When the curtain comes down, the star of the show may take the bows, but every successful performance is the result of the coordinated, collective effort of (often) dozens of people in a wide range of … [Read more...]
By on January 16, 2014 Leave a Comment
On Creativity: Just Say “No” to the New Clichés
“Give me your tired, your poor, your hackneyed phrases yearning to breathe free.” We’ve heard them all. Many of us have used at least one of them on occasion. (Truth time—embarrassingly—me … [Read more...]
By on December 10, 2013 Leave a Comment
Lessons from Showbiz: Patrick Stewart and the Fine Art of Selling
Sometimes, epiphanies come from unlikely places. I was reading the current issue of Esquire and spotted an interview with Patrick Stewart. Though I’m neither a Trekkie nor a huge fan of his pop … [Read more...]
By on December 2, 2013 Leave a Comment
Creative Thinking: Simple Isn’t
“Making the simple complicated is commonplace: making the complicated simple—awesomely simple—that’s creativity.” — Charles Mingus When it comes to communicating your idea to your audience, nothing … [Read more...]
By on November 14, 2013 Leave a Comment
Lessons from Showbiz: Every Performance Matters
From 2002-2005, one performer in Las Vegas was voted the top entertainer every year. His name was Danny Gans. As a pro baseball player for the Chicago White Sox, Danny picked up a small role in … [Read more...]
By on October 24, 2013 Leave a Comment
Creative Thinking—Part 3: Find the Truth
We started with a deep dive. Asking questions. Digging deeper– more questions. Mining the client’s mind… as well as that of the target. Charting objectives. Collecting data—be it anecdote, opinion or … [Read more...]
By on October 16, 2013 Leave a Comment
Meeting Matters: Set Objectives
In many cases, the annual meeting is an organization’s largest annual spend on group communications. Whether it’s a sales meeting, a franchise convention, a company conference or an association event; … [Read more...]
By on October 10, 2013 Leave a Comment
More for Your Money: The 3-Rs Test
I don’t know any company that isn’t looking for ways to either cut costs or maximize their return from the dollars, euros, pounds sterling and/or yen they spend on their annual meeting. For those … [Read more...]
By on September 19, 2013 Leave a Comment
On Presenting: Put the Audience First
Fade up on comedian Jerry Seinfeld, on stage at a posh theater. We pick him up mid-monologue as he remarks with perfect comic timing… "…so I got off the elevator, cut in line and said; ‘what is … [Read more...]
By on September 12, 2013 Leave a Comment
Creative Thinking—Part 2: Study the Assignment
In Part 1 of the Creative Thinking series, I offered an overview of the creative process.This week, let’s take a deeper dive into step one: Study the Assignment. I always start by getting deep into … [Read more...]
By on August 21, 2013 Leave a Comment
Creative Thinking—Part 1: Lightning Strikes & Big Ideas
“Never hope more than you work.” —Author Rita Mae Brown Creativity, in my experience, comes from two places: Lightning strikes and relentless, focused effort. And while lightning strikes are fun … [Read more...]
By on July 30, 2013 Leave a Comment
On Presenting: Make Your Message Matter
If you’re tapped to speak at a meeting or convention, here are a few things to consider as you plan your presentation: Tell stories. People have communicated using stories since the dawn of spoken … [Read more...]
By on July 22, 2013 Leave a Comment
The Measure of Success
If you're a senior sales executive thinking about your next annual meeting, take a cue from consumer goods marketers. Survey your market BEFORE launching that big campaign. Not only can you better … [Read more...]
By on July 18, 2013 Leave a Comment
Taming Your Maverick Network
Check-Out Time Orlando, Florida — Sunday morning, 9:00am I’ve just wrapped a highly-successful sales meeting the night before. (Actually, it was well into the morning hours before my team and I … [Read more...]
By on July 16, 2013 Leave a Comment
Meetings Matter
1774: The first Continental Congress 1865: Summit at Appomattox Courthouse 1894: The modern Olympic Games established 1945: Yalta Conference 1963: Martin Luther King’s march on … [Read more...]