How to Get a CEO to Call You

How to Get a CEO to Call You starts with “why?”

You can grab the attention of top executives if you unleash the power of video.  And do it wisely.

As you’ll see in this video shot on a low resolution webcam a few years ago, I had a problem with the AMC theatres.  And I wanted to recognize an admin who amazingly went the extra step to solve it.

I told the story in the video, which I posted on social media.

Now the result:  The CEO of AMC contacted me, saying he was disappointed about the problem, but elated that an admin took it on herself to “move Heaven and Earth” to resolve the problem.   And Gerry Lopez promised to contact me the following week.

His message was a surprise.  He called a meeting of the management team at AMC’s Kansas City headquarters to recognize a low profile admin, Tina Patsch.  But not just an ordinary meeting.  He brought a hundred or so people to an AMC Theatre to show my video on the big screen to honor Tina Patsch, recognizing her for her great work.

I was in good company on the big screen that week with Tom Cruise’s latest Mission Impossible movie.   Come to think of it, Tina Patsch was the star that day for her going the extra step.  Gerry Lopez recognized her, awarded her a gift certificate, and shared the story with AMC Entertainment’s global management team.  In turn, I got copied on all these emails coming to Tina Patsch from the top levels of the company.

TAKEAWAYS

• You have the power in your hands — your cell phone — to capture and share a great story.

• You can recognize anyone, but especially a low profile employee who did something special for a customer.  Namely you.

• If you agree that a brand is really a series of stories people tell about you, you can impact a brand in a big way through video and social media.

• If you’re a manager, invite your customers to at least share the story of something remarkable one of your employees did.  Premium brands like Nordstrom’s thrives on that type of storytelling.

• It’s a great motivator and a way to attract top notch job applicants to you — and is great marketing.

How to Get a CEO to Call You

Unlike the Tom Cruise “Mission Impossible” sequels, I don’t expect to shoot one for Tina.  She’s thankful she can return to her low profile job.  And Gerry Lopez is thankful he could share her remarkable story.

Contact me with your remarkable stories.  We can collaborate on how to use them to build you business, your team, and attract remarkable employees.