Shows
The Reality of BusinessWhen Values Get Quiet: Why DEI Cuts Raise Loud QuestionsSend us a textAre values just words on a wall? Or something you’re willing to stand by – even when it’s hard?In this episode, Bob & Jeremy take on the uncomfortable question many businesses are now facing: What happens to your integrity when you quietly scale back your DEI programme?We’re seeing it everywhere - big names like Google, Pepsi, and investment banks are stepping back from the DEI work they once shouted about. And here’s the thing: it’s not just a budget decision. It’s a values decis...2025-04-0734 min
The Reality is Sales Training“Can I Help You?” is Killing Your Sales - Here’s What to Say InsteadSend us a textStill opening with “Can I help you?” or “How are you today?”. It might be doing more harm than good.In this episode of The Reality is Sales Training, Bob and Ann explore why the most common ways to begin a sales conversation often fall flat – and what to do instead. Whether you’re speaking to customers in person, over the phone, or through digital chat, your first ten seconds can shape the entire interaction. From more natural openings to smart ways of showing you’ve done your research...2025-03-2413 minThe Reality of BusinessGuerrilla Marketing: Unexpected & Unforgettable CampaignsSend us a textWhat if marketing could be as surprising and impactful as guerrilla warfare? In this episode of The Reality of Business, Bob – an enthusiast of military history – and Jeremy share insights into the art of ambushes and raids, translating these military principles into creative marketing campaigns that surprise and engage audiences in unexpected ways. They revisit the revolutionary ideas of J. Conrad Levinson, the visionary of guerrilla marketing in the 1980s, whose concepts revolutionised the advertising industry. Think of iconic campaigns like the Marlborough Man for Marlbo...2025-01-2231 minThe Reality is Sales TrainingObjection Handling Part 3: Related Stories & the Power of StorytellingSend us a textHandle any objection with these amazing tips! In Part 3 of our Objection Handling series, we unravel the power of storytelling in sales. Through humorous anecdotes and relatable examples, we'll show you how to shift the focus from price to value and build authentic connections with your customers. Here's what you'll discover:The surprising impact of storytelling in overcoming price objections - like the tale of Bob, his family lunches, and an overpriced air fryer!Why rattling off product features falls flat and how to focus on g...2024-11-2826 minThe Reality of BusinessMotivation Matters: Creating a Culture that Retains and InspiresSend us a textWhat truly makes employees want to stay, grow, and give their best?In this insightful episode, Bob and Jeremy discuss the complex world of employee motivation and retention, blending historical perspective with actionable strategies to help you rethink workplace satisfaction.Starting with Henry Ford’s revolutionary workweek reforms, their discussion moves through decades of evolving workplace culture, reaching today’s pressing need for flexibility and autonomy. Bob and Jeremy explore Gallup’s latest findings on why employees choose to leave – from salary concerns to management styles – and share practical ways to ad...2024-11-1549 minThe Reality is Sales TrainingObjection Handling Part 2: "I need to check with my partner"Send us a textWhy do buyers so often say, "I need to check with my partner" – and how can salespeople respond with confidence?In this lively episode, Bob and Jeremy tackle one of the most common and frustrating objections in sales. Packed with practical strategies and a dose of humour, this is your guide to turning hesitation into commitment.We kick things off with a hilarious role-play centred on the fictional Lundgren 7000 air fryer, capturing the all-too-relatable challenges salespeople face when objections arise. But it's not just laughs – we break down the psyc...2024-11-1419 minThe Reality is Sales TrainingObjection Handling: Part 1Send us a textHow do you handle a price objection? It’s going really well, and then ‘that’s a bit expensive.’ What do you do? Join Bob and Jeremy as we uncover how viewing objections as speed bumps rather than roadblocks can transform your sales strategy. In this episode we shine a light on price objections, equipping you with the tools to handle them like a pro. Prepare to turn those apparent sales hurdles into golden opportunities by mastering the art of questioning and understanding the psychology behind customer resistance. Journey...2024-10-2912 minThe Reality of BusinessBuilding Loyalty: How to Create a Trustworthy WorkforceSend us a textIn the fourth and final episode of The Reality of Business mini-series, inspired by their upcoming book Whose Side Are You On? Disloyal Bonding and Strategic Lies, Bob Morrell and Jeremy Blake uncover the essential steps to building a loyal, trustworthy workforce that will transform your business.Throughout this episode, Bob and Jeremy reflect on crucial lessons covered in the series – spotting disloyal bonding, eradicating strategic lies, and building a culture of integrity. They offer actionable strategies for attracting employees who share your values, improving management practices, and training yo...2024-09-3009 minThe Reality of BusinessDisloyal Bonding Exposed: Protecting Customer Loyalty & Strengthening ServiceSend us a textIn the third episode of our mini-series inspired by Whose Side Are You On? Disloyal Bonding and Strategic Lies, Bob & Jeremy continue their examination of deceptive business practices that manipulate customer loyalty – such as disloyal bonding and strategic lies.Through insightful role-plays, they reveal real-world examples: a coffee shop falsely promoting recyclable materials, a tailor’s deceptive discount schemes, and a car service misleading customers with unnecessary software upgrades, showing that even major brands aren’t immune to dishonesty.But it doesn’t end there. This episode also hig...2024-09-2408 minThe Reality of BusinessThe Cost of Deception: How Strategic Lies Undermine Business IntegritySend us a textWhat happens when businesses prioritise short-term gains over long-term integrity? In the second episode of a special mini-series inspired by their upcoming book, Whose Side Are You On? Disloyal Bonding and Strategic Lies, Bob and Jeremy explore the hidden dangers of strategic lies in the corporate world.When businesses prioritise short-term gains – whether to boost senior executives’ desire for bonuses or prepare for a sale – they often sacrifice long-term customer trust and company reputation.Listen as they share real-world examples of how offering special deals to win...2024-09-1708 minThe Reality of BusinessDisloyal Bonding: The Hidden Costs of Strategic Deception in BusinessSend us a textHave you ever wondered if offering a small favour to a customer could unravel an entire organization's integrity? Join Jeremy Blake and Bob Morrell as they illuminate the hidden world of disloyal bonding and strategic lies within contact centres and beyond. In this episode, inspired by their upcoming book "Whose Side Are You On? Disloyal Bonding and Strategic Lies," they uncover the ways employees create a false sense of camaraderie with customers through special treatment and discounts, often unknowingly undermining company policies. This unconscious behaviour erodes not just organizational culture but also the...2024-09-1009 minThe Reality of BusinessBeginner's Guide to AI: The Evolution & Impact of Artificial Intelligence for BusinessSend us a textThis introduction is written by an AI bot provided by the podcast broadcaster. The description is edited slightly but it saves an hour of work every time a new episode is published. Bob Morrell and Jeremy Blake unravel the intriguing evolution of artificial intelligence, from its mythological origins to today’s cutting-edge innovations. You'll learn how ancient legends, like medieval golems and modern cinematic portrayals like Ex Machina, have shaped humanity's understanding of AI. With humorous anecdotes and personal stories, your hosts simplify complex concepts such as reasoning, algorithms, and neural networks.2024-09-0551 minThe Reality of BusinessSenior Management Development - What Are Your Options?Send us a textSenior Managers have an important question to answer – what development is going to make them better at what they do? Or do they need any at all? Unlock the full potential of senior leadership with expert insights from Bob & Jeremy, executive coaches who bring to life the varied activities that are available. This episode promises an eye-opening journey through the world of senior management development, weighing the benefits of various growth strategies. They probe the effectiveness of conventional methods like intensive therapy and elite programmes, as well as the transformative potential of...2024-05-1429 minThe Reality is Sales TrainingDon’t Ask ‘If...?', Ask ‘Which...?'Send us a textThis is the most underused question in sales. Unlock the secret to improving your sales with the subtle, yet impactful, 'power of choice' strategy. Join Bob Morrell and Jeremy Blake as they reveal how offering options can shift the customer's mindset from a passive observer to an active decision-maker. Ever been trapped by the 'yes or no' approach? We'll show you how flipping the script from 'if' to 'which' not only empowers your customers but improves conversion rate. Jeremy illustrates this with tales from his waiter days, where the 'power of w...2024-05-0806 minThe Reality is Sales TrainingSell the Sizzle, Not the SteakSend us a textIn this new podcast, The Reality is Sales Training, Bob Morrell & Jeremy Blake, with over 20 years of experience behind them, dissect the worldwide sales conversation. They offer you the wit and wisdom to craft compelling narratives and new sales approaches that captivate any prospective customers. In this first episode, discover the forgotten genius of Elmer Wheeler, a titan of sales training, and learn why 'basic' sales skills are anything but basic. ‘Sell the Sizzle’ is one of Elmer’s ‘Wheeler Points’ – core principles that underpin professional sales behaviours. If you are not s...2024-05-0112 min
The Reality of Contact CentresVoice Tips for Contact Centres Part 1: Five Key Tips to ImproveSend us a textWhy are some advisors effective and some less so? Let's unlock that mystery! In this episode Jeremy Blake and Bob Morrell show you how important and flexible the voice is – and how you should be using it. In the first part of our special double-feature, we're laying down five key tips that will make your voice the secret weapon of your call centre. Explore the nuances of tone with us as we analyse how a simple change in inflection can turn a customer's frown upside down. Plus, we'll tackle the...2024-01-2508 min
Grief Observed PodcastEpisode 21 Grief Conversations with BobToday's guest is Bob. She speaks about the loss of his father as well as his own experience in grief and helping others.
His email is rwillis14@cox.net.
His Facebook page is www.facebook.com/bob.willis.75491
Book: https://www.amazon.com/What-Now-guide-grief-journey/dp/B0CGR6YFPY
If you would like to be on the podcast, please contact me at griefobservedpodcast@gmail.com.
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/griefobservedpodcast/
Hooga Health referral link: https://hoogahealth.com/?ref=griefobservedpodcast Just add the discou...2024-01-1159 min
The Reality of BusinessTeam Leaders Do's & Don'ts: Leadership Tips & Tricks for Thriving TeamsSend us a textTeam Leaders Do's & Don'ts - Why are some teams better than others? In our latest episode of Bob & Jeremy's Conflab, we dig deep into the do's & don'ts that differentiate a thriving team from a struggling one. This episode is jam-packed with our personal research, tips and tricks on effective leadership, emphasising the need for leaders to be more than just bosses - but coaches and talent scouts, ensuring the right team members are on board and performing well.We've all heard leadership theory, but what does it...2023-12-1535 min
The Reality of Contact CentresTop Tips for Contact Centre Interviews: Strategies to ImpressSend us a textInterview Skills and Tips: Ready to be the stand-out candidate at your next call centre job interview? Join us, Bob and Jeremy of Reality Training, where we promise to equip you with the exact insights and strategies you need to impress any interviewer, regardless of their role or seniority. We share key tips on demonstrating your understanding of sales and service, maintaining a positive attitude in challenging times, and how to show that you've done your homework about the company.We look at why you need to ex...2023-12-0807 min
Hugos There PodcastZoomed Out: Pandemic Fiction, with Bob MorrellIn the first of hopefully many Subgenre Spotlights, Bob Morrell joins me for a discussion on Pandemic Fiction. Who doesn’t want to think about pandemics? Trigger warning for anyone who isn’t ready to talk about pandemics. Here we focus mostly on COVID-19 but also there’s substantial discussion of AIDS, so be warned. Links & Notes: … Continue reading "Zoomed Out: Pandemic Fiction, with Bob Morrell"2023-12-011h 31Hugos There PodcastZoomed Out: Pandemic Fiction, with Bob MorrellIn the first of hopefully many Subgenre Spotlights, Bob Morrell joins me for a discussion on Pandemic Fiction. Who doesn’t want to think about pandemics? Trigger warning for anyone who isn’t ready to talk about pandemics. Here we focus mostly on COVID-19 but also there’s substantial discussion of AIDS, so be warned. Links & Notes: … Continue reading "Zoomed Out: Pandemic Fiction, with Bob Morrell"2023-12-011h 31Hugos There PodcastZoomed Out: Pandemic Fiction, with Bob MorrellIn the first of hopefully many Subgenre Spotlights, Bob Morrell joins me for a discussion on Pandemic Fiction. Who doesn’t want to think about pandemics? Trigger warning for anyone who isn’t ready to talk about pandemics. Here we focus mostly on COVID-19 but also there’s substantial discussion of AIDS, so be warned. Links & Notes: … Continue reading "Zoomed Out: Pandemic Fiction, with Bob Morrell"2023-12-011h 31
The Reality of Contact CentresRedefining Customer Service: The Upselling Advantage – Service is Sales.Send us a textAre your customer service people salespeople? Brand Ambassadors? Efficient Administrators? This episode takes a deep dive into the fascinating world of customer service at 'Bob's Insurance', a company whose customer-centric approach has revolutionised the way their agents handle sales. We dissect a fictional customer service call, demonstrating how to balance customer satisfaction while also promoting the company's additional add-on offers. That's not all! We also explore how a shift in recruiting strategies and team structures can steer your contact centre towards a more sales-focused approach, and how this can si...2023-11-0313 min
The Reality of BusinessBad Management: The UK Corporate Crisis - Your Leadership Challenges & Solutions.Send us a textIs UK management just not good enough? Ever wondered why UK companies are still struggling to recover from the 2008 financial crisis, while their international counterparts seem to have moved on? Curious about why no UK company features among the world's top 25? Join us on Bob and Jeremy's Conflab to explore these realities and delve into the heart of the UK's management crisis. We dissect the factors behind this problem, from the lack of tech giants and innovators, to a surprising satisfaction with mediocre financial success among the UK's entrepreneurs.I...2023-11-0134 min
The Reality of BusinessThe Camino de Santiago Podcast – Bob’s CaminoSend us a textWhat is it like to walk 500 miles across the top of Spain? In this podcast, Bob tells Jeremy all about his extraordinary trip to Santiago. It is a story of resilience, agony, inspiration and endurance. Find out whether you could do something like this and think about what it might give you. Please listen and share with anyone you know who will be inspired by Bob's remarkable story!For more info, free resources, useful content & our blog posts, please visit realitytraining.com.2023-10-0240 min
The Reality of BusinessTeam Building: Do's & Don'tsSend us a textFollowing hot on the heels of our popular ‘Conferences’ and ‘Exhibitions’ Do’s & Don’ts episodes, we move on to Team Building!Love them or hate them, team building activities inject a dose of fun into the work routine and play a vital role in helping your team work better together. But not all team building activities are created equal! Dreaded by some people, many admit they’d rather be catching up on emails.So, if you’ve got a team building event on your to-do list, how can you make sure it...2023-08-2433 min
The Reality of Contact CentresReward INTEGRITY: How Does Integrity Strengthen Your Offering?Send us a textHow does integrity work in your contact centre? How does it help us to collaborate? If it is at the heart of what you do, then consistency is easy. If it isn’t, then collaboration becomes almost impossible. A lack of integrity totally undermines any reputation you are trying to build. It could be individuals, teams, or managers who work against integrity. In contact centres how does language remove integrity? In this short podcast Bob and Jeremy define the importance of integrity, and how, if you agree on...2023-07-2109 min
The Reality of Contact CentresUnderstand ROLES: How Does Status Damage Your Contact Centre?Send us a textIn the second of our 6-part DRIVES series, Bob & Jeremy explain the vital function of Roles and its impact on team dynamics within contact centres.Are you using your power and authority as a manager in the right way to foster collaboration within your team?Do you ensure your team understand their roles and play to their strengths, making decisions within their defined responsibilities?This episode shows you how breaking down hierarchical barriers and encouraging open communication can engage and maximise the potential of your contact centre...2023-06-2109 min
The Reality of BusinessExhibitions - Dos & Don'tsSend us a textFollowing hot on the heels of our popular dos & don’ts for conferences episode, we explore Exhibitions.Exhibitions are your chance to show off. Whether you’re showcasing a product, a skill, or a service, these events provide an excellent opportunity to collect leads, make sales, build relationships, and much more. But when planning and running a show-stopping exhibition stand there’s a lot that can go wrong, and there are some definite dos and don’ts.Have you set your goals and expectations? Have you researched your competitors? Are your...2023-06-1945 min
The Reality of BusinessUnlocking Success: Discover the DRIVES That Cultivate Collaboration & Self-Worth for Business GrowthSend us a textIn this episode, we explore the importance of collaboration and look at the key dynamic principles that mean we are more likely to collaborate with our colleagues effectively. These 5 principles will help each individual increase their feeling of ‘self-worth’. Bob and Jeremy consider:the importance of being empowered to make decisionsthe difficulties that status can causethe importance of striving for integrityhow leadership and their plans are essentialand lastly, the key questions about where and how we workAll of these develop our feelings of self-worth. Please...2023-06-0731 min
The Reality of Contact CentresEnable DISCRETION: Speed Up Your Service by Empowering Your Advisors to DecideSend us a textIn the first of our 6-part DRIVES series, Bob and Jeremy explain the key drivers that increase staff engagement and collaboration, and improves your contact centre. How empowered are your people? How can they decide on what’s best for customers? This first episode amusingly shows you how a lack of discretion can really affect results and motivation. Please listen, rate and review, and share with your colleagues! Look out for Roles, the second part of our series, coming soon!...2023-06-0709 min
The Reality of BusinessStop Winging It! Why Rehearsal Is Your New Habit.Send us a textAs conference speakers and presenters, we always rehearse. Whereas lots of people don’t. If they did then any audience would receive something far more impactful. What are the four stages of rehearsal? Understanding, Exploration, and the other two? Listen and find out! The more you rehearse the better the quality. Some people think they don’t need to at all. That’s a self-certification bias. Many speakers never rehearse. Most presentations are overwritten. What’s Harold Pinter’s perspective? Ken Loach? Jack Nicholson? Al Pacino? David Lean? Alec Guinness? Luke Radley? Her...2023-05-1828 min
The Reality of Contact CentresHuddles: Do's & Don'tsSend us a textDo you huddle every morning? What is the purpose? Are they motivational? Do you prepare for them? Do you pledge? In this short podcast Bob and Jeremy give you a series of Do’s and Don'ts about running worthwhile and effective huddles with your teams. If you’re a team leader or an agent, you will learn how to have better huddles which will make you more successful. Please listen, and share!Find more useful and essential contact centre development from realitytraining.com2023-04-1311 min
The Reality of BusinessConferences: Do's & Don'tsSend us a textConference Organisers & Speakers: Are You Ready To Get It Right?Planning a conference? Whether you're running the event, speaking on stage, or curating the agenda, there's a fine line between a forgettable gathering and a conference people rave about.In this episode, Bob and Jeremy - who have spent over 15 years attending and speaking at conferences worldwide - share their ultimate list of Do's & Don'ts to help you create a dynamic, engaging, and well-received event.You'll discover:How to choose speakers that captivate (and...2023-04-1237 min