Business

Transforming Sales: Tips from Gene Slade’s Student on Lead Ninja System

Published

9 months ago

June 13, 2024

Corbin Allen’s journey from a troubled past to a successful sales professional shows how resilience and good mentorship can change a life. With the help of Gene Slade, CEO of Lead Ninja System and Lead Ninja AI, Allen improved his sales skills and used new strategies to perform much better.

Lead Ninja System is a training program that helps improve sales skills, especially for people in the HVAC, plumbing, and electrical trades. It focuses on making sales more efficient and keeping customers happy through Slade’s proven strategies and hands-on training sessions. Lead Ninja AI is part of the Lead Ninja System and can have long, human-like phone conversations. It remembers details from past talks, making each call personal and consistent. This AI is flexible and works well for sales calls and customer support in the HVAC, plumbing, and electrical trades.

Here, Mr. Allen shares the important lessons he learned from Slade and how he used them to succeed. He gives practical advice for new salespeople. Allen keeps learning from Slade and now also teaches others at Slade’s live events.

Road to Victory

Allen’s journey is truly amazing. He was born into a tough situation and faced many difficulties from a young age.

“I was a product of a broken home,” he shares. “I never really had a mom physically present, and this led to some poor choices. I found myself in prison at 18.”

When Allen was 20 and got out, he decided to change his life. He started working on air conditioners, not knowing at first how much money he could make in sales.

“I was hired as a technician, but I realized the guys selling air conditioners were making significantly more money,” he says. “This moment was the start of my journey in sales.”

Discovering Gene Slade and Lead Ninja System

Allen’s career took a huge turn when he found Slade and the Lead Ninja System.

“Gene is the real deal,” Allen says. “Unlike many sales trainers who haven’t ‘walked the walk,’ Gene’s advice is practical and — most importantly — rooted in real experience.”

Allen first heard about Slade through a podcast and was immediately impressed by his insights.

“I decided to try his techniques, and they worked,” Allen says. “This was a total game-changer for me.”

Top Tips from Corbin Allen

Drawing from his experiences and the invaluable lessons learned from Slade, Allen shared his top sales tips with us to help our readers succeed.

1. Establish a Routine

Allen insists on the importance of a good routine.

“How you do anything is how you do everything,” he says. “Having a routine, setting aside time for yourself, and keeping a positive mindset are super important. Whether it’s going to the gym, meditating, or grounding yourself, find something that centers you and make it part of every single day.”

2. Adopt a Holistic Approach

A holistic approach to life and work is essential.

“You need to look at your life from all angles,” Allen says. “Focus on improving yourself in all areas of your life, not just in sales. When you feel good, you do well. This means you will have better interactions with clients and more successful sales. But you have to give all aspects of your life equal value.”

3. Develop a Solid Process

One of the most impactful lessons Allen learned from Slade is the importance of having a structured sales process.

“Most salespeople don’t have a clear process that they can use with every potential client,” he notes. “Gene taught me that having a standard process allows you to track what works and what doesn’t. It’s important to follow a consistent process in every interaction.”

4. Focus on Helping Others

Allen advises changing the perspective from selling to helping.

“Ask yourself, ‘How can I help this person today?’” he says. “When you really focus on providing help and solving problems for your clients, the sales will naturally follow!”

5. Continuous Learning and Adaptation

As a forever student of Slade’s teachings, Allen shares the importance of always learning and being open to adapt.

“Sales is always changing,” he says. “Stay updated with Gene’s latest techniques, attend his bi-weekly training sessions, through the Mastermind, and always be open to learning new things. Gene’s Lead Ninja Mastermind sessions are so great, and the Mansion Events are even better, because we practice in real life, just like it would be with a potential client.”

Allen’s Credentials and Achievements

Allen’s success under Slade’s mentorship is easy to see from his big achievements.

“From making $50,000 a year as a technician to earning over $200,000 in my first year in sales, the change has been incredible,” he shares. “This year, I’m on track to make over $300,000.”

Allen is also successful in his personal life. He built a stable and loving family, raising four boys with his wife, whom he met just three months after his getting out of prison. They were wed six months later.

“We’ve been together for over five years, and it’s been a steady climb,” he says proudly. “I hope through Lead Ninja, many men can bring together beautiful families like I did. I didn’t think it was possible when I was at my lowest. Now, I think anyone can do it if they work hard and believe in themselves. It helps to have Gene in your corner, too.”

The Power of Mentorship

Allen attributes much of his success to the mentorship he received from Slade.

“Lead NInja is ultra transformative,” he states. “Gene provides practical advice that is easy to implement from the jump. Plus, his process works for everyone, regardless of personality type.”

For those looking to copy Allen’s success, he offers this final piece of advice: “Find a mentor who has walked the path you want to take. Learn from them, implement their strategies, and always strive to better yourself. With the right guidance, anything is possible. I believe in us.”

Corbin Allen’s journey from adversity to success underscores the profound impact of effective mentorship and the power of resilience. By following his advice and adopting a holistic approach to life and work, aspiring salespeople can achieve remarkable success in the HVAC, plumbing, and electrical trades.

About Gene Slade

Gene Slade, CEO of Lead Ninja System, is a pioneering force in the realm of sales training and business development. With a steadfast commitment to empowering professionals in the HVAC, plumbing, and electrical trades, Gene offers transformative coaching experiences that revolutionize the way business owners approach sales and growth through personalized guidance, community support, and access to exclusive resources. For more information, please visit https://leadninjasystem.com/

Business

Jellyfish Pictures Suspension Reveals Outsourcing Opportunity, Says BruntWork

Published

2 days ago

March 16, 2025

Matthew Wiles

Jellyfish Pictures, a well-known UK visual effects studio, has temporarily shut down due to financial struggles. The company, recognized for its work on major films and streaming projects, is searching for buyers or investors while halting all ongoing work. This situation has raised concerns across the visual effects industry, which is already dealing with economic pressures, labor disputes, and production changes. BruntWork, one of the top outsourcing companies, sees this as an opportunity for companies to reassess how they operate and how outsourcing can help VFX studios lower costs and stay financially stable.

A Leading Studio Brought to a Standstill

Jellyfish Pictures started as a small operation in 2001 and became a respected name in visual effects. With multiple offices in London and a portfolio of high-profile projects, the studio built a strong reputation. However, rising costs and growing competition from lower-cost studios made it harder to stay profitable. Financial pressure mounted, forcing the company to suspend operations.

Clients relying on Jellyfish Pictures are now left searching for alternative vendors to complete their projects. The suspension has also put hundreds of employees in a difficult position, leaving them uncertain about their future. Company leaders have stated they are looking into all possible options, including selling the business or bringing in outside investors.

Why VFX Studios Are Struggling

Visual effects companies have long worked with tight profit margins. The financial setbacks caused by the COVID-19 pandemic made things even tougher. Many VFX studios kept projects moving remotely but struggled with delayed payments and cancellations. In 2023, the global VFX industry was valued at $11.3 billion, but continued production delays and tighter budgets are making it difficult for companies to grow.

The writers’ and actors’ strikes in 2023 added more complications. With productions on hold, many VFX studios found themselves with fewer projects in the pipeline. A recent industry survey found that 72% of VFX companies faced financial struggles due to the combined effects of the pandemic and the strikes. Mid-sized studios with high fixed costs, like Jellyfish Pictures, have been hit the hardest.

Winston Ong, CEO of BruntWork, believes this situation exposes weaknesses in traditional business models. “Studios operating in expensive cities like London face overwhelming costs that outsourcing could help reduce,” he says.

The Role of Outsourcing in Keeping VFX Studios Afloat

Some experts believe outsourcing can help visual effects companies manage financial risk. According to Ong, studios that rely entirely on in-house teams in high-cost cities struggle to keep expenses under control, while those that blend in-house work with outsourcing can operate more efficiently.

The shift to remote work during the pandemic showed that collaboration across different locations is possible. Data from outsourcing firms suggests that studios using a mix of in-house creative direction and outsourced production can lower expenses by 40-60% without sacrificing quality. Some companies have already moved in this direction, allowing them to stay competitive without driving up costs.

Beyond production outsourcing, some VFX studios are also exploring ways to streamline marketing efforts. Hiring a digital marketing virtual assistant allows companies to manage campaigns, social media, and client outreach more efficiently. This helps studios maintain a strong industry presence without the overhead costs of full-time marketing teams.

Still, outsourcing comes with potential risks. Some industry veterans warn that relying too much on external teams can lead to quality issues and production delays. Studios must find the right balance between saving money and maintaining the level of quality audiences expect from high-end visual effects.

What Comes Next for Visual Effects?

Jellyfish Pictures’ troubles have sparked discussions about how VFX studios can stay in business. More flexible production models, outsourcing, and smarter budgeting could become the standard technique. Advances in technology continue to make remote collaboration smoother, allowing studios to complete projects without keeping all operations in expensive locations.

“This reflects a larger problem across the industry,” says Ong. Studios that adjust their operations and use outsourcing effectively may be better prepared for economic swings. Companies that maintain strong creative leadership while using global production teams seem to have an advantage.

For many, this also extends to marketing. Some of the most successful VFX firms are those that recognize the benefits of outsourcing digital marketing to specialists who can handle branding, social media, and client engagement without the high costs of in-house teams. This allows studios to maintain visibility and credibility even in uncertain market conditions.

Larger firms may continue to acquire struggling studios, but smaller businesses that improve their financial strategies could stay independent. The challenge is finding a way to keep artistic vision intact while managing expenses.

Moving Toward Stability

Jellyfish Pictures’ shutdown is a warning for the visual effects industry. High operating costs and unpredictable changes in production schedules show why studios need flexible business strategies. Some will turn to outsourcing, while others may merge with larger firms or adopt hybrid models to stay competitive.

For mid-sized studios, financial stability must be a priority without sacrificing creativity. The next few years could bring more studio buyouts, with bigger companies taking over smaller ones. However, independent studios that adjust how they work could still succeed by reducing costs without lowering the quality of their output.

“Adaptability is what matters. Studios that adjust their structures and use global talent wisely will be the ones that remain strong in this industry, ” Ong concludes.