Todd Liles

This Podcast Features 2 amazing bloggers, and my friends: Dan Black Matt McWilliams Both blog on Leadership, and Personal Development. We came together to loosely discuss the concepts of “Making Art.”  The Icarus Deception by Seth Godin in the book that we used as a stepping stone to start this conversation. Listener Submitted Questions Jon Stolpe blogs at www.jonstolpe.com What tips do you have for people that are afraid to try something new? How have each of you stepped out of your comfort zone in your career? Jim Ryan Finding mentors is a challenge for me.  Do you have any ideas?  Your CRAP Acronym Can’t Realities Are Problems Social Media Connections Matt’s Twitter: @mattmcwilliams2 Dan’s Twitter:  @dbonleadership Questions: What did you like most about this conversation? What would you like to hear on future Podcasts?

Andy Traub, podcaster, entrepreneur, and owner of Take Permission Media Network, is our guest today. You know him from his his hosting work, and his interview skills. Andy Traub Interview with Todd Liles Andy has worked with some of the biggest name in online leadership, such as: Michael Hyatt Andy Andrews Pete Wilson Andy is great at making connections.  I asked him to share his unique story and experiences.  Andy was gracious enough to say “Yes,” Momentum Builder The Story of the Prodigal Son.  Your heavenly father loves you.  He accepts you as you are.  You can always come home. Lessons from Andy Traub’s Interview 1.  Where did you get the idea that you could connect with really high level people? What do you have that can help people?  Get connected by finding a way to help them. You have to have a a great attitude, but you have to also have a skill. 2.  What drives you? Sometimes I’m driven out of desperation. I’m driven by the fact that I’m still figuring stuff out. . . This is risky.  You have to be hungry, and work with what you have. 3.  How did you make your first big connection? I helped Dan Miller with some technical details.  He connected me with Andy Andrews. 4.  How did you prove you were worthy to work with Andy Andrews? Referrals are great, but you have to be able to prove your worth. You have to stock the shelves first, if you want people to buy it. 5.  How is the success of your podcast transforming your life? I make less money than you think I do. Hanging around really wise people makes you wise. 6.  Do you ever struggle with self confidence? You never want to hear from a hater. But you are not going to please everyone.  I have to start with what moves me. Everyone struggles.  Every pastor should speak on this every Sunday. 7.  What are your 2013 Goals? We would like to move to a new house. I only want to work with 4 clients. I want to sell 100,000 copies of Early To Rise and Amazon Get up ay 5 am 50 days in a row. Listener Submitted Questions Matt McWilliams blogs at www.mattmcwilliams.com Andy, I shared my experience with the Early to Rise Challenge…thank you again for that. Question: Where do you find your content inspiration? What motivates you to write and record? Mark Sieverkropp blogs at http://sieverkropp.com/ Hey Andy, Here’s my question. I’m pretty much technically illiterate. I listen to alot of podcasts, but don’t know the first thing about starting one. What do I need to know/do to get started? Thanks! Jon Stolpe My question for Andy: I’ve been blogging for the past few years, and I’ve seen gradual growth. What suggestions do you have for taking my platform to the next level? And how do you know that you’re ready to advance your platform from blogging to podcasting? Bob Winchester blogs at http://corporateculturerevolution.com/ Andy, we’ve all heard many of your podcasts and have learned much. I’m curious if you would be willing to share a time that interviewed someone, but feel like you were too easy on them because you were intimidated or enamored? How would you do it differently? Donna Jackson – My mom, and biggest fan Has pride ever set in because of his wisdom only to find out he was a temporary failure?   Social Media Connections Twitter: @andytraub Blog:    Take Permission Media Network, www.takepermission.com Email:   Andy@TakePermission.com Services by Andy Traub Podcast Hosting Fix Your Inbox Services Recommended by Andy Traub Tribe Writers with Jeff Goins Podcast answer man by Cliff Ravenscraft Questions: What did you like most about Andy’s interview? What changes will you make in your approach of making connections?

Seth Godin describes art as in his new book, The Icarus Deception. Is this Art? Art isn’t something that’s made by artists.  Artists are people who make art. Art is not a gene or a specific talent.  Art is an attitude, culturally driven and available to anyone who chooses to adopt it. I feel like my work as a public speaker and trainer is art.  When it is at it’s greatest it is: Powerful Beautiful Raw Ugly Scary Inviting Loud Soft Emotional In control Out of control Glorifying When it is at it’s worst, art it is boring. I also believe that the traditional artist can be very snobby!  He can adopt the attitude of “You are not in a traditionally labeled art, so therefore it is not art.” I’m an artist, and I make money.  So, why don’t you take a second look at my art, and your art. The bottom line is that art exists when you feel it in your gut, and you do it with purpose.  HERE IS SOME OF MY PROFESSIONAL ART. When my art works, it is because I have passion for it. Question:  What art are you making?

Dan Rockwell, The Leadership Freak Dan Rockwell, the Leadership Freak, is our guest today. You know him from his wildly popular blog The Leadership Freak. Dan has over 157,000 combined subscribers that read his writing on Leadership. In addition to blogging and coaching on leadership, Dan is also a father and a pastor of a church.The interview with Dan Rockwell is perfect for anyone with something to say. It covers principles of success on the subjects of Writing, Growing Subscribers, Interacting with your Audience, and Dan gets very real on overcoming disappointment. The questions are list below. The bullet points are the short form answer. 1. What is the number one reason you have been successful with your leadership blog? Stay on Topic Short Post Practicle Offer a Solution to a Problem Avoid “I think,” give solutions Prolific:  good for search engines 2.  Does it help that on your blog you avoid opinions and stick to facts? Be hot or cold Avoid the middle 3.  What do you do when there is more to be said inside of a blog post? Create a new post 4.  Do you intentionally put gaps in the thought process of your blog post? Yes You don’t have to say everything Leave something for the reader to add Keep it conversational. People will disagree with this style, but it gets a reaction. 5.  Did you every feel like quitting when you were growing The Leadership Freak Blog? “I’m a great quitter.  I can get discouraged with results.” 6.  What kept you going when you felt like quitting? The Passion to Make a Difference The encouragement from the blog readers I feel like people care about me and leadership 7.  What lessons did you learn from not quitting The Leadership Freak? Trust that God made me with gifts and strengths that he wants me to use. Your struggles and failures are part of who we are. Don’t deny your struggles, embrace them. 8.  Why did you name yourself The Leadership Freak? Mid-life crisis Realized I was terrible at leadership I became freakishly interested in leadership 9.  Favorite Verse of Scripture, and say a blessing over us. Ephesians 2:8-9,  For by Grace are you saved.  Through faith that is not of yourself.  It is the gift of God, not of works.  Lest any man should boast.” Pillars of Success Community Questions 1.  What is more important for a leader?  Being well rounded, or being an expert on a subject?  - Thomas Dougherty Be an expert. Don’t be a generalist You can compensate for your weaknesses, and leverage your strengths. Book:  Marcus Buckinham – A great resource Book:  Strengthsfinder 2.0 – A great resource 2.  How do you handle leaders who don’t display leadership qualities? – Jason Adolf  Act the way you would like him to act Be the boss you wish he was Help him reach his goals Don’t threaten him Don’t with drawl Don’t lower your performance  Social Media Connections Twitter:   Dan Rockwell Blog:      The Leadership Freak Email:    dan@leadershipfreak.com Services by Dan Rockwell Leadership Coaching Dial into meetings One-on-ones  Win an Hour With Dan Rockwell The Leadership Freak:  CLICK HERE TO ENTER   Questions: What did you like most about Dan’s interview? What changes will you make to your blog / marketing?  

Randy Phillips and his wife Denise Phillips Pastor Randy Phillips is our guest today.  You know him from the super Christian band, Phillips, Craig & Dean.  He has inspired millions to renew their worship experience with God, and He is also growing one of the most original churches in America, LifeAustin Church, in Austin, TX. The interview with Pastor Randy is amazing.  It covers principles of success on the subjects of God, Devotion, and Growing a Team. The questions are list below.  The bullet points are the short form answer. If you would like the complete transcript of the interview, then you can download it here: Pillars of Success: Podcast #1, Interview with Pastor Randy Phillips 1. What is the number one reason you have been successful? Talent Passion Don’t stop at “No” Connections  2. Did you ever feel like quitting? No, but I have been disappointed with results You have to have great Energy Build a great team to help you keep going  3. Why did you keep going? The Dream “I didn’t call for the dream, the dream called for me.” A Community of Believers Expansion of the Arts Grow people Inspiring God’s people  4. What is the lesson you learned from not quitting? Elijah:  An example of how to keep going God has a purpose for us I have work to do “Change my pace, change my place, and watch God change your perspective.”  5. Pastor, the name of the church is LifeAustin. Why? Short, memorable, simple At the core of our mission – LIFE John 10:10 “I have come that you might have life, and have it to the full.” All Areas:  family, financial, health  6. Last question, it is a two-parter:  What is your favorite song, and would you sing a verse? “Tell Your Heart to Beat Again” on Breathe In Co-wrote with Matthew West   Pillars of Success Community Questions 1.  Which ministry do you feel is more impactful and why… your church or your music? – Matt Michel, CEO of Service Roundtable The purpose of the ministry is the same.  2.  What are you reading and what books have impacted your life? – Dan Black on Leadership Circle Maker by Mark Batterson Sleeping Giant by Luck Shepherding Horses: God’s Plan for Transforming Leaders  3.  Who was your greatest mentor besides God that influenced your life in singing? – Donna Jackson My Mother and Father molded my pallet Black Gospel Music Tom Jones Ray Charles Earth, Wind and Fire Mo-Town  4.  What is your all time favorite movie and why? – Jason Shadowen It’s a Wonderful Life The Grinch Social Medea Connections @RandyPCD and @PCDguys Phillips, Craig and Dean.com LifeAustin   Questions:  How have you been inspired?  What surprised you about Pastor Randy’s answers?

Babies that Were Not Supposed to Be In this episode, the Liles family interviews the Edwards family. We both have the common thread of bringing babies into the world against earthly odds. Marcia, Efrem, and Ethan Edwards with Shannon, Todd, and Willa Liles You will Receive a Heart Felt Message on: Never Giving Up Being Patient Trusting God Time to Share: Has your family beaten the odds? *Please comment, and share with your friends. If you have a question, leave it the Comments Section. I and this community will do our best to answer appropriately

In this episode, I interview Barry Granger of Abacus Plumbing and AC.  He is the G.M. of the new HVAC division.  We discuss the topics of: Starting an Air Conditioning Department in your Plumbing Company You will get tips on: Training:  In-house, and with Service Excellence Training – Accountability Program, and the Archi-TECH  Hiring and Interviewing, Setting Expectations, What it Takes to be Successful, and more! Opening an Air Conditioning Department in Your Plumbing Company Time to Share: Have you considered starting a new division in your business? What was the biggest lesson you took from this podcast? *Please comment, and share with your friends. If you have a question, leave it the Comments Section. I and this community will do our best to answer appropriately. CLICK TO LISTEN

2 Easy Steps to Pricing Out Any Dig Job For Profits with Patrick Middleton from Abacus Plumbing, How much does he charge?  I get that question a lot! Today I am going to answer your question.  Patrick Middleton of Abacus Plumbing is going to give you the easy secret to pricing out any Dig Job for Profits.  You will know the answer to the following questions: “How does he come up with his price?” “Is he making money?” “Am I making money?” Listen to the podcast below for all the details. Step #1:  Determine your subcontractor dig cost in advance 1. Negotiate Your Prices.  This should be done in advance.  Go into the meeting with an idea of what you are willing to pay. 2. Treat Your Vendors Fair.  Your goal isn’t to get it as cheap as possible.  You are looking for the best value. 3. Hold them Accountable.  They work for you, and you both work for the client. Step #2:  Know your multiplier for mark-up 1. Know the minimum for any dig job from your subcontractor. 2. Keep your subcontractor job cost in between 20% to 25%. 3. That  means that your multiplier is going to be the following: a. Times 5:  Shooting for a profit of 25% to 15% b. Time 4:  Shooting for a profit of 20% to 10% The Details 1. Labor should come around 20% to 18% of the total cost of the job. 2. Pay structure is a company by company choice. a. I support the 20% to 18% rule for pay.  I know companies that get there by commission pay or hourly pay that is based on performance. The Big Idea “You and your subcontractors need to have the same mindset that the goal is 100% client satisfaction.” – Patrick Middleton Question:  Have you struggled with this question before, and did you find this helpful?