The Visionary Chronicles

Life Balance | How to Balance Leadership & Life

EPISODE 134
CHRONICLE: November 10th , 2023
 
Life Balance | How to Balance Leadership & Life
" Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.” – Confucius
 
Many Leaders we talk about within our LiquidMind Leadership Sessions have difficulty balancing Leadership and Life. The issue is widespread in leaders but hard to correct. I find most leaders either do not realize they have a problem until someone hits them over the head, or they fear falling behind; they can’t stop a fast-moving train. If you do not try, you will eventually crash and burn; it is not a matter of “if” but “when.” I have seen it play out too many times.
Balancing Leadership and Life can be challenging, but with consistent and dedicated planning, effective time management, and taking care of yourself through the process, it is possible to achieve a balance.
Through our Leadership Sessions with LiquidMind, I have found the following to be Priorities for finding Leadership and Life balance.
Boundaries |
Establish clear boundaries between work and personal time. Avoid checking work emails or taking work calls during your Personal Boundary time. Just Don’t Do It!
Communicate when you are available and when you are not.
Prioritize |
Identify your most important tasks, prioritize them, and do them daily. Stick to the priorities, and do not go off course.
Delegate tasks that others can handle.
Focus |
Focus, use time management techniques such as time blocking to organize your tasks and stay focused.
Schedule breaks during your workday to prevent burnout. Meditate, and find your quiet space.
Delegate |
Trust your team and delegate tasks. This frees your time and empowers others.
Stressless |
Incorporate mindfulness, such as meditation or deep breathing exercises. These practices help reduce stress and improve focus.
Organized |
Handwrite to-do lists that connect mind and body. Stay organized.
Review your schedule and adjust your priorities as needed.
Goals |
Set goals for yourself and your team. Keeping accurate and realistic expectations can lead to stress and burnout.
Health |
Prioritize your physical and mental health. Exercise regularly, maintain a balanced diet, and get enough sleep.
Family |
Make time for your family and friends.
Be PRESENT, and avoid thinking about work-related issues.
Learning |
Assess your Leadership and Life balance and adjustment as needed. What works for you now may need to be adapted in the future.
 
Remember that achieving Leadership and Life balance is an ongoing process that requires self-awareness, adaptability, and effective communication.
Evaluate your priorities and make priority choices to ensure that you dedicate time and energy to your professional and personal life.
Remember, once the hourglass of time runs out, you can not turn it over and start again!
Enjoy Your Life, Find Balance!
 
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, ranked as the #1 Visionary and Top 50 Marketing Podcasts by Feedspot, 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;
 
 email | bryan@LiquidMindsite.com
 Facebook | @bryansmeltzer33
 Instagram | @bryan_smeltzer
 X | @bryansmeltzer
LinkedIn | linkedin.com/in/bryansmeltzer/
 
 
 
 

Failures | Fail Faster Succeed Sooner

 
EPISODE 132
CHRONICLE: November 1st, 2023
 
Failure | Fail Faster Succeed Sooner
"My great concern is not whether you have failed, but whether you are content with your failure."
                                                                                 Wisdom from Abraham Lincoln
 
Failure is not fatal, but if you do not embrace Failure and make it a part of your Culture, it can prevent you from realizing your Vision.
Many companies profess to be "Innovative" yet squash any new out-of-the-box thinking that disrupts the company's status quo and your business category. Therefore, embracing your failures, learning from them, and adapting to move your IDEAs from paper to people is crucial.
Commercializing your IDEA is the inevitable goal, but if the product you envisioned does not match reality, there will be issues with your community and the brand itself. If you are to be a leader, you must embrace Failure and Risk to create what others may not have thought of or felt was impossible. Otherwise, you are truly just a commodity. Having the courage to do what is right for the brand is what all Visionaries have in common. Beyond product, beyond Culture, is sticking to your Foundational Principles, which drive your brand forward.
The brands that continually drive innovation embrace Failure as a learning experience and will be the ones to survive any storm. Look at history, and you will see brands that have failed and those who are still with us today. A common thread, stronger than steel, is the will to create what others said was impossible. This challenge brings out the passionate courage in all Visionaries and the satisfaction of proving others wrong. 
Remember Edison's famous quote when inventing the light bulb.
 
"I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work…."
 
Imagine if Edison had given up at so-called "Failure" on try 9,998? A different world than we live in today. Thankful for his Vision and perseverance not to give up!
What are these Failure Stepping Stones to eventual Success?
Take Risks | No great product has ever been realized without Risk.
Embrace Risks | Different than taking a Risk is embracing Risk as part of your Culture.
Fail Faster | Assume Failure will happen and is necessary to create Truly revolutionary products.
Succeed Sooner | By Embracing Risk, and Failure, you are on a path to Success.
Failure is inevitable when creating anything great! So embrace Failure and Risk and be rewarded with generational products and a culture committed to Success.
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, ranked as the #1 Visionary and Top 50 Marketing Podcasts by Feedspot, 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;
 
email |  bryan@LiquidMindsite.com
 Facebook |  @bryansmeltzer33
Instagram |  @bryan_smeltzer
 X | @bryansmeltzer
LinkedIn | linkedin.com/in/bryansmeltzer/

Visionaries | Thomas Edison

EPISODE 131
CHRONICLE: October 25th, 2023
Visionaries | Thomas Edison
"Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration." – Thomas Edison
 
Thomas Edison was one of, if not the greatest, inventor of our time. He has over 1,000 patents for his inventions and played a critical role in shaping the world we live in today. His legendary ongoing persistence to commercialize his innovations led to the development of electric power, modern communication, and motion pictures.
Edison grew up in Port Huron, Michigan, and despite hearing problems at an early age, he showed an early interest in experimenting and product innovation. This interest led Edison to invent some of the world’s most significant innovations.
Some of Edison’s greatest creations;
Phonograph (1877)
Although most do not use one today, one of Edison's most significant inventions was the phonograph, the first device capable of recording and reproducing sound. This invention revolutionized the music and entertainment industries. The classic “vinyl” records and phonographs are still coveted today
Electric Light Bulb (1879)
Edison's development of the incandescent light bulbs brought illumination to the world. Although he did not invent the light bulb, he improved the design significantly, making it commercially viable. In commercializing the light bulb, it led to one of Edison’s most famous quotes;
"I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work." – Thomas Edison
Electric Power Distribution:
Edison created the development of the electric power distribution system. He laid the foundation for the electric utility industry, allowing electricity to be generated in power stations and distributed to homes and businesses still used today.
Motion Pictures (1891-1895):
Edison realized the development of motion pictures. He also invented the kinetoscope, an early motion picture exhibition device, along with the kinetoscope parlors, where people could watch short films. He would go on to build the world's first film production studio, the Black Maria.
Storage Batteries:
Edison created storage batteries, which had various applications, including electric vehicles. His work in this area laid the foundation for future advancements in battery technology.
Telegraph Improvements:
Edison commercialized the first telegraph, making it both efficient and reliable. These inventions in telegraphy were precursor growth of long-distance communication.
In his final years, Edison focused on experimental research. He created a research laboratory in West Orange, New Jersey, where he and his team worked on numerous projects. Edison continued to innovate on new ideas until his death.
Thomas Edison passed away on October 18, 1931, in West Orange, New Jersey, leaving a legacy of innovation and entrepreneurship. His contributions have had a lasting impact on the modern world, and he is remembered as one of the greatest inventors in history.
Although you may not be an Edison, you can be inspired by his relentless pursuit of greatness! Edison had a Vision no one else had, and it was up to him to realize this Vision no one else could see except him.
Take inspiration from Edison. We are fortunate to have had him and can relive his greatness through history.
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, ranked as the #1 Visionary and Top 50 Marketing Podcasts by Feedspot, 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/
 
 
 

The Visionary Brand | The Product Vision | 6 Steps to Executing Your Vision

EPISODE 130
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast
CHRONICLE: October 18th, 2023
 
Content from Bryan’s new Award Winning, Bestselling Book
The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World's Most Visionary Brands.
2022 Readers Favorite Award Winner: Best, Non-fiction, Marketing book
Amazon Bestseller.
THE VISIONARY BRAND | The Product Vision | 6 Steps to Executing Your Vision
 
" There’s a way to do it better…find it.” – Thomas Edison
 
The ability of a brand to establish, stick to, and have a consistent ideation and product lifecycle process is vital to long-term success.
Truly Visionary brands are the ones who understand the need to do away with the past to bring in the new, an innovation pipeline that sustains their “best-in-class” positioning. The “process” takes an authentic commitment from the top down.
I am not talking about a traditional lifecycle process where competitor's products are thrown on a table, and the product team is asked to create something better. I am talking about genuinely revolutionary thinking and execution.
I often say there is nothing more frustrating for a designer than to develop beautiful, disruptive creations to have them watered down to play it safe. The best example is concept car designers who, with their best intentions and efforts, pen out revolutionary designs that are scrapped for incremental improvement.
As Seth Godin says, “Safe if Risky!.” What a great quote! It does not resonate with those who are commodity companies and explains why there are so few “true” brands in our world! Risk is required to create a revolution and disrupt your category.
So what is your Product Vision, one that carries you for generations? If you can not answer this question, I would suggest this be an immediate priority. Playing “imitator” by copying competitor's products does not move you ahead; playing “integrator” by incrementally improving does not move you ahead of yourself, much less the competition; playing “innovator” is your key to unlocking generational success. Yes, it is risky, but so is playing it safe!
So what are the top 6 areas to establishing your Product Vision?
Innovate, don’t Imitate
Create Breakaway products
Build a Drawdown pipeline
Lead through Extinction
The brand is the Product
Take Risks, Break Things!
 
Establishing a Product Vision, a process that has carried you for decades will provide generational success. Make this a priority in your Visionary leadership, communicate this Vision constantly, and engrain it into your Culture!
 
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, ranked as the #1 Visionary and Top 50 Marketing Podcasts by Feedspot, 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.
 
With the release of the book, Bryan has created The Visionary Brand MasterCourse. The Master Course site at The VisionaryFiles.com includes a Master Course with 18 Video Learning segments and almost 2 hours of Visionary lessons training. Over the past 5 weeks, we have had over 1,500 brand leaders and Entrepreneurs take the Master Course! Unleash your potential as a brand leader and take the Master Course.
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;
 
email|  bryan@LiquidMindsite.com
Facebook |  @bryansmeltzer33
Instagram |  @bryan_smeltzer
 X  | @bryansmeltzer
 LinkedIn | linkedin.com/in/bryansmeltzer/
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Business Success | Key Areas to Succeeding in Your Business or Brand

CHRONICLE: October 11th, 2023
 
Business Success | Key Areas to Succeed in Your Business
 
"Success is not final, failure is not fatal, it is the courage to continue that counts.” –                           
                                                                                                                 Winston Churchill
The ability to build a successful company/brand has several inherent traits. Each has proven itself throughout generations. Those who follow a path already created will find the road forward easier than those who choose to create a new one.
I have found, through having founded my brand and working side-by-side with executive teams from many global brands (Nike, Adidas, Puma. TaylorMade. etc.), each has followed these steps in one way or another. Following or eventually finding the path others have created was crucial for building a thriving business.
 The following factors were integral pieces of the puzzle when looking at the path these brands followed.
 
The IDEA | Every successful brand has started with an IDEA. However, the ones who have created value, defined their POD and built a product roadmap are the ones who are thriving today.
The TEAM | Building a team with complementary skills that can self-manage and are proactively solving problems is a winning formula. Also, they provide continual feedback and encouragement and are HUMBLE by choice.
The PRODUCT | Every great, successful brand has had a great product. However, successful people have executed their product roadmap to ensure long-term viability. No ONE HIT wonders allowed!
The SALE | ensures you have a plan, process, and story to tell that differentiates you from the competition.
The FULFILLMENT | Risk management vs. risk recognition. All successful brands ensure they can fulfill their PROMISE. They have built a logistics/operations platform that executes seamlessly.
The LUCK | Many successful brands were at the right place at the right time. They rode this wave and never stopped.
The PIVOT | Most have had to Pivot in one way or another at least once, but no more than two times.
The EXPERIENCE | Brand positioning, marketing, engagement, and fulfillment are all executed perfectly!
"Before anything else, preparation is the key to success.…"
                                                                                     Alexander Graham Bell
 
With digital e-comm and consumer attention spans shorter and expectations higher, you need to follow these principles others have followed successfully.
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, ranked as the #1 Visionary and Top 50 Marketing Podcasts by Feedspot, 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;
 email | bryan@LiquidMindsite.com
 Facebook | @bryansmeltzer33
Instragram |  @bryan_smeltzer
 X | @bryansmeltzer
LinkedIn |  linkedin.com/in/bryansmeltzer/

Brand Community | How to Build a Brand Social Following

The Visionary Chronicles Podcast
CHRONICLE: September 27th, 2023
 
Brand Community | How to Build a Brand Social Following
 
"The most important thing in communication is hearing what isn't said.” – Peter Drucker
 
Building a Brand Community is an effective way to engage with your customers, create loyalty, and a group of brand advocates who can help promote your products or services.
Building your Community requires precise brand positioning, diligence, consistent voice, values, and Vision.
 
Here are several steps to help you build a brand Community of Followers:
Define Your Brand and Values:
Clearly define your brand identity, values, and mission. What does your brand stand for, and what is its purpose? This will help attract like-minded individuals to your Community.
Know Your Audience:
Understand your target audience and their needs. What are their interests, preferences, and pain points? Knowing your audience is crucial for tailoring your Community to their interests.
Choose the Right Platform:
Select the appropriate platform for your Community. It could be a social media group, a dedicated forum on your website, a mobile app, or a combination of these. Choose a platform where your target audience is active.
Create Valuable Content:
Share high-quality, relevant content that resonates with your Community. This can include blog posts, videos, infographics, or other forms of content that provide value and encourage discussions.
Engage and Interact:
Actively participate in the Community by responding to comments, asking questions, and encouraging discussions. Show that you value your community members' input and opinions.
Encourage User-Generated Content:
Encourage community members to create and share content related to your brand. This can include reviews, testimonials, photos, and stories. Recognize and reward outstanding contributions.
Offer Exclusive Benefits:
Provide exclusive benefits to community members, such as discounts, early access to products, or special events. This gives them a reason to join and stay active in the Community.
Create a Sense of Belonging:
Foster a sense of belonging and Community among your members. Use inclusive language and make them feel like they are part of something special.
Moderate Effectively:
Implement clear community guidelines and moderate the Community to ensure a positive and respectful environment. Address any issues or conflicts promptly and fairly.
Host Events and Activities:
Organize online and offline events, webinars, workshops, or meetups that allow community members to connect with each other and your brand.
Listen and Adapt:
Pay attention to feedback and suggestions from your Community. Use this input to improve your products or services and adjust the community experience.
Measure Success:
Set clear goals for your brand community and track key metrics, such as engagement levels, membership growth, and user-generated content. Adjust your strategies based on the data.
Evolve:
As your brand community grows, evolve your strategies to meet changing needs and preferences. Be open to trying new approaches and experimenting with different engagement tactics.
Celebrate Milestones:
Recognize and celebrate community milestones and achievements. This can include anniversaries, reaching a certain number of members, or successful campaigns.
Promote Advocacy:
Encourage community members to become brand advocates by sharing their positive experiences with your brand outside the Community, such as on social media or through reviews.
Building a brand community takes time and consistent effort. It's essential to create a brand journey environment where members feel valued and connected to your brand's values and Vision. Over time, a strong brand community can become a powerful partner for your business, helping you build lasting relationships and driving long-term growth.
 
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, ranked as the #1 Visionary and Top 50 Marketing Podcasts by Feedspot, 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;
 
 email | bryan@LiquidMindsite.com
 Facebook | @bryansmeltzer33
Instagram | @bryan_smeltzer
X |  @bryansmeltzer
LinkedIn |  linkedin.com/in/bryansmeltzer/
 
 
#BrandCommunity, #BuildingACommunity,#BrandVision, #Vision, #creatingVision, #Visionaries, #disruption, #productstrategy, #BrandLifestyle, #Creators, #ElonMusk, #oakley, #jimjannard, #stevejobs, #theVisionarychroniclespodcast, #theVisionarychroniclespodcast, #theVisionarybrandbook, #brandtips, #brandingprinciples,
#theVisionarybrand,
 
 

The Visionary Brand | The Culture Matrix | Leadership

EPISODE 127
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast
CHRONICLE: September 20th, 2023
 
Content from Bryan’s new Award Winning, Bestselling Book
The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World's Most Visionary Brands.
Readers Favorite Award Winner: Best, Non-fiction, Marketing book
Amazon Bestseller.
 
THE VISIONARY BRAND | The Culture Matrix | Leadership
 
" Culture is the widening of the mind and of the spirit” - Jawaharlal Nehru
 
To be a Brand, you must first understand yourself, who you are, and what you do, then engrain a singular voice around these principles and apply this to every segment of your business. In other words, creating an authentic Culture, driven through a passionate Team and Community collectively realizing your Vision.  
Brands who embrace this authentic Culture are often led through Servant leadership. Servant leadership is proactive and self-sacrificing and leads to a cohesive team loyal to a brand's long-term growth. Many brands, such as Patagonia, are committed to being Servant leaders and giving back whenever and wherever possible. The commitment is carried through in their brand culture;
 
“Patagonia supports environmental organizations with bold, direct-action agenda, and a commitment to long-term change.”
 
What an awesome cultural statement that reflects Servant leadership and consistent brand voice. The Vision of Patagonia through founder Yvon Chouinard’s eyes and carried through the brand and its team's bloodlines! A passion that has led to one of the world’s most successful and admired brands, a Vision to be a Servant leader, and to build a Culture that lasts for generations.
For your brand, Servant leadership can be carried through serving others without any hidden agenda for the betterment of the brand, employees, or customers on a global scale. By engraining Servant leadership into your Culture, a brand can better communicate its values and Vision to those looking to join your Tribe. However, always keep it authentic, real, and value-driven; this is the anchor of Servant leadership.
Another cultural value that meshes with Servant leadership is Character. A leader's Character, which consistently follows through at all levels of your brand, builds loyalty and trust across your team. A leader with character issues often drives inconsistent or unauthentic leadership. Authentic Character is a Foundational principle of Visionary leaders, and once it is broken, the entire foundation of a brand starts to crack. If severe enough, the whole brand may crumble; this is how vital Character is to a brand’s viability. It is not the brand's success that builds a great team; it is the consistent Vision, Character, and Servant leadership of its Visionary!Diversity and Values leadership are additional areas required to create a solid brand Culture. Most brands fall short in these areas, not for lack of trying but not understanding the importance of maintaining both principles. You can’t simply pick and choose when you are committed to these principles; you need to be 100% committed once they are set. To say one thing and do another creates confusion, breaks trust, and reduces loyalty. While at Oakley, we had a “take no prisoners” attitude, which bled through the entire brand culture and showed throughout our Community. We were the Visionaries, the category leaders, and we knew it. We were cocky and had an attitude. Best in class, or nothing!
Can you honestly say you understand “who you are and your culture?” If not, get to work and define it. Otherwise, you are a rudderless boat with no sense of direction or destination.
Anchor yourself and your brand in Servant leadership first, with consistent Character, defined Values, and brand Diversity.
So, in conclusion, in order to build a Culture that lasts for generations, and is tangible, authentic and genuine you must have the following;
Servant Leadership
Leadership Character
Diversity of People, Opinions and Roles
Value Driven Principles
These are anchors to the foundation of any great brand, and a Culture which sustains and maintains its passion to succeed.
 
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, ranked as the #1 Visionary and Top 50 Marketing Podcasts by Feedspot, 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
 Facebook |  @bryansmeltzer33
Instagram |  @bryan_smeltzer
X |  @bryansmeltzer
 LinkedIn | linkedin.com/in/bryansmeltzer/
 
 
 

The Visionary Brand | The Power Triad | Product, Marketing & Sales | PART II

The Visionary Chronicles Podcast
 
Content from Bryan’s new Award Winning, Bestselling Book
Te Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World's Most Visionary Brands.
Readers Favorite Award Winner: Best, Non-fiction, Marketing book
Amazon Bestseller
THE VISIONARY BRAND | The Power Triad (PART II)
 
"Stay hungry, stay foolish." – Steve Jobs
 
This quote from Steve is a passionate plea for creators never to be satisfied with the status quo. Always ask "Why” and “How” and search for answers to questions others have not yet asked. In response to these questions, find a way to separate your brand from the status quo; you need a transparent, cohesive process to ensure the greatest ideas become a reality!
In this podcast, I want to further our discussion on The Power Triad, the three engines that keep a brand thriving; Product, Marketing & Sales. Bringing insanely great products to market is a process, a method to the madness. You will often create a product when there seems to be no demand. The supply and demand problem, what to do, and how to do it?
When the Power Triad determines opportunities to disrupt or reinvent how a product works or how a  process provides a solution, this is the front end of the ideation process. The Ideation process is driven by and led by the Product and Marketing teams, each responsible for a critical ingredient to a brand's ongoing success formula, starting with a premium product, commercialized when ready, not by Marketing but by the product team. When the Power Triad process is not followed correctly, when marketing gets ahead of Product, or Sales get ahead of Marketing, whatever the breakdown, it always leads to a disaster.
One real-life disaster, a case study in my new book The Visionary Brand, is when Under Armour, driven by my marketing success in its early years, decided to enter a new market, football cleats—a category without core expertise. During the commercialization process, marketing had committed a campaign budget to a specific release date, which the Product team had not signed up to. Although the Product team was not on board with releasing the Product, Marketing had commitments, and they took the lead with a product not ready for primetime. The release was a product disaster, having to return most of what was released. The real damage was related to trust and authenticity, which take decades to earn, and weeks to lose.
Lesson learned through the following formula.
Great Product + Great Marketing = SUCCESS
Wrong Product + Great Marketing = FAILURE
When building your Power Triad, ensure they follow the process; Product to Marketing to Sales. There is input from each core group along the way, with most being in the front end of ideation, but Product must commercialize the Product, Marketing must market the Product, and Sales must Sell the Product. Simple but challenging for most brands to commit to and follow through.
In my new award-winning and bestselling book, The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World's Most Visionary Brands, I reference Breakout or Breakdown. You can either Breakout, where each needs each through Interdependence, or Breakdown, where each needs itself through Independence. The Power Triad is an Interdependent group of cross-functional team members working towards a singular goal. To crush the competition!
Build a great Power Triad team, and give them the Independence to be Interdependent on one another—the formula for success in building a generational product pipeline and loyal brand following.
 
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, ranked as the #1 Visionary and Top 50 Marketing Podcasts by Feedspot, 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;
email |  bryan@LiquidMindsite.com
Facebook |  @bryansmeltzer33
Instagram |  @bryan_smeltzer
 X | @bryansmeltzer
LinkedIn | linkedin.com/in/bryansmeltzer/