Using Automation & Building your Industry Friends Groups - with EJ Dombrowski (Jim's Music)

Music Retail Podcast

Summary Donovan Bankhead and E.J. Dombrowski discuss their friendship and the impact of reaching out to each other. They talk about the challenges of running a music store, being resourceful, and staying competitive in the industry. They also touch on the importance of automation and delegation in order to focus on innovation and growth. The conversation highlights the constant need for adaptation and the role of competition in driving improvement. They share their experiences of starting and expanding their music stores, as well as the lessons they've learned along the way. Creating a culture where people can speak up and provide feedback is crucial for success. It is important to have a team of people who are willing to challenge and question decisions. Hiring people who are smarter and better than you at certain tasks is key. Trusting and empowering employees to make decisions and take ownership leads to their success and the success of the business. It is necessary to pitch ideas and gain buy-in from the team before implementing changes. Admitting when you're wrong and being open to feedback is essential for building a culture of trust and growth. In this conversation, Donovan Bankhead and EJ discuss the importance of industry relationships and friendships, as well as the value of using Crystal Reports for automation and data analysis in small businesses. They also share insights on hiring and managing employees, setting goals and benchmarks, and the challenges of running a small music store. The conversation highlights the benefits of learning from and sharing with other music store owners. Chapters 00:00 Building Relationships and Friendships 03:02 Resourcefulness and Creativity in a Small Music Store 09:23 Automation and Delegation for Innovation and Growth 12:27 The Role of Competition in Driving Improvement 14:17 Adapting to the Constantly Changing Marketplace 16:07 The Importance of a Supportive Team and Confidants 27:12 Hiring the Right People for Success 28:30 Empowering Employees to Take Ownership 31:04 Pitching Ideas and Gaining Buy-In 34:43 Admitting When You're Wrong and Being Open to Feedback 57:45 Building Relationships and Friendships 01:05:14 Automating Business Processes with Crystal Reports 01:02:54 Setting Goals and Benchmarks 01:04:12 The Importance of a Strong Work Ethic in Managers 01:06:21 Sharing Insights and Ideas 01:16:07 Finding Inspiration and Learning Opportunities

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