I am often asked "don't you get tired of
travelling" -- and the answer is that I
don't. People and countries are so
fascinating.
I seem this year to have been
majoring on Muslim countries -- and not
surprisingly it is only by visiting them that
you dispel some of the myths. For example I
feel safer in most Muslim countries than I do
anywhere else.
I'm just back from a week speaking in Iran --
and it was a fantastic experience -- a lovely
country, lovely people, great food and great
fun -- the most lively delegates to the
conference you'll ever come across! On the
final day I ran a workshop for
the Butane
Group which is as switched on and as
successful and delightful a company as you'll
find anywhere in the world.
Maybe it's just simply that us humans
love to be black-and-white, good or bad,
optimistic or pessimistic - and of course
reality is never quite like that.
It's
just the same it seems to me when it comes to
the credit crunch and economic slowdown in
the West. Yes it's bad for some but
certainly not all -- and indeed most of us
can adopt strategies to win through as you'll
see from my article below.
I'm just back from the NSA
convention in New
York -- this is the annual event of US-based
professional speakers with close to 2000
delegates. What an experience! -- it's just
simply impossible not to leave without
getting invaluable business and career
developing insights after hearing some of the
very best speakers in the world.
Two people stood out for me as truly
inspirational:
Nido
Qubein is a top speaker, a top
businessman and someone who has now done the
most remarkable things to turn around High
Point University, North Carolina.
and Bill
Strickland -- what a man!
In the Manchester neighbourhood of
Pittsburgh's North Side, he has forged a
series of programmes to bring new life to the
community rescuing at-risk school kids by
using the arts to teach them life skills. His
book
"Make the Impossible Possible" is a must
read.
We in the PSA, run a similar convention here
in the UK
which I have the honour of organising this
year -- with over 35 speakers from five
countries. Why not come along -- I know you
will find it valuable. It's at the Forest of
Arden resort near Birmingham airport from the
7th
to the 9th of November.
Finally let me remind you of the "Helicopter"
awards
for outstanding
service and for lousy service.
Two "Golden Helicopter" Awards and one
"Ditched Helicopter" this
time!
I welcome nominations for either
category.
Explanations of why they're being
recommended should be put on my blog
to back up the
listing.
I hope you enjoy this newsletter and find it
valuable
and may I thank you for your support and smiles.
PS. I was handed this by a delegate after a conference in Iran "My Dear Teacher, Thankyou very much for your teaching. I want to be a teacher, a speaker a financial strategist and a colleague in your nice job. It was honorable for me visiting you in these sessions and I appreciate" - that's what makes it all worthwhile !
New "Helicopter" Programmes
