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Getting to Know Chris Cooper

Posted by

Editor on October 25, 2013

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Chris Cooper, one of VoiceAmerica’s premiere hosts took some time to shine some light on his history, goals for the future and why he loves helping people become the best they truly can be. His show Be More. Achieve More. airs Fridays at 8 am Pacific time on the VoiceAmerica Business Channel.

1.) What did you want to be growing up as a child?

I wanted to be in the navy purely because a friend’s father had been to lots of exciting places. I became absolutely fascinated by maps and travel. I really wanted to visit lots of countries and experience different cultures. I can remember dreaming about what it would be like to visit the United States of America for example. This changed once I experienced sea sickness and I have since been fortunate to travel extensively without needing to be on a ship for many days!

2.) After you accomplished everything on your goals list by 40 years old, did you make a new list? If so, what types of goals did you set?

Absolutely. I decided that I wanted to establish my own business in the talent development field and become a really great speaker. I also decided that I wanted to learn to play the electric guitar well and dreamed that one day I might sound like some of my rock guitar hero’s. Am delighted to say all is nicely on track.

3.) What is the best thing about giving people advice, guidance and leadership?

It is absolutely about seeing them realize their true potential. Helping and Inspiring someone whether it is an individual or a company to become the best they can be is truly rewarding. Seeing them achieve the results and also be really appreciative for your help in their journey is a marvellous thing. Through my work I have created a massive international network of friends and for this I am truly grateful

4.) How did you decide to become a radio show host?

I began by running teleseminars on books that I had found empowering like ‘Think and Grow Rich by Napolean Hill’. This then moved into me interviewing people on them in front of a live audience. The recordings I put on my site. However, I began to feel that there was more I could do with this and a call from Voice America inspired me to take this to a new level.

5.) How has having a radio show changed your life?

Over what has now been over 2 years the benefits have become significant. I wanted to add value to an audience beyond my client list and it gave me this. However, what I expected was that the value would come from the audience. Although, I have picked up clients directly from the show what has developed is an incredible network and I count many of the amazing people I have interviewed as personal friends. I have for example had fascinating people such as entrepreneurs, mountaineers and adventurers stay at my house and inspire my children. If for example my children were doing homework I could put them on skype to talk with a world champion or a top business leader who would be delighted to help. I have a network of people who want to help me because I have given them a gift of being on the show and with some of them like Deri Llewellyn-Davies, Asara Lovejoy, David Kean and Mette Bloch we are working jointly together on significant projects. Also, after what will be 100 shows this month (October 2013) I have developed great interview skills. This year I have interviewed clients about 20 times on video and have also spoken at events held by people I have interviewed. I have developed a new revenue stream from it. What has happened is some of the celebrity from my guests in a small way has rubbed off in me and I have become a person people really want to know and work with! I am surprised when I turn up at events and occasionally strangers are excited to see me. Pretty cool heh! Also, my show has received a free monthly page in ‘The Small Business Owner Magazine’ for the IPAD plus been featured in ‘The Family Business Owner Magazine’. My interview ‘How to Shine, From Good to World Class’ has also been selected to feature in ‘Business Gold’ – 24 of the most inspiring articles, videos and audio features shared by experts and small business owners from around the world.

6.) What books are you reading right now?

I am reading the Millionare Messenger by Brendon Burchard which I am also studying with my mentoring Group. Also, BGI Strategy on a Page by my friend Deri ap John Llewellyn Davis. However, alot of attention is going on my own book that I am writing with show guest Dr Steven Levinson about ‘Accountability’.

7.) If you could interview one person dead or alive on your show who would it be and why?

Clearly someone like Richard Branson or Barack Obama would be fascinating. But being a guitar player I would love to interview Brian May of Queen because he had such a unique and intelligent guitar sound and the Queen brand became huge. That guy is seriously clever. I actually briefly met him this year and my wife took a photo of us. Unfortunately, when we got back to the car her finger had been over the lens directly over his head. Her friends said I bet Chris was really angry. The truth was we laughed all the way home!

8.) Generally speaking, what are some of the best/challenging characteristics of entrepreneurs?

I think entrepreneurs have many different styles. However, I think the best really know what they want and are able to get into action and make it happen overcoming any obstacles in their way. It is vision, tenacity and resilience plus the ability to engage with others who fill skill and knowledge gaps and can add further value and leverage to an opportunity. The challenges include frustration as results don’t always come fast enough. I also think that many people move from jobs and go into their own business for personal freedom and to get away from line managers and appraisals, tough meetings etc. For me, I realised that as an entrepreneurial business owner you must make sure that you are highly accountable and have mechanisms in place to ensure you do the things you need to do whether you feel like it or not. This is why I speak about the importanc of Accountability and how to turn your intentions into results.

9.) What do you see yourself doing professionally in 10 years?

In 10 years, I will have a sizeable business helping clients develop their talent and supporting them to elevate their status as trusted advisors to their clients. I will also be speaking prolifically at conferences and regularly interviewed on radio and TV. I would personally love to host a TV show about ‘Business as a Force for Good’. There will also be a significant portfolio of fabulous products available on line and we will be doing our bit for charity. Hence very much a larger version of today, having an even bigger impact and utilising great technology available in the marketplace at that time.

Chris Cooper is host of the show, Be More. Achieve More on the VoiceAmerica Business Channel. He has a reputation for helping corporate and entrepreneurial leaders and teams transform their performance. He began his career working for large global branded companies such as Rank Xerox and Mars. Working in sales, marketing, HR, training, procurement and logistics progressing to board level.

Wanting greater personal freedom, Chris began setting up businesses. His first was a procurement consultancy that he set up with partners. By its second year it turned over two million pounds. However, the business was not in full alignment with his purpose, which is to inspire individuals and organizations to realize their true potential. Today, he achieves this through business mentoring, coaching, bespoke training, consultancy, writing, speaking and broadcasting

Through Be More.Achieve More, Chris helps those who have changed careers or are contemplating doing so to create and build their own businesses and also employees who wish to take responsibility for their own personal development. Chris provides the inspiration for these successful transitions.

Chris also has a corporate development consultancy, CC1 Consulting that helps leaders develop themselves and their people for greater results. He lives in Leicestershire, England with his wife Ruth and two young boys.

Getting to Know New Radio Host Penny Zenker, Host of “Take Charge of Your Productivity”

Posted by

Editor on June 11, 2013

1. Where were you born and raised?

I was born in Wilmington, Delaware and then moved across the border to Chadds Ford, PA. An interesting fact about me is that I spent most of my adult life, 16 years living in Zurich Switzerland.

So although I am American, I don’t know how a lot of things work here. I moved back about 3 years ago and I am rediscovering the American Culture. My experiences meeting people from many cultures and walks of life really helps me to appreciate the differences and similarities in our individual make-ups. Thatâs largely what intrigued me to dig deeper into the neuro-strategies side of the work that I doâ¦My time abroad gave me a hunger to understand why people do what they do and to use that perspective in my coaching.

2. What do you do in your free time?

I love enjoying time with friends and family, doing something adventurous, movies, or just reading a book.

3. What are the top 3 books you recommend for business strategy and personal development?

For personal development I recommend âThe Power of Full Engagementâ by Jim Loehr and Tony Schwartz, “Awaken the Giant Within” by Tony Robbins, and”The Power of Habit” by Charles Duhigg

For business development I recommend âBusiness Strategy: Blue Ocean Strategiesâ by W. Chan Kim and Renee Mauborgne, âThe Challengerâ by Brent Adamson and Matthew Dixon, and âThe Ultimate Sales Machineâ by Chet Holmes.

4. What are you currently reading?

The Identity Code – Larry Ackerman. Larry will be one of my guests on the show. I chose to interview him because of the work I have done in understanding the power of our identity and how it is really the strongest force that drives us. I am interested in reading various perspectives on a topic so I can combine that with my experiences to create deeper meaning and fully formed lessons for myself.

5. How did you get into the profession of business coaching?

I realized that I love building businesses and making companies and people work more efficiently; I wanted to balance this love and the love of my family. I was having a conflict of interests with my two loves in the direction I was going. I realized I didnt need or want to be CEO for a company in Switzerland as I was being put forward for, but rather I wanted to support multiple companies and create personal growth for myself and others without the conflict of interest that comes with leading a large organization. It became clear to me after working with a few coaches that coaching was the best solution for me. It turned out even better than I ever imagined because I am so passionate about working with people in this capacityâ¦for me it goes much deeper than the business aspects.

6. Who is your mentor? Or What are the qualities one should look for in a business mentor?

Steve Linder is one of my mentors for his ability to provide easy frameworks of teaching/learning and enabling me to support others as they navigate their personal paths.

Tony Robbins for his artistry and mastery in working with people for amazing breakthroughs.

Peter Hofer for his ability to remove the obstacles that kept me from my motivation at times, his lessons on how to keep learning, and his power to enable others to use their skills/talents. All three of them taught me to discern when to lead and when to listen, and the importance of focusing on the core decisions and what really matters.

7. How many clients have you worked with in your career?

I have worked with hundreds if not thousands of clients in all sorts of different capacities and disciplines. One of my core strengths is in communication and productivity.

8. Do you or have you ever worked with a business coach for your own business and personal growth?

Absolutely, I work with a coach! I want to be the best so I work with the best. It is that simple. I also work with a mastermind group to continue to push each other to be the best we can be. It is essential that we surround ourselves with people who will help us to progress and grow.

9. What are your goals for having a radio show with VoiceAmerica?

I aspire to reach thousands if not millions of people and provide them with new perspectives to improve the quality of their lives and the quality and profits of their businesses. I think there are a lot of people who could benefit immensely from coaching that either havenât heard of it or donât think they have access to it. Doing this radio show, coupled with creating an online program that gives my clients access to my services from anywhere at anytime is how Iâm going to affect major change.

10. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Supporting and speaking on transformational platformsâ¦and possibly creating a platform so inspiring that it influences millions of people to learn the key principles of energy management to increase their results. I want to provide support, worldwide, to anyone who is ready to take charge of his or her life and business. I mentioned my cultural background and perspective in an earlier question and that has really influenced my path: I have seen the ripple effect when people take charge of their energy and choose a more fulfilling life. It has an enormous impact, not just on themselves or their family, but on their whole community as well.

Penny Zenker is the host of “Take Charge of Your Productivity” on the VoiceAmerica Business Channel. Entrepreneurs and executives seek the coaching expertise and experience of Penny Zenker, ACC, a certified business coach. In addition to her own coaching organization, Penny serves as a Tony Robbins and Chet Holmes coach with BBI, Business Breakthroughs International. She is a Certified Neuro-Strategist.

An entrepreneur at heart, Penny founded and later sold a successful multi-million dollar technology company in Switzerland. Under her leadership, the company established a well-recognized brand for itself and developed software products sold internationally. Through all of her work, Penny has been keenly focused on driving productivity and integrating technology to improve efficiencies.

Penny spent five years researching the human psyche with a focus on productivity and why we do the things we do. She studied a variety of techniques and methodologies and reviewed many significant time management programs on both a strategic and tactical level. Through that process, she identified the importance of ten critical elements and incorporated energy management into her client coaching.

Pennyâs radio program is based on her Take Charge of Your Productivity program, highlighting the ten key elements that are the foundation for all time and energy management efforts that create performance and balance. Penny provides key notes, private webinars and one-on-one coaching in this area of specialization.

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Getting to Know Chris Cooper

Getting to Know New Radio Host Penny Zenker, Host of “Take Charge of Your Productivity”

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