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

Why is it that some organizations like the US Marine Corps can gain consistently strong results in highly complex operations with a highly diverse work force. During this show we are going to explore lessons from military high level strategic leadership and people engagement which can translate directly relate to enhancing performance in the business world. My guest John Boggs is a retired Marine Corps Officer whose wisdom and insight from many years of senior military operations service is today making waves across the commercial world. Join us with a pen and paper at the ready to hear how you can become a more strategic and engaging leader.

A new generation of business leaders is turning to mindfulness as a cutting-edge leadership tool and research suggests that such a practice can help us gain clarity, reduce stress, optimize performance, and develop a greater sense of well-being. I am delighted to welcome back Michael Carroll the author of Awake at Work, The Mindful Leader and Fearless at Work to the show. Over his 30 year business career he has held several corporate executive positions and as the COO of Global Coaching Alliance, he has worked with many major global brands. Michael has been studying Buddhism since 1976, is an authorized teacher in the Kagyu-Nyingma lineage of Tibetan Buddhism and has lectured at leading educational enterprises and practice centers throughout the US, Canada, Europe, Latin America & Australia. During the show we will discuss what mindfulness is and how to develop it in the often stressful 21st century workplace. Interested in becoming a more mindful leader? Then this one is for you!

We are without doubt in a connection economy and it is the small things that make an enormous difference as to whether people trust you, connect and will engage with you. According to my guest we must ask the question - is my next action going to build a relationship by earning trust or is it going to burn it? During this show, I will be talking to Paul Dunn a 3-time TEDx speaker based in Singapore. Paul is a Senior Fellow in one of the World’s Leading Think Tanks and holds a Lifetime Service Award to the Accounting Profession in the UK. Paul recently featured in Forbes Magazine alongside Sir Richard Branson in a global piece on ‘disrupters’ in business. His book, The Firm of the Future, is regarded as a breakthrough book for professional knowledge firms. He is Chairman of the revolutionary B1G1: Business for Good, a company that’s already enabled businesses to create almost 50 Million giving impacts around the world. Join us if you care about building business and changing lives.

Great leadership is a key ingredient for business and organizational success. However, what are its key constituents and how can you improve your own leadership skills? My guest Neil Laughton is the CEO and Founder of 'The Business Leadership Academy'. He served in the Royal Marines and Special Air Service Regiment (21 SAS) before founding a group of construction companies. He grew the organisation to £40m turnover and then sold it to Balfour Beatty Plc. A recipient of the Ness Award for “Inspirational leadership” from the Royal Geographical Society, Neil leads adventurous expeditions all over the world. He has climbed the highest mountain on each continent including Mt. Everest and skied to the Geographic North and South Poles. He has made twelve first ascents in Greenland, circumnavigated the UK on a jet-ski and piloted the world’s first road legal bio-fuelled flying car across the Sahara Desert. Join us and build your leadership skills by acting upon the wisdom from this show.

Hidden among the chaos and hype, there are secrets to success on the web. Globally renowned inter-net expert Chad Barr is joining me to reveal them - and show you how to use them to amplify your web presence and profits. Using the unmatched reach of the web, entrepreneurs are empowered to take a more tactical, brand-driven approach to attracting new clients and reinforcing the relationships with their current clientele—quickly raising the bar to produce better results for their brand and their business. During the show we will be discussing the critical areas that can be immediately enhanced to emphasize creditability and instantly build trust among visitors. Join us for a show that could set you well on the way to a million dollar presence.

Are you a Restless Executive? During this show I will be talking to Jo Simpson about the lessons from her new book ‘The Restless Executive – Reclaim your values, Love what you do & Lead with purpose’; A must for anyone wishing to join the enlightened leaders of today’s new business paradigm. Jo is a leading authority in Values Based Leadership. Her journey to Dubai in 2005 inspired her to establish her ground breaking company & pioneer coaching & mentoring in the Middle East, helping to transform the business & management culture of numerous organisations. She has worked with many senior leaders across many international brands.  Since returning to the UK in 2010, she continues to pioneer her methodologies for values-based leadership & innovative team development as an engaging keynote speaker & executive leadership coach. I know Jo well as both a friend and colleague - trust me this will be a valuable show.

What is social entrepreneurship and how do you best lead a socially responsible business? My guest Liam Black would say be Visionary, be bold, take risks, stay humble, get clear teams and mentors round you, gather evidence, get clear about money, look after yourself, work hard and Get plenty of sleep! In this show we will discuss some of the key lessons acquired by one of the UK’s best known social entrepreneurs, Liam Black. Liam has led some of the country’s most successful social enterprises, most recently Fifteen which, with Jamie Oliver, he grew into a global brand with businesses in Europe and Australia. He is author of There’s No Business Like Social Business and The Social Entrepreneur’s A to Z, and speaks and writes widely on leadership, enterprise and social change. Join us for a very socially responsible and inspiring show tinged with Liam’s trademark good humour!

How much of your time is spent meeting with people? How effective are these meetings? What business impact is driven from people meeting in your organisation? During this show we will explore how to leverage the power of meeting in your organisation. My guest Katherine Woods, co-founded Meeting Magic in 1999. Since then she has facilitated thousands of meetings and she believes that the greatest opportunity for most businesses lies in unleashing the potential that exists when people collaborate effectively. Most organisations have plenty of meetings but most do not get the best from people and some even demotivate them. It is possible to get tangible business results and leave participants feeling motivated and committed to action. Join us to find out more about how to make your meetings truly magical!

Feast or famine, boom or bust - it’s a pattern that too many sales organizations regard as a necessary evil. And that is wrong. If you want a long-term career, you need to get off the roller-coaster of inconsistent results. Instead of frantic scrambles to meet quotas, you can create a strong year round record of closed sales, repeat customers, and increasing referrals, all while you build a growing prospect list. That according to my guest is what Non Stop Sales Boom is all about. Colleen Francis has been a successful sales leader for over 20 years and understands the challenges of selling in today's market. She is the best-selling author of popular sales books including the recent Nonstop Sales Boom. She is a Certified Sales Professional (C.S.P.) and inductee into the Speaking Hall of Fame. Sales and Marketing Magazine called Colleen and Engage Selling: one of the top 5 most effective sales training organizations in the market today! Join us if you want a non-stop sales boom!

Does this resonate with you? Work is such a critical part of our life and yet we often struggle with - and feel overwhelmed by - the numerous challenges it presents us. Whether it's job insecurity, making peace with or leaving an unfulfilling job, or dealing with office conflicts, we often experience fear and a sense of groundlessness just at a time when we want to be our most creative and resilient. This quote is from my guest Michael Carroll's fascinating book 'Fearless at Work' which I found excellent reading. Drawing on Buddhist philosophy Michael Carroll is a long time human resources executive, meditation teacher and executive coach. During this show we will discuss some really engaging and inspiring principles that can help us to be naturally more brave, resourceful and resilient at work. Do join us for what I know will be a very content rich and performance at work enhancing show.

Do you agree that the ability to connect, engage and influence are essential skills to thriving in today's business environment? Howev- er, if you want to fine tune your skills there a few better to learn from than those who have done it at the highest level. Some arena’s such as political campaigning, professional speaking and hostage negotiation have the ability to fully put these skills to the test. My guests are Simon Bucknall who from a political campaigning background became twice UK and Ireland Champion of Public Speaking and in the top 20 out of 26,000 speakers at the World Championships in Arizona. Also, Richard Mullender a former Lead Trainer at the National Crisis and Hostage Negotiation unit at Scotland Yard in London. Richard has designed and run courses for the Met- ropolitan Police, United Nations, FBI and South African's 'Scorpions Unit'. Join us for some great wisdom into how to truly connect and influence others to help you more effectively achieve your desired outcome.

Want to stand out from your competitors? You know your customer service is good, but then along comes Celebrity Service! During this show we are going to be discussing the unseen gap between Good and Amazing. From room service in South Africa, visiting a toy shop in London, to trying on clothes in New York, Geoff will share examples of Celebrity Service that can help you change everything in your business by creating incredible word of mouth that has customers beating down your door for more. Geoff Ramm is the creator and author of ‘Celebrity Service’ & ‘OMG Marketing’. He’s a multi-award winning speaker who has challenged & inspired audiences across five continents. Join us for another great conversation with one of this shows favourite guests Geoff Ramm.

What can we learn from alternative businesses such as outlaws and criminal gangs when it comes to doing good business today? Why do we admire charismatic villains while mistrusting organizations and political leaders? What can this teach us about the way we should do business today? My guest Martin Parker is the Professor of Organisation and Culture at the University of Leicester School of Management whose literary works include ‘Alternative Business - Outlaws, Crime and Culture’. Join us for a fascinating journey into a different world and what we can take from alternative businesses that can enhance good business today?

It is a fact that many businesses fail and the consequences can include an extraordinary amount of pressure for those involved. So what must we be aware of to avoid it happening to us? And what are the keys to turning your business around when it is struggling? My guest Patrick Rettig has, for over 25 years, successfully saved companies from bankruptcy. He is a man with a very direct, honest and pragmatic approach and a talent for identifying operational problems, structuring, implementing solutions and restructuring staff. Patrick is also a fascinating guy residing in the high desert outside of Los Angeles with interests including motocross, writing music and screenplays. I loved planning this show with Patrick and realized I had met someone with a great perspective to share not only on business turnaround but also on how to turn around and lead a great life. A show not to be missed!

I recently interviewed my guest and client Laura Ellis on her very first Voice America radio show Because There's More” and realised that she was on to something. A short notice postponement occurred and I jumped at the chance for her share her message with you! When you fully appreciate the consequences of decision making and the best methodologies you realize that you really do require council from others to help them to make the best decisions. Laura is the Founder and CEO of The Advisory Board (TAB) and during this show will share her perspective on decision making. With a background in cognitive and industrial psychology, Laura will share what decision making really is and how her passion for business and decision making came together to form what she considers to be a ground breaking approach to building better businesses and developing stronger leaders. Join us for another fascinating show that will help you to make better decisions and experience better business.

Ever wondered why some entrepreneurs become leading experts in their field with all the fame, fortune and opportunity that goes with it -- while others struggle to get by? Why some CEOs and business-people get book deals, and speaking tours, and spokesperson contracts -- while others wait – perhaps years – just to get recognized? My guest Janet Switzer is the business strategist and marketing maven behind many of the biggest named published entrepreneurs. The strategist of choice for Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen’s Chicken Soup for the Soul media empire since the original book published in 1993. And Jack’s go-to marketer for 22 years — helping him sell millions of dollars’ of speeches, training programs, coaching, live events and more. Janet speaks globally on how experts and CEOs can become a media She is the bestselling coauthor of The Success Principles , now in 30 languages. And her book Instant Income: Strategies That Bring In the Cash went to #1 within 48 hours.

How well do you speak under pressure? What if it was easier - What if you knew the secrets of the World Champion Speakers? On August 25th, out of 25,000 contestants from 14 countries, Darren LaCroix was crowned the 2001 World Champion of Public speaking. As a result of winning Darren has presented to Toast-masters in Malaysia, Taiwan, and Oman, and has left his day job of 11 years to pursue keynote speaking and coaching full time. On this content-rich show, Darren shares his tips & techniques so you will walk away with specific strategies that you can use in your very next speech!

With advances in neuroscience, technology, globalization and shifts in attitudes the way we sell must move with the times. During this show we will look at how you need to adapt your traditional selling approach, how to get your non sales teams to also sell for you and look at key areas to improve your on-line sales presence. My guest, Frank Furness CSP is an international Sales & Technology Speaker and Social Media Presenter and has worked in 53 countries. Not only has he been inducted into the ‘Speaker Hall of Fame’, he has guested on many radio and TV shows and his You Tube channel is watched by millions. He has an Internet Marketing business with 72 websites marketing various products. ‘Walking with Tigers – Success Secrets of the World’s Top Business Leaders’ and ‘How to Find New Business and Clients’ are also International best sellers. The first show I did with Frank remains one of my favourites this will be another show not to miss!

What are the 10 key behaviours that top Leaders in best in class organisations demonstrate? We have talked about leadership on this show many times but I am not sure we have had anyone who has talked to more leaders from the highest performing companies in the world than my guest Adrian Simpson. Adrian has been running study tours and events for almost two decades – featuring some of the world’s most admired and successful companies and leaders including Apple, Google, IKEA, LEGO, NASA and Ritz-Carlton Hotels. Speakers at events he has organised have included: Al Gore, Kevin Spacey, Jamie Oliver, Bob Geldof and Professor Muhammad Yunus. Drawing on unparalleled access to the boardrooms and shop floors of iconic businesses, Adrian shares with huge passion, insight and humour about what it takes to be a high performing leader. If you want to check you are, aspire to be or wish to learn more about the behaviours of top leaders then this show will provide the insight.

How empowered are you and your people? During this show we are going to explore empowerment and some of the key elements that can make a difference between success and failure in business and in life. My guest this week is Rob Holcroft, a leadership development coach, author and a qualified teacher with an MA (Education) in Professional Learning specialising in Mentoring and Coaching. He has six books under his belt, including the ac-claimed story of I Can't, and another on the way. Rob even has an award named after him in Sri Lanka, has worked on a show in Hollywood, is a trained falconer, advanced stage fighter and his 17th great grandfather was King Henry VII! Listen in to discover how you can overcome some of your biggest hurdles, with a fascinating guest who will help us to keep optimistic and empowered!