Episodios

  • Mentoring Your Team
    Jul 7 2024

    When most entrepreneurs get their business running smoothly, they turn their eyes to the next thing: the next level, the next opportunity, the next location, or the next big idea.

    This means they no longer spend all of their time caring for, feeding and protecting the Golden Goose. They might entrust its care to someone else...but that person doesn't have all of the context, experience or knowledge of the business owner.


    We call this "moving from Farmer phase to Tinker Phase". When you leave your farm in the hands of someone else and start tinkering, you have to mentor the new farmer.


    In this episode, I talk about the step that most successful founders skip: mentoring their team.


    I tell you why it's important, and how to do it step by step.


    If you want to join the conversation with other entrepreneurs, click here.

    Connect with Chris Cooper:

    Website - https://businessisgood.com/

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    13 m
  • The Managerial Mistake
    Jun 16 2024

    Connect with Chris Cooper:

    Website - https://businessisgood.com/

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    9 m
  • On-ramping New Clients
    Jun 10 2024

    No matter what kind of service business you own, you must carefully consider their first 3 visits into your service. These first 3 interactions set you up for long-term client retention...or early washout.

    Here's how to do it.

    Connect with Chris Cooper:

    Website - https://businessisgood.com/

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    10 m
  • Smoke Jumpers 2
    Jun 3 2024

    Last week I shared the story of the Smokejumpers, and the horrible tragedy that happened in Mann Gulch, Montana in 1949.

    But as in all tragedies and all business setbacks, there's a lesson that we can learn and take from this. In this lesson, the foreman of the Smokejumpers--Wagg Dodge-- did something that seemed counterintuitive and didn't make sense to his team: he lit an escape fire. And this brave act ultimately saved his life, and it shares profound lessons for businesses facing their own kind of wildfires.

    Connect with Chris Cooper:

    Website - https://businessisgood.com/

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    12 m
  • Smoke Jumpers
    May 27 2024

    In the annals of firefighting history, few events are as heartbreaking and instructive as the tragedy of the Smoke Jumpers in Mann Gulch. This group of elite wildland firefighters met their fate in a devastating fire in 1949, which claimed the lives of 13 brave souls. Their story is not only a poignant reminder of the hazards faced by firefighters but also serves as a metaphor for businesses navigating the treacherous landscapes of change and competition.

    Smoke Jumpers are specially trained firefighters who parachute into remote areas to combat wildfires. They are the first line of defense against some of the most dangerous fires in rural and wilderness areas. On that fateful day in August 1949, a team of 15 Smoke Jumpers descended into Mann Gulch in Montana to fight a fire that had erupted in the area. What seemed like a routine operation soon turned into a nightmare as the wind shifted unexpectedly, causing the fire to engulf the gulch at a breakneck speed.

    The tragedy was compounded by the terrain—a steep 70-degree slope that the firefighters had to climb to escape the rapidly advancing flames. Investigators later found that none of the fallen Smoke Jumpers had dropped their heavy gear; they perished with their packs intact, loaded with heavy saws, shovels, and poleaxes. It was speculated that had they discarded this burdensome equipment, some might have outrun the disaster.

    This tragic event underscores a crucial lesson: the importance of agility and the ability to let go of unnecessary weight when facing an existential threat. For businesses, especially those that have been around for decades, this can be a metaphor for shedding institutional baggage to stay relevant and competitive.

    Long-established companies often carry their own kind of heavy equipment in the form of outdated practices, legacy systems, and old ways of thinking that no longer serve their purpose. These can drag a company down, making it less nimble and unable to pivot quickly in response to market changes or technological advances. Like the Smoke Jumpers, companies might find themselves racing uphill against challenges that are exacerbated by the weight they carry.

    The first step in avoiding this fate is recognizing what constitutes unnecessary weight. This could be an inefficient process that consumes valuable resources, a product line that no longer meets customer needs, or policies that stifle innovation rather than foster it. Once identified, the difficult but necessary task of letting go must commence. This might mean restructurings, like streamlining operations, investing in new technologies, or overhauling management practices to enhance decision-making speed and efficacy.

    The lesson from Mann Gulch is clear: survival might depend on the ability to drop what’s heavy and run unencumbered towards safety. For businesses, this doesn’t just mean surviving but thriving—turning potential disasters into opportunities for growth and renewal.

    By learning from the past and being willing to adapt, businesses can navigate the uncertainties of the future more effectively. Just as the landscape of wildland firefighting has evolved since the Mann Gulch fire, so too must businesses evolve by shedding the institutional baggage that can hold them back. It’s a vital strategy for staying ahead of the curve and ensuring long-term success in an ever-changing world.

    Connect with Chris Cooper:

    Website - https://businessisgood.com/

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    10 m
  • Quickcasting
    May 20 2024

    Connect with Chris Cooper:

    Website - https://businessisgood.com/

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    9 m
  • The Golden Age
    May 13 2024

    Connect with Chris Cooper:

    Website - https://businessisgood.com/

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    22 m
  • Golden Hour
    May 6 2024
    BiG Podcast - Golden Hour

    Chris Cooper emphasizes the importance of dedicating an hour each day to growing one's business, citing the benefits of uninterrupted time for focus and consistency in practicing the 'golden hour.' He advises listeners to prioritize their mentor's tasks during this hour and highlights the ease of entering a state of focus with consistent practice.

    Action Items
    • [ ] Block out a daily one hour "golden hour" time on your calendar to work on your business
    • [ ] Visit Chris Cooper's website (businessesgood.com) and utilize the daily directives and resources provided
    • [ ] Track your daily progress such as words written
    • [ ] Spend 5 minutes each evening reflecting on your day's successes

    Connect with Chris Cooper:

    Website - https://businessisgood.com/

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    6 m