147 : Stephan Aarstol - Five-Hour Workday Genius

Stephan Aarstol is the CEO and Founder of Tower Paddle Boards. He is the genius behind the five-hour workday, which has revolutionized the entrepreneurial industry. Today he shares with Jesse Cole the story of this innovative move and the purpose that drives him to perfect the experience for both his customers and employees.

"We needed to really start measuring things by gross happiness product as opposed to just GDP." - Stephan Aarstol

Stephan Aarstol - Eight-Hour Workdays are Unfounded

The history of the eight-hour workday can be traced back to the dawn of the industrial revolution back in the 1800s. To maximize machines, they were run full-time, all-day. This benefited the factory workers who worked three eight-hour shifts in the span of twenty-four hours.

Fast forward five hundred years later and people are still working the same eight-hour shifts. What people fail to understand is that there is no science to this eight-hour workday.

A Life-Altering Assignment

Stephan used to write articles for a company. They would give him topics to write about, and it was the assignment on a five-hour workday that began it all. In order to finish the assignment, he started an experiment in the company.

It was an uncomfortable exercise, but realizing how it was exactly how he worked, he thought that the entire company should do the same. A series of experiments and one published article later, they had built a brand that was as unique as it could get and kept people happy.

"If you start giving people a lot more time, they can use that time for different things." - Stephan Aarstol

Happiness is Important

When he first implemented the five-hour workday, Stephan hit a lot of walls. His employees left, feeling lost. But at the same time, all kinds of people with different levels of productivity started trickling in, curious and wanting to learn more.

The entire experience has left a great impression on him. And it has made him realize the many ways by which prevailing economic trends have enslaved people. Happiness, therefore, has become more of a privilege than a causal effect of working.

"That flexibility of giving people time and do with it what you want is a huge beneficial thing. And I think some people don't even realize that they need that. But I think it is important for them." - Stephan Aarstol

Final Four

1. What have you done to stand out in business and in life?

“I've always tried to identify businesses that really add something to humanity.”

2. What advice would you give someone to stand out in business and in life?

“Try. Just start it now.”

3. What is the best advice you received?

“Focus more on the downside risk.”

4. How do you want to be remembered?

“For being willing to do what it takes to do what I want and then to share that and help other people to do what they want.”

To hear what Stephan Aarstol thinks about the impact of capitalism on our work mentality, the true benefits of the five-hour workday on productivity, and the merits of a culture founded on happiness, download and listen to the show!

Learn more from Stephan Aarstol:

Tower Paddle Boards

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Jesse Cole is a passionate and engaging business leader sharing other leaders messages, tips and fresh ideas on Business Done Differently. Subscribe to hear more front runners doing it differently and remember to leave him a rating and review on iTunes.

Thanks to Podcast Pilot for the editing, show notes and publication. They take care of it all!

146 : Randy Cohen - Show Up with Swagger

Randy Cohen is the CEO of TicketCity, one of the largest ticket reselling companies in the country. Since its founding in 1990, the company has served over one million customers and sold over four million tickets. Today, Randy joins Jesse Cole to talk about how he's committed to showing up with swagger in everything he does for his customers and employees.

His books, Ticket to the Limit and Show Up With Swagger detail his blueprint to success.

"Don't be afraid to take chances. You gotta be the one head above the sea of heads that stand out." - Randy Cohen

Randy Cohen - Chief Energizing Officer

As the CEO of TicketCity, Randy has always owned up to the title, living and breathing it like the hundred-mile whirlwind that he is. With an energy that is higher than that of an average person, he is able to run his business the way it's meant to be handled.

Energy is contagious. Randy admits that his philosophy of jazzing everyone up, creating an inclusive atmosphere that breathes energy, is the very key to his company's success. His employees average twenty-two years in the company and while they're empowered to do what they want, Randy makes it a point to share his energy with them.

Showing Up with Swagger

Great communication with your team is important for any business to trailblaze. You share with them your wins and challenges and build a culture of trust by maintaining communication.

Charisma helps achieve effective communication. But being present, showing up every single day and being available for your employees when they need you is just as significant.

Taking Chances is a Must

While TicketCity went viral one ball game, it's difficult to find lightning-in-a-bottle moments that present as opportunities to draw attention. But a huge investment you need to make in order to stand out is to capitalize on risks and chances.

It is in realizing how risk-taking goes a long way that will ultimately determine your fate.

"At the end of the day, if you can win on seven, tie on two, and lose on one in any deal that you're doing, I think you'll come out way ahead." - Randy Cohen

Final Four

1. What have you done to stand out in business and in life?

"Showing up, the WOO WOO philosophy, making it fun, and really, caring and keeping it real and trying to make a difference."

2. What advice would you give someone to stand out in business and in life?

"Do what you say you're gonna do long after the feeling leaves you. When you say you're gonna do something, do it. Don't come up with excuses. Get it done."

3. What is the best advice you received?

"Love what you do, do it well, and keep on doing it."

4. How do you want to be remembered?

"So on the tombstone. You know what, if it just says, 'WOO WOO' with a couple of exclamation points and me pointing with both my fingers at you in front of me, I'm there. In it to win it."

To hear more about Randy Cohen's WOO WOO philosophy and the secrets to showing up with swagger, download and listen to the show!

Learn more from Randy Cohen:

Book - Show Up With Swagger

TicketCity

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Jesse Cole is a passionate and engaging business leader sharing other leaders messages, tips and fresh ideas on Business Done Differently. Subscribe to hear more front runners doing it differently and remember to leave him a rating and review on iTunes.

Thanks to Podcast Pilot for the editing, show notes and publication. They take care of it all!

145 : Geoff Blades - Do What You Want to Stand Out

Christopher Wirth - Accountable, No-Quit Coaching | Ep. 144

Christopher Wirth is the founder and president of No Quit Living. He is also the host of the eponymous podcast that rated as a Top 50 Business Podcast on iTunes. A former coach of the AAU, as well as in high school and college levels, he has now upped his game by being a coach in the business world.

A Love for Coaching

Growing up, Christopher loved basketball. He reached the peak of his career as a player in high school, which eventually gave way to his career as a coach during summer when he was in college. With his terrific team of talented players, he was put on the map with high-end coaches wishing to recruit his flock.

“It almost happened by chance that I realized that I loved coaching the kids and I loved connecting with them.” - Christopher Wirth

This love for coaching athletes spilled over into his next career. Business, life, and sports, it seems, have a lot of parallelisms that Christopher realized throughout the years.

Accountability is a Staple

It takes two to tango. A coach holds a player accountable for failure by increasing their laps. But a coach, and an employer, must hold themselves in an even higher level of accountability than anybody else to establish trust within a team.

“That’s the biggest thing we’ve seen. The overlap is the accountability.” - Christopher Wirth

This accountability should jive with a coach or an employer’s efforts to make sure that their teams understand the reason as to ultimate why they’re working together. At the end of the day, this level of awareness determines just how successful a company can be.

Final Four

1. What have you done to stand out in business and in life?

“I try to deliver first.”

2. What advice would you give someone to stand out in business and in life?

“Don’t just follow the norm. Do something a little bit different, but do it genuinely for yourself as well as the other person."

3. What is the best advice you’ve ever received?

“Just keep your eyes on the prize and keep going, and when you feel like giving up, don’t.”

4. How do you want to be remembered?

“I wanna be remembered as the individual or company that helped people and motivated and inspired them.”

To hear Christopher Wirth talk about accountability, sports and business coaching analogies, and his mantras to not quit, download and listen to the show!

Learn from Christopher Wirth:

No Quit Living - Website

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Jesse Cole is a passionate and engaging business leader sharing other leaders messages, tips and fresh ideas on Business Done Differently. Subscribe to hear more front runners doing it differently and remember to leave him a rating and review on iTunes.

Thanks to Podcast Pilot for the editing, show notes and publication. They take care of it all!

143 Darren Ross Service Freak

Darren Ross is the COO of the Magic Castle Hotel in Hollywood CA. His hotel has been rated number 1 or number 2 in all of the Los Angeles area by TripAdvisor. It’s been featured in the best-selling book, The Power of Moments by Dan and Chip Heath. Darren is also the Chief Executive Freak of Service Freak Hospitality, a hotel management company.

“Companies are afraid to do this (free items) because they are thinking short-term profits over long-term plans.” - Jesse Cole

Jesse recently stayed at the Magic Castle Hotel and was absolutely blown away. On his way out the door to do a show in his yellow tux, Darren greets him and knows exactly who is. Darren searched him on his social media prior to his stay. That’s just part of what the Executive Freak does to make his guests’ experience over and above what they would get anywhere else.

“Our job is to compel our customers...to scream about us without asking them to do so.” - Darren Ross

Darren Ross Creating the Magic

In the early 2000’s, Darren had a secret shopping gig and went to the hotel. His first encounter was a hotel employee smoking at the front desk. The owners were dedicated to the hotel and placed him first as general manager to begin the process of rejuvenating the hotel built in 1957.

“I purposely stay away from technology...it takes away from what our business is, the face-to-face experience.” - Darren Ross

The hotel is a renovated apartment complex that’s limited by its age and space. There’s no bar, room service, spa, elevator, etc., but this does not stop them from creating an amazing experience for the guests.

Drawing from His Childhood

A lot of the experiences at the hotel come from Darren’s personal experiences from childhood. There’s a hotel stay, in particular, that’s he’s fond of. Imagine an unlimited Hershey Kisses fountain and kids. He doesn't remember the hotel and Darren can’t tell you the color of the carpet but he does remember the experience and that’s what he strives to create for his guests.

“You’ve got to put yourself in your customer’s shoes... (to) experience and realize there are friction points. - Jesse Cole

Final Four

1. What have you done to stand out in business and in life?

“I think honesty and accountability are incredibly important. We all make mistakes. I like to run into the problem instead of running away from the problem.”

2. What advice would you give someone to stand out in business and in life?

“Be generous."

3. What is the best advice you’ve ever received?

“Apply hotel principles to your business.”

4. How do you want to be remembered?

“Generosity and kindness in his personal life and business.”

To hear Darren Ross talk about how the demand for his hotel is so high and how he empowers his employees, download and listen to the show!

Learn from Darren Ross:

Service Freak Academy

Connect with him on LinkedIn

Magic Castle Hotel

The Power of Moments Book

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Jesse Cole is a passionate and engaging business leader sharing other leaders messages, tips and fresh ideas on Business Done Differently. Subscribe to hear more front runners doing it differently and remember to leave him a rating and review on iTunes.

Thanks to Podcast Pilot for the editing, show notes and publication. They take care of it all!

142: Piyush Patel - How to Create a Culture That Matters

Piyush Patel is the founder of Digital-Tutors, a company providing e-learning opportunities for visual effects artists specializing in film and video games. He has built a culture founded on mutual respect and orange-induced creativity that continues to guarantee success for him and his flock.

His book, Lead Your Tribe, Love Your Work is up for grabs on Amazon!

“I found out that my biggest competitive advantage was my culture.” - Piyush Patel

Piyush Patel - Orange for Creativity

The tech world has been defined by blacks and grays long after its conception. Piyush figured that in order to stand out, they needed to embrace their own color. Deciding on using orange effectively differentiated them from everybody else.

Piyush also says that orange is the color of creativity at work, an effect coming full circle when the color was first chosen for their brand.

Overcoming the Culture Hurdle

Piyush remembers a time when he hated going to work. This is hugely attributed to the fact that the basic foundation of any company, its core values, weren’t established.

“I had to kind of go on this journey myself of ‘Who am I?’ and ‘What am I gonna stand for?’ And that’s gotta be the company core values.” - Piyush Patel

Realizing what these values are, Piyush came back to a company that has started to turn around and grow into the big thing that it is now today.

Final Four

1. What have you done to stand out in business and in life?

“I have stayed true to who I am.”

2. What advice would you give someone to stand out in business and in life?

“Don’t try to be somebody you’re not."

3. What is the best advice you’ve ever received?

“Even if people tell you you can’t do it, only you can say you can’t do it.”

4. How do you want to be remembered?

“I wanna be remembered as somebody who changed the world.”

To hear Piyush Patel talk about his orange culture and tribe love, download and listen to the show!

Learn from Piyush Patel:

Book - Lead Your Tribe, Love Your Work

Connect with him on LinkedIn

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Jesse Cole is a passionate and engaging business leader sharing other leaders messages, tips and fresh ideas on Business Done Differently. Subscribe to hear more front runners doing it differently and remember to leave him a rating and review on iTunes.

Thanks to Podcast Pilot for the editing, show notes and publication. They take care of it all!

141: Jordan Harbinger - Starting Differently

Jordan Harbinger is the host of The Jordan Harbinger Show Podcast where the most successful people in the world have been guests. With his unique way of starting up things and forging relationships, he has become an indispensable force in the business industry.

“Instead of giving up or cramming himself [like], you know, the square peg to a round hole, he forged his own path.” - Jordan Harbinger

Jordan Harbinger - Hacking the System

Jordan confesses that he wasn’t exactly a self-starter. In fact, he had alternating phases of misbehaving and excellency throughout his academic journey. These instances of truance could’ve contributed to what seemed to be an eventual rebelliousness, but it wasn’t the case.

“I just really hated the way that the system worked. And I found, what was in my opinion, better ways to deal with those situations.” - Jordan Harbinger

He wasn’t being rebellious on purpose at all. Jordan just refused to give up on himself.

Against the World

His burgeoning penchant for going against the current was set in stone when he took the plunge and decided to invent his own concentration. Jordan went to college wanting to get practical skills for business. And get them he did.

He took up several language, political science, and economic courses, consulting from time to time with school officials to guide him. In the end of it all, he graduated as the sole University of Michigan alum with a degree in Integrated International Commerce.

“Which one says leader? The guy who plummeted through the spreadsheet class and just got it done or the person who’s like, yeah, this isn’t working for me, let me just make an entire major of myself?” - Jordan Harbinger

Final Four

1. What have you done to stand out in business and in life?

“I stand out by making sure that I leave other people better than I found them ideally.”

2. What advice would you give someone to stand out in business and in life?

“Any time something doesn’t go your way, you should ask yourself, what are the parts of this that I had within my own control?"

3. What is the best advice you’ve ever received?

“At least once a year, really take stock of what you’re doing and ask yourself if this is the direction you wanna go in.”

4. How do you want to be remembered?

“This person created something that people used to become better.”

To hear Jordan Harbinger talk about his story, life’s mission, and “relationship” advices, download and listen to the show!

Learn from Jordan Harbinger:

Advanced Human Dynamics

Check out his website

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Jesse Cole is a passionate and engaging business leader sharing other leaders messages, tips and fresh ideas on Business Done Differently. Subscribe to hear more front runners doing it differently and remember to leave him a rating and review on iTunes.

Thanks to Podcast Pilot for the editing, show notes and publication. They take care of it all!

140 : Dov Baron - On Purpose and Loyalty

Dov Baron is the host and executive producer of Leadership and Loyalty Show. His podcast has earned him not only accolades but a huge following of leaders on all levels of success as well. He is a leader among leaders, whose purpose-driven life has made him stand out in his career.

He is the bestselling author of Fiercely Loyal: How High Performing Companies Develop and Retain Top Talent.

Dov Baron - The Fall That Changed Everything

There are moments in our lives that we always remember, and there are moments that we never forget. For Dov, that moment in June 1990 probably sits at the top of his list of unforgettables. While on a rock climbing expedition, the adrenaline junkie and successful career man fell face first from a height of 120 feet.

“It was the opportunity to break me open and reveal the truth of who I am on a purpose level.” - Dov Baron

It was the end of his life as he’d known it. But it was a lot like breaking open the shell of who he was. It made him re-examine the purpose behind everything that he did.

Purpose Equals Giving

Humans have six basic needs. The first four of them is all about oneself. It took hitting rock bottom, quite literally, for Dov to realize when enough is enough.

“Purpose is not about what you get, it’s about what you give. So happiness comes from what we get, but fulfillment comes from what we give.” - Dov Baron

Once Dov realized what he’s meant to do in order to give to others, he began changing his approach. He’s now known as a speaker coming to the aid of organizations who wish to cultures of loyalty and purpose, led by purpose-driven leaders.

Final Four

1. What have you done to stand out in business and in life?

“I’ve been real.”

2. What advice would you give someone to stand out in business and in life?

“Master your story. Find out what your story is that will inspire others."

3. What is the best advice you’ve ever received?

“You must be real.”

4. How do you want to be remembered?

“Dov Baron was a father to many.”

To hear Dov Baron talk about putting one’s heart above one’s smarts and how to take care of your tribe of talents, download and listen to the show!

Learn from Dov Baron:

Website - Full Monty Leadership

YouTube - Dov Baron’s Full Monty Leadership

iTunes - Leadership and Loyalty

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Jesse Cole is a passionate and engaging business leader sharing other leaders messages, tips and fresh ideas on Business Done Differently. Subscribe to hear more front runners doing it differently and remember to leave him a rating and review on iTunes.

Thanks to Podcast Pilot for the editing, show notes and publication. They take care of it all!

139 : Mike Ganino - Culture of Clarity

Mike Ganino is obsessed with culture. He breathes it and lives it, proven by his keynote motivational speeches and his fascination with improv theater. His experience in hospitality has let him grow iconic brands, and now he’s turned to aid people in understanding how a culture can run a company.

His book, Company Culture for Dummies, has hit the shelves! Check it out!

Mike Ganino - Stories by Employees Matter

Mike gained his extensive knowledge about company culture from his first-hand experience in working with different companies and also different franchises of a single corporate umbrella. He has learned through his many engagements that culture differs from one location to another, from one room to another.

These smaller units, microcosms, oftentimes work off the company handbook. The employee-guest experience, which is what sticks and resonates to customers, always drives this culture. The company story, therefore, ultimately banks on your employees.

“Your company is actually all of the stories your employees tell.” - Mike Ganino

In the long run, these stories of experience will impact your brand more than anything else that you do.

Caring and Clarity

Showing how you care for your employees from pre-onboarding down to their every day with the company will help them engage. A sense of caring may come from a casual text message to welcome a new hire or from letting your employees in the know of how the business is actually faring.

“There’s the ability to create a sense of caring no matter what kind of culture you have.” - Mike Ganino

This sense of caring does not have to be deviant from your company’s brand and culture. People need to feel like they’re needed and that they matter. You can only achieve this if you go out of your way to foster clarity in every aspect of your business, which will naturally breed a caring culture.

Final Four

1. What have you done to stand out in business and in life?

“To be inexcusably myself and to be okay being that comfortable with people.”

2. What advice would you give someone to stand out in business and in life?

“If someone else was sharing you, what were they saying about you? You should double down on presenting that side of yourself to everybody as much as you can."

3. What is the best advice you’ve ever received?

“The idea of getting really clear about what you want.”

4. How do you want to be remembered?

“I want people to remember that I gave them hope by giving them simple things they can do to get better and then I helped them have a little bit of fun with it.”

To hear Mike Ganino talk about pre-onboarding stories, a pizza joint, potential drinking games, and what really matters, download and listen to the show!

Learn from Mike Ganino:

Mike Ganino’s Website

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Jesse Cole is a passionate and engaging business leader sharing other leaders messages, tips and fresh ideas on Business Done Differently. Subscribe to hear more front runners doing it differently and remember to leave him a rating and review on iTunes.

Thanks to Podcast Pilot for the editing, show notes and publication. They take care of it all!

138 : Nathan Hirsch - Hiring Right

Nathan Hirsch is the remote hiring expert and Chief Executive Officer of FreeeUp. Together with his solid and passionate team, he manages over a thousand remote freelancers from every corner of the world. His company has risen to become one of the most reputable freelance hiring agencies, serving as a bridge to ensure that clients and freelancers find the right fit for them.

Nathan Hirsch - From Seller to Freelance Hiring

Nathan began his entrepreneurship as a seller in Amazon but ultimately discovered the enjoyment derived from interviewing people on a daily basis. With his love for hiring grew a love for building remote teams and meeting all kinds of people. To continue doing what he loves, he created a marketplace where talented and committed freelancers are made available for clients from anywhere in the world.

“If you’re only hiring internally, you’re just limiting yourself to the talent around you, maybe the talent in the city next to you as well.” - Nathan Hirsch

His willingness to go the extra mile by building a culture that is appreciative of diversity in ideas and perspectives has greatly helped him in his freelance venture. These welcome differences have succeeded in expanding his company’s horizons, reaching more people of different backgrounds and needs.

Skills Aren’t Enough

Nathan is a firm believer that in order to smoothly run your business, you need to hire people not only for their skill. He puts emphasis on attitude and communication as well. Passion and care for the company and the clients, as well as reliability in communicating estimates and giving their dues, are important when hiring freelancers.

“There’s so many things when you’re working with someone remotely that all come down to communication.” - Nathan Hirsch

And in order to be able to run a business where everyone is invested, one must foster a culture of honesty, open communication, and positive attitude.

Final Four

1. What have you done to stand out in business and in life?

“I make myself very available."

2. What’s the best advice you would give someone to stand out in business and in life?

“Whatever you do, it’s gotta be customer service-based. You gotta make people happy.”

3. What is the best advice you’ve ever received?

“Life’s just too short to do things that you don’t want to do.”

4. How do you want to be remembered?

“As the guy that changed the hiring industry.”

To hear what Nathan Hirsch thinks about prevalent hiring systems and the right questions to ask your prospective freelance hires, download and listen to the show!

Learn from Nathan Hirsch:

Find out more about FreeeUp

Check out his Facebook group

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Find Your Yellow Tux
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Jesse Cole is a passionate and engaging business leader sharing other leaders messages, tips and fresh ideas on Business Done Differently. Subscribe to hear more front runners doing it differently and remember to leave him a rating and review on iTunes.

Thanks to Podcast Pilot for the editing, show notes and publication. They take care of it all!