Survival Mode

Show Notes: Survival Mode Episode 52 · Hosts: Bert Robinson, Kevin Beers, Michael Grant Jr. · Theme: Covering the final three steps of the business success roadmap. · Introduction to step ten: Trust but Verify. · Discussion on the importance of verifying business models for successful launches. · Explanation of "trust but verify" concept, emphasizing the need to ensure accuracy and reliability. · Real-life examples shared by hosts to illustrate the significance of verification in business operations. · Introduction to step eleven: Establishing the Extended Marketing Team. · Importance of locking in supporters and affiliates to promote business. · Discussion on creating a marketing incentive structure to motivate affiliates. · Examples provided for incentivizing supporters based on business types. · Introduction to step twelve: Launch and Serve. · Importance of selecting a strategic launch date tied to significant events or holidays. · Discussion on opening the doors and delivering the business model to the market. · Emphasis on Survival Mode's mission to guide entrepreneurs in launching sustainable and scalable businesses.

Show Notes: Survival Mode Episode 51 · Hosts: Bert Robinson, Kevin Beers, Michael Grant Jr. · Theme: Recapping steps seven to nine of the business success roadmap. · Introduction to step seven: Preparing for your target market. · Focus on market research, analysis, and development for effective planning. · Discussion on the importance of identifying the actual target market through research and analysis. · Kevin emphasizes the significance of defining the target market for strategic marketing approaches. · Introduction to step eight: Establishing the Coming Soon campaign. · Planning, preparing, and positioning for the business launch highlighted. · Kevin shares insights on reaching the target market through various channels like newspapers, social media, and search engines. · Emphasis on the importance of sticking to the established plan to avoid last-minute disruptions. · Introduction to step nine: Creating the Party with a Purpose. · Discussion on planning, preparing, and positioning for the official launch party. · Michael and Kevin stress the importance of maintaining the integrity of the plan to ensure successful execution. · Warning against last-minute changes that can disrupt the party and undermine business credibility.

Show Notes: Survival Mode Episode 50 · Hosts: Bert Robinson, Kevin Beers, Michael Grant Jr. · Theme: Delving into steps four to six of the business success roadmap. · Recap of previous steps and introduction to step four: Registrations and Accounts. · Discussion on the significance of making the business legally compliant. · Michael emphasizes the importance of positioning the business for success through proper registrations and account setup. · Kevin stresses the need for organization and progress tracking in managing registrations and accounts. · Introduction to step five: Establishing and building business credibility. · Exploration of the concept of business credibility and its importance. · Kevin discusses the role of business content in conveying vision and uniqueness. · Mention of the significance of business connections and accessing experts. · Transition to step six: Developing operational structure. · Michael explains the distinction between organizational and operational structures. · Kevin highlights the importance of fleshing out operational procedures to avoid pitfalls. · Discussion on the value of role-playing in testing operational effectiveness.

Show Notes: Survival Mode Episode 49 Introduction: · Hosts: Bert Robinson, Kevin Beers, Michael Grant Jr. · Theme: Reflecting on the 12 steps of business success. · Celebration of completing the 12-step journey to business success. · Decision to forego usual news segment in favor of recapping the steps. · Discussion on the importance of vision in shaping a business's trajectory. · Michael and Kevin share insights on developing a compelling vision and its impact on business planning. · Transition to the second step: research and development. · Michael explains the process of translating vision into a viable business model. · Kevin highlights the significance of assessing feasibility and identifying necessary resources. · Exploration of the difference between the business planning process and writing a business plan. · Emphasis on legalizing the business entity and choosing the appropriate structure. · Kevin stresses the importance of considering tax implications and seeking expert advice.

Show Notes: Survival Mode Episode 48 · Hosts: Bert Robinson, Kevin Beers, Michael Grant Jr. · Theme: Providing a roadmap for business success, catering to entrepreneurs at all stages. · Discussion on the significance of opening doors and serving customers. · Emphasis on providing value through education, engagement, and sometimes entertainment. · Kevin highlights the importance of context-specific approaches in different industries. · Debate on the weight of education, engagement, and entertainment in business interactions. · Examples of successful incorporation of all three elements, tailored to specific industries. · Michael emphasizes the value of providing information that adds value to customers' lives. · Discussion on exemplary customer service experiences and their impact on customer loyalty. · Emphasis on interpreting customer needs and providing personalized attention. · Bert highlights the significance of documenting interactions for future marketing and content development. · Michael and Kevin share final tips for entrepreneurs.

Show Notes: Survival Mode Episode 47 · Hosts: Bert Robinson, Kevin Beers, Michael Grant Jr. · Show theme: Providing practical advice and strategies for business success. · Introduction to Step 12: Establishing Launch Date and Advertising. · Discussion on the importance of setting achievable launch dates. · Caution against relying on external factors like permits or contractors. · Examples of unexpected delays and their impact on business operations. · Emphasis on taking responsibility and proactively planning for contingencies. · Insights into the challenges of marketing and advertising around uncertain launch dates. · Importance of coordinating marketing efforts with the launch date. · Discussion on the role of projections and contingency plans in marketing strategy. · Highlighting the need for expert guidance and consultation in marketing decisions. · Discussion on the entrepreneur's responsibility for both success and failure. · Importance of taking responsibility for issues and providing excellent customer service. · Emphasis on team recognition and credit-sharing for successes.

Show Notes: Survival Mode Episode 46 · Hosts: Bert Robinson, Kevin Beers, Michael Grant Jr. · Show theme: Providing practical advice and strategies for business success. · Introduction to Step 12: Establishing Loyalty Perks and Launch Discounts. · Analogy of birthing a business and the excitement of opening day. · Discussion on the significance of launching a business and realizing its potential. · Introduction to the importance of establishing loyalty perks and launch discounts. · Discussion on the importance of offering loyalty perks to attract and retain customers. · Examples of loyalty programs such as buy-one-get-one offers and loyalty cards. · Emphasis on making offers appealing and relevant to customers' needs. · Importance of making customers feel appreciated and special. · Strategies for customer retention, including birthday offers and exclusive memberships. · Discussion on the significance of creativity and making offers that resonate with customers.

Show Notes: Survival Mode Episode 45 · Hosts: Bert Robinson, Kevin Beers, Michael Grant Jr. · Show theme: Providing practical advice and strategies for business success. · Introduction to Step 12: Launching Your Business. · Introduction to Step 12: Picking a supporting launch date. · Discussion on leveraging community events and holidays for a successful launch. · Importance of planning and preparation for a successful business opening. · Discussion on the significance of selecting an optimal launch date to maximize traffic and momentum. · Strategies for aligning the launch date with national holidays or community events. · Importance of reverse engineering and considering the launch date in the conception stages of the business.

Show Notes: Survival Mode Episode 44 · Hosts: Bert Robinson, Kevin Beers, Michael Grant Jr. · Show theme: Providing actionable strategies for business success. · Introduction to Step 11 continuation: Activating and Evaluating Your Extended Marketing Team. · Importance of managing, measuring, and monitoring the efforts of marketing agents. · Kevin discusses methods for measuring affiliate effectiveness, emphasizing individualized approaches and probation periods. · Michael suggests establishing quotas and documenting performance for evaluation. · Discussion on the importance of budgeting for incentives and optimizing the incentive structure. · Emphasis on leveraging viral activity within budget constraints to generate momentum and revenue. · Advice to seek assistance in creating incentive structures and evaluating compatibility with the company's vision. · Debate on the selection process for affiliates, balancing investment with potential returns. · Importance of strategic decision-making in allocating resources and managing contracts.

Show Notes: Survival Mode Episode 43 · Hosts: Bert Robinson, Kevin Beers, Michael Grant Jr. · Show theme: Providing a step-by-step roadmap for business success. · Introduction to Step 11 continuation: Establishing Clear Deliverables in Contractual Agreements. · Introduction to the importance of establishing contractual agreements with clear deliverables. · Emphasis on the need for mutually exclusive and mutually beneficial relationships. · Example of setting clear deliverables for brand ambassadors with specific requirements for incentives. · Discussion on various examples and applications of clear deliverables in different industries. · Kevin highlights the importance of tailoring incentives to fit specific businesses and ambassadors. · Examples include referrals for auto repair shops and solar panel sales, emphasizing mutual benefits. · Exploration of creative marketing strategies beyond traditional approaches. · Suggestions include partnering with models for clothing stores and leveraging local influencers. · Emphasis on the need for due diligence in determining effective marketing incentives.

Show Notes: Survival Mode Episode 42 · Hosts: Bert Robinson, Kevin Beers, Michael Grant Jr. · Show theme: Providing a step-by-step roadmap for business success. · Introduction to Step 11 of the roadmap: Locking in Supporters and Establishing an Extended Marketing Team. · Discussion on the significance of marketing and locking in supporters for business growth. · Humorous banter about incentives, with Bert and Kevin jokingly requesting steak and lobster. · Focus on marketing incentive structures and their role in attracting supporters and affiliates. · Explanation of potential supporters and affiliates as individuals or organizations that can bring attention and awareness to the business. · Kevin discusses the role of influencers and suggests collaborating with local influencers for promotional activities. · Bert highlights the importance of affiliating with organizations like the Chamber of Commerce for mutual support. · Discussion on the timing and presentation of marketing campaigns to ensure maximum impact. · Kevin emphasizes the importance of coordinating messaging among affiliates to maintain consistency and avoid confusion. · Michael stresses the significance of offering compelling incentives to attract supporters and create viral activity.

Show Notes: Survival Mode Episode 41 · Hosts: Bert Robinson, Kevin Beers, Michael Grant Jr. · Show theme: Providing a step-by-step roadmap for business success. · Introduction to Step 11 of the roadmap: Locking in Supporters and Establishing an Extended Marketing Team. · Michael elaborates on establishing a marketing incentive structure to leverage influencers and supporters. · Example provided of incentivizing Brand Ambassadors to bring in customers to a restaurant. · Discussion on aligning incentives with the preferences and interests of supporters. · Importance of affordability and tracking mechanisms to ensure return on investment. · Recommendation to document agreements with supporters through contracts and utilize digital tools for monitoring.

Show Notes: Survival Mode Episode 40 · Hosts: Bert Robinson, Kevin Beers, Michael Grant Jr. · Show theme: Providing a step-by-step roadmap for business success. · Introduction to Step 10 of the roadmap: Verifying Advertising and Marketing Campaigns. · Kevin explains the progression of advertising campaigns, starting from the Coming Soon phase to the Launch Party and now the official launch. · Emphasis on the importance of testing and verifying the effectiveness of advertising materials before launching. · Discussion on the significance of gathering feedback and emotional responses from potential customers. · Kevin elaborates on the importance of collecting and analyzing data from marketing campaigns. · Examples provided on using QR codes and landing pages to track engagement and gather customer information. · Emphasis on understanding industry benchmarks and interpreting data to refine marketing strategies. · Discussion on the emotional aspect of marketing and its impact on consumer behavior. · Kevin and Michael stress the importance of aligning marketing content with brand values and appealing to customers' emotions. · Further exploration of gathering data and assessing campaign effectiveness to optimize marketing efforts.

Show Notes: Survival Mode Episode 39 · Hosts: Bert Robinson, Kevin Beers, Michael Grant Jr. · Show theme: Providing a step-by-step roadmap for business success. · Introduction to Step 10 of the roadmap: Verifying Education and Training. · Discussion on the importance of verifying education and training within the operational structure. · Emphasis on ensuring owners and personnel are adequately trained in all aspects of business operations. · Michael highlights the significance of being informed and compliant with regulations to avoid costly mistakes. · Kevin discusses the importance of proper labeling and documentation in food businesses. · Bert emphasizes the role of documentation in protecting the business from legal issues and complaints. · Reference to the Department of Health and Environment (DHE) and their regulatory authority. · Kevin emphasizes the importance of listening to employees for suggestions and improvements. · Discussion on the need for teamwork and collaboration in ensuring smooth business operations. · Bert highlights the importance of considering emergency procedures and preparedness. · Michael discusses the importance of emergency procedures in business settings. · Kevin shares a personal experience highlighting the importance of fire safety and preparedness.

Show Notes: Survival Mode Episode 38 · Hosts: Bert Robinson, Kevin Beers, Michael Grant Jr. · Show theme: Providing a step-by-step roadmap for business success. · Discussion on the importance of being an operational expert and understanding SOPs. · Emphasis on the need for owners to leverage expertise and verify SOPs to ensure smooth business operations. · Michael explains the significance of SOPs in displaying business functionality. · Kevin stresses the importance of testing SOPs through practical scenarios. · Examples include testing drink recipes in a restaurant and ensuring proper cooking procedures. · Bert highlights the necessity of testing technical equipment and processes. · Discussion on soft openings in restaurants and the value of customer feedback. · Emphasis on the importance of handling complaints effectively to retain customers. · Michael shares personal experiences and insights on turning complaints into opportunities. · Kevin discusses the importance of role-playing and scenario-based training for staff. · Bert emphasizes the need for documenting customer feedback and testimonials as valuable data. · Kevin stresses the significance of data collection for adjusting and improving business operations.

Show Notes: Survival Mode Episode 37 · Hosts: Bert Robinson, Kevin Beers, Michael Grant Jr. · Show theme: Providing a step-by-step roadmap for business success. · Bert and Michael discuss the importance of operational expertise for business owners. · Michael shares insights on understanding business processes and delegating tasks to experts. · Kevin highlights the role of data analysis in forecasting and problem-solving. · Kevin discusses the importance of predicting and forecasting problems in business. · Emphasis on leveraging data to anticipate trends and address issues proactively. · Michael emphasizes the value of documenting processes and learning from challenges.

Show Notes: Survival Mode Episode 36 · Hosts: Bert Robinson, Kevin Beers, Michael Grant Jr. · Show theme: Providing a step-by-step roadmap for business success. · Discussion on the significance of executing the official launch party. · Emphasis on celebrating and embracing the moment with guests. · Kevin shares insights on overcoming introverted tendencies to ensure the success of the event. · Michael highlights the importance of making guests feel welcomed and comfortable. · Kevin discusses the importance of role-playing interactions with guests to ensure smooth networking. · Michael emphasizes the significance of engaging guests through various activities and conversations. · Invitation for listeners to visit the website for personalized support and guidance. · Discussion on collecting data and feedback from guests during the launch party. · Kevin suggests strategies such as collecting contact information and offering discounts to incentivize referrals. · Michael adds insights on implementing loyalty programs and special incentives to enhance customer loyalty.

Show Notes: Survival Mode Episode 35 · Hosts: Bert Robinson, Kevin Beers, Michael Grant Jr. · Show theme: Providing a step-by-step roadmap for business success. · Introduction to Step 9 of the roadmap: Positioning the Launch Party. · Discussion on the importance of positioning and making official plans for the launch party. · Emphasis on the need for concrete planning and avoiding last-minute changes. · Kevin shares a cautionary tale about the consequences of making last-minute changes based on personal experience. · Michael elaborates on the significance of sticking to the plan and avoiding unnecessary changes. · Emphasis on the importance of vetting the plan and ensuring confidence in its execution. · Kevin underscores the importance of prioritizing adherence to the plan to avoid unforeseen complications. · Discussion on the importance of inviting influencers and supporters to the launch party. · Michael emphasizes the opportunity to cultivate relationships and garner support through the launch party. · Kevin highlights the significance of prioritizing influential guests and ensuring their attendance through personalized invitations. · Discussion on community engagement strategies for the launch party. · Kevin advises on prioritizing guests based on their influence and impact on the business. · Emphasis on setting limits on guest invitations to ensure a manageable event and avoid overexertion of resources.

Show Notes: Survival Mode Episode 34 · Hosts: Bert Robinson, Kevin Beers, Michael Grant Jr. · Show theme: Providing a step-by-step roadmap for business success. · Introduction to Step 9 of the roadmap: Preparing for the launch party. · Emphasis on the need for budget-conscious planning and utilizing professional party planners within budget constraints. · Addressing potential challenges of going over budget and the importance of careful planning and organization. · Kevin emphasizes the significance of maintaining budget constraints and planning for contingencies. · Discussion on the organizational aspects of planning the launch party. · Kevin stresses the importance of aligning the party planning with the overall campaign strategy. · Michael highlights the need for assessing and testing the party plans to ensure feasibility and adherence to budget constraints. · Emphasis on the necessity of starting simple and gradually adding elements as confidence and resources allow. · Discussion on the synchronization of the launch party with the overall campaign strategy. · Importance of maintaining a cohesive vision across all campaign stages. · Kevin emphasizes the importance of strategic planning to ensure alignment and synchronization of campaign elements. · Michael underscores the significance of staying within budget and making informed decisions during the planning phase to avoid complications during the launch. · Emphasis on the importance of organization, especially in the absence of a dedicated team. · Kevin highlights the increased significance of organization when working alone or with limited resources. · Michael emphasizes the need for personal engagement and availability during the launch party.

Show Notes: Survival Mode Episode 33 · Hosts: Bert Robinson, Kevin Beers, Michael Grant Jr. · Show theme: Providing a step-by-step roadmap for business success. · Introduction to Step 9: Creating the Party with a Purpose. · Kevin discusses the party as the second campaign in the lead-up to the business opening. · Importance of utilizing the momentum from previous campaigns to build excitement for the launch party. · Bert emphasizes the role of the launch party in cultivating support, relationships, and conveying the business vision. · Discussion on the significance of planning and preparation for the launch party. · Michael emphasizes the importance of food, entertainment, and creating a memorable experience for attendees. · Kevin highlights the strategic use of the launch party to attract attention and promote the business.