In Search Of Excellence

Latest Episodes:

Rodney Jerkins: Dream The Impossible Dream | E53 Mar 21, 2023

Show notes

Rodney Jerkins is one of the most successful music producers of all time – he has worked with some of the greatest artists of our time, including Michael Jackson, Rihanna, Beyoncé, Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga, Ariana Grande, Britney Spears, Jennifer Lopez, and many more.
He has been nominated for 18 Grammy Awards and has won 2 – for the Record of the Year and Best R&B song. He is also an incredible songwriter and musician. His journey to excellence is incredible so tune in to hear more!
(00:00) Rodney’s background

Born in Pomona, New Jersey (Dad was a pastor, mom a housekeeper)
Rodney is the fourth child
His mom was very sick while pregnant with him
Mom worked for wealthy families
Listening to rap music in secret
At 10, he decided to be a producer
At 13, started making and selling songs to local artists
Dad became his manager
Rodney was forced to play the piano

(10:52) Never stop dreaming, never stop believing

At 11, he started working and saving for Akai MPC 60
Went with his dad to a seller
Rodney copied the manual and read it every day (Rodney's dad realized his talent and broke his insurance policy to and bought him a machine)
The visit to Toledo, Ohio that changed Rodney's life forever
Rodney was blown away and inspired
Never stop dreaming, never stop believing
As a child, Rodney wanted to work with Michael Jackson
Dream the impossible dream
40-day family road trip

(27:20) From washing dishes to working with James Jones

Saving to buy the equipment
At 10, he asked for a job at local dinner (washing dishes)
Went to a mall and asked for a job at Foot Locker (Dug Smith let him stock the shelves)
At 15, went to Manhattan
James Jones from Uptown records (Rodney sent him a tape with a letter – James LOVED the music)
James Jones calls him to come to New York and work with him
At 16, dropped out of school and went to New York (Rodney's dad allowed him to go after his dreams)

(38:42) The biggest deal is not always the best deal

At 17, offered a 1.8 million dollars contract from EMI
At the same time, a 2.2 million dollar offer from Sony
Closed the deal with Brian Jackson (bigger money doesn’t mean a better deal)
Rodney bought his mother a car and a house for his parents at 17 years old
Wanted to be a blessing to them
The story about Randall’s grandmother

(50:04) Strike while the iron is hot

Doing local demos in South Jersey
A group hired him to make a demo for the Impact music convention (playing music for Teddy Riley)
Drove 6 hours to Future Recording Studios in Virginia Beach
Invitation to come and learn during the summer
The internship is very important for success
Having interns and giving them a chance
The right mentor is essential
Randall’s experience with interns
Advice to interns

About Randall Kaplan: Randall Kaplan is a serial entrepreneur, venture capitalist, executive coach, co-founder of Akamai Technologies, founder and CEO of JUMP Investors, and host of In Search of Excellence. Through his Extreme Preparation™ methodology, he helps founders, executives, business owners, and ambitious professionals improve strategy, communication, decision-making, and execution.

Coaching and Staying Connected:

Damon West: If We Lose Hope, We Lose All | E52 Mar 14, 2023

Show notes

Welcome to Part 2 of my amazing episode of In Search of Excellence featuring Damon West, a man with an astonishing life story. He was a former meth addict and head of an organized crime ring, sentenced to life in prison for his crimes.
Today, he is a college professor at the University of Houston, an exceptional motivational speaker, and a best-selling author. His story is one of the most incredible and fascinating stories I’ve ever heard.
In this episode, we’ll hear about his prison experience, life after prison, and the importance of never giving up and losing hope! Tune in for more!

(00:37) Prison experience

6 weeks in prison
Sports in prison is a big deal (no mixed-race teams)
Basketball court (getting on all-black teams)
Adversity is never as bad as you think
You are more capable than you think you are
No more violence

(07:58) Mental health and suicidal thoughts

Prison is a very predatory environment
Suicidal thoughts in prison
Church service and a personal talk with Miss D
A secret to faith
If we lose hope, we lose all
Movie mention: Shawshank Redemption
Message to people suffering in their own mind

(19:54) After prison

Getting out of prison
Working in a law firm
Meeting 8 best coaches in the US (rejected by everyone but the 8th conversation!)
Presentation in Clinton, Alabama
A message from the director of football operations in Alabama
A call from John Gordon, the motivational speaker
Writing a book “Coffee Bean”

(27:50) The importance of preparation for success

Preparation is everything
You have to put in the work and take action
3-5 elements one needs to be successful

(30:44) The importance of giving back

Extremely important
Helping children of incarcerated parents
Getting MA in criminal justice
Professor at the University of Huston and teaching at Prisons in America

(34:00) Fill in the blanks

Damon’s biggest lesson in life
Damon’s #1 professional goal
Damon’s #1 personal goal
Damon’s biggest regret
Damon’s biggest dream for the future

Coaching and Staying Connected:

Damon West: From A Loving Home To Lifetime In Prison | E51 Mar 07, 2023

Show notes

Damon West is an ex-meth addict and the ex-head of an organized crime ring who was sentenced to life in prison for his crimes. Today, he is a college professor at the University of Houston, an exceptional motivational speaker, and a best-selling author. His story is one of the most incredible and fascinating stories I have ever heard – do not miss this episode!
(01:56) Introduction to Damon West

Grew up in Port Arthur, Texas with supporting parents
A black athlete on the front page of a magazine (hate mail he had to read)
Taking a stand and doing the right thing may mean standing alone
Being molested by a babysitter at 9 years old introduced him to adult behaviors (started smoking, drinking, and doing drugs at 10 years old)
High-school football in Texas
From star athlete to a career-ending injury – identity shattered
Going back to drugs being a functional addict
Finished college and got a job in the US Congress and UBS

(16:20) Drug addiction and descending into criminal

Addicts give up their goals to meet their behaviors
Successful people give up their behaviors to meet their goals
Everything can be an addiction
12-step recovery program
Falling in love with crystal meth
Known as "The Uptown Burglar"

(24:52) Life sentence in prison

Arrested for his crimes (6 days of a public trial and sentenced to 65 years in prison)
Great advice from his mother
Mr. Jackson – a ray of sunshine in prison
Prison is all about race and gangs
The strongest men in prison walk alone
The coffee bean story (the most important story of his life)
His first day in prison (you don't have to win, just fight)

Coaching and Staying Connected:

Cold Calling: Master The Art To Succeed | E50 Feb 28, 2023

Show notes

Cold Calling is one of the best ways to grow as an individual as well as accomplish even your wildest dreams! It requires confidence, composure, and sales skills – all of which are extremely hard to master!
In today's competitive marketplace, many salespeople and business owners are relying solely on digital marketing techniques to generate leads and close deals. However, there is still tremendous value in cold calling, even if it seems intimidating or old-fashioned. The very fact that so many people are scared to pick up the phone can be a major advantage for those who do.
I started my Cold Calling career at Mural Stone Construction where I made 200 calls a day trying to selling aluminum siding. At the end of the summer I made one sale – it was something that changed the course of my life forever. Feeling the value of my work in a commission check was especially rewarding to me.
(03:09) David Solomon

Two of his jobs in college
Experience with Merrill Lynch
Difference of cold calling then and now
The responsibilities of finishing what you start

(07:14) Daymond John

Learning to face rejection
Having a strong rejection muscle
Perfecting your approach
Putting yourself out there

(10:09) Sharon Stone

What to do when the odds are 1 in 1,000,000
Sharon’s dad beat cancer with a 3% survival rate
People who chose to win, win
Be grateful, say “please” and “thank you”

(13:39) Steve Case

The power of MORE
Customer Mentality
Finding business opportunities in college

(15:34) Mark Cuban

Entrepreneurial spirit
How to sell
Building confidence

(17:39) Tim Draper

Trips to San Francisco
The importance of cold calling skills
Being able to connect with people
Getting over your embarrassment
Elon Musk
Cold calling is a personal connection

(25:54) Trina Spear

Selling scrubs from a car to hospital workers
Developing communication skills
Believing in a product you sell
Being interested in your buyers
Serving a warm cup of cocoa or coffee

(30:44) Brad Keywell

Ann Arbor experience
Creating a business
Selling guidebooks and posters at college

Coaching and Staying Connected:

Interview: Spencer Lodge w/ Randall Kaplan | E49 Feb 22, 2023

Show notes

In today's episode I’ll be the one being interviewed! I had the absolute pleasure of speaking with Spencer Lodge, host of The Spencer Lodge Podcast. Spencer is a leading sales trainer in Dubai and across the Middle East known for interviewing some of the most amazing guests ranging from Tony Robbins, Marisa Peer, a NASA astronaut, and so much more.
In this episode you’ll learn all about my upbringing, some of my earliest achievements, and my career path. From my early days as a failed lawyer, to finding my true purpose through the impact of the work I found myself doing shortly thereafter.
You’ll also hear all about my approach on “Extreme Preparation” – a characteristic that has been the core to my success. I’ll be talking about just how I prepare for some of these events and show you the steps on how to work wherever you would like (despite your experience).
Make sure to tune into the full episode today as you’ll get a ton of take aways and insights on how I truly went from having nothing to becoming the serial entrepreneur that I am today.
Tell us what you think about this kind of episode, do you want to hear more from me?
Please show support for Spencer's podcast by following and downloading his amazing interviews here!

Coaching and Staying Connected:

Extreme Preparation: The Key To Your Success | E48 Feb 14, 2023

Show notes

The episode today is a special one – I took the best segments about Extreme Preparation to highlight the importance of using preparation as the key to our success. Extreme Preparation was the most important determinant of my success, as it was for all my guests – they out-prepared their competition by always being the most prepared person in the room!
As you can see, Extreme Preparation is something very close to my heart – it has opened doors that were closed and even closed doors that would’ve ended in disaster – deals that would’ve gone wrong if I had prepared 1 hour less. Let Extreme Preparation be the one factor that leads to your success – harness it and out-prepare all your competitors.

Thank you for joining us for this incredibly special episode. Some of our best guests ever found their success through preparation and hard work. Tell us what you think about this kind of episode in the comments below!
(5:04) Mark Cuban
(10:43) Ed Mylett
(11:48) Sharon Stone
(17:55) Jimmy Pitaro
(25:04) Rachel Zoe
(28:54) Kevin O'Leary
(35:30) Daymond John
(39:33) Giada DeLaurentiis
(41:25) Mike Horn
(46:32) Sammy Hagar
(51:43) Bob Pittman
(53:42) Sarah Friar
(57:31) Caryn Seidman-Becker
(1:01:01) Tony Fadell

Coaching and Staying Connected:

Tony Fadell: The Game Has Changed! You Don’t Need Silicon Valley | E47 Feb 07, 2023

Show notes

Tony Fadell is an amazing and successful engineer, entrepreneur, and investor. He is the father of the iPod, co-creator of the iPhone, founder and former CEO of Nest Thermostat, and the founder of Future Shape, a global investment and advisory company.

In 2014, Tony Fadell was one of the Time Magazine’s 100 most influential people in the world. He is also a NY Times bestselling author with his book Build: An Unorthodox Guide to Making Things Work.
It’s a true pleasure to have Tony on our show and hear how he searched and found his excellence!
(00:24) Leaving the Silicon valley and inventing Nest Thermostat

A trip around the world with his family
Designing a new home on Lake Tahoe
Realized there were no good thermostats to remotely control
Nest Thermostat was born in Paris
There is no need for Silicon Valley anymore, the game has changed

(05:35) Money as a motivation to start a company

It was never about making money, it was about solving a problem
Focus on the inventions that fix real problems
Your success drastically changed the lives of your employees

(10:14) Steve Jobs and when is the time to quit

Book mention: Tony Fadell, Build: An Unorthodox Guide to Making Things Work
Working for Steve – one of the most important things in his life
Rumors about Steve Jobs are just rumors
Steve cared about customers and products, he demanded excellence, and he wasn’t going after people for no reason
When is the time to quit? (When you don’t grow anymore, when you work for someone you don’t respect, and when you work in a team with serious flaws)
If you’re working for an jerk, do you quit?

(18:32) The importance of Extreme Preparation

What is Extreme Preparation for Tony?
VC pitch meetings
TED talks

(21:10) The importance of mentors in search of excellence

Everyone needs a mentor (even Steve Jobs)
The best mentors know human nature
Coaches are something different

(24:25) Fill in the blank to Excellence

When I started my career I wish I had known – more about understanding the customer
The biggest lesson I learned in my life – when to say no and say it more often
No. 1 professional goal – to help people and mentor them
The greatest innovation in the next 50 years – Artificial Intelligence

Resources Mentioned:
Build: An Unorthodox Guide to Making Things Worth Making, Tony Fadell
Nest Thermostat
Apple

Coaching and Staying Connected:

Tony Fadell: Innovation Must Never Stop (Even If You’re #1) | E46 Jan 31, 2023

Show notes

Learning from his dad about building trust in business (relationships, not transactions build trust)
50% is what you know and the other 50% is who you know
When rejected for a job, don’t take it personally (send follow-ups, keep the line open create the conversation, ask how to improve)

(10:18) Tony’s childhood

Selling eggs to neighbors as a young kid (money = freedom)
Degree in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science studies
As a sophomore, made an improved processor for Apple 2 – offered it to Apple and Apple bought it!

(16:44) The value of cold calling skills

The first job in Silicon Valley – got it through cold calling (overcome the fear of cold calling)
Know how to tell your story to engage people – what value you can bring?

(21:13) Is education worth it?

Most people attend college in the wrong way
Tony’s mantra "Do, Fail, Learn"
The importance of internships (do a lot of things to know what you don’t want to do)
After college, go and learn from experts

(28:30) Turning disappointments into opportunities

General Magic – failed
6 years in Silicon Valley of failure
In 2000 Internets stocks tanked, the market froze
Called to work for Apple when the company was about to bankrupt
Apple was developing a new generation of Walkman
Randall’s experience with Apple

(40:25) Tony at Apple

6-week contract to research and design the iPod
The importance of constant improvement
Innovation must never stop, even if you’re #1 (you must be ahead your competition)

(48:59) What is an entrepreneur?

Someone who disrupts the market
Resonate with people in the first 30 seconds
Start with a pain and offer the painkiller (the development of iPhone – solved the issue of taking three devices with you)

Resources Mentioned:
Build: An Unorthodox Guide to Making Things Worth Making, Tony Fadell
Nest Thermostat
Apple

Coaching and Staying Connected:

Brian Lee: A Roadmap to Success – Passion, Dedication, Innovation, and the Power of Influencers | E45 Jan 24, 2023

Show notes

Brian Lee is a rock-star serial entrepreneur and incredibly successful venture capitalist. He is also a great philanthropist dedicated to leaving and impact and giving back to the community.
He is a co-founder and ex-CEO of LegalZoom, a co-founder and ex-CEO of ShoeDazzle, a co-founder and ex-CEO of the Art of Sport, co-founder and current CEO of Arena Club, and co-founder of the incredibly successful venture capital firm, BAM ventures.
Brian Lee is also an amazing person, dear friend, and a mentor and I am very grateful for having him on In Search of Excellence!

(01:04) – Working with Celebrities (Kobe Bryant and Kim Kardashian)

Learning about the power of influencers

(08:45) – The Importance of Passion

Arena club: Passion not only about the mission, but also the service
The idea was to digitize the physical and build a community

(14:43) – The Entrepreneurial Desire to Fix What is Broken

Entrepreneurs are not happy with the status quo – change them
Good preparation is extremely important to be successful (sometimes it doesn’t work, but that’s ok)

(17:40) – Extreme Preparation at LegalZoom

(54:15) – Advice to Students Who Want to Pursue Venture Capital

Today we have all kinds of venture capital
Use a unique approach if you do not have industry contacts (go to events and meet people, go to LinkedIn, find mutual contacts)
Raising capital for LegalZoom (persistence is the key, you are literally begging for money) – you have to be that annoying person

(29:06) – What’s the Secret of Work-Life Balance?

Working around 100 hours a week, no social life, things are different now
Tip for organizing emails

(34:20) – The Most Important Elements of Success

Work and work ethic, being empathetic and understanding people, having a good support network
Everyone has a different path, and every company culture is different

(39:43) – Philanthropy and Giving Back to the Community

Brian’s philanthropic work
The importance of doing good and making an impact

Resources Mentioned:
LegalZoom
The Honest Company

Coaching and Staying Connected:

Brian Lee: Entrepreneurs Don’t Wait – Take a Risk, Work Hard, and Don't Be Afraid | E44 Jan 17, 2023

Show notes

(00:00) – Brian Lee's background

Who is Brian Lee?
Brian’s parents and their coming to America
How Brian’s dad built a successful business

(06:59) – Can you learn to be an entrepreneur?

It can be learned, but most entrepreneurs are born with that DNA
Entrepreneurs don’t wait, they seize opportunities
If you have an idea and want to peruse it, go and do it
Entrepreneurship is mostly a young person’s game

(09:09) – The advice to people who are afraid of failure

It’s ok to fail, failing is learning
You have to get back on the horse and keep going, many entrepreneurs failed several times
You have to be focused and work very hard
Nothing happens out of itself

(14:25) – Brian’s education and the importance of attending a college

High school - wanted to be a rapper, tried it and it didn’t work
College - went to UCLA School of Law
Salesmanship is a key for everything you do in life, whatever you do, you are selling
Cold calling is one of the best skills to learn

(21:09) – Are grades important when hiring someone for a job?

No one pays attention to the grades, but it’s important to finish what you started
What is important are commitment and drive
Important traits – dedication, loyalty, ability to see things through
What to do when you are unhappy on your job – stay or leave? A little bit of pain in life is inevitable, sometimes you have to suck it up!

(21:09) – The grass is always greener