Experience Builders cover art

Experience Builders

Experience Builders

By: Khalil Benalioulhaj
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About this listen

 Exhibitors and experiential design agencies just want to put on amazing events for their clients. We know that events always present challenges, but one many of us didn’t see coming was the pandemic. We started this podcast to share processes and systems to help you bounce back and future-proof your business against storms we may face down the road. We cover topics like how to access capital and funding, why and how to outsource, why and how to build a brand, creating a strong company culture, and much more. With more knowledge at your fingertips, you’ll be able to put on powerful events and build a strong business that can weather any storm.Khalil Benalioulhaj Economics Leadership Management & Leadership
Episodes
  • 054 - Understanding Your Team's Thinking Style with Michael McMahon

    054 - Understanding Your Team's Thinking Style with Michael McMahon
    Aug 7 2025
    What if the key to unlocking your team's full potential lies in understanding how they process ideas? This episode explores two dominant thinking styles—talking to think and thinking to talk—and how leaders can create space for every voice to be heard.Time Stamps01:05 - Episode Intro03:14 - Challenges of Leadership and Communication10:11 - Balancing Different Communication Styles14:08 - Creating a Space for All Voices16:42 - Encouraging Constructive Feedback19:19 - Blending Different Thinkers in Meetings22:55 - Talking to Think Style24:56 - Thinking to Talk Style26:41 - Balancing Different Thinking Styles32:42 - The Role of Structure in Business Success34:38 - Final Thoughts and ReflectionsSnippets from the Episode"Some of the most amazing things in my organization happened because I listened to people who communicate differently than I do." – Michael McMahon"If you don't create the space for differences to grow, you risk missing out on valuable perspectives." – Chris Griffin"Neither one of these styles is wrong. Both are valuable, and the best ideas come when every thinking style has room to breathe." – Chris Griffin"If you believe the human element is the differentiator, then the best way to connect is by finding a way for all kinds of people to achieve in your space." – Michael McMahonResourcesPepper Wilson on LinkedInExtra Shot of Leadership Podcast by Pepper WilsonDiSC® stylesMBTI® Personality TypeGood to Great by Jim CollinsNeed Help With An Event? Get in touch with ⁠⁠⁠⁠CrewXP ⁠⁠⁠⁠Watch On ⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Us On Social: ⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn,⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠Have Questions? ⁠⁠⁠⁠Email us⁠⁠⁠⁠More from Michael McMahonMichael McMahon on LinkedInHill & Partners websiteMore from Chris⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CrewXP ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email Chris⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Chris on LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠More from Khalil⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠benali.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email Khalil⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Meet With Khalil⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠
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    44 mins
  • 053 - Beyond the Pitch: Mastering the Customer Experience

    053 - Beyond the Pitch: Mastering the Customer Experience
    Jul 24 2025

    How can businesses transform ordinary transactions into memorable experiences? Chris dives into the psychology of buying, the power of authentic sales interactions, and how to deliver standout service that keeps customers coming back.


    Time Stamps

    • 00:52 - Episode Intro
    • 01:04 - The Giant Adirondack Chair Story
    • 03:51 - The Importance of a Good Salesperson
    • 19:33 - Customer Knowledge and Expectations
    • 20:00 - Building Trust and Credibility
    • 22:58 - Delivering a Five-Star Experience
    • 31:08 - Beyond Five Stars: Elevating Customer Service


    Snippets from the Episode

    • “It’s way more than just the thing I’m buying—it’s about how I feel during the process and the confidence the salesperson gives me.” -Chris
    • “The days of a simple commodity sale are over—it’s the white-glove, full-service approach that makes you stand out in a sea of sameness.” -Chris
    • “A great salesperson doesn’t just sell; they listen, anticipate, and make the buyer feel confident and understood.” -Chris


    Resources

    • Need Help With An Event? Get in touch with ⁠⁠⁠CrewXP ⁠⁠⁠
    • Watch On ⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠
    • Follow Us On Social: ⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn,⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠
    • Have Questions? ⁠⁠⁠Email us⁠⁠⁠


    More from Chris

    • ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CrewXP ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
    • ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email Chris⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
    • ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Chris on LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠


    More from Khalil

    • ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠benali.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
    • ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email Khalil⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
    • ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Meet With Khalil⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
    • ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
    • ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
    • ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠
    Show More Show Less
    42 mins
  • 052 - Your Career Legacy: What Will Your Professional Obituary Say About You?

    052 - Your Career Legacy: What Will Your Professional Obituary Say About You?
    Jul 3 2025

    What do you want to be remembered for professionally? Chris reflects on legacy, leadership, and how to craft a career story that truly matters. Tune in!


    Time Stamps

    • 00:40 - Episode Intro
    • 01:00 - Reflecting on Leadership Roles
    • 01:52 - The Importance of Legacy
    • 03:36 - Main Characters and Their Flaws
    • 04:42 - Crafting Your Professional Story
    • 06:06 - Real-Life Examples of Legacy
    • 10:50 - The Impact of Personal Touches
    • 15:03 - Final Thoughts and Takeaways


    Snippets from the Episode

    • “If each one of us is the main character in our own movie… what scenes or episodes would you go back and put in to make sure people remember who you really are?” — Chris Griffin
    • “This is way more than just a job. The really interesting obituaries will be the ones where we get to see more of you than just your professional role.” — Chris Griffin


    Resources

    • StoryBrand by Donald Miller
    • EDPA (Experiential Designers & Producers Association)
    • Exhibit City News
    • Need Help With An Event? Get in touch with ⁠⁠CrewXP ⁠⁠
    • Watch On ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠
    • Follow Us On Social: ⁠⁠LinkedIn,⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠
    • Have Questions? ⁠⁠Email us⁠⁠


    More from Chris

    • ⁠⁠⁠⁠CrewXP ⁠⁠⁠⁠
    • ⁠⁠⁠⁠Email Chris⁠⁠⁠⁠
    • ⁠⁠⁠⁠Chris on LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠


    More from Khalil

    • ⁠⁠⁠⁠benali.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠
    • ⁠⁠⁠⁠Email Khalil⁠⁠⁠⁠
    • ⁠⁠⁠⁠Meet With Khalil⁠⁠⁠⁠
    • ⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠
    • ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠
    • ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠
    Show More Show Less
    22 mins
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