Are you *really* listening to your team? Why every voice matters

As business owners and Entrepreneurs, we are constantly navigating through obstacles and setbacks. Whether it’s looking for unique ways to set ourselves apart from the competition, finding and retaining new team members, or keeping up with the daily grind…

These happen to be the challenges we can see and know we must conquer. But what about the obstacles we can't see?

The hidden issues that could be quietly derailing our progress—Those are the ones we often don't even know exist.

It's a classic case of "You don't know what you don't know," and it can be just as important, (if not more so), than the hurdles we're already tackling.

Take, for instance, the story of Balaam’s Donkey… 👇

In Numbers 22-24, we read about the sorcerer and prophet Balaam, on his way to curse the Israelites as requested by the Moabite King Balak. However, an obstacle appears that only his donkey can see: An angel of the Lord standing in the road with a drawn sword.

Each time the donkey tries to avoid the danger, Balaam, unable to see the angel, becomes frustrated and reacts by punishing the donkey.

It wasn’t until G-d gave the donkey the ability to speak that Balaam realized the critical feedback she was desperately trying to communicate…There was a deadly obstacle right in front of him that he was BLIND to. This story teaches us a very valuable lesson… Be open to receiving feedback from every level of your organization (or even unusual sources).

In every organization, ensuring every voice is heard—(NOT just those in the boardroom)—Can uncover critical insights that might otherwise be overlooked. A company that implements this strategy beautifully is Toyota. They created a unique approach to employee feedback called the Andon Cord. 👇

This system empowers ANY employee on the production line to pull a cord that stops all production if they notice a problem or a defect.

Doesn’t matter if they’re a seasoned manager who has been at Toyota for 20+ years, or the newest assembly line worker who just joined last week.

Every voice is heard.

Once all production is halted, a team leader would immediately go ask why the rope was pulled. Then, together, the leader and the team could work to solve the problem and restart production.

This immediate feedback mechanism ensures that issues are addressed as soon as they arise, rather than being ~swept~ under the rug.

At Business Nitrogen, we embrace a similar philosophy. We believe that great ideas and crucial feedback can come from ANYONE, regardless of their position or how long they’ve been working here.

So, how can we apply this to your business?

Create an environment where every team member feels not only empowered, but obligated to speak up. This can transform the way you operate and help you scale faster, easier, and smarter.

Now, here are 3 things I want you to think about this week:

• What can you do to make it easier for everyone at your company to share their ideas, questions, and concerns without fear of retribution?
• How will you make sure you really listen and then respond to what your team tells you?

• How will you ensure these changes are helping your team and your business do better?

As we move forward, let's keep in mind the lesson from Balaam’s Donkey: Sometimes those who seem least likely to see the whole picture are the ones who notice what others cannot. Let’s make sure we’re listening to all voices, as everyone has something valuable to contribute.

To your success,

David

What is YOUR time worth??

As entrepreneurs, how do we truly value our time? Time is our most precious commodity, yet many of us fall into the trap of micromanaging. I used to be guilty of this myself. Imagine hiring a house cleaner and then following them around, checking their work—what a waste of both your time and theirs!

I’ve done a complete 180. It took time to find and trust the right people to get the job done. Now, I can focus on high-value tasks like working with select clients, developing strategies, and adding value as a passion (like this video here).

The more our businesses grow, the more crucial it becomes to ensure we’re using our time wisely. Micromanaging not only drains your energy but also hinders growth. Trusting your team and focusing on tasks that truly matter can make a significant difference.

Let’s all focus on what’s important—ensuring everything we do is the highest and best use of our time. Watch the full video to learn how optimizing your time can help you grow your business more effectively and send this to someone who could use this reminder!

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Why 1 team member is better than 3: Small Team? No Problem. Accomplish More.

If you’re like me, we can agree that quality is almost always infinitely better than quantity in all aspects of life. I’d much rather have:

• One loyal friend who's there for you in times of need, than a hundred acquaintances who disappear when sh*t hits the fan.
• One highly engaged employee who believes in our mission, vision, and values, than a team of ten who clock in and out without passion and alignment towards our values.

Why?

Because at the heart of any success—Be it personal, professional, or spiritual—Lies the essence of genuine commitment and excellence.

Quality, not quantity, symbolizes depth and value. It's about investing in relationships that enrich, work that fulfills, and actions that make a lasting impact.

Consider the biblical story of Gideon’s Army, for example. 👇

During the seven-year oppression of Israel by the Midianites, G-d chose Gideon to free the people. Initially, Gideon gathered a large force of 32,000 men to confront the Midianite army. However, G-d instructed Gideon to reduce his army significantly, first by sending home those who were afraid, and then by selecting men based on how they drank water. Of all the men, only a small handful drank the water by bringing it up to their mouths with their hands. He sent the rest home, leaving Gideon with only 300 men (~1% remaining).

With this small army, he set out to wage war against an army of 135,000!

This drastic reduction emphasized that strength is NOT based upon numbers…But in quality, unity of purpose, and true faith. This internal strength among Gideons’ chosen 300 ultimately led them to victory.

This same principle holds true for us Entrepreneurs.

It's not the size of the team that counts, but the passion, dedication, and alignment with the company's mission, vision, and values that truly make the difference. Add in a bit of faith and you are moving in the right direction.

Think about it…

Would you rather:

1. Hire three team members who each submit “meh” quality work, show minimal initiative, are not passionate about the company mission and values, and do just enough to get by?

OR…

2. Invest in one superstar who not only does a better job than all three of them combined, but does so because they're focused, determined, and passionately aligned with your company's mission, vision, and goals?

The choice seems clear, yes?

When Elon Musk took over Twitter—(Now X)—He decided to take a similar approach.

Musk recognized that for X to not just survive but thrive, it needed not just employees but contributors—Individuals actively engaged in and passionate about the company's future.

So when he stepped in as the new owner, he began evaluating how he could streamline operations and cut costs to maximize profits.

Then, he realized something…

It was discovered that a significant portion of the team contributed very little to the company's daily operations or long-term goals.

When Musk began asking employees, "What do you do all day?" many couldn't provide a clear, direct answer.

This led him to make one of the most controversial (yet profitable) moves in the company’s history: He laid off about 80% of X's staff.

This decision was not taken lightly, nor was it done without facing a wave of backlash and negative headlines from the media. Critics questioned the morality and long-term sustainability of such drastic cuts. In fact, many analysts believed that this decision would force X to eventually go out of business.

But—Yet again—Elon Musk somehow managed to prove his critics wrong. Fast forward to today, and X is operating the same with 1,500 employees as it did with 8,000 (if not BETTER!)

At Business Nitrogen, we operate on a similar belief. When people learn that we’re the only 7-time Two-Comma Club and 8-Figure Award-Winning ClickFunnels Certified Agency that is also a Marketer of the Year, they automatically assume we must have HUNDREDS of employees.

They're often surprised when I tell them, "Nope...There's under 30 of us!"

How are we able to accomplish so much with such a small team? Simple: We prioritize quality over quantity and focus on small levers that move big doors in every aspect of our operations.

Each member of our team is not a cog in a machine, but someone who is deeply committed to helping achieve one of our biggest, hairiest, most audacious goals:

Positively impacting 1 billion people worldwide through clients implementing our ethical marketing and sales strategic solutions by December 31, 2030.

So, this week I want you to think about how the principle of quality over quantity applies to your own life and business. Ask yourself:

• How can I apply the lesson of Gideon's Army to make my team or network stronger, even if it means being smaller?
• Who are the "300 soldiers" in my life or business—Those few who bring the most value, commitment, and alignment with my goals—And how can I better engage and support them?

To your success,

David

As Entrepreneurs, we often succeed or fail by this...

Imagine you're at a garage sale, and you see a beautiful piece of artwork that would look perfect in your living room. The seller is asking $100, but something tells you there's room to negotiate. It’s a garage sale after all...

You’ve got two choices:

• Option A: Accept the $100 price tag without a word. After all, it's what the seller is asking for, and who are you to question their valuation?

• Option B: You smile, compliment the piece's beauty and craftsmanship, and then offer $50, hoping to meet somewhere in the middle.

If you leaned towards Option B, recognizing the opportunity to negotiate, then you're already practicing a skill that's crucial not just in daily life… but in becoming a successful Entrepreneur.

Believe it or not, we all negotiate every day—More often than we realize. From convincing your kids to do their homework with the promise of extra screen time, to calling up your bank to waive the $30 overdraft fee on an account you forgot about.

We also negotiate:

• Salaries and raises
• Home/car prices
• Loan terms
• Contracts
• …Etc.

Why, though, does mastering the art of negotiation hold such weight, especially for Entrepreneurs? Because at its core, negotiation is about finding common ground between two parties that have conflicting interests, goals, and objectives—Which can help push your business forward.

What do I mean by that? Let me share a real-life story of mine as an example… 👇

Many years ago, a private equity firm was looking to hire someone to spearhead their franchising efforts for a company they had majority ownership in.

I knew it was a challenge, yet I wanted the opportunity, but there was one problem: I was up against a TON of competition. A handful of other applicants, (more qualified than me on paper), were competing for the same position. They were interviewing former Presidents and CEOs, some of whom had taken companies public.

(And at the time, I had never been a President and CEO of a company before).

Faced with such stiff competition, I had to negotiate my place at the table. I knew I came recommended to the board, yet I had to convince the partners that despite the impressive resumes of my competitors, I was the ONE candidate who could bring the MOST value to their investment and franchising efforts… (even though I had never been in franchising before).

So, I had an idea:

I created a go-to-market plan and met with the board of the private equity firm for what turned out to be a 4-hour, step-by-step presentation (yes, 4 HOURS!) In the presentation, I explained exactly how I would take the company from where it currently was (non-profitable), turn it around, and finally help them become profitable. I negotiated not with a focus on what I wanted to get, but on what I could offer them. (And frankly… the plan I gave them? They could’ve implemented it with any of the candidates). At the end of the meeting, I looked around the room at everyone and boldly said:

“So guys…When do you want to get started?” 😅

To my surprise, they all laughed, looked at each other, and said:

“Well…When are you able to get started?” 🙂

So in the end… I did it. I secured the opportunity, not because I had more experience on paper than the other applicants, but because I negotiated my way in by showcasing how I could solve their problem BETTER than anyone else. How? By giving them the FULL step-by-step blueprint that, again, they could’ve just used without me.

This experience taught me a valuable lesson: Negotiation is less about winning or losing and more about exploring possibilities and creating opportunities where none seemed to exist. It's about understanding the other party's needs and finding a way to meet them while also satisfying your own, like the story of Jacob and Laban from the Torah.

Jacob, instead of asking Laban for more money upfront for his work, made a unique request: He wanted to get paid in speckled and spotted sheep and goats.

To any ordinary person, this seemed like a disadvantage for Jacob. But, thanks to his knowledge of animal breeding, he ended up doing very well for himself because he was able to grow his flock very quickly, increasing his resources and wealth.

So…What does this teach us?

This teaches us about the importance of thinking creatively and looking for solutions where both sides can benefit.

It’s about understanding what you’re dealing with and coming up with a plan that not only meets your needs but also works well for the other person.

My journey to secure the opportunity by presenting a four-hour plan is similar. I didn’t just argue for what I wanted; I showed them how my plan could benefit us both. By doing my homework and understanding their specific needs, I proposed a solution that was creative, beneficial for both sides, and showcased strategic thinking—Much like Jacob did.

Now the question becomes…How can YOU become a better negotiator so you can grow your business faster, smarter, and easier? 👇

1. Do Your Homework

Just as I thoroughly researched the private equity firm’s needs and challenges, and as Jacob knew his way around livestock breeding, understanding the full context of what you're negotiating is crucial.

Know the other party's interests, pressures, and alternatives. For example, if you're looking to negotiate the price of a car, find out more than just the sticker price:

• How long has it been on the lot?
• Are there any upcoming models that might prompt the dealership to clear inventory?
• What special promotions or financing options are available?

1. Aim for a Win-Win

Successful negotiations are not about defeating the other party but finding a solution that benefits both sides… So think outside the box to identify options that might not be immediately apparent.

This approach not only leads to better outcomes but also builds rapport with the other party once they see the amount of extra effort you’re putting in to make things mutually beneficial.

1. Communicate Clearly and Confidently

Whether you're negotiating a multi-million dollar business deal or trying to get a better price at a garage sale, how you communicate can make or break the negotiation.

Be clear about what you want, but also actively listen to the other party. Confidence in your position, combined with respect for the other party, paves the way for constructive dialogue.

…And don’t be afraid to be BOLD.

Was it bold of me to ask a room full of seasoned executives, "When can I start?" without them officially offering me the position? Yes.

But am I glad I did it? Absolutely.

So,, next time you find yourself in a tough negotiation, remember these tips. Think of Jacob’s story and mine.

Who knows? You might end up achieving something as small as saving $50 on a garage sale…Or as big as securing a pivotal role in a major company, shaping its future and yours along with it.

To your success,

David

Be careful what you wish for... Don’t let this happen to you 👇

Have you ever made a business decision that seemed like a REALLY good idea at the time…Only to see it completely backfire?

There is actually a name for this: The Cobra Effect. This effect is a result of an unintended consequence of a decision made without fully understanding or considering the impact on those affected.

Back in colonial India, the government was concerned about the number of venomous cobras in Delhi, so they introduced a bounty for every dead cobra people turned in.

Sounds like a pretty solid plan… right?

WRONG.

At first, the plan worked beautifully. But then? Locals came up with a clever idea. They thought:

“Hmm… If the government is paying me to turn in dead cobras… Why don’t I just breed hundreds of them—or even THOUSANDS—and make lots of money? 🤔”

…And so they did.

The government quickly became aware of this and scrapped the bounty, which made breeders release their now-worthless snakes. The cobra population, ironically, skyrocketed.

Another example (this time more recent) happened in the United States back in 2011.

In an attempt to increase the circulation of dollar coins, the U.S. government made them available online for purchase with no shipping fee.

What happened next?

Instead of actually using these coins, people bought them with their credit cards, racked up credit card points, and then simply deposited the coins back into the bank.

The goal of increasing circulation completely backfired because the government FAILED to fully understand or consider the impact on their offer.

Now, one of my favorite examples of the Cobra Effect is when King Rehoboam succeeded his father King Solomon. Rehoboam faced a plea from his people to lighten the heavy burdens imposed by his father (high labor and taxation).

Ignoring their request, he threatened to instead INCREASE their burden.

This poorly considered decision led to the kingdom splitting in two, with ten of the twelve tribes of Israel revolting.

So at the end of the day, Rehoboam’s failure to understand or consider the impact of his decision on his people and how they could possibly react resulted in a weakened and divided kingdom.

Now let’s talk business…

In business, the Cobra Effect can manifest in many ways. For instance, setting aggressive sales targets might seem like a logical step to boost revenue.

But without considering the broader impact, this can lead to selling to unqualified people or a compromise in product quality as teams scramble to hit numbers at any cost.

Or, take the introduction of new technology in an attempt to streamline processes. Without proper training and change management, this move can lead to decreased productivity and low morale as employees struggle to adapt.

The key takeaway? Every decision has a ripple effect.

As leaders and Entrepreneurs, it's critical to anticipate these ripples and understand how they might morph into waves that could either propel our business forward or, conversely, flood the engine room.

To avoid the latter, here are 3 ways you can avoid falling prey to the Cobra Effect as an Entrepreneur. 👇

1. Start Thinking Holistically

When planning any new strategy, think beyond the immediate benefits. Look at the broader picture. How will this decision affect every aspect of your business, from your employees to your customers?

1. Seek Diverse Perspectives

It’s easy to get tunnel vision when you’re too close to a project. This is where diverse perspectives come in handy. Consult with your team, gather feedback from different departments, and even consider customer opinions if necessary.

Because sometimes, the insight you need to avoid an unintended consequence comes from the most unexpected sources. Remember, the more angles you cover, the less likely you are to be blindsided.

1. Prepare for Flexibility and Adaptation

If there's one thing the Cobra Effect teaches us, it's that not everything goes according to plan. Build flexibility into your strategies.

If you see a decision leading down an unintended path, be prepared to adapt and pivot quickly. This agility can save you from exacerbating a problem into a full-blown crisis.

So, I encourage you to ask yourself these three pivotal questions before making your next big decision:

• Beyond the immediate benefits, how will this decision affect every facet of your operation? Think about your team, your customers, your resources, and even your brand reputation. Will this decision bring sustainable growth or a temporary spike?

• Have you stepped back to get a 360-degree view of your plan? Are you open to feedback from your team, stakeholders, and even customers where relevant? Sometimes, a fresh pair of eyes can spot potential pitfalls you might have missed.

• How prepared are you to shift gears if things don’t go as planned? Being agile and flexible is not just about having a Plan B; it’s about recognizing when to pivot and having the courage to make those tough calls.

To your success,

David