Listen Now

Our team likes to keep up on current events, like the Cubs making it to the World Series (still freaking out inside) and obviously what’s going on in the world of presentations and communication. We were so delighted to have come across an amazing Harvard Business Review article – Your Presentation Needs a Punchline. We did a little digging and found ... Read MoreThis post Annette Ferrara on Laughing, Being Vulnerable, and Telling a Great Story appeared first on SquarePlanet.

Chances are, you deleted countless emails from your inbox today from email lists you regret signing up for. I’m also willing to bet it’s because the message is too complicated, or the content just isn’t relevant. Simplicity is key to communicating effectively, and nobody does this better in emails than Phil Nguyen of the Daily Water Cooler. The DWC is a ... Read MoreThis post Phil Nguyen on Simplicity and the Pink Flamingo appeared first on SquarePlanet.

I had the fortunate opportunity to interview the one and only Ann Handley a while back for our old podcast, Maximizing Opportunity—which we’re pivoting into our new podcast called Making Waves coming in November (more on that next week). Ann Handley is one of my most favorite people, not only because she is a rockstar at what she does, but because she lovingly calls ... Read MoreThis post Ann “Dude” Handley Shares Advice on Fear & Marketing appeared first on SquarePlanet.

In this episode of Maximizing Opportunity, Brian and Derek chat about presentation resources they use at SquarePlanet. Their guest, Joe Pulizzi—Founder of Content Marketing Institute, shares his insight on how those resources can help to craft meaningful stories, and ultimately bring your presentation to the next level. For more on Presentation Resources, be sure to watch: Orange – Lesson 6: Presentation Resources  This post Presentation Resources with Joe Pulizzi of Content Marketing Institute appeared first on SquarePlanet.

Making your presentation look good can be quite the task! You say you’re not creative? Bularchy! There are several ways to enhance your presentation with design. Join Brian and Derek as they discuss how to approach setting up your next presentation. Derek shares his number one tip for presenters, which is not what you’d expect. Find out the story behind one of Derek’s ... Read MoreThis post Nick Haas of Orbit Media Studios on Design appeared first on SquarePlanet.

In this episode of Maximizing Opportunity, Brian and Derek take on one of the most common mistakes people make when communicating: being selfish. As natural as selfishness is, people often forget that truly connecting with their audience means going beyond your own interests and approaching things from their audience’s perspective. Our guest this time around is Sam Parker, author of ... Read MoreThis post Sam Parker of GiveMore.com on Avoiding Selfishness appeared first on SquarePlanet.

This episode of Maximizing Opportunity tackles one of the fastest growing social networking sites around: LinkedIn. From building professional networks to sharing and curating content, Brian and Derek explore how LinkedIn can help both individuals and businesses reach new audiences and build meaningful relationships.  Our guest is author, speaker, and emerging LinkedIn guru Robbie Abed. Robbie is the Director of ... Read MoreThis post How to Master LinkedIn with Robbie Abed appeared first on SquarePlanet.

Ultimately, productivity means getting the job done in a passionate, clutter-free manner. In this episode of Maximizing Opportunity, Brian and Derek talk about the fundamental practices, tools, and mindsets that will both increase your own productivity and make you a more conscious leader. Joining us is a man well versed on this topic: Rand Stagen of the Stagen Academy in ... Read MoreThis post Improving Productivity With Rand Stagen of the Stagen Academy appeared first on SquarePlanet.

In this edition of Maximizing Opportunities, Brian and Derek talk about the parallels between good music and good presentations, and how in both arenas fortune truly favors the bold. Our special guest for this episode is a songwriter, producer and real-deal rockstar of the band Better Than Ezra: Kevin Griffin. We also get good vibes and insight from one of ... Read MoreThis post Kevin Griffin of Better Than Ezra on Music and Presentations appeared first on SquarePlanet.

Developing our personal style gives us the opportunity to show the world who we are and what we stand for. From individual expression to workplace influence, Brian and Derek chat all things fashion in our latest episode of Maximizing Opportunities. Our guest Tim Lyons, President of Haggar Clothing Company, shares insight and inspiration on the topic. Finally in product review ... Read MoreThis post The Importance of Clothes with Tim Lyons of Haggar Clothing Company appeared first on SquarePlanet.

In this episode of Maximizing Opportunity, Brian and Derek focus on something that most of us love to have but often hate to talk about: Money. The world of personal finance can be daunting. People understand saving money and planning for the future is important, yet they might not know where to start and end up avoiding the issue all ... Read MoreThis post Dan Hall of the Standard + Tom Gardner of The Motley Fool Talk Money appeared first on SquarePlanet.

This episode of Maximizing Opportunity puts love out in the open. Brian and Derek explore why it’s not uncommon to see people showing displays of love—from the man hug to talking about the things you love—but why are we so hesitant, inside the walls of a corporate structure, to express love? To say things like, I love you… I care ... Read MoreThis post Marc Landsberg of Social Deviant + Ellona Ferson of Lovendar Talk Love + Business appeared first on SquarePlanet.

This episode of Maximizing Opportunity shines a light on relationships. No, not the romantic kind! Brian and Derek feature several stories and interviews with a focus on being connected with people. A flashback to Brian’s past reveals why the name Todd will impact every Todd he meets, and how he unofficially changed one Todd’s name to Eddie. He then shows his appreciation for the ... Read MoreThis post Building Strong Relationships with Tristan Smith of Transamerica + Gretchen Hoffman of Paperwoven appeared first on SquarePlanet.

On this episode of Maximizing Opportunity, Brian and Derek discuss the importance of Contrast.  Brian starts with a story about a 3.2 magnitude earthquake that struck LaGrange, IL back on November 4th, 2013 at 12:35pm. The importance? It’s not what anyone expected! This is contrast… this is one SquarePlanet’s core beliefs. Derek explains how SquarePlanet does things to stand out ... Read MoreThis post Contrast in Business with Tony Lenhart of Sales Empowerment Group appeared first on SquarePlanet.

In this episode of Maximizing Opportunity, Brian and Derek discuss culture. Brian speaks to his affinity for Inc.com and their encyclopedia entry regarding corporate culture, and how everything we do, and the things we believe, really means that you’re either part of the team or you’re not. Referencing several examples of corporate culture, Derek highlights Apple, Inc. as his favorite–speaking ... Read MoreThis post Shaping Company Culture with Jeff Sinelli of Which Wich appeared first on SquarePlanet.

In this episode of ‘Maximizing Opportunity’ Brian Burkhart and Derek Rudel of SquarePlanet talk about maximizing opportunity with technology. They are later joined by Matt and Ani from ReaLync, a real-estate app which is changing the way people are buying and selling space. The episode wouldn’t be complete without a review; in this episode Derek speaks to his experience with Sonos, a ... Read MoreThis post Growth and Technology with Matt Weirich + Ani Rangarajan of ReaLync appeared first on SquarePlanet.

In this episode of ‘Maximizing Opportunity’ Brian Burkhart and Derek Rudel of SquarePlanet Presentations + Strategy talk about maximizing opportunity with meetings and travel. They are later joined by Pete Allen, Senior Vice President of Sourcing Operations at Novation. The episode wouldn’t be complete without a review; in this episode the team speaks to their experience with apps from Expedia, ... Read MoreThis post Meetings + Travel with Pete Allen of Novation appeared first on SquarePlanet.

In the inaugural episode of ‘Maximizing Opportunity’ Brian Burkhart of SquarePlanet talks about maximizing opportunity with automation. He is later joined by Brent Stack, Principal and Founder of Social Leverage out of Irving, TX. The episode wouldn’t be complete without a review; in this episode Brian speaks to his experience with Dropbox, a leading file-hosting service.  This post Automation in Business with Brent Stack of Social Leverage appeared first on SquarePlanet.