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Are you an ambitious young entrepreneur? Do you consider yourself a role model and leader of tomorrow? If so, this is going to be the show for you. Leaders Of Tomorrow is a show dedicated young and ambitious entrepreneurs looking to forge their own path in this world. Each week, we will bring you an inspiring interview and share with you behind the scenes some of the values and beliefs of our 8-figure business; Student Works Management Program. From interviews with young millionaires and personal anecdotes from our head coach; Chris Thomson, this show will give you everything you need to know to become a Leader Of Tomorrow.
Episodes
Tuesday Apr 14, 2020
Tuesday Apr 14, 2020
Today's show is about dealing with self-doubt. No matter how confident you are in your abilities, you will face moments of self-doubt. Particularly, it is common to encounter self-doubt when you are trying some new that is outside your comfort zone. So, what should you do in such situation?
Chris shares a simple but effective two-step solution. The first step is acknowledging your self-doubt. And the second step is reaching out to the right people. For all this and much, much more, tune in to our latest show now!
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Friday Apr 10, 2020
Friday Apr 10, 2020
In today’s show, Chris interviews Sam Mendelsohn, COO, The Value Builder System™
We start this show with Sam sharing some interesting background information. Sam reveals that he used to work odd jobs as a teenager. Always entrepreneurial, Sam, however, did not have an in-depth understanding of how a business operates. His Student Works stint, he reveals, helped him in this aspect.
So, what does Sam still rely on from the program? He reveals that the biggest lesson he learned from Student Works was to look at everything from a holistic perspective. What follows is an interesting discussion about business strategy, and particularly sales. As the COO of a SaaS software company, Sam reveals why it is important to care about your client even after concluding a sale.
After Student Works, Sam was hired as a salesperson for a software company. This was an intense job where he was marketing, prospecting, and selling. This segment of the show will serve as a reminder to listeners that there is no alternative to hard work, especially in the early stages of your career.
Sam decided to take a break from professional life to go back to school to study accountancy. What was the basis of this decision? Sam also shares how his work experience helped him get more out of school.
As Sam rose through the corporate ranks, he was entrusted with more and more responsibility. What are some crucial leadership skills that Sam has developed over the years? How is he able to manage large teams and projects with so much success? Here, we discuss how breaking down large tasks into small projects can help you out.
Listeners will also learn some interesting information about The Value Builder System™, Sam’s current organization. The Value Builder System™ helps business owners level the playing field as they approach their exit. Additionally, Sam shares how their licensed software is helping owners improve the value of the business.
We wrap up this show by sharing some excellent nuggets for aspiring and new entrepreneurs. What did Sam have to change about himself as he went from being a college student to a value builder? Topics discussed include the importance of displaying vulnerability, being accountable, and taking democratic decisions.
Tune in for some excellent nuggets!
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Tuesday Apr 07, 2020
Tuesday Apr 07, 2020
In today's show, Chris shares a simple but effective 3-step plan to create a compelling future for yourself.
The first step, Chris reveals is to cultivate a vision that resonates and is easily understood across the board. This makes it easier to ensure buy-in from all stakeholders. The second step is sharing this vision. Do not be discouraged by people who do not align with your vision. And finally, Chris shares that you need to set the ball rolling and execute your vision.
Listening to this show will particularly help those who are unclear about their future goals. Tune in for some excellent insights!
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Friday Apr 03, 2020
Friday Apr 03, 2020
In today’s show, Chris interviews Nicholas Wiktorcyzk, Co-founder & CEO, Spently.
We start this show with Nicholas sharing some of the biggest frustrations that he had as a teenager. How did he get started at Student Works? And, did his Student Works stint help him eliminate these frustrations? Nicholas shares how Student Works laid the foundation for an arduous but rewarding entrepreneurial journey.
After Student Works, Nicholas worked for a bit at Lululemon. This segment of the show is really interesting as listeners will get a peek into the amazing and inspiring culture of Lululemon. Nicholas shares how Chip Wilson, the founder mentored and incredibly coached him out the company to start his business, Spently.
The next segment of the show is all about Spently. Spently is an app for Shopify that helps ecommerce merchants use their transactional emails (e-receipts, shipping confirmations +) to drive repeat sales and build a better customer experience. Nicholas regales listeners with some interesting anecdotes about how he started his business with just $8,000. We have a particularly interesting discussion about how businesses are gravitating from Amazon to Shopify.
Nicholas also shares some interesting information about his other business, Monte & Coe.
We wrap up this show by sharing some great nuggets for aspiring and new entrepreneurs. Nicholas shares some of the biggest mistakes that he has made as an entrepreneur. What did Nicholas have to change about himself as he went from being a college student to a value creator? What are some key habits that make Nicholas tick? Nicholas shares the many sacrifices he had to make to fulfill his entrepreneurial dreams. You will also learn the importance of riding out the lows with grit and persistence.
Tune in for some excellent nuggets!
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Tuesday Mar 31, 2020
Tuesday Mar 31, 2020
In today’s show, we interview Chris Spurvey, Founder, Chris Spurvey Sales Growth Consulting Inc., and Plato Consulting Inc.
This show starts with Chris sharing an interesting anecdote from his childhood. Back in 1983, Chris recalls how an Electrolux salesman managed to sell a $3,000 vacuum cleaner to his parents using manipulative sales techniques. Chris shares how we have gravitated towards a more positive and long-term sales philosophy.
Have you noticed that sales are the first crucial aspect of business that we ignore once we get busy? So, what are some simple hacks for sticking to a consistent and effective sales strategy? Topics discussed in this segment of the show include the importance of celebrating small wins, avoiding analysis paralysis, and time blocking.
The next segment of the show is about Chris’s business, Plato Consulting Inc. which was eventually acquired by KPMG. How did Chris manage to grow his consulting business to a 75-person operation? What are some of the main challenges that solo consultants face as they attempt to scale up their business? We discuss how he aimed for geographical diversification for sustained growth. Additionally, Chris shares how he managed to develop and sell a data masking tool at Plato.
Today, Chris helps growth mindset entrepreneurs achieve their moon-shot goals.
The last segment of the show is full of nuggets for aspiring and young entrepreneurs. What did Chris have to change about himself as he went from being a college student to an entrepreneur? How can you create a life that aligns with your vision? Topics discussed include cultivating a healthy attitude towards money, the importance of good health and consistency.
We wrap up this show by sharing some crucial attributes that define a leader of tomorrow. We hope you enjoy this show!
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Wednesday Mar 25, 2020
Wednesday Mar 25, 2020
This is the most important podcast I have ever created. It's not because of the guest or who I am interviewing.
It's the most important because we find ourselves in the middle of a war. And we are all in this together.
This podcast is about developing leaders to face and be part of creating an amazing future.
I've been doing that with the student works management program for the last 35 years. I put my life to it, as you know, and so literally our future is at risk. And I am calling on all my leaders.
We must our jobs as citizens of our country and the world. Our nation needs us more than ever.
Listen to the rest of the episode and find out why I care so deeply on this issue.
Who is willing to step up?
Who is missing in this battle against cov-id19?
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Tuesday Mar 24, 2020
Tuesday Mar 24, 2020
In today’s show, Chris interviews Dan Desmarais, President, Cantactix Solutions Inc. Dan worked as a Student Works painter and manager in 1989-90. After Student Works, Dan entered the corporate world and eventually formed his own consulting company. Today, Dan’s organization is providing services to some of the biggest retail organizations in the world.
This show starts with Dan recalling his life before Student Works. Working hourly jobs, Dan was frustrated that he was not working to his full potential. Another big grouse of his was the fact that he was not getting recognition for his work. This is when Dan discovered Student Works. Here, listeners will learn how managing a painting business can equip young college students with the skillsets necessary to succeed in the real world.
After Student Works, Dan had a very successful stint in sales at P&G. Dan shares the FIVE-STEP sales process that he learned at P&G that he uses even today. After P&G, Dan worked for 12 years at JDA Software Group Inc. JDA is in the business of providing space management tools to top-tier retail and manufacturing organizations.
In the next segment of the show, Dan gives us an interesting peek into the world of retail. You will learn how the world’s largest retail organizations use sophisticated data analytics to optimize their inventory and save millions of dollars. The economic crisis of 2008 threatened to end Dan’s successful stint in an abrupt fashion. However, some quick thinking helped Dan strike a partnership with JDA instead. This led to the formation of Dan’s current business, Cantactix.
The business model of Cantactix Solutions Inc. is particularly interesting. Cantactix provides space management solutions and planogram automation tools to companies in the retail space. How does Dan manage his entirely virtual team of 35+ people? Is managing a virtual business significantly different from running a traditional business? Dan reveals some great insights.
The last segment of the show is particularly interesting as Dan talks about his many failures and successes. As far as failures go, he reveals how he quoted lowball prices to build up his client roster in the initial stages of his business. Whereas, Dan’s endeavor to give back to his employees and to continuously update his knowledge will surely inspire you.
We wrap up this show by sharing some crucial attributes that truly define a leader of tomorrow. Tune in for some excellent nuggets!
Resources:
Friday Mar 20, 2020
Friday Mar 20, 2020
In today’s show, Chris interviews Mack Mercier, a Student Works Operator who has set an audacious goal of hitting $500,000 sales this year.
This show starts with Mack sharing how he got started with Student Works in the first place. Before Student Works, Mack was helping out his dad in his landscaping business. Here he was frustrated with his lack of financial and personal growth. Has his Student Works stint helped him address these issues?
Mack goes on to reveal how he managed to sell $100,000 worth of painting services in his first year itself. While he learned the ropes of the painting business in his first year, admittedly, his second year was far more fruitful as far as personal growth is concerned. So, what important learnings did he imbibe in his second year?
Topics discussed in this segment of the show include the importance of displaying vulnerability, learning conflict management, and focusing on your core skills.
Mack has no qualms about admitting his shortfalls. Resorting to delegation, Mack can address his shortcomings and leverage his strengths. This segment of the show will be particularly interesting to those who are struggling to grow their businesses beyond a certain level.
We wrap up this show by sharing some crucial attributes that define a leader of tomorrow.
Tune in for some excellent insights!
Resources:
Wednesday Mar 18, 2020
Wednesday Mar 18, 2020
With all that is going in the world today - Chris felt compelled to do a bit of an impromptu podcast.
With so much going on around the world, how do leaders need to react in times of chaos? Listen to the episode and find out.
There are three areas that we will look at in this episode.
1. Leadership
2. Community
3. Growth
We are in the midst of having another record setting year, but with all the madness going on in the world…what standards do we hold ourselves to.
Chris has a brilliant reframe near the end of the episode that can help change the lens of any negative event in our business and life.
This is truly a remarkable time to be a leader. Now, more than ever, your family, your team and the people around you need us the most.
How do you choose to react?
Tuesday Mar 17, 2020
Tuesday Mar 17, 2020
In today’s show, Chris interviews Will Scully, President, William Scully Limited.
This show starts with Will sharing how he got enrolled in Student Works. Will reveals how he as a teenager was unable to be in charge and assume responsibility. Until Student Works came along. This segment of the show is particularly interesting as Will shares why his Student Works stint has proved to be far more useful than his economics degree.
Can a college education equip you with the skills necessary to survive in the real world?
Next, Will shares some interesting information about his family business, William Scully Limited. William Scully Limited is a 140-year old Canadian regimental outfitter. When Will joined William Scully, the business was in dire straits. Lack of systematization and a refusal to change with the times were some of the reasons for this dismal situation.
So, how did Will manage to turn around his business? Are the challenges of managing an existing business significantly different compared to starting a whole new business? Particularly, Will talks quite a bit about how prudent financial guidance helped him streamline operations. We also reveal how small and medium-sized businesses can attract the best possible talent.
Towards the end of the show, we share some critical attributes that truly define a leader of tomorrow.
Tune in for some excellent insights!
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