Monday, 2 December 2013

The Driver and the Dealer

The Driver and the Dealer

Many people are getting ready for 2014. They are planning, reviewing and getting all of their ducks in a row.

As you start to focus on 2014, don't forget the Driver and the Dealer. They are two key players in your success.

The Driver is all emotion. It allows you to tap in to the "WHY" for the year. Why do you want to earn the money, achieve the goals, or conquer the mountain. The Driver will show you the pleasure, the benefits, the reason that you do what you do. The Driver will set the direction of where you are headed.

The Dealer is all fact. It is all about the "WHAT". What do I need to do next, what resources do I need, what is the logical sequence. The Dealer is loaded with reason and logic and it is the Dealer that will get you where you want to go.

The issue is that they are not interchangable. Particularly when you come across your first problem on the path. The Driver doesn't help because the "why" is not as important as the "What are we going to do about it".

As you plan for 2014, make sure you are clear on your Driver and have your Dealer well tuned and ready to go.

Warwick In Action

Warwick Merry - The Get More Guy, is your high energy, results focused, action oriented, no holds barred tour de force Master MC, keynote speaker and Exhibiting Specialist. He ensures your attendees Get More from your event. His MC work is like insurance for your event. It guarantees things will run smoothly and on time. As a speaker, he is like a dose of Berocca – a bubbling, burst of healthy, sustainable energy for your attendees.  If you need a burst of inspiration, cogitation and celebration at your next event you MUST book The Get More Guy, Warwick Merry.

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+61 408 592 158 getmore@warwickmerry.com

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Get More and Exhibiting and Sponsorship Institute, 38 Winmalee Drive, Glen Waverley Vic Australia , 3150

Monday, 25 November 2013

Oh the Humanity!

Oh The Humanity

One of the things my choir does is support the Creative Ministries Network by singing at some of their different events.

Saturday we sang at the service for those who have had family members die in the workplace. It is a hard service. Some of the stories that people share are horrific. Not in terms of details of the accident or tragedies that happen, but in terms of how their families are treated by companies, insurers and the legal profession.

As I was sitting there on Saturday listening to this womans story about how she was treated, her pain as real today as it was when the event happened, it occured to me how ill-equipped businesses are to deal with humans. 

Why is it as a business that people will do things that they would never do as an individual? Why do we ignore those around us that need help, support, a listening ear, a friend, a laugh or a simple but genuine "How's things?" Why do we need to create "R U OK" days - why isn't every day an "R U OK" day? I think it is sad that we are so out of touch that we need to tell people to care about others in their life.

What most of us do is NOT a matter of life or death. While I am not minimising the importance of what you do, rather I am asking you to shift your perspective on what you do and who it impacts. No matter what your job holds, never forget your humanity and the impact of those you connect with.

So Dear-Reader how can you show your humanity today?

Warwick In Action

Warwick Merry - The Get More Guy, is your high energy, results focused, action oriented, no holds barred tour de force Master MC, keynote speaker and Exhibiting Specialist. He ensures your attendees Get More from your event. His MC work is like insurance for your event. It guarantees things will run smoothly and on time. As a speaker, he is like a dose of Berocca – a bubbling, burst of healthy, sustainable energy for your attendees.  If you need a burst of inspiration, cogitation and celebration at your next event you MUST book The Get More Guy, Warwick Merry.

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+61 408 592 158 getmore@warwickmerry.com

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Get More and Exhibiting and Sponsorship Institute, 38 Winmalee Drive, Glen Waverley Vic Australia , 3150

Monday, 18 November 2013

You Know Better Than That!

You Know Better Than That!

A good friend of mine is going for a senior postion at a very large company.

As a manager, they are AWESOME!

  • They have stood toe to toe with union officials and negotiated powerful outcomes that turned out to be in the best interest of the company and the union member.
  • They have a level of loyalty in their staff that no other manager has ever created in this company before.
  • They continually step up into their boss' role for prolonged periods as their boss travels and consults elsewhere
  • For seven years in a row their major projects have been nominated for major awards and have won the award on several occasions
  • They are half way through an MBA at Australia's most prestigious university (and getting really good marks)
  • Their division in the organisation is constantly referred to as the "role model" by the senior executive team
  • They have done the hard yards and performance managed the "dead wood" which has lifted the morale of the team
Having said all of that, my friend still doubts their value and I spent an hour or so coaching them on understanding what they are worth.

Whether you are negotiating salary deals, contracts or any other deal you know better than to discount yourself - yet I see people do it everyday. Women seem to discount their value more often.

DON'T DO IT!! STOP IT!!

This is all about value. Make sure you know what you are worth and hold your value. You are only discounting yourself if you don't. Be confident and proud about the value you bring. We all know charlatans who got paid more purely because they believed.

So Dear-Reader, what is your value or the value of your product or service?

 

Warwick In Action
Warwick Merry - The Get More Guy, is your high energy, results focused, action oriented, no holds barred tour de force Master MC, keynote speaker and Exhibiting Specialist. He ensures your attendees Get More from your event. His MC work is like insurance for your event. It guarantees things will run smoothly and on time. As a speaker, he is like a dose of Berocca – a bubbling, burst of healthy, sustainable energy for your attendees.  If you need a burst of inspiration, cogitation and celebration at your next event you MUST book The Get More Guy, Warwick Merry.
© Get More Pty Ltd
+61 408 592 158 getmore@warwickmerry.com
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Monday, 11 November 2013

How Is Your Attitude?

How Is Your Attitude?

Last week I was on radio talking about mentoring and some of the techniques to get better results. One of the questions that came up from a listener was "What are the best attributes to have to effect lasting change in a business?"

There are Four Key elements that you need and you can find out more about them here.

The common theme is element is part of your Attitude and not a specific skillset. Having the right attitude or an attitude that serves you, your customer and your business well can be challenging.
One person who knows all about Attitude is Justin Herald. His business is not only based on Attitude but it is also called Attitude.

To celebrate my new website (now with extra attitude!) I have 5 tickets to give away to see Justin Herald speak at a breakfast in Melbourne this Wednesday 13th November. (Yes, it's true - I am the MC!)
The first five people to email the Event Organiser (Mary Tan 
mary.t@planaheadevents.com.au) get a complimentary ticket to the breakfast.

Good luck and don't forget to check out the new website and check your own attitude. Is it serving you, your customer and your business? If not, change it.

Warwick In Action
Warwick Merry - The Get More Guy, is your high energy, results focused, action oriented, no holds barred tour de force Master MC, keynote speaker and Exhibiting Specialist. He ensures your attendees Get More from your event. His MC work is like insurance for your event. It guarantees things will run smoothly and on time. As a speaker, he is like a dose of Berocca – a bubbling, burst of healthy, sustainable energy for your attendees.  If you need a burst of inspiration, cogitation and celebration at your next event you MUST book The Get More Guy, Warwick Merry.
© Get More Pty Ltd
+61 408 592 158 getmore@warwickmerry.com
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Monday, 28 October 2013

What is Your Customer's Sweet Spot?

What Is Your Customer's Sweet Spot?



I was in Melbourne recently to audition for the lead role in an animated film (that's a different story) and I saw Mario the busker above. In fact, I originally thought someone was playing the Nintendo game with the volume really loud. Click on the picture above for a couple of minutes of Mario at work.

It was an amazing bit of busking that applied the same elements of success that a clever exhibiting booth would have.

Now I am not sure how good a guitar player the person was, but that didn't matter. After a couple of minutes I realised that they were playing the same 5-7 minute piece and then just kept repeating it.

This is why it was so good:

  • It was instantly recognisable - so many people stopped to listen, take photos, have their kids next to Mario while they took photos and one guy even danced along to the tune.
  • It stood out - this wasn't just a busker, it was Mario in full cartoon goodness.
  • It was joyous - the song was the soundtrack of many peoples childhood (and a few peoples adulthood as well!)
  • It was recognisable - immediately people would either recognise the song because they knew of the game or they would move on because it wasn't part of their world.
  • It was playful - when people put money in Mario's hat, Mario played the "coin" sound. This made people laugh more.
  • It was niched - The gamers loved it. More geeks were giving money to a busker than I had ever seen before.
  • It was clever - Somehow Mario had triggered Nintendo sounds with the guitar. I tried to see if it was a backing track but it didn't seem to be. Mario was too flexible in their play for it to be a backing track and while the song repeated, it was not an exact repeat.
  • It was quick - straight away you saw what it was and could decide whether you wanted to give money or not. You didn't need to stay for minutes or a huge performance. You could easily see Mario in the distance, get money out, throw it in the hat and keep walking to the train station without slowing down.
  • It was simple - OK so the person is wearing the Mario costume, but apart from that, it is a simple performance without too much effort required - you only had to know ONE SONG
  • It went for the Sweet Spot - Mario had worked out a short piece, a fun theme and some quirky play that went straight to the heart (and wallet) of Mario's prospect and called them to action.


So Dear-Reader, next time you are setting up your Expo Booth or planning some marketing activities, consider some of these principles and go for your Customers Sweet Spot.

PS Don't forget, you can click on the picture of Mario to see a short YouTube clip of his song.


 

Warwick In Action

Warwick Merry - The Get More Guy, is your high energy, results focused, action oriented, no holds barred tour de force Master MC, keynote speaker and Exhibiting Specialist. He ensures your attendees Get More from your event. His MC work is like insurance for your event. It guarantees things will run smoothly and on time. As a speaker, he is like a dose of Berocca – a bubbling, burst of healthy, sustainable energy for your attendees.  If you need a burst of inspiration, cogitation and celebration at your next event you MUST book The Get More Guy, Warwick Merry.

© Get More Pty Ltd
+61 408 592 158 getmore@warwickmerry.com

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Get More and Exhibiting and Sponsorship Institute, 38 Winmalee Drive, Glen Waverley Vic Australia , 3150

Monday, 21 October 2013

What Do You Get?

What Do You Get?

Big Brother

So often when I talk with people at conferences, their focus is "What do you get?" It was a delight to spend time with some people whose focus was "What can I give?"

I had the privilege of peforming MC duties for 250 women attending the Emerald Community Girls Big Night In (a Cancer Council fundraiser) and the following night performing the same duties for 150 people at the Big Brother Big Sister Awards night (pictured above). We heard some great stories of people who willing gave of themselves only to feel like they get so much more in return.

The work place is the same. You need to give to others on the team before you will get what you want. Unfortunately, too many people are focussed on the payrise, the position or the next political move rather than, how can I help my customers, my team and my business get what they need and want.

Zig Ziglar said, "The best way to get what you want is to help others get what they want."

If you shift your focus from "What Do I Get" to "What Can I Give", you will be amazed and how good you feel and what will get dropped in your lap.

Warwick In Action
Warwick Merry - The Get More Guy, is your high energy, results focused, action oriented, no holds barred tour de force Master MC, keynote speaker and Exhibiting Specialist. He ensures your attendees Get More from your event. His MC work is like insurance for your event. It guarantees things will run smoothly and on time. As a speaker, he is like a dose of Berocca – a bubbling, burst of healthy, sustainable energy for your attendees.  If you need a burst of inspiration, cogitation and celebration at your next event you MUST book The Get More Guy, Warwick Merry.
© Get More Pty Ltd
+61 408 592 158 getmore@warwickmerry.com
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Get More and Exhibiting and Sponsorship Institute, 38 Winmalee Drive, Glen Waverley Vic Australia , 3150

Monday, 14 October 2013

What's It For?

WHAT'S IT FOR?

Warwick and SamIn my role as MC I get to meet a lot of really cool people, and not just the celebrities!

Last week Samuel Johnson was the final speaker at the plenary session. He is a man on a mission and he is really focussed.

I have met many business people who get to a point where they ask, "What's it for?" Their quest was to "make it" but what does that mean?
What is life for, why are they working hard, what counts, what is merely noise and why should I get out of bed today?
There are young people who experience the same thing and I suspect it is a contributing factor to a lot of the depression that people suffer.

Sam is crystal clear on what he is doing. He is living for his sister. She has terminal breast cancer and when he asked her "What legacy can I leave for you?" (expecting her to say go bungee jumping or jump out of a plane) she said to him, "I want you to ride around Australia on a unicycle and raise over a million dollars for cancer research."

So that is what he has been doing. He is 2/3rds of the way there in distance and has raised over $800,000 to date.

He has also been spreading the message about breast cancer awareness. From his presentations and challenges along the cycle route to selling merchandise, including my favourite bumper sticker

Bumper Sticker

I urge you to find out more about what Sam is doing by heading to www.LoveYourSister.org where you can discover some of the challenges, buy some merchandise or donate to the cause.

Sam is crystal clear on what he is doing this for and has some key strategies to get it done.

What about you Dear-Reader? Do you know what life is for? How you live your day is how you live your life so find your why and get cracking!


Warwick In Action
Warwick Merry - The Get More Guy, is your high energy, results focused, action oriented, no holds barred tour de force Master MC, keynote speaker and Exhibiting Specialist. He ensures your attendees Get More from your event. His MC work is like insurance for your event. It guarantees things will run smoothly and on time. As a speaker, he is like a dose of Berocca – a bubbling, burst of healthy, sustainable energy for your attendees.  If you need a burst of inspiration, cogitation and celebration at your next event you MUST book The Get More Guy, Warwick Merry.

Monday, 7 October 2013

What's Your Solution?

What's Your Solution?



I am up in the lovely state of Queensland visiting clients and doing some tech support for my mum and I have to say it, mum's boyfriend is a very handy dude.

He loves working in the garden but the sandy soil and loads of creatures up here makes for special problems. One of the solutions is to grow the strawberries in containers.
But he didn't want the containers to sit on the grass and kill it. Also they are very heavy to lift and move, so what did he do?

A couple of old golf buggy wheels, a jockey wheel off the caravan, a wheel-less wheel barrow, some coaster wheels and a few bit of wood and steel all got made into portable plant tables you can see in the photo. A fantastic solution that just took a bit of thinking, looking at what resources were available and what skill sets were present to come up with a solution.

In the work place today it seems that we struggle with solutions. We are so used to "Other People" providing the solution, managers telling us what to do or giving up because "it just can't be done".

Next time this happens to you, think of my mums boyfriend and ask:

  • What resources have I got available?
  • What skill sets are available?
  • What is the outcome I am after?
  • How can I combine all of this to achieve the outcome I want?

Warwick In Action
Warwick Merry - The Get More Guy, is your high energy, results focused, action oriented, no holds barred tour de force Master MC, keynote speaker and Exhibiting Specialist. He ensures your attendees Get More from your event. His MC work is like insurance for your event. It guarantees things will run smoothly and on time. As a speaker, he is like a dose of Berocca – a bubbling, burst of healthy, sustainable energy for your attendees.  If you need a burst of inspiration, cogitation and celebration at your next event you MUST book The Get More Guy, Warwick Merry.

Thursday, 3 October 2013

TEDx Presentation Tips

At the recent TEDxMelbourne event, I had a chat with the convenor and production manager about what it was that made a TED or TEDx presentation really stand out. We came up with a list of a few different things.

It occurred to me that ALL presenters may get some benefit from these ideas. Now the TED style (18 mins or less) is a very distinct style of presentation but the underlying core elements will remain the same.

Check out the video and let me know what you think. Have I missed anything?


Monday, 30 September 2013

Sell What They Want Not What You Have

Sell What They Want Not What You Have

Mandarin LabelIn Australia, the big two supermarket chains are good at what they do. They are good at selling stuff with maximum margin.
They have also made an art form of selling what they have by making you want it. These mandarins are a great example.

If you went into a fruit store and saw small mandarins on display you may have thought, "They're a bit small" or "Mandarins are always a bit hard to peel".

But not these.

These ones you know are EASY PEEL. You also know that they are the perfect size for kids because they are IDEAL FOR LUNCH BOXES. So they are no longer small, they are Kid Sized.

They are also fun because they have Toy Story branding - I am still not sure how that relates to Mandarins but I KNOW how it relates to kids. You also don't get to buy just a couple because they only come in 1kg bags.

If you look hard on the back of the label you would discover they are Afourer Mandarins (personally I prefer Imperial) but that is not important.

What is important is that they have turned a problem seller into a sought after item purely by selling what the customer wants (easy peel, right sized, kid friendly fruit) and not what they have (really small, not very tasty mandarins that people don't want).

So how can you do this Dear-Reader? How can you package your services or products into something your target market wants even more than they do now?


Warwick In Action
Warwick Merry - The Get More Guy, is your high energy, results focused, action oriented, no holds barred tour de force Master MC, keynote speaker and Exhibiting Specialist. He ensures your attendees Get More from your event. His MC work is like insurance for your event. It guarantees things will run smoothly and on time. As a speaker, he is like a dose of Berocca – a bubbling, burst of healthy, sustainable energy for your attendees.  If you need a burst of inspiration, cogitation and celebration at your next event you MUST book The Get More Guy, Warwick Merry.
© Get More Pty Ltd
+61 408 592 158 getmore@warwickmerry.com
Link with me on Linked In
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Monday, 23 September 2013

It WILL NOT Work - My TEDx Story


TEDxMelbourne


I was fortunate enough to be the Master of Ceremonies for TEDxMelbourne yesterday.

It was a great day. The theme was City2.0  With unprecedented urbanisation, how do we prepare for the cities of the future.

Unlike the usual TEDx event, we were streaming some of the feed from the New York event for 90 minutes. Now the technology was all sorted but with a big demand for the feed we knew that they may have been issues.

So we planned for it not to work. We also planned for our back up plan not to work. The event was too important to leave to chance so we had to assume that IT WILL NOT WORK.
When the time came, the stream was fantastic and then after about an hour it started to have buffering issues from the USA. As MC I was up and down as it worked, didn't work, worked, didn't. Finally we killed the stream and went with our back up plan (which ended up getting a better response).

What about with what you do Dear-Reader? Do you have a backup plan? Maybe even a back up for your back up? Whether it is a plan for the school holidays, a presentation to your boss or even a TEDxMelbourne presentation to 500 people, you need to plan for when it WILL NOT work.



TEDxMelbourne

Monday, 16 September 2013

Your Skills Don't Count

Your Skills Don't Count

That may be hard to accept but there are so many people out there with unbelievable skills that have not experienced the level of success that they are after.
What counts more than your skill set, is your Attitude.

Working with my consulting clients who are looking to employ people, I always advise them to hire on attitude as you can teach anyone a new skill but attitudes are hard to change.

So Dear-Reader how is your attitude? Do you believe in your abilities and skills or do you think you have reached the level of success you enjoy purely by luck?
Are you confident in the results you get for your clients? Do you persist in the face of overwhelming negativity?

No matter what your skillset, it is your Attitude that will get you through.

Warwick In Action
Warwick Merry - The Get More Guy, is your high energy, results focused, action oriented, no holds barred tour de force Master MC, keynote speaker and Exhibiting Specialist. He ensures your attendees Get More from your event. His MC work is like insurance for your event. It guarantees things will run smoothly and on time. As a speaker, he is like a dose of Berocca – a bubbling, burst of healthy, sustainable energy for your attendees.  If you need a burst of inspiration, cogitation and celebration at your next event you MUST book The Get More Guy, Warwick Merry.
© Get More Pty Ltd
+61 408 592 158 getmore@warwickmerry.com
Link with me on Linked In
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Monday, 9 September 2013

Personal Politics

Personal Politics

Well it's over. The best news is that we don't have to put up with rubbish TV adverts, biased reporting and loads of junk mail.

I know some people get fired up over politics but I'm not one of them. The reality is that Australia is in a brilliant position geographically, economically, ideologically and socially.
Don't get me wrong, we have our problems and issues but they are "first world problems."

The issue with politics is that they are like a person's values. They identify who you are but they are not allocated by what you say but by what you do.

So Dear-Reader what are you doing to make your life, your workplace and your country a better place? What action are you taking?

Ghandi said, "Be the change you wish to see in the world." I encourage you to take this to heart and act on it.


Warwick In Action
Warwick Merry - The Get More Guy, is your high energy, results focused, action oriented, no holds barred tour de force Master MC, keynote speaker and Exhibiting Specialist. He ensures your attendees Get More from your event. His MC work is like insurance for your event. It guarantees things will run smoothly and on time. As a speaker, he is like a dose of Berocca – a bubbling, burst of healthy, sustainable energy for your attendees.  If you need a burst of inspiration, cogitation and celebration at your next event you MUST book The Get More Guy, Warwick Merry.
© Get More Pty Ltd
+61 408 592 158 getmore@warwickmerry.com
Link with me on Linked In
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Tuesday, 3 September 2013

Offensive Political Junkmail

I got this political junk mail in the letter box today. Usually I can ignore it. I loathe negative adds and negative campaigning. If you have to raise yourself up by putting others down then you are in the wrong business.

But this one pissed me off enough to say something about it. 

I have deleted the candidate's name that they are attacking. I did a little bit of searching but failed to find if this is from a candidate themselves (I suspect not - but who knows)

What offends me is that the Aust Education Union Policy calls for sex education to include all forms of sexuality and this person then says it will be taught in KINDERGARTEN.  That is a very long bow to draw.

The statement next to the young girl "I need my mum and dad" is also very manipulative. 

I have single parent friends who have raised AWESOME children. Friends of mine have lived without one parent and they seem to have turned out ok. I have gay friends with kids and their kids are also AWESOME. I have the pleasure if being one of the male role models for one of these kids as well as being a male role model for kids of mixed couples.

I had the honour of being best man at my gay friend's wedding to his husband and it was one of the most romantic, sincere and fun weddings I have ever been to. It wasn't legally binding but it was morally and spiritually binding. With or without the bit of paper, they are committed to each other.

What this pamphlet screams to me is ignorance and a complete lack of celebration of the differences in life. What joy it brings to see people of different cultures, sexualities, hair styles, heights and body shapes live their lives together supporting each other.

For me, all it has done has made me want to vote for the candidate that they are campaigning against. 

My school's motto was "Vertias Liberabit Vos" or The Truth will Set You Free. Like most political issues and cultural issues we face, we are not dealing in facts but in emotions and fears. So even if same-sex marriage does lead to education about more detailed sex education in schools, is this a bad thing? 

What kind of world do we live in when what one couple do in the privacy of their own home creates a freak out in someone else's home on the other side of the city? Should we tell some of the older Mediterranean gents who hold hands to stop? Should we tell Sri Lankans to stop kissing each other (on two cheeks no less!) to stop? What about Asian school girls who are known to walk down the street arm in arm? Should they be forced to not touch each other?

What this world needs is more love, more connection, more communication, more acceptance and not this kind of rubbish!

Monday, 2 September 2013

Got Leverage?

Got Leverage?

Leveraged PropertyArchimedes (the mathematical legend) said something to the effect of, "Give me a lever long enough ...and I shall move the world."

This principle remains valid today in engineering as well as in finance and in business.

Today our levers are not simply a large plank of wood. They can be leveraging the ideas and wisdom of others as well as the finance of others. It is one of the many reasons why wifey and I love investing in property. We can get some excellent leverage financially and from other's experience. I have blogged in detail about this recently (Click here to read it)

While we are living in one of the most affluent of times and the quality of life that most of us experience has never been higher, I believe it is still important to plan for the future. I am in the age group where I will not have a pension available. Laws on super keep changing for seemingly political reasons. So I am using leverage NOW to build a better future.

What about you Friends?

Are you taking advantage of the leverage available to you? Are you fast tracking your skills sets by learning from others? Are you using your finance in an intelligent way to maximise its growth?

Quite simply, have you Got Leverage?



Warwick In Action
Warwick Merry - The Get More Guy, is your high energy, results focused, action oriented, no holds barred tour de force Master MC, keynote speaker and Exhibiting Specialist. He ensures your attendees Get More from your event. His MC work is like insurance for your event. It guarantees things will run smoothly and on time. As a speaker, he is like a dose of Berocca – a bubbling, burst of healthy, sustainable energy for your attendees.  If you need a burst of inspiration, cogitation and celebration at your next event you MUST book The Get More Guy, Warwick Merry.

Wednesday, 28 August 2013

Power Up Your Property

Power Up Your Property

As you may know, I am a big fan of property investment. Wifey and I have been fortunate enough to purchase several properties over the years and continue to grown our financial nest egg.

One of the reasons I am so keen to invest is that for my generation, we will not have a pension. It is not that I will not be eligible for it, it is that there will not be enough workers or a big enough tax base to pay retiree's a pension. Rather than wait for someone else to do something about it, Wifey and I have taken the situation into our own hands and are building our own "pension base".

I am fortunate in that I have a formal education in finance. In all honesty, I don't use most of it. The education that has had the most impact on me is the self education I have gained since leaving university.

When I speak with my friends and those who ask about investing, I am constantly asked, "Why property?"

The answer is simple and it is one word - LEVERAGE.

With property, I can get excellent leverage on my finances. That is, with a 20% deposit, I can buy a house. Most other investments I would either need to pay for in full or only be able to finance 50%.

Also, I am lazy. I am not interested in watching stock markets on a daily basis to calculate buy and/or sell regardless of whether it is shares, options, managed funds or some other investment vehicle. Having said that, we do have some shares but again they are buy and hold shares.

The other thing with property is that I like the security it offers. Even if the house burns to nothing, I still have the land it was on. That land holds the majority of the value of the entire property. I have seen too many companies lose 100% of their value and I would hate to be caught (again!)

So why should you care what I invest in?

Well part of the fun of investing in property is looking at how you can increase the value of that property. Whether you want to increase the value of it just before you sell, just before you move in, just before you look for additional finance or just because you want to know what renovations or refurbishments will give you the best bang for your buck.

It is not uncommon for investors to spend a few thousand dollars on a place and add three to five times the value to the property. From carports to new bathrooms to a quick n dirty paint job - so many things are possible.

How would you like to add thousands of dollars to the value of your property?

Whether you want to draw down on your mortgage for a holiday/new car or if you want to maximise your potential for further finance or even if you simply want to get a higher sale figure when you sell, there are some very simple things you can do to add this value.

I have teamed up with Katerina Kapellaki, one of Australia's best interior designers, to present a series of seminars on how to Power Up Your Property. We are starting with an introduction session in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane and will then follow that with a two day intensive for those that are serious about Powering Up Your Property.

I would love to see you at one of these sessions. You can find out more detail and book using the relevant links below. Whether you are new intro property, an old time developer or somewhere in the middle, this is the kind of session that will pay for itself time and time again.

I look forward to seeing you there.

Melbourne Session - Tuesday 17th September
Sydney Session - Wed 18th September
Brisbane Session - Thursday 19th September

Monday, 26 August 2013

What Counts?

What Counts?

Money

It is very easy to get hooked up on the material things. It is easy to get swept up in the loop of "must make money, must save money, must spend money."

So what really counts?

The answer is different for everyone and sometimes the answer doesn't present itself until much later in life.
I would strongly suggest to you that Money is only one way to measure what counts and there are a plethora of other ways.

Is it living in the country, running your own business, being creative, singing to an audience, having a family, creating a garden, being an active member of the community, being a person of faith, laughing with friends, learning new skills, reading, travelling, caring for others, your fitness, owning your own home, sharing your own home, sharing someone else's home... there is no end to the list.

What is important is to decide for yourself what really counts and then pursue it regardless of what others say.

So Friends what really counts for you?


Warwick In Action
Warwick Merry - The Get More Guy, is your high energy, results focused, action oriented, no holds barred tour de force Master MC, keynote speaker and Exhibiting Specialist. He ensures your attendees Get More from your event. His MC work is like insurance for your event. It guarantees things will run smoothly and on time. As a speaker, he is like a dose of Berocca – a bubbling, burst of healthy, sustainable energy for your attendees.  If you need a burst of inspiration, cogitation and celebration at your next event you MUST book The Get More Guy, Warwick Merry.

Tuesday, 20 August 2013

Why Should I Vote For You?


I don't know who to vote for. 

I so want something positive to come out of this election so I thought I would email the candidates in my electorate. I wonder what they will come back with?
This is the email I sent.

______

Dear Candidates,

I am sending you this email as I am lost and I really want my vote to count as I want Australia to be a tolerant and respecting place to live.

So why should I vote for you?

Before you reach for your party rhetoric or start to sledge the other parties, there are some things you should know about me.

I am a small business person whose industry is relatively free of red tape. Naturally I am after a strong economy but I am happy to sacrifice some of the economy’s strength to support those in our community who need it.

I am married with no kids. So “more child care”, “Paid parental leave” mean nothing to me.
In fact, my wife and I seem to be in that position where we get none of the benefits but plenty of the taxes.

I abhor the current refugee plan. There are so few of them and we treat them worse than criminals

I support gay marriage. I have witnesses several of my gay friends commit to their partners and it is as beautiful as a “traditional” couple.

I am a fan of public transport and know that it is not cost effective, but it could be if we invested in it rather than let business get rich over more toll roads and tunnels

My wife is a nurse. I am scared of what the future of our health system will be.

Most importantly, I am tired. Tired of the manipulation and politicing that I see. Tired of the talk and lack of action. Tired of how I never hear from you but now it is election time there are billboards everywhere and weekly letters from many of you. Tired of the sad state that is our political system.

I am eager for leadership. I am eager for someone to stand up, accept that mistakes have been made but there is much we can do to make Australia better than it is. Eager for a plan of success. Eager to hear the truth no matter the cost. Eager to respect our political leaders rather than ridicule them.

Don’t get me wrong, we are in a brilliant position economically, politically and geographically, but there is room for more people, more business, more artisans, more science, and more intellectual stimulation in our conversations and our actions.

Are we a simple country of sport and raw materials for the rest of the world? If so, that is not enough.

I want for us to be leaders of our time. Leaders of how to treat people in need. Leaders of how treat people of all color, faith, sexuality and belief. I tire of politicians opposing their opposites without bringing something of value to the conversation.

The time has come for some long term vision not simply a plan to get re-elected.

So what is your thought out plan?

How will a vote for you make Australia better? How will it make my electorate better? How will it make my community better?

Why should I vote for you?

I look forward to hearing from you.

Warm regards


Warwick

Monday, 19 August 2013

How's Your Strategy?

How's Your Strategy?

StrategyToday I am off to consult with an Exhibiting client to help them Get More from their next expo. The key focus for me will be their Strategy. Too often people approach exhibiting without a decent strategy.
Truth be told, most people approach business, work, marriage, parenting and many others areas of life without a well thought out strategy.

Your strategy will drive your Tactics, these will drive your Operational decisions which, in turn, dictate your success. Yet people will often say they are "too busy" to take time out to create or work on their strategy.

So what is your Strategy for Success (regardless of how you measure it)? Let me know if you need some help.





Warwick Merry - The Get More Guy, is your high energy, results focused, action oriented, no holds barred tour de force Master MC, keynote speaker and Exhibiting Specialist. He ensures your attendees Get More from your event. His MC work is like insurance for your event. It guarantees things will run smoothly and on time. As a speaker, he is like a dose of Berocca – a bubbling, burst of healthy, sustainable energy for your attendees.  If you need a burst of inspiration, cogitation and celebration at your next event you MUST book The Get More Guy, Warwick Merry.
© Get More Pty Ltd
+61 408 592 158 getmore@warwickmerry.com
Link with me on Linked In
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Tuesday, 13 August 2013

What Are You Waiting For?

What Are You Waiting For?

Time


Too often we wait for the right time, the right weather, the right signs, the right (fill in the blank).

Don't wait! 

It is just another excuse to delay, consider, ponder, avoid and suffer. The time will never be "just right.' Sometimes you just have to stand up and take action to get the results. Sure it may not be perfect but it is better than nothing.

So what are you waiting for?



© Get More Pty Ltd
+61 408 592 158 getmore@warwickmerry.com
Link with me on Linked In
Check the Website Like me on Facebook Watch Get More TV
  

Monday, 5 August 2013

Lessons from the Prime Minister

Lessons from the Prime Minister

PM Letter

I must be important because the Prime Minister of Australia has sent me a personal email!

But here's the thing. I don't remember giving him my email address.

When I look closer at the email, it doesn't actually say anything but position Kevin as the underdog and ask for money to help fight the good fight. In fact it gives me 3 opportunities to give him money.
Here are the key things I got from his email:

  • Spam is spam. No matter who it comes from. Be better than the PM and only put people on your list when you have permission
  • If you are asking for money, show the value. Either give me something (if can be no cost to you like a digital image) but I need something in return for my money (and not just empty promises)
  • Differentiate yourself. Sometimes I can't tell the difference between Kevin and Abbott (as referred to in the letter). Can your clients tell the difference between you and your competitor?
  • Show some respect - to yourself and others. In signing off his letter as Kevin, he becomes common. YOU ARE THE PRIME MINISTER! Show some respect for the office as well as your competitor. Mr Abbott sounds so much nicer than Abbott. Do you show respect to others?
  • Create a vision for me to see. It may be me with your product or service, it maybe the life I never dreamt of, it maybe a feeling I get but give me something to hold on to. Kevin says he has a vision but I don't know what it is. Would your clients know what vision you have for them?
  • Be original. This email feels like it is a left over from a successful Obama campaign. Imitation may be flattery but it does not always lead to success.
To be really up front with you, I still don't know who to vote for. I will probably decide on election day but I must say, this email did Kevin no favours at all.


© Get More Pty Ltd
+61 408 592 158 getmore@warwickmerry.com
Link with me on Linked In
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Monday, 29 July 2013

How Big Is Your Bite?

How Big Is Your Bite?

Cakes

"Don't bite off more than you can chew!" I think every mother has said that to their child at some time. Many managers have also said or heard it.

Kerry Packer once said, "Take a big bite and chew like mad" (or words to that affect).

What about you? How big is your bite? Do you relish the risk of taking on to much or do you manage your resources well?

The important thing to remember is that no matter how big your bite, whatever you do will have an impact. Make sure you can deal with the impact and consequences of your action.

(Image: Taken at Beechworth Bakery Echuca)
 

Warwick In Action
Warwick Merry - The Get More Guy, is your high energy, results focused, action oriented, no holds barred tour de force Master MC, keynote speaker and Exhibiting Specialist. He ensures your attendees Get More from your event. His MC work is like insurance for your event. It guarantees things will run smoothly and on time. As a speaker, he is like a dose of Berocca – a bubbling, burst of healthy, sustainable energy for your attendees.  If you need a burst of inspiration, cogitation and celebration at your next event you MUST book The Get More Guy, Warwick Merry.
© Get More Pty Ltd
+61 408 592 158 getmore@warwickmerry.com
Link with me on Linked In
Check the Website Like me on Facebook Watch Get More TV

Monday, 22 July 2013

I Like the Way You Move

Moving
Moving house - one of the most skillful things you can do. From the Tetris skills needed in packing boxes in to the back of the truck to the negotiating skills with a loved one of what stays and what goes. Multiple skills are applied at different times, all with a healthy helping of Stress Management.

My brother and his girlfriend (the lovely  H - pronounced Aitch and not Haitch) are moving. Over the weekend we were talking about it. Super Soph (a professional organiser at Little Miss Sorted) gave some awesome advice to help with the process and minimise effort.

The secret to successful moving is that you always move TO a place and not FROM a place.

That is, only take to the new place what you need there. What is the point of packing everything in boxes only to have to throw 1/3rd of it out when you finally go through each of the boxes. You need to get ruthless in getting rid of excess stuff. My personal moving motto is "When in doubt, chuck it out."

Whether you are moving home, moving your office, or simply shipping items for your next Expo stand, make sure your focus is on what you want at the new site and not what you have at the old site. It will make a massive difference to you. 

----------
Warwick Merry - The Get More Guy, is your high energy, results focused, action oriented, no holds barred tour de force Master MC, keynote speaker and Exhibiting Specialist. He ensures your attendees Get More from your event. His MC work is like insurance for your event. It guarantees things will run smoothly and on time. As a speaker, he is like a dose of Berocca – a bubbling, burst of healthy, sustainable energy for your attendees.  If you need a burst of inspiration, cogitation and celebration at your next event you MUST book The Get More Guy, Warwick Merry.
© Get More Pty Ltd
+61 408 592 158 getmore@warwickmerry.com
Link with me on Linked In  Check the Website Like me on Facebook Watch Get More TV

  

Friday, 19 July 2013

Be More Dog

OMG!

I just saw this video. 

It's a tv advert for mobile phones in the UK - but ignore that.
It will make people fight over what is better a Cat or a Dog - ignore that.
It has clearly had some cool CGI done - ignore that.

Focus on the message. In an age of sedentary lifestyle with large helpings of self focus and self seeking, the message speaks volumes.

Do you have what it takes to be more dog?

Monday, 15 July 2013

Fanfare for the Common Man

Fanfare for the Common Man

Fanfare for the Common Man - Robert Clinch
(Image: www.ArtGalleryOfBallarat.com.au)

During the course of the weekend, Wifey and I did a road trip to Ballarat. A cruisy two hour drive. Serendipitously we ended up at the art gallery and were delighted by an exhibition of works by Robert Clinch. His works were stunning.

We were thrilled to see some of the detail in his studies for the final pieces, tickled by the play on words of the names of his pieces and impressed by the way the gallery had displayed them to highlight their features.

Frequently, as the title of the exhibition and the piece above convey, they celebrated the common things in life. The simple act of playing a trombone, a truck being loaded at the docks, the monolithical creation of a warehouse and paper planes.

What are the seemingly ordinary and common things in your life you wish to celebrate? The writing a letter to a friend, maybe taking a dog for a walk or even the simple joy of rain pouring down making magical music. Sometimes it is not just the extraordinary that needs to be celebrated but the average, everyday, mundane and seeming boring things that make life worthwhile.

If you need a sound track for the celebration of the mundane then click here for the original piece of music titled "Fanfare for the Common Man" by Aaron Copland and click here for the Emerson, Lake and Palmer version.

What will you celebrate with a Fanfare for the Common Man (and woman)?