Week of November 17, 2008

Hey everyone, here we go. . . . . . 

IN OUR WORLD Believe it or not, due to a disappointing cancelation / rescheduled program, I got to spend an entire week in town. 

I am often asked about how I create the visual and dynamic journeys found in both our presentations and education programs.  The answer is taught in our program – The Architecture of Presentations.  Here I teach the ideas you see on stage or in the classroom.  I had the opportunity to teach this program to a client group this week. 

Yesterday was my first offering of both a keynote and a workshop on stress management, in the past two years.  It was a great opportunity to update the program to contain cutting edge research on stress and its impact not only on individuals, but also on groups.  It also helps to be blessed with a FANTASTIC audience! 

We now head into the Thanksgiving week and I want to pause and let everyone one of you all over the world that read my blog, book my services and read my writings, know how grateful I am for your interest and support.My life is filled with grace and I am thankful everyday that I have the chance to live a life of dreams. 

I wish you all the opportunity to reflect on the blessings that touch your life. 

 

THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW 

 

I concede that the economy is still really, really weird.  In fact, despite all my time with financial organizations and my attentive listening to a parade of economists and analysts, I, probably like you, have no idea what will happen next.  BUT, here is what I do know and what you intuitively know to: 

·        Our economy has become what is often referred to as an “Expectation Economy” – buyers and sellers have new levels of expectation.·        Choices abound in every sector and niche you can imagine.·        The economy is inhabited by informed and experience consumers.·        Consumers have years of self training in our most recent hyper consumption economy. 

So, what can I do as a product or service provider?  Here are a couple of suggestions: 

·        Don’t just focus on YOUR industry; it will obscure the abundance of a larger buying market.·        By looking outside your industry you will start to notice changes in consumer expectations.·        Always, and I mean ALWAYS us the value you bring and how you separate yourself from the competition as your primary filter. 

If these strategies appeal to you, give me a call and I will be glad to helpGood luck in these rocky business times!  

 

 

 

 

ENTERTAINMENT 

 

MOVIES:  Bolt:  I know it’s an animated film, but the preview has made me laugh every time I watch it. 

NetFlix Fans:  WALL*E –   One of my top 10 movies of the year.  A great combination of adult and family viewing.  The small short film called PRESTO that leads into WALL*E is worth watching over and over again! 

TV:    Looks like out of all the new shows released, Fringe and The Mentalist are the only two hits.  The weird part is that they are both on at the same time on the same night.  House MD continues to be my favorite TV watching.  You can catch up on old episodes on the USA Network every week night at 7:00 PM. 

BOOKS:  The New Managers Tool Kit  by Grimme.  Pretty good stuff if you are on your way to your first real management position.  It is a big responsibility to guide and develop a team. 

MUSIC:   I have been listening to lots of Amos Lee lately and this is a great live cut from the Abbey Road TV series. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TmQFwIKsU1U  

 

WEB SITES:   Want to see the previews to all the new movies coming out?  Check out the trailers in glorious QuickTime at –  

 

www.apple.com/trailers  

SOUTH OF NORMAL“Death by cell phone” is a gadgets nightmare.  As cell phones become something more with the popularity of the iPhone technology and the continued spread of their impact, they also become a KILLER TECHNOLOGY.  Here are a few of the all encompassing cell phone victims:

• The PDA – Gone is this little hand held piece of technology, absorbed by the mutant cell phone.
• Digital Cameras – Oh, they are still out there, but the best camera is the one in your hand.  More people take digital photos with their phone than any other device.
• Land Line Phone – The existence of the land line phone is disappearing faster then your 401-K (ouch, sorry about that).
• MP3 Players – Yes, even the iPod is at risk as cell phones gain greater storage and interface capabilities.

 

I think we will be all rightIf we can learn to when to play it looseAnd when to play it tight.Amos Lee 

Drop me a note with your comments at steve@creativeventures.com 

 

 

Thanks for stopping by and until next time, Adios and Aloha.