In this CEO Essentials Podcast, I connect with Joey Coleman  of Design Symphony.

We talk about how connecting with customers in a REMARKABLE way leads to bigger margins

• How to set your company apart from the other dozen companies “just like yours”
• How to “walk in your customers’ shoes”
• Specific tips on creative thinking –  leading to raving fans – and to your ideas going viral

We’ve pulled the essentials from our discussion with Joey – key tips to move from idea to action.
Download the First 100 Days Tip Sheet

About Joey:

Joey Coleman is the Chief Experience Composer at Design Symphony – a customer experience branding firm that specializes in creating unique, attention-grabbing customer experiences.  His clients include individual entrepreneurs, start-ups, small businesses, non-profits, government entities, and Fortune 500 companies.  For over a decade he’s worked with clients that include NASA, Network for Good, Hyatt Hotels, Zappos, the Save Darfur Coalition, and the World Bank – not to mention dozens of regional and local organizations around the world.

Joey is a recognized expert in customer experience design, an award-winning speaker at national and international conferences, and has taught business and creativity courses at both the college and graduate school level.  Past appearances include presentations at the M.I.T. Sloan School of Management, Google, the Georgetown University School of Business, Stanford University, Zappos, YouTube, and numerous undergraduate, private corporation, and non-profit events.

Joey’s design palette and sense of adventure is augmented by travels to over 44 countries on six continents.  He has jumped out of a perfectly functioning airplane, raced along the Great Wall of China, juggled in front of the Taj Mahal, sang love songs on the Ponte Vecchio, goose-stepped to mock the soldiers in Red Square, and ridden a mountain bike down a volcano – although it remains a debate as to whether he rode the bike or the volcano rode him!

I’m writing this from a vacation trip and I just witnessed a social interaction worthy of publishing.

My 2 year old is bored.  He has *nothing* to do and is going back and forth with his siblings seeking their assistance to do something fun.  As a dad of 7 kids I can tell you that children are *master* negotiators and we can learn tools from them that can help us in business.

After being turned down several times by others, Noah turned his attention to his oldest brother, ten years his senior.  Again, he went in with his best outcome – that his brother would agree to supervise him as he explored the great outdoors.

In no uncertain terms, Joel told him “No, I will not help you.”  Noah’s response? A positive question: “Not yet?”  Sure enough, moments (and several requests) later he had talked his way into having Joel fix him a fresh cup of apple juice.

Here are three takeaways.

1. Persistence – Just because someone tells you no, that doesn’t mean that the final answer is no.  He had a second, and a third option available.
2. Positive attitude –  I’ve long said that God makes puppies and children cute, so you don’t kill them.  A smile and a big-eyed plaintive look has worked wonders for my two year old.  You’ll be amazed how much better your negotiations will fare when you have a positive attitude and gentle demeanor.
3. Re-positioning works! Noah interpreted the “no” as a “not yet.”   He immediately re-positioned Joel’s response in terms that were favorable to him – letting Joel know that he wasn’t taking Joel’s first response as his final answer.

As I wrap up this post, Noah has been enjoying his juice and has settled in next to another older brother to see what excitement he can find.

I have a feeling that Noah’s going to end up getting a lot of what he wants from these tips.  Which one has worked well for you?

I meet with business leaders all the time who want to make their company stronger and better.

Leaders like you want to take their team to the next level.  Many times people want to know who else does what I do, too.

I’m a firm believer that you need a coach, and I want to help you find the right coach for you.

List of local coaches

1.  Lowell Nereberg – Lowell ran companies before and shepherded them as they grew.  He has tremendous experience to help you and your team as you are making important decisions.
2. Debbie Zients – With The Alternative Board – Debbie offers a program for entrepreneurs who participate in roundtables to help each other.
3. Ken Gosnell – Founder of the local chapter of C12 – a forum for Christian business owners – provides a place for business leaders who believe that their faith is an important component of their business and are looking for encouragement and support.
4. Laurie Maddelena – Bringing a background of leadership in the financial services industry, Laurie connects with business leaders through what she calls “success circles.”
5. Tony Mayo – I have heard Tony Mayo speak, and have seen his work with clients.  He brings a powerful prospective and helps leaders with focus.  He’s a smart guy, and can do you good.
6. Ingar Grev – I have watched Ingar work with a client who was in the process of creating a significant plan for leadership alignment in a partnership.  He does a fine job with balancing the “ideal future state” with the realities of operations while making improvements.

There you have it – six potential places to turn to look for an executive coach.  We all need an outside perspective.  Who is YOUR coach?

Keys to a great coach experience:

1. Find someone you trust – having an emotional connection is important.

2. Find a coach who helps you think outside your box.

3. Find a coach who will call BS on your BS.  Holding you accountable.

Hopefully you’ll find a fantastic coach and see your business really soar to new heights!

What’s the biggest problem you’re facing in growing your business?

Post a comment below or send me an email!

Why Magnetic Headlines Are Crucial for Your Posts

Welcome to Rainmaker. This is a sample post to get you started on your journey. Don’t forget that your headline is the most important aspect of writing a great post, and getting readers to read your opening paragraph. The first four to six sentences of your post are critical, because if you don’t hook your audience, they will get bored and click away. What is the benefit you will provide readers that you promised in the title? Be sure to describe the signs of the problem you will offer a solution to toward the end of your post.

Use subheads to improve readability and gather interest

Here you can begin to describe the underlying causes of the problem you have the solutions to, using persuasive arguments and great storytelling, and readers will have no choice but to read more.

Subheads help readers scan your content quickly

Bullet points are helpful to keep your copy reader-friendly, and a proven standard for making a solid argument:

• Tell a great story, but don’t over-write it. Be authentic!
• Use internal cliffhangers to entice readers to read more.
• Use a great image to make an impression on readers from the start.

Subheads draw readers’ attention to your call to action

When you provide real solutions and insights for your prospects and customers, you build trust and authority that will allow you to deepen the conversation further with an opt-in or call-to-action. Sign up here! This is where a compelling call to action makes it clear to your readers what they need to do next to implement your solution. Good luck!