Catalyst Sale Podcast: Sales Training | Sales Strategy | B2b | Selling | Marketing

In this episode, Mike Simmons delves into the strategic process of hitting sales targets. He discusses the importance of understanding your numbers, creating multiple pathways to achieve goals, and building a solid pipeline. Mike shares insights from his experience, emphasizing the need for detailed planning and execution to drive sales success. Key Quotes "Think a bit like fractals; it's the same process repeating itself over and over again to create scale inside your business." "I want to design a plan with certain numbers that gives me three paths to hitting my number." "If you're not creating pipeline or developing it, you're missing the mark." Mike Simmons discusses the art of hitting sales targets by breaking down the process into manageable parts. He explains how to identify ideal customers, create effective outreach strategies, and develop a robust sales pipeline. The episode offers practical tips on aligning efforts to achieve sales goals efficiently. Key Takeaways 1. Know Your Numbers Define Targ

Leslie Greenwood is community builder, known for her work with Pavilion and her consulting firm, Chief Evangelist Consulting. Jen Simmons and Mike Simmons are the leaders of the Phoenix Club, a community aimed at connecting professionals from diverse backgrounds. Three Key Quotes: Leslie Greenwood: "Connection, growth, and expanding your reach are what truly excite me about community." Jen Simmons: "We're trying to put a lot of thought into what our members are looking for and why they came to a community in the first place." Mike Simmons: "People rise together by contributing to others, helping each other work through their challenges." In this episode, Leslie Greenwood, Jen Simmons, and Mike Simmons discuss the intricacies of building and maintaining a successful community. They share insights on setting up foundational guidelines, engaging members, and the importance of continuous feedback. The conversation highlights strategies for fostering connections and driving meaningful interactions. Five Key Take

Key Quotes: "Your north star can change over time. And it's okay." "Strategy from my perspective…is how will we do it? Not what will we do." "With the right mindset, with the right skill set and the right tool set, you can move the world." Mike Simmons discusses life and business strategies using the game metaphor. He emphasizes finding a changing North Star, creating a clear GAME PLAN with goals, actions, metrics, and execution, and using the GAME FACE as an assessment. This approach helps individuals and businesses achieve success through structured, actionable steps. 5 Key Takeaways: Finding Your North Star: Your North Star is your guiding goal. It can change over time, reflecting growth and new insights. Identifying it helps focus your efforts on what truly matters. Creating a Game Plan: A game plan includes goals, actions, metrics, and execution. It organizes efforts to improve the likelihood of success. Clarity in the plan enhances focus and progress. Strategy vs. Tactics: Strategy defines

Coach Kurt Hines, head football coach and author, shares his journey of empowering others through faith, leadership, and personal growth. With over 27 years of coaching experience, Hines emphasizes the importance of servant leadership and helping others find their strength and purpose. Key Quotes "I truly feel like I've been called to empower. That's where I get the most joy in life – when I can bless, serve, and empower others." "Leadership is about serving others. It’s about creating more leaders by empowering those you lead." "We need to take pride in the fact that when we face adversity, it’s an opportunity for growth and to embrace the challenges that shape us." Episode Summary In this episode, Coach Kurt Hines discusses his new book, "Called to Empower," and shares his insights on leadership, faith, and personal growth. Hines emphasizes the importance of empowering others and how facing adversity can lead to significant personal development. The conversation highlights the transformative power of serv

In this episode, Mike Simmons explores the crucial elements of mindset, skillset, and toolset, and their roles in personal and business growth. Mike emphasizes the importance of each component and how they interconnect to drive performance and success. Three Key Quotes: "In the absence of mindset, the other stuff doesn't work. Don't care what your skill set is and what your tool set is, if you don't have the right mindset, you're not in a position to be successful." "Skills are our abilities and experience—what we can do and what we've done in the past. Improving these capabilities can involve learning, hiring, or testing new things." "Tools and processes create systems that help generate leverage. This includes everything from marketing budgets to AI tools used correctly with the right skills." Mike Simmons delves into how mindset, skillset, and toolset impact growth in business and personal life. He breaks down each element, offering insights on perspectives about money, capabilities, and leveraging tools

David Landis is a seasoned firefighter turned entrepreneur and self-mastery advocate. With a unique blend of practical experience and creative insight, David emphasizes the importance of mindset, resilience, and growth in both personal and professional realms. His journey from a structured firefighting career to navigating the uncertainties of entrepreneurship provides valuable lessons on adaptability and self-leadership. Three Key Quotes "We don't rise to the level of our expectations; we fall to the level of our training." "Confidence isn't about knowing everything; it's about knowing you can figure it out." "Move. Keep moving. Figure it out as you go." David Landis shares his transformative journey from firefighting to entrepreneurship, highlighting the importance of mindset, resilience, and growth. He discusses overcoming challenges, embracing change, and the critical role of self-mastery. His insights offer practical advice for navigating transitions and developing a resilient mindset. 5 Key Takeaways

Mike Simmons is the founder of Catalyst A.C.T.S., an organization dedicated to improving leadership, culture, and revenue execution in businesses. With a strong focus on practical tools and processes, Mike helps organizations build effective teams and achieve their goals. Key Quotes: "The revenue challenge inside your business is likely a culture challenge in disguise, and culture starts with leadership." "Leadership is how we move forward; culture is how we do what we do; revenue is how we create the ability to do what we do; and execution is how we achieve results." "Sales is a thinking process. Business is a thinking process. Life is a thinking process. How are you thinking different about yours?" In this episode, Mike Simmons delves into the critical connection between leadership, culture, and revenue. He emphasizes that many revenue problems stem from cultural issues, which in turn are rooted in leadership. By focusing on self-leadership and implementing effective systems and tools, organizations can c

Nick Loise is a seasoned sales leader with a passion for helping organizations enhance their sales performance. He brings a wealth of experience from various industries, focusing on building strong teams, driving revenue, and navigating complex market conditions. Key Quotes from Nick Loise "As leaders, we must rise above the minutiae and look through the tea leaves to guide our teams effectively." "If you're relying solely on social media for lead generation, be prepared for rising costs as the election approaches." "The cost of missed sales is the biggest expense for any business because it represents your future bank." Nick Loise shares insights on leadership, the impact of election cycles on marketing costs, and the importance of risk management in sales. He emphasizes the need for alignment within teams, realistic goal-setting, and the value of asking the right questions to drive business success in 2024. Key Takeaways Leadership and Alignment Importance of having open dialogues between sales and fin

Three Key Quotes: "Do the things you want to do better and faster." "People want to make an impact. They want to feel valued." "Sales is about connecting the dots between problems that are known or unknown and solutions that are known or unknown." Mike Simmons discusses the progress and plans for Catalyst ACTS, including updates on the Phoenix Club, the podcast, and consulting projects. He emphasizes the importance of community, tools, and processes in achieving goals, and encourages listeners to think and act differently to improve their work and personal lives. Five Key Takeaways: Phoenix Club Growth and Goals Increased membership to 40 people. Monthly themes like independence from self-limiting beliefs. Aim for members to see a return on investment within 90 days. Podcast Relaunch and Structure Committed to two episodes per week: one solo and one with a guest. Using tools like Camtasia and Audiate for quick turnaround. Encourages listener feedback for continuous improvement. Community and Coach

Karina Mikhli is a seasoned fractional COO and workflow consultant. She founded Fractionals United, a community for fractional executives, after struggling to find a supportive network for professionals in this field. Her work focuses on helping businesses transition and thrive by providing high-level leadership on a part-time basis. Key Quotes "Community to me is a place for us to connect, collaborate, and learn from each other." "Fractional work is a win-win because it allows leaders to focus on their strengths and businesses to get the expertise they need without a full-time commitment." "The biggest mistake you can make is hiring someone who can’t get out of their own way and then not giving them the authority to do the job you hired them for." Karina Mikhli discusses the rise of fractional executive roles, the importance of community, and the benefits of hiring part-time leadership for businesses. She shares her journey in creating Fractionals United, insights on the challenges and rewards of fractiona

Andrea Waltz is an experienced author and co-author of the book "Go for No." She has spent over twenty years in the publishing industry and recently wrote "The Million Dollar Book Formula" with her partner, Richard Fenton. Andrea is passionate about helping others write and publish their own books, drawing on her extensive experience and unique insights. Three Key Quotes: "Just because you can do something doesn't mean you should do it." "You don't have to go out there and write the Odyssey or the Iliad." "You want a best-consumed book, not just a best-selling one." Andrea Waltz discusses the journey of writing her book, "The Million Dollar Book Formula," emphasizing the importance of focusing on the core message, keeping books concise, and targeting the right audience. She provides insights on overcoming common writing struggles and highlights strategies for creating impactful, consumable content. 5 Key Takeaways: Focus on Core Message: Narrow down the problem your book aims to solve. Avoid unnecessary

Amir Feizpour is an experienced entrepreneur and AI enthusiast. He is the founder of a startup that focuses on leveraging AI and natural language processing (NLP) to enhance knowledge management and improve performance in various business areas. Amir is passionate about mental health, community building, and the evolving role of AI in our lives. Key Quotes "It's a marathon, not a sprint. How do you sustain performance over such a long time?" "Mental health is not something that I'd be the worst on at all... learning how to deal with that is very interesting and there's a lot of room to learn." "ChatGPT really changed a lot of things, including the very first thing that it changed, which was the expectation of the users from what our platform was doing." 50-Word Summary In this episode, Amir Feizpour discusses the challenges and excitement of building a startup, the importance of sustaining mental and physical health, and the transformative impact of AI on knowledge management. He shares insights on communit

Amy Looper is a resilience coach and transformational leader. She focuses on helping individuals navigate through life’s uncertainties by fostering resilience and well-being. Amy shares insights on breaking free from the hustle culture, finding alignment with one's purpose, and the importance of self-care. Three Key Quotes from Amy Looper: "Resilience is all about navigating the uncertainty of life. It’s really the core of well-being." "You have to give permission to yourself to receive... that's important for high performance." "Self-reflection is a huge part of the catalyst for doing that because you have to process what you're actually doing." Amy discusses her journey of building resilience and breaking away from the hustle culture. She emphasizes the importance of self-care, spiritual alignment, and the power of self-reflection. Amy shares practical tips for managing burnout and achieving a balanced, purpose-driven life. Five Key Takeaways: Understanding Resilience: Definition: Navigating life's unc

Joe Aurilia is an operations expert with a deep understanding of how community involvement, leadership roles, and efficient processes drive business success. With experience in various leadership positions, Joe shares his insights on the importance of collaboration between COOs and CROs, the role of operations in business, and the value of mentorship. Three Key Quotes: "When you stay in your silo, you block yourself from having new ideas and new back and forth. I didn't want that to happen." "The COO is supposed to be there to allow the CEO to do their vision and their dreaming...to eliminate them from the day-to-day." "The lack of a curator exponentially increases the quantity of tribal knowledge. When someone walks out the door, that tribal knowledge is lost forever." Joe Aurilia discusses the critical role of operations in business, the need for community involvement, and how COOs and CROs can work together for success. He emphasizes the importance of mentorship and continuous learning, sharing his exper

Mike Simmons is a business consultant and founder who specializes in helping organizations streamline their processes to achieve better results. With a focus on decision-making and communication, Mike provides actionable insights on how to eliminate unnecessary steps to accelerate progress. Three Key Quotes from Mike Simmons "The most common mistake with communication is believing that it actually occurred." - Jody Mayberry "Start with a couple of questions. Validate understanding. Confirm that you've heard it properly." "Apply the right tool in the right place to create leverage and accelerate speed to impact." In this episode, Mike Simmons discusses the importance of eliminating unnecessary steps before accelerating progress in business. He emphasizes effective communication, proper decision-making tools, and the need to validate understanding. By organizing information and applying the right tools, organizations can improve efficiency and achieve better outcomes. Five Key Takeaways Effective Communicat

Key Quotes: "If you've been hammering nails in with a wrench your entire life and someone gives you a hammer, it will feel almost like you had discovered fire for the first time." "Focus on doing what you're made for and delegate the rest to drive success in your life and business." "The Eisenhower matrix helps you derisk the decision-making process by distinguishing between urgent and important tasks." Join Mike Simmons as he explores how to simplify decision-making using the energy vs. impact quadrant and the Eisenhower matrix. Learn to focus on high-impact tasks that energize you, delegate low-impact activities, and make informed decisions to boost productivity and effectiveness in your personal and professional life. 5 Key Takeaways: Energy vs. Impact Quadrant: Identify tasks that energize you versus those that drain you. Focus on high-impact activities that provide energy. Delegate or eliminate low-impact tasks that consume your energy. The Power of Delegation: Delegate tasks that drain you but

Key Quotes "Support is reactive. It's something that is absolutely necessary. People are gonna break things; people are gonna need help." "Success is proactive. How do we design for success given what I know about what the future looks like inside your business?" "If your success team is acting reactive, they might be a support team, and you are just calling them something different." Summary This episode delves into the differences between support and success in business, advocating for proactive success planning to ensure growth and customer retention. Mike shares practical insights on how businesses can effectively design and implement success strategies. Key Takeaways Understanding Support Definition: Support is reactive, addressing issues as they arise. Examples: Customer support, medical support, structural support. Importance: Essential for addressing immediate problems and providing necessary assistance. Understanding Success Definition: Success is proactive, planning for future achievements.

Three Key Quotes: "The big thing is having a high level of clarity around what it is that you want to do. Do you even know what you want to do?" "My goal when it comes to where I'm spending time, energy, and resources is to get this access to move further to the right." "If you continue to read about things but not put those things into practice, you're going to get yourself into a situation where you will start to feel frustrated." Mike dives into how to achieve your goals better and faster by focusing on clarity, strategy, and leveraging tools and processes. Learn to identify what energizes you, implement effective systems, and surround yourself with the right people to create a supportive and productive environment. 5 Key Takeaways: Clarity and Focus: Identify what truly energizes you. Eliminate tasks that drain your energy. Focus on high-impact activities. Strategy and Tactics: Develop a clear strategy with no more than three main focuses. Implement specific tactics to execute your

Mor Assouline is a seasoned sales consultant and entrepreneur, known for his expertise in B2B sales and building high-growth consulting businesses. Mor started his own consulting business, achieving six-figure success within the first year. He is particularly skilled in leveraging LinkedIn for lead generation and building a personal brand. Mor emphasizes the importance of self-awareness, effective time management, and continuous learning through communities and coaching. Three Key Quotes: "I always look at my calendar and move things around. There are a few things that I do on LinkedIn to generate leads, and if it weren't for LinkedIn, I would have been in trouble." "When I speak to prospects, I'm no longer concerned with them buying someone else’s course. You can buy theirs and mine too; it's not a big deal." "I'm optimizing for cash right now. I will burn myself out just to get the work done because I need to buy back my time." In this episode, Mor Assouline shares his journey from being a VP of Sales to

Key Quotes "Say what you're gonna do, and do what you say you're gonna do. It's simple to say, but really hard to do." "Don't make assumptions. Validate an understanding when you're going through the process." "Do your best, and then let it go. You've gotta give yourself space and time to move on to the next." In this episode, the Mike emphasizes the critical role of setting expectations and maintaining clear communication. They share practical strategies for handling unforeseen changes, leveraging insights from "The Four Agreements," and fostering self-awareness and confidence. The discussion underscores the value of integrity and resilience in achieving personal and professional success. Key Takeaways Setting Clear Expectations Communication Consistency: Always follow through on your commitments. Adaptability: Be prepared to reset expectations when circumstances change. Progress Updates: Regularly update stakeholders to maintain transparency. Effective Communication Active Listening: Ensure that me