premeeting intelligence for:

Richard Banfield

,

Advisor, author, artist & recovering CEO.

Richard Banfield

Advisor, author, artist & recovering CEO.
Decisive
Assertive
Fast-Paced
Determined
Persuasive
Ambitious
Dynamic
Visionary
Spontaneous
Pioneering
Adventurous
Casual
Enthusiastic
Personable
Adaptable
Optimistic
Inventive
Approachable
Warm
Hospitable
Intuitive
Friendly
Accommodating
Diplomatic
Composed
Thoughtful
Agreeable
Careful
Modest
Consistent
Conscientious
Perceptive
Calm
Diligent
Meticulous
Collected
Accurate
Rational
Reserved
Strong-willed
Skeptical
Straightforward
Efficient
Candid
Steadfast
Focused
Vigorous
Persistent
Location:
Sudbury, Massachusetts, United States
Education:
University of the Witwatersrand - BSc, Natural Sciences
Overview:
  • Decade-long advisor to Crystal Knows and current VP of Design Leadership at Knapsack. Formerly, VP of Design Transformation at InVision.
  • Authored several leadership books, including "Product Leadership" and "Design Sprint," with over 10,000 copies sold and translated into multiple languages.
  • Former CEO of Fresh Tilled Soil, leading 700+ client projects; co-founder of Acceleration (now WPP company); investor in 21 startups.
Quotes

ON TRUST...

"Well the way to create trust is to give trust. You must give it first before you start to receive it." source

ON SAYING NO...

"Saying no is a privilege that a lot of people don’t realize they have. Winning the genetic or financial lottery makes it easy to say no to distractions." source

ON EFFECTIVE TEAMS...

"What is common in high-performance teams is that they are cross-functional, collocated, and autonomous." source

DISC Type:
Captain (D)
DISC Type:
Driver (Di)
DISC Type:
Initiator (DI)
DISC Type:
Influencer (Id)
DISC Type:
Motivator (I)
DISC Type:
Encourager (Is)
DISC Type:
Harmonizer (IS)
DISC Type:
Counselor (Si)
DISC Type:
Supporter (S)
DISC Type:
Planner (Sc)
DISC Type:
Stabilizer (SC)
DISC Type:
Editor (Cs)
DISC Type:
Analyst (C)
DISC Type:
Skeptic (Cd)
DISC Type:
Questioner
DISC Type:
Architect (Dc)
How to communicate
Focus on their need for control and results, be direct and to the point.
Do
Provide specific details about the product's features and benefits
Highlight how the product will solve their problems and make their life easier
Don't
Beat around the bush or offer vague information
Be too pushy or salesy
When communicating with them, focus on being direct, confident, and results-oriented.
Do
Speak in a fast-paced, confident tone
Focus on the bottom line and how your product can help them achieve their goals
Don't
Use too much jargon or technical language
Waste time on small talk or irrelevant details
Focus on big ideas, big concepts, and fast action over analysis.
Do
Use a direct and assertive tone
Emphasize results and benefits over features
Don't
Use overly flowery language or too many details
Be pushy or aggressive
Communicate with energy and a lively approach. Engage them by communicating clearly and vividly.
Do
Use inspiring language and be enthusiastic
Show them how the product can enhance their social status or reputation
Don't
Be too technical or confusing
Focus solely on features without considering how it can improve their life
Communicate in a friendly, casual manner and highlight the benefits of the product. Avoid criticism or confrontation.
Do
Use a light-hearted approach to build rapport
Highlight how the product can benefit their life or work
Don't
Be overly critical or confrontational
Use overly technical or confusing language
Interact with them in a friendly, agreeable manner with a light-hearted approach. Avoid criticism and confrontation.
Do
Wrap your pitch with positivity and emotional language
Include personalized, warm greetings and sincere sign off
Don't
Use forceful or high-pressure language
Talk too much about past experience without explaining the important insights
Focus on building a personal relationship and finding common ground. Speak positively and offer reassurance about the product.
Do
Engage them in conversation and find out their interests and concerns
Offer personalized recommendations and highlight how the product can meet their needs
Don't
Push too hard or use aggressive sales tactics
Dismiss or minimize their concerns or objections
Provide detailed information and use a friendly, personal tone
Do
Explain how your product can meet their specific needs
Use stories or examples that they can relate to
Don't
Use technical language or jargon
Push for a quick decision without building rapport first
Provide a warm, friendly greeting and use positive, upbeat language. Focus on building a relationship and show acceptance for who they are.
Do
Use friendly, expressive language
Refer to common interests and associations
Don't
Use a serious, businesslike tone
Bring up your flaws before they do
Focus on building a relationship and connecting with them on a personal level.
Do
Use a warm, friendly tone
Ask about their interests and hobbies
Don't
Use overly technical language
Pressure them into making a decision
Be friendly and focus on building a relationship with them. Use a light-hearted approach and avoid criticism or confrontation.
Do
Focus on building a friendly relationship
Validate their opinions and approach with positive language
Don't
Use forceful or high-pressure language
Force an aggressive sales pitch
Use a straightforward and logical approach when communicating with them
Do
Provide data and logical reasoning to support your claims
Use clear and concise language
Don't
Use overly expressive or emotional language
Use lots of anecdotes or storytelling
Use a serious, businesslike tone and focus on details, data, and results.
Do
Focus on their toughest problems.
Send additional data to support your pitch
Don't
Bring up your flaws before they do
Be unrealistically optimistic
Focus on providing logical reasoning and factual information. Be patient and answer their questions with clear and concise responses.
Do
Provide data-driven reasons for your product
Answer their questions with a well-thought-out response
Don't
Use overly expressive language
Speak in an overly casual manner
Focus on concrete data, specifics, and logistics. Avoid fluffy language and hype.
Do
Provide clear data and statistics to support the product
Present a clear, logical argument for why the product is worth investing in
Don't
Spend too much time on abstract concepts or big ideas
Get sidetracked with small details or anecdotes
When communicating with them, focus on being clear, concise, and results-oriented.
Do
Provide clear and concise information about the product and its benefits
Focus on results and practical details
Don't
Use overly descriptive or flowery language
Waste time on social chatter or small talk
Executive priorities
  • Drive innovation in design leadership and advisory roles.
  • Promote global impact through authored leadership literature.
  • Lead strategic initiatives in design transformation and client projects.
  • Advocate for entrepreneurship and startup investment.
Media
Youtube

#BUILD Richard Banfield on How to Build High Performing Product Teams

Richard dives deep into how to build high performing product teams.

Youtube

Harvard i-lab | You Have a Great Idea and Nobody Cares

How to figure out who cares and how to get them to buy from you.

Youtube

On starting over and living your authentic life - with Richard Banfield

If you’re looking for a new direction, a change, or are recovering from a loss and seeking ways to move forward, this episode will fuel and inspire you.

Personality traits
Risk-Tolerant
Risk-Averse
Trusting
Skeptical
Optimistic
Pragmatic
Deliberate
Fast-Paced
Matter-Of-Fact
Expressive
Autonomous
Collaborative
Supporting
Dominant
Risk-Tolerant
Risk-Averse
Trusting
Skeptical
Optimistic
Pragmatic
Deliberate
Fast-Paced
Matter-Of-Fact
Expressive
Autonomous
Collaborative
Supporting
Dominant
Risk-Tolerant
Risk-Averse
Trusting
Skeptical
Optimistic
Pragmatic
Deliberate
Fast-Paced
Matter-Of-Fact
Expressive
Autonomous
Collaborative
Supporting
Dominant
Risk-Tolerant
Risk-Averse
Trusting
Skeptical
Optimistic
Pragmatic
Deliberate
Fast-Paced
Matter-Of-Fact
Expressive
Autonomous
Collaborative
Supporting
Dominant
Risk-Tolerant
Risk-Averse
Trusting
Skeptical
Optimistic
Pragmatic
Deliberate
Fast-Paced
Matter-Of-Fact
Expressive
Autonomous
Collaborative
Supporting
Dominant
Risk-Tolerant
Risk-Averse
Trusting
Skeptical
Optimistic
Pragmatic
Deliberate
Fast-Paced
Matter-Of-Fact
Expressive
Autonomous
Collaborative
Supporting
Dominant
Risk-Tolerant
Risk-Averse
Trusting
Skeptical
Optimistic
Pragmatic
Deliberate
Fast-Paced
Matter-Of-Fact
Expressive
Autonomous
Collaborative
Supporting
Dominant
Risk-Tolerant
Risk-Averse
Trusting
Skeptical
Optimistic
Pragmatic
Deliberate
Fast-Paced
Matter-Of-Fact
Expressive
Autonomous
Collaborative
Supporting
Dominant
Risk-Tolerant
Risk-Averse
Trusting
Skeptical
Optimistic
Pragmatic
Deliberate
Fast-Paced
Matter-Of-Fact
Expressive
Autonomous
Collaborative
Supporting
Dominant
Risk-Tolerant
Risk-Averse
Trusting
Skeptical
Optimistic
Pragmatic
Deliberate
Fast-Paced
Matter-Of-Fact
Expressive
Autonomous
Collaborative
Supporting
Dominant
Risk-Tolerant
Risk-Averse
Trusting
Skeptical
Optimistic
Pragmatic
Deliberate
Fast-Paced
Matter-Of-Fact
Expressive
Autonomous
Collaborative
Supporting
Dominant
Risk-Tolerant
Risk-Averse
Trusting
Skeptical
Optimistic
Pragmatic
Deliberate
Fast-Paced
Matter-Of-Fact
Expressive
Autonomous
Collaborative
Supporting
Dominant
Risk-Tolerant
Risk-Averse
Trusting
Skeptical
Optimistic
Pragmatic
Deliberate
Fast-Paced
Matter-Of-Fact
Expressive
Autonomous
Collaborative
Supporting
Dominant
Risk-Tolerant
Risk-Averse
Trusting
Skeptical
Optimistic
Pragmatic
Deliberate
Fast-Paced
Matter-Of-Fact
Expressive
Autonomous
Collaborative
Supporting
Dominant
Risk-Tolerant
Risk-Averse
Trusting
Skeptical
Optimistic
Pragmatic
Deliberate
Fast-Paced
Matter-Of-Fact
Expressive
Autonomous
Collaborative
Supporting
Dominant
Build rapport
  • Ask for their immediate feedback
  • Give them the bottom-line pricing without going into details
  • Provide quick, ballpark pricing when asked
Gather information
  • Give them the opportunity to change their mind later
  • Push for a quick decision
  • Mention the things they may discover
Discuss budget
  • Allow for a quick decision
  • Use assertive, confident language
  • Imagine creative scenarios for both parties
Drive action
  • Check-in with them multiple times
  • Make clear what you need from them
  • Use humor and creativity to set yourself apart from the crowd
Negotiate
  • Allow for a quick decision
  • Use assertive, confident language
  • Imagine creative scenarios for both parties
Work together
  • Check-in with them multiple times
  • Make clear what you need from them
  • Use humor and creativity to set yourself apart from the crowd

CrystalKnows

Crystal Knows is recognized as the world's leading personality data platform, transforming how individuals and businesses understand and engage with others in meetings and beyond.
Industry:
Technology
Headquarters:
Sudbury, Massachusetts, United States
Revenue:
$4.5M
Employees:
25

How to negotiate

Keep the discussion casual, but be prepared for candid pushback, at times.
Keep your demo concise and to the point
Keep your demo concise and to the point
Keep your demo concise and to the point
Company Milestones
  • March 2015: Founded by Drew D'Agostino.
  • October 2015: Series A funding round.
  • January 2018: Series B funding led by Salesforce and HubSpot.
  • July 2022: Personality API launched.
  • June 2024: New product Premeeting.com announced.

Demo your product

Notice how he uses your product and let him have fun trial-and-erroring on his own.
Keep your demo concise and to the point
Keep your demo concise and to the point
Top Products
  • Crystal Chrome Extension: Personality insights directly in Chrome, Salesforce & HubSpot.
  • Crystal Meeting Playbooks: Tailored communication guidance for every conversation.
  • Virtual Meeting + Calendar Integration: Offers insights before and during meetings.
  • Crystal API: Integrates personality data seamlessly into applications.
  • Premeeting.com:Facilitates personalized meeting preparation with zero-touch automation.
Key Executives
Company Stock Performance
Key News
CNN

You don't know her, but Crystal knows you

Crystal isn't my best friend or coworker. She's never met me but yet she knows me.

Sept, 2015

Tech Company News

Meet Crystal​ Knows – The App That Tells You Anyone’s Personality

Crystal​ is the app that tells you anyone’s personality. It is a personality platform that allows you to learn more about who you are, in addition to understanding other people.

Feb, 2020

Talando

The Future of Business Communication: How Crystal Knows Enhances Recruitment and Sales

In the ever-evolving landscape of recruitment and human resource management, innovative tools like Crystal have emerged as game-changers.

Dec, 2023

Business.com

Crystal Knows All: You’re Being Profiled

Crystal combs your online social media and compiles a personality profile that it sells to businesses trying to reach you.

April, 2024

Competitive Landscape
Annual Revenue:
$4.5M
  • World's leading personality data platform.
  • Focuses on sales, teams and hiring use cases.
  • Provides personalized insights for effective meetings.
  • Integrates seamlessly with calendars, CRMs, and more.
Annual Revenue:
$3M
  • Provides AI-driven personality insights.
  • Focuses on sales and recruiting.
  • Offers integrations with CRM tools.
  • Delivers tailored communication strategies.
Annual Revenue:
$350K
  • Specializes in B2B relationship management.
  • Uses AI to enhance customer interactions.
  • Offers real-time communication insights.
  • Integrates with existing CRM systems.
Annual Revenue:
$75M
  • Behavioral assessment for hiring and team building.
  • Offers data-driven talent optimization.
  • Provides detailed personality reports.
  • Integrates with HR and recruitment tools.

Want help preparing for your next meeting?

Our zero-software service is designed to make you confident
and well-prepared before your most important meetings.