Wednesday, July 28
Versatility + Talent
This video clip speaks for itself (you should have your audio/speakers turned on):
http://dpkgi.free.fr/files/maestro.wmv
What can YOU do that will impress people with your versatility and talent?
http://dpkgi.free.fr/files/maestro.wmv
What can YOU do that will impress people with your versatility and talent?
Tuesday, July 27
It's NOT about YOU
Here is some typical web copy for someone running a training or coaching business:
Our Services:
Leadership Skills
Teambuilding
Motivation
Supervisory Skills
Customer Service
Meeting Facilitation
Process Improvement
Our Clients:
Healthcare
Corporate
Financial Services
Small Business Owners
Entrepreneurs
Non-Profit
Faith-Based Organizations
Anyone who wants to maximize potential, overcome obstacles & achieve goals
This isn't unusual or funny or strange until you move it to a different context - let's say homebuilding. The equivalent copy would be:
Our Services:
Architectural drawings
Building plans
Hammering
Screwdriving
Framing
Drywalling
Plumbing/HVAC
Roofing
Our Clients:
Tall people
Short people
Families
People who want a new house
People who'd like to move
Caucasians
African Americans
Asian Americans
Latinos
Anyone who wants a house they can call a home, a roof over their heads, and to obtain housing
TIP: Nobody CARES about YOU and what YOU do! They want to hear about the outcomes. Outcomes go way beyond features, benefits, processes, and methodologies.
Sell me on the HOUSE and what my life will be like when I've moved in, or have guests over, or have a picnic, or retire.
Talk about ME, MY life, and what MY experience of your product/service will be. That's all I really care about!
Our Services:
Leadership Skills
Teambuilding
Motivation
Supervisory Skills
Customer Service
Meeting Facilitation
Process Improvement
Our Clients:
Healthcare
Corporate
Financial Services
Small Business Owners
Entrepreneurs
Non-Profit
Faith-Based Organizations
Anyone who wants to maximize potential, overcome obstacles & achieve goals
This isn't unusual or funny or strange until you move it to a different context - let's say homebuilding. The equivalent copy would be:
Our Services:
Architectural drawings
Building plans
Hammering
Screwdriving
Framing
Drywalling
Plumbing/HVAC
Roofing
Our Clients:
Tall people
Short people
Families
People who want a new house
People who'd like to move
Caucasians
African Americans
Asian Americans
Latinos
Anyone who wants a house they can call a home, a roof over their heads, and to obtain housing
TIP: Nobody CARES about YOU and what YOU do! They want to hear about the outcomes. Outcomes go way beyond features, benefits, processes, and methodologies.
Sell me on the HOUSE and what my life will be like when I've moved in, or have guests over, or have a picnic, or retire.
Talk about ME, MY life, and what MY experience of your product/service will be. That's all I really care about!
Monday, July 26
Flying first class is just silly
Between 1972 and 1981, I must have flown first class to Europe over 20 times on 747's. It was nice. Fantastic food. The 747 Upper Deck was quite the happening spot. Linen napkins, salad from a salad bowl with all the fixin's and usually a choice of filet mignon or some kind of fabulous seafood. Champagne and several wines with dinner.
Oh, and caviar as well. In fact, the first time I tasted caviar was on one of these flights. I love the stuff. Little chopped eggs, onions, and parsley on the side served with silver spoons and melba toasts.
Today, air travel (first class or no) is a very different animal. Nowhere near worth it for as much as they charge and as little as you get.
I always walk by these folks on my way to the back. What have they got for their $1500? A drink 15 minutes before I get mine, and a nice collection of magazines - half of which I've already read (because it's my business to) and the other half about golf and/or drinking wine. (I don't golf and I rarely spend more than $20 for a good bottle of wine that Wine Spectator raves about as much or more so than a $100 bottle!)
Also, this isn't the glam '70s or "greed is good" '80s. A lot of CEO's I respect travel coach. And that's good enough for me. I once sat next to Andy Rooney in coach. He drinks a hell of a lot, but he's a great guy. He can probably afford first class. Another time, I flew from DC to NY with Ted Koppel. Again, in coach. Another time, I was with Bill O'Reilly on Amtrak DC to NY - again, in the cheap seats.
Flying first class is more of an ego stroke than a necessity. Now, ego and money should be two separate things - but often they're inextricably tied together, which is sad. Read The Soul of Money if you want to get untangled about that. Until then, why not tie your ego to how much you can earn, not how much you can spend!
Oh, and caviar as well. In fact, the first time I tasted caviar was on one of these flights. I love the stuff. Little chopped eggs, onions, and parsley on the side served with silver spoons and melba toasts.
Today, air travel (first class or no) is a very different animal. Nowhere near worth it for as much as they charge and as little as you get.
I always walk by these folks on my way to the back. What have they got for their $1500? A drink 15 minutes before I get mine, and a nice collection of magazines - half of which I've already read (because it's my business to) and the other half about golf and/or drinking wine. (I don't golf and I rarely spend more than $20 for a good bottle of wine that Wine Spectator raves about as much or more so than a $100 bottle!)
Also, this isn't the glam '70s or "greed is good" '80s. A lot of CEO's I respect travel coach. And that's good enough for me. I once sat next to Andy Rooney in coach. He drinks a hell of a lot, but he's a great guy. He can probably afford first class. Another time, I flew from DC to NY with Ted Koppel. Again, in coach. Another time, I was with Bill O'Reilly on Amtrak DC to NY - again, in the cheap seats.
Flying first class is more of an ego stroke than a necessity. Now, ego and money should be two separate things - but often they're inextricably tied together, which is sad. Read The Soul of Money if you want to get untangled about that. Until then, why not tie your ego to how much you can earn, not how much you can spend!
Trying to fly...
"There's nothing wrong with trying to fly, unless you happen to be a beagle instead of an eagle." -- Dr. Phil McGraw
Not sure how I feel about this one, but thought I'd share it!
Not sure how I feel about this one, but thought I'd share it!
Friday, July 16
The working (very hard) world
A friend recently emailed me about two folks who have found jobs. But the way she put it really struck me. She said that they "have gone back to the working (very hard) world."
Too bad that that world is so thinly populated. Seems a lot of employees are insulated, complacent, and just clocking in and clocking out with no sense of urgency, purpose, or involvement.
Death to the "working world"! Long live the "working (very hard) world."
Too bad that that world is so thinly populated. Seems a lot of employees are insulated, complacent, and just clocking in and clocking out with no sense of urgency, purpose, or involvement.
Death to the "working world"! Long live the "working (very hard) world."
Wednesday, July 14
Unless you live in a warehouse...
You should not do grocery shopping at a warehouse store. [This observation brought to you by me, who has made several futile attempts to consume a half gallon bottle of salsa unloaded on us by my crazy sister in law who feeds a family of 5 yet shops for an Army Ranger unit.]
