Speaking of Fear in Business, Halloween, and Scary Topics

In a delightfully fun conversation with two association executives, the CEO and the director of meetings for a large trade association, they labeled me "The Scary Speaker".  

The topics that I proposed to present at their event, which would include the opening keynote and two breakouts, will cover "Networking", "Negotiations", and "Presentation Skills".  They noticed the coloration between each topic was that people were scared of these themes.  

It is true, these are scary.  But in business we must conquer many fears to reach our full potential.

They will be hiring me to cover "The Trifecta of Fear" (as the CEO dubbed my three talks) and we joked that it was too bad their convention was in the April, and not in October. (I think they envisioned me in costume as Dracula or Frankenstein while on their stage.  Booooo!). 

What is it that causes business professionals fear the very skills that will guarantee them more success?  It could be the perception of what it means to network, negotiate, or speak.  In each case there is a relationship and communication involved.  And when dealing with other people, we clearly face the unknown.  This makes us vulnerable to make mistakes, or to be judged (and nobody like those options). 

When I speak and train on these subjects I like to think I am "The Fear Buster".  All opportunities come from people, thus we should not be frightened about how we engage with those whom we encounter.  

In most cases the people we meet networking, those on the other side of a negotiation, and the audiences where we present are all on board with wanting to see us succeed.  That is important to remember.  Once learned, simple strategies for all these topics should forever make them less nerve wracking.

Conventions that are planned by fun people who engage speakers on a personal level are always the best ones.  I know the conference that these two are conjuring up will be bewitching and enchanting (too much with the Halloween theme?).

Have A Great Day

thom singer

Emotional Vampires (Revisited)

Everyone knows someone who will emotionally drain the energy from the room. These are the "emotional vampires" and they are out there lurking, not in the shadows, but in your contact list. They knock you off from what is otherwise a great day. They suck the life force from your veins, and you are left feeling numb after being in their lair.

Like the character LeStat of Anne Rice's novels, they start off with ambitious ideas, but soon the knowledge of the triviality of their life sends them off casting darkness in their wake.

Take the time to examine those who drain your energy. There is no metaphorical wooden stake that will drive the "emotional vampires" out of your life. To do this you have to recognize negativity when it arrives, and have a policy that keeps the gossiping, whining, complaining, and bitching out of your life. They cannot enter your home without an invitation.  Remember, the ones who belittle others will do so you in due time. Walk away or face the eventuality of being bitten.

They exist, those who will harm your soul intentionally.  They are waiting to bite. But you control the actions you take in reaction their ways. It is the unconditional love you have with family (and true friends) that can be a clove of garlic. When people care with purpose, the dark ones cannot devour your soul.

Emotional vampires will come and go.  Once you take away their power to impact your feelings, they will vanish, as they have little use for those on whom they cannot feed.

Think about it.

Have A Great Day

thom singer

**I called this post "revisited" as I wrote about "Emotional Vampires" in 2007.

Networking Haiku

Attend a conference

Network and learn all you can

Take action once home

Cool Things Entrepreneurs Do

I have been writing "Cool Things My Friends Do" blog posts for over two years.  It is my favorite part of this blog, and I am always excited to add someone to the growing list (now over 115 posts) of people doing cool things in their personal and professional lives.

In a conversation the other day someone pointed out that I have a lot of friends who are entrepreneurs and solopreneurs.  I guess that is right.  I seem to be surrounded by people who are blazing their own trails and finding success on terms they define.  This is true of friends with traditional jobs, too.  Being entrepreneurial is not about starting and growing companies... it is about an attitude of making things happen and finding better ways to live.  The people I know are not content with the status quo. 

I am going to continue writing about my friends and all the cool things they do.... but soon I will be seeking others to interview (whom I do not know) that are changing the world.  I hope you will enjoy the "Cool Things Entrepreneurs Do".  

Stay tuned!

And if you know an entrepreneur (or a person with a big does of entrepreneurial spirit) who I should interview, let me know.

Have A Great Day

thom singer

5 Tips for Successfully Attending a High School Reunion

A friend attended his 30th High School Reunion this weekend, and since mine is only a few weeks away this topic has been heavy in my thoughts.  

Reunions bring with them a variety of emotions, and many choose to stay away all together.  It is easiest for many to lump the memories all in the "Crap Pile" and simply not show up.  

There are those who lived through pain in their adolescent years, felt misunderstood, or struggled with identities. Even the kids who seemed to "have it all" were not necessarily happy in their popularity. No matter where or when we grew up, it seems we all went to the same high school of emotional experiences.  The stories I hear from all over line up in more ways than most would ever imagine.

The reunion for my friend was a pleasant experience, but he was taken aback that only 1/4 of his graduating class chose to be present.  Others who came sat with their best friends of thirty years and never spoke to anyone outside of the corner from where they sat to observe.  But then there were the people who came to the party and embraced their past and present. These are the one that created an evening that was memorable.  Some of the most engaged were "outsiders" in while in school, but that night they stood shoulder to shoulder with their classmates... proud in themselves today.

I believe those who stayed away from my friend's reunion, or hid in the corner, missed a great opportunity. 

A reunion does not need to be a re-visit of a past if you choose to see it as an opportunity.  It is an evening that is only a few hours long, and nobody is there to cause harm or shame to others.  He said there was no conversation about career or financial success, but more of a genuine interest in the journey each person had taken.  Some of those journeys were good, others were not-so-good, but they all lead to this one moment in time. For him the evening was a chance to share with a group he shared a unique connection.

A classmate of mine, Dan, posted on Facebook of his struggles 30 years ago, but proclaimed his excitement to fly across the country to be present at our reunion.  Many of his current friends asked why he would care to spend the time and money to go to such an event, when he has grown up and moved on.... but he clearly knows his purpose in wanting to be connected to his high school peers, all who are real people living in the real world.  

In his Facebook post Dan said:

"We're all middle age. We've all had our own burdens. We've all become more mature and wiser. We've all realized what is important. We've put that silliness of young adulthood behind, and realized that we don't have to agree on fashion, politics, religious beliefs, or sexuality to deeply care about each other."

He nailed what many others fail to realize before a reunion.  People do change and grow.  Many discover themselves and are not connected to the actions and beliefs they held in high school.

When seen as a fresh start to network with interesting people, many you will really be meeting meet for the first time (as did we know each other then? Did we know ourselves?), a reunion can become a once in a lifetime (or once a decade) event.  Will there be those who are the same jerks they were decades earlier... YEP.  But they will be the exception, not the rule.

5 Tips for Successfully Attending at a High School Reunion

1.  Expect people to be nice.  You will get from others what you give to them.  Even those who were stuck up or jerks in the past can prove to be the coolest people today.

2.  Do not worry about your weight, the car you drive, the house you live in, your job title, your relationships status, where you went to college (or that you didn't go to college), etc...  The reality is that nobody cares. Come with an attitude to connect and hear about them and you will be pleasantly surprised.

3.  Let go of petty jealousies, rivalries, and attitudes toward individuals.  Do not assume you know how others felt (or feel) about you.  You are not clairvoyant, and often your assessments of their thoughts do not line up with the reality.

4.  Get out of the corner and go talk to people.  Introduce yourself, and if they do not remember you, do not be offended.  It has been a long time and they have had their own "stuff" going on in their life.  Ask question of others about their journey since graduation,  When it is your turn to talk, do not brag or whine.  Just tell them about who you are now.

5.  Have fun.  It is only a few hours, and you may make a connection that could become an important friend for the rest of your life.  

Time has a way of eliminating the importance of who was the cool one, the attractive one, the smart one, the rich one, or the athletic one.  Show up and be the one who cares about the others in the room, and you will find most of your classmates are just like you (they care too, or they would not have shown up).

My friend was happy to have chosen to be at his reunion (as the next one is ten years away) and I am very excited about attending mine.  While some old friends have informed me they are choosing not to be there... I realize that the people who do decide to be present are the ones I am meant to have in my life that night.  

I can't wait to see who is amazing.

Have A Great Day

thom singer

Podcast Movement 2014

The Podcast Movement 2014 conference was held this weekend in Dallas, TX.  Nearly 700 people attended this first-annual event, and I was there to learn more about this growing medium and decide if I am ready to launch my own podcast.  I am an avid listener of several podcasts on a variety of topics.  Over the past few months I have been exploring a concept that I believe will be fun, bring educational value, and allow me to share the cool things that people do to impact the world.

It was impressive how well the event was curated.  The organizers brought together many of the podcasting super-successful, but also a lot of interesting people who are seeking new ways to share information.  I definitely received more than I expected from my attendance and found the perfect accountability partner in a smart guy who is also seeking to launch a new podcast this fall. (Plus, Sara and the kids came along and had a few last minute vacation days before the school year starts up next week).

While at the event I also had the chance to meet some other solopreneurs (many who are podcasters) who are active in the Solopreneur Hour community.  The SoloHour is one of the fastest growing business podcasts, and host Michael O'Neal held several meet-ups for people who are part of his online community.  I have come to know many of these very smart and dedicated people virtually, and thus meeting them in person was an added bonus. 

Here are a few links to podcasts from some of my SoloLab friends (pictured above) that you might find interesting:

Solopreneur Hour (Michael O'Neal)

Not Bad For Dad (Scott Webber)

The Life of Now (Greg Barth)

You Leading You (Sean Ackerman)

Untrapped Life (Kristy Bartholomew)

100K Careers Q&A (Lisa Cummings)

OK 2 B LGBT (Molly Richardson and Kim Trumbo)

Ace Productivity (Timothy Moser)

SmartPhones Made Easy (Rey Brown)

There is a lot for me to accomplish to successfully launch my podcast in the next few months, but I am excited about the opportunity.  I hope that those who read this on my blog will stay tuned and be the first people to listen once it becomes real.

Have A Great Day

thom singer

Cool Things My Friends Do (Week #115) - "Making Rain with Events" by Scott Ingram

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

As a huge believer in the power of live events, I am excited about my friend Scott Ingram's new book "Making Rain with Events: Engage Your Tribe, Create Raving Fans and Deliver Bottom Line Results with Event Marketing" (Now available on Amazon.com).

I have known Scott Ingram since the early days on my journey as a speaker, and he has been one of those special friends who always believed in my efforts.  Scott was the founder of "NetworkInAustin" and is a successful salesperson in the technology industry (in addition to his more important role as a husband and the father of two daughters).

The completion of this book is the fulfillment of a long-term goal for Scott, and it was exciting to be part of the project (I am the author of a Chapter 5: "Setting The Tone For Connecting").  He has complied some great information from a variety of experts in sales, marketing, and the meetings industry and this book is a "MUST READ" for all event professionals.

It is with great excitement that I tell you about this book as week #115 of "Cool Things My Friends Do".  I suggest you order your copy today and dive into the content.

Joe Pulizzi, Founder of the Content Marketing Institute and Content Marketing World says: “Every marketing executive who invests in events as part of their marketing mix should do themselves a favor and read this book.” .... and he is right!!!

Have A Great Day

thom singer

Still Learning

Hollywood paints a negative picture of college fraternities and sororities, and while I admit there are problems that occur in the Greek Systems around the country, there is more good than bad happening on college campuses in 2014.  My own life experience shows the positive influence a fraternity can have someone, and recently I got to talk with many college students who are currently seeing their lives impacted by association.

I had the honor to be a speaker at the 175th General Convention of Beta Theta Pi.  This good and great fraternity assembled over 1700 people at the site of their founding (Miami University at Oxford, OH) for a three day celebration.

In addition to being a speaker in the convention's educational "Symposium", I am also a Beta.  My chapter at San Diego State University has been closed for over a decade and while I served as a volunteer adviser to the University of Texas Chapter and as a District Chief in the 1990s, I have had little involvement with the organization in nearly 20 years.  Showing up in Ohio I was not sure what to expect from the experience.

Over the decades the fraternity has recommitted itself to developing "Men of Principle" and the focus on education of the mind and character was very clear in all that the organization does to enhance the college experience (and beyond).

In addition to these college undergraduate leaders, there were many successful Beta alumni from all walks of life, including Senator Dick Lugar of Indiana (who has been volunteering to help lead the charge for leadership development training for many years).  It was fun to see some old friends, and business/industry legends convene with the students in Oxford for the largest gathering of Betas in history.  I was in college when I attended the 150th Convention in 1989, and was taken by how quickly time flies (and how this time I was part of the educational program). 

Much has changed in me and the fraternity over the years.  But much has also stayed the same.  It was comfortable being in the midst of people who share this bond in the fraternity.

I was reminded of why I joined Beta Theta Pi, and how my small band of brothers at SDSU in the 1980s had a positive impact on my life. In many ways I am the person I am today because of these people and the experiences we shared.  They are forever important.

Fresh concepts and perspectives were also part of the few days in Oxford.  I am not to old to gain new knowledge and points of view and enjoy being made to re-think ideas. I had one conversation in particular that changed how I looked at an issue in the organization that bothered me.  The person I talked with had no idea how his observations would transform my understanding.  Boom... no matter what the topic, there is always new things to learn.

In addition to speaking I attended several of the other educational sessions and had thought provoking conversations with interesting minds who like to think (and challenge others to think). I am still learning, and continue to believe it is the people we encounter who can change our trajectory.

Congrats to the fraternity on 175 years.  Maybe I will go back to the 200th convention (as I will only be 73 at that time!).

Have A Great Day

thom singer

New Business Networking Radio hosted by Dave Delaney

I am honored to be a guest on Dave Delaney's New Business Networking Radio (Episode #23). 

What podcasts do you listen to?  Podcasts have become my favorite listening for long drives and on the treadmill at the gym.  Dave Delaney's NBN Radio is a great one to add to your iTunes or Stitcher.  He has many guests who will help you discover new ways make the connections that will lead to better opportunities.

Please take a moment to listen to this podcast and leave a comment on Dave's website (and a review on iTunes or Stitcher, too),  Dave's doing a great job with this podcast....  spread the love.

Join the NBN Club today.

Listen to episode 23 in iTunes or Stitcher.

Have A Great Day

thom singer

Forming A Mastermind Group: Cavett Robert was Right - We Can Build A Bigger Pie!

Cavett Robert (1907-1997), Founder of the National Speakers Association, was right- we can grow a "Bigger Pie".

Mr. Robert was famous for encouraging speakers to help each other and not view all who speak on the platform as a competitor. He worked to inspire more people to join our profession and to get those who organize meetings to see the value in hiring speakers with professional experience. His efforts established credibility of those who make a commitment to the industry. Cavett made an impact on the lives of so many (both speakers and those who were in his audiences). Instead of competing he advised speakers: "Don't worry about how we divide up the pie, there is enough for everybody. Let's just build a bigger pie!”

Enough other people in the world will judge, assume, undermine, second-guess, naysay, and halt the efforts of speakers... we do not need to do that to each other!!!

The speaking business can be confusing, fragmented and lonely.  Few people understand what it means to be a speaker.  Most outsiders assume that the presentations they have witnessed are the whole example of what it is to be a "speaker".  Their experience includes celebrities, business owners, consultants, trainers, athletes, authors, etc...  However, there are several different business models, levels of experience, degrees of notoriety, and motivations behind those who take the stage.  It is not a single "thing" to be a speaker.  The confusion about this business extends to those who speak, which is why the National Speakers Association has been so important to the advancement of my career.

Beyond joining industry groups, I also have a small group of speakers who make up my "Mastermind Group".  We all originally met through NSA and have taken our affiliation and networking to the next level with the creation of this private group.  Together we have created a "Board of Advisers" for each of our businesses.  Over time we are learning to know the nuances of each person's topics, audiences, future goals, strengths, and weaknesses.  We are all committed to finding joy in the success of any member of our group.  Nobody is seen as competition, although some of our areas overlap, but instead we are a team blazing down the field together.  We are building a bigger pie.

This advice of working to boost peers is not only for speakers.  Anyone can benefit from creating a "Mastermind Group" and working together with others to find ways to allow everyone to grow their business.  In my work as "The Conference Catalyst" at corporate and association events I have began adding educational breakout sessions on this topic.  I encourage participants in my workshops to seek like minded people (at the event and back home) with whom they can grow an ongoing group of peers who will encourage, support, and assist each other in the journey to finding more opportunities.  I call these "Catalyst Clubs", and anyone can create one.  

Although Napoleon Hill introduced the "Mastermind" concept over 75 years ago in his book "Think and Grow Rich", few people have an understanding of what this really means to their future success if they participate in this sort of group.  Many of the meeting organizers I talk with like the mix of an old concept (Benjamin Franklin had a peer group called Junto) that can suddenly be "new" and "fresh".... Especially when it can have a lasting impact on their conference attendees.  Plus, when associations promote this type of engagement it helps add a value benefit to the cost of membership! (my group is 100% dedicated to our NSA family).

This concept is popular with CEO's and Entrepreneurs, who often participate in organizations such as EO, Young President's Organization (YPO), Vistage, etc....  Those who are active in these groups often attribute their success to the advice, counsel, and friendships they have gained from being engaged over time with a trusted group of peers.  This same value is open to people with any job title inside all types of businesses (and creating your own group is free!).

In our busy "social media crazy world" it is simple to get lost in the constant chase of promoting our own efforts.  But when we add to the succeeds of others, we get more satisfaction (and more opportunities) in our own career.  

What are you doing to grow the pie in your world, and allowing more people can have a slice?

Have A Great Day.

Thom Singer

Cool Things My Friends Do (Week #114) - Ann Fry and Senior Flat Mates on CBS Morning News

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

My friend Ann Fry, and her roommate Dina Wilcox, were featured on the CBS Morning News this week.  Ann and Dina share an apartment in New York City, and are part of a growing trend of seniors who share living expenses (but don't call the Boomer Roomies!).  They even have a blog called Senior Flat Mates that chronicles their lives and provides advice to other seniors who seek to live with roommates.

(link to video on CBS News Website: http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/growing-number-of-older-americans-choose-to-live-with-roommates/)

Ann met Dina a few years ago after moving to New York from Austin, TX.  I know Ann from the professional speaker community in Austin, I had breakfast with her on a visit to NYC last year.  She told me all about how they came to sharing an apartment and the wonderful friendship that has grown over the past few years.  

The situation provides a more affordable living situation, companionship, and someone to make sure all is okay on a daily basis (when you get older, living alone can mean other challenges, and having someone nearby brings peace of mind).  

Rent in places like New York (and other cities) has become very expensive.  The single "20-Somethings" share apartments to afford living in the city, it only makes sense that the single "60-Somethings" could do the same thing.  

The duo are in the process of writing a book and hosting seminars to help others create great life with roommates.  The idea is not different from the old TV shows "The Odd Couple" or "The Golden Girls", and I applaud Ann and Dina for their efforts to educate others on how to make it work.  Happy to feature them as week #114 of "Cool Things My Friends Do".

Have A Great Day

thom singer

Got Mojo? - Dawnna St. Louis Guest Blog

Dawnna St. Louis is an expert in Mojo.  She knows has a way with explaining what business people need to succeed and has a unique understanding of harnessing Mojo.  

Dawnna has developed a system based on the science of confidence, the psychology of influence, and blended it with your personal business experience.  If you have ever wondered why some people can increase sales through networking, why some teams have a competitive advantage, or why some leaders can motivate masses to follow a vision.... the Mojo system outlines your personal competitive advantage.

Her guest blog about how Apple got it's Mojo right walks is below. Check our more of her writing at the Get Mojo Blog.

How Tim and Craig Create the Perfect Mix for 

Apple’s New Brand of Kool-Aid

s

Executives usually don’t suffer from a lack of confidence or influence. In fact they usually have both in aces and spades, but sometimes they will admit to suffering from some misplaced Mojo.

Misplaced Mojo can cause even the greatest executives look as if they are doing a poor job. Tim Cook ran into some serious Mojo misplacement issues over the past two years; and who can blame him. There are seven different Mojo Superpowers: SuperStar, Thought Leader, Magnate, Champion, Authority, Networker, and Secret Agent; so figuring out how to wield your superpower can be tricky at best.

As it turns out, Cook’s Mojo Superpower is Authority which means that he has deep passionate knowledge in a specific area and knows how to execute it like a Jedi master. Regardless of who you ask about the “running” of Apple they will all agree that Cook does an amazing job of visioning, strategizing, and leading Apple into the future – basically the things that a great CEO of a major organization should have on their resume.

Where things get a little wonky is when Cook tried on the Steve Jobs superhero outfit. He tried everything from being on the same platform with Jobs to wearing matching outfits to imitating Jobs’ Mojo style. Well, it didn’t work and it was ugly. It was like he was dancing to the syllables of a song with two left feet while singing off key with a swollen tongue. Everything everywhere just looked and sounded wrong.

Some people blame Cook’s failure on the Jobs’ specter haunting every presentation by setting a bar so high that only a champion could reach it. And in a way… the people were right.

Steve Jobs had Champion Mojo. Champions are pulpit masters that have a quasi-religious hold on their followers; followers who gladly dig deeper, pay more, and bring more followers into the flock.

So what is Cook to do? After all, you can’t just wake up one morning and be podium prowling pontificator with major pull; either you are born with that kind of Mojo or you are not.

The answer is simple. Just like Jobs’ needed a side-kick with Authority Mojo, which he found in Cook; Cook’s needs a side-kick with some Champion Mojo. And that is where Craig Federighi comes in.

The man might as well don a cape because he has some real Champion Mojo.

Champions, like Federighi and Jobs, believe in a product so deeply that they can create an emotional connection between their followers and their belief. At WWDC on June 3rd, Craig showed everyone exactly what his Mojo was made of. We watched brilliance unfold as he made off-the-cuff jokes, sly remarks, and let his belief in Apple’s newest and shiniest innovation be known; a belief that his followers will soon believe, too. He was transparent, authentic, passionate and exactly what Cook needed to create magic for Apple.

Cook’s brilliant move to fill in the Mojo gap on his team really paid off. Suddenly the internet world went ablaze asking the question – “Is this the next Steve Jobs?” While Federighi is not the next Steve Jobs, he doesn’t need to be. He knows how to wield his Mojo Superpower to bring followers into the flock and punch up profits.

Like most Mojo Champions, Federighi believes in this new brand of Apple Kool-Aid and his followers will be looking to take a hearty sip.

***********************

Dawnna St Louis is the world’s expert on Mojo: Your Unique Power to Magnetize, Captivate, and Influence. She works with leaders and their organizations to help individuals and teams tap into their perfect brand of Mojo to conquer challenges with confidence, build strong team alliances, and excel in business as an iconic leader.

What can Mojo do for you? Everything.

Have A Great Day

thom singer

Cool Things My Friends Do (Week #113) - Misty Williams Relocates Business and Life to Austin

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

My friend Misty Williams is doing so many cool things at one time that it is hard to keep up.  A month ago she decided to get a fresh start and move her life and company to Austin, TX after more than a decade building her business in Tennessee.

Misty is the founder of Strategic Marketing Solutions / MarketechU, a marketing strategist and author of How Should I Market Myself?  She has also recently released several free tools including the "Marketect Grid" that allows people to plan and track their strategic marketing efforts.  

She works with speakers, coaches and consultants to develop their marketing gameplan to grow business.  Since her move to Austin I have spent time with her, and she is clearly "the real deal".  Too often consultants prey on new speakers and struggling solopreneurs to get them as clients, while Misty prefers to work with those that have already established their practice.  She a true expert in marketing strategy and the development and execution of solid marketing campaigns.

Her career began in artist management and marketing before she founded Strategic Marketing Solutions in 2004. Her clients include bestselling authors, nationally-known speakers and a plethora of experts who package their expertise as speeches, books, training and coaching programs, tv/radio guests, and more.

I am currently reviewing her Marketect Grid and the Marketect Grid Crash Course.  You should check out her website and download all the cool free tools she offer.  And if you are so moved, hire her for coaching!

It is fun to watch her launch new products and create a new life in Austin. She has jumped in to see the sights, make friends, and begin building her brand in Texas.  I am happy to have her as week #113 of "Cool Things My Friends Do".

Have A Great Day

thom singer

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