Blog - YouCanBookMe

The Virtus Vision: How Mike Desjardins is Redefining Leadership

Written by Hannah Ouijdani | Jan 6, 2025 9:13:34 AM
Your software and your product literally changed my working life and has actually brought joy to the people that book meetings with me.” - Mike Desjardins

 

Mike Desjardins believes leadership can change the world—and he’s making it happen with Virtus. With over 20 years of experience and a knack for blending strategy with empathy, Mike helps leaders spark positive change in their organizations and communities.

Virtus isn’t your average leadership development company. As a Certified B Corporation™, they’re all about making an impact, from championing diversity to cutting carbon emissions. 

With tools like YouCanBookMe keeping their schedules on track, Mike and his team can focus on what they do best: creating better leaders for a better world.

Location
Company size
Industry
YCBM stats
Vancouver, Canada Small business

Leadership development

Customer since: 2/6/2016

Lifetime bookings: 1,079

From time saved to impact made: Virtus’ strategy for success

Since 2016, Virtus has relied on YouCanBookMe (YCBM) to simplify scheduling and save valuable time. Instead of juggling emails and calendars, their clients use a customized booking page to book meetings effortlessly. 

Whether it’s strategy sessions, check-ins, or consultations, YouCanBookMe’s professional services scheduling software ensures seamless and intuitive communication—no back-and-forth required.

"Your software and your product literally changed my working life and has actually brought joy to the people that book meetings with me. And I never knew that that was going to be an outcome that was going to occur from using YouCanBookMe." - Mike Desjardins

Here’s why it works so well for Virtus:

  • Schedule overlay: Clients can view Mike’s availability alongside their own, instantly identifying mutual availability without needing to email or call.
  • Calendar integration: With all calendars synced in one place, Mike and his team always know what’s next—client meetings or time set aside for deep work.
  • Automated notifications: Clients automatically get reminders and follow-up messages, helping Virtus reduce no-shows and maintain high engagement.
  • Daily booking limits: Features like booking limits make it easy to set boundaries, helping leaders like Mike protect their personal time while staying productive.

For busy professionals like Mike, YouCanBookMe isn’t just a scheduling tool—it’s a way to free up time in their day and focus on driving impact. 

Mike’s Toolbox Leaderboard

🏅 Gold Medal: YouCanBookMe
The MVP of Virtus’ scheduling strategy.

YouCanBookMe is a powerful, time-saving scheduling tool for coaches. It automates the booking process, making it seamless for clients to schedule sessions and consultations without endless email threads.

 

🥈 Silver Medal: ChatGPT
It is a game-changer for client needs assessments and communication planning. By integrating ChatGPT, Mike’s team saves time and focuses on creating impactful programs. It also helps Virtus stay competitive and ahead of the competition. 

🥉 Bronze Medal: Slack
Slack wins bronze for keeping the Virtus team connected and collaborative, even across multiple locations. It’s their go-to tool for quick communication and brainstorming.

🎖 Honorable Mention: Monday.com
Winning an honorable mention, monday.com is perfect for managing the complexities of development programs. With timelines, milestones, and team assignments in one place, Virtus stays on top of every project.

🏆 Fan Favourite: Zoom
Virtual workshops and sessions run like a dream with Zoom’s reliable platform. Mike’s clients love the flexibility it offers for remote collaboration.

How Mike uses his free time to drive growth and achieve his business goals

With scheduling off his plate, Mike pours his energy into the work that truly matters: creating transformational leadership programs and fostering deep connections with his clients. For Mike, it’s not just about solving business problems; it’s about understanding the people behind them.

Mike spends time crafting personalized outreach, hosting insightful podcasts, and strengthening relationships with long-term clients. His approach centers on empathy, inclusivity, and impact, ensuring that Virtus aligns with organizations that share those values. Mike and his team create leadership experiences that inspire lasting change inside organizations and beyond by focusing on behaviors that shape organizational culture.

A big part of what I do is helping people build trust—not just in me, but in their skin and its natural processes. And tools like YouCanBookMe make it easier for me to manage client interactions and give each person the time and attention they need." - Mike Desjardins

But it’s not all work and no play! Fun is a cornerstone of Virtus’ philosophy, and Mike believes that meaningful transformation happens when people connect, collaborate, and enjoy the process.

💡 Key takeaway: With the right tools, like YouCanBookMe, you can prioritize your time for high-impact work that builds trust and drives success.

What you can learn from Virtus

At Virtus, empathy isn’t just a value—it’s the foundation for everything they do. Mike and his team know that authentic leadership starts with understanding the impact of behaviors on organizational culture. Their programs don’t just teach skills; they inspire leaders to drive positive change in their teams, their organizations, and the world around them.

Virtus also proves that business growth and impact go hand in hand. By prioritizing connection and inclusivity, they’ve built a reputation for creating leaders who are both effective and empathetic. Their success shows that with the right mindset and tools, you can balance productivity, purpose, and even a little fun!

Make the most of your time

Mike Desjardins and Virtus prove that great tools can lead to even greater outcomes. By using YouCanBookMe to streamline scheduling, Mike has reclaimed valuable time to focus on his clients, his team, and the big-picture goals that drive Virtus forward.

For professional services teams and entrepreneurs alike, the lesson is clear: the right tools don’t just save time—they help you protect it. Whether you’re building relationships, creating impactful programs, or just trying to carve out space for personal time, YouCanBookMe is designed to make your day more efficient, productive, and purposeful.

💡 Ready to take control of your schedule? With features like calendar overlays, daily booking limits, and automated notifications, YouCanBookMe helps you save time and stay focused on what needs to be done.

Try YouCanBookMe for free and see how it can transform the way you work.