Bradley always emphasizes a critical piece of advice: never trust a coach who doesn’t have a coach. His commitment to personal and professional growth has led him to invest in his development consistently. Recently, he returned from a mastermind session in Tampa, Florida, hosted by Chad Cannon and other esteemed leaders. This diverse group of business owners from across the country and various industries has been a source of immense learning for Bradley. Today, Bradley shares six key lessons from his time in Tampa, structured to provide high-level insights followed by detailed explanations.
Six: The Value of Community
Bradley has always believed in the power of community, especially in the business world. Despite the incredible advancements in artificial intelligence, he maintains that nothing can replace the experience of being in a room with other like-minded individuals, sharing ideas, and learning from one another. He recalls a challenging week in Austin, Texas, where personal commitments almost prevented him from attending the mastermind session. However, Chad Cannon’s insistence on his presence made Bradley realize the importance of being part of a community. Once in Tampa, he immediately felt the positive impact of being surrounded by other business owners, gaining perspectives he wouldn’t have had otherwise.
Five: My Business Isn’t as Unique as I Think It Is
One of the most humbling realizations for Bradley was understanding that his business wasn’t as unique as he thought. Across various industries and revenue levels, from marketing consulting firms to multi-million-dollar enterprises, the fundamental principles of business remain the same. Bradley witnessed a fellow mastermind member sell his company for eight figures while they were at the event. This reinforced the idea that core business principles—like messaging, problem-solving, team-building, and customer retention—are universal. By learning from others and applying these principles to his own business, Bradley realized the importance of not becoming too insular and instead embracing broader business fundamentals.
Four: The Need for Truth Tellers
Every business owner needs truth tellers—those who aren’t afraid to offer candid feedback. Bradley spoke highly of a mastermind member known for his brutal honesty. This individual’s willingness to speak uncomfortable truths made Bradley reflect on the value of having such voices in his life and business. During a session where another group was harshly critiqued on their numbers, Bradley felt the tension but also recognized the necessity of such truthfulness. It’s this level of honesty that pushes businesses to grow and improve, and Bradley aspires to cultivate similar truth-telling relationships within his network.
Three: You Can’t See the Label from Inside the Jar
This lesson ties closely with the previous ones, highlighting the necessity of external perspectives. Bradley went into the mastermind with specific ideas about his business’s constraints. However, the group’s feedback redirected his focus to issues he hadn’t considered. This experience underscored the importance of seeking outside opinions to identify and address the real challenges in a business. Bradley emphasizes that being too close to one’s business can obscure critical issues, making external input invaluable.
Two: Know Your Numbers
One of the most intense moments of the mastermind revolved around the importance of knowing one’s numbers. Bradley recounts the experience of a highly successful business owner being pressed on their understanding of key metrics. Despite their success, there was a disconnect between their current knowledge and the data they needed to achieve their future goals. This session reinforced for Bradley the necessity of having a deep, precise understanding of business metrics. Knowing your numbers is crucial for making informed decisions and steering a business towards its objectives. Inspired by this, Bradley plans to share a detailed guide on the essential numbers every CEO should know in an upcoming podcast episode.
One: Land and Expand
The concept of “land and expand” resonated deeply with Bradley. This approach, common in the tech industry, involves acquiring customers and then expanding the relationship to increase their value. Bradley appreciates this framing as it aligns with the broader business strategy of acquisition, ascension, and retention. Landing new customers and expanding within their business is a straightforward yet powerful way to drive growth. This lesson reminded Bradley of the importance of continually finding ways to provide more value to existing customers while seeking new ones.
Your Takeaways
Bradley’s time in Tampa reaffirmed the significance of community, the universality of business principles, the need for truth tellers, the value of external perspectives, the critical nature of knowing one’s numbers, and the power of the “land and expand” strategy. These six lessons serve as a blueprint for any business owner looking to grow and succeed. Hopefully, they inspire you to invest in your development and seek the support and wisdom of a like-minded community.
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BRADLEY HAMNER
Bradley is a Business Growth Coach and Value Builder consultant, empowering entrepreneurs to become architects of their own success. He shares his revolutionary BlueprintOS methodology, unlocking businesses’ true potential and driving remarkable achievements.