Want to hear about ten minutes where I chatted with one of Alan Sugar's final stage interviewers, met the Entrepreneur's Godmother, was insulted on live radio and saw a 1,800% increase in website traffic? Read on...

Last Thursday, I was making the return journey from Essex to Gloucestershire as part of my weekly trip to see my son. I was flicking through the radio stations and, fancying a bit of talk-radio, I landed on LBC. In the 10 minutes that followed, I would chat with one of Alan Sugar's final stage interviewers, meet the Entrepreneur's Godmother, be insulted on live radio and see a 1,800% increase in website traffic.

Iain Dale was hosting the 'Business Hour sponsored by BT', a weekly slot where business owners can call in to get or share advice. The subject that evening was 'sales'. Iain was joined by two panelists in the studio: Alison Edgar, the Entrepreneur's Godmother and author of Secrets of Successful Sales, and The Apprentice's Mike Soutar.

My career had never required me to develop sales skills. This showed up massively when I started my own business. Any golden opportunities were quickly squandered as I talked potential clients to death. A chance conversation one day, with a guy called Colin Reid, introduced me to the 'Pain Funnel', a simple tool for having successful sales conversations. It had a huge impact on me and my business.

As I listened to the radio show I decided I simply had to say something. If what Colin had given me could help just one other person, it would be worth it. I dialled the number.

To my surprise the producer asked me to pull over as they were planning to put me on after the ad-break. 2 minutes later, I was on.

I shared the 'Pain Funnel', recounting the first time I used it and how it worked perfectly. I also shared that it gave me the ability to understand the true pain that my potential client was experiencing.

Then the conversation went in a completely different direction, one I really hadn't expected.

Iain asked what my company was called and what it does. After telling him a bit about Diary Detox he said, "Oooh, I need one of those.". To my utter shock, he then asked for the website address.

As Iain skim-read my site in the background, Mike asked more about the 'Pain Funnel' and whether it could work for any business (to which I replied yes).

"Who's the person in the pictures?", Iain then asked.

"In the Red jumper.", I said.

"Yes", came the reply.

"That's me!", I said.

"Change them", came the response.

I couldn't help but burst into laughter along with the panelists. Iain, explained that he thought it would help with the image. He then assured me it was not me being ugly or the jumper I was wearing, and then kindly suggested that I could disregard the comment.

But I didn't. If the last year has taught me anything, it's that feedback is vital to improvement.

Later that evening, I would realise that single comment drove a 1,800% increase in visitors to my site. No doubt people were curious about the dodgy pictures of me in a jumper that Iain thought I should change.

Messages were left via my contact page. Some saying good luck. Some asking for details on the next workshop. Some saying I should leave the pictures alone. One person even left a message using their partner's email address asking me to get in touch because they felt I could help.

The next day saw more of the same. Alison, the Entrepreneur's Godmother, connected with me on LinkedIn and kindly referred to me and my company in a post mentioning the radio show.

This drove another surge of interest in the 'Pain Funnel' and gave me an opportunity to pass on Colin's details (something I wished I had mentioned during the broadcast).

The response was overwhelming. After all, my business isn't about sales training. It's about giving CEOs and their companies the one thing they can't buy, more time. It's about showing them that the reason they are losing time, is because they are spending too much doing things that add little or no value. It's about showing them how they compare to others in their position and how to create a mindset focussed on how to make things better. Not just for them, but also for their people, their customers and their company.

Before the broadcast ended, Iain floored me with, "I've just skimmed your site and it looks like a fantastic product. I am truly in need of one, because my problem is that I just can't say no!".

So Iain, In the hope that you indeed can't say no, and as a thank you for a truly memorable trip down the M4, I extend the offer of your own Personal Diary Detox® completely free of charge.

To Colin, thank you for the 'Pain Funnel'. You have helped me to help others no end.

To Alison, thank you for the connection, the mention and your subsequent advice.

To the unnamed producer, thank you for taking my call, for putting me through to the studio and for the kind words before the called ended.

To the rest of you, I have one simple question, "Jumper or no-jumper?"

I've added voting buttons next to the photo at DiaryDetox.com. Why not take a look at what Iain saw and tell me if you agree.