Business of Success Podcasts

Exclusive with John C. Bogle - Founder of the Vanguard Group

If you're one of the few people who doesn't know who John C. Bogle is, then let me tell you. According to Fortune Magazine John C. Bogle is designated one of the  four "Giants of the 20th Century" in the investment industry, along side other greats such as, Warren Buffet, Peter Lynch and George Soros and Time Magazine ranks him in the top 100 most influential people in the world. 

                       Click to Hear John Bogle Exclusive

In this exclusive interview with Alan Rothman on the Business of Success we talk to John (Jack) C. Bogle, founder of The Vanguard Group and author of The Battle for the Soul of Capitalism: How the financial system undermined social ideas, damaged trust in the markets, robbed investors of trillions -- and what to do about it as he delivers a hard hitting and entertaining account of how corporate America nearly derailed American capitalism and failed investors. 

This interview is a must hear for anyone involved in the investment arena or has an interest in leadership, business ethics or just the fancinating story of how this "Giant" became a self-made billionaire. This is one of the ultimate business success stories!

 

Turning a $10,000 Investment into a $6.3 Million Return

In a behind the scenes conversation with Alan Rothman of BOS, the former CEO and Chairman of Control Data, Robert M. Price, drew on 40 years at the forefront of the computer industry and illustrates how today’s business leaders and entrepreneurs can apply it. He explains the principles that transformed those 34 employees into a company with 45,000 people with revenues topping $1 billion in less than 14 years from its start. And by August of 1968, an initial investment of $10,000 grew to be worth $6.3 million.  

The starting point for this conversation was based on a review of The Eye for Innovation: Recognizing Possibilities and Managing the Creative Enterprise (Yale University Press) in which Mr. Price shared the insights and experiences he has experienced at the helm of his organization.

Price argues that innovators are made, not born, and what made Control Data so successful was based on creating a culture of innovation using sometimes radical business techniques, that today’s companies can apply:

• Outmaneuver Giants: When Control Data filed an anti-trust lawsuit against IBM, Control Data’s small team of lawyers was able to reach a settlement valued at $700,000 ($3.1 billion in 2004 dollars) that helped fuel Control Data’s growth. Control Data also helped its case by developing an information database system specifically for litigation support in antitrust actions.
• Innovation Needs to be Another “Line Item”: Policies and budgets for stimulating innovation are needed as much as other corporate planning. Boards and/or management need to audit innovation efforts and provide the personnel and finances to support those initiatives.
• Face the Ugly Facts: Control Data learned that innovation and determination cannot overcome all obstacles. In the mid 1980s when the company hit a financial and management crisis, Robert Price made the hard decisions to return the company to profitability by 1987, and the investment community responded with rising stock prices.
• Download robertprice.mp3

“Control Data forged a heritage of innovation that lives on as a compass for the company of the future.”  Hear it revealed in Rothman’s probing questions that inspired Price to reveal the inside secrets that can be applied for your own success!

Blueprint To A Billion with David Thomson

Our fascination with companies that turn billion dollar ideas into billion dollar businesses is aptly sated in this next interview as we talk to the charming David G. Thomson, author of the book, Blueprint To A Billion: 7 Essential Steps to Achieve Exponential Growth.

Click Here To Listen

Click the above link and hear Thomson's give a fascinating account of what it takes for companies to hit the critical billion dollar benchmark, as he gives a down-to- earth account of the 7 essential principles required to get you there.

Think Google, eBay, Microsoft, Starbucks, Nike and Harley Davidson.... these are just a few examples of an elite group of companies that have managed to turn billion dollar ideas into billion dollar companies. Thomson has written a terrific book that is the product of a 3-year in depth research and analysis of the commonalities between all of these billion dollar companies. Hear the common characteristics that have proven to be the magic formula, and where the next billion dollar companies are likely emerge from. 

If you have a big picture vision for your company, then this is the interview for you!

Crowning the Customer with Feargal Quinn

In this interview we take you across the Atlantic Ocean to Dublin, Ireland where we hook up with Feargal Quinn, the supermarket magnate, who also happens to be an Irish Senator and the author of the international best seller, Crowning the Customer. In his homeland Quinn is a household name, and in international business circles, he is widely recognized as one of the greatest retailers in the world.

In this interview Quinn shares with us the secrets to his success. Listen in and learn about the The Boomerang Principle; the essence of which is all about a good customer experience, so that your customers come back for more. A principle that is successfully instilled throughout his organization and sets the standard for supermarket chains and businesses throughout the world.  Wearing the crown as the Master of Loyalty, Quinn is also accredited with creating the first and most successful loyalty program in the world. His loyalty principles are replicated by business the world over. And his simple approach to loyalty? Reward your loyal customers!

Click Here to Listen

Even though this is a 30 minute packed interview (with commercials edited out!), the charming and entertaining Senator Quinn leaves us wanting more as he shares many anecdotal examples of how he has crowned the customer and customer is king!  And that folks, is the real measure of a great interview!

And as for the book? Well it is also excellent and worthy of the Five Star reviews it received on Amazon. Indeed one reviewer, bought multiple copies of Crowning the Customer to give away to everyone who claims to understand customer care. This book is a real hands-on guide for anyone running a business and well worth a read!

Leo Hindery on Ethics, Leadership and Corporate Greed

Of the series of interviews we've conducted on the subject of Leadership, one of the underlying themes that consistently raises its head is the subject of "Integrity"  and the "moral compass."  In this interview with Leo Hindery, author of It "Takes A CEO: It's Time To Lead With Integrity  we hear again how ethics in business is becoming ever more important as one corporate scandal follows another. Hindery who has had a colorful career tells how he started out with $20,000 and built a company worth hundreds of millions. An interesting insight into the outrageously high salaries of today's CEOs, corporate greed and the earning disjoint between employees and management. 

                                         Download leo_hinderry.mp3

This is a terrific interview and gets a five star rating.

The Pampered Chef Gives Food For Thought

Doris Christopher, author of The Pampered Chef: The Story of One of America's Most Beloved Companies, and founder of The Pampered Chef in this interview gives an extraordinary account of how she started out with and investment of just $3,000 and turned it into a business with sales headed towards the billion-dollar mark.

Doris tells how us how she couldn't find a job that gave her the flexible hours that would allow her to be at home when her two young daughters came home from school and decided that the only practicle alternative was to start her own company. Learn as Doris Christopher gives invaluable advice and sound strategies on founding and growing a business, including:

• Eleven tips for start-up entrepreneurs
• Creating a concept for a business and setting your priorities
• Hitting the $1 million mark and knowing when to slow growth
• Steering clear of naysayers and dealing with adversity
• Establishing a stress-free work environment

                               To listen click the link below
                                    Doris Christoper on BOS

“I would challenge anyone on Wall Street to take $3,000 and do what
Doris Christopher has done: build a business from scratch into a world-class organization. But follow the simple steps in this book, and it just might happen.”

—Warren Buffett, from the foreword of The Pampered Chef

 

Donald Trump's Sweet Smell of Success

Donald Trump seems to have his hand in everything, from real estate, casinos, television and beauty pageants, watches, and on Tuesday, September 6, 2005, it extended in Orange County, California to signature shirts, suits, and cologne.  The Fragrance, 3.4oz at $60 is billed as, "The uncompromising men's fragrance. Persuasive, commanding, determined. It is a passion for power, inspired by the man who demands the best - and achieves it."  In essence, it's Donald Trump packaged nicely in a bottle!

In an exclusive interview with Alan Rothman, host of the Business of Success talk radio show, Donald shared his insights on topics that were closest to his heart at the Macy's store at South Coast Plaza, CA. This is the man that ranks number 74 on the Forbes list of the USA's richest people and 228 in the world rich list.

Donald Trump doesn't even stop to draw breath as he proudly states that he's the largest real estate developer in New York. He feels he will always keep his hand in the real estate business. He has entered into exclusive licensing agreements with Estee Lauder for cologne by Donald Trump, and he was also promoting his suit, shirt, and tie collections. For under $1,000 you can have the look, feel and scent of Donald Trump. However, the true question becomes whether being a cloned version will give you the DNA to think like, get access to, and experience the highs and lows that Donald Trump has dealt with in his life?

Clearly, he has reached a point in his career where he will not back away from addressing any issues or subjects thrown at him. When asked if politics is in his future, he shoots back with a resounding "No!" When asked about his position on the war in Iraq, he states, "It's really an unfortunate situation."  Anticipating my next question,Trump volunteered that the situation in New Orleans was handled very poorly and showed a clear lack of leadership from the top down.

When asked about Trump's newest version of "The Apprentice" featuring Martha Stewart (who finally ditched the ankle bracelet home confinement device Wednesday) premiering Sept. 21, he indicates "...he and Mark Burnett own the show.  They had first considered Mark Cuban, who bombed in his first show. They looked at Richard Branson who suffered a similar fate! They even looked at Tommy Hilfiger and did not see it as a good fit.  Donald feels that Martha has an already established track record and following -- these lend themselves to her brand and approach for the show in successfully drawing and audience."

At this point the crowd was building and Donald does not like to disappoint his audience. He knew how to close the deal. Everyone at the event was offered 10 free rounds of golf at the Trump National Golf Club that was opening in Los Angeles, CA.  For everyone that purchased 1 of 100 suits, there was an offer of a free Sunday brunch for two at the golf club. And for everyone that purchased a bottle of cologne, there was a signed photograph and copy of his book.

Donald has learned the lessons of the Art of Closing the Deal! He has truly learned how to leverage his brand and be very comfortable playing the crowd.

About the Writer:
Alan Rothman, host of the Business of Success is a successful writer, author and entrepreneur, who has gained access to some of the greatest business minds in the world. He shares the inside secrets of success that can bring abundance and prosperity in life by studying the masters in the field. Donald Trump's newest apprentice Kendra Todd will be appearing on the Business of Success. Make the show your business addition every Sunday 9-11 a.m. (PST).

©  Alan  Rothman, PO Box 1998, Newport Beach, CA  92663  Email:  arothman@fea.net

jon Huntsman Self-made Billionaire Shares All

Jon Huntsman is indicative of what business should be about. This self-made billionaire is an example to us all. In this interview you will hear from a man who has achieved enormous success in business without compromising his values. This is a great opportunity to hear first hand from the man, who even at the brink of corporate disaster, put morals before profit, and lived and worked by the ever decreasing “my word is my bond” principle.

Huntsman, author of ‘Winners Never Cheat,” shares with us his universal values for business and is an inspiration to us all in making the right decisions in business and life. This is one of those ‘don’t miss’ interviews and I’m happy to have this opportunity to share this unique interview.

To hear Alan Rothman interviewing the self-made billionaire, Jon Huntsman, author of 'Winners Never Cheat' click link below

                                                       

                                          Download john_huntsman.mp3

 

This is a terrific interview and gets a five star rating. One of the best interviews of the year!