Resources
When Past Glory Becomes Present Pressure: The Quiet Self-Sabotage of High Achievers
LinkedIn.com, April 10, 2026
There’s a pattern I’ve observed—both in others and, at moments, in myself—that doesn’t get talked about enough.
It’s not failure in the traditional sense. It’s something more subtle. More disorienting.
It’s what happens when someone who has been exceptional finds themselves no longer operating from that same level of momentum, relevance, or external validation… but is still being perceived through the lens of their past success.
From the outside, they’re still “the one who did X.” On the inside, something has shifted.
And that gap—between past identity and present reality—can quietly become one of the most destabilizing forces that a high achiever will ever face.
Read the entire article at When Past Glory Becomes Present Pressure: The Quiet Self-Sabotage of High Achievers
Spring Has Sprung — and Apple to the Core
We are certainly living in uncertain times; much of the time we don’t feel we have much control over what’s taking place on the world stage. But closer to home, the seasons are shifting and here in the US, spring has arrived. Having said that the weather has been absolutely nuts — climate change all over the country; crazy cold on the East Coast, with summer temperatures in the West. With spring being here, things just feel lighter and more hopeful.
Despite all that’s swirling around us, the one thing we do have control over is our attitude and our mindset. I try to maintain an optimistic stance, and as ever I remain immersed in innovative and creative endeavors with clients and projects that I’m most drawn to and enthused about. Having my mind and heart stimulated actively is something that’s really important to me – and co-creating with like-minded people where there is rapport, aligned vision, and a sense that we’re making a difference and having an impact. Never was that more true than in all my years in the Apple orbit — and with Steve Jobs — before, during, and after my lengthy tenure with the company. I’m beyond grateful for the experiences I had and how they shaped me. This issue has several references to my alma mater.
I hope you’re doing what you can to enjoy what you can in your life and your work, and to surround yourself with those who make you happy and light you up the most. To me, that’s pretty much the definition of success.
To your success.
Kelli
Apple at 50: What Most People Still Don’t Get About Its Greatest Innovation and Legacy
Apple turns 50 on April 1st — imagine; it sure doesn’t feel like that amount of time has passed since its inception.
As anyone who knows me and my history is aware, I am Apple to the core. With the release of “Apple: The First 50 Years” by David Pogue, I found myself reflecting not just on Apple’s impact on the world but also from my unique vantage point—shaped by my close association with Steve Jobs, and by being a part of the company during a formative era—the real lesson has often been misread.
This isn’t a retrospective. It’s a lens into what Apple actually changed—and why that matters even more in the age of AI. The “inner tech” matters as much or more as the innovation. Because the real legacy isn’t just the ‘insanely great’ products. It’s the brand the company cultivated and the philosophy that underpinned everything. And we’re going to need that for what comes next.
Plot Twist – When the Platform Didn’t Buy the Studio: What Paramount’s Win Means for the Future of Media, Tech & M&A
This past month didn’t just reshape Hollywood.
It clarified the future of media consolidation.
After months of speculation, Paramount — backed by David Ellison and Skydance Media — won the battle for Warner Bros. Discovery, outmaneuvering Netflix.
A few weeks ago, Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos publicly emphasized that walking away was a valuation decision — not a political one.
But this story is ultimately bigger than who won in this specific transaction.
It signals a deeper recalibration in how platforms, studios, and technology companies think about ownership, scale, capital discipline, and vertical integration moving forward.
Is this simply another mega-deal?
Or are we witnessing a structural shift in how power consolidates across tech and entertainment?
In this article I share my updated analysis — and what it means for the next wave of M&A.
The Compound Power of Consistency: Why the Slight Edge Always Wins
We live in a culture obsessed with breakthroughs, big wins, viral moments, and overnight successes. But the real advantage is consistency.
Inspired by the book, The Slight Edge, this article explores how small, seemingly insignificant daily actions — repeated over time — quietly compound into extraordinary results in health, in wealth, in relationships and in leadership.
The leaders who endure aren’t always the most intense — they’re the most consistent. They’re the ones who take small steps and aligned actions daily. That’s the real edge. Where has consistency quietly outperformed talent, luck or intensity in your life?
Spotlight
Retail Designer – Tim Kobe
We recently lost a giant in both the design world and in the extended Apple family in Tim Kobe. Tim was a design powerhouse who co-created the Apple retail stores with Steve Jobs in the early 2000s. He could have stopped right there. But he was also the founder and CEO of Eight Inc. Sometimes referred to as as Apple’s “best kept secret’” , Eight has been one of the world’s most progressive design firms — and they’ve worked with many global brands for decades. The secret to their success may have been that they uniquely looked at design elements through the lens of humanity and human interactions. This was a testament to Tim’s vision. He published a book on his ethos here.
I was lucky to have crossed paths with Tim in the early days of his work with Steve, and then again much more recently over the past couple of years. One of my esteemed friends and colleagues, Kenny Lauer (an accomplished Chief Experience Officer), was very close to Tim – they were dear friends. I encourage you to read Kenny’s notes on a sit-down conversation he had with Tim a few years ago here, for more insights on Tim and his storied career. And also Kenny’s very moving homage for even more context after Tim passed last month. His work truly made a dent.
Media Recommendations
“Apple: The First 50 Years” by David Pogue
Released just in time for Apple’s 50th birthday (April 1st), Pogue walks the reader through Apple’s storied history. From its origins, to the many management changes, and of course with a spotlight on its many products through the years (some that you know about, and others you probably never heard of) readers will learn more about the tech giant than they probably were aware of. It showcases the innovative product wins in the marketplace and also those that never saw the lght of day. Pogue conducted over 150 interviews with many in fthe Apple universe, and the book is well-researched. Reading through it was a walk down memory lane to be sure. But of course the soul of the company is really only known by us ‘insiders’ who lived through Mr Jobs Wild Ride first-hand. I published my own account of Apple’s culture (& Steve!) through my lens about 15 years ago in “The Magic and Moxie of Apple”.
“The Real Things” by Brent Bourgeois
I’m a little biased because I’ve been a fan of Brent as a musician for over 40 years (from the Bourgeois Tagg days). And also because I’ve spent the better portion of my career in the music business coming up at the same time Brent’s career took off – and overlapping with many of the same people; so for me, it was a lot more of a personal (parallel) journey than it might be for other readers. I was looking forward to learning some new things about Brent’s history than I knew in this book, and I was not disappointed. He’s had the great good fortune to have been able to make a living as a musician for many years – doing what he’s been most passionate about – but not without some gaps and stumbles. I’m pleased he was comfortable sharing the good, the bad and the ugly; it demonstrated great vulnerability and humility.
People Say the Nicest Things…
“Kelli has a knack for seeing possibilities others don’t, and for seseing around corners as a visionary”.
Steve Jobs
This is a photo of Tim Kobe, founder and CEO of design agency Eight Inc (as above); perhaps most famous for his designs of the Apple retail stores with Steve Jobs. As many are aware, Steve was passionate both about aesthetics and the the consumer experience. And as Tim shared, he believed that Steve was one of the few people who understood that “design is a strategic tool for business success.”
Apple at 50: What Most People Still Don’t Get About Its Greatest Innovation and Legacy
LinkedIn.com, March 2026 -On April 1st, Apple Inc. turns 50.
Half a century since two Steves—and a vision that seemed almost implausible at the time—set something in motion that would go on to reshape not just an industry, but culture itself.
The timing feels especially poignant with the release of “Apple: The First 50 Years“ by journalist David Pogue, which captures the arc of that journey. I published my own book on Apple 15 years ago – “The Magic and Moxie of Apple: An Insider’s View”. There’s no shortage of retrospectives celebrating the products, the milestones, and the mythology.
But anniversaries like this aren’t just about looking back. They’re also about understanding what actually mattered—and what still does.
Read the entire article at Apple at 50: What Most People Still Don’t Get About Its Greatest Innovation and Legacy
Plot Twist – When the Platform Didn’t Buy the Studio: What Paramount’s Win Means for the Future of Media, Tech & M&A
LinkedIn.com, March 2026 – Several years ago, I wrote about the inevitability of a streaming platform acquiring a major Hollywood studio. And just a couple of months ago I published an article specifically on the implications of Netflix acquiring Warner Bros/HBO.
The thesis was simple:
Distribution + Data + IP would eventually collapse into a single operating system. Last week, that thesis was tested — and the outcome is, well, complicated.
After months of negotiations, Paramount (via Skydance) secured Warner Bros. Discovery, outbidding Netflix and reshaping the consolidation narrative. Netflix walked away without any further discussion or negotiation.
And that decision may matter more than the transaction itself.
Read the entire article: Plot Twist – When the Platform Didn’t Buy the Studio: What Paramount’s Win Means for the Future of Media, Tech & M&A
The Compound Power of Consistency: Why the Slight Edge Always Wins
LinkedIn.com, February 2026-There’s a seductive myth in our culture: That success comes from a breakthrough moment, a viral post that lands, a single brilliant move, a moonshot deal. Or even luck!
But in reality?
It’s almost always the result of something far less glamorous and far more powerful. In a word — Consistency.
In The Slight Edge, author Jeff Olson argues that the small, seemingly insignificant actions we take daily — or neglect daily — are what compound into extraordinary outcomes over time. Not dramatic, not flashy, but decisive and almost predictable in terms of the results that accrue.
Read the entire article: The Compound Power of Consistency: Why the Slight Edge Always Wins
New Lenses, New Possibilities
As long-time readers will attest, I’m all about living into “What Ifs” and possibilities. As we embark on this coming year, amid all manner of uncertainties swirling around us (many of which we can’t control), I think it’s more important than ever to look at what we can do and what inspired actions we can take that empower and embolden us. One of the things we have control over is our mind, what we focus on, our attitudes, and where we direct our attention.
If I have one piece of guidance for you this year, it would be to try and have a more expansive view on our lives; consider alternatives and possibilities in all areas of our life and our work. If something is stalled or blocked, what creative ideas can you conjure up which would allow you to try another approach or path to get where you say you want to go? As one of my esteemed colleagues is fond of saying, “this is not a go it alone life.” Reach out if you’d like some support.
I’m always here for you. Here’s hoping your year ahead is fulfilling for you on multiple levels.
To your success.
Kelli
Implications of kids graduating without financial literacy skills
(not often taught in U.S. schools)
Our schools are preparing students for tests—but not for life.
As best-selling author Scott Galloway recently underscored in his No Mercy / No Malice newsletter, and as Pew Research Center data confirms, most young adults are entering the world financially underprepared—not because they’re incapable, but because we’ve failed to teach them the basics in high school.
Budgeting. Debt. Credit. Investing. Cash flow.
These aren’t “nice-to-have” skills—they’re foundational to adulthood. When schools ignore financial literacy, the cost shows up later as anxiety, dependence, and delayed independence. It also appears to limit financial success over time. This article explores what’s broken, why it matters, and what must change if we want the next generation to truly thrive.
Slow Productivity: A Smarter Way to Re-Enter the World After the Holidays
As we wrap up the holiday season and step back into the work world, the most effective strategy may be to take a page from our holiday pace—and embrace slowing down rather than speeding up. Doing so can better support our nervous systems while optimizing our impact in the process.
In this article, I discuss the power of “Slow Productivity” and how working with greater focus and intention can actually lead to better results, while minimizing stress and burnout.
Spotlight
Ritual at Manresa
I have friends who are gourmands and who travel the globe eating at some of the finest restaurants in the world. While that can certainly be fun, it can also be time-consuming and expensive. Those of us in the SF Bay Area now have the reverse opportunity—to enjoy something extraordinary right in our own backyard.
Legendary chef David Kinch of Manresa in Los Gatos has partnered with visionary entrepreneur Luis Caviglia to create something special and unique called Ritual at Manresa, housed in the same location as the famed and beloved restaurant in Los Gatos.
Luis curates a rotating lineup of some of the best Michelin-starred chefs from around the world, each of whom completes a monthly residency at Manresa. These are impeccably crafted experiences that reflect the culture and talent each master chef brings to members of Ritual. Ritual at Manresa is a membership model, and it is definitely an investment for those who choose to participate in these unique experiences. That said, it’s far more affordable than global travel and much easier logistically for us locals.
I was fortunate to experience one of these wine-and-dinner pairings prior to the holidays, and it was truly a magical evening.
Many of the innovators and founders in Silicon Valley (and elsewhere!) that I meet are seeking unique, memorable experiences—and Ritual at Manresa is a shining example of what’s possible. I highly recommend it for individuals and couples, as well as for team-building with founders, innovators, and leaders who want to deliver a truly exceptional experience for their people.
Media Recommendations
Jacob Collier (his live show in SF & BBC doc)
Last year, I was introduced to the multi-hyphenate musical genius that is Jacob Collier. A friend recently brought me with her to see his show at Davies Hall in San Francisco, and I was completely blown away. Jacob is a young savant—a Grammy-winning English singer, songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist who creates unique, innovative, genre-defying music that has captivated and lit up audiences around the world.
He first came on the scene via YouTube during the pandemic, where he became famous for covering popular songs and recreating them in inventive ways that showcased his extraordinary talent for vocal harmonies and lush arrangements, paired with visuals that became music videos in their own right. He’s truly amazing and one of a kind.
The BBC did a short documentary on him, which I highly recommend, entitled Jacob Collier: In the Room Where It Happens. It’s a great overview of this genius.
Ripple (Netflix TV series)
A friend recommended this eight-episode drama series to me, which was just released on Netflix last month—and I loved it. The story centers on four strangers in NYC whose life experiences become intertwined following critical losses, detours, and high-stakes decisions that alter the trajectory of their lives.
As the series progresses, the viewer is drawn into the characters as we experience the ripple effects of small actions with significant impact. The storytelling and acting are first-rate. Eight episodes were not enough and left me hungry for more; I hope the show gets picked up for renewal and additional seasons. It’s a real winner.
What Happened To Your Hair (book)
Gunnar and Matthew Nelson are identical twins, sons of the late Ricky Nelson, and chart-topping performers in the early ’90s. Beyond their obvious musical talent, one of their biggest claims to fame is being part of the only family to have #1 records in three successive generations—stemming from a 100-year legacy of entertainers.
We crossed paths during my longstanding tenure as co-producer of the Pollstar Awards (concert industry), where I brought them in as presenters, and I’ve recently reconnected with them. They have always impressed me with how grounded, hard-working, approachable, and real they are as people.
They released their memoir at the end of the year entitled What Happened to Your Hair? How We Played Loud… Loved Proud… and Never Backed Down, which went to #1 on Amazon within days of its release in December. The book tells the story of their lives and careers, and the many experiences and challenges they endured—because theirs was not an easy life. They’ve worked hard for everything they’ve achieved; despite appearances, nothing was ever handed to them—quite the contrary, as you’ll discover when you read the book.
For me, it was a walk down memory lane, as they named names I knew from my own music business career.
People Say the Nicest Things…
“I had a chance to dive into your recently updated site – and wow. It’s simply stunning, and it radiates the high-touch, high-impact work you’ve always embodied. I’ve long admired your gift for helping visionaries like me, see around corners, stretch beyond our limits, and move with clarity and purpose toward what’s next.”
Rob Terry
Founder/CEO
Seafood AI & SmartCatch
I lost a dear friend just prior to the Holidays in Jeffrey Diamond. I met Jeff and his then collaborator, Michael Van Himbergen, about 30 years ago — and they have remained close friends of mine ever since (actually they’ve both been more like brothers to me, truth be told). They were both early grads of CalArts in LA, and early pioneers and innovators in the visual effects space in the 90s. When we met, they had just collaborated with Doug Trumbull on the VFX for Luxor’s launch in Vegas in the mid-90s, and together with Diane Pearlman who was EVP & GM at a major VFX studio in MA called Mass Illusions on films like: The Matrix, What Dreams May Come, Starship Troopers, Eraser, Die Hard with a Vengeance, and Judge Dredd, among others. Diane and Jeff were married and had two wonderful boys, Jake & Matt.
We all shared a passion for the convergence of tech and entertainment, and Jeff in particular showed me that it was possible to create a life of freedom as an entrepreneur, giving me the motivation to strike out on my own when it was time for me to launch my own consultancy. Jeff left us too soon – a victim of early onset Parkinson’s Disease – and I will miss him greatly.
Implications of kids graduating without financial literacy skills (not often taught in US schools)
LinkedIn.com, January 2026 – We talk a lot on LinkedIn about future skills: AI literacy, leadership, strategic thinking, resilience. And yet, when it comes to the basic economic foundation that enables all of that — financial literacy — we are failing our young people.
That’s the harsh reality echoed by thought leaders like Scott Galloway and corroborated in hard data from the Pew Research Center.
Read the entire article here: Implications of kids graduating without financial literacy skills (not often taught in US schools)
Slow Productivity: A Smarter Way to Re-Enter the World After the Holidays
LinkedIn.com, January 2026 – As the calendar turns, as we return to work, and as inboxes begin to refill, there’s an unspoken pressure to snap back into full speed.
Back-to-back meetings. Ambitious Q1 goals. The familiar hum of urgency.
But what if the most strategic way to re-enter the year isn’t by accelerating— but by moving more deliberately? This is where the concept of slow productivity becomes not just relevant, but essential.
Read the entire article here: Slow Productivity: A Smarter Way to Re-Enter the World After the Holidays
Celebrating What Matters Most
This year has certainly brought its share of ups and downs. But as we wind down another year and enter the holiday season, I hope you’ll take some time to celebrate what matters most in your life. Whether it’s your health, your family and friends, or the adventures you get to enjoy, most of us are pretty fortunate.
This is a great time to slow down and reflect on all the love and abundance in your life, and to be grateful for what’s going well. It’s a pretty crazy world these days—so take a moment to hug those who mean the most to you and count your blessings. Let’s make the new year the best yet!
Happy Holidays,
Kelli
When the Platform Buys the studio: Why Netflix-Warner Bros/HBO Changes Everything
(and Why it Was Inevitable)
Netflix’s acquisition of Warner Bros. & HBO isn’t just another media deal—it’s the inevitable collapse of distribution, data, and IP into a single operating system. More than a decade ago, I predicted that a streamer would eventually acquire a legacy studio—not as a bet, but as a pattern. Distribution always pulls content upstream. This moment forces new questions about power, creativity, governance, and what becomes truly scarce in the next era of entertainment.
Why Being “Different” Makes You a Stronger Board Member
(and Why the Boardroom’s Future Depends on It)
Traditional board qualifications are no longer enough. Some of today’s most valuable board members are the ones who bring unconventional backgrounds, nonlinear paths, and multidimensional perspectives. Here’s why being “different” is no longer a perceived liability – it’s the new strategic advantage for modern progressive boards.
Read the Article
Embracing Neurodivergence: The Other Side of Genius
(Why Visionary Founders, Innovators & Creatives are Wired for Breakthroughs)
The traits you once saw as flaws may in fact be the source of your genius. After decades advising visionary founders, innovators, leaders and creatives, I’ve come to see neurodivergence as the hidden engine of innovation. Here’s why it’s time we treat it as a superpower—and not a stigma.
Read the Article
Spotlight: Wand.ai
I’ve just started advising Rotem Alaluf, the Founder & CEO of Wand.ai which is the only platform for management, execution, and creation of AI agents as trusted members of your workforce. We should be excited about an agentic workforce not because it replaces humans—but because it liberates human potential at a moment when complexity, speed, and ambiguity exceed what traditional org structures can handle. Enterprises are moving from a purely human-centric model to a new hybrid, dual-workfoce model where AI agents work with people side-by-side, which results in a foundational change in how organizations operate. With this approach, AI models create productivity efficiencies, saving time and money, and minimizing or eliminating redundancies — freeing up people to focus on creativity, judgment, strategy and relationships. This is a structural competitive advantage that compunds over years. We are indeed living in exciting times rich with both innovative breakthrough technologies and emerging business models. Wand is definitely one to watch.
Media Recommendations
This is the section where I typically share what books I’ve read, or the latest movies and TV shows I’ve watched that I’m enthused about. However, these past couple of months have been quite full — and I’ve gotten behind on all of this. The TV I’ve been watching has mostly been new seasons of shows I’ve enjoyed that I’ve written about previously (and still enjoy!) like “The Morning Show”, “Somebody Feed Phil”, “Palm Royale”, “Man on the Inside”, and the Beatles Anthology. I’m always on the lookout for new media, so for a change I’m asking that you let me know what you recommend I check out; share some of your favorites with me when you have a moment.
As I was wrapping up this NSL to send out to you — a gift dropped this morning; it’s a stop-motion animated video of George Harrison’s “Give Me Love” created by Finn Wolfhard & friends — he’s one of the stars of Stranger Things and at just 22 years old is clearly a multi-hyphenate talent to watch!). The video brings to life George and his famous garden gnomes from his Friar Park home in England. Here’s what George’s son Dhani had to say about it:
Actor, director, and musician Finn Wolfhard has directed the first-ever music video for George Harrison’s beloved 1973 single “Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth).” The song is a highlight from Living in the Material World, Harrison’s highly praised second solo album of original music following the dissolution of The Beatles in 1970.
On making the video, Wolfhard says, “To work with the Harrison family and bring this video to life with a team of incredible young Canadian artists has been a great honor. It’s hard to put into words how grateful I am for this opportunity. George Harrison has and will continue to be a huge inspiration to me, and his work will live on forever.
Dhani Harrison says about working with Wolfhard, “Finn is one of the sweetest and most talented people I know of his generation, and he is the perfect person to direct a video for my dad. My dad would have loved this, and I hope his wonderful creative heartfelt ideas help this song to reach another generation. Great job, Finn – we love you!.
People Say the Nicest Things…
Working with Kelli has been transformative for me. She recognized the need for a senior tech lead almost half a year before it became obvious to us — and we’re now feeling the pain of having acted a little too late. Her ability to see around corners like that has been incredibly valuable. What I especially appreciate about Kelli is her holistic approach. She doesn’t just focus on the professional side — she also helps me reflect on the personal dimensions that inevitably influence leadership decisions. Often, those two are deeply intertwined, and Kelli’s perspective helps bring clarity to both.
She’s also remarkably flexible — equally effective when working one-on-one with me (and me being not well prepared) or together with another senior leader. That adaptability makes every session productive and tailored to where we are as a team.
Finally, Kelli is outstanding when it comes to prioritization. During our Series A, she helped me stay focused on what was truly essential — making sure I didn’t take on more than what was absolutely needed to get the round across the line.
Kelli combines strategic clarity, personal insight, and a pragmatic sense of what really matters — and that’s what makes her such an exceptional advisor.
Dr. Max Gulde | CEO
constellr GmbH
www.constellr.com
When the Platform Buys the Studio: Why Netflix–Warner Bros./HBO Changes Everything (and Why It Was Inevitable)
LinkedIn.com, December 2025- Last week, Netflix announced an agreement to acquire Warner Bros.’ studio and streaming assets (including HBO/Max), a move that—if it clears regulators—would mark a structural shift in entertainment, and the most consequential “streamer buys a legacy studio” moment we’ve seen to date.
Read the entire article here: When the Platform Buys the Studio: Why Netflix–Warner Bros./HBO Changes Everything (and Why It Was Inevitable)
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6 Ways to Build Your Brand and Grab Your Audience
In today’s world, the connection to your customer is your number one asset. The path to communicating most effectively to your “fans” literally becomes the yellow brick road. If you’re not giving your fan or client a myriad of choices through which to connect, you are missing out not only on revenues, but also on building your army of loyal brand advocates. Here are 6 best practices to implement immediately to forge a solid, long-standing relationship with your best audiences and clients.
#1. Good as Gold – Email Addresses. I can’t stress this enough. You need to ask your client / fan base for their email addresses often – and you need to offer them something valuable in return. Whether that’s a great audio course that you’ve created or a track off your new album, having a way to reconnect to your target fans or clients frequently and authentically is your most valuable asset. For more information on HOW to collect those email addresses (what mechanisms to use, what offerings to inspire the trade, etc.), please sign up for the pre-sale of my forthcoming ebook, “All You Need is Love – Using Social Media to Build an Army of Brand Advocates.”
#2. Body and Soul. The body of your work has got to be excellent obviously, but in today’s world, your fan base and clients want more than just your products. They want to know who YOU are and what makes you tick. They want to be your friends on Facebook and feel a personal, one-on-one connection to you. In short, they want you to bring your soul – the passion behind your work. Be sure that you’re sharing with enough depth and in enough places to create this powerful connection to your audience. This could mean giving interviews to mainstream media – or to popular bloggers. It could mean sharing videos and photos of your personal life – images of you when you’re just being you, without your “brand” everywhere. If you don’t have a blog yourself, consider putting one up. You can keep it super simple by doing video blogs from wherever you are, bringing your fan base “behind the curtain” so to speak and including them in what you do and who you are, body and soul.
#3. Microscope, Telescope, Periscope. If you’re ready to move forward with the most important work of your life (and if you’re not, stop wasting time already!), then you’re going to need a dream team to move you forward. It’s easy to get caught up from a singular point of view – whether that be a microscopic view lost in the details, or a far-out telescope view of the big picture, but with NO details – and if you don’t have a periscope to look underneath it all and spot the rough seas — you just might not survive the process. Begin pulling your team together from near and far – choose them with great care.
#4. Inquiry! Constantly asking your fans and client base what they want from you is a vital best practice. As we know from the music industry, things can change day-to-day, and it’s those artists who are listening most closely and who remain the most malleable, who are the most likely to survive – and thrive. You can use an online service, like SurveyMonkey to run a poll, or you can reach out through your newsletter. Ask your audience what they most want from you in the next month, six months and year – and then make sure that your model is wrapped tightly around those expectations. And while you’re asking for stuff, ask for their cell phone numbers. Mobile marketing is huge. ASK your audience how they want to be contacted and then CONTACT them. Send those messages once a week or so with an idea or better yet, ask them for their ideas. Send them to a free online show. Make the connection.
#5. Testimonials. Whether you’re a top tier platinum artist, a leader in your industry, or just starting out – nothing speaks louder than the words of a fan, client, collaborator, journalist or even a team member. Start gathering those testimonials and post them everywhere – on your website, your newsletter, your social media sites and your fan forums. The client has nothing but choices in today’s world; make sure that you’re sharing the wonderful things being said about you and the work that you do.
#6. Inclusivity and Exclusivity. Be sure that you’re out there in a big enough way to include as many possible clients and fans as possible. Having said that, be sure that you’re also building a level of exclusivity into your products and your availability. Have a space that belongs only to your most ardent uber fans. Perhaps that’s a forum only for superfan members at a certain level of payment or participation, or perhaps it’s an event that you do (either live or online) that only has room for 50 guests.
*For new musicians, one space to check out is StageIt (see the Resources section for more info).
Kelli Richards, CEO, The All Access Group, LLC
and Author of The Art of Digital Music
An Intimate Q&A with Tom Silverman, CEO of Tommy Boy Entertainment
Tom Silverman, CEO of Tommy Boy Entertainment and the Force Behind the New Music Seminar Speaks with Kelli about where the Music Industry is Headed.
Here are a few excerpts of my interview with Tom Silverman on my All Access Radio Show. To hear the entire interview, please visit my website at https://allaccessgroup.com.
Kelli: Tom, where do you see the future of music and artistic control of content heading?
Tom: Artistic control. Wow. I don’t like to use the word control when I’m talking about artistic. I think the problem with the business right now is it’s based on control. The old music business was based on control. And you know, we’re starting to build a new music business that’s based on different values altogether … The old business really was based on power and control and coercion… all that “nice” stuff, and the new business really is based on cooperation, community, connection and collaboration. It’s a much different paradigm.
Kelli: Tom, why do you think traditional labels are so afraid to hire new artists and how do you think a new artist can succeed despite these roadblocks?
Tom: … Whenever you have a consolidated business or industry, they become risk averse. The more companies roll up and consolidate, the less risk they take. That’s true in any business. The labels would rather be conservative … it costs a million dollars to roll the dice every time you sign a new artist. It’s at least a million dollars in America even to see what you have. They’re saying,’ let’s sign less artists and let’s spend less money on those few artists that we do sign them, in marketing, and then let’s do 360 deals with them so we have a bigger return’
Kelli: And some artists, the smart ones, aren’t signing those kinds of deals, right?
. … If you want to be signed in the early part of your career, when you don’t have any hits yet and no history, you’re going to have to do a 360 deal – or you’re not doing a deal – that’s just the way it is – unless you go with a small independent.
Kelli: How should a new artist succeed, if in fact, they don’t get signed by a label?
Tom: Okay, a lot of what we’re talking about now is New Music Seminar curriculum. An artist has to do it themselves anyway at the beginning – there’s almost no artist being signed off of just hearing a tape or CD. That’s just not happening any more. They have to have some action – some story – some heat. They have to bring heat to the table before anyone cares about them. Before a booking agent cares about them, before a manager cares about them, before a label cares about them. Think about a label as an investor. If you’re a venture capitalist, you have to have some reason to sign the deal. It’s about managing risk and reward. We can’t get caught up in the emotions of music. It’s just a business reality.
One of the things we’re trying to do is to create a new business reality, an alternative to this. One which would please the artist in the long run, make money for the investor in a five or ten to 1 return on a hit, so that more money can flow back into the business and more artists get signed and more artists have an opportunity to break through. Not that you can’t break through on your own, but I have to say, I’ve done some research … in 2008, there were only 1500 artists that sold over 10,000 albums that year. There were only 200 new artists that had never done it before, and that includes Lady Gaga. So let’s use that number. I like to call it the obscurity level – when an artist breaks 10,000 albums, they’re in the game. So out of those 200, 192 were actually on independent labels; only 8 were doing it themselves.
Kelli: Tom, you relaunched New Music Seminar a couple of years ago (and I’m thrilled to be part of it this year, by the way). Share with the audience more about New Music Seminar. What’s behind it?
Tom: … Our message is a very specific one. The record business is dying. It’s sinking. There’s nothing that’s going to happen that’s going to change that. But there will still be a music business. We just don’t know what it will be, and the purpose of the New Music Seminar is to build the next music business, hopefully a profitable and sustainable music business. So we’re convening the architects and designers of the next music business. I mean, everyone knows how bad the record business is right now, and for the last ten years they’ve known it. We don’t waste a lot of time talking about that, because talking about a bad situation doesn’t change it. We want to be constructive. We’re not trying to fix a broken boat. We’re trying to build a new boat. It seems like other conferences talk about how do you bail water out of this boat to slow the sinking. Do we bail to the left or to the right?
Kelli: Yes, this is all about solutions and hope and a design for what comes next.
You can catch my show every Monday at 5pm PST. https://BlogTalkRadio.com/AllAccessRadio.
Kelli Richards, CEO, The All Access Group, LLC
Hot Stuff from Hot Caramel – Excerpts from my Interview with Irene Cara
Being able to support great artists and entrepreneurs as they break away from past successes in their lives and embark on the new is one of life’s biggest highs for me. Few performers have had the amazing success and influence of Irene Cara – I had the chance to interview Irene recently and to hear about her new group, “Hot Caramel.” The direction Irene Cara’s sound and life has taken is deeply inspiring. Just to remind everyone about Irene’s lifetime of successes, as an actress, Irene received the Image Award for Best Actress for her work with Diahann Carroll in the NBC Movie of the Week, Sisters. She also received an NAACP Image Award Nomination for her portrayal of Myrlie Evers in the PBS movie on Civil Rights Leader Medger Evers “For Us the Living.”
For Flashdance alone Irene won 5 major awards, including Top Female Vocalist-Pop Singles and Pop Single of the Year. As a songwriter her talent earned her an Academy Award, 2 Grammys, a Golden Globe and a Peoples Choice Award for Flashdance. She was also the first African American female to win an Academy Award since Hattie McDaniel in 1939, plus the first Hispanic female since Rita Moreno and the first bi-racial female ever to win in any category – pre-dating Halle Berry by nearly 20 years.
Here are a few excerpts from our interview. You can hear the entire Q&A at https://allaccessgroup.com/articles-and-resources/blog-talk-radio.
Kelli Richards: “You know, Irene, there’s just so much to say about the amazing career you’ve enjoyed. Your list of awards is long and impressive. If you’re able to choose just one or two, what have been the most shining moments in your career that you’ve been most proud of?
Irene Cara: “I think this new phase is really the most important thing to me now. I mean, I don’t like to look backwards. I like to live in the present and look forward – to look toward the future. I started in the industry as a child … and I did a lot of work as a 5 year old, 6 year old, 8 year old, 11 year old. You know, I did Electric Company when I was a child. I did my first movie at fourteen, a highly acclaimed, pretty much is considered an African-American classic called “Sparkle.” At the time that was unique, because that was during the whole black exploitation genre of films. There were very few films about people of color.
Of course, Roots was iconic classic television series that started the whole miniseries genre. I played Alex Haley’s mother as a young girl. I started my entire career as a child and then into my teens. And then, you know, Fame and Flashdance were pretty much the end of an era for me. Pretty much the highlight of a 20 year career for me…
So now, this is the stage where I consider the beginning of my adult career. It really embodies who I truly am as an artist.
… I’ve been a working artist since childhood, and this is the first time where I’m now free to express myself as an adult artist the way I see myself … not fulfilling someone else’s vision of what that is.
To learn more about Hot Caramel’s new double CD, visit https://irenecara.com/cdbook3.html
Kelli Richards, CEO, The All Access Group, LLC
Gregg Allman – Somehow You’re Still on the Run
Gregg Allman has always been a guy who colors outside the lines, in my opinion. There’s no question that The Allman Brothers Band has serious staying power. Probably best known for “Sweet Melissa,” Allman is a bluesy, jam-band pioneer who practically invented Southern Rock. As most followers of Allman Brothers music probably know, Gregg has had a long career that began with he and his brother playing together when they were only in high school. They followed what is now an almost a non-existent route to success – they were signed by a label. Although the sound of the album they produced was definitely not what they wanted, it did begin a lifelong, winding success story for Gregg. (Sadly, his brother passed away in 1973.)
Allman would tell you himself that he’s been way up in his life, and he’s definitely been down. Last year the 63-year old musician had a liver transplant AND a new album in the works. Released just a few weeks ago, “Low Country Blues” was produced by T Bone Burnett. In it, Allman covers music from some of the music that most influenced his own life and voice – from Muddy Waters and BB King, to Buddy Guy and Magic Sam. Low Country Blues is definitely one of those “up” moments in Gregg Allman’s remarkable body of work. It’s rich with passion and implies a deep understanding of those highs and lows that life throws at all of us.
It was T Bone Burnett who brought Allman the initial idea of a cover album. Said Allman in a recent interview, “He told me some guy gave him a hard drive, it has 10,000 obscure blues songs… He says, ‘I’m gonna pick out twenty of ‘em and send ‘em to ya and you tell me what you think.’ He said, ‘They’re old, like Billie Holliday old, and when you listen to ‘em, I want you to think about us gettin’ in there and about bringin’ ‘em up to today.’” The recording process was amazingly easy and electrifying, said Allman in his easy southern drawl, “If it works right, it all turns real magic, and that’s what happened this time, more so I think than anything I’ve ever recorded. We got 15 masters in 11 days; let me tell ya, they just went Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop!”
Pop is the right word – the album definitely has chops. It has a unique, deep bluesy sound, easily recognized as pure Allman, and backed by a troupe of A-listers in the music world. In addition to Burnett and Allman, Doyle Bramhall II also played on guitar. The rhythm section was comprised of upright bassist Dennis Crouch and drummer Jay Bellerose, and the lineup included a brass section led by trumpeter Darrell Leonard (whose resume extends al the way back to his work with Gregg’s late brother, Duane Allman). Finally, the sounds of Night Tripper, Mac “Dr. John” Rebennack, completed the pack on piano. (Rebennack co-wrote “Let This Be A Lesson To Ya’” with Gregg on The Gregg Allman Band’s 1977 classic, Playin’ Up A Storm.) To add to the overall collaborative effort, the album’s one original composition, “Just Another Rider” was even co-written with longtime ABB guitarist Warren Haynes.
A gypsy at heart, Gregg Allman is both a traditionalist and a non-traditionalist. He is eager to get out and tour the new songs, kicking off in New York on March 10th at the historic Beacon Theatre and then winding his way around the east coast and then through Europe – landing back on this continent late in September with two dates in Canada. You can find his entire tour schedule at https://bit.ly/GreggAllmanTour and definitely pick up the album – at under twelve bucks; it’s a million-dollar participation in the voice of a true American music giant. https://amzn.to/GreggAllmanAlbum
“Places you been, things that you done, and somehow you’re still on the run,” Allman sings on the original song “Just Another Rider.” I think we’re all glad that this guy is still out there on the run, entertaining and inspiring the rest of us to do the same.
Kelli Richards, CEO, The All Access Group, LLC
Remembering John Lennon – 30 Years Later
Like much of the world, I’ve spent the last week thinking about John Lennon and the anniversary of his death on December 8th. It’s honestly hard to believe that thirty years have passed since he was taken from us in a single moment’s insanity. In fact, most of the time, it’s hard to believe that John’s really gone at all. His was far more than the voice of a generation – it was often the voice of our hearts and our conscience.
And as unimaginable as it is to hold space for the thirty years of unspoken words and unwritten songs, what I truly cannot get away from this week is the rest of John. As great a man as he was, and as truly generous a soul – especially to his fellow musicians – for two men out there, John Lennon wasn’t a Beatle – or an icon – he was simply Dad.
I met Julian Lennon for the first time several years ago. I was struck with how gracious he was and how engaging – how much he reminded me of his father and how strongly he had aligned with his Dad’s passion for peace and conservation. But I was also captured by the deep sadness he seemed to bear, just under that gracious surface. I remember sharing with Julian how sorry I was for his loss – and recognizing how he had lost his dad, twice really. It was a deeply heartfelt conversation and a genuine connection. In a career filled with world=renowned musicians and many celebrity relationships – it is one that has stayed with me at a core level.
Julian has his own voice of course. His new album “Everything Changes” should be out by next year, and in October he helped his mom, Cynthia Lennon, publicize the John Lennon Peace Monument in Liverpool. And Sean has found his own path as well, now co-leading a band with his musician / model girlfriend, Charlotte Kemp Muhl (Ghost Of A Saber Tooth Tiger.)
But all successes aside, it’s still Julian I think of often – and Sean. How the thread of their lives with their dad, John Lennon, was forever cut short by something so senseless and beyond comprehension. I have always been struck by how much Julian looks and sounds like his father – in the way that only fathers and sons can. In fact, one of my career aspirations has always been to create a benefit concert with Julian and Paul McCartney around John Lennon’s music. To use the talents I have to honor how much was left unsaid, by one of the people who most deserved to hear it – his son. Julian embodies his own gifts and talents along with his father’s.
I suppose that is really my attempt to make sense of these things – this loss – to find some deeper meaning. To find some thread of understanding that will provide some peace – for Julian and for the rest of us. To knit a golden thread through time and space and recapture one of the greatest voices of humanity, and to simply risk listening and hearing what we MIGHT some day achieve – if we would only imagine. John’s greatest gifts were surely his music and his wish for peace and love which inspired and sparked a generation. And we are truly fortunate that his legacy and grace endures and burns most brightly in Sean and Julian.
Kelli Richards, CEO, The All Access Group, LLC
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David Butler: Investor, Advisor, Designer, Brand Strategist
David Butler brings over 25 years of experience as an investor, advisor, designer and brand strategist to his current role as Vice President of Innovation and Entrepreneurship for Coca-Cola. Joining the company as its first global head of design, David successfully led the design-driven turnaround of an $80M brand, prompting Fast Company to name him a “Master of Design” and Forbes to elect him to their “Executive Dream Team.” Listen to the entire podcast here: https://allaccessradio.libsyn.com/kelli-richards-interviews-david-butler
My Favorite Book of 2015 for Entrepreneurs
December 14, 2015, Inc. These cutting-edge, scalable trends are attracting not only lots of investment, but also great talent — which are two of the key drivers behind any successful startup. Read the entire article here: https://www.inc.com/kelli-richards/my-favorite-book-of-2015-for-entrepreneurs.html
From Seinfeld to Bieber: How to Engage the Right Celebrity for Your Business?
Companies engage celebrities to participate at launch or marketing events, milestones and anniversaries, sales conferences, or other events to honor and celebrate key employees, VIP customer appreciation events, birthday parties for CEOs, fundraising events, and more.
From Seinfeld to Bieber: How to Engage the Right Celebrity for Your Business
December 7, 2015, Inc. How to get in on the “star-up” game.
How to Pay Attention to the Whispers When Vetting a Connection?
kinds of distracting, time-consuming, and expensive legal dealings, which were a big drain on my business–and on me, personally.
Though it took a long time, I ultimately prevailed in that case, but it was a painful experience and one I’d like to help others avoid. Trust me, no small business owner needs that kind of angst.
Jay Samit: Disrupt You, Master Personal Transformation (Part II)
There are very few people who have worked as successfully across as many industries as Jay Samit has, and he wanted to share that knowledge and help people on their journey. That is why he wrote the bestseller Disrupt You, Master Personal Transformation, Seize Opportunity, and Thrive in the Era of Endless Innovations. Throughout this book, Jay explores the importance of personal disruption. “You really have to say, what is limiting you in this limitless world?
Jay Samit: Disrupt You, Master Personal Transformation (Part I)
Jay Samit is the CEO of See Change International, a leading multi-screen video services company. A dynamic entrepreneur, Jay is widely recognized as one of the world’s leading experts on disruption and innovation. Described by Wired Magazine as having the coolest job in the industry, he’s raised hundreds of millions of dollars for startups, sold companies to fortune five hundred firms, and has transformed entire industries.
Gail Zappa: Tireless Champion, Wonderful Friend
Gail, the wife of musician Frank Zappa, was a role model and a tireless champion on behalf of her husband and children for many years and has been a protector of Frank’s estate. She was compassionate, extremely smart and creative advocate and champion, and over time, she became an outspoken advocate for artists to retain their rights and their masters.
Spotify Could Go Away Overnight And No One Would Care
November 9, 2015, Hypebot.com Although Spotify was able to get its foot in the door early, the presence of companies like Apple Music, Amazon Prime, and others means that the historically un-profitable streaming service either needs to find away to differentiate itself from the competition or risk crashing and burning. Read the entire article here: http://www.hypebot.com/hypebot/2015/11/spotify-could-go-away-overnight-and-no-one-would-care-.html?curator=MusicREDEF
Spotify Could Go Away Overnight And No One Would Care
Although Spotify was able to get its foot in the door early, the presence of companies like Apple Music, Amazon Prime, and others means that the historically un-profitable streaming service either needs to find away to differentiate itself from thecompetition or risk crashing and burning.
What’s the Difference Between a Coach and a Mentor?
No matter your stage, both mentors and coaches can be valuable resources. What’s the difference between the two? How do you know which is needed?
Cynthia Kersey, the Unstoppable Woman
So few people really take the risk to live their dreams, play full out with passion & commitment, and create true impact and legacy during their time on the planet. Cynthia Kersey is definitely one of those rare individuals. Cynthia is the Chief Humanitarian Officer of the Unstoppable Foundation (hyperlink?), whose mission is to ensure that every child on the planet receives access to the life-long gift of education. Just read that sentence a few times and stand in awe, right? That’s a mission worth getting out of bed for each morning!
Influencers on a Plane: 3 Ways to Strike Up Great Conversations
Whether you meet people who end up providing new business opportunities, find great new friends, connect with someone influential, or simply reconnect with established colleagues, with the right mindset, you can improve your business just by striking up a conversation on the road.
3 Signs It’s Time for a (Professional) Breakup
October 19, 2015, Inc. Ending a professional relationship is sometimes necessary, and it can lead to better opportunities.
3 Signs It’s Time for a (Professional) Breakup
A leader is more likely to feel weighed down by professional negativity and anxiety, which can lead to a loss of self-confidence and reduced productivity–and can even bring the business to a grinding halt.
What’s the Difference Between a Coach and a Mentor?
October 15, 2015, Forbes Women We hear a lot about coaching and mentoring — for good reason. As Zig Ziglar famously said, “A lot of people have gone further than they thought they could because someone else thought they could.” Read the entire article here: https://www.forbes.com/sites/ellevate/2015/10/15/the-difference-between-a-coach-and-a-mentor/
Influencers on a Plane: 3 Ways to Strike Up Great Conversations
October 12, 2015, Inc. With the right mindset, you can improve your business just by striking up a conversation on the road. Read the entire article here: https://www.inc.com/kelli-richards/influencers-on-a-plane-three-ways-to-strike-up-great-conversations.html
Why It Pays to Identify and Approach Mentors in the Professional ‘Cafeteria’
October 7, 2015, Entrepreneur At times, the workplace “cafeteria” resembles a middle-school lunchroom, with heightened stakes and competitors striving for power in lieu of popularity. Who sits where, and why? Read the entire article here: https://www.entrepreneur.com/growing-a-business/why-it-pays-to-identify-and-approach-mentors-in-the/249748
3 Reasons You Need a Mentor, Even If You Don’t Think You Do
September 28, 2015, Inc. If you want to experience success in any capacity, you owe it to yourself to find great mentors. Read the entire article here: https://www.inc.com/kelli-richards/3-reasons-you-need-a-mentor-even-if-you-don-t-think-you-do.html
Rob Tercek: Speaker, Innovator, Strategist
Robert Tercek’s unique views on managing innovation are sought by organizations around the world. His motto is “Inventing the Future.” He is passionate about inspiring audiences to seize their own destiny by thinking creatively and taking decisive action. Listen to the entire podcast here: https://allaccessradio.libsyn.com/category/Technology
Jay Samit: CEO SeaChange International
Listen to the entire podcast here: https://allaccessradio.libsyn.com/kelli-richards-interviews-jay-samit
How Amazon Shows the Need for a Tech Industry Workforce Revolution
September 18, 2015, Inc. Business is not about being cutthroat anymore; it’s time for the tech industry to re-evaluate the perks being offered to workers. Read the entire article here: https://www.inc.com/kelli-richards/how-amazon-shows-the-need-for-a-tech-industry-workforce-revolution.html
Karen Stever and Frank Gryner
Listen to the entire podcast here: https://allaccessradio.libsyn.com/kelli-richards-interviews-karen-stever-frank-gryner
4 Characteristics of Trailblazing Entrepreneurs
September 4, 2015, Inc. Trailblazers don’t just see a need in the market — they create new markets, and they forge their own paths to get where their outsized visions tell them they need to go. Read the entire article here: https://www.inc.com/kelli-richards/4-characteristics-of-trailblazing-entrepreneurs.html
Steve Jobs Grew From His Failures — You Can, Too
August 28, 2015, Inc. Any weakness — if you look at it the right way — is a lesson. Read the entire article here: https://www.inc.com/kelli-richards/steve-jobs-grew-from-his-failures-you-can-too.html
The Art of Taking Vacation for Entrepreneurs
August 14, 2015, Inc. Although circumstances will understandably make it challenging to get away sometimes, the point is not just to get away physically, but to also distance yourself mentally.
4 Ways a Great Advisor Can Protect Your Investment
August 7, 2015, Huff Post Women Last year marked the highest annual total of venture capital funding since 2001, and with $47.3 billion in investments, this represents a 62 percent year-over-year growth. Read the entire article here: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/4-ways-a-great-advisor-ca_b_7957254/amp
Wearable Technology – Where Fashion & Fitness Converge
Think of the obvious first, like fashion electronics. Whether it’s FitBit or the Apple Watch that just hit the scene, or Jawbone, or any of these things that are now considered fashion accessories – but they are primarily fitness accessories that give you information in real time about what’s happening with your body and your activity level.
Why Advisors Are Worth Your Equity (and How to Find a Good One)
Think of these advisors as business sherpas: people more experienced than you who help you navigate and climb the startup mountain.
Why Advisors Are Worth Your Equity (and How to Find a Good One)
July 24, 2015 Inc Magazine Think of these advisors as business sherpas: People more experienced than you who help you navigate and climb the startup mountain. Read the entire article here: https://www.inc.com/kelli-richards/why-advisers-are-worth-your-equity-and-how-to-find-a-good-one.html
Jim Griffin
Listen to the entire podcast here: https://allaccessradio.libsyn.com/kelli-richards-interviews-jim-griffin
Nick Adler
“This is a quote by Nick Adler” Nick Adler single handedly saved the Hollywood Sunset Strip and saved way more than The Roxy. Listen here for the story! Listen to the entire podcast here: https://allaccessradio.libsyn.com/kelli-richards-qa-nic-adler-of-sunset-strip-music-festival
Tom Keifer
Listen to the entire podcast here: https://jeeni.com/track/kelli-richards-interviews-tom-keifer-of-cinderella
Tom Silverman
Listen to the entire podcast here: https://allaccessradio.libsyn.com/kelli-richards-interviews-tommy-boys-ceo-tom-silverman
5 Secrets to Building High-Yield Partnerships
Forming strategic partnerships not only creates a powerful reciprocal network, but also propels you toward your goals, exposes you to new insights and optimizes the time and energy you invest in relationships. And these advantages work both ways.
4 Expensive Mistakes Your Start-up Could Make-And How to Avoid Them
June 12, 2015 Inc. Magazine In business and in life, there are certain dos and don’ts that can decide the fate of your business and your career.
4 Expensive Mistakes Your Startup Could Make — and How to Avoid Them
In business and in life, there are certain dos and don’ts. Four common (and costly) don’ts I often see first-time entrepreneurs make and how to avoid them
Michael Solomon
Listen to the entire podcast here: https://allaccessradio.libsyn.com/kelli-richards-interviews-michael-solomon
Will Tidal Make Waves In The Music Industry Or Get Washed Out?
May 25, 2015 Tech Crunch In late March, when a group of A-list musicians gathered in Manhattan to show support for Jay Z’s new music streaming service, Tidal, expectations were sky-high. Read the entire article here: https://techcrunch.com/2015/05/25/will-tidal-make-waves-in-the-music-industry-or-get-washed-out/
Greg Estes
Listen to the entire podcast here: https://allaccessradio.libsyn.com/kelli-richards-interviews-greg-estes
Video Marketing Lessons Small Businesses Can Learn From Big Brands
For starters, a high-quality or clever video has the potential to go viral, which can get your brand in front of the eyes of millions of people in a single afternoon. Video also can be inexpensive and therefore cost effective, provided you know what you’re doing.
Wild Bill Stealy
Listen to the entire podcast here: https://allaccessradio.libsyn.com/kelli-interviews-jw-wild-bill-stealey
Is It Time to Spring Clean Your Business? Here’s 4 Ways on How to Do It!
It’s spring! As signs of life begin to reappear outside, you might feel the urge to swing open the windows and tackle that growing pile of clutter that you ignored all winter.
5 Secrets on Getting the Most Out of Partnerships
April 28, 2015 Entrepreneur Every entrepreneur and business leader needs something — money, information, technology, relationships or whatever.
How to Make Money By Talking to Cool People
According to a survey KnowledgeStorm and Universal McCann conducted, 65% of business and IT professionals listen to podcasts for personal and business purposes, and 60 percent interviewees said whitepapers and analyst reports would be more attractive in podcast form.
4 Ways to Make the Most of Your Mentor-Mentee Relationship
In a climate where there’s no free lunch, it’s easy to assume there’s a hidden catch. But if you feel this way, it’s because you don’t understand how mentorship helps your mentor. Did you know that training and advising mentees is a powerful way for your mentor to gain leadership skills and team-building experience? And that mentees often help their mentors understand things in new ways through feedback, communication, and interpersonal skills?
Streaming and Beyond: Apple Will Lead the Way to the Next Music Experience
Listeners now control the entire experience. We can listen to our favorite artists or songs at any time and on any device. Streaming has even made the listening experience social. Services such as Spotify are integrated with Facebook, allowing listeners to see what their friends are listening to in real time, making it easy to discover new music.
Streaming and Beyond: Apple Will Lead the Way to the Next Music Experience
April 6, 2015 The Huffington Post You could buy the physical album, or you could spend an afternoon waiting for the song to come on the radio so you could record it on a cassette tape in your boom box. Read the entire article here: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/streaming-and-beyond-appl_b_6996898
Peter Bregman
Listen to the entire podcast here: https://allaccessradio.libsyn.com/kelli-richards-interviews-peter-bregman
Is It Time to Spring Clean Your Business? Here’s How to Do It
April 3, 2015, Inc. Spring cleaning is about starting fresh. By applying this mindset to your business, you can return your business to a healthier, livelier, and more profitable state in no time. Read the entire article here: https://www.inc.com/kelli-richards/is-it-time-to-spring-clean-your-business-here-s-how-to-do-it.html
Can Apple’s Interactive Digital Music Solution Refresh the Music Industry?
Few artists are likely to follow in U2’s footsteps with the same strategy after the backlash from iTunes users, but when a challenge emerges in the market, we can always look to Apple to lead with the most creative solutions. The “Songs of Innocence” maneuver was Apple showing its hand: The solution to diminishing music sales could be an interactive digital music approach.
How The Apple Watch Is Paving The Way To A New Generation Of Wearable Technology
The Apple Watch will give you the power to optimize daily tasks, leverage apps for information and communication, and be more productive and efficient in general, just as smartphones do. But with the Apple Watch, you’ll be able to do it all hands-free rather than having to carry your phone around in your hand.
Dr. Judith Orloff, New York Times Best-Selling Author
Transforming the face of psychiatry, Judith Orloff MD asserts that we are keepers of an innate intuitive intelligence so perceptive that it can tell us how to heal — and prevent — illness.Yet intuition and spirituality are the very aspects of our wisdom usually disenfranchised from traditional health care. Dr. Orloff is accomplishing for psychiatry what physicians like Dean Ornish and Mehmet Oz have done for mainstream medicine — she is proving that the links between physical, emotional, and spiritual health can’t be ignored. Dr. Orloff is a New York Times bestselling author and is on the UCLA psychiatric clinical faculty. She specializes in treating empaths and sensitive people in her Los Angeles based private practice. She has spoken at medical schools, hospitals, the American Psychiatric Association, Fortune Magazine’s Most Powerful Women Summit, and alternative and traditional health forums — venues where she presents practical intuitive tools to doctors, patients, and everyday people. In response to her work, The Los Angeles Times calls Dr. Orloff “a prominent energy-based healer.” Dr. Orloff’s latest book “The Empath’s Survival Guide: Life Strategies for Sensitive People” (Sounds True, 2017) is an invaluable resource to help sensitive people of all kinds develop healthy coping mechanisms in our high-stimulus world without experiencing compassion fatigue or burnout. Then empaths can fully embody their gifts of intuition, creativity, and compassion. Listen to the entire podcast here: https://allaccessradio.libsyn.com/kelli-richards-interviews-dr-judith-orloff
How the Apple Watch Is Paving the Way to a New Generation of Wearable Tech
March 20, 2015, Inc The next frontier is wearable technology and the Apple Watch will not only be a timekeeper, but it will also be a timesaver. Read the entire article here: https://www.inc.com/kelli-richards/how-the-apple-watch-is-paving-the-way-to-a-new-generation-of-wearable-tech.html
Turn Up Your Volume: 5 Big Moves Entrepreneurs Can Learn From Music Moguls
When you think about it, there are multiple ways that the music industry reflects what you’re trying to accomplish as an entrepreneur. Music rewards innovation and originality–finding “the next big thing” is a mantra you both share–and you both aim to immerse customers in rich and compelling experiences, right?
Can Apple’s Interactive Digital Music Solution Refresh the Music Industry?
March 17, 2015, Wired, Innovation Insights When U2 released its album “Songs of Innocence” with an exclusive iTunes partnership, the band was trying to figure out something a bit more complex than simply reaching as many fans as possible.
Peter Dekom
Listen to the entire podcast here: https://allaccessradio.libsyn.com/kelli-richards-interviews-peter-dekom-0
5 Critical Lessons in Mergers and Acquisitions From the Apple-Beats Deal
March 13, 2015, Inc. 5 critical lessons from the Apple-Beats deal to keep mergers and acquisitions seamless and swift.
5 Critical Lessons in Mergers and Acquisitions From the Apple-Beats Deal
Mergers and acquisitions are notoriously complicated, clumsy, and fraught with bad feelings when they’re not executed carefully and strategically. Often, leaders fail to communicate, which derails productivity and leaves employees worried about their jobs. Companies also tend to struggle to manage customer integration, branding, and media relations during the transition.
Alan Weiss
Listen to the entire podcast here: https://allaccessradio.libsyn.com/kelli-richards-interviews-alan-weiss
How to Harness Power Like a Celebrity
While there is such a thing as “overnight success,” most celebrities work hard over a long period of time to reach their powerful status. Here are three strategies of the stars that business professionals can use to make a difference in the world and do things that truly matter to them:
The Super Connector’s Guide to Making Powerful Business Introductions
As an entrepreneur, you understand the importance of having a strong network. What many people don’t understand is that it’s not always who you know, but what you do with those connections, that matters. Throughout my career, my extensive network in Silicon Valley has allowed me to create intros for startups seeking funding for their ventures and secure celebrities like Jerry Seinfeld for corporate events. But I haven’t done this by connecting with a bunch of random people on LinkedIn; I’ve nurtured these relationships through the power of reciprocal networking. If you aren’t actively looking for ways to make valuable introductions for your connections, your network isn’t as strong as it could be. Here are a few ways to make winning introductions that will lead to lucrative long-term opportunities for you and your connections. How to Make a Powerful Business Introduction When you start making business introductions in person, it can feel a bit awkward. But the key to a successful connection is a clear understanding of what each individual has to gain from the relationship. If your connections don’t see an advantage to meeting the people you suggest, they’ll be skeptical of your intent. A proper business introduction immediately erases confusion among mixed groups of people. It sets the stage for respectful interactions and eases the otherwise uncomfortable first conversation. Always introduce the person with more authority first. Adding explanatory statements after saying each person’s name will also get the conversation flowing naturally and provide context. These can be simple statements such as their job titles. When introducing one person to a group, announce that person’s name and identifier, and introduce each group member in the order they’re sitting or standing. Connecting people who offer complementary services is a great way to promote mutually beneficial relationships. You can also offer to let people you respect sift through your LinkedIn connections and facilitate these meetings to add value. Tips for Navigating the Uncomfortable Email Introduction Making introductions in person usually feels less forced than sending emails out of the blue, but it’s not always feasible to get the two people you want to connect in the same place at the same time. This is where email introductions come in. When emailing your connections to establish an introduction, make sure you always: Ask for permission first. Explain the value proposition for each party meeting the other, and ask if they’d feel comfortable with you making the connection. Mention whether they’ve met before. People often forget brief meetings, and the reminder can save them some embarrassment. Make haste slowly. Good introductions require careful preparation. Think through how both parties could benefit from each other, and spell it out in an email. Hurried, ill-planned emails can have a negative impact on these burgeoning relationships–and your reputation. Encourage the conversation. You never want to start an email thread, only to receive no response from either party. To avoid this social disaster, urge both people in the email to arrange a time to talk in the near future. Make action steps clear. Be straightforward in your email, and outline what the specific next steps should be. Solid introductions always come down to adding value for other people. When you set up a long-term cycle of promoting mutual wins, you position yourself as a credible and trustworthy business connection. Establishing a reputation for facilitating great relationships is the best way to increase your chances of success, no matter what field you’re in. And as this cycle of reciprocity continues throughout your career, the referrals, invitations, and unique experiences will start pouring in. This article was previously published in Inc. To your best success, Kelli Richards, CEO of the All Access Group, LLC PS: Subscribe to my FREE All Access Group Newsletter https://bit.ly/AAGNewletter PSS: Listen to an entire library of intimate discussions with industry visionaries https://bit.ly/AllAccessPodcastSeries (Priceless)
5 Unlikely Music Legends With Great Advice for Entrepreneurs
February 25, 2014, LinkedIn Articles As an entrepreneur, it’s important to keep your ears open for helpful advice — especially when you’re new to the game. Read the entire article here: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/20140225155053-9638-5-unlikely-music-legends-with-great-advice-for-entrepreneurs/
Know When to Hold ‘Em, Fold ‘Em, and Walk Away in a Business Deal
In high-stakes poker, managing your emotions is just as important as the hand you’ve been dealt. In order to emerge with your mortgage intact, it’s vital to have an effective poker face.
Business negotiations require a similar approach. Letting your emotions rule your decision-making process can be catastrophic, but failing to seek a win-win situation can be just as dangerous. With that in mind, how can you maintain your cool and, ultimately, your control of the situation?
In this article, Kelli Richards explains how to stay level-headed when the chips are down.
Jeet Singh
Listen to the entire podcast here: https://allaccessradio.libsyn.com/kelli-richards-interviews-jeet-singh
How Writing a Book Can Advance Your Career
What’s more, writing a book is a great way to establish you as a credible industry expert. You can create a brand platform for yourself, increase your market value, differentiate yourself from competitors, and discover new ways to grow your authority in your field. But before you can add the title “published author” to your resume, you need to invest some time and energy in planning, crafting, and publishing your unique message–and understanding how the publishing world really works.
Know When to Hold ‘Em, Fold ‘Em, and Walk Away in a Business Deal
February 6, 2015, Inc. The only way to come out on top of a business deal is to pay attention to what’s on the table and play smart. Read the entire article here: https://www.inc.com/kelli-richards/know-when-to-hold-em-fold-em-and-walk-away-in-a-business-deal.html
Steve Rubel
Listen to the entire podcast here: https://allaccessradio.libsyn.com/kelli-richards-interviews-steve-rubel
5 Ways The Cloud Can Make Your Business & Personal Life Easier
The cloud is becoming a bigger part of our everyday lives. Use it to enhance your business and personal life, increase productivity, and to give you peace of mind when you store and back up your most important files.
Roberta Medina
Listen to the entire podcast here: https://allaccessradio.libsyn.com/kelli-richards-interviews-roberta-medina
5 Simple Steps to Schedule Your Week for Business and Personal Success
As an entrepreneur, attending to your work is essential for building your business. But creating a balanced life is the key to sustained success in the office and at home. Aim to structure your time so you can meet both personal and professional obligations, then establish, communicate, and maintain healthy boundaries so you can actually live the lifestyle you desire. It’s doable!
COPING WITH FAILURE The Ultimate Entrepreneur Pep Talk: 4 Important Affirmations for Any Innovator
Having a list of mantras that you can pull out of your toolkit in any situation will prepare you to turn challenges into successes.
6 Surefire Tactics That Will Ignite Client Referrals
January 15, 2015, Inc. Here are six strategic ways to ask for referrals and grow your business exponentially. Read the entire article here: https://www.inc.com/kelli-richards/6-surefire-tactics-that-will-ignite-client-referrals.html
5 Reasons Developing Confidence Is Critical to Your Success
Confidence is essential to your success and that of your business — in fact, it’s vital to everything you do in life. In my own career, confidence has been a pivotal skill and strength I’ve needed every step of the way, especially in the male-dominated tech and music industries.
Just Because You Have 500+ Connections Doesn’t Mean Your Network Is Healthy
January 9, 2015, Inc. The best way to build solid connections is to earn a reputation of being a person who adds value for others in virtually every interaction you have with them. Read the entire article here: https://www.inc.com/kelli-richards/just-because-you-have-500-connections-doesn-t-mean-your-network-is-healthy.html
Just Because You Have 500+ Connections Doesn’t Mean Your Network Is Healthy
The best way to build solid connections is to earn a reputation of being a person who adds value for others in virtually every interaction you have with them.
12 Affirmations For The Struggling Entrepreneur
Entrepreneurs are an optimistic lot. Naysayers might say “naïve.” But they have to be. Odds are against their success, but those who do succeed will provide for their families, solve customers’ problems, and possibly change the world in a big way.The best entrepreneur, therefore, has a healthy confidence that “I’ll be the one person in a thousand who makes it big.”
4 Things You Can Do to Personalize Your Brand Like the Celebs
Between Google and social media, it’s become simultaneously easier and more difficult than ever to maintain your brand image. With a few keystrokes, anyone can learn just about anything about you. On the other hand, if you can cultivate what your audience will find, you can influence your brand image and how others perceive you.
12 Affirmations For The Struggling Entrepreneur
December 15, 2014, LinkedIn Articles Entrepreneurs are an optimistic lot. Naysayers might say “naïve.” But they have to be.
How to Create Your Own Industry to Fit Your Strengths
By leveraging my core strengths and skills and combining my backgrounds in entertainment and tech, I’ve molded my own brand and carved a unique career path for myself. Having been a talent producer for award shows, cause concerts, and celebrity fundraising events for three decades, I’ve developed a very large network, connecting musicians, actors, comedians, and tech innovators with the corporate world to create performances and campaigns.
How Writing a Book Can Advance Your Career
December 12, 2014, Inc. A book can be a powerful tool for advancing your career and establishing yourself as a brand and as an industry leader. Read the entire article here: https://www.inc.com/kelli-richards/why-or-how-writing-a-book-can-advance-your-career.html
The 4 Most Important Reasons You Need to Become a Mentor
When you decide to mentor someone, you really have no way of knowing how far she’ll go. Whether you shape the next great entrepreneur of our time or help someone achieve her dreams, you’ll make a difference–and that’s all that matters.
Ann Wilson
Listen to the entire podcast here: https://allaccessradio.libsyn.com/kelli-richards-interviews-ann-wilson-of-heart
5 Reasons Developing Confidence Is Critical to Your Success
December 5, 2014, The Huffington Post Confidence is essential to your success and that of your business — in fact, it’s vital to everything you do in life. Read the entire article here: https://www.ellevatenetwork.com/articles/5870-5-reasons-developing-confidence-is-critical-to-your-success
4 Things You Can Do to Personalize Your Brand Like the Celebs
December 4, 2014, The Huffington Post Between Google and social media, it’s become simultaneously easier and more difficult than ever to maintain your brand image. Read the entire article here: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/4-things-you-can-do-to-personalize-your-brand-like-the-celebs_b_6148030
5 Simple Steps to Schedule Your Week for Business and Personal Success
December 1,2014, Inc. As an entrepreneur, attending to your work is essential for building your business. But creating a balanced life is the key to sustained success in the office and at home. Read the entire article here: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/5-simple-steps-schedule-your-week-business-personal-success-richards/
5 Conversation Tools For Nurturing Your Relationship With A Mentor
We’ve all longed for a classic mentor-mentee relationship at some point in our careers. We want someone who is savvy and seasoned. We want her to provide the perfect insights and career advice that will help us reach our goals. We want someone who will guide us to our destination.
Cynthia Kersey
Listen to the entire podcast here: https://allaccessradio.libsyn.com/kelli-richards-interviews-cynthia-kersey
Michael Van Himbergen
Listen to the entire podcast here: https://allaccessradio.libsyn.com/kelli-richards-interviews-michael-van-himbergen
The Secret Weapon of Billionaire CEOs and Wildly Successful People
If you’ve hit a wall, it might be time to hire a business coach. Sometimes no matter how passionate you are about your business, it takes an outsider’s perspective to see where the company is lacking and identify areas for growth. And that additional insight and shift in perspective can take moments but make a huge difference in your results and the outcome.
The 4 Most Important Reasons You Need to Become a Mentor
November 20, 2014, Inc. When you decide to mentor someone, you really have no way of knowing how far she’ll go. Whether you shape the next great entrepreneur of our time or help someone achieve her dreams, you’ll make a difference — and that’s all that matters. Read the entire article here: https://www.inc.com/kelli-richards/the-4-most-important-reasons-you-need-to-become-a-mentor.html
5 Conversation Tools For Nurturing Your Relationship With A Mentor
November 17, 2014, LinkedIn Articles We’ve all longed for a classic mentor-mentee relationship at some point in our careers.
The Ultimate Entrepreneur Pep Talk: 4 Important Affirmations for Any Innovator
You were prepared for the uncertainty that comes with entrepreneurship. You braced yourself for the long workdays–and for your first business failure. You were ready for just about everything–except the inner strength it takes to be your own biggest motivator.
The Ultimate Entrepreneur Pep Talk: 4 Important Affirmations for Any Innovator
November 11, 2014, Inc. Having a list of mantras that you can pull out of your toolkit in any situation will prepare you to turn challenges into successes. Read the entire article here: https://www.inc.com/kelli-richards/the-ultimate-entrepreneur-pep-talk-4-important-affirmations-for-any-innovator.html
Become an Effective Delegator
Delegation doesn’t come naturally to everyone–especially workaholic entrepreneurs. Recognize your #strengths. Tackle the things you love or do very well yourself, and then #DELEGATE the duties that slow down your productivity or otherwise aren’t a good use of your talents and time. Acknowledge and reward others for their strengths. Delegating is not only a way to decrease your workload it’s a way to channel your productivity and expertise! To read https://www.inc.com/kelli-richards/the-ultimate-guide-to-delegating-for-entrepreneurs-who-hate-delegating.html
How to Create Your Own Industry to Fit Your Strengths
November 7, 2014, Inc. Your new industry has to reflect you because whether you’re a “collaborator genie” or a “green-energy explorer,” you’ve got all the makings of becoming your own unique brand of superhero. Read the entire article here: https://www.inc.com/kelli-richards/how-to-create-your-own-industry-to-fit-your-strengths.html
The Entrepreneur’s Guide to Delegating
Is your to-do list a mile long? Do you spend your day in meetings and bring your work home with you because there aren’t enough hours in the workday? Do you feel as though the weight of the entire company is resting on your shoulders?
4 Ways to Make the Most of Your Mentor-Mentee Relationship
October 31, 2014, Inc. If you’re skeptical about why a mentor would want to partner with a mentee, it may be because you don’t have a plan in place to make it worth her while. Figure out what you have to offer your mentor, and do everything you can to provide that value. Read the entire article here: https://www.inc.com/kelli-richards/4-ways-to-make-the-most-of-your-mentor-mentee-relationship.html
Do you have a strong network, or do you just think you have a strong network?
Do you have a strong network, or do you just think you have a strong network?
Many entrepreneurs believe it’s who you know that matters, but what’s even more important is what you do with the people you know. By working to introduce and connect your connections, you can build a more lucrative network that can lead to further opportunities for you. By establishing a reputation as an effective facilitator of great relationships, you increase your chances of success.
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