Today’s guest is an expert in developing relationships for strategic success. 

He is the world’s leading authority in maximizing customer loyalty through radical generosity. While becoming the #1 performer out of 1.5 million sales reps for one of the world’s most recognizable brands, he developed a system of using generosity to gain access to elite clients and generate thousands of referrals. He and his firm, Giftology, now help automate this process for individuals and organizations like UBS, Keller Williams, the Chicago Cubs, and Caesars Palace.

He is the author of “Giftology: The Art and Science of Using Gifts to Cut Through the Noise, Increase Referrals, and Strengthen Retention” and has been featured in Fox News, Forbes, Fast Company, Inc., and New York Times. 

Please join me in welcoming John Ruhlin. 

In this episode, we discuss:

• his thoughts on leadership: “Leadership starts with self-leadership. Leadership is creating the future for others.”
• His goals of wanting to go to medical school and taking a sharp left into sales with Cutco Cutlery.
• When he found his ability to influence others using sales.
• His “typical” upbringing as a farm kid and how he achieved good grades in school.
• His uncommon skill of being able to ask for help.
• How he joined a country club in his early 20 “through the back door” and how that helped increase his Cutco sales.
• The importance of leaning in and being open to new opportunities.
• Why you should surround yourself with people that are not afraid to fail.
• Why the things that were the most painful in his life were the most important to him.
• How he started closing 9 out of 10 sales, and each sale provided him with 10-12 leads.
• How he wowed CEOs and why he spent six months getting “punched in the face” to get there.
• The importance of gifting the right gift, and how he got people to remember his name without using it.
• How he nurtures and sustains his network.

Listen, subscribe, and read show notes at www.OnTheSchmooze.com