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How to Harness the Art of Storytelling to Grow Your Business—with Brian Wallace

If you’re ready for no-nonsense advice, this week’s guest does not disappoint. Brian Wallace is the Founder and President of NowSourcing, an industry-leading infographic design agency whose clients range from startups to Fortune 500 companies.

In this episode, Brian shares insights we can all learn from through the lens the infographics niche. He also touches on the importance of storytelling, company culture, and the right questions to ask when interviewing potential employees. Read more

Live Blogging @ #LTB2015

After months of planning, the stage is set for the highly anticipated #LTB2015.

It’s bright and early here at the Rockleigh, but a steady flow of guests is streaming in. Guests might not have had their early a.m. coffees yet, but the energy is electric.

It’s a privilege to be blogging to you LIVE throughout the day.

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WHY IN THE WORLD AM I GOING TO LTB 2014?

First and foremost, allow me to address the obvious: the headline of this article is admittedly an absurd, presumptuous question.

I’m going to LTB 2014 because I work at Ptex Group.

My company is the one hosting, coordinating, arranging, scheduling, promoting and otherwise laying out big bucks to make this event a reality. I consider this affiliation yet another feather in my moderately worn, sometimes sweaty, slightly weather-beaten corporate cap.

Plus it gives me some really cool bragging rights.

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AN INTROVERT’S GUIDE TO NETWORKING: THE LTB EDITION

Do you find social events physically exhausting?

Would you rather spend your daily breaks at the office solo, as opposed to than chatting up co-workers over lukewarm cups of coffee?

Does the idea of raising your hand to ask a question at LTB 2014 make you squirm?

News flash, my friend: You’re probably an introvert… and you’re not alone.

Please don’t take offense. Most people make the mistake of viewing the “introvert” label negatively. If a colleague calls you an introvert, you might assume that they think you’re painfully shy or antisocial. It’s true that introverts maybe shy. But they can also be outgoing at times, have many friends, and even possess superb social skills.

That begs the question – what exactly makes an introvert an introvert?

Plain and simple, introverts are energized by being alone. Quite literally, their energy is drained by being around others. They tend to be “thinkers” with an active inner world of swirling thoughts and feelings. After schmoozing with peers or prospective clients at a networking event, they need time alone to recharge.

Can you relate?

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FROM IRAQ TO THE ROCKLEIGH: MEET THE LIEUTENANT COLONEL

Last year’s LTB 2013 was a big hit with big-name talent.

Celebrity speakers like Kevin Harrington, a successful entrepreneur and “Shark Tank” investor, took to the stage to give keynote speeches and host brilliant breakaway sessions. Hundreds of entrepreneurs and business owners learned best business practices and strategies from the best, the brightest and the most successful.

But none of those speakers have flown 1,500 miles per hour – faster than the speed of sound – in an F-16 supersonic fighter jet high above enemy territory.

This year, Lt. Col. Rob “Waldo” Waldman will break the sound barrier and raise the bar to sky-high levels at LTB 2014.

A decorated US Air Force combat pilot, renowned speaker and bestselling author, Waldman has made a name for himself by flaunting his prowess both in the air force and at the boardroom table.

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CAME TO LTB WITH A GAME PLAN, LEFT WITH A GAME CHANGER: BENTZY’S STORY

As the owner of a very busy store, Parc Avenue Shoes, Bentzy Wachsman took time away from his bustling business to fly to New York from his hometown in Montreal. The grand occasion? LTB 2013. He came with a game plan: to improve his marketing strategies.

At a young age, Bentzy sold Cutco knives door-to-door. With a natural flare for sales, he was soon recognized as the #3 salesman in Eastern Canada. Determined to accomplish bigger and better things, Bentzy opened a factory that manufactured children’s outerwear. As the first company to introduce ‘fashion’ to outerwear, he took the market by storm. Bentzy expanded this business and sold it to his top competitor. His next business venture – Bentzy’s Food Depot – was also sold to his largest competitor after 8 successful years of growth.

That’s when he bought a modest shoe store and moved it into a newly renovated space. After four weeks, he had already sold more than the previous owners had sold in an entire year. To say the least, Bentzy has a passion for innovative marketing strategies. Always looking for new ways to expand his business, the LTB Summit caught his attention.

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ONE SALESMAN’S TALE OF SUCCESS: IT BEGAN AT LTB

Some people are simply born a salesman.

Yitzy Elbaum may not have been born a professional salesman, but he got off to an early start in fundraising at the young age of 15. Motivated to succeed, in just two weeks Yitzy raised over $25,000 for an organization he was involved with. The fruits of success tasted spectacular; he immediately knew that he had found his passion.

When Yitzy Elbaum attended last year’s groundbreaking LTB 2013, he was working as a salesman at Court Street office supplies, an independent office supply and furniture dealer in Brooklyn. A year later, at only 26 years old, Yitzy is now the company’s Sales Manager.

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THE STUFF DREAMS ARE MADE OF: ELI’S $50 MILLION REALITY

Most millionaires who’ve made it big in business don’t rely on luck.

If anything, they make their luck. The ticket to achieving greatness is combining brilliant ideas, passion and drive with relentless hard work, trial by error and the unwavering commitment to overcome obstacles.

Take NBA Dallas Mavericks owner, billionaire businessman and celebrity “Shark Tank” investor, Mark Cuban. He didn’t start off “lucky” (or loaded).

No, Mark Cuban’s first job was selling garbage bags with the end goal of paying for an expensive pair of basketball shoes.

We’d venture to say that by and large, business owners make their own luck and create their own opportunities. Even successful business owners don’t add more zeroes to their bottom line without carving out a strategy.

Eli Rosenbloom is the case in point.

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