Craigstrachan.com – Keep talking!

I have had my Amazon Kindle for about 18 months (6 months out of warranty), and a few weeks ago it started behaving strangely, in that whenever it went onto standby, it would crash.

So, I started a live chat with Amazon support on their website to see if we could resolve it. The short version of what happened is that they are replacing it with a brand new (not refurbished) 3G Kindle, at a total cost to me of $85, bearing in mind that my Kindle is 6 months out of warranty, and that the total cost of the order (include shipping and tax), is $210. They had no obligation whatsoever to offer me a $125 discount on a replacement unit.

The customer service staff were friendly, supportive and helpful. My new Kindle arrives next week.

Imagine if every company offered such great service.

What service do you offer?

Obstacle Illusions: Transforming Adversity into Success.

Stephen J. Hopson was born deaf but quickly learned to speak and began attending public school. At five years old, he told his parents he would become a pilot and was dismissed as being foolish, but as an adult he made aviation history by becoming the world’s first deaf instrument-rated pilot.

He says “As a transformational speaker, my audiences expect no less from me. When I’m up there on the platform, I have a huge responsi-bility to bring forth ideas and concepts that have the potential to truly transform lives but if I try to be someone else then the mes-sage gets lost. The audience subconsciously turns a deaf ear.”

Having a blind wife exposes me to many disabled speakers that have achieved despite having a disadvantage in life. This is not just another life-story written by a disabled person.

In the preface, Stephen says that it can be read in a single sitting, and he is right. It is not a long book, and it is very easy reading. However, it is the type of book that you keep going back to. Rather than writing a chronology of his entire life, he presents his message through a series of 25 vignettes, each describing what he learned through something that had happened to him (and often things that he caused to happen). Each chapter ends with a something to think on, and a reflective exercise on how you can apply the lessons that he has learned to your own life.

Stephen is a remarkable person, and he has written a remarkable book. The stories are inspirational, and perfect to put your own perspective back on track. You can buy it from Amazon.com for $16.10, or find out more about Stephen on his website.

I was queuing to pay at a shop the other day when my phone rang. I took the call and quickly hung up when I got to the front so that I could pay for my shopping. The shopping assistant was surprised that I had hung up to speak to her. She told me that it was the first time that had happened, and everybody else just carried on speaking on the phone while they paid; as if she did not exist.

I thought it was just basic manners to speak to the person serving you, and not to treat them as a servant. I must be in the minority.

How do you treat those around you? Are you in the minority?

Why do so many companies make it so difficult to give them money? Here are just 5 ways to make me take my money elsewhere?

• Don’t have a website
• Have a website, but don’t provide contact details
• Have a website with contact details, but don’t respond to my queries
• Don’t return my phone calls
• Break your promises, or make unreasonable promises

I bet you are thinking that your business would never do any of these. These are not difficult things to get write; they really are the basics. If you can’t get these right, how are you going to get a complex task like implementing a 5 year growth strategy right?
But in this week alone, every one of these has happened to me several times, when trying to work with both small and large organisations.

I have listened to Darren LaCroix’s “Get Paid to Speak by Next Week” CD’s several times, and they provide great insight into the business and art of public speaking.

Darren has now gone a step further by offering offering 52 weekly modules (IE 1 year) via email for free. You can signup or find out more here.

At the end of February Symphonia will be hosting our very popular 2-day workshop based on Peter Block’s book “Community: The Structure of belonging”. This is an opportunity to learn the art of community building whilst experiencing what it means to be in community with a diverse group of people from across South Africa.

I have personally attended some of these workshops, and they are not to be missed.

This is an experience not to be missed by anyone wanting to learn practical ways to reenergize the quality of life in the workplace and strengthen the fabric of our communities. By identifying essential questions and actions, we can all transform the places we live, work, and play into authentic, effective communities filled with possibility, generosity, accountability and deep engagement.

If you are a business leader or community builder keen to develop your community building skills, then please don’t miss this workshop. The next opportunity to attend this workshop will only be early 2012.

Dates are below, and you can speak directly to Johleen on 021 913 3507 or email johleen@symphonia.net for bookings or questions.

CAPE TOWN
Thurs, 24 and Fri, 25 February 2011

JOHANNESBURG
Dates: Mon, 28 February, Tues, 1 March 2011

DURBAN
Dates: Mon, 28, Tues, 29 March 2011

Yesterday, I saw Ben Zander speaking in Cape Town. He and his wife Ros were here for the launch of the Alive With Possibility DVD, a DVD celebrating the possibility in South Africa. Ben is the conductor of the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra, and one of the most transformational speakers that I have ever heard.

He speaks about downward spiral thinking, and radiating possibility speaking, and leaves us with the challenge of looking for possibility in our thoughts and our actions. This is the third time that I have seen him, and every time is a transformational experience.

If you are in Johannesburg, there are still a few tickets available for Friday’s presentation. Speak to johleen@symphonia.net about tickets, or visit www.benjaminzander.com to find out more about Ben.

We are alive with Possibility

If you want to see a brilliant and inspirational speaker, you have to get tickets to see Ben speak. I have been twice, an it is an incredible inspiring presentation! He will be in Cape Town and Johannesburg in Jan 2011. It is worth every cent.

For details, email Johleen@symphonia.net, or goto www.symphonia.net.

Benjamin Zander, world renowned conductor and speaker on leadership, captivates and inspires with his unique style.

Benjamin Zander

Benjamin Zander, conductor of the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra, is a world renowned speaker on leadership. He has presented at the World Economic Forum many times, and was the opening keynote speaker at the World Economic Forum at Davos in 2009.

Benjamin Zander’s presentation takes an audience on a journey that offers a startling new perspective on leadership. Through stories, music and concepts it causes a radical shift in perception. This is not a speech, it is an experience!

In this new model of leadership, the conductor sees his job as awakening possibility in others. The orchestra is a group of highly trained individuals poised to coalesce into an effective whole. Passion, creativity and the desire to contribute are basic human instincts to be released.

World famous conductor, Benjamin Zander uses the metaphor of the orchestra and a life-time of experience conducting, coaching and teaching musicians to work his magic to overcome barriers to corporate productivity. This presentation sources fundamental changes in organizations.

For more information see www.benjaminzander.com.

CAPE TOWN

Dates: Tues, 25 January 2011
Registration: 08:30 – 09:00
Time: 09:00 – 13:00
Venue: TBC

JOHANNESBURG

Dates: Fri, 28 January 2011
Registration: 08:30 – 09:00
Time: 09:00 – 13:00
Venue: Vodaworld, Midrand

Hi all

Just a quick note to let you know that I recently contributed to an article for Destiny Man Magazine.The article is about common mistakes we make when speaking in public, and on how to avoid them. You can read the article online here.

Craig

Do you want free publicity? Then use these tips.

1. Website –crucial; keep it simple. Free!
2. Community adverts in newspapers; consistent. Call the editor and ask him for lead times; make friends!
3. Facebook page
4. Community papers – tell them success stories
5. Advertise at venue (do they have a newsletter); leave back issues of the magazine at the venue (with contact details)?
6. Members – advertise at businesses
7. Speak to district and see what they can give you.
8. Download free flyers from the Toastmasters International website
9. Guest list; add everyone who contacts you to the guest email list (ask them if you can add them to the list)
10. Follow up immediately to guests that have attended and that contact you
11. Ensure club details are correct with WHQ!