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“I need more bookings!” Raise your hand if you’ve ever said that before. My hand is up. Is yours? Of course it is. Especially in 2009. Every salesperson, entrepreneur, small business owner or entertainer expresses that frustration at some point. Unfortunately, many of us are too quick to blame this problem on some external force beyond our sphere of control. For example: Bookings are down because the economy sucks….

“Ideas are free, execution is priceless.” That’s my mantra. It HAS to be. After all, how else would someone make a career out of wearing a nametag 24-7? SO, HERE’S THE SECRET: Executing is eloquence. Period. Today I’m going to teach you how to do it. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, small business owner, creative professional or cubicle dwelling worker bee, consider these seven essentials for executing exquisitely: 1. Think…

If you google the word “nametag,” it points to me first. If you google the word “approachability,” it (also) points to me first. This is not an accident. In fact, I’ve spent every single day of the past seven years assuring that everything I do contributes to my company’s OWNERSHIP of those two words. (Check out my tag cloud gallery on Wordle!) So, they’re mine. Forever. And YOU can’t…

On July 24th, 2008, The New York Times published an Op-Ed written by Jerry Seinfeld to celebrate the life – and commemorate the death – of his friend and colleague, George Carlin. “Every comedian does a little George. I couldn’t even count the number of times I’ve been George downright invented modern American stand-up comedy in many ways. Every standing around with some comedians and someone talks about some…

Nobody cares what you’ve done. They only care what you’ve LEARNED – and – how what you’ve learned can be applied to their world in a practical, actionable way. That’s the secret to being an inspiration to others: Transforming “How I did” into “How you can.” As I mentioned in How to become the Most Inspirational Person You Know, the word “inspire” derives from the Latin inspiraire, which means,…

Here’s the most dangerous thought your audience members could EVER have: “Why did I even bother coming to this?” I learned this lesson after a recent presentation with the American Advertising Federation. No, I didn’t bomb. Actually, one of my audience members shared a piece of feedback I’d never heard before, but one I’d never forget: “Scott, what I appreciated most about your presentation was that you never wasted…

1. Don’t try, seek or set out to be a Thought Leader. You earn this honorable designation when the world dubs you so. Furthermore, being a Thought Leader isn’t an intentional goal – it’s an incidental consequence. As leadership professor Warren Bennis say in On Becoming a Leader: “People set out to live their lives, expressing themselves freely and fully. When that expression is of value, they become leaders….

Have you ever been SO hungry that you actually considered cannibalism? Me neither. I was just curious. Still, hunger IS a powerful, instinctive force. Maybe it has something to do with our hunter-gatherer nature. I mean, hell, people kill each other for food. In fact, I could probably cite at least twenty occasions when I was a kid – if the proper weaponry were available – I definitely would…

Five words that will change your business forever: “Who was that masked man?” Name that show! Of course: The Lone Ranger. Even a Gen-Xer like me knows that. And just imagine. Wouldn’t it be cool if customers said something like that after YOU left? Curiosity. Intrigue. Fascination. Amazement. That’s what those five words represent. The Lone Ranger was so cool, so unforgettable, and so distinctive that when he left,…

“Why doesn’t anybody follow me on Twitter? This sucks!” Wait a sec. Holster your finger there, buster. LET ME ASK YA THIS: Have you considered the possibility that you’re not a followable person? Ouch. Maybe that’s the real problem. HERE’S THE REALITY: Whatever leadership role you hold – teacher, boss, blogger, tweeter, pastor or parent – being approachable is about increasing the probability that people will follow you. And…