Popular Programs

We’re not in Kansas Anymore: 9 Rules To Market Your Business Forward In Any Economy

Does the mere mention of the word “marketing” make you shudder? After all, how do you know whether you should be a gorilla or a radical . . . ask permission or give it away . . . stretch your brand or give it a soul . . . promote virally or through channels? It seems like either anything goes or nothing at all works these days.

While there are more marketing tools and tactics, companies face tougher-than-ever-before audiences when it comes to getting the word out about their products or services. The old rules don’t apply any longer. Positive outcomes, never guaranteed, are even harder to come by.
And what happens when you add your customers into the mix? If you do it wrong, it’s chaos instead of controlled creativity?

Is there a solution? Absolutely! When it comes to marketing, and talking to our customers, we may not be in Kansas anymore. But, there are new rules. Learning, and following them, will lead you down the road to success.

Momma Never Told Me There’d Be Days Like These: 27 Rules For Surviving As An Entrepreneur

For many people, it’s still a part of the American Dream – You can own your own business! Yet, making it as an entrepreneur in today’s world is more complex than ever. However, it’s not just a case of “building it and they will come.” Success involves lots of hard work – both with the business of business and the issue of business vs. life. It can be tough if you’re not ready for it. But oh so rewarding if you are. Learn one entrepreneur’s lessons and secrets of business success and how she owes it all to the likes of Ed Sullivan, The Beatles, Blanche DuBois, Hedda Hopper, Kenny Rogers, Grace Slick and The Beach Boys.

Surviving Your Time In The Spotlight: 49 Rules For Brilliant Presentations Each And Every Time

Does making presentations give you a case of the heebie jeebies? Or do you wish you could be a little more effective – in getting your point across, closing the sale, making an impact? In a muddle about when to use overheads vs. slides? Confused about how best to use the technology that’s out there?

To create winning presentations – that make an impact and not just a techno-splash – you must have a strong outline, know your audience and their expected outcomes, transform the outline into memorable messages, match the messages with the methodology (and technology) that fits the group. True success in speeches, seminars, large client meetings – in fact, presentations of any kind – comes from a solid, strategic approach, old fashioned preparation and more than just a touch of the right kind of creativity.

You’ll be able to give the best presentation possible, regardless of the audience, format, or purpose and hit your mark – each and every time.

All It Takes Is A Whip and A Chair: 101 Rules For Taming The Media Circus

The likelihood of a microphone being shoved in you face as you go about your daily business is greater today than ever before. When that happens, if your “interview” doesn’t turn out the way you thought it would, the results will come back to haunt you. When Andy Warhol said, “In the future everyone will be world-famous for fifteen minutes, he never imagined the sheer numbers of media we would be faced with today. Learn tricks for surviving the “mediazation” of the world through real life examples and hands on exercises – so your fifteen minutes of fame won’t become a recurring nightmare.

Inside the Scarecrow’s Brain: 39 Rules For Solving Strategic Problems With Creativity

The realities of today’s world is that we all work differently than we did – even just three years ago. The physical settings have changed; the groups of people that come together for individual projects have changed; the reporting structures have changed. Even client expectations have changed. Yet the way in which we approach problem solving is the same. With all the bottom line pressure, projects are more often “worked on” instead of approached strategically. As for creativity, extreme time constraints do not permit something usually perceived as frivolous. Combining strategic thinking and creativity is possible – with a little know how. Learn to ensure that all projects can “tap into the genius” of your group and meet the goals and deadlines. You’ll increase more than just the bottom line.

The Invisibility Cloak . . . And What It Can Do To Your Brand

Among the many universal truths business leaders accept these days is this: a crisis can strike at any time… so you better be prepared. In addition, the majority of these captains of industry believe their companies are prepared to successfully weather whatever may come. After all, the events of 9/11 and the fall of corporate titans such as Enron and Worldcom have reinforced the idea that any organization can fall prey to external or internal disasters. Because of this, there may well be lists, action outlines – even wholly executable plans – addressing surviving attacks, from without and within.

During this program you will learn about The Good, The Bad and The Ugly, A Different Kind of Equity, Corporate Crisis DNA, and No Glory Even If You Have The Guts. You’ll also look at lessons (good and bad) of invisible crises from the likes of Motorola, Justin and Janet, ATT, AOL, SBC, Bank One, Cisco, and more.

There is a new crisis in town, brewing just under the surface, that will wreak more havoc than any traditional situation ever could. It’s invisible, it’s tied to your brand and, ignoring the signs will weaken your company in ways that are very real and very tangible. At the end of the day, if you can factor the brand into the crisis planning equation, you will survive whatever happens as a much stronger, healthier organization.

The Chicken Little Factor: 13 Rules For Surviving And Thriving Any Crisis

Do you have what it takes to lead your organization through a crisis? If you go with your gut, your answer will be “Of Course I Do!”

But what if your instincts are wrong? What if your leadership skills are exactly opposite from what you company will need to survive the calamities and disasters that can happen to any company? What do you do? In fact, how would you know whether or not you could be effective for your company or run around like Chicken Little crying about the sky falling in?

There are solutions. It takes a combination of two things:

• a solid understanding of what a crisis is and what you and your company can do to be prepared if one hits
• a clear idea of how your leadership style will help or hinder the outcome.

No More Jabberwocky: 7 Rules for Maximizing Your Networking and Sales Activities

Networking is everywhere. You can probably do it in your sleep. But to what end? Are you getting the most out of your efforts? Or do you feel like it’s all a big waste of time?

After all, you have your commercials, you send out follow ups. But not much connects. It seems like so much of Lewis Carroll’s Jabberwocky. There’s got to be a better way.

Well now there is. It’s time to stop the madness of networking for the sake of networking and following up without real purpose. You can maximize your efforts for a better and clearer end. All it takes is following the rules of engagement by such luminaries as Mr. Blackwell, Mick Jagger and The King of the Trees. By doing so, at the end of the day you’ll find rewards for your efforts that better meet you expectations.

Following The Yellow Brick Road: 21 Rules For Creating A Winning Marketing Plan

Does this sound like you?

• You’re a startup with little or no idea of how to market your business
• Your company’s less than two years old and still lacks marketing focus/direction
• You’ve tried marketing with unsuccessful results
• You’re a more established organization with a dysfunctional marketing track record

If you answered yes to any one of these scenarios, it’s time to start down the path that will get your business moving in the right direction by creating a focused and tailored-to-your-business marketing plan.
The big question, though, is “HOW” . . .
. . . can you put everything together in a way that will work for you -- not break the bank?
. . . can you do it right the first time, with everything else that’s on your plate?

The answer is found in this 2-session Webinar that will teach you everything necessary for creating – and implementing – a winning marketing plan for your business.

During this program you will learn:

• Why your business needs a marketing plan
  
• How the plan will help move your business forward
  
• What elements go into the plan
  
• How you put a plan together
  
• What it takes for implementation
  
• What reality-based budgeting meant to overall success
  
• How ongoing evaluation will bring about stellar results
  

Just like Dorothy and her first step onto the yellow brick road, the road to business success can be well-navigated – but only if you follow a proper path – a path that starts with a winning marketing plan.

Better Than “Playing Telephone:” 19 Rules For World Class Webinars
That Meet Audience Expectations And Add To Your Bottom Line

• Are you looking to expand your seminar / training audience beyond those people who can block out the time to drive, attend and return to the office?
• Tired of the travel hassles you must fight every time you go out of town to speak?
• Want to use your time more profitably, reach more people and make "smarter" presentations than ever before?

Sure, you could try the teleseminar route. Many people offer them. But, even though they’re popular, just how effective are they? It’s hard to keep the audience’s attention and deliver your in-person information and experience – just over the phone. It would be much more powerful to be able to present your information in a truly interactive fashion.

Now there is a way -- it’s time to try a Webinar. Web-based seminar programs, Webinars give speakers the same opportunity to present content, drive audience response and receive interactive feedback as a live, in person presentation. There are just two important differences – you are in your office and participants are in theirs. How convenient.

But where do you start? How does the technology work to create the best kind of online experience? What do you need to do to alter your content for maximum participant interactivity? How can you benefit from the special features like polling, chat and white board tools?

During this Webinar you will learn about:

• the technology tools and what will work best for best for your topics – and style
• re-crafting your content to make the most impact
• recommended behind-the-scenes support it takes to ensure the smoothest flow of information
• logistics from registration to phone lines to promotion and handouts
• courting and controlling your online audience
• the difference in preparation between in-person programs and Webinars
• additional products that naturally flow from the Webinar
• tips and tricks for maximum success

It’s time to see for yourself just how great a presentation medium a Webinar can be and how it can truly turn your speaking opportunities into world-class events. You’ll find it’s a much more powerful venue than you could ever imagine.

Don’t Trip Up: 7 Rules For Successful Business Start Up

• Are you looking to start a business but don’t quite know where to begin?
• Have you already begun your new venture but feel a bit on shaky ground?
• Do you worry about not knowing all the things you need to know?

Stop worrying and take Don’t Trip Up:7 Rules For Successful Business Start Up.

During this one-hour program you will learn:

• The importance of your company name – and how it ties in with the real world
• Why and how to look like you truly “Play In The Big Leagues”
• The case for a strong identity
• What is the most effective support team for you needs – and how you build it
• How to talk the talk – and tell the most compelling story about you business
• When (and where) to “see and be seen” and look for business opportunities
• What to do if you can’t get it to come together

These days you only get one chance to get it right. There are no do-overs. Having the right information and taking the right actions will get your business started off on the right foot and keep you from stubbing your toe.