Symposium (Part 2)

Allen Meyer introduced the Colonel (Ret.) Danny McKnight with tears in his eyes as he reflected back about his family being in work camps during the war and how he can relate. Allen said that is why Freedom is so important.

Colonel (Ret.) Danny McKnight commented on how Allen expressed passion and that is what you should have is passion for what you do. He was glad there was no podium, because a podium means a target and he rather not be one. He’s a believer in total fitness. Physical, Emotional and Spiritual Fitness. He was born in Georgia and grew up in Brevard, FL. Went into the military, even though his family is not military. He calls them regular parents. For twenty eight and half years he served our country in the U.S. Army and he is blessed and had the greatest opportunity to do so. The Colonel retired on Jan. 1, 2002 and got to do some special projects for the FBI, then returned to Brevard in July 2002. He then had to go out and get a JOB, because the army is a profession and not a JOB. He first got a job as the first in the Homeland Project.

He doesn’t believe in politics; he says he is politically incorrect and believes in being honest with people. He wanted his new job to make changes in the security and they did not want to change, so he left. This led him to getting a job at Brevard Community College, teaching homeland security. That was till 2005. In 2006 to present he has been going around the country speaking and writing a book. His DVD, "Leading on the Tough Days," is available for purchase. The book is still being written.

The Colonial said “You do not manage people. You need to lead people and you lead by example”. He lives by this word (LDRSHIP) and what each letter stands for.
Loyalty
Duty
Respect
Selfless service
Honor
Integrity
Personal courage

This is the seven values they use in the Army and he said this should be a way of life.

Integrity - as a leader should be the non-negotiable way of life. It makes us who we are. Everyone sometimes in their life gets challenged to their integrity. And he said he never compromised his integrity and he is proud of that. The willingness of the leader, is to make the hardest decision. Whether people think this is right or wrong.

“Born To Be A Leader” – He believes everyone is, but they need to take the steps to do so.

Respect is very important. There are three kinds. 1. Respect to the leader, 2. Mutual respect to your peers and 3. Respect you and I as leaders.

The Colonel said DO IT, NOT JUST SAY IT. Responsibility and Accountability. Don’t blame anyone else, unless you start with yourself.
He ended with – Make good decisions.

Dr. Jeff Magee took the stage again with Tools To Use. How to speed read the mindset of the person or business. This is just a small aspect to his Performance Execution Seminar. He looks at everyone’s forehead as if it is a TV screen. How do we condition someone to create change. He says there are 3 steps.
1. Persistant on New Behavior
2. Consistant on the New Behavior
3. Patience – this is the most

One way to create change is to put maps in the right place as triggers. Examples to put a photo of something you want to have to do in a place you see it every day.
Also change the people you hang out with. Birds of a feather flock together.

Dr. Magee was planning on handing out; upon request Wallet Reference Cards - Seminar participants get this handy wallet quide for quick reference.
Unfortunately, that day his cards were left in his suitcase. He requested an e-mail if anyone wanted one sent to them. I’m still waiting on mine.

One of the references on this card is E Force vs. C Force. Entrepenure vs. Control and any decision made, ask yourself what needs to be made E or C.

Then it was time for Lunch.

Symposium (Part 1)

I attended this fantastic symposium “Taking Control in Hard Times” hosted by Allan Meyer if Orlando Performance Magazine, held at the Citrus Club on January 16, 2009.

The day started off with a breakfast, followed by Dr. Jeff Magee; a best selling author and corporate trainer Jeff's Credentials include a PhD: Organizational Psychology, PDM: Professional in Direct Marketing, CSP: Certified Speaking Professional and CMC: Certified Management Consultant. Dr. Magee talked about tracking certain words in your website. When you use words like Better, you need to be able to back it up. When Different is used, what makes it different? The word Faster used quite a bit with the internet, meaning is it efficient and lastly the words Cost Effective. Make sure that they get a bigger bang for the buck. These words should be used throughout your website.

The symposium continued with Teri Yanovitch, a speaker, consultant, and trainer with expertise in the areas of creating a culture of exceptional service, leadership development, continuous process improvement, and employee engagement. She spoke on service philosophy. Does’ your office, appearance and what you say; convey efficiency and details. It’s all in how you look and feel and what you say to your customers or potential customers that make a difference in whether they consider do to business with you. To recession proof your business, you need to create loyal customers. How to do that is:
1. Look through the lens of the customer
2. Recognize that everything speaks in your physical environment
3. Created a WOW by exceeding customer expectations in your delivery
4. Make it easy to do business with you and your process.

Teri talks about how your company should have a Service Philosophy, that is short and simple. You should be efficient and not cluttered. More information by Teri can be found on her website and in her book Unleashing Excellence – The Complete Guide to Ultimate Customer Service.

Then it was back to Jeff Magee, who spoke on your own self worth. “How Do You Think” It’s up to you as individuals on the choices you make. He states the real America is going to be ‘Nobility’. The standard of life needs to move up and forward to that pursuit of happiness.

















Author; Frank Cavalli is the founder of Star Dome Publishing, LLC. His latest book is "Before the Beginning Began". Frank spoke about growing up in New York and how he was looking for a new life; not just a resolution. He developed a teen program “The Great Choices” Your 12 commandments of life. He lives his life, like he’s going into a business meeting and uses the KISS formula (Keep It Short & Simple).

He asks; “What is your definition of life?’ Life is nothing more than time and what we do with it. We are the master and commander. He quoted some of Bob Proctor.

I asked Frank if he would e-mail me his list of Quotes to Ponder.
Here they are:

Habits: 30 days can make one or break one.
If a man would put his purse in his head no one can take it from him.
Your income will be determined by the demand for what you; do your ability to do it and the degree of difficulty of replace you.
Work as though you would live forever but live this day as though it were your last.
Depression cannot be in the same room with gratitude, humor and hope.
If you want to feel empowered give If you want better answers you must ask the hard questions. Don't seek fame but be deserving of esteem and honor.
One can learn as much from his enemies as he can from a Buddha.
Paper has never refused ink.
If all men were friends there would be no reason for law.
We can't go back and make a brand-new beginning but we can start from now and make a brand-new end.
There is no greater burden than the awareness of our unfilled potential.
The difference between the least learned among us and the most learned among us is infinitesimally insignificant compared to what is unknown by both.
Don't waste your life trying to find yourself, make yourself.
The meaning of life is to give life meaning.
The loving is easy it's the living that's hard A book never forgets what it says and is always available to repeat itself.
There is a big difference between destructive discontent and constructive discontent.
Character is who you are when no one is watching.
If you're not big enough to lose you're not big enough to win If you can't create beauty, preserve it don't destroy it Equal to the creation of something is the appreciation of it.


This is the first of four posts to this symposium in review.
First photo - Allan Meyer and Dr. Jeff Magee
Second photo - Frank Cavalli and Bonnie Sprung

Today is Great Day.

My tag line is; You Get A Gift. And our nation just got a great Gift. A new President. President Obama states, that we need to get together to build our nation back to prosperity. To make this great nation more profitable, we need to find ways to make that happen.

I do a lot of networking and maybe I know someone or something that could help your business grow. Please let me know how I can help. Like any other business person, one always likes to increase their sales. I wouldn’t lie and say no thank you to more; myself. But, one of my goals for 2009 is to help others. So, if it’s referrals, incentives or just my thoughts; I would like to help out.

As what everyone is saying and thinking, that this is a new beginning for everyone. You maybe reading this and saying to yourself – My company is growing and I don’t need anything. I would say, every person, company, small business, etc. can always use that burst of energy.

I recently went to this fabulous symposium “Taking Control in Hard Times” put on by Orlando Performance Magazine. Over the next few days, I will be posting more information on the many speakers that were there. During that day, one of the many things said was, if you are in an elevator, and asked what do you do? You should be able to say that in a few words.

Just this week, I have finally found the right words to consolidate three of my businesses into a perfect 30 seconds. Now, I know that many of the details are left out. But it does give people the opportunity to ask; can we get together to talk more.

I Love To Network

Over the past four year’s, I’ve been going to network groups. There were two I attended often. Over time I checked out others and lately I have been attending four to five on a regular basis. One of my decisions this New Years was to add a few more groups to the mix. I say decision, because people break resolutions and rarely will break a decision.

Why go to networking meetings. Why not; they are a great way to meet new people and build relationships. When you build relationships and they may not need your services, but you may know others that do and in turn you too will get lots of referrals. When you give, your company will then grow too.

What types of Networking groups I attend. Mostly FREE. And there are some that have dues, but can attend a couple of times before joining. I feel the free groups are just as good, if not better. One of my favorite groups is Free International Networking. This group has a structure, the normal 30 second business intro, a gratitude section and a valuable brainstorming/consulting segment that will help grow your business.

If you have never been to a networking group you can find them on-line. One of the best places to look, is MeetUp.com. FNI is all over, so I'm sure you can find one that is in your home town. I live in the Orlando area, and another great source is Orlando Connections.

Now if you do live in the Central FL area or if you would like to visit, there is a fantastic symposium coming up on January 16th with Performance Magazine and National Publisher Jeffrey Magee. Registration is on line at www.orlandoperformancemagazine.com for Experience Symposium "Taking Control in Hard Times" listed under breaking news at the top of the page. Ed Mercer Billionaire, Teri Yanovitch and Colonel (Ret.) Danny McKnight are just a few that will be speaking.

If you are looking for business in whatever you do, I suggest you find some networking groups to attend.

Start 2009 with Great Incentives

Why not start the new year with an ad for your business that will bring in new customers.
Yes, there may be many give aways out there. But, when it comes having something everyone uses, you should be the one to give it away. Now as I mentioned before, gas prices may be down. But Everyone loves FREE! No matter what. And why not be the business that will give away FREE Gas. Or, maybe you want to be the one that gives away FREE Groceries. Groceries are always up and down in price. I know lots of people, like myself are always clipping coupons. So if you are already purchasing food at your favorite grocery store, then why not have the opportunity to get a rebate. I know that with my other business, I give away Free Groceries with membership. And I already have other businesses that are doing the same. You can use these certificates all across the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico. Maybe you have a business that can use these certificates. Maybe you are the first in your area to do so. And since money tends to be a bit tight now. This is the perfect time to say look what I have to offer. FREE Gas or Groceries. And watch your business grow. I wish you a Prosperous New Year!

Everyone Loves an Incentive.

Wouldn’t it be great that every time you purchased something you can get money back. And there are lots of opportunities out there that offers those incentives. Now most of the time you have to find those offers. Or they can be in your newspaper every Sunday in the form of coupons and ads. As a consumer that is great. Many people use gift cards as an incentive or just to say Thank You. But when you purchase those gift cards for stores or resturaunts; you pay the full amount. You may as well just hand that person cash.

But what if you had the opportunity yourself to offer incentives too. You can; if you own your own business. Whether you have a storefront or homebased business; you too can offer incentives.

I found this great opportunity that not only do I get to show business owners how to use this fantastic incentive, to increase their business. I get to use these for myself.

So, instead of paying that full price for a gas card or any other gift card, you can offer certificates that are in the denominations of $50, $100, $150, $250, $300, $450 & $500 for less. Please go to my website www.yougetagift.com for more info and to fill out the contact form.

Why use these incentives…
As I mentioned earlier that everyone loves a rebate. I know I do. Depending on your business, they can be used several ways. Here a few samples:

1. Networking: You can offer free gas or groceries when you sign up a new member,
distributor or broker.

2. Restaurants: This works well with a valued customer reward program.

3. Banks: You can offer free gas or groceries when you open an new account.

4. Hotels: You can offer free gas or groceries with a few night stay.

Who else benefits by giving away Gas & Grocery Certificates?

Retailers

• Furniture Outlets
• Tires Stores
• Mattress Dealers
• Car Dealerships
• Boat, and RV Dealers
• ...and your business.

Service Providers...

• Tradeshow & Seminars
• Door-to-Door Marketing
• Chiropractors
• Pharmacies
• Carpet Cleaners
• ...and your business.

Fundraising...

• Churches, Schools, & Clubs
• Other Non-Profit Groups
• Contest Prizes

Employee Benefits...

• Sales Contest Incentives
• Attendance & Safety Awards


http://www.yougetagift.com/

FREE Gas & Grocery

This is what the Gas certificate looks like. You can get them in denominations of 50, 100, 150, 250, 300, 450, and 500.

If you want to increase your business or just to say thanks, for a referral or to an employee. This is an awesome way to do it. The one who gets a certificate will remember you for a very long time.

Now I know that gas has gone down. But Free is Free. No matter what the price, everyone loves FREE. Another great thing to get Free is groceries. Now food tends to go up and down. I'm always clipping coupons to save money. Would you love to get Free Groceries. And when you have certificates to offer, your clients, referrals, employees... They will love you for it.

This is a loyalty program, that your favorite grocery store or gas station are a part of.

So if you own a business; I would suggest that you get these certificates, to be given out as quickly as possible. If you aren't a business owner; you may want to tell your employer about this blog.

Go to my website and watch this 2 minute video. Then fill out the form, so I can contact you on what denomination gas or grocery or both, that will work for you.
www.GasAndGroceryDepot.com
use this Promo Code: YXF97

These certificates are offered in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico (The certificates are also printed in Spanish).

So be the first in your area to advertise this promotion for your business. If you are looking for ideas on how to use these for your business, I will be glad to help you out. Just fill out the form when you go to my website.

I will continue with advertising Tips in my next Blog.