Misfit Entrepreneur October 2024 - 428: Communication Secrets for Entrepreneurs, Deb Feder’s Strategies for Unlocking Business Growth

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Dave Lukas Chats with Deb Feder

428: Communication Secrets for Entrepreneurs, Deb Feder’s Strategies for Unlocking Business Growth

This week’s Misfit Entrepreneur is Deb Feder. Deb is the CEO of Feder Development, a business development and practice management strategist and coach with a special focus on effective communication. Her work focuses on helping professionals bring in consistent clients through curious, confident conversations. Over the last decade, Deb has committed herself to changing the way people think about communication, building healthy careers, and tackling high-stakes work, allowing for big careers while enjoying our free time.

She is the author of After Hello: How to Build a Book of Business, One Conversation at a Time and Tell Me More: Building Trusted Client Relationships through Everyday Interactions.

She is also a contributing author to the best-selling anthology #Networked.

Effective communication is probably one of, if not, the most important skill for entrepreneurs, so I asked Deb on to give us her best thoughts, practices, and strategies to communicate at our best in our businesses and with our customers.

https://debfeder.com/

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Show Notes

Deb Feder's journey began with a 15-year career in law, working in both private practice and corporate teams, where she discovered her passion for building strong client relationships. This people-centered approach led her to recognize the power of effective communication as the foundation of successful careers. After significant life changes, including the passing of her mother and taking on family responsibilities, Deb felt compelled to shift her focus from practicing law to helping others create thriving careers that harmonize with their personal lives. Today, she coaches professionals on business development and communication, with a focus on the value of simple, meaningful conversations to foster lasting relationships and sustainable success.

How can we achieve harmony between big careers and personal life?

Deb suggests making intentional choices rather than waiting for balance to appear.
Simple, consistent conversations can reveal opportunities and reduce overwhelm.
By focusing on what is working and valuing positive choices, entrepreneurs can create harmony without obsessing over constant improvement.

Is achieving harmony more about becoming better decision-makers?

Deb believes we should focus less on what’s missing and more on what’s working well in our lives and businesses.
Entrepreneurs tend to focus on the future but should also give weight to what’s positively impacting their current situation.

How would you define effective communication?

Effective communication is a blend of sharing ideas and truly listening to others.
It’s crucial to be open to problem-solving dialogues, acknowledging that high-level client work will inevitably involve issues.
Rather than avoiding problems, Deb encourages seeing these moments as growth and trust-building opportunities.

What best practices do you recommend for effective communication?

Start conversations with a clear purpose; writing down points beforehand can help clarify intentions without making it feel scripted.
Think about the end of the conversation beforehand, ensuring it follows a helpful trajectory rather than trailing off.
Allow conversations to unfold in steps, focusing on relationship building over time rather than forcing immediate depth.

How should entrepreneurs converse intentionally with their teams?

Entrepreneurs need to recognize that not all team members will share their same level of enthusiasm and understand where each team member is.
Deb advises clearly communicating background information to avoid misunderstandings and improve alignment.
Leaders should make space for team members to express what’s going on, actively listening rather than just giving directives.

Why do you advocate for using the phone for client interactions?

Deb encourages picking up the phone for quick check-ins rather than relying on lengthy email exchanges.
She notes that a simple call can add a personal touch that’s often missing in digital communication, leading to stronger client relationships.

How can communication strategies lead to more business?

Deb’s approach to business development involves building relationships one conversation at a time, focusing on curiosity and understanding client needs.
Asking the same insightful question to a few clients can reveal recurring themes that help refine offerings.
Positioning yourself as genuinely understanding client needs builds trust, which is the foundation of effective business relationships.

What’s the significance of small talk in business?

Small talk allows people to understand each other’s personality and preferences, making it easier to navigate future conversations.
Building rapport through small talk helps establish trust and reduces tension in formal business interactions.

How can parents use entrepreneurial skills in parenting?

Deb shares that she often discusses ideas with her children, who challenge her thinking and bring fresh perspectives.
Her children have grown up around entrepreneurs, fostering open dialogue and creative thinking, which has been invaluable in both family life and business.

What lessons did you learn from your entrepreneurial parents?

Deb’s parents taught her the importance of community and relationships in business.
Her father emphasized the power of presence and teamwork, showing clients and colleagues that they were valued beyond transactions.
Her parents’ legacy of treating clients as family and showing up in times of need has deeply influenced her approach to business.

Best Quote

Small talk is really big talk; the more you know about people, their tone, and what they value, the easier every future conversation becomes.

Power of Conversations and Connections: When worried, reach out to someone to connect. Engaging with others shifts perspective and alleviates stress.

Curious Questions Solve Problems: A single curious question can lead to innovative solutions, energizing the questioner and sparking valuable dialogue.

Celebrate Every Win: Embrace small daily celebrations as a pathway to bigger ones. Listening to the "happy dance" music now fosters a habit of joy that helps reach significant milestones.

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