Blog Archives
Have A Laugh Fridays – Not Feeling The Love Sales Reps?
This video proves a very valuable point.
You typically gotta have a sales force to sell stuff. This is a funny, somewhat awkward take on that concept, but the message is very clear.
If your company takes the sales force for granted, maybe today is the day to show them some love!
Have a great weekend….
Have A Laugh Fridays – Everyone Needs A Vacation!
Everyone needs a vacation, even Terry Tate! You just know that you have to watch all 3 minutes.
Have a great weekend!
Have A Laugh Fridays – Incredible Toastmasters Speech!
Think back to those times when you laughed so hard, you had a hard time breathing for a moment, and even cried a little?
I had that experience in the fall of 2012 when I attended the regional Toastmasters Conference in Edmonton, Canada. Andrew Legg blew the audience away and won the humorous speech contest giving us his take on the “Different Stages Of Laughter”.
Please take a moment to share this one with his network, it is a truly remarkable job by a Toastmaster, not a professional comedian!
Have a great weekend!
Can’t Miss “Five Star” Presentations!
Presenting in front of colleagues, prospects or customers can be very difficult if not terrifying. But it does not have to be. As a Toastmaster for 18 months now, I am continually looking for ways to improve my presentations.
It is a work in process, and thankfully each time I get up in front of an audience is a step in the right direction.
Here are five things that I focus on each time I present:
- Preparation – I know; sounds crazy but it really does make a difference! Practice ahead of time and make sure audio-visual equipment is working before you start
- Timing and organization – Be respectful of people’s busy schedules and don’t go over time. Always have a question and answer period near the end, but close with your own summary
- Less is more – NEVER put too much information on a PowerPoint slide. Information overload tunes people out!
- What is your value – Smile often, be engaging and limit dead air. These speeches tend to get monotonous and boring. Stand out!
- Information gathering – Have a sign in sheet. This is a great way to confirm contact information and follow-up at a later date
If you want specific information on any aspect of public speaking, stop by http://www.toastmasters.org and check out the library of resources!
Have A Laugh Fridays – “Violent” Sales Meeting
Pretty self-explanatory! Best part is the employee’s explanation right at the end!
Have a great weekend…
Have You Stopped, Looked And Listened Lately?
Just before Christmas we found out that our wonderful dog Chase had terminal cancer and only had a few weeks to live. Although we were quite upset, he had come through major health issues the previous year so we were not surprised. My wife and I agreed to keep him as long as he was doing fine, and as soon as he showed signs of a drop off, we would put him down.
I tried to play the “he’s just a dog card”, but that did not work. It was a very difficult time when he took a turn for the worst. We scheduled an appointment at the vet the next day. The following afternoon, my whole family was out, so I had a chance to sit with him on our deck.
It was an abnormally mild January day for Northern Alberta, which allowed him one last chance to hang out in the yard that he loved so much. He was not able to chase the squirrels like had had done hundreds of times before, but he was able to lie there as I stayed close.
As I sat with him and shut off the world around me, I stopped everything that I was doing, looked around at the place that he had called home for so many years, and just listened to all the sounds around us. I had not been in that relaxed a state for what seemed like months, and was able to fully disengage from the hustle and bustle of life to be in the moment with him. I became so relaxed that I actually fell asleep with him on the deck for one of the last hours of his life!
I reflected upon this event a few weeks after he had passed, and thought fondly about our time together in the yard taking it all in. We get so wrapped up getting through the day that we don’t take enough time to stop, look and listen. I can’t remember the last time I just sat with Chase in the back yard and hung out. There were always other things happening that seemed more important than just being with him.
Perhaps you may want to:
– Cut back on your workload to spend more time with family, friends and even pets
– Reduce your outside commitments so you can have some “me time”
– Take up a hobby again that you have been unable to keep up with because life got in the way
– Connect with people that you have not corresponded with in a long time
and…
Stop, look and listen to everything around you. Take a breath and be thankful for everyone that you hold dear, and focus more on them. You never know how long they will be around for!
Have A Laugh Fridays – Boss Is Gone, Boss Is Gone!
Take 32 seconds to have a laugh today. Enjoy your weekend everyone!
Have A Laugh Fridays – Happy Belated “Pie Day”!
Dave Fleming is a Corporate Comedian that I discovered last spring. This is one of two videos that I used for Have A Laugh Fridays at that time. One of these three clips talks about food in the office lunchroom. It is very funny.
I got thinking about food at the office because one of our employees brought in two pies yesterday. It was apparently “Pie Day”. I take all holidays very seriously so we were excited about the deserts. One problem – it was “Pi Day” and not “Pie Day”.
You know Pi…. the mathematical symbol for 3.14 …. and on and on it goes. Yesterday was March 14 (3-14) so I guess somebody was very clever with that one. I am sure lots of pie was still consumed though!
Enjoy your weekend!
Have A Laugh Fridays – Spring Is In The Air!
I am dying to golf, and this commercial always makes me laugh. Spring is ALMOST in the air in the great white north where I live! Who needs a conference call when you can get out for a round of golf?
Have a great weekend everyone!
Sell, Lead, Succeed! 