What a crazy start to the year!
Already I've been speaking in Dubai, Italy, Belgium, Pakistan and Poland as well as the UK and I'm meeting excited, challenged people who are delight to work with and see the current economic climate as an opportunity to "get their act together" and map out the future.

- but I'm starting to get concerned and a not little cross with others - with the business leaders who seem to be in denial - denial that they still remain in control of their own destiny and that it's not all over!

As well as my regular Clients I've spent time with enthusiastic "can do" European meeting professionals in Turin, Eastern European sales professionals in Warsaw who know that they can "make it happen", as well as with the wonderful global positive speaking community in Antwerp who are such a delight to be around.

I must share with you that the Turin event was held in a conference centre that forms part of the old Fiat factory and, most remarkably, Fiat used to have their vehicle test track on the roof!
I had the opportunity to see it from the passenger seat of a very nice yellow Lamborghini Gallardo care of Red Travel.

The most remarkable business people I have met, however, were a group of 25 CEOs I worked with for a day in Lahore, Pakistan in February - and we think we have problems!!

Despite all this excitement what will stay most of my memory though will be last week when my good friend David Hyner asked if I would act as a judge at the Grand Final of Sandwell Education Business Partnership Oracy project in Oldbury. Over the past year David and his company, Stretch Development have been working with over 2000 students in secondary schools in that area (a tough one!) to train them in speaking - and all the confidence that goes with that. He and his team have done a remarkable job and at the Grand Final there were seventeen 15-16 year-olds who each had to stand up in Sandwell Council Chambers in front of their peers, their teachers, their parents and Angi Egan and I, the judges, and speak for two minutes on who inspires them most.

It was the most remarkable, emotional and rewarding experience you could ever seek to have. The winner was Chloe Butler, but in reality they all were winners and I thank them very much for the privilege of meeting with them and hearing them.

You may recall that in my last newsletter I was bemoaning the fact that we are only reading and hearing bad news.
I got this from Roy Millard, of Kennet Security:

"So you are fed up with all the bad news Roger, well have you heard about the Security Consultant who was not getting much work so he decided to revisit his skill base and then remembered that he was a trained investigator, couple that with years of handling massive budgets.
So this Security Consultant bid for a contract doing Financial Investigations and Debt Recovery and won it, after 5 months he asked for an increased area and got it.
Then when the recession started to really bite he realised that Debt Recovery and Debt Management was a pretty good business to be in right now so he bid for another contract and won it.
So here I am in the recession winning business and surviving and doing something a bit different.
Hope this cheers you up a little.
Regards Roy"

A lesson to us all I think!

I also mentioned Linkedin and the value it can be to you. A friend of mine, Jan Vermeiren, has just written a great book "How to Really use Linkedin". I strongly recommend it.

Finally let me remind you of the "Helicopter" awards for outstanding service and for lousy service.

Just one "Golden Helicopter" Award this time -
I welcome nominations in either category. Explanations of why they're being recommended should be put on my blog to back up the listing.

I've just started to Twitter - click here if you want to follow me.

I hope you enjoy this newsletter and find it valuable and may I thank you for your support and smiles.

with thanks to Warren Evans

I find myself increasingly putting the service I receive from organisations into one of two categories either "outstanding" or " lousy" - there doesn't seem to be just 'average' any more. I've introduced therefore "Golden Helicopter" outstanding service awards and "Ditched Helicopter" lousy service awards

You'll find the story behind each in my Blog

Please add your comments and any recommendations of your own for awards.

What People Say

"Roger, we have seen a sustained increase in revenues and profits as a direct result of attending your workshop. Thankyou ! " Martin Mulligan, CEO, Martin Mulligan Group Limited

"Without question Roger's workshops have been the catalyst in enabling our six operating companies to unlock the door to profitable growth and without exception, everyone has a real desire to be in the renewal room and when there, reside in it permanently!" Trevor Hebdon, CEO, H&H Group plc

"Roger Harrop's Helicopter analogy is a great one. Having the skills to rise above the clouds to set the vision and see the big picture, but also the ability to fly down low and drive the details are both essential skills for a successful President or General Manager. Roger's pragmatic approach and outstanding delivery make his message meaningful for all audiences." Dan Daniel, Group Executive, Danaher Corporation

"The sessions were really good - Roger is particularly skilled at asking the right questions to make you find the answers to move forward yourselves as opposed to telling you what to do. He is a perceptive man who is clearly skilled in motivating and getting the best out of people. It is refreshing to see the train of thought his influence has provoked company wide." Caroline Singleton, Sales Representative, Thomas Graham & Sons Limited

"It is no coincidence that the Group's dramatic improvement in performance, over the last 18 months, relates directly to Roger's association with us" Ian McKernan, Chairman & CEO Molecular Products Group plc

"Congratulations! - your workshop scored 8.9 in the survey results which is very good" Maneesh Garg, Education Chair, Young Presidents Organization, Lagos

Roger Harrop is a Member of SPEAKERS WITH CONTENT