The Fire Time Podcast
Tim Reed
Are you tired of presentations that are only half relevant to your business? Many speakers are not practitioners of their material, simply teachers—not so with The Fire Time Podcast. This podcast is for the hearth industry and by the hearth industry. Host Tim Reed has over a decade of experience in the hearth industry, making conversations with guests relevant and extremely practical. In Season One, Tim speaks with twelve hearth industry leaders and provides content relevant to any position, whether on the retail or manufacturing side. Hearth companies everywhere are lost because the landscape of business has changed dramatically in the last ten years. They are trying hard, but they just don’t know what to do. The Fire Time Podcast equips hearth companies to win by sharing ideas and innovation from the best minds in our industry. This podcast will give you the tools to move the needle in your company and win in the changing landscape. This podcast is the first of its kind—specific to the business that you work in every day and simple enough to teach you what’s needed to succeed. Do not miss out on The Fire Time Podcast, available for Apple and Droid devices or at www.itsfiretime.com/podcast. The simple and repeatable steps provided will empower you to grow the bottom line of your company and inspire the team that you lead. ABOUT: Tim Reed is the Retail Sales Leader at Fireside Home Solutions in the Pacific Northwest where he helps his team members make it so stupidly easy to buy from them that there is no excuse not to. Starting as individual salesperson in an empty warehouse, he has grown Fireside’s Retail division by millions (after cutting his marketing budget by 90%). Tim has been invited all over the country to teach companies how to market effectively to their customers and sell more than ever before. His YouTube videos, sales blog, and “Fire Time Podcast” have become a resource for the industry and are actively helping thousands of people rethink their paradigms so that they can grow their businesses in the changing landscape. Tim learned “just enough to be dangerous” about sales, marketing, web development, and leadership from years of playing guitar in a failing punk band—which he swears has uniquely qualified him for his job today. Now considered one of the most innovative minds and compelling communicators in the industry, Tim uses his platform to serve others, helping them create clear messages that are wildly compelling to their audiences. Tim lives in Portland, Oregon with his wife, Jessica, two children, Olivia and Luke, and his 90 pound Golden Retriever, Walter. He still plays guitar in a failing punk band. CONTACT: tim@itsfiretime.com | www.itsfiretime.com
Episodes
Mentioned books
Oct 17, 2023 • 50min
Dennis Deakin - Pursue the Opportunity (Step 6)
Every sale has momentum, and pursuing the opportunity is essential to maintaining this momentum as time goes on. Just how do you do this?In today’s episode—the sixth installment of "The Seven Steps of The Sales Process Revisited" series—Tim has a conversation with Dennis Deakin, the sales manager at Sutter Home and Hearth, whose wild career has shown him the importance of pursuing the opportunity in sales.In this episode, you’ll learn:
How to delicately keep the conversation going with customers (including several techniques to do this well).
Why math guarantees success if you just pick up the phone and follow up (there are no excuses not to be doing this).
The secret to doing follow-ups extraordinarily well when you’re first getting started (the key is to be honest with the customer).
Don’t let the momentum of any sale fade without a fight. Improve your ability to pursue opportunities by listening to this episode today!Support The Fire Time Podcast Financially
Oct 10, 2023 • 48min
Alan Rush - Call to Action (Step 5)
Put simply, sales is communicating wisdom to the point of bringing people to a decision. When it’s time for the decision, you must perform a call to action. In today’s episode—the fifth installment of "The Seven Steps of The Sales Process Revisited" series—Tim meets with Alan Rush, the Owner of Rush Profits and a Partner at SureFire Training Academy, a master of knowing when it’s time to call the customer to action.In this episode, you’ll learn:
How a call to action can be framed as asking customers if they’re ready to solve their problem (it’s all about guiding them, not pushing them).
What needs to be said to create urgency and scarcity in a call to action (while still remaining authentic).
The secret to overcoming the fear of rejection (all this requires is a small shift in mindset).
Don't wait for your customers to take the leap on their own—guide them to the next step with a confident call to action. Tune into this episode for inspiration on how to nudge customers towards decisions that align with their needs.Support The Fire Time Podcast Financially
Oct 3, 2023 • 50min
Jonah Lindley - Explain the Process (Step 4)
Empowering the customer with choice is a cornerstone of effective sales. But how do you guide them through the process while ensuring they always feel in control?In today’s episode—the fourth installment of "The Seven Steps of The Sales Process Revisited" series—Tim sits down with Jonah Lindley, Branch Manager for Ash-busters Chimney Service, who excels in demystifying the process for customers so that they feel confident in taking the “leap of faith” while also knowing they can opt-out at any moment.In this episode, you’ll learn:
What effectively explaining the process to customers should sound like (and when to do this).
How to provide customers with an informed choice at every step (no surprises here).
Why clarity of language is so crucial to fostering trust (when customers understand what to expect, they're more likely to take the leap of faith).
Stop leaving your customers in the dark and start illuminating the path ahead. In this episode, we unveil the techniques for explaining the process to your customers, ensuring clarity and empowerment every step of the way. Tune in and improve your sales process today!Support The Fire Time Podcast Financially
Sep 26, 2023 • 49min
Ryan Hall - Advise a Solution (Step 3)
If you really listen to a customer’s problems, then you should know exactly what they need to solve them.In today’s episode—the third installment of "The Seven Steps of The Sales Process Revisited" series—Tim talks with Ryan Hall, the Field Operations Chief and Senior Tech at Winston’s Chimney, who has one of our industry's most impressive life redemption stories. Ryan is well suited for discussing step three because his interactions with customers are not rigid; instead, they’re driven by his intuition, which allows him to advise solutions like no other.In this episode, you’ll learn:
How to give the customer relevant information (this is all about mastering step two).
Why it’s so important to be brutally honest with your customers (you should sell with knowledge, not manipulation).
The reason you should wait to tell customers the price (this is a controversial decision).
You can take the guesswork out of advising a solution by following the directions outlined in this episode. If done correctly, advising a solution should satisfy the customer’s needs and lock in the sale. Listen today to learn how!Support The Fire Time Podcast Financially
Sep 19, 2023 • 57min
Matt Bradley - Understand the Customer's Problem (Step 2)
Sales is not about bombarding customers with product information, but rather about taking a step back and truly comprehending what they need.In today’s episode—the second installment of "The Seven Steps of The Sales Process Revisited" series—Tim talks with Matt Bradley, the Partnership Manager at WhyFire and editor of The FireTime Magazine, about arguably the most important step of the Seven-Step Sales Process. Matt’s perfect for this discussion because he’s a natural at understanding customers’ problems in an authentic manner.In this episode, you'll learn:
The questions you should ask a customer to understand their problem (these vary by customer).
How understanding a customer lets you know if they’re a good fit for your business (you want this knowledge early on).
Why you want to be serving people first and selling to people second (this mindset buys credibility in the long run).
When you step into your customer's shoes, you transform the entire sales process. Don't miss this episode, where we discuss the significance of truly understanding the customer's problem (mastering this step is the single best use of your team’s time and energy).Support The Fire Time Podcast Financially
Sep 12, 2023 • 44min
Holly Reed - Greet the Customer (Step 1)
Very few retailers make their customers feel welcome and comfortable when they enter the store. As a result, connections with customers are shut down, and potential sales are lost. However, a genuine and well-crafted greeting holds the power to forge meaningful connections and drive sales.In today’s episode—the first installment of "The Seven Steps of The Sales Process Revisited" series—Tim has a conversation with Holly Reed, Sales Associate and Project Manager at Chimney Techniques. Among the numerous salespeople Tim has encountered, Holly stands out for her outstanding ability to create an inviting atmosphere for everyone.In this episode, you'll learn:
The dos and don’ts for stellar customer greetings (you'll wonder why you didn't know these sooner).
What strategies can be used to build genuine connections with customers (unlock the secret to boosting customer loyalty).
How to handle multiple customers at once (never let a busy store compromise customer satisfaction again).
Don't let your initial interaction with customers go to waste. Learn the art of making customers feel welcome and comfortable by tuning into this episode on the first step of the Seven-Step Sales Process.Support The Fire Time Podcast Financially
Sep 5, 2023 • 53min
Quinn Lackey - 7 Steps of the Sales Process
Businesses are experiencing the waning of the once-ridiculous demand from the Covid years and have a newfound hunger for the Seven-Step Sales Process. To begin Season 11 of the podcast, we are setting out to explore how each step of the Seven-Step Sales Process is executed by industry professionals who embody them. By hearing from these experts, the seven-step process will be expanded upon and explored like we’ve never done before!In today’s episode—the introduction to "The Seven Steps of The Sales Process Revisited" series—Tim talks with Quinn Lackey, a sales professional at Barnhill Chimney, who is not just familiar with, but lives and breathes the Seven-Step Sales Process. Quinn's experience wearing many different hats within the industry makes him an ideal guest to navigate the nuances of the entire Seven-Step Sales Process with Tim.In this episode, you’ll learn:
What a process fundamentally signifies (and how they led Quinn to an awakening in his career).
Why always saying “yes” to the customer will lead to more sales (even if you can’t accommodate what they’re asking for).
The secret to letting your customers know they mean more to you than their dollars (this is easier than you think).
If your business hasn't adopted a structured sales process, you're leaving potential sales on the table. As the economy softens, this is the last thing you want. By keeping up with this season, you’ll learn how to bolster your business's sales process so that you make the most of the upcoming busy season. Tune in to this episode for an insightful overview of the Seven-Step Sales Process, and mark your calendar every Tuesday for a fresh episode dissecting each step.Support The Fire Time Podcast Financially
Aug 29, 2023 • 25min
"Let’s Get Personal: 4 Ways to Accelerate Advocacy for your Business" by Tyler Anderson (FTM Rapid Reaction)
While we prepare Season 11 of the podcast, Tim will be giving weekly rapid reactions to audio articles from our industry publications. In this final Fire Time Magazine Rapid Reaction episode, Tim reacts to an article by Tyler Anderson titled “Let’s Get Personal: 4 Ways to Accelerate Advocacy for Your Business”. Published in the February 2023 issue of The Fire Time Magazine, this article highlights the importance of improving the customer experience for your business. Listen today to better how you interact with your customers!To hear more audio articles from our magazine, subscribe to the Fire Time Magazine Podcast: https://www.itsfiretime.com/magazine.Read The Fire Time Magazine Reader Edition online: https://magazine.itsfiretime.com.Download The Fire Time Magazine app to get full access to the magazine (for free): https://www.itsfiretime.com/app.Pick up a copy of the 2023 Fire Time Journal: https://www.itsfiretime.com/journal.Support The Fire Time Podcast financially: https://www.patreon.com/itsfiretime.
Aug 22, 2023 • 24min
"3 Warehouse Tasks That Should Your Plans and Processes" by Kyle Titsworth (FTM Rapid Reaction)
While we prepare Season 11 of the podcast, Tim will be giving weekly rapid reactions to audio articles from our industry publications. In this week's episode, Tim reacts to an article by Kyle Titsworth titled “3 Warehouse Tasks That Should Shape Your Plans and Processes”. This article was published in the April 2023 issue of The Fire Time Magazine and outlines organizational strategies for your warehouse to maximize cash flow. Listen today to learn more!To hear more audio articles from our magazine, subscribe to the Fire Time Magazine Podcast: https://www.itsfiretime.com/magazine.Read The Fire Time Magazine Reader Edition online: https://magazine.itsfiretime.com.Download The Fire Time Magazine app to get full access to the magazine (for free): https://www.itsfiretime.com/app.Pick up a copy of the 2023 Fire Time Journal: https://www.itsfiretime.com/journal.Support The Fire Time Podcast financially: https://www.patreon.com/itsfiretime.
Aug 15, 2023 • 19min
"Retrofits - Maintenance, Upgrades, and Innovations to Installed Wood Stoves" by Noel Putaansuu (FTM Rapid Reaction)
While we prepare Season 11 of the podcast, Tim will be giving weekly rapid reactions to audio articles from our industry publications. In this week’s episode, Tim reacts to an article from the March 2023 edition of The Fire Time Magazine titled “Retrofits - Maintenance, Upgrades, and Innovations to Installed Wood Stoves” by Noel Putannsuu. A leading authority in clean wood burning, Noel Putannsuu’s article discusses the importance of wood stove retrofits. Start listening today to learn more!To hear more audio articles from our magazine, subscribe to the Fire Time Magazine Podcast: https://www.itsfiretime.com/magazine.Read The Fire Time Magazine Reader Edition online: https://magazine.itsfiretime.com.Download The Fire Time Magazine app to get full access to the magazine (for free): https://www.itsfiretime.com/app.Pick up a copy of the 2023 Fire Time Journal: https://www.itsfiretime.com/journal.Support The Fire Time Podcast financially: https://www.patreon.com/itsfiretime.
