Chris Cooper

Get your free worksheet here: https://businessisgood.com/the-six-mindset-myths-quietly-killing-your-business/ After more than fifteen years of publishing daily and mentoring over 3,000 entrepreneurs, Chris Cooper has watched the game change completely. The old constraints — lack of information, lack of tools, lack of access to markets — are mostly gone. What's left is internal. In this episode of Business Is Good, Chris names the six specific beliefs he has watched, across thousands of entrepreneurs, quietly decide who grows and who stays stuck. These myths don't feel like limitations. They feel like wisdom — disguised as caution, humility, and responsibility. That's exactly what makes them so expensive. The six myths covered in this episode: "I need to learn more before I act." "If I raise my prices, I'll lose clients." "No one can do this as well as I can." "Wanting to make real money means something's wrong with me." "Growing my business means I'll never have a life." "I'll do it when things slow down." Each myth gets named, examined, and dismantled — with a real-world example showing what it costs and what changes when it breaks. This episode also introduces the Mindset Myth Buster — a free 15-minute worksheet that helps you identify which belief is running your business right now and commit to one specific action to break through it. The limiting factor in your business isn't the market, the economy, or your industry. It's the story you're telling yourself. This episode helps you change it. Free worksheet at businessisgood.com. Connect with Chris Cooper: Website - https://businessisgood.com/

Is AI your ally or your enemy? On this episode of Business is Good, Chris Cooper makes the case that the answer is entirely up to you. Chris opens with a story that didn't get nearly enough attention: Anthropic — the company behind the AI model Claude — recently developed a tool called Claude Mythos Preview that found thousands of security vulnerabilities in every major operating system and web browser. Some of those flaws had gone undetected for nearly three decades. Rather than releasing the technology publicly, Anthropic quietly shared it with about 50 of the world's most critical companies — Amazon, Apple, Google, Microsoft, JPMorgan — through a program called Project Glasswing. The goal: fix the holes before bad actors find them. That's AI being used as a force for protection. Then Chris gets into why so many artists, writers, and editors are terrified — and why the recent collapse of a major book deal for horror novelist Mia Ballard is a story about deception, not technology. Her editor used AI without her knowledge, her publisher dropped her, and her career was left in ruins. The lesson isn't to avoid AI. The lesson is to own your process and be transparent about it. From there, Chris walks through exactly how he produces this podcast using AI: brain dumps into Claude, fact-checking that actually pushes back, plus audio editing, video clipping, social content, and graphics — saving roughly five hours per episode. The episode closes with a simple argument: AI bridges gaps. It removes the excuses. And curiosity is the only prerequisite. Topics: AI tools, small business productivity, content creation, Canadian entrepreneurship, technology adoption Connect with Chris Cooper: Website - https://businessisgood.com/

Most Canadian entrepreneurs carry a quiet belief that a job would have been the safer choice. The data says otherwise. In this episode of Business Is Good, host Chris Cooper makes the case that owning a business in Canada right now is one of the most rational financial decisions a person can make. Not the bravest. The most rational. At 35, Chris seriously considered taking a job at a call center because it felt secure. That company is bankrupt. He isn't. That story frames an episode built entirely on verified Canadian data — and a clear-eyed argument for why "the safe path" is a myth that's costing Canadian business owners real money, real confidence, and real pride. You'll learn: Why job security is largely a feeling, not a fact — and what Statistics Canada's numbers actually show about who creates economic stability in this country The three things business ownership creates that employment never will: equity, tax tools available through your CCPC, and a multiplier effect on everyone around you Why small businesses employ nearly half of Canada's private sector workforce and generated 38% of all new jobs in 2023 — making entrepreneurs the actual backbone of this economy Why the owners who outperform aren't smarter or luckier — they just know their "why" This episode ends with three concrete actions and an introduction to the Mindset Myth Buster — a free worksheet that helps you identify the six specific beliefs holding your business back. Free download at businessisgood.com. Connect with Chris Cooper: Website - https://businessisgood.com/

Every election, politicians promise to create jobs. There's just one problem: governments can't create real, sustainable jobs. Not in a way that adds value to the economy. Not in a way that pays for itself. In this episode of BusinessIsGood, Chris Cooper breaks down the fundamental difference between governments that create the conditions for businesses to grow — and governments that try to substitute for them. The right approach looks like clear laws, enforced contracts, solid infrastructure, and sensible protections. When that's done well, businesses grow. They hire. They pay taxes. They fill the pot that funds our hospitals, schools, and roads. The wrong approach is governments hiring their way to "full employment." Unlike private-sector jobs, these positions produce no goods, serve no paying customers, and generate no revenue. They consume the pot instead of filling it. Here's what that actually costs. The Parliamentary Budget Office calculated that the average full-time federal government worker costs $125,300 per year in total compensation — salary, pension, paid time off, and benefits included. The average Canadian individual taxpayer pays roughly $24,000 a year in total taxes. That means it takes about five taxpayers' entire annual tax bills just to fund one government position. Meanwhile, more than one in five Canadian workers now works in government — and nearly half of all net new jobs created since 2019 have been in the public sector. Chris explains why the bureaucracy almost never shrinks, introduces the concept of More's Law, and makes the case for why your business is more important to this country than you might think. Connect with Chris Cooper: Website - https://businessisgood.com/

Most companies reward their best people by promoting them out of what they're actually good at. Your top salesperson becomes a sales manager. Your best developer becomes a team lead. And suddenly you're paying them more to do a job they weren't trained for — while they generate fewer results doing the job they were hired for. There's a better way. And it starts with understanding the difference between a coach and a mentor. In this episode, Chris Cooper breaks down the two-track system the best companies use to develop their people from the inside. Coaches help employees apply company standards and perform their jobs better — they're an investment in performance. Mentors help employees build careers and see the path forward — they're an investment in retention. You'll learn how to identify the right people for each role, how to teach them to transfer their skills effectively (because being great at something doesn't automatically make you great at teaching it), and how to run a 3-month test to measure whether your coaching program is generating a real return. Chris also covers how to connect your coaching program to the tools from last episode's company college — online courses, drip learning, gamification, and AI — so your college and your coaches work together instead of in parallel. Plus: two concrete examples of executive mentorship programs that reduced turnover, rebuilt leadership pipelines, and freed up CEOs to actually lead. If your best people are being wasted in the wrong roles — or quietly looking for the door — this episode is for you. Connect with Chris Cooper: Website - https://businessisgood.com/

Most small business owners are waiting for universities to produce the employees they need. The smart ones stopped waiting years ago — and started building their own training programs. In this episode, Chris Cooper looks at a quiet trend reshaping how companies find, develop, and keep talent: the rise of the company college. Rolex opened a tuition-free watchmaking school in Dallas, complete with a monthly stipend and a final exam in Geneva. Google built a certificate program now recognized by over 150 employers. And just this week, MasterClass launched MasterClass Executive — a 12-week, AI-powered business school built with the University of Chicago and OpenAI, taught by Ray Dalio, Mark Cuban, and Nobel Laureates. These aren't vanity projects. They're strategic solutions to a real problem: universities aren't producing job-ready graduates fast enough, and the companies that can't afford to wait are building their own pipelines. Chris shares how he did exactly this at Two-Brain Business, and breaks down a four-phase blueprint any company can follow — regardless of size or budget. You'll learn why 15-minute daily lessons outperform full-day orientations, why gamification isn't just for millennials, and why your credential matters as much as your curriculum. Your Golden Hour task this week: define one role, list 10 skills, write one 15-minute lesson. That's Module One of your Company College. Next episode: how to layer a mentorship and coaching program on top of your training — turning trained employees into future leaders. Business is good. Connect with Chris Cooper: Website - https://businessisgood.com/

What does a steelworker’s son from Northern England know about global business elevation? Quite a lot, as it turns out. My guest today, Chris Cooper , has a story that feels less like a traditional career ladder and more like a masterclass in intentionality. We explore his journey from the gritty reality of the British steel industry to the helm of one of the world’s longest-running business podcasts. Chris is a man who truly embodies "Business Elevation." He isn’t just talking about bottom lines; he’s talking about the "ripple effect" of leadership—how one person’s energy can lift an entire team, a company, and even a community in Kenya. In this episode, we discuss: The "Chief Executive" Moment: The childhood encounter that changed Chris’s trajectory at age 13. Energy Management: Moving teams from the "Crap Zone" to a high-performance frequency. The Elevation Collective: Why Chris is gathering "lights" from around the world to amplify social good. Purpose in Practice: Chris’s hands-on work with Molly Bedingfield’s Global Angels project in Kenya. Legacy Projects: How business and community good merged in the creation of Everards Meadows. For all the podcasts, highlight videos, resources, and everything you want to know about Grand Challenges, click visit grandchallenges.info

Canadian universities are in crisis — and not just because the government cut international student visas. Fourteen Ontario universities are running combined deficits of over $400 million. The University of Waterloo is staring down a $75 million shortfall. Laurentian already went bankrupt. And through all of it, the response from most institutions has been to ask the government for more money rather than examine how they got here. In this episode of BusinessIsGood, Chris Cooper makes the case that universities are businesses — whether they want to admit it or not — and they're failing at the basics. Chris breaks down four specific failures holding universities back. First, fiscal management: institutions that built their entire revenue model around a single funding source they couldn't control, then acted surprised when it disappeared. Second, curriculum relevance: graduates entering the workforce without knowing how to use AI, navigate the gig economy, or market themselves — because their professors were hired under an industrial model that no longer exists. Third, the social experience myth: the "campus life" pitch that peaked in 1985 and mostly vanished, leaving students who were put into groups but never actually taught how to work in them. Fourth, and most critically, the failure to teach people how to think — skipping logic, self-leadership, public speaking, and entrepreneurship in favour of increasingly abstract academic programming. The question universities need to answer honestly: what are they actually selling? And if it's critical thinking, real-world preparation, or how to manage oneself — most universities should put themselves through their own program first. Connect with Chris Cooper: Website - https://businessisgood.com/

About this episode: As the year draws to a close, Chris Cooper steps behind the microphone for a special solo episode to reflect, distil, and share what truly matters now. Drawing on over 14 years od conversations with inspiring leaders and changemakers on The Business Elevation Show, alongside the lived wisdom of The Elevation Collective community, Chris shares 10 Elevations for Thriving and Doing Good in the World Today. These Elevations are not trends or theories. They are grounded insights shaped by real leadership journeys, meaningful conversations, and lived experience, exploring how we can thrive personally and professionally while contributing positively to the world around us. In this reflective end-of-year episode, Chris speaks directly to listeners, weaving together stories, insights, and gratitude for the many remarkable people who make up the Business Elevation and Elevation Collective communities. It is both a moment to pause and reflect, and an invitation to step into the year ahead with greater intention, humanity, and purpose. Chris Cooper is the founder of The Elevation Collective, an international community of heart-led leaders and changemakers committed to amplifying good in the world. He is also the host of The Business Elevation Show, one of the longest-running business podcasts in the world, broadcasting weekly since 2011 to listeners in over 50 countries. Listeners can also look out for a new free ebook, 10 Elevations for Thriving and Doing Good in the World Today, available for download in early 2026 via the Chris Cooper website. This episode offers a thoughtful and hopeful close to the year and a powerful opening into what's possible next. More about Chris Cooper: Chris Cooper is the founder of The Elevation Collective, an exclusive international community of wise, heart-led leaders and changemakers dedicated to amplifying good in the world. The Collective incubates and accelerates projects that create meaningful, positive, and lasting impact. He is also the host of The Business Elevation Show—one of the longest-running business podcasts in the world—broadcast weekly since 2011 to loyal audiences in over 50 countries. Through his brand Chris Cooper Business Elevation, Chris is a highly respected people consultant, behavioural strategist, mentor, coach, and speaker—developing leaders, empowering teams, and creating highly engaged business cultures. He has worked with leading brands including Mars and United Biscuits, and as a consultant with many organisations such as Diageo, Carlsberg, Barclays, KP Foods, and over 20 insurance and financial services businesses. He is also co-author of The Power to Get Things Done (Whether You Feel Like It or Not), published by Penguin Random House (New York). For more information www.chriscooper.co.uk

About this episode: As the year draws to a close, Chris Cooper steps behind the microphone for a special solo episode to reflect, distil, and share what truly matters now. Drawing on over 14 years of conversations with inspiring leaders and changemakers on The Business Elevation Show, alongside the lived wisdom of The Elevation Collective community, Chris shares 10 Elevations for Thriving and Doing Good in the World Today. These Elevations are not trends or theories. They are grounded insights shaped by real leadership journeys, meaningful conversations, and lived experience, exploring how we can thrive personally and professionally while contributing positively to the world around us. In this reflective end-of-year episode, Chris speaks directly to listeners, weaving together stories, insights, and gratitude for the many remarkable people who make up the Business Elevation and Elevation Collective communities. It is both a moment to pause and reflect, and an invitation to step into the year ahead with greater intention, humanity, and purpose. Chris Cooper is the founder of The Elevation Collective, an international community of heart-led leaders and changemakers committed to amplifying good in the world. He is also the host of The Business Elevation Show, one of the longest-running business podcasts in the world, broadcasting weekly since 2011 to listeners in over 50 countries. Listeners can also look out for a new free eBook, 10 Elevations for Thriving and Doing Good in the World Today, available for download in early 2026 via the Chris Cooper website. This episode offers a thoughtful and hopeful close to the year and a powerful opening into what's possible next. For more information, visit www.chriscooper.co.uk . More about Chris Cooper: Chris Cooper is the founder of The Elevation Collective, an exclusive international community of wise, heart-led leaders and changemakers dedicated to amplifying good in the world. The Collective incubates and accelerates projects that create meaningful, positive, and lasting impact. He is also the host of The Business Elevation Show—one of the longest-running business podcasts in the world—broadcast weekly since 2011 to loyal audiences in over 50 countries. Through his brand Chris Cooper Business Elevation, Chris is a highly respected people consultant, behavioural strategist, mentor, coach, and speaker—developing leaders, empowering teams, and creating highly engaged business cultures. He has worked with leading brands including Mars and United Biscuits, and as a consultant with many organisations such as Diageo, Carlsberg, Barclays, KP Foods, and over 20 insurance and financial services businesses. He is also co-author of The Power to Get Things Done (Whether You Feel Like It or Not), published by Penguin Random House (New York). For more information www.chriscooper.co.uk