The Mastermind Construction Zone

Association conference organizers are always seeking unique programs that are interactive and offer lasting impact.  Professional speakers who serve convention audiences are more than a commodity.  The right presentation sets the tone for the whole event.  As a one who considers himself part of the meetings and association industries, I am always looking for new products to add to "The Conference Catalyst" program that will enhance the conference attendee experience.  We have found that with The "Mastermind Construction Zone" presentation is just that type of breakout or keynote.  In this talk people are excited to leave with the information to found their own "Catalyst Club".

Are you familiar with the idea of a Mastermind Group?  The term has been round for nearly a century and many successful individuals attribute much of their career achievement to these small circles of trusted peers.  But curating a mix of committed people who will both push and pull others to reach their highest level is not an easy task.  There are many ways to forge a powerful alliance that co-advise each other, but the first step is to understand "why?"

Many times I have been in an audience where the speaker instructs audience partners to discuss goals around their topic.  The presenter then encourages participants to exchange contact information and follow up as "accountability partners".  I have not found success with this type of alliance.  A random person seldom is the ideal long-term and mutually-beneficial support system.  

A true Mastermind Group has to be constructed over time and with a blueprint as to what is being built.  This group is not magic and results will never happen instantly.  The organizer of the group must identify what type of peers they are interested in having participate, and then assemble a group that is committed to the ongoing experiment.   

During my career I have been part of several formal Mastermind Groups.  Some failed to develop into anything worthy, but two have had meaningful impact on my career.  My current Mastermind Group is still evolving, but I always get excited before one of our meetings by phone (or Google+) or in person.  I know each time we gather there will be action items I will leave with.  And I always have somewhere to share the good and the bad days of my career journey.

Surprisingly many have never heard of this concept.  Napoleon Hill first introduced the concept in his book Think and Grow Rick more than 75 years ago.  Leaders in a variety of industries have utilized such groups to help propel their business accomplishments.  Nobody is an island, and having a personal "board of directors" is a great way to get additional points of view to weigh in on any issue.  The associations where I teach this to members all have active boards that guide the organization, and this translate well to each person who wants to find more opportunities for their own success.

This workshop takes the idea of networking to the next level.  Thinking about the people you meet at a conference as a possible piece in a lifetime tapestry of mutually beneficial relationships changes how humans interact. When attendees at the association conference make connections with others and discover similar long-term goals, they can then begin to explore ways to mingle shared visions into something that lives long beyond the conference.  When considering the selection of others to be part of an ongoing Mastermind Group it elevates casual chit-chat and transforms conversations into deeper explorations.  

The goal of the session is not to create a Mastermind Group for each person in the room.  In stead it is to shift the perspective of participants in how they look at the power of long-term and mutually-benefical connections.  Using the analogy of the construction of a building, long before the doors open on a new facility there was much that happened along the way.  We need to begin with the blueprints and permitting of the site ages before ground is broken.  Each person assumes the role of architect and project manager as we explore what they can create.

Networking can become so much more when you have the right affiliation with people who are committed to being a guide for success to each other.  But the right group will not self-select, there needs to be a planned effort to ensure the Mastermind Group will be supportive of the members and endure over time.

For more information on The Mastermind Construction Zone presentaion and "Catalyst Clubs", please contact Thom Singer at (512) 970-0398 or thom (at) thomsinger.com.

Have A Great Day

thom singer

Solopreneurs and Selling Your Services

Being a "Solopreneur" is an exciting journey and there is never a dull moment. No matter what services you offer, the sales process is a very personal experience when you are the product. One cannot get disappointed or discouraged too easily, as you will win some and lose some along the way.

If I could figure out the secret code to why clients select me over other speakers it would make this solopreneur life much easier, but it would not be nearly as much fun. The human-to-human engagement of the sales cycle is exciting, regardless of if I am hired or not.  The experience of determining if I am the right fit for each company, law firm, association or other meeting is like a glorious puzzle.

I recently asked a friend for an introduction to an association where I would like to be a featured speaker at their annual event (and I am confident I would make a huge impact).  The head of the organization did some homework and realized they had turned me down last year.  He was worried about having me chat with his team, and he told my friend he "did not want to get my hopes up".  I still wanted to have the conversation, as without a dialogue with a real person there was no change I could ever be considered.  The meeting organizer and I had a most delightful discussion, and there was some interest in ways to get the crowd more engaged with each other and a possible need to bust the cliquey atmosphere that can sometimes exist at these types of gatherings.  In the end the committee decided their meeting did not need the "Conference Catalyst", but I was still extremely grateful for the.chance to talk to this highly creative meeting professional.  I am never disappointed when the answer is "No", as I could never be the right speaker for every event.

Each potential speaking engagement is different and what motivates the decision makers (event professional or committee) is always unique. The sharing of ideas I get to have with very interesting people keeps me excited about being part of the meetings industry. Those professionals who are committed to creating interesting experiences are full of energy, artistic vision, optimism, experience, knowledge and the entrepreneurial spirit.  Rarely will you find someone with a stronger work ethic than an events professional.

Delivering over 50 presentations a year to a variety of types of audiences, I have discovered that no two clients are the same. Their underlying motivation to what they want from speakers is always different.  It is also true that "speaking" is an art from, and some prefer a Monet to a Picasso.  A speaker is not a commodity, and each person creating a conference agenda has their own vision for what they need in the tapestry they are creating.

In the end it is sad to not get the gig when you believe the audience is ready for your message.  However, there is always next year, or the year after.  I have had many situations where "no" has simply meant "not this year", or while I am not a fit for their organization, they refer my services to another group.  That is the coolest part of dealing with people who you want as your friends, not just as clients.  A mentor once told me "In business No only means not this time".  His advice was to be polite to everyone and know that there is always tomorrow.

In the same hour of getting the "No" from the prospect I mentioned above, I heard "Yes" from another amazing organization.  You can simply not predict what will happen. As a solopreneur you have to own it all (the good, the bad, and the ugly).  You must not let a lost sale slow you down.

Have A Great Day

thom singer

Monday Has A Brand - But No Marketing Budget (Guest Blog Post by Gerry O'Brion)

Monday has a brand... and it has no marketing budget!!! 

I said this to a group of friends in a bar the other day, and got a big laugh.  But the credit for the saying goes to my friend Gerry O'Brion who put it on his blog last year.  When I originally read these words it made me laugh, too.  But then it made me think, because many believe that branding takes a lot of money and effort.... but does it?

We all have brands, and if you have employees you need to remember that all they do (inside and outside the office) can impact your corporate brand.  People are always watching and judging, so actions matter.  

Below is a guest blog post that came from July 2013 from the What Big Brands Know blog.  Check out what Gerry had to say on this subject.  If you do not know him, you should.... as he is a great speaker!!!

Who's In Charge of Your Brand

By Gerry O'Brion

Every organization, every person, every place, well…almost everything has a brand. Think about it – what’s the brand of Monday? How did Monday get a brand? It doesn’t even have a marketing budget!

In big companies Marketing or the “brand managers” (which I was at Procter & Gamble and Coors) are “in charge” of managing brand perceptions. But who’s really in charge? I spent my career managing billion dollar brands. The process of managing those brands is simple to understand, but extraordinarily hard to execute well. Especially today.

The reality of your brand is that every single employee has an impact on your brand. And today, so does every customer. So how do you “manage” your brand in this new reality? The first step is getting clarity on your true brand message. What do you stand for that is unique from competition? Then, be sure that every employee understands and delivers that message consistently to every customer. Give your employees the language to use so every customer knows what you do that’s special.

As a marketing speaker I teach the strategies that great companies use to build powerful brands. Today more than ever, consumers want to be in a relationship with brands that both listen and act on customer input. Social media has made it easier than ever for consumers to be heard. Companies now have the opportunity learn directly from their customers, and make changes based on their feedback. And it’s free. It used to be that consumer research was only done by the big companies. Now, they’ve lost that advantage – anyone can do it.

Social media scares many companies – especially big ones. At companies with clarity about their brand message, this is much less scary. If every employee knows exactly what the company stands for, they’re clear how to act in every situation, with every customer. They have the ability to do the right thing, and are clear what the right thing is. The foundation of a great brand always starts internally. When everyone in the company is clear on the brand, your customers will understand who you are, and what you stand for.

In great companies branding is everyone’s job. While branding efforts may be led by Marketing, the execution of these efforts happens at every level, in every department of the organization. Think about restaurants as an example. In restaurants, the brand is largely built on the front lines where the customers are being served. The servers are typically the lowest paid employees in the company – and the most important.

The hiring, training and motivating these front line employees is critical to the long-term success of a restaurant brand.

So, who’s in charge of your brand?


Gerry O'Brion is a marketing speaker and author who translates big brand strategies into knowledge that any business can use to win in the marketplace. Whether you have a small business or big brand, Gerry's strategies can grow your business. Gerry built his career growing big brands. After earning his MBA at the University of Michigan, he worked with Procter & Gamble on brands such as Crisco, Tide, Mr. Clean, and Spic & Span. Next, at Coors Brewing Company he managed Coors Light, a $2 billion business. He was then VP of Marketing for the $1.5 billion Quiznos restaurant chain. Gerry was most recently VP of Marketing for Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, a $1 billion brand.

Have A Great Day

Thom Singer

Forever Friends

Our family spent part of our vacation with the families of two of my friends from childhood. Later this summer we will attend a Bat Mitzvah where many other life-long friends and their families will be present. While people will come and go from our lives, some souls are "forever friends".  We are fortunate to know many of these folks whose presence is ever lasting in our lives. Time and geography move people apart (we moved to Texas from California 23 years ago) - but the age of communication can also keep us together.

Cherish people. 

Have A Great Day

thom singer

Planned Improv? (Guest Blog by Avish Parashar)

I recently coached a person who complained she "over-planned" everything.  She confided in me that she dreamed of being more of a "free-spirit".  As we talked it was clear she felt these two ways were mutually exclusive.  But are they?  I find that the more planning I do in my business, the more un-planned opportunities and serendipity pop up.  

Planning is important, but often it prepares you for the unexpected.  A business plan is not Google Maps.  It is not reality.  It is an idea.  Plan like crazy, then be open to what can happen.  My friend Avish Parashar teaches improv comedy to business professionals, and he agrees with my idea of the being prepared, while being open to the unexpected.  

Below is a blog post that appeared on Avish's blog that I thought might shed some light on this idea:

Tap Into your "Zone of Brilliance"

By Avish Parashar

Can I make a confession?

I am a paid professional speaker who speaks on the power of improvisation, and yet, my speeches are fairly well planned out when I speak!

Does that seem incongruent to you?

Would it make it worse if I told you that I practice my keynotes and that some of my stories are – gasp! – written out?

I can understand that feeling. However, it shouldn’t. Not if you understand a fundamental rule about improvising:

Improv is not about slacking off on the things you can control. It’s about letting go of the things you can’t.

I can control my speech, and I can control my content for the speech. When I speak, there are 2 levels of improvisation I use:

1. I play improv comedy games in my speech. Those are new every time.
2. I stay present and aware of my audience and adjust if and when necessary

Interestingly, the more prepared you are the easier it is to improvise!

I know my keynote and material so well that I don’t need to think about it. That frees up my conscious mind to be in the present and connect with the audience.

Then, when things go “not quite as planned,” (i.e. “Ding Happens!”) I am able to use improv skills to react and flow as if everything is just fine.

1. Understand Why You Should Learn to Improvise - Don’t resist learning improv skills because you are very detail oriented and prefer to plan and prepare. Learn improv so that when something happens that you didn’t and couldn’t prepare for – and it will! – you will be able to quickly flow and deal with it.
2. Get Over Your Fear Of Letting Others Improvise – If you are a manager or leader, you may find yourself saying, “I don’t want my people to improvise! I want them to do what they are supposed to, when they are supposed to, how they are supposed to.” No one is telling you otherwise, However, when taught and used properly, improv is not about letting people “wing it.” It’s about giving people the skills they need to react when the policy and system isn’t enough. (Here’s a tip: Google great customer service experiences. Almost every one is about an employee taking action outside of the “policy.”)
3. Prepare! - I don’t care if you are a speaker, business owner, salesperson, customer service rep or other, there is no excuse for being unprepared! Know your material. Be an expert in your subject matter. Know your script/policy/system cold. THEN you will be in an amazing position to improvise when needed.

So yes, I am an improviser who prepares. And if you want to be a rockstar in your job, career, or industry, then I highly suggest you become one too!

Do you want to unleash the brilliance that comes at the intersection of improvisation and preparation in your team or organization? Then contact Avish now to find out how he can help you do just that!

More info on Avish at http://www.avishparashar.com/bio.html

Have A Great Day

thom singer

Eject the Core

In one sentence the speaker on the stage transformed my work.  

While attending the 2014 National Speakers Association convention, I heard Eric Chester encourage the audience of professional presenters to throw out their PowerPoint and make each slide "earn its way back into the presentation". It sounds so simple, but these words have impacted me at a deeper level than Mr. Chester probably intended.

From that moment forward my business has begun to change.  Each presentation I have given after that moment has become more crisp.  Information that was "filler" is already gone, and some of the stories and audience exercises I have used for years are now in ongoing negotiations inside my head to determine their role in future presentations. A new course has taken shape, and I am removing all offerings that are not solidly anchored in my favorite areas of expertise.

Beyond the slides I am discovering it is time to examine other actions, relationships, beliefs, attentions, intentions, etc....  Many habits we embrace are security blankets that we cling to for ease and comfort, yet they are not the path to our most productive self.  I am evaluating everything.  This includes people.  Maya Angelou said "never make someone a priority when all they are to you is an option".  It is freeing to realize that you do not need to cling to people who sap your energy.

It can be a good thing to "eject the core".  Releasing distractions and making a conscious decision on where to put energy allows for new directions.  In the Star Trek series there are situations when the captain needs to have the crew jettison the warp core to save the ship.  This is not done easily or without thought toward the long-term consequences, but if they do nothing there could be a full meltdown and the ship will be lost.  While in our lives we may not have full warp breach, our future success can be enhanced by beginning anew.  Saving the ship and having a fresh source of power will bring you to places nobody has gone before.

No change happens without a purposeful dedication to shifting perspective. In the short time since I heard Mr. Chester's advice I have spend most of my days looking at what parts of my world must be removed, reviewed and re-invented. Certain things stay intact, but other pieces of my "core" are ready to be replaced.  Deciding what will "earn its way back in" will be an ongoing process.  The core is being ejected, and the future is unclear.

It is exciting and also frightening.  After achieving a certain level of success, and the idea of making changes could threaten everything.  I want to grow beyond the plateau I have reached to conquer the next mountain.  It is clear that what got me here wont get me there.  I need to embrace the unknown that lies ahead and create new material.

Comedian Louis CK is said to regularly throw out his act and start over by creating new material. He supposedly learned this from studying the career of George Carlin, who avoided stagnation by requiring himself to recreate his act.  What works for professional comics can also work for anyone. The reality can be that the best one has to offer is not necessarily what they are doing today.  But we are not taught this in school.  Our education system encourages completion of the course and then working with the skills you have mastered.  There is little talk about what is next or how to get there.

The hardest part is getting the marketplace to notice the changes you are making.  Some will want your old material, while others will assume all you do is what they witnessed in the past.  People make decisions based on a limited view, but overtime as people around them change the reputations (good or bad) remain the same.

Ejecting the core is not easy and there is no "Starfleet Command" who will send supplies to rebuild your engines.  You have figure it out all by yourself.  I know, as feel as thought I am currently alone in deep space.  Yet it is clear my best work is in the future, so it is fun to retool the whole system.

Have A Great Day

thom singer

Surround Yourself With Talent

My recent "Cool Things My Friends Do" blog post was about the performance of Jason Hewlett at the Foundation Dinner Event during the recent National Speakers Association Annual Conference.

Wow.  Jason is one of the most talented people I have ever met in person (maybe the most talented).  His speaking skills, comedic talent, musical abilities and captivating style made me realize that the world is full of people who are radically amazing... and yet we do not know they are nearby.

One of the reasons I have been so active in the National Speakers Association is to surround myself with the most talented people in the speaking business.  The outstanding speeches I witnessed on stage at this year's conference eclipsed anything I have seen over the years at the dozens of conferences (in a variety of industries). 

Sitting at the feet of greatness included Mike Rayburn, Toni Newman, Jay Baer, Eric Chester, Eric Wahl, Sean Stephenson, and others.  It was inspiring.  

However, it was not only the main-stage speakers or breakout speakers that made the experience transformational..... it was the other attendees in the audience.  1400 people were in attendance, and each conversation was laced with power and opportunity.  I came away with more ideas than I could ever implement.

The challenge for all of us is to continue to surround ourselves with "talent" beyond an an industry conference.  And I am not just talking about great speakers or the thought leaders in your industry.  Everyone you meet has talent.

There are spectacular people who are making things happen in many ways.  They are "artists".  I used to wish I could paint, draw, play an instrument or otherwise create great art.  But the truth is my life is art.  And so is yours.  We are all engaged in tasks that impact the world.... the trick is to honor the "art" that is all around us (in ourselves and others).

Who are your surrounded by?  Do they push you to excel in new ways?

Have A Great Day

thom singer

Cool Things My Friends Do (Week #112) - Jason Hewlett is an AMAZING Talent

Each week on this blog I enjoy highlighting some of the cool things my friends do in their personal and professional lives.

Jason Hewlett is this week's "Cool Things My Friends Do" (week #112) blog post.  I met Jason in 2013 at the National Speakers Association annual convention in Philadelphia.  He was part of a group that ran from the hotel to the "Rocky Stairs" at the art museum (yeah, its cliche, but we did it).  

I did not understand at the time exactly what his speaking / entertainment business was all about, but at this year's NSA Foundation Dinner I discovered that Jason Hewlett is "Radically Awesome"

What did he do that is cool?  Jason was the headliner at the NSA Foundation event, and he put on a show that might have been the BEST show I have ever seen in any venue.  Ever.  Talent like his is special and rare.

Boom.

In a short blog post I could never do Jason's unique talents justice.  All I can say is that if you do not know Jason.... find out more about him.  If you are a corporate or association meeting planner and you have a night of entertainment at your event..... hire him (your boss will give you a raise).  If you like to laugh, seek out his YouTube channel. If you breath air...  go hear his act.

Jason might also be the first person to appear in my "Cool Things My Friends Do" blog post two weeks in a row, as he received his Certified Speaking Professional designation (the CSP) with me and 76 others this week in San Diego.  I am proud to have shared that honorable experience with him, and more proud to feature him as week #112 of Cool Things.

Have A Great Day

thom singer

Cool Things My Friends Do (Week #111) - 2014 CSP Class of the National Speakers Association

Each week on this blog I enjoy highlighting some of the cool things my friends do in their personal and professional lives.

This weekend the National Speakers Association will award 78 people with The CSP ("The Certified Speaking Professional"). Many of the people on the list are people I have come to know over my six years as a member of NSA (I am also one of the 78 receiving this honor).

What is the CSP? The CSP is the speaking profession’s international measure of professional platform competence. When a speaker earns his or her CSP designation, meeting professionals looking to hire the best of the best see their commitment to the profession, and know they have top-notch speaking ability and a track record of professionalism and success. 

Less than the top 10 percent of speakers earn this credential, which means CSP's are recognized as the best in their field.

The CSP designation is earned through demonstrating competence in professional standards:

• Platform skills
• Business management
• Education
• Association

The list is below.  Congratulations to all who are part of the 2014 CSP Class (I am honored to be included in such an impressive list).  Those who I know are highlighted in green.

Haydee Antezana, CSP, Benmore, Johannesburg, South Africa
Nanci Appleman-Vassil, CSP, Raleigh, N.C.
David Avrin, CSP, Castle Rock, Colo.
Nancy Bartlett, CSP, Murphy, Texas
Steve Beck, CSP, Glen Ellyn, Ill.
Ty Bennett, CSP, Lehi, Utah
Alan Berg, CSP, Kendall Park, N.J.
Mark Black, CSP, Dieppe, New Brunswick, Canada
Anders Boulanger, CSP, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Sean V. Bradley, CSP, Audubon, N.J.
Peter Brandl, CSP, Lindau, Bavaria, Germany
Roger Brooks, CSP, Renton, Wash.
Leslie Canham, CSP, Copperopolis, Calif.
Donna Cardillo, CSP, RN, Sea Grit, N.J.
Colette Carlson, CSP, MA, San Diego, Calif.
William Conerly, CSP, PhD, Lake Oswego, Ore.
Steve Coscia, CSP, Havertown, Pa.
Roger Courville, CSP, Wood Village, Ore.
Randall Craig, CSP, CFA, MBA, CMC, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Tom Davidson, CSP, King William, Va.
Adrian Davis, CSP, CIP, BPM, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Richard de Hoop, CSP, Weert, Limburg, Netherlands
Myla DeLoatch, CSP, Upper Marlboro, Md.
Mark Eaton, CSP, Park City, Utah
Alan Fine, CSP, Salt Lake City, Utah
Michael Foley, CSP, MA, Minneapolis, Minn.
Sarah Fontenot, CSP, Fredericksburg, Texas
Elaine Froese, CSP, PHEc, CAFA, CHICoach, Manitoba, Canada
Steven Gaffney, CSP, Fairfax, Va.
Richard Gasaway, CSP, Saint Paul, Minn.
Terrie Glass, CSP, Richmond, Va.
Damian Goldvarg, CSP, Los Angeles, Calif.
Rick Goodman, CSP, Pembroke Pines, Fla.
Margarita Gurri, CSP, Dania Beach, Fla.
Chandra Hall, CSP, Colorado Springs, Colo.
Gary Hankins, CSP, Oxnard, Calif.
Devin Henderson, CSP, Shawnee, Kan.
Jason Hewlett, CSP, South Jordan, Utah
Mellanie True Hills, CSP, Greenwood, Texas
Mark Hoog, CSP, Fort Collins, Colo.
Karen Hough, CSP, Powell, Ohio
Steve Hughes, CSP, Chesterfield, Mo.
Louise Jakubik, CSP, Philadelphia, Pa.
Mary Kelly, CSP, Denver, Colo.
Sharon King, CSP, Collins Road, Gauteng, South Africa
Jason Kotecki, CSP, Madison, Wis.
Dirk Kreuter, CSP, Bochum, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
Darren LaCroix, CSP, Las Vegas, Nev.
Dave Lieber, CSP, Keller, Texas
Anna Liotta, CSP, Seattle, Wash.
Heather Lutze, CSP, Parker, Colo.
Kirk Manzo, CSP, Atlanta, Ga.
Damian Mason, CSP, Huntington, Ind.
Andy Masters, CSP, MA, Plantation, Fla.
Patrick Maurer, CSP, San Diego, Calif.
Karl Mecklenburg, CSP, Littleton, Colo.
Kimberly Medlock, CSP, Olive Branch, Miss.
John B. Molidor, CSP, PhD, Haslett, Mich.
David Newman, CSP, Bryn Mawr, Pa.
Cordula Nussbaum, CSP, Sauerlach, Bavaria, Germany
Marquesa Pettway, CSP, DTM, New York, N.Y.
Raymond Phoon, CSP, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
Blaine Rada, CSP, Brookfield, Ill.
Sam Richter, CSP, Minnetonka, Minn.
Volker Römermann, CSP, PhD, Hamburg, Germany
Ford Saeks, CSP, Wichita, Kan.
Susan Scanland, CSP, CNP, MSN, Clarks Summit, Pa.
Gabriel Schandl, CSP, Oberndorf, Salzburg, Austria
Stephen Shapiro, CSP, Quincy, Mass.
Marilyn Sherman, CSP, Las Vegas, Nev.
Thom Singer, CSP, Austin, Texas
Suzanne F. Stevens, CSP, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Doug Stevenson, CSP, Colorado Springs, Colo.
Audrey Thomas, CSP, Minneapolis, Minn.
Helen Turnbull, CSP, PhD, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Rory Vaden, CSP, MBA, Nashville, Tenn.
Nadine Vogel, CSP, Mendham, N.J.
Faith Wood, CSP, Airdrie, Alberta, Canada

***This is week #111 of "Cool Things My Friends Do".

Have A Great Day

thom singer

Who Is Challenging You?

Who is challenging you to be the best you can be?  I like to be positively challenged, but find there are few people in the world willing to nudge others to improve.  Some many feel it is not their place, while others are frightened to offend.  It is often that people simply don't care much about what you do.  It takes a soul very secure in their own place to be good at challenging others.

Oh, wait... I don't mean the jerks who will doubt your efforts or point out your flaws.  It is easy to find those who will gladly argue or call you out for being "wrong" (regardless of the facts).  Those who bring drama into our lives are not really looking out for our best interests.  

Few seem to have regular contact with those that are willing to push and pull them forward.  The positive mentors that are unconditionally in our corner who have the ability to guide us around the pitfalls are rare.  I am fortunate to have these types of people (both friends, family and business associates), and I desire their inspiration, fresh ideas, and new points of view.  

Being clear that you are seeking improvement will draw some great people into your life.  The ones that will help you grow the most are also looking for people to assist them along their path.  Do not assume you will find someone who will give to you without you also being a giver.  Purposefully look for meaningful and mutually beneficial relationships.  

Working to improve will also turn some off.  Not everyone understands or respects your journey.  Nor do they want to invest in you.  That is okay.  You cannot make someone be your friend.  Let it go and move your focus to those who care about the whole you. 

All opportunities come from people.  Being engaged with those who challenge you to become more and to reach your potential makes life better and more fun. 

Are you feeling challenged?

Have A Great Day

thom singer 

Cool Things My Friends Do (Week #110) - Josh Baer and Capital Factory Celebrate 6+2

Each week on this blog I enjoy highlighting some of the cool things my friends do in their personal and professional lives.

Congratulations to Josh Baer and The Capital Factory in celebrating 6 years in operation plus 2 years in their wonderful facility (6+2).  This week they hosted an very cool reception to mark these milestones and it was a great party filled with some of Austin's most interesting entrepreneurs, programmers, investors, and others who serve the startup community.

The Capital Factory is an amazing organization that was founded by three of my friends, Josh Baer, Bryan Menell, and Sam Decker.  It is an incubator, accelerator, and co-working space for Austin's tech start-ups.  It has become the entrepreneurial center of gravity in Austin, Texas. Located in the heart of downtown, Capital Factory has 50,000 square feet that is booming with startup and entrepreneurial activity. 

The Incubator gives Austin startups a competitive advantage in attracting talent, mentors, press and funding. The tech meetups and hack-a-thons hosted at Capital Factory create a talent pipeline that touches almost every programmer and designer in Austin. It helps create a unique community of access that will benefit all involved for both the short and long term.

Their mentors are the A-list of local entrepreneurs and executives. These people share their experience with new entrepreneurs, and regularly help them find a faster path toward business success.  Press and government officials visiting Austin (including President Obama) stop at Capital Factory to tour the facility and catch the buzz of these startups.  

Josh and his team have created something amazing.  It was fun to be at the 6+2 Celebration Party and to highlight this as week #110 in the "Cool Things My Friends Do" series.

Have A Great Day

thom singer

The ABC's of Legal Marketing - Z is the End

There is no end to marketing a legal practice. A career can go in many directions over 40 years, and you can never expect that what got you here will get you to the next level.

You will need to be engaged in positioning yourself throughout your career.  While the exact marketing activities which you participate in will change at different points in your life, it is important that you never ease up on promoting your practice.  Those who continue to have their marketing, networking, and business development activities a priority will have more choices in the future.

Now that you have read "The ABC's of Legal Marketing" we hope that you are inspired to be more active in your efforts to grow and expand your brand and to win more business.  All opportunities come from people, thus you cannot expect to develop your practice from behind your office door.  

Get to work and never stop.

Have A Great Day

thom singer

Thom Singer is experienced in legal marketing and business development.  He regularly speaks at law firm retreats inspiring attorneys to embrace their brand and increase their sales.  He also teaches lawyers ways to improve their presentation skills as the firm's secret weapon for business development success.  More information at www.ThomSinger.com.

The ABC's of Legal Marketing - Y is for Yes

Most law schools do not teach the importance of marketing, and by skipping this topic they are launching young attorneys into the workplace without all the tools they need to succeed.  Being able to promote and sell your services is a key factor in establishing long-term success in your career.  There are many unknowns and the pressure to succeed can be overwhelming, but not taking action will limit your future.

If you have a yearning to grow an amazing practice, and will not be satisfied with the mediocre, you will need to take ownership of your branding. If you work for a large firm you can hope that other lawyers will provide you with work, but that means you have no control over your future.  You will always have to rely on the marketing efforts of others to ensure you keep you job.  If you work in a small firm, then you have to take an active role in marketing or you will go hungry.  When you view yourself as a good lawyer, watching others cultivate larger books of business will leave you envious of their careers.  The longer you wait on this, the harder it will be to achieve results..

If you have this desire to build your practice then get ready to say "yes" to marketing. This means you embrace the importance of business development activities and make them a priority in your daily routine. 

Marketing is not magic and does not guarantee success. Some people will fail and have to try again and again to establish their reputation. There will be those who will get discouraged and go hide behind their office door and wish that there were other ways to earn a living.  Others may succeed still not be satisfied with the practice of law, however those who have marketed well will have many other business opportunities to go in-house or pursue other non-legal careers if they are well known in their community.  No matter where you career goes, you have to try harder and take chances. Wayne Gretzky said "You miss 100% of the shots you don't take".

A great way to get yourself comfortable with marketing is to surround yourself with other attorneys that are aggressive in managing the growth of their career.  Spend time getting to know others both professionally and socially while observing how they go about raising their visibility will show you the variety of paths to success.  There is no one right answer, but if you are not knowledgeable about what it takes to treat a legal practice as a business, then you will be blindsided by many unknowns.

Contemplate your marketing options, and then take action.  If you know you want a stronger career, just say "Yes".

Have A Great Day

thom singer

People Have Power

The people with whom you surround yourself make a huge difference in your life.  They influence how you see the world, impact your mood, and help you rise to higher levels of success (or hold you back).   The legendary author and speaker, the late Jim Rohn, had a famous saying:

“You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.”

Mr. Rohn was right.  If you are engulfed by self-doubt, limiting beliefs, and negativity, it can be a result of the input you are receiving from others.  The reverse is true too, as if you are inspired to take action, excited about the future, and positively focused.... you are most likely spending time with the right people.

Fortunately I am connected to some amazing souls.  Family, friends, clients, co-workers, mentors, etc.... all have lead me onto the path of self-improvement.  My wife and kids are the ones I see the most, and they give me a reason to keep working on myself.  I am driven to find ways to improve in my personal and professional life, and usually enjoy tackling my flaws (yeah, sometimes it sucks to admit shortcomings!!)

While people will come and go over time (and that is okay), we live in a world with a variety of communication options, so distance no longer means a lack of contact.  I have active friendships that date back to elementary school, even though I live in a different state than where I grew up.  My family will spend part of our vacation with two other families this summer, and I have known the other dads since kindergarten and 7th grade.  Now our kids are friends.  While I do not see them often, both of these guys have had a positive impact on my life.  I do not recall life without them being my friends, and I cannot think of them without being washed over by good thoughts.

In my speaking career I have the honor to be associated with some incredible giving people through the National Speakers Association. Many members of the association are willing to share their experience, ideas, and best practices.  I doubt I could have had succeeded without the input from so many other speakers. Both nationally and locally I have found encouragement to keep going and am pushed to learn and grow.  I have joined a mastermind group with several other speakers, and each time we meet (in person or via Skype) I feel lifted up.  This group understands the crazy side of the speaking industry.  This business can be confusing and lonely if one does not have "Speaker Buddies" to keep you on track.

(**Note.. no matter what industry you work in, it is a good idea to have friends in the business.  Join and participate in your trade association!)

The exciting part of all this is there are always new people who will come into your life and raise up your "sum total".  With seven billion humans on the planet you have nearly unlimited opportunities to cultivate amazing relationships with cool people.  Not everyone is a good match to be part of your inner circle, but there is always someone out there who can change your world for the better.  Some whom you meet wont like you, or will not be willing to give you the time of day... so what? Move on.  It does not mean they are bad people, they are just not "your people".

But remember this.... to attract the type of people who will raise you up, you need to be a person who does the same for others.  Nobody wants to be pulled down into the mud, so if you are a person who makes people feel lower, they will be happy to get away from your orbit.  Encourage others, praise them, and help them achieve their goals.  If you are always pointing out their flaws, or talking about them behind their back in negative ways, then you cannot expect them to keep coming back for more abuse (or to serve as your champion).

People have power.  They can boost or derail you by just being themselves. Surround yourself with people who are givers, and simultaneously find ways to serve them in their own efforts to find more success.

Have A Great Day

thom singer

The ABC's of Legal Marketing - X is for eXpert

When you are known as an expert in your area of practice, you will attract more clients.  When hiring a lawyer people are more confident when your reputation for success is well known.  This is about both "doing good work" and the cultivation of your a reputation and a brand in your business community.  

To become an expert in your legal skills involves considerable effort and you must always be keeping up with the changes that are happening in your field.  The same is true in promoting your expertise.  If you are not working on this, then nobody will know you exist, and you will be passed over for the business. 

Marketing and branding have to be a priority that stands along side your legal knowledge.  If you do not care about your visibility, you will leave future income on the table.  In addition to your successful record of serving your clients, you must intentionally let people know about the work you do so well.  This involves a variety of integrated activities that we have discussed in "The ABC's of Legal Marketing".  If you have read this far (to the letter "X") you have found several ideas that can get you started, but success will not happen overnight.  

Take a close look at the lawyers you admire as "experts" across practice areas.  Beyond the obvious, seek to find the behind the scenes activities they and their firm are engaged to promote themselves. While you cannot always uncover all their efforts, you will discover that it is rare for top reputations to be built by accident. 

Writing, speaking, educating, social media, interviews, networking, advertising, pro-bono service, client alerts, mailings, etc... are all needed to ensure that your excellent legal skills are understood by your clients, prospects, referral sources, and others in your community.  Do not assume people will think of you when you are hiding in your office.

Confidence, not cockiness, is what makes an expert shine.  Never be embarrassed about being an expert.  Some attorneys with amazing skills feel weird about talking about telling their story.  While you do not want to be seen as a bragger, if you are not promoting yourself, remember that nobody else will do it.  You are the product and service that you provide to your clients, and if you are ashamed to admit that you are amazing at what you do, why should anyone select you to represent them?

Have A Great Day

thom singer

Cool Things My Friends Do (week #109) - Clint Greenleaf: "Give, Save, Spend with the Three Little Pigs"

My friend Clint Greenleaf is a great entrepreneur with a passion to help others.  In all the years I have known him he consistently has provided me with great advice and a "think bigger" mindset that has encouraged me throughout the journey of my speaking career. 

In addition to being the founder of the highly successful Greenleaf Book Group, Clint also excels in all the roles he plays in life: entrepreneur, speaker, mentor, husband, father, friend, Marine, author, TV pundit, advisor, etc...

Clint recently released a children's book "Give, Save, Spend with the Three Little Pigs".  The book is designed to teach kids what schools do not teach... Basic Finance.   

With the Big Bad Wolf blowing down houses, the Three Little Pigs start a company to build strong homes of brick.  With demand high and sales booming, the Pigs need to figure out what to do with their profits.  One little Pig wants to spend away, another wants to give it away, and the third wants to save it. Based on the give-save-spend-concept, this sequel to the classic fairy tale teaches kids a safe and practical approach to managing money.

This book fits right into my weekly "Cool Things My Friends Do" series (week #109)... as it is very cool.  It is the perfect gift for anyone raising kids and trying to teach them about money.  

Have A Great Day

thom singer

All Speakers Should Be Motivational Speakers

Motivation gets a bad rap.  Often those who select presenters for conventions and other live gatherings are biased against the term "Motivational Speaker", as over the years Hollywood has connected this label to speakers who are phony or lame.  Remember Chris Farley and his Saturday Night Live skit where he was a failure at life, but was a "Motivational Speaker"? (He lived in a van down by the river).

While there are certainly many awful speakers who have graced the stage over the years, they are not bad because of being motivational, they are simply bad speakers.  Jeff Hurt had a great post the Velvet Chainsaw Mid-course Corrections Blog about the need to train speakers on how to teach.  His piece "Conference Improvement Means People Improvement" began by stating that "The quality of a conference’s education program cannot exceed the quality of its speakers."  He is right.  Speakers set the tone for events. Jeff is an expert on educating people about how great conference education is not just smart people lecturing.  There is more to how people learn than just the content.  Speakers need to learn how to help people learn.  

But learning is not the whole picture either.  If people learn and do nothing we only go part way.  The goal of presentations needs to be to get people to retain the information and then to take action to make improvements in their lives, careers, communities, etc...

Some believe that content is king, and will ignore the public speaking skill level.  But speaking skills do matter.  I believe it is not too much to ask to have presentations that are educational, entertaining, engaging and motivating.  Speakers are not a commodity, and finding the right one for the right audience is a difficult task.  Seasoned meeting planners do not pre-judge the presenters they hire based on titles and pedigrees.  Instead they vet the experience level and the ability to impact an audience, coupled with the relevance of the topic.

There certainly needs to be content and a meaningful message.  However, I can't recall ever seeing a talk where there was not any educational intention. There are levels of content, but all talks I have ever seen have a topic.  Motivation cannot stand alone.  

Not all content is the same, and some topics are more suited for certain audiences. This makes speaker selection one of the most important things that a planner will ever do to ensure a great event.  It is paramount to remember that content is not always "King".... it is more like a "Mayor".  To have success it must be surrounded and supported by a good city counsel.  In a speech this support comes from speaking style, experience, humor (for most topics), research and observations, stories, and motivation.  

If you cringe at the thought of "Motivation", take a minute to ask yourself if it is based on the definition you are applying to the word.  The key question is "What is the opposite of motivation?". What is the answer? (if you have a good one, leave a comment!!!)  De-motivating?  Static?  Sucks the energy out of the room?".  These terms are never the goal for a live event.  But when people are moved to take action on what they have learn, lives can be changed for the better.

Some say "Motivation" is not sustainable, but the World English Dictionary defines the word "Motivation" as:

The process that arouses, sustains and regulates human and animal behavior

If it is done right, sustaining action is part of the definition!

I am not arguing for fluffy talks.  Instead I think you must have the whole package to have a memorable and meaningful conference that has impact on the attendees.  

Have A Great Day

thom singer

Thom Singer is known as "The Conference Catalyst". He works with meeting planners and conference organizers to set the tone for a meeting. His presentations educate, inspire and motivate attendees to engage deeper in the event and make meaningful connections.  http://www.conferencecatalyst.com 

www.ConferenceCatalyst.com

The Certified Speaking Professional - Thom Singer, CSP

I am proud to have been awarded the National Speakers Association's professional certification, the CSP.  I will officially receive the certification at the 2014 NSA Annual Convention in San Diego.  

What is the CSP?

The Certified Speaking Professional (the CSP) was established in 1980 and is the speaking profession’s international measure of professional platform competence. Conferred by the National Speakers Association, it is designed to honor speakers who are recognized for their commitment to the profession. 

Meeting professionals know that those awarded this designation have top-notch speaking ability and a track record of professionalism and success. Only about 10 percent of speakers have earn this credential.

The CSP designation is earned through demonstrating competence in professional standards:

• Platform skills
• Business management
• Education
• Association

Special Thanks

This designation is NOT just mine, but instead it is shared by the people who have been instrumental in my speaking career:

• My wife and daughters, who have supported the crazy travel schedule and made many sacrifices that go with starting a solopreneur business.  They have always been right there with me as we have worked to create the business, and they are the purpose of why I work so hard and never waiver from the commitment.

• Our New Year Publishing business partners, Dave and Leslie Morris, who always believed I could make it as a professional speaker and found ways to help me get the business launched. 

• My parents (now both passed on) and my three older brothers all get special thanks.... as I talked a lot as a kid.  Yes, A LOT.  They put up with all my stories, anecdotes and tall tales.  Who knew I could turn that into a career? 

• The over 300 clients, meeting professionals, and others who selected me to serve their audiences over the years.  Without the chance to speak to these amazing audiences, there would be no success in the industry.  

• The countless friends who offered support, ideas, referrals and the occasional kick in the pants.  All opportunities come from people, and I am fortunate to have some really cool people in my life who challenge me to be a better human.

• And finally... special thanks to the other members in the National Speakers Association, many of whom have become my friends, mentors, and guides through this crazy business we all love.  So many have shown me the different paths to a career in speaking, I will never be able to repay the generosity of spirit I found in NSA.

It is an honor to be part of the class of 2014.  This year's group of CSP's will be the largest ever.  I am in great company with some people who are legends in the business.  I cannot wait to stand on stage with all of them to receive our medals.  

Have A Great Day

thom singer

Cool Things My Friends Do (Week #108): Jessica Pettitt's TEDx Talk - The Day Everything Changed

Each week on this blog I enjoy highlighting some of the cool things my friends do in their personal and professional lives.

Jessica Pettitt has been featured before in "Cool Things My Friends Do".  It is always interesting how those who do one cool thing seem to repeat the process of pushing the envelope again  and again.

Jess is a professional speaker who I met through our active involvement in the National Speakers Association.  She has become a special friend and confidant.  She is the type of buddy we all should have, as she is always there to support the people in her life in good times and bad.

Recently Jessica had the opportunity to deliver a TEDx Talk. (Interestingly, the first ever "Cool Things My Friends Do" post was about another friend's TEDx Talk).  I would enjoy the chance to someday speak at a TEDx event, and if I ever have that honor, I hope I can ROCK THE STAGE like Jess did at "TEDx - The Evergreen State College".

Check out the video below.  If you like her message, share it with a friend.



(If you can not see the embedded video, here is the link:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXWcor-GnZ8&feature=youtu.be)

Have A Great Day

thom singer

7 Days To Self Discovery - Video Blog Post

In the ongoing effort toward self-discovery and personal / professional re-invention I participated in a seven day experiment. We can always be learning and growing.  I try to embrace my mistakes, not repeat them, and examine what caused my goofs and stumbles.  I am a work in progress, and I like that.  Nobody is perfect, and by experimenting I find I can take big leaps in my attempts to improve.

Each day this week I tackled eight simple tasks as part of a seven day challenge.  Below is the list of what I did and a short explanation of how it impacted me:

1.  Do a task each day that you know you should do but never seem to get around to (I chose recording and posting a video blog post each day).

2.  Each day list one thing that you are grateful for in your life.

3.  Journal a page a day about what is happening in your personal or professional life.

4.  Every morning answer the question "wouldn't it be wonderful today if ________________ happened?"

5. Refer one person or promote their business in some way.

6. Do a physical workout every day.

7. Meditate or pray in a quiet place for ten minutes each day.

8.  Watch a TED Talk video every day.

9.  Write a handwritten note to someone daily.

This was a great exercise that forced me to think hard about many issues with which I struggle in my personal and professional life. 

Some days it was hard to find the time to do each task (I do have work to do), but by being committed to getting this project done, I was able to succeed completing each task daily.

"Peace" is the word that comes to mind on day seven.  While I cannot say I found an "ah ha" moment that instantly changed my life, the process allowed me to examine some of what I am doing.

Here is my take on each of the nine daily steps:

• Recording a short video daily was fun.  I was also surprised how many people commented to me throughout the week about the format of talking to the camera while parked in my car.  Many liked it, others I am not sure.... but in the end it got me to talk to the camera (not always in one take) and get more comfortable with the medium.

• Identifying what I am grateful for made me feel good when I reviewed the whole list (I am a fortunate guy).  My wife and kids lead the list, but I also have amazing friends and family members who love me unconditionally.  The city where we live is vibrant and exciting.  My career is interesting and positively challenging.  And my parents (who are both gone now) were the type of role models I can only hope I am for my kids.

• Journaling is always a good idea when you face difficulties in your life.  Explaining to yourself how you think and feel about a given situation is paramount to accepting the realities of dealing with "stuff".  The clarity I feel after venting to a notebook is amazing.  Plus, but spilling the gory details to paper I am not burdening others with the drama, confusion, and random worries.

• Filling in the blank to "wouldn't it be wonderful if___________ happened?" allowed me to dream big for that day and beyond.  I came up with some awesome stuff.  While none of it happened this week, I chose things that could happen in my life.  Dreaming big is important.

• While I try to refer or promote people all the time - the forced timeline made it difficult, as sometimes I felt that my effort were not really powerful enough.  Tweeting someone's good thing was not enough to feel that I had really had an impact.  This one is difficult, as it is easy to forget to make the people in our lives a priority.

• Getting to the gym daily was great.  I often can find excuses to not get a workout, and I skip more days than I care admit.  But this week I pushed myself to run a bit farther and feel the burn more intently.  It was all good.

• Meditation and prayer is something I wish I did more regularly.  Finding the quiet time was difficult, and with so many things going on in a life, it was hard to focus on what one issue I was seeking clarity.  But in the end this was where the feeling of "peace" came from in my head.  Realizing it is all good, and the bumps in my road are only distractions from my goals.  

• The daily TED Talk video was inspiring.  Oh, how we can all use more true thought leaders in our lives!  Watching these videos on so many topics was powerful.  Sting, Jessica Pettitt, Ray Kurtzweil, Larry Smith, Yves Morieux, Susan Cain, and Michael Porter all have so much to offer.  I want to keep watching more TED talks and feel the vibe of ideas.

• I liked this one, as I write notes all the time anyway!!!   A few days I had to think about whom to write (as sending a note still needs a purpose).  I discovered there is always someone to whom we should say "Thank You".  While some of these people should have received notes weeks or months ago, there is no statute of limitations on gratitude.

Feel free to use this format for yourself, or adapt it to meet your own situation.  If you try the seven day challenge, let me know how it worked for you.

Have A Great Day

thom singer

Performing with Heart and Soul

We all have something special inside of us.  We must let it out and show the world.

Too often people put on a mask and act in a certain way to try and please others, but we really should be working with heart and soul to let the best of our self touch the world.



Have A Great Day

thom singer