In this episode of Biz & Life Done Well, Peter sits down with Michael Thompson, author of "Shy by Design: 12 Timeless Principles to Quietly Stand Out." Michael shares his journey from a shy, stuttering child to a successful career coach and author.

Key topics they discussed:

- Michael's background and motivation for writing "Shy by Design"
- The power of curiosity in personal and professional growth
- Building meaningful connections through small, intentional actions
- Embracing one's natural tendencies rather than trying to fit a preconceived mold
- Strategies for networking and relationship-building, especially for introverts
- The value of lifting others up as you progress in your own career

Michael weaves in personal stories that bring his principles to life. He shared one story about a meeting with an influential author that illustrates the unexpected impact of perseverance and kindness in networking:

This story beautifully encapsulates Michael's message about the power of authentic connections and the importance of not giving up after initial setbacks.

Michael's book, "Shy by Design: 12 Timeless Principles to Quietly Stand Out" offers valuable insights for anyone looking to understand and embrace their introverted nature while making a lasting impact in their personal and professional lives.

Find the book on Amazon [link]
Michael Thompson's Website

Standing out from the competition can feel like an uphill battle. Whether you're struggling to craft the perfect sales pitch or wondering how to position yourself as a trusted advisor rather than just another vendor, listen up!

Join Peter Wilson, President of bizmktg.com, and Chris Goldman, Marketing Strategist and Business Coach, as they reveal the secrets to creating sales pitches that not only resonate but win.

Peter and Chris dive into April Dunford’s must-read book *Sales Pitch: How to Craft a Story to Stand Out and Win*. They explore the shift from traditional sales tactics to a more customer-centric approach, where building trust and helping clients navigate decisions is key.

Chris shares a story about how he once considered building his own fence to save money, only to realize that the expertise and service offered by professionals far outweighed the cost savings of doing it himself. It’s a perfect metaphor for businesses who think they can DIY their marketing—only to find that working with experts brings better results with less hassle.

Through the lens of storytelling frameworks like the hero’s journey and problem-solution pitching, Peter and Chris highlight the importance of understanding the high stakes for decision-makers. They explain why so many sales pitches end in no decision and offer strategies to overcome buyer hesitation by positioning your product or service as the solution to a real problem—one that helps, not just sells.

Ready to transform your marketing approach?

bizmktg.com is offering a free consultation to help you gain clarity on your marketing needs and offer strategies to grow your business.
Book your free consult today: "Book Consultation"

Peter sits down with Paul Sanneman, founder of Contractor Staffing Source. Paul shares his expertise on solving one of the biggest challenges facing the construction industry today: finding and retaining quality employees.

Key takeaways from this episode include:

- The importance of continuous recruitment in the construction industry

- Debunking common hiring myths that hold contractors back

- Leveraging AI and modern tools to streamline the hiring process

- Creating compelling job ads that attract top talent

- The value of pre-employment assessments in ensuring long-term employee retention

Paul offers invaluable insights into building a robust hiring pipeline, from crafting the perfect job ad to implementing a comprehensive onboarding process. Whether you're a small HVAC company or a growing remodeling business, this episode provides actionable strategies to transform your recruitment efforts.

Don't miss out on Paul's generous offer for podcast listeners, including free assessments and a discount on Contractor Staffing Source's services. Tune in to discover how you can build a stronger, more reliable workforce in today's competitive construction market.

🚀 Ready to Transform Your Recruiting?

Don’t miss the opportunity to get personalized advice from Paul Sanneman, founder of Contractor Staffing Source. Schedule a **FREE recruiting consultation** today and discover how you can supercharge your hiring process with AI. [Book your consultation here!](https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/booking/UgwnkEr3tviQdrUGd0Ux)

Learn more about Contractor Staffing Source

https://contractorstaffingsource.com

NEED HELP WITH MARKETING YOUR SERVICE BUSINESS?

📈 Get a FREE 45-Minute Marketing Analysis of Your Business!

Ready to take your business to the next level? Schedule a complimentary 45-minute marketing analysis with our experts. Discover new strategies to grow your brand and increase your revenue. [Click here to get started!](https://bizmktg.com/contact-bizmktg-com/)

🎙️ Listen to Our Podcast: "Biz and Life Done Well”

Tune in to the "Biz and Life Done Well" podcast for insightful conversations on business growth, marketing strategies, and living life to the fullest. [Listen now!](https://bizmktg.com/podcast/)

🚨 Attention Business Owners: Don't Fall for Domain Listing Scams! 🚨
In this episode, we expose a recurring scam targeting businesses - domain listing services that solicitation letters that look like invoices. Learn how to protect your company from unnecessary expenses and misleading offers.

Key topics covered:
Recent examples of domain listing scams (Domain Listings, LLC and Domain Directory, LLC)
How these scams operate and why they provide little to no value
Red flags to watch out for in suspicious mail and invoices

Consider these legitimate (often free) alternatives for business listings:
Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business)
Bing Places for Business
Yelp (basic listing)
Better Business Bureau (basic listing)
Industry-specific directories
Local Chamber of Commerce
Facebook Business Page
Apple Maps (for brick-and-mortar businesses)

Timestamps:
0:00 Introduction to the scam
0:30 Breakdown of recent scam attempts
1:00 How the scam works
1:30 Red flags to look out for
2:00 Legitimate directory alternatives
4:00 Conclusion and safety tips

Don't waste your money on unnecessary "services." Stay informed and protect your business!

💼 Need help with your online presence? Book a consultation with us:
https://bizmktg.com/contact-bizmktg-com/

Becoming A Self-Reliant Leader with Author Jan Rutherford

Peter sits down with Jan Rutherford, a former Green Beret turned executive coach and author, to discuss his new book "Becoming a Self-Reliant Leader: How Grit and Discipline Forge Indomitable Teams."

Rutherford shares his unique journey from military service to the corporate world, emphasizing how his experiences shaped his leadership philosophy. He introduces the concept of "crucible expeditions," intense outdoor leadership experiences that form the backbone of his leadership development approach.

Key topics include:

- The importance of being "squared away" as a leader

- How vulnerability can be a leadership superpower

- The critical balance between results and relationships in leadership

- The role of intentionality in setting direction, pace, and tone for teams

Rutherford offers valuable insights on creating self-reliant leaders who can build and inspire high-performing teams, drawing parallels between wilderness expeditions and corporate leadership challenges. Whether you're a seasoned executive or an aspiring leader, this episode provides actionable wisdom to enhance your leadership skills and create more resilient, effective teams.

Don't miss this compelling conversation on leadership, personal growth, and the power of facing your own crucibles.

Want to learn more about becoming a self-reliant leader?

Visit the website: https://selfreliantleadership.com

Connect with Jan Rutherford on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janrutherford/

Buy the book on Amazon: https://a.co/d/c8kzXDT

In this behind-the-scenes look, Peter Wilson, host of the “Biz and Life Done Well” podcast, walks you through the tools and processes used to create podcast episodes. Peter showcases powerful software solutions including Descript for transcription and editing, Auphonic for audio processing, and AI tools like Claude for content analysis.

Whether you’re a seasoned podcaster or just starting out, this video offers valuable insights into streamlining your podcast production workflow, from recording to publishing. Learn how to leverage AI for generating episode descriptions and titles, and discover the secrets behind six years of successful podcasting.

Have questions about podcasting or have some tips to share? Please email us!

podcast@bizmktg.com

Peter Wilson is joined by Emily Caddell, the director of marketing at bizmktg.com. They dive into real-world business challenges shared by their listeners and offer insightful solutions to help take their businesses to the next level.

Peter and Emily address the following listener challenges:

• Ken - shares his struggle with maintaining a positive attitude amidst daily monotony. Peter offers strategies for breaking the routine, setting new goals, professional development, and the importance of delegation.
• Brazos - a former intern turned creative director, discusses issues with effective communication within his agency. Peter and Emily share their own communication tools and processes, such as weekly one-on-ones, team meetings, and leveraging technology for better project management.
• Darlene from Aussie Pet Mobile seeks advice on hiring and retaining employees. The conversation covers establishing core values, maintaining strong organizational norms, providing growth opportunities, and the importance of offering competitive benefits.

Join Peter and Emily as they provide practical tips, share personal experiences, and recommend resources like James Clear’s "Atomic Habits" and Keith Cunningham’s "The Road Less Stupid" to help you overcome your business hurdles and achieve long-term success.

Tune in for expert advice, engaging stories, and actionable strategies to navigate the complexities of running a business. Whether you’re struggling with daily tasks, team communication, or employee retention, this episode has something valuable for every business owner.

Join Peter Wilson as he sits down with Kirk and Donna Gronvold, the husband and wife team behind Blue Water Design Build, a Seattle-based design-build firm specializing in home renovations and remodels. In this engaging episode, Kirk and Donna share their passion for transforming outdated homes into beautiful, functional spaces that families love.

Discover the origin of the Blue Water name and how Kirk's love of fishing inspired it. Learn about the couple's design-build philosophy, which focuses on understanding how clients live in their homes in order to create spaces that flow and function optimally for each family's unique needs.

Kirk, a third-generation builder, discusses Blue Water's specialty in renovating older homes, including the challenges of bringing unfinished basements and cramped spaces up to modern standards while maintaining budgets. Donna shares her role in the design process and how she helps clients navigate the multitude of decisions to achieve a cohesive, personalized design.

The Gronvolds also share memorable client stories, from a young family's basement turned dream space, to a studs-out remodel of a client's childhood home. Hear how Kirk and Donna work together as a team and why they love seeing the impact their work has on their clients' daily lives.

Whether you're considering a home remodel or simply enjoy a behind-the-scenes look at a successful family business, this episode of Biz and Life Done Well offers valuable insights and inspiration. Tune in for an inside look at the world of home renovations with the talented team at Blue Water Design Build.

Resources:
website - Blue Water Design Build
podcast home - Biz & Life Done Well