256: Navigating Business Through Black Swan Events: Sam Palazzolo

STaR Coach Show

We are diving into an important topic that is especially relevant to what’s happening in our world today. Global and national events that produce landscape shifts are often referred to as “black swan” events; they buckle us at the knees and knock the wind right out of us, but we have to be prepared for them as business owners. Today’s show covers how these events create the need for coaches to be flexible, creative, and responsive to our clients’ needs. Join us to learn more!

Sam Palazzolo is an entrepreneur, venture capitalist, author, leadership professor, and nonprofit philanthropist. He brings a variety of value creation topics to entrepreneurs and business leaders through his ideas, actionable takeaways, and five books. His most recent book is The Influential Leader: Leading at the Tip of the Spear. In today’s show, Sam tells us how to be flexible and creative when things go awry. He shares ideas about being collaborative in your relationships with other coaches, how to choose the right clients, and why you need to let go of those who aren’t your ideal client.

Show Highlights:

● Sam’s journey, where he is today, and what lights him up in his work

● How February/March 2020 events brought huge shifts for everyone

● How coaches can build strategic relationships with their clients

● How Sam structures monthly complimentary webinars that springboard to other resources for leaders

● How to handle black swan events with your clients:

○ Make yourself available and valuable

○ Look to partner with affiliates for webinars and programs

● Sam’s advice about choosing good venture partners (“Date” them first!)

● Why Sam uses month-to-month contracts with new clients

● How a “red velvet rope policy” works to identify ideal clients (from Michael Porter, Book Yourself Solid)

● Why you have to know what you’re aiming for in targeted approaches

Resources:

Visit Sam’s website for your free Business Transformation Self-Assessment Workbook!

The Influential Leader: Leading at the Tip of the Spear by Sam Palazzolo

Mentioned in this episode:

Entrepreneurial You by Dorie Clark

Book Yourself Solid by Michael Port