Soar Higher With Jason Ballard

If you have been in business for a while, and you feel like you’ve lost control, this conversation with James Grant may provide you with a lifeline. This week, we talk about how to channel stress into success with James, attorney and co-founder of the Georgia Trial Attorneys. James’ law practice is far from typical: he and his team act as an outsourced litigation department for firms whose caseload is too great to see cases through trial. How James carved out a profitable niche in a crowded market, and the lessons we can take away from his success, is the focal point of today’s episode. Important stops on today’s flight include:
Red Ocean vs. Blue Ocean: Are you doing business in the aggressive “red” sea, where competition is tight and clients come and go quickly. Or are you in the “blue” ocean, where you set sail for calmer, uncharted waters away from the crowd? The framing of that sentence may give this away, but we talk about which sea may be a smoother one for you and your business.
From stress to success: James shares how he differentiated his company from the crowd, and how he keeps his competitive edge in business.
Hire cheap, hire twice: James advises leaders to consider their outsourcing partners with the same degree of skepticism (and attention) that they would give their own hires.
Show Links/ Social Links
LinkedIn: Jason Ballard - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-ballard-795a0587/
LinkedIn: Soar Higher - https://www.linkedin.com/company/soar-higher-business-solutions/
Soar Higher Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/soarhigherjasonballard
Soar Higher Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCazXTUWfddwR9blL-3KUG_A
Website: www.soarhighercoaching.com
Guest Links
Website: https://www.gtakg.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/georgia-trial-attorneys-at-kirchen-&-grant-llc/

Is there a law against bringing your faith to the workplace? As a leader, should you build the tenets of religion into your organization?
It's a tough topic, and one we are excited to revisit with two of our favorite recurring guests: Alex Sezer Jr. and Marcy Young. Together with Coach Jason, they offer insights into some of the most sensitive questions surrounding the subject of faith in the workplace:
Investing in your culture is no longer optional. We talk about what younger workers are looking for in an employer. Can faith be the key to cultural alignment?
How you do anything is how you do everything. Are you setting successful habits at home and at work?
Are the leaders and employees in your company moving in the same direction? Nothing can get off the ground if everyone is not plugged in to the same culture.
Show Links/ Social Links
LinkedIn: Jason Ballard - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-ballard-795a0587/
LinkedIn: Soar Higher - https://www.linkedin.com/company/soar-higher-business-solutions/
Soar Higher Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/soarhigherjasonballard
Soar Higher Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCazXTUWfddwR9blL-3KUG_A
Website: www.soarhighercoaching.com
Guest Links - Alex
Alex's Website: https://www.alexsezer.com/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/alexsezerjr/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-sezer-b313337b/
Guest Links - Marcy
Website: YourHRAlliance.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcy-young-phr-57134722/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/yourhralliance
Email: Marcy@yourhralliance.com
Phone: 502-689-6009

Whether you lead two people or two thousand, you need to have a plan. Further, you need to have a plan that is both comprehensive enough to achieve your objectives and also simple enough to be actioned at every level in your organization.
 
So, this week, Coach Jason is here to preach the Strategic Planning GOSPA (Goals, Objectives, Strategies, Plans, Activities), an organizational tool that encompasses everything from the broadest goals you envision to the most granular tasks of running your business. Instead of focusing on the broader why behind your vision, this podcast will address the question: How do I communicate that vision across my organization? Takeaways:
Plan for bad luck. While we cannot anticipate everything, expecting the best-case scenario every time will set you up for disappointment.
Coach Jason breaks down GOSPA and how you can use it to streamline your business today.
At every level, GOSPA only works with proper communication. Listen in for how this framework can simplify the everyday back-and-forth that causes plans to break down.
Show Links/ Social Links
LinkedIn: Jason Ballard - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-ballard-795a0587/
LinkedIn: Soar Higher - https://www.linkedin.com/company/soar-higher-business-solutions/
Soar Higher Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/soarhigherjasonballard
Soar Higher Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCazXTUWfddwR9blL-3KUG_A
Website: www.soarhighercoaching.com

According to Tim Yurek, finance is like golf: buying better, more expensive tools may help, but not if you don’t know how to use them.
 
Welcome back! This week, Coach Jason is joined by Tim Yurek, Founder and CEO of Tier 1 Capital. According to Tim, two thirds of business owners are not in control of their cashflow and, therefore, not in control of their company. On this podcast, we want to arm you with the tools to soar to your highest potential and with a lot of help from Tim, we are expanding your financial toolkit:
 
Should I replace one type of debt with another? Tim gives counsel for those working through multiple repayments.
It’s not what you buy, it’s what you pay for it. Tim tells us that where the money comes from can be even more important than how much you spend.
Whoever controls your cashflow controls your life. If you do not control the repayment process on your debts, you cannot freely operate.
 
Show Links/ Social Links
LinkedIn: Jason Ballard - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-ballard-795a0587/
LinkedIn: Soar Higher - https://www.linkedin.com/company/soar-higher-business-solutions/
Soar Higher Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/soarhigherjasonballard
Soar Higher Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCazXTUWfddwR9blL-3KUG_A
Website: www.soarhighercoaching.com
Guest Links
Website: https://tier1capital.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timothy-yurek/

Mario Lanzarotti has a special gift for Soar Higher listeners: Check out Mario's free 30-minute training and TEDX talk here: https://www.mariolanzarotti.com/welcome-soarhigher/. A big thank-you to Mario for sharing these resources with our community!
 
What you perceive, you will create, according to business coach and entrepreneur Mario Lanzarotti. Our imaginations are so powerful, Mario argues, that they can either free us or trap us in our thinking. If you are an entrepreneur who believes that business is a constant, chaotic slog that rarely pays off… you’ll be right. 
 
But, for those who can recognize the potential in challenges (and see the potential within themselves), business suddenly gets fun! 
 
In this episode, Mario sits down with Coach Jason to talk about the keys to perspective in business. After burning out as a Lufthansa pilot, Mario’s soul searching took him into the world of coaching, where he helps clients all over the world find peace in leadership. In this episode, we dig deep into topics that every leader grapples with:
Are you, as a leader, filling the wrong roles in your organization? Mario talks about finding out where your intelligence is best spent.
Recognizing the signs of burnout: as someone who has been through burnout, Mario explains the consequences of being out of alignment.
Mario gives three easy takeaways that you can start using today to help be more confident and self-aware.
Show Links/ Social Links
LinkedIn: Jason Ballard - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-ballard-795a0587/
LinkedIn: Soar Higher - https://www.linkedin.com/company/soar-higher-business-solutions/
Soar Higher Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/soarhigherjasonballard
Soar Higher Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCazXTUWfddwR9blL-3KUG_A
Website: www.soarhighercoaching.com
Guest Links
Check out Mario's free training & other resources: https://www.mariolanzarotti.com/welcome-soarhigher/
Website: https://www.mariolanzarotti.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mario.lanzarotti/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/M_Lanzarotti
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lanzarottimario/

Want a shortcut to being a more resilient leader? Today's guest, Jason Shen, is sharing some wonderful free resources with you on how to be more adaptable in business and in life. Check it out: https://www.jasonshen.com/soarhigher/
 
Pivot isn’t a buzzword, it’s a skill. According to business coach Jason Shen, a leader’s ability to pivot is rooted in their resilience. Jason has pivoted enough times - from Stanford gymnast to Meta employee to entrepreneur - that he literally wrote the book on the subject (Path to Pivot, available in beta here: https://www.jasonshen.com/).
 
This week, Coach Jason (and, well, the other Coach Jason) discuss how leaders today can build resilience and shift their business - and their vision - effectively. Key takeaways include:
The four skills of resilience.
Resilience is NOT self-reliance. According to Jason S., many entrepreneurs need to unlearn the willingness to do everything themselves.
Are you in need of a pivot and are afraid to take the first step? Coach Jason may be able to help. Check out the links below to learn more about how we help leaders everywhere soar to their highest potential.
Show Links/ Social Links
LinkedIn: Jason Ballard - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-ballard-795a0587/
LinkedIn: Soar Higher - https://www.linkedin.com/company/soar-higher-business-solutions/
Soar Higher Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/soarhigherjasonballard
Soar Higher Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCazXTUWfddwR9blL-3KUG_A
Website: www.soarhighercoaching.com
Guest Links
Website: https://www.jasonshen.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jasonshen
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jasonshen

Do you find problem solving to be an uncomfortable process, or do you thrive in the action?
 
Welcome back! This week, Coach Jason is flying solo to share the 5-Step Problem-Solving Process he uses to make decisions in life and in business. As an Air Force commander in Iraq, and as a leader in the C-Suite, this framework has served him for decades. Today, Coach Jason distills his secrets into a simple, actionable framework you can start using today. Big takeaways from this episode:
Every problem in life can be boiled down to one of eight categories. Jason talks about understanding the root cause of the problem before taking action… and why lesser leaders are afraid to do either!
Jason relates a story of leadership during crisis, and walks you through how he dealt with a tense situation.
When a crisis breaks out, how do good leaders keep their cool? We break it down.
Show Links/ Social Links
LinkedIn: Jason Ballard - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-ballard-795a0587/
LinkedIn: Soar Higher - https://www.linkedin.com/company/soar-higher-business-solutions/
Soar Higher Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/soarhigherjasonballard
Soar Higher Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCazXTUWfddwR9blL-3KUG_A
Website: www.soarhighercoaching.com

Today's guest is sharing a great resource with all Soar Higher Listeners! Check out Jeff Bartsch's free strategic storytelling checklist here: https://www.storygreenlight.com/soarhigher/
 
Jeff Bartsch learned to play the piano at age 5. He learned Mozart and Bach, and practiced until he could hit every note. But it wasn’t until he got older that Jeff realized the notes weren’t as important as the story they told.
 
Welcome back! This week, we are joined by Story Greenlight’s Jeff Bartsch, a consultant, creator, and storyteller with experience in Hollywood. Jeff joins us to share the power of strategic storytelling, and to encourage you to always (always!) tell your story to create a living brand. If you have ever felt that you lacked the kind of story that would elevate your brand, Jeff says differently; a story does not need to be epic, but it does need to be effective. In this show, we talk about how to make that happen:
If you understand why your story matters, then telling it gets a whole lot easier. Why do you do what you do?
Jason breaks down a story from his late Uncle Jim, considered by the family to be a master storyteller. If you’re ever wondered why some storytellers are so captivating, Jeff reveals the secrets to an effective story.
What is the difference between a great story and forgettable content? We help make the the distinction.
Show Links/ Social Links
LinkedIn: Jason Ballard - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-ballard-795a0587/
LinkedIn: Soar Higher - https://www.linkedin.com/company/soar-higher-business-solutions/
Soar Higher Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/soarhigherjasonballard
Soar Higher Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCazXTUWfddwR9blL-3KUG_A
Website: www.soarhighercoaching.com
Guest Links
Free Resources!: storygreenlight.com/soarhigher
Connect with Jeff: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-bartsch-0265934/
Podcast: https://www.storygreenlight.com/podcast/?utm_source=website&utm_medium=guesting+welcome&utm_campaign=marketing+mistakes
Website: https://www.storygreenlight.com/

Discover the key to thriving in the competitive business landscape! This week, Coach Jason is joined by fellow veteran and renowned angel investor Jeb Jarrell to unveil the secrets to securing angel funding and avoiding the 72% business failure rate. 
 
Explore the critical differences between Venture Capital and Private Equity, and learn how to mitigate risk while investing in your business growth. Find out if angel funding is the right fit for your entrepreneurial journey, and gain valuable insights into what investors truly expect when they invest in your business. 
 
With actionable tips and Jeb's top resources for entrepreneurs, this episode is your guide to navigating the world of angel funding successfully. Don't miss out on this opportunity to take your business to the next level and ensure financial security. Tune in now and soar towards your business dreams!
 
Show Links/ Social Links
LinkedIn: Jason Ballard - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-ballard-795a0587/
LinkedIn: Soar Higher - https://www.linkedin.com/company/soar-higher-business-solutions/
Soar Higher Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/soarhigherjasonballard
Soar Higher Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCazXTUWfddwR9blL-3KUG_A
Website: www.soarhighercoaching.com
Guest Links
Website: https://www.plentifulwealth.com/
Angel Network: https://www.render.capital/angel-network
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jebjarrell/

Jeff Russell is a rule follower… but he always knew he never quite fit into the corporate ladder. So, when he was laid off, he traded the politics of corporate America for the frontier of entrepreneurship… and he hasn’t looked back.
Now, twenty years later, Jeff has founded several companies, become a best-selling author and an in-demand speaker, and helped thousands of other leaders start businesses. In this episode, mild-mannered maverick Jeff Russell tells Jason his story, from discovering that he wasn’t a very good employee to realizing he was a very effective leader, and what it’s all taught him:
Looking for easy advice you can start applying today? Jeff says follow the easy money: when you begin your business, try starting with the easiest available route, then specialize from there. This will help you get a sense of what possibilities (and expectations) come with working directly for clients.
Jeff didn’t do it alone. Nobody does. Jeff has consulted, trained, and studied with coaches of all kinds for decades. Who is helping you Soar Higher in your endeavors?
Just because you’re good at something doesn’t mean you should be doing it. When you run a business, sometimes you have to take off the specialist hat and be, as Jeff puts it, “the dumbest person in the room.” Lead on, and let the specialists inform your decisions.
Show Links/ Social Links
LinkedIn: Jason Ballard - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-ballard-795a0587/
LinkedIn: Soar Higher - https://www.linkedin.com/company/soar-higher-business-solutions/
Soar Higher Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/soarhigherjasonballard
Soar Higher Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCazXTUWfddwR9blL-3KUG_A
Website: www.soarhighercoaching.com
Guest Links
Website: https://www.fireyourselffirst.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thejeffrussell/