The TrainerTainment Top 10 List for 2011 (David Letterman Style)

Submit one of your Top 10 (2011) moments on our Facebook or the blog and we’ll send you a sample event planning spreadsheet to use for all of your upcoming group events in the New Year!

10. I regained my Executive Platinum status on American Airlines in November. This is a great consolation prize for flying more than 100 segments during the calendar year. The best thing is the elite treatment that comes with the prize. How are you treating your frequent flyers?

9. TrainerTainment had a many wonderful opportunities to speak this year at big trade show events like the DEAL show in Dubai, and IAAPA.

8. We were also blessed to be part of the education process with the BPAA Management School, and many state and local trade show events. Thank you all.

January: Helped facilitate the BOWL event at the Midwinter Summit and an all day training with Blue Ribbon Group in MI.

February: Presented to a group of more than 750 at the Mobile DJ Conference in Las Vegas.

April: Spoke at the DEAL Show in Dubai.

July: Was hot, hot, hot, as I got to teach all day for my favorite friends in Iowa. This is the second year in a row that we were invited to participate in a great education day for their State BPA. CJ Fox, from the Lighting Store along with many other wonderful vendors help sponsor this great event.

I also participated in Howard Baum’s BPA show for the great states of GA and the Carolinas. Howard really knows how to put on an event but my dog did not win this year. I am looking for a rematch in 2012!

The end of the month included the MI state meeting, a presentation for Bounce-U and I was invited for an all-day event with Todd Britton and his Centers in Winnipeg Canada!

August: We returned to MI and did two education pieces for the RSA Chapter in that area. I had the terrific opportunity to do a BPAA management school with the Bowl New England group as well. I also got to deliver a keynote for a software company on discovering your passion in August! This was a neat departure from some of the stuff we normally do and it went very well.

September: For the 2nd year in a row I got to teach at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. It is a humbling experience to teach there.

October: Was busy. We had the opportunity to teach at the Mid South Show (6th year). Thanks DeWayne! We attended the TX idea share and the East Coast Show.

November: IAAPA (thanks Gregg Boreman for making that happen).

December: Got to participate with our Gattis Management team! Love you guys. If I missed anyone please forgive me…and if we didn’t come see you know that we would like to get on your 2012 Calendar.

7. A Huge Highlight of the year happened at the Mobile DJ show. I got to meet and shuffle with the Cupid! “To the right to the right…kick now…walk it by yourself”!

6. My daughter Amanda joined our team as the project manager for our sales shopper program. If you want to grow you party sales right away you need to pick up the phone now and call Amanda @ 808.268.9892 or email her at Amanda@trainertainment.net

5. We’ve added wonderfully talented full-time staff to our team: Dave Patton is a terrific trainer and an e-learning wizard. Watch for our first e-learning product to be released in Jan. It’s all about group sales and goes right along with our new group’s handbook. I think you’ll love Dave’s “Fun Training-Serious” results style. His wit is awesome and his kindness is something you just can’t miss. Please let us know if you are interested in any custom e-learning project. Dave is your guy!

4.  Brooke Ballard, our Marketing Director and Social Media Project Manager is just brilliant.  Her experience has helped us create an amazing social media support product that has helped increase sales across the board for our clients.  Don’t you miss out on all we can do for you.  Contact Brooke @ brooke@trainertainment.net or 484.886.8032

3.  Growth and change has been the theme for us at TrainerTainment this year. Celebrating our 6th year in business is just amazing. We’ve had the opportunity to work with some terrific customers and that learning has helped us be a better company in 2011 than we were in 2010 or 2009 or… you get my drift.  With that said I know that we could not be where we are today without all the people, customers, years, and experience that have come before this year and I’m so grateful for all if it!

2.  Vistage. I have to mention Vistage, my CEO group, and Nancy the chair of that group.  I belong to a wonderful group that includes eight other business owners (all different from my company).  This is a brain trust and a monthly accountability board of trustees that make a huge difference in my ability to be the leader I need to be as I grow this company and serve my staff and our clients.  I could not do it without you all.

1. My family and friends.  I guess David Letterman’s list is a funny list.  As I look over mine it looks a little mushy; but is there a better time to reflect on the year and say thank you?  I think not.  I’ll try to be funny next time ; ).  I am (and so the company is) blessed beyond measure to have such a supportive family and an amazing group of friends that put up with my crazy schedule.  I could not be me without these people in my life. The depth of encouragement and support is completely un-measurable.  I don’t know how to thank you all.  So many of you that are customers have turned in to those supportive friends and I thank you.  It makes it all worth it.  There is actually a blurred line sometimes about who’s family and who’s friend… Love you all and I hope you know who you are.

Well that’s it-My top 10 for 2011.  I’m sure I could continue to ramble on… But I’ll leave you with a Happy New Year wish and encourage you to put your top 1 or 2 or 10 out on our Facebook or blog.

Beth

 

 

Giving Presence

Have you seen the recent commercial where the young man working in West Africa comes home for the holidays and gives his little sister a gift?  She puts the gift ribbon on her brother and says, “You’re my present this year!”

It feels good to get presents! As boy I wanted Christmas presents like a Red Ryder BB rifle—even though I might have shot my eye out. Now as a man, I value the presence of my family over any presents they might give me–and they’ve never shot an eye out. Except for Uncle Jim, but that was long time ago.

Anyway, whether it’s loved ones at the holidays, customers at your business, municipal judges or even roommates, people like presence. They come to your FEC because having fun in the presence of loved ones is one of the most meaningful experiences humans have.  It feels good to get presence!

I’ve got to admit I’m not always fully present with people in my life.  Take one of my roommates, Matt, who selects his words so carefully that he pauses to retrieve his mental thesaurus before choosing. Every. Single…word. Ugh!

Late one night, Matt began a tome of snail-paced comments about a roommate conflict and suddenly proclaimed, “Wow, you’re really listening to me!”  I had to think about that. Usually my mind was running a mile-a-minute thinking of how to speed up the conversation and finish what I had been doing before Matt started talking or would do next after he was done—like writing a TrainerTainment newsletter article.  Late at night was easier to give my presence simply because I had completed my work and didn’t have anything to do next.

No wonder Matt didn’t speak to me often.  I was not present and that did not feel … good.

The odds of customers wanting your presence only when you have nothing to do next are as likely as flying reindeer allowing unlimited baggage on all domestic flights. Busy or not, customers want your presence. Hopefully, your customers speak faster than … Matt!

It’s so easy to give a customer half my presence when “I” am really busy, when “I” think it’s not my job, and when “I” am already thinking about what’s next on my to-do list.

For example, each week I phone FECs to book birthday parties as part of our Sales Shopper Program.  I often hear “One moment, please” or  “Can I take your name and number and call you back?”

It can also be easy to give a customer a moment of FULL presence and make them feel much better about your business.

Here’s one way to do it: Just shoot your “I” out! That’s right.  Remember this, I’m gonna shoot my “I” out and let you know I heard what you’re about!  I promise your resilient “I” will instantly grow back. Cross my heart, hope to die, stick a needle in my “I” if I’m wrong.

Your party reservationist can think “I’m gonna shoot my “I” out and let you know I heard what you’re about! “ then they can say, “That’s fantastic! We have the best birthday parties in town! Who’s the party for?  Jack? And how old is Jack? Four!?!  What a fun age! Great! Listen, I’ve got an appointment with customer now.  I want to call you right back in 15 minutes to talk about throwing the best birthday party for little Jack, ever!  What’s your name and number?”

It can be that easy: I’m gonna shoot my “I” out and let you know I heard what you’re about!

We can all create opportunities to change how customers and family feel by giving just a moment of our full presence even if we’re busy.

Christmas may only come once a year, AND we can give presence everyday! So DO shoot your “I” out!

That reminds me.  I’m going to call Uncle Jim.

~ Thad Crouch

TrainerTainment Trainer

 

Staying Up In A Down Economy

I don’t know if it’s the holidays that having me thinking about all the great reasons to stay positive or if it’s just perseverance at work in my own head.

No matter I thought that with only a few days left until Christmas I’d share the 10 things that seem to help me the most.

1. I expect something amazing to happen each day. I look for it and call it out when I see it. It might be something as simple as the interaction with TSA as I went through security today.  The lady checking ID’s was awesome. She cared about what she was doing.  She was incredibly nice to everyone. I told her so. I’m telling you, it made me feel great!

2.  I try to see challenge as opportunity. When something looks too hard it’s easy to want to quit. Sometimes I take that path; but most of the time I dig in and find a way to win!  That feels great and is a big attitude booster.

3.  I think about my children. I know this one doesn’t work for those of you who don’t have children but for me it’s huge. If ever I’m down on me I think of how amazing my grown up children; are and I know that my husband and I must be pretty good people!
4.  I work. There’s no substitute for just getting after the task at hand. I find that a lousy attitude can be overcome with a successful sales call. You can’t have that call if you don’t get out the door or pick up the phone. Just do it.

5.  I eat chips and queso. Okay, I know that’s not the best idea but sometimes nothing else will do.

6.  I ask for help. It’s unbelievable how effective this one is. I forget that I have a ton of wonderful people in my life that are interested in helping me. By the way, if you are reading this newsletter I want you to know that at the heart of everything we do – is the FACT that we want to help you. Never hesitate to ask me for help. I mean it!

7.  I take a nap. I’m not very good at this one; and my attitude or spirit has to be at an all time low to invoke this attitude enhancer.  When this happens I find that turning off the phone, turning out the lights, and turning down the covers is a great remedy for starting over. It may be 10 minutes or 2 hours but it usually works.

8.  Laugh.  I love comedy. I splurged and got satellite radio this year. Embarrassingly enough “blue collar comedy” is my favorite. I don’t know if that stuff is even funny in the north. You just can’t believe that most of that stuff can be true. But I’m from Arkansas and have cousins that prove out every story that they tell. I guess laughing at yourself is a great mood booster!

9.  Music. Music sets a great tone. If you need something to pump you up call my friends at Control Play or Bowling Music Network and they will fix you up.

10.  Do something for someone else expecting nothing in return. You see, I don’t really think attitude has as much to do with your head as it does your heart. When your behavior reflects the good things that are in your heart then the attitude or mood that you carry in your head must follow.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you all.

What things do you do to stay up in a down economy – and what keeps your glass half full? Let us know in the comments section below!

It Doesn’t Count As Failing If Nobody Sees It

Fail. There aren’t many words in the English language which evoke such strong negative emotions. However, I and others like myself (and by “others like myself,” I really just mean me again, but with imaginary support) really love the word “fail”. I love the way it feels just to say it, and I do. Repeatedly. Until I’m forcibly made to stop.  But, despite my love of the word “fail”, I hate to fail. And I hold no monopoly here; according to well documented adult learning principles, most adult learners don’t like to fail. And, more to the point, adult learners don’t like to fail publicly. Nobody does…

Hark! Here comes eLearning, shroud in a long, flowing cape, draping it around us and hiding our failures from the masses. What a hero!

Even though nobody likes to admit it, optimists are sometimes correct. In this case, they hit the nail on the head when they said failure is an opportunity to learn from your mistakes and carries with it the seeds of success. Failure is a powerful learning tool, especially when paired with the opportunity to correct your mistakes. Behaviors are changed, objectives are met, and retention improves. I mean, can you think of a better way to not repeat past mistakes than a hard fought, well- earned blow to the ego? I certainly can’t. A well designed eLearning course provides learners with a safe arena to fail, repeatedly, if necessary, but most importantly, it lets you fail privately. And then it lets you succeed.

With the coming of the New Year, TrainerTainment will be proudly launching its new service, The Virtual Classroom. Our simulated environments and situations will place the learner in real-life scenarios where their decisions will have an impact on the outcome of the course, where mistakes are possible, perhaps even likely. Their ego may take hits, but will do so with nobody around, so it can be denied later, leaving the ego unharmed, if not stronger for the wear. And performance will be improved, which is awesome, because if it wasn’t, we’d have almost completely, but not entirely successfully, failed.

Be on the lookout for upcoming news and updates on the TrainerTainment Virtual Classroom.

We at TrainerTainment cordially invite you to come fail with us. You’ll be amazed at the success you achieve!

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