Brian Poliner is an educator, public policy professional, speaker, and writer. Before entering the educational arena, he successfully ran an aviation company and acted as operations manager of an air freight company. He has written and spoken extensively on the subjects of leadership, management, public policy, and education. He has presented on these subjects at international conferences the world over. He annually led a group of students to Hungary, where they studied comparative politics. Poliner is driven to improve himself and help others around him, which has led him to continue his own education for many years and to help many of his students beyond the completion of their degrees.
A native of Allentown, Pennsylvania, Brian Poliner attended Duquesne University, where he received a Bachelor of Arts in English. Shortly after college he married and had two children, a son, and a daughter. For over twenty-five years, he was President of BRP Aviation, where he oversaw all areas of operation as a Master Certified Flight Instructor. From 1993 until 2012, he acted as Operations Manager of WNY Air Freight, working alongside the company’s president to improve all areas of its logistics and supply chain processes. After many years of management in the private sector, Poliner made the decision to return to school with the aim of entering the fields of education and public policy.
In the process of furthering his education, Poliner has earned three graduate degrees. Poliner received two master’s degrees. He earned his first master’s degree in leadership and business ethics from Duquesne University, and then his second in public administration from Hilbert College. He received his Ph.D. in Leadership and Policy from Niagara University. Throughout his educational pursuits, Poliner’s drive and focus helped to garner him multiple honors and awards. He was inducted into the Golden Key International Honour Society, Kappa Gamma Pi National Graduate Honor Society, Phi Delta Kappa National Educator’s Association, and Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society in Education. While studying at Hilbert College, he received the St. Catherine’s Medal for Student and Scholastic Achievement, the highest honor a graduate student can receive.
Brian Poliner taught on the subjects of leadership, public administration, management, and ethics, while an adjunct professor at Hilbert College. He went on to serve as Chair of the Graduate and Online Masters of Public Administration, Health Administration, and Criminal Justice Programs, during which time he launched many institutional initiatives and created new course content. Poliner has also written copiously about the challenges within the educational realm. The most noteworthy of his works is his book, Challenges, and Responsibilities in Sustainable Education: Global Responses to Critical Issues. He looks forward to continuing to make the world a better place while at the same time making himself a better person.
Please tell us a little bit about your business – what is Brian Poliner Consulting all about?
Brian Poliner Consulting was established to help people find success in their lives and careers. I have a background in business, leadership, management, and education. The goal of the company is to put all of that experience into practice by helping others succeed in all aspects of life. Brian Poliner Consulting is a company that provides leadership and management training, as well as public policy consulting services. I work with clients in the private and public sectors to help them improve their operations and achieve their goals. I do this through training, collaboration, and facilitation.
In your book Challenges and Responsibilities in Sustainable Education: Global Responses to Critical Issues you cover a broad range of topics from both an educational perspective as well as a global perspective. What inspired you to write this book?
I wrote this book while writing my doctoral dissertation at Niagara University. My focus was on sustainable development, specifically how it could be applied to education. In addition to my research for the dissertation, I also had the opportunity to teach a course on the subject. I wanted to maintain a body of work that could help raise awareness about education and what it can do for us in the future.
What inspired you to start the company?
I’ve been working in the field of leadership and management training for over 25 years, and I’ve always been passionate about helping people improve their skills and achieve their goals. I started Brian Poliner Consulting to provide high-quality training and consulting services to clients all over the world.
What would you say are the top 3 skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur, and why?
The top 3 skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur are:
- Leadership skills – You need to be able to inspire others and lead them in the direction you want to go.
- Communication skills – You need to be able to effectively communicate your ideas and vision to others.
- Problem-solving skills – You need to be able to identify and solve problems quickly and efficiently. These skills are essential for entrepreneurs because they are constantly faced with new challenges and obstacles.
How do you separate yourself from your competitors?
Brian Poliner Consulting provides personalized services that are tailored to each individual client’s needs. I work with the client to fully understand their situation and develop a custom solution based on my expertise as well as their specific circumstances. This allows each client to achieve success in what they’re trying to do, whether it be training or consulting services.
What is your greatest accomplishment so far?
I would say my greatest accomplishment was earning both my Doctoral Degree from Niagara University. It was a long and arduous process, but I persevered and came out on top at the end of it all.
What have been your biggest challenges and how did you overcome them?
The biggest challenges I’ve faced as an entrepreneur have been:
- Lack of funding – This has been a challenge for me since the early days of my business. I’ve had to be resourceful and find ways to get the most out of the resources I have.
- Competition – There are a lot of businesses out there that offer similar services, so it can be difficult to differentiate yourself from the competition.
- Time management – As an entrepreneur, you wear many hats and you need to be able to manage your time effectively. You can’t afford to waste time on things that don’t matter.
If you started your business again, what things would you do differently?
If I started my business again, I would have done more of the following:
- Developed a better website – My original website was just an online brochure that did not capture or connect with potential customers.
- Spent more money on marketing – Advertising is essential for any business, especially for new ones. If you don’t get your name out there, nobody will know who you are and what you do.
- Asked for help sooner – Asking friends and family to support your cause can provide some much-needed moral support when times get tough. It also helps to have people in your corner who believe in what you’re trying to accomplish.
What’s a productivity tip you swear by?
One productivity tip that I swear by is to always start your day with a plan. Know what you need to accomplish and create a timeline for yourself so that you don’t get overwhelmed. This will help you stay focused and on track throughout the day.
What helps you stay driven and motivated to keep going in your business?
The thing that helps me stay driven and motivated to keep going with my business is knowing that there are people out there who depend on me. I want to make sure I’m doing everything in my power to provide for them so they have what they need, whether it be food on the table or clothes on their backs.
Do you have any books you would recommend?
I would definitely recommend reading Personal Development for Smart People by Steve Pavlina. It talks about the importance of personal development and provides several different techniques for becoming a better person.
What is your favorite quote?
“There is no passion to be found playing small – in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.”
-Nelson Mandela
What valuable advice would you give new entrepreneurs starting out?
Advice that I would give to new entrepreneurs starting out is to think BIG. Just because you’re a small business doesn’t mean your goals have to be limited in scope. Dream big and take advantage of any opportunities that present themselves. Don’t limit yourself based on preconceived notions about what you think can or can’t be done.
How do you personally overcome fear?
I overcome fear by taking action. If I feel like there’s something that I’m afraid of, I will usually take small steps towards conquering that fear. This could be anything from signing up for a class to networking with people in my industry. By taking these small steps, I slowly eliminate the fear and become more comfortable with it.
linkedin.com/in/brian-poliner-phd-68b774144
Interviews and PR by Matt Peters and Team.
https://searchmanipulator.com
About The Author
