Alayna Thomas - Do you really understand Gen Z?

Are you truly connecting with your multi-generational wedding clients and employees, or are assumptions holding you back? Are you providing the "why" behind your services? This episode unpacks the pitfalls of generational stereotypes and emphasizes starting conversations to tailor your approach to diverse clients' and employees' needs.

Listen to this new episode for insights on bridging generational gaps and enhancing communication with Gen Z clients and employees.

About Alayna:

GenZ Retention Strategist Alayna Thomas, MS, PHR, is a wise-beyond-her-years representative of the new workforce. USA Today listed her as a “2024 Keynote Speaker to Follow.” With a Master’s in Management and her Professional HR certification from HRCI, Alayna understands how the workforce has evolved over time and what organizational leaders must do to keep up and retain talent of all ages.

Contact: Alayna travels nationwide to share Magnet Culture’s bold insights and would love to talk with you! She can be reached at solutions@magnetculture.com.

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/alayna-thomas

Website: magnetculture.com/team/alayna-thomas

If you have any questions about anything in this, or any of my podcasts, or have a suggestion for a topic or guest, please reach out directly to me at Alan@WeddingBusinessSolutions.com or visit my website Podcast.AlanBerg.com

Please be sure to subscribe to this podcast and leave a review (thanks, it really does make a difference). If you want to get notifications of new episodes and upcoming workshops and webinars, you can sign up at www.ConnectWithAlanBerg.com 

View the full transcript on Alan’s site: https://alanberg.com/blog/

Mon. Feb. 17th, Las Vegas, NV - Save $100 with this link: https://tinyurl.com/LVMini100

Mon. Feb. 24th, Miami, FL - https://events.humanitix.com/nawp

I'm Alan Berg. Thanks for listening. If you have any questions about this or if you'd like to suggest other topics for "The Wedding Business Solutions Podcast" please let me know. My email is Alan@WeddingBusinessSolutions.com. Look forward to seeing you on the next episode. Thanks.

Listen to this and all episodes on Apple Podcast, YouTube or your favorite app/site:

• Apple Podcast: http://bit.ly/weddingbusinesssolutions
• YouTube: www.WeddingBusinessSolutionsPodcast.tv
• Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3sGsuB8
• Stitcher: http://bit.ly/wbsstitcher
• Google Podcast: http://bit.ly/wbsgoogle
• iHeart Radio: https://ihr.fm/31C9Mic
• Pandora: http://bit.ly/wbspandora

©2025 Wedding Business Solutions LLC & AlanBerg.com

We shopped 306 companies in 2024 - want to hear how they did?

Secret shopping 306 companies revealed some startling insights: Are you part of the 15% not replying at all, or sending emails too long to keep attention? What happens if you follow up more than five times? In this episode, I discuss the importance of follow-up frequency and quality, and how improving these can help close more deals without spending more on leads.

Listen to this new 10-minute episode for insights on boosting your sales by enhancing your follow-up strategies and engaging effectively with those who have already reached out.

Episode Summary:

In this episode of the Wedding Business Solutions podcast, I delve into the results from shopping 306 companies in 2024. I highlight that 85% of these businesses responded to inquiries, which is a slight improvement from last year. I emphasize the importance of keeping initial communication concise, as only 44% of the companies managed to fit their first response on one smartphone screen. Additionally, I discuss the critical need for persistent follow-up, pointing out that many businesses lose potential clients by not reaching out multiple times. My advice is to focus on enhancing follow-up strategies to convert more leads without increasing advertising costs.

If you have any questions about anything in this, or any of my podcasts, or have a suggestion for a topic or guest, please reach out directly to me at Alan@WeddingBusinessSolutions.com or visit my website Podcast.AlanBerg.com

Please be sure to subscribe to this podcast and leave a review (thanks, it really does make a difference). If you want to get notifications of new episodes and upcoming workshops and webinars, you can sign up at www.ConnectWithAlanBerg.com 

View the full transcript on Alan’s site: https://alanberg.com/blog/

Mon. Feb. 17th, Las Vegas, NV - Save $100 with this link: https://tinyurl.com/LVMini100

Mon. Feb. 24th, Miami, FL - https://events.humanitix.com/nawp

I'm Alan Berg. Thanks for listening. If you have any questions about this or if you'd like to suggest other topics for "The Wedding Business Solutions Podcast" please let me know. My email is Alan@WeddingBusinessSolutions.com. Look forward to seeing you on the next episode. Thanks.

Listen to this and all episodes on Apple Podcast, YouTube or your favorite app/site:

• Apple Podcast: http://bit.ly/weddingbusinesssolutions
• YouTube: www.WeddingBusinessSolutionsPodcast.tv
• Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3sGsuB8
• Stitcher: http://bit.ly/wbsstitcher
• Google Podcast: http://bit.ly/wbsgoogle
• iHeart Radio: https://ihr.fm/31C9Mic
• Pandora: http://bit.ly/wbspandora

©2025 Wedding Business Solutions LLC & AlanBerg.com

Are you doing purposeful practice?

Are you just going through the motions or truly engaging in purposeful practice? In this episode, I explore how intentional practice differs from mere repetition. Are you setting achievable yet challenging goals just outside your current abilities? Tune in as I delve into how you can apply purposeful practice to improve your skills and grow beyond where you are today.

Listen to this new 9-minute episode for insights on setting goals just beyond your reach to ensure continuous improvement and mastery in your endeavors.

Episode Summary:

In this episode of the Wedding Business Solutions podcast, I delve into the concept of "purposeful practice," inspired by Matthew Syed's book, Bounce. While we often hear that 10,000 hours lead to mastery, I emphasize that it's the intentional practice within those hours that truly matters. Drawing parallels from sports, language learning, and my own golf lessons, I highlight the importance of setting specific, attainable goals that push our current abilities. I share my personal experiences with Duolingo and golf, illustrating how purposeful practice leads to genuine growth and mastery. I encourage you to stretch beyond mere completion, advocating for incremental improvements in your chosen endeavors.

If you have any questions about anything in this, or any of my podcasts, or have a suggestion for a topic or guest, please reach out directly to me at Alan@WeddingBusinessSolutions.com or visit my website Podcast.AlanBerg.com

Please be sure to subscribe to this podcast and leave a review (thanks, it really does make a difference). If you want to get notifications of new episodes and upcoming workshops and webinars, you can sign up at www.ConnectWithAlanBerg.com 

View the full transcript on Alan’s site: https://alanberg.com/blog/

Mon. Feb. 17th, Las Vegas, NV - Save $100 with this link: https://tinyurl.com/LVMini100

Mon. Feb. 24th, Miami, FL - https://events.humanitix.com/nawp

I'm Alan Berg. Thanks for listening. If you have any questions about this or if you'd like to suggest other topics for "The Wedding Business Solutions Podcast" please let me know. My email is Alan@WeddingBusinessSolutions.com. Look forward to seeing you on the next episode. Thanks.

Listen to this and all episodes on Apple Podcast, YouTube or your favorite app/site:

• Apple Podcast: http://bit.ly/weddingbusinesssolutions
• YouTube: www.WeddingBusinessSolutionsPodcast.tv
• Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3sGsuB8
• Stitcher: http://bit.ly/wbsstitcher
• Google Podcast: http://bit.ly/wbsgoogle
• iHeart Radio: https://ihr.fm/31C9Mic
• Pandora: http://bit.ly/wbspandora

©2025 Wedding Business Solutions LLC & AlanBerg.com

Cara Silletto - Reducing Turnover by Rethinking Retention

Is your team turnover causing disruption to your business? Are you thinking about why your staff might be leaving voluntarily? In this episode, Cara Silletto and I explore the myths around employee retention and share insights on reducing turnover by bridging generational gaps and enhancing communication. Discover how viewing your workforce through a fresh lens can change the way you retain talent and make your workplace more attractive.

Listen to this new episode for strategies to make your organizational culture stickier and your leadership more responsive to upcoming trends in workforce management.

About Cara:
Workforce thought leader and keynote speaker Cara Silletto, MBA, CSP, works with organizations to reduce unnecessary employee turnover. Workforce Magazine in Chicago named Cara a “Game Changer” and Recruiter.com listed her in their “Top 10 Company Culture Experts to Watch.” She is also the author of the book, "Staying Power: Why Your Employees Leave & How to Keep Them Longer."

If you have any questions about anything in this, or any of my podcasts, or have a suggestion for a topic or guest, please reach out directly to me at Alan@WeddingBusinessSolutions.com or visit my website Podcast.AlanBerg.com

Please be sure to subscribe to this podcast and leave a review (thanks, it really does make a difference). If you want to get notifications of new episodes and upcoming workshops and webinars, you can sign up at www.ConnectWithAlanBerg.com

View the full transcript on Alan’s site: https://alanberg.com/blog/

Mon. Feb. 17th, Las Vegas, NV - Save $100 with this link: https://tinyurl.com/LVMini100

Mon. Feb. 24th, Miami, FL - https://events.humanitix.com/nawp

I'm Alan Berg. Thanks for listening. If you have any questions about this or if you'd like to suggest other topics for "The Wedding Business Solutions Podcast" please let me know. My email is Alan@WeddingBusinessSolutions.com. Look forward to seeing you on the next episode. Thanks.

Listen to this and all episodes on Apple Podcast, YouTube or your favorite app/site:

• Apple Podcast: http://bit.ly/weddingbusinesssolutions
• YouTube: www.WeddingBusinessSolutionsPodcast.tv
• Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3sGsuB8
• Stitcher: http://bit.ly/wbsstitcher
• Google Podcast: http://bit.ly/wbsgoogle
• iHeart Radio: https://ihr.fm/31C9Mic
• Pandora: http://bit.ly/wbspandora

©2025 Wedding Business Solutions LLC & AlanBerg.com

Stop marketing like it's 2005!

Are you still reaching out to potential clients like it's the early 2000s? Are you adjusting your marketing approach to align with the evolving digital habits of Gen Y and Gen Z? In this episode, I dive into adapting your digital strategy to meet the needs and expectations of today's couples for better conversion rates.

Listen to this new 9-minute episode for insights on modernizing your communication style and turning more inquiries into booked clients.

Episode Summary:

In this episode of the Wedding Business Solutions podcast, I discuss why it's crucial to stop marketing like it's 2005. I've had conversations with people struggling to get couples on the phone, and I explain that Gen Y and Gen Z are more comfortable with digital communication. I share advice on crafting better digital conversations and adapting to clients' preferences using tools like ChatGPT. By personalizing communication and following up more frequently with concise messages, you can improve lead conversion rates. My goal is to help you enhance your marketing tactics, engage better online, and make the most of the leads you already have.

If you have any questions about anything in this, or any of my podcasts, or have a suggestion for a topic or guest, please reach out directly to me at Alan@WeddingBusinessSolutions.com or visit my website Podcast.AlanBerg.com

Please be sure to subscribe to this podcast and leave a review (thanks, it really does make a difference). If you want to get notifications of new episodes and upcoming workshops and webinars, you can sign up at www.ConnectWithAlanBerg.com 

View the full transcript on Alan’s site: https://alanberg.com/blog/

Mon. Feb. 17th, Las Vegas, NV - Save $100 with this link: https://tinyurl.com/LVMini100

Mon. Feb. 24th, Miami, FL - https://events.humanitix.com/nawp

I'm Alan Berg. Thanks for listening. If you have any questions about this or if you'd like to suggest other topics for "The Wedding Business Solutions Podcast" please let me know. My email is Alan@WeddingBusinessSolutions.com. Look forward to seeing you on the next episode. Thanks.

Listen to this and all episodes on Apple Podcast, YouTube or your favorite app/site:

• Apple Podcast: http://bit.ly/weddingbusinesssolutions
• YouTube: www.WeddingBusinessSolutionsPodcast.tv
• Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3sGsuB8
• Stitcher: http://bit.ly/wbsstitcher
• Google Podcast: http://bit.ly/wbsgoogle
• iHeart Radio: https://ihr.fm/31C9Mic
• Pandora: http://bit.ly/wbspandora

©2025 Wedding Business Solutions LLC & AlanBerg.com

So you got a bad review... now what?

Confronting a bad review can be daunting. Did you honestly assess the situation? Are you responding out of emotion, or are you considering the persistent quality of your overall feedback? In this episode, I dive into strategies for addressing unfavorable feedback effectively while maintaining professionalism and emotional health.

Listen to this new 13-minute episode for insights on handling bad reviews, maintaining a positive brand image, and the importance of constructive responses.

Episode Summary:

In this episode of the Wedding Business Solutions podcast, I tackled the challenging scenario of receiving a bad review. I shared my approach to navigating this situation by first assessing how much of the review is true. It's important to stay composed and avoid getting into a defensive back-and-forth. Instead, I recommend responding in a way that directs attention to the positive reviews we've received, while also acknowledging the guest's experience. By building a strong foundation of good reviews and personally responding to them, we can better manage the impact of negative feedback. I also emphasized the importance of learning from multiple negative reviews, as they can offer valuable insights for improving our services.

If you have any questions about anything in this, or any of my podcasts, or have a suggestion for a topic or guest, please reach out directly to me at Alan@WeddingBusinessSolutions.com or visit my website Podcast.AlanBerg.com

Please be sure to subscribe to this podcast and leave a review (thanks, it really does make a difference). If you want to get notifications of new episodes and upcoming workshops and webinars, you can sign up at www.ConnectWithAlanBerg.com 

View the full transcript on Alan’s site: https://alanberg.com/blog/

Mon. Feb. 17th, Las Vegas, NV - Save $100 with this link: https://tinyurl.com/LVMini100

Mon. Feb. 24th, Miami, FL - https://events.humanitix.com/nawp

I'm Alan Berg. Thanks for listening. If you have any questions about this or if you'd like to suggest other topics for "The Wedding Business Solutions Podcast" please let me know. My email is Alan@WeddingBusinessSolutions.com. Look forward to seeing you on the next episode. Thanks.

Listen to this and all episodes on Apple Podcast, YouTube or your favorite app/site:

• Apple Podcast: http://bit.ly/weddingbusinesssolutions
• YouTube: www.WeddingBusinessSolutionsPodcast.tv
• Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3sGsuB8
• Stitcher: http://bit.ly/wbsstitcher
• Google Podcast: http://bit.ly/wbsgoogle
• iHeart Radio: https://ihr.fm/31C9Mic
• Pandora: http://bit.ly/wbspandora

©2025 Wedding Business Solutions LLC & AlanBerg.com

Janice Litvin - Learn How to Banish Burnout!

Do you ever feel overwhelmed by the persistent demands of work, even if you love what you do? Are there moments when stress feels unmanageable, hinting that burnout might be just around the corner? In this episode, we dive into how to recognize early signs of burnout, reframe your stress reactions, and implement practical strategies to maintain your passion without the risk of burning out. Join us as Janice Litvin shares insights from her Banish Burnout Toolkit and discusses how to thrive in your wedding business.

Listen to this new episode for tips on recognizing burnout signs and mastering the art of setting healthy boundaries for a more balanced work-life harmony.

About Janice:
Janice Litvin is an award-winning workplace wellness speaker and author. She is on a mission to help leaders and teams banish burnout in their organizations so they can retain top talent. She does this through keynotes, workshops and coaching groups. Her program, Banish Burnout: Move from Stress to Success teaches individuals how to change their reactions to stress from the inside out. Banish Organizational Burnout to Cultivate Thriving Teams helps leaders and managers prevent burnout from the top down, to boost productivity.

Giveaway for WBS listeners: to get the free Banish Burnout Toolkit here is the link: https://www.janicelitvin.com/resources

Contact Janice:
www.JaniceLitvin.com/Speaking

https://www.Linkedin.com/in/JaniceLitvin

https://www.Facebook.com/WorkplaceWellnessSpeaker

https://www.Instagram.com/JaniceLitvin

https://www.X.com/JLitvin

If you have any questions about anything in this, or any of my podcasts, or have a suggestion for a topic or guest, please reach out directly to me at Alan@WeddingBusinessSolutions.com or visit my website Podcast.AlanBerg.com

Please be sure to subscribe to this podcast and leave a revie

Mon. Feb. 17th, Las Vegas, NV - Save $100 with this link: https://tinyurl.com/LVMini100

Mon. Feb. 24th, Miami, FL - https://events.humanitix.com/nawp

I'm Alan Berg. Thanks for listening. If you have any questions about this or if you'd like to suggest other topics for "The Wedding Business Solutions Podcast" please let me know. My email is Alan@WeddingBusinessSolutions.com. Look forward to seeing you on the next episode. Thanks.

Listen to this and all episodes on Apple Podcast, YouTube or your favorite app/site:

• Apple Podcast: http://bit.ly/weddingbusinesssolutions
• YouTube: www.WeddingBusinessSolutionsPodcast.tv
• Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3sGsuB8
• Stitcher: http://bit.ly/wbsstitcher
• Google Podcast: http://bit.ly/wbsgoogle
• iHeart Radio: https://ihr.fm/31C9Mic
• Pandora: http://bit.ly/wbspandora

©2025 Wedding Business Solutions LLC & AlanBerg.com

How do you sell a new product or service, without photos or reviews?

Are you struggling to gain traction with a new product or service due to a lack of reviews? How can you effectively communicate your value without prior customer feedback? In this episode, I discuss strategies like showcasing your work through compelling visuals, leveraging peer feedback, and communicating the unique results you bring to potential clients.

Listen to this new 5-minute episode for insights on building momentum for your new offerings, even when you’re starting from scratch.

Episode Summary:
In this episode of the Wedding Business Solutions podcast, I tackle the challenge of selling a new product or service without any reviews – that classic "chicken and egg" problem. I share some strategies to get past this hurdle, such as creating compelling visuals through styled photo shoots and leveraging peer reviews from industry collaborators. I stress focusing on the results you can provide, which are more impactful than just detailing your products or services. It’s essential to share your unique experience and story to stand out. I also suggest using platforms like Google, Facebook, and Yelp to gather early reviews and testimonials — even from guests and peers. Lastly, I emphasize using concise testimonial snippets in your marketing efforts. Whether you're starting fresh or looking to boost your current strategy, I offer practical insights to help you build momentum in your business.

If you have any questions about anything in this, or any of my podcasts, or have a suggestion for a topic or guest, please reach out directly to me at Alan@WeddingBusinessSolutions.com or visit my website Podcast.AlanBerg.com

Please be sure to subscribe to this podcast and leave a review (thanks, it really does make a difference). If you want to get notifications of new episodes and upcoming workshops and webinars, you can sign up at www.ConnectWithAlanBerg.com 

View the full transcript on Alan’s site: https://alanberg.com/blog/

Mon. Feb. 17th, Las Vegas, NV - Save $100 with this link: https://tinyurl.com/LVMini100

Mon. Feb. 24th, Miami, FL - https://events.humanitix.com/nawp

I'm Alan Berg. Thanks for listening. If you have any questions about this or if you'd like to suggest other topics for "The Wedding Business Solutions Podcast" please let me know. My email is Alan@WeddingBusinessSolutions.com. Look forward to seeing you on the next episode. Thanks.

Listen to this and all episodes on Apple Podcast, YouTube or your favorite app/site:

• Apple Podcast: http://bit.ly/weddingbusinesssolutions
• YouTube: www.WeddingBusinessSolutionsPodcast.tv
• Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3sGsuB8
• Stitcher: http://bit.ly/wbsstitcher
• Google Podcast: http://bit.ly/wbsgoogle
• iHeart Radio: https://ihr.fm/31C9Mic
• Pandora: http://bit.ly/wbspandora

©2025 Wedding Business Solutions LLC & AlanBerg.com