2007 was a fantastic year for CREATIVE VENTURES and STEPHEN HARVILL PRESENTATIONS! Exciting projects with great impact for significant clients filled my year. No one could ask for anything more! The best part is that the momentum I built is carrying over into 2008.

I have a series of projects in the planning stages, some based on the results of last years success, others are new ideas and new strategic platforms. I will be launching three new presentations in our core curriculum that will be developed into new classes that then evolve into key strategic platforms.

My travel schedule will begin to get busy in early January, kicking off with launching the new program: ELITE BEHAVIORS – Reaching High Sales Performance.

I am so JAZZED that I can hardly wait!

Thanks for starting the ENERGY!

Do you ever notice that you are a member of the “sometimes” society? Sometimes you get what you ordered at the restaurant and sometimes you don’t. Sometimes your flight leaves on time and sometimes it doesn’t. Sometimes the clerk at the grocery store is actually paying attention to you and sometimes he’s not. We have built, reinforced, and perpetuated a society of horrific inconsistency. Most of the time we accept it as normal.

How does this happen? It starts at a common point, the BASICS. I am amazed when dealing with organizational objectives, that the core idea of being as perfect as possible on the BASICS of the service or product, never makes the list. It appears companies think: “That simply goes without saying” “We always do the basics” “We know our stuff”. The basics are the DNA of your company, the building blocks of everything.

It’s no surprise that organizations like Disney train their “cast members” inside and out on the basics. They know their basics. What is the most commonly asked question at the Disney Resorts? You may have guessed it – “where is the bathroom?” It’s a basic, and every cast member can walk any guest to any bathroom anywhere in the park. They know their basics.

In looking at your goals for 2008, you would be wise to add a strong push on perfecting your basics. If you are consistently great on the basics it opens the door to the extra value that builds strong relationships. Without the basics you can forget about adding anything.

• Define the basics of your product/service model.
• Thoughtfully reduce them to their absolute core.
• Reinforce them with all ‘points of contact”.
• Measure your effectiveness.

The basics are the DNA of your company, the building blocks for everything.

Become part of the exceptional business society that provides the highest level of quality at EVERY opportunity by always getting the basics RIGHT.

Let’s take a look at some bone fide trends affecting the business world today, trends you need to be aware of in order to take advantage of them in your business:

• Open Up Your Idea Factory: After decades of a closed innovative process, Proctor and Gamble radically altered the way it comes up with ideas. Now it works with universities, suppliers, outside scientists, and designers to gain market advantages. P&G claims it’s new open system is the main reason for a 6% growth rate and a triple of annual profits to $8.6 billion. This is a big time shift for a high volume, open business model. Start involving more people in your idea process and ditch the fear thing.
• Tell Your Story: Continuing research by American Express shows that clients want product and service information delivered in a story format. No surprise there, we are a species that for most of our existence has passed on key information in storytelling styles. Check your marketing material (both rich media and print) and decide if it tells the core content in a strong story fashion. The My Life, My Card American Express campaign is one of the results of their study. The Wes Anderson commercial is my favorite: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=spCknVcaSHg
• Change – Nothing Stays the Same: The Food Network has been the darling/success story of the explosion of topic-specific networks, but they know that success creates the best opportunity to change, to transform, to leverage existing ideas, and take chances on new ones. Emeril Live, one of the prime time staples, will be gone after an 11 year run. It’s time to do something different. The Bravo Network stole a ton of Food Network thunder with the success of Top Chef, their reality based competition. Look for similar ideas and new leverage for Food Network stars, Rachel Ray, Bobby Flay and others. The Network wants to be in a constant state of transformation to meet changing market and demographic needs. It takes courage to look at your business as a transformational model! Change is a constant, don’t stay anchored to the “way things have always been done.”