The Business Elevation Show With Chris Cooper - Be More. Achieve More

What is the future of technology? Also, how do you thrive in a corporation like Intel and be named by Insight Success as “US Business Woman of the Year”? These are some of the questions I will be asking Rachel Mushahwar, the Vice President and General Manager of US Business Consumption Enterprise, Government, and Cloud Industries at Intel. Leading 9 different industry verticals in the US, Rachel is accountable for an incredible $4 Billion in sales. Join us for insight into the future of technology and inspiration into how to succeed within a multinational corporation whilst also being an inspiring Mother.

Have you considered the important role trademarks play in successful businesses and the ability they can provide you to leverage your brands? Prior to beginning his own practice, my guest Erik Pelton reviewed trademark applications as an Attorney for the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office. In law school beforehand, Erik focused on the convergence of new technologies, communications & intellectual property law during internships for National Public Radio, PBS Broadcasting & The White House. Recognizing the rising value of trademark protection in the information age, Erik launched TMarksman to provide affordable legal assistance for small businesses in need of trademark protection. Since then, his counsel has helped build & sustain strong brands for hundreds of Internet ventures, software companies, inventors, restaurants & small businesses. Join us to find out how you too can ensure your trademarks are protected so you can effectively grow your business.

There has never been a time when it has been easier to connect with stakeholders. Yet how do we truly engage them such that we implement change initiatives effectively? My guests are Alex Catmur who has worked with clients across a wide range of sectors helping them make the most of their information assets. He is an expert at helping them optimise the use of technology to deliver value for clients and build long-term resilience across organisations. Also, Nelly Twumasi-Mensah who specialises in delivering and embedding transformational change with a focus on managing and motivating individuals and teams to achieve the benefits of change programmes. A chartered member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), she has a background in Project Management; successfully delivering multi million-pound construction projects and programmes for large private and public sector clients. Join us as we discuss the practical ways to build exceptional stakeholder engagement.

A powerful insight inspired my guest Isaac Lidsky to achieve his most ambitious dreams despite losing his sight to a blinding disease: it isn’t external circumstances, but how we perceive and respond to them, that governs our reality. Series regular “Weasel” on Saved by the Bell: The New Class, Isaac graduated from Harvard College at 19 and from Harvard Law School); served as a Supreme Court law Clerk ; was a Justice Department litigator; founded a tech start-up (sold for $230 million); turned a failing construction subcontractor into a highly profitable construction services company (ten times larger); and founded Hope for Vision, a non-profit that funds the development of treatments and cures for blinding diseases. He’s been a main stage TED speaker and his book, “Eyes Wide Open” is a New York Times, USA Today and Indie bestseller. Join us for a conversation that will help us all to move forward with our eyes wide open!

How do you truly elevate your leadership? In part 2 we take a deep dive into our ‘Elevating Leadership Model’ sharing focus areas and ideas to make practical leadership performance shifts. Gene Early, Leaders’ Quest partner and co-founder of the first NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming) training institute in Europe and I, Chris Cooper, have been co-creating our thinking on taking leadership to the next level. In this era of unprecedented leadership challenges now is the time to really consider this question. Steven Morris the acclaimed artist, writer and entrepreneur will host again. Join us for the second part of this series where Gene and I, with the help of Steve help you to shift your leadership to the very next level.

Wishing to disrupt an industry with a fresh innovative approach or wanting to be inspired by a leader who has done just that? HUUB founder and owner Dean Jackson created the company in 2011 as a new sporting brand which utilised technology and research in the design of its clothing and accessories to deliver performance enhancing products. The initial focus was on wetsuits which are sported by some of the world’s top triathletes, including Olympians Alistair and Jonny Brownlee. This phenomenal success amongst elite and non-professional triathletes resulted in HUUB securing a 30% share of the UK wet-suit market in just five years and the company having presence in over 20 other countries. Join us as I discuss with Dean his remarkable philosophies of business and life. A must for anyone seeking to found or rapidly grow an innovative business or seeking business tips and inspiration for tremendous business and personal success.

How do you find the perfect coach? In this special conversation, we will be discussing how to ensure a coach is right for you or your employees, as well as the subtle signs of coaching artistry that give coach confidence. I am joined by three friends of the show, Libby Wagner the poet, teacher, writer, speaker, advisor & coach to presidents, CEOs & directors of Fortune 500 clients. Owen Ó Súilleabháin the Irish singer, composer & coach who has collaborated with Riverdance composer Bill Whelan, violinist Nigel Kennedy, actor Russell Crowe, director Steven Spielberg, music legends The Chieftains plus composer of the new Business Elevation show theme tune. Steven Morris the artist, writer & entrepreneur who combines a thriving painting practice with brand evolution consultancy and coaching. Plus my own opinions with many years of professional business coaching under my belt. If becoming a better you, developing your people or improving yourself as a coach is important then do join us!

How do you truly elevate your leadership? Gene Early, Leaders’ Quest partner and co-founder of the first NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming) training institute in Europe, and I, Chris Cooper, have been co-creating our thinking on taking leadership to the next level. Having first begun this work reflecting by a Masai campfire in Kenya, it feels time in this era of unprecedented leadership to really consider this question. For the very first time, we are sharing our initial thoughts publicly in this deep interview on elevating leadership. It needed a special interviewer to bring out the depth of our thinking and my good friend Steven Morris, the acclaimed artist, writer and entrepreneur, was the perfect fit. Join us for the first part of a very special interview series where Gene and I, with the help of Steve will help you to shift your leadership to the very next level.

Do you and your business always treat people fairly? Do you always return calls, follow through on commitments, treat suppliers well...Is fairness at the heart of everything you do? If not, you are missing a significant point of differentiation. Mike Symes is Chief Executive of the multi award-winning Financial Marketing Group of Companies and Executive Director of Brand Workshop Limited. Formerly Head of Marketing and Vice President at Bank of New York Financial, Mike is a highly experienced brand strategist, speaker and marketing au-thor, responsible for launching and developing many successful brands for over 30 years. Join us as we explore why fairness must be at the heart of your business and the key components that will give you outstanding differentiation in your marketplace.

Being vulnerable and open in business can prove engaging, while sharing our innermost thoughts and secrets can also have repercussions. Where is the sweet spot to vulnerability? My guest Corey Blake is the founder and CEO of Round Table Companies (RTC), the publisher of Conscious Capitalism Press, and a speaker, artist, and storyteller. He starred in Mountain Dew's Bohemian Rhapsody commercial, named one of the 50 greatest Superbowl commercials of all time, as well as spots for American Express, Pepsi, Wrigley's, Hasbro and others. He has won 15 independent publisher awards & been featured on the cover of the Wall Street Journal. Corey’s pioneering of the business comic book genre was splashed across major media including the New York Times and USA Today. Corey is the creator of the Vulnerability Wall (his clients include Microsoft, ADP, Marketo, and Workday) and the Vulnerability is SexyTM card game. Join us to discover how vulnerable at work you can be.

What would employee health, business performance and our cities be like if our employees chose to run or even cycle to work and left the car and public transport behind? One big challenge though is that the infrastructure to be able to shower and change has not been easily accessible. Most companies also have not had showers in their buildings. This may be about to change! Scott Cain is the founder and CEO of RunFriendly (www.runfriendly.com). He is an Honorary Senior Research Fellow at UCL Bartlett, in the Centre for Advanced Spatial Analysis, and holds advisory roles with Faculty.ai (Artificial Intelligence and machine learning), PSYT, PAN Studio and Centric Lab. Previously Scott was Chief Business Officer and Executive Director at the Future Cities Catapult, a world-leading urban innovation centre. Join us as we discuss executive health, how organizations can support their employees in getting healthier and more productive and the benefits to our cities.

How can your sales approach become irresistible? During this interview we will explore how you can go from being invisible to irresistible including exploring the power of storytelling. My guest John Livesay, aka The Pitch Whisperer, is a sales keynote speaker and shares key lessons learned from his award-winning sales career at Conde Nast. In his keynote “Getting To Irresistible,” he shows companies’ sales teams how to become irresistible so they are magnetic to their ideal clients. His new book Better Selling Through Storytelling comes out in 2019. He is also the host of “The Successful Pitch” podcast, heard in over 60 countries. John has appeared on TV as an expert on “How To Ask For What You Want And Get A Yes.” Join us to hear how in the competitive world of selling you can become the irresistible first choice.

Do you sell ideas or advice and feel frustrated with having to part with your thinking for free, whilst spending lots of time and money writing lengthy proposals? My guest Blair Enns is on a mission to change the way creative services are bought and sold the world over. He is the founder and CEO of Win Without Pitching, the sales training and coaching organization for creative professionals and author of The Win Without Pitching Manifesto. During this conversation we will discover why his book caused such a revolution within the design and advertising industry and why and how you need to rethink the way your services are bought and sold.

How do you turn your content into a global digital empire? Do you struggle with how to effectively manifest and leverage your thoughts, insights and wisdom? Chad Barr was a standout guest back in 2015 when we talked about creating million-dollar web presence. A much listened to show and a very engaging communicator, I am delighted to welcome him back to share with us how to create a global digital empire. From over 7 years of hosting this show, I am yet to meet an expert who understands better how to leverage the web to transform business and establish a very powerful web presence. No surprise then that his firm, the Chad Barr Group, is one of the leading strategic Internet development organizations in the world. Do join us if you wish to expand your thought leadership to help you to transform your business. I would recommend you listen to this show with pen and paper or a keyboard at hand. It is highly likely to be a very valuable use of your time.

Would you love people in your organization to be internally and externally engaged, working enthusiastically together towards a shared vision while using their unique talents and skills to contribute to success? If you would then join us for another fascinating and thought-provoking interview. My guest Roelien Bokxem is co-founder and principal of PresenceAtWork, a collective leadership development company based in the Netherlands. She offers a clear and tested road map to transform organisations by implementing a new way of leading and co-creating together: systemic, agile and using one’s whole-body intelligence – in head, heart and gut. Join us as we explore Roelien’s fascinating philosophy, inspired by her experiences drawn from the embers of the financial crisis. A roadmap that is helping organisations to wholeheartedly transform not only their behaviour but also their performance.

Considering funding for your business venture(s)? If so, this is for you! My fabulous guest Judy Robinett has helped entrepreneurs find needed capital connecting them with venture capitalists, angel investors, family offices, and other funding sources and then guiding them through the dealmaking and due diligence process for over 30 years. A business thought leader and a tremendous past guest on this show, Judy has been profiled in The Street, Vogue, CBS, NBC, Forbes, The Washington Post & Bloomberg Businessweek. She is the author of “How to Be a Power Connector: The 5-50-150 Rule” and now her latest book “Crack the Funding Code’’. If funding is on your radar this will be a tremendous interview with one the most connected and experienced people in this space. Join us to learn how you can crack the funding code.

How good is your relationship with your boss? My guest Chris Ruisi says that ‘to succeed in any organization you must get on well with your boss. Put the company first, your boss second and yourself third’. Chris is a nationally recognized US executive coach and leadership expert, professional speaker, global talk radio show host, and author who challenges business leaders to step up and play big. Chris was former president, COO and vice chairman of USLIFE Corporation and came highly recommended to me by two very trusted connections as an exceptionally wise and engaging guest. Join us we discuss the steps to becoming a more valuable asset in your company by building a very positive working relationship with your boss.

Have you fully reflected on your life and work during 2018 to build on your successes and avoid repeating the same old mistakes? In this show, I will reflect upon the many lessons from many interviews and experiences during 2018. Also encourage you to do the same. To add further insight, I have invited my very good friend international speaker and author Mike Pagan to join me. Mike supports elite athletes and service personnel transitioning to life after careers and sport. Mike and I are using our joint wisdom (some say foolishness) to compete for charity on 6th July 2019 in one of the UK’s toughest one day endurance events the ‘Artemis Great Kindrochit Quadrathlon’. Our team name 'Quad 100’ - 100 years of age between us and 100% effort required to ensure we make it! Join us for an engaging conversation where with important insights that can help us all in 2019 and beyond.

Higher education plays an important role in life, preparing students to thrive in the workplace or entrepreneurial world. While consulting in this sector, I have been so excited by potential but often witnessed important transformative initiatives that would help meet student needs being squashed by internal politics and tradition. My guests include Tosin Adebisi who works as Senior International Lead at the University of Sussex, the world leader for Development Studies. He specialises in using education as a transformative tool and leads an intrapreneurship project to position Sussex as the place for corporate entrepreneurs. Also, Professor Sue Baxter who is Director of Research, Enterprise & Social Partnerships & an experienced leader of economic, business and social development. Join us as we discuss how Sussex are making great necessary change by adopting a more intrapreneurial approach. If you care about education or are considering your higher education options then do join us.

Would you like your sales people or yourself to sell more over the phone? Anthony Stears is the man I trust to help my business engage effectively over the phone. Having learned so much wisdom from Anthony, I thought it would be great to discuss how to effectively build a better approach that helps avoid rejection, get past the gatekeeper, while perfecting your pitch and building rapport fast. Anthony works with many business owners, sales departments, account managers and customer service teams. From my experience, he doesn't teach people how to sell but shows them how to help their customers to buy. He does this in a smart way that leaves prospects feeling engaged rather than tricked or uncomfortably sold too. Join us for what will be a high value interview for anyone wishing to sell more over the phone.