Due to my extensive travel, I’m a prolific reviewer of restaurants and hotels. That said, there are more businesses that I don’t post about than I do, even if I had a good experience. While it’s frustrating, I can’t complain when people who are happy with my sales training or consulting don’t post reviews about me, when I am guilty of the same thing. What about you? Do you read reviews when considering purchases? Do you post reviews when you’re happy with the results? If you do, is it every time...
Aug 02, 2023•7 min
If you haven’t already heard, Meta (Facebook) has started a competitor to Twitter called Threads. Have you jumped on yet? As soon as I heard I went over, for nothing else except to claim my handle @alanberg. I didn’t realize it was connected to Instagram, so I probably could have waited a bit, should you? Listen to this new 6-minute episode for some perspective on when or whether you should join this new platform as well. If you have any questions about anything in this, or any of my podcasts, o...
Jul 26, 2023•6 min
I have lots of speaker friends who are also authors and I love when one of their books clearly has application to you and your businesses. As I was reading (listening) to Employalty I was having flashbacks to my own experiences as an employee and boss. It was also very clear that you needed to know about this book and hear about Employalty directly from the author. Listen to this new episode for ideas on how you can attract and retain more of the right people. About Joe Mull, CSP, M.Ed Joe Mull ...
Jul 24, 2023•36 min
Starting Prices - Don't Get Me Started! Whenever I’m speaking or consulting on pricing, the topic of “starting price” comes up. I’ve written and spoken extensively about why I don’t like or recommend using starting prices, yet its usage proliferates throughout not only the wedding and event industry, it’s all over our world as consumers. As consumers, most of the people I talk to don’t like starting prices because we don’t know what we’ll really end up paying. Yet many of those same people have ...
Jul 19, 2023•12 min
Are you using lots of industry jargon and acronyms? If you were an outsider, listening to a conversation between people in your industry, how many acronyms (CPP, WIPA, RFP…) and how much industry jargon (10-tops, GOBO, etc.) are you using? I’ve seen too many websites and too many wedding and event pros that use language that your couples and clients may not know. And many people won’t tell you that they don’t know it, so they don’t look stupid or uninformed. Listen to this new, 12-minute episode...
Jul 12, 2023•13 min
You can’t have a wedding or event without having enough bathrooms for the guests. But no one wants to have porta-potties in sight, no less to use. David Sauers realized this when he was at a concert in a park with his two young daughters, and like any good entrepreneur, he went about solving the problem. Royal Restrooms has luxury mobile bathrooms that are a great option for any event where there aren’t enough facilities. They now have locations across the country and are growing. Listen to this...
Jul 10, 2023•26 min
Get my new book: “Stop Selling and Help Them Buy Weddings & Events” It’s the book you helped me write, by asking for things that weren’t already in my other books. Get your copies today! Paperback: www.ShopAlanBerg.com Kindle: https://amzn.to/3Xbj3cO Audible: https://amzn.to/3PJOLw7 Not in the US? Get it on Amazon here: Europe Paperback: https://amzn.to/3XB7bBa Canada Paperback: https://amzn.to/434Gq9q Australia/New Zealand Paperback: https://amzn.asia/d/9mFgDh3 Are you going to Wedding MBA?...
Jul 06, 2023•5 min
It's my fault! When things don’t go as planned (and we know that happens, a lot) how quick are you to look to blame someone, or something else? I believe that if we want to take the credit for our successes, we need to also take responsibility for our failures, even when we didn’t cause them. When things happen on your watch, they’re your responsibility to make right. Listen to this new, 12-minute episode for some of my thoughts on taking blame, not finding blame. If you have any questions about...
Jul 05, 2023•13 min
Are you the driver or a passenger? No matter your position in your company, or in life, there are times when you’re in charge and times you’re not. Which do you prefer? Can you handle it when it’s the other? I’m OK when I’m not driving… but I need to know that someone’s driving and we’re heading in the right direction. Of course I mean “driving” metaphorically, but if you always have to be in charge, it’s hard to play nice with others. Listen to this new, 9-minute episode for some perspective on...
Jun 28, 2023•10 min
Nequosha Anderson - Employee or Independent Contractor? When I was interviewing Nequosha for our episode on protecting your IP, we started talking about another important subject… how to classify the people that work with/for you – employee or independent contractor. While it may seem easier and cheaper to use contractors, and in many cases it is, there are very specific rules and laws about this. And if you find yourself on the receiving end of an audit by the IRS or Department of Labor, you’ll...
Jun 26, 2023•25 min
Don't Oversell or Undersell When I’m doing sales training, regardless of the size of the business (1 person up to dozens or more), I always teach about not overselling and not underselling. Overselling doesn’t mean selling them things they need, but didn’t ask about. And Underselling is selling to their budget, not the results they want. Listen to this new, 7-minute episode for some ideas on how to find the deifference between selling just what they ask for, what they need, more than they need, ...
Jun 21, 2023•10 min
What do you do when they choose someone else? This is another listener suggestion. Alberto emailed me to say that they’ve been getting more people telling them No, which if you’ve been listening to this podcast or reading my books, you know that’s a good thing. But what should they do when they get the No? Just leave it alone? Ask them who else they went with? Listen to this new, 8-minute episode for some ideas on what to do when the ghosts turn into Nos! If you have any questions about anything...
Jun 14, 2023•8 min
Is it time to STREAMLINE your business and life? Wouldn’t it be great if you knew how to be more efficient, and less complacent while facing the daunting obligation of "taking action ”? I had the pleasure of chatting my friend and fellow speaker Deb orah G who has come up with an exclusive methodology to help you STREAMLINE your personal and business world. Listen to this new episode so you can start to benefit from Deb G’s STREAMLINE methodology today! About Deborah Gardner An entrepreneur, aut...
Jun 12, 2023•29 min
Paying your dues is not the same as showing up I’ve spoken at a few local association meetings lately and it got me to thinking. Are you, or have you been a member of an association or group? Are you getting out of it what you want, and are your expectations aligned with the mission of the group? Do you know the mission of the group? It’s likely that education and networking are at the top of their mission statements. Bringing you more business isn’t likely on their list, but is it your expectat...
Jun 07, 2023•9 min
When doing nothing costs you more I don’t mind making mistakes, because it means you tried something. What bothers me is when people let others decide for them, or when you choose to let opportunities pass you by without actually making the decision to pass on them. It’s OK to say No to opportunities, even good ones, when the timing isn’t right. But it’s not OK (or at least shouldn’t be) to not speak up and say that an opportunity isn’t right, or that you’re actively going to pass. Listen to thi...
May 31, 2023•10 min
Planning Events That Give Back Wouldn’t it be great if you and your couples, clients and customers could make an impact that goes beyond thrilling their guests? Well, Robert Kalt and Howard Goldberg have created PlanKind to help you do just that. Imagine feeding 200 guests at a wedding and also providing 200 meals for a local soup kitchen. Or having a corporate event at an art museum and providing art supplies to a local children’s center. The possibilities are as endless as your imagination and...
May 29, 2023•26 min
Should you use different language with different customers? Thanks to Meredith for this listener suggestion. The question they posed is whether you should be using different language with different customers, but I take this even further. Is it age or other factors that will make you change the way you communicate. When those cultural references (TV shows, movies, etc.) start to fall flat with your customers, maybe it’s time to find new ones. Is your language with your family and friends the sam...
May 24, 2023•10 min
When are you better off staying home? This was another listener suggestion. Todd wanted me to talk about when it’s better to say no to a piece of business because it might not be worth the effort for the return. Whether it’s too little profit, or would take too much effort, or maybe you just want to have some time off for you and your team, there are several scenarios for this that I discuss in this episode. Listen to this new, 8-minute episode for some thoughts on when you might be better off k...
May 17, 2023•9 min
Nequosha Anderson - Are you protecting your IP? I love when listeners suggest guests and topics for the podcast. Nequosha Anderson was recommended to me after she spoke at a local association event about protecting your intellectual property. I’ll bet it’s something that most of us never think about, that is, until it’s too late! Whether it’s someone using a similar business name or even what they call their packages, there’s so much more to IP – Intellectual Property – than just copying a logo....
May 15, 2023•32 min
If you can't walk a mile in their shoes, at least take a few steps You’ve probably been told that you should walk a mile in the shoes of your customers, to see what’s it’s like for them when shopping for a service or product like yours. But can you really walk a mile in their shoes if you’re not the same demographic, with no prior experience shopping for a product or service like yours? I don’t think so, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t at least take a few steps as they do. Listen to this new,...
May 10, 2023•10 min
Curiosity or FOMO? I’ve always had a curious mind, liking to know how things work. Is that the same as FOMO – fear of missing out? I don’t think so. If we’ve been presented with an opportunity, and had a chance to make a decision whether or not to participate or try something, the FOMO comes before the decision is made, not after. If we didn’t know about an opportunity and find out after when it’s too late, that’s not FOMO. You missed out not because you had a choice. Listen to this new, 7-minut...
May 03, 2023•8 min
Terry Brock - ChatGPT, AI and your business! Have you heard of ChatGPT? It seems to be all over the place these days in the news and in discussions online and off. It’s next-level AI (Artificial Intelligence) is even making Google play catch-up. I wanted to know more, so I invited my friend, and tech guru, Terry Brock to join me to fill us all in on what it is, where to find it, how to use it for our businesses… and the potential downsides to be aware of. Listen to this new episode to get your i...
May 01, 2023•32 min
Can your business survive without social media? Is that a controversial headline for you? It’s the title of the only presentation I do solely on Social Media. I touch on social media in many of my trainings and talks, but I stay away from talking about the platform of the moment, because that can change in the blink of an eye. And, as you are reading this, some platform you’re using has adjusted some algorithm that may affect what you do there. Listen to this new, 10-minute episode for a little ...
Apr 26, 2023•11 min
Letting Go of Perfection This is another listener suggestion, from Walter in New Jersey. He knows that he’s a perfectionist, but it sometimes gets in the way of getting the work done on time, especially when it involves other wedding/event pros. Can you relate? When we know we can do better, we want to do better. If we have an unlimited timeline, as when making art for yourself, that’s fine. But when your timeline is restricted, and when others are affected by you not getting your part done, tha...
Apr 19, 2023•9 min
Ben Herman – Do you have a system for your business? I’m sure you know how to deliver the products and services for you business, and you probably have a system to help you get it right, every time. You’ve likely honed that system over time, as you gained more experience. Do you also have a system for running your business? That’s a completely different set of steps and things you need to have a profitable business. Ben Herman has grown his successful entertainment business and now teaches other...
Apr 17, 2023•46 min
A tale of two cities No, not the Charles Dickens story, this episode is a tale of the different experiences I had recently at two locations of the same brand. It got me thinking about the consistency, or inconsistency, between experiences your couples, clients and their guests might have, either when encountering different members of your staff, or at different events. Listen to this new, 6-minute episode for an idea of where you can look for these inconsistencies, even if you’re a team of one! ...
Apr 12, 2023•7 min
I just finished reading (listening) to a great book, for the second time, called “The JOLT Effect”. It’s from the same authors as “The Challenger Sale”, a book I’ve mentioned here before on the podcast. They bring up a very interesting concept that oftentimes, they’re convinced that you’re a good fit for them and their needs, yet they still say No. It could be indecision that’s holding them back and you might be making it worse for them by how you’re handling it. Listen to this new, 9-minute epi...
Apr 05, 2023•10 min
Meghan Ely - PR for your wedding business I love having interesting guests on, especially friends that have so much to share. Meghan has pivoted from doing weddings at a 5-star hotel to being one of few people in the world that specialize in helping wedding businesses, like yours, with PR (Public Relations). Listen to this new episode for ideas you can use, right away, to help get your wedding business more visibility outside your advertising and social media efforts. If you have any questions a...
Apr 03, 2023•34 min
Are things slowing down a bad thing? I’ve been predicting for about 2 years that things would be slowing down as things went from pandemic lockdowns to the next normal. Yet some people are freaking out that their inquiries have slowed down. After the craziness that so many of us felt in 2022, is a slowdown actually a good thing? Listen to this new, 7-minute episode for a little reality check and perspective on where things are and if that’s good or bad for you and your business. If you have any ...
Mar 29, 2023•8 min
Is making it easier for you, making it harder for your customers? Have you ever been a customer where you encountered a store or business’ policy that just made you scratch your head? Too often companies do things that make things easier for them and their employees, without realizing that they’re making it harder for the most important people… their customers. Are you doing that? Listen to this new, 8-minute episode to see if you have rules or policies that need to be reevaluated, so you can re...
Mar 22, 2023•9 min
