My Pandemic Puppy
Posted by John Livesay in blog | 0 comments
During the pandemic, many people felt isolated and got a dog to help keep them company. Over 93% of people who adopted a dog said it helped their mental health.
I had just moved from LA to Austin on March 1, 2020, just a few weeks before everything shut down. I drove with my sister Barbara and my King Charles Cavalier Spaniel Pepe. He is a miniature version of the breed, and I always ask the groomer to give him a “puppy cut,” so everyone always thinks he is a puppy.
Barbara offered to drive with me, which made for a fun road trip, and we stayed at dog-friendly hotels along the way.
Little did I know that after my sister flew back to her home, I would be spending a lot of alone time with my dog Pepe.
Here are the ABCs that Pepe taught me about on how to handle life’s disruptions:
A: Always Be Kind and Affection
Pepe defaults to kindness when he meets new people on a walk. I like to say he has never had a bad day, and I’m doing everything in my power to keep it that way
Pepe shows me that affection doesn’t not have to be earned. It is available 24/7. He is full of licks and cuddles.
B: Be Present (and Belly Rubs!)
Pepe is always in the now. Once, I stepped on his tail by mistake, and he quickly forgot about it. He does not hold grudges.
He loves belly rubs any time but especially in the morning. He rolls over on his back and stretches his paws as I rub his belly. It is a great way for both of us to start our day.
C: Compassion, Comfort, and Connection
Pepe is my ideal companion full of compassion and comfort. He is easily entertained when we play fetch, whether it is in the house or outside.
Connection can be formed in simple playful activities that can include others, too. When friends are over, we take turns tossing his ball for him to retrieve.
The next time life feels overwhelming or frustrating, I suggest you revisit the simple ABCs of life that Pepe has taught me to get yourself recentered. There is always time for a belly rub or a game of fetch to get your mind focused on what really matters.
From Invisible to Irresistible
Posted by John Livesay in blog | 0 comments
The old way of salespeople doing projections is to assign prospects a percentage and then decide how many people are at the different levels to determine the total sales for the week, month, and quarter. As a sales keynote speaker, this is one of the biggest challenges I see in every industry.
The problem is NOBODY thinks of themselves as a percentage.
Instead, it is time to put on your empathy hat and start asking, “Where do potential clients see me on this ladder?” As a sales keynote speaker, I have many audience members telling me how help this is:
Invisible:
People never heard of you or your company. This is a good place to put your big targeted accounts on as a starting point.
Insignificant:
They have heard of you, but what you offer is not significant to them. You hear things like “We don’t need that now” or “We have somebody else we use.”
Interesting:
This is where you fall into the trap of thinking they will be buying any minute, but instead you are “Stuck in the friend zone at work.” Just because they say they are interested, does not mean they are going to buy.
Intriguing:
The best way to intrigue someone and get out of the friend zone at work is to tell a story that paints a picture that makes them lean in and say “Wow! Tell me more.”
Irresistible:
The clients at this rung of the ladder love you. They might even send you referrals. The danger is that like any relationship, you can start to take them for granted and lose them to a competitor.
If you want to have me as your next sales keynote speaker and help your team learn how to use this invisible to irresistible ladder to become revenue rockstars, contact BBN Creative Management.
Why The Pitch Whisperer’s Keynote Creates Revenue Rockstars
Posted by John Livesay in blog | 0 comments
Today, business storytelling is more popular than ever! In fact, Rolling Stone magazine just wrote about 12 action steps to improve your business storytelling skills.
Many CEOs and VPs of marketing and sales are realizing their sales teams are drowning in a sea of sameness and are seen as a commodity because they just push out facts about “speeds and feeds” that are quickly forgotten.
Ever since INC Magazine called me “The Pitch Whisperer,” companies in tech and health care have been requesting to have me come in as a storytelling keynote speaker and give my keynote “Tell Stories Win Sales.”
If you are looking for a storytelling keynote speaker who can solve these problems, then you have found the right one:
You are tired of coming in 2nd place: You make it to the final three and then when you pitch against competitors in a bake off or final round of interviews, you come in 2nd place way more often than you would like.
After hiring me as a storytelling keynote speaker, clients have won three new business pitches in a row. Why? Because whoever tells the best story gets the sale! If you’re not telling stories or your stories are confusing and endless, you’re not going to win.
You hate to feel pushy: Today, nobody wants to be “sold” to or feel pushed into making a decision.
When you learn how to tell a case story that pulls people in, you go from pushy to magnetic.
You feel like people forget what you said: Clients forget most of what you say after your pitch or presentation if it is filled with facts and data.
If you tell them a story that is clear, concise, and compelling, they not only remember it but also repeat it to others. When that happens, they become your brand ambassadors!
If you are ready to learn how to start telling stories that make you and your team revenue rockstars, then reach out to discuss having The Pitch Whisperer come to your next event as your next storytelling keynote speaker.