Topics
5 Ways To Create Exceptional Places and People (60 mins)
Each of us wants to rise to the occasion – in our personal lives, professional lives, and as part of a community creating a bright future. But the big question – the stumbling block we often run into – is how? What’s holding us back and how do we plan for an ambitious future amidst a world of exponential change and the inherent challenges of democratic governance? In a presentation that is described as informative, entertaining, and a little bit crazy, five ways to leap the hurdles that stand in the way of exceptional spaces, places, and people are explored. You will be challenged to think differently about what you do and what you can do to elevate your community, workplace, or your daily life.
Book in Progress
Do The One Small Thing (60 mins)
How powerless we can feel in a world of change, 24/7 go-go, and negative news. How easy it is to fall into the trap of thinking there’s no personal way to make a difference despite our hearts that ache to do exactly that. Now is the time to take control. Assume responsibility. Train your mind to see the beautiful all around us – and tap a powerful ability to effect big change from small things YOU can do this week. A personal empowerment framework is presented. Discussion of real world examples helps refresh spirits, and seeks to inspire in our own actions.
Book in Progress
Coaching For Life (60 mins)
We teach dribbling or skating around cones. We helicopter. We yell. We have medals for everyone. We think our kid will be the next superstar. And…we miss the point of it all. Kids crave mentors that care. They crave mentors that help them push themselves to fully realize a potential they often don’t know the bounds of. At its best, sport is a metaphor for life to come. Character development leads – and yes that includes competitive spirit. It should serve what we all want: to raise kids to be the best version of themselves. How do we make this happen? Ten Character-Building Principles are discussed, inspired by seven years of coaching, three Provincials medals, and two kids in competitive sports. Stories – from hummingbirds to boiling water – offer additional insights into the soul of sports.
Conference Sessions – these can also be modified to serve as a Keynote address (60 min)
Follow The Leader – 45 mins
Dig a moat around Town Hall! What? Well think of it as an unconventional (ok slightly facetious) communications idea to get people to read the municipal budget. There’s a million books about leadership, but not much in a government context – where every resident is a member of the Board of Directors and consensus-building is more likely to lead to gray hair than results. Twenty-five years of experience working with organizations in all forms yields practical leadership principles you can apply to your work today.
“Sell Life Insurance To A Pre-Schooler”: Marketing With Sizzle – 45 mins
This presentation offers a facetiously feel-good way to explore obstacles that stand in the way of exceptional marketing in a world full of noise. With 25 years of learning marketing by trial, error, and great success, let someone help you avoid the pitfalls and get results faster.
Memories in the Making – 45 Mins
While the comedian Steven Wright facetiously says “Everyone has a photographic memory… some just don’t have film,” the truth is memory is core to strength of a tourism or organizational brand, or traction with your community event. How do we create great “film” as designers of tourism experiences? Join in on an energetic and pragmatic deconstruction of tourism memory making using research demonstrating 10 factors that drive memorable experiences.