If the World Were Perfect

Whatever you are about to do, ask yourself, “If the world were perfect, what would this particular thing look like or be like?” Of course, it can’t be perfect, but too many times we compromise on a compromise, rather than compromising on perfection.

Choose your actions, not for how they affect today, but for where they’ll get you a year or five years from now. What decisions can you make that will get you closer to the place you want to be?

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Is Collaboration for You (Should You or Shouldn’t You?)

An Article for Professional Speakers and Consultants on the Origins of The Odd Couple® Seminar and the Value of Collaboration

Would you go into partnership on the spur of the moment with someone you barely knew? I did. And it was one of the best business decisions I ever made.

Of course, we’d met and knew each other by reputation. Alan Weiss (PhD, CSP, CMC, CPAE) is a high-priced corporate consultant, trainer, and speaker who had been president of his local NSA chapter. At the time, I was primarily a keynote speaker, one of the original founders of the NSA Northern California chapter and National President in 1984. Alan and I are opposites in many ways. He is a self-proclaimed introvert, happily married to his high school sweetheart, Maria. His life is well balanced, and he charges top dollar so he doesn’t have to travel more than necessary. I, on the other hand, am an acknowledged extrovert with a very different business policy. I always charge slightly less than I could so I am booked solid. Being single, I can stay on the road much of the year and not feel guilty

It all started with some emails in 1996. I wrote Alan, regretting that I couldn’t attend a seminar he was doing in my hometown of San Francisco because I would be speaking for the Denver NSA chapter that day. “Hey, Fripp,” he shot back, “You certainly seem to speak to a lot of NSA chapters.” I acknowledged that I loved speaking about speaking. “We should do a seminar together,” he replied. On the spot, we arranged to meet and discuss it.

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Marketing Tips for the Non-Stop Marketer

How you can attract, retain and extend your relationship with customers…

Frippicisms:*

  • It is not your clients job to remember you, it is your obligation and responsibility to make sure they don’t forget you.
  • The real sale comes after the sale.
  • Your best customer is the hottest prospect for your competitors.
  • Your efforts have to be ongoing and consistent.

I’m always taken aback when someone asks me how much time I devote to marketing. Every single thing we do is marketing. Talking to strangers at seminars or group meetings or even in elevators or taxis is marketing. Customer service is part of marketing. I am an unabashed, relentless, promoter of my services and products. I get the drive from the love I have for my business. Here are a few suggestions on how you can attract, retain and extend your relationship with customers

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