Warts and All

This was not at the conference but you get the idea!

I have spent four days at the National Speakers conference. It's my professional association so even though I was the Master of Ceremonies at the Gala Dinner and had a job as the "Voice of God" throughout the conference, it is also the time to go behind the scenes of my skill, my business model, my approach and do some fine tuning.

Staying at the conference hotel is also a bit of a shock. Hotel bathrooms seem to have more mirrors than any other surface. So after the daily shower, I was confronted with myself, warts and all, from all possible angles. Now I don't know about you, but having that kind of perspective of myself is quite uncomfortable. My vision is drawn to my defects or PERCEIVED defects and things that I don't like about myself. The conference was the same for my business.

It was too easy to see and hear what others were doing and think, "I'm not doing that. I should be doing what they are doing. There is something else I am not doing right. Look at all the stuff I haven't done or achieved." 

From personal experience, that is not healthy and it gets you nowhere.

After a detailed discussion with my business partner, we have drawn a line in the sand (a sentiment reinforced by one of the speakers) and will only look to the future, acknowledge the past and act in the present. So there are a few bits about my body and my business that I am not a fan of. Rather than sitting on my pity pot and thinking about them, it is time for action and change. I can accept where I am at, warts and all. Now it is time for the action to meet the goals and the focus.

What about you? What changes do you want? What action will you take?

Taking Risks When Exhibiting

Many exhibitors take significant risks when they exhibit. In this short video, I list three thinkgs you need to do to maximise the return on those risks and really make them pay off.

What Do You Think?

I love Henry Ford's Quote,

"Whether you think you can or think you can't, you're right!"

Sometimes I find I know I can but some doubts sneak in around the edges. Things are not happening the way I planned, I am not getting the results I want or I have lost my serenity about my place in the world and self doubt comes in. When this happens I turn on loud, up tempo music, look at the lovely client comments in my "happy file" and keep putting one foot forward and taking some kind of action.

What do you do? What is your strategy to keep your head on straight and your confidence high?

When it comes to Henry's quote, what do you think?

Poster Credit: www.AllFordMustangs.com 

What Do YOU Want?

I have long been of the opinion that you get what you ask for not what you deserve.

Sometimes when people on the street ask for money I will say "How much do you want?"
If they ask for $2 it is what I give them. If it is $20 that is what they get.

I came across some footage today that validates my theory. At a Q&A session with Billy Joel at Vanderbuilt University, student Michael Pollack asked the question, "Can I accompany you singing New York State of Mind?"

The answer was, "Yes"

It is a great performance. So enjoy and remember, one of the keys to success is to keep asking for whatever you want. Ask away!

What Happens when your AV Fails?

Don't you hate it when you are giving a presentation or MC of a group of presentations and the AV fails!
What should you do?
What CAN you do?

Here are a couple of tips to get you through a challenging event and come out smelling of success.

Enjoy!

Are You Surprised?

I spent four hours on the tradeshow floor last week visiting an events show. It was an impressive show with loads of expensive displays, a lot of booked appointments taking place, interesting marketing approaches (I am not sure the almost-nude model painting achieved what they were after) but I walked away stunned, shocked and surprised (See image for details!)

The main reason is that after spending a ton of money on booths, flights, accommodation, meals, marketing collateral what they didn't spend money on was.... their people.

It wasn't until I was half way around the show that someone actually engaged. When they did, it was from one of the smallest stands with the most simplistic set up, but they got my attention and we had a great conversation.

So how do you engage? It doesn't have to be a trade show, it can be at a networking event, a random conversation with a friend, an opportunity in the foyer of an office or a simple phone conversation. "How are you today?" is a good starter (or even a good default position), but I KNOW you can do better.

If you are after some tips, we are running a fr*ee webinar tomorrow. You can register at www.EASI-Money.com