Thursday, February 08, 2007
Check out this hotel
A beautiful privately-owned hotel near Derby.i got a really warm welcome, the "dining room" was the kitchen table and the service was 100% it's called Kegworth House. I spend my life in 'chain named'hotels...expensive, impersonal and samey. call Trish and book yourself in...you won't be disappointed
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
Alarm clocks and trainers
Peter Thomson sent this in his weekly tgimondays.com newsletter
This message is based on a true story I heard at dinner, at a friend’s house, last Friday evening:
And the boy, about 12 twelve years old, turned to his father and asked:
“Dad, can I get some new trainers?”
His dad replied: “Yes, of course son”
A couple of weeks went by and the trainers hadn’t appeared.
The son asked again.
“Dad, you did say I could get some new trainers – can I get them please?”
The dad again replied: “Yes, of course son”
Just one week later when the boy came home from school – there on the kitchen table was a box with his name on it.
Oh YES! He thought - my new trainers – mind you the box looks just a little small for trainers.
He opened it – and inside found…
An alarm clock!
And a note from his father:
Here’s how you can get your trainers. The local newsagent needs a paper delivery boy and I’ve told him you want the job.
The clock will make sure you’re there on time – and in just a few weeks – you can get your trainers – love Dad xxxx
Are there thoughts to be thought about this true story?
I think so – here are mine:
1. Are there times in my life, when in reflection, I wish I’d given the clock rather than the trainers? Yes!
2. Are there times when I wish I’d received the clock rather than the trainers? Yes!
3. How many people can I share this story with?
Oh by the way…
The young man in the story is now in his late twenties and massively successful running his own business – and in life.
Do you and I think that the clock may have had just something to do with his success?
I would have thought so – wouldn’t you?
You will share this story with people won’t you?
Go on then…
This message is based on a true story I heard at dinner, at a friend’s house, last Friday evening:
And the boy, about 12 twelve years old, turned to his father and asked:
“Dad, can I get some new trainers?”
His dad replied: “Yes, of course son”
A couple of weeks went by and the trainers hadn’t appeared.
The son asked again.
“Dad, you did say I could get some new trainers – can I get them please?”
The dad again replied: “Yes, of course son”
Just one week later when the boy came home from school – there on the kitchen table was a box with his name on it.
Oh YES! He thought - my new trainers – mind you the box looks just a little small for trainers.
He opened it – and inside found…
An alarm clock!
And a note from his father:
Here’s how you can get your trainers. The local newsagent needs a paper delivery boy and I’ve told him you want the job.
The clock will make sure you’re there on time – and in just a few weeks – you can get your trainers – love Dad xxxx
Are there thoughts to be thought about this true story?
I think so – here are mine:
1. Are there times in my life, when in reflection, I wish I’d given the clock rather than the trainers? Yes!
2. Are there times when I wish I’d received the clock rather than the trainers? Yes!
3. How many people can I share this story with?
Oh by the way…
The young man in the story is now in his late twenties and massively successful running his own business – and in life.
Do you and I think that the clock may have had just something to do with his success?
I would have thought so – wouldn’t you?
You will share this story with people won’t you?
Go on then…
Sunday, February 04, 2007
I'm top of my career but
it doesn't stop me going to my 'trade association' ( Professsional Speakers Association in this case)and listening to others. When you go with the right attitude and listen carefully you ALWAYS gain something. I learn lots about humour and story telling when presenting when I attended our national meeting in Leeds yesterday.
I am at the top of my career BUT the only way to stay there is to keep learning, learning and learning. There's always more to learn, or sometimes be reminded of things you'd learnt in the past and had forgotten.
Not only do you learn from the stage, at the coffee breaks and lunch you network and learn even more from your peers. The PSA is made up of an organisation of "givers".Everyone ( well, I suppose there are a few exceptions)wants to help and no-one sees the other person as competition. A great trade association to be in.
I am at the top of my career BUT the only way to stay there is to keep learning, learning and learning. There's always more to learn, or sometimes be reminded of things you'd learnt in the past and had forgotten.
Not only do you learn from the stage, at the coffee breaks and lunch you network and learn even more from your peers. The PSA is made up of an organisation of "givers".Everyone ( well, I suppose there are a few exceptions)wants to help and no-one sees the other person as competition. A great trade association to be in.
Thursday, February 01, 2007
Grandmas and lawyers
Lawyers should never ask a honest grandma a question if they aren't prepared for the answer.
In a trial, a Southern small-town prosecuting attorney called his first witness, a grandmotherly, elderly woman to the stand. He approached her and asked, "Mrs. Jones, do you know me?"
She responded, "Why, yes, I do know you, Mr. Williams. I've known you since you were a young boy, and frankly, you've been a big disappointment to me. You lie, you cheat on your wife, and you manipulate people and talk about them behind their backs. You think you're a big shot when you haven't the brains to realize you never will amount to anything more than a two-bit paper pusher. Yes, I know you."
The lawyer was stunned! Not knowing what else to do, he pointed across the room and asked, "Mrs. Jones, do you know the defense attorney?" She again replied, "Why, yes, I do. I've known Mr. Bradley since he was a youngster, too. He's lazy, bigoted, and he has a drinking problem. He can't build a normal relationship with anyone and his law practice is one of the worst in the entire state. Not to mention he cheated on his wife with three different women. One of them was your wife. Yes, I know him."
The defence attorney almost died.
The judge asked both counselors to approach the bench and, in a very quiet voice, said, "If either of you idiots asks her if she knows me, I'll send you to the electric chair."
In a trial, a Southern small-town prosecuting attorney called his first witness, a grandmotherly, elderly woman to the stand. He approached her and asked, "Mrs. Jones, do you know me?"
She responded, "Why, yes, I do know you, Mr. Williams. I've known you since you were a young boy, and frankly, you've been a big disappointment to me. You lie, you cheat on your wife, and you manipulate people and talk about them behind their backs. You think you're a big shot when you haven't the brains to realize you never will amount to anything more than a two-bit paper pusher. Yes, I know you."
The lawyer was stunned! Not knowing what else to do, he pointed across the room and asked, "Mrs. Jones, do you know the defense attorney?" She again replied, "Why, yes, I do. I've known Mr. Bradley since he was a youngster, too. He's lazy, bigoted, and he has a drinking problem. He can't build a normal relationship with anyone and his law practice is one of the worst in the entire state. Not to mention he cheated on his wife with three different women. One of them was your wife. Yes, I know him."
The defence attorney almost died.
The judge asked both counselors to approach the bench and, in a very quiet voice, said, "If either of you idiots asks her if she knows me, I'll send you to the electric chair."
Efficient networking
Making the best of networking events
Advertising is floodlight marketing, networking is spotlight marketing and the most effective way to grow a business.
1. Turn up as often as possible. People have short memories, if you're not there referral business will be offered elsewhere
2. Get there early and aim to leave space at the end. That's where the real business is done, in the informal sessions.
3. Have a "giving" attitude. The more help, advice and referrals you give your fellow members, the more you will get back.
4. Aim to speak to new members and guests before the event. The more people you meet the more opportunities you will create
5. Be patient. Networking is about building relationships. Don't expect business to regular come to you for at least six months. It takes time for people to know, like and trust you.
6. Plan to meet fellow members on a one-to-one basis when you do that do you get a greater insight into their business an vice-versa. That way you will know how you can help and be helped.
7. When you have a one-minute presentation make it interesting. Tell anecdotes, mention the different services you offer, even tell personal stories. People buy you before they will buy your services
8. Remember the people round the table may not be your immediate target audience but they all know 200+ others. Everybody is somebody's somebody. Think W I D E not narrow.
Advertising is floodlight marketing, networking is spotlight marketing and the most effective way to grow a business.
1. Turn up as often as possible. People have short memories, if you're not there referral business will be offered elsewhere
2. Get there early and aim to leave space at the end. That's where the real business is done, in the informal sessions.
3. Have a "giving" attitude. The more help, advice and referrals you give your fellow members, the more you will get back.
4. Aim to speak to new members and guests before the event. The more people you meet the more opportunities you will create
5. Be patient. Networking is about building relationships. Don't expect business to regular come to you for at least six months. It takes time for people to know, like and trust you.
6. Plan to meet fellow members on a one-to-one basis when you do that do you get a greater insight into their business an vice-versa. That way you will know how you can help and be helped.
7. When you have a one-minute presentation make it interesting. Tell anecdotes, mention the different services you offer, even tell personal stories. People buy you before they will buy your services
8. Remember the people round the table may not be your immediate target audience but they all know 200+ others. Everybody is somebody's somebody. Think W I D E not narrow.
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