Are you ready to get extreme?

July 3, 2013

Base-Jumping

When I hear the word extreme my mind immediately goes to extreme sports — where people take extraordinary risks and do some crazy things. While I’m a risk taker by nature (I’m not sure you can own a business without being one) the word extreme gives me pause.

An extreme sports athlete takes incredible risks and has to be at the top of his or her game to even dare it. The exposure to potential failure, and in this example — physical injury is very real and very possible. Which is why most of us don’t do it.

But I’m sure for the brave that do — it’s an exhilaration like few can ever know. Because along with the risks comes equal rewards.

I think back to the incredible risk I took in 1995 when I started my agency. Honestly I was too young and ignorant (again perhaps a parallel to extreme athletes) to realize how risky my choice was — but I definitely knew it wasn’t the safest option. But professionally, nothing I’ve done can compare and many amazing rewards have come as a result.

I think the word extreme is probably a pretty accurate word. Not everyone is cut out to extreme surf or be airborne on a motorbike. Most are content to choose safer hobbies. And that’s okay.

So when best selling author (Radical Leap Re-Energized, Greater than Yourself, etc.) Steve Farber began talking to me about this event he wanted to bring to Des Moines called Extreme Leadership Intensive — I got curious in a hurry. His books teach extreme leadership — using concepts like love, audacity and oh shit! moments, which is why I’ve embraced them for years. Turns out my extreme sport is what I do professionally and how I do it.

Steve is bringing his day and a half workshop to Des Moines — and he’s calling for people who are ready to be extreme leaders to join him. This isn’t for the faint of heart. It’s not for leaders who are content to just be okay. This is for the men and women who truly want to leave legacy — in whatever way that matters to them. It’s for people who aspire to inspire — starting with themselves.

It’s coming this month — July 18th and 19th and I can promise you this — it will be a thrill ride and you will come out a different person than you went in.  How many workshops can promise you that?

Interested? Check out Steve’s video below and read more/register about the event here.

http://vimeo.com/69053926

Enhanced by Zemanta
More

Learn why we unthink

February 9, 2011

unthinking drewmclellan 198x300

When I finished reading the galley for Harry Beckwith’s latest book, Unthinking, I shot him an e-mail that said:

“Unthinking is a fantastic read.  Your other books gave readers the what and sometimes the how — this book provides the why.  It’s a perfect companion to your earlier works.  What I love most about it is that you follow your own advice — you delight and surprise readers from beginning to end.  Storytelling at it’s best!”

As you know, Harry Beckwith is a part of my trifecta of the best business writers I’ve ever read (along with Steve Farber & Joe Calloway) and his new book may be his best.  In it, he explores how our mind and experiences “play tricks” on our buying decisions.

Through his brilliant, understated storytelling, Harry shows us what’s behind our consumer behavior and…of course as marketers, how we can use those insights to better connect with and serve our customers.  Here are some examples of the stories/lessons you’ll enjoy.

  • What do Howard Hughes and 50 Cent have in common, and what do they tell us about Americans and our desires?
  • Why did Sean Connery stop wearing a toupee, and what does this tell us about American customers for any product?
  • What one thing did the Beatles, Malcolm Gladwell and Nike all notice about Americans that helped them win us over?
  • Which uniquely American traits may explain the plights of Krispy Kreme, Ford, and GM, and the risks faced by Starbuck’s?
  • Why, after every other plea failed, did “Click It or Ticket” get people to buy the idea of fastening their seat belts?

Harry would argue that the answers to these questions can be found in our childhood, our culture and from our eye’s view.  Drawing from dozens of disciplines, always enlightening Harry Beckwith answers these questions with some surprising, even startling, truths and discoveries about what motivates us.

This is really a must read for anyone who deals with customers. (As are all of his earlier works if you haven’t already read them).  Buy it by clicking here.  (Amazon affiliate link)

You can also enjoy Harry’s foray into blogging at Psychology Today.

Enhanced by Zemanta
More