Episodes

  • 33 Ways Not to Screw Up Creative Entrepreneurship with Saudia Davis
    Mar 22 2023

    Discover key elements to creative success in this episode of the 33 Ways Not to Screw Up Podcast. Emmy Award-winning producer, author, and creative powerhouse Saudia Davis shares her hard-earned wisdom and experience to inspire and empower budding creative entrepreneurs.

    Host Alastair McDermott dives deep with Saudia into her book "33 Ways Not to Screw Up Creative Entrepreneurship" where they explore how to thrive in the creative sector from mastering the business side to harnessing the power of introversion.

    Saudia recounts her personal journey from an 11-year-old business owner to a trailblazer in the film, TV, music, and visual arts industries. They discuss the value of mentorship, the importance of authenticity, and the art of networking and collaboration.

    Tune in to the 33 Ways Not to Screw Up Podcast and get fascinating insights into how you can thrive in the world of creative entrepreneurship.

    Get the book: https://33waysseries.com/book/33-ways-not-to-screw-up-creative-entrepreneurship/

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    32 mins
  • 33 Ways Not to Screw Up HR with Patricia Garland
    Mar 10 2023

    Are you struggling with human resources issues as a business owner? Do you feel like HR is a minefield, where one misstep could lead to disastrous consequences? Then you won't want to miss this episode of the "33 Ways Not to Screw Up" podcast with Alastair McDermott and guest Patricia Garland, author of "33 Ways Not to Screw Up HR."

    In this episode, Patricia shares her vision of HR and how it differs from the traditional approach. She believes in keeping things simple and treating employees as trusted adults who can contribute to the success of the business. She also explains why she avoids getting in the middle of conflicts between managers and employees or between employees. Instead, she coaches individuals on how to communicate and solve problems directly with each other.

    If you're tired of HR being the complaints department and want to learn a better approach, tune in to this episode. You'll come away with practical tips on how to communicate effectively with your employees and avoid screwing up HR. So, don't miss it!

    Get Patricia's book "33 Ways Not to Screw Up HR":
    https://www.amazon.com/33-Ways-Not-Screw-Up/dp/1955750440

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    35 mins
  • 33 Ways Not to Screw Up Negotiating with Gerry Parran
    Mar 9 2023

    Do you feel like you could be getting more out of your business deals, but just don't know where to start? Look no further than the latest episode of the 33 Ways Not to Screw Up podcast, where host Alastair McDermott sits down with negotiation expert Gerry Perran.

    Gerry is the author of "33 Ways Not to Screw Up Negotiating," and has spent over 27 years in the corporate world mastering the art of negotiation. He shares his insights and strategies for negotiating effectively and avoiding common mistakes.

    But this isn't just about tactics and techniques. Gerry also discusses the importance of mindset and attitude when it comes to negotiating. He encourages listeners to actively seek out opportunities to negotiate and to be consistent and credible in their actions and words.

    Whether you're a seasoned negotiator or a novice, this episode is a must-listen. Learn how to be "that guy" who is always on the lookout for opportunities to improve their position, and how to avoid being taken advantage of by those who don't negotiate in good faith.

    This episode could transform the way you approach negotiations in your personal and professional life, so tune in today!

    Get Gerry's book "33 Ways Not to Screw Up Negotiating":
    https://www.amazon.com/33-Ways-Not-Screw-Negotiating/dp/1955750408

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    45 mins
  • 33 Ways Not to Screw Up Hiring Great Talent with Craig Wilson
    Mar 9 2023

    In this episode, we have a thought-provoking conversation between Alastair McDermott and Craig Wilson, a globally recognized expert in talent recruitment and author of "33 Ways Not to Screw Up Hiring Great Talent".

    The discussion centers around the rapidly changing dynamics of the labor market and the monumental impact of remote work on the hiring landscape. Craig shares his extensive experience in the recruitment industry and provides actionable tips on how to attract top talent, starting with having a clear mission and purpose for your organization.

    Together, they explore the "sea change" in how people view their careers and the transformative implications this has on the hiring process.

    This episode offers invaluable insights into the evolving landscape of hiring and is a must-listen for anyone looking to build a successful team. Join us as we delve deeper into the changing world of recruitment and the strategies to avoid common pitfalls.

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    47 mins
  • 33 Ways Not to Screw Up Cybersecurity with Dawn Kristy
    Feb 10 2023

    In this episode of the podcast, Alastair McDermott and Dawn Kristy discuss Dawn's book “33 Ways Not to Screw Up Cybersecurity”.  

    They discuss what it means to be cyber-savvy, the importance of awareness, and some of the biggest security mistakes Dawn has seen.  They also discuss security issues including phishing, vishing and smishing, what it means to have "cyber resilience", and the trade-off of security vs convenience. 

    Finally, Dawn gives us some actionable security tips that include:

    • using a different password for every service
    • using 2-Factor or Multi-Factor Authentication
    • having a plan to fund a loss
    • having a plan for security issues


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    33 mins
  • 33 Ways Not to Screw Up Your Journalism with Chip Scanlan
    Feb 4 2023

    In this episode of the podcast, Alastair McDermott and Chip Scanlan discuss Chip's book "33 Ways Not to Screw Up Journalism".

    Chip talks about the importance of being human as a journalist, and shares his personal experiences and insights on how it can help journalists build trust with their sources, and provide rich detail for their stories. He shares tips for journalists on how to build that trust, including asking open-ended questions, revealing something about yourself, and conveying a sense of trustworthiness.

    They delve into the topic of "counter phobia" and the importance of pushing through fear and resistance to achieve one's goals. They connect this idea to their own experiences and find that there is a common theme between their works, which is about not letting things hold you back and taking action. They agree that it's important to use the information we consume to take action and not just let it sit unused. 

    The conversation highlights the fact that being authentic is crucial for successful journalism.

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    34 mins
  • 33 Ways Not to Screw Up Your Business Podcast with Alastair McDermott
    Jan 26 2023

    In this episode, Anne Janzer speaks with Alastair McDermott, author of "33 Ways Not to Screw Up Your Business Podcast".

    Find Alastair at The RecognizedAuthority.com

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    33 mins
  • 33 Ways Not to Screw Up Your Business Emails with Anne Janzer
    Jan 25 2023

    In this episode, Alastair and Melissa speak with Anne Janzer, author of "33 Ways Not to Screw Up Your Business Emails".

    Topics include:

    • How Anne came up with the idea for the book
    • The cultural shift in how we communicate over email
    • The smallest piece of business writing 
    • Anne's favorite tips for not screwing up business email
    • The joy of writing a short book
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    27 mins