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A is for ATTITUDE B is for BREAK PATTERNS C is for CONSISTENCY D is for DISCIPLINE At least one audience member in each of my speeches usually asks, “Scott, have you ever missed a day wearing a nametag?” Actually, no. Sure, I’ve come close many times: walking down the street, jumping into the car or getting out the door and then realizing. “Ah damn it! I forgot to…

Quite possibly the best piece of advice I’ve been given in the past year came from my friend, mentor and occasional therapist, Richard Avdoian. “Don’t try to be different. In fact, don’t try to be anything. Just be. Be yourself. Be the same person no matter where you go. As a result, you WILL be unique. And people will notice. Because there’s nothing more approachable than authenticity.” I quoted…

On April 10th I posted about Goodyear’s contest for the world’s largest nametag… …and we have a winner! According to yesterday’s press release from PRNewswire, — In a gala event held at its Wingfoot Lake Airship Hangar today, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company christened its newest airship: Spirit of Innovation. Matthew Harrelson of Uniontown, Ohio submitted the winning name in the company’s “Name the Blimp” contest and is…

You think it’s windy by Lake Michigan? Try coming out to Ellensburg, WA. Man, I almost got blown over during my afternoon jog yesterday! Still, it’s a very cool city. The mountains are glorious and the weather is a heckuva lot better than the 102 heat index we got back in St. Louis! Also, I’m staying at the famous Inn At Goose Creek. As you enter the Inn at…

I’m back in Portland for a few days this week. Hanging out with some old friends, namely my bud Tony Cameron from The Punk Group. Then I’m off to Seattle for a few speeches on Wed/Thur. I’m SO excited/honored to be working with another old friend, Kathy Condon. She and I met on July 23, 2003 at an event in Portland. We’ve stayed close since then, but now FINALLY…

BIN 36 Chicago is open for breakfast lunch and dinner daily and features contemporary American cuisine with an emphasis on seasonal ingredients and wine pairing. I ate a quick lunch at BIN 36 last week. At the end of the meal, my client Kerry told me, “Oh, and don’t forget to grab cookies and water when we’re done!” “What?” “Oh yeah, they give you free cookies and a bottle…

Just finished up a full day of workshops for my friends up in Northwest Ohio’s Workforce Development. Now, I say Toledo; but technically I spoke in Bryan, OH, home of Sauder Furniture. Man, I actually used to sell that stuff when I worked in retail 4 years ago! It’s also the birthplace of Spangler Candy, makers of Dum-Dum Pops. At check in there was a plentiful supply awaiting my…

You might know Leo Burnett as the worldwide ad agency famous for creating such icons as the Jolly Green Giant, the Marlboro Man, the Pillsbury Doughboy and Tony the Tiger. I know them as my clients and my friends! And we had a fantastic program at their Chicago office yesterday. It all started in the reception area. As I eagerly awaited the arrival of my friend Kerry (pictured), I…

Last week I had lunch with my friend Edward Khatskin, co-owner of K & G Financial. We were talking about cell phones when he gave me a classic approachability technique: “When I start a meeting with a new (or prospective) client, I make sure they’re looking at me, then take out my cell phone, turn it off and toss it on the table. I’ll say something like: ‘I am…

A is for ATTITTUDE B is for BREAK PATTERNS C is for CONSISTENCY People either love it or they hate it. Oscar Wilde once said, “Consistency is the last refuge of the unimaginative.” Robert Owen stated, “Without consistency there is no moral strength.” Then there’s the old cliche (not sure who said it originally), “The only consistent thing in life is change.” Me, I’m big on consistency. In all…