Blue SalesFly LLC

I help CEOS and Sales Leaders untangle the knots stopping growth. Most recently helped grow a healthcare consultancy from $6M to $47M. If you want growth, you need a GUIDE with a Map that knows the terrain. I’ve been turning around territories or product lines my whole career.

“Knots” cause all the sales problems. Not winning, not finding, not opening enough, and not at the right price. I’ll help you untangle the “knots” holding you back. You will gain a selling system customized to your business with the right people doing the right activities in the right sequence to accelerate your growth.

Founder / CEO

Membrain.com

Partner

SpendMend 

Joined to revitalize sales and marketing. I helped grow the company from a low seven-figure to nine-figure validation. I led the development and launch of a new brand, go-to-market strategy, sales process, CRM, and two new websites. I was instrumental in elevating the national accounts strategy that landed nationwide contracts with the two largest group purchasing organizations.

In 2022, after the second Private Equity event, I chose an exit and launched a company to share what I have learned.

Sr. Vice President Growth & Development

Sodexo

Senior Director Business Development

Steelcase Health

Area Healthcare Manager

Johnson Controls

Solutions Sales Executive - Healthcare

Hill-Rom

Area Vice President

Most CEOs I work with have a capable team—but still feel like sales is tangled, random, and not creating margin-rich growth.

After 25+ years fixing broken sales across industries, I’ve built and installed custom growth systems that get teams aligned, qualified, and closing with confidence. One client scaled from $6M to $47M by untangling their “sales knots.”

I help small to mid-market B2B CEOs and Founders:

- Map their Route to Revenue
- Uncover their Strategic Value
- Install the GUIDE Selling System™
- And build a sales process that earns margin, trust, and market share

The problem isn’t your product. It’s how your team sells it—and what your buyers believe when they hear from you.

👉 Ready to fix your broken sales system? Let’s map your Route to Revenue. DM me or visit www.bluesalesfly.com

Michael Koory

Jeep Thought  - How to show up 

Be prepared: 
   Do some research!
   Have questions to gain understanding!
   Show your value by how you engage. 

Demonstrate:
   Your questions and research speak louder   
    than what you claim. 

Presentation:
     If you are going to wear a t- shirt. At least 
     choose a clean one.

LinkedIn

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(11) Messaging | LinkedIn

Talks about #sales, #saleshiring, #salesprocess, #salescoaching, and #salestraining

CEO Growth Advisor | Fixing Broken Sales & Untangling Revenue Knots | Creator of the GUIDE Selling System™

I spent the weekend untangling fishing line with my son. 

Every time I thought I had it, another knot showed up. 

He laughed, I grumbled, but we kept at it. 

Funny thing is, it reminded me of every sales process I've ever fixed. 

You pull on one thread, and three more pop up. 

Messaging misaligned. 

Hand-offs dropped. 

Nobody sure who's actually in charge of the deal. 

It's never just one knot. 

But here's the secret: you don't fix it by yanking harder. 

You slow down. 

You look for the pattern. 

You get curious, not frustrated. 

And eventually, the line comes free. 

Same goes for sales. 

If your team is stuck, don't just push harder. 

Step back. 

Find the real knot. 

Untangle it, and watch what happens. 

What knot are you wrestling with right now?

Growth isn't a mystery. It's a system.

Most companies stall because they try to fix sales with tactics. 

I fix sales with alignment.

That's why I built the Growth Flywheel - a system that starts with culture and ends with momentum. 

Here's how it works:

Culture sets the tone.

Strategy sets the direction.

Methodology is how you engage.

Process makes it repeatable.

CRM drives execution.

Coaching sharpens performance.

Accountability keeps it honest.

Talent keeps it strong.

Each turn fuels the next.

Each turn adds lift.

Each turn compounds.

This is how you shift "random wins" to predictable revenue.

Not with tactic hacks.

Not with pressure.

But with Your flywheel built to scale.

If you want growth that doesn't stall, build a system that can't stop.

#growthflywheel #salesleadership #ceo

𝙎𝙖𝙡𝙚𝙨 𝙆𝙣𝙤𝙩

Your sales team (or you) is stuck and underperforming....Why?

Lately, I've noticed a misalignment between the message and the value.

The approach is off.

When things get tight, like being behind in Q4, the pressure increases.

The team starts really "selling."

Customers can feel it and are repelled. They go silent - ghosts.

Often, when there is no formal sales process, reps chase.

No cohesive plan, no focus on providing value, just pressure to "sell."

Prospect hide, deal push, and the stress rises.

I know, I've been there.

Sleepless nights, excuses, and stories about the moving deals....

It doesn't have to be that way.

What if you focused on helping your prospects and customers?

Do you know their goals? Where do they want to go?

Are they behind and feeling stressed?

Can you help them uncover what's holding them back?

Can you help them remove threats, problems, and obstacles?

Can you help them realize an opportunity?

Instead of pushing your product, help them remove their challenges.

Be a resource. Be a guide.

Check your MAP:

M = Method - How can you help, instead of sell?
A = Attitude - How can you be a server, instead of a seller?
P = Process - Are you following a process?

When you or your team are stuck, this simple check can change trajectory.

Untangle the Knot!

#salesknot - Confusion

Business Development and Sales are about helping customers move from where they are to where they want to be. 

It's about navigation.

If you're dealing with complex B2B sales, navigation is highly fluid. 

Change is hard. Even moving away from pain is challenging.

Are you giving your customer clear direction?

Or, are you adding to the confusion?

When making a change, there is always fear of the unknown.

And fear shuts down progress. 

It shuts down creativity.

It kills deals. 

Before every call or meeting, ask yourself, "Where is the customer at and where do they need to go?"

Does your meeting agenda get them there?

What threats, obstacles, problems, or opportunities might be in their way?

What milestones do we need to pass to keep them on track?

Eliminate anything in your questioning or presentation that might confuse.

And, if the customer is confused.

Or, you are...

Deal with it immediately.

If things get off track - stop. Redirect, and get everyone moving again.

Complex deals require a competent guide. 

Your customer must be confident in where you are trying to take them.

They must know you are prioritizing their safety and their journey. 

#guide #businessdevelopment #salesleadership #growth

No alternative text description for this image

Sales Knots – Something you’re doing or not doing that is strangling growth.

In business, as in life, we often overthink our challenges.

But what if we approached challenges through the eyes of a navigator?

Executives frequently employ navigational language—it's a powerful metaphor. It rallys the team.

Consider these questions:
·     Where do you want to go?
·     Where do your clients want to go?
·     Are you/they move toward or away from the desired destination?
·     What is the next and potential barrier in your path?
·     What's preventing you from advancing?

Sometimes, the solution lies in recognizing that next obstacle.

Think of it in terms of travel, pathfinding, and wayfinding:
·     Are there obstructions on your trail?
·     Do you lack clarity about your destination?
·     Are you even on the right path?

By adopting a navigator's mindset, we can more easily identify the threats, challenges, and opportunities that hold us back.

The path to success is a journey.

By aligning our goals with our clients' aspirations and addressing each barrier as it arises, we can drive meaningful progress.

So, as you navigate your professional journey, if you feel stuck.

Remember to ask, “Where am I trying to go? What’s in my way?”

Am I knotted? Is there something I’m doing or not doing that’s stopping my progress?

That’s your knot. So, untangle it.

If you need help, I’m right here beside you.

#SalesKnots #Leadership #GrowthMindset #SalesJourney

Insight Selling - Are you leading with Insights?

A #CEO recently told me,

"Most 𝘐𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴 are about as fresh as a three-week-old, all-you-can-eat buffet."

Ugh, are you serving up stale and nasty insights? (see the image)

Insight selling took off in 2011, thanks to the success of the groundbreaking book, "The Challenger Sale," by Matt Dixon and Brent Adamson.

It got another boost from the 2014 book, "Insight Selling," by Mike Schultz and John Doerr.

Both are excellent books. 

The premise is spot on. So, why did this CEO pan insights?

Well, first, what is an insight?

𝘈 𝘴𝘢𝘭𝘦𝘴 𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘴 𝘥𝘢𝘵𝘢 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴—𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘴, 𝘣𝘦𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘪𝘰𝘳𝘴, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘨𝘶𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘴𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘴𝘢𝘭𝘦𝘴 𝘥𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴.

So, why did this CEO pan insights? Shouldn't he want his people working with sales teams delivering insights?

Of course he does. Unfortunately, he's not seeing it. 

So, back to the earlier question, "What are you serving your customers?"

Here's 3 simples steps to go from "Slop House to Chop House" with insights:

1. Your Insights must be focused on your customers' success.
 Ask yourself these questions:
 Do you know their top 3 goals for the year? For 3 years?
 Are they off-track?

2. Uncover potential pitfalls in making purchases and implementation. 
 Then, show how you help them avoid the trouble.
 
3. What potential trouble is likely to rock their business plan?
 Are you future-casting scenarios to help them plan?
 How are you and your company thinking about challenges?

Too often, companies are serving features and benefits as if they were insights.

True insights are surprising. They cause course correction.

They get attention.

Insights are robust connectors. They make decisions move faster. 

They make you and your team indispensable.

What are you serving?

I used to think the hardest part of fixing a broken sales process was the technical stuff. The CRM, the scripts, the playbooks. 

But honestly, that's the easy part. 

The real challenge? Getting a team to admit something's actually broken. 

Nobody wants to say it out loud. Everyone's got a story about why the numbers are off, or why that big deal slipped through the cracks. 

But here's the thing. If you can't name the knot, you can't untangle it. 

I've sat in rooms where the tension is so thick you could cut it with a butter knife. People fidgeting, glancing at each other, hoping someone else will speak up first. 

And then, finally, someone does. Usually it's not the loudest voice. It's the one who's tired of pretending. 

That's when the real work starts. 

Because once you admit there's a knot, you can start pulling the right threads. 

You can stop blaming the market, or the product, or the competition. 

You can start asking better questions. 

What are we actually trying to solve here? 

Who needs to be in the room? 

What would "fixed" even look like? 

It's not comfortable. But it's the only way forward. 

So if your sales process feels stuck, ask yourself: are you willing to say what's really broken? Or are you still hoping someone else will do it for you?

I was in a planning session with a manufacturing sales leadership team last month.

Whiteboard. Coffee. Q4 pressure.

They had the usual list:
 - We need to close deals.
 - Pricing is getting squeezed.
- The sales cycle is too long.
- We need better reps.

All true. Also....not the root.

So I asked a simple question:
"𝗕𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝘁𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘀, 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗺𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗱 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗳𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴?"

We pulled up the TOPO Map and ran the exercise as a team. 

Within 20 minutes, the room got quiet. 

Because they stopped talking about what they sell...and started naming what their customers are trying to survive. 

𝙏𝙝𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙨 weren't "competitors."

They were the silent killers:
 - late shipments that trigger line shutdowns
 - supplier risk that turns into customer penalties
 - quality escapes that become "we don't trust you anymore."

𝙊𝙗𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙘𝙡𝙚𝙨 weren't "budget."

They were internal friction at the customer:
 - Engineering, Purchasing, Ops all optimizing for different outcomes
 - change requests stuck in approvals
 - fear of supplier changes, because the last one almost broke them.

𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙗𝙡𝙚𝙢𝙨 weren't "they need parts."
 
They were downstream issues and pain:
 - rework, scrap, expediting, missed production windows
 - quoting complexity and requests
 - tribal knowledge living in one person's head.

𝙊𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙪𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙚𝙨 weren't "grow revenue."

They were transformations:
 - simplify SKUs, reduce variability, stabilize production
 - redesign for manufacturability
 - turn the supply chain into an advantage instead of a stress headache

Then the sales leader said the line that changed everything:

"𝗪𝗲'𝘃𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗯𝗲𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗹𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝘀 𝗮 𝘃𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗼𝗿.... 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘄𝗲'𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗮 𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗸-𝗿𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿."

That one insight rewired their strategy.

They stopped building a plan around:

 - product categories
 - capacity
 - "here's what we can do:

...and started building around 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗰 𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲:

 - how they offer uptime protection
 - where they reduce complexity
 - where they prevent quality and delivery surprises
 - how they help teams execute change without chaos.

TOPO didn't just refine their messaging. 

It changed what they pursued, how they qualified, and how they coached. 

Because when you can name the customer's unseen TOPO... you stop selling parts and start guiding outcomes. 

If you're in manufacturing and your sales strategy still starts with your capabilities... run a 𝗧𝗢𝗣𝗢 𝗠𝗮𝗽 𝗲𝘅𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗲.

It'll change the conversation you have with your customers and the market.

𝗔 𝗥𝗘𝗩𝗢𝗟𝗨𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗔𝗥𝗬 𝗔𝗣𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗔𝗖𝗛 𝗧𝗢 𝗦𝗮𝗹𝗲𝘀
“Sales is at a breaking point—not because customers have changed.
 
But because sales haven’t. 

Traditional methods still chase qualification and discovery like it’s 2005. 

The GUIDE Selling System flips the lens. 

It doesn’t start with what we sell, but with why customers struggle to grow. 

In a world saturated with solutions, the real revolution is understanding. 

Not pitching. 
Not probing. 

But understanding what’s in the customer’s way—and walking with them through it.”

Recently, I was a guest on the Michigan Business Network podcast. https://lnkd.in/eUP-zREa

Jeffrey Mosher and I talked about the struggle sales teams face to gain traction with their customers. 

Please give it a listen, link in the comments.

How do you untangle #salesknots?

I'm skilled at untangling #salesknots.

Uncovering what's preventing your growth.

However, Christmas lights? Not so much. 

Fortunately, my wife's skills are next level.

The Journey and Progress

When seeking change or transformation, there are two fundamental decisions to make.

Where are we now and where do we want to go?

Advancement lies not just in setting a destination but also clarity of our current position.

Clarity is the compass.

And clarity forces the next question, “Where do we begin?”

Enter the Guide with a Map. They’ve been there before and know what it takes.

Basecamp – What resources to we have (tools, provisions, team) and where are we lacking? Can we get to the destination with our current resources? (probably not)

The Guide askes: Are you genuinely ready to move forward? Are you committed to the change that will and must take place? Have you identified your "why"?

This introspection is critical. It's easy to get lost if we aren't honest about what holds us back.

In essence, progress is about meaningful movement.

It's about understanding the terrain you're navigating and having the right support to guide you.

Whether you're on a solo expedition or leading a team, embrace the journey with a clear purpose, and ensure everyone is equipped for the path ahead.

Only then will the map transform from a piece of paper into a powerful tool for success.

How do you untangle a #salesknot?

Let me tell you about one. 

A B2B team with a killer product, but their pipeline looked like a bowl of spaghetti. 

Deals everywhere, but nothing is moving. 

The CEO was frustrated. The team was as well.

So we mapped it out, old-school style. Whiteboard, markers, sticky notes. 

Turns out, there wasn't a real sales process.

No one knew who the real decision maker was. 

There was no focus on value, only price. 

No wonder things stalled. 

We changed one thing. 

Every rep had to ask, early and often: "How does your organization make decisions?" 

Simple, right? 

But it broke the logjam. 

Deals started closing. 

The team got their confidence back. 

Sometimes the biggest knots are hiding in plain sight. 

You just have to look for them. 

What knot is slowing your team down right now? 

And what would happen if you just asked the obvious question?

How do you create growth?

I was frustrated and filled with questions.

Why did some engagements work when others didn't?

How can I help CEOs and sales leaders eliminate obstacles to growth?

The Growth Flywheel is the result of that frustration.

Hours spent questioning the wins and losses.

Painful self and project examination.

After the examination and journaling, I found the eight (8) factors.

1. Culture - If culture is bad, you can't grow. Fix this first, or don't start.

2. Strategy - Is the strategy infused with good culture and aligned to the goals?

3. Methodology - Does your method align with your culture? Is it yours?

4. Process - "If you can't describe what you are doing as a process, you don't know what you are doing - W. Edwards Deming.

5. CRM - Your system for making it a habit. It should make your team's job easier.

6. Coaching - How you make your team better.

7. Accountability - How you keep everyone honest. 

8. Talent - How you build the team that wins. 

This is the framework. Each section is vital if you want to build a revenue system and team. 

How's your system?

Take the simple assessment.

How did you do?

Growth Flywheel

Let me tell you about a knot I untangled this month. 

A B2B team with a killer product, but their pipeline looked like a bowl of spaghetti. 

Deals everywhere, but nothing moving. 

The CEO was frustrated. The team was burned out. 

So we mapped it out, old-school style. Whiteboard, markers, sticky notes. 

Turns out, every deal was stuck at the same spot: nobody knew who the real decision maker was. 

They were pitching to champions, but not guiding the process. 

No wonder things stalled. 

We changed one thing. 

Every rep had to ask, early and often: "Who else needs to be involved for this to move forward?" 

Simple, right? 

But it broke the logjam. 

Deals started closing. 

The team got their confidence back. 

Sometimes the biggest knots are hiding in plain sight. 

You just have to look for them. 

What knot is slowing your team down right now? 

And what would happen if you just asked the obvious question?

Public Speaking is Fun

Ever since my first speech class in High School, I've enjoyed public speaking. 

It's a great way to learn and share ideas.

Here's a short bit about a Leadership Lesson I learned while working in a factory. 

Sometimes, your team teaches you how to lead.

If you are willing to listen. 

This is from a DisruptHR Talk.

https://lnkd.in/gS2KeiyM

#leadership

Open article: LIGHT: Leadership Lessons at 2 AM | Michael Koory | DisruptHR Talks - DisruptHR by disrupthr.co

LIGHT: Leadership Lessons at 2 AM | Michael Koory | DisruptHR Talks - DisruptHR

#SalesKnot - How do you get through a slump?

Sometimes, everything you try misses the mark.

Nothing seems to work, and you feel like you're falling behind.

And, maybe you are falling behind.

"It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters."
 - Epictetus

So what do you do?

I've been there many times. 

One bad call derails the day.

One bad week turns into a month.

What helped me was to depersonalize everything. 

Step outside yourself and view your activity and attitude.

What are you saying to yourself?

What are you believing?

Is your activity on point?

Activity begets more activity. Not just for motion's sake...

Sometimes, to get through a slump, you have to keep moving. 

Getting outside your head can give you a new perspective.

Stop and look at everything from the outside.

You'll see it, then start moving again.

Movement gives you a new perspective.

If you are doing the right things, movement gets you through. 

If you're not doing the right things, move to what works. 

Ask for help. 

Getting outside yourself and your ego gives you clarity.

Find someone who's been there, and if you're in business long enough...

Everyone has been there. 

Ask for help. Find a Guide.

#navigation #growthmindset #guide

In Grand Rapids, the wind is howling and cold.

Lake Effect snow is predicted up to 5" - 8" over the weekend. 

What does this have to do with growth?

Storms are a constant in life.

They cause noise, pain, and distraction.

You can be knocked off course from your desired destination.

It happens to all of us.

Leaders focus on what they can control and on the goal.

Leaders navigate threats, obstacles, and problems.

Leaders grab opportunities. 

So, when the noise level rises, and, the winds howl.

Focus on what is in your control. 

What you can do next. 

Smile and press on. We're on an amazing journey.


A

𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗜 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗿𝘆 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲? 𝗜 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵.

The quarterly meeting was coming up, and no one was happy. 

The redesigned territories brought in new team members, and there was friction.

New people and new leaders. A perfect recipe for a meeting to jump the tracks. 

Unfortunately, the leader didn't address the issues. 

Question: If you have a high producer who is toxic to the team, what do you do?

Do you separate them from the team and let them do their thing?
Do you coach them about the importance of teamwork?
Or do you really have a team, or is it just a bunch of independents going after their own numbers?

Culture takes work. As a leader, you need to alternate between holding your ground on an issue and being confident enough to be challenged.

Not all your ideas are good ones - your team can help.

Over the years, I've been on all manner of teams, from excellent to exhausting. 

One thing I learned is that if the people who have to work together don't want to, they won't. 

And if they won't, you won't succeed.

And, toxicity? Deal with it immediately.

Route it out.

In the story above, a toxic team member was derailing every meeting. It was painful, expensive, and a waste of time. 

She had won a huge deal, so her leader didn't want to call her out.

She was a "performer." The approach was "She hit her number, so leave her alone."

But the cost of leaving her alone and ignoring her behavior was huge. 

Fortunately, she left. And guess what happened?

Not just in her territory, but across the team. 

Culture drives engagement and engagement drives performance. 

That's why Culture is the first thing on my Growth Flywheel. 

If the culture is bad, transformation will be challenging, if not impossible.

If you need growth, check your culture.

Is the team engaged?

Are they sharing or competing?

Are they leaning in and believing?

Are they being listened to?

Just like the line in the movie, Field of Dreams,

"If you build it, they will come."

Once you build a strong culture, recruitment and performance are much easier. it,

#salesknot - The "Update your CRM!"

You know the drill, you get the call - "Update your CRM!"

Your sales leader is presenting to leadership or the board.

They want an updated forecast.

So, you schedule the time to update all your deals.

Usually, you see the opportunities you missed, or forgot about...

"How long has it been since I was in here?"

It doesn't have to be that way.

CRMs don't have to suck even though most do.

The right ones can help you sell better. 

"𝗪𝗶𝗽𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗰𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗮 𝗖𝗥𝗠 𝗶𝘀."

Check out this case study. 

https://lnkd.in/ezt6d3Da

#crm #ceo #revenuegrowth

Open article: Worksighted Case Study by membrain.com

Leadership Awake, LLC

Extraordinary book coaching with Ben Gioia and publishing by Leadership Awake Press.

"I’m receiving a 5-FIGURE FEE for just one workshop! We leveraged my UNFINISHED book!” — Monica J. Jenkins, THE COST OF CLUTTER

"If I hadn't joined Ben's group, my book would still be in my computer. Now, I'm TALKING AT GOOGLE! And they're gonna pay me!" — Annemarie Shrouder, BEING BROWN IN A BLACK & WHITE WORLD

“I am fortunate to have gained a 6-FIGURE CLIENT, before my book was done. Just need to finish the book now.” — G. M.

“Just last week, I got a five-figure coaching gig, thanks to my unfinished book!"
— Johnathan (Jason) Johannes

“I've been asked to be a guest lecturer at Harvard... before my book is done!”
— Anna Devere

Creator of BOOK PROFIT MASTERY Mastermind

Fact: over 67% of new authors published by Leadership Awake Press get bottom-line business results… before their book is done.

Book Launch Playbook™ (3 months) — Publishing, Simple Leveraging, and More Monetizing

Professional self publishing (Author-controlled publishing (your IP))
• Strategy call with the Publisher and Ben
• Your best keywords and categories plus book description written for you
• Custom cover and book design plus fine-detail proofreading
• Print on demand (paperback, hardcover, Kindle) + global distribution to 40,000+
 retailers (including Amazon and Barnes & Noble)

Book Launch Playbook™ 
(Strategy, timelines, and 1-2 years+ of content without A.I.)
• 7X Custom Strategies:

YOUR BOOK DONE

LEADERSHIP AWAKE PRESS: Founder and Managing Director

Write Your #1, Best Selling Book In 5 Weeks 

— So You Can Position Yourself (expert) AND Establish Your Brand FAST—

... and make a bigger impact.

5 WEEK BOOK MASTERY: The Influence With A Heart® Method

Ben's first four Books: 

https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B00MOY9ORA

Bestselling Author of (almost) 5 Books

ATT'N: Leaders, Consultants, Coaches, Speakers, Entrepreneurs, and Small Business Owners — Who Want To Amplify Their Message, Reach, & Impact

• Get EMPOWERED, STRATEGIC, and VISIBLE — so you can attract more leads, clients and opportunities — today, instead of losing 10 years & two(2) million dollars (at least)!

• Bust the MYTHS & MISCONCEPTIONS about podcasts, books, and video podcasts — that keep most people stuck — so you can stop losing your time, energy, money and life!

• Make a MEANINGFUL IMPACT with a book, podcast, or tv talk show that you're proud of.

The Podcast and Book Roadmap

Speakers Who Dare

WATCH: How To Quit Suffering Now 

https://youtu.be/98pVoHNMueg -  8 min.

Daring Speaker

GES INTERNATIONAL CULTURE EXCHANGE LLC

Influence With A Heart® Training:

1. be a better leader and communicator;
2. simple ways to influence, engage, & empower your team; and
3. inspire your clients and customers to say “yes” so you can make a bigger impact.

Two Day Training at Stanford University

Transforming culture & customer loyalty by impacting 16,000 customer experience employees

Develop an integrated learning ecosystem and experience for 16,000 custom experience reps: for EQ, resilience, greater customer loyalty & profitability, and help shift organizational culture at a major US insurance company.

Delivered via video game, 360 video, leader debriefs,  SJT's, & summary guide.

(photo by rawpixel.com)

EQ Expert at Fortune 100 Co. (Mindfulness, Empathy, Systems Thinking, Compassionate Communication)  

USANA Health Sciences

2 Day Training for 500 Leaders
USANA Health Sciences
Day 1: English, Day 2: Chinese (with simultaneous translation)

TOPIC:
Leading With A Heart
How To Influence Your Team & 
Transform Customer Experience

Influence With A Heart™ Leadership Training in Sydney, Australia

Nicola Grace's Right Mission, Right Money

How To “Turn Up The Volume”  On Your Influence, Income, and Impact

George H. Schofield, PhD

• Provide integrated project management, information product creation, and communications strategy for a speaker / author offering education and tools for people navigating life after 50.

Consultant

Delivered Training at U of Washington

Speak to global business leaders about empathy and story at the University of Washington.

Training in Seattle

Spoke at Stanford

Train 126 top leaders at Stanford University in influential communication, leadership, and positioning. 

Case Study: Purpose Is The Foundation

OPPORTUNITY  I delivered a 2-day training for a global organization at Stanford University. The audience (126 leaders) learned how to improve communication and team engagement. The day began with getting clear on purpose: as individuals, then connecting their's to the organization’s.

BACKGROUND  When people understand their purpose and how that fits into the larger purpose of their company or organization, communication and leadership are more effective. People are often more productive, engaged, motivated, and happy. 

SOLUTION  I worked with the audience so they could get clear about purpose. By using empathy and story, they learned innovative approaches to leadership and team building. The training also included mindfulness, a bit of neuroscience, and nonverbal communication approaches.

RESULTS  “An amazing two days! I learned so much from you and loved your teaching!”
• “Your training and coaching are highly effective and extremely practical. I will definitely use my new skills!”
• “You taught us how new ways to communicate with our team (and with my wife as well)… I think that’s great!”
•  “We can use this method to build better relationships with our colleagues AND employees.”

2 Day Training for 126 Business Leaders

Communications Director and Board Chair for a Nonprofit

• Created and implemented all communications and marketing for the organization.
• Increased membership by 37%.
• Delivered the organization's first educational event (speech and training) - Conscious Marketing And Communication For Purpose Driven Leaders

http://consciouscapitalismbayarea.org

Conscious Capitalism Bay Area provides the inspiration, community, diversity thinking, and “how-to” for purpose-driven leaders who want to create a positive impact through business.

Conscious Capitalism Bay Area has 4 Tenets: Higher Purpose, Multi-stakeholder Orientation, Conscious Leadership, and Conscious Culture

Conscious Capitalism Bay Area

Guiding purpose-driven folks to write a GREAT BOOK FAST (sure to work and attract CLIENTS BEFORE it’s done) 📚 Almost 5X int’l bestseller, publisher, inspir🧡ational coach 🎙️ Radio + podcast host and fun guest

Thanks to their book...  1) G.M.  got 6-figure consulting!    2) A.D. spoke at Harvard!    3) J.J.  got 5-figure coaching!    4) M.J. got a 5-figure workshop fee... BEFORE their book was done!  

(And Google paid A.S. to speak (they found her via her published book.))

• Ben Gioia guides folks in writing a high-quality, high-value book that they're proud of in as little as five weeks. 

• He starts with business-oriented strategy (for clients, partners, and referrals) before the book is done.

• Through his publishing imprint Leadership Awake Press, Ben offers concierge editing, publishing, and strategic book marketing... plus how to make 6- or 7-figures without selling any books.

His Influence With A Heart® method is optimized for leaders, consultants, coaches, speakers, trainers, entrepreneurs, and small business owners.  (Ghostwriting available.)

RESULTS

"If I hadn't said yes, my book would still be in my computer. Now, I'm talking at Google and they're gonna pay me!”
— Annemarie Shrouder, BEING BROWN IN A BLACK & WHITE WORLD

“I've been asked to be a guest lecturer at Harvard... before my book is done!” — Anna Devere, TV Producer and Radio Host

“I am fortunate to have gained a 6-FIGURE CLIENT, before my book was done. Just need to finish the book.” — G. M., CEO

“i’m receiving a 5-figure fee for just one workshop! We leveraged my unfinished book!” — Monica J. Jenkins, THE COST OF CLUTTER

“Just last week, I got a 5-figure coaching gig, thanks to my unfinished book!" — Johnathan Johannes, Consultant

SPEAK / CONSULT

AARP, A Fortune 100, The ALS Assoc., Condé Nast, ESPN, Hearst, KNBC, KNBY, The Kathy Ireland Network, Stanford, USANA

Hi! I’m Ben Gioia, almost 5X, int'l bestseller, podcast, and radio host. I've trained 100s of millionaires at Stanford, helped a Fortune 100 create a mindfulness and empathy video game for 20,000 employees, and launched the world’s largest magazine (AARP). I started writing at 12 and won a patient services award from The ALS Association.

On top of facing death 4 times in India (72 hours) and hospice volunteering, I read fiction voraciously, have sat more than 157+ days (total) of silent meditation, and give 10% to companies making an impact. I'm a world traveler (23 countries so far) and have lived on four continents.

📚 WILL YOUR BOOK WORK?  influencewithaheart.com/booksuccessguaranteed

📚 Hi!  influencewithaheart.com/connect

📚 MASTERCLASS  influencewithaheart.com/brilliant

📚 READ  amazon.com/stores/Ben-Gioia/author/B00MOY9ORA

►► ► Why wait? 
  
bookme.name/bengioia/quick-hello 

+1 347.870.6502 (Whatsapp)

Ben Gioia

Everything changes when money stops being “the outcome.” You stop saying yes out of fear. You stop tolerating misaligned clients. 

You stop building a business that secretly costs you more energy, health, and joy than it returns. From that moment, you’re no longer performing for the next invoice. 

You’re leading calmly, clearly and on purpose.

That’s the shift Karen Baines is inviting you into. In her upcoming Mini Mastery, Master Your Money, she’ll show you how to line up your values, your self-worth, and your bank balance so they’re working together instead of fighting each other.

This isn’t about spreadsheets and shame. It’s about understanding what to actually prioritise, how to protect your energy, and where to move the needle so that rest restores you and your business still grows.

She’s cool people.

Don’t miss out!

Guides purpose-driven folks to WRITE / FINISH / PUBLISH their BOOK (sure to work + attract CLIENTS before it’s done), Publisher, 5X int’l bestseller (almost), Dynamic coach 🎙️ Radio + podcast host 🙂 Chock full of Story

View newsletter: Your BOOK, BRAND, and BUSINESS

Money isn't the trophy at the end of the game. It’s the side effect of service and the echo of the value you bring to the world and the people you ser

Open article: Money Isn't The Outcome by Ben Gioia • 3 min read

Didja know? You can leverage your book in more than 40 ways...

... and most don't require any extra effort...

... ASSUMING you do your book right.

So don't assume.

Do your book right.

Then leverage the sh*t out of it :-)

I'm here to serve.

Happy weekend!

Guides purpose-driven folks to WRITE / Dictate & FINISH their BOOK (sure to work + attract CLIENTS before it’s done), PUBLISHER, 5X int’l bestseller (almost) Helluva coach 🎙️ Radio + podcast host 🙂 Guest with a STORY

There's a helluva a good case for getting your book done. 

And there's nothing in the way.

So... are you still waiting?

Check out these book and publishing realities.

There are people waiting for your book, right now.

Key Book and Publishing Realities

Here’s a wild stat: 81% of people say they want to write a book, but fewer than 1% ever do. 

Why? Because the traditional advice is outdated, overwhelming, and often just plain wrong. 

Today’s guest is here to flip the script....

(Enjoy the podcast with Chelsea Alves and yours truly.)

Do you think you should be reading yet another piece of content, or should you be taking some action right now?

🙂❤️

Discernment and deadlines make all the difference.

Here’s your Friday invitation to wrap everything up as quickly as possible and get your feet outside and onto the dirt :-)

Why?

Because, on their deathbed, nobody’ever says, “I wish I had worked more.”

20 minutes. 6 days a week. 5 weeks. Just 25,000 words. 

= 160-ish pages.

Just right.

Yes, there is time.

Hello to "Your Book".

(Yes, you can totally get your book done.)

[new book!] Yay for my book client and friend Marvin J. Gordon, MD, for his new book!  🎁

YOU’RE NOT TELLING THE JOKE RIGHT
THE BEST OF JEWISH HUMOR AND STORYTELLING
PLUS THE HISTORY AND CULTURE BEHIND WHY WE CAN’T STOP LAUGHING

Whether you’re shopping for a gift, finding something special for your synagogue, or wanting to make your nonprofit fundraising more effective, YOU’RE NOT TELLING THE JOKE RIGHT is a joke book (and more) bar none.

If chicken soup is Jewish penicillin, Jewish humor is Jewish Prozac. This book delivers a generous dose of both.

It’s for Jews and non-Jews alike who want to appreciate how comedy bridges differences, builds resilience, and transforms suffering into connection.
Jewish humor has always been more than punchlines. 

It is a survival tool, a cultural inheritance, and a spiritual medicine cabinet stocked with irony, wit, and the occasional oy vey. 

From the shtetl to the synagogue, from Ellis Island to the Borscht Belt, humor has carried Jewish families through centuries of exile, struggle, and reinvention. And it continues to carry us now.

YOU’RE NOT TELLING THE JOKE RIGHT is a reflection on the people, humor, and history that have made generations laugh, argue, and endure together. It’s a way to understand the role laughter plays in holding a community together. And it offers the comfort of knowing that in a complicated world, we still get to laugh, even when nothing feels funny.

• You will come away not just entertained but nourished. You will recognize how Jewish humor is the mortar that holds the mosaic of Jewish life together: different experiences, one shared story.

• You will understand why Jewish humor has shaped American entertainment and why even today it feels so universal.

• You will discover that humor does not just soften hardship. It preserves memory, strengthens identity, and offers hope.

And perhaps most importantly, you will be reminded that laughter itself is holy work. It is a way of choosing joy without denying reality, a way of practicing tikkun olam, repairing the world, one grin at a time.

Dr. Marvin Gordon, physician and storyteller, draws on his heritage, his medical career, and his lived experience in Jewish communities on both coasts to remind us why laughter matters. In these pages, you will find the wit of great comedians, the wisdom of rabbis, the unfiltered honesty of children, and the kind of everyday anecdotes that only a Jewish mother could inspire. But more than that, you will find the deeper meaning that runs beneath the jokes.

This is a book for anyone who has ever laughed through tears, who has ever felt the sting of history and the balm of humor in the same moment. It is for those who know that survival is more than enduring. It is remembering, retelling, and laughing about it afterward.

YOU’RE NOT TELLING THE JOKE RIGHT makes a great gift and you'll love it!

(Available on Amazon.)

Do you do what your coach says to do? Most people don't. And sadly, we as coaches can't "bench" our clients like they do in the sports world.

So today I'm extra delighted to honor Johnathan Johannes for following my book writing, publishing, and launching guidance.

He's already a #1 new release. He already secured a 50K coaching gig (before the book was finished).

Congratulations Johnathan!

Do you know the best way to get started on getting your book done?

Get started on your book.

This can help (today, live or register for the replay)

11am ET / 8am PT

Imagine this: it’s not even the summer 2026 and your book is finally finished and in your hands!!  And before it’s even done, doors are opening: clients, partners, referrals and impact.

That’s what this masterclass is about. (Last Call for 2025!)

How To Finally Get Your Book Over The Finish Line plus The 9 Kinds of Stories Anyone Can Use

Yes you have stories to share. Yes there’s a clear path for your book.

And YES, you can stop living with the regret of yet another year passing without your book done.

(Regrets suck.)

And the good news is that you don’t have to be “ready.” 

You just have to smile, relax, and say the first yes to yourself (by attending).

Because this session will open your eyes, open your heart, and blow your mind.

See you then!

View event: How To Get Your Book Over The Finish Line - plus - 9 Kinds of Stories...

How To Get Your Book Over The Finish Line - plus - 9 Kinds of Stories...

Now and then, I ask you this: "How will you be resting, rejuvenating, and self-caring this weekend?"

(Thanks for taking care of you.)

I have the bestest "job" in the world as a book coach and publisher.  🎉 Why ? Check out Johnathan's smile as he lays his eyes on his new book. 📚

I am grateful to guide leaders and changemakers like Johnathan in getting their book done and published and immediately making an impact in the world.

Congratulations Johnathan Johannes :-)

Leadership Architect | Managing Director, Unicomer OECS | Retail & Finance Trailblazer | Author-in-Progress | Shaping the Future with Bold Ideas & Real Results

The Hardcover Proof: Welcome to the Jungle of Leadership! This is the moment I’ve been waiting for.

Tonight at 8 p.m., I walked home to find a familiar brown box on the kitchen counter.

Inside… The hard-cover proofs of The Exception Code: How to Make Culture, Retention and Customer Loyalty Profitable by Leading Like No One Else.

Full title. Final proofing. The finish line is now in sight.

Why this matters:

	•	After years of drafting, editing, feedback from collaborators, and countless “what ifs”, this box turned the idea into something real.

	•	If a leadership book is going to matter, it should feel tangible, a weight in your hands, a line in a meeting, a moment of accountability for someone who leads.

	•	Leadership culture isn’t built in slides alone. It’s built when you execute the change and hold yourself to the standard. This proof serves as my reminder that execution comes after vision.

What’s next:

	•	I’ll review the hardcover proof. When it gets the green light, the book goes live, before December.

	•	The website is live (link in the comments) resources will roll out, and we’ll open up launch-details soon.

	•	If you’re a leader who cares about turning culture into profit, retention into engagement, and teams into legacy, this is for you.

Want to stay updated?

Follow me here for launch milestones, and early-access insights and subscribe to my newsletter (link in the comments)

If you already subscribe to the newsletter, thank you, you’ll get the inside track when the book becomes available first.

#TheExceptionCode #Leadership #Culture #BookLaunch #CaribbeanLeadership

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The Battle

Michael Koory

Ben Gioia

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Engagements

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Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Michael Koory's LinkedIn Performance

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