What Could Little Jimmy Teach His Mother About Communication?
Little Jimmy is at school one Wednesday. Whilst gazing out of the window over the playground he sees his father drive by with Aunt Julie in the passenger seat.The breaktime bell rings and so Little Jimmy decides to go follow them and say 'hi'. Jimmy's Dad drives in to the nearby woods. Jimmy runs to catch them up. As he reaches the woods, Jimmy notices his Dad kissing Aunt Julie.
Little Jimmy stands and watches before running home.
"Mummy, mummy," he starts to relate the story, "I followed Dad and Aunt Julie in to the woods by my school at break time and saw Dad kissing Aunt Julie. Then He helped her off with her top, and she helped him off with his bottoms, then..."
Jimmy's mother interrupted. "Jimmy, stop right there. Why don't you tell us all this story over dinner when you're Dad is back. I'm sure his reaction will be worth the wait."
Little Jimmy waits. Dinner time comes and the entire family is seated around the table. "Oh Jimmy, didn't you have a story to tell your father," Mum enquired.
"Yes. I followed Dad and Aunt Julie in to the woods and saw them kissing. Then Dad helped Aunt Julie off with her shirt and she helped him off with his trousers. Then...well then they did that thing that Mum and the postman do when Dad's away on the rigs"
Sometimes its good just to listen. We are born with 2 ears and only 1 mouth. There's a reason for that.
Enjoy this story? Make you laugh? Paste the link and send it to your friends.
Kennedy
2 Big Questions You Always Wanted Answered About NLP...
This mind-technology that is sweeping the world seems to have no limits, but what can Neuro-Linguistic-Programming really achieve? What's all this about 'presuppositions' and other gawky lingo?What the heck is it anyway?
As the name suggests, it is a combination of psychological principles where the fundamental understanding is that the things that happen in our brains (the neurons that make them) are linked with our language. Not just our spoken words but our none verbal language too. Our internal language and physical gestures.
Finally the 'Programming' bit is the concept that, just like the computer you sit at right now, our brains can be programmed and re-programmed. Incredibly, NLP believes that this programming of our brains can be done through our language.
So, What Can Be Done With It?
A lot, to be honest. Any time you think or feel anything, you can change that reaction. So the fact you're afraid of spiders is just a programme in your mind, it can be changed. So yes self improvement, confidence, phobias, addictions such as smoking can all be changed.
However more interestingly, you can use the techniques to change others. So if you want someone to feel more positive, motivated and excited you can use the principles to induce that state of mind.
In fact one guy has even taken it to the extreme by applying NLP to the 'art' of seduction. So it's even possible to find the perfect partner using these techniques. (he actually has a free book on this subject here)
I've also used it to increase the response to advertising, marketing, web videos, podcasts and the like. Basically when there is a situation when you'd like to change the thought process and emotional presponse to a situation, almost any situation NLP can be used.
Summarise Monkey-Boy
It's not half as complicated as the 'gurus' will have you believe. NLP is basically the idea that the way we feel about things, the emotions and mood can be changed through the use of language. Simples.
9 Essentials of a Successful Partnership Relationship
Today I'm delighted to bring you a guest blog-post from author and managerial master-mind Dr Colin Thompson. Colin and I met at a conference in Barcelona a few years ago where we were both speaking. Now, over to Dr Colin Thompson:
The cornerstones and foundation for building a successful team becomes dependent upon the integrity and personalities of the people involved This is why it is so critical to take the time to carefully explore the way forward.
Once a solid foundation exists for the relationship, the careful design of the elements that will form the structure of the partnership becomes critical.
Now I would like to take you on to these critical partnership steps, one by one;
- Common Objectives
As in all team activities, the common objectives need to be clearly defined and understood by each participant. Partners should know their responsibilities to the partner and what the other expectations are.
- On-going
A solid relationship will be refined over time. The partners do not rest on past successes, but strive to improve the quality of the partnership. Over time, a closeness should develop that will allow companies in the partnership to maximise their operating efficiencies. A continuing review and follow up process must be taken seriously by all parties concerned, with an eye towards long-term growth and profits.
- Commitment and Resources
All parties must make commitments of employee time, skills and finances. These commitments cannot be lopsided. The `gives and gets` must benefit all the parties equally.
- Requirement Defined
What is required from each partner, must be clearly defined and agreed upon by all parties. Careful consideration must be given as to what exactly will be required in return for each benefit. Agreements to these requirements do little good, without a clearly spelt out performance review process. The agreements should also detail communication channels and procedures.
- Commitment to Share Information
Mis-information, incomplete information, exaggerated claims and false promises are all breaches of faith. In a true partnership, each partner is committed to providing the other with full and complete information on plans, progress and problems. Critical to the partnering concept is the teamwork needed to develop new concepts, new marketing campaigns and new employee training programmes.
- Shared Risks
It is un-realistic to expect that a partnering relationship does not carry risks and that some of the programmes of development within the partnership may fail, or have longer payback periods than anticipated. Quality controlled problems (issues) may occur, and employee turnover may cause temporary setbacks. Partners must have a clear understanding that risk taking is present, and each must be willing to support the other, for the mutual benefits of the partnership. Procedures must be agreed upon from the beginning. On how to handle exceptions and problems (issues) as they arise. Any financial risks involved must be clearly delineated and agreements must be reached on how those risks may be shared.
- Mutual Profit
If the partners share the risks of the partnership, then they should also share the profits. Partnerships are established for mutual profits. Problems (issues) arise, though, when the process to obtain the growth and profits has not been defined and the measurement tools have not been installed to monitor each other’s performance. All cost savings and cost avoidance that occur from the implementation of the plans of the agreement which should be shared.
- Technology Exchange
One of the greatest benefits partners can have is achieved by bringing information to each other. Example: The manufacture must be able to rely on the specialist for feed back on the changing needs of the customer. The specialist must be prepared to keep abreast of how technology is changing the office environment and to work with the manufacturer on modifying existing products or creating new products suited for use with new technologies, The specialist must become a part of the manufacturing/customer design team.
A joint effort, helps to ensure that the product is what the customer needs, and that the quality will meet, or exceed expectations.
The exchange of technology information can also enhance the training process for partnering companies. The manufacturer who has installed new equipment can provide the specialists employees with an understanding of how improvements to products can be made using the new technology. Product ideas can flow from this type of exchange.
- Don’t Compete
Partners cannot form a solid relationship if they work too closely to each other’s competitors, or if they compete directly with each other. In the `Print Management Service` industry a specialist needs several partners, because one manufacturer is unable to produce all the products a specialist sales team requires.
However, a partnering relationship cannot be sound, if the specialist ` Print Management Service` company relationships with several manufactures that essentially produce the same products. This puts the relationship back to the bid/buy level of purchasing.
Conclusion
The partnership process cannot be developed overnight. Rushing into these arrangements can result in a great deal of harm to all parties. Each agreement needs to be considered on its own merits and carefully built upon one block at a time.
One strong working relationship should be used as a model upon which to build others, in the future. It stands to reason, therefore, that the selection of the first partner is most critical. The time and effort extended in the selection process should not be short changed.
Partnership sourcing is not a rigid management technique, but all its variations have one tenet, customers and supplies are in the same business – to make a net profit they should be working together. Why should there be a loser in a trading agreement?
Partnership sourcing is both radical and plain good sense. It is already helping businesses of all sizes reach world class capability and competitiveness; it is a potent combination – and one necessary for survival in today’s business climate.
Grow your business with the `right` people who understand the `Partnering` process.
- Changing Limited People into Limitless People
- Turning Limited Companies into Limitless Companies
Personal Training: The Book is Not Enough
So the new speaking book is going down a storm. I'm delighted and flattered by the response so far. However, many people still have a major fear or lack of skill in the way of presentation skills.It's strange how sometimes things happen in alignment, isn't it? Master Marketeer and personal friend Ken Day (sounds a lot like Kennedy but we're not related) has asked me to speak extensively at one of his up-coming seminars here in the North East of England next month.
On June 12th Ken is holding one of his reknowned training seminars at the beautiful Stables Lodge in Lamesley. The full day, hands-on training course is all about creating a really effective presentation. Better still, I am the guest co-host for the entire day,
So if you're in the area, or want to make the trip to be in the area please email me directly and I'll see if we can squeeze in a seat for you. The venue allows us to seat only 22 people at tops. My direct email is kennedy@mindofkennedy.co.uk ... oh, intense in-person training is expensive, isn't it?
Especially if it's held in a venue that won the AA's Best Guest Accomodation in the UK award fro 2008-2009, right? Nope. If there are any places left when you email me, the price to my blog readers for the whole day including refreshments and lunch is just £75.
Kindest thoughts,
Kennedy
p.s. can't you make it, but want to learn some speaking skills? Download my totally free book here: Dramatically Improve Your Speaking Skills.
How This Wedding Created Cringes: Seeing Was Believing
The wedding party at Matfen Hall in Northumberland last night didn't know what was in-store for them when they invited me to perform during the evening reception.The show kicked off at 8:30 and had everyone in the room, even the kids sitting forward in their chairs and laughing their frocks off.
I realised very quickly that thinking on my feet is something I've learned to do over the past few years of live performance as any slightly risqué jokes had to be modified to play over the heads of the small number of children there.
The finale of the show where staple guns are fired at my head had women cringing and men bracing themselves, faces covered. Down tot he final 2 guns, one loaded with staples and the other empty I had convinced myself that I'd gotten it wrong.
Standing there centre stage, I was wondering how it would feel to have an industrial staple fired in to my face. The woman pulled the trigger and BANG...
I was fine. Sometimes we just have to trust ourselves.
The applause resonated around the room as the show ended and the number of people wanting to speak with me afterwards was phenomenal.
It just goes to show that by adding some unique, exciting entertainment to something like a wedding, really can make an incredible difference to how everyone remembers your big day.
10 (Very) Exciting Ways to Dramatically Improve Your Communication Skills
It's impossible to 'not communicate', everything we do and everything we say tells something about who we are. From the words we say to the way we stand, our voice tone and our facial expressions. We are communicating on so many levels that it is no wonder that most people are afraid of speaking to others.We all speak, some of us speak to large audiences, some to small groups and others are more familiar with speaking one-on-one. Regardless of what it is we are speaking about and who it is to, wouldn't it be great to have a bunch of practical tools that we could call upon to improve our effectiveness every time we speak to someone else?
Great news, I've spent every spare minute of the past few months writing a new book on practical tips that will Dramatically Improve Your Speaking Skills. The book is a mammoth 60 pages packed with 10 phenomenal techniques you can, and most importantly will use. However it's not for sale. Not at any price.
Instead it's a gift. This is not just another marketing ploy to get hold of your email address and spam you. In fact to download this new book of mine immediately you won't be asked to enter a single piece of your personal information. All you need to do is click the link below - and start using it!
'DRAMATICALLY IMPROVE YOUR SPEAKING SKILLS'
Oh - and I will be posting more regular blog posts over the coming weeks. I promise.
Kennedy
p.s. Join over 1000 others who follow me, moment by moment at www.twitter.com/mindofkennedy
3 Things You Probably Didn't Know About Corporate Entertainment
The world is in plague. The economy. Swine flu. Jerry Springer. It's all going horribly wrong. Of course the first industry we might imagine gets hit is entertainment. In particular the corporate entertainment, must be having a tough time right? Nope and for 3 very important reasons.
1. MORALE
The Problem: We need to make people happy. While the buddy they shared the desk with for the past 28 years packs his desk away into an old tea chest and an soap box, morale in many work-places could be low...low, low.
The Solution: Many sensible companies are realising that the staff who they have kept through these times must be working extremely efficiently. If their there are feelings of insecurity and uncertainty then the risk to their company is much greater. So they are putting on staff appreciation events on to show just how much they do appreciate every member of their team in seeing them through thesae tough times.
2. TRAINING MUST GO ON
The Problem: There is a danger that in all this cutting back we stop the professional development of our staff. Of course the sensible are realising that the truth is that our fewer numbers need to be more highly skilled than ever. More flexibility. So training setting dyas aside for training is esential.
The Solution: Research has repeatedly shown that in order to have people participate in activies that are less thaty desireable we must dangle a carrot. One extremely effective method for this is the promise of a really great 'social' at the end of the day's training. It gives a great motivation to put immense effort in to the aquisition of these new skills.
3. ACTIVE BEATS PASSIVE
The Problem: The entertainment we have should have a far greater perceived value than ever. Every pound and dollar counts right now.
The Solution: Passive forms of entertainment such as background musicians and other things people talk over and ignore can be placed on a back-burner. Instead, active, engaging entertainment should be chosen. For example a comedian who guests must stop and engage with. This kind of entertainment (I call active entertainment because we actively involve ourselves in) is seen as highly valuable and has been seen to last longer in our guests' memories.
Kennedy
The UNFORGETTABLE entertainer, speaker and compere
