How to be genuinely attractive in business
Paul and Roger fire themselves live on air. Robots are coming to replace them—Tesla and Edison have seen to that. When should a business give up, or should it persevere until it succeeds? Will we be able to reframe ourselves in time for Season 16? Or is this the end?
The question of microphone adaptors - that's the topic that begins this episode. One expert and one novice. "I am the lowest tech person" says Paul O'Mahony. Business Jazz podcast is not the best place for you to get digital connection advice. Coffee making is another matter. Roger Overall hasn't noticed that there is a top-class coffee machine in Paul kitchen. Adobe software would frighten you because it's so complex - but Adobe have installed an explainer video that pops up to show you what to do. Coffee machine makers could learn from Adobe. It's best to drink coffee while listening to this episode. Roger gets down to brass tacks - he starts chat about how to help your customers. Shipping slips, pizza deliveries, maritime matters, China to Southampton, stuck in Suez canal, Canada, 'the amazing Jane Boyd", overnight driving, Halifax, Vancouver - all get a mention in about 3 minutes. What does "I ship that" mean to you? "I just want to socialise this" means what to you? Roger disapproves of modern corporate speak - "that's not how humans speak" asserts our grammarian. "I'll help you drive traffic to your website" - is the sentence that Paul detests - and considers it wrong to treat people as cows. Listen on for more of the conversation about attracting people ...
"To avoid a disaster" or "To gain additional success" - that's why Paul O'Mahony decides to record a back-up of this episode. You will hear Roger Overall report on the emergency customer service he received from Irish Water. A leak threatened to undermine his house - "there is a valuable business lesson here" Roger assures listeners. You'll hear about the local business that came to Roger's rescue - and you may pick up a tip or two on how best to serve your customers a solution. PS. The house survived. Roger also survived the pain.
The big issue is customer service. You'll hear here: Apple Storytelling - how Apple customer service was a disaster for Paul's daughter. "I lost all faith in your procedures". Paul O'Mahony & Roger Overall play with this experience. A box eventually delivered by UPC. What happened between the ordering of the iphone and the late delivery of it. Apple missed the deadline. You hear all the details ...
Crystallised stone sugar (Borstplaat) - brown sugar - brown rice - these are the first things you hear about - as you tune into the ongoing conversation between Roger Overall & Paul O'Mahony. It was not our intention to say anything damaging about Tate & Lyle - the sugar company. "How to become the No 1 restaurant in town" quickly becomes the subject of this episode. A black hat episode. Scurrilous rumours. ... Russell Brand has reformed. "No unpleasant person recommends meditation & mindfulness" - asserts Paul. The Valentine's Day Massacre enters the conversation. The Slurring Strategy: How to slur your competitors ... If Roger wanted to damage the city of Cork, this is what he would do ... Fake food poisoning ... Ryan's restaurant ... "you can't get Salmonella from eating steamed carrots. The rest of the episode goes from bad to badder.
In this episode (recorded in Montenotte Hotel, Cork, Ireland) Paul O'Mahony & Roger Overall touch on what's happening in Ukraine. Quickly, the conversation shifts to Manchester United - and what happens when a company loses its CEO & loses its identity. They riff off Lisa Fallon's article in The Irish Times - this become a football chat. "Do you not have your mission statement written down?" "She's talking about the brand", says Paul - as the coffee arrives. Chelsea comes into it. The fall & rise of Alex Ferguson. Barcelona FC. Pep Guardiola too. Paul reveals that he's been supporting Spurs. "You can't change the brand of your business in the short term ... " and so the conversation goes for about 25 minutes.
Seated upon a purple velvet throne and squeaky desk chair, we arrive without friction at a minimalist conclusion.
Roger Overall & Paul O'Mahony grapple with "Should you ignore current issues (like what's happening in Ukraine) when communicating about your business?" What advice would you give to a Newsletter editor - or a CEO before they go lto be interviewed about the business on TV or Radio program? If you were the CEO, would you refer to an current event which is huge in the consciousness of its customers, shareholders & wider community? Roger & Paul talk about business communications in the face of terrible events elsewhere and locally. We struggle through and come to a conclusion.
This episode contains (1) analysis of marketing copy for hotels - inspired by how the Montenotte Hotel in Cork advertises itself. (2) advice about advertising copywriting - including education about "Merchant Princes" - and praise for what Montenotte has communicated in copy. (3) discussion of what it was like in the 'garden of Eden' (4) advice on how to tempt customers to your business (5) education about 'clotted cream' - and a snippet of a chat with a member of staff at Montenotte Hotel This is the final. episode in Season 14.
How to be genuinely attractive in business? [These notes deserve to be tarted up - this won't be difficult to do] Paul shows Roger his way of keeping track of things he's meant to do. This episode is almost all about the business of testing, maintaining & repairing cars - and reassuring customers. Opel failed its annual health test (NCT) Fail faster Arsenal Football Club has recently failed faster Liverpool beat the team Roger supports Discussion about the Irish health check - including how you approach your doctor. NCT testers tell you dispassionately that you've failed Roger's car failed too. You hear how little of what the tester said Roger understood. You hear about Paul's interaction with the man who tested his car. Paul's No 1 tip: 'Do not run after a retreating tester". Roger praises the person to whom he next took his car - enlightenment & empowerment. Part 2 of the conversation is all about how a pilot reassured people on a plane. Reassuring the customer is a way of keeping the customer willing to buy: "It's alright, we can fix it. Servicing the boiler in Roger's house - my boiler is older that your's, said Roger. Roger needs a new computer, new car & new cameras. Depreciation reserve pot. Buying wine - not putting funds aside to pay value add
Overlooking the city of Cork, drinking different types of coffee from exotic cups, from the Montenotte Hotel. Roger Overall has a story which begins with Irish property tax and the "infamous tomato tax". Roger reveals his house is like an archeological dig, and attracts a property valuer who refuses to charge Roger for a declaration to government. Roger failed to persuade the professional advisor to accept payment. You hear Paul give his opinion that millions of people in Ireland value their property by sticking an index finger in the air and pluck a value from the air. The future probably involves a bill from the Revenue. (tax collectors). The drama shifts to Glanmire where a motor factor didn't charge Paul for a small service - thereby winning Paul's lifelong loyalty. "I'll see you next time" versus "I'll see you again" - which attracts you. most? The conversation continues to consider examples of wise decision-making - and how Paul confronted someone who was not wearing a mask. https://www.goldenpages.ie/michael-o-connor-motor-factors-ltd-cork/ is a link to Michael O'Connor, motor factor. Listen to all 30 minutes ... and Roger's GAA "All-Ireland Final" story.
In this episode - recorded in the Montenotte Hotel in Cork Ireland - Paul O'Mahony apologises for his negligence, Roger Overall shows how to receive an apology. - Roger talks about his beard, and talks about the "West Cork Beard Company", the business owner may have a Garibaldi Beard. - Montenotte breakfast is served, the cups, saucers & tea pot are praised - This podcast is not sponsored by the Montenotte - Beard oil, Beard balm, and wax are attractive products ordered online by Roger's wife - "Only bearded ladies my apply" : how amusing is that phrase? - Roger tells the customer service story - A hand-written note blows Roger away Listen to the whole episode - you'll hear more.
SEASON 14 BEGINS HERE - in a new venue: Montenotte Hotel on the east side of Cork City. Paul & Roger settle down with new equipment - and focus on marketing, in a genuine way. You hear Paul make a mistake - and Roger correcting him. Ray Kelleher is the Director of Sales & Marketing. He joins Business Jazz for a brief chat. You hear that the hotel will soon start its own podcast. Previous venues include Lords Cricket Ground, Blackrock Castle Observatory cafe, Café Beva, Republic of Work. We use Røde microphones - from Australia. Paul sheepishly says he doesn't associate Australia with "tip-top technology". Roger speaks about how good Sennheiser kit is - and how much more expensive their mics are than Røde. https://bit.ly/3EvLpEl is the link to the equipment that Roger talks about. Doug Menuez - one of Roger's favourite photographers - is mentioned. "Let's send this episode to the CEO of Røde". There's a lot more to listen to.
Curious about Customers: Paul O'Mahony found his hearing aid while recording audio - you hear him telling Roger Overall about Specsavers where he bought the aid. You hear about Walmart's method of comparing themselves with competitors You also hear about "A Curious Mind" by Brian Glazer https://www.amazon.co.uk/Curious-Mind-Secret-Bigger-Life/dp/1476730776 And also bits about Unilever, Heintz & Peter Cox (photographer) - plus Copernicus Ian Kath in Australia came in too. END OF SEASON 13 - you hear the last word.
A friend sent Paul a gift - the book "Switch - how to change. things when change is hard". This led Roger Overall & Paul O'Mahony to chat about change. Leading it, managing it, surviving it.
Paul O'Mahony & Roger Overall address Apple & other fruits. "What is is about the fruit Apple that makes it so attractive?" What about Cherry Waste Disposal Company? You can choke on a Cherry. What about Bananas? They are dangerous. Do people like to hang around with dangerous things? Red Apples are dangerous - Snow White & the Garden of Eden are mentioned. "Apple has a bad reputation historically" says Roger. "Temptation is a terrible thing" says Paul. "An Apple a day keeps the doctor away". Isaac Newton also appears in this episode. William Tell too. Can an Apple be used to save a human life? In other words, this episode contains a desperate search by Roger & Paul to uncover why the fruit Apple is so successful. Why are we talking about Apple? This is so convoluted you better listen to it. This episode has not (yet) been sponsored by the Apple Growers Association.
DO NOT SHOUT AT YOUR CUSTOMERS S13 - E05 by Business Jazz
Why did Shakespeake edit his text? Henry 5th. How to make Vets genuinely attractive
This episode begins with CRICKET - the game. Root & Sibley play for England. Nottingham Forest football team feature. Paul's friend Diplomatic Diva inspires this episode into live. Newcastle Football Club also feature.
Ireland Inc needs to be more attractive. Imagine you had the job of lifting Ireland to the next level. Would you use Dublin as your key? What. would that mean for rural Ireland. Facebook is a force for good - is it? How did it pivot from being a disgraceful exploiter of sexual attraction? In this episode Paul & Roger discuss whether we should get rid of the Internet. Global warming and "smelling the roses". Utopia and a famous bit of satirical humour collide with "Plastic" (the insult). Paul says "ever since we've had the Internet, we've had global warming and melting icebergs" Roger strives for balance by pointing out that the planet is going to burn out some day - but not this week. Does this podcast have any listeners left? Roger introduces his car. How it was checked to find out whether it was safe to let loose on Irish roads ... Listen to the major disappointment that followed ...
This episode begins with the challenge of Louis barking in the background. Roger Overall & Paul O'Mahony launch Season 13 with reference to CAPITAL PUNISHMENT & exaggerating the importance of what you say when podcasting. By the end, Paul & Roger reveal "BARTERING FOR BUSINESS" is a topic they haven't addressed in the eight years of the podcast. Future episodes may include: (1) Roger's experience with the Irish NCT (2) Rejection letters sent to Roger's wife (3) Paul's hat (4) Elliot Erwitt's fried egg (5) Personal branding (6) Business branding (7) Bartering (8) Customer service (9) Relations with suppliers & other interested parties (10)Too hard to hear ...
This is about : What we can learning about personal branding from Donald Trump. But we want to avoid law suitS - everything from now on is "OPINION ONLY". It's really important to stand for something - even if it's the antithesis of truth. (1) The DT brand is strong - messiah to one group - strong negative brand to others. (2) The Trump brand is attractive - has attracted huge attention How did Donald Trump achieve a strong, attractive brand? (3) The Trump brand is dynamic & agile Roger asserts : the Trump brand is static DT plays fast & loose with the truth ... shifts his stance ... is agile. Roger: We seem to agree that the Trump Brand is Both inflexible & flexible Listen to the whole episode to hear plenty more - including the view that the strong brand is about to collapse, implode ... How Trump built his brand: (1)Created his own reality - DT is a winner - and sticks to it consistently (2)Powerful communication skills - short, catchy memorable phrases (3) Simple language, easily understood - limited vocabulary, a common way (4) Set up his own broadcasting company - called Twitter (5) Made BIG HUGE statements - hyperbolic rhetoric (6) Teamwork - a strong team. The development of followers matters. Career development style - you're fired. You'll have to listen to the episode to absorb the other insights.
Here's the flavour of this episode: Division Director Paul O'Mahony says Roger Overall is a 'sight for sore eyes'. Roger immediately gets the point. Here are some extracts from Paul: "You can love your wife too much. "I am spending too much time with members of one organisation. "The culture attracts you to sell your soul. "you're allowing your soul to be bought" says Roger. Roger's big interest: Me & Running One of his mentors said to Roger "It's fine to have had enough." I've become a member of an organisation that's too attractive: Toastmasters International. This leads on to a chat about how awful things can happen when a business becomes so attractive that it can't cope with the demand for its products & services. tribe, belong, life's work "This is a disaster". "I wish it would elect an international president who would be a disaster." says Paul (in a fit of humour). "You'll end up neglecting your clients, warns Paul "gibbering devotee" "almost a drug" Roger gives his theory on how civilizations grow, reach a tipping point and fade.
Paul O'Mahony does not have a "list of complaints" today. Overpowered by an in-box. "I'm worn down" is a way of disguising complaints, isn't it? _______________ Empathy. Releasing 1,500 hares. The sport of Coursing. Courses. _______________ Complaints are a sign of life. Complaints are a sign that people still have some a believe that the company might pay attention to them. Customer Complaint Box: AIB Allied Irish Bank - how Roger Overall complained to the Bank - and prepared himself to go to war. Algorithms deal with complaints from customers - except in special circumstances. What's the different between Venting & Complaining? ____________ "Toddler-rant" by Donald Trump. ____________ "I am disappointed in you" & "You have disappointed me" - the shocking power of 'disappointment".
Pricing by Zoom - their practice. Zoom Enterprise account. Benefits of the transcriptions this account produces. "I am a business" says Paul "You have to speak to a human being" responds Roger Cat sanctuaries. Foster parents. Zoom agent in Cork. Contracts with Zoom by Toastmasters: 5,000 licences perhaps 'you will not do certain things" Scarcity marketing. Seinfeld and his car Apple computers If The government of Ireland gave every citizen Zoom Inter-continental ballistic missiles for sale UK power ECCO shoes can sponsor this podcast "Feck off and mind your own business" The reality of podcast statistics
IKEA communication. Tiger in Cork City O'Mahony's Bookshop in Limerick Roger's suggestion : "Do not turn right to EXIT" Potholing Flesh-eating Leprechauns Text-messaging 'Correct' spelling & grammar New form of language Emogjs Paul found out who sent him the birthday present Morse code: sound batches The in-group that will understand Paul's mother-in-law Two questions: (1) Who are our in-group? Customers & wantabe customers (2) Why do we want to communicate with them? Insider Emotion Harley Davidson engine sound = brand identifier Symbolic meaning - the meaning of symbols
The NOTEBOOK made by the company in Galway - not Kerry. Paul makes a big mistake at the start of this podcast. Here's the link to the Mishnoc website https://mishnoc.com/notebooks-and-accessories/
Roger looks like a Budda for a few moments. No preamble Dinner party behaviour Personal introductions by the podcasters. 'The best dinner party I ever heard of": PARTY FOR TIME-TRAVELLERS Why do people not come to your business? Did the information reach the people for whom it was relevant? Going backwards in search of something valuable. Going forward into the future in search of trust. IBM party Apple party Cambridge party in a parking lot Oxford party in the middle of the Sahara Desert. O'Mahony's Booksellers in Limerick Ireland and more ...
How will others choose to fill the holes in your communication? "Gaps between your words allow others to understand better", Paul says. Roger fills the anxious space by imagining himself the victim of bureaucratic injustice and serving 30 years in a maximum security prison. NCT (annual roadworthy test) for Roger's car. Babies, kittens, puppies & butterflies are mentioned. Doesn't everyone crave attention - and cry for it? Attracting attention. When doing business - remember this matters.
We just KNOW you are going to LOVE what is in the podcast because we LOVED putting it in there. That meant finding a gorgeous SUN-DRENCHED recording location with podcast hosts who LOVE what they do making FABBY DELICIOUS YUMMY speech for your ears from carefully nurtured thoughts that form spontaneously in their minds, which they ship to YOU over the wavy wavy wavy dot internet to you, knowing their suggestions are fleeting and that life is GOOD. Also in this episode: Does great packaging mean a great product lies within? Who sells the best underpants? A stolen message from the Australian Wine Marketing Board. CAREFUL NOW! This episode contains rude words, strong opinions and alcohol.
A hot topic. (The hottest of all time?) How can humans save their mothership? Human beings are social animals. They are joined in a great collective endeavour. Together they are destroying the world so that they can't live on it any longer. It is a huge success so far. Can they be stopped? (Do they want to be stopped?) Paul discovers the answer among aliens on a distant planet. Also in this episode: Outrageous claims Superfluous talk A chainsaw
Roger is wrong! (Gasp!) Paul schools Roger about the business of education, and advocates tearing up school copy books. Teenagers revolt, parents are disengaged—but schools do what they should? (Find out.) Companies are delighted with the fodder the school systems are producing for the corporate meat grinders? (Find out.) Are tax payers happy? (Don't listen. This topic is left undisturbed.)
It starts badly. 81 people gather under a cloud of suspicion. Did they play golf? One person resigned their ministerial post out of embarrassment. (Maybe their round was dreadful?) Next, Paul and Roger talk about the appeal of using opposites to confuse people and attract their attention. Roger feels a like a packet of cat treats wants to take him on a date. The language is very flattering. Soon a giant squid is dragging a vessel and its crew to the depths of a sea of wine. It's a Curious story of pulp fiction. All this and more freewheeling marketing/communication insight from Lahinch and Glanmire in Ireland.
Should you mind your own business? Did Soundcloud tell us to mind our own business? Who are the most effective English-speaking communicators? (Not Paul, nor Roger.) What makes communication memorable? What was the best way to deliver orders on an 19th century battlefield? These, and many more, questions are barely answered in this episode of Business Jazz.
Roger is blessed with abundance and sweetness. Paul teases out what really went on. We learn from Anric Blatt (a memorable giver) and almost get as far as talking about Curious Wines (a giver of memorable wines). Main takeaway: how to use sticky language.
Paul & Roger overcome a vicious cat and an assault by helicopter to answer these important business question for you: —Are imperfect recordings valuable? —Should we rubbish Robert Capa's blurry photographs of the D-Day landings? —How much should you swear in business communications? —How can you build online trust? —What extraordinary experience did Roger have while buying fibreglass? —What terrible experience did Paul have in a restaurant? —What the hell happened to Series 11?
Chris Brogan has a goal: empowering you. His weekly newsletter (sign up at https://chrisbrogan.com)is what triggered Business Jazz all those years ago and is still a weekly source of fabulously practical insight, guidance and suggestions to help you connect and serve your target audience. This is the second part of our recent conversation with Chris Brogan.
We wander around the the streets of Cork during the 2013 Jazz Festival.
This is a rebroadcast of an episode from the second season of Business Jazz. It first went live on 8th August, 2013. The original show notes (beware of outdated information): TOPICS: The podcast is put on hold. All good things come to an end. Or at least have the Pause button pushed. So it is with this podcast as well. Producing a podcast takes time and energy. We knew that going in. However, our schedules have conspired against us and we find ourselves needing to focus our attentions elsewhere. For the moment, any road. Will the podcast return? We can't say it won't, but we don't want to give false hope either. For now, we'd just like to say "Thank you" to you for taking the time to listen to the podcast. We truly appreciate that you did. It means more to us than you can ever imagine. You star.
Paul and Roger started Business Jazz by reading Chris Brogan's weekly email and riffing off it. Chris joins us to talk about making deep organisational changes and how stories are powerful tools to help your business communicate internally and externally.
This is a rebroadcast of an episode from the second season of Business Jazz. It first went live on 2nd August, 2013. The original show notes (beware of outdated information): TOPICS: How be genuinely attractive by not being online Do you need to be online? Really? After all, we managed to survive without the internet for centuries. People were contented. Businesses succeeded. In this episode, Jane and Roger talk about how we still need to be active offline to make our online work.
This is a rebroadcast of an episode from the second season of Business Jazz. It was recorded on 24th June, 2013, and first went live on 30th July, 2013. The original show notes (beware of outdated information): TOPICS: Knowing who your ideal clients are, April Ennis, Michael Port, Steve Farber We welcome April Ennis to the podcast. She graciously stepped in when Roger was unavailable recently. Jane and April talk about finding the right clients for you. Rather than chase everyone, they discuss the idea of seeking out a well-defined client who suits your needs and who will enable you to do the very best work you can.
What is the most appealing name for Paul's new client? We are face-to-face again for the season finale of the lock-down 10th series of Business Jazz.
This is a rebroadcast of an episode from the second season of Business Jazz. It first went live on 23rd July, 2013. The original show notes (beware of outdated information): TOPICS THIS WEEK: What is being genuinely attractive in business? Listener Marti Konstant put us on the spot. She asked what it means to be genuinely attractive in business today. What is the podcast about? Good question and it lead to a lively conversation in this episode of the podcast.
Paul invents a new word during this episode. Should he trademark it and sell it to Zoom? Is stout Irish? Is the Book of Kells Colombian? Can corporations own common words and national dishes? Please listen to hear wholly inadequate answers. The tennis-like flow of the conversation ends in victory for Paul as Roger misses his shot and an unlucky ballgirl gets a volley from Paul square in the face.
This is a rebroadcast of an episode from the second season of Business Jazz. It first went live on 13th July, 2013. The original show notes (beware of outdated information): TOPICS THIS WEEK: World Domination, Chris Guillebeau, Chase Jarvis, Creativity, Risk Taking Jane is just back from the World Domination Summit. In this episode of the podcast we discuss some of the main things that she learned regarding community and creativity.
Why should you put up with shockingly bad meetings and terribly incompetent managers? Paul's buses story reveals the answer. Roger never worked on the buses in London and disagrees. He hates time wasting and promotes revolution in the meeting room. Are the only famous generals the ones with good PR and an ability to run a meeting properly? Not covered in this episode: How to get an address for a new, solitary house in the middle of an isolated Welsh vale.
This is a rebroadcast of an episode from the second season of Business Jazz. It first went live on 6th July, 2013. The original show notes (beware of outdated information): TOPICS THIS WEEK: 45 Conversations, Mamukko bags A year ago, Jane and Roger didn't know each other. The first time they had any real contact was during Jane's first run over 45 Conversations recordings. Twelve months later Jane is connecting with the original 45 people she spoke to. So we decided to incorporate her round 2 conversation with Roger into an episode of Business Jazz.
If you want to be genuinely attractive to your customers, you should ask them questions to understand their preferences. We suggest: Are you an Imperialist? Does the day have 24 hours or 2 x 12 hours? Do months occur before days? How long is Paul's Rod? Should the euro have been called the florin? These and far more important questions are avoided in this episode of Business Jazz.
This is a rebroadcast of an episode from the second season of Business Jazz. It first went live on 24th June 2013. The original show notes (beware of outdated information): TOPICS THIS WEEK: Surrounding yourself with people who won't let you fail Liz Strauss is a remarkable lady. She has touched the lives of many and helped them to improve their businesses and their quality of life. She's maybe best known on this podcast as one of the people behind SOBCon, a series of deep-dive online business conferences. Liz has been ill. Those four words barely capture the hardship she's endured over the last year. In addition to ravaging her body, her illness has left her unable to work in the face of mounting medical bills. What happened next is quite remarkable. Listen to find out.
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