Major Learnings:

1. Empathy vs. Compassion:

   • Empathy is understanding how someone feels.

   • Compassion adds action—doing something to help.

   • Both are critical in sales and hospitality for building trust and emotional connection.

2. The Power of Making People Feel:

   • Every interaction makes people feel a certain way—use that power with intention.

   • Examples: Sandra’s thoughtful welcome, Angie’s Dunkin’ Donuts for flight attendants.

3. Storytelling Creates Impact & Memory:

   • Stories are remembered 22x more than data.

   • Everyone can be a storyteller—personal stories, metaphors, visuals.

   • Effective storytelling = authentic, emotional, and memorable.

4. Future-Focused Thinking:

   • “The faster you want to go, the farther ahead you need to look.”

   • Anticipation and preparation are essential during rapid growth phases like F1 Arcade’s expansion.

5. Personal Accountability:

   • Use affirmations, mindset control, and time management to overcome self-doubt and professional challenges.

   • You can control your time, attitude, and effort.

6. Action Over Intention:

   • Most people don’t act. Deciding isn’t doing. Results come from execution, not ideas.

   • Illustrated by “three frogs on a log” and basketball/F1 data analytics metaphors.

7. Sell the Experience, Not the Specs:

   • It’s not about square footage or liquor brands—it’s about how guests feel.

   • Focus on rapport, emotional connection, storytelling, and personalization.

8. AI as a Sales Superpower:

   • Use tools like ChatGPT to extract insights, prep for client meetings, and tailor communication.

   • Intelligence + presentation = competitive advantage.

9. Why They Do What They Do:

   • Anchoring purpose around joy, people, and memorable experiences.

   • Reminder: You create escape, fun, and connection for others.

10. Supportive Team Culture:

    • Celebrate vulnerability, clapping with enthusiasm, sharing openly.

    • Psychological safety + creativity = high-performing team.

Top Takeaways:

• “Most People Don’t… But YOU Do.”
  You personalize, follow up, care, connect, and act when others don’t.

• Make People Feel Something.
  Every greeting, gesture, and interaction shapes guest and client perceptions. You’re in the feeling business.

• Practice Storytelling.
  From affirmation cards to personal examples, every team member can learn to tell stories that sell.

• Empathy + Action = Trust.
  Be the person who not only understands but helps. That’s what clients remember.

• Shift from Data Dumping to Story Sharing.
  Don’t lead with specs. Lead with value, emotions, and relevance.

• Control What You Can.
  Your time, mindset, and energy are always in your hands—even when sales cycles and client decisions aren’t.

• Look Ahead.
  Rapid growth requires strategic thinking. Don’t focus just on curve 1—see curve 2, 3, and 4.

• Be Memorable.
  Like Sandra, Angie, or Brie the bartender—you already have the power to leave a legacy of impact.

• Technology is a Tool, Not a Replacement.
  Use AI to deepen your humanity—not to replace it.

Major Learnings

1. Stories Are 22x More Memorable Than Data

Storytelling creates emotional engagement and drives action. It’s essential for sales success and human connection.

2. #BeBamboo – Flexibility Is Strength

Use the metaphor of bamboo vs. oak trees to encourage adaptability. Sales professionals must bend with challenges and client needs rather than resist them.

3. Overdelivery Creates Loyalty

Going above and beyond—even if it’s not your job—makes memorable impressions. Flexibility, anticipation, and kindness are what clients remember.

4. Power of “You’re Doing Great”

This phrase has emotional resonance. When shared with sincerity, it can lift spirits, create connection, and inspire personal pride. It should be spoken to others and yourself.

5. Gratitude Sparks Giving

Giving gratitude stones led to reciprocal kindness—even in the form of small, funny gifts like gum or Pop-Tarts. Gratitude creates connection.

6. Progress > Perfection

Focus on daily progress, not just outcomes. “Am I doing my best to make progress?” helps reduce overwhelm and supports habit-building.

7. Own Your Time and Energy

Tools like time-boxing, energy tracking, and “eating the frog” (doing the hardest task first) promote productivity—if used with self-awareness, not rigidity.

8. Reminders Anchor Behavior

Using recurring alarms, inspirational words, or home screen images helps reinforce your purpose and priorities.

9. Awe and Joy Are Performance Boosters

Awe is everywhere—if you look. Joy and awe are fuel. From reading “August” in the sand to smelling a $5 fragrance, these moments refill our emotional tank.

10. You Can. I Can. I Will. I Do.

Self-talk and belief matter. Encouraging mantras build confidence and commitment.

Top Takeaways 

• Tell stories, not just specs. They connect 22x better.

• Be bamboo. Bend, don’t break.

• Overdeliver always. Make exceptions to create exceptional.

• Say and share “You’re doing great.” It matters more than you know.

• Gratitude multiplies. Start it; others will follow.

• Celebrate progress, not just outcomes. Small steps are still steps.

• Own your time. Know your energy and set boundaries.

• Anchor yourself with one word. It helps keep intention and purpose front of mind.

• Notice awe. It’s hiding in everyday moments.

• Believe in “I will.” Confidence drives performance.

1. Emotional Impact Drives Engagement

• Personal stories of grief, awe, and gratitude (e.g., honoring a nonverbal uncle, “getting his roses,” or a butterfly encounter) created deep emotional resonance.
• Encouraging vulnerability built psychological safety and team trust.

2. Presence and Awareness Are Powerful Tools

• Themes like “Be where your feet are” and “Beauty hunting” emphasized mindfulness and appreciation in the moment—especially in high-performance, fast-paced work environments.

3. Kindness Is a Strategic Advantage

• The KINDNESS framework was revisited through real-life examples:
  • Kind over Right: Avoiding correction in favor of grace.
  • Include Others: Ensuring no one feels left out or overlooked.
  • Notice & Overdeliver: Small surprises leave lasting impressions.
  • Neighborly: Express gratitude to support staff and peers.

4. Overdelivery Creates Loyalty and Magic

• Shared examples of thoughtful gestures (vegan dessert with handwritten card, F1 cooling room camaraderie, surprise treats for flight attendants, “Yappy Hour” Quidditch fundraiser for dogs) illustrate how going above and beyond becomes memorable and meaningful.

5. People Fear Overdelivery—But It's Worth It

• Team members admitted they hold back from overdelivering due to fear of judgment, rejection, or breaking norms.
• The session reframed overdelivery as a gift, not a risk—especially when rooted in genuine care and empathy.

Top Takeaways:

1. “Give people their roses while they’re alive.”

   • Express appreciation now. Don’t wait until it’s too late.

2. “Be where your feet are.”

   • Presence builds stronger relationships and better decisions.

3. “Beauty hunting” builds gratitude.

   • Look for awe in everyday moments—it's a mindset shift.

4. Always Include Others.

   • Even unnoticed moments of exclusion can cause lasting hurt. Inclusion must be intentional.

5. Kindness Wins—Even at 200 MPH.

   • F1’s “cooling room” post-race camaraderie models mutual respect and celebration—traits we can emulate in professional life.

6. Overdeliver in small, unexpected ways.

   • A handwritten card, a thoughtful dessert, or a thank-you to hotel staff can transform good into unforgettable.

7. Choose 'Terrific' over 'Terrible'.

   • Even a small choice (like an auto-corrected text) can set the tone for the day.

8. Overdelivery isn’t about being extra—it’s about being empathetic.

   • Do it because you care, not because it’s required.

Major Learnings:

1. Team Strategy, Resourcefulness, and Adaptability Are Key

   • The “Car in a Bowl” exercise taught the importance of strategic planning, collaboration, and adapting when things don’t go as expected (e.g., missing tools, penalties, extra parts).

   • Teams that planned, cleared their workspace, and reviewed the instructions (or “the picture of excellence”) performed better—mirroring real-world business strategy.

2. Success Requires Emotional Intelligence and Collaboration

   • Participants learned the power of asking for help, knowing team strengths, stepping back to gain perspective, and supporting others after finishing.

   • The act of helping other teams after completion reinforced a service-over-self mindset.

3. Paint the Picture of Success for Clients

   • Just as teams needed a visual guide to build the car, sales professionals must "paint the picture" for clients—showing them what excellence looks like.

   • This relates directly to how we over-deliver and tell stories that resonate.

4. Know Before You Show (Storytelling Must Be Customized)

   • You don’t pitch the same story to every client. Not everyone “drinks coffee,” so you shouldn’t share a barista story with a tea association.

   • Tailoring stories to audience needs ensures relevance and emotional impact.

5. Ask the Right Questions to Avoid Transactional Selling

   • Participants were guided to use a Decision Map to move from transactional to transformational sales by uncovering what really drives client decisions.

6. Leverage the Power of Reflection

   • The shared story about losing a keynote opportunity reinforced the danger of assumptions. Doing the research and asking deeper questions is what turns a potential “loss” into future wins.

Top Takeaways:

• “Use All Your Resources.” Don’t wait to be offered help—ask. Teams who asked got what they needed.

• “Bamboo Over Brick.” Be flexible like bamboo, not rigid like brick. Adapting leads to success when things change.

• “Help Others After You Finish.” Your success doesn’t end with you. Contribute to team culture and collective wins.

• “Paint the Picture.” Clear communication—visual and verbal—accelerates understanding and execution.

• “Strategize Before You Sell.” Understand your client’s drivers, emotions, success definitions, objections, and competition before you pitch.

• “Share Stories That Fit.” If your story doesn’t align with the buyer’s values, environment, or needs—it’s noise, not connection.

• “Selling is Serving.” The best teams approached the exercise and the client conversations with empathy, curiosity, and helpfulness.

• “Greatness Comes from Preparation + Execution.” Laying out parts, reviewing instructions, assigning roles—these are metaphors for effective sales leadership.

Major Learnings

1. Understand Why They Buy

• Don’t assume—ask. Many sales are lost due to assumptions about client motivation.

• Reasons for buying included celebrations, networking, team bonding, brand alignment, accessibility to F1 culture, and experiential value.

2. Ask Better Questions

• The team identified 6+ powerful questions to uncover client needs:

  • What brought you in?

  • What was your favorite/least favorite part of your last event?

  • What’s most important to you?

  • What prompted the call?

  • Are you familiar with F1?

  • What would make you look like a rockstar to your boss?

3. Build a Decision Map

• Use a structured approach: D.E.C.I.D.E. (Drivers, Emotional motivators, Considered value, Ideal outcome, Deal objections, Emotional success).

• This tool can be embedded into CRM workflows for consistent, client-centered discovery.

4. Value Beyond the Offer

• Value isn’t just simulators and shrimp—it’s trust, ease, time saved, reputation, and prestige.

• Working with you is part of the value. Personal connection, reliability, and overdelivery differentiate F1 Arcade from competitors like Topgolf.

5. Emotional Drivers Matter

• Clients buy to feel something: pride, connection, recognition, relief.

• Sales success is tied to tapping into both logical and emotional motivations.

6. Ideal Outcomes Must Be Dual

• Define success both for:

  • The planner/client (e.g., stress-free planning, praise from leadership)

  • The guests/attendees (e.g., fun, bonding, memorable experience)

Top Takeaways

• "Most people don’t… ask the right questions." Be the one who does.

• Do your homework. Research the company, their past events, motivations, and social media presence.

• Be a partner, not a vendor. Frame yourself as a guide who makes clients look good and succeed.

• Use storytelling and humor. Tap into real stories, “huge shrimp” moments, and personal connection to build trust.

• Differentiate with the experience. F1 Arcade is not just a venue—it’s a prestige brand with emotional impact.

• Reinforce value. Remind clients that working with you gives them time, ease, and results.

Major Learnings:

1. Success Looks Different for Different Stakeholders

• Planners define success as:

  • Streamlined booking process

  • Staying within budget

  • Positive feedback from attendees and leadership

  • Time-saving through multi-location booking

• Attendees define success as:

  • Feeling included, connected, and engaged

  • Enjoying high-quality food and drink

  • Forming new relationships through orchestrated, shared experiences

  • Being excited to return

2. Success Is Measured by How People Feel

• Success is not just about logistics—it’s about emotional impact.

  • Clients want to feel: Proud, Respected, Relaxed, Grateful, Valued, Inspired

  • Guests should feel: Included, Delighted, Connected, Cared For, Exhilarated

3. Connection Trumps Convenience

• Guests are more likely to return when they:

  • Engage without screens

  • Make meaningful connections through shared activity

  • Feel welcomed and accommodated (including accessibility, dietary needs, sensory sensitivity)

4. Emotional Marketing Wins

• Current outreach is too impersonal ("Hello from F1 Arcade").

• Instead, use emotion-driven messaging that paints a picture:

  • “Imagine feeling cared for…”

  • “Our team had the best time…”

  • “Everything was taken care of…”

5. Feedback and Friction Matter

• Minor obstacles (e.g. QR-code ordering delays, lack of server interaction) impact the guest experience.

• Taking client feedback seriously (and constructively) improves future execution and service design.

6. Tools and Tactics for Better Sales

• Use Sales Navigator, Google Alerts, and personalized insights to tailor outreach.

• Avoid ego-driven intros; start with what the client wants and how they will feel.

Top 10 Takeaways (Action-Oriented):

1. Redefine success by both emotional and logistical outcomes—planners want smooth, easy, and praised; guests want connection and fun.

2. Update email subject lines and openers to focus on feelings and client outcomes—not introductions or features.

3. Use emotion-driven storytelling when describing experiences—what did it feel like to be there?

4. Fix small friction points—QR-code ordering, staggered food, and server check-ins can make or break an event.

5. Create a ‘phone down’ culture—celebrate engagement that is in-person, not screen-based.

6. Emphasize “orchestrated connections”—racing and shared activity naturally foster relationships.

7. Promote inclusivity—mention accessibility features and inclusive design in sales language.

8. Use guest quotes as subject lines or testimonials—turn real feedback into emotion-based marketing.

9. Lead with personalization—track clients' news/activity and connect with relevance, not cold intros.

10. Make them feel something—clients book again when they feel successful, valued, and appreciated..

Major Learnings

1. Objection Clarity Using CLEAR Framework

• Cost – "Too expensive" or “not enough value.”

• Lack of Knowledge – “Too small,” “don’t get it,” “what even is F1 Arcade?”

• Emotional Disconnect – Ghosting or no response.

• Approval Needed – "My boss is on vacation," or other delay tactics.

• Real Drawbacks – Actual limitations, like no outdoor space.

2. Overcoming Objections through Storytelling

• Use real customer stories to resolve objections, e.g., sharing an example of a group of 25 fitting comfortably in a room perceived as “too small.”

• Counter cost concerns with detailed value explanations: Unlimited food, drinks, racing, premium experience, and emotional impact.

• Encourage site visits to shift perception and deliver experiential clarity.

3. Define F1 Arcade with Confidence

• It’s not an arcade or Topgolf—it’s a premium, immersive racing experience rooted in global F1 prestige.

• Articulate emotional outcomes: joy, inclusivity, excitement, and prestige—not specs or square footage.

4. Tailored Messaging & Targeting

• Recognize buyer personas: Budget Barbara, Curious Casey, Skeptical Sam, Worried Wally, Delegating Dana.

• Adapt pitches accordingly—personalize your stories, uncover motivations, and avoid over-reliance on features.

5. Storytelling with CRISP Framework

• Customized – Match the story to the audience’s needs.

• Relatable – Make it emotionally relevant.

• Impactful – Show transformation or value.

• Stands out – Be memorable.

• Prepared – Be confident, not canned.

6. Competitive Positioning

• Sell the why, not just the what.

• F1 Arcade is: inclusive, premium, immersive, all-levels friendly, and emotionally resonant.

• "Come as you are" + "Safe 200 MPH fun" + "You’re in the cockpit" = transformational narrative.

7. Confidence and Belief in Value

• Reps must believe in the experience to confidently sell it.

• Reframe mindset: if they question value, it’s a prompt to tell a better story, not discount.

8. Authentic Connection > Transactional Pitches

• Don’t cold pitch like everyone else. Personalize your outreach.

• Use AI tools (like fathom.ai or Pictory) for smarter follow-ups, customer insight, and story-based video proposals.

Top 10 Takeaways to Put into Action

1. Practice categorizing objections using the CLEAR framework.

2. Develop 10 most common objections for your location and script personalized responses.

3. Tell 3 real stories that overcome: space, cost, and "don’t get it" objections.

4. Refine your F1 Arcade pitch: What makes it emotionally and experientially unique?

5. Use CRISP storytelling—every outreach or call should hit those five pillars.

6. Roleplay weekly to refine confidence and story delivery.

7. Own your value—believe the $125 experience is worth every penny.

8. Tailor follow-ups with client-specific insights (not generic intros).

9. Use analogies to simplify value: “F1 is like a luxury vacation for the senses.”

10. Tell Bart your story – use it to create your own video sales asset.

Top Takeaways

1. Emotional Connection Drives Loyalty

• Guests and team members consistently referenced feeling seen, remembered, and valued.

• Stories about small kindnesses (bringing coffee, anticipating needs, remembering names) created lasting emotional impressions.

• F1 Arcade doesn’t just entertain—it connects.

2. People Remember People, Not Just Places

• Among all competitor venues visited (Flight Club, Swingers, Muni), only one person was mentioned by name (Megan), and it was a standout moment.

• At F1 Arcade, multiple team members were mentioned by name for their attentiveness, friendliness, and above-and-beyond service.

3. Experience Over Activity

• Competing venues were described as “fine,” “stagnant,” “confusing,” or “decorative,” with low excitement levels (scored 2–6 out of 10).

• F1 Arcade elicited descriptions like “locked in,” “empowered,” “energized,” “excited,” “welcomed,” and “memorable.”

• The energy, pacing, hospitality, and attention to detail elevated the experience far beyond just “racing.”

4. Kindness Culture Is Contagious

• The KINDNESS framework (e.g., “Notice-Anticipate-Overdeliver”) was actively applied and observed in real time.

• Examples included bringing surprise snacks, personalized drinks, and even emotional support through hugs and hospitality.

• F1 Arcade embodies “most people don’t... but we do” through consistent emotional intelligence.

5. F1 Arcade Builds Community

• Guests described forming new friendships, reconnecting with family, and building stronger bonds with colleagues.

• The venue creates an inclusive, high-energy environment that encourages playful competition and real connection—people return not just for the product, but the people and place.

Major Learnings

 Summary Phrase:

F1 Arcade is more than an entertainment venue—it’s a place where kindness meets competition, memories are made, and people matter.