Podcast Transcripts & Articles

Myrna Daramy – Is Your Website ADA Compliant?

Right about the same time that I asked Myna to come on the podcast, I got a listener suggestion from Rev. Annie Lawrence in NY City to do an episode on making your website ADA Compatible (ADA – Americans with Disabilities Act). Over the years I’ve heard conflicting information about who needs to make their websites more accessible. The easy answer is that all of us should do it, but is it required by law. While this short episode can’t answer all of your questions, it will give you some ideas and tools to make your site accessible to more people… people with different abilities. Read More

Should discounting be part of your sales plan?

Discounting is always a hotly contested topic, whether for my speaking or consulting. This was a listener suggestion (thanks, and keep them coming) and whether you’re a solo-preneur, a small group, or a large company, coming up with the right pricing strategy is key to profitability. While I’ve spoken and written about this for years, and my clients, businesses just like yours, ask me about this, a lot, I thought this would be a good discussion for us.

Listen to this new 11-minute episode for ideas on how and when discounting might (or might not) be part of your sales and pricing plan. Read More

When is it time to go full time?

This topic is another listener suggestion (thanks, and keep them coming). Many of you have either already gone from having a hobby to a side-hustle. Some of you have already made the leap to full time, and others are thinking about it. If you’ve done it already, listen to see how familiar some of this sounds. If you haven’t yet made the leap, this should help you decide when it’s the right time.

Listen to this new 9-minute episode for taking your trepidation to inspiration and validation, so you’ll know what’s right for you. Read More

Matt Radicelli – Mentor Pods – A Pivot and a Niche

I could have interviewed Matt about scaling his business to be the largest in his market, or how he pivoted into coaching. Matt recently asked me to join him in a Beta program on Mentor Pods, his latest venture and niche, and in this episode we talk about how and why Mentor Pods came to be and how it’s different than other learning and coaching programs.

Listen to this new episode and then go to www.MentorPods.com/AlanBerg to see more about our Beta Pod and see if this affordable group coaching, with an individual focus is a good fit for you and your business. Read More

Do you know your inventory?

Much of my work with wedding and event pros, like you, is on growing your business. I try to get you to focus on profitability, not just sales. One way to do that is to really understand your inventory, and I’m not just talking about physical goods. Your most valuable inventory are your time and your calendar. Understand those, and basic economics, and you’ll learn to profit more.

Listen to this new 8-minute episode to get perspective to help you understand your most important inventory and how to maximize your returns with them. Read More

If it were easy, everyone would do it!

I saw this phrase and it inspired me to do this episode, because so many of you are doing things at a high level, and that took work. At the same time, many of you are worried about the next new competitor. Maybe they’re doing more work than you to improve, maybe not. If you’re not doing things that seem hard, right now, you’re not pushing yourself higher.

Listen to this new 8-minute episode for some ideas to, hopefully, inspire you to reach higher, personally and professionally. Read More

Rod Baker – Networking for Introverts

When I had Rod Baker on the podcast to talk about his pivot, we were chatting during a break about how so many DJs, and other wedding and event pros, are introverts. No matter how gregarious they may seem at an event, that could be a façade that’s masking their true, introverted selves. We had a lively discussion that I think you’d like to hear. Enjoy! Read More

Are you playing nice with the other wedding/event pros?

A Facebook post inspired this conversation about how wedding and event pros do, or don’t work well with others on the same wedding or event. I’ve heard some great stories and some horror stories about this, and in this episode I weigh in with my thoughts.

Listen to this new, 8-minute episode to hear my perspective on how wedding and event pros can and should work together. Read More

Can you Uberize Your Business?

Every time I travel, I have a choice between a cab and an Uber (or Lyft). Often the cabs are sitting right outside and yet I’ll wait for an Uber. Why is that? What did Uber do to disrupt their industry and what can you learn from it so you can do the same in yours?

Listen to this new, 7-minute episode to get some ideas how you can make your business indispensable to your clients. Read More

Phil Johnson – Building your emotional intelligence

Every decision we make involves emotions, some more than others. When it comes to your business, and life, there are forces pulling you to stay where you are, don’t change, and those are competing with your desire to move forward. It also can affect your business, in that when people trust you more, they will want to do business with you more. Phil Johnson has spent the last 20+ years studying and teaching Emotional Intelligence, which is not the same as intellectual intelligence.

Listen to this episode for an engaging conversation that will help you understand emotional intelligence better, and some things you can do to improve yours! Read More