Ep 87: Kaizen - The Concept of Continuous Improvement

Today Michael and Kathryn discuss the book "The Spirit of the Purple Cow" by Seth Godin, which focuses on being different and remarkable to stand out in today's world. They explained the concept using the example of a purple cow being needed to capture attention, as ordinary cows no longer inspire interest. The discussion highlights how traditional marketing methods are less effective, and they emphasize the importance of passionate obsession in creating memorable and distinctive experiences. Michael and Kathryn explore the concept of creating distinctive and remarkable products or experiences in business, drawing on examples from various industries and discussing how traditional marketing methods are becoming less effective. Highlighting successful examples like Apple and Trader Joe's, they emphasize the importance of passionate customer advocacy and the role of "sneezers" in naturally spreading product awareness through word-of-mouth and social media. The discussion concludes with insights on niche retail strategies and the value of taking calculated risks to differentiate oneself in the marketplace. Building Bigger Lives Podcast https://www.instagram.com/buildingbiggerlives Contact Coach Michael Regan- www.facebook.com/CoachMichaelRegan www.instagram.com/coachmichaelregan/ www.linkedin.com/in/mregan/ Contact Kathryn Pedersen- http://www.instagram.com/steamboatmortgage

In today’s episode of the Building Bigger Lives Podcast, Brian Manning, a 27-year mortgage industry veteran, shares his career journey, which began at age 22 when he managed the Bahama Out Island Travel Network, a scuba diving travel reservation company in the Bahamas. He learned about the internet for the first time when a customer from Texas found cheaper rates online for Atlantis Paradise Island, prompting him to explore new technologies. Despite his initial success, Brian decided to pivot to the mortgage industry, where he has since built a successful career, recently transitioning to Cross Country Mortgage. He discusses his transition from South Florida to Boulder, Colorado, and his shift from transactional to relationship-driven real estate practices, emphasizing the importance of authentic connections and mentorship. Brian shares his plans to expand his business through relationship development and systematic processes, while also launching a podcast to explore the challenges faced by high-producing individuals across various domains. His approach to learning and growth is characterized by a relentless curiosity and a focus on continuous improvement, as he aims to attend conferences outside the industry to expand his horizons. Building Bigger Lives Podcast https://www.instagram.com/buildingbiggerlives Contact Coach Michael Regan- www.facebook.com/CoachMichaelRegan www.instagram.com/coachmichaelregan/ www.linkedin.com/in/mregan/ Contact Kathryn Pedersen- http://www.instagram.com/steamboatmortgage

Michael and Kathryn discuss the theme of their podcast episode, which focuses on the fall season's shift in economic events and market conditions, encouraging listeners to reflect on their business plans and goals. They explore the importance of reviewing past commitments and goals, emphasizing the need to adapt and plan for the future. Michael shares his approach of helping clients reconnect with their New Year's business plans, while Kathryn highlights the value of reflection, planning, and celebration during this time of year. Building Bigger Lives Podcast https://www.instagram.com/buildingbiggerlives Contact Coach Michael Regan- www.facebook.com/CoachMichaelRegan www.instagram.com/coachmichaelregan/ www.linkedin.com/in/mregan/ Contact Kathryn Pedersen- http://www.instagram.com/steamboatmortgage

In this episode of the Building Bigger Lives podcast, Michael and Kathryn explore the Japanese business philosophy of Kaizen, which means "good change" or "change for the better." Kaizen promotes continuous improvement through incremental changes. They explore historical examples from Toyota and personal experiences shared by Michael's family. They also discuss the practical application of Kaizen principles, particularly the 5S framework, and emphasize how these concepts can be adapted across various industries to improve efficiency and productivity. The conversation concludes with a focus on the importance of waste reduction and standardization, while encouraging listeners to adopt a mindset of continuous improvement in both their personal and professional lives. Building Bigger Lives Podcast https://www.instagram.com/buildingbiggerlives Contact Coach Michael Regan www.facebook.com/CoachMichaelRegan www.instagram.com/coachmichaelregan/ www.linkedin.com/in/mregan/ Contact Kathryn Pedersen http://www.instagram.com/steamboatmortgage

Today The Building Bigger Lives podcast welcomes Mike Newmann, a Southern Oregon leader and former baseball coach, who shares his career transition from coaching to financial services and discusses his leadership development journey. Newmann details his experiences in managing teams, handling market challenges, and implementing innovative loan programs while emphasizing the importance of personal growth and maintaining positive influences. The episode concludes with discussions about leadership, personal development, and the value of authentic self-expression, with Mike and the hosts emphasizing the need to protect one's mental space and stay true to their unique paths. Building Bigger Lives Podcast- https://www.instagram.com/buildingbiggerlives Contact Coach Michael Regan- www.facebook.com/CoachMichaelRegan www.instagram.com/coachmichaelregan/ www.linkedin.com/in/mregan/ Contact Kathryn Pedersen- http://www.instagram.com/steamboatmortgage

In this episode of the Building Bigger Lives podcast, Michael and Kathryn discuss the concept of to-do lists and their effectiveness in managing tasks. They explore the process of brain dumping, where thoughts and tasks are written down to clear mental clutter. Michael explains the Eisenhower Matrix as a tool for organizing tasks into quadrants based on urgency and importance. Kathryn shares her preference for shorter, focused to-do lists, while Michael emphasizes the importance of prioritizing tasks and using strategies like the Eisenhower Matrix to make decisions. They also touch on the challenge of distinguishing between “urgent but unimportant” tasks and “important but non-urgent” ones. The discussion concludes with emphasis on the need for clear processes and role definition when expanding from a solopreneur to a team-based model, along with regular updates to not-to-do lists as team dynamics change. Building Bigger Lives Podcast- https://www.instagram.com/buildingbiggerlives Contact Coach Michael Regan- www.facebook.com/CoachMichaelRegan www.instagram.com/coachmichaelregan/ www.linkedin.com/in/mregan/ Contact Kathryn Pedersen- http://www.instagram.com/steamboatmortgage  

In this episode of Building Bigger Lives, Michael and Kathryn welcome back John Donnelly, a returning guest and Executive Director of Sales at Service First Mortgage, to discuss his continued journey of learning and growth. John shares that after reading "The 12 Hour Walk" by Colin O'Brady, he embarked on a similar challenge, which marked a significant turning point in his personal and professional development. John shares his preparation for and completion of a solo climb of Mount Kilimanjaro. He describes his experiences with training, team support, and the challenges faced during the climb, emphasizing the importance of taking small steps and building confidence. John's adventures have led to unexpected opportunities and connections, and he encourages others to explore new experiences and discover their potential through gradual progress. He emphasizes his passion for continuous learning and adventure, highlighting how these experiences have shaped his leadership style and approach to challenges in the housing industry. Building Bigger Lives Podcast- https://www.instagram.com/buildingbiggerlives Contact Coach Michael Regan- www.facebook.com/CoachMichaelRegan www.instagram.com/coachmichaelregan/ www.linkedin.com/in/mregan/ Contact Kathryn Pedersen- http://www.instagram.com/steamboatmortgage  

Kelly Zitlow is our guest in this episode of the Building Bigger Lives podcast. Kelly has developed the “Sunshine Warrior” community, movement, and podcast. Kelly shares her personal journey and the origins of the "Sunshine Warrior" concept, which evolved from a source of comfort during her mother's battle with cancer into a trademarked brand focused on positivity and support. She discusses her own challenges as an introvert, particularly her struggles with public speaking, and how she overcame them through determination and practice. Kelly also shares insights about her parents' contrasting personalities and her vision for the mortgage industry's future, emphasizing the importance of embracing personal identity while adapting to technological changes. Kelly emphasizes that the Sunshine Warrior movement is not about death or tragedy but about lifting people up in challenging times, and she recently launched a podcast to spread this message further. Building Bigger Lives Podcast- https://www.instagram.com/buildingbiggerlives Contact Coach Michael Regan- www.facebook.com/CoachMichaelRegan www.instagram.com/coachmichaelregan/ www.linkedin.com/in/mregan/ Contact Kathryn Pedersen- http://www.instagram.com/steamboatmortgage  

Clayton Collins, CEO of HousingWire, shares his career journey from financial services to acquiring the company in 2016, driven by his family's background in housing and his passion for working with entrepreneurs. He outlined Housing Wire's transformation from a print magazine to a digital media company, including strategic acquisitions and expansion into new segments while emphasizing the importance of providing timely and accurate information to housing professionals. The discussion covered the company's approach to media and events, highlighting their role in fostering relationships and serving as a neutral platform in the housing ecosystem, with a focus on continuous improvement and strategic growth. Building Bigger Lives Podcast- https://www.instagram.com/buildingbiggerlives Contact Coach Michael Regan- www.facebook.com/CoachMichaelRegan www.instagram.com/coachmichaelregan/ www.linkedin.com/in/mregan/ Contact Kathryn Pedersen- http://www.instagram.com/steamboatmortgage  

In today’s episode, Kathryn and Michael discuss the role of AI in personal and professional development, exploring how AI tools like ChatGPT can enhance creativity, productivity, and problem-solving. Kathryn shares her experiences using AI for tasks such as summarizing podcasts, creating meal plans, and generating content ideas, while Michael highlights how AI can serve as a creative companion and a tool for capturing and analyzing information during coaching sessions. They emphasize the importance of asking strategic questions to leverage AI effectively and encourage listeners to reflect on how AI can support their unique needs and skills. The episode concludes with plans for future discussions on AI's evolving role. Building Bigger Lives Podcast- https://www.instagram.com/buildingbiggerlives Contact Coach Michael Regan- www.facebook.com/CoachMichaelRegan www.instagram.com/coachmichaelregan/ www.linkedin.com/in/mregan/ Contact Kathryn Pedersen- http://www.instagram.com/steamboatmortgage