Month: October 2008

But I’ve already seen that movie like, ten times!

Shawshank Redemption is one of the greatest movies ever.

That’s not an opinion, that’s a fact. It’s #72 on The American Film Institute’s list of Top 100 Movies of All Time.

SO THE QUESTION IS: What makes that movie so great?

Yes, the script is brilliant.
After all, it WAS based on a Stephen King short story.

Duh, the cinematography was unreal.
Of course – Sam Mendes directed it.

Sure, the acting is phenomenal.
Morgan Freeman and Tim Robbins. Can’t beat ‘em.

And of course, the story is incredible.
Remember at the end when the warden finds the tunnel behind the poster of Rita Hayworth and the rock hammer in Andy Dufregne’s bible? Classic!

But there’s another characteristic of that movie that makes it the best.

You can watch Shawshank a hundred times, and still take away something totally different EVERY time.

Ironically, people often complain:

But I’ve already read that book…
But I’ve already seen that movie…
But I’ve already heard that speaker before…

And there is SOME truth to that gripe. I can understand how people wouldn’t want to expose themselves to certain things multiple times; for fear that those things would become repetitive and predictable.
BUT THE REAL THE QUESTION IS: What if it’s not the movie – but rather, YOU – who changed?

Sure, every time you watch Shawshank, the move is going to be the same.

But YOU’RE not.

You can’t step into the same river twice.

AND HERE’S THE SCARY PART: Next time you’re considering NOT reading a book you’ve already read before; NOT watching a movie you’ve already seen before; or NOT listening to a speaker you’ve already heard before, ask yourself this question…

What if your customers said that about YOU?

Nah, we’ve already bought from Dave before. Let’s find a different salesperson this year.

Yikes.

LET ME ASK YA THIS…
Why are your customers coming BACK to you?

LET ME SUGGEST THIS…
For the list called, “13 Reasons Your Competitors Are Getting More Attention than You,” send an email to me, and I’ll send you the list for free!

* * * *

Scott Ginsberg
That Guy with the Nametag
[email protected]

Never the same speech twice.
Always about approachability.

Watch The Nametag Guy in action here!

Beware of being TOO

There’s good.
There’s great.
There’s awesome.

And then, occasionally, there’s someone who’s TOO.

TOO good.
TOO perfect.
TOO polished.
TOO rehearsed.
TOO calculated.
TOO impressive.
TOO good looking.
TOO knowledgeable.

And people start to wonder.

They also start to QUESTION.

“Is this guy for real?”
“How can I compare to that?”
“Who’s supposed to relate to this?”

If people are too busy questioning you, that means they’re (probably) not LISTENING to you.

It reminds me of the scene in She’s Out of Control, (classic!) where Tony Danza’s character realizes her daughter’s boyfriend is TOO perfect.

AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!

Be careful. Perfection isn’t approachable.

LET ME ASK YA THIS…
Are you TOO?

LET ME SUGGEST THIS…
For the list called, “19 Way to be the ONE Person Everybody Remembers at the Conference,” send an email to me, and I’ll send you the list for free!

* * * *
Scott Ginsberg
That Guy with the Nametag
[email protected]

What’s YOUR approach?

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Back to the Future Questions™

1.21 GIGAWATTS!

What movie comes to mind when you hear those words?

Back to the Future, of course. Greatest movie of all time.

AND HERE’S THE SECRET: You don’t need a Delorian to travel through time.

All you need is a question.

A well-timed question.
A well-crafted question.
A creativity-challenging, motivation-uncovering question.

I call these Back to the Future Questions™. They work for four reasons:

First, they ENABLE people to act as if the desired changed already occurred.

TRY THESE:
1. How would you BE if you were already living your dream?
2. How would the person you hope to become do what you’re about to do?
3. How would you BE if you were sure you were going to get what you wanted?
4. How would your voice sound if you knew for sure you were going to get exactly what you wanted?

Next, they HELP people imagine what they need to become in order for their goals to manifest.

TRY THESE:
1. What will this decision look like in 10 years?
2. For your life to be perfect, what would have to change?
3. What kind of person do you definitely NOT want to become?
4. Is this experience helping you become the best version of yourself?
5. If you pursued this dream, what would your life look like in 30 days?
6. What would REAL fulfillment look like in this area if you were truly living your life purpose?

Third, they EMPOWER people to speak from the future, then look back to identify the steps that led there.

TRY THESE:
1. How do you want the world to know you 3-5 years from now?
2. What three things can you do TODAY to increase your freedom tomorrow?
3. Look ahead six months: standing there, what decisions would you make today?
4. What three small acts you could take today to prepare for the life or work that you’d like?
5. What steps need to be taken to make you feel like you’ve achieved a Return on Investment from this new endeavor?
6. What has to happen in the next year for us to be able to look back and say, “That was best possible use of our efforts”?

Lastly, they INSPIRE people to paint a compelling, detailed picture of the desired future and make meaningful strides toward it.

TRY THESE:
1. What would your life look like right now if you were truly healthy?
2. If everyone did exactly what you said, what would the world look like?
3. What are the essential features of the world you want to live in so you can be your best?
4. When you imagine living the life you want, how do you see yourself starting your day?
5. What would REAL fulfillment look like in this area if you were truly living your life purpose?
6. What if, overnight, a miracle occurred, and you woke up tomorrow morning and the problem was solved – what would be the first thing you would notice?

I challenge you to go back to the future TODAY. Try a few of these questions, or create list of your own questions.

Enable, help, inspire and empower people – including yourself – to discover the Gigawatts of Truth that lay within.

LET ME ASK YA THIS…
How are you taking people back to the future?

LET ME SUGGEST THIS…
For the list called, “27 Reasons People Aren’t Listening to You,” send an email to me, and I’ll send you the list for free!

Scott Ginsberg
That Guy with the Nametag
[email protected]

* * * *

Planning your 2009 Conference? If you want The Nametag Guy, better hurry. Only 28 slots left.

Watch Scott in action here!

NametagTV: Return Calls Faster

Video not working? Click here for Adobe Flash 9.

Watch the original video on NametagTV!

LET ME ASK YA THIS…
Are you returning calls faster than your competitors?

LET ME SUGGEST THIS…
For a list called, “38 Ways to Make Your Customers GASP,” send an email to me, and I’ll send you the list for free!

* * * *
Scott Ginsberg
That Guy with the Nametag
[email protected]

Satisfaction not enough?
Customers not telling their friends about you?
Want to learn how to deliver unforgettable service?

Buy Scott’s new book and learn how to get your frontline IN line!

Pick up your copy (or a case!) right here.

Three Words of Advice: Ideas

(To read past posts in this series, check this out!)

Become idea prone.
By organizing your inner and outer landscapes.

Create idea-friendly time.
Where anything goes and nothing is judged.

Create self-evident ideas.
Because if they don’t “get it” right away, they never will

Express ideas visually.
It’s easier to infect others with your passion that way.

Hone multiple ideas.
Because there’s never ONE answer.

Ideas create money.
How many ideas did YOU come up with this week?

Just capture ideas.
Because if you don’t write it down, it never happened.

Make Idea Goals.
They’re just as important as your tangible goals.

Need crazy ideas.
To live, work and BE effectively and completely.

Present graspable ideas.
Because you’ve only got a few seconds.

Save bad ideas.
Because you never know when they’ll come in handy.

Sidestep idea grindhouses.
It’s not fair to your inner child.

Synthesize ideas constantly.
Because they’re all connected.

Transplant your ideas.
To multiple domains and dimensions.

Welcome wild ideas.
They’re healthy for the creative soul.

LET ME ASK YA THIS…
How many ideas did you have today?

LET ME SUGGEST THIS…
For the list called, “49 Ways to become an Idea Powerhouse,” send an email to me, and I’ll send you the list for free!

* * * *
Scott Ginsberg
That Guy with the Nametag
[email protected]

Is your frontline IN line?

Tune in to The Frontline Channel on NametagTV.com!

Watch video lessons on delivering unforgettable service!

10 Questions that Changed My Business Forever

There is nothing more powerful than a question.

A question can ENABLE learning.
A question can PREDICT the future.
A question can EXPLODE people’s brains.
A question can CRACK open a new world.
A question can ENLIST your creativity.
A question can SEND you off to the races.
A question can CUT deeply, yet playfully.
A question can VISUALIZE ideal conditions.
A question can EMPOWER others to turn inward.
A question can FORCE you to confront yourself.
A question can FUNCTION as that little nudge, push, tipping point or last straw you needed.

In my experience as a writer, speaker, coach and entrepreneur, the most important moments in my career have revolved around asking myself specific, profound questions.

Questions that shifted my paradigm.
Questions that changed my business model.
Questions that doubled and tripled my annual income.

Here are the Top Ten Questions That Changed My Business Forever:

1. What did you write today? Not just because I’m a writer, but also because writing is the basis of all wealth.

2. Is everything you know written down somewhere? My customized Content Management System was built on this question. Because if you don’t write it down, it never happened.

3. Is what you’re doing RIGHT NOW consistent with your #1 goal? This question kept me focused more than anything. I wrote it on a sticky note and kept it in a visible location on my desk. Made me a LOT of money.

4. Now that I have this, what else does this make possible? The ultimate leverage question. Helps you kill two stones with one bird in any situation.

5. If everybody did exactly what you said, what would the world look like? My mentor shared this question with me as a foundation for creating my own Personal Philosophy, my own Theory of the Universe. Kept me focused and congruent in all my endeavors.

6. What is your #1 income producing activity? It’s simple: once you figure out this answer to this question, you just go and DO that activity. All day. Everything else is a waste of time, money and energy.

7. What personal skills have I not tapped into yet to build my business and/or add value to my customers? Helps you add more value to yourself and others. Taps into that which is natural and beautiful and true and exploits it in the service of your purpose.

8. What’s next? Like a shark, if you don’t swim, you die. Gotta keep moving. Always thinking about what else is to come.

9. Am I making a living or growing my business? Provides a powerful understanding of your long-term goals. Focuses on equity and wealth, not income.

10. How can I change the rules so I can win at my own game? This is about becoming a category of one. Eliminating the competition by not having one. Blocking a punch by not being there.

REMEMBER: Because it’s not about the answer but what the answer POINTS to.

LET ME ASK YA THIS…
What questions changed your business forever?

LET ME SUGGEST THIS…
For the list called, “22 Questions to Sidestep Entrepreneurial Atrophy,” send an email to me, and I’ll send an email to me?

Scott Ginsberg
That Guy with the Nametag
[email protected]

* * * *

Never the same speech twice.
Always about approachability.

Watch The Nametag Guy in action here!

Why passion works

When passion is involved, the rules change.

The shy become outgoing.
The introverted become assertive.
The disconnected become engaged.

Customers. Prospects. Employees. Managers. Whoever.

SO, HERE’S THE SECRET: Whatever your goal is, find a way embed people’s passion into the pavement that leads the way.

Because if you do this, three things will happen:

1. People will arrive at their destination faster and better.
2. People will have more fun and take more ownership of their endeavors.
3. People will (actually) take CARE of the path that led them there because THEY designed it.

AND REMEMBER: If you don’t know what your passion is, discovering your passion can become your passion until you find your passion.

LET ME ASK YA THIS…
How are you incorporating passion into everything you do?

LET ME SUGGEST THIS…
For the list called, “86 Passion-Finding Questions to Discover What You Love,” send an email to me, and I’ll send you the list for free!

* * * *
Scott Ginsberg
That Guy with the Nametag
[email protected]

New website go live this week?

Tune in to The Entrepreneur Channel on NametagTV.com!

Watch video lessons on spreading the word!

Surround yourself with high quality people who inspire and challenge you

Your life is too short.
Your time is too valuable.
Your brain is too important.

You need to surround yourself with high quality people who inspire and challenge you.

Stop wasting your time with losers.

Don’t become twisted into their vortex of bloodsucking.

Love yourself enough to walk away from people who do nothing more than contaminate your soul with their negativity.

And if you’re ever in doubt, just ask yourself:

o What am I gaining from this relationship?
o How is this person challenging me?
o Is this an opportunity or an opportunity to be used?

If this causes you to have fewer friends, so be it.

Better to have five REAL friends you can call at 2 AM when you’re freaking out about your life … than to have five hundred “friends” on Facebook who don’t even know you’re wife’s name because they’re too busy trying to win first place in some social networking pissing contest.

LET ME ASK YA THIS…
How much of your time is spent with people who inspire you?

LET ME ASK YA THIS…
For the list called, “18 Lessons from 18 People Smarter Than Me,” send an email to me, and I’ll send you the list for free!

* * * *
Scott Ginsberg
That Guy with the Nametag
[email protected]

Nobody talking about your business?

Bummer. Perhaps I could help on a more personal, one-on-one basis.

Rent Scott’s Brain today!

Earning comes from learning

Show me a person who EARNS a lot, and I’ll show you a person who LEARNS a lot.

Period.

Earning comes from learning.

BUT, HERE’S THE CATCH: The word “learn” derives from the Old English term, leornian, which means, “to cultivate.”

So, there’s a certain dedication inherent in the learning process.

Learning isn’t just reading. Or listening. Or writing stuff down.

Learning is WORK. And it all starts with that moment … that epiphany … that exact point of reference in which you gain something new.

THEN … to truly and honestly embrace the essence of what’s happening inside, around and TO you.

THEN … to patiently allow those little nuggets of wisdom to profoundly penetrate you.

THEN … to think on those things through some combination of writing, discussing and meditation; or whatever process of reflection you choose to practice.

THEN … to slowly get outside of yourself and begin to notice the application of those nuggets in the lives of others.

And ultimately, this makes you bigger.

So. Want to earn more? Learn more.

LET ME ASK YA THIS…
How many books did you read last month?

LET ME SUGGEST THIS…
For the list called, “194 Books in Scott’s Success Library.”

* * * *
Scott Ginsberg
That Guy with the Nametag
[email protected]

No time to write?
Can’t finish that book?
Dog ate your last article?

Come to the St. Louis Writing Marathon!

No excuses. Just writing. All day.

I promise it will be the best $20 you’ll invest in yourself all year.

Learn more at www.writingmarathon.com!

Grow Bigger Ears: Keeping People on Point

“Yeah, but what does that have to do with MY problem?”
“That has NOTHING to do with our discussion!”
“Oh yeah, that’s a REAL big a help!”

Ever overheard one of those lines in a nearby person’s conversation?

Kinda makes you cringe.

THE PROBLEM IS: Those phrases are reactions, not responses.

They immediately slam the door on future communication between two people.

When someone offers limited, short, weak or odd comments in a conversation, your job as The Listener is remain objective, not judgmental.

Less confrontation, more discovery.
Less accusation, more exploration.
Less assuming, more asking.

Here’s a list of Phrases That Payses to put this principle into action:

1. Can you think of a related example?
2. I don’t see the relationship between…
3. Tell me what you mean by the word…?
4. Can you say how your comment is related to…?

REMEMBER: Listening is about keeping people on point.

LET ME ASK YA THIS…
What’s your best Listening Line?

LET ME SUGGEST THIS…
For the list called, “17 Behaviors to Avoid for Effective Listening,” send an email to me and I’ll send you the list for free!

* * * *
Scott Ginsberg
That Guy with the Nametag
[email protected]

How many unsolicited referrals did YOU get this week?

Tune in to The Sales Channel on NametagTV.com!

Watch video lessons on enabling customers to buy!

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