The building of a business strategy metaphor - a reverse interview with my CMO

April 07, 2021 | Colleen O’ Connell-Campbell


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This week “I’m a Millionaire! So Now What?” takes the traditional podcast format and mixes it up a bit. Susan Diaz, producer of this very podcast, fractional CMO and founder of c+p digital and the 4AM Report, interviews me. I’m a guest on my own show!

We go behind the scenes of my roundtable for business owners looking for a cash-rich exit strategy in 3-10 years. And discover why we need more entertaining metaphors using the Queen’s Gambit as an example and how this became the theme of Elevated Conversations.


So, how does the Queen’s Gambit fit in?

A pop culture reference, book reference or any other metaphor can be used to explain gigantic business strategy concepts AND entertain.

Let’s face it, we probably don't have enough fun integrated into our lives, right? And so, pop culture, the everyday and the metaphors, they make it fun for me and help me be more creative. I think that this makes it easier to relate to. Over the last year or so, the podcast world has shifted, and we all need some type of escape with being stuck at home or facing the harsh realities of the situation. What do we have to do to find some levity? In my industry things can be very stuffy in terms of how communication rolls out. So, I'm always wanting to find a way to get beyond that. I think incorporating some of this pop culture, pop culture idea, some fun, is just that it's just another little way to stand out from the crowd.”

 

Using metaphors or a storyline as a reference helps your audience to understand a concept. It’s about making it relatable.

 

“I saw so many things to connect with in The Queen’s Gambit. This young girl who faces so much adversity early on in her life. I'm not an orphan, but I lost my mom really young. So, I know what that's like to lose a family member. There were connections to mental health in there and addiction and so forth. And anyone who's been listening to my podcast, or follows me on LinkedIn, or is connected to me, personally or professionally, they know that I've talked a lot about mental health and getting help when you when you’re in a not-so-great place, that I lost a brother to suicide, that I've been involved in advocacy and fundraising. And there is an underlying theme of feminism and women empowerment.”

 

The business of strategy

“There’s also the game of chess and the strategy behind it. And in Elevated Conversations last year, I talked about obstacles and opportunity. And I just see this as another way to make the connection between obstacles and opportunity. Chess itself is a game of both strategy and tactics, and what is business but strategy and tactics?”

 

The importance of homework

If you’ve attended Elevated Conversations, you’d know that you don't just show up and chat, you have to do homework. So, I thought, here's a way to incorporate some ‘fun’ homework into an elevated conversation.

 

Fun homework? Is there such a thing?

 

We think so. All you have to do is watch the miniseries or read the novel! Easy peasy.

 

“The homework is to really have an opportunity to take a step back to think about what the theme is about and get your juices flowing before coming into the virtual room. It's much easier when you’re talking about a similar thing; it’s an automatic common denominator.”

 

Find out more about what chess has to do with business in this incredibly honest and insightful podcast with me - Colleenherself!

 

You’ll discover:

Why we need to start thinking about the future, just like chess is thinking five or six moves ahead

 

♟♟There’s more than one piece on the chessboard (importance of teams)

 

♟♟♟That strategy should include your gut instincts.

 

If you are craving like-minded conversation with growth-oriented business owners, consider joining me and eight other business owners, investors and entrepreneurs for our Queen’s Gambit-themed edition of Elevated Conversations taking place (virtually!) on April 29th at 11am.

 

And please reach out if you would like to connect. I’d love to tell your story! You can drop me a line here.