How to Kick it up a Notch at Conferences

Last week I was the after lunch speaker at a regional manager’s conference for Weingarten Realty. The theme was “The Power of Team” and my sixty minute presentation was entitled “Extraordinary Performance: The New Norm for Tough Times”. The challenge? Keeping people awake and engaged after the proverbial lunch time sugar high wears off.

No worries with this group…

We covered the five basic keys to improved performance for these property managers and their teams:

1. PASSION – know what motivates people. Great managers recognize the value of face to face meetings to learn how to engage team members versus trying to manage via technology.

2. PERSISTENCE – most people give up too soon on their goals. Consistently providing more value with outstanding customer service results in success if you persevere through challenges.

3. ATTITUDE – be willing to learn new ways of working. Extraordinary performance means staying teachable, humble and grateful. Ask Gen X & Gen Y how to maximize social media and optimize SEO to grow your business.

4. PEOPLE – it takes a village to raise a child and/or achieve goals. Brainstorming with peers, networking with industry professionals and mentoring can produce creative solutions you never thought of. Build great relationships with customers and colleagues.

5. ATTENTION – stay focused. Good leadership starts with listening well. Outstanding customer service means paying attention to the changing marketplace and using technology to provide speedy responses.

Weingarten ‘s top management realized the value of bringing their regional managers together at this conference and subsequently went all out by having a grand piano for me to integrate into my presentation. To emphasize key points I played songs like ‘New York New York‘, ‘Deep in the Heart of Texas‘ and ‘Piano Man‘. Audience members were given instruments to play along: tamborines, kazoos, marracas, flutes and bells.

Results? High kicks, high energy, mega laughs, spirits that soared and an event that left an indelible impression on attendees.

This was not your Momma’s keynote and this was not your average audience. These people are top performers by their very willingness to demonstrate the power of team and step outside their comfort zone.

We rocked. They rule!

At your next association meeting or corporate event think of ways to implement music to elevate mood, eliminate stress and increase memory retention. You’ll be amazed how a simple song can unite a team and impact learning.

Start spreading the news, la la la la la…