GoGetters Vancouver – How to build a business that makes history
Date: February 13, 2017
Name: GoGetters Vancouver – How to build a business that makes history
Presenters: Himanshu Narang, Ryan Joseph Zokol, and Connor Beaton
Successful entrepreneurs need to acquire the necessary skills, strategies, and ideas to take their business into the next level. GoGetters Vancouver invites Himanshu Narang, the professional speaker, Ryan Joseph Zokol, the Lifestyle entrepreneur, and Connor Beaton, the Founder of ManTalks, to discuss their key lessons from supporting leading entrepreneurs to exceed their businesses. In this presentation, Himanshu Narang will share steps on making actionable decision. Ryan Joseph Zokol will share the importance of storytelling, and Connor Beaton will share his 3 pillars to build a business that lasts.
Decide Tonight
Himanshu Narang is the co-Founder of GoGetters Vancouver. He owns his own company, Himanshu Narang Inc, to help entrepreneurs produce legendary results. He was a chief business strategist for RocketFuel Digital. He won many awards, including the 2016 Graham Anderson Golden Eagle Award, and Top 9 Speakers in Canada. Moreover, he is a reliable mentor for many young entrepreneurs.
Himanshu Narang believes it is important for all entrepreneurs to complete their monthly plan. It provides directions and accountability to overall productivity, success and enjoyment. Entrepreneurs need to think about their “Past Wins”, “Not Doing Anymore”, “Celebrate Life”, and “Not Doing Now”. This exercise will help entrepreneurs to discover their top 3 priorities and 3 actions for that month.
Narang states one of the main moves that most people do not complete is decision. To help entrepreneurs make decision, Narang provides a list of questions.
- What problem will your business solve in the world?
- How will your business solve that problem better than anyone else?
- When you would have built the business of your dreams, what would your life look like? Socially? Intellectually? Financially? Physically? Spiritually?
- What are you willing to do and give (for the short / medium term), to get what you want?
- Are you ready to decide to build business that will make history?
- Are you ready to sacrifice or are you staying for status quo?
The purpose of these questions is to trigger for more inner personal questions. It will also explain the missing pieces of the puzzle. Many entrepreneurs are struggling with the last 2 questions. Many people are not willing to sacrifice their salary and saving to achieve their dreams. Sometimes, entrepreneurs need to let go of something good to get something great. When they make the decision, they need to write it down.
“I decide to build a business that will make history”
Using your story to build your business
Ryan Joseph Zokol is also the co-Founder of GoGetters Vancouver. He is also the Chief Operating Officer for Pacific Institute for Advanced Dental Education. He is a speaker and a coach to help young entrepreneurs be able to breakthrough their life obstacles. He was a Vice President of Strategy in Cerulean. Moreover, he is a gold metal champion in rowing and swimming.
In any networking event, entrepreneurs are often asked two questions: “who are you?” And “what do you do?”. Most answers are the same. They normally list their titles. Zokol believes it is important for entrepreneurs to know who they are and what their business is truly about. They are more than just making money.
There is a difference between listing accomplishments and sharing the hardship and lessons learned. It allows others to remember their values, connections, and emotions.
Zokol shares his life story. Zokol was a meth addict when he was young. His parents were divorced and his life was not going the way he wanted. Nothing was good enough for him because there was no acknowledgement. In high school, he felt empty and suffering. There was abuse in his family. He felt drug was his way of escape the reality. One day, he was checked by a police. He had two options. He could continue to escape or admit and face the demon. He took the second option. The commitment led to realization.
“From story and accomplishment, emotions are different”
Story is important. Entrepreneurs need own the past first. They need to make themselves from victim to hero in their story. They need to own their story and stand out. Everyone has a story and each story is different. That is how entrepreneurs make a difference in the world.
In business, story can set entrepreneurs apart. Story can help them build something that people care about. It frames their scarcity and dictates their values. It also creates loyal and meaningful bonds. It is more than content and a narrative.
“The world’s most successful brands do not behave like commodities and neither should you”
Story tells people what they should believe based on the signals. Signals show what entrepreneurs stand for in a complete picture.
Zokol believes story begins for entrepreneurs when customers hear their names for the first time, see their logos for the first time, visit their website for the first time, and experience about their service for the first time. It is entrepreneur’s job to give customer a story to tell.
Personal and business stories can create powerful impact. It tells the “why”, the passion, and the difference. Entrepreneurs should not downplay their stories because hardships are the most compelling.
Zokol provides a strategy to help entrepreneurs discover their story. It is called “7 levels deep”. This exercise digs down 7 whys to allow entrepreneurs discover their true “why”. It sounds simple, but it is very effective because it touches the core of their story.
Zokol lists 6 tips for storytelling.
- Must have “circumstance”, “curiosity”, “characters”, “conversation”, and “conflict”
- Stop bragging and start relating
- Spark the emotions
- Engaged through the senses
- Start in the middle
- Give the audience what matters
“Not mental problem, it is empowerment problem”
Three pillars to building a life and business that lasts
Connor Beaton is the Founder of ManTalks and the Founder of Real Talk Summit. He creates a movement that connects minded men across Canada and North America. He worked in Apple for over 3 years and his own photography for over 4 years. With his core leadership skills, he supports and mentors many young entrepreneurs. Moreover, he is an international speaker and has spoken on TEDxStanleypark and featured on HeForShe, CBC, and National Post.
When Connor Beaton was 8 years old, his parents brought him a hatchet for gift. He loved going to the background and build his own space. He would invite kids in his neighborhood to play in his secret space.
Beaton asks entrepreneurs to think about these 2 questions: “what is the title of your autobiography?” and “what do your autobiography need to be at the end of my life?”. This should capitulate their story because it defines who they really are.
Beaton was born in Edmonton, Alberta. From a divorced family, Beaton experienced two different families. He saw the opposite forces everywhere he went. He began to see it in his life, like 2 different personalities. In high school, he was miserable. He had no life goals and directions. He once worked in a gravel pit and discovered the people around them are depressed. He was worry his life would become like them. He asked his father for advice. His father left him the advice of following his passion. Beaton loved opera, he took that passion and turned it to his career. However, his life was bad. He became arrogant, stubborn and never reach out for help. He believed reaching out for help is a failure. He lived in his car for a while. Finally, he got himself up and set two goals he wanted to accomplish: go to the most impactful company (Apple), and start a business that impact the world.
Beaton believes the purpose starts with who. Entrepreneurs must understand who they are and they need to be comfortable of saying out loud. The vulnerability creates connection. Beaton develops a strategy called “Life in 90 seconds”. Entrepreneurs need to define their important moments through 90 seconds. It is a great way to engage with people. The exercise will make other entrepreneurs want to know more about them. Everything is routed to purpose.
“People buy who you are not what you know”
Entrepreneurs need to remember by knowing what to do in their jobs is just a prerequisite. Entrepreneurs cannot give others what they do not have. Therefore, self-awareness sells.
Self-awareness makes them stand out. It makes them unique. It allows entrepreneurs to discover their specific reason why they exist. The more awareness they know about themselves, the stronger they are.
Beaton often asks himself, “what is true about your life now that would make your 8-year-old self cry?”. Whatever entrepreneurs are not doing right now, they need to shift. They need to align with their purpose. Often their message is similar to their primary message when they are young.
The 3 purpose pillars are freedom, fulfillment, and contribution. Beaton uses these 3 pillars for his decision making. Beaton believes it is the simplest way to live. It is the foundation of choosing. Beaton will create his virtuous vision. Beaton suggests entrepreneurs to go out to native and explore.
Fulfillment is important. Nobody wants to start a business they hate. Money is not the primary factor. If entrepreneurs choose money, they might look successful, but they are miserable. Passion is the fuel. Success is a combination of purpose and fulfillment.
“Chase fulfillment first, money follows”
Beaton believes motivation is not the answer. People think they need motivation, but their brain will avoid it because the brain is structured to stay comfortable. Inspiration is the key because real change only happens in inspiration or desperation.
Most entrepreneurs have a “Do” list, but not “Be” list. “Be” list is what makes entrepreneurs who they are. They tend to forget about the “Be” list. Many entrepreneurs tend to peddling potential. They sell themselves on potentials, but deep down, they do not have it at all. Beaton recommends entrepreneurs to sell where they are right now. People only cares who they are at that moment. Beaton believes in “heterodox”. If entrepreneurs do the right thing, people will follow.
Entrepreneurs should stop doing what they hate. Beaton suggests them to outsource these activities to someone else. They need to focus on making their own legacy. They need to understand what others want to remember them at the end of their lives. Often people only tend to “get by”, but they need to look more further.
The ultimate currency is human connection. Human connection is the single most important thing in business. No matter what, human connection is not avoidable. Beaton had a golden salary at Apple. When his business was able to support himself and others, he took the chance and chase his dream. Beaton suggests young entrepreneurs to build the net first, then leap.
“Build the net first, then leap”
