In this episode of 10 Keys to Thrive in Business and in Life, international business strategist Jim Krigbaum continues his deep dive into the CHARM DANCE framework—this time unpacking the R: Risk.

Jim breaks down why risk is unavoidable in both business and life—and why most leaders misunderstand it. From product launches and market expansion to reputation management and financial exposure, this episode explores how risk shows up everywhere (yes, even in dinner decisions). More importantly, Jim explains how unexamined risk quietly destroys businesses, while well-assessed risk creates opportunity, growth, and outsized returns.

Drawing from decades of global experience, Jim shares real-world stories involving distributors, retailers, product recalls, brand confusion, and internal breakdowns between sales, accounting, and operations. He explains why risk tolerance changes with age, family responsibilities, and life stage—and why leaders must consider not just their own downside, but the impact on everyone who depends on them.

You’ll also learn:

• Why honesty and communication are inseparable from risk management
• How “rose-colored glasses” sabotage decision-making
• Why involving others strengthens your judgment (and your outcomes)
• How tools like SWOT analysis actually work when used correctly
• Why markets, branding, and global awareness matter more than ever

This episode is a masterclass in thinking clearly before you leap, without freezing your momentum or playing small.

Stay tuned next week as Jim moves into the M: Markets—and shows you how elite leaders become true students of the marketplace.

If you’ve ever poured time, money, and pride into building something “perfect”… only to watch the market shrug—this episode is your wake-up call (the friendly kind… with a little tough love).

In today’s 10 Keys to Thrive in Business and in Life, international business strategist Jim Krigbaum continues the CHARM DANCE framework with A: Appropriate and Consistent Quality—a principle most entrepreneurs think they understand, but rarely apply.

Jim breaks down the difference between producing what you love versus producing what the market will actually buy—and explains why “the finest product in the world” can still flop if it doesn’t match demand. He shares real-world global case studies, including Georgian winemakers who had to shift their production style to meet international tastes, and a Paraguay stevia producer whose product was too pure for the quality levels the market had already standardized.

You’ll also learn why Jim calls it a demand chain, not a supply chain, and how consistency becomes the real competitive advantage—especially in agricultural and natural products where Mother Nature doesn’t exactly do “factory settings.” From Pringles vs. Lay’s to how yogurt brands engineer identical fruit flavor and texture year-round, Jim shows how companies maintain reliable quality even when raw inputs vary.

In this episode, you’ll walk away with:

• A clear definition of “appropriate quality” (and why purity isn’t always the win)
• How to align product specs to what buyers already expect
• Why consistency builds trust—and inconsistency kills repeat customers
• How different markets demand different “versions” of the same product
• A simple mindset shift: stop trying to sell what you produce—produce what you can sell

Next week, Jim moves into R: Risk—and how leaders assess risk without stalling momentum.

And if you want a shot at the $15,000 private VIP Day with Jim, leave a review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes to enter this week’s drawing.
Grab Jim’s free gift and learn more at 10keystothrive.com.

In this episode of 10 Keys to Thrive in Business and Life, international business strategist Jim Krigbaum dives into the second pillar of the CHARM DANCE framework: Honesty—and why communication without honesty is ultimately meaningless.

Through powerful real-world stories from business partnerships, legal battles, and even personal friendships, Jim reveals how a single moment of dishonesty can wipe out years of credibility. He explains why integrity isn’t just a moral value—it’s a strategic advantage that determines whether people trust you, follow you, or walk away.

You’ll learn why telling the truth isn’t always comfortable, how “paltering” (answering a different question than the one asked) quietly erodes trust, and why once credibility is lost, regaining it can take years—if it happens at all. Jim also shares how honesty must become part of your DNA if you want sustainable success in leadership, business, and life.

Whether you’re a business owner, executive, entrepreneur, or aspiring leader, this episode will challenge you to examine how you communicate, where you compromise, and how honesty—or the lack of it—impacts everything you’re trying to build.