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5 Creative Ways to Start a Conversation

Sunday, July 18th, 2010

Hmmm In my booklet, Hmmm . . . Little Ideas With BIG Results, I write “people are your greatest resource.”  The art of conversation brings your greatest resource closer to you.  Everyone seems to believe this, but most people aren’t very graceful at starting conversations.

Former basketball coach Phil Jackson writes that the champion Los Angeles Lakers were great trash talkers during games, but withdrawn and quiet during important meetings.

Kobe BryantUse these tips the next time you want to strike up a conversation with Kobe Bryant.  Apparently, he won’t be taking the initiative to speak first.  Here are 5 Cool Ideas* on how to start a conversation.

1.  Work with a conversation-starting quota.
The next time you go out to lunch, pledge to yourself that you will start at least four conversations.  You might speak to someone on the elevator, on the way to your car, while waiting to be seated at the restaurant and maybe in the lobby of your building upon your return.

2.  The person who reaches out has the power.
In her book, How to Create Your Own Luck: The ‘You Never Know’ Approach to Networking, Taking Chances and Opening Yourself to Opportunity, author Susan RoAne reminds us that luck is a “make-it-happen” communication process.  I’ve learned that the person who initiates the conversation usually has influence and power over the conversation.

3.  Open with small talk, but not too small.
If you initiate conversation about sports and the weather, most of your conversations will be about sports and the weather.  On the other hand, if you open with fast-lane topics like politics or sex, you may be moving too quickly for the other person.

4.  Treat the other person like a celebrity.
Ironically, the best technique for starting a conversation is asking a question and then listening to the answer as if the other person is the ultimate authority on the subject.  Ask people their opinions and then hang on every word.   Smile and nod your head frequently.

Soliciting an opinion is kind of like asking for help.   People love to help.  People also love to be helped.  Most people won’t ask your opinion because they haven’t read this book.

5.  Give people what they want, unless what they want is negativity.
Conversation isn’t always about what you want.  Shared dialogue is primarily about what the other person wants.  Go with the flow if the dialogue is fun and good-natured.  Nurture conversations that are positive and up-beat in tone.  Excuse yourself from gripers and complainers.  There are over 300 million people in the United States. Let’s start talking.

* 5 Cool Ideas is a book series by Michael Angelo Caruso

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Posted in Communication, Entertainment, Leadership, Sales and Marketing, Self improvement, Success, Uncategorized, problem solving | No Comments »

We need a law that enforces spelling while texting

Saturday, July 3rd, 2010
Texting or something else?

Texting or something else?

Driving while texting is now illegal.  So is texting while driving.  As of this writing, 29 states enforce this law according to the Governors Highway Safety Association.

I don’t know a sane person who thinks that texting behind the wheel is safe, but there are tons of questions about how the law will be enforced.

For example, how will a police officer know for sure that you were thumbing a message into your phone?  After all, you might be re-positioning your belly button ring–which is, by the way, completely legal while driving.

I’m told that a cop can inspect your phone to see if you sent a message just before he pulled you over.  This may be true, but the most time consuming part of texting is preparing the message, so you’re most likely to get busted during the composition stage.  If this is so, why not just clear the unsent message before the policeman approaches your vehicle?

The new law re-introduces questions about other distractions available to drivers.  Not all these distractions are technology-based.

Food, drinks and cigarettes are a constant diversion from the road.

Technical distractions include TV screens and radios and CD players that feature crawling messages.

The automobile dashboard itself can be a distraction.  (”I’m sorry for speeding, officer.  I looked down to read my speedometer and didn’t see the speed limit sign.”)

Finally, how are you supposed to use a GPS without looking away from the road?

I’m sure we’ll sort all this out as I remember similar confusion when the seat belt law went into effect.  New York was the first state to pass such a law in 1984.

Meanwhile, we can consider the next law to be enacted.

What we really need is a law that enforces spelling while texting.

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5 Cool Ideas–Speaking tips from the pros

Sunday, May 16th, 2010

Rotaract talk in LA face right 0608 WEBImprove your presentations by modeling famous speakers.  Here are practical tips inspired by five great orators: John F. Kennedy, Ronald Reagan, Zig Ziglar, Bill Clinton and Robin Williams.

5 Cool Ideas–Speaking Tips From the Pros

1.  Say it in a special way. John F. Kennedy is known for his inspiring, almost poetic, phrasing.  JFK kept a notebook of inspiring quotations that he adopted and adapted in his speeches.  The famous phrase, “Ask not what your country can do for you–ask what you can do for your country” was his, but JFK also borrowed verbiage from others.

Kennedy seldom credited to his primary speechwriter, Ted Sorensen, but you should always provide attribution when “borrowing” language from another person.

2.  Tell a good story. Everyone loves a good story.  Motivational speaker and legend, Zig Ziglar, mesmerized audiences with his funny and informative stories.  A Zig story could go on for five or six minutes as he interjected anecdotes, developed motifs and leveraged humor.

Zig used to drop to one knee for all of six minutes.  He would often prompt a rousing  ovation just for finally standing up again!

3.  Smile with your eyes. Words are important during presentations, but non-verbal cues are even more critical.  Bill Clinton uses a terrific technique I call “smiling eyes.”  He even used this strategy during his impeachment proceedings when he looked into the camera and said, “It depends on what your definition of the word ‘is’ is.”

4.  Tell the audience exactly what you want. So many speakers and presenters obscure their messages in fancy language and pretense.  Take a cue from Nike’s “Just do it” slogan and just say it.  Ronald Reagan was famous for his plain talk during speeches.

In 1987, Reagan spoke at at an event celebrating the 750th anniversary of Berlin.  He used the speech to directly appeal to Mikhail Gorbachev, then General Secretary of the Soviet Union’s Communist Party.  Reagan famously said, “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!”

5.  Get emotional. Robin Williams is not a conventional presenter, that’s for sure.  What he lacks in diction and structure, he more than makes up for in energy and enthusiasm.  It’s hard to ignore a person who’s excited about his own message.

Williams presentations are an onslaught of ideas, foreign language accents and gesticulations that audience members cannot ignore.  Don’t try to replicate Robin’s wild man delivery.  Just amp up your emotion by speaking louder and moving your hands more.


Teleseminar May 25–How to Improve Your Presentations

Join Michael Angelo Caruso at 3:30 PM ET on Tuesday, May 25 to get more great tips for your next presentation.  Get more info and register here; ask questions toward the end of the call.  Invite your boss to attend at no extra charge.


Can’t attend the live program?

Order the audio CD on the same topic and listen as many times as you’d like.


Reprint the above article

You’re welcome to publish the above article in your corporate newsletter, on your Web site or blog.  Simply send a message here.

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Posted in Career development, Communication, Entertainment, Keynote, Leadership, Sales and Marketing, Self improvement, Selling, Speaking, Success, Uncategorized, training | No Comments »

Service is good for business

Saturday, April 17th, 2010

Being a Rotarian has been good for business

Being a Rotarian has been good for business

The recession has forced businesses to find creative ways to keep their doors open.

It turns out that joining a service organization such as Rotary, the Optimists, Kiwanis or the Lions can be very helpful in garnering new customers, improving business networks, increasing referrals and even retaining employees.

And oh, yeah, you’ll be giving back to your community, too!

That’s why I’m so proud to be a lifetime Rotarian and member of Rotary Club of Troy, Michigan.


Here’s how being a Rotarian can help your business

Rotary thrives on talented volunteers.  When you do what you’re good at in front of more people, word will get out that you know what you’re doing.  This usually gets your company extra attention in the form of more business, build your network and generate referrals.

If you introduce the joys of service others at your company, they will quickly look at their Rotary membership as a perk and possibly stay around longer.

If necessity is the mother of invention and your business needs to innovate, consider joining a service organization.


My latest volunteer effort

The Troy Rotary Club asked me to present the leadership seminar, “Effective Leadership – Getting People to Do Stuff,”  on Thursday, May 6, 2010 at Walsh College at 3838 Livernois Road in Troy.

Specifically designed for supervisors, managers, team leaders, and upper level management, the seminar offers motivation and reward techniques for employees, strategies for overcoming negativity and ways to deal with challenging personalities in the workplace.

The three-hour presentation will explain how to be a better role model by being less of a boss and more of a coach.  Attendees will also learn two things that motivate almost every time, why money is not a motivator, five ideas for dealing with under performers, a special question to ask job applicants and more.

Registration and networking begin at 8:30 AM and the program runs from 9 AM until Noon.  This seminar normally costs $125, but Troy Rotary has negotiated a cost of only $45 per person.  You’re encouraged to bring your entire leadership team.  Seating is limited.

More information and an online registration form are available at visit www.troyrotaryevents.org/leadership.htm.

This fundraiser for Troy Rotary is sponsored by Citizens Bank, Walsh College, DBusiness Magazine and Mullin & Associates, CPAs, PC.

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A client learns the hard way–protect your brand early and often

Wednesday, March 24th, 2010

Readers always write  . . .

Hi, Michael–

I attended your great Internet marketing seminar recently.

You Tube logo resized disproportionedYou suggested that we protect our names and build our brands on Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin and YouTube in  order to improve Google search results.

I really need to do this because a cartoonist in Florida named “Bruce Beattie” has a stranglehold on a Google search for my name (and his).

Here’s my question:  Should I start using my middle name (George) or middle initial?  Do you think this would help clients and other people find me online?  Or would be better to continue sharing my identity with the cartoonist?

Bruce Beattie, President
http://www.FCEServices.com

Dear Bruce,

I checked up on the guy in Florida and apparently, he’s been “Bruce Beattie” for quite a while.  The problem now, of course, is that you’re KEENLY AWARE he is Bruce Beattie and so are people who are searching for you online.

Unfortunately for you, the cartoonist happens to be published in newspapers across the fruited plain, which means all the papers are promoting him online and that’s why he’s kicking your ass up and down the search engine rankings.

To make matters worse, your alter-ego is apparently a Republican, which is also bad news, if your politics lean left.

Your intuition is correct, Bruce.  Adding your middle initial to your official (brand) name is an awesome game changer that will help you protect your identity.  You’ve got everything to gain and little too lose by becoming known as “Bruce G. Beattie.”  Just be sure to change everything that has your name on it, including business cards, Web pages and of course, the user name on your social media profiles.

Remember, when it comes to social networking, it’s nice to share, but never share your identity.

Best,
Michael
www.MichaelAngeloCaruso.com

Note: Attend Michael’s teleclass to learn more about how to build your brand online.  More information at http://www.michaelangelocaruso.com/features/social-media-marketing-markting/.

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Posted in Career development, Communication, Entreprenuers, Growing Your Business, Internet marketing, Marketing, Sales and Marketing, Uncategorized, problem solving, social media | No Comments »

When does “new” become comfortable? (Part 2)

Sunday, March 21st, 2010
Ed Futa, General Secretary of Rotary International

Ed Futa, General Secretary of Rotary International

Twitter has recently suffered a serious blow to its image.  People are talking (and tweeting) about how many folks sign up for the social media platform and then fall away in the first few months of membership.

This lack of involvement is a problem for many other organizations, as well.

I recently delivered a keynote speech for Rotary in Nashville.  The talk was on leadership, with an accent on membership retention.

Ed Futa, General Secretary of Rotary International and another speaker at the conference, reminded me that the first year of  membership in Rotary is critical because Rotarians who become actively involved during the first twelve months tend to become valuable members.  These people also remain members longer.

Getting people to become active in the organization is a problem that exists for many employers, too.

Employers all over the country are frustrated when they hire new workers only to have the newbies assimilate slowly or not at all.

It usually goes like this:  A first year-employee doesn’t engage because he is new.  The newbie doesn’t engage during the second year because he made it through the first year without really being involved.

During the third year that employee has developed a full-fledged pattern of non-commitment and in the fourth year, he starts looking for another job because he “doesn’t really fit in.”

Ironically, the solution is to raise expectations of the new person and communicate those expectations in no uncertain terms.

Rotary clubs can insist that new Rotarians attend their annual District conference.  Currently, only President-elects and other club officers are expected to attend the conference.

Employers can make certain types of employee involvement mandatory or a condition of employment.  For example, the employer might tell a job candidate, “You’re hired under the condition that you sign up for one of our work committees within the first 30 days of employment. ”

These types of measures help new people become comfortable faster, which is good for business.

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The Hall of Fame ballplayer who was consistently inconsistent

Tuesday, March 9th, 2010
Harry Heilmann, inconsistent baseball star

Harry Heilmann, inconsistent baseball star

Harry “Slug” Heilmann is a Hall of Fame baseball player who spent most of his  playing years with the Detroit Tigers.  He and Ted Williams are the last two American League players to hit over .400.  Heilmann’s career batting average of .342 is the twelfth-highest in major league history.

Heilmann also won an amazing four batting titles.  But here’s the twist.  He won them only in odd-numbered years (1921, 1923, 1925 and 1927).

Harry Heilmann was consistently inconsistent!

This story reminds us how important it is to establish a winning formula and then deliver it as consistently as possible.

Your company provides training to its employees, right?  Here are some great ways to maintain consistency and deliver exceptional training results:

1.  Hit the ground running. I do this by making sure attendees have positive expectations regarding the event.

2.  Get everyone involved. Get as many people as possible to verbally participate in the first five minutes of the training session.

3.  Make training fun/interesting. Hint: Fun is not necessarily what the trainer thinks is fun.  Been to some sessions where the fun felt artificial?

4.  Ensure success. Follow through is the key.  I ask attendees to use what I teach them and send me a “success story” within 48 hours of the program.  You’d love to read my e-mail!

Right now, my most popular programs are on effective leadership, including the best ways to motivate and online marketing, including social media.  Learn more about these great seminars and keynotes at

http://www.michaelangelocaruso.com/events/seminars/ and
http://www.michaelangelocaruso.com/events/keynotes/

Share this message with your boss and HR department head so we can hit a home run for your team!

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Being smart is overrated

Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010

Ava, Lili, MAC in BR 1208 WEBWant to make a smart career move?

Forget about being smart.  That’s right.  Stop trying to outsmart everyone and instead, start building coalitions.

This bold advice has generated a little hate mail for me.  It seems that intelligent people everywhere take issue with the idea that intelligence is overrated.  Many are downright offended and have sent me responses such as, “How dare you say that being smart is not important!”

Relax, brainiacs.  Of course, being smart is still advisable.  But having a strong people network is what sets you apart as a business owner or employee.  Why?  Because in the Information Age, everyone has access to the same knowledge.  What really matters these days is how you use that info.

Look at it this way:  If being the smartest guy in the room is so important, why do all the books on leadership recommend hiring people who are smarter than you?


Get Linkedin to get hired

Most companies, for example, only grant interviews to job applicants who have a strong presence on Linkedin. Why?  Because employers want to know they’re hiring someone who’s plugged into society.

Today, companies want people who can cultivate relationships, bring in new business, create strong vendor relationships and keep customers from heading for the exits.  The legal industry refers to these folks as “Rainmakers.”

This new-found emphasis on the importance of people skills has been well-documented in recent books such as A Whole New Mind by Daniel Pink, Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell and Wikinomics by Don Tapscott and Anthony D. Williams.


The Internet as a “friend collection” device

The Internet is a no-cost communication tool that helps you and your department be a Rainmaker.  Think of the I’net as a megaphone and social media as the volume dial on that megaphone.  Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter are–by the way–also no-cost.  Sweet!

Social marketing is a proven, inexpensive way to improve your network and improve business.

In four weekly phone calls starting April 7, I will teach you or perhaps someone on your marketing team how to become a Rainmaker using social media.  This four-phone call course is quite affordable and very useful, especially for small and new businesses.

This is simply the best social media program of its kind.  Attendees are very pleased:

“Marketing via social media has not been a well-paved road for me.  But each and every encounter I have with Michael kicks it up a notch for me.  Thanks so much!” -Leah Dunn, The UPS Store

“Michael Angelo Caruso helped improve my business’s online presence in a very short time.  I highly recommend him for your marketing needs.  Michael delivers!” -Dr. Steven Ringler, Plastic Surgeon


Facebook with purpose

The four phone calls are April 7, 14, 21 and 28 at 3:30 PM ET.  Playback recordings are available for 24 hours after each call.  The information given is NOT technical.  You will understand everything I teach you.

Register at http://tinyurl.com/SocialMediaCallsApril7

Log-in to your social media pages before calling so you can make changes to your Facebook and Linkedin pages in real-time.  Pretty cool!

Sign up today at http://tinyurl.com/SocialMediaCallsApril7.

So, all you Poindexters out there–feel free to dumb it down a little.  You don’t have to know everything, if you know someone who does.  Spend a few minutes a day adding friends to your FB, LI and TW networks.

And share this post with your network.

I look forward to talking with you and/or someone from your company on April 7!

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Do you market a product or service?

Saturday, January 9th, 2010

Do you market a product or service? Do you ever market yourself for a job or key appointment?

Attend my Low-Cost, No-Cost Marketing, is a fun 3-hour program on Tuesday, January 19 and I’ll show you how to get great marketing results without breaking the bank.

REGISTER at http://tinyurl.com/Jan19AM

This short program will teach you how to:

- Build a stronger distribution list quickly and easily
- Monetize social media, such as Facebook and Linkedin
- Use the awesome marketing power of video
- Create the “perfect e-mail” to send to your list
- Improve dialog with your customers
- Teach customers to sell for you
- Use Linkedin to have customers write your ad copy
- Make money every time you send e-mail
- Sell almost any product or service online
- Succeed without expensive marketing campaigns
- Use autoresponders to improve service and increase sales
- Write Web copy that sells
- Use low-cost, no-cost tools and techniques to improve your bottom line

This is NOT a technical program. You will be able to understand and use
everything I talk about. In fact, you’ll most likely recoup the cost of this program in less than 30 days!

REGISTER at http://tinyurl.com/Jan19AM

Selling online is one of the easiest, most profitable ways to improve business, if you know what you’re doing and someone is helping you.


“Michael is a captivating and motivating speaker. Expect extremely
valuable content that you can use right away.”
-Jayne Burch, Owner, Web Enterprise, Development, Ann Arbor, MI

I’ll include time for Q&A. I want all of my clients to be ultra-successful.

Who should attend? CEOs, COOs, company Presidents, marketing specialists, salespeople, VPs of Marketing, entrepreneurs and anyone who wants to improve business by marketing online and with e-mail.

Save $100 per person, if you’re you’re on my distribution list and receiving the free 5 Cool Ideas newsletter! (Sign up at www.MichaelAngeloCaruso.com.)


What: “Low-Cost, No-Cost Marketing” Seminar
When: Tuesday, January 19 (choose one of two sessions)
Morning session: 9 AM to Noon
OR
Evening session: 6 PM to 9 PM

Where: Trademark Productions (248-582-9210)
316 1/2 Main Street (above Tom’s Oyster Bar)
Royal Oak, Michigan 48067

Investment: Only $149 per person (regularly $249); use coupon code MITTEN if you are my Facebook friend and want to save $100!

REGISTER at http://tinyurl.com/Jan19AM

Sign up for this Internet marketing seminar within 48 hours and receive bonus gifts worth $78.

Bonus #1: My next I’net seminar at no cost ($39 value; just let me know which one)

Bonus #2: My Being the Best DVD ($29 value; I’ll bring copies to the seminar)

Bonus #3: Save an Hour a Day, ($10 value; you’ll receive download details after you register)

This will be one of the best programs you’ve ever attended or I’ll make things right with you. Register now, seating is limited.

I look forward to seeing you or someone from your company on Jan.19 in Royal Oak!

REGISTER at http://tinyurl.com/Jan19AM

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Posted in Communication, Entreprenuers, Growing Your Business, Marketing, Sales and Marketing, Success, Uncategorized, problem solving | 1 Comment »

Are these really the worst of times?

Thursday, January 7th, 2010

Do you know any negative people?

Some folks have trouble finding the bright side of things. We’re at the beginning of a fresh, New Year, a chance to develop new habits and even a new attitude, but many people have trouble getting with the program.

My mother was one of those negative people. She was a good woman, but I remember her complaining a lot about her husband and her sons.

For various reasons, she wasn’t able to feel good even when her life was going well. When mom was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer in 1992, she was forced to realize that those “negative” years would be the best years of her life. Such a shame.

Anytime is a great time for resolutions and self-improvement, but The New Year is a great time to recognize the sound of opportunity knocking and be grateful for all the good stuff in your life.

These are the best of times, if you want them to be. What do you think? Are these the best of times or the worst of times?

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