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 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 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 October 3, 2013 Leave a Comment
Lessons from Showbiz: Be Yourself
“Be yourself. Unapologetically.” —Ke$ha During my 20s and 30s, I had the privilege of backing up some legendary showbusiness personalities. Across the spectrum of performers… from Tony … [Read more...]
By on August 9, 2013 Leave a Comment
Lessons from Showbiz
It’s been said that everyone in America has two careers: Their own business. And show business. I actually started my career in showbusiness. No, I didn’t kick the Can Can in the Follies Bergere or … [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 17, 2013 Leave a Comment
Don’t Buy Video
You don’t buy coal, you buy heat. You don’t buy the paper, you buy the news. You don’t buy circus tickets, you buy thrills. And you don’t buy glasses, you buy better vision. —Anonymous Are you … [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...]
By on July 12, 2013 Leave a Comment
Lessons from Showbiz: Perfection takes Practice
You’ve been asked to speak at an upcoming company meeting. Your first reaction: Excitement. Your next reaction: Panic. When it comes to doing business presentations, there are those who are … [Read more...]
By on July 10, 2013 Leave a Comment
The Medium is Not the Message
Move over, Marshall McLuhan. If you’re creating corporate videos, the medium is not the message… it’s just the mechanism. But how you use this medium can make your message tangible, accessible and … [Read more...]