SEASON: 6 EPISODE: 11

Episode Overview:

Welcome back to Becoming Preferred, the podcast that arms you with the strategies to stop chasing and start attracting your ideal clients! I’m your host, Michael Vickers, and if you're a business professional or entrepreneur, you know the struggle: you have an incredible service, but cutting through the noise to establish yourself as the trusted authority feels impossible.

Today, we are tackling the single most powerful B2B platform: LinkedIn. It’s time to stop using your profile as a dusty online resume and start transforming it into a definitive lead generation engine. Our guest and his team have cracked the code on building genuine authority and measurable revenue through a high-conversion LinkedIn strategy. He's here to share the secrets to becoming the preferred provider in your niche.

We’re diving into everything: from the critical shift your profile must make, to the high-converting framework for direct messaging, and Shay's simple, actionable advice you can implement today.

Get ready to take notes, because this episode is how you master the art of B2B LinkedIn. Join me for my conversation with Shay Thieberg!

Guest Bio:

Shay is the Co-Founder of MAIA Digital - a LinkedIn Marketing Agency. Specializing in LinkedIn marketing, Shay holds a Masters degree in Social Psychology & Decision-Making. Shay is among 30 Global LinkedIn Certified Experts and Faculty members at Reichmann University where he teaches “B2B Marketing for Tech”.

Resource Links:

1. Website: https://team-maia.com/
2. Product Link: https://team-maia.com/b2b-linkedin-strategy/

Insight Gold Timestamps:

03:31 That was a lesson that I learned by myself that I can control my own life and path

05:21 My ADHD is my superpower

07:43 LinkedIn picked me

10:07 So, we're calling it the LinkedIn trifecta

11:33 The only thing that I did is post valuable insightful tips, hacks, and content for people to be able to use

17:16 I'm calling it T to B: Trust to Business

18:43 He wrote the post, I'm riding his wave, but I'm writing a thoughtful comment

23:00 I built a program that analyzes your entire LinkedIn analytics

24:37 And it's got to be authentic and you've got to be transparent with it

25:58 Stop thinking about posting content and start thinking about sharing your thoughts

28:58 I'm also a certified psychologist

34:36 People want to purchase, they don't want to be sold

38:10 The main two mistakes that people actually do...

39:21 Try to diversify your content because eventually people buy from people

41:17 I'm measuring my LinkedIn success, my ROL (Return On LinkedIn) by the amount of messages that I'm getting in my inbox

46:30 The website is team-maia.com

Connect Socially:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shay-thieberg/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MAIA.DIGITAL.LINKEDIN

YouTube:

SEASON: 6 EPISODE: 9

Episode Overview:

Welcome back to Becoming Preferred, the podcast where we help you become preferred in the markets you serve. If you thought the flower business was quaint, slow, or low-tech, get ready for a wake-up call. Our guest today is Michael Jacobson, CEO of French Florist. He didn't just take over an old business; he engineered a dramatic transformation. Starting from a struggling $600,000 operation, he built a high-performance franchise model that now generates millions in annual revenue and triples the profitability of traditional flower shops. Michael’s mastery is the fusion of timeless artistry with modern operational technology.

In this episode, Michael is going to share his framework on how to spot a broken business model ready for 10x growth and how to design a high-tech performance franchise that protects quality while maximizing margins.

If you’re ready to learn how to apply disruptive tech and scalable systems to any industry, old or new, you’ve come to the right place. Join me for my conversation with Michael Jacobson.

Guest Bio:

What’s possible in one of the world’s oldest industries. Under Michael Jacobson's leadership, French Florist has transformed the traditional flower shop model by putting technology, innovation, and operational excellence at the heart of its franchise system. The results speak for themselves: French Florist franchise locations generate triple the revenue of standard flower shops—while operating at higher margins.

With a career spanning entrepreneurship, investment, and leadership, Michael is passionate about helping the next generation of business owners succeed through entrepreneurship through acquisition (ETA). He brings a fresh perspective to how small business ownership can be reinvented for the modern age, leveraging digital tools, streamlined operations, and strong brand strategy to unlock sustainable growth.

Michael’s mission is simple: to empower franchise owners with a proven system that blends timeless beauty with cutting-edge innovation. Whether speaking about the future of franchising, how technology reshapes consumer-facing industries, or why flowers are a surprisingly powerful business opportunity, Michael shares candid insights that inspire entrepreneurs to think bigger and build smarter.

Resource Links:

1. Website: https://www.frenchflorist.com
2. Product Link: https://frenchfloristfranchise.com/

Insight Gold Timestamps:

03:53 I found that intersection between how to live a purposeful life and a life full of intentionality

09:08 We're in the business of love

10:02 You've coined a phrase, entrepreneurship through acquisition and creative playbook

12:27 We want to build something for the world that's kind of fun and cool

19:33 It was really cool, just solving actual real pain points

20:01 The root of everything is how do we enhance the client experience?

25:16 As a franchisor, our primary responsibility is creating a community of owners

26:49 95% of startups fail

27:43 What I look for is what's your why?

29:23 How do you avoid getting distracted by shiny objects?

30:35 Saying no is more important than saying yes

31:39 Tom Peters, who's the management guru, who wrote In Search of Excellence

34:56 What we want to do from a feelings...

SEASON: 6 EPISODE: 9

Episode Overview:

Welcome back to Becoming Preferred, the podcast where we focus on the mindset and strategies that help you become preferred in the markets you serve.

Our guest today has built a legacy on that very concept. For over 30 years, he co-founded and grew 1-800-DENTIST, a company that generated over one billion dollars in revenue by solving a simple, painful customer problem. He's an expert in making a brand remarkable.

But here's the kicker: He’s spent the last decade distilling that business success into a personal superpower that anyone can learn.

Fred Joyal is the Wall Street Journal bestselling author of Superbold: From Under-Confident to Charismatic in 90 Days.

Fred has the rare experience of both conquering a niche industry and teaching the mindset to repeat that process. Get ready to learn how to inject boldness into your business, your team, and your life. Join me for my conversation with Fred Joyal.

Guest Bio:

Fred Joyal is the co-founder of Futuredontics, the parent company of 1-800-DENTIST, which, over 30 years, generated over $1 billion in revenue. He is currently a business advisor and keynote speaker. His latest book, Superbold: From Under-Confident to Charismatic in 90 Days, is an Amazon and Wall Street Journal bestseller. He is also the author of two books for the dental industry, Everything is Marketing: The Ultimate Strategy for Dental Practice Growth, and Becoming Remarkable: How to Create a Dental Practice Everyone Talks About.

Fred has been a keynote speaker for his industry for over 15 years, and now speaks on the power of boldness and how anyone can harness it to radically increase their success and fulfillment in life. His humble brags are he once beat Sir Richard Branson in chess and was also a question on Jeopardy.

Resource Links:

1. Website: https://www.fredjoyal.com
2. Product Link: https://www.amazon.com/Superbold-Under-Confident-Charismatic-90-Days/dp/1544523076

Insight Gold Timestamps:

02:25 I got introduced to the advertising world by a friend of mine who was a storyboard artist

05:49 When you create a great culture, the employees sustain it

08:27 We were smart about the advertising, but the marketing side was to create that first impression

09:26 With any business, you've got to identify the problem

09:37 That's why the title of my first book was Everything is Marketing

11:08 The more senses you can...

SEASON: 6 EPISODE: 8

Episode Overview:

Welcome back to Becoming Preferred, the podcast dedicated to helping you reach your highest professional potential. Today, we're talking about the ultimate business credential: the high-impact non-fiction book.

Our guest has mastered the art of turning expertise into intellectual property. He's a #1 national bestselling author himself, a Harvard-trained scholar, and the CEO of a firm that helps public figures and top professionals land deals with major publishers. He is the person leading literary agents and corporate leaders call when the message must be perfect.

Kevin Anderson is here to reveal the secrets to leveraging your knowledge. He'll show you why a quality book is the single most effective way to elevate your authority, attract premium clients, and transform your business model.

If you have a powerful message that needs to be heard, Kevin is the bridge between your expertise and the bestseller list. Let's learn how to make your book the foundation of your legacy. Join me for my conversation with Kevin Anderson.

Guest Bio:

Kevin is an accomplished ghostwriter, #1 national-bestselling author, editor, and entrepreneur with a wealth of industry knowledge and professional experience. He has worked with numerous bestselling and award-winning authors, prominent literary agents, Big-5 publishers, and a long list of public figures, successful professionals, and aspiring authors. He is also a contributing author by invitation to Publishers Weekly’s Book Publishing Almanac 2022: A Master Class in the Art of Bringing Books to Readers and the author of the #2 Wall Street Journal, #1 Barnes & Noble, and #1 Amazon bestseller, PhDone: A Professional Dissertation Editor’s Guide to Writing Your Doctoral Thesis and Earning Your PhD.

Both a creative writer and a scholar, Kevin earned his master’s degree at Harvard University with a concentration in literary theory and criticism. While at Harvard, he studied under Poet Laureate and critical theorist, Professor Michael D. Jackson, and honed the literary criticism skills upon which he built his career in the book-writing and editing business.

As CEO and Editor-in-Chief, Kevin oversees all operations at our firm. He enjoys working closely with clients and makes himself readily available by

SEASON: 6 EPISODE: 7

Episode Overview:

Welcome back to Becoming Preferred, the podcast where we equip you to lead with influence, not just authority. If you’re an entrepreneur or business professional whose growth is stalled by employee turnover, poor communication, or the sheer struggle of transitioning from a high-performing doer to an effective leader, then you're going to enjoy this episode.

Today, we are happy to welcome Courtney Ramsey, a renowned leadership development expert, speaker, and consultant who has spent two decades transforming companies.

Courtney's mission is simple: to stop the bleeding caused by low engagement and high turnover by giving leaders the concrete communication and people skills they desperately need. She doesn't just talk theory; she delivers tangible, behavioral shifts that save companies millions. Get ready to learn how to master the art of tough feedback, delegate strategically, and truly lead the team that's destined to become your dream team. Join me for my conversation with Courtney Ramsey.

Guest Bio:

Courtney Ramsey is a seasoned professional with over 20 years of experience in the Learning & Development and Human Resources fields. Courtney brings a wealth of knowledge to audiences with her experiential programs that have a real impact on business results and inspire change.

Over the years, she has successfully trained tens of thousands of associates in various areas such as leadership, business management, conflict resolution, communication skills, and operations helping companies like JCPenney, Toyota, Populus Financial Group, and Zales Corporation save millions of dollars.

Courtney is the author of the book, Share Your Genius: 35 Tips to Create Training That Transforms. In it, she provides trainers with the tools they need to create engaging and effective training sessions.

Resource Links:

• Website: https://courtneyramseyspeaks.com/
• Product Link: https://courtneyramseyspeaks.com/services/

Insight Gold Timestamps:

03:48  Professional development, helping people be better, that's what I love

05:50  No one's brave enough to have the tough conversation

10:32  I still think there's a pretty big bias out there in terms of promoting women up

12:21  There's really no defining line anymore of what is personal, what is work, it's so blended

13:47  You call this taking off the cape moment

15:57  Many leaders struggle to delegate because their fear of failure or inefficiency

18:17  That inverted pyramid approach to where the leader is essentially at the bottom...

19:58  You've got a popular TEDx talk called Why We Hit the Snooze on the Conversations that Matter

22:30  Is there a distance that leaders ought to maybe maintain and keep in order to be able to have that firewall

25:16  I call that setting your intention and saying your intention out loud

27:01  We do still see those people who don't quite get that things have changed in the last 20, 30 years

29:26  ChatGPT and the other AIs are pretty decent at being leadership coaches

30:37  So, every generation has its own learning style

32:30  You speak on the need to speak up and say it

33:47  Call the elephant out in the room

35:10 The one thing I would encourage people to start doing today to make a huge impact on your leadership is to stop avoiding...

SEASON: 6 EPISODE: 6

Episode Overview:

Welcome back to Becoming Preferred, the podcast where we help you climb the revenue ladder and become the preferred provider in the markets you serve.

Today, we're tackling a challenge every modern business leader faces: You have a passionate purpose, but does it actually move the needle? What if your brand could prove that activism and social impact don't just inspire; they reliably sell, grow market share, and reduce customer churn? Our guest is here to show you exactly how to do it.

Neil Callanan is the founder of LooseGrip and the brilliant mind behind the Grasp Impact Framework. His work sits at the critical intersection of marketing, activism, and analytics. He doesn't just talk about having a mission; he equips you with the tools to measure what truly matters.

Get ready to learn how the most impactful brands are connecting their values to tangible business growth. Join me for my conversation with Neil Callanan.

Guest Bio:

Neil Callanan is the founder of LooseGrip and the creator of the Grasp Impact Framework, a system that helps mission-driven brands connect storytelling with measurable outcomes. Since 2009, he has guided organizations from global giants like Unilever and Ben & Jerry’s to emerging value-focused companies, showing how to align their campaigns with tangible business growth and impact.

Neil’s work sits at the intersection of marketing, activism, and analytics. Where most teams drown in disconnected data or rely on anecdotes, he helps leaders find the middle ground—inspiring teams by turning data into stories, and stories into metrics that stand up in boardrooms.

His goal is simple: equip leaders with tools to measure what truly matters so they can do more of it.

Resource Links:

• Website: https://loosegrip.net
• Website: https://www.graspyourimpact.com/
• Product Link: https://loosegrip.net/services/

Insight Gold Timestamps:

05:03  A little bit of intention and a little bit of luck

06:41  There are stories that need to be told

09:12 When we're figuring out whether a client's a good fit for our framework

10: 56 When people are connected with our brand, they buy more of our stuff

11:48  Most companies get stuck by not starting

14:11 They're kind of topic agnostic

15:20 I know you hate spreadsheets and you kind of pride yourself on hating spreadsheets

15:51  What would the perfect experience be?

19:20  I chair the board of a nonprofit called the I Am Able Foundation

23:22 We love to talk about data in the form of Legos

25:00 If you can turn that data into a story, I think you can connect with your audience a whole lot more

26:37 If I could know anything, what would I want to know?

30:04  Why did I choose Big Brother?

30:56  I think a lot of people are really inherently altruistic and they actually want to help other folks

33:24  If they get the value out of it, and we get to bring our best selves to the project, that's the win

34:44  You talk about writing through grief

34:55  My wife and I lost our son Shea, he was 4 1/2

35:43  I wrote a lot about the journey

42:12  AI has not yet replaced us entirely, but I think it has gotten a lot better at doing the first 60% of the work

43:13  Websites are

SEASON: 6 EPISODE: 5

Episode Overview:

 Welcome to the Becoming Preferred Podcast. Today, I am bringing you a special replay of one of my favorite conversations, and the timing couldn't be better. We just celebrated Thanksgiving a few days ago. For many of us, it was a time to gather with friends and family, share a meal, and reflect on our blessings.

But here's what I've come to believe. Gratitude isn't meant to be a once a year event. It's a practice, a daily discipline that shapes how we see the world, and how we move through it. Every morning as part of my journaling routine, I'm prompted with a simple question, what am I grateful for? And I've discovered something profound in that practice.

When you start your day with gratitude, you position yourself to see abundance. Not because your circumstances magically change, but because your perspective does. Now here's the thing. Gratitude is easy when life is good, but what about when you're in the middle of a storm? What about when the diagnosis is devastating? When the relationship is fractured? When the business is struggling? Can gratitude still work then?

That's exactly what my guest, Sandie Eggers helps us understand. Sandie learned the transformational power of gratitude during one of life's hardest seasons, her husband's terminal illness. And what she discovered wasn't just a coping mechanism, it was a way to navigate adversity with strength, clarity, and even joy.

So whether you're riding high from a wonderful Thanksgiving, or you're carrying a heavy burden into the season, I believe this conversation will meet you right where you are. Gratitude isn't about ignoring your struggles. It's about finding solid ground in the middle of them. Enjoy this conversation with guest, Sandie Eggers.

Guest Bio:

“Do nothing and be dead in a few days,” were the words Sandie Eggers heard from her husband’s surgeon, words that began her greatest season of challenge to date.

The two main things that enabled Sandie to weather this life storm were God and the transformational power of gratitude. Sandie is passionate about helping others by sharing what she’s learned so that they, too, can better navigate through their own life storms.

In addition to having authored the book, “Live Boldly and Embrace Joy” about her life-altering experience, Sandie also shares her knowledge through online courses, webinars, and workshops. She speaks to civic, religious, and corporate groups.

FUN FACT:

Sandie now lives in the low country. By God’s grace and blessing, she has achieved one of her personal goals: living in a place where the only “white stuff” she sees is beach sand.

Resource Links:

• Website: https://www.yourlifeabundant.com
• Product Link: https://www.amazon.com/Embrace-Each-Day-Joy-Laughing-ebook/dp/B00LK9WKVC

Insight Gold Timestamps:

04:37 The greatest adversity that I'd gone through was the terminal illness of my husband

05:55 While we couldn't control this monster called cancer….

07:11 It's easy when we're living in an environment like we're living

09:38 Your work centers a lot on fostering an attitude of gratitude

11:12 You talk about gratitude being a practice

12:12 There's some specific techniques that you can use when you're a pessimist

14:09 You can begin to see the good out of a very bad situation

14:24 Declare an International Be Kind to (Fill in Your Name) Day!

15:40 Having gratitude to something outside yourself

18:48 How does the mechanism of gratitude get us out of that place, that...

SEASON: 6 EPISODE: 4

Episode Overview:

Welcome back to Becoming Preferred, the podcast where we dissect the strategies and mindset of those who are not just successful, but irreplaceable in their markets they serve. Today, we have a true master of motivation and persuasion. Our guest is Mike Lipkin, president of Environics and a strategic coach to global CEOs, and the author of 18 books on leadership and high performance, including his latest book, The Potentiator.

What makes Mike’s approach unique is his foundation in deep, social values research. He doesn't just rely on generic platitudes; he uses proprietary data on human behavior to show you exactly how and why people make decisions, trust certain leaders, and choose one provider over others.

For our audience of entrepreneurs and business professionals, Mike is here to help us unlock the ultimate skill: how to create value from thin air, communicate with irresistible conviction, and transform every single conversation into a high-impact, trust-building event.

If you are ready to stop chasing clients and start magnetically attracting opportunities, this is your masterclass. Join me for my conversation with Mike Lipkin.

Guest Bio:

Mike Lipkin helps clients navigate complex change, build strong teams and develop their personal brands/executive presence.

Mike is super-curious about clients’ hopes and dreams. He makes every conversation an uplifting experience. He uses metaphors and models to illuminate key messages. He focuses on immediate actions, while planning long-term strategies. Mike helps his clients tell their authentic story. In short, he excites clients into effective action. He is also always accessible – 24/7/365.

Mike was a senior executive at WPP Advertising for 10 years. In 2002, he founded a joint venture communication and training company with Environics, a leading research house. He is also a strategic coach to CEOs of top tier companies and a marquee keynote speaker, delivering over 50 sessions per year.

Mike is proud of his longstanding coaching relationships with CEOs and senior executives of world-class companies. He has written 18 books on leadership and high performance. He has also grown a multi-million dollar company from scratch. He has received feedback from hundreds of people that he has materially improved their lives.

Mike works with anyone who has a passion for personal evolution. His clients range from leaders of billion dollar multinationals to leaders of small companies. He also works with managers at all levels – individually and in groups.

Mike is a voracious reader of current affairs, personal biographies, and crime fiction. He works out seven days a week on the Peloton and Cross Trainer. He loves to travel with his wife to stylish destinations like Greece, France and Italy. He likes hiking in beautiful places. He mentors young talent and new immigrants to Canada.

Resource Links:

• Website: https://www.mikelipkin.com/
• Product Link: https://www.mikelipkin.com/books/

Insight Gold Timestamps:

02:40 I wanted to be a speaker, and yet I also had a stutter

05:47 I got depressed, I literally got clinically depressed

06:29 He wrote a book called Darkness Visible about his experience with depression

06:37 I thought, well, I'm going to write my own book on depression, and I called it