Create Distinction!

You cannot move from where you are now to where you want to be with only the information that you currently possess.  In today’s program, Scott McKain asks you three critical questions to help you consider the importance of enlightenment as a core value of distinction.

If the experience that you deliver to your customers is identical to the one the competition is creating, it becomes impossible for you to be perceived as distinctive.  In today’s episode, Scott McKain relates three specific steps that you can take to make your customer experience more unique.

“Motivational speakers” have said for years it takes 30 days to change a habit — however, research clearly demonstrates they are WRONG.  On this program, Scott McKain reveals the truth about changing habits — it’s a process, not an event.  And, we learn the five specific steps it takes to move to a more dynamic and distinctive life, both personally and professionally.

Our friend, Victoria Labalme (http://VictoriaLabalme.com) has a great phrase — she calls it, “Crazy, Busy, Nuts.”  Know the feeling? You can’t create distinction if you are always overwhelmed. Today, Scott McKain gives you two great exercises to help you start taming the “busy” from your life.

On a trip to Hawaii, Scott McKain was reading an article in USAToday about Ritz Carlton (in which he was extensively quoted), with a penguin sitting by him at the Hyatt. Today’s episode is a commentary on how important it is to have something unexpected to delight your customer…and the people to maintain it.

Looking at competitive websites, Scott McKain noticed they all said the same thing — yet, one had a very distinctive fact buried deep in the copy.  Are you presenting identical information as your competition — or, are you standing out?

Often when we examine the “positive” attributes of leadership versus “negative” approaches of bad bosses, we fail to recognize that “fine line” that separates the qualities from one another. Today, Scott McKain talks about when good approaches turn bad for leaders and the companies they serve.

Probably at one time or another, we’ve all had to deal with a boss that was difficult and demanding.  But, what if that boss crosses the line and becomes disrespectful?  How do we deal with a bad boss?  In today’s episode of Project Distinct, Scott McKain will provide a few ideas on the steps we should take.

Whether he’s playing a meth dealer, former President, or goofball dad, actor Bryan Cranston’s career teaches two important lessons about distinction: 1) it can come at any time in life; and, 2) the first step to avoid being “pigeon-holed” as a professional is to not think that way about yourself!  Scott McKain has more in today’s “Project Distinct.”

From a waiter on Valentine’s Day to a cab driver, first impressions set the tone of the customer experience — and, whether you know it or not, critical clues about your ability to create distinction. That’s the topic from Scott McKain on today’s Project Distinct!

Your experience as a customer is deep (you have a lot of experience buying from certain vendors) AND wide (you’ve done business a lot of different places). Scott McKain focuses today on how you can leverage your experience as a customer to help create an Ultimate Customer Experience.

A recent Pew Research study revealed that only 15% of Americans have ever used Uber or Lyft. It also uncovers other startling information for those of us who actively engage online. This causes Scott McKain to question: are you assuming the way YOU do things is the way that the customer does, too?

In research in the field of financial services, Scott McKain learned the critical aspect of clarity — and why just having “great service” isn’t inspiring customers to move their business to you.  Today’s episode tells you why...

Today’s episode begins with Scott McKain discussing the four-step method of activity ranking — and concludes with how it will create a plan for personal and professional success!

In today’s episode, Scott explodes the myth of “time management”…and gives us some ideas on how to get the most from our day.

Today, Scott McKain provides insight on four critical things that companies, leaders, managers, and professionals do that mess up their ability to deliver a great customer experience.  How many of these are you inadvertently doing in your organization?

From an unlikely source, Scott found some terrific ideas on the steps you need to take to attract great people to work for you — and keep them working there, too!

According to Harvard professor Michael Porter, there are only three ways for you to compete against other businesses — and, if you want to differentiate, there are only three strategies you can employ.  Scott McKain discusses those three, and reveals the importance of each…and how they impact you on today’s PROJECT DISTINCT.

Rowland Hussey launched four businesses over a twelve year period -- and all of them failed.  He kept a diary of what he had learned from his failures, and tried yet again.  Scott McKain shares the story of what happened next...

Based upon a recent whitepaper by Cornerstone, "only 40% of your employees know your organization's strategy and priorities for success!"  Based on their research -- as well as Scott McKain's own work -- here is one important step to help you repair your engagement problems...NOW!

Whether it's designing a product, how you'll serve your customer, or even your website...you want it to be distinctive! Today, Scott McKain shows us the four critical elements required for distinctive design -- no matter what it is that you are creating!

There are many aspects that a business must understand to deliver an experience so compelling to customers that loyalty is the result.  Scott McKain today reveals the three requirements that are essential to create an Ultimate Customer Experience ®, regardless of your business or marketplace.

A recent study found that exercising intensely for a short period of time can produce the same results as working moderately for a much longer period.  In today's episode, Scott examines how that same principle might apply to our creativity, as well.

Which is most critical to your success in creating distinction? Ideas...or execution?  Scott McKain has a very precise viewpoint on one of the other -- and it's the subject of today's episode of Project Distinct!

Political pundits -- and many of we regular folks -- never imagined that the Trump presidential campaign would have such sustained success.  Whether you love him -- or not -- Trump's success again proves the power of a recognized brand.  What can YOUR business learn from this? That's Scott's subject on today's Project Distinct!

CareerBuilder.com surveyed leaders in financial services, retail, and technology companies to find out what they determined were the biggest challenges facing their organizations.  Surprisingly, they were very much alike — and will be revealed by Scott McKain on this episode, along with a simple strategy to begin to solve the problem.

What some airlines don’t understand is that some customers use more than just money to purchase a ticket.  And, whether the hotel is a Hampton Inn or a Four Seasons, customers always have a right to a great experience.  Scott McKain reveals what the second currency is…and how it might even be more important than cash.

When Scott McKain totaled his Hertz rental car in New York City traffic, it was the beginning of a remarkable experience that created a customer for life.  Learn how they did it — and how you can duplicate it, without the accident!

How do you move towards a distinctive presence for your organization — or for yourself? In today’s episode, Scott relates the story of his friendship with famed movie critic, Roger Ebert — and how the Pulitzer Prize winner inspired Scott to understand the importance of differentiation.

Introductory podcast for Project Distinct with Scott McKain. n this podcast, Scott McKain reveals the critical reason why creating distinction is the most important step you can take in your professional life. Today we begin the journey by hearing Scott McKain’s personal story of a life-changing tragedy, and how that inspired him to discover the formula for creating distinction.

One of the most powerful aspects of both your personal and professional lives are the habits that reinforce consistent behavior.  The tension between how you are now — and how distinctive you want to be in the future — can create significant challenges. Scott McKain beings our exploration into habits in today’s Project Distinct!

On today’s episode, Scott McKain informs us of something that NO customer in recorded history has EVER said…and why.  He also gives us a single, simple step to take to help us create distinction in a hyper-competitive marketplace.

On today’s episode, Scott discusses the pitfalls of retirement and the choice to be, or not to be distinctive.

The terms “differentiation” and “distinction” are NOT interchangeable, according to Scott McKain — and it’s vital to know why.  In this program, he enlightens us about the Pyramid of Distinction, why “Level One: Sameness” is about price, and why you can’t get to “Level Three: Distinction” unless you have something compelling that sets you apart from the competition.

In today’s episode, Scott explores the writing of Harvard’s Elizabeth Ross Kanter’s HBR article, “Instant Success Takes Time” — and reveals what her research says about “winning streaks.”  If you want to win and be distinctive — it won’t happen overnight…but this information can help ensure that it does happen!

A sign announcing a meeting being held adjacent to the ballroom where Scott was recently addressing a group of highly successful insurance agents got his blood boiling!  Here’s why — and a message to set our thinking straight about “quick” and “easy” solutions to any problem.

From a one-person business to an organizational behemoth, every company has a “culture.”  A recent story about Amazon leads Scott McKain to provide his insights on how a distinctive culture internally creates distinctive experiences for customers externally.

Continuing our conversation with bestselling author and Hall of Fame speaker Joe Calloway, today we reveal two steps that any — and EVERY — professional and organization can take to create distinction in the marketplace.

Today, Scott relates a story on how being nice can really make you stand out — AND he starts a multi-part interview with bestselling author and Hall of Fame speaker (and Five Friends colleague) Joe Calloway that you can’t miss!

Today on Project Distinct, Scott reveals the third of the “Three Destroyers of Differentiation,” why an old cliche is no longer true, and why your relationships with customers (and family members) can deteriorate.

Fast food restaurants assembled by the exit on the new Interstate Highway System — and wreaked havoc on local diners.  Today, as Scott McKain relates, it’s the Internet that’s doing the same to your business! How do you survive and thrive given this new competition?

If your competition gains an advantage, the first response is to imitate it.  However, that dilutes any distinction you have in the marketplace — and fails to inspire customers or employees.  Today, Scott McKain examines the first of the three “Destroyers of Differentiation."

What holds us back from creating distinction?

More on how the Ebert Effect and how it can help you create distinction.

The move to distinction in my own business.

Introductory podcast for Project Distinct with Scott McKain.

Ever read or hear of the importance of creativity in growing your business and career — and think, “But, I’m not creative!“? Here’s a single idea that can make a difference — this short broadcast will reveal one approach that can make a major impact upon your level of creativity.   Despite the 200,000 books on the subject of creativity on Amazon…it’s just not THAT hard!  Find out what YOU can do to develop more innovative ideas by listening to this short on-demand radio blog from bestselling author and Hall of Fame speaker, Scott McKain!   AND, to sign up for our FREE webinar on Friday, November 1, go to: 

How do you create distinction in a crowded marketplace for your products, services, and YOURSELF? What's the difference between distinction and the old sales training tool of the "unique selling proposition"? Customers now assume how you SELL them is how you will SERVE them. It's a critical point for YOUR business!

In this edition of "Create Distinction in Sales & Customer Service," bestselling author and Hall of Fame professional speaker Scott McKain reveals why a "commitment to awareness" is a primary step in creating the "Ultimate Customer Experience" so you can sell more uniquely and serve more compellingly. Create distinction -- and grow your business! http://ScottMcKain.com

In this edition of "Create Distinction in Sales & Customer Service," bestselling author and Hall of Fame professional speaker Scott McKain reveals why eliminating the confusion that customers experience because we often offer them too many options can be a critical element to ensuring continued sales success and lifelong loyalty. Create distinction -- and grow your business! http://ScottMcKain.com

In this edition of "Create Distinction in Sales & Customer Service," bestselling author and Hall of Fame professional speaker Scott McKain reveals why eliminating the confusion customers experience because of disinformation delivered by your competition can be a critical element to ensuring continued sales success and lifelong loyalty. Create distinction -- and grow your business! http://ScottMcKain.com