RecomMONDAYtions ~ 2025.08.04
Recommended Reading
šĀ Onboarding is not housekeeping 2.0 (by Brian Kurtz)
You have a new client. Now what?
For many businesses the “onboarding” process is a mish-mash of random activities that don’t serve the client — or the business — as well as they should.
This post outlines the the six key elements of “Extreme Onboarding” — from creating clear success paths for your customers to leveraging technology for personalized human connection, and even integrating crucial self-care strategies to prevent burnout.
Written by Brian Kurtz (inspired by Melinda Cohan), this post is a must-read for anyone looking to transform their onboarding from a basic checklist into a powerful engine for retention, value, and sustainable growth.
Recommended Video
š”Ā The way we think about work is broken | Barry Schwartz
If youāve ever felt like the modern workplace is soul-sucking by design, this TED Talk by Barry Schwartz will hit home. He explores why so many jobs feel meaninglessāand how outdated, false ideas about human nature helped create the problem. Itās a sharp, insightful talk that challenges the way we think about work, purpose, and the systems we build. Thought-provoking and refreshingly clear.
Recommended Books
šĀ The Obstacle is the Way
Ryan Holidayās The Obstacle Is the Way is based on a 2,000-year-old idea that the most successful, resilient, and unstoppable people share:
What stands in the way becomes the way.
This isnāt just some feel-good, rah-rah philosophy. Itās a clear-eyed, battle-tested approach to business and life.
Holiday draws on ancient Stoic wisdom and mixes it with modern stories of leaders, athletes, generals, and entrepreneurs who turned adversity into advantage.
Youāll learn how toā¦
- Stay calm under pressure
- Turn setbacks into fuel
- Build true inner strength
- Stop whining and start winning
Itās not a long book. But it packs a punch.
Thatās why Ted Prodromou and I chose it for this monthās Mastermind Book Club pick.
Weāll meet to discuss the book on Wednesday, August 28 at 2:30 p.m. ET (1:30 CT / 11:30 PT).
You can join the Club (free) atĀ MastermindBook.club
Sign up now and weāll send you reminders and the Zoom link as the date approaches.
Podcast (The Story Power Marketing Show)
š” How to Capture Attention and Loyalty Through High Octane Storytelling (with Ondar Tarlow)
Over his 20-year career, Ondar Tarlow has worked with both industry leaders and nonprofits to solve complex marketing challenges with measurable results. Heās known for engaging audiences through data-driven insights and witty, creative storytelling to achieve results. Now he uses his experience to help companies supercharge their marketing and drive real growth with bold, unforgettable strategies.
In this episode, he and I discuss how to understand data, craft compelling stories, and harness the rising power of AI to enhance marketing strategies while maintaining brand integrity.
DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE
~02:38 Blending Data-Driven Insights with Creative Storytelling
~04:14 Simplifying Complex Concepts Through Storytelling
~13:39 The Role of AI in Modern Marketing
~23:33 Community Impact and Brand Strategy
FULL EPISODE VIDEO: www.vimeo.com/1099814962
Recommended Resource
š”Ā AI Copywriting Secrets (Volume 2)
Still available for those who missed it last month…
John McIntyre invited some of the world’s top marketers and copywriters to reveal how they have harnessed AI to make their lives easier and their businesses more profitable.
David Garfinkel, Adil Amarsi, Bill Mueller, Bob Bly, Chris Orzy, Daniel Throssell, David Deutsch, John McIntyre, Jon Benson, Lukas Fisher, Rob Marsh, Sam Woods, Shiv Shetti, and me…
…all sharing our best prompts, hacks, and frameworks to leverage AI to save time and land more/better clients.
I sent a lot of emails about this last week because it’s too valuable to ignore.
The early-bird discount is no more. But even at its current price, the value far exceeds the investment.
Words to Ponder
āLet go of certainty. The opposite isn’t uncertainty. It’s openness, curiosity and a willingness to embrace paradox, rather than choose up sides. The ultimate challenge is to accept ourselves exactly as we are, but never stop trying to learn and grow.”
– Tony Schwartz
Don't go away yet..
p.s. Coaches, authors, and consultants hire me to power-up their creative content and storytelling to captivate prospects, stand-out and book more business.
Whenever you're ready, here are several ways I can help you become a storytelling stand-out so you'll land more clients without pitching and prodding:
1) Get theĀ Story Power Profit PackĀ -- 52 Strategies, Tips, and Tactics Ā to Transform Your Content from Ignored to Adored.
2) Watch theĀ free, 7-minute Micro-Training: āThe 3 Most Important Storytelling Keys to Captivate Prospects and Inspire Them to Act -- Without Pitching and Prodding.ā
3) Become a Story Power VIP: Master how to discover, assemble, and deliver business-building stories. Twice-monthly live masterclasses. Members-only content. One-on-one feedback and consulting sessions. And moreā¦ If you'd like to learn more about our VIP program, just reply to this email and put "Story Power VIP" in the subject line. Iāll contact you with more details.
4) Work with me one-on-one: If youāre interested in working directly with me -- to discover, assemble, and deliver powerful, business-building stories -- simply reply to this email and change the subject line to "Private Client." Tell me a little about yourself, your business, and what you'd like to accomplish, and I'll reply to discuss options.
5) Invite me to speak at an event: I can tailor a presentation that meets the specific needs of your organization. Informative. Entertaining. Virtual or live. Potential for continuing education credits when applicable for your group. If interested, reply to this email and change the subject line to āSpeaking Engagement.ā Iāll circle back to discuss the possibilities.
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