconsulting.ca/Be sure to Support and Follow us by Subscribing & Downloading.--- 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 73: A Journey to Recruit the Best Talent

We are pleased to have Lauren Anderson back on Twins Talk it Up. Lauren is the Owner & CEO of All-In Recruiting & Talent Boutique, an executive search firm, specializing in the direct-hire placement of top talented and diverse professionals. We are delighted that Lauren shares her entrepreneurial journey and how she sees herself as a gatekeeper and a bridge for those under-represented within the technology sector and within senior level leadership. Lauren speaks about securing and establishing incredible partnerships, including those with Microsoft, HP, Shark Ninja, Revolution Engineering, and the Vegas Golden Knights of the NHL. We ask Lauren to share words of encouragement for those looking to either become entrepreneurs or to grow their partnerships. She shared:Do your research and determine what problem you are going to solve.Leverage your networkBe 'outrageously optimistic'Be strategic about your approach to potential investment partners and clientsYou will also learn from our conversation that Lauren is exceptionally gifted and believes in self-care. Not only can she deliver the very best talent for your organization, we learned that she could also wow you with her singing. She gives incredible credit to HR leaders as 'they are the hire, fire, and multiplier' of the organization and a key component to their success. Invest in bringing in the very best talent, regardless of gender or ethnic background, and experience incredible growth. To learn more about Lauren as well as All-In Recruiting & Talent Boutique, visit https://www.all-inrecruiting.com/Be sure to Support and Follow us by Subscribing & Downloading.--- 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 72: Leadership Insights for Partner Growth

We welcome a thought leader within the Vendor & Managed Services Providers space to the program. Jay McBain is the Principal Analyst of Channels, Partnerships & Ecosystems for Forrester. Jay is a highly sought-after speaker, author and has received numerous accolades, including being named as the 2021 Channel Influencer of the Year by Channel Partners Magazine. We ask Jay to share how the pandemic has and will continue to impact the tech channel community. His research certainly piques curiosity from all sectors as he identifies trends and shares fascinating content on channels, partnerships, and ecosystems. Jay touches on the importance of understanding influence and why we should be aware of the numerous social media groups/tools including Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Clubhouse and how this can increase engagement with buyers and partnerships.Jay states that there is a major demographic shift taking place as the majority of technology buyers will be millennials, which indicates a need for understanding the psychology and behavior of purchasing habits of this digital age. We had to ask Jay about his own growth as a speaker. He shares a lesson he learned early in his career while at IBM, that people will forget what you told them, forget what you showed them and even forget you, so get over yourself. Focus instead on connectivity, energy and perhaps the 1 or 2 points that will resonate.To learn more about Jay, his work or to inquire about his speaking availability, visit https://go.forrester.com/blogs/author/jay_mcbain/ and http://jaymcbain.com/Be sure to Support and Follow us by Subscribing & Downloading.--- 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