July 21, 2008This Week in the World ~ Speaking in corporations and conventions
I’ve been getting emails lately asking if I speak in corporations and conventions. Yes, I do, and the fact that people are asking me this tells me I haven’t been spreading the word like I should.
So here’s the deal. I can tell you how to establish a totally integrated performance system. I can give your managers the perfect words for just about everything they do. I can present a killer keynote about what boats need to be rocked and how to go about rocking them. I can help you add Pizzazz to your technical presentations. Plus, I can tell you how to make your CASE.
So, yes, I do speak in corporations and at conventions. And I would love to speak at yours.
July 21, 2008This Week in the World ~ Didgeridoo
Friday night I attended a didgeridoo workshop. I almost didn’t go. When I got home, I checked the flyer to see if there was any way I could have figured out how fun it would be. There wasn’t. If they had added the single sentence, “Bring your own didgeridoo or we will provide one for you to play,” I would have had some clue this would be one of the highlights of my week.
Marketing is a skill and a service. If people want or need what you offer, but they don’t know they want it, you do them a disservice.
Last week’s teleseminar on The UltiMate™ Relationship Seminar gave a great indication of what that event is all about. I’m not the only one who thought the call provided a service.
By the way, the didgeridoo event was at church, and the leader anointed me “Sister Meryl.” It seemed to catch on with the pastor and others, so I might have a new moniker.
And if you don’t know what didgeridoo is, I confess I didn’t either before I went.
July 21, 2008PowerPhrase ~ This is higher than we anticipated and I can tell you now, it won’t work for us
My husband and I need more space, so we’re looking at remodeling. Our first bid was daunting, so we spoke with another builder about a scaled down project. We were stunned when the bid came in. It was 40% of the house for 80% of the price.
Money is one of those touchy topics of discussion, and it was tempting to avoid the truth and say “we’ll think about it.” But we didn’t need to think.
As an independent contractor, I’ve had plenty of occasions where people indicated they were undecided when I suspected they just didn’t want to tell me no. I would much rather hear the truth and move on. That’s why we told the builder,
-
This is higher than we anticipated and I can tell you now, it won’t work for us.
It’s better to tell the truth and not waste anyone’s time.
July 15, 2008This Week in the World ~ “Relationship by agreement”
A heart-warming letter
I received a three page handwritten letter today from “Julie,” a reader. I wanted to frame it. She told me about how my books and newsletter have empowered her, and how she regards me as a mentor. She told a friend that I was her mentor but didn’t know it. Julie’s friend suggested she tell me. She did, in a letter that was beautiful and deeply moving.
I think of the mentors I’ve had in my life, including the one I’m studying with now, and I am humbly inspired to think that I might have even a fraction of the positive influence on someone that these people had on me.
Julie’s letter makes me want to become available to interact more personally with my readers. I’m making plans to do that.
Many thanks to Julie for such a beautiful letter, and to her friend for insisting she write it. Her friend gets a SpeakStrong award.
Relationship by agreement
Speaking of mentors, the 3 Conversations teleseminar with my mentor Jeffrey Armstrong last week was fascinating. You’ll find the audio link and my review here.
One of the many recommendations Jeffrey detailed was his concept of “relationship by agreement.” That means you craft your relationships rather than leave them to habit and chance.
Jeffrey suggests you craft business relationships the same deliberate way. For example, I have my own style of working. While I like results, my work is also my play. When I get involved with business partners, I like competent, consistent people who will play with me as we get the job done. If I had to choose, I would rather get a little less done while having fun than get a lot done through drudgery.
Right now I’m sponsoring The UltiMate™ Relationship Seminar with a wonderfully savvy, playful woman. Our work together is a complete delight and continual play date.
Learn more about “relationship by agreement” and about last week’s teleseminar here.
My apologies to those who tried to register last week before we got the shipping glitch sorted out. It’s working fine now.
Yoga and relationships
This week we have another free teleseminar with Jeffrey Armstrong. This one focuses on The Yoga of Relationships. Register now.
July 15, 2008Power Phrase ~ I understand how you can see it that way
When you have great communication with someone who thinks differently from you, it can be fascinating to find out how differently you interpret the same things. When you discover someone took your words in a way you never intended, before you clarify, acknowledge:
- I understand how you could see it that way.
If you don’t understand, seek to understand before you clarify. That gives motivation for more dialogue.
July 15, 2008Poison Phrase of the Week ~ We have no choice
Carl had a great suggestion, but the manager shot it down by saying
- We have no choice.
Carl knew there were lots of choices, but since the manager completely negated his attempt to point out options, and the room full of employees who knew there were lots of choices remained silent, Carl gave up his time-saving suggestion. Chances are Carl will be less likely to share his ideas in the future.
July 10, 2008Reader Discussion Question ~ Looking for encouraging words
A reader asks:
I need some encouraging words to say to high school graduates who will be attending college.
Suggestions?
Thanks.
July 10, 2008Ask Meryl ~ God Bless
A reader wrote: When I learned a coworker’s spouse was terminally ill, I said, “God bless the family.” My supervisor later told me not to practice my religion in the workplace.
What should I have said?
Meryl Responds: I think the phrase “God bless” is used as a generally expression of sympathy and well wishes and isn’t considered to be religious. That said, I suppose an atheist would feel excluded in a world where theism is so the norm. Perhaps you could say,
- I see the phrase “God bless” as being an general expression of good will, not an expression of any particular faith. I’m curious why it’s an issue for you.
I personally would be very curious as to what his concerns are.
Readers?
July 10, 2008Power Phrase ~ Under repair
This is from Linda Larsen’s newsletter - and I decided to share it before I realized she told her readers to subscribe to my newsletter.
She wrote of a sign that said the treadmill was:
- Under repair
Instead of out of order.
What a great example of talking about what you want instead of what you don’t want.
July 10, 2008Reader Sucess Story ~ Daring to ask
My intuition was telling me my job was at risk, so I asked if the budget was completed, if I was included in the new budget, and if I was going to be downsized. The evasion was my answer. I plan to approach my manager’s manager next, so I have time to prepare for whatever comes my way.
