The Visionary Chronicles

Visionaries | Thomas Edison

The Visionary Chronicles Podcast
CHRONICLE: February 22nd, 2023
“I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work.” – Thomas Edison
Visionaries | Thomas Edison
There are many great quotes on failure and the barriers you must overcome to succeed, but few resonate from such great leaders, the Visionaries.
Not a one-hit wonder but a generational success; luck is usually not part of the formula, just hard work, knowledge, and persistence.
Only a few true Visionaries have graced our planet, and even fewer today than in the past. These Visionaries, Rockefeller, Carnegie, JP Morgan, Ford, Einstein, Edison, and Jobs, contributed significantly to our way of life today.
Having discussed a few, I would like to discuss the greatest inventor of all time, Thomas Edison. Think of our world without music, voice communication, movies, or light. Yet, only a few know that Edison was also the father of the innovation process through teamwork.
Edison invented life-altering products like electric power, voice communications, sound recording, and motion pictures. These inventions included the phonograph, the motion picture camera, and the electric light bulb, and each has had a lasting impact on our world!
He established his first laboratory facility in Menlo Park, New Jersey, where many of his early inventions were developed. Over his desk Edison displayed a placard with Sir Joshua Reynold's  quotation: "There is no expedient to which a man will not resort to avoid the real labor of thinking." This is an awesome quote, and when you are looking for continual inspiration, it is best to have one which reflects what the average person aspires to achieve and never realizes, versus those who have impacted our world, the Visionaries. I am always curious as to what, or who inspired these great Visionaries, and finding a quote such as this provides some insight.
Throughout his life, Edison did not always find success, even though his products provided life-changing solutions, such as DC power. The DC world would soon turn to AC, supplied by Tesla. The fight for control would become legendary and involve some of the most powerful men in the world, such as JP Morgan. Eventually, AC would win out and provide the current electrical grid.
Edison would later establish a botanical laboratory in Fort Myers, Florida,  with businessmen Henry Ford and Harvey S. Firestone and a laboratory in West Orange, New Jersey, that featured the world's first film studio, the Black Maria. Imagine the mastermind power of Edison, Ford and Firestone. A legendary team!
With 1,093 US patents in his name and in other countries, Edison is regarded as the greatest inventor of our time. Edison married twice and had six children. He died in 1931 due to complications from diabetes.
True Visionaries impact not only our life but generations beyond, which is why there are so few. Edison was a legendary Visionary, inventor, and Idea generator. He carved the path for others to follow, but few, if any, will ever match his impact on our lives.
 
Stay True, Stay Authentic, be Different, and be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
 
Bryan Smeltzer, President
LiquidMind Inc.
 
#TheVisionaryChroniclesPodcast
#TheVisionaryBrandBook
 
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
 
 © All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2023
 
 
Bryan Smeltzer is a consumer products business executive and entrepreneur. He has held executive-level roles in business development, product, and marketing with some of the world's most prestigious brands, including; Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, and Schutt Sports, among other international brands. He also founded a men’s apparel brand, successfully running a profitable business for ten years, eventually selling to a VC firm.
 
He also hosts a Podcast called The Visionary Chronicles, and recently finished his first bestselling book, The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands, and recently received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for BEST Non-fiction, Marketing Genre book.
He is also a member of the Board of Advisors at UCI’s BCIE along with their New Venture Program, an Innovation Advisor at the UCI’s Applied Innovation program at the Cove, a Mentor/Advisor to UCLA’s Price Center Venture Accelerator Program, and a Mentor/Advisor at the San Diego Sports Innovators Accelerator (SDSI) center.
Bryan oversees LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that partners with start-ups and established mid to large-cap consumer brands to empower businesses to think differently, be different, drive a passionate culture, and execute relentlessly.
You can contact or  follow him at;
 
 bryan@LiquidMindsite.com
  @bryansmeltzer33
 @bryan_smeltzer
 @bryansmeltzer
 linkedin.com/in/bryansmeltzer/

Brand Loyalty | Understanding the Loyalty Loop

The Visionary Chronicles Podcast
CHRONICLE: January 25th, 2022
Content from…
The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World's Most Visionary Brands.
Readers Favorite Award Winner; Top Marketing Book
Amazon Bestseller
"The foundation stones for a balanced success are honesty, character, integrity, faith, love, and loyalty.”
                                                        Zig Ziglar
 
 
Brand Loyalty | The Loyalty Loop
Brands that understand the value of a customer and how to provide value beyond selling products are the ones that become generational, not transactional.
An authentic strategy around “how” you will provide value consistently and genuinely is vital to building loyalty with your Community. You noticed I did not say “Customer” but “Community.” Brands that understand the difference between the two are the ones who understand how their product affects a Community. You are building a Community of customers loyal to “Your” brand as a result of your continual flow of premium products, incremental or disruptive, that allow your Community to gain a performance edge or enhanced lifestyle experience.
As I have mentioned previously, Ralph Lauren once said, “we are selling a lifestyle, not a product,” and this rings true today. Before DTC/e-comm, brands were beholden to retailers to provide the ultimate experience you were hoping your Community would be loyal to over generations. Instead, it became a retail buying experience without any value beyond the product; in other words…transactional.
Before brands embraced the Loyalty Loop, customers were shoved through the purchase funnel, and you would move on to the next transaction. Today, brands can not afford to disengage after purchase; this is when brands must proactively provide “value beyond product.” So there are three principal components to the Loyalty Loop, which occurs post-purchase.
ENJOY, the Product
ADVOCATE, the Brand
BOND, with the Community
Brands that understand Community and the context of why it is imperative to create, grow, and authentically engage will be rewarded with significantly higher lifetime customer value!It is a fact that you can provide value to your Community that will allow them to “become” A, better runner, better swimmer, better triathlete, better football player, or any sport where improvement makes you more competitive this is the key to brand success. And guess what? This additional value has nothing to do with the product, and it has to do with providing support to use the product effectively and support with no ulterior motive.
As a brand, do not be so short-sighted that you lose your Community to gain a customer—lifetime value vs. transactional consumer.
Provide Value beyond Product, and become Community focused and authentic in all you do!
 
Stay True, Stay Authentic, be Different, and be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
 
Bryan Smeltzer, President
 LiquidMind Inc.
 
#TheVisionaryChroniclesPodcast
#TheVisionaryBrandBook
 
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
 
 © All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2023
 
 
Bryan Smeltzer is a consumer products business executive and entrepreneur. He has held executive-level roles in business development, product, and marketing with some of the world's most prestigious brands, including; Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, and Schutt Sports, among other international brands. He also founded a men’s apparel brand, successfully running a profitable business for ten years, eventually selling to a VC firm.
He also hosts a Podcast called The Visionary Chronicles, and recently finished his first bestselling book, The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands, and recently received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for BEST Non-fiction, Marketing Genre book.
He is also a member of the Board of Advisors at UCI’s BCIE along with their New Venture Program, an Innovation Advisor at the UCI’s Applied Innovation program at the Cove, a Mentor/Advisor to UCLA’s Price Center Venture Accelerator Program, and a Mentor/Advisor at the San Diego Sports Innovators Accelerator (SDSI) center.
Bryan currently oversees LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that partners with start-ups and established mid to large-cap consumer brands to empower businesses to think different, be different, drive a passionate culture, and execute relentlessly.
 
You can contact or  follow him at;
e-Mail | bryan@LiquidMindsite.com
 Facebook | @bryansmeltzer33
 Instagram | @bryan_smeltzer
Twitter |  @bryansmeltzer
 LinkedIn | linkedin.com/in/bryansmeltzer/
 
 

Steve Jobs | Leadership Lessons

The Visionary Chronicles Podcast
CHRONICLE: January 26th, 2023
 
" Sometimes, when you innovate, you make mistakes. It is best to admit them quickly and get on with improving your other innovations."
                                                                                                    Life from Steve Jobs
Steve Jobs | Leadership Lessons
 
There have been many books written on Steve, and I believe I have read every one. His life is so unique and impactful it is hard to wrap your arms around all that he accomplished in such a short time.
Success is never accomplished alone but rather through others who execute the leader's Vision. Steve had a special knack for “seeing the future” and “what could be”. Few leaders over the last several centuries have had this type of intuition. Vision is driven by Visionaries, those who can see what others cannot, those who are committed to realizing their vision through others and can see it through. See it through, as you will face many barriers and failures along the path to category disruption. This is what Steve was consistently looking to achieve, simple Sophistication through disruptive products, services, processes, or technologies. Michelangelo was also a great Visionary.
So how did Steve manage to keep this disruptive, innovative product pipeline flowing for generations? As a result, most of us still use them every day and are considered indispensable!
Steve would have a method to his genius and follow a fairly consistent process.
Pure Focus, identify your core consumer, and simplify your product mix.
Simple Sophistication, if you have to read the owner’s manual, it is too difficult.
Own the Vision, take first-hand responsibility for commercializing the Vision.
Breakaway Products, when you are behind leapfrog with a disruptive product or process.
Innovation before Profit, understanding that product drives revenue, and customer loyalty to a brand.
Ownership, give power to the team, but understand the why?
Reality Distortion, bend reality wherever possible, and convince others of the future.
Perception is Reality, ensure all the details are working out and part of the overall product presentation. First impressions and experiences are everything.
Perfection, do not cut corners. Packaging IS important.
A+ Only, no B players allowed. To achieve perfection, those who understand how to complete it should be on the team.
No e-mails, face-to-face is the best way to bring the Vision to reality.
Bring in the Misfits, those who are creative, not technical, and can provide the insight for simple Sophistication.
Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish, always be looking for the next generation, the next disruption. Stay ahead of the curve.
These principles are timeless, and everyone can take some part in these to build a better brand, a more passionate culture, and insanely great products. Take the time to commit to the Vision, and don’t compromise. This is not what Great brands do.
Stay True, Stay Authentic, be Different, and be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
 
Bryan Smeltzer, President
 LiquidMind Inc.
 
#TheVisionaryChroniclesPodcast
#TheVisionaryBrandBook
 
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
 
 © All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2023
 
 
Bryan Smeltzer is a consumer products business executive and entrepreneur. He has held executive-level roles in business development, product, and marketing with some of the world's most prestigious brands, including; Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, and Schutt Sports, among other international brands. He also founded a men’s apparel brand, successfully running a profitable business for ten years, eventually selling to a VC firm.
 
He also hosts a Podcast called The Visionary Chronicles, and recently finished his first bestselling book, The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands, and recently received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for BEST Non-fiction, Marketing Genre book.
He is also a member of the Board of Advisors at UCI’s BCIE along with their New Venture Program, an Innovation Advisor at the UCI’s Applied Innovation program at the Cove, a Mentor/Advisor to UCLA’s Price Center Venture Accelerator Program, and a Mentor/Advisor at the San Diego Sports Innovators Accelerator (SDSI) center.
 
Bryan currently oversees LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that partners with start-ups and established mid to large-cap consumer brands to empower businesses to think differently, be different, drive a passionate culture, and execute relentlessly.
 
You can contact or  follow him at;
 
 bryan@LiquidMindsite.com
 @bryansmeltzer33
 @bryan_smeltzer
 @bryansmeltzer
 linkedin.com/in/bryansmeltzer/

The Visionary Brand | Premium Positioning | Finding your Brand Positioning

The Visionary Chronicles Podcast
CHRONICLE: January 18th, 2023
 
"Just say NO to COMMODITY!"
                                                                   Tom Peters, The Circle of Innovation
 
Content from…
The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World's Most Visionary Brands
Readers Favorite Award Winner! Top Non-fiction, Marketing Genre Business Book
Amazon Bestseller!
 
Premium Positioning | Finding your Brand Positioning
Positioning is a cornerstone piece of defining your brand strategy. Having described your brand's position in the marketplace, you will have determined your point of difference vs. your competition, how future products will enter your selected distribution channel, and what type of products will fit into your portfolio.
Each of these foundational questions is part of your positioning strategy. Within each question are deep-rooted answers which will direct your path as you move forward.
With Positioning, you are either premium or commodity, with a sprinkling of some brands in the middle of the road. Defined as "good," "better," or "best," Positioning, your objective should be to be the "best," or at the very least at the top tier of "better," but NEVER "good"! This is where the commodity companies, notice I said commodities and not brands, play, and you do not want to play in the bloody water—too many sharks and not enough food or margin to be successful. Go where the water is clear, and no one fights over scraps. Granted, this is more difficult, as these waters are more vast, but it will support your success long-term. This is why being DIFFERENT is critical to a brand's success, not worrying about competition, and finding ways to stay ahead of the innovation curve and disrupt wherever possible.
When establishing the Positioning for your Brand, several questions must be asked.
What are we Selling?
Who are we Selling to?
Where are we Selling?
How do we want to be Perceived?
Each of these sets a foundation for your Vision to where your brand can travel and what paths are prohibited. Travel down these paths and succeed, veer off course and fail. Your choice!
24/7
With data being consumed by your customers 24/7, how does a brand cut through the clutter? Once you have defined your Positioning, you need to set a cohesive, vertical strategy that allows you to engage with your community, build an authentic audience, and enable them to be a part of your growth. Remember, it is better to have ten authentic ambassadors of your brand than 1,000 who are not committed to supporting your Vision.
With 35-40 touchpoints a day, it is critical to have a set plan, a clear, cohesive strategy understood by all who are empowered to execute its success.
Once you have set your Positioning and determined your 24/7 marketing strategy, it is critical to ensure you stay the course, do not sell out, take shortcuts, or maneuver off course. When a brand decides to pursue these, they end up having to put the brand in reverse, and they also damage community loyalty and the equity of all brands.
So as you set your course, start your Journey, stay True to who you are, define your brand culture, reward those who contribute to your success and never look in the rearview mirror. Keep blazing the path for others to follow.
 
Stay True, Stay Authentic, be Different, and be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
 
Bryan Smeltzer, President
LiquidMind Inc.
#TheVisionaryChroniclesPodcast
#TheVisionaryBrandBook
 
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
 
 © All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2023
 
Bryan Smeltzer is a consumer products business executive and entrepreneur. He has held executive-level roles in business development, product, and marketing with some of the world's most prestigious brands, including; Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, and Schutt Sports, among other international brands. He also founded a men's apparel brand, successfully running a profitable business for ten years, eventually selling to a VC firm.
 
He also hosts a Podcast called The Visionary Chronicles. In addition, he recently finished his first bestselling book, The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World's Most Visionary Brands. He recently received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for BEST Non-fiction, Marketing Genre book.
 
He is a member of the Board of Advisors at UCI's BCIE along with their New Venture Program, an Innovation Advisor at the UCI's Applied Innovation program at the Cove, a Mentor/Advisor to UCLA's Price Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation, and the UCLA Media, Entertainment and Sports programs, and the San Diego Sports Innovators Accelerator (SDSI) center.
 
Bryan currently oversees LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that partners with start-ups and established mid to large-cap consumer brands to empower businesses to think differently, be different, drive a passionate culture, and execute relentlessly.
 
 bryan@LiquidMindsite.com
  @bryansmeltzer33
 @bryan_smeltzer
 @bryansmeltzer
 linkedin.com/in/bryansmeltzer/
 
 

The Visionary Brand | Brand Positioning | Selling Your Soul

The Visionary Chronicles Podcast
CHRONICLE: January 11th, 2022
 
"I put my heart and my soul into my work and have lost my mind in the process.."
                                                                                                     Vincent Van Gogh
 
Brand Product Positioning | Selling Your Soul
 
Over the years, we have seen brands come and go, each with a different reason for not surviving. But most, if not all, have made the crucial mistake of Selling their Soul.
This happens when a brand has carefully crafted a premium positioning in their respective marketplace and then decided to sell out and move into a channel their loyal customers did not expect or create a product not up to the brand's standards, much less the customer. So you end up Selling Your Soul for either short-term gain in exchange for long-term pain. Being a brand is much a lifestyle translation as it is a product. When you understand this, you know why you alienate your loyal community by cutting corners or putting your product where it does not belong.
The fear of failure can sometimes outweigh common sense, which is devastating when it happens. I am sure there are many times when you ask yourself, "whatever happened to that brand?". Often, Selling Your Soul is a fatal mistake. You are selling your Soul to make a quarter in revenue, move excess inventory, or find a new distribution channel. There is a way for a brand to navigate these waters successfully, but you must not drown in the process.
So what are the Rules for not Selling Your Soul?
Never go somewhere you do not belong. If you are premium, stay premium.
Never make an inferior product. If you are best in class, stay best in style.
Never let someone else out-innovate you. Always out-innovate yourself, not the competition.
 
Each of these points is meant to stop you from losing your Soul as a brand. This is something not given, but it is earned. The trust of your loyal customer, never break this bond.
 
Stay True, Stay Authentic, be Different, and be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
 
Bryan Smeltzer, President
 LiquidMind Inc.
 
#TheVisionaryChroniclesPodcast
#TheVisionaryBrandBook
 
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
 
 © All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2023
 
 
Bryan Smeltzer is a consumer products business executive and entrepreneur. He has held executive-level roles in business development, product, and marketing with some of the world's most prestigious brands, including; Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, Schutt Sports, among other international brands. He also founded a men’s apparel brand, successfully running a profitable business for ten years, eventually selling to a VC firm.
 
He also hosts a Podcast called The Visionary Chronicles, and recently finished his first bestselling book, The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands, and recently received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for BEST Non-fiction, Marketing Genre book.
He is also a member of the Board of Advisors at UCI’s BCIE along with their New Venture Program, an Innovation Advisor at the UCI’s Applied Innovation program at the Cove, a Mentor/Advisor to UCLA’s Price Center Venture Accelerator Program, and a Mentor/Advisor at the San Diego Sports Innovators Accelerator (SDSI) center.
Bryan currently oversees LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that partners with both start-ups and established, mid to large-cap consumer brands to empower their businesses to think different, be different, drive a passionate culture, and execute relentlessly.
You can contact or  follow him at;
 
 bryan@LiquidMindsite.com
  @bryansmeltzer33
 @bryan_smeltzer
 @bryansmeltzer
 linkedin.com/in/bryansmeltzer/
 
 

GUEST | David Meltzer

The Visionary Chronicles Podcast
CHRONICLE: December 13th, 2022
Podcast: Special Guest | David Meltzer
“I haven’t met a single successful person who hasn’t failed miserably.” – David Meltzer 
 
We have a special guest on this week’s Podcast, David Meltzer. David has been a guest across many high-profile media platforms such as Entrepreneur, Ted X, ESPN, and Forbes, where he is a Top 10 Speaker.
These are just a few high-profile media outlets David has been a guest on, too many to mention. In addition, David also hosts the popular shows Office Hours, the Two Minute Drill and is the host of the Playbook Podcast.
His life mission is to empower OVER 1 BILLION people to be happy! I am not sure where David finds the time, but I am glad he is so committed to these principles, as he has impacted so many lives along the way.
David was our guest on The Visionary Chronicles Podcast, and we were able to ask him many intriguing, visionary questions and gain insight into what motivates him. In addition, David provides invaluable advice for Entrepreneurs and life lessons for those going through difficult times. He had achieved success and lost over 100M dollars, but was able to attain generational success again miraculously. Quite a story and we were privileged to have David take the time to tell his story.
Opening
Where did you grow up, and how did that affect whom you became?
Business
Who would you say is a Visionary, and Why?
Visionaries, at some point, are Entrepreneurs. So what’s the most challenging part of being an Entrepreneur?
What would be the one piece of advice you would give to someone just starting on their Entrepreneurial Journey?
If you could have dinner with one person, dead or alive, who would it be, and why?
Life
What's the most important lesson you've learned in life?
What is your biggest passion?
What keeps you up at night?
Day to Day
What are you not very good at?
What is your favorite book, and why?
The Playbook Podcast
What made you want to create The Playbook Podcast?
What's your most successful episode, and why do you think you did well?
Ending
What's your favorite quote?
You can find more information on David, his shows, and his podcast at;
DMeltzer.com
Email David at; david@DMeltzer.com
He also provides a FREE Friday Training Course, and you can find out more information at; https://free.dmeltzer.com/friday-training-1
 
Thanks once again to David Meltzer for stopping by The Visionary Chronicles.
 
Stay True, Stay Authentic, be Different, and be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
 
Bryan Smeltzer, President
LiquidMind Inc.
#TheVisionaryChroniclesPodcast
#TheVisionaryBrandBook
 
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
 
 © All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2022
 
Bryan Smeltzer is a consumer products business executive and entrepreneur. He has held executive-level roles in business development, product, and marketing with some of the world's most prestigious brands, including; Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, and Schutt Sports, among other international brands. He also founded a men's apparel brand, successfully running a profitable business for ten years, eventually selling to a VC firm.
He also hosts a Podcast called The Visionary Chronicles. In addition, he recently finished his first bestselling book, The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World's Most Visionary Brands. He recently received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for BEST Non-fiction, Marketing Genre book.
He is a member of the Board of Advisors at UCI's BCIE along with their New Venture Program, an Innovation Advisor at the UCI's Applied Innovation program at the Cove, a Mentor/Advisor to UCLA's Price Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation, and the UCLA Media, Entertainment and Sports programs, and the San Diego Sports Innovators Accelerator (SDSI) center.
 
 
Bryan currently oversees LiquidMind Inc., (LiquidMindsite.com) a global brand strategy firm that partners with start-ups and established mid to large-cap consumer brands to empower businesses to think differently, be different, drive a passionate culture, and execute relentlessly.
Bryan's Contact Info...
e-mail:  bryan@LiquidMindsite.com
 Facebook: @bryansmeltzer33
Instagram; @bryan_smeltzer
 Twitter: @bryansmeltzer
 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/bryansmeltzer/

Brand Bloodlines | Be The Best

 
 
Podcast: Brand Bloodlines | Be The Best
"A brand for a company is like a reputation for a person. You earn a reputation by trying to do hard things well."
                                                                                                     Jeff Bezos
Perception becomes a reality, but this reality must be carefully crafted, honed, and managed each day as a true, authentic brand. Challenging, yes, but this is why there are so few premium brands in our world.
By design, to be a brand, you must BE a brand. Being a brand means living a lifestyle representative of what you want your Brand to stand for in the real world. I often quote Ralph Lauren, but his statement is true; "We are NOT selling a product; we ARE selling a Lifestyle." What an enlightening quote that should be shared by all who hope to become a brand at one point.
So these Bloodlines that are the makeup, the DNA of premium brands go well beyond product and must be injected into all aspects of the Brand. You can not be a great, premium brand with a superior product but horrible customer service. The result is an awful experience for your loyal customer and is a clear disconnect to becoming a premium brand. The Bloodlines of an excellent brand stretch into all aspects of your company; operations, finance, customer service, marketing, product, and sales.
A great analogy is Lamborghini, the ultimate car brand that has finely crafted its premium positioning, and everyone knows it, even those who have not purchased their machines. However, as powerful and beautiful as they are, they do not realize the ultimate performance their cars can produce if they are not finely tuned. The experience does not match the messaging, which would be an apparent disconnect.
Be the Best! Good, better, or best, your choice, but if your goal is to be premium, you must commit to being the Best in everything you do. Not just product, but everything! This is a challenge most companies are not committed to, and again why there are so few true, premium brands. Far too many companies overlook the simple things that most customers do not. It is the difference between a four vs. a five-star resort. It makes your customers loyal and provides the "stickiness" to keep them returning. What separates the Good from the Best? It is a relentless, ongoing commitment to the Best at all levels within your Brand and sustaining that as long as the Brand is alive. The foundation is destroyed as soon as you break this link within the Brand.
So what are some of these Bloodline traits to being the Best;
 
Commit to being the best at levels inside your Brand.
Inject a Passion, and set a Vision all can share.
Never take Shortcuts. The storms will pass.
Empower your Teams to Succeed.
Want Premium, be Premium.
 
These are just some areas where Visionary brands have consistently been committed to succeeding within and outside their brands. It is a difficult challenge, but stay committed, be true to your Vision, and you will eventually succeed. Rome was not built in a day, it is a long haul, but the treasure awaits those who are committed to seeing it through.
 
 
Stay True, Stay Authentic, be Different, and be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
 
Bryan Smeltzer, President
LiquidMind Inc.
#TheVisionaryChroniclesPodcast
#TheVisionaryBrandBook
 
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
 
 © All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2022
 
 
 
 
Bryan Smeltzer is a successful consumer products business executive and entrepreneur. He has held executive-level roles in business development, product, and marketing with some of the world's most prestigious brands, including; Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, and Schutt Sports, among other international brands. He also founded a men's apparel brand, successfully running a profitable business for ten years, eventually selling to a VC firm.
 
He also hosts a Podcast called The Visionary Chronicles. In addition, he recently finished his first bestselling book, The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World's Most Visionary Brands. He recently received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for BEST Non-fiction, Marketing Genre book.
He is a member of the Board of Advisors at UCI's BCIE along with their New Venture Program, an Innovation Advisor at the UCI's Applied Innovation program at the Cove, a Mentor/Advisor to UCLA's Price Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation, and the UCLA Media, Entertainment and Sports programs, and the San Diego Sports Innovators Accelerator (SDSI) center.
Bryan currently oversees LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that partners with start-ups and established mid to large-cap consumer brands to empower businesses to think differently, be different, drive a passionate culture, and execute relentlessly.
 
 bryan@LiquidMindsite.com
  @bryansmeltzer33
 @bryan_smeltzer
 @bryansmeltzer
 linkedin.com/in/bryansmeltzer/
 
 

Leadership Formula | The New Leadership Principles

"Leadership is the capacity to translate Vision into reality."
                                                            Life from Warren Bennis
Podcast: Leadership Formula | The New Leadership Principles
The new Leadership Formula is driven by the ability of a leader to motivate their teams to passionately embrace a Vision for the long-term benefit of the brand.
The formula is not about being the nicest leader or someone with a singular compassion for all. It is finding the one who can skillfully understand the needs and motivations of others and turn this into an engine of progress and eventual pride for all. Being a respected leader is the goal, but few achieve this status. Most are either unwilling to be humble enough to share credit, smart enough to know what they don't know, or compassionate enough to understand what drives others vs. themselves.
Knowledge is not what makes great leaders who understand how to empower people and give all the gratitude and praise to others—a leader who embraces others, not themselves. A truly great leader understands that for a Vision to be realized, it must be adopted by all and shared by all until its completion. The Vision is to know that by empowering others, you are empowering yourself to accomplish greater things than you would realize. So take off the cape, understand your limitations and embrace the power of empowering others to succeed!
Understanding everyone has different motivations, and usually low on the list is monetary compensation vs. personal acknowledgment of a job well done. Finding the balance is critical for great leaders, and a mix that maximizes everyone's potential and builds passion across your entire team, everyone working together accomplishing a singular goal.
The new Leadership Formula is comprised of many elements; following are a few;
The Perception vs. Reality; be real, ALL the time. Inevitably you will stop pretending, and trust will be broken.
The Ladder; they help team members climb the Ladder to success, vs. pulling it out from underneath them.
The Development; provide the tools required for others to succeed.
The Social Side; be human. Your team is human; treat them like one. Great leaders are great communicators.
The Orchestra; you are the leader of many, each with a distinct skillset. Help them make beautiful music.
The Pressure; great leaders absorb and distribute Pressure. Ensure you are not unloading on others. Distribute carefully and with purpose.
I am often asked if great leaders are born. This may be both true and false, but I feel inherently great leaders are born with the ability to lead, be compassionate, and absorb Pressure, and the other traits are learned. So the balance is they are born with the required leadership skills.
However, you can understand what is needed to be a great leader, be committed to these traits, be authentic, and be real, and your team will reward you with their loyalty!
 
Stay True, Stay Authentic, be Different, and be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
 
Bryan Smeltzer, President
LiquidMind Inc.
#TheVisionaryPodcast
#TheVisionaryBrandBook
 
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
 
 © All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2022
 
Bryan Smeltzer is a successful consumer products business executive and entrepreneur. He has held executive-level roles in business development, product, and marketing with some of the world's most prestigious brands, including; Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, and Schutt Sports, among other international brands. He also founded a men's apparel brand, successfully running a profitable business for ten years, eventually selling to a VC firm.
 
He also hosts a Podcast called The Visionary Chronicles. In addition, he recently finished his first bestselling book, The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World's Most Visionary Brands. He recently received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for BEST Non-fiction, Marketing Genre book.
 
He is a member of the Board of Advisors at UCI's BCIE along with their New Venture Program, an Innovation Advisor at the UCI's Applied Innovation program at the Cove, a Mentor/Advisor to UCLA's Price Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation, and the UCLA Media, Entertainment and Sports programs, and the San Diego Sports Innovators Accelerator (SDSI) center.
Bryan currently oversees LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that partners with start-ups and established mid to large-cap consumer brands to empower businesses to think differently, be different, drive a passionate culture, and execute relentlessly.
 
 bryan@LiquidMindsite.com
  @bryansmeltzer33
 @bryan_smeltzer
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