Scott Osman and Jacquelyn Lane, leaders of 100 Coaches, pull back the curtain on how elite coaching actually works: what makes someone coachable, what questions to ask, why coaching (almost) always justifies the price tag, and how long it takes to see results.

In this episode, they share why the best leaders are coachable and how you can build that skill yourself – plus, the one question every leader should ask themselves if they want to make a bigger impact.

Topics discussed:

Introduction (00:00)

Who actually needs a coach? (00:47)

Why coachability has become a CEO-level skill (01:51)

The origin story of 100 Coaches (04:54)

How to find the right coach for you (07:18)

The most common areas people need coaching (10:56)

How long does coaching take to work? (11:59)

How coaches use feedback to reveal your blind spots (13:30)

Should you suggest coaching to your boss? (18:39)

The leadership habits that silently undermine you (20:11)

Should a leader also be a coach? (22:18)

The openness framework: how to become more coachable (24:36)

Will AI replace executive coaches? (30:51)

Scott and Jacquelyn’s best communication advice (33:47)

Learn more about 100 Coaches:
http://100coaches.com/

Grab Scott Osman and Jacquelyn Lane’s book:
https://becomingcoachable.com/

Subscribe to Scott’s newsletter on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/best-insights-from-100-coaches-6613518216260050944/

Get the Presentation Planner Oliver uses with elite communicators: https://eo-ipso-comms.kit.com/presentation-planner

Want to work with Oliver and become a top 1% communicator? Join the Speak Like a CEO Academy and sign up for the FREE webinar! https://www.speaklikeaceo.academy/

This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.com

Most leaders spend hours preparing presentations that get mediocre results. They stare at PowerPoint, fill slides with bullet points, and still struggle to connect with their audience.

This comprehensive course reveals the exact system Oliver uses with CEOs and founders to cut preparation time in half while doubling impact. You'll learn the three-step framework elite communicators use to plan, practice, and present with confidence.

Whether you're pitching to investors, presenting to your board, or leading your team, this course will transform how you communicate. You'll discover how to structure any presentation in minutes, craft messages that stick, and deliver with the confidence of a top 1% presenter.

Topics discussed:

The objective: becoming a top 1% presenter (00:00)

Why presentations matter for leaders (02:15)

The three P framework: plan, practice, present (05:30)

Seven deadly sins of presenting and how to avoid them (08:45)

How to make the audience care: the 90% test (14:20)

Choosing the right structure for any presentation (19:35)

Crafting simple, effective messages that move people (25:10)

The killer opening line and ending with impact (31:45)

Why storytelling beats facts and logic (37:20)

Creating slides that support your message (43:15)

Handling questions, interruptions, and objections with grace (49:30)

Body language: posture, hands, and facial expressions (54:40)

Voice mastery: the five Ps of vocal variety (61:25)

Eliminating filler words and embracing the pause (67:10)

The BMW method: staying calm and confident under pressure (72:35)

Bringing energy and passion to every presentation (78:50)

Your action plan: joining the top 1% (83:15)

Want to work with Oliver and become a top 1% communicator? Join the Speak Like a CEO Academy: https://www.speaklikeaceo.academy/

In this episode, Thomas Erikson, bestselling author of Surrounded by Idiots, helps us answer the question: are we really surrounded by idiots or are we simply failing to communicate? He breaks down the four personality types that shape how every person around you behaves and explains exactly how each one thinks, communicates, and needs to be led.

You’ll learn the truth about energy vampires, narcissists, and how to protect yourself without sacrificing yourself in the process.

Topics discussed:

Introduction (00:00)

Why you think you're surrounded by idiots (00:51)

The four “colors” of human behavior (04:10)

Yellow vs. blue: the communication gap (09:58)

How to adapt to different colors (15:03)

What each color needs most from their leaders (16:47)

How to build your leadership communication skills (18:22)

The trap most leaders fall into (23:05)

The colors that struggle the most to adapt (28:47)

How to deal with energy vampires (30:27)

The truth about working with narcissists (34:04)

Connect with Thomas Erikson:
http://surroundedbyidiots.com/

Get the Presentation Planner Oliver uses with elite communicators: https://eo-ipso-comms.kit.com/presentation-planner

Want to work with Oliver and become a top 1% communicator? Join the Speak Like a CEO Academy and sign up for the FREE webinar! https://www.speaklikeaceo.academy/

This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.com (https://podcastboutique.com)

Our guest Nir Eyal helps us identify and overcome the limiting beliefs that hold us back.

Nir is the bestselling author of Hooked and Indistractable. He spent the last six years researching the science of motivation for his brand new book Beyond Belief  – and what he found explains why even highly motivated leaders limit themselves.

He makes a provocative argument: the real limiter isn’t motivation or willpower. It’s belief.

Not positive thinking. Not affirmations. Not mantras in front of the mirror. That stuff hardly works. What does work is to treat “beliefs as tools, not truths.”

You’ll learn why motivation isn’t about willpower, why confidence collapses under pressure, and how one missing layer – your beliefs – determines whether you persist, command the room, and communicate like a true leader.

Topics discussed:

Introduction (00:00)

How limiting beliefs hold us back (00:47)

Facts vs. faith and why the difference matters (05:38)

Why toxic positivity hurts you (10:45)
The framework for challenging a limiting belief (14:45)

How identity and fear keep people stuck (19:47)

Becoming an anti-fragile communicator (22:47)

"Fake it till you make it" — the reframe (25:58)

The three powers of belief (30:05)

High-agency leadership in the age of AI (35:53)

The first step to changing your limiting beliefs (37:13)

Connect with Nir Eyal:
https://www.nirandfar.com/beyond-belief/

Want to work with Oliver and become a top 1% communicator? Join the Speak Like a CEO Academy: https://www.speaklikeaceo.academy/

This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.com (https://podcastboutique.com)

In this episode, Andy J. Pizza explores how ADHD and other forms of neurodivergence shape the way people think, speak and lead. You’ll hear why entrepreneurship attracts so many neurodivergent thinkers, how to turn these traits into a storytelling advantage, and what leaders can do to support neurodivergent teams so everyone can do their best work.

Andy is a bestselling author, speaker, and host of the long-running podcast Creative Pep Talk. He has spent years studying storytelling, creativity, and speaking with ADHD – and built a career on turning different wiring into influence.

Topics discussed:

Introduction (00:00)

Do neurodivergent people communicate differently? (00:38)

Moving from shame to self-acceptance with an ADHD diagnosis (05:15)

Masking as a coping mechanism: when it becomes detrimental (10:21)

Why many entrepreneurs are neurodivergent (11:59)

Neurodivergent work methods and why meaning is so important (15:49)

Why so many neurodivergent people undermine their value (20:15)

Why neurodivergent leaders may thrive in the AI era (22:25)

How leaders unlock creativity and what blocks it (28:30)

Storytelling as a communication tool (30:44)

How leaders can support neurodivergent employees (36:50)

Andy’s picture books and podcast (41:10)

What you should do before communicating (42:35)

Connect with Andy J. Pizza:
https://www.andyjpizza.com/
https://www.youtube.com/c/CreativePepTalk

Want to work with Oliver and become a top 1% communicator? Join the Speak Like a CEO Academy: https://www.speaklikeaceo.academy/

This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.com (https://podcastboutique.com)

Oliver Aust is joined by Nancy Duarte. Calling Nancy a guru wouldn’t do her justice. As a persuasion expert, she cracked the code for effectively incorporating story patterns into business communications.

She has written six bestselling books including Resonate and DataStory, and has advised some of the highest-performing brands and executives in the world for over three decades.

Nancy breaks down the fastest way leaders lose an audience, what actually happens psychologically in the first minute, and the framework elite communicators use to move the audience to action.

Topics discussed:

What happens in the first 30 seconds (00:00)

How leaders can “win the room” (01:21)

The fastest way to lose an audience early (03:25)

Why leaders struggle with storytelling (04:02)

How to turn data into a compelling story (06:21)

Moving from informing to driving action (09:05)

Why most slides fail and what to do instead (11:45)

Why tension matters in communication (15:27)

Balancing logic and emotion in your communication (19:05)
How introverts can become great communicators (24:50)

The AI era and rise of storytelling (28:32)

Why CEOs must communicate more than ever (32:41)

Connect with Nancy Duarte:

https://www.duarte.com/

Want to work with Oliver and become a top 1% communicator? Join the Speak Like a CEO Academy: https://www.speaklikeaceo.academy/

This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.com (https://podcastboutique.com)

Your body and the subconscious signals it sends decide whether people find you credible – and it happens in just 10 seconds.

In this episode, Mark Bowden, ranked the World’s #1 Communication Keynote Speaker and Body Language Professional, explains the body language rules that shape how the world sees you. You'll learn how to use your hands to build trust, the signals that undermine your message, and why "just be natural" is terrible advice and what to do instead.

Topics discussed:

The truth about first impressions (00:45)

Why body language matters more than words (02:03)

The dos and don’ts of making a good first impression (05:51)

How the brain interprets facial expressions and body language (12:11)

The “$5 million” example (16:43)

What changes when you communicate virtually (22:27)

A confidence strategy you can use immediately (26:04)

Why over preparation backfires (29:45)

The presentation shift that makes you more effective (32:45)

How leaders manage “risk” and discomfort (35:08)

Authenticity vs. performance (37:40)

Why modern leaders are always on display (42:05)

Connect with Mark Bowden:

https://truthplane.com/

This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.com (https://podcastboutique.com)

As a result, team communication feels messy and exhausting. Ashley Herd, author of The Manager Method and a former HR boss at McKinsey and Yum Brands, says the solution is cozy joggers leadership – where leaders set clear expectations, provide support, but let people get on with their work. 

Her three-step framework, Cozy Joggers Leadership approach and practical tips will help you make small changes that have a big impact on how you delegate, communicate with your team, and lead.

Topics discussed:

How oversized sweatpants leaders are made (00:38)

Finding the middle ground: cozy joggers leadership (02:13)

The complexity of modern leadership (05:00)

The Pause-Consider-Act management method (09:28)

The leadership shift that builds true confidence (15:31)

What most people miss when delegating (18:06)

How to balance empathy with expectations (22:40)

Imposter phenomenon and how leaders work through it (25:48)

How small actions can make a big impact (31:33)

Why context needs to come before content (33:22)

Connect with Ashley Herd:

https://www.managermethod.com/

Grab her book, The Manager Method, and the free companion guide:

https://www.managermethod.com/book

Want to work with Oliver and become a top 1% communicator? Join the Speak Like a CEO Academy and sign up for the FREE webinar! https://www.speaklikeaceo.academy/

This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.com (https://podcastboutique.com)

Adam Galinsky calls this the Leader Amplification Effect, and it helps explain why some leaders inspire while others infuriate — often without realizing it. In this episode, he shares how leaders can build the skill of inspiration through small habits and clear, simple communication. You'll learn actionable strategies that empower your team, help your message land, and make people want to follow your lead.

Topics discussed:

Are leaders born or made? (00:48)

Inspire vs. infuriate: the leadership continuum (03:09)

How leadership impact spreads beyond work (06:15)

Nonverbal signals: the banana story (09:25)

The simple act that builds inspiration (12:09)

3 roles of inspiring leaders (15:07)

How visual language makes leaders more persuasive (19:30)

Why repetition matters and the cost of undercommunicating (22:51)

Why leaders must show authentic passion (26:50)

What it means to truly empower people (33:18)

How to take accountability without shame (37:21)

One action you can take to become more inspirational (39:24)

Take Adam’s Am I Inspiring? Quiz:

https://adamgalinsky.com/assessment/

Get your 50 Presentation Hacks from Oliver: https://eo-ipso-comms.kit.com/50-presentation-hacks-by-oliver-aust

Want to work with Oliver and become a top 1% communicator? Join the Speak Like a CEO Academy and sign up for the FREE webinar! https://www.speaklikeaceo.academy/

This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.com (https://podcastboutique.com)

https://eo-ipso-comms.kit.com/21-storytelling-frameworks-with-oliver

AI isn't going to run your company – but not for the reason you think. Business thrives on innovation and adaptability, which requires more than logic. That's where storytelling comes in.

Angus Fletcher, Professor of Story Science and author of Primal Intelligence, joins host Oliver Aust to explain why storytelling is a form of intelligence that helps us plan, act and innovate in ways AI never could. He breaks down how narrative thinking guides our decisions, how intuition really works, and how to strengthen them both.

You’ll also learn the “three stories” every business is running (whether you realize it or not), and what happens when they’re out of alignment.

Topics discussed:

Storytelling as a form of intelligence (00:51)

Why AI struggles in dynamic, changing environments (03:14)

Narrative thinking vs. logical thinking (05:47)

The mission behind his research and book, Primal Intelligence (07:38)

How intuition really works and how to develop it (11:12)

3 stories every business runs on: strategic, operational, external (14:33)

When “marketing problems” are actually alignment problems (17:26)

Leaders vs. managers and why “safe” communication fails (21:18)

The AI spam loop and why humans are tuning out (27:31)

External vs. internal storytelling structure (30:42)

The trap of “defining the problem” (35:56)

Where to start if you want to become a better storyteller (38:23)

Want to work with Oliver and become a top 1% communicator? Join the Speak Like a CEO Academy and sign up for the FREE webinar! https://www.speaklikeaceo.academy/

This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.com (https://podcastboutique.com)

https://eo-ipso-comms.kit.com/21-storytelling-frameworks-with-oliver

Have you ever been told to "fake it till you make it" or “just be yourself"? It's no surprise this common advice doesn't work – it focuses on acting confident instead of becoming confident.

This episode breaks down Oliver’s three-step method that helps you build true confidence so you’re not overthinking or over-preparing for every presentation. You'll learn why you get so nervous in the first place, the common mistake that causes people to freeze, and how to calm your anxiety so you can speak confidently under pressure as a leader.

Topics discussed:

Bad public speaking advice (01:22)

How perfectionism fuels imposter syndrome (03:33)

Limiting beliefs that hold you back (04:04)

The foundation of being a confident speaker (05:07)

The 3-step BMW method (06:37)

Why scripts don’t work and what to do instead (09:02)

Strategies that build true confidence (10:56)

Want to work with Oliver and become a top 1% communicator? Join the Speak Like a CEO Academy and sign up for the FREE webinar! https://www.speaklikeaceo.academy/

This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.com

Communication problems don’t always start with words. From misinterpretation to slow execution, you can say all the right things and still be misunderstood.

Trust expert Stephen M. R. Covey has seen great organizations experience this for one reason: lack of trust. In this episode, he shares why trust is the foundation of communication and a true driver of performance. You'll hear powerful leadership lessons from Ford, Campbell's, and Hugo Boss, so you can build a culture of trust that moves faster.

Topics discussed:

What most leaders get wrong about trust (00:34)

The difference between low and high-trust cultures (04:09)

How leaders can build the skill of trust (07:11)

High-trust behaviors vs. counterfeit behaviors (09:19)

The first step to changing trust dynamics as a leader (11:48)

Alan Mulally and Ford case study (14:31)

Distrust in the age of AI: what leaders can do (17:36)

Why leaders should declare intent: the Campbell’s story (21:00)

Why trust must be both earned and given (24:52)

The #1 reason employees don’t trust their leaders (26:32)

Learn more about Stephen M. R. Covey and his book, The Speed of Trust: https://speedoftrust.com/

Connect with Stephen on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-m-r-covey-6400191a5/

This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.com

Most women are taught to be nice and agreeable, but that comes at a cost in the workplace.

In this episode, Kate Mason, author of Powerfully Likeable: A Woman's Guide to Effective Communication, challenges the idea that women have to choose between being likeable and powerful at work. 

You'll learn how to define your authentic communication style, bring warmth without losing authority, and find calm confidence even in high-stakes rooms.

Topics discussed:

Why “likable vs. powerful” is a false choice (00:33)

How to define your own communication style (03:02)

Ways we diminish our authenticity (06:24)

Saying “no” and setting boundaries without guilt (08:18)

The failure privilege and who is "allowed" to fail (10:52)

What to do when you’re afraid to speak up (13:07)

Managing perfectionism and over-preparation (15:58)

The mindset shift that helps women "steal space" in powerful rooms (19:21)

The biggest challenge women face in the workplace (22:43)

The first step: audit your communication strengths (24:56)

Authentic communication and why it matters in the workplace (26:42)

Self-regulation to find your calm, confident self (30:46)

Connect with Kate Mason:

https://www.katemason.co/

https://www.instagram.com/drkatemason/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/katemasonphd/

Get your 50 Presentation Hacks from Oliver: ⁠https://eoipsocommunications.com/newsletter/⁠

This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.com

My guest is Matt Abrahams, a world expert in communication, Stanford lecturer, and host of the Think Fast, Talk Smart podcast. 

In this episode, he shares a powerful, practical approach to overcoming the most common challenges in public speaking and everyday communication.

We explore how to manage anxiety, stop over-relying on slides, and shift from performance mode to connection mode. Matt explains why memorizing a script often makes us more nervous and offers a better alternative: structure over script. 

He breaks down how to recover gracefully when your mind goes blank, eliminate filler words like “umm” and “you know,” and use storytelling to make your message more memorable and persuasive. 

We also dive into how to be seen and heard at work without sounding self-promotional, and how to build spontaneous speaking skills that make meetings and conversations feel less stressful and more natural.

Enjoy this masterclass in how to speak up – without freaking out.

0:00 Introduction & Setting the Stage

0:36 Presentation Mistakes & Audience-Centric Communication

2:34 The Power of Storytelling

6:53 Managing Nerves & Building Confidence

17:23 Standing Out at Work & Building Credibility

21:40 AI in Communication: Opportunities & Pitfalls

29:02 Evolving as a Communicator & Final Advice

31:21 Outro & Resources

Get your 50 Presentation Hacks from Oliver: https://eoipsocommunications.com/newsletter/ 

Today, you’re going to learn how to build team emotional intelligence on demand — the kind that unlocks trust, psychological safety, and fast alignment. If you want to lead a top 1% team, this is the playbook.

In this must-listen episode, Oliver is joined by Dr. Vanessa Druskat, organizational psychologist, long-time collaborator of Daniel Goleman, and co-author of The Emotionally Intelligent Team – one of the most important leadership books of the year.

We unpack why focusing on individuals is no longer enough, how to embed emotional intelligence into your team’s daily habits, the 3 essential norms that separate average teams from extraordinary ones, and how to measure and improve your team’s EQ, starting now.

Vanessa offers a science-backed, deeply practical framework to create high-performing, human-centered teams – even in high-pressure, fast-changing environments.

⏰ CHAPTERS

00:00 - Introduction

01:33 - Meet Dr. Vanessa Druskat & The Power of Team Emotional Intelligence

04:25 - Why Individual EQ Isn’t Enough for Teams

07:20 - The Relationship Between IQ and EQ

10:09 - What Should Leaders Look for When Hiring?

13:09 - The Three Essential Team Norms

15:46 - Norm 1: Building Belonging & Trust

19:22 - Norm 2: Creating Shared Purpose & Direction

22:11 - Norm 3: Reaching Outside the Team

25:20 - Is Team EQ Catching On?

28:18 - How to Measure and Improve Team EQ

31:00 - The Impact of Leadership and Culture Change

34:00 - The Future: AI, Teams, and Emotional Intelligence

37:00 - Vanessa’s Best Communication Advice

39:00 - Wrap Up & Where to Learn More

Enjoy the episode!

Leave us your comments and ideas. We want to know what you think.

You can find the "Team EI Quick Survey" mentioned in the episode here: https://www.vanessadruskat.com/resources

Get your 50 Presentation Hacks from Oliver: https://eoipsocommunications.com/newsletter/ 

It’s true: As a leader, it’s hard to sound authentic – to be real, relatable, and trusted. Some messages may come across as too corporate, others as too casual. 

The result is the same: there’s a gap between what you want to say and what your people hear. 

To close that gap, I’m joined by David Shelley, CEO of Hachette Book Group, one of the biggest names in global publishing, with more than 220 million books sold annually.

He’s raw, real, and incredibly believable – and he shows us what authentic leadership communication sounds like at scale.

Get your 50 Presentation Hacks here: https://eoipsocommunications.com/newsletter/

00:00 Introduction & Authentic Leadership

00:32 Open Office & Company Culture

01:39 Industry Changes & Inclusivity

02:27 Feedback & Growth Mindset

07:54 Diversity & Changing the Story

10:27 Business Growth & Pillars of Success

12:14 Understanding Consumers

14:50 Building Trust & Communication Channels

19:23 Transparency vs. Confidentiality

22:34 The Future of Publishing

26:03 Advice for Aspiring Authors

28:49 Leadership, Communication, and Final Advice

38:35 Closing Remarks

Why the MBA was designed for a world that no longer exists – and what it missed entirely.

How Harvard’s early leadership research was based on fake credentials.

Why “super skills” (not soft skills) are the secret to influence.

What makes some teams 1.6x more productive – and why “glue players” are the hidden MVPs.

The science of bursty communication and why it beats Slack pings and endless meetings.

How too much talent can tank a team—and why team intelligence > individual genius.

Why diversity, emotional intelligence, and alignment are non-negotiable for team success.

How to spot (and survive) dark personalities in your workplace.

The one mindset shift every leader needs to unlock true collective genius.

Jon’s insights are grounded in cutting-edge research but delivered with refreshing clarity, wit, and real-world practicality. 

Bonus takeaway: Learn why your best team member might not be the loudest star—but the quiet connector who helps everyone else shine.

Get the “50 Presentation Hacks” Guide https://eoipsocommunications.com/newsletter/ 

Timestamps

0:00 - Intro & is leadership all wrong?

1:19 - Why the MBA is outdated

3:09 - Harvard’s fake credentials

6:08 - Super skills vs. soft skills

13:22 - Too much talent problem

16:10 - Diversity & emotional intelligence

17:45 - Glue players boost teams

18:32 - Bursty communication

32:30 - Dark personalities at work

39:55 - Unlocking collective genius

Celeste Headlee is one of the most watched TED speakers ever and a global authority on conversations. 

And today, she's going to show you how to save money by communicating better. 

Plus: she exposes the bad advice you’ve been given by so-called experts.

Timestamps

00:00 The Cost of Poor Communication

01:19 The Inefficiency of Emails

04:03 Mastering the Art of Conversation

28:21 Switch vs. Support Responses in Conversations

29:34 The Impact of Technology on Communication

33:29 The Future of Communication and AI

She’s spent decades advising global brands. In her new book Pick the Right Fight, she shows why finding your strategic enemy might be the smartest move you ever make.

She breaks it down:-Why people don’t buy “better” – they buy “different”-How to become instantly memorable by positioning against something-Why trying to “stay open” often keeps you invisible- And how even something as small as a color, a word, or a tagline can anchor your entire presence.This isn’t theory. It’s about being findable in a world that forgets you in seconds.You’ll leave this episode asking a powerful question:What am I not – and what fight am I really here for?

Timestamps

00:18 The Power of Strategic Enemies
02:12 Visual Branding & Positioning
08:53 Brand Focus & Differentiation (Subaru, Tesla, Liquid Death)
14:44 Personal Branding & Authenticity
24:44 Reflecting on a Legacy
25:16 The Evolution of Advertising and Positioning
28:45 Modern Branding Challenges and Strategies
48:13 Brand Extensions, Pivots & Case Studies

In this episode, you'll learn why changing minds is overrated – and how to be influential in today’s world.

Our guest is Steve Martin, one of the world’s top minds in behavioral science and longtime business partner of Robert Cialdini, the godfather of persuasion. 

Steve has spent 20+ years translating psychology into action and is the author of “Messengers” and his new book “Influence at Work”. 

Here’s what we break down:

• How you can influence behaviors without changing believes

• What makes people trust you – especially in an era of deepfakes, AI, and "super-distrusters"

• How to become a messenger worth listening to, not just another voice in the feed

If you want to be more effective in how you show up in the world, this conversation will change the way you think about influence.

Find out more about Steve Martin: https://influenceatwork.co.uk/

Subscribed to the Speak Like a CEO newsletter to become a top 1% communicator: https://eo-ipso-comms.kit.com/profile/posts

I sit down with Dr. Colin M. Fisher – Harvard-trained management professor, former jazz musician, and author of the brand new book The Collective Edge – to dismantle the myths most leaders believe about collaboration, trust, and leadership.

Forget forced fun, trust falls, and bloated org charts. 

Fisher explains why most teams are too big, too unclear, and too focused on individual performance – and what it actually takes to build a high-functioning team that delivers.

🔥 In this episode:

• Why adding more people makes your team slower, not smarter

• The difference between real trust and the fluff HR sells you

• How to reset broken teams without firing anyone

• What jazz improvisation can teach you about timing, leadership, and collaboration

• Why the lone genius narrative is toxic — and how to build systems that reward actual performance

If you're building teams, leading change, or scaling fast — this conversation will challenge your assumptions and give you a blueprint for team performance that actually works.

Fisher’s work isn’t theory – it’s been battle-tested in high-stakes environments.

👉 Learn more and grab the book at colinmfisher.com

💬 Like what you hear? Follow, share, and leave us a review.

Atif Rafiq has helped reshape some of the world’s biggest brands by challenging how organizations make decisions and execute bold ideas. 

As the first Chief Digital Officer in the Fortune 500 and author of the Wall Street Journal bestseller Decision Sprint, Atif believes the true competitive edge lies not in execution alone, but in mastering the messy, often misunderstood process of decision-making.

Atif breaks down how to foster a culture where problem-solving thrives, people feel heard, and collaboration leads to clarity. He knows what he talks about: Atif led the transformation of McDonald’s customer experience through self-service kiosks and shares how old school carmaker Volvo reimagined its digital strategy.

Now as founder of Ritual – an AI-native workspace designed for strategy, product, and cross-functional collaboration – Atif is building what some have called a “McKinsey Killer.” He offers a compelling take on how AI can democratize high-quality problem-solving and why consultants will need to evolve to stay relevant.

He also shares his most important piece of communication advice for leaders: seek clarity before you provide it. In a world moving faster than ever, Atif’s approach to thoughtful decision-making, human-centered innovation, and transparent leadership offers a powerful roadmap for change.

00:00 Welcome

00:19 Establishing a Culture of Problem Solving

01:31 Leadership and Cultural Shifts at McDonald's

04:12 Digital Transformation at McDonald's

07:48 Innovations at Volvo

09:18 Decision Sprint: The Book

16:58 Methodology for Effective Decision Making

18:25 AI and the Future of Decision Making

20:03 Introducing Ritual: AI Native Workspace

20:58 Key Questions for Exploration and Discovery

21:14 Ritual: AI-Powered Collaboration

21:38 Overcoming Information Sharing Challenges

22:10 Human-AI Collaboration in Ritual

22:32 Structuring Problem Spaces with AI

23:24 Measuring Confidence in Recommendations

23:37 Ritual vs. Traditional Consultants

24:44 Future of Consulting in the AI Era

28:38 Upskilling and the Next-Gen Knowledge Worker

32:47 Challenges and Opportunities for Founders

34:41 Building Long-Term Relationships

36:05 Advice for Younger Self and Community Building

38:39 Final Thoughts and Communication Advice

Lorraine shares her deeply personal and professional journey from being a high-performing, yet overlooked team member at LinkedIn to becoming one of the most in-demand voices on executive presence, virtual communication, and career visibility. 

Her transformation didn’t happen overnight – it was fueled by a clear realization: being good at your job isn’t enough if no one notices. You need presence – and that’s a skill anyone can learn.

She introduces listeners to her signature frameworks, starting with the EPIC career brand: Experiences, Personality, Identity, and Community. This framework helps you define and communicate your professional identity with intention, starting with your unique background and values, and extending to how others perceive and speak about you. 

She follows with the RAVE model for influence: Relationships, Appearance, Visibility, and Expertise. It’s a practical roadmap for building influence at any level, with or without a formal leadership title.

Lorraine also shares highly actionable tips for upgrading your video presence, leading meetings with impact, and navigating first impressions – both in person and online. 

You’ll learn why micro-behaviors matter more than you think, how to manage your energy like an athlete, and how to leverage LinkedIn not just to go viral, but to build meaningful professional relationships. Lorraine emphasizes that presence isn’t about being the loudest voice in the room – it’s about being the most intentional.

Find out more about Lorraine K. Lee: https://lorraineklee.com/

Make sure you’re subscribed to the Speak Like a CEO newsletter to become a top 1% communicator: https://eoipsocommunications.com/newsletter/

Blake is the founder of The Nonverbal Group, a former poker pro and psychology professor, and now a pioneering builder at the intersection of human behavior and AI. 

Blake pulls back the curtain on his decades-long obsession with decoding people, from micro-reactions and smiles to power dynamics and unspoken expectations.

He also previews his upcoming book, a science-backed reimagining of How to Win Friends and Influence People. It will break down the underlying psychological forces – like hierarchy, status, and value orientation – that shape how we communicate. His goal? To create a foundational guide for truly understanding human behavior at its most nuanced level.

Blake explains why the popular ideas of “reading people” and “taking baselines” are misleading, and how even experts often misinterpret the subtle signals that govern human connection. 

He dives into the challenge of building machines that can identify social friction, coach people in real-time, and even outperform humans in behavioral prediction – without losing the ethical thread of care and responsibility.

Throughout the episode, you'll learn how AI can supercharge your social intelligence, why most communication advice fails without context, and how to develop the kind of communication range that makes leaders truly effective. 

Blake also shares actionable insight into how anyone – especially those with cross-disciplinary skills – can leverage AI to gain a massive edge in business and life.

Find out more about Blake Eastman: https://www.nonverbalgroup.com/

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Danny Fontaine aka The Pitch Guy is the author of “Pitch: How to Captivate and Convince Any Audience On The Planet” and host of the Pitch Masters podcast. 

Danny has redefined what it means to pitch an idea, product or business – not as a PowerPoint deck, but as an emotionally charged, strategically choreographed experience that makes people lean in, feel something, and say yes.

He shares his TITAN and Storycoaster frameworks that turn your pitch into a moment they’ll never forget. He unpacks how to tap into emotion before logic, why your audience’s trust matters more than your tech specs, and how to build stories and structures that cut through noise and leave a mark.

You’ll learn how to create “anomalies” that make people sit up, how to pitch even if you're introverted or nervous, and why the best presenters never rely on slides alone. 

Plus, you’ll hear the real story behind the most legendary pitch in British advertising history – and how it still shapes how great ideas are sold today.

This isn’t just about pitching better. It’s about learning how to be heard, how to build trust quickly, and how to turn your audience into champions for your message.

Find out more about Danny Fontaine: https://pitchguy.co.uk/

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It sets the stage for a real talk on what AI means for leaders. 

Oliver and his bestie, serial founder Gerrit McGowan explore how emerging tech is reshaping communication, leadership, and trust, and how leaders can use AI without losing authenticity.  

From voice cloning to deepfakes, from 3D avatars to AI writing assistants to humans leading teams of AI agents – this conversation hits on the future that’s just arrived. 

They explore what leadership looks like when AI can seemingly outthink us in every domain. They examine where humans still have the edge, and how leaders can stay relevant.

Gerrit also reveals how he lost his voice hours before a keynote and created his virtual self overnight to go on stage. 

They talk trust, communication, and how to train AI tools to sound like you. Plus, Oliver shares the 10–80–10 rule for using AI to accelerate your work without outsourcing your voice.

And both wrestle with a critical question: where does the human edge still matter?

This is not a debate on whether AI is coming. It’s a field manual for staying human and relevant.

Oliver’s TEDx talk is live now: https://youtu.be/Va82je55WSU?si=P9DTsBlFBhqCwHcG

Make sure you’re subscribed to the Speak Like a CEO newsletter to become a top 1% communicator: https://eoipsocommunications.com/newsletter/

It sets the stage for a real talk on what AI means for leaders. 

Oliver and his bestie, serial founder Gerrit McGowan explore how emerging tech is reshaping communication, leadership, and trust, and how leaders can use AI without losing authenticity.  

From voice cloning to deepfakes, from 3D avatars to AI writing assistants to humans leading teams of AI agents – this conversation hits on the future that’s just arrived. 

They explore what leadership looks like when AI can seemingly outthink us in every domain. They examine where humans still have the edge, and how leaders can stay relevant.

Gerrit also reveals how he lost his voice hours before a keynote and created his virtual self overnight to go on stage. 

They talk trust, communication, and how to train AI tools to sound like you. Plus, Oliver shares the 10–80–10 rule for using AI to accelerate your work without outsourcing your voice.

And both wrestle with a critical question: where does the human edge still matter?

This is not a debate on whether AI is coming. It’s a field manual for staying human and relevant.

Oliver’s TEDx talk is live now:  https://youtu.be/Va82je55WSU?si=tjUI3OmIIs0WvsfV

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This week we are sharing a brief moment of Oliver’s conversation with Seth Godin, 21-time best-selling author and one of the leading business thinkers in the world.

Check out episode 263 for the full conversation.

Make sure you’re subscribed to the Speak Like a CEO newsletter to become a top 1% communicator: https://eoipsocommunications.com/newsletter/

Oliver speaks with Joel Schwartzberg, communication expert and author of “The Language of Leadership” and “Get to the Point” (updated edition out this month).

Let’s face it, there is too much rambling and hot air in business. 

Joel shares concepts such as the “I Believe That” Test and the “XY Test” that help leaders ensure they have a clearly defined point before they speak. 

This is a highly actionable episode about avoiding rambling for good, ditching the performance and instead delivering your message like a real human, and escaping the trap of truisms. 

Find out more about Joel Schwartzberg: https://www.joelschwartzberg.net/

Make sure you’re subscribed to the Speak Like a CEO newsletter to become a top 1% communicator: https://eoipsocommunications.com/newsletter/

Do you want to speak with confidence, inspire your team, and accelerate your career? You can now join the Speak Like a CEO Academy and work with Oliver over the next 90 days to become a top 1% communicator and transform your career.

https://speaklikeaceoacademy.com/

They discuss what it truly means to "Speak like a CEO", how to make your story sticky, how to create a compelling vision, how to communicate better as a team, how to build trust, and much more.  

This is a value-packed half an hour with lots of actionable advice! 

Get the 21 Storytelling Structures every leader should know: https://eo-ipso-comms.kit.com/1f04d6ddfc

Find out more about Dr Oliver Degnan: https://www.drdegnan.com/

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To understand science-backed strategies that get better results from your virtual communication while preserving your energy, Oliver speaks to Andrew Brodsky. 

Andrew is a management professor at the University of Texas at Austin, and the author of "Ping: The Secrets of Successful Virtual Communication".

They dive deep into the science and strategy behind effective virtual communication. 

If your day is packed with Zoom calls, endless email threads, and Slack pings, this conversation will change how you work. Andrew challenges the myth that in-person is always best and breaks down why smart, intentional virtual communication can actually boost productivity and reduce burnout.

We explore:

• Why video meetings often feel off — and how to fix them
  

• The biggest myths about remote work communication
  

• Eye-opening research on brainstorming, authenticity, and trust in virtual settings
  

• The "PING" framework — a simple method to optimize every digital interaction
  

• What leaders must do to create healthier, more effective remote workplaces
  

Whether you're leading a remote team or just trying to stay sane in a world of nonstop pings, this episode is full of practical insights you can use immediately.

Find out more about Andrew Brodsky: https://abrodsky.com/

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In this eye-opening episode, Oliver sits down with Dr. Sandra Matz – Columbia Business School professor, computational psychologist, and author of Mindmasters – to explore how our digital footprints reveal far more than we think.

Sandra unpacks how AI tools can accurately infer our Big Five personality traits, mental health, and values using everything from Google searches to smartphone activity. 

Oliver and Sandra discuss the power – and ethical challenges – of data-driven persuasion, including what brands and political campaigns really know about you, and how personalization is reshaping communication, marketing, and even internal business culture.

Drawing on her role in helping uncover the truth behind Cambridge Analytica and her work with leading global brands, Sandra provides a rare, credible look at how psychological targeting works – and where it’s headed next. 

From mental health interventions to personalized internal comms, this conversation goes deep into the future of influence.

Plus: Why personality tests like Myers-Briggs are outdated, how to build high-performing teams using psychology, and Sandra’s #1 piece of communication advice.

Find out more about Sandra Matz: https://sandramatz.com/

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Do you want to speak with confidence, inspire your team, and accelerate your career? You can now join the Speak Like a CEO Academy and work with Oliver over the next 90 days to become a top 1% communicator and transform your career:https://speaklikeaceoacademy.com/

Andrew Tarvin is the CEO of Humor That Works and author of the book by the same name. 

He shares how leaders can use humor as a serious tool for better results. But it’s not about being haha funny or being a slap-on-the-back kinda boss. 

It’s about bringing lightness to leadership that increases performance, status and – yes – makes work a little more fun. 

Andrew shares compelling insights into why humor is no longer a nice-to-have, but a crucial skill for professionals looking to enhance morale, manage stress, improve communication, and even boost their status.

You will discover the critical difference between humor and comedy in a professional setting, learn practical techniques for incorporating appropriate humor into presentations and daily interactions, and understand how humor enhances your perceived confidence and competence. 

Andrew debunks common myths about humor in the workplace and provides actionable strategies for making work more engaging and, ultimately, more effective. 

Give this episode a listen and let's make work a little less "worky." 

Find out more about Andrew Tarvin https://drewtarvin.com/

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Do you want to speak with confidence, inspire your team, and accelerate your career? You can now join the Speak Like a CEO Academy and work with Oliver over the next 90 days to become a top 1% communicator and transform your career:https://speaklikeaceoacademy.com/

Scott has successfully negotiated more than 300 such incidents using the principles he shares in his best-selling book ‘Order Out of Chaos’.

The New York Times called it “a masterclass in communication excellence”.  

Now Scott is back with his follow-up, ‘Eye of The Storm’ – a book that lifts the curtain on how we make decisions, and how we don’t become slaves to our emotions.  

Since we all make hundreds of decisions every day, becoming better at this skill can be a game-changer for your life. 

As always, Scott delivers with clarity, humor and fresh insights. He shows us how to thrive  in any situation, regulate our emotions under pressure, and build our decision-making muscle. 

Also check out Episode 239 with Scott when we talked about becoming a world-class negotiator. 

Find out more about Scott at https://winanynegotiation.com/. 

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On this episode of Speak Like a CEO, Oliver Aust sits down with the brilliant Melody Wilding. Melody is an award-winning executive coach, speaker, and bestselling author.

Drawing on her extensive experience and insights from her book, "Managing Up: How to Get What You Need from the People in Charge," Melody provides you with practical strategies for effective communication with superiors and decision-makers.

Listeners will learn how to frame their requests in a way that resonates with their bosses' motivations, navigate different communication styles to ensure clarity and respect, set healthy boundaries to avoid burnout, strategically position themselves for career advancement, confidently approach salary conversations, and even deliver constructive feedback upwards. 

This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to enhance their influence, build stronger professional relationships, and ultimately, get what they need to thrive in their careers.

Find out more about Melody Wilding: https://melodywilding.com/

Make sure you’re subscribed to the Speak Like a CEO newsletter to become a top 1% communicator: https://eoipsocommunications.com/newsletter/

Do you want to speak with confidence, inspire your team, and accelerate your career? You can now join the Speak Like a CEO Academy and work with Oliver over the next 90 days to become a top 1% communicator and transform your career.

https://speaklikeaceoacademy.com/

Adam is the world’s #1 expert on inspirational leadership. He is a professor at Columbia Business School and has been studying the science of inspiration for over 20 years. 

His new book “Inspire” is one of the best books on leadership in recent years. His TED Talk, “How to Speak Up for Yourself,” has been viewed millions of times.

Adam shares science-based yet actionable strategies to become more inspiring in any setting, how to deal with infuriating leaders, and how to use the “leadership amplification effect” in your favor.  

Find out more about Adam Galinsky and how inspiring you are in his 3 minute quiz: https://adamgalinsky.com/  

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Do you want to speak with confidence, inspire your team, and accelerate your career? You can now join the Speak Like a CEO Academy and work with Oliver over the next 90 days to become a top 1% communicator and transform your career.

https://speaklikeaceoacademy.com/

This week, Oliver is joined by John Yorke, a world-renowned storytelling expert and former head of BBC Drama, to unravel the secrets of compelling narratives.

John wrote the OG of storytelling books: "Into the Woods: How Stories Work and Why We Tell Them" and became the storyteller’s storyteller. 

When it was published over a decade ago, it opened many eyes to story structures, the importance of change and turning points, and the protagonist’s internal and external conflicts that create the tension. 

In our conversation, John shares how storytelling techniques – long used by writers, playwrights, and screenwriters – can be applied to leadership and business.

He also shares details about his forthcoming book, the follow-up to Into the Woods. 

Find out more about John Yorke: https://www.johnyorkestory.com/

Make sure you’re subscribed to the Speak Like a CEO newsletter to become a top 1% communicator: https://eoipsocommunications.com/newsletter/

Do you want to speak with confidence, inspire your team, and accelerate your career? You can now join the Speak Like a CEO Academy and work with Oliver over the next 90 days to become a top 1% communicator and transform your career https://speaklikeaceoacademy.com/

Most leaders overestimate their listening skills. To understand why and how you can become a 10 out of 10 listener, Oliver is joined by Oscar Trimboli.

Oscar is a globally-recognized listening expert and the author of How to Listen who will shatter your assumptions about hearing and connection. 

Discover how deep listening can revolutionize your communication, influence, and leadership.

Uncover the hidden gap between hearing and truly listening, and learn actionable strategies to become a communication master. 

Trimboli shares groundbreaking insights on overcoming the 'speed mismatch' that sabotages understanding, so you can finally grasp the full meaning behind others' words.

This episode helps you create more productive, meaningful, and impactful conversations. Build stronger relationships, foster collaboration, and unlock extraordinary outcomes through the transformative power of deep listening.

Find out more about Osar Trimboli: https://www.oscartrimboli.com/ 

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Do you want to speak with confidence, inspire your team, and accelerate your career? You can now join the Speak Like a CEO Academy and work with Oliver over the next 90 days to become a top 1% communicator and transform your career: https://speaklikeaceoacademy.com

Dr. Degnan challenges common misconceptions about burnout and lays bare the self-inflicted wounds that lead to the brink.

He explores the crucial difference between stress and burnout, how a breakdown in trust fuels it, why it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy, the power of positive connection, why "work-life balance" is flawed, and how to leverage AI to prevent it.

Dr. Degnan's message: burnout is a defect in our relationship with our environment, and you are in charge of fixing it. This episode delivers the strategies you need to take control and lead with clarity.

Key takeaway: Stop blaming external factors. Burnout is preventable.

Find out more about Dr. Oliver Degnan and get your burnout score here: https://www.drdegnan.com/

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Do you want to speak with confidence, inspire your team, and accelerate your career? You can now join the Speak Like a CEO Academy and work with Oliver over the next 90 days to become a top 1% communicator and transform your career. https://speaklikeaceoacademy.com/

To find out, Oliver speaks to Julia Minson, Associate Professor of Public Policy at Harvard Kennedy School. 

They explore the crucial skill of productive disagreement in life and at work.

Discover why smart people struggle with disagreements, the biggest mistakes we make in tough conversations, and practical strategies to foster a culture of constructive dialogue. 

Julia introduces her 'HEAR' framework – Hedging, Emphasizing Agreement, Acknowledgement, and Reframing to the Positive – and explains how to apply it in both personal and professional settings. 

They also discuss the impact of emotions, personality differences, and remote work on our ability to disagree effectively. 

Expect to learn how to listen actively, communicate receptively, and build stronger relationships through better conversations.

This episode shows you how to turn disagreements into opportunities for growth and innovation. 

Find out more about Julia: https://www.juliaminson.com/

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Do you want to speak with confidence, inspire your team, and accelerate your career? You can now join the Speak Like a CEO Academy and work with Oliver over the next 90 days to become a top 1% communicator and transform your career. https://speaklikeaceoacademy.com/

This week, Oliver speaks with Nir Eyal, the internationally acclaimed behavioral designer, bestselling author of Hooked and Indistractable, and former Stanford Lecturer.

He explains that distraction isn't just about external triggers but often stems from a desire to escape discomfort.

Discover practical strategies to manage internal triggers, design a focused environment, and create an indistractable workplace. 

Plus, learn why time-boxed calendars beat traditional to-do lists for productivity.

Find out more about Nir Eyal at https://www.nirandfar.com/

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Do you want to speak with confidence, inspire your team, and accelerate your career? You can now join the Speak Like a CEO Academy and work with Oliver over the next 90 days to become a top 1% communicator and transform your career. https://speaklikeaceoacademy.com/

In this episode, Oliver Aust sits down with Professor Michael Norton, a renowned psychologist at HBS and author of The Ritual Effect: The Transformative Power of Our Everyday Actions.

Professor Norton's research reveals the surprising impact of rituals – those seemingly small, repeated actions that hold immense meaning.

They explore:

• How CEOs can use rituals to reinforce company values and vision

• The role of rituals in building trust and psychological safety

• Why the most effective rituals are often the simplest ones

Packed with actionable insights and real-world examples, this episode is a must-listen for CEOs, leaders, and anyone looking to elevate their communication and create a thriving workplace culture.

Find out more about Michael Norton at https://michaelnorton.com/.

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Do you want to speak with confidence, inspire your team, and accelerate your career? You can now join the Speak Like a CEO Academy and work with Oliver over the next 90 days to become a top 1% communicator and transform your career. https://speaklikeaceoacademy.com/

Natalie Doyle Oldfield is a globally recognized expert on trust and author of Trusted: The Proven Path to Customer Loyalty and Business Growth. 

She explains how trust is often formed subconsciously as the first thing in an interaction between humans. 

People decide whether to trust you based on gut feeling and perception of your presence. So leaders must build trust BEFORE they need it. 

She explains how to build trust quickly, and how the human element is more critical than ever in the age of AI. Emphasize authenticity and connection to build trust.

Natalie also emphasizes the importance of listening, clear communication, and authenticity while warning against inconsistency and broken promises.

Plus: Natalie and Oliver explore the concept of trust equity and how businesses can build.  

Find out more about Natalie: https://www.successthroughtrust.com/

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Do you want to speak with confidence, inspire your team, and accelerate your career? You can now join the Speak Like a CEO Academy and work with Oliver over the next 90 days to become a top 1% communicator and transform your career.

https://speaklikeaceoacademy.com/

In this episode, Oliver sits down with one of his intellectual heroes. 

Will Storr, bestselling author of The Science of Storytelling, The Status Game and now A Story is a Deal to explore how stories define our reality, shape our decisions, and influence human behavior. 

Will explains why humans live in two worlds, the world of survival and the world of story, and how understanding this duality can transform the way we communicate, lead, and persuade. From the evolutionary origins of storytelling to the impact of identity and status, he unpacks why narratives are the foundation of human success.

Packed with fascinating insights, psychological research, and real-world examples, this episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to harness the power of storytelling. 

Check out more about Will Storr’s latest book on his substack https://willstorr.substack.com/

Make sure you’re subscribed to the Speak Like a CEO newsletter to become a top 1% communicator: https://eoipsocommunications.com/newsletter/

Do you want to speak with confidence, inspire your team, and accelerate your career? You can now join the Speak Like a CEO Academy and work with Oliver over the next 90 days to become a top 1% communicator and transform your career.

https://speaklikeaceoacademy.com/

Brendan has helped global brands, top celebrities like Taylor Swift and Rihanna, and countless businesses achieve explosive digital growth.

Brendan reveals the secrets of viral content, explaining the key ingredients behind content that captivates millions, how to balance quality and quantity for maximum engagement, and the proven frameworks for storytelling that drive social media success. 

He also explores the role of AI in content creation and how to use it effectively, along with communication strategies that make a brand stand out. 

Packed with real-world examples and actionable insights, this episode is a must-listen for content creators, marketers, and entrepreneurs looking to break through the noise. Hit play and discover the science behind going viral!

Get Brendan’s book “The Guide to Going Viral” for free here: 

https://goviral.hookpoint.com/get-guide/?utm_source=Podcast&utm_medium=Guide&utm_campaign=SpeakLikeCEO

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Do you want to speak with confidence, inspire your team, and accelerate your career? You can now join the Speak Like a CEO Academy and work with Oliver over the next 90 days to become a top 1% communicator and transform your career.

https://speaklikeaceoacademy.com/

On this week’s episode of Speak Like a CEO, Oliver sits down with Harvard professor Todd Rogers, co-author of Writing for Busy Readers, to uncover why most messages fail – and how to fix them.

Todd is a behavioral scientist who has spent years studying how people read (or rather, don’t read). His research-backed insights will change the way you write forever.

Along with co-author Jessica Lasky Fink, Todd distilled years of research into 6 principles that make writing clearer, more engaging, and more likely to get a response.

Every day, we’re drowning in emails, reports, and messages. These 6 principles don’t just make your writing better; they boost productivity, relationships, and response rates.

Make sure you’re subscribed to the Speak Like a CEO newsletter to become a top 1% communicator: https://eoipsocommunications.com/newsletter/

Do you want to speak with confidence, inspire your team, and accelerate your career? You can now join the Speak Like a CEO Academy and work with Oliver over the next 90 days to become a top 1% communicator and transform your career.

https://speaklikeaceoacademy.com/

But he also learned the hard way that you have to listen to your body and mind to be successful and, more importantly, to keep your sanity.

In this episode, he takes us inside his journey as a founder, sharing the unexpected lessons that shaped his approach to leadership, resilience, and personal identity.

Peter opens up about one of the most profound realizations of his career: his happiest moments weren’t tied to financial wins but to seeing his team grow and thrive. Leadership, he argues, is about empowering others, fostering a strong culture, and prioritizing mission over metrics. But that mission-driven focus came at a cost. 

In 2019, his relentless pursuit of success led to complete burnout – his body literally shut down. He recounts how he found his way back through rest, time in nature, and deep reflection, ultimately discovering a new passion: helping others navigate the same struggles.

Beyond business, Peter challenges us to rethink how we define ourselves. Too often, we introduce ourselves by our job titles rather than our values or passions. What happens when we shift that perspective? He shares how embracing identity beyond work can create deeper, more meaningful connections both personally and professionally.

Peter and Oliver also dive into the unconventional ways Peter builds and leads teams. From letting candidates suggest their own salaries to practicing radical transparency, his approach forces people to evaluate their worth and alignment with the company’s vision.

And when it comes to tough conversations, he believes real compassion lies in honesty – not avoidance. Whether it’s performance feedback or handling layoffs, delivering the truth with empathy builds trust and long-term success.

If you’re an entrepreneur, leader, or anyone searching for clarity in your work and life, this episode is packed with wisdom that will challenge you to rethink leadership, communication, and self-care. 

Find out more about how Peter elevates leaders: https://lp.petersorgenfrei.com/

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Do you want to speak with confidence, inspire your team, and accelerate your career? You can now join the Speak Like a CEO Academy and work with Oliver over the next 90 days to become a top 1% communicator and transform your career.

https://speaklikeaceoacademy.com/

To find out, Oliver sits down with Dr. Alison Wood Brooks, celebrated behavioral scientist, Harvard professor, and author of Talk: The Science of Conversation and the Art of Being Ourselves. 

Together, they unpack the science behind effective communication and how understanding your "conversational compass" can transform how you connect with others.

Dr. Brooks gives invaluable insights into managing emotions during challenging interactions, leveraging humor to combat boredom, and navigating cultural and personal differences with grace. 

Plus: Alison shares how her research ended up in a Pixar movie. 

Our lives are built one conversation at a time. Expect to learn how you can be authentic and impactful at the same time. 

Find out more about Alison Wood Brooks: https://alisonwoodbrooks.com/

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Do you want to speak with confidence, inspire your team, and accelerate your career? You can now join the Speak Like a CEO Academy and work with Oliver over the next 90 days to become a top 1% communicator and transform your career.

https://speaklikeaceoacademy.com/

The key isn’t a list of events but a moment of transformation – without change, it’s just a report. 

Matthew’s journey to globally-recognized expert began with a surprise win at The Moth storytelling competition, but it wasn’t luck. 

His years as a writer, teacher, and even wedding DJ prepared him to hold any audience’s attention. His honest account of overcoming self-doubt shows that storytelling isn’t about talent – it’s about practice.

A simple but life-changing habit, which Matthew calls "Homework for Life," involves capturing one meaningful daily moment. This practice not only builds a reservoir of stories but also makes everyday life richer and more memorable.

Great stories, Matthew says, start with action and location to instantly draw listeners in. He also challenges the belief that humor is risky – nostalgic or relatable moments create connection without the need for punchlines.

Many businesses get storytelling wrong, drowning audiences in data instead of building connections. 

Matthew highlights successes like Domino’s bold rebrand and failures where companies lose control by ignoring their flaws. 

In leadership, storytelling builds trust and culture. Meetings become more impactful when leaders share real moments, not polished performances.

Matthew’s advice is clear: authenticity beats perfection. Stories connect because they’re real. Whether you’re giving a speech or pitching an idea, this episode offers practical tools to turn information into lasting impact.

Make sure you’re subscribed to the Speak Like a CEO newsletter to become a top 1% communicator: https://eoipsocommunications.com/newsletter/

Do you want to speak with confidence, inspire your team, and accelerate your career? You can now join the Speak Like a CEO Academy and work with Oliver over the next 90 days to become a top 1% communicator and transform your career.

https://speaklikeaceoacademy.com/

When hostage situations, kidnappings, or cyber attacks put lives and livelihoods at stake, Scott is the crisis negotiator called in to resolve the chaos.

Having successfully negotiated over 300 high-stakes incidents, Scott shares the field-proven principles from his best-selling book "Order Out of Chaos" - hailed as "A Masterclass in Communication Excellence" by The New York Times.

Today, Scott trains leaders and teams to negotiate better deals, resolve conflict, navigate crises, and thrive under intense pressure.

In this fascinating clip, he reveals how to negotiate with pirates, and why kidnappers are just business people looking for a great deal. 

For Oliver’s full conversation with Scott, check out episode 239.

Having spent over a decade negotiating with hostage-takers and criminals, Scott's strategies for navigating uncertainty and conflict prove indispensable for any leader or professional.

Discover why Richard Branson’s personal brand outshines his company’s, learn how to become "unignorable" in a crowded market, and uncover why your communication skills are more essential than ever in the AI-driven age. 

Make sure you’re subscribed to the Speak Like a CEO newsletter to become a top 1% communicator: https://eoipsocommunications.com/newsletter/

Do you want to speak with confidence, inspire your team, and accelerate your career? You can now join the Speak Like a CEO Academy and work with Oliver over the next 90 days to become a top 1% communicator and transform your career.

https://speaklikeaceoacademy.com/

Oliver and Daisy dive into the essential difference between an audience and a community, and what both individuals and companies often get wrong about community building. 

Daisy shares her 10 powerful steps to creating a thriving community, including how to find your people, share your magic, collaborate effectively, and keep the creative juices flowing. 

Tune in for actionable insights from one of the foremost voices on community building.

Make sure you’re subscribed to the Speak Like a CEO newsletter to become a top 1% communicator: https://eoipsocommunications.com/newsletter/

Do you want to speak with confidence, inspire your team, and accelerate your career? You can now join the Speak Like a CEO Academy and work with Oliver over the next 90 days to become a top 1% communicator and transform your career. https://speaklikeaceoacademy.com/

His first book, "The Café on the Edge of the World," gained international acclaim and has been translated into over 40 languages, selling millions of copies. 

John has written extensively about leadership and is the creator of the "Big Five for Life" concept that inspires leaders and businesses to discover their purpose and lead fulfilling lives. 

In this episode, he shares how he went from consultant to traveler to bestselling author, what good leadership is, the role of “soft skills”, how to keep your best people, and how leaders and businesses can identify their Purpose for Existing (PFE).

He also discusses why most writing in business is unemotional, boring and complex, and the simple shift that can turn you into a much better writer. 

Enjoy this episode with one of the great storytellers of our time! 

Make sure you’re subscribed to the Speak Like a CEO newsletter to become a top 1% communicator: https://eoipsocommunications.com/newsletter/

Do you want to speak with confidence, inspire your team, and accelerate your career? You can now join the Speak Like a CEO Academy and work with Oliver over the next 90 days to become a top 1% communicator and transform your career. https://speaklikeaceoacademy.com/

In this episode, Oliver Aust sits down with Gigi Danzinger, a philanthropist and social entrepreneur who, at 60, changed her name to reflect a bold new chapter. 

Gigi shares her unique approach to social impact, focusing on empowering communities through initiatives in Hudson, New York. 

From a basic income pilot, her investments in underappreciated founders and her "no strings attached" philanthropy, Gigi is redefining what it means to make a difference as a leader. 

Tune in as she discusses her journey to challenging traditional success, investing in underappreciated founders, and building sustainable, community-driven models that inspire change.

Make sure you’re subscribed to the Speak Like a CEO newsletter to become a top 1% communicator: https://eoipsocommunications.com/newsletter/

Do you want to speak with confidence, inspire your team, and accelerate your career? You can now join the Speak Like a CEO Academy and work with Oliver over the next 90 days to become a top 1% communicator and transform your career. https://speaklikeaceoacademy.com/

But how can leaders navigate the complexities of remote and hybrid work while cultivating an environment that attracts top talent and drives innovation?

Oliver Aust sits down with company culture expert Chris Dyer, author of "The Power of Company Culture" and "Remote Work", to unpack the key pillars of building a world-class company culture. 

From embracing transparency and empowering employees to encouraging productive risk-taking, Chris shares practical strategies that any organization can implement.

Discover how to:

• Foster a culture of openness and trust, even in remote/hybrid settings

• Empower employees to solve problems and drive innovation

• Attract and retain top talent through an engaging, people-first culture

• Leverage "cockroach meetings" to boost productivity and collaboration

• Adapt your culture and communication for the hybrid/remote landscape

This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to cultivate a thriving, future-proof company culture.

Make sure you’re subscribed to the Speak Like a CEO newsletter to become a top 1% communicator: https://eoipsocommunications.com/newsletter/

Do you want to speak with confidence, inspire your team, and accelerate your career? You can now join the Speak Like a CEO Academy and work with Oliver over the next 90 days to become a top 1% communicator and transform your career.

https://speaklikeaceoacademy.com/

We all know the feeling all too well. In this week's episode, Oliver Aust speaks with Nick Sonnenberg. Nick is a serial entrepreneur, a guest lecturer at Columbia University, and the author of the Wall Street Journal bestseller, "Come Up for Air: How Teams Can Leverage Systems and Tools to Stop Drowning in Work."

As the founder and CEO of Leverage, Nick has made it his life's work to help companies and individuals break free from the overwhelm. And communication is a huge part of that.

In this conversation, Nick shares his proven strategies for mastering meetings, crushing email, using AI the right way, and putting an end to the dreaded "scavenger hunt" for information. 

The upshot? You could potentially gain an extra full day of productivity per week - just by using the right tools and systems the right way. 

Make sure you’re subscribed to the Speak Like a CEO newsletter to become a top 1% communicator: https://eoipsocommunications.com/newsletter/

Do you want to speak with confidence, inspire your team, and accelerate your career? You can now join the Speak Like a CEO Academy and work with Oliver over the next 90 days to become a top 1% communicator and transform your career.

https://speaklikeaceoacademy.com/

Seth just released his brand-new book This is Strategy, a groundbreaking guide to creating meaningful change in a complex world.

In addition to strategy – which is a compass and not a map – we discuss leadership, storytelling and communications. 

My favorite quote: "Management runs a race to the bottom; leadership offers a chance to run for the top. The problem with the race to the bottom is that you might win. Then you have to live at the bottom.”

Towards the end, Seth shares how he fights climate change as part of a movement, and how we can make progress towards solving the climate crisis. 

Enjoy this episode with one of the world's most influential business thinkers! 

Make sure you’re subscribed to the Speak Like a CEO newsletter to become a top 1% communicator: https://eoipsocommunications.com/newsletter/

Do you want to speak with confidence, inspire your team, and accelerate your career? You can now join the Speak Like a CEO Academy and work with Oliver over the next 90 days to become a top 1% communicator. For listeners of the podcast, we offer a 15% discount in October: PODCAST15 

https://speaklikeaceoacademy.com/

To find out how to give honest feedback without destroying relationships, Oliver Aust is joined by Jason Rosoff, CEO of Radical Candor, the company he co-founded with Kim Scott, the author of the bestselling book with the same name. 

Radical candor allows us to care personally while challenging directly, and for Jason it is the key to creating a thriving workplace.

Jason highlights that avoiding feedback can lead to relationships degrading due to neglect rather than tough conversations, reminding leaders to prioritize difficult discussions early on to prevent bigger issues.

Discover how radical candor can prevent small issues from becoming big problems, create a feedback culture, and ultimately change your team’s dynamics for the better. 

Make sure you’re subscribed to the Speak Like a CEO newsletter to become a top 1% communicator: https://eoipsocommunications.com/newsletter/

Do you want to speak with confidence, inspire your team, and accelerate your career? You can now join the Speak Like a CEO Academy and work with Oliver over the next 90 days to become a top 1% communicator. For listeners of the podcast, we offer a 15% discount in October: PODCAST15 

https://speaklikeaceoacademy.com/

To find a way forward for both leaders and teams, Oliver Aust is joined by Tamsen Webster, a world-renowned expert in change communication and author of the brand-new book Say What They Can't Unhear. 

Tamsen, who also wrote the excellent book Find Your Red Thread, shares key insights into why people resist change—it’s not the change itself, but the fear of loss that holds them back.

Tamsen explains the critical mistake most leaders make: failing to connect the change to what employees already care about. She dives deep into how to address loss aversion, build belief in the change, and anchor your message in the identity of your team. By aligning with what people already believe, leaders can turn resistance into buy-in.
Tune in to learn how to personalize your communication for different stakeholders, avoid the “dilution effect,” and inspire lasting commitment to change through clear, purposeful narratives.

Do you want to speak with confidence, inspire your team, and accelerate your career? You can now enroll in the Speak Like a CEO Academy and work with Oliver Aust over the next 90 days to become a top 1% communicator. https://speaklikeaceoacademy.com/

What makes a presentation stand out? To find out, Oliver Aust talks with Kris Flegg, founder of Presentation Design Co. and author of The Presentation Playbook about the art of capturing audience attention. 

Kris, who transitioned from a “below-average” presenter to working with global giants like McDonald's and Coca-Cola, shares his five key principles for powerful presentations.

Listeners will learn about the mindset shift that separates mediocre presentations from those that stick. 

Kris emphasizes the need for clarity in purpose and structure, explaining why presentations fail when they lack emotional storytelling or don’t start with a clear goal. 

He also discusses the importance of preparation and rehearsal, treating audience engagement as a fair exchange of time and value.

Do you want to speak with confidence, inspire your team, and accelerate your career? You can now join the Speak Like a CEO Academy and work with Oliver over the next 90 days to become a top 1% communicator and transform your career.

https://speaklikeaceoacademy.com/

In this week’s episode of Speak Like a CEO, Oliver Aust sits down with Blake Eastman, founder of The Nonverbal Group and School of Cards. As a former professional poker player, Blake mastered reading body language and high-stakes decision-making at the poker table. 

He now applies these skills to help top executives and elite teams enhance their nonverbal communication – even though he is the first to admit that different games are played at the poker table and in the boardroom. 

Blake reveals how the smallest facial expressions, gestures, and tones of voice can either amplify or detract from the message you’re trying to convey. 

Through his research and years of coaching, Blake emphasizes the power of alignment between what you say and how you say it. 

Listeners will learn practical strategies for improving their own nonverbal communication, building trust, and communicating more authentically during virtual meetings. 

By the end of the episode, you’ll walk away with tools to build your leadership presence and communicate with confidence—without saying a word.

Find out more about Blake Eastman at https://www.nonverbalgroup.com/

Do you want to speak with confidence, inspire your team, and accelerate your career? You can now enroll in the Speak Like a CEO Academy and work with Oliver over the next 90 days to become a top 1% communicator.

https://speaklikeaceoacademy.com/

For 8 years, Terry Szuplat worked on hundreds of speeches for President Obama. He served as a special assistant to the president, and from 2013 to 2017 he was the deputy director of the White House Speechwriting Office. 

In Terry’s brand new book “Say It Well”, he shares the life-changing lessons he learned from Barack Obama and how he applied these techniques to become a better speaker himself.

We talk about the one time President Obama froze up and lost his train of thought, Terry’s first meeting with the President, and what it was like working closely with one of the most inspiring communicators of our time. 

We also get tactical. Terry shares lots of actionable advice on speaking and presenting that you can apply immediately. 

Enjoy this episode with the man who wrote many speeches that made history: Terry Szuplat. 

“Say It Well” is out now! You can also join Terry on his US book tour: https://globalvoicescommunications.com/say-it-well/

If you want to “present it well”, Oliver has a live Presentation Secrets Workshop coming up, so make sure you are subscribed to the Speak Like a CEO newsletter: https://www.eoipsocommunications.com/newsletter

You’re not alone—it’s called the Liking Gap.

This week on Speak Like a CEO, Oliver Aust is joined by David Robson, author of the global bestsellers The Laws of Connection, The Expectation Effect, and The Intelligence Trap, and journalist and science writer for the BBC. 

David reveals laws of human connection and the psychology behind the Liking Gap – why we underestimate how much others like us and how it impacts our personal and professional lives.

The conversation unpacks the consequences of the Liking Gap at work, including how it affects feedback, collaboration, and productivity. 

David also shares actionable strategies to overcome this bias, build stronger connections, have better conversations, and improve communication skills.

By the end of this episode, you’ll learn practical steps to overcoming self-doubt so you can build deeper relationships in life and work.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to improve the relationships in their lives and make new ones.

If you're looking to connect with your audience, Oliver has a live Presentation Secrets Workshop coming up, so make sure you are subscribed to the Speak Like a CEO newsletter: https://www.eoipsocommunications.com/newsletter/

So what do you do when your company’s change programs fall flat? 

This week, Oliver Aust is joined by Frank Wolf to discuss the best approaches to leading organizational change and building a strong narrative.

Frank Wolf is the co-founder of Staffbase, a leading employee communication platform used by global brands like Adidas, DHL and Domino’s. 

As one of THE experts in the world on future trends in communications, Frank is the author of The Narrative Age: How Leaders can Inspire Change in a Polarized World.

The secret ingredient to win over your team? Narratives. But you have to know how to use them, how they are different from stories and which mistakes to avoid.  

For instance, when dealing with change, often leaders focus solely on the new narrative, which can leave the team feeling left behind and misunderstood. 

Frank also talks us through the importance of understanding the existing narrative map and ensuring that no employee is left behind.

He shares the key reasons why most change processes fail and how leaders can successfully guide their teams through transformation. 

Tune in to gain valuable knowledge on turning resistance into results.

If you're looking to improve your communication skills, Oliver has a live Presentation Secrets Workshop coming up, so make sure you are subscribed to the Speak Like a CEO newsletter: https://www.eoipsocommunications.com/newsletter/

This week, Oliver Aust is joined by Josef Brunner on Speak Like a CEO to discuss what it takes to lead creatively.

As the founder and CEO of NutriUnited and a seasoned entrepreneur with two nine-figure exits, Josef shares why authenticity is so important for businesses. We also discussed how building in public sets NutriUnited apart in the competitive food industry.

Josef explains how NutriUnited’s focus on controlling production and sales channels, rather than relying on traditional marketing tactics, helps avoid common startup pitfalls. 

You will also learn some valuable tips on the importance of vulnerability for leaders when building a supportive team culture. 

Additionally, Josef offers insights from his new book, The Creativity Code, co-authored with Christian Sellmann, providing strategies for finding and using creativity in leadership.

By the end of this episode, you’ll learn how to find and use creativity to your advantage as a leader.

If you're an entrepreneur or a leader seeking to increase your impact, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways. 

Tune in and discover how to build and lead with purpose.

Check out Josef & Christian Sellmanns new book Der Kreativitätscode: Das Phänomen Kreativität verstehen, hinterfragen und für sich steigern.

If you're looking to improve your communication skills, especially in times of change, I have 3 live workshops coming up in the coming weeks, so make sure you are subscribed to the SLACEO newsletter: https://www.eoipsocommunications.com/newsletter/

This week, Oliver is joined by Michael Margolis, author of “Story 10X”, a leading advisor to many of the world’s largest tech companies and one of the world’s preeminent experts in storytelling, to discuss the science of change and the power of narrative. 

Change can often feel like an assault on identity, triggering defensive reactions. Our nervous system's biochemical responses—cortisol, dopamine, and oxytocin—play a key role in this resistance. 

This resistance can be overcome by learning the importance of shifting from a problem-solution framework to a possibility-obstacle approach. 

While stories are individual events with a clear beginning, middle, and end, narratives are overarching concepts that provide a framework for these stories. This understanding helps leaders shape the bigger picture and create shared language and motivation.

Expect to learn how communication can be your superpower amongst the mess of change, and how you can use narrative to provide context and emotion, making your messages more impactful.

If you're looking to improve your communication skills, especially in times of change, I have 3 live workshops coming up in the coming weeks, so make sure you are subscribed to the SLACEO newsletter: https://www.eoipsocommunications.com/newsletter/

He shares the four foundations of powerful speaking – easy to memorize thanks to the acronym HAIL – as well as The 7 Deadly Sins of Speaking. 

This short clip gives you the do’s and don’t of speaking on steroids by someone who knows how to captivate an audience.  

Join thousands of leaders and get Speak Like a CEO – the world’s #1 newsletter on leadership communications: https://www.eoipsocommunications.com/newsletter/

This week Oliver is a guest on Mark Bayer’s When Science Speaks podcast to give you the strategies to create clarity out of complexity. 

Mark is one of the world’s preeminent experts on science communication who has helped hundreds of scientists to communicate with impact and clarity. 

During the episode, Oliver highlights common communication challenges and offers strategies for improvement, such as using clear structures, storytelling, and simplifying language. He also emphasizes the importance of understanding one's audience and dealing with linguistic nuances for non-native English speakers.

Try Speak Like a CEO – the world’s #1 newsletter on leadership communications: https://www.eoipsocommunications.com/newsletter/

Oliver Aust explains on the Besser Gründen podcast which leadership skills are essential for a company's success.

In this episode (in German), expect to learn:  

• The 3 most essential skills for entrepreneurs and leaders

• How you can develop and improve these skills most effectively, and

• How entrepreneurs can inspire, motivate and lead a team to achieve common goals.

Try Speak Like a CEO – the world’s #1 newsletter on leadership communications: https://www.eoipsocommunications.com/newsletter/

This week, Oliver Aust joins Gloria Chou in this episode of “Small Business PR,” to discuss strategies for dealing with PR crises and creating buzz on a budget.

Oliver shares his extensive experience in crisis communication and creative PR campaigns. He provides actionable tips for how small businesses can prepare for inevitable crises, from negative reviews to cyberattacks, and highlights the importance of having a crisis communication plan. 

Learn how to implement the triple A's—Acknowledge, Apologize, Act—while avoiding the three D's—Deny, Diminish, Deflect. Discover powerful PR tactics to build buzz around your brand, even with limited resources.

Oliver's lessons provide small businesses with practical tools to find their way through tough times, turning challenges into opportunities for growth and visibility. Tune in for your crisis communication strategy and know how to make your message stand out.

Get the free Speak Like a CEO newsletter to become a top 1% communicator:

https://www.eoipsocommunications.com/newsletter/

Connect with Gloria Chou: 

https://www.instagram.com/gloriachoupr 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/gloriaychou 

Or perhaps you have been in the audience and have not understood the subject matter. 

This week, Oliver is joined by Mark Bayer who shares his expertise on the art of making complex subjects understandable and engaging. Mark is one of the leading experts in the world on how to translate scientific or technical topics into clear communication. 

We take a deeper look at something missing in many of our presentations - connection. 

Many of us start presenting without any attempt to connect with our audience. By understanding and relating to your audience, you can communicate complex ideas without dumbing them down. 

He also shares insights from his RISE framework, which stands for Raising the Influence of Scientists and Engineers, aimed at helping technical professionals elevate their communication skills.

Mark can help you understand how to shift your mindset from what you want to say to what your audience needs to know. 

We discuss how metaphors, similes, and analogies can help you make intricate topics relatable and memorable.

If you’re a scientist, engineer, or anyone who deals with technical subjects, this episode provides actionable strategies to help you inform your audience and keep their attention. 

Get the free Speak Like a CEO newsletter to  become a master communicator.

https://www.eoipsocommunications.com/newsletter/

In this episode, Oliver shows you how you can become a highly confident speaker and presenter – even if speaking in front of an audience gives you the chills.

So how do you stay calm and build confidence? With the BMW method. By focusing on your Body, Mind and Words.

Oliver shows you how to work with your body rather than against it, how to effectively reframe the situation in your mind, and how to present your words with impact so that you join the ranks of the top 1% communicators. 

Try the free Speak Like a CEO newsletter and get Oliver’s tactical guide “50 Presentation Hacks” to become a master communicator.

https://www.eoipsocommunications.com/newsletter/

That’s why Oliver joined Loren Greiff on the fantastic “Career Blast in a Half” podcast to help you become unignorable.

In this episode, Oliver shares secrets from his bestselling books "Unignorable" and “Message Machine” on communicating like the top 1% of CEOs.

The last few years have seen a shift in how we brand ourselves, giving us a new opportunity to be visible.

Social media has given us a great platform and AI has remarkably sped up our processes, but this has led to a huge volume of content. We can not just create any content, it has to provide meaning and value.

This episode is about how you can use this as your opportunity to become unignorable. 

Most of us have not optimized our communication for success which bites us when we are looking for new opportunities. We can get our point across, deliver presentations and know, in essence, what good leadership looks like. Here, Loren and Oliver discuss how to go from a good communicator to a great one. 

Suppose you are dealing with a career transition or negativity at work. In that case, Oliver walks you through how to handle your feelings privately, keeping your search for new opportunities positive and forward-looking. We look at how this can be done while maintaining authenticity.  

Join us for an insightful conversation filled with actionable advice on how to become unignorable when you need it most.  

Get the free Speak Like a CEO newsletter to  become a master communicator.

https://www.eoipsocommunications.com/newsletter/

In addition to her academic work, Dr Simon helps the likes of GE, McDonalds, HP, JP Morgan, and Google to create messages and presentations that are based on how the brain remembers information and is likely to act on that information.

In this episode, Dr. Simon shares her insights on the science behind effective communication, and how you can use it to create better presentations, sales pitches and marketing messages. 

Carmen also debunks the myth of short attention spans, asserting that if the content is engaging and relevant, audiences can maintain focus for extended periods. She encourages communicators to "control your 10%" by ensuring the main message is clear, repeated, and supported by the rest of the content.

Listen to this episode to learn how to use the power of neuroscience to make your communication more effective and memorable.

You can find Dr. Carmen Simon on LinkedIn and YouTube, and explore her work through her books, "Impossible to Ignore" and "Made You Look."

Furthermore Carmen Simon invites listeners to join a new community focused on the science of slides and content memorability. Explore unique slide examples and micro lessons here:

https://youtu.be/jFceJ1MrzG8

https://youtu.be/CxgbDSNlIkc 

https://youtu.be/Pwx9yNBRMPI

***

Get the free Speak Like a CEO newsletter to  become a master communicator.

https://www.eoipsocommunications.com/newsletter/

J.D. spent 25 years at Microsoft where he was head coach for CEO Satya Nadella’s innovation team, driving one of the most exciting corporate turnarounds of the Century that allowed Microsoft to eclipse Apple as the “world’s most valuable company” earlier this year.  

Today, J.D. is a high-performance, innovation & leadership coach, a unique voice on LinkedIn and the author of ‘Getting Results The Agile Way’. 

J.D. shares highly actionable advice on clear and direct messaging, the significance of structured storytelling with data, how to use conversation frameworks like the double diamond, how to apply Bill Gates’ “precision questions and precision answering” technique, and how to speak from the top by applying the pyramid principle.  

These powerful techniques will improve your communication at work, ensuring your ideas are heard and valued.

https://jdmeier.com

Get the free Speak Like a CEO newsletter and join 60,000 leaders who get Oliver’s tips on leadership communication: https://www.eoipsocommunications.com/newsletter/

In this episode, host Oliver Aust is joined by experts Loren Greiff and Konstanty Sliwowski to tackle the questions that many of us face at some point in our careers.

Loren is the founder of Portfolio Rocket, a platform dedicated to helping executives and professionals transition successfully in their careers. With extensive experience in executive coaching and recruitment, Loren provides strategies to help individuals navigate their career paths and leverage their strengths in the job market.

Konstanty runs the School of Hiring, a resource for companies and individuals seeking to improve their hiring processes. With a background in executive search and recruitment, Konstanty focuses on practical techniques for effective hiring and job searching. 

In this conversation, they share personal experiences and actionable steps to gain clarity before communicating, understanding your reasons for the change, and how to convey them confidently. We discuss the importance of leading with the truth, as Oliver highlights, "What's wrong with the truth?"

They talk about the importance of maintaining your professional identity and offer strategies for separating your personal worth from your job title.

They also delve into the emotional impact of career transitions, providing practical tips for managing these challenging times. As Loren shares, "Communicating with others about this journey allows you to see yourself through the eyes of others."

The discussion encourages us to embrace the unknown and look forward to new possibilities, viewing this as a time of exploration and creativity. 

Whether you're preparing for a job exit, dealing with an unexpected layoff, or forging out a new career path, this episode offers valuable advice on how to communicate these changes effectively and handle the emotional aspects with grace.

Get the free Speak Like a CEO newsletter to  become a master communicator.

https://www.eoipsocommunications.com/newsletter/

That’s the question Ben Guttmann will answer in this episode. 

Ben built, ran, and sold an award-winning marketing agency, teaches marketing at the largest business school in the US, and just published an outstanding book called “Simply Put: Why Clear Messages Win―and How to Design Them”

A clear and simple message is sticky, convincing, and moves others to act. In one word, simple is effective. 

You probably already know that. 

But the issue is: Simple is not easy. Fortunately for us, Ben identified the 5 principles to create a simple message. 

Enjoy this fascinating conversation with one of the world’s preeminent experts on messaging.  

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Enroll now for The Speak Like a CEO Academy at https://speaklikeaceoacademy.com/

It includes biweekly live group coaching sessions with Oliver and other world-class experts, Oliver’s brand-new presentation mastery course, an on-demand knowledge base with step-by-step templates and frameworks (aka a ‘second brain’), and peer-to-peer exchange. 

In this episode, host Oliver Aust is joined by world-class internal communications expert Monique Zytnik to discuss the critical role of strategic internal communication for leaders and organizations. 

Monique shares valuable insights from her new book "Internal Communication in the Age of AI". She shares why most transformations fail and what to do about it, how to get attention for your internal message, how you can build trust internally, and how to communicate bad news. 

As the name of the book suggests, we also discuss the impact of technology and AI on the ways leaders communicate with their teams. 

Whether you're a seasoned leader or aspiring to improve your communication skills, this episode offers practical advice and thought-provoking perspectives that will help you enhance your internal communication efforts and foster a more engaged, aligned, and motivated workforce.

Get Moniques book here.

Get the free Speak Like a CEO newsletter to become a master communicator.

https://www.eoipsocommunications.com/newsletter/

In this episode, Oliver Aust interviews Bjoern von Siemens, one of the world’s preeminent experts on improving human health through AI, robotics and automation. 

He is founder of Caresyntax – a company using AI to make surgery smarter and safer for caregivers and patients worldwide. 

Caresyntax has recently been recognized by Newsweek as among the World’s Best Digital Health Companies. Its solutions are present in over 7,000 operating rooms around the world, including USA, Europe and Japan. 

As an investor and mentor in healthcare tech, Bjoern shares his insights on why AI will transform healthcare more than any other sector and whether technology can cure cancer. 

On a personal note, Bjoern opens up about how his family's heritage influences his mission, and the pivotal event that made him prioritize communication skills.

As mentioned in the episode: “9 Ways to Calm Your Nerves” https://eo-ipso-comms.ck.page/posts/9-ways-to-calm-your-nerves-1

***

We will soon open enrollment for The Speak Like a CEO Academy. It includes biweekly live group coaching sessions with Oliver and other world-class experts, Oliver’s brand-new presentation mastery course, an on-demand knowledge base with step-by-step templates and frameworks (aka a ‘second brain’), and peer-to-peer exchange. 

The team and I will empower you to transform your communication skills in the most effective and efficient way. If you want to be one of only 50 founding members AND secure the lowest price the Academy will ever be, join the waiting list here: https://eoipsocommunications.com/slaceo-academy/

To find out what works in sales today, Oliver speaks to Doug C. Brown. Doug is a leading expert on sales and profit growth, the founder of CEO Sales Strategies, host of the CEO Sales Strategies Podcast, and author of several books on the art and science of selling. 

Doug has advised the likes of Tony Robbins as well as multibillion-dollar companies on how to acquire, convert, and lock in clients for life.

Doug and Oliver dive deep into the strategies and mindsets of top-performing leaders and salespeople. 

Doug reveals why selling is all about understanding and resolving your buyer's challenges through effective communication. He shares actionable tips on finding the right target buyers, building trust, understanding their motivations, and crafting compelling messaging that resonates.

You'll learn how to handle rejection without taking it personally, how to activate word-of-mouth marketing, how to hire a sales team, and how to succeed in this brave new world of sales. 

Whether you're a CEO, entrepreneur, or anyone looking to uplevel your selling and communication skills, this episode is packed with invaluable insights from Doug's decades of experience. 

Find out more about Doug at https://ceosalesstrategies.com/

Free resource mentioned in the podcast: https://resources.ceosalesstrategies.com/op/signup-art-and-science/

***

We will soon open enrollment for The Speak Like a CEO Academy. It includes biweekly live group coaching sessions with Oliver and other world-class experts, Oliver’s brand-new presentation mastery course, an on-demand knowledge base with step-by-step templates and frameworks (aka a ‘second brain’), and peer-to-peer exchange. 

The team and I will empower you to transform your communication skills in the most effective and efficient way. If you want to be one of only 50 founding members AND secure the lowest price the Academy will ever be, join the waiting list here: https://eoipsocommunications.com/slaceo-academy/

When hostage situations, kidnappings, or cyber attacks put lives and livelihoods at stake, Scott is the crisis negotiator called in to resolve the chaos. 

Having successfully negotiated over 300 high-stakes incidents, Scott shares the field-proven principles from his best-selling book "Order Out of Chaos" - hailed as "A Masterclass in Communication Excellence" by The New York Times. 

Today, Scott trains leaders and teams to negotiate better deals, resolve conflict, navigate crises, and thrive under intense pressure. 

In this fascinating conversation, he reveals how to regulate your emotions when the stakes are high, avoid common negotiation pitfalls, keep stalled talks on track, and ultimately reach a favorable resolution.

Having spent over a decade negotiating with hostage-takers and criminals, Scott's strategies for navigating uncertainty and conflict prove indispensable for any leader or professional.

Find out more about Scott and “Order Out Of Chaos” here: https://winanynegotiation.com

Get the free Speak Like a CEO newsletter to become a master communicator.

https://www.eoipsocommunications.com/newsletter/

NYC-based PR strategist and podcaster Gloria Chou is here to demystify PR and the media pitching process for entrepreneurs and small business owners. 

Her methods have helped over 10,000 entrepreneurs get seen and have resulted in over 1 billion organic views for small businesses – with no ads budget. 

Join as she shares actionable tips and insights from pitching hundreds of solopreneurs, founders and small businesses to outlets like Forbes and Entrepreneur. 

Her message: You don’t need an expensive PR agency to get featured. But you do need to understand how the media work. 

This episode will equip you with the mindsets and proven tactics to become a powerful spokesperson for your brand. 

Gloria shares which subject lines get journalists to open your email, how to overcome imposter syndrome, how to build relationships with journalists, and how to leverage earned media to boost your credibility and business growth.

She also shares her step-by-step CPR pitching method that has generated coverage in over 100 news outlets across 4 continents. 

Check out Gloria’s Small Business PR podcast: 

https://www.gloriachoupr.com/podcast

Watch her free PR Masterclass:

https://www.gloriachoupr.com/masterclassbygloria

Get the free Speak Like a CEO newsletter to  become a master communicator.

https://www.eoipsocommunications.com/newsletter/

Steve's bestselling book "The Four Steps to the Epiphany" distinguished startups that search for business models from existing companies that execute them – launching the modern entrepreneurship movement.

The conversation dives deep into why communication is a force multiplier for founders, unpacking the four steps of an effective communications strategy. Steve also shares wisdom on the importance of getting out of the building to truly understand customers.

On a personal note, Steve opens up about being snubbed when he first proposed the lean startup ideas that went on to revolutionize entrepreneurship. He also gives a glimpse into what it's like delivering a commencement speech to 10,000 people.

Don't miss this insightful discussion with a Silicon Valley legend. And be sure to subscribe to the SLACEO newsletter to join the top 1% of business communicators. It is free, highly actionable and provides a ton of insights that you can immediately apply to your own career or business. 

https://www.eoipsocommunications.com/newsletter/

Check out Steve Blank’s article on ‘Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Marketing Communications’ here

Eric emphasizes the importance of living a multidimensional and holistic life, moving away from the "hustle" mindset and finding balance across health, wealth, and relationships. He advises being intentional about allocating time and energy to high-value activities that truly drive progress.

The episode dives into Eric's content creation process, including maintaining an idea repository, seeking inspiration from conversations and reading materials, and combining personal insights with perspectives from others. He stresses the power of "necessity" in fueling creativity and productivity.

Additionally, Eric highlights the benefits of "sharing" versus merely summarizing content, as teaching and sharing ideas can lead to deeper learning and knowledge retention.

This shirt clip from episode 88 offers valuable insights for content creators, entrepreneurs, and anyone seeking to achieve peak performance while maintaining a balanced lifestyle.

Try the Speak Like a CEO newsletter to join the top 1% of business communicators. It is free, highly actionable and provides a ton of insights that you can immediately apply to your own career or business. 

https://www.eoipsocommunications.com/newsletter/

In this episode titled "The Secrets of a Master Communicator - How to Speak and Persuade like a CEO," Oliver delves into the art of persuasive communication, dispel three common myths about communication and share the five essential skills every leader must possess to communicate effectively. We also discuss practical strategies for building a healthy brand.

Oliver also gets personal and shares how he pursued his dream of becoming a "spin doctor" at the tender age of 22, and how he ultimately built a thriving brand in the communications industry.

Get this episode’s one-page cheat sheet on “How to Speak Like a Master Communicator” here. 

Try the Speak Like a CEO newsletter to join the top 1% of business communicators. It is free, highly actionable and provides a ton of insights that you can immediately apply to your own career or business. 

https://www.eoipsocommunications.com/newsletter/

Co-authored with Miriam Meckel, her new book on AI, ”Alles überall auf einmal" became an instant bestseller in Germany. 

Léa explains that AI will likely have as much of an impact on our communication landscape as the internet had on our information landscape.

She provides insights into the extraordinary history of AI going back thousands of years, from ancient texts to Ada Lovelace's pioneering work in the 1800s. 

Léa is also the co-founder and Executive Chairwoman of ada learning, a training and leadership development community that equips employees for the future.  

Léa discusses both the huge potential for AI to increase productivity and creativity, as well as the risks of content overload and struggling to distinguish what's important. 

Additionally, Léa shares her secrets to speaking in front of thousands – how she prepares, gauges what the audience needs and how creates her trademark presence on stage. 

Whether you're hoping to leverage AI's benefits, are concerned about its implications, or simply want to communicate more effectively, this episode will leave you much wiser about the past, present and future of AI.

**Find out more about Léa at ⁠www.leasteinacker.com/

**Try the Speak Like a CEO newsletter to join the top 1% of business communicators. It is free, highly actionable and provides a ton of insights that you can immediately apply to your own career or business. 

https://www.eoipsocommunications.com/newsletter/

Understanding these helps you not just navigate the fast-moving world of 2024, but enjoy it more. 

Oliver discusses how to develop ‘charisma on tap’, the 7 Deadly Sins of Speaking, how to build million-dollar companies, and much more.

Welcome to Speak Like a CEO, hosted by communications expert and bestselling author Oliver Aust. On this podcast, you’ll hear how to communicate like the top 1% of CEOs to scale yourself and your business. Because all great leaders are great communicators. 

Try the Speak Like a CEO newsletter to join the top 1% of business communicators. It is highly actionable and provides a ton of insights that you can immediately apply to your own career or business. 

https://www.eoipsocommunications.com/newsletter/

Alex is an entrepreneur, leading author, and in-demand speaker, and one of the world’s most influential strategy and innovation experts.

Ranked no. 4 of the top 50 management thinkers worldwide, his work has changed how established companies do business and how new ventures get started.

His books include the international bestsellers «Business Model Generation», «Value Proposition Design», and «The Invincible Company.»

Together with Yves Pigneur, he invented the Business Model Canvas and the Value Proposition Canvas – practical tools that are trusted by millions. 

He explains what makes a company invincible, what companies get right and wrong about innovation, how you can create a value proposition for your business that customers love. 

We also discuss how storytelling helps your businesses suspend disbelief in the unfamiliar. 

Enjoy this episode with one of the world’s foremost strategy and innovation thinkers!

Would you like to receive weekly tips from me on how you can join the top 1% of business communicators? Try the Speak Like a CEO newsletter. It is highly actionable and provides a ton of insights that you can immediately apply to your own career or business. 

https://www.eoipsocommunications.com/newsletter/

In this actionable episode, Howie Chan breaks down his step-by-step process for building a powerful brand in just 15 minutes. 

Howie is a sought-after branding expert, the founder of Healthy Brand Consulting, and the creator of Legend Letters, one of the fastest-growing newsletters out there. 

We discuss how you can define your brand's "organizing idea", identify what makes you truly differentiated and relevant, understand what you're really selling beyond your products or services, and craft messaging that unlocks customer problems.

Howie also shares what the biggest traps are in branding, how brands get diluted, and how brands serve as a shortcut for customer decisions. 

Whether you're launching a startup or revamping an existing business, this is a master class in strategic brand-building.

If you want to create a brand that resonates deeply and serves as a shortcut for customer decisions, don't miss this tactics-packed episode. 

Because as Howie says, "You are what you are in the mind of your audience" – so make sure to shape those minds.

Would you like to receive weekly tips from me on how the top 1% of CEOs communicate? Subscribe to the Speak Like a CEO newsletter and get my tactical guide “Presentation Hacks: 50 Powerful Hacks to Become a World-Class Presenter” https://www.eoipsocommunications.com/newsletter/

Check out Howie Chan’s newsletter “Legend Letters”: https://www.howiechan.com/

And here is the link to Olivers episode on Howie Chan’s podcast “Healthy Brand” https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/the-secrets-of-a-master-communicator-how-to/id1635867263?i=1000648905506

Patrick coined the terms FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) and FOBO (Fear of a Better Option) in a 2004 article he wrote for the Harvard Business School student newspaper.

In this wide-ranging conversation, Patrick shares the origin story of FOMO, why it has become a global phenomenon, and how it impacts our decision-making. We also discuss how we can make better decisions in the age of AI, whether it is wise for startup founders to use FOMO with investors, why some investors suffer from FOLS (Fear of Looking Stupid), and why we should all be 10% entrepreneurs.  

Would you like to receive weekly tips from me on how the top 1% of CEOs communicate? If so, subscribe to the Speak Like a CEO newsletter. It is highly actionable and provides a ton of insights that you can immediately apply to your own career or business. 

https://www.eoipsocommunications.com/newsletter/

These thought leaders are world-renowned CEOs, business school professors, company builders and crisis communications experts. With their combined expertise, my aim is to give you the most complete and actionable overview on the topic. 

In this episode we will discuss how AI can be rocket fuel for your internal communication, how you can use it to boost recruiting and employer branding, how it can help you build a business and craft your own story, and what the risks are if you are not clear with your team about how you plan to use AI. 

My first guest is Nicole Büttner, an entrepreneur, economist and a tech optimist as well as a WEF Digital Leader for Europe. As the founder & CEO Merantix Momentum, she enables companies to unlock the value of artificial intelligence. 

Next up: Dries Faems is professor for entrepreneurship at leading business school WHU and self-proclaimed GenAI nerd. He is also the co-host of the Most Awesome Founder podcast. 

Our third expert is Benedikt Ilg. He is CEO & Co-Founder of Flip, a fast growing startup that empowers hundreds of companies including the likes of McDonalds and Porsche to communicate better, cheaper and faster with their frontline workers - with the help of AI.  

Our last guests are Jasmin Meilner and Maximilian Neukirchner. They are the founders and co-CEOs of MyRecruity. They are experts on social recruiting and the use of AI in recruitment.

Would you like to receive weekly tips from me on how the top 1% of CEOs communicate? If so, subscribe to the Speak Like a CEO newsletter. It is highly actionable and provides a ton of insights that you can immediately apply to your own career or business. 

https://www.eoipsocommunications.com/newsletter/

Which is why I asked not one, but nine thought leaders about the impact of AI on all aspects of communications.

They are world-renowned CEOs, business school professors, company builders and crisis communications experts. With their combined expertise, my aim is to give you the most complete and actionable overview on the topic in this two-part special. 

Our four guests this week: 

Matt Abrahams is one of the world’s leading communications experts. As a lecturer at Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business, he instructs future leaders in strategic communication. Matt is also the host of the popular podcast Think Fast, Talk Smart and the author of Think Faster, Talk Smarter.

Simon Lancaster is one of the best speechwriters in the world, author of several books, and multiple TedX speaker, Simon knows all the secrets to captivate an audience with words. He is an expert on the language of leadership who explains how we can all use ChatGPT to help draft our speeches and presentations – a huge time saver. 

Our third expert is my close friend Bettina Hausmann. As a truly international executive coach, she has worked with CEOs, board members, and policymakers from over 100 countries to help them develop their signature presence, master the media, and manage crises. 

Our last guest is Arne Schepker, the visionary CEO behind language-learning powerhouse Babbel. The company has become synonymous with language mastery. With millions of subscribers and over 16 million users so far, Babbel has revolutionized the way we learn languages. Arne explains how AI can help us learn and master a foreign language faster than ever. 

PS: You may have noticed that Speak Like a CEO looks different. We launched the podcast in 2018. After five and half years, we wanted to create a new visual identity that reflects where we are in 2024 as well as our ambition for the coming years. We are curious to hear what you think, so please DM Oliver. 

Based in Berlin, Companisto has pioneered digital angel investing at scale. They have already facilitated the investment of over 150 million Euros in startups. 

David and his team achieved this by building a tech company and at the same time building one of the largest networks of Angel investors anywhere in the world. 

We talk about how they created a community of 150,000, how they managed to get a law changed to allow for digital angel investing, and his mission to bring about an “innovation society”.

Get my free tactical guide “Presentation Hacks: 50 Powerful Strategies to Captivate Any Audience” and join thousands of founders and CEOs worldwide who level up their presentation skills with these strategies:

https://www.eoipsocommunications.com/newsletter/.

Enjoy the episode!

We already see more “social CEOs” and “creator CEOs” – business leaders who become thought leaders thanks to content creation, social media and podcasts.

That’s why we invited Laura Lewandowski, founder of SmartChiefs, and top CEO advisor Julius Bachmann to talk about career sovereignty, creator practices and how CEOs can integrate creation and creativity into their busy lives. 

As writers, podcasters, musicians and entrepreneurs, the two friends and co-creators live at the intersection of creativity and entrepreneurship. 

Our main take-away: In a world of unbelievable complexity, those who combine creativity and entrepreneurship will write the break-out success stories of tomorrow. 

Get my free tactical guide “Presentation Hacks: 50 Powerful Strategies to Captivate Any Audience” and join thousands of founders and CEOs worldwide who level up their presentation skills with these strategies:

https://www.eoipsocommunications.com/newsletter/.

Enjoy the episode!

His talk "How to speak so that people want to listen" on powerful speaking alone has garnered 100 million views, making it the 6th most popular TED talk of all time.

As the author of “Sound Business” and founder of The Sound Agency, he is also one of the world’s leading thinkers on audio branding. 

In this wide-ranging conversation, Julian shares the secrets of a viral TED speaker, the four foundations of powerful speaking, and The Seven Deadly Sins of Speaking.  

We also get into how companies should sound, why listening is the sound of democracy, and whether introverts or extroverts are better at speaking and listening. 

On a more personal level, Julian also shares how holding one of the most popular TED talks of all time has changed his life.   

Get my free tactical guide “Presentation Hacks: 50 Powerful Strategies to Captivate Any Audience” and join thousands of founders and CEOs worldwide who level up their presentation skills with these strategies:

https://www.eoipsocommunications.com/newsletter/.

Enjoy the episode!

Simon Alexander Ong is a celebrated author, speaker and award-winning life coach. His 2022 debut book, Energize, became an instant bestseller. 

In this wide-ranging episode, we discuss how you shift your own energy and the energy of your team towards a more positive state, how to deal with energy vampires, and how energy management, not time management, is the key to productivity.

He shares how you can develop “charisma on tap”, why CEOs are really Chief Energy Officers, how vulnerability is the path to connection, what role stories play in energizing a room, and how to keep the energy up on video calls. 

On a more personal level, Simon shares how living the wrong life led him to dedicate his life to energizing teams and audiences around the world. 

Enjoy this episode packed with life-changing advice from the leading voice on one of the most relevant topics of our time. 

***

Get my free tactical guide “Presentation Hacks: 50 Powerful Strategies to Captivate Any Audience” and join thousands of founders and CEOs worldwide who level up their presentation skills with these strategies:

https://www.eoipsocommunications.com/newsletter/

Caroline is the impressive young founder and CEO of Nø Cosmetics, a disruptor in the clean beauty realm that is taking the retail world by storm. 

In her very first podcast interview in English, Caroline shares why Nø Cosmetics breaks the rules of branding and marketing. 

We go deep on her social media strategy, especially Instagram and TikTok, which Nø Cosmetics use for community building, market research, and even the co-creation of new products.

Caroline tells us why she has a "behind the scenes channel“ on Instagram (that is both genius marketing and next generation CEO communications), why they close shop on Black Friday, and why she doesn’t believe in influencer marketing.

We also talk about how she communicates with her co-founders — her sister and her parents — and what it takes to be successful in a tough retail environment.

Get my free tactical guide “Presentation Hacks: 50 Powerful Strategies to Captivate Any Audience” and join thousands of founders and CEOs worldwide who level up their presentation skills with these strategies:

https://www.eoipsocommunications.com/newsletter/

Enjoy the episode!

Together with her team, she helps 1500 businesses including many global brands become more sustainable.

Expect to learn how to create 100x partnerships, how companies can become more sustainable and avoid accusations of greenwashing, and what kind of storytelling can be a catalyst for change.

At a more personal level, we also talk about humor and leadership, the books she recommends to her team, and what surprising thing Barack Obama said to her at their first meeting.

Get my free tactical guide “Presentation Hacks: 50 Powerful Strategies to Captivate Any Audience” and join thousands of founders and CEOs worldwide who level up their presentation skills with these strategies:

https://eoipsocommunications.com/newsletter/

Enjoy the episode!

To answer these questions, Dimitri Gärtner kicks off the year on Speak Like a CEO. Dimitri is the founder and CEO of Framen, a fast-growing media tech scale-up based in Berlin that is rapidly becoming one of the major players in advertising and creating communities around the world. 

Dimitri’s insights into the future of advertising and marketing are particularly valuable right now. Customer acquisition costs keep rising and we tune out of the thousands of ads we get bombarded with on our phones every day.

Dimitri and I are also getting personal. We discuss why "you can't outsource your personality“, whether Dimitri writes his own social media posts, what role AI plays in content, and what his plans for Framen are.

Get my free tactical guide “Presentation Hacks: 50 Powerful Strategies to Captivate Any Audience” and join thousands of founders and CEOs worldwide who level up their presentation skills with these strategies:

https://www.eoipsocommunications.com/newsletter/.

Against this meta backdrop, I am sharing my 10 Predictions for 2024. They cover AI, memes, video, deep fakes, what happens to CEO communications, the state of marketing and mission-driven companies.  

I will be right on some and wrong on others, but it does help me to enter the new year with a clear hypothesis of where we are heading. 

If you want “10 Predictions for 2024” in writing, make sure you are signed up to my newsletter where I will share these in early January.   

Sign up using this link and you’ll also receive my Top 50 Presentation Hacks: 

https://www.eoipsocommunications.com/newsletter/

The CEO of global tech & travel company Omio has two superpowers: patience, and not recognizing a 'no' for a 'no'. 

He moved to Berlin after graduating from Harvard, not knowing anyone, and without speaking the language, determined to pursue his mission to make world travel seamless for everyone. 

Naren has a talent for active listening and understanding the needs of his audience. These skills have enabled his company to scale and grow from a small startup to 300 employees hailing from more than 50 countries based in Berlin, Prague, London and New York. 

That’s despite the fact that the Covid pandemic brought the travel industry to a halt during Omio’s growth phase.

Listen to the episode for more advice from Naren on how to build and maintain a global brand, how to approach rebranding (Omio was originally called GoEuro), and how to anchor diversity in a business from the start. 

Want more communication insights like these? Sign up to my newsletter ‘Message Machine’ and receive a free guide with 50 presentation hacks to captivate any audience.

Mary Catherine Bateson

The best leaders and companies in the world use metaphors deliberately. Think Apple and Amazon – a nourishing fruit and the world’s longest river respectively. 

Metaphors are a crucial part of the language of leadership, yet few of us use them deliberately. 

Stories appeal to the emotional brain, which is why they are so effective. 

But metaphors appeal to the instinctive brain – the oldest and most powerful part. They plant ideas deep in the instinctive mind. They affect attitudes, values, and behaviors. 

That’s why metaphors give you superpowers of persuasion. In this podcast, I want to give you the blueprint to the language of leadership and how to build metaphors with intention. 

Find the 8 Types of Metaphors here:

Jörg was bored of “just studying”, and joined a student organization putting together conferences. They called Microsoft, and asked if Bill Gates would be interested to speak. 

Of course, it wasn’t that simple. But sometimes you just have to dare to make the call!

This is a Moment from episode 25, one of our most popular episodes ever. 

Jörg Rheinboldt is General Partner at HEARTFELT_

Want more communication insights like these? Sign up to my newsletter ‘Message Machine’ and receive a free guide with 50 presentation hacks to captivate any audience.

Adele Gambardella and Chip Massey have just published an original and insightful book entitled "Convince Me: High-Stakes Negotiation Tactics to Get Results in Any Business Situation.“ 

In our conversation, they introduce the FBI-inspired concept of forensic listening, explain different types of convincing styles, and share advanced strategies for convincing like “bridging”, the “convincing continuum” and the “convincing cliffhanger”. Chip also explains which movies realistically portray the work of law enforcement officers (spoiler: it is not Die Hard). 

Adele is a prominent figure in the PR world. She has run PR campaigns for US President Joe Biden and well-known CEOs and global brands. She has also been invited to speak at the United Nations, where she gave speeches on crisis communications. She contributes to the Wall Street Journal and has taught crisis communications at Princeton, Cornell, and other universities. 

Chip is an Ex-FBI hostage negotiator and special agent for 22 years. He investigated the 9/11 terrorist attacks and led the New York FBI Office’s Crisis Negotiations Team. He teaches executives and their teams at companies like Facebook, Samsung, and Goldman Sachs how to apply the FBI’s techniques to every workplace scenario. 

Together, as co-founders of The Convincing Company, they bridge the worlds of PR and crisis negotiation.

Adele and Chip made a special welcome page for you. Dive into a treasure trove of resources to get tools and strategies for handling challenges. Check it out here: https://convincingcompany.com/speak/

Sign up to Oliver's newsletter: https://eoipsocommunications.com/newsletter/

To find out, Oliver has interviewed more than 200 CEOs, founders and world-renowned experts on this podcast. To celebrate 5 Years of Speak like a CEO – we started out in November 2018 – in this episode he breaks down 10 of his favorite lessons.

Expect to learn what the hallmark of a great speaker and leader is, how you can make your story perfect, why authenticity means surprising people,  how you can apply the charisma equation, and what the secret language of leadership reveals. That, and much more.

Enjoy! 

Get your free copy of "Presentation Hacks: 50 Powerful Strategies to Captivate any Audience“. 

In this episode, Arne dismantles language-learning myths and unveils his personal growth into a dynamic leader. Discover the power of storytelling, the ROI magic in marketing, and the art of building global brand awareness. Don't miss this exclusive peek into the mind of a CEO who has navigated the challenges and triumphs of both language and leadership.

Get your free copy of "Presentation Hacks: 50 Powerful Strategies to Captivate any Audience“. 

Yet little has been written about spontaneous communication in business. Until now. In this episode, Matt Abrahams shares his six-step approach for speaking confidently and clearly when we don’t have a script. This allows us to focus on what matters: creating connections with those around you, getting your message across, and even enjoying the situation.  

Matt is the host of the popular podcast Think Fast, Talk Smart and author of a brand-new book Think Faster, Talk Smarter: How to Speak Successfully When You’re Put on the Spot.

He is one of the leading global experts in communication with decades of experience. As a lecturer at Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business, he teaches popular classes in strategic communication.

Get your free copy of "Presentation Hacks: 50 Powerful Strategies to Captivate any Audience“

We explore the strategies and insights that entrepreneurs and founders can use to establish themselves as thought leaders in their respective industries.Almost everyone wants to stand out in their industry, but few manage. This episode gives you the tools that make the difference.  

Find the original Podcast here: 

https://www.fuer-gruender.de/podcast/folge-112-thought-leader-werden/

50 Powerful Strategies to Captivate Any Audience’. 

So on this episode of Speak like a CEO, I go deeper on some of the ideas I cover in “Presentation Hacks” including how to come across as charismatic, why slides kill your mojo and how to cut out the ‘umms’ and ‘ahhs”.

You can download the full guide here:

https://www.eoipsocommunications.com/newsletter/

In this tactical guide, I share with you the 50 most powerful hacks to deliver your presentation in a way that wows every audience every time. 

It includes everything you need to know about the Three P’s of Presenting: Prepare, Practice, and Present (the “3PP Method”). By the end of this short guide, you will be able to craft a presentation in just 15 minutes and wow any audience. 

Enjoy!

Two years later, Johannes and university friend Tao Tao took a leap of faith and launched GetYourGuide – a platform that unlocks unforgettable experiences.

Fifteen years later, GetYourGuide has built a global brand with strong word of mouth, product-market fit in multiple countries including the US, and offers more than 70.000 unique experiences worldwide.

In this mini episode of Speak Like A CEO, we offer a special moment from episode 190 with CEO Johannes Reck.

Subscribe to the Message Machine newsletter and become an unstoppable founder yourself. https://www.eoipsocommunications.com/newsletter/

Find the original Podcast here:

https://www.fuer-gruender.de/podcast/folge-93-ceo-kommunikation/

The ability to recenter your nervous system. 

That’s because our speech has an immediate impact on the nervous systems of others. And in leadership, “what you do to other people’s nervous systems is a big deal.” 

Says this week's guest on Speak like a CEO, @Caroline Goyder. She is a TEDx speaker with over 10 million views, an expert on speaking and voice, author of multiple books, and founder of the Gravitas Method.  

We discuss how our speech has an immediate impact on the nervous system of others, and how you can train yourself to recenter your own nervous system. 

As a world-renowned expert on voice, Caroline explains how to speak like a leader, how voice is a skill and not a talent, and how everyone can own the room with their voice.

Subscribe to the Message Machine newsletter and become an unstoppable founder yourself. 

https://www.eoipsocommunications.com/newsletter/

Torsten Ruether is a filmmaker, director and the CEO Hello Moment Productions. He has pulled off the unthinkable: to make a Hollywood movie with award-winning actors during some of the most challenging times of the film industry – first the pandemic and then the writers’ and actors’ strike. 

The movie “Uppercut” is the remake of an independent film he shot in Berlin in just three nights during Covid. On the podcast he shares the story behind the making of the film, how to think big and stay on track despite insurmountable challenges, how to combine business and creativity, and his 5 E’s for success - Empathy, Enthusiasm, Energy, Emotion, Execution. 

Subscribe to the Message Machine newsletter and become an unstoppable founder yourself. 

https://www.eoipsocommunications.com/newsletter/

This is the message of Karen Eber, author, storyteller and TED speaker with 2 millions views. 

In her brand new book ‘The Perfect Story’, she shares the science behind how your brain processes stories and how storytelling is the best way to communicate in business. It is accessible and actionable for anyone who wants to lead, inspire and inform through stories. 

Storytelling is the best way to make people retain information and prepare them for decision making. By telling stories you help the people around and save time. 

In this week's episode, Karen talks about the importance of thinking about your audience before the story, to keep your model simple and tell the story in a way that works for you, and how to incorporate storytelling into the daily workings of your organisation.  

Subscribe to the Message Machine newsletter and become an unstoppable founder yourself. 

https://www.eoipsocommunications.com/newsletter/

As the leader of a global tech company, he is focused on scientific research and AI, and building a holistic approach to coaching that is unparalleled. 

His goal is to transform the workforce, rethink how people work together, and increase productivity. All through digitally available coaching packages with more than 3500 coaches worldwide. 

Internally, as the leader of a 600-strong team across the globe, Yannis focuses on creating a shared culture and team unity through internal communications, feedback, and willingness to change. 

In this week's episode, Yannis talks about the importance of internal communications, receiving outside coaching, and building a great company culture. 

Subscribe to the Message Machine newsletter and become an unstoppable founder yourself. 

https://www.eoipsocommunications.com/newsletter/

In a year that has seen hundreds of thousands of tech workers lose their jobs, the gravity of this issue couldn't be more apparent. The stakes are sky-high, and how a company handles these delicate situations can make or break its future.

Handled correctly by the leadership, the team will understand why the reduction was the right thing to do to ensure that the company has a future. They will double down and focus on the mission. 

Handled badly, layoffs can trigger a crisis that leads to revenue loss, which in turn requires more layoffs – a downward spiral some companies never recover from.

As much as we would all like to avoid this topic, it's an inescapable part of being a great leader and founder. In this episode, we'll explore the nuanced strategies, empathy-driven approaches, and crucial insights that can make all the difference when facing the challenging task of letting employees go.

Connect with Konstanty Sliwowski on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/sliwowskik/

Listen to the School of Hiring Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/21lu1coKVNYQPZ718puRUl

Get the 'Message Machine' Newsletter and receive communications insights in your inbox every Friday: https://www.eoipsocommunications.com/newsletter/

In this special episode of Speak Like CEO, we are reposting the final instalment of Employer Branding: The Inside Podcast by Georgiana Ghiciuc. 

Georgiana and Oliver dissect how any company can become a magnetic employer of choice by focusing on three aspects of building a great company: culture, internal communications, and employer branding.

Drawing from my latest book, "MESSAGE MACHINE: How Communications Will Make You An Unstoppable Founder," Oliver underlines the idea that culture is a continuous work in progress, and effective internal communication is pivotal in unlocking a company's potential.

They discuss "Message Machines" and their development, the importance of communication skills for business leaders, strategies to become an employer of choice in uncertain times, and the key role of employer branding in building employer appeal!

Enjoy!

https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgianaghiciuc

Employer Branding: The Inside Podcast Georgiana GhiciucApplehttps://podcasts.apple.com › podcast › employer-bran...

We are excited to bring you an episode from WHU’s The Most Awesome Founder Podcast, hosted by globally-recognised startup expert Gerrit McGowan and entrepreneurship professor Dries Faems. 

In this episode, Jag Singh, Managing Director at Angel Invest, and Speak Like a CEO host Oliver Aust discuss their latest book, "MESSAGE MACHINE: How Communications Will Make You An Unstoppable Founder." 

We discuss topics like the importance of listening, decisive factors in storytelling, how to build a great brand, personal branding, and how to establish a strong yet flexible company culture. The episode provides valuable lessons and tips on communication, branding and culture to help founders succeed. It is one of the most wide-ranging and insightful discussions on mastering communication as a startup founder.

Gerrit: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gerritmcgowan/

Jag: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jagsingh85/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/oliver-aust/

The Most Awesome Founder Podcast: ⁠https://mostawesomepodcast.com/singh-aust/⁠

She is an investor, board member, speaker, and co-founder and managing director of 2hearts. She was also awarded the title Impact Entrepreneur of the Year in Germany in 2023. 

Gülsah Wilke shares her unique journey in the tech & startup industry as an immigrant's granddaughter with Turkish roots. She has a simple but impactful mission: to build tomorrow's tech society with cultural diversity. To this end, she co-founded Europe’s largest platform in the tech space for talent with a migration background. 

2hearts is a success story of community building. Grown solely based on reputation and word of mouth, they have yet to spend a single euro on marketing. On this week's episode, Gülsah shares how the team at 2hearts grows and expands the community, and what we can learn from it about connecting, communities, and the future of tech. 

***

Subscribe to the Message Machine newsletter and become an unstoppable founder yourself. 

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This is according to Oliver Kaltner, the former CEO of Leica, the iconic camera brand, and current CEO of Cherry - a leading manufacturer of computer equipment. Both are listed companies at the forefront of technology and engineering.  

His mantra is that business is not about talking, but about doing - so how does that fit in with communications? Leading in a hybrid work environment is all about over-communicating and making sure everyone is onboard with the messaging. 

Only when your people are with you, can you get sh** done. In this week's podcast episode he talks about the importance of being relevant, transparent, and not overpromising. 

Subscribe to the Message Machine newsletter and become an unstoppable founder yourself. 

https://www.eoipsocommunications.com/newsletter/

Developing and trusting your gut feeling takes dedication and tenacity, but in turn you will have a team and clients who trusts you and a thriving business. 

His approach is always keeping it simple and straightforward, and that honesty pays off in the long run. Check out my conversation with Erik to find out how he leads a fast-growing unicorn, and how he turned it into a European finance powerhouse over the last decade.  

***

Subscribe to the Message Machine newsletter and become an unstoppable founder yourself. 

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Founderland is not your average community. Stephanie, together with experienced founders Deborah Choi and Alina Bassi (our guest in E94) have been highly intentional about building the brand, deepening the community and making a real-life impact.

Stephanie urges everyone to branch out and to hire from different segments, rather than just sticking to warm connections. One of the reasons: diverse leadership teams tend to be better at communications. 

Diverse teams are challenging because of cultural nuances you need to consider, and demand a more vulnerable and self-aware team. This improves culture, communications and the business at large. 

To find out more about the incredible work at Founderland, check out https://www.founderland.org

Heres the link to the Personal Operating Manual TEMPLATE: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Z7D9U3b5CPZsbZ2C4wu1x5vgjKJUKZGkDMkkucXx1wM/edit

Oliver answers five of the most frequently asked questions. How to deal with the transparency dilemma, how to make something boring sound interesting, common communications mistakes, how to inspire an audience, and the changing trends of founder communications. 

Subscribe to the Message Machine newsletter and become an unstoppable founder yourself. 

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Brooks Brothers is nothing short of a legendary brand, and Ken Ohashi is the man behind its revival. He took over as CEO after the company had to file for bankruptcy during Covid. After an impressive turn-around, the company had a record year in 2022 and paid out bonuses to its employees for the first time in over a decade. 

What is the recipe for success? According to Ken, he has an inside-out and a 360 degree approach to branding, marketing and communications. Instead of first focusing on the customer, his focus is on the company culture. The customer will buy if you practise what you preach. You also need to be everywhere at all times. 

In this week’s episode, Ken talks us through how he transformed Brooks Brothers and revived the brand, how change is not about abandoning the past but building on it, and the importance of listening.

Subscribe to the Message Machine newsletter and become an unstoppable founder yourself. 

https://www.eoipsocommunications.com/kontakt/

Jörg is the former CDO of multi-billion Euro revenue company LANXESS, founder of CheMondis, and angel investor.

According to Jörg, any success should be followed by change. When things are going well you are in the best position to change because it leaves room for failure. Fail fast, adapt, and keep the pressure on to become successful.

And how does he convince people of change? He tells stories to motivate his teams to come with him on the journey, and he gives them the licence to prompt him to change him too. 

In this week’s episode, Jörg talks us through how he transformed a massive company, why the 2008 financial crisis was the best thing that could have happened to him, and the importance of having fun to succeed.

Subscribe to the Message Machine newsletter and become an unstoppable founder yourself. 

https://www.eoipsocommunications.com/kontakt/

Now imagine being able to write a speech that has this effect on people.

That is what Simon Lancaster does. As one of the best speechwriters in the world, author of several books, and multiple TedX speaker, Simon knows all the secrets to captivate an audience with words. And the secret dates all the way back to ancient Greece and Rome, and the rhetoric art of ethos, pathos, and logos. It is all about establishing credibility, portraying emotion, and using logical arguments. 

In this week’s episode, Simon talks us through the crisis in corporate communication, how to communicate to the instinctive and emotional brain, and the key to relaxing when you speak. 

Simon also shares the challenges and trends in speech writing and communications, and how he uses TikTok and ChatGPT to great effect. 

Subscribe to the Message Machine newsletter and become an unstoppable founder yourself. 

https://www.eoipsocommunications.com/kontakt/

As the company and team grow, so does the number of tools we use and need to manage. Software is now in the top 3 of expenses for many companies. 

This is the problem Sven Lackinger is solving with his company, Sastrify, that just raised a €30m Series B round. He helps companies make sense of the software they have within their enterprise. 

When Sven and his co-founder Max sold their first company to a large corporation, they realised the challenge big businesses face when managing their software stack. From this realisation, Sastrify was born – a scale-up that helps companies make sense of their software.

How did Sven and Sastrify successfully navigate the rapidly changing world of software? By knowing their customers and being everywhere where their customers are. According to Sven, it is all about reaching the correct people and putting all sales efforts towards this select group. 

Today Sastrify is a global brand with around 150 employees based in over 18 countries. Thanks to focus on transparency, company culture, and hiring good people they are just getting started. 

Subscribe to the Message Machine newsletter and become an unstoppable founder yourself. 

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They don’t have email or Slack, they don’t respond to calendar invites and won’t attend conference calls. But they are the biggest part of the workforce. Keeping them informed, engaged and aligned is a major challenge for businesses. 

While working at Porsche, Benedikt Ilg noticed how hard it was to reach his colleagues in production.

The solution that Benedikt and his co-founder came up with is Flip – an app that allows deskless employees to receive information and connect. Their goal: to change the future of deskless work. 

Your workforce is the heart of the company. In times of crises or times of rapid change, it is the labour force that drives the positive change. This cannot happen if they are not engaged. 

Flip aims to make engagement easy. With a roster of impressive clients such as Porsche, Rossmann, McDonalds, Flip under the leadership of Benedict Ilg is changing the future of deskless work. 

In this week's episode of Speak Like a CEO you can listen to Benedikt talk about the future of internal communications, the importance of honesty, and why you should always keep it simple. 

Subscribe to the Message Machine newsletter and become an unstoppable founder yourself. 

https://www.eoipsocommunications.com/kontakt/

Two years later, with a failed student tour guiding company behind them, the two university friends took a leap of faith and launched GetYourGuide – a platform that unlocks unforgettable experiences. 

Fifteen years later, the app offers more than 70.000 unique experiences worldwide. 

How did they continuously grow for over a decade and survive a global pandemic as a travel company? 

The answer is hard work, trial and error, patience, and a positive mentality.  

The key to unlocking your potential as a leader is through training. By continuing to train himself rigorously as a speaker and communicator, and always searching for ways to grow as a leader and human being Johannes Reck has done what most founders dream of.  

GetYourGuide has built a global brand with strong word of mouth, product-market fit in multiple countries including the US, and continues to innovate for the future.

Subscribe to the Message Machine newsletter and become an unstoppable founder yourself. 

https://www.eoipsocommunications.com/kontakt/

Mindsurance is an all-in-one solution for organisations to streamline their entire employee mental healthcare operations. They help to analyse employee mental health, find and match the right care provider, and deal with the bureaucratic parts of insurance providers.

Improving mental health among employees is essential, also because absence rates in organisations are increasing from year to year due to mental health challenges. 

Viktoria is a big believer in the role of communications in scaling the business: “There is no bad communication. Get started, and you will become better and better over time. When you never start, you never give the world the chance to learn about you and your product.”

She sees it as a key to unlock growth. “How people purchase products and services has changed.” They don’t want to be flooded by sales messages. They ignore most inbound. Instead, they want to educate themselves. When the time is right for them, they come to you. When that happens, they are ready to buy - unless you screw it up. 

Her analysis is spot-on. Demand generation is now so much more powerful than lead generation. That’s why the best companies focus on pre-suasion and pre-sales through communications. It creates the demand that makes sales a piece of cake. 

Viktoria decided to strategically position Mindsurance as a safe space that acts as a guide on an employee’s mental healthcare journey. To create trust with employees, Mindsurance does not offer a white-label solution. However, this poses challenges, as their customers would like to see data to understand what initiatives are effective, for instance, in decreasing absence levels.   

If you enjoy this conversation with an inspiring founder, subscribe to the Message Machine newsletter and become an unstoppable founder yourself. 

https://www.eoipsocommunications.com/#machine

Just a few short years later, Idle Miner Tycoon counts 100+ million users and the three founders sell Kolibri Games for 100 million. 

Daniel Stammler - entrepreneur, co-founder of Kolibri Games and a Forbes 30 under 30 laureate - shares his unique insights into how massive success does not need outside investment.  

How they did it does not match preconceived notions about gaming companies. There were no literal or metaphorical ping-pong tables, just hard work and dedication. 

This took them on an unlikely journey from their student apartment cum office in Southern Germany to 100+ employees in an office in Berlin (that was robbed twice, as life likes to throw in some extra challenges).  

The key to unlocking growth: a great product that was improved weekly. Paired with spot-on marketing, branding and communications. Growth was slow until they got their marketing right. 

Within 3 months, they 10x’d their profit and revenue. Then went on to create word of mouth and created a magnetic employer brand that attracted thousands of applications. 

Subscribe to the Message Machine newsletter and become an unstoppable founder yourself. 

That’s a huge oversight. Boosting our body language gives us more confidence and makes us more successful in business, says Martin Brooks. 

Martin is the author of Body Language Decoder and a leading expert and what our bodies say. 

In this highly actionable episode, he gives founders and CEOs a body language tool box on everything from speaking to the team to pitching to investors. Some highlights: 

Job interview: You can detect if someone over-embellishes their CV. Take a baseline of the interviewee’s body language by asking simple questions like “where did you go to school”. When questions get tough, someone who is deceitful would deviate from their baseline by making either more eye contact or avoiding it.  

Leading the team: Stand tall, smile warmly and make eye contact to signal that you are comfortable and certain about what you are about to say. Apply confidence gestures such as “the chop” or “the pinch of salt”. 

Pitching for funding: Know your audience and practise your answers to their toughest questions. Reassure with body language. Apply confidence gestures, but avoid signals of nervousness like rubbing your hands or fiddling with objects. 

Public speaking: On stage, come out from behind the podium, inject lots of energy so it feels over the top as you fill the room with energy. In a virtual setting, move away from the camera, then raise your hands to chest height so people can see your body language. Get the angle right and don’t look down on people. Don’t talk to the camera, talk through it. 

Power play: If someone is trying to elevate their status at our expense, show them it is not working. Look them in the eye and give them a warm smile.

More about Martin: https://successthroughimpact.com

***

Boost your comms and get a free book chapter: Sign up to our newsletter via this link and get a free chapter from Jag Singh & Oliver Aust’s  ‘Message Machine’: https://www.eoipsocommunications.com/#machine

He is inspired by a simple idea: to deliver happiness and lasting wellbeing to people via fitness, tech & hospitality.

To make BEAT81 as big and relevant as Crossfit, Tim and his team need word-of-mouth.

Word-of-mouth is the most powerful marketing tool there is. 90% of people are much more likely to trust a recommended brand (even from strangers), and it is more effective than paid ads. 

Unfortunately you don’t have the time to sit around and wait until people start to talk about how great your product is. You need to kickstart word-of-mouth. 

Tim and Oliver discuss how a growing company can trigger word-of-mouth, both digitally and in real life. 

WOM is a strong signal for message-market fit. On the show, they also craft the messaging that could take BEAT81 to the next level. 

Free book chapter: Sign up to our newsletter via this link and get a free chapter from ‘Message Machine’: https://www.eoipsocommunications.com/#machine

She is on the Business Punk Watchlist, a “rebel psychologist” (Forbes) & podcast host. 

Her Berlin & NYC-based startup is on a mission to unlock the potential in every professional. Their aim: help you become a better leader in 2 minutes a day with AI-powered coaching that is personalised and scalable.  

Darja is no stranger to challenges, quipping that the company deserves the “cockroach medal” for surviving many crises. 

What helped Bunch overcome challenges has been strategic agility and effective communications. “Messages have to be boiled down to simplicity. And it's still like a big challenge for me personally.” 

Her best communications advice? Simplify, simplify, simplify. And she says it “as an entrepreneur who has always struggled with simplicity.” 

Bunch follows a freemium model and is free to download. It is kicking off in the US big time where 70% of their premium customers are based. 

***

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Tanja Bogumil is the CEO and founder of Perfeggt, a food innovation startup that changes what people eat by taking the animal out of the food system. They created plant-based eggs that may do for eggs what Oatly did for milk - provide a true alternative and create a new product category. 

Their approach is remarkable for several reasons: 

Perfeggt builds hardware with the speed of software by applying the lean startup approach of continuous optimisation. “Even in food, speed is of the essence.” 

Their go-to-market is also truly innovative. Instead of getting a new food product on supermarket shelves hoping that it will sell, they opted for food services such as restaurants. 

This allows them to use storytelling to explain a product and category consumers are not familiar with. “With our partners, we work out the best fitting story for their guests so it is seamlessly integrated with multiple touchpoints to understand what works best, so that guests actually get it,” Tanja Bogumil says.  

“It’s all about telling the right story that’s not only catching people’s brains but also touches their hearts. Food is so emotional, we can’t just talk about numbers.”  

Perfeggt is positive and uplifting at the point of sale. But the team also learnt to talk openly about what’s wrong. 

“It’s ok to communicate in a way that will also p*ss people off. It’s ok that some people will never understand that we need to change what’s on our plates. What matters is the increasing number of those driving the change.” 

When it comes to fundraising, Tanja’s advice is to focus on answering three questions: “Why this? Why us? Why now?” Investors need to sense “this unapologetic determination to do what it takes - this is part of good and strong communication.” 

***

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Formel Skin is a telemedicine scale-up that treats skin conditions. They are on a mission to make medicine approachable and accessible thanks to digitalisation and state-of-the-art communications between doctors and patients. 

Florian founded the Berlin-based company two and a half years ago with Dr Sarah Bechstein, a trained dermatologist, and product and marketing expert Anton Kononov.

Formel Skin’s success formula? “We want to provide our patients with a dermatology 3.0 experience where doctors are very friendly, thoughtful and approachable - a combination of a digital patient experience and a physical patient experience with a doctor.” 

This hasn’t always been straightforward. “It was a journey for me and Sarah how to communicate to the patients and how to develop these skills. Also from a company perspective. It is much more sophisticated and much simpler today.”

The interaction between doctors and patients is the key to Formel Skin’s success. “We have a training curriculum for all doctors on how they communicate with a patient. The most important thing is that you are honest with the patients and that you communicate with the patient.”

Research suggests that patients can only remember 30% of what their doctor shared with them and don’t dare to ask many questions. “This is something we want to change. We want patients to remember 100%. And we want to take their fear of asking questions.”

Formel Skin has already raised over 35 million from well-known VCs and has now set its sight on the Brazilian market.

Free book chapter: Sign up to our newsletter via this link and get a free chapter from ‘Message Machine’: https://www.eoipsocommunications.com/#machine

Over the past 20 years, she founded and scaled Mrs.Sporty, Pixformance and VAHA - successful businesses at the intersection of fitness, health and technology. 

Mrs.Sporty is a Europe-wide chain of fitness clubs that Valerie helped to scale to around 300.000 members in 550 Clubs and 10 countries with revenues of more than 80 Million EUR during this time period. 

The insights gained at Mrs.Sporty led her to found Pixformance, which offers digitally-enhanced movement therapy and is now entering the US market. 

In 2019, she also founded VAHA, a smart fitness mirror company that offers live and on-demand classes from yoga to strength and aims to be the best alternative to a gym. Last year, Bioniq acquired VAHA, and Valerie joined their board.  

Valerie’s view is that “you are not building companies. You are building teams. Teams who want to create and change the world together. That’s what I learnt from sports. It is more about the team than the company. You have to fail again and again to eventually score.” 

Part of her extended team has been athletes turned investors in her companies such as Steffi Graf, who was one of the early investors in Mrs.Sporty, and German football star Manuel Neuer who backed Vaha.  

In this wide-ranging conversation, Valerie explains how Mrs.Sporty built a sales machine, and predicts which companies will win in the health & fitness space in the future. 

Our guest is the accomplished entrepreneur Jan Reichelt. He built and sold two massively successful ventures, Mendeley and Kopernio, before bringing 10x Founders into existence in 2021.

In a short period of time, 10x Founders has become one of the top funds in Europe with the vision to boost the European entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Jan and the team raised 160 million from 200 individual investors who are also entrepreneurs. It truly is “the entrepreneurs' VC”, boasting a huge network.

Scaling two companies, Jan knows that “your communications can be a complete game changer. That's what sets you apart, that’s what gets people excited.”

His advice to founders: “Take communications seriously and think about your communications strategy. It is such a huge opportunity and you and your team want to shape it. You don’t want it to be shaped by others.“

A force of nature, Sophie was our guest on Episode #9, “No Bullshit”, and she still lives by that mantra - now more than ever.

Sophie and Oliver discuss how especially in tough times, “No BS” really counts. But you often see the opposite, argues Sophie. “You just know they are bullshitting.”

“It’s misleading, it’s not helpful. I’m trying to be different. Whenever I say something, I want to be genuine, truthful, value-adding. Not saying something you have heard a hundred times before.”

People who are listening to you are not stupid, they want true leadership.

Sophie & Oliver also dive into Qunomedical’s shift in focus from a B2C service for patients to a B2B software suite for hospitals.

With patients, digital marketing & SEO ruled. That’s different for a B2B software product. “No one googles patient relationship management software.”

Now it’s about bringing the content to the people who are interested. “Talk about the cause, the why. This is where you can start a conversation.” This can happen on LinkedIn or at events.

It was a leap into the unknown that paid off. Jochen Engert is the founder and former long-time CEO of Flix, a German startup best known for Flixbus that has grown into a global tech and transportation company with more than 60m passengers per year - a journey he describes as “absolutely crazy”.

Jochen led Flix for 11 years, from knowing little about trains and buses to expanding globally and taking over the iconic Greyhound brand. He is now a member of the supervisory board and an active investor.

Jochen and the founder team executed a highly effective communications, branding and marketing strategy centred around a core idea of ‘being the perfect host’ and a brand purpose of allowing people to travel sustainably.

As a leader, Jochen is clear that “crisis is nothing you can delegate”, and that “authenticity is the basis for credibility. That’s the most important thing you have as a leader.”

Fortunately, Communications Designer Jeremy Connell-Waite breaks it down for us. He leads IBM’s "Wild Ducks" industrial storytelling programme, where he coaches partners to create compelling pitches and presentations.

Stories are how you move people to action as a leader. But not random ones. Effective stories and speeches have structure.

Following the structure gets you to into the top 20% of communicators. But structure doesn’t move people to action. Emotions do. And the one emotion that can change people’s minds and get them to act is surprise. So ask yourself: How can I surprise this audience?

“We need to become students of emotions. If the purpose of a great communicator is to let the audience feel something, the only way to get really good at communicating is to learn how emotions work.”

Only emotions move people to action, and the key emotion is surprise.

More about Jeremy: https://jeremy.earth

Take a look at his one pagers: https://issuu.com/jeremycw/docs/the_art_of_the_one_pager_isuuv2 

Josef, who has two nine figure exists under his belt, is a serial founder, successful entrepreneur, and investor.

But success didn’t come easy. Starting out at the age of 16, he dropped out of school to build his first company which he sold only two years later to buy his parents a house. Since then, Josef, who loves to spend his weekends hiking in the alps, has climbed many entrepreneurial mountains.

Among others, he is the founder of JouleX, which was acquired by Cisco, and relayr, which was acquired by MunichRE. Recently, he was instrumental in a funding round for StartUpInsider.

In his book “Follow the Pain”, he describes his entrepreneurial journey.

In today’s episode, Josef gives us insights into the thinking of an exceptional entrepreneur who considers communications and storytelling as fundamental to what great CEOs do.

Tune in, and find out:

💊 Why pain is a great driver to success.

🎹 How to scale mentoring

📈 How to distinguish transformations from trends

⚫️ The beauty of simplicity

📣 How to approach thought leadership

🖖 Why personal relationships and trust matter in investing

We don’t run ads on Speak Like a CEO, but would appreciate if you support the podcast by sharing it with a founder who may benefit from it or by posting a review on Apple Podcasts.

What’s harder to figure out is how CEOs and founders can lead, communicate and make an impact in this brave new work.

Top international executive coach Bettina Hausmann and Oliver Aust both see opportunities in communicating in a hybrid world - if done right. In this episode, they give leaders the roadmap to be more impactful and avoid the spectre of mediocre communications that no organisation can afford in a rapidly changing world.

Tune in a find out:

🎨 How to draw up a hybrid plan for your organisation in 3 minutes

🌵 The pitfalls of leading in a hybrid environment

📖 How to tell stories and present with impact now

We don’t run ads on Speak Like a CEO but would appreciate if you support the podcast by sharing it with a founder who may benefit from it or by posting a review on Apple Podcasts.

Podcast Oliver mentions: School of Hiring. Staying Hybrid or Back to the Office. Konstanty Sliwowski With Jessica Kafka: https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/staying-hybrid-or-back-to-the-office-and-the/id1546484127?i=1000596532545

In his new book “Helden werden in der Krise geboren” (Heroes are born in crisis), Holger G. Weiss dissects the archetypical, existential crises many founders encounter - from product to founders to investor crisis - and how they avoid meltdown and instead emerge stronger.

As German Autolabs founder and CEO Holger knows, communication is a central part of your life as a CEO, especially when your startup encounters a crisis.

Holger's book provides tangible solutions—supplemented by valuable experiences of founders of successful start-ups such as Sofatutor, Idealo, door2door, XbyX, Women in Balance, Signavio and others. More often than not, the issue can be averted by great communication.

Holger has 20+ years of experience building technology-driven companies with innovative business models in the future mobility sector. In this time, he has seen and mastered more than one crisis. .

Tune in and find out:

🤸🏽‍♂️ How to pivot your product from b2b to b2c without plunging your business into crisis

👸🏻 Why your investor is not your “agony aunt”

📣 What do founders often get wrong when communicating with the team

We have nothing to sell you on Speak Like a CEO and don’'t run ads. We would however appreciate if you support the podcast by sharing it with a founder who may benefit from it or by posting a review on Apple Podcasts.

Find Oliver and Jags newest book on Start-up Communications: "Message Machine. How Communication Will Make You An Unstoppable Founder." - here: https://hub.messagemachine.io 

Her life story is both unusual and impressive: She stepped up to the mic early as a professional singer, which gave her the communications skills and stage presence to successfully pitch her first tech startup.

After building several startups, she became a VC and currently is the Managing Partner at Arkley Brinc VC.

In her experience, pitching and communications are superpowers that founders need to master. Rather than just focusing on the financial aspects of building businesses, Bryony is on mission to help early-stage startup founders to navigate the many challenges that come with building and growing a business.

Bryony's love for singing never vanished. She is now the lead singer of BC & the VCs, a Berlin-based band comprised of tech investors and founders including Christoph Raethke and Julius Bachmann. 

Tune in and find out:

🎤 What singing and being a CEO have in common

🛫 How to transition from a creative field to founder to VC

📅 What the communications milestones of a startup are

The links to the apps and the book Bryony talks about in this episode:

Headspace: www.headspace.com

Balance: www.balanceapp.com

Building a Story Brand, Donald Miller: https://buildingastorybrand.com

Find Olivers books here: https://oliveraust.com/books/

Should you write a book?

Welcome to a special episode in which Oliver gives us a behind-the-scenes look at how he managed to write and publish 4 books in 4 years, the last two of which became Amazon bestsellers. Oliver not only shares why he did it, but also shares his process and hard-won insights on writing, building an audience, publishing and marketing.

Tune in and find out:

🗓️ How to write a book in a year

🖨️ Why you don’t need a publisher

💸 How much financial gain to expect from your book

✏️ The five surprising truths about book writing and publishing.

Enjoy the episode and support the podcast by sharing it and posting your review on Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/dvyxVVtt

Find all of Olivers books here: https://oliveraust.com/books/

Our guest knows what he is talking about. John David von Oertzen is the CEO of Mobimeo, a Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) provider that aims to change the way we move. He heads a highly international team that hails from 44 countries and works in a hybrid fashion.

Mobimeo is owned by Deutsche Bahn and operates in a B2B, B2C and B2G (business to government) environment. This brings plenty of communications challenges. As a partner of regional mobility providers, Mobimeo connects existing public transport systems, sharing and on-demand options, making these accessible to users.

Mobimeo’s digital products aim to change people’s behaviour from car ownership to new and shared mobility, by providing access to mobility as an integrated system that offers more options than traditional public transport apps. Changing our mobility behaviour is necessary to stop climate change and reduce congestion and land consumption.

David is an expert in the mobility industry and a pioneer in the field of Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) solutions.

Tune in and find out:

🎭 How to persuade different audiences like shareholders, customers & politicians

🌍 How to foster a great company culture in a hybrid setting with members from 44 nations

🪢 How to merge the teams of two seemingly similar companies

🎨 How to create and grow a B2B brand

Enjoy this episode and support the podcast by sharing it and posting your review on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/speak-like-a-ceo/id1441419535

Because cost cutting only gets you so far.

Sherilyn Shackell has a clear view on the importance of marketing: "The CMOs should be present in every boardroom." They are the ones who feel the pulse of the customers, hear their heartbeat and can make all the difference.

Sherilyn is the Founder & Global CEO of The Marketing Academy, a unique non-profit organisation that turns the marketing, media, advertising and communications talents of today into the leaders of tomorrow. She took money off the table to create a priceless experience that money can’t buy.

The academy is highly selective and provides more value than a Harvard MBA - yet it is free. Its coaches and sponsors are leading CEOs, CMOs and Agency Heads from some of the biggest brands in the world including Salesforce, BT, KFC, Mars Wrigley, Accenture, ITV, Google, and Facebook.

In this wide-ranging conversation, Oliver and Sherilyn discuss how she changed her life and abandoned a successful career in recruitment to follow her calling, why generosity is key and why ethics feature prominently at the Marketing Academy.

Tune in and find out:

📣 How to convince a global network of leaders to give up their time for free

🎻What CMOs need to learn to be exceptional leaders

📌The purpose of communications

☀️ Why you should "live the story"

Enjoy this episode and support the podcast by sharing it and posting your review on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/speak-like-a-ceo/id1441419535

Episode mentioned in the podcast: # 167: Marketers make good CEOs. Phil Rumbol https://open.spotify.com/episode/18yuzZk2oNM3j2fpKVbtt7?si=1c1e70d1aa7041ba

Check out Oliver Aust & Jag Singhs newest book: Message Machine - How Communications will make you an unstoppable founder. https://hub.messagemachine.io

Like data protection.

Compliance used to cost companies a fortune in legal fees. That's tough - in particular for small and medium-sized businesses.

So Miloš Djurdjević set out with his co-founder Daniel Deutsch to build a real painkiller. “There’s a lot of anxiety involved in this topic due to personal liabilities that may be at risk if you don’t comply correctly,” says Miloš. This makes everything in communications, from marketing to PR and even employer branding and approaching investors a tough nut to crack.

His compliance-as-a-service approach is paying off though, as heyData! went from bootstrapping to VC-funded this year.

In this episode Miloš shares his approach to communicating about a dreaded subject, so that SMBs are not only compliant but can also use it as a competitive advantage. And heyData! can grow successfully as a company.

Tune in to find out:

🔥 How to work different channels for different messages and objectives

🌳 Which content is suitable as an evergreen

📣 How you can attract top talent despite a dull topic

Enjoy this episode and support the podcast by sharing it and posting your review on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/speak-like-a-ceo/id1441419535

That’s the simplicity paradox.

In Message Machine, Jag and I set out to provide founders with everything in one book they need to know about communications to scale and to avoid failure.

On the Speak Like a CEO podcast released today, we speak with our amazing guest host Lena Carlson why we wrote the book, the process of writing it (blood, sweat and tears), and what we learned in the process (a great deal).

To give you a taste of what we cover in the book:

📖 The #1 reason why most stories don’t work.

⚗️ What science says about building trust.

🚀 How founders can appear more intelligent in 1h.

⁉️ Why there is such a thing as a stupid question when talking to investors.

☀️ How every founder can become more charismatic.

💸 Why you should have an unlimited marketing budget.

🪐 Whether you should be in stealth mode or omnipresent.

🚦 Whether there is such a thing as bad publicity for startups.

Get the book on Amazon. „MESSAGE MACHINE: How Communications Will Make You An Unstoppable Founder“ Jag Singh & Oliver Aust.

And get in touch with us with your comments and feedback!

Enjoy this episode on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/speak-like-a-ceo/id1441419535

In this special episode, Phil Rumbol walks us through the process of building and re-positioning brands.

There is really no better person to ask for guidance on marketing and branding. Phil is a business leader, award winning marketing director, founder and CEO with a broad range of experience from startups to agencies to global brands.

He has helped shape some of the world’s most iconic brands including Cadbury, Heineken and Stella Artois. Most recently, he was the CEO of iconic biscuit brand Bahlsen.

Tune in to find out:

📌 What are the immutable principles behind a successful brand

💶 Why having a small marketing budget can be an advantage

🌵 The biggest marketing pitfalls

🥇 Why marketers make good CEOs

Enjoy the episode and support the podcast by sharing it and posting your review on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/speak-like-a-ceo/id1441419535

Phil’s book tipp: Byron Sharp, “How Brands Grow: What Marketers Don't Know”

Before creating the fintech platform to finance the climate transition, Shilps became the first-ever person to stand-up paddle the river Ganges in India from source-to-sea. 100m people worldwide watched her journey on the Discovery Channel - the result of a cold email.

Not one to shy away from big challenges, she is on a mission to close the 100 trillion climate financing gap by unlocking every climate tech project that can move the needle with speed, scale, and equity.

One of her advantages: she speaks the language of all her stakeholders, from investors to entrepreneurs to activists.

Tune in and find out:

📧 How to successfully pitch in a cold email

💸 How media coverage can help you achieve your goals

💚 What leadership traits are at the heart of every conversation

Enjoy the episode and support the podcast by sharing it and posting your review on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/speak-like-a-ceo/id1441419535

"As an entrepreneur, you need to speak about the difficulties you are having“, says our guest today. His unconventional view: Start your conversations, your investor pitches and company presentations with the bad news.

Klaus Wegener, co-founder und Managing Director of 35up, knows what he is talking about. He has seen companies rise and fall, founded several himself and led his first company Caseable through a severe crisis in 2019. Thousands of customers were waiting for their phone and laptop cases to arrive - thanks to trade barriers erected by the Trump Administration. Caseable's online rankings dropped like a stone to 1 star, usually the end of any e-commerce startup. How Klaus and the team turned it around thanks to excellent crisis communications, holds many lessons for any #entrepreneur.

Klaus’s focus is now on his latest venture 35up, together with his co-founders Fabian Louis and Viktor Schröder. 35up recently raised a seven-figure round and aims for category leadership in "embedded cross-selling".

Tune in and find out:

🔥 What communications can turn around an existential crisis

📣 How talking about the negatives can strengthen your reputation

📌 How to become a category leader

Enjoy the episode and support the podcast by sharing it and posting your review on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/speak-like-a-ceo/id1441419535

Here’s the link to the Robert Ermich episode, Klaus mentions in the episode: https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/speak-like-a-ceo/id1441419535?i=1000532566862

#pitchdeck #startup #funding #communications #crisiscommunication #podcast #speaklikeaceo #ceoinsights

Lukas Röhle co-founded Prematch App with Fiete Grünter und Niklas Brackmann. This year, the three amateur footballer players stormed the app charts. Shortly after its rollout across Germany last summer, the football community app climbed to the No 1 spot in the Apple app charts, ahead of YouTube, TikTok and WhatsApp. The app offers players and fans everything they need to know about amateur football, even allowing them to check their own market value and performance data.

Tune in and find out:

🎻 How to orchestrate a launch that makes you the #1 app

⚽️ Why founding a football team was key to achieving message-market fit

💸 What innovative ways the team used to communicate with their angel investors

If you want to dive deeper into Message-Market Fit check out this episode with Oliver Aust: https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/96-what-is-message-market-fit-and-why-is-it-so/id1441419535?i=1000511572989

There is only one person who fits this description: Daniel Hanemann, the CEO of wundertax, the startup he co-founded in 2016 and returned to as CEO in 2022. His mission is to make tax returns easier. "It’s all about connection. We don’t pretend it’s a fun thing to do, but we can make it simpler and quicker.“

The key is in the language, according to Daniel. Trash the lawyer speak. Never make your product cool and funky, if it just isn’t. Simply ask, listen and talk to your users - from human to human.

In today’s episode we talk about:

🎭 What comedy and business have in common

🌳 What is means to become a "re-founder“ and return to your own creation

🔠 How a tiny copy change led to a 20% increase in conversion

🙊 Why fluency in a language is not always enough to bridge cultural misunderstandings

Here’s the link to the episode with Jannes Fisher (vermietet.de) that Daniel mentions: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/150-create-a-market-and-own-it-jannes-fischer-vermietet-de/id1441419535?i=1000562791413 

Enjoy the episode and support the podcast by sharing it and posting your review on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/speak-like-a-ceo/id1441419535

Enter Impactbytes (https://www.impactbytes.io), the growth engine for sustainable e-commerce. It’s the brainchild of the impressive Amsterdam-based founding trio Noor Veenhoven and sisters Marcella and Melissa Wijngaarden. The @TechstarsBerlin alumni are building the machine that powers the web with sustainable product data so that ethical businesses thrive. They already partner with the likes of Ecosia and (investor friends, take note) are currently fundraising to bring sustainable goods to bigger and bigger audiences.

Tune into this episode to get your weekly dose of CEO insights into:

🚀 How to successfully transition from a customer-facing brand to a new behind-the-scenes product

📸 How to get into the media as an early-stage startup

📣 Whether purpose really helps to get your message out

👭🏻 And what it’s really like to start a business with your sibling!

If you want to dive deeper into new ideas and tech around product sustainability, check out:

Episode 107: Becoming the Tesla of the fashion industry. Anna Franziska Michel, Yoona.

Episode 132: Storytelling Secrets for Start-Ups. Iris Skrami, Renoon 

Episode 159: Your Purpose is your Story. Gemma Comabella, COCOLI

And here’s the link to the episode with Ecosia’s founder Christian Kroll: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0UoA4bvJLM3c3iDcL4729r?si=Ce4tnGzBQ3im3-rTIE3T1A

Enjoy the episode and support the podcast by sharing it and posting your review on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/speak-like-a-ceo/id1441419535

Certainly not by sending them the same old email, maybe adding their first name from the database 🙄

But by speaking to them as individuals. "Customers want to feel special, like we’ve made the effort to get to know them“, says our guest. What used to be impossible or at best a tedious and time-consuming process is now possible with technology. Pranav Ahuja, CEO of xeno and his growing team have truly simplified end-to-end personalised communication.

Pranav co-founded xeno in 2015 to make an impact on the marketing industry by enabling brands to build personalised experiences and marketing for customers. The idea took off after joining Techstars Berlin in 2018. Back in New Delhi, the pandemic hit the company. With no money in the accounts, the team moved closer together. They redefined the Northstar metric to involve every single person in the company, making the goal specific and attainable. Since then xeno is going from strength to strength, with a second funding round in early 2022.

Tune in and find out:

🤩 How to elicit emotions through marketing in a way that it induces connection instead of cynicism

🪐 Whether marketing messages are universal or dependent on culture

📚 What happens when you double your team fast

🤝 What makes trust the number one communications goal to achieve

Enjoy the episode and support the podcast by sharing it and posting your review on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/speak-like-a-ceo/id1441419535

Company Website: https://www.getxeno.com 

Our guest today was analysing the markets during his studies and had an idea. He dropped out of university and jumped right into it.

In 2020, Max Linden co-founded the fintech start-up lemon.markets — a stock trading API that enables developers to program their own trading algorithms, bots or applications.

Despite his young age, business angels and fintech investors have been keen to get on board. lemon.markets has already raised 15m Euros from high-profile backers such as Creandum, Lakestar and Lightspeed.

The company has big plans, and communications is central to their plans. Find out:

🤝 How to build trust so people trust you with their money

🛗 Why leadership is work in progress and CEO means Chief Enablement Officer

🏔 Why your vision is important when fundraising

🍋 Where the brand lemon.markets came from, and what Limoncello has to do with it

Enjoy the episode and support the podcast by sharing it and posting your review on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/speak-like-a-ceo/id1441419535

This was the question Gemma Comabella posed herself while she was Managing Director DACH for MADE.com. And she hit a nerve.

Pre-loved furniture is more than just a gap in the market. It is also a solution to reduce the environmental impact of our love for all things interior, which produces million of tonnes of waste every year. Gemma Comabella decided to do her part and founded COCOLI, together with a dream team of five co-founders to tackle a tough problem no one has solved before. Together they have created a platform that reinvents the way we find, buy and reuse furniture. Launched this January, COCOLI already has 4 warehouses in Germany, lots of media interest and 40% month-on-month growth.

"It’s not about what you sell,“ says Gemma. "What is your purpose?“ She found hers after a career building global fashion and consumer brands like Zalando, L’Oréal, Vestiaire Collective and Showroom, and then joining the furniture platform Made.com as Managing Director for the DACH region in 2019.

This episode is packed with insights including:

🤝 How to convince 5 co-founders to form an all star team

🗞 Why purpose creates PR

💸 What works in fundraising in the current environment

Enjoy the episode and support the podcast by sharing it and posting your review on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/speak-like-a-ceo/id1441419535

WLOUNGE brings together C-level executives, political leaders and aspiring entrepreneurs to make an impact and tackle the business world's biggest challenges. Last year, WLOUNGE HOUSE opened in Berlin, providing a flagship location and a gathering place for the community.

Mali believes in the power of curated events. Next up on 10 September 2022: the Tech Awards Gala, one of the largest and most prestigious award ceremonies of the German tech industry. Under the motto "Women drive innovation", the Tech Awards 2022 will focus on the strength of women and diverse teams in the tech ecosystem. The patron of this year’s event is the entrepreneur and investor Brigitte Mohn.

Mali was a guest on our show 3 years ago (check out episode #34). This time we wanted to find out what has changed in terms of communication since then including:

🕸 What the secret of building a thriving network is today

☄️ How to ensure that every event creates impact afterwards

🗞 When the right time has come to focus on PR

🤘🏽 How GenZ is changing communications

Enjoy the episode and support the podcast by sharing it and posting your review on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/speak-like-a-ceo/id1441419535

For car buyers, getting insurance is the least favourite part of the purchase. This is about to change. Caro’s aim is to make the insurance experience delightful, especially for that moment when you need it. To do that requires solving some really hard problems, something she relishes.

Since April 2021 Caro has been CEO of Movinx GmbH, a joint venture of Mercedes-Benz and Swiss Re. The global startup has a unique positioning, delivering mobility insurance through a digital business model that takes full advantage of tech and data to deliver a great customer experience. The aim is for it to become invisible.

As a communicator, Caro is not holding back. As an experienced entrepreneur, she believes that CEOs need to trust their teams with the difficult stories for them to perform at their best. Before joining Movinx, she was CEO and co-founder of Joonko, Managing Director at finleap and the CEO of autohaus24 and TopTarif Internet.

This episode is packed with insights into including:

🦖 How to bridge the dinosaur and the green field mindsets when working with large companies

🗣 What truthful feedback can do for you and why Caro enjoys disagreement

📈 Why performance marketing is dead and what the next new big thing is

Enjoy the episode and support the podcast by sharing it and posting your review on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/speak-like-a-ceo/id1441419535

Christine Kiefer is the co-founder of RIDE Capital. RIDE is a private bank for the digital age that helps customers structure their portfolio in an optimal and tax-efficient way. Customers already trust RIDE with close to a quarter of a billion Euros in assets - a massive amount for a four year old company. This was made possible through great communication and messaging.

Christine Kiefer also founded Fintech Ladies, a network for women involved in digitalisation and innovation in finance. This year she also joined Angelinvest as a venture partner.

In episode #155, Christine shares:

• The unusual way she met the perfect co-founder, Felix Schulte
• How to create a virtuous cycle of communication
• Why speaking the language of your audience is the key to a successful communications strategy
• How to be a better founder
• Her secrets to building an engaged community

Enjoy the episode and support the podcast by sharing it and posting your review on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/speak-like-a-ceo/id1441419535

Having experienced the expat life herself, polyglot Hanna Marie Asmussen, co-founder and CEO of Localyze, knows exactly how complex and bureaucratic it can be to move abroad for a new job. In the absence of a state-of-the-art digital solution, she developed and founded Localyze in 2018 with co-founders Lisa Dahlke and Franziska Löw. Localyze simplifies the management of international teams by providing a comprehensive platform that automates processes and contains all relevant information and documents in one place.

Half a year after founding Localyze, the company was accepted into Y Combinator - the mother of all accelerators. The company has grown ever since and now aims to expand from Europe into North America and to reach a total of 50 markets by 2025. In episode #154, Hannah not only tells us her personal backstory: living, studying and working as an expat and founding with friends but also talks about:

• What they teach you at Y Combinator to level up your communications
• How to own your personal communication as a leader
• How level three conversations change everything
• The best way to stand out among thousands of startups
• How a startup's communications system needs to change as the team grows

Enjoy the episode and support the podcast by sharing it and posting your review on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/speak-like-a-ceo/id1441419535

Katharina Gehra is the co-founder & CEO of Immutable Insight and manages one of the leading crypto hedge funds in Germany.

Coming from the traditional world of finance, she is now an integral part of the crypto industry. Katharina has been invited to speak to the German parliament on blockchain technology and has been named Top 40 under 40 three times in a row. She also co-hosts one of the most prestigious blockchain podcasts, Block52.

In episode #153, Katharina and Oliver take us on a deep dive into

• The origin story of money, where it is heading and why so many societal issues are linked to it
• Why we need a new story of money
• The reason why Katharina is keen to ask questions
• How a podcast can create an engaged community

Enjoy the episode and support the podcast by sharing it and posting your review on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/speak-like-a-ceo/id1441419535

Never one to rest on his laurels, Ramin recently founded his own venture capital fund together with Michael Hock called embedded/capital. Its aim is to become the no. 1 investor for Europe’s freshest, most innovative and trailblazing #FinTechs. The well-capitalised fund has already made 7 investments, and is hungry for more.

Ramin’s main success ingredient is to always bring joy to the table. With hundreds of pitch meetings under his belt, his first advice to founders is to smile.

To find out why a smile can be worth millions, tune in to episode #152, in which Ramin shares his insights and know-how about:

Why their brand is more important than most founders think

What’s behind the brand name embedded/capital and why this is exactly the right name for his fund

How to build trust with consumers as a fledging FinTech

How to communicate well with financial regulators, especially after the Wirecard scandal

The difference between a crisis and times of crisis, and what it means for communications

Enjoy the episode and support the podcast by sharing it and posting your review on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/speak-like-a-ceo/id1441419535

Veronika founded Demodesk in 2017 with Alex Popp to revolutionise the sales process. They were accepted into Y Combinator and has since raised multiple rounds of funding.

In this episode Veronika shares

• The origin story and vision of Demodesk
• The experience at Y Combinator - from the pitch to the training they received
• The (positive) impact of Corona on the business, and how she sees the post-Corona world
• What works in sales right now and where is it going.

Enjoy the episode and support the podcast by sharing it and posting your review on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/speak-like-a-ceo/id1441419535

It’s easy to connect the dots looking back. It’s way harder is to recognise trends in society before they become obvious, and use that insight to build a business that develops a new market.

That’s exactly what Jannes Fischer did. He is the CEO and founder of Vermietet.de, the market leader in digital solutions for private landlords. Helping his grandparents administrating their flats in Hanover, he realised that the younger landlords of the future would not accept paper or Excel sheets like previous generations to look after their most valuable investments. So he built a better a solution and in the process a fast-growing venture that was acquired by Scout24 Group in 2021.

A born entrepreneur, if there is such a thing, Jannes shares in our 150th episode:

• Whether anyone can have a passion for dry cleaning (his first business)
• Why owning a category is so powerful, and how it can be achieved
• How he discovered the power of communications and how he applies it day-to-day
• Why the CEO is the chief storyteller, and what that means for leaders

Enjoy the episode and support the podcast by sharing it and posting your review on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/speak-like-a-ceo/id1441419535 

Born in Kinshasa, raised in the USA and currently living in Germany, our guest today is on a mission to create lasting change globally. Freda Katunda Olsen cofounded LEAP in 2020, an ed-tech startup that provides healthcare education across Africa. In partnership with UNICEF, the London School of Economics, international universities and African organisations, among others, the platform provides better, faster and cheaper healthcare training to more people and reduce brain drain. Freda recently won the Social Hero Award from Global Digital Women. She is passionate about leadership and storytelling, and has lots to share about how impact-driven ventures can pitch to investors.

Tune in to #149: Pitching for Impact where we discuss:

• How to build a strong company culture for remote multinational team
• Why storytelling is crucial for building a successful venture (and what to avoid)
• Whether all exposure is good exposure

Enjoy the episode and support the podcast by sharing it and posting your review on Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/dvyxVVtt

It’s communications. But developing communications skills is hard and time-consuming, unless ….

.. you find a way to blitzscale them. We know you are in a rush, so how can you speed this up? The key is to break down communications into a number micro-skills and learn the techniques that help you make progress fast. That way every founder can become a master communicator, and turn their company into a message machine that gets results.

In this episode of Speak like a CEO, Oliver Aust highlights three micro-skills that have the potential to catapult anyone into the Top 10% of communicators in business - for more impact, better leadership and higher returns.

Tune in to #148 "Blitzscaling your Communications Skills“ where we discuss:

🗞 Why fact-telling is obsolete

❤️‍🔥 How to speak and present with impact

🎸 How you can lead difficult conversations to positive outcomes

Enjoy the episode and support the podcast by sharing it and posting your review on Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/dvyxVVtt

🙌🏼 🎬 This episode is brought to you by HeyViz, your rapid content creation studio in Berlin. 🎬

www.heyviz.com

Martin Schilling is the Managing Director of Techstars Berlin. As an angel investor, startup builder and scale-up executive, Martin co-founded and scaled a number of successful companies over the past 15 years. Together with Thomas Klugkist, he recently published "The Builder's Guide to the Tech Galaxy!“ (https://buildersguide.org): a blueprint in which Martin and others reveal their most important learnings from scaling - among others - N26 to unicorn status in less than two years.

Tune in to find out

• Why finding and defining your North Star is the most essential step to scaling
• Strategies to follow when the inevitable crisis hits
• What common mistakes founders make when scaling and when pitching to investors

Enjoy the episode and support the podcast by sharing it and posting your review on Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/dvyxVVtt

🙌🏼 🎬 This episode is brought to you by HeyViz, your rapid content creation studio in Berlin. 🎬

www.heyviz.com

Our guest today is working to change all this with transparency, great storytelling and an exciting new venture: Unstoppable Finance. Peter Grosskopf is one of Germany’s top fintech innovators and co-founder of several ventures including Solarisbank. His new startup Unstoppable Finance is coming out of stealth mode to democratise decentralised finance. Peter is one of the most thoughtful thinkers in the world of DeFi, blockchain and crypto and is regularly invited to speak to politicians and regulators.

Tune in to find out

🗻  Why the success of Web3 depends on communications and messaging

🪢 How to build trust among the general public for a new technology

❌ How Peter answers critics of crypto and DeFi

🙏🏽 The difference between employer branding and employer being

🤷🏼‍♀️ Who Satoshi Nakamoto is (purely speculative) 😇

Enjoy the episode and  support the podcast by sharing it and posting your review on Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/dvyxVVtt

🙌🏼 🎬 This episode is brought to you by HeyViz, your rapid content creation studio in Berlin. 🎬

Today Zenjob offers a state-of-the-art tech solution that finds the best candidates for each job within seconds. After 7 years on the market, Zenjob is a fast-growing company with almost 500 employees, currently matching over 12k jobs with talents every month. The founders recently raised an additional €45 million to boost the expansion across Europe, starting in the Netherlands last year and now in the UK. 

The purpose of Zenjob is bigger than providing on-demand staffing on short notice. It is to improve the world of work so that people can decide for themselves when and how often they work. To achieve this vision, the company has its own Zenjob Code. Tune in to this episode to find out what that exactly is, as well as

🪜 The stepping stones to building a thriving platform business

🧩 Why a niche of a niche is the key to success if you want to outperform existing players on the market

👇🏽 Why you need to exactly define the monster you want to kill before getting big investors on board

Enjoy the episode and please support the podcast by sharing it and posting your review on Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/dvyxVVtt

🙌🏼 🎬 This episode is brought to you by HeyViz, your one-stop video creation studio in Berlin. 🎬

A tech-optimist through and through, she is pushing Europe to become a global leader in AI. Her impressive background in business and econometrics, academia and politics (she was even running to become a candidate for the European Parliament) has equipped her well to tackle the dual PhD problem, translating between highly specialised talents to make innovation happen. As in the case of Vara - a business that aims to make data-driven breast cancer screening accessible to everyone.

Tune into the episode to find out more about

🎨 What’s behind the recent rebranding from Merantix Labs to Merantix Momentum

🪐 Nicole's journey from academia to politics to deep tech

🎤 Why she values having a political voice and how it has shaped her personal leadership style

🤖 The state and future of AI (we take a closer look at Natural Language Processing)

🏗 What’s needed for highly specialised experts from different fields to build something great together

Enjoy the episode!

Please support the podcast by sharing it and posting your review on Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/dvyxVVtt

🙌🏼 🎬 This episode is brought to you by HeyViz, your rapid content creation studio in Berlin. 🎬

We have all used SumUp paying for coffee or shopping at independent retailers and now take convenient payment options for granted. But that wasn’t always the case. The historically slow-moving payment industry has gone through a complete revolution over the past decade, and SumUp has been one of the key players in this.

Payment used to be a luxury product, exclusive to big retailers. The long tail of small merchants was left behind. In 2012, Marc-Alexander Christ and his co-founders decided to challenge that. The company started out with one product - the white card reader you probably know from your local coffee shop.

Today, SumUp offers a range of payments and solutions that give millions of businesses access to crucial financial services. The company has expanded to 31 countries so far and has 2600+ employees. Their goal: turn transactions into interactions.

Tune into the episode, get inspired and find out more about:

📚 Why you need to master storytelling as a founder

❄️ How you find the two sentences that get the snowball rolling

🚀 How to win multiple markets and become a global brand in a decade

🥊 The communication challenges of becoming a multi-product company and how to tackle them successfully

Enjoy the episode and please support the podcast by sharing it and posting your review on Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/dvyxVVtt

🙌🏼 🎬 This episode is brought to you by HeyViz, your rapid content creation studio in Berlin. 🎬

Kristina is rapidely becoming the chief storyteller of neobanking, shaping topics around investing, blockchain, cryptocurrency and modern leadership. In this episode she pulls back the curtain on how she leads Germany's third-largest neobank with her honest and transparent communication, and how a trip to Asia influenced her leadership style.

Kristina joined Nuri in 2020 as CPO after previous senior roles at N26 and Zalando. Before taking over as CEO, she repositioned and scaled the product and design team, drove Nuri’s successful fundraising efforts together with Ben Jones and defined the future direction of the product.

In this episode we take a deep dive into:

☎️ Why CEOS don’t have to have all the answers and what else matters in modern leadership

🧨 The learnings, challenges and benefits of rebranding Bitwala to Nuri

🎇 How to attract employees and retain talent even if a competitor offers twice the salary

And: How this year’s summer party will solve Kristina's biggest communication challenge?!

Enjoy the episode and please support the podcast by sharing it and posting your review on Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/dvyxVVtt

🚀 This episode is brought to you by HeyViz, your rapid content creation studio in Berlin. 🎬

A team of young entrepreneurs decided to tackle this and founded Koppla as a spin-off of the Hasso Plattner Institute in April 2020. They raised funding, now employ more than 25 people and work with some of the biggest construction companies in the region.

But the sector is tough to change as construction companies are conservative and profitable, even if their methods are inefficient. In such a situation, messaging becomes even more important than usual as Jerome and colleagues have to convince a reluctant audience.

In this episode we tackle:
🙌🏼 How to get your message across to an unreceptive audience
🔑 Why the brand name is key to sales and how to stress test it 
🧨 How a first investor term sheet can trigger an avalanche 

And much more! 

Enjoy the episode and support the podcast by sharing it and posting your review on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/speak-like-a-ceo/id1441419535

🚀 This episode is brought to you by HeyViz, your rapid content creation studio in Berlin. 🎬

In this episode, Gerrit and Oliver take a deep dive into the all-important equity story (aka pitch) that all founders need to master in order to raise money, in particular:

- Why founders only have two tasks: to build s**t and tell stories.

- How to craft an equity story that generates generosity in investors

- How founders can use the neuroscience behind stories to their advantage

- What boxing and pitching have in common

- Why FOMO and 'Fake it 'til you make it‘ are really bad ideas while humour can work a treat

For more of Gerrit’s insights into the neuroscience of business and building companies, check out Episode 103 - The art of peak performance.

Enjoy the episode and support the podcast by sharing it and posting your review on Apple Podcasts. 

🚀 This episode is brought to you by HeyViz, your rapid content production studio in Berlin. 🎬

What’s the role of a leader? Certainly to set the strategy, focus everyone on what matters, bring in top talent, and ensure there is enough money in the bank. All of these require a high proficiency in communication. And have a huge impact on how their company performs.

With the experience of over 1000 media interviews and having coached professionals from over 100 countries between them, top international executive coach Bettina Hausmann and CEO communications thought leader Oliver Aust talk about how to approach #leadership and #communication.

Specifically:

🎤 How to develop an important #speech or presentation in under 5 minutes

☑ The right (and wrong) way to share a personal story

💬 How to gain clarity and structure to become a master communicator

And there is much more to talk about, so that further episodes on leadership and communication are planned. If you have specific topics you want Bettina and Oliver to address, connect with Oliver on LinkedIn. linkedin.com/in/oliver-aust

Enjoy the episode and support the podcast by sharing it and posting your review on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/speak-like-a-ceo/id1441419535

🚀 This episode is brought to you by HeyViz, your rapid content production studio in Berlin. 🎬

Tune into an episode in which Sarah and Oliver analyse 

🗝 Why the framing of your offer and messaging is key to differentiate yourself 

🙊 How to create an effective word of mouth strategy 

💸 The difference between promise and purpose brands and what is important when talking to investors. 

And much more! 

Enjoy the episode and support the podcast by sharing it and posting your review on Apple Podcasts:  

🚀 This episode is brought to you by HeyViz, your rapid content production studio in Berlin. 🎬

Connect with Oliver on LinkedIn. 

Our guest today is a company culture builder par excellence. Kristen Mashburn coaches leaders how to get more out of their teams by installing systems to build high-performing cultures. With KPMashburn - a company culture consulting group - she on a mission to change the future of work.

Tune into an episode full of valuable hands-on actionable tools to level up your culture in which Kristen shares:

🚀 How to start and who to involve to build a process that creates previously unattainable levels of productivity

📙 The 4 systems behind high performing teams and where productivity comes from

‼️ How to approach hiring and retain talent to foster a great company culture

And much more!

Enjoy the episode and support the podcast by sharing it and posting your review on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/speak-like-a-ceo/id1441419535

🚀 This episode is brought to you by HeyViz, your rapid content production studio in Berlin. 🎬

Connect with Oliver on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/oliver-aust

Tune into an episode in which Oliver and Bastian discuss and analyse

😇 How to create the perfect message-market-fit for a specific audience

😎 How PR gets easier with a simple mindset shift

😅 What competitive sports have in common with entrepreneurship

And much more!

Enjoy the episode and support the podcast by posting your review on Apple Podcasts.

Connect with Oliver on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/oliver-aust

This episode is brought to you by HeyViz, your rapid content production studio in Berlin.

Ulrich Adam is the Director General of spiritsEurope, the Brussels-based association that represents the interests of 29 associations of spirits producers as well as 10 leading multinational companies, supporting 1m jobs from farmers to distillers and bartenders.

What sounds like a fun job also harbours many communications challenges. Ulrich has also modernised the association’s communications, making it more agile and digital.

In this episode, we dive into the rich tradition of spirits in Europe and gain insights into:

‼️How to protect yourself against criticism with the right messaging and strategies such as premiumisation.

🔐 How to effortlessly switch between the strategic and operational as a top communicator and why twitter has replaced monthly reports in Brussels.

☑️ Why advocacy is always about solving the problems of policy-makers first, before bringing your own topics to the table.

This episode is sponsored by HeyViz.

Get in touch with Oliver: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oliver-aust/ 

Amboss' market share is simply off the charts, bigger than Google’s, and the Berlin EdTech has big plans to make up-to-date research accessible to ever more medical students and doctors around the world.

A decade ago: studying for your medical exams or accessing up-to-date medical research was a time-consuming grind. Scientific communication was cryptic and elitist.

Today: Amboss does the heavy lifting. The Berlin EdTech company that was founded by Sievert and two friends in 2011 has become THE online reference for more than 1m medical professionals in over 180 countries who rely on the platform to keep up with rapidly expanding medical knowledge. Amboss’ mission is to empower all doctors to provide the best possible care. They raised $40m, built a team of 400 doctors, scientists and developers and still find time to help build an elementary school in India.

Amboss is all about curation and communication, so lots to talk about with our guest Sievert Weiss.

Tune in to find out

🎣 How to identify and capture a new market in less than a year

🗣 Why physically meeting your customers is key to a great launch

🎯 How to make huge amounts of complex info accessible

Sponsored by HeyViz.

Before stepping into the digital health business, Katharina worked in HR and Recruiting for companies like heycar, Foodspring and Unilever. With her new won passion for bringing the communication skills needed for thriving relationships to people, she is on the mission to democratise relationship health.

Tune in to find out:

🎨 How to shift public perception of a stigmatised issue

📡 Finding the right-message-market fit when dealing with emotions and relationships

🔐 What communications in relationships and in business have in common - and what not

Connect with Oliver Aust and Lena Carlson on LinkedIn.

If you like the episode, please leave a five-star review on Apple podcasts and share with people, who might profit from the insights. Thank you!

Iris is a passionate young entrepreneur on a mission. She is putting her skills and talent into empowering customers to make an impact when buying apparel. According to @Sifted, she is one of the top 70 ‘pioneers of the new world’ and was on the Forbes Under 30 Italy 2021 list. She is a member of the Leaders for Climate Action community, which works to bring together climate-conscious leaders and a certified yoga instructor with a Youtube channel, which has 100.000+ followers and has clocked up over 10 million views.

Tune in to find out

🔐 Why storytelling is key to get your start-up off the ground

📣 The ingredients to crafting a strong pitch

🎯 And why an authentic personal brand is the most impactful

The time for this idea is now: The proportion of single households is increasing whilst people are seeking community. At the same time, the demand for small flats in the big cities is rising as more and more people move into urban areas.

Tune in to find out:

💙 How purpose creates resilient teams and a powerful employer brand

📧 How to use social media & targeted email campaigns to create awareness

📡 Why CEO communications has become more important even in traditional sectors like real estate

Connect with Oliver Aust on LinkedIn.

If you like the episode, please leave a five-star review on Apple podcasts and share with people, who might profit from the insights. Thank you!

In February 2021 Gesa Miczaika set off with her joint angel investor Bettine Schmitz from Auxxo Beteiligungen to initiate Germany’s first VC fund for female founders. In spite of many sceptics forecast that getting investors on board will take at least 1,5 years, the Auxxo Female Catalyst fund launched this week after just nine months of fundraising. Now $15m of equity capital are ready for deployment to achieve the balanced representation of women as founders and investors. Gesa also supports start-ups on the board of the Federal Association of German Start-ups and advises the Ministry of Economics as a member of the Young Digital Economy Advisory Board.

Tune in to find out:

🎯 How to device a unique communication strategy to speed up your launch

👩‍👩‍👧‍👦 What the female perspective and mothers' communication style bring to investment opportunities

🚀 Why being in politics really makes a difference if you want to create impact

Connect with Oliver Aust and Lena Carlson on LinkedIn. 

If you like the episode, please leave a five-star review on Apple podcasts and share with people, who might profit from the insights. Thank you!

When launching Raisin, Tamaz faced a huge challenge: Why would anyone trust their fledging business in a basement with their money? He overcame this challenge by applying two of the most important lessons in communications: 1) Your personal story can carry you a long way; and 2) the most valuable building block of a successful business is trust, and trust is created by transparent communications.

In this episode, Tamaz shares plenty of other insights with us including:

• What the savings business has to do with uniting Europe
• When your personal brand matters and when it doesn't
• What you can learn from sales to communicate better as a leader
• Why transparency matters most when building a high-performing company culture

Connect with Oliver Aust and Lena Carlson on LinkedIn.

If you like the episode, please leave a five-star review on Apple podcasts and share with people, who might profit from the insights. Thank you!

Connect with Lena Carlson & Oliver Aust on LinkedIn. 

Given the magnitude of this challenge, there is little systematic advice out there how startups and scaleups can overcome this challenge and turn communications from threat to massive opportunity.

Jag and Oliver have set out to close this gap. In this episode they announce their forthcoming book which aims to help founders turn communications into their biggest asset, covering external, internal and financial stakeholders. But they need your help: If you are a founder who has raised Series A or a heading communications for a scale-up and might be interested in providing feedback on one of the chapters, please do get in touch:

Jag Singh: linkedin.com/in/jagsingh85

Oliver Aust: linkedin.com/in/oliver-aust

Tune in and find out

📍 How to navigate public opinion for a highly sensitive offer

🤫 The journalistic secrets to making stories work as an entrepreneur

💰 How to create trust and make an impact with investors when pitching in a controversial field

If you enjoyed the episode, share it and give us a review on Apple Podcasts. That would be lovely. Thank you!

If you have any questions or feedback, do not hesitate to get in touch with us on LinkedIn. 

Tune in to this episode to find out

🎥 How Piotr’s images from Libya became part of history

🎬 The atmosphere Piotr creates to help CEOs be their best in front of a camera

🚀 How you too can get best video content possible today.

At HeyViz you not only get the right lightning, crisp sound and professional post-production, but also the combined expertise of Piotr, Oliver and their teams to maximise your impact. Without the cost and the hassle.

If you find the episode helpful, please share it with your colleagues and friends and give us a review on Apple Podcasts. 

If you have questions, or if you are a CEO with communications advice and would like to be featured on the podcast, please connect with Oliver Aust or Lena Carlson on LinkedIn.

Thank you for listening!

Jan also knows how to keep customers happy, with Wechselpilot winning the German Service Award in 2020.

Tune in and find out all about

🎯 What trigger points you need to focus on to position yourself as the premium service provider (and get more customers)

💙 How to create trust to win customers

💱 How to finance and manage three companies at the same time

If you liked the episode, feel free to share it with your colleagues and friends. We would be delighted, if give us a written review on Apple Podcasts.

If you have questions, or if you are a CEO with communications advice and would like to be featured on the podcast, please connect with Oliver Aust and Lena Carlson on LinkedIn.

Thank you for listening!

In this episode Jag Singh, accomplished entrepreneur, investor and former Techstars Berlin MD speaks with Oliver about creating a Minimum Viable Brand that fast-tracks your growth.

Tune in to this episode to

🧪 Get the formula to create your irresistible brand 

❌  Understand founders’ most common mistakes

🚀 Find out how to enhance a brand even when the company is already established

If you liked the episode, feel free to share it with your colleagues and friends to listen.  We would be delighted, if give us a written review on Apple Podcasts.If you have questions, or if you are a CEO with communications advice and would like to be featured on the podcast, please connect with Oliver Aust on LinkedIn.

With the experience of over 1000 media interviews and having coached professionals in over 100 countries between them, top international executive coach Bettina Hausmann and Oliver talk about CEOs on camera.

Specifically:

🤩 How to appear natural and connect with the audience on camera

🧨 The most common mistake and how to avoid it

🤳🏾Creating a controlled environment that make you look great

⏰ How to minimise the time needed for filming

Producing videos can be a time-consuming nuisance. That’s why we want to show you how to create quick and painless videos to grow your brand and sales. Come to our studio at Mindspace Friedrichstrasse in Berlin on 15-17 September where we will produce a professional video with you completely for free. Simply book your slot here: https://calendly.com/vizibl/30min?month=2021-09. 

Tune in and find out all about

🤸🏽‍ The company’s pivots from retail to wholesale to brand

📈 How “fans” accelerated the development of Veganz and put the company on the path to an IPO

🕵 Jan’s passion for and secret to great leadership

If you liked the episode, feel free to share it with your colleagues and friends to listen and learn more about Jan and Veganz!  We would be delighted, if give us a written review on Apple Podcasts.

If you have questions, or if you are a CEO with communications advice and would like to be featured on the podcast, please connect with Oliver Aust and Lena Carlson on LinkedIn.

Thank you for listening!

Tune in and find out all about

🎢 Franziska’s rollercoaster ride as an entrepreneur

🎯 Her biggest communication challenge right at the beginning of her journey

🗣 How people communicate when they’ve only got audio, and what that means for your business

Podcasts in principle are also audio messages. If you liked the episode, feel free to share it with your colleagues and friends to listen and learn more about Franziska and Wayvs!  We would be delighted, if give us a written review on Apple Podcasts. 

If you have questions, or if you are a CEO with communications advice and would like to be featured on the podcast, please connect with Oliver Aust and Lena Carlson on LinkedIn.

Thank you for listening!

Tune into this episode to find out more about

🚀 Robert’s version of how Rocket Internet sparked the Berlin Start-Up scene

🧑🏼‍🍳 The secret sauce to building a great team

🚛 How to change a bad image through good communications

If you like this episode, please share it with your colleagues and friends and give us a review on Apple Podcasts. 

If you have questions, or if you are a CEO with communications advice and would like to be featured on the podcast, please connect with Oliver Aust and Lena Carlson on LinkedIn.

Thank you for listening!

Tune into this episode to find out

📺 How talent perceives potential employers

🔝 How to update your company’s brand to attract the right people

🔥 What recruiting has to do with energy

If you find the episode helpful, please share it with your colleagues and friends and give us a review on Apple Podcasts.

If you have questions, or if you are a CEO with communications advice and would like to be featured on the podcast, please connect with Oliver Aust and Lena Carlson on LinkedIn.

Thank you for listening!

Tune in to find out:

🗣 How to communicate to attract top talent

☑ How to hire globally, regardless of the size of your company

🔝 The do’s and don’ts of descriptions

📺 How recruiting is representing your brand around the planet

You have been asking us, how you can support the podcast. Thank you! If you find the episode helpful, please share it with your colleagues and friends and give us a review on Apple Podcasts.

If you have questions, or if you are a CEO with communications advice and would like to be featured on the podcast, please connect with Oliver Aust and Lena Carlson on LinkedIn.

Thanks for listening!

We talk to Vincent Huguet, Co-CEO and founder of Malt, an Airbnb-style marketplace that connects employers and freelancers across Europe, and Christopher Plantener, serial #entrepreneur, currently founder and CEO of Kontist, a banking solution for #freelancers that makes taxes easy.

Eight companies ago, Christopher wrote his master thesis on communities and since then knows that to build a scalable community you need more than Google Adwords: you need time and patience. Vincent had the Airbnb founder team crashing on his couch back in 2009 when they were in Paris to meet with their community. This spirit has inspired @Malt from the get-go.

Tune into this episode to get:

🪜 Key steps and all the lessons about how to build community to scale your business

👩🏽‍💻 Insights into the freelance sector

🎤 Tips to create an effective yet fun working environment and to fire up your team spirits (spoiler: involves Karaoke and danish drinking songs)

Connect with Oliver Aust and Lena Carlson on LinkedIn.

If you like the episode, please leave a five-star review on Apple podcasts and share with people, who might profit from the insights. Thank you!

Irina Crisan, founder and president of the WHU Women in Business Club invited Oliver to answer these and more questions in depth in today’s special episode: the recording of a #StartTheConversation event from the Women in Business community at the WHU - the Otto Beisheim School of Management.

After a brief introduction into the backstory of how the podcast Speak like a CEO came about and why communications is a hard skill, Oliver talks about the nine steps needed to successfully communicate as a leader. Then Oliver answers the student’s questions:

• As a junior, how can I effectively speak to a CEO? (00:30)
• How can a CEO inspire the team to execute the company’s vision and mission? (00:32)
• How can I ensure successful communication while maintaining my authenticity? (00:36)
• How can I effectively communicate as a female leader? (00:40)
• How can we communicate our personal values, even if they do not align with the company value priorities? (00:44)
• How do you get the CEO to see the long-term win of innovative ideas? (00:48)
• What tips does Oliver have to deal with the German failure culture? (00:51)
• How much time should one invest to become a great speaker and where do you start? (00:56)
• How do you communicate with coworkers that have a great age difference? (01:00)
• How to communicate as an introvert CEO? (01:02)
• When you enter a company to build a new department, how do you communicate with the other heads of department? (01:05)
• How can you establish a reputation at the beginning of your career to set the stage to becoming a leader? (01:06)
• How do you pitch your own topics as a junior to become visible at the leadership level? (01:08)
• How do decide, who to send in front of the camera: is it always the person who has the best communication skills? (01:11)

Watch the whole event on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d48UtkLHOfQ

You can download the e-book - From Business to Thought-Leader in Nine Steps - mentioned in the episode here: https://www.oliveraust.com/from-business-leader-to-thought-leader

If you have feedback or questions, get in touch with Oliver: oliver@oliveraust.com

We reached out to Amy because we are truly enjoyed her excellent and extremely well-researched book “The Creators Code“ for which she interviewed 200 high-growth entrepreneurs from Elon Musk to the founders of Airbnb, PayPal and LinkedIn.

In our interview, she explains which 6 essential skills extraordinary entrepreneurs have and how they apply it to communications.

Tune into this insightful episode to:

💪🏽 Get actionable ways to rock communications like an entrepreneur

🦻🏼 Hear what separates high-growth start-ups from corporates in communication

🏆 And why mistakes, if communicated in the right way, do not set you up for failure.

If you like the episode, please leave a five-star review on Apple podcasts and share with people, who might profit from the insights. Thank you!

In this wide-ranging episode Robert talks about books, the changing nature of creativity and his secrets to building a globally recognised and respected brand.

Tune in to find out more about:

📚 What makes books such valuable medium of communication even though the end of print has been proclaimed many times

🎤 How to be a digital force with over 200k followers on social media

🇺🇸 The key to breaking into the US market as a German company

🎨 How the world is shaping creativity and creativity is shaping the world

All of this and more on Speak Like A CEO, and if you enjoy, please leave a 5-star review and be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode.

Founder Hendrik Schriefer came up with the idea while working on his master's thesis at Oxford University. The psychology graduate (and later HR manager at Rocket Internet) investigated how personal contact helps with learning progress. He found that people without a coach performed worse than those with human help. Now he helps knowledge workers and organisations improve their performance and well-being at scale.

In this episode we talk about:

🥎 How soft skills are finding more recognition in leadership.

📣 Get insights into what Sharpist is doing to spread the word globally

💸 And his secret on how to get investors on your page.

All of this and more on Speak Like A CEO, and if you enjoy, please leave a 5-star review and be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode.

In this episode, she talks all about her communication style. Tune in to find out more about:

🎳 How communication works in a team of three CEOs.

🎨 How to prepare for new market entries from a communications perspective.

🎤 How the consumer research the message-market-fit differs from country to country

🎯 How recruiting a quickly expanding team and talking to investors works during a pandemic and

⚽️ If it is helpful to have a big name among the investors.

All of this and more on Speak Like A CEO, and if you enjoy, please leave a 5-star review and be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode.

Traditional paths of corporate communications and public relations do not have the same impact as they did yesterday. Oliver prepared an episode for you packed with the information you need to turn yourself into a leading voice in your industry. Why is becoming a thought leader essential for business leaders today? Who can become a thought leader? And what exactly is a thought leader? These are questions, Oliver answers before giving you the nine steps from business to thought leadership.

The nine steps to stand out in business today are:

1.  Know your strategy (4:10)

2.  Develop your narrative (6:22)

3.  Perform a digital makeover (7:56)

4.  Chose your platform (10:44)

5.  Craft your signature talk (13:23)

6.  Gain visibility (15:06)

7.  Inspire internally (16:06)

8.  Protect yourself (17:57)

9.  Become unignorable (19:43)

You can download the e-book to the episode here: https://www.oliveraust.com/from-business-leader-to-thought-leader

If you have feedback or questions, get in touch with me! oliver@oliveraust.com

Fabian is the CEO and founder of BRAINEFFECT, which produces science-based natural supplements focused on improving sleep, well-being, concentration and energy. Combining a top product with educational communications, BRAINEFFECT helps costumers navigate the new world of supplements. Their message focuses on the effect rather than on the ingredients, because most costumers don’t have time to learn about all things nutrition before getting a good night sleep.

By using essential communications tools and techniques, like social media, influencer marketing and digital events, BRAINEFFECT has built a strong community and reaches over 1 million hits on its digital magazine every month.

Tune in to hear Lena and Oliver talking with Fabian Foelsch about:

·  How his leadership is driven by communications

·  How Fabian puts an emphasis on educating his customers about nutrition and well-being

·  How the company’s digital magazine reaches over 1 million hits a month with its content about well-being

·  How to combine physical products and digital coaching

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Did you enjoy this episode of SLACEO? Let us know what you think on our Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. You can also email me at hello@oliveraust.com.

If you want to learn how to build an unignorable personal brand in 30 days, check out my latest book Unignorable on oliveraust.com.

Anna Franziska Michel is the CEO and Founder of Yoona, an AI-based technology that creates “objective fashion design”, or in other words, design that is proved to sell based on data. “This is a total revolution”, she says. “By creating optimal designs, we reduce time, cost, as well as waste – which allows us to use that time to explore our own creativity”.

If designers don’t tend to listen to techies, they listen to other designers, which is why Anna Franziska is the perfect ambassador for her brand – as she is a designer by profession, and a machine-learning specialist by practice. As a winner of several awards, an international CEO working with high-flying clients, and a visionary backed by investors such as TechStars, she wants Yoona to be the Tesla of the fashion world – and something tells us that she will succeed.

Tune in to hear Lena and Oliver talking with Anna Franziska about:

·  How she got top notch clients on her side

·  Her plans for Yoona’s international expansion

·  Her vision for the future of fashion

·  What kind of communication helps build strong bonds of trust

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Did you enjoy this episode of SLACEO? Let us know what you think on our Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. You can also email me at hello@oliveraust.com.

If you want to learn how to build an unignorable personal brand in 30 days, check out my latest book Unignorable on oliveraust.com.

Tune in to hear more about Lena and Oliver talking with Rainer about:

·  How to build an authentic, non-engineered approach to communications

·  How Project A Ventures commits to social action

·  How Rainer tailors personal branding strategies to each founder he works with

·  How in Covid times, thought-leadership has never been easier

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Did you enjoy this episode of SLACEO? Let us know what you think on our Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. You can also email me at hello@oliveraust.com.

If you want to learn how to build an unignorable personal brand in 30 days, check out my latest book Unignorable on oliveraust.com.

Today, in this special episode of Speak Like A CEO, Oliver goes in depth about his philosophy around personal branding, with marketing expert Dawn Barson. Oliver tells us about the 4Ms of personal branding, taken straight from his Unignorable System – Mindset, Motivation, Message, Method. Giving us insights into golden rules of personal branding, he takes us on a journey to marketing ourselves in order to become truly unignorable.

Dawn Barson, who is a business mentor to coaches and 7-figure entrepreneur, gives us precious insights as well into business strategies, into the art of consistency, and in finding your niche.

They also exchange thoughts and feelings about their inspiring journeys as entrepreneurs, with all the right advice for aspiring CEOs and communicators.

Tune in to hear more specifically about:

• How to move past your psychological barriers about personal branding

• How to grow your audience with Oliver’s ACES system

• How to keep your audience engaged in interested in your message

• How Dawn helps fellow entrepreneurs reach their first 6 figures milestone.

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Did you enjoy this episode of SLACEO? Let us know what you think on our Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. You can also email me at hello@oliveraust.com.

If you want to learn how to build an unignorable personal brand in 30 days, check out my latest book Unignorable on oliveraust.com.

Sponsoo connects brands with athletes – from Olympic teams to local clubs, and takes care of over 5000 clubs and athletes. From football to e-sports, they have quickly established themselves as leaders in their domain.

Today, Andreas tells us about his journey, from doing his MBA at Cambridge to founding three start-ups. Having found the courage to disrupt a highly traditional industry, Andreas uses a range of strategies to differentiate himself and his company from the competition, from ‘f**k up nights’ to talk openly about failure to direct hustling in person with sportspeople. With a transparent communication style, an openness to feedback, and a humble attitude towards victory, Andreas is the sports entrepreneur to watch closely.

In this new episode of Speak Like A CEO, Andreas talks with Lena and Oliver talk about:

·  Andreas’ strategy to lead Sponsoo to success

·  Bringing data-driven strategies to a traditional industry

·  Tackling the high market fragmentation of the sponsorship industry

·  Using authenticity as a driving force in communications

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Did you enjoy this episode of SLACEO? Let us know what you think on our Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. You can also email me at hello@oliveraust.com.

If you want to learn how to build an unignorable personal brand in 30 days, check out my latest book Unignorable on oliveraust.com.

Gerrit McGowan has been an entrepreneur for 20 years and has helped countless CEOs with bringing the best out of themselves. From founding the Kula group to building the WHU Entrepreneurship Centre for young entrepreneurs, Gerrit McGowan is a multidisciplinary virtuoso. He is also the host of ‘The Most Awesome Founder’ podcast.

His second favourite thing, after building his own dreams, is to help others build theirs. He does so through research in optimal performance, blending in neuroscience and psychology. Brimming with passion for the human race, Gerrit McGowan is taking us on a journey into understanding how to improve humanity – one entrepreneur at a time.

In this new episode of Speak Like A CEO, Lena and Oliver to Gerrit about:

·  How to help CEOs open up in order to help them thrive

·  The biology and science behind storytelling

·  Helping large networks of young entrepreneurs reach their dreams

·  Communication in a more and more complex world.

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Did you enjoy this episode of SLACEO? Let us know what you think on our Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. You can also email me at hello@oliveraust.com 

If you want to learn how to build an unignorable personal brand in 30 days, check out my latest book Unignorable on oliveraust.com

Nicolas Hartmann is a dreamer. He quit his job at Bain to found his company, Vly, which sold over 1 million litres of their milk alternative in less than a year in supermarkets all over Germany. The secrets to his success? A milk full of protein, that doesn’t taste plant-based.

To bring this vision to life, Nicolas has adopted a scientific approach to nutrition. He believes that food, like tech, should be optimised. Using consumer habits as his main KPI, attending conferences where he presents new ideas to the food industry, and talking directly to supermarket owners, Nicolas is working with his team towards a healthier, more ethical future.

Because if 1 litre of a milk alternative can change someone’s habits, then what about 1 billion litres, the number Vly is working to sell in the future?

Tune in to hear about:

- The team’s appearance on Die Höhle der Löwen

- How start-ups can get into the media

- How Vly aims to target all lifestyles, from Berlin hipsters to traditional farmers

- How Nicolas and his co-founders use communications to preserve their harmony

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Did you enjoy this episode of SLACEO? Let us know what you think on our Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. You can also email me at hello@oliveraust.com.

If you want to learn how to build an unignorable personal brand in 30 days, check out my latest book Unignorable on oliveraust.com.

As the complexity of the world increases, technology could help humans make better decisions. Perhaps as a supporting function – unless decision-making ends up being fully handed to technology in a far future.

Daniel has been enthusiastic about the digital world since childhood, and programmed his first computer at thirteen. He recently wrote a book which focuses on how digitalisation could change humanity.

His company, Diconium, has accelerated the digitalisation of work for 25 years. This tech company is older than Google itself. Diconium handles every stage of the digital transformation – from forming strategies to managing and implementing them.

You need more than talent to create such a strong company, in an age of ever-accelerating innovation: you need vision. From designing the car of the future to protecting his employees’ mental health, Daniel Rebhorn is telling us all about it.

Tune in to hear more about:

🚘 How software is becoming the key to power up next-gen cars

🖥 How digitalisation is affecting ALL industries

👨🏾‍💻 How changes in tech affect human experience

🤔 What the future of humanity may look like in 2036

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Did you enjoy this episode of SLACEO? Let us know what you think on our Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. You can also email me at hello@oliveraust.com.

If you want to learn how to build an unignorable personal brand in 30 days, check out my latest book Unignorable on oliveraust.com.

When Nina Pütz joined the fintech giant Ratepay as the new CEO, she knew that building human connections was going to be a challenge. Germany was going back into lockdown and she had to position herself at the head of one of Europe’s largest payment providers. 

As the new leader of over 200 employees in Germany and Europe, this wasn’t an easy task. But Nina knew that effective internal and external communications were essential. Luckily she had a plan both to establish herself in the company and to help streamline operations…

“The key is to speak the language of your respective counterpart. Different people communicate differently. With the right amount of empathy and feeling, you can make this work very well – over video for example.”

Tune in to the latest episode of Speak Like a CEO where Nina shares her experiences and strategies with Oliver and Lena. They will be talking about:

🎨 The art of building meaningful relationships virtually

💪The secret to maintaining a strong company culture from the home office

🧑🏾‍💻Increasing team productivity in lockdown with new digital tools

👍About why giving employees more freedom leads to better performance

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Did you enjoy this episode of SLACEO? Let us know what you think on our Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. You can also email me at hello@oliveraust.com.

If you want to learn how to build an unignorable personal brand in 30 days, check out my latest book Unignorable on oliveraust.com.

Founder Maximilian Rofagha might just have the answer.

He’s the brains behind finimize, a fintech company which quickly grew from a bare-bones newsletter to a 1 million strong community.

In 2016 Max was looking to invest a chunk of cash. But he quickly realised that the world of finance was daunting – particularly for young people. So, he set out to build a platform which helps people invest independently and with confidence.

At the beginning finimize was just a newsletter. Then came small online events. And this quickly grew into one of the world’s most successful finance communities.

Have a listen to the latest episode of Speak Like a CEO if you’re interested in Max’s interview with Oliver and Lena. Expect to hear more about:

• Strategies to quickly build an engaged community for your business
• Working closely with your userbase to guide key business decisions
• Developing an easy to understand and jargon free comms strategy
• The best way to build consumer trust through open communications

Soon though this may no longer be the case.

The world of telemedicine is taking off and it’s now possible to get a diagnosis and prescription without getting up from your desk.

Digital medicine is well and truly taking off in 2021. And one of the companies working to accelerate this transition is Berlin-based Flying Health. Their team is fostering an ecosystem for next-gen healthcare, bringing together experts from medicine, science, entrepreneurship and tech. Working with startups and industry giants alike, they are driving the digital health revolution.

In this episode of Speak Like a CEO, Oliver and Lena are joined by Flying Health Managing Director, Lina Behrens. Along with looking after the business on a day to day business, she is a passionate advocate for female founders and gender equality, and advises the German government on these themes. Tune in to hear more about:

• The importance of shaping the narrative around healthcare in the digital age
• Using innovation and digital tools to support and enhance medical diagnoses
• Establishing trust with clients and employees in a digital setting
• How international experiences shaped Lina’s views on female empowerment

- Why businesses struggle with sustainability communications in 2021

- How 1less employs cutting-edge technology to reduce plastic waste

- Communicating to change mindsets around waste and recycling

- Building and scaling one of the largest tech conferences in the world

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Are you passionate about a topic that you want to make heard more strongly? A good way is to start is by building your personal brand. Become Unignorable and check out Olivers book offer including 4 bonuses to set you up for success at www.oliveraust.com/unignorable

If you are a founder, CEO or business leader you really want to nail this. With the right messaging, everything is made easier. It will attract the right people to your product, who want to be part of your journey and your brand.

To be successful in business you need both product-market fit and message-market fit. If your product is not selling, it could be down to two things:
#1 Your product or service isn’t good. People don’t like it and they just won’t buy it. 
#2 Your message isn’t resonating with your audience.

Listen to the episode and learn more about Oliver's formula to ensure message-market fit. 

CQ on the other hand may be a new concept.

It refers to cultural intelligence - in other words, the ability to cross bridges and work effectively in culturally diverse situations. In particular for leaders working in international teams, cultural awareness and understanding is a key factor for success.

Someone who knows this all too well is polyglot and former investment banker Michael Shangkuan. As the CEO of language learning platform Lingoda, he’s on a mission to break down cultural barriers. His belief: that CQ and foreign languages go hand in hand.

Michael became CEO of the company in 2018. His team of 20 at the time has now grown to more than 140 - representing 42 nationalities - and has helped tens of thousands of people to not only learn, but to truly master a foreign language.

Want to hear more about how this international team helps to make languages more accessible? Check out the latest episode of Speak Like a CEO where Oliver and Lena will be chatting to Michael about:

🗣 Why cultural understanding is crucial for meaningful communication

📤 Building a management style as an externally recruited CEO

📈 The secret to outstanding change communication within a business

💡 How COVID has accelerated innovation in the ed-tech sector

______________

Are you passionate about a topic that you want to make heard more strongly? A good way is to start is by building your personal brand. Become Unignorable and check out Olivers book offer including 4 bonuses to set you up for success at www.oliveraust.com/unignorable

But more than 85% of all material used for clothing ends up in landfills or incinerators. And it’s no secret that producing waste at this rate is damaging the planet beyond repair.

So what’s the solution to this pressing issue?

Among the ventures tackling this question is Berlin-based startup Kleiderly, launched by chemical engineer turned entrepreneur, Alina Bassi. She’s a Google for Startups Female Founder alumni and in 2020 joined the Forbes 30 under 30 class of 2020 in the Manufacturing and Industry categor.

Alina is convinced that everyone has a purpose - and for her, this is making the world more sustainable through innovation.

With cutting edge technology she and her team work to reduce textile waste by creating a circular economy. Discarded clothes are given a new lease of life as sustainable plastic, being repurposed as clothes hangers, security tags and even furniture.

In this episode of Speak Like a CEO, Oliver and Lena are joined by Alina to talk all things sustainability, innovation, and communication. You’ll hear more about:

• Alina’s tips on finding professional and personal purpose, and the impact this can have on business strategy
• Communicating effectively to help people understand the motivation behind your business
• How building a dependable network of mentors and founders helped Alina to scale Kleiderly
• The biggest differences between the UK and German startup scene

Sounds interesting? Tune in now.

__________________

Are you passionate about a topic that you want to make heard more strongly. A good way is to start is by building your personal brand. Become Unignorable and check out Olivers book offer including 4 bonuses to set you up for success at www.oliveraust.com/unignorable

Then COVID struck.

Suddenly everything the team had worked for was on the line.

The Berlin-based company offers Europe’s largest flat-rate sports membership; but with gyms and studios shuttered across the continent and people forced to stay home, their business model simply wasn’t viable.

USC needed a rapid change of direction. And this had to be communicated to partners, customers, and more than 500 international employees.

In this episode of Speak Like a CEO, Oliver and Lena are joined by Benjamin Roth, Co-Founder and CEO of USC. They’ll be chatting about learnings from the last 11 months and the challenges posed by such a drastic pivot. Have a listen to find out more about:

●  Making and communicating crucial decisions when against the clock

●  Dealing with and responding to critical media coverage during a crisis

●  Why clarity and transparency are key for exceptional CEO communications

●  How great storytelling can help inform customers and build brand loyalty

Tune into the episode now.

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Build your personal brand and boost your business in 30-days by getting UNIGNORABLE, Olivers new book including 4 free-bonuses for the special price of 4,99€ today: https://www.oliveraust.com/unignorable

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Build your personal brand and boost your business in 30-days by getting UNIGNORABLE, Olivers new book including 4 free-bonuses for the special price of 4,99€ today: https://www.oliveraust.com/unignorable

From CEOs to students, a personal brand is the key to gaining visibility and in turn attracting the opportunities you deserve.

There’s just one problem.

To build your brand you need to invest time and effort. So, what’s the best way to tackle this challenge efficiently and get the best results?

In this special episode recorded for the International Association of Business Communicators, Oliver is joined by fellow personal branding expert Fady Ramzy and communications professional Monique Zytnik. Drawing on a combined 30+ years of communications experience, they discuss:

●  Why visibility is the key to uncovering opportunity

●  The myth of social media being a ‘free’ tool

●  How to know whether your personal brand is actually working

Forget theoretical discussion. This episode is jam packed with tactical and strategic advice and insights which will benefit both seasoned professionals and personal branding newcomers.

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Build your personal brand and boost your business in 30-days by getting UNIGNORABLE, Olivers new book including 4 free-bonuses for the special price of 4,99€ today: https://www.oliveraust.com/unignorable

It’s this mentality which helped co-founder and CEO of Nutrafol, Giorgos Tsetis, grow his hair-wellness company into a worldwide success.

With a difficult marketplace to contend with, he realised early on that building brand credibility was essential for survival. Tackling customer scepticism was the key to catapulting the brand to success.

In this episode of Speak Like a CEO, Giorgos draws on more than a decade of entrepreneurial experience, sharing his top tips for:

📝 Mastering concise messaging, both internally and with customers

🤔 Communicating to combat sceptecism around your brand

👨‍👨‍👦‍👦 Reaching 100,000 social media followers through organic growth

🌎 Founding a business which leaves a lasting positive impact on the world

Giorgos’ interview with Oliver and Lena is available to stream NOW.

This is a question which CEOs and their communications teams are increasingly looking to address.

Perception now matters more than performance for CEOs, according to a 2014 study by management consultancy Roland Berger. So the debate is no longer whether CEOs need to invest in their reputation, but what the best way is to achieve this moving forwards.

Why does personal branding work for CEOs?

Personal branding for CEOs is no longer a vanity project. It is essential to the success of the company and its perception internally and externally. Here’s why:

-  There is a battle for attention. Traditional CEO communications is increasingly ineffective. It just doesn’t stand out enough when competing against dwindling attention spans.

-  Perceptions are now formed online. CEOs with an authentic, personal presence benefit from this.

-  Studies show that highly visible CEOs boost their businesses because they build trust.

-  Millennials are attracted by purpose-driven or mission-driven brands. That mission starts with the CEO.

Want to know how to make it happen? Tune into the episode with Lena and Oliver,  where they discuss this new trend.

Suffering from a heart attack at 30,000 feet, Eric learnt the hard way how to balance work, family and health while pursuing his dreams and building successful businesses. On this week’s episode, Eric, who was a guest judge on The Apprentice and has appeared on numerous other TV shows:

- Reveals his formula for how YOU can join the "2% Club”.

- Talks about his new book "The 3 Alarms“.

- Describes his tactics to get featured on TV.

- Shares his learnings from building multi-billion dollar, award-winning businesses.

***

Kick off your personal branding journey with Oliver 

"The Unignorable Course"

•  2 modules a week
•  Personal Branding workbook
•  Weekly tips & strategies

To build a profitable reputation that you love and that boosts your business in 30 days.

https://www.oliveraust.com/about-the-virtual-membership

P.S Oliver's book is available on Amazon to purchase now - https://www.amazon.de/dp/3982108829?ref=myi_title_dp

Nalden certainly knows a thing or two about building a company from the ground up. A digital native, he began building websites at 13, became a blogger at 16, and six months later was turning a profit. He's perhaps best known for confounding WeTransfer, the easy way to send large files via the internet. 

These days, he is focusing on his latest venture - Adelee. The premise of Adelee is to make parenting easier and help people feel more prepared for the challenge. With the startup, he aims to reimagine parenting, essentially open-sourcing the task by creating a platform to share access to expert content about parenting.

Learn more:

- www.adelee.com

- wetransfer.com

- https://www.nalden.net/

P.S Oliver’s book “Unignorable" is available to purchase here - https://www.amazon.de/dp/3982108829

Our final guest, Richard Stephenson from CAA, bridges the gap perfectly between communications and leadership. He is an experienced communications director who shares some of the biggest crisis communications challenges and opportunities he's faced in his career thus far - including the time CAA essentially built a secret airline overnight. In 2019, he was named "Communications Professional of the Year" by CorpCommsMag. We also discuss making the transition from a communications role to a c-level role. Listen now!

P.S. Oliver Aust's book, Unignorable is available to purchase now on Amazon - https://www.amazon.de/dp/3982108829?ref=myi_title_dp

In this episode, Oliver Aust tells us about why tootings one´s own horn is not only no longer shameful but rather a perfectly fine necessity of our times, how company culture and reputation of a business are so interlinked, they resemble twin siblings and why creating connection through relationship is magnetic and will make customers and employees come to you and want to stay.

On the fifth and final episode of The Unignorable Podcast, Oliver Aust speaks to Jeannine Koch, Director at republica GmbH.

re:publica Berlin is Europe’s largest internet and digital society conference. re:publica 19 counted more than 25.000 visits during the three conference days. With COVID-19, the 2020 event was a little different... with digital and hybrid formats.

Jeannine shares how they made this year's event UNIGNORABLE despite the challenges of the current situation.  The conference brought people together to discuss current issues of digital society, bringing together people from economics, politics, business, NGOs, media, marketing, activists, artists and more.

Take a listen to get an insight into how the events industry is changing and how to bring people together online.

If you love the podcast, subscribe, review or share with a friend to help spread the word!

About Unignorable:

Everyone has a reputation. So why not build a reputation you love? One that is authentic, plays to your strengths and boosts your business. In the book Unignorable, Oliver guides you through a 30-day process of building your personal brand online and offline. You will work on your mindset, motivation, method and message. By the end of the four weeks, you will have a tailor-made personal branding strategy and the skills required to execute it with maximum success. You will have learned how to become truly unignorable. In uncertain times, your reputation is your greatest asset.

Links:

Unignorable: oliveraust.com/unignorable

Website: oliveraust.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oliver-aust/

Twitter / Instagram: @oliveraust_

Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/gzh-Kb

Team:

Host: Oliver Aust

Producer: Lena Carlson

Editor: Linda Broschkowski

On this week's episode of The Unignorable Podcast, Oliver Aust speaks to Nate Regier, the CEO of Next Element and author of three successful books. 

Nate & Oliver discuss what they have both learned from self-publishing a book. The journey is long and demanding, but also highly rewarding and full of opportunities.

Take a listen to learn how to define your audience, get started and get the word out there.

If you love the podcast, subscribe, review or share with a friend to help spread the word!

About Unignorable:

Everyone has a reputation. So why not build a reputation you love? One that is authentic, plays to your strengths and boosts your business. In the book Unignorable, Oliver guides you through a 30-day process of building your personal brand online and offline. You will work on your mindset, motivation, method and message. By the end of the four weeks, you will have a tailor-made personal branding strategy and the skills required to execute it with maximum success. You will have learned how to become truly unignorable. In uncertain times, your reputation is your greatest asset.

Links:

Unignorable: oliveraust.com/unignorable

Website: oliveraust.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oliver-aust/

Twitter / Instagram: @oliveraust_

Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/gzh-Kb

Team:

Host: Oliver Aust

Producer: Lena Carlson

Editor: Linda Broschkowski

In the third episode of The Unignorable Podcast, Oliver Aust sits down with Ronny Krieger from Patreon to discover how to build a community. As Ronny tells Oliver, nothing is more important than connection and interaction when building a strong community. His best advice? Never forget your first 100 customers. They will always be the most important, so don’t lose sight of who they are and how they feel. They are the reason you grew in the first place, and if they’re unsatisfied, that might be the reason you end up failing.

About Ronny Krieger:

Ronny is the General Manager Europe at Patreon. He is passionate about music, tech and health. Patreon is a creator-founded membership platform that helps creators change the way their art is valued through a direct relationship with their fans.

Learn more about Ronny here - http://www.ronnykrieger.com/

If you love the podcast, subscribe, review or share with a friend to help spread the word!

About Unignorable:

Everyone has a reputation. So why not build a reputation you love? One that is authentic, plays to your strengths and boosts your business. In the book Unignorable, Oliver guides you through a 30-day process of building your personal brand online and offline. You will work on your mindset, motivation, method and message. By the end of the four weeks, you will have a tailor-made personal branding strategy and the skills required to execute it with maximum success. You will have learned how to become truly unignorable. In uncertain times, your reputation is your greatest asset.

Links:

Unignorable: oliveraust.com/unignorable

Website: oliveraust.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oliver-aust/

Twitter / Instagram: @oliveraust_

Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/gzh-Kb

Team:

Host: Oliver Aust

Producer: Lena Carlson

Editor: Linda Broschkowski

In the second episode of The Unignorable Podcast, Oliver Aust chats with Jill Beytin and Julia Joubert from the Berlin-favourite, Bear Radio. They talk about how to launch your own podcast and the do’s and dont’s of getting started. Launching a podcast might seem daunting, but it’s a great way to build an audience and make yourself unignorable. From which equipment to use to what makes a great editor, this podcast episode is a great insight into the wonderful world of podcasting.

About Bear Radio:

Bear Radio is Berlin's English-speaking podcasting network and community. Home to a number of incredible shows, they aim to empower and showcase the diverse range of independent producers and hosts who come out of our city and across Europe. They offer podcasting workshops on how to develop, produce, and edit your own podcasts. Our interactive sessions are designed to inform and inspire both those who are new to the game and those whose skills simply need a little perfecting. From storytelling and interviewing techniques to recording and audio production, we are here to help you from start to finish.

If you love the podcast, subscribe, review or share with a friend to help spread the word!

About Unignorable:

Everyone has a reputation. So why not build a reputation you love? One that is authentic, plays to your strengths and boosts your business. In the book Unignorable, Oliver guides you through a 30-day process of building your personal brand online and offline. You will work on your mindset, motivation, method and message. By the end of the four weeks, you will have a tailor-made personal branding strategy and the skills required to execute it with maximum success. You will have learned how to become truly unignorable. In uncertain times, your reputation is your greatest asset.

Links:

Unignorable: oliveraust.com/unignorable

Website: oliveraust.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oliver-aust/

Twitter / Instagram: @oliveraust_

Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/gzh-Kb

Team:

Host: Oliver Aust

Producer: Lena Carlson

Editor: Linda Broschkowski

In the digital age, being good at your job is unfortunately not enough. To be truly successful, you must be both talented and visible. Building an authentic personal brand is the key to getting the recognition you deserve and the opportunities you dream of. In the very first episode of The Unignorable Podcast, Oliver Aust speaks to Kat Brendel, an entrepreneur, podcaster and storyteller about what it means to be unignorable.

If you love the podcast, subscribe, review or share with a friend to help spread the word!

About Unignorable:

Everyone has a reputation. So why not build a reputation you love? One that is authentic, plays to your strengths and boosts your business. In the book Unignorable, Oliver guides you through a 30-day process of building your personal brand online and offline. You will work on your mindset, motivation, method and message. By the end of the four weeks, you will have a tailor-made personal branding strategy and the skills required to execute it with maximum success. You will have learned how to become truly unignorable. In uncertain times, your reputation is your greatest asset.

Links:

Unignorable: oliveraust.com/unignorable

Website: oliveraust.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oliver-aust/

Twitter / Instagram: @oliveraust_

Newsletter: https://www.oliveraust.com/

Team:

Host: Oliver Aust

Producer: Lena Carlson

Editor: Linda Broschkowski

In our final episode of Speak Like a CEO, the summer series, Monika talks about her experience at DHL since she joined last year, and the crises she’s dealt with in her career thus far.

She shares why, after 20 years in the field, she believes that communication is really just about numbers, strategy and people. She also shares her secrets to great communication: hard work, active listening and building trust and relationships.

She describes the process of seeing a crisis spread across a global company and Maersk's rapid transition to new digital tools. She also shares her advice for communicators at the beginning of their careers: remember that you are communicating through and for others and not for yourself, and always ensure that you are an expert in strategy while also having the practical skills to execute your plans. 

This week's guest is Sabia Schwarzer, Global Head of Communications and Responsibility at Allianz. Allianz is the global leader in insurance and financial services. Sabia began her career in Hong Kong as a journalist, on an exchange funded by the German government. During the exchange, she got to know Allianz, one of the sponsors of the exchange, and was offered a job. 23 years later, she is still with Allianz, and highly regarded as one of the most experienced and respected communicators in Europe.  In the episode, she speaks to Oliver Aust and Lena Carlson about the future of PR and responsibility, the traits of a great leader, and building your storytelling around people, not products. 

In this week's episode, he talks to Oliver Aust and Lena Carlson about the importance of integrating staff into a strong company culture, and being able to trust the people that you work with. Enjoy the episode!

Tomer is incredibly passionate about the use of social media as an advertising tool. During our chat, he shared a lot of great tips for approaching potential clients and writing persuasive emails. Communication is certainly one of Tomer’s strength, especially when it comes to making your client the focus of every interaction.