This year I'm the President of the Global Speakers Federation and I am travelling the world visiting the 10 member countries of the Federation. I am off again on Sunday visiting members in Singapore, UK, France and Canada. This role is voluntary so I fund the trips myself, a rather serious commitment. Here's where it gets interesting.

I contacted those I know well in the speaking community and asked for help. My request went something like, I'm travelling to your country in my voluntary role as the International President, do you know someone who would use my services for a fee or perhaps you know someone who would benefit by a pro bono presentation that would further promote the world of professional speaking. My aim is to simply break even and cover my costs.

I have been heartened by the reaction by the speaking community to my request. The people I approached obviously know and trust me and have no problem recommending me. I am happy to say that so far I have a number of bookings to help me along the way.

Thinking about this though...it's not about the money...I belong to a community...people I can call on in good times and bad and ask for help and of course I can help them too.

Who do you support in business and in life?
What community do you belong to?

Remember though in order to receive you must first give. Join a community and give. Why not check out www.differencemakers.com.au of course there are many more.

Lindsay Adams
Director

Labels: Community, Volunteering

Heavy storm clouds stay hanging over business, religion, politics, sport and the media. Almost daily many so called icons are continuing to have their character questioned. These clouds always produce rain and wash away the stars like twigs in a river.

Like never before the world needs ordinary people of character to stand up and be counted because many of the people leading us don’t understand leadership, have sacrificed their characters in their quest for power, and in some cases their behaviour threatens our very lives.

Recently the father of a good friend passed on. He was a man of character and an inspiration to my friend. His passing caused me to reflect on my own father who passed 10 years ago.

Life my friends Father, my Dad never had his name up in lights too often but left a legacy to be proud of in his world nonetheless. I miss him. Dad was a man of character. We never always saw eye to eye. It was the words of the Mike and the Mechanics song ‘In the Living Years’ that urged me to settle my differences with Dad not long before he died.

“It’s too late when you die” the song says “to admit you don’t see eye to eye” Towards the end Dad came to hear me speak and said before I spoke “I probably won’t agree with everything the speaker says this morning but I am proud he is my son”

People of character lay it on the line like that.

People of character are unafraid to speak their minds.

People of character always tell the truth as they see it

People of character are trustworthy

People of character have integrity

People of character enjoy being popular but don’t seek popularity

People of character seek win / win but do not compromise their principles

People of character do what they believe is best for the common good regardless of the resistance they encounter

People of character praise in public and criticize in private

People of character put others first

People of character are givers not takers

People of character focus on building people’s self esteem and never engage in put downs or the blame and shame game

People of character are those we really look up to and admire

People of character are those we follow when it matters most.

Be a person of character. You are needed like never before.

Be remarkable
Ian
Founder Differencemakers Community
Partnering passionate people to change what’s normal for the good of people, our planet, and for profit.

Labels: Ian, making a difference, role model

Daniel is a builder of our new world and his three key insights in this talk; “autonomy, mastery, and purpose” are key for anyone wanting to make a difference.

Be remarkable
Ian
Founder Differencemakers Community
Writer and International Business Speaker on how doing good is great for business

Labels: Ian, Motivation

US President Barack Obama's 2009 Nobel Peace Prize is an award for the future yet to be created.

Obama himself says he's "surprised, humbled" and doesn't yet deserve it -- but he's accepted the Prize as a call to action, "to confront the common challenges of the 21st century".

Please send President Obama an encouragement message through the Avaaz organisation here.

“Avaaz” means “Voice” in many Asian, Middle Eastern and Eastern European languages.

Be remarkable
Ian
Founder Differencemakers Community
Writer and International Business Speaker on how doing good is great for business

Labels: Ian, leadership, making a difference, self-leadership

Do you want more sales in your business? Are you good at cold calling? I thought so...not many people are, the thing is if you want more business you don't need to ring complete strangers to get more business, just talk to your existing customers.

During the last twelve months we have experienced "interesting times" in the economy, some people are doing it tough, others are powering ahead. If you want to create sustainable business and power ahead in tough times you need to learn the secret of referral marketing. Start doing business with the people who already know and trust you.

I get most of my business from just four to eight good referral partners...these people know and understand what I do and sell me to their clients and prospects. Of course this is a system and I have trained them how to bring me business. Interested to learn how? Why not drop me an email at lindsay.adams@remacue.com and I will give you a free report on how to build your business by referral, plus I'll spend an hour on the phone with you to help you learn to grow your business by referral...all for free.

Email me now lindsay.adams@remacue.com

Talk soon
Lindsay

Labels: cold calling, referral marketing, sales