The business world is changing fast. AI is reshaping how customers search, buy, and connect — but most companies are still stuck in old habits, missing the human magic that actually builds loyalty.

At the same time, too many businesses are confusing efficiency with excellence. They’re chasing five-star reviews that may not mean what they think they do, and ticking boxes while their customers quietly drift away.

My guest today, Steven Van Belleghem, has spent over a decade helping companies level up their customer experience — and he’s here to show you how to stay relevant when "good" just doesn’t cut it anymore.

Steven is a bestselling author, global keynote speaker, and trusted advisor to brands that want to balance tech innovation with human connection.

He’s also walked the talk on over 1,000 stages around the world, and has a refreshingly honest take on what it takes to create moments that matter — both in business and on stage.

If you want to future-proof your brand, wow your customers, and connect with audiences in a way that gets remembered and rewarded… this episode is for you.

What you’ll discover:

• What’s broken in how most companies connect with customers today (and how to fix it)
• What it really means to be "great" in a world where "good" is everywhere
• Why customer experience inflation is giving companies a dangerous false sense of security
• What today’s customers want beyond just product and service – and how to give it to them
• Real-world examples of brands balancing digital convenience with human warmth
• How Steven built a global speaking career from a research job (and a Microsoft invite!)
• The surprising key to building lasting audience connection from the stage
• Whether AI, apps, or interactivity belong in live talks (and Steven's refreshingly honest take)
• Why you don't need to be flawless on stage to be unforgettable
• The #1 mindset shift that will help you speak with heart, not just polish

Enjoy!

If you'd like to watch the interview on YouTube, you can do that here>>

All things Steven:

Website: https://www.stevenvanbelleghem.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevenvanbelleghem/

Books & Resources*:

The Offer You Can’t Refuse by Steven Van Belleghem

Speaking Resources:

Grab Your From Blank Page to Stage Guide and Nail the Topic for a Client Winning Talk

Want to get better at finding and sharing your stories then check out our FREE Five Day Snackable Story Challenge

Thanks for listening!

To share your thoughts:

• Share this show on X, Facebook or LinkedIn.

To help the show out:

• Leave an honest review at https://www.ratethispodcast.com/tsc Your ratings and reviews really help get the word out and I read each one.
• Subscribe on iTunes.

*(please note if you use my link I get a small commission, but this does not affect your payment)

Let’s be honest — most speakers spend a lot of time crafting their talk, but when it comes to what they wear on stage? That’s often a rushed afterthought… or a full-blown panic.

Are you second-guessing whether your outfit actually helps or hinders your message?

Ever watched back your talk and thought, “What was I thinking with that jacket?”

Or maybe you’ve stuck to the same ‘safe’ outfit for years, even though it doesn’t really feel like you anymore?

Well, this episode is for you.

Because how you show up visually matters. Not in a “fashion week” kind of way, but in a connection, confidence and credibility kind of way.

And to help us nail that balance between comfort, authenticity and speaker presence, I’ve brought in stylist to the speakers — Kay Korsh.

Kay’s not your average personal stylist.

She’s dressed A-list celebrities, worked with luxury magazines, and now she’s on a mission to help speakers look the part, feel amazing, and avoid wardrobe disasters that distract from their message.

She's the real deal — equal parts savvy, stylish and strategic.

What you’ll discover:

• The #1 thing your outfit might be silently saying about you (and how to fix it)
• Why you ‘shouldn’t’ dress like a model... and who you should model instead
• How to develop a signature style that makes you stand out — without feeling uncomfortable
• A simple way to stop your outfit undermining you on stage
• How to travel without looking like you slept in your suitcase (yes, even in linen)
• Why certain colours can drain you on stage — and how to make them work with your brand
• Plus… how Kay helped one client land her biggest gig just by changing her outfit (it’s a cracking story).
• How styling for speakers differs from people in the entertainment industry.
• How speakers get the balance right between sharing their authentic self and personality, whilst still meeting event and audience expectations when it comes to their wardrobe choices.
• Cost-effective ways to elevate your professional appearance, if you’re on a budget

So whether you’re a keynote pro or just starting to get your message out there, this episode will help you sharpen your image, simplify your wardrobe, and show up with more power on stage — without losing your personality.

Enjoy!

If you'd like to watch the interview on YouTube, you can do that here>>

All things Kay:

Website: https://www.mindoverfashion.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kay-korsh/

Books & Resources*:

The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown

Chatter: The Voice in Our Head and How to Harness It by Ethan Kross

Colour Quiz for Professional Speakers: Interactive Calculators & Quizzes

Ultimate step-by-step guide to looking great on stage:

https://outfit.mindoverfashion.com/look-great-on-stage-as-a-professional-speaker

Speaking Resources:

Grab Your From Blank Page to Stage Guide and Nail the Topic for a Client Winning Talk

Want to get better at finding and sharing your stories then check out our FREE Five Day Snackable Story Challenge

Thanks for listening!

To share your thoughts:

• Share this show on X, Facebook or LinkedIn.

To help the show out:

• Leave an honest review at https://www.ratethispodcast.com/tsc Your ratings and reviews really help get the word out and I read each one.
  
• Subscribe on iTunes.

*(please note if you use my link I get a small commission, but this does not affect your payment)

I see so many business authors and experts set out to use speaking to have more impact, step firmly into the thought leadership space, and monetise their message, only to get frustrated when they struggle to get the results that they want.

Some struggle just getting their talk together, unable to work out which bits of their book ‘baby’ to put in and leave out.

Others manage to create a talk, only for it to fall flat when they share it on stage.

What’s often the cause of these issues - and how do you overcome them?

That’s what this episode is all about!

In this episode, I cover:

• Why the page to stage transition is so hard.
• The three biggest gaps that make it hard to turn a book into a compelling keynote.
• How to close those gaps to craft an authentic message that lands in minutes (not chapters).
• The ingredients of a profitable talk.
• What to do next.

If you’ve been stuck in indecision, or not getting the results you want then listen up!

Enjoy!

If you'd like to watch the video of the episode, you can do that here.

Leave a rating or review for The Speaking Club

(Take a photo of your review, email it to me at sarah@saraharcher.co.uk and get a free e-copy of my book Cracking Speech Mate - How to Use Humour to Make You an Amazing Speaker!)

Books:

Grab your copy of Straight to the Top - How to Create and Deliver a Killer Elevator Pitch

Grab your copy of Cracking Speech Mate - How to Add Humour to Make You An Amazing Speaker

Resources:

- NEW TRAINING: The Profitable Talk: https://training.saraharcher.co.uk/profitable-talk-tsc

FREE NEW GUIDE - From Blank Page to Stage

https://www.saraharcher.co.uk

Thanks for listening!

To share your thoughts:

• leave a comment below.
• Share this show on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn.

To help the show out:

• Leave an honest review at https://www.ratethispodcast.com/tsc. Your ratings and reviews really help get the word out and I read each one.