The Builders

This episode explores the power of visualizing ideas through the art of graphic recording with Ashton Rodenhiser. Ashton explains how she turned her creative skills into a career as a graphic recorder, capturing the key ideas and insights from meetings, conferences, and presentations through illustrations. She discusses how graphic recording can improve meetings by helping people engage, remember information, and make connections visually. Ashton shares tips for how anyone can start incorporating visual note taking into their own lives through simple doodling and drawing techniques. She recommends starting with basic shapes like lines, circles, and squares and building a "visual vocabulary" of icons that represent multiple ideas. Ashton stresses that the drawings don't have to be perfect - it's the process of listening, processing, and visually representing information that matters most. Key takeaways from the episode: • Graphic recording can improve meetings by helping up to 80% of "visual learners" engage and remember information presented. • Simple doodling techniques like drawing lines to connect ideas or using icons can boost information retention by up to 29%. • Anyone can learn the basics of visual note taking - it just requires practice drawing simple shapes and building a set of visual "shortcuts" that represent multiple concepts. Neatness and artistic ability are not important. • The illustrations created through graphic recording can be used as accountability tools, reminders, and even marketing materials to demonstrate the value of meetings and presentations. Offer from the Episode (not sure when this will expire, so definitely check it out asap if you're interested!) Title: The Beginners Guide to Sketchnoting By link:  http://www.sketchnote.school/book Coupon: builders

Welcome to Episode #132 of "The Builders" podcast, hosted by me, Matt Levenhagen. In this engaging episode, I sit down with Ron, a recovering engineer turned team builder, who has set out to change the stories we tell ourselves. Our conversation isn't just about transforming team culture; it's about redefining the very art of connection and openness within teams. Join us as Ron shares lessons on building trust, nurturing relationships, fostering creativity, and embracing change. We explore questions like, "What stories shape our culture?" and "How can we free ourselves from narratives that no longer serve us?" This isn't just a podcast episode; it's an invitation to discover who you want to be within your team and as a leader. Subscribe and tune in for actionable insights and stories that will challenge you to think differently about yourself, your team, and the culture you cultivate.

Welcome to the 131st episode of "The Builders" where I, Matt Levenhagen, your seasoned host and founder of Unified Web Design, delve deep into the why and how of building authority online. We kick things off with a throwback to my humble beginnings, navigating the treacherous waters of early online entrepreneurship, and the stash of old products that paved the way for my business's success today. I shine the spotlight on an old product - Niche Authority, a pivotal milestone in my journey that shaped my perspectives on online authority. As we weave through my story, we'll be revisiting Episode 1, the very beginning, where we discussed the importance of a strong business identity as the cornerstone of a successful business. In this episode, we talk about everything from building a compelling website to creating a lasting first impression. We cover why a business, especially an online one, should prioritize website development, and why first impressions often hinge on the quality of your homepage. We delve into the importance of trust-building and presenting an image of authority to your audience, all while keeping things simple and easy to navigate. I'll be sharing personal insights from my journey of building my first website and the lessons I learned along the way. Finally, we dive into the more technical aspects, including content management, user experience, professional design and how these contribute to a company's image of professionalism and legitimacy. I emphasize the importance of incremental improvements and leveraging relationships for business growth. You'll also get an insider look into search engine optimization and how it contributes to your business's authority.

In Episode 130, we dive into a fascinating conversation with David Van Beekum, one of the minds behind Tweva, a revolutionary platform that's redefining local advertising. David shares his journey from being a tech enthusiast to becoming a successful entrepreneur, and how his father's passion for sound and audio technology in the '70s influenced his career path. We delve into the complexities of building a business beyond just creating a website, as David recounts his experience in developing a unique software for small food distributors and the challenges he faced in securing a patent for it. He provides valuable insights into the patent process, highlighting the importance of uniqueness and the risks involved. The conversation takes a poignant turn as David shares the impact of his business partner and friend's sudden passing (instrumental in developing the ideas behind Tweva). He discusses the importance of networks in business and the challenges he faced in securing VC capital. Finally, we explore the concept of Tweva, a social TV channel for your city that allows community participation and offers a platform for businesses and influencers. David explains how Tweva makes it easy for businesses to advertise on local screens and how it provides a platform for sharing local, relevant content. He emphasizes the importance of creating 'infotainment' - content that is not only informative but also entertaining.

In this episode of The Builders Podcast, I, Matt Levenhagen, delve into the process of navigating change and balancing business priorities while exploring new strategies. I share my journey of starting a new YouTube series on The Builders channel, a venture that was both exciting and challenging. This series was a departure from my usual style, featuring a completely new format and approach. However, the time and effort required to produce these videos led me to reassess their impact on my overall business operations. I discuss the importance of understanding the full context of your business activities when considering new strategies. This includes acknowledging your baseline operations, the role of marketing, and the need to constantly reassess your strategies to ensure they align with your business goals. I also share my experience of adding a new SEO person to our team, a strategic decision aimed at enhancing our content strategy. In the process of exploring new content formats, I discovered the tool Veed.io and the benefits of short-form content. This led to a shift in our content strategy, incorporating lessons learned from the phased-out YouTube series. I emphasize the importance of trying new things and pushing your limits, even if it means stepping outside of your comfort zone. I also share my increased respect for YouTubers and the amount of work that goes into creating engaging content. This journey has taught me valuable lessons about time management, the value of presence in content strategy, and the importance of learning from failures or stopped initiatives. Join me as I navigate the complexities of change, explore new strategies, and provide insights on how to effectively balance business priorities and content strategy. Whether you're a business owner or a content creator, this episode offers valuable insights into managing change and making strategic decisions.

Welcome to Episode #128 where we delve deep into the heart of my business operations: time tracking. We'll pull back the curtain on how I've mastered this crucial aspect in running my web design agency efficiently. From invoicing to hourly tracking, discover how I've developed an intricate dance of cash flow, all while staying close to the numbers and enjoying the process. I share with you an inside look at our meticulous tracking mechanisms for employees and external collaborators alike. Through meticulous systems like Freshbooks and spreadsheets, you'll see how we record hours and translate this into the financial flow of the business. The takeaway? Good software and processes are key. If I can manage this, given the complexity of my agency's operations, you certainly can, too. So join me as I unravel the nuts and bolts of time tracking, an invaluable tool for running any business. I hope you enjoy the journey as much as I have. Thanks for being part of the builders' crew. Enjoy the episode!

In episode #127, I delve into a topic that's truly close to my heart: optimizing for conversions through a holistic look at website performance. This episode serves as an in-depth exploration of how every element of a website, from its loading speed to its design, influences its ability to convert visitors into customers. From an SEO perspective, we discuss the importance of site speed and reliability, and how these factors impact search rankings and bounce rates. I also shed light on the vital role that technical teams play in maintaining both the server and the website framework, underlining that you don't always need a new website—sometimes, just a fresh design will suffice. I share insights into specific optimization strategies, such as image optimization, using CDNs, and minifying, while emphasizing that sometimes an issue requires a total rethink. I underline the importance of a holistic approach to conversion optimization, explaining why every component of the website matters. Throughout the episode, I share why I'm passionate about this topic and why it's crucial for other agencies and marketers to have someone who can help their clients with their websites. Tune in to understand the intricate web of factors that influence website performance and, ultimately, conversions.

Welcome to episode #126 of my podcast where I delve into my latest adventure – launching a new YouTube series. This isn't just about a new series; it's about trying something different and stepping out of my comfort zone. It's about the pursuit of impactful content, the need for success to extend reach, and balancing the technicalities of optimization with the heart of content value. In this episode, I pull back the curtain on the process of producing the series – from leveraging AI tools for scripting, refining ideas with personal research, to experimenting with recording techniques. Unlike my previous work, where the focus was me or my guests, this time it's about other companies and their fascinating stories. From global giants like Netflix and Amazon to smaller enterprises, we'll dive into what makes them unique. Taking a step back, I also reflect on the broader context of running my business while venturing into this new territory. As you listen, you'll understand that it's not just about the end product but also the journey - the learning, the courage, the willingness to stumble, and the constant pursuit of growth. Remember, it’s not just about me, but you as well - how can you step out of your comfort zone? How can you take action today? Join me on this journey of exploration and innovation. Until next time, peace.

In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Kevin Palmieri, a successful podcaster and coach. Kevin shared his inspiring journey from job hopping and personal struggles to finding his passion in podcasting and coaching. He opened up about his early life, his dissatisfaction despite earning a high income, and the personal issues that led him to a life-changing decision. Kevin's story is a testament to the power of self-improvement and the importance of finding your passion. He talks about how he was inspired by Joe Rogan and how he started his podcasting journey with a focus on holistic self-improvement. Kevin also shares how he and his business partner have built a successful business around their podcast, offering services like coaching, podcast production, and social media management. This episode is filled with valuable insights on how to turn your passion into a profitable business, the importance of starting with your perceived area of expertise, and the power of consistency and impact in achieving long-term success. Whether you're an aspiring podcaster, an entrepreneur, or someone seeking inspiration for personal growth, this episode is a must-listen!

In Episode 124, we are joined by Rick Girard, a pioneer in transforming the landscape of recruitment. Journey with us as Rick talks about his intriguing path from an ambitious photographer to an innovative force in the hiring industry. His transition was sparked by an unplanned twist of fate during a snowboarding trip, leading him to challenge conventional wisdom and shift from relying on gut feelings to using evidence-based practices in hiring. Dive into this insightful conversation as Rick unravels the shortcomings of traditional hiring practices. He makes a compelling case for why settling for mediocrity in recruitment is detrimental and introduces an evidence-based approach that emphasizes core value alignment. Discover Rick's unique methodologies for distinguishing 'builders,' 'improvers,' and 'maintainers' during the hiring process, and learn about the potential pitfalls of 'vanity hires'. Rick also outlines his transformative interview process, highlighting the role of initial phone screens, value alignment interviews, and team interactions in creating a robust selection framework. Rick's company has revolutionized the hiring process by seamlessly integrating AI. This groundbreaking tool streamlines the recruitment process, accurately identifying whether a candidate is a builder, improver or maintainer, and assessing their alignment with company values. Tune in to learn from Rick Girard on how you can transform your hiring process and bring the best talent onboard.