Monday, October 03, 2016
Finish Strong! The IMPORTANCE of Paying Attention to Yourself!
Did you blink? If you’re like most of us, it may feel that way. How it got to be the fourth quarter with the bulk of the year behind us already (again) is mind boggling – right? And your planning for next year’s events is in full swing! Remember all those promises and resolutions made WAY back in the beginning of the year? Yeah. About those. It’s time to check in. Where are you? On track? Off track? Trying to find your running shoes? I get you.
Finishing STRONG is a passion of mine. It’s my personal mantra. It’s even the name of one of my Pinterest boards! (Go figure!) It’s about digging in and making the most of every minute now isn’t it? Not boo-hoo-ing over what’s NOT done or NOT in your control but celebrating where you are and what you can seriously get done with the time left in the year when you’re FOCUSED on what’s in front of you.
There it is. As a leadership expert and keynote speaker, this is the time of year when corporate event clients are asking me to include some real-world, really actionable ways to help their team members to FINISH STRONG. Sure, they usually mean to help folks re-focus on financial targets and activities that will help people achieve their goals, which is great, and I certainly do. But for today’s exercise? Let’s do this. Let’s talk about FINISHING STRONG personally as well. What does THAT look like to you?
To me? That’s celebrating physical and mental strength. The kind that excites you to hop out of bed every morning and stay at it. (Even when holiday party invites are flooding in or you’re questioning the decision to try the egg nog.)
If you are like me and want to absolutely grab the most from this quarter then tap into these three power strategies to help you feel ah-mazing and focus your attention on what really matters to you:
Invest 15 minutes: I know; I ALWAYS say that. Why? Because it WORKS. Each day, invest 15 minutes in YOURSELF. What that looks like is up to you. Meditation for mental strength. Or a walk after dinner with a loved one for a great exercise/connection combo. 10-minute quick calls with a mentor or team member with a 5 minute “download” to stay close to the goals. The practice is personal to you, just make sure you are putting YOU on the to-do list every day for 15 minutes. It’s a smart investment for a healthier, happier, more successful you, I promise.
Love the way you MOVE: Exercise. Ugh-right? I admit, it used to be at the BOTTOM of my list too (and I know some of you out there are thinking – hey – SWEATER weather!) Here’s the trick though: find something you LOVE. Don’t roll your eyes. There is always SOMETHING. For me? I discovered running a few years ago and I’m HOOKED. Then? I caught wind of Barre3 and became addicted. I don’t mind insanely early morning classes or long weekend runs because it’s something I love to do. Find what you love to do that will get your body moving.
Make it happen. Right there. In the calendar. You know the one, with the doctor’s appointments and client meetings and super-important can’t miss stuff? Put your time down as a solid must-do because the truth is? If you don’t make an appointment with yourself, you are likely to cancel. Need accountability? Hire a coach. I have a running coach and I meet him twice a week. It gets me out of bed in the dark and when I completed in my workout I have no regrets. Look at it this way… YOU are the only YOU that you’ve got. That your family has. Your partner has. Your business has. Want to lead a long, full, happy and successful life? Don’t neglect the one person you’re going to spend every moment with: YOU. Prioritize yourself.
That’s it. Three little things. They might not seem so little initially. They might feel a little out of your comfort level. And honestly? They might feel a little selfish. Let’s clear that up. Self-care? Self-focus? Self-prioritizing? Is smart business. It’s the key to being a better parent, planner, partner and person. When we take care of ourselves we’re better equipped to take care of the rest of our worlds. So what do you say? Ready to FINISH STRONG?
Want more ideas on how to finish the last quarter strong, you might like this video and blog:
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Monday, September 26, 2016
The Business of Speaking for Women, Business Models for Speakers
Michael Port has one of my all-time fave podcasts called Steal the Show – his book by the same name is awesome (click here for our book review), even though this podcast focuses on the business of speaking and has many tips for women in business – I hope you find value in it too, regardless of the industry you are in.
It’s no secret I love podcasts. I listen to them when I get ready in the morning and also driving in my car. Michael Port is a legendary speaker, New York Times Best Selling Author, creator of Heroic Public Speaking and a great guy. Recently I had the pleasure of being interviewed on his latest project, Steal the Show Podcast. So much fun!
Check out this interview where he asks about being a female speaker and I share strategies to stay connected to your clients, leverage your uniqueness and have fun doing what you love, with people you love in places you love!
Tips on how to price your speaking fee; and how to use social media for your business. Neen James and I also discuss the rewards and the challenges of being a woman professional speaker.
Neen is a published author of eight books, including “Folding Time.” Her latest book, “Attention Pays: Creating Moments That Matter,” is all about focusing on what’s important in our lives so we can create those moments that matter.
In this episode we discussed:
- When and how to address “the elephant” in the room. (3:27)
- Finding the balance between building relationships and nurturing financial goals. (10:50)
- How to determine the right price for your speaking fees. (20:29)
- How to make the most of your uniqueness as a woman speaker. (24:19)
- The best ways to use different social media platforms for your business. (27:41)
- Why you should stay in contact with your clients through “systemized thoughtfulness.” (38:31)
- Neen James explains how she got started in the business speaking industry. (56:17)
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Sunday, September 18, 2016
Attention is a Drug. Are You Addicted?
“Attention is a drug,” said my brilliant friend. His profound insight literally STOPPING our conversation. He was right. (He usually is.) It IS a drug, and people are ADDICTED.
It started when discussing what feels like a landslide of over-sharing on Facebook. Every intimate, sometimes tragic, often graphic detail of people’s lives are being spilled out onto browsers and into minds of friends and not-so-friends all over the world. Why? Attention can be like cocaine. People get manic for a hit of likes, comments, shares and messages. And that? Needs to change.
The truth? All humans require attention. But here’s the deal: It’s not a character flaw to crave attention; our brains are wired that way. Babies cry out for food and safety and so begins the ultimate early lessons of cause and effect. It’s only when that need for attention careens dangerously over the edge that people begin to see it as a problem.
Psychology Today states “extreme attention seekers go to unhealthy lengths driven by emotional desperation”. Is that it? Is that why people are pouring themselves out on social media or worse? Upending relationships or spiraling into food, alcohol or drugs? As leaders we have a responsibility to manage our attention to create significance.
As a keynote speaker for corporate audiences and associations around the globe, I am often asked to share leadership strategies on how to accelerate productivity, increase sales or drive client experiences. My tip? It comes down to ATTENTION. Teams want to be seen and heard, and families want to feel valued.
In my keynotes we prescribe the following for this attention addiction:
See People. We all want and need to be heard. My 5-year-old friend Donovan reminded me of this when he grabbed my cheeks in both little hands and demanded, “Neen, listen with your eyes!” How’s that for insight? Are you SEEING people in your life? Does your team get your complete attention when they walk into your office or do you stay disengaged? Does your family get your undivided attention when you get home or are you checking today’s Facebook posts? Bottom line? If the people we care about don’t feel seen, they’ll seek attention somewhere else. Seek out a true friend who will be honest with you. My best friend and I always say, “she’s my person”. It means we see and hear each other deeply, at our best, and at our worst. It’s an understanding, truth and commitment. Who is your person?
Stop the Drama. I am allergic to drama. I don’t engage in it or tolerate it. The running joke? Is how BORING my life is compared to those online. It’s also healthier. Make your life, work and home – a no drama zone. It’s a powerful way to better see and hear the people that matter the most to you.
Create significant moments. Every day explore ways to help people feel that they matter. A handwritten note. A smile for a stranger. Compliment your barista. Thank your security guard. Shout out to a team member on email or thank a client with a gift. Personal attention gets results. Look for ways to help people feel significant. Who needs reminding they matter to you?
My friend Jon Petz, keynote speaker and author of the book Significance in Simple Moments shares, “People have a false sense of social significance when living their lives online.” We discussed some people’s personalities crave the recognition from others as they don’t get it at home or from their relationships with people they love, so they seek it from strangers online.
I’ve been guilty of over-sharing online. Posting a picture of a meal on Instagram, texting a friend for a late night conversation when traveling, feeling lonely at the airport, and re-tweeting online compliments. Not my proudest moments, but human ones. Let’s all just make to look at those attention cravings and ensure we haven’t crossed that addictive line.
Today, be ah-amazing. Use your ATTENTION for good. Like making a connection with the people around you. When you do? Attention pays you back – in the best possible ways.
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Monday, September 12, 2016
10 Things to Make Travel Super Productive
Many of us travel for work and I thought you might enjoy this article published in MeetingsNet magazine on ways to be super-productive when you travel! Enjoy.
When you tell people that you travel the globe organizing, planning, and facilitating events for your super-cool clients, do they say, “Wow, that sounds so glamorous”? Little do they know just how much work that entails—not to mention airport delays, weather, confusing airport hubs, mechanical breakdowns, crying babies…
As a productivity and attention expert, I am constantly on the road like you—it’s just part of our chosen professions. And it can be hard to get everything done that needs doing.
Here are 10 strategies to help you be more productive before you hop aboard your next plane:
1. Buy the tools and the apps—you need music, noise-cancelling headphones (expensive I know, but worth it), and your smart phone. Load your phone with apps to make your travel life easier: Pzizz (one of my fave power-napping apps), Evernote,Expedia, Gate Guru, Seat Guru … the list is endless. What is your fave app for traveling? Please share it in the comments below.
2. Create a travel outfit—put together an outfit that you can easily wear through security without totally getting undressed! Try slip-on shoes, minimum jewelry, and fabulous non-creasing fabric.
This video will provide you more tips for traveling and answer the following questions:
- How not to fall behind on work and clients while on the road traveling?
- What are the best apps and systems to use to manage the details of the trip?
- What’s the best, most durable luggage for frequent travelers?
3. Pre-pack Ziploc bags to include travel-sized everything! You just know that the day you try to sneak through a larger size is going to be the day TSA decides to check your bag.
4. Create a survival kit—Stow the things you know you’ll need in your carry on. I always include earphones, lip balm, an eye mask (for longer flights), pen, eye drops, travel-sized toothbrush and toothpaste, a pashmina throw (in case it’s chilly), and breath mints (yes, please do everyone a favor and use mints!).
5. Get a Platinum Amex card—yes, it’s expensive, but, because it often gives you access to U.S. airline lounges, it’s cheaper than joining all the airline clubs. Their Centurion Lounge access is so worth it, and they are opening more around the U.S.
6. Create fun out-of-office messages—manage the email and voicemail expectations of those who want your attention. Make it a fun message that you can share with clients about what you are doing and when you will return. Think about how you can surprise and delight your callers with your out-of-office message.
7. Plan to work one way—I use the trip away for the client and the trip home for myself. So I might work on a presentation or read notes on the way over, but on the trip home I often have a little nap or read for pleasure. Can you divide up your trip?
8. Allow an extra 30 minutes—add a half-hour to the amount of time you think it will take you to get to the airport or station. It will save you a stressful race to the gate if you find yourself stuck in traffic or the security line is longer than you expected. You may not need it, but you can always use it for something else!
9. Bring a list of clients to call—airport down time is a brilliant time to catch up on your business development activities, so always carry a list of people you can call. Even though it’s noisy, it’s a great way to make travel time more productive. Make the most of those extra minutes.
10. Bring thank-you note materials—carry stamped stationery with you (yes that’s right, the old-fashioned kind), and use some of your travel down time to write thank-you notes. No one send notes anymore, so this is a great way to stand out in a digital communication world—you’ll be the exception whose personal touch will get attention!
Bonus tip: If you want to be even more productive when you get to your destination … go to the bar! I know that sounds crazy, but if you are an extrovert you might work better around people and noise.
How do you make your travel time more productive?
This article was first published on meetingsnet.com and be found here.
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Tuesday, September 06, 2016
Attention Goal Setters: How to Have an Extraordinary Fourth Quarter
Fourth quarter? What happened? We blinked. That’s it. Summer’s in the wind, and autumn is in already heading into full swing. Calendars are changing. Plans are being made. And eyes are on the end of the year prize. Did you do what you wanted to do? Did you reach milestones? Or do you still have miles to go?
It’s about that time. Leaders are in full scale acceleration mode to pull out the stops and screech into the new year with kudos all around. I’ve got you covered to help make it AH-Mazing – with a side order of fun.
First, do yourself and your team a favor: Watch this (old) interview with the fabulous News at Sunrise Anchor Eve Tannery where we shared strategies on her show. It’s on the money.
Second, take a few minutes to watch my video on the 10 ways you can make the most of the remainder of the year.
This video will help answer:
- How do I make my Fourth quarter the most productive of the year?
- How can I reach my annual goals with only a few months left?
- How do I keep my team focused during Fourth quarter?
Lastly, implement these steps to ensure absolute focus and attention is paid to those goals and priorities you wish to accomplish throughout the remainder of the year.
1. Monday Makeover: Give yourself a 15-minute head start on this week’s activities, so your I’s are dotted and T’s are crossed and you’re absolutely ready for anything. Meetings? Totally cool. Performance reviews? You’ve got this. Appointments? Locked and focused. Deadlines and deliverables? You’re a master. Next take a glance at the month ahead and prioritize your pipeline. Might it take more than 15 minutes? Maybe. Once this is a habit? You’ll breeze through with ease.
2. Money talks: Here’s to conquering the Achilles’s heel of many business professionals. Watch those financial targets and keep them in your sites to remind yourself weekly of the last quarter results that are your responsibility. Mine are printed above my desk and on my phone for daily accountability!
3. Gaps & Goals: Now’s the perfect time to rock a gap analysis of where you are vs. where your GOALS said you’d be at this time. Deep dive to see and understand what’s necessary to bridge that gap if your revenue, productivity, prospecting or sales aren’t where you want or need them to be. THAT will become the foundation of your plan of action for the next three months.
4. Hustle & Grit. Ever hear that saying, “No grit—no pearl?” Now’s the time to hunker in and fire up your internal urgency to close deals, follow up on proposals, add value to clients and make hit the phones and connect with that client base. Watch goals daily, weekly and monthly and monitor them like your business depends on it. Because it does.
5. Less is MORE. Meetings are necessary, check! But time? Is of the absolute essence. So pare down. Make sure they are time-efficient team meetings that are NO longer than 20-40 minutes, tops, with agendas and clear objectives.
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Wednesday, August 31, 2016
Monday, August 29, 2016
Amazing Business Radio Podcast interview with Shep Hyken
Join me in an interview by the legendary Shep Hyken as we discuss the importance of paying attention, and how paying the right amount of attention to the right things can actually save both time and money. Learn how to disconnect when necessary and apply your attention appropriately to succeed in both your business and personal life. So stop multitasking and pay attention to this show!
Shep Hyken knows how to pay attention. As a speaker on amazing customer service he is often highlighting how companies can pay attention to their customers and provide a competitive advantage. I loved being interviewed on his show – hope you enjoy it too!
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Tuesday, August 23, 2016
Take Charge of Your Personal Life – Guest Blog by Jon Petz
No matter how much you try to keep your personal and professional lives separate, they both have a great impact on each other. Even for some, their professional life is the reflection of their personal life. When you are happy, stable, and content in your personal life,you may redirect your optimal energy to your work which may directly affect your productivity and professional growth.
It’s no wonder that most employers prefer hiring people who have more stable personal lives. This is because those who are emotionally healthier and satisfied tend to be more focused and efficient at even the complex of tasks.
So, if you have been putting your personal life on hold, read through to take charge.
Step Back and Assess
Unwind and assess yourself to find out the things you have been missing in life.Be honest with yourself and think more clearly about the adversities and setbacks.Discover the things that are working and those that are not working in your life. This allows you to see problems you have been avoiding as well as the things you have been submitting to against your will.
Once you know your problems, you can work to make a change. Rather than letting your fears set in, you need to acknowledge them and try moving past them to embrace things that bring happiness and contentment.
Maintain a Healthy Body and Mind
The health and fitness of your mind and body plays a crucial role in the overall satisfaction and happiness in your life. In order for this, eat healthy food, exercise regularly, and take good sleep to feel better about your body. Besides helping you achieve a well-balanced body, these may help you reduce anxiety, control anger, and ease depression to help you achieve overall wellness. A Harvard study that studies a group of men for over 70 years found that maintaining a healthy mind and body is among the top secrets to a good life.
Set Short-Term Goals
Making a drastic change requires a lot of time, energy, and commitment. It may not be possible for you to stay motivated and enthusiastic about it along with way. The best way to stay motivated is setting numerous short term goals and acknowledging yourself for every objective you achieve.When you achieve one goal, you may have greater desire to improve and become better at reaching your next milestone.
Connect with Jon directly to learn more about he can great an atmosphere of energy and engagement in your company or association. With his wit and engaging speaking style as motivational speaker and inspirational speaker, Jon has helped thousands of people take charge of their personal and professional lives for good. Call at 614-456-3072 to check availability.
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Friday, August 19, 2016
5 Things to Stop Doing to Be More Productive
Productivity is all about getting as much done as possible in as little time as we can feasibly manage. Unfortunately, many of our habits and excuses that we believe are making us more productive are actually having the exact opposite effect.
Here are five things you need to stop doing as soon as possible in order to be more productive in both your work and personal life.
1. Staying logged in to social media
It has happened to all of us before. We get one new notification, and stop what we are doing to check to make sure it isn’t urgent (it very rarely is). Then, without even realizing it, we somehow end up on a completely different site, immersed in something that has nothing to do with work or what we originally stopped to check in the first place. Social media can be a good thing. Too much of a good thing, however, is never truly all that good.
Social media destroys any chances you might have at a consistently productive schedule, especially if you can’t go more than an hour or so without checking your notifications. Too much of anything is a productivity killer, when you look close enough. Social media helps us connect with others, it helps us stay informed, but in many cases, it mostly ends up distracting and delaying us.
Unless constant social media surfing is your job, stay off social networks, blogs and video streaming sites. Everyone knows ‘I’ll just watch one more video and then I’ll get back to work’ is never a promise likely fulfilled. They call it the web because it’s very easy, and tempting, to get lost in a constant sea of articles and comment sections.
2. Procrastinating
We have all procrastinated on a major project or deadline at least once. That rushed, frantic feeling in the pit of your stomach just sits there agonizing you until you finally hit that submit button. We often procrastinate because we are avoiding something. Sometimes we even procrastinate on accident.
While it may help in some cases to kick yourself into gear, doing a lot of work in a short period of time consistently is going to send you straight into burnout mode. If you think your productivity levels are suffering now, just wait until you’re left feeling so overwhelmed and overworked that not even caffeine can wake you up.
If you can’t get your procrastination habit completely under control, at least learn to manage your to do list in a way that makes sure you are still getting the most important things done first. Figuring out how to manage a bad habit, and gradually replacing that bad habit with a better one, is much more effective than doing nothing at all.
3. Giving up sleep to do more work
It seems logical at first, thinking that by doing more work and cutting into your sleep time, you are quickly becoming a productivity mastermind. What’s a few more hours of work in the evening or getting up an hour earlier in the morning if it means you can have more waking hours to get things done? Sleep deprivation does more harm in the short and long term than you might think.
Sleep, adequate and consistent sleep, is a productivity and overall health essential. Better sleep leads to better productivity. Less sleep leads to lower levels of productivity. The more tired you are, the less energy you have to put toward getting your work done. Now that makes much more logical sense, doesn’t it?
Sleep. Even when you don’t feel tired; even when you don’t think you have enough time, or are somehow not going to be able to get as much done because of it. The best thing you can do for yourself is set a sleep and wake time and stick to that schedule, especially in the beginning. This is how you can make sure you are going to get enough sleep in order to be more productive throughout the day.
4. Skipping the gym
This is probably the habit most of us are guilty of out of all the items on this list. You don’t have time to work out, so you simply don’t. Why spend 30 minutes walking on a treadmill when you could spend that time answering emails or making phone calls? You’ll exercise tomorrow. Or the next day. Or the next day.
Regular exercise – 150 minutes or more of moderate physical activity each week – has been shown to improve mental health, boost energy, make us more alert and help prevent physical illness. Even though you might think giving up exercise makes you more productive, you would probably have much more energy and motivation if you spent just a little time increasing your heart rate.
5. Doing less important tasks first
One reason many of us end up procrastinating and messing up our productivity is because there are things on our to do lists we are desperately trying to avoid. Even when we finally do sit down and start working, we often fall into the habit of picking out less important things to do first simply because they seem easier or less cringe worthy.
Find the task on your to do list you are dreading the most, likely the most important thing, and tackle that first. It will seem hard and unpleasant at first, but in reality, you are doing yourself a favor. If you get the most important task out of the way first, you will feel much less pressured and stressed to continue on and complete more tasks.
If you are a list maker or you use a to do list app, order or number your tasks so that you can clearly see which things you absolutely need to get done first. You will feel energized and relieved after finishing it, and will end up getting more done throughout the day because of it.
Kick those bad habits, replace them with better ones and watch your productivity levels skyrocket.
This blog originally posted to http://ift.tt/2bH8nPk – stop by and visit the site to leave comments on their awesome tips, interviews and strategies to thrive in your life.
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Tuesday, August 16, 2016
Digital Detox – Plug Into What Matters Most
During the summer months it’s the perfect time to experiment with your own Digital Detox. Read about mine here, we’d love to hear about yours. Watch this video for more ideas and share your comments below.
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Digital Distractions – Neen’s Pet Peeves
Attention is all about connection. When we choose our phone and other digital distractions over our person we aren’t paying attention to what really matters.
What are your pet peeves? One of mine is when others make technology more important than people!
Today I challenge you:
Can you schedule a date with someone you love and leave your cell phones off the table?
Can you look people in the eye when you talk with them today?
Can you put away your devices (maybe even leave them in your car)?
What could you do to accelerate your engagement with people around you? I’d love to hear your thoughts below.
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Monday, August 08, 2016
Pay attention on social media guest blog by Joel Block
NOTE from Neen: Joel is one of the most generous re-tweeters I know and a genuinely fabulous human. I saw this post on Facebook recently and with his permission have posted it here. His ideas on paying attention to others on social media is great advice for all of us.
Joel’s Facebook post read:
People frequently ask how I have such a significant social media following and how I engage with them.
I have put together a few thoughts to help my friends and colleagues be more successful on-line. I don’t speak or consult on this topic, but it was recently reported that my LinkedIn network the #70 largest network on the planet.
Having great “offline” networking skills doesn’t come easy but we have learned through trial and error – or because other people helped us be more effective. But online, most people lack the same level of social networking skills, and even fewer succeed in generating any material amount of leads for their offline businesses.
To me, there is some etiquette that seems to work. I am no Emily Post, but I have a few suggestions I hope will create more mutual support and better business success for each of us.
The old adage is that the fuel of networking is “giving”.
Start giving if you want to receive – and by the way, you have to give before you get. Here are some ideas so we can help each other make a huge difference in all of our social media performance – and on our ability to monetize it too. You don’t have to do all of these to be helpful – but the more you do and the more you give, the more you are likely to receive.
- On Facebook, “like” everything unless you really don’t like it. Think of the word “like” as “acknowledge” instead. Add comments if appropriate. More “likes” move posts higher in the timeline area. Did you ever give a talk, ask for questions, and there were none? Same feeling when you get almost no “likes”. Plus it helps me to remember what posts I have already read which saves time in the future. If 50 people see a post, 45+ should “acknowledge” it.
- Read and review the books and other assets of your colleagues. Post your thoughts about them for others to consider on Facebook and Amazon (among other places). Your third party testimonial is very valuable.
- Retweet. Retweet. Retweet.
- Share and repost articles on LinkedIn.
- “Like” articles that you see on LinkedIn and make comments when appropriate. Sharing is even better – and by the way, I find that sharing on LinkedIn increases my exposure in many valuable ways.
- Follow others on Twitter with the expectation that they will follow you.
- Connect on LinkedIn – never IDK (i.e. click “I don’t know” the person). Networking is a game of leapfrog. It’s not about the person connecting to you – it’s about who is in their network that might be helpful to you.
- Give recommendations on LinkedIn if appropriate. This is a great place to put them because they are here permanently. They can be used by the recipient for multiple other applications for example because LinkedIn is building a social media engine to compete with Klout.
- All reviews should be positive – not necessarily balanced. If you are not trained as a professional journalist, don’t pretend to be one. And if you don’t have something nice to say, ask your mom what to do.
- Nobody wants to toot their own horn – and besides, a testimonial from a third person is so much better than self-promotion. Give as many 3rd party insights as is appropriate. It helps others to get to know your colleague and it gives them a very good impression of you.
- If you are an expert and you know how to do something well, share that with others. Don’t sell to your colleagues. Networking and selling don’t mix. Give your expertise freely (to peers not clients) which will boost your status as an expert in your field. We are all here to learn and teach, network and grow. Contribute to that process as best as you can. I am an expert (not a broker) in the money business (hedge funds, venture capital, alternative assets and raising capital). What do you want to know? I’ll happily share.
Let’s make these actions habits and you will be pleasantly surprised by what comes back to you
Joel is a long-time venture capitalist and Hedge Fund manager addressing audiences from Silicon Valley venture firms to Wall Street bankers on matters of capital formation and most recently, on Investment CrowdFunding. Twice each year, Joel hosts and headlines the standard-setting Real Estate Syndication and Hedge Fund Symposium program, educating and advising CPAs, attorneys, investment bankers and asset class specialists on organizing and running investment pools. Having organized and invested in over 40 deals, and having advised on hundreds more, Joel is a valuable resource not only to the private securities industry, but to attorneys and courts of law who seek his expert opinion. And though he doesn’t admit often, Joel is also a CPA. Find out more about Joel and the services he offers at www.bullseyecap.com
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Tuesday, August 02, 2016
What are your Attention Grabbing Gremlins?
There were only three rules for Billy’s new pet: no water, no food after midnight and no bright lights. Did you see the movie Gremlins?
Once this happened, the cute, adorable little pet became a green monster creating chaos.
Do you have attention grabbing gremlins? What are your monsters?
My monsters include Facebook, Email, Twitter, Instagram, and ShopStyle (yes I love when my fave brands are on sale). What would you add to this list?
As a productivity expert I get distracted and overwhelmed and when this occurs, the gremlins are more frequent.
Here are three strategies to help manage your attention grabbing gremlins:
Don’t feed your gremlin – it takes discipline to stay off social media sites (it’s harder than it sounds) if that’s a struggle for you, try apps like Freedom (site blocking software). It’s also worthwhile using your gremlins as a reward, meaning allow yourself to look at social media AFTER completing important proposals, or speech preparation or client calls.
Avoid after midnight – just like Billy couldn’t feed his pet after midnight, consider turning off email, social media, text messages, notifications and other distractions at this late hour to allow you to have deeper sleep and not be pulled into distracting and unproductive activity and conversations. Please don’t send team members emails late at night; it steals minutes from them and their family (because if you are the boss, they think they need to respond). Where possible, wait to send the emails in the morning.
Put it away – ‘out of sight’ may help ‘out of mind’. Can you spend a few minutes eliminating the distractions of unfinished projects, unread books, unviewed magazines and put them away until you are ready to action them? We find when working with our clients on creating a productive environment the simple act of putting items in drawers, books on shelves, projects in files it helps people feel a sense of order and that allows them not to be constantly reminded of everything left to do.
BONUS tip: Create a to-do list – an old fashioned , paper list. Spend 15 minutes doing a mental brain dump of all the activities you want to get done at work (and at home) – this huge list might inspire you to focus on completing those activities and help you mange your attention gremlins.
What do you do to manage your attention gremlins? Love to hear your ideas here on our blog:
The post What are your Attention Grabbing Gremlins? appeared first on Neen James.
Thursday, July 28, 2016
Sound Check 1, 2, 3 – What You Need to Know (Guest Blog: MeetingsNet)
The sound check may not be the most glamorous item on your event checklist, but it is one of the most important. Without smoothly functioning audiovisual, your speakers’ messages will be lost.
As Sidney Stoper, account executive with J& S Audio Visual and chair of the Meetings Industry Council of Colorado, says, the “sound check is paramount for live events, not only for the speaker and audiovisual crew, but most important, for the audience.”
I reached out to meeting planners, speakers, and AV pros to get their tips. Here some ways they say all involved can make audiovisual checks more fun, more productive, and more valuable for the entire event team.
Planner to-dos:
Schedule a reasonable time for the sound check.
If possible, plan to hold the sound check on the same day as the presentation, and include the time in your speaker communications and/or contract. Many speakers travel to multiple events during any given week, and they will need to factor your sound check into their plans. Allow afternoon speakers to do a sound check during the lunch break if possible. And give yourself plenty of time to work out any glitches. As best-selling author and keynote speaker on creativity and innovation Scott Berkun says, “Ensure the sound check is planned [so you have time] to deal with unforeseen problems. Don’t assume it will go well.”
Request riders in advance.
Insist that speakers provide you with a rider outlining their AV needs so your team will be equipped to handle their requests. If your speakers don’t have riders, strongly suggest they create one or at least send you an email or checklist outlining their AV needs.
AV team to-dos:
Provide guidance.
Share tips with speakers to help them look and sound better and really shine. Are there any areas of the stage they should avoid to keep from stepping out of lighting? Are there any concerns you have noticed about the venue? Leadership and communications speakerRob Cottingham suggests, “If a tech can help me know how much I can drop my voice and still be heard, and how far back I have to pull back from the mic if I want to yell, it can make a world of difference in my performance.”
Have fun.
It’s my personal policy to always learn the names of the tech team and have a relaxed and fun sound check. Make your speakers feel comfortable!
Be on the same team.
Most professional speakers have a checklist, and they are used to regular sound checks. They appreciate being treated as professionals. Thought leader and keynote speaker Peter Sheehan says, “Remember we are on the same team—please don’t treat me like an idiot. Instead of starting with ‘We can’t do that,’ have ‘Let me see how we can make that happen’ be your default position.
Be thoughtful.
At a recent speech I gave, the AV crew had already placed water bottles on stage, removed the lectern (because I am less than five feet tall, my rider asks for it to be removed), and placed a small, dressed cocktail table on stage for me before I arrived for the sound check. These touches might seem small, but following the rider requests and paying attention to the details makes a huge difference to speakers.
Allow speakers to use their remote.
Ensure the range of the remote is sufficient, and it’s compatible with the AV system. For many professional speakers, “the remote is an extension of our hand—we have these in our hands as often as our toothbrushes. We press buttons with muscle memory,” says speaker Lisa Cummings. Speakers prefer to use their own remotes, so please let them when it’s possible.
Speaker to-dos:
Be on time.
Show up at the appointed time for your sound check—don’t ever steal other speakers’ minutes. Arrive at least an hour before the start of your presentation. Bring your presentation files, and be ready to rehearse if necessary.
Learn about AV and staging.
Mitch Beede at Image Audio Visuals says, “We highly recommend speakers bring their current, updated presentation on a USB stick. The technology standard is 16:9 ratio. And please notify the tech staff of any embedded video, timed transitions, or builds.”
Know not to walk in front of the audio-speakers, and check the stage for movement, squeaks, and gaps. As a stiletto wearer, I sweetly request the stage be taped so my heels don’t get stuck in the cracks (that’s so not glamorous!). Also, please don’t make crazy last-minute requests or surprises for your AV crew.
Create a checklist.
Berkun says, “Check everything! Check the AV levels, slides, and embedded video, house lights, performance lights, slide management (backward and forward), confidence monitor, intro/outro music, and tables or resources on stage. Make a note in your AV request form of where you like to present from, what you want—and don’t want—on stage, and carry it with you to your sound check.”
Consider wardrobe.
Speakers need to ensure their wardrobe can accommodate the belt pack if they will be wearing a lavaliere mic. Beede also recommends speakers consider wearing a shirt with a collar to attach the lav microphone to. Remove your name badge (to avoid feedback, audio problems, and light reflection), check your zipper, make sure your bra strap isn’t showing, and look in the mirror before walking on stage (to make sure there’s no spinach in your teeth!).
Know your microphone needs.
Do you prefer a headset mic, a lavaliere, or handheld? Some speakers even invest a few dollars in their own kits. I purchased a Countryman mic and multiple adaptors for every sound system that I bring with me, along with clear medical tape to make sure it stays fastened. I always get a great reaction from the AV crew when they see I am prepared with my own mic and tape—and actually know how to use it.
If you pay attention to these details, the result will be a more productive sound check, and a better experience for your attendees.
(This blog first appeared originally on www.meetingsnet.com, guest authored by Neen James.)
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Monday, July 25, 2016
Prepare for the Seasons
Bucks County, where I live, experiences every season. We get hot sticky summers, spectacular Fall leaves, snow in winter and spring brings stunning flowers. It’s stunning and when we moved from Australia I had no idea that people in this area ‘winterize’ their homes (not a term I’d heard before).
My home has two fireplaces so each year we have two cords of wood delivered (for my Aussie readers, a cord is a measurement of wood used in the US and Canada, who knew?)
Recently while helping my honey stack this wood perfectly into his specially designed woodshed (he’s an engineer), it struck me our businesses have seasons too.
As an opening keynote speaker for corporate audiences, most of my busy season is Spring, Fall and Winter, the summer has an easier pace as many of our corporate clients don’t host events with teams on vacation. It would be easy to get concerned with gaps in our calendar (and believe me I used to), until I realized the seasonal patterns.
Maybe your business, your company, your health, or even some relationships have seasons.
Here are 3 strategies to help you prepare for your seasons.
Know your cycles – this one took me a little while to learn in the US, it was different to Australia (the seasons are opposite). Learning what the busy and slower cycles are in your business allows you to allocate your energy and resources in the best times. I choose summers to write books and catch up on development projects that I don’t get to while I am traveling during my busy seasons. What are the cycles in your business? How can you plan for the downtime and the busy times?
Do the work – stacking wood might be one of my least favorite activities in the summer heat however I have to be reminded how much I love watching a fire at night and the coziness it creates in my home. The wood has to be delivered early so it can be dry and ready when we need it.
When we are busy it’s easy to take our eye of the business development strategies or leadership development opportunities because we are so busy ‘doing the work’. We also need to be planning for strategic thinking time and people development time. Doing and planning are both important considerations for every leader wanting to focus their resources on what really matters.
Keep the faith – have you ever had a winter (or a dark season) that felt so long… a few years in Doylestown I have wondered when the winter is ever going to end! Mother nature takes her time and yet we know spring will arrive and with it fresh flowers, new leaves on the trees, baby squirrels and birds everywhere. Hibernation is sometimes required for recovery time or to access what are your most important strategies and focus for the next season.
Stay focused on why you are doing the work, what you need to achieve and know that the next season (and maybe your reward), is just around the corner.
Pay attention to what matters in your current season and remember we reap what we sow.
What can you do today to help you be prepared for your next season?
The post Prepare for the Seasons appeared first on Neen James.
Sunday, July 24, 2016
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