Joe Gagnon

“The body is the first boardroom.”

An ultra-endurance athlete and six-time CEO, Joe guides high performers to inhabit their edge—physically, mentally, and soul-deep.

I am driven by a straightforward mission: helping people realize they are capable of far more than they think.

I am an entrepreneur, ultra-endurance athlete, and author committed to pushing the outer limits of human potential in business, sport, and personal growth. From the Bronx to the boardroom to Badwater, my journey has been shaped by grit, grace, resilience, and a steadfast belief in intentional living. I’ve run six marathons on six continents in six days, completed the Badwater 135 through Death Valley, and rebuilt my life after burnout in my thirties. These weren’t stunts; they were living experiments in resilience, energy, and focus, demonstrating what intentional living demands and offers.

Professionally, I’ve served as a six-time CEO, guiding early-stage companies through disruption and growth. Today, as co-founder and CEO of Raynmaker, I’m building the first AI-native sales platform for small businesses that unites my passion for technology, leadership, and human connection.

This summer, I published my book, Living Intentionally: How intentionality enables success, fulfillment, and growth, to formalize the framework that has guided me through every finish line and boardroom challenge: purpose as the foundation, intentional choices as the path, and integrity as the compass.

For me, intentional living is not just a theory; it is a practice. It involves the discipline of aligning energy, focus, and resilience with what matters most. This is the practice I live, teach, and share so others can create extraordinary results in their own lives.

- Keynote speaker on AI, leadership, and peak performance

- Advisor to startups and growth-stage companies ready to scale

- Featured in The Wall Street Journal, NY Times, CNBC, and The History Channel

I help ambitious leaders and teams embrace discomfort, elevate performance, and live intentionally by design, not by default.

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Customer service and AI

Deliver +1

April 08, 20252 min read

In our last post, we explored how to uncover your customers' desires to deliver a stellar buying experience. Today, we're diving into the concept of "Deliver +1," a strategy to elevate your customer service to stratospheric levels. But don't worry, I'm saving the juicy details of the "1% Rule" for the next post—because who doesn't love a good cliffhanger?

Consistency is the secret sauce to any exceptional customer service experience. If your goal is to transform satisfied customers into Raving Fans, you must transcend the mundane and deliver above-average service. Here's how:

1. Avoid Offering Too Many Customer Service Options

While it's tempting to cater to every whim, too many choices can muddle your original vision. Instead, focus on one or two standout customer service techniques that will make you the talk of the town—or at least the industry. Let AI lend a hand here; it can help streamline your offerings, ensuring they align with your vision while still wowing your customers.

2. Fine-Tune Existing Systems

Before adding shiny new programs, ensure your current systems are running smoothly. Launching a new initiative without ironing out the kinks in the old ones is like trying to install a turbo engine in a car with a flat tire—counterproductive, to say the least. Use AI to identify bottlenecks and optimize current processes, ensuring efficiency and effectiveness.

3. Put Solid Systems into Place

Once you've chosen your offerings, implement a system that delivers consistently. This means having the right people in the right roles, backed by technology that ensures a seamless experience every time. AI can play a crucial role here, providing predictive analytics to anticipate customer needs and enhance satisfaction.

4. Good Training is Key

With your system in place, train your team to use it effectively. Proper training ensures your staff delivers the results your customers crave. While training is vital, remember that a little appreciation goes a long way—think of it as the sprinkles on top of a well-baked service cake. AI can assist in personalized and adaptive training, helping your team stay sharp and cohesive.

I hope this gives you a glimpse into what it takes to build a quality customer service system. If you're feeling overwhelmed, don't hesitate to reach out. I've got a treasure trove of resources, tools, and coaching to help you achieve customer service excellence. Let’s make “Deliver +1” more than just a concept—it’s your new standard.

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