“Entrepreneurship is in everyone. It just gets expressed in different ways.” Luke Williams

Show host Laurie Barkman welcomes Luke Williams, Founder/CEO of IdeaSkills and Clinical Associate Professor of Innovation and Design at NYU Stern School of Business.

They discuss whether entrepreneurship can be taught and delve into the importance of fostering innovative mindsets within established companies. Luke shares insights from his book 'Disrupt' and discusses the balance between maintaining business continuity and introducing disruptive ideas.

Luke also emphasizes the significance of learning over investment and provides advice for business owners struggling with innovation. The episode concludes with Luke's journey from Australia to becoming an educator and innovation expert and his passion for creating more competent innovators.

Takeaways:

• Continuously work on developing the capabilities needed to be competitive in the future alongside keeping the existing business running. This is crucial for maintaining a balance between today’s needs and future opportunities.

• Create diverse teams to ensure a wide range of perspectives and ideas. This diversity can foster innovative thinking and help develop balanced solutions that might not emerge from a homogenous group.

• Encourage the influx of fresh, disruptive thinking and assess the value of ideas based on how much they help the organization learn and adapt.

• Develop a “test and learn” budget to experiment with new ideas without the pressure of immediate returns. Allow small-scale testing of innovative ideas to see what works and can then be scaled up.

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Connect with Luke Williams:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lukegwilliams/

Website: https://www.youtube.com/@IdeaSkills

Book: https://www.amazon.com/Disrupt-Think-Unthinkable-Transformation-Business/dp/0137025149

“Simply treating people with respect, with dignity and agency, has been really counterculture and I hope that that becomes a more infectious and attractive way to work.” - Brea Starmer

Host Laurie Barkman interviews Brea Starmer, Founder and CEO of Lions and Tigers. Brea shares her experience of turning a layoff into a successful business, her passion for empowering careers for women and mothers, and the unique approach of intrapreneurship. The discussion covers Brea's personal journey, the challenges she faced, the importance of values in business, and the exciting future of the industry.

Takeaways:

• Hire support staff early on, such as operations and HR personnel, to allow you to focus on strategic areas like business development and leadership.

• Recognize the different stages of your business and life. Sometimes you’ll be optimized for growth and wealth, while at other times, the focus may shift to health and personal well-being.

• Maintain an active presence on professional networks such as LinkedIn to share your journey, connect with other entrepreneurs, and attract potential clients and employees.

• Concentrate on tasks that only you can do and delegate others. This ensures you are working on the most impactful areas of the business.

✨📖 Get your FREE digital copy of The Business Transition Handbook: https://btsherpa.com/book

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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/breastarmer/

“The really great exciting thing about entrepreneurship is even if you don't know from a young age that's the route you want to go, it's never too late to get there.” - Jaclyn Beatty

Show host Laurie Barkman interviews Jaclyn Beatty, a seasoned sales professional and Owner/Principal Consultant of Geared for Growth at Sales Xceleration. Jaclyn shares her non-traditional journey to entrepreneurship, emphasizing the importance of the entrepreneurial gene and the belief that entrepreneurs can be made, not just born.

They discuss the challenges of transitioning from a corporate sales leader to an entrepreneurial role and the benefits of the fractional sales industry. Jaclyn also provides advice to aspiring entrepreneurs and reflects on her career pivots from clinical dietitian to corporate sales leader.

Takeaways:

~Don't hesitate to pursue your entrepreneurial dreams sooner rather than later. If you feel ready, take the plunge and trust your instincts.

~Be willing to accept help and advice from others, whether it’s through peer groups, mentors, or industry experts. You don't have to be an expert in every area of your business.

~Don’t be afraid to pivot from one industry to another if you feel drawn to it. Skills are often transferable, and a fresh perspective can lead to new opportunities.

~Learn to manage wearing multiple hats in your business. Prioritize and balance client deliverables with business development and operational tasks.

✨📖 Get your FREE digital copy of The Business Transition Handbook: https://btsherpa.com/book

📣 Write a Review: https://ratethispodcast.com/successionstories