The world is absorbed with online connections. Today, in our hyper-connected world, people are focused their social media relationships built on Likes, Follows, Comments, and Shares. But does the number of “connections” you have on LinkedIn or the Followers you have on Facebook translate to the size and value of your network? I would argue that no, while the size and engagement level of your social graph is a powerful tool you can utilize to spread a message, it is not the same as networking or growing a strong personal or business network. No matter how the world changes, true, quality networking will always be about creating relationships by connecting with another individual.

What does networking look like today? Networking is so much more than passing business cards or connecting on LinkedIn. To be the most effective, you must enter every networking situation with a shift from a sales mindset to a relationship mindset. Ask questions. If I am in a room with business people, I ask about who they are and I get to know them in order to build a relationship. I feel that every single person I meet, could help make me a better person. And, that I have an opportunity to make their life better, as well. Relationships are the core of life and relationships create opportunity.

Then, I find something that we both have in common or an intersection of our worlds. This helps build a common bond that will be the spark for the relationship. This commonality could be something as simple as an interest in a sports team, having attended the same school, or any point of conversation that is memorable and unique to your relationship.

Finally, I focus on how I can give, before I focus on what I can get. I find a way to assist them with something they need, a goal they have, a passion, or a business need. Offering to help without expecting return will work to solidify the relationship we are building.

Networking today is the process of

1. Focusing on getting to know the other person,
2. finding a point of commonality, and
3. looking for a way to assist them with something they need. Always give without expecting a return.

I’ll share an example of a great networking experience I had recently. I met a business leader named Jon within a few months of moving to Austin. He has been part of very successful companies throughout his career and was introduced to me by someone who I had met in Austin. I had helped the first person with something and he helped me by introducing me to Jon. Relationships create opportunities!

When Jon and I went to have coffee, I focused on building the relationship, not selling him anything or jumping into shop talk. We talked about who he is what he is interested in. Eventually, we talked about my passions and our enthusiasm for Austin since moving, my desire to get to know the city, and the cash back app company I had founded called Dosh. Based on that interaction, he ended up offering to introduce me to his network. By the end of the day had already introduced me to 6 other business leaders. Within 24 hours, I had scheduled coffee or breakfast meetings with each of them.

Those 6 people have introduced me to a world within the Austin community that has led to tremendous opportunity, new personal relationships, and to new hires of outstanding caliber at Dosh. That one original relationship ended up leading to incredible connections for me personally as well as for Dosh as I work to grow the business. Relationships create opportunities!

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Photo by Demi Kwant on Unsplash

How does a company begin? Where does the spark of inspiration originate? For many, the idea is sparked when a need is recognized. But a successful company needs more than just an idea. A company is made from an idea, a researched and proven gap in the market, and a team of people who are passionate and qualified to bring the idea to life and profitably fill that gap.

At times, the spark of a new company comes from a constant analysis of current market conditions and comparing which trends are converging, or are likely to converge in the near future. In the past, I saw the prevalence of social media and mobile service and created Solavei, which drove over 400,000 mobile service enrollments exclusively through social marketing in its first three years. In 2012, I saw a new gap in the market: a need for a discount consolidation program that gets users cash back without them spending hours digging through online coupon sites for discounts or scanning receipts by hand into their phones. Combine this with the fact that 68% of adults in the United States have a smartphone, up from 35% just 4 years ago, and it was obvious the ideal platform for a service like this would be an app. This spark turned into my current project, Dosh, an app that automatically finds cash back for consumers without the hassle of scanning receipts or searching for offers online. This process transfers the money spent on advertising back into the hands of the consumers and allows companies to more effectively reach their target market.

The basic steps I use at the start of a new company are:

1. Determine the details of your idea:
   1. Analyze the current market condition, the convergence of trends, and determine where the gap is.
   2. If filled, would this gap lead to demand, to profit?
2. Build out the company business plan:
   1. Determine exactly what the company will do.
   2. What resources will the company need? Financially? Technology? Expertise?
3. Determine who you need on your team:
   1. What expertise do you need to hire?
   2. How many people will you need to bring your company to life?
   3. What company culture do you want to create?

Once you have these questions outlined, the start of your company is getting close. Still, it is imperative to remember that a company is dependent on the quality of the parts. This means, you need to find not only the right expertise, but the right people with that expertise. I always recommend finding people who are far better than the company founder in each of his/her individual areas of expertise, whether it be finance, marketing, operations, or technology. Then, ensure these people are passionate about the project and are ready to take ownership of their department. I have always found that giving people ownership of their area of expertise results in the best outcome for a company.

One of the most important components of a starting successful business is the necessary capital and the right investors who believe in your vision. Once you have the capital to launch your company and begin identifying your team, empower them to be the “CEO” of their own area. I have spoken in past blogs about the CEO Mentality and I consistently find that this creates better results, morale, and passion for the company. Another important piece is educating each of your team members so they clearly understand what the vision of the company is and know what is necessary to achieve that vision. It is deeply important to ensure that each person has the same understanding of the vision and priorities of the company. Without this clarity, individuals will have a difficult time reaching their objectives.

What other steps do you use when starting a new company? What components would you add?

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Photo by Jen Light

Quality time with family is so important. When each of my boys reach 10 years old, they know something special will happen. That is when they begin planning a one-on-one trip with me during the summer for 5 to 7 days. This trip is always to accompany me on a business trip to another city or country, sit in each of the business meetings, and get to experience what it is their father does for a living. What’s exciting is this is a trip they get to have every year and always to a different location.

During the day they sit in everyone of my business meetings which gives me an opportunity to see first hand the relationships that I have and what causes business to progress.  These trips aren’t all work and no play. We are sure to plan experiences that are uniquely important to them and who they are. In the past, my sons have chosen to play golf at a course they’ve always heard about or view a great play in London or NYC, or go to a baseball game at Fenway Park in Boston. I try to give them the experience of visiting my favorite restaurants or sites in cities that I often visit as well to share with them my passions, as well.

It is amazing having my boys with me and sharing that time with them. I greatly enjoy sharing with them my passion for the work I do as well as teaching them why I do and say what I do in meetings, how to act professionally and how to present myself. All of these elements are vitally important to success and are applicable no matter what career path they take in life. These are real life moments where I can take the opportunity to teach them important lessons while at the same time watching grow personally and professionally as they develop their own powerful presence.

With sons who are now 23, 20, 11 and 9, I’m looking forward to the trips this summer. Brennan counted down the months until his 10th birthday, as he knew his trip was coming.  And my second son, Barrett, who turns 21 in April just asked me, “Where are we going this summer, Dad?” The tradition will continue with Bryson, our 9 year old, being he’s already naming the places he wants to go.  The countless memories that have been forged and the experience each of my sons have gained from our family and individual trips, is my way of preparing them for the real life situations that they will experience once they are running their own companies or working in their field of choice. They are developing their leadership skills, world view, and business insights that will be tied to our times together.

The memories for me though are worth more than any trophy or any amount of money that I possess.  Sitting on the plane sometimes by myself reliving in my mind the different trips, deep conversations, the laughter and seeing their eyes light up when they do something they’d only imagined.  Memories…..Braden at 11 years old, staying in London at the Lanesborough Hotel, touring history with my son, seeing a play on London’s “Broadway” and walking the streets of London, eating at my favorite Chinese restaurant Hakkasan and talking about the days meetings.  Waking up in the morning on the coast of California with Barrett at 14 years old, driving in the car to our first meeting and talking about our day, seeing him in the crowd as I spoke at an investment banking conference and feeling more pride knowing one of the most important people in the world was watching me, playing golf in the afternoon then feeling so incredible that night as we watched the San Francisco Giants win their first game of the playoffs in the season they won the World Series.  My first trip with Brennan to Puerto Rico where we boarded the plane and I looked to see the amazing smile of happiness, scuba diving with him in crystal blue water and him standing on stage with me as he spoke with such eloquence and price about some of the most incredible people in the world. Memories I’ll cherish for a lifetime!

These trips are designed to expand my son’s horizons and broaden their worldly perspectives, but I find myself constantly learning from my son’s unique vision and dreams. In the end, I may appreciate these trips even more than my sons do. I cannot wait for our next trip together.

The post PART IV – How Business Trips Will Teach Quality in Work and the Power of Relationships appeared first on Ryan Wuerch.

Herb and me at his printing business

When we got our Seattle Mariners season tickets five years ago we didn’t realize that the greatest thing about the games wasn’t going to be watching baseball but was rather developing a great friendship with Herb and Janice Blackinton who sit directly behind us. We’ve come to know their kids, grandkids and great-grandkids and have relished in hearing Herb’s laughter and stories.  We’ve talked and shared Seattle baseball wins and losses (mostly losses). Herb is 72-years-old and I’ve often said to Shawntel that someday when I’m his age I hope to enjoy life, family and friends like we’ve seen him do.  Recently, he took me aside and confided in me that he has been diagnosed with cancer. He then asked me if I wanted to visit his printing business he had built from the ground up and in which he had found great success. While he sold his business 16 years ago to a large public company which afforded him to live a life that most would dream of, he was still very much a part of his business and its success is a very important piece of who he is.

I visited his business last week. He gave me a tour of the facility and I was able to see his excitement as he talked to me about the large printing presses, their world-class customers, and showed me every aspect of the facility.  As we walked throughout the building, he introduced me to employees as if they were family. He knew everyone by name and I marveled at how many employees had worked with him for their entire careers, some for 18, 20, 25 and 30 years or more.  Each of their stories was amazing.

During our lunch I asked him what three things he felt defined him as a person. He thought for a moment while I waited, knowing this man possessed sage wisdom. He is the type of man I’d be proud to share some of his attributes, a man full of energy and joy, someone who is loved by his family and many friends and is satisfied in his accomplishments, both personal and professional. He smiled then and started with a story.

He told me how he wasn’t a heavy practicing Christian, but he saw himself as someone who embraced Christian values, which was his first point of definition. He was never brought up going to church but it was a constant presence in his life. Each week he would attend Cub Scouts, then Boy Scouts, at a local church. The values learned were embedded in his heart.

The second defining value was to have a conscience. He told me of how early on in his childhood his father had asked him a simple question, “If you find a wallet on the street with two twenties in it, what do you do with it?” Of course you return it. That is the only answer that will provide a clean conscience.  This too was evident in his business. He could not have reached his level of success without truly being honest, open and moral with his work, employees and customers.

The final value was family. This was evident even before we went to lunch as his season tickets were always filled with family members who clearly loved and deeply cared for him. He treats his business the same way. Those employees I met while walking through the printing plant, were not just former employees to him, they were family. Important business relationships are not just business, they are valuable and personal relationships that when cultivated will carry you through the toughest of times and make victory so much better when shared with them.

I thought back to the visit we had just made to his business and could clearly see how these values had been built into every aspect of the success he had created. He had introduced me to employees like friends, showing his heart of love.  Herb again smiled when I told him how I saw these values in his business.

I asked him how he thinks of customers.  He told me it isn’t all that complicated. It was simple, his customers have a need and it is his job to help them solve it. Focus on treating them like family while solving their need and the money will follow.

I’m proud to have been blessed by having Herb in my life. Being diagnosed with cancer is a new challenge in front of him but his smile and optimism once again shows how great a man he is.  Even in the face of a great challenge and without having all the answers, he continues to teach me.  What a great man!

Thank you Herb!

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Photo Credits, ExtraMileGirl

The fundamental element of trust is following through with what you say you will do. It is finding a way to come through with what you promised, even when you have to do more than what was originally planned. Whether it is committing to more hours during the week or weekend to get it done, or going beyond what you would you would normally do. It is ensuring you will not let down those who are relying on you. People who are trustworthy will fight to fulfill commitments in order to be true to their word.

Trust is an important element in people’s willingness to follow your lead. It is earned slowly but constantly grows as promises are fulfilled. Trust indicates a belief that once you make a promise you will fulfill it. However, reality can put you at odds with your promise and trust can be compromised.

If you are focused with a long-term perspective and understand what will be best for the business and those around you, you will be driven to fulfill your promise, regardless of what challenge you face. You may at times have to make decisions that are for the greater good of all in the long-term, but those closest to you may not initially understand. The key is to always have integrity, character and the interests of others as your priority. In the end, you will prove you have made the best choices along the way.

At Solavei, we are working to make commerce less expensive, and even profitable, for everyone. We are changing the way commerce works and creating a revolution in the industry.  We have come across challenges, but have made decisions we believe align with our vision and will be the best for our members.

What is a promise you’ve made recently? How do you cultivate trust? Was there ever a time you had to face reality and find a way to fulfill your promise despite challenges?

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Photo Credits: J Favel

Productivity is less about plowing through a series of tasks on a to-do list and more about efficiently and effectively accomplishing the work you are skilled at doing. When using your strengths in work, you are more likely to work faster, with higher-quality results, feel better about your work and allow your team members to shine in their areas of strength. However, if you attempt to be excellent at everything, you are more likely to work slower, with lower-quality results, feel less confident in your work and prevent your team from being able to assist in their areas of expertise.

Proper delegation is not about transferring your work to someone else, but about allowing yourself time to do what you do best, while doing the same for others on your team. This will result in better outcomes overall.

How to determine what to delegate and what to take on yourself:

1. Determine what skills you have and what areas you are not as strong. To start, consider what you enjoy working on and what you do not, this could be an indication of where you have expertise.
2. Determine what tasks do not match your skillset, then delegate those tasks to team members who have the skills to match the task.
3. Hone in on your responsibilities. Now that you do not have to worry about working on tasks you are not especially skilled in, you can focus more on your own work and produce the highest-quality results.

As the leader, you will still have to oversee the work being done by your team, which will require you to be involved in the process for tasks you delegate. But overall, you will have more time to focus on the work you enjoy and are most skilled at doing. To be most successful, implement a long-term delegation strategy that will allow you and your team to settle into the arrangement and to feel empowered in their personal responsibilities.

The post How to Delegate for Maximum Efficiency appeared first on Ryan Wuerch.

Photo Credits: Mike Miley

Every once in a while we have the opportunity to make a big and positive impact on someone’s life with only a little extra effort. It is these opportunities, when we choose to take them, that remind us of the importance of going just a bit further to provide assistance.

You hear stories like this all the time. The one I most recently read was about a man who was rushing from California to Texas to reach his mother before she passed. The terrible news was delivered to him the morning of January 24^, at which point he immediately booked his flights. But as happens with so many flights, his first flight was delayed and he was worried he would miss his connection, the last flight of the day, and his chance to say goodbye to his mother.

However, something remarkable happened.

Upon hearing about his situation, the flight crew on his first flight took extra care to ensure they were doing everything they could to get him on the connecting flight. The captain radioed ahead to hold the connecting fight from taking off, and baggage ground crews worked to get his luggage onto the proper flight.

Airline employees are often evaluated on their ability to keep flights on time. This team decided to risk falling short of the standard in order to help a passenger with a much more important need. They made the right call.

Consider your business. Do you take these types of risks for your customers who are (are what? Missing a word here?)? Is your team willing to go out of their way to assist a customer in a comparable situation? You may be thinking, of course we are. Which is probably true. But also consider what it took for the crew to become aware of the situation. The members of the crew recognized that something was wrong and they asked what it was and how they could help. Then they acted on it.

If no one had asked why he was upset, they would never have realized the situation and it would have been an unmemorable day for the airline employees. Are you connected to your customers enough to see when there is an opportunity to go the extra mile and assist one of them?

When has a company gone out of their way to help you with a difficult situation? Tell me in the comments!

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Image credits: SalFalko

We grow up surrounded by expectations of our parents, teachers, friends and connections. When we are young, we focus on meeting the expectations of those closest to us, like parents or teachers. As we get older, we add to the list of expectations to meet: bosses, significant others and mentors. And of course, we all have expectations of ourselves.

Take a moment to consider all the expectations people have for you, and you may be surprised by how long the list can get.

From a young age, we too develop expectations for those around us. As a father and a business leader, I have expectations for my children and for my employees. I have expectations for my friends and my connections. The list of expectations we have for others can be just as long as the ones they have for us.

While expectations are created with the best intentions, there are times when these expectations hold us back. To be an effective leader, you must differentiate between expectations that push you forward, and those that are unintentionally limiting your business or yourself. You must see beyond the limiting expectation to the possibilities without that expectation.

Ultimately, do not let anyone’s, even your own, expectations stop you. Do not let them define who you are or what your business is. Instead, lead from your core and from your values.

Consider the expectations you have for yourself and those of the people around you. Are there expectations actually preventing you from moving forward to success? How will you define and then lead beyond these?

The post Living up to Expectations appeared first on Ryan Wuerch.

Image by Foxspain

How do you stay ahead of the curve? How do you guarantee you are providing your customers with the next big thing? How do you present your offer in a way that is still intriguing to distracted customers?

The answer is creativity.

One way to get the attention of customers overwhelmed by choices is to step outside the predictable. Surprise is interesting. A new way of looking at something catches attention.

For many, creativity does not come easily. However, there are a few easy ways to boost your creativity throughout the day:

1. Change locations. Oftentimes, a new location will inspire a new way of thinking. Take a break and go outside for lunch instead of eating at your desk. You might see something that sparks an idea.

2. Change your routine. Instead of following the same pattern each day, make slight adjustments that will force you to pay attention to your new surroundings and may expose you to something inspiring.

3. Don’t say “no.” For the time being, allow yourself to say “yes” to every thought without considering the reasons it won’t work. It can be those impractical ideas that lead to the next really great one.

4. Step out of your box. Meet a new person every day. Try a new food. Memorize facts, even if you cannot use them directly in your work. This will change the ways your brain thinks and will open new pathways for your thoughts.

What strategies do you use to spark creativity? Let me know in the comments!

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Everyone has heard it before, “Do what you love.” The idea is if you are doing work you would do even if you didn’t get paid, you will be happier and more productive. They say when you set out to find work, you should look for something that you will enjoy because, after all, you’ll have to do it for at least five days and 40 hours a week.

However, identifying one job that encompasses what you love doing, then actually getting that job, may not be possible or practical. And unfortunately, we don’t all work at our dream job. So, how are we supposed to do what we love if our job of choice is not practical?

Instead, consider what you love on a broad scale. Is it teaching, writing, building, being with people, being outdoors, planning, creating or something else? Determine what is the foundation of your passion. This isn’t always an easy task. If you find it difficult to identify your passion, think about what makes you happy. Then break those things down until you find a common factor that represents what you really enjoy.

If this cannot be incorporated into your profession, find another way to express it through a hobby, an additional job, volunteering or a club. Expressing your passions through doing what you love, even part time, has a positive impact on your life overall. You will feel fulfilled, happy and less stressed. Doing what you love is good for your mental and physical health.

My passion is helping others. I am fortunate to be able to incorporate this into my profession everyday through the vision of Solavei as I, along with our members, work to positively impact millions of people’s lives. However, even outside of Solavei, I create ways to do what I love by pursuing philanthropic interests, including sitting on the board of Miss America, a foundation that makes a wonderful contribution to the education and leadership of women.

The objective is to continue to do what you love, even if it can only be part-time.

What do you love to do? Tweet to me @rwuerch!

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