Project Distinct Podcast

As Las Vegas casinos begin to charge for valet parking - and set minimums on how much you play the slots before you can have a free drink - they’re eliminating services that (rightly or wrongly) customers have come to EXPECT.  You cannot grow customer loyalty by eliminating or charging for elements of the experience that you’ve traditionally provided as part of the essence of doing business.  On today’s new PROJECT DISTINCT, Scott McKain reveals the single most overlooked aspect of your business’s bottom line!

Often, we rely on our instincts -- our "gut feel" -- to tell us if someone is the right fit on our team.  Research, however, suggests that might be the cause of having employees who are disengaged and undermotivated.  On today's PROJECT DISTINCT, Scott McKain explores why that is the case -- and what you should do to improve your ability to hire the "right" person for your next opening.

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

Continuing with our series that unveils the new book, “ALL Business is STILL Show Business!” we examine an overlooked phenomenon that impacts our businesses, customers, and markets - as times change, the people who are our customers as changing, too.  Scott McKain examines how the entertainment industry has impacted customer expectations and choices on today’s PROJECT DISTINCT!

Wednesday at DFW Airport, Scott McKain witnessed a classic example of an irate customer.  Unfortunately, the business that created the dissatisfied customer didn't know the three critical words you must consider in order to deliver an experience so compelling that your customer's loyalty becomes assured.

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

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

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

Recent studies have revealed the world’s toughest jobs, and on today’s PROJECT DISTINCT, Scott McKain will present that list.  He’ll also offer up an additional one as his choice for “world’s toughest job” in this globally competitive, instant gratification environment.  Could it be YOUR job that’s the toughest?

According to a vice president of the world-renown research firm, Gartner, there are five disciplines that every leader needs to employ to create the future that you and your organization desires.  On today’s PROJECT DISTINCT, Scott McKain reveals those choices - and how centuries of research on leadership provides insights that are still relevant in today’s hyper-competitive marketplace.