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How Do You Create a Company Culture?

A company’s culture is the invisible force that drives its success, defines its identity and values, and determines the manner in which employees interact. A strong, positive culture contributes to increased productivity, greater employee satisfaction, and business growth. Company culture starts at the top. As a leader, it is essential…

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What are the Keys to Customer and Employee Retention?

What are the keys to customer and employee retention? There is so much weight on leaders right now. You’re expected to deal with an ever-changing world and its effects on your organization. You need to take care of your customers and continue to grow the business. At the same time,…

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How to Ensure Business Growth

In today’s marketplace, one thing is certain to ensure the success and growth of your business:    You need to understand your customers.   It’s a simple and complex strategy all at the same time. Simply put, businesses should put their focus on the customer – identifying their best customers; creating an…

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Four Leadership Programs for 2024

We’re far enough into 2024 that some of the “new year shine” has worn off and businesses are hunkering down to take a closer look at what realities this year will bring. The tough news? Businesses are facing complex issues that will affect their workforce and their bottom line. Period.…

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Quit Quitting Part 2: What If It’s a Healthy Choice?

Quiet Quitting has been quite the controversy lately regarding workplace culture and organizational performance.  As we defined in our last article, quiet quitting starts when an individual chooses to do exactly what their job description entails… and no more. No weekend emails. No “live to work” mentality.  No being on…

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What Are the Keys to Customer and Employee Retention?

There is so much weight on leaders right now. You’re expected to deal with an ever-changing world and its effects on your organization. You need to take care of your customers and continue to grow the business. At the same time, you need to take care of your team because…

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What Does the Future of Business Look Like?

What Does the Future of Business Look Like? “Change is the only constant in life.” – Heraclitus. This saying by a Greek philosopher has never felt truer than over the past two years. Change has seemed constant, at times sudden, or even jarring. The truth is, the business landscape and…

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How to Beat Burnout

Feelings of stress and burnout have never been more prevalent in our country’s workforce. How can leaders and teams work to improve performance and productivity without feeling overwhelmed? What do the most successful people do to continually get better? The answers to those questions are revealed in the newest book…

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What Does it Mean to Be a Leader in Today’s World?

What Does it Mean to Be a Leader in Today’s World? The past two years have been filled with change, uncertainty, challenges, and obstacles. The foreseeable future looks to hold more of the same. Today’s leaders face a seemingly impossible task – to grow [or at least sustain] the business…

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Leading the Future Workforce Now

You probably think COVID changed the world, and in many ways it did. But what COVID really did is accelerate the future. Many of the changes leaders face today were inevitable: they were almost all on the horizon, but a global pandemic brought them to the forefront earlier and all…

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Anton Gunn Joins Michelle Joyce Speakers!

We are excited to welcome Anton Gunn to the Michelle Joyce Speakers exclusive roster! Anton Gunn is a former senior advisor to President Barack Obama and a leading expert on Socially Conscious Leadership. He was the first African American in history elected to the South Carolina Legislature from his district early in his…

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Top Sales Keynote Speakers for 2024

The right sales keynote speaker can impact the bottom line. The role of a sales professional is changing. In fact, the entire sales process is evolving to meet demands for higher levels of personalized service and stronger relationships. Today’s sales professionals need to deliver value. The world is constantly changing,…

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Top Leadership Keynote Speakers for 2024

How a leadership keynote speaker can impact your organization. An organization’s leadership impacts much more than revenue earned and profits made. Leadership affects everything from the culture of a company to its perception in the marketplace. Choosing a leadership keynote speaker for your next event means giving your audience the…

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Top Marketing Keynote Speakers for 2024

Finding the right marketing keynote speaker. The purpose of marketing is to attract potential customers to a company’s product or service. Through their marketing efforts, companies need to deliver value, demonstrate the benefits of their product or service, and build and strengthen loyalty to support the ultimate goal of increasing…

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Top Customer Experience Keynote Speakers for 2024

The Rise of Customer Experience Speakers. Customer Experience has been a growing trend for topics and speakers at meetings, events, and conferences.  Every organization strives to deliver an exceptional customer experience.  It’s an important term for businesses to understand… but what exactly does it mean? Customer Experience (or CX for…

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A Transformative Approach to Workplace Conversations

In an ever-growing digital world where people are busier and more stressed than they’ve ever been, never has deeper and more effective communication been more important. Leaders have witnessed stunning shifts in the workforce. Salespeople are experiencing new demands from customers. Expectations for everyone have changed. And surface-level conversations are…

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Mark Sanborn Joins Michelle Joyce Speakers!

We are excited to welcome Mark Sanborn to the Michelle Joyce Speakers exclusive roster! Mark Sanborn, CSP, CPAE, is an international bestselling author and award-winning keynote speaker on leadership, customer service, business growth, and organizational performance. Mark has given more than 3,000 presentations in every US state and in 14…

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What is Your Personal Leadership Brand?

What is Your Personal Leadership Brand? Being a leader in today’s world is complex. Now, more than ever, leaders are tasked with a seemingly endless – and often conflicting – list of priorities. It’s essential that leaders within an organization grow the business, keep customers and clients satisfied, and retain…

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Shama Hyder Joins Michelle Joyce Speakers!

We are excited to welcome Shama Hyder to the Michelle Joyce Speakers exclusive roster! Shama is a visionary strategist for The Digital Age, a web and TV personality, a bestselling author, and the award-winning CEO of Zen Media – a global marketing and digital PR firm. She has been named…

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We’re All Back in the Office – Now What? (Part 2)

Some employees can’t wait to get back to the office. For employees around the world, the time has come to return to the office. Countless people have been working from home for a very long time. Some of those people are understandably excited about getting back into a more normal…

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We’re All Back in the Office – Now What? (Part 1)

What does returning to the office look like? After being home for a year or more, people are returning to the office in droves. A year is a long time and much has changed in each person’s life during their time away from the office. Sadly, some have lost family…

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Your New Content Marketing Strategy

How valuable, relevant, and consistent is your approach to attracting and retaining customers? If you hesitated before answering, it’s probably time for a new content marketing strategy. According to marketing and customer experience expert Jay Baer, “Today’s consumers are a wary bunch. After all, they’ve been through a lot. And…

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What is a Virtual Emcee and Why Does Your Event Need One?

Virtual events need more than a simple introduction. After months of [grueling] preparation and trying to shorten your learning curve, your virtual event is finally about to kick off. Your speakers face an empty room, their only companionship a variety of tech equipment and the event staff who will make…

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How Companies are Changing the Way They Have Meetings

Going beyond the first keynote. I’m seeing a trend where companies are demanding “more training” beyond the first keynote presentation. In the past, companies may have hired a popular keynote speaker for a general session at an in-person event. The speaker’s role was to inspire the audience, highlight the theme…

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The Rise of Hybrid Events – What Meeting Planners Need to Know

Hybrid events aren’t new. Do you remember being chosen to attend a big-deal conference that only some people in your company or department were able to go to? You felt singled out, recognized, even rewarded. Then there were those other times. The times you weren’t selected. You knew you were…

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5 Must-Have Skills for Keynote Speakers in 2021

Mountain air brought the winds of change to our industry. One year ago this month, I took my team away to the mountains of North Carolina for an annual strategy retreat. We had all been working hard and it was time to celebrate growth and achievement, but the celebration didn’t…

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Jim Knight Joins Michelle Joyce Speakers!

We are excited to welcome Jim Knight to the Michelle Joyce Speakers exclusive roster! Although his illustrious career started at Gatorland Zoo in Florida (he has scars to prove it), Jim cut his teeth in the hospitality training industry and eventually led Global Training for Hard Rock International for two…

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Survive and Thrive in a Virtual Selling World

Marcus Sheridan is a highly sought-after international keynote speaker known for his unique ability to excite, engage, and motivate audiences. Delivering more than 70 keynotes each year (globally, both in-person and virtually), Marcus inspires audiences of all shapes and sizes on the topics of sales, virtual selling, digital marketing, and…

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Building Resilience During Stressful Times

A global pandemic, natural disasters, new ways of doing business, and other unforeseen events have disrupted almost every aspect of our regular lives this year. Building resilience during these stressful events is of the upmost important… but sometimes it’s just so difficult to do. Resilience, by definition, is “the capacity…

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Marcus Sheridan Joins Michelle Joyce Speakers!

Marcus Sheridan is a highly sought-after, international keynote speaker known for his unique ability to excite, engage, and motivate audiences. But his story didn’t start on a stage. It started with a business that was run out of an old beat-up pickup truck… that Marcus turned into one of the…

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The Hybrid Future of Meetings and Events

In March 2020, the Meetings and Events Industry came to screeching halt due to the global pandemic of COVID-19. For several months, our speakers have not been allowed to get on airplanes and share their messages from big stages all over the word.  (And when you’re a professional speaker, several…

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My Interview with Joey Coleman

I first met Joey Coleman in a sushi restaurant in Charlotte, North Carolina. (I love it when my mom’s speakers come to town. I also love sushi.) The first thing I noticed about Joey was that he is a very funny guy! It’s easy to see why his customers love…

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My Interview with Steve Gutzler

In middle school, we are all taught to be good leaders. It’s important to be a good role model for others and make good choices. Steve Gutzler helps people become better leaders. His programs focus on managing emotions, setting goals, and having the right mindset in order to lead others.…

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My Interview with Scott Shellstrom

Scott Shellstrom teaches people how to look at things differently. Every week, our family looks forward to his What Is It Wednesday challenge… where Scott shares a “close-up photo” on Facebook of a random object, and everyone tries to guess what it is. Scott’s creativity really inspires me because he…

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My Interview with Shasta Nelson

Friendships in middle school are very important. During this crazy period of growth and maturity, we all need friends to help us through it. A friend is someone you can always count on to be there. Someone who makes you laugh. Someone who gives you the courage to try new…

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My Interview with Brian Fanzo

One look at Brian Fanzo and you can tell he’s bold, brave, and not afraid to put himself out there. He encourages his customers to do the same. I have grown up with technology, and it’s an important part of how I stay connected to my friends. From my perspective,…

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My Interview with Alan Stein, Jr.

I had the honor of introducing Alan at one of his most important keynotes… my 5th grade graduation ceremony. (Hey, it pays to have connections!) Alan has worked with some of the highest-performing basketball players in the country – and now he teaches professional audiences how to perform better and…

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My Interview with Colette Carlson

In her programs, Colette Carlson performs a customized prop skit that will leave you laughing out loud. In this skit, she “piles on” props showing the audience what a day in their lives looks like. It’s hilarious. She is very funny. Colette teaches companies how to manage their stress and…

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My Interview with Jay Baer

If you can watch a show over and over again, because it’s funny, entertaining, and educational, that’s the mark of a great piece of work. One of my favorite YouTube shows is Jay Baer’s Talk Triggers Show.  Not only is Jay very funny, but he shares real examples of what…

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7 Communication Strategies for Virtual Meetings

The recent pandemic has forced our hands to rely on technology over in-person meetings and events. With this new shift also comes the need for effective tools and techniques to better inform and inspire others in a virtual setting. Our keynote speaker Colette Carlson is an expert on human behavior…

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5 Benefits of a Virtual Meeting

There are many aspects of gathering in person that we all miss in the meetings and events industry. The fun destination cities and venues. The feeling of appreciation when your company sends you on a trip. The feeling of excitement as you look forward to that one time a year…

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How to Lead a Virtual Team Meeting

Over the past few weeks, the entire meetings and events industry went from stages to screens in less time than it takes to click the new “care” reaction on a Facebook post. And while many annual conferences have pivoted and adapted to this new virtual event space, what about all…

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Free Resources for Virtual Presentations

COVID-19, which was recently deemed a pandemic by the World Health Organization, has created unprecedented experiences (and turmoil) for the meetings and events industry. Numerous conferences, summits, and gatherings have been be postponed, rescheduled, or cancelled. Additionally, as a result of stay-at-home orders to #flattenthecurve, many events are now moving…

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Joey Coleman Joins Michelle Joyce Speakers!

When organizations like Whirlpool, NASA, Volkswagen Australia, Principal Financial Group, and Zappos need to boost their customer and employee experiences, they call on Joey Coleman for assistance. For nearly twenty years, Joey has helped organizations retain their best customers and employees and turn them into raving fans. In his entertaining and…

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See Alan Stein, Jr. in Action

Keynote speaker Alan Stein, Jr. has worked with the highest-performing athletes on the planet (including NBA superstars Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, and Kobe Bryant) as a championship-level performance coach.  He now teaches proven strategies to improve organizational performance, create effective leadership, increase team cohesion and collaboration, and develop winning mindsets,…

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How to Host a Successful Virtual Event

The coronavirus is having an unexpected impact on the meetings and events industry. Last week alone was an emotional roller coaster of clients who had to postpone, clients who had to cancel, and some clients who are moving forward with no challenges. Many of our clients are moving toward virtual…

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Top Ways Meeting Planners Find Speakers

Meeting planners take great pride in the quality and selection of the speakers they hire for their events. After the grueling hours of searching for the best fit (let alone the venue, the food, the themes, and everything else), their final speaker selection is like their own autograph on the…

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The Topics Meetings Planners Want Most in 2020

Selecting the right speaker and topic can make or break a meeting – and professional meeting planners invest a lot of time and effort in putting together the right program for each event.  What topics rank highest for meeting planners in 2020? Together with our speaker Jay Baer and our…

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Jay Baer Launches Standing Ovation

Jay Baer is a Hall of Fame keynote speaker who teaches business growth through customer experience and marketing innovation. He is also an in-demand emcee for complex, multi-day programs, and has hosted events for IBM, Oracle, and many other major brands for audiences as large as 15,000 attendees. Jay is…

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Forever Grateful

As Thanksgiving approaches and we slow down to spend quality time with family and friends, we are reflecting on the many things for which we are thankful. Each team member at Michelle Joyce Speakers exudes a life of gratitude. We are grateful every day for each other, for our families…

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Emotional Intelligence and High Morale

Emotional intelligence is the ability to understand and manage your emotions. To master skills such as self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, and empathy, you must practice regularly. Steve Gutzler engages audiences everywhere on leadership, emotional intelligence, and personal transformation. He has an exceptional ability to communicate clear leadership and business solutions with…

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Scale Your Business in Real Time

Our pager-wearing Millennial keynote speaker Brian Fanzo continues his live, weekly interviews on the floor on the New York Stock Exchange, sponsored by Wix.com on Cheddar TV  The focus of his interviews? Busting digital myths for everyone. Brian’s goal is to help debunk misconceptions about the web in order to help entrepreneurs and…

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Connection Strategies for Your Next Presentation

“Many people communicate, yet few truly connect” says Hall of Fame keynote speaker Colette Carlson, who delivers power-packed presentations on the importance of connection in communication, leadership, sales, and customer service. The most successful businesses grow from, and are sustained by, mutually beneficial relationships. And your success is in direct…

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The Power of Friendships in the Workplace

Did you know that employees who have meaningful relationships at work are seven times more likely to take fewer sick days? Friends at work also prove to be considerably more engaged in their jobs, treat customers better, have fewer workplace accidents, share their opinions and collaborate more, and feel more…

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Social Media Strategy for Small Businesses

Your customers have high expectations. Listening to those expectations, needs, and how your customers feel is extremely important for your business’ success. Mark Schaefer’s programs specialize in marketing strategies for content marketing, digital marketing, social media, and personal branding. In a recent blog post, he explains that social media monitoring…

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What Your Customers Truly Care About

We are excited to announce the newest program from keynote speaker Jay Baer: COVETED CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE: HOW TO EXCEED EVER-INCREASING EXPECTATIONS Jay Baer is Hall of Fame keynote speaker who teaches business growth through customer experience and marketing innovation. He is also a popular emcee and host of large events,…

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Keynote Speaker Brian Fanzo is Debunking Digital Myths

For several weeks, our “pager-wearing Millennial keynote speaker” Brian Fanzo is being interviewed LIVE on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange – busting digital myths for everyone! An important myth Brian busted recently – that “Millennials & Gen Z consumers are hard to reach” — is proving to…

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Why Seek a Different Perspective?

All requests from event planners are created equal.  Some are more equal than others. (And yes, that’s a fun reference to Animal Farm by George Orwell.)    So when a meeting planner called to book keynote speaker Scott Shellstrom for their International Symposium in Italy because he teaches little-known stories…

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Essential Questions for Effective Leadership

Driving teams toward peak performance requires a tremendous amount of planning, motivation, and most importantly – effective leadership. We all want to get smarter, network better, connect deeper, and find balance in our lives, but sometimes we forget that our daily habits need the most attention. Alan Stein, Jr. is…

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Mark Schaefer Releases Lessons

Mark Schaefer is a globally-recognized keynote speaker, educator, business consultant, and author. His blog {grow} is hailed as one of the top marketing blogs in the world. Mark has advanced degrees in marketing and organization development; holds seven patents; and is a faculty member of the graduate studies program at…

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Build Brand Invincibility

Melissa Agnes helps organizations protect the brands and reputations they’ve worked so hard to build. As a keynote speaker, author, and business advisor, her programs teach effective communication, issue management, reputation management, and crisis readiness. When bad things happen to good companies, Melissa’s clients learn how to react and respond…

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How to Be an Effective Event Host

Brian Fanzo is a pager-wearing millennial, translator of geek-speak, podcast host, and keynote speaker who is shifting generational perspectives on marketing, social media, innovation, embracing change, and digital empathy. Fanzo inspires, motivates, and educates businesses on how to leverage emerging technologies and digital marketing – to stand out from the…

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The Importance of Friendships at Work

Shasta Nelson is a leading expert on friendship and healthy relationships, creator of a global community, keynote speaker, author of several books, and popular media resource. She delivers corporate programs all over the world, teaching the Three Relationship Requirements for healthy teams, leadership, sales, customer service, marketing, and personal development.…

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Customer Experience is Your Greatest Advantage

Jay Baer is a plaid suit-wearing, Hall of Fame marketing and customer experience speaker, popular event emcee, New York Times best-selling author of six books, and trusted advisor to the world’s most iconic brands. His on-stage delivery and customized programs teach audiences around the globe how to turn their customers…

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The Power of Connection

At the heart of every sale, every interaction between a leader and a team member, every conversation with a customer… is a connection. How to make those connections effective, and leverage them for greater success, is the thread woven into every one of keynote speaker Colette Carlson’s presentations. Colette is…

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Six Programs for Leadership Development

There are a lot of things that amount to the success of an organization, and leadership is at the top of that list. Research shows that 83% of the time, people can effectively manage relationships and tasks at hand. However, in those 17% moments – when interactions become more challenging…

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The Most Effective Marketing Technique Available Today

A whopping 90% of North Americans say that word of mouth marketing (the discussion between two people) is their best source of new product ideas. Furthermore, 76% of all North Americans have at least one brand-specific conversation per day.  Enter keynote speaker and author Ted Wright who poses these important…

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Alan Stein, Jr. Speaker Reel

We are excited to share Alan Stein Jr.’s new speaker reel!  As an esteemed basketball performance coach, Alan spent 15 years working with the highest-performing players on the planet (such as Kevin Durant, Steph Curry, and Kobe Bryant). He now delivers high-energy keynotes and interactive workshops to improve performance, cohesion,…

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Crisis Ready is Now Required Reading at Harvard Kennedy School

Keynote Speaker and Author of Crisis Ready: Building an Invincible Brand in an Uncertain World, Melissa Agnes is a leading authority on crisis preparedness, reputation management, and brand protection. Melissa helps organizations protect the brands and reputations they’ve worked so hard to build. Her programs help audiences understand risk and…

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Shasta Nelson Fixes Friendships on The Steve Harvey Show

Friendships are an integral part of our lives and wellbeing. Did you know that lack of friendships – whether from lack of interaction or from lack of intimacy – can damage our health more than smoking, obesity, or being a lifelong alcoholic? When is the last time you checked in…

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Keynote Speaker on Personal Branding and Marketing Strategy

Mark Schaefer is a globally-recognized keynote speaker, business consultant, and author of six best-selling books on marketing strategies, social media, and personal branding. His blog {grow} is hailed as one of the top marketing blogs in the world. Mark is known for his forward-thinking insights on the intersection of marketing,…

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Leadership and Performance Keynote Speaker

Alan Stein Jr. is a leadership keynote speaker, performance coach, consultant, and author. As a successful business owner and veteran basketball performance coach, he spent 15+ years working with the highest performing basketball players on the planet (including NBA superstar Kevin Durant).  He now transfers his vast experience to help…

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Millennial Keynote Speaker

Brian Fanzo is a pager-wearing millennial, translator of geek-speak, popular podcast host, and keynote speaker who is shifting generational perspectives on marketing, social media, innovation, and collaboration. He spent 10 years working at the United States Pentagon, possessing the highest civilian security clearance one can get. He wears his baseball…

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The Importance of Connecting and Communicating Effectively

Colette Carlson helps leaders and teams change behaviors that impact their relationships, revenue, and results through the power of connection. At the heart of every sale, every interaction between a leader and a team member, every conversation with a customer… is a connection. How to make those connections effective, and…

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Helping People Do Hard Things

Cara Brookins is best known as “the mom who built her own house using YouTube tutorials” and now motivates audiences to set big goals, throw away backup plans, and build the best version of themselves. Her remarkable story is inspiring audiences around the globe. Cara is a keynote speaker, bestselling…

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Jay Baer’s Very Own Talk Trigger!

Jay Baer’s new book and keynote program Talk Triggers is helping companies all over the country create differentiated, talkable customer experiences that compel conversation. (And when customers talk, they recruit new customers…for free. Your customers can essentially be your most powerful sales and marketing tools!) For years, Jay has been…

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How to Create Collaborative Teams

The world has changed profoundly over the last few years and so has the psyche of your team. Leadership keynote speaker Steve Gutzler’s new program, Breakthrough Teams: Unlock the Science to Motivation, Collaboration, and Peak Performance helps build today’s most collaborative teams so they can operate at peak performance. Most…

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How Companies Can Prepare for the Ugly

Melissa Agnes is a keynote speaker and leading authority on crisis preparedness, reputation management, and brand protection. Simply put, Melissa teaches today’s leading organizations how to effectively communicate, manage issues, and protect their brand, and be prepared for when a crisis strikes. When bad things happen to good companies, Melissa’s…

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Shasta Nelson Joins Michelle Joyce Speakers!

Michelle Joyce Speakers is thrilled to welcome our newest speaker… Shasta Nelson! Shasta is a leading expert on friendship and healthy relationships, creator of a global community, author of several books, and a popular media resource. She delivers corporate programs all over the world, teaching the Three Relationship Requirements for…

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Raise Your Game

Alan Stein, Jr.’s new book Raise Your Game sold thousands of copies in the first month of its release and has received high praise from sports superstars such as Kevin Durant and Jay Bilas – as well as from attendees in Alan’s keynote audiences. “Alan played a huge role in my…

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The Most Human Company Wins

Mark Schaefer is a globally-recognized keynote speaker, business consultant, and author of six best-selling books on marketing strategies, social media, and personal branding. His newest book and keynote program is on course to change business as we know it. (In a great way.) Hot off the press and already receiving…

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Creativity Named #1 Skill Companies Need Most in 2019

By Michelle Joyce Really smart people at LinkedIn recently used exclusive data to determine the skills companies need most in 2019.  These are the skills leaders find most valuable, and the skill ranked at the top of the list might surprise you:  creativity. Creativity is often associated with writers, graphic…

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Using Creativity to Create a Cutting-Edge Presentation

By: Michelle Joyce I remember the day I got the phone call from Julie Ho at PMI (Project Management Institute).  “I have an idea for our 2018 Global Conference,” she said. And what followed was pure event magic. PMI Global Conference is part of a week-long celebration, bringing together thousands…

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Creating a Memorable Customer Experience at Events

By Michelle Joyce What distinguishes a good event from an “Oh my goodness! You should have been there! Best event ever!” event?  Here’s the simple answer:  The way the attendees feel when it’s over. Customer Experience (CX) is our topic of the month, and the meetings and events industry is…

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Customer Experience Defines Your Brand

Everything about a brand plays a vital role in shaping the customer’s experience. If you want to create lifelong customers, you have to first focus on the experience you’re delivering and find ways to make the experience you deliver stand out. According to keynote speaker Jay Baer, 80% of companies…

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Customer Experience Begins with Culture

Customer experience is a key business strategy for every brand and boils down to the way you make your customers feel. Customers crave personalized, delightful experiences and it is up to you to deliver an amazing journey each time your customers do business with you. Managing the way customers perceive…

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How to Improve Customer Experience

As a professional speaker management company, we’re privy to emerging trends and topics for conferences and meetings.  How to improve customer experience continues to be a popular request – and more importantly, the depth of this topic is creating new ideas and opportunities for businesses of all shapes and sizes.…

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Emotional Intelligence and High-Performance Leadership

Emotional intelligence affects how we manage our emotions, navigate relationships, and achieve positive results. Steve Gutzler is a dynamic speaker who engages audiences everywhere on leadership, emotional intelligence, and personal transformation. He has an exceptional ability to communicate clear leadership and business solutions with humor, clarity, and insight. Research shows…

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Thanksgiving Every Day

Here at Michelle Joyce Speakers, we practice an attitude of gratitude every day. Which isn’t incredibly difficult…considering that we’re a fun, cohesive team, blessed to work with some of the most inspirational speakers, and our jobs are to help them share their messages, impact audiences, and change lives all over…

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How Improv Techniques Can Help You Brainstorm

Scott Shellstrom is an accomplished artist, keynote speaker, and creativity innovator who uses Improv comedy techniques to inspire teams to rediscover their own ability for creativity and innovation. Using Improv skills he honed on some of New York City’s most prominent comedy stages, Scott teaches companies how to break through…

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Keynote Speaker on Performance

Deliberate practice can be applied to individuals and organizations when one is looking to improve performance and leadership. By definition, deliberate practice is a highly-structured activity in which you engage with the specific goal of improving performance. According to leadership keynote speaker Alan Stein, Jr., “In order to truly master…

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Unique Program for Your Next Leadership Conference

Melissa Agnes is an author, speaker, and leading authority on crisis preparedness, crisis management, reputation management, and brand protection. You may be wondering, “What does this have to do with leadership?” The answer is: everything. In the breaking moments of a crisis or an issue, who within your organization is…

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Leadership is About Unleashing the Full Potential in Others

Leadership is a journey built on your daily habits, mindset, moods, and behavior. Let’s be honest – stress and constant demands take a toll on us all. How effective are you in mastering your emotions to increase your leadership? As a leader, your job is to make your team works…

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The Importance of Connection

Keynote speaker Colette Carlson delivers power-packed presentations on the importance of connection in communication, leadership, sales, customer service, and professional and personal wellness. The most successful businesses grow from, and are sustained by, mutually-beneficial relationships. Your success is in direct proportion to your ability to connect with others. Many people…

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How to Lead Millennials

Leadership keynote speaker Steve Gutzler shares insight on how to lead millennials. Many stereotypes exist about millennials, the most diverse generation to date. But before you can lead or manage millennials, it’s important to know what motivates them. While some of these stereotypes include wanting to be praised, not wanting…

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Keynote Speaker on Brainstorming

Organizations today operate in highly-competitive environments, making creativity imperative for success. Creativity is more than art, it’s a skill that fuels big ideas, challenges employee’s way of thinking, and opens the door to new business opportunities. Creativity Keynote Speaker Scott Shellstrom knows this all too well. Scott’s skills have placed…

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Why Word of Mouth Marketing is Important

Word of mouth marketing (WOMM) pioneer, speaker, and author, Ted Wright helps audiences realize marketing concepts in ways they have NEVER perceived them before through engaging, interactive, and impactful presentations. Ted’s primary goal for each presentation is to leave attendees inspired to be better marketers so they can sell more…

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Importance of a Crisis Ready Program

Melissa Agnes is an author, speaker, and leading authority on crisis preparedness, crisis management, reputation management, and brand protection. The big question is, if crisis were to strike your company tomorrow, is your organization #CrisisReady? According to Melissa, “Being crisis ready means your brand isn’t just able to withstand the…

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Emotional Intelligence in Leadership

Emotional Intelligence (EQ) is a crucial skill for both leaders and employees to have. EQ begins with self and social awareness and is defined as the ability to recognize emotions (and their impact) in both yourself and others. You don’t have control over what emotions you feel, but you can…

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A Winning Mindset

Alan Stein, Jr. is a performance coach, consultant, speaker, and author, who spent 15 years working with the highest-performing basketball players on the planet. He now delivers high-energy keynotes and interactive workshops that teach businesses and organizations how to develop championship-like performance, cohesion, and accountability. He inspires and empowers everyone…

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Keynote Speaker on Crisis Management

Keynote Speaker, Melissa Agnes is a leading authority on crisis preparedness, reputation management, and brand protection. She was never drawn to the “sexiness” or “thrill” of crisis management that we see on shows like Scandal. When she began her career in crisis management, it was a challenge to help professionals…

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Word of Mouth Marketing Keynote Speaker

According to keynote speaker on word of mouth marketing Jay Baer, “By 2020, the majority of customer purchase decisions will be based not on price, not on availability, but on customer experience.” Word of mouth is responsible for as much as 50% of all purchases today, yet most companies do not…

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The Connected Leader

Colette Carlson is a Hall of Fame Keynote Speaker and Human Behavior Expert who transforms relationships through the power of connected conversation. At the heart of every sale, every interaction between a leader and a team member, every conversation with a customer… is a connection. How to make those connections…

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Word of Mouth Keynote Speaker

The world has changed and consumers make the vast majority of their buying decisions based off of conversations they’ve had with people they know and trust. Ted Wright says people are not going to Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to find the product they want; instead they are talking to their…

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Hall of Fame Speaker

Congratulations to our very own Jay Baer! On July 16, 2018, Jay was inducted into the CPAE Speaker Hall of Fame, receiving a lifetime award for speaking excellence and professionalism by speaking peers. (He’s been in our Hall of Fame for years!) The Council of Peers Award for Excellence (CPAE)…

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Leadership Keynote Speaker

Performance coach, consultant, keynote speaker, and author, Alan Stein, Jr. spent 15 years working with the highest performing basketball players on the planet and now delivers high-energy keynotes and interactive workshops helping organizations improve performance, cohesion, and accountability. He inspires and empowers everyone he works with to take immediate action…

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Business Success Relies on Customer Trust

Customer trust is the center of every customer relationship. Trust increases customer loyalty, boosts referrals, and increases sales. Friday Featured Speaker Jay Baer tells two stories encouraging you to build your empire on trust in: How to Instantly Build Customer Trust. One of the stories Jay shares is about Dr.…

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Great Leadership Starts with Self-Awareness

Self-awareness is one of the core components of emotional intelligence and is quite possibly one of the most valuable. Successful leaders know where their natural tendencies lie, are conscious of their strengths, and acknowledge weaknesses or areas for improvement. Are you aware of how your words and behaviors impact others?…

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It’s all About the Power of Connection

At the heart of every sale, every interaction between a leader and a team member, and every conversation with a customer… is a connection. How to make those connections effective, and leverage them for greater success, is the thread woven into every one of Colette Carlson’s programs. Colette teaches audiences…

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Webinars for Building an Invincible Brand

Crisis Management Strategist and keynote speaker, Melissa Agnes launched her first book, Crisis Ready: Building an Invincible Brand in an Uncertain World, in March 2018. In today’s Friday Featured Speaker spotlight, we are excited to announce the launch of Melissa’s 6-part webinar series, tailored to help you meet your specific…

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Improve Relationships and Bottom Line Growth

Our “serial entrepreneur,” Clint Greenleaf is the successful founder and CEO of several companies, an author, and keynote speaker. Clint speaks to audiences all over the world about how they can bring disciplined innovation and entrepreneurialism into their organizations by focusing on improved relationships and bottom line growth. Clint’s audiences…

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Speak Up and Speak Often

Keynote speaker, Ted Wright, is an author and word of mouth pioneer responsible for several consumer revolutions including Pabst Blue Ribbon among urban hipsters and Chocolate Milk among athletes. When you identify the people most likely to talk about your brand, and then use creative strategies to encourage communication between…

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Seek New a Perspective to Achieve Innovation

Scott Shellstrom is the modern day Da Vinci, and inspires teams everywhere to rediscover their own ability for creativity and innovation. As a former advertising executive, Scott knows that creativity is more than an art, it’s a skill. Creativity is the most important commodity for success in business today, and…

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Will Instagram Become the Next Facebook?

Internet pioneer, entrepreneur, and New York Times best-selling author, Jay Baer, predicts that by 2020, Instagram will overtake Facebook in total usage in the United States. Pretty bold, yet interesting statement, right? Earlier this year, Jay addressed groundbreaking new data from Edison Research that found Facebook usage declined for the…

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Develop and Share Your Leadership Story

A story is being written right now about your leadership. Your passion, your vision, how you react when something goes wrong, the things you say most, and how you recognize and develop others are all part of your leadership story. Like any good story, your story needs a plot, a…

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Gain Internal Buy-In to Build an Invincible Brand

No one wants a negative situation to occur, but issues and crises can happen at any given moment. The big question is, is your organization prepared to instinctively and successfully overcome the challenges, obstacles, and realities that loom when crisis strikes? Today’s Friday Featured Speaker, Melissa Agnes helps organizations around the…

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Stay Curious, My Friends

Humans, as social beings must connect to thrive, both professionally and personally. With a Master’s Degree in Human Behavior and 20+ years of experience with personal development, Colette Carlson knows the difference between trendy topics and timeless truths when it comes to successful business and interpersonal practices. Colette inspires individuals…

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Keynote Speaker on Leadership

Companies win business for many reasons. One reason that is often overlooked is the salesperson’s emotional intelligence— their ability to identify, assess, and control their emotions. Emotions have a direct impact on sales results. Increasing your emotional intelligence, especially during stressful situations, will help you close bigger deals – in less…

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Keynote Speaker on Word of Mouth Marketing

Word of mouth is directly responsible for 19% of all purchases, and influences as much as 90%. Yet, most companies do not have a word of mouth strategy. People don’t talk about average experiences; they talk about experiences that stand out. Your best marketers are your current customers – as…

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Keynote Speaker on Creativity

Every Wednesday, our keynote speaker and creativity enthusiast, Scott Shellstrom shares a “What is it Wednesday” post on his Facebook page. Like Scott’s keynote program, Unleash Your Inner Da Vinci, his Wednesday posts encourage followers to look at things differently, think more creatively, and always look for new possibilities. Creativity is the most…

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Friday Featured Speaker: Melissa Agnes

Crises are inevitable, and lack of preparation almost always makes the outcome much worse. An effective response starts long before a crisis or catastrophe takes place— this is what we call being “crisis ready.” Crisis Management Strategist and Keynote Speaker, Melissa Agnes helps organizations around the world build invincible brands.…

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Friday Featured Speaker: Colette Carlson

There’s a saying, “To earn respect, you must show respect.” How true. Ask most people in an organization how they want to be treated, and “respected” will most likely be the most common response. Demonstrating respect is a behavior learned in life. Respecting those you work with, work for, or…

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Friday Featured Speaker: Steve Gutzler

Being a leader is one of the most difficult and rewarding positions in the world. Character building in business, and knowing which traits effective leaders should possess, is vital for the success of your team. Character is more than intelligence, integrity, ethics, and self-awareness. As Steve Gutzler said, “There is…

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Friday Featured Speaker: Melissa Agnes

Crisis Management Strategist, Melissa Agnes joined Shel Holtz on his widely recognized PR Podcast, For Immediate Release (FIR), to discuss how two companies deftly handled surprise issues and the importance of internal communication in times of crises. Melissa’s conversation with Holtz begins roughly at the 6-minute mark and we are…

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Friday Featured Speaker: Interview with Jay Baer

Jay Baer is a renowned business strategist, a New York Times best-selling author of five books, and the world’s most retweeted person among digital marketers. We are thrilled to announce that Jay will be releasing his new book, Talk Triggers in October 2018. Jay’s programs help organizations around the world…

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How Invincible is Your Brand?

Ulta Beauty was recently accused by former employees of cleaning and reselling used makeup. Other employees have since negated the allegations and Ulta Beauty addressed the issue head on. The big question is, what effect do these types of allegations have on the brand, and how will it affect consumers?…

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Friday Featured Speaker: Colette Carlson

Are you one of the millions of American who’s “married” to your job, taking only a few days off every year because of your many important responsibilities? Vacations are not always a luxury; they are often a necessity for a well-balanced, healthy lifestyle. Whether you feel like you can afford…

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Five Ways to Invest Your Time Wisely

The start of a new year is a great time to take the bull by the horns when it comes to your goals and aspirations for how you want to elevate your life. Are you aiming to be more organized at work? Are you looking to start a healthier lifestyle…

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Friday Featured Speaker: Melissa Agnes

Our international crisis management keynote speaker, Melissa Agnes helps today’s organizations understand the realities that loom when crisis strikes. Her customized presentations provide tools and strategies that create a proactive, cohesive, and crisis-ready corporate culture. Crisis management is an important and necessary topic that applies to every organization. In fact,…

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Understanding the Facebook Algorithm

Are your posts reaching fewer people on Facebook? Whether you are using Facebook for personal use or for your business, you need to understand the Facebook algorithm. The Facebook algorithm monitors the number of posts that people and businesses share every day and chooses posts to show in our News…

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Friday Featured Speaker: Scott Shellstrom

When you think about creativity, what do you think of? Art, drawing, painting? Creativity is so much more than an art, it’s a skill— a unique solution to a problem. In his presentation, Unleash Your Inner Da Vinci, Scott Shellstrom, motivates audiences to uncover their hidden problem-solving abilities and be…

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Building Blocks to Raising Financially Intelligent Children

Do you remember the first dollar you earned? What about the first dollar you spent? Every parent wants their child to grow up healthy, have a successful career, and live a happy life. Lessons and experiences from childhood (and beyond) shape our future. It is never too early to start…

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Friday Featured Speaker: Jay Baer

Newsjacking… have you heard of it? By definition, “Newsjacking is the art and science of injecting your ideas into a breaking news story so you and your ideas get noticed.” Think of it like this, you tell a breaking news story with you or your brands twist/angle added to it…

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Unlock the Power of Vision

A clear vision of your life and leadership purpose is one of the most powerful things you can possess. It helps you pursue dreams, gives an idea of the future, provides motivation, and helps prioritize your values and strengths. A clear vision will open your mind to the endless possibilities…

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Friday Featured Speaker: Colette Carlson

What contributes to one’s success in their personal life and career? Being present. The more time you devote to being present, the more valuable you will be to those around you. Being present is crucial to your career’s success and longevity.  Human connection expert, Colette Carlson, was traveling over the…

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Strong vs. Weak Content Marketers

Content Marketing Expert, Jay Baer, is encouraging his followers to read Content Marketing Institute and MarketingProf’s 2018 B2C Content Marketing Benchmark and Trends Report. He found their data comparison between “most successful” and “least successful” content marketers most intriguing, and that inspired him to share, 7 Decisive Difference Between Strong and…

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Self-Manage Your 17% Moments

According to leadership expert, Steve Gutzler, research shows that 83% of the time, we effectively manage our relationships and daily tasks— both personal and professional. The 17% moments when clients, team members, and day-to-day tasks become more challenging, causing your stress levels to increase. How you handle your 17% moments…

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How to Best Become Crisis-Ready™

Crisis can strike at any given time— are you prepared? What will you do? What are key stakeholders’ expectations? What impact will the crisis have on your organization? These are all critical questions for which you need to have answers. Do you? Keynote speaker, Melissa Agnes, was a guest on The New Wholesaler Masterminds…

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Friday Featured Speaker: Steve Gutzler

Leaders who listen both effectively and intentionally are able to create trustworthy relationships that are transparent and lead to loyalty. These leaders make it a priority to keep employees’ best interests at heart— because they truly listen to and value them. Listening goes beyond being “all ears” and giving someone…

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Many Communicate. Few Connect.

Building and maintaining strong, lasting business relationships is hard work, but the more time you invest in building deep connections, the more effective you will be at achieving greatness and success. Colette Carlson is a human behavior expert and keynote speaker who inspires individuals to connect and communicate in real…

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Friday Featured Speaker: Interview with Melissa Agnes

Crisis Management Strategist and Keynote Speaker, Melissa Agnes, helps organizations around the world become crisis-ready™ and build invincible brands. She delivers powerful talks that help today’s organizations understand the realities that loom when crisis strikes. Her customized presentations provide tools and strategies that create proactive, crisis-ready™ corporate cultures – and protect those…

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Defining a Data-Driven Content Marketing Strategy

We have good news and bad news. The “bad” news… we haven’t found the magic wand that will fix your content marketing so that it actually works. The good news? Jay Baer and his team at Convince & Convert recently released a new ebook, Four Ways to Fix your Broken…

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Friday Featured Speaker: Interview with Colette Carlson

Business has been and always will be built on the foundation of relationships. The most successful businesses grow from and are sustained by mutually-beneficial relationships. Your success is in direct proportion to your ability to connect with others. Humans, as social beings, must connect to survive and thrive, both professionally…

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Get Your Creative Juices Flowing and Think Like a Five Year Old

In his video, Find a Unique Solution, Pretend It’s Halloween, creativity and innovation expert, Scott Shellstrom recalls something his voice-over teacher said that really resonated with him. She told Scott, “You have to understand where the voice is coming from, and where the voice is going.” This same mindset applies…

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Which Speaker Wore it Best? (Halloween Edition)

Ever wonder why we wear costumes and beg for candy on Halloween? This fun and festive holiday has ancient origins dating back to the Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced sow-in). The Celts celebrated their new year on November 1, so October 31 marked the end of their summer and harvest.…

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Friday Featured Speaker: Jay Baer

Internet pioneer, entrepreneur, and New York Times best-selling author Jay Baer shows companies how to create marketing, customer service, and customer experience that customers love enough to talk about. And when your current customers talk, new customers follow. We are thrilled to announce the launch of Jay’s new website and…

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Friday Featured Speaker: Steve Gutzler

Steve Gutzler engages audiences everywhere on leadership, emotional intelligence, and personal transformation. Through his programs, he inspires greatness for individuals at every level and believes every presentation should transform a life and inspire leadership. In today’s Friday Featured Speaker spotlight, we share Steve’s recent article, A Short Course in Human…

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Can Human Connection Be Automated?

What is artificial intelligence? Simply put, artificial intelligence (AI) is a computer or machine’s ability to perform tasks that imitate human intelligence. From Siri to cars that can parallel park themselves, AI seems to be progressing quickly. The big question is, are we losing sight of the importance and need…

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Friday Featured Speaker: Jay Baer

While scrolling through your Facebook feed, how often do you see posts from your “friends” complaining about a recent customer service experience? I can recall two posts this week where someone described their unfavorable experience and tagged the company. Customers interactions with your company are becoming more and more public…

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Leaders Influence Team Performance and Innovation

Successful innovation teams are built by selecting a diverse group who are analytical and creative. These teams are committed and invested in their success. Imagine that you’ve been asked to lead a new “innovation team” within your organization. You have been asked to build a team that can generate new…

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Friday Featured Speaker: Melissa Agnes

Equifax’s new interim CEO has now made a third statement communicating to Stakeholders about their well-known data breech that impacted 143 million people. Crisis Management Expert, Melissa Agnes addresses the question: “Why does it seem to take organizations multiple attempts at communicating in a crisis before they actually get their…

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Marketing Rule #1: Interact With Your Customers

Relevant marketing is key in today’s competitive world. As marketing expert, Jay Baer, said, “Relevancy is a value exchange. Customers and prospects are trading their attention for information.” In his recent article, The Real Reason Most of Your Marketing Fails, Jay explains why you need to take the time to…

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Friday Featured Speaker: Interview with Scott Shellstrom

What if you could hire Leonardo da Vinci as your next keynote speaker? You can! Scott Shellstrom is the modern day da Vinci, and inspires teams everywhere to rediscover their own ability for creativity and innovation. Creativity is the most important commodity for the success of business today, and a unique…

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Turn Envy Into Being the Best Version of Yourself

Humans are social animals. We crave feeling supported, valued, and connected. We all also feel envy from time to time, no matter how much we believe we are above it. Envy stems from a very basic desire of wanting what you believe someone else has. In her recent article, How…

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Friday Featured Speaker: Steve Gutzler

Steve Gutzler engages audiences everywhere on leadership, emotional intelligence, and personal transformation. In his continuing effort to inspire greatness in individuals and organizations, we are excited to announce the release of his new book, Splash: 10 Remarkable Traits to Build Momentum in Life and Leadership. Several high points and low…

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The “Yes, and…” Principle

Picture this: You are sitting in a brainstorming meeting and your ideas are getting shot down. Unfortunately, your teammates’ suggestions are yielding the same result. How frustrating… what are you to do? Creativity expert and keynote speaker, Scott Shellstrom, has the answer! In his video, Scott shares the most important…

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Friday Featured Speaker: Colette Carlson

Have you ever lost a promotion even though you were qualified? Do some of your co-workers seem to excel in spite of having fewer skills? In today’s competitive market, you have to show up and speak up to get noticed. In her article, 3 Career Truths to Fly Further Faster,…

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Data Breach… Say What?

If you have a credit report, it is likely you are one of the 143 million Equifax customers whose personal information was exposed in Equifax’s recent data breach. This is a big deal, right? No data breach is good; especially when your organization’s breach is being referred to as one…

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Friday Featured Speaker: Interview with Robert Tucker

Robert Tucker is a renowned global futurist and innovation keynote speaker who is recognized as a pioneer and thought leader in the field of innovation. Known for his in-depth customization, Robert provides today’s leaders with practical strategies, cutting-edge insights, and inspiration to take action after each seminar. His interactive presentations…

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Your Words are Stronger Than Others

Sure, you’ve done it… I’ve done it… we’ve all done it. It has been proven that posting quotes on social media can generate a lot of likes, but is it really the best move? Marketing Expert and Keynote Speaker Jay Baer thinks we can all do better. According to Jay’s recent…

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Friday Featured Speaker: Interview with Jay Baer

Jay Baer is a renowned business strategist, a New York Times best-selling author of five books, and the world’s most retweeted person amount digital marketers. His programs help organizations everywhere rethink their approach to marketing and customer service, helping them gain more customers and keep those they’ve already earned. Jay…

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Got Emotion?

Are you experiencing high levels of turnover particularly with key people within your organizations? Are you stressed out and under a lot of pressure? Emotions drive our behaviors, performance, and establish our leadership reputation. Leadership keynote speaker, Steve Gutzler, inspires greatness in individuals and organizations at every level. In his latest blog…

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Friday Featured Speaker: Melissa Agnes

Crisis management strategist and keynote speaker, Melissa Agnes, was asked a question that is a common struggle behind the scenes for many communication departments regarding crisis management and crisis communication— “Where do you stand on autonomy for the Communications Team to have the freedom to do their job?” In her video, Should Your…

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Friday Featured Speaker: Robert Tucker

We use our frontal lobe almost every day to carry out higher mental processes such as thinking, making decisions, and problem-solving. It’s no secret that we live in a highly competitive society, but did you know your success is dependent on the function of this “compartment” of your brain? In…

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Define Your Life of Significance

“When you live with intentionality, you know and understand that every day is your time to make a difference.”, says Steve Gutzler, keynote speaker and leadership coach. In his recent article, 10 Choices That Define a Life of Significance, Steve describes the ten choices he has made to live intentionally, in…

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Friday Featured Speaker: Interview with Colette Carlson

Colette Carlson is a human behavior expert and keynote speaker who inspires individuals to connect and communicate in real and relevant ways. How to create effective connections, and leverage them for greater success, is the thread that is woven into every one of Colette’s customized presentations.  The most successful businesses…

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Jay Baer’s Interview with Todd Hartley

Have you heard about Jay Baer’s newest program, Talk Triggers? In his interview with Todd Hartley, Jay explains how to create your “tribe” of raving fans by delivering such an amazing experience that your customers WANT to tell all their friends about you— and your company. Here’s the thing: great…

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Friday Featured Speaker: Steve Gutzler

According to leadership keynote speaker, Steve Gutzler, resiliency can be one of our greatest assets, and one of our greatest weapons. In his article, Seven Powerful Traits of Resilient Leaders, Steve shares seven influential traits to embrace in becoming a strong, positive leader. Steve inspires greatness in individuals and organizations…

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Developing A Risk-Taking Culture

Wouldn’t it be great if every organization could infuse innovation into their company’s vision and culture? In his recent Forbes’s article , Innovation Keynote Speaker, Robert Tucker, shares his inspiring and detailed interview with Chief Communications Officer & Head of Strategic Engagement, Lale Kesebi, whose team is focused on finding…

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Friday Featured Speaker: Colette Carlson

For many, change is hard because our brains are wired to do the same thing over and over, regardless if that activity is good or bad for you. Oftentimes, it is challenging to go through change, no matter if it’s positive or negative. What can you change in order to…

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Social Media Metrics… Get Promoted!

Content marketing expert, Jay Baer, just launched a new, free ebook called, The 3 Types of Social Media Metrics and Why They’ll Get You Promoted. In his article, The 3 Social Metrics That Will Get You Promoted, Jay outlines a few highlights from his ebook and explains why it’s time…

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Friday Featured Speaker: Scott Shellstrom Interview

What if you could hire Leonardo da Vinci as your next keynote speaker? Scott Shellstrom is the modern day da Vinci, and inspires teams everywhere to rediscover their own ability for creativity and innovation. Creativity is the most important commodity for the success of business today, and a unique solution…

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Four Ways to Gain Focus and Purpose

Leadership, like most things in life, requires wisdom, balance, and focus. Every 90-days, leadership expert, Steve Gutzler, sets aside time to prioritize his goals for the few months ahead. In his article, Four Proven Strategies of Focused Leaders, Steve said, “Once you know your goals, it’s then about goal getting!” He…

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Friday Featured Speaker: Colette Carlson

Congratulations Colette Carlson for being inducted into the CPAE Speaker Hall of Fame! (She’s been in OUR Hall of Fame for years, and now she has a fancy statue and designation.) This prestigious award, presented by the National Speakers Association, honors professional speakers who have reached the top echelon of platform excellence.…

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Friday Featured Speaker: Steve Gutzler

Steve Gutzler has delivered thousands of presentations on leadership, emotional intelligence, and personal transformation. He has an exceptional ability to communicate clear leadership and business solutions with humor, clarity, and insight. Steve inspires greatness in individuals and organizations through his customized programs— Steve believes every presentations should transform a life…

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Friday Featured Speaker: Robert Tucker

Modern disruption and digitization are changing the way many companies and organizations approach innovation. Crowdsourcing, however, is something innovation expert, Robert Tucker, sees many companies embracing during this disruption. In his Forbes article, How Crowdsourcing Can Enhance Innovation Performance, Robert shares six ways organizations are using crowdsources to drive results.…

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What is Your Crisis Prevention Strategy?

Quebec’s birthday, St. Jean Baptiste, was celebrated this past weekend. During a parade in Montreal, a picture went viral accusing organizers of the parade of advertising systemic racism. While crisis management expert, Melissa Agnes, feels this was not intentional— she feels it was preventable. In her video, Important Message To…

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Friday Featured Speaker: Jay Baer

You may be wondering, “How often should I post on social media?” That is a great question and something content marketing expert Jay Baer addresses often. The “science” behind successful social media posting has changed significantly over the last few years. In his article, Here’s How Often You Should Post on Social…

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Three Tips to Staying One Step Ahead

Between professional and personal commitments, we’re all busy. Successful entrepreneur and business leader, Clint Greenleaf, lives an active and busy lifestyle, too. In his article, Stay on Tops of Things, Clint shares three important lessons he’s learned that will help you stay one step ahead of your busy lifestyle. As…

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Friday Featured Speaker: Interview with Steve Gutzler

In today’s fast-paced, competitive environment, how effective are you as a leader of personal influence, impact, and inspiration?  Our spotlight this week is on Steve Gutzler, a dynamic speaker who speaks to audiences everywhere on leadership, emotional intelligence, and personal transformation. His authentic, inspiring style moves people to action with…

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Six Key Components of Your Personal Game Plan

If you were laid off tomorrow, for whatever reason, what would you do? Whatever your position, profession, or industry, your ability to innovate will give you a personal, competitive advantage in today’s unpredictable and ever-changing society. This means you must design your personal development plan so you are braced for…

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Friday Featured Speaker: Colette Carlson

In this video, keynote speaker and connection expert, Colette Carlson, explains the importance of awakening your awareness of how you come across to others. Who are your “truth tellers?” For booking information on Colette Carlson, contact Michelle Joyce or visit MichelleJoyceSpeakers.com.  Tune in every Friday for additional featured speakers!

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The Importance of Addressing Customer Complaints

Have you ever been so frustrated or dissatisfied with a product or service that you’ve resorted to posting on social media to “air” your frustrations? Did you receive a response from the company? You most likely did not, but you did share your story and someone out there read what…

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Friday Featured Speaker: Scott Shellstrom

“Why not fall asleep on the job?” Scott Shellstrom asked. Take a moment to count the decisions you’ve made so far today. Most likely, you woke up and decided what to wear, decided what to eat for breakfast, and what route to take to work. Then once you sat down…

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Are you Effectively Communicating your Team’s Vision?

To succeed at anything and to have success on any level, you need to know exactly what you want and why. When you know what you want and why, you begin to have clarity. Your team, however, needs to be shown your company and teams vision with clarity, creativity, and…

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Friday Featured Speaker: Interview with Melissa Agnes

When you pop a champagne cork, the bubbles of carbon dioxide form at tiny defects in the glass, join together, and explode upward when enough pressure builds. Crises usually start small, like champagne bubbles, and explode when the pressure builds to the breaking point. Keynote speaker and crisis management expert,…

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An Important Tip for Selecting your Next Mentor

In her article, “Learn by Connecting – Don’t’ Ignore your Best Teachers,” keynote speaker and connection expert, Colette Carlson, suggests a different approach for protégés searching for a mentor.  (HINT:  The information applies to mentors too!) “Whether protégé or mentor, when cultivating connections, diversity matters to maximize learning and growth,”…

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Friday Featured Speaker: Colette Carlson

Building and maintaining strong, lasting business relationships is hard work, but the more time you invest in building deep connections, the more effective you will be at achieving greatness and success. The power of connection — with yourself and with others — is the thread woven through all of connection…

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Simulations Tests Your Company’s Crisis Preparedness

If crisis were to strike tomorrow, is your company prepared? Does each employee know their role, responsibilities, and what is expected of them? In her article, What’s The Best Way To Train Your Staff To Be Crisis-Ready?, crisis management expert, Melissa Agnes, addresses the importance of developing, testing, and gaining experience…

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Friday Featured Speaker: Scott Shellstrom

An article in Fast Company states:  For CEOs, creativity is now the most important leadership quality for success in business, outweighing even integrity and global thinking, according to a new study by IBM. Creative leaders are more prepared to break the status quo of industry, enterprise, and revenue models, and they are 81%…

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Your Energy Level is Affecting Your Productivity

“I need more coffee.” “I don’t have time to exercise.” “Once I get through this week, things will settle down.” Sound familiar? The reality is that everyone is trying to accomplish more than ever in a single day, and most people are simply stretched too thin. In his article, Quick…

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Friday Featured Speaker: Melissa Agnes

The best way to train your staff to be #CrisisReady is by conducting a crisis simulation. And the best way for students and employees to prepare for experiencing a crisis simulation is to align what actions to take first, brainstorm how to address communication, and determine who might be the…

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Cognitive Technology, Relevant Communications

Analyze > Optimize > Execute > Repeat has been the core process for successful digital marketing initiatives for many years now.  Today, however, we live in a technologically savvy society where new marketing strategies and concepts are constantly emerging— cognitive technology being one of them.  In his article, Why the…

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Do You Know Where You Are Going?

“Do you know where you are going?” This question pertains to life, your career, and your personal goals. Your powerful motive is your driving force and competitive advantage in sustaining life’s many challenges.  In his article, Take 10 Quiet Minutes Each Day to Ask…, keynote speaker and leadership coach, Steve…

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Social Interaction in Today’s Tech-Savvy Society

Mobile phones have become a staple of our society, with everyone from elementary school children to senior citizens. And while mobile apps and texting have made our lives easier in many ways, they have also negatively impacted certain aspects of our lives such as our attention span and our ability…

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Friday Featured Speaker: Melissa Agnes

The biggest news story this week was the passenger who was brutally removed from an overbooked United Airlines aircraft. As the man was pulled from his seat and down the aisle of the aircraft, fellow passengers filmed videos of the situation. These videos then flooded the internet, worldwide.  United Airlines…

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Friday Featured Speaker: Clint Greenleaf

A deep connection exists between America’s favorite pastime and America’s favorite peanut butter. And, with the first day of the 2017 Major League regular season in the books, it is only appropriate to shine some light on our keynote speaker and CEO of Homeplate Peanut Butter, Clint Greenleaf! HomePlate Peanut…

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Friday Featured Speaker: Jay Baer

We are excited to announce the newest program by Jay Baer!  Our best-selling author and renowned keynote speaker on marketing and customer service has created Talk Triggers: Turn Your Customers Into Volunteer Marketers. Customer experience is how you make your customers feel. Great customer experience occurs when you exceed customer…

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The Art of the Deal

Success comes from building one relationship at a time. Clint Greenleaf, a successful entrepreneur, business leader, and keynote speaker says, “The relationship is where I can create real, lasting value amidst a world filled with transactional dealings.”  In his article, Why Providing Value Requires Connection: How To Engage Your Audience…

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Friday Featured Speaker: Steve Gutzler

Every conversation you have is an opportunity to inspire and influence others— whether it be your spouse, child, colleague, senior management, or a complete stranger. Most don’t realize the impact their leadership and influence has on others, and you may be wondering how to better empower those around you. “The…

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Spy Techniques for the Next Interview You Lead

Imagine this scenario:  Your company has an open position that needs to be filled, and you are responsible for interviewing prospective candidates. Your job is to “pull” the truth out of the data the interviewee has chosen to present, and determine if this candidate is a good fit for the…

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Friday Featured Speaker: Interview with Colette Carlson

The most successful businesses grow from and are sustained by mutually-beneficial relationships. And your success is in direction correlation to your ability to connect with others. Customers buy from people they like, know, and trust. Employees want to work for people they respect. The ability to connect on both a…

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Friday Featured Speaker: Melissa Agnes

As many of you are aware and probably watched live, the producers and cast of “La La Land” mistakenly accepted the Oscar for best picture. Within minutes, the best picture snafu became instant social media gold. But the question is, was this indeed a crisis for the Oscars?  In her recent #crisisready…

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See the Opportunity, Then Seize It

We are surrounded by opportunities every day. These opportunities come in all shapes and sizes, and are often disguised as challenges.  Your mindset and how you approach these challenges determine your success. “If you want to make a stunning story by making a difference, are willing to start small, have…

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Friday Featured Speaker: Scott Shellstrom

Scott Shellstrom is our creativity and innovation expert who combines his experiences, stories, improv comedy techniques, and art to inspire audiences to seek new ideas and perspectives for everyday challenges. Creativity is the most important commodity for the success of business today, and a unique solution to problem solving. Scott…

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The Power of Connection

“Your ability to succeed is in direct proportion to your ability to connect,” says Keynote Speaker and Connection Expert, Colette Carlson. The power of connection — with yourself and with others — is the thread woven through all of Colette’s programs. So when she was introduced to Jewelry Designer, Kendra Scott,…

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Friday Featured Speaker: Clint Greenleaf

When it comes to starting and growing successful businesses, Clint Greenleaf just can’t help himself.  His programs teach businesses of all sizes the value of essential relationships, discipline, and how to create a competitive advantage.   With successful stints of book publishing and children’s clothing under his belt, Clint is…

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5 Ways to Unleash Your Inner Da Vinci by Scott Shellstrom

Creativity is more than art; it’s a skill, a dynamic force that often underlies success.  And Scott Shellstrom knows this all too well. He’s reinvented himself from a top talent inside some of the biggest advertising agencies, to a comedian working prominent New York City improv stages, to an artist…

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Friday Featured Speaker: Jason Hanson

If you look around today, you’ll see most people moving too quickly, while being pulled in different directions, with their heads buried in their cell phones.  And while many view this as “productive”, criminals view this behavior as “an easy target”.  Being aware of your surroundings is more important than…

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How to Gain Leadership Buy-In for Crisis Preparedness

Implementing and maintaining a #crisisready corporate culture is essential in business today.  So what’s the best way to gain the necessary approval and commitment from your top leadership?  This question is a common one heard by Crisis Management Expert and Keynote Speaker, Melissa Agnes. As Melissa says, “In my experience…

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Friday Featured Speaker: Jay Baer on “Acing Customer Service”

The internet and social media have changed customer expectations for service and engagement… forever.  And online review sites now allow customer complaints to be seen by everyone.  What’s a company to do? In an interview with Forbes, Jay Baer — content marketing and customer service expert, consultant, thought leader, keynote…

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Fire Away!

Firing an employee is never fun.  But sometimes you have to make a tough decision and help someone move on. Thankfully, we know Clint Greenleaf.  As a successful entrepreneur and business leader, Clint shares lessons on effective leadership and valuable relationships to audiences everywhere through his customized programs. In his…

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Friday Featured Speaker: Interview with Steve Gutzler

In today’s fast-paced, competitive work environment, how effective are you as a leader of personal influence, impact, and inspiration? Steve Gutzler has delivered thousands of presentations on leadership, emotional intelligence, and personal transformation. He has an exceptional ability to communicate clear leadership and business solutions with humor, clarity, and insight. Steve…

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A Former CIA Officer’s Airplane Safety Tips

Our speaker Jason Hanson is a former CIA Officer, a New York Times Bestselling Author, and America’s #1 Authority on Personal Safety. In his customized seminars, Jason teaches how to heighten your level of awareness, and offers exciting demonstrations of spy tools and tactics, which anyone can use to thwart danger…

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Friday Featured Speaker: Colette Carlson’s New Highlight Reel!

At the heart of every sale, every interaction between a leader and a team member, every conversation with a customer…. is a connection.  How to make those connections effective, and leverage them for greater success, is the thread that is woven into every one of Colette Carlson’s presentations. Watch Colette…

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Want More Customer Reviews?

How many customer reviews did you receive last year?  (Not enough? Want some more?) Sure, you could beg, plead, and offer to pay for customer reviews… but wouldn’t you rather earn them and ask for them in a more personal way? Enter Jay Baer, keynote speaker and best-selling author of…

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Friday Featured Speaker: Interview with Melissa Agnes

If crisis were to strike your company tomorrow, is your organization #CRISISREADY? Melissa Agnes is a sought-after, international crisis management keynote speaker. She delivers powerful talks that help today’s organizations understand the realities that loom when crisis strikes. Her customized presentations provide tools and strategies that create a proactive, crisis-ready…

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If You Believe in Yourself, Anything is Possible!

January is the perfect time to set goals and intentions for the new year ahead. And the most important part of that process is to believe that you can succeed.  Your personal beliefs will guide your success.  To help you on this journey, our speaker Steve Gutzler shares 10 Ways…

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What To Do First When Crisis Strikes

Uh-oh. You and your company have just experienced a crisis. It’s a mess. Things are happening so quickly now… it’s difficult to think. And people are already posting their own versions of the incident on social media! You have to do something. Fast. Now!  But what? Where do you start?…

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New Year, New Content Marketing

We’ve seen new, creative changes and trends in marketing over the past year and 2017 will only bring more.  How will you and your company stand out in this ever-changing marketplace?  For our first blog post on the new year, our speaker Jay Baer is giving you a gift:  7 Content…

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On the Twelfth Day of Christmas… we present Michelle Joyce!

The Drummers are Drumming and Michelle Joyce is marching to the beat! With an unconditional love for the professional speaking industry, Michelle combined her passion of managing and coaching professional speakers to create our company in 2015.  She effectively connects audiences and speakers, resulting in a memorable experience every time. Her…

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On the Eleventh Day of Christmas… we present Jamie Filotei!

Move over Pipers Piping, we’ve got Jamie Filotei!  Whether it’s finding the best speaker for an event, or managing projects for our team, Jamie Filotei is always looking to do a first-class job. She has an innate passion for generating sales, creating loyal relationships, and serving others. As part of…

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On the Tenth Day of Christmas… we present Caitlin Joyce!

Ten Lords might be A-Leaping, but they’ll never reach Caitlin Joyce!  Caitlin (age 4) is our second Heir Apparent to the company. She loves baby dolls – REALLY loves baby dolls – and loves to take our speakers out to dinner when they visit. Caitlin is both brilliant and beautiful,…

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On the Ninth Day of Christmas… we present Connor Joyce!

Please excuse us, Maids A-Milking, but we’ve got Connor Joyce!  Connor (age 9) is an Heir Apparent to our company, loves to present to audiences, and plays an active role in managing our speaker roster in his notebook. He is gregarious, charming, and incredibly smart. When Connor is not tracking…

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On the Eighth Day of Christmas… we present Neil Joyce!

Ladies are Dancing, but Neil Joyce has the best moves!  Although his day job includes procurement, contract management, and sourcing for the nation’s leading financial institution, Neil graciously volunteers his time as our Resident CTO. (Neil, who is married to our President, doesn’t recall volunteering for this position.) When Neil…

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On the Seventh Day of Christmas… we present Clint Greenleaf!

Swans might be a Swimming, but they’ve got nothing on Clint Greenleaf!  When it comes to starting successful businesses, Clint Greenleaf just can’t help himself. As founder and CEO of several companies, Clint speaks to audiences all over the world about how they can bring disciplined innovation and entrepreneurialism into…

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On the Sixth Day of Christmas… we present Jason Hanson!

Hey “Geese a Laying”, get out of the way… we’ve got Jason Hanson!  Jason is a former CIA Officer and America’s #1 Security and Personal Safety Expert. His one-of-a-kind keynote presentations draw upon his CIA Officer training, executive protection services, and corporate security consulting. Audience members are fascinated to learn Jason’s…

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On the Fifth Day of Christmas… we present Scott Shellstrom!

Our speaker Scott Shellstrom has us jumping through Golden Rings! A Modern day Da Vinci, Scott inspires teams everywhere to rediscover their own ability for creativity and innovation. As a former advertising executive, Scott knows that creativity is more than an art, it’s a skill. His skills have placed him on…

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On the Fourth Day of Christmas… we present Steve Gutzler!

Step aside Calling Birds, we’ve got Steve Gutzler!  Steve is a dynamic, highly sought-after speaker who has delivered thousands of presentations on leadership, emotional intelligence, and personal transformation. He has an exceptional ability to communicate clear leadership and business solutions with humor, clarity, and insight. As part of our 12…

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On the Third Day of Christmas… we present Melissa Agnes!

We prefer Melissa Agnes over French Hens any day!  Melissa is a sought-after, international crisis management keynote speaker. Her powerful programs help today’s organizations understand the realities that loom when crisis strikes. Melissa’s customized presentations provide tools and strategies that create a proactive, crisis-ready corporate culture. As part of our…

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On the Second Day of Christmas… we present Colette Carlson!

Who needs two Turtle Doves when you’ve got Colette Carlson?! With a Master’s Degree in Human Behavior and extensive experience in the personal development industry for over 20 years, Colette Carlson knows the difference between trendy topics and timeless truths when it comes to successful business practices. All of Colette’s seminars are…

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On the First Day of Christmas… we present Jay Baer!

Move over Partridge in a Pear Tree, we’ve got Jay Baer!  Jay is a renowned business strategist, a New York Times best-selling author of five books, and the world’s most retweeted person among digital marketers. His programs help organizations everywhere rethink their approach to marketing and customer service, attract new…

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The Business of Storytelling

‘Tis the season of family get-togethers, food, and lots of storytelling.  My favorite part of family gatherings are the stories that are shared from people of all ages.  Stories bring events to life. Stories evoke feelings, memories, and reactions. Stories are remembered and retold. It’s the same for your business.…

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Everyday Gratefulness

I’ve always jested that the word “grateful” should be spelled “great-full”, as I think that more accurately describes the feeling of the adjective. As we approach Thanksgiving this week, many are focused on gratitude and thankfulness.  For me personally, I make a point to focus on gratitude every day.  As…

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My First Job: Garbage Collector

My first job was picking up trash along the roadside for Sugar Grove Cemetery in Wilmington, Ohio.  I was ten years old, and my grandfather was the Superintendent. I took over the job for my big brother when he started a lawn care business (a fancy term for mowing neighborhood…

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How to Engage the Toughest Audience

I come from a long line of great storytellers.  As a child, I remember sitting around the table with my brother and my cousins listening to my grandparents tell incredible stories of their lives. I was mesmerized by every detail. And there was always an important lesson to be learned…

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