Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Grant McGaugh. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Grant, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you walk us through some of the key steps that allowed you move beyond an idea and actually launch?
When I worked for a large Fortune 500 company in October 2019, my Boss called me and, without warning, told me that 50 of my peers and I were being laid off. Suddenly faced with financial uncertainty, I began to think about my next opportunity. While at a seminar, one of the attendees heard of my current unemployed status and asked me if I was interested in representing his company on a commission basis as a business development manager. This was the spark I needed to begin thinking about adding value to companies that needed an account and brand manager but could not afford a full-time employee. I believe many SMB companies need to increase their reach in my local market of South Florida by hiring my team as a business development partner. I formed 5 STAR BDM in January 2020 with one client, quickly growing to 7 with four additional employees. Schedule your free one-hour consultation and learn how we can help
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I am an effective Brand Development Master (BDM) who utilizes finely-honed business skills to lead the development of brief strategies that harness the value of revenue generation and brand recognition for all of my clients. Additionally, I provide leadership for the continued growth of an innovative, robust, and growing pipeline of opportunity. With my training and drive, I have become an accomplished and versatile problem solver with demonstrated success in managing the end-to-end consulting, engagement, and service delivery process from the cradle to the grave. I also leverage deep expertise in enterprise-level business needs analysis and relationship development to deliver highly competitive service offerings and portfolios for my clients.
I have worked at the expert and executive level for multiple Fortune 500 organizations such as Zones, Inc., Century Link, and Avaya. I have received numerous awards and special recognition, such as the 2020 nomination for African American Achievers 2020 by JM Family Enterprises, the 2019 award for Healthcare Leadership by Legacy Magazine, the 2018 Gold Sales Achiever, TOP SALES Achiever, Gold Award Honors, and the President’s Club.
I am the CEO and owner of my professional career. I am an accomplished business leader and entrepreneur who has served as the president and esteemed board member for several professional organizations, including the National Association of Healthcare Executives (NAHSE) and the South Florida Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS). I have also shared my expertise when asked to speak on social media strategy and digital technology panels. I have also shared my knowledge via magazine articles such as the June 2017 issue of Miami Medicine and Legacy Magazine 2019 Healthcare Edition, featured in both the Sun-Sentinel and Miami Herald.
Leader – “creates a vision, assembles the team, takes charge, assigns tasks, measures progress.”
Grant McGaugh
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
I am on a mission to effectively help entrepreneurs and small to medium size businesses brand themselves through digital media. 71% of small-to-mid-sized companies use social media to market themselves through digital media. Digital networking is essential in any marketing strategy today! Social Selling is a new approach to Selling that allows salespeople to laser-target their prospecting and establish rapport through existing connections. Social media changed from social networking to social Selling. Social Selling will enable you to get insights and expertise and get directly in front of key decision-makers. 🏷️Social Selling and digital networking have never been easier. But there’s a right way and a wrong way to do it. My course will teach how to start conversations, grow your network, and keep them going until they reach a natural conclusion. Then, I will show you how to use LinkedIn to grow your customer base, create online networks, and sell your products and services.
💡Personal branding is creating and promoting a consistent image or identity for yourself, especially in your career or business context. This can help you to stand out and differentiate yourself from others and can be especially important if you are looking to build a reputation in a particular industry or field. Personal branding can involve various activities, such as developing a solid online presence, creating a professional website, networking with others in your industry, and establishing yourself as an expert in your field through speaking engagements, writing articles or blogs, or other forms of content creation. Building a solid personal brand can help attract opportunities and build credibility, which can be especially important if you want to advance your career or grow your business.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
In 2020, COVID-19 changed the way the world does business overnight. According to data gathered by McKinsey & Company, digital transformation across companies accelerated seven years in a matter of months due to the pandemic.¹ In-person get-togethers halted, video calls became the norm, and new employees were onboarded in an entirely remote world. For professionals, this transformation is disrupting how networking and job opportunities take place. 70% of employers now use social media to evaluate potential hires. The number of LinkedIn users in the United States alone has grown to 170 million.² Networking in a digital manner is no longer a nice-to-have; it is becoming a must.
This is where Business Development Executive Grant McGaugh delivers powerful insights into how today’s professionals must adapt to an increasingly digital world. After going through his disruptive life events that forced McGaugh to reevaluate his approach to building his future, he learned the incredible value of a robust digital network. Throughout this engaging conversation, McGaugh reveals the power of humanity in a digital world and provides listeners with actionable insights that will enable them to build their brands.
Today, McGaugh disrupts digital networking with a unique approach to creating a memorable online presence. Far more than simply uploading a digital resume to LinkedIn, McGaugh offers professionals critical tips for setting oneself apart from the rest.
During this insightful interview, McGaugh explains how:
A professional’s social presence is now a critical opportunity to differentiate and tell a compelling story about why they are set apart from others with similar backgrounds, experiences, and educational levels.
Digital transformation is on the fast track of acceleration. Professionals must join in the conversation today to prepare for the future of networking.
Engagement, conversations, and storytelling are central to building genuine connections in a digital world. Moreover, these connections will dictate the value of one’s network far into the future.
The future of digital transformation will include a paradigm shift from the analytical to the creative. By launching new metaverses that blend the physical and digital realities, those who use innovation effectively will lead the way.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://5starbdm.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/followthebrandpod/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/5STARBDM
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/5-star-bdm/?viewAsMember=true
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/grantmcgaugh
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXLf-__LaoqHG4_Xxef76vA