London, UK
Many of you will be aware of Claire Bueno, my co-presenter at LSQ TV. Claire and her brother Anthony run Bueno Productions and they’ve just launched their website. You’ll see that they develop Commercials, Corporate Videos and Showreels (including mine). Anthony is a first-rate cameraman and editor and I’ve recommended him to other presenters and businesses and will be doing so in the future.
London, UK
Within the next two years or so, I’m looking to arrange a trip to South America. One of the possibilities, although expensive, is a trip to the Juan Fernandez Islands off the coast of Chile. Just last week, I was looking at a possible itinerary, then the news hit the airwaves yesterday about the Chile earthquake. There have been reports that a tsunami had hit Robinson Crusoe Island (which is part of the Juan Fernandez island group) and as I write, is on its way towards New Zealand and possibly Hawaii.
UPDATE – As many as 700 people may have lost their lives.
London, UK
Some of you would have enjoyed watching the BAFTA’s last Sunday night on BBC television. They were hosted by presenter Jonathan Ross. As ever, he put in a superb performance full of verve and wit. But I was a little disappointed by some of those who were given the task of acquainting the viewers with the nominees of the various categories. Somehow, those up-and-coming actors didn’t seem to be able to correctly read the auto-cue. Instead of polished performances, we saw, in my view, a collection of rabbits staring into headlights. Stiff and inarticulate, the link presenters could have done a bit better. As I keep on banging on, preparation and practice are pivotal to a smooth performance.
Another professional event host is BBC newsreader Kate Silverton. Kate hosted the “Sunday Times 100 Best Small Companies To Work For” awards the other evening and was superb. I was a guest of the main sponsor and thoroughly enjoyed the event – well done to the winners!
London, UK
Over the past few days, I’ve been a bit busy on You Tube. You’ll see some raw video of certain charismatic individuals who could make a real impression in the arenas of public-speaking, media or social media during 2010. Included in the series called “Movin’ Up” is Geoff Burch. Geoff Burch is a brilliant business speaker with a great sense of humour. Many of you will remember his series on BBC2 in late 2008 about the retail trade. It was called “All Over The Shop”. Here’s Geoff’s clip:
Just a note to let you know that my Twitter account (@jeremyjacobs) has been hacked – again. If you are having the same problem, you may find the information at http://chelpixie.com/blog/2009/11/02/recovering-from-twitter-phishing/ useful.
London, UK
Earlier today, I attended a very well known exhibition venue in London. Several hundred visitors were there together with countless suppliers showing their wares.
For years I would regularly “man the stand” at business exhibitions when in the office equipment and allied industries. And woe betide any salesman or woman who would either turn up late, be poorly dressed or would stand around with a hand or sometimes both in the pocket! But this morning the unprofessionals were out in numbers in West London. I counted at least three with ties either poorly slung around the neck or terminating at least 3 inches above the waist to reveal a gut loosely covered with shirt material. Two others lurched out toward me and asked “are you interested in …blah, blah…” a polite “no thank you” always sees them scurrying to the back of the stand with embarrassment. And what is it with bowls of sweets or other confectionery on every stand? Don’t people realize:
1. As children we were told never to accept sweets from strangers
2. Eating sweets and chocolate could mean diabetes for you in later life, and
3. It doesn’t differentiate you or your firm from other exhibitors
Think before you make an exhibition of yourself
London, UK
Well, we’re nearly two months into 2010. How are things shaping up for you? Have you made a good start and encouraged by the progress you may have made towards this year’s objectives? Or, are you still floundering, unable to make inroads in any project you could be working on? If you think you’re in the latter category, take heart. We are still in a time of retraction and recession. Things will take time to come to fruition. Be persistent, be determined. In my particular area of endeavour, it’s about the completing the weekly task of contacting, most of the time by telephone cold-calling, a variety of organisations, including agents, for presenter and MC work opportunities. I can assure you it’s a hard slog!
Just the other day, I wrote suggesting that you take things one step at a time but I’d like to expand a little on that. Taken steps for the sake of steps may not get you where you want to be. Better to bolster up some more courage and really get outside your comfort zone. The trouble is, you’re too comfortable in your comfort zone aren’t you? So how do we cast off the shackles of self-limitation? How about these for starters?
1. Set a realistic objective everyday and don’t stop until you’ve achieved it.
2. If you are an avid networker, contact three people each day, or re-kindle an old friendship or acquaintance.
3. At the end of each day, think about being grateful for what you have, not what you don’t have.
London, UK
Viewers of BBC1′s The One Show in this past week would have seen a friend of mine, Jonathan Gabay, discussing political campaigning and political posters in particular. He wrote about his observations at Business & Politics just recently but didn’t mention his appearance on “Labour Isn’t Working” in 1978. All is revealed on this clip.
Here I’m pictured with Jonathan and speaker Geoff Burch.
London, UK
My first understanding of the term was in WWII television documentaries and were associated with the Norwegian fascist leader, Vidkun Quisling. Some describe collaborative working as to working and engaging constructively with internal and external stakeholders.
Elsewhere, the word collaboration appears to be mentioned more and more on business websites and blogs and at networking meetings. Working with others in order to reach an objective makes sense but is collaboration too broad a term?
As I understand it, collaboration in business terms, can mean a partnership and/or co-operation between individuals and firms or by individuals within firms. Perhaps the essential difference is in the outcome. For example, suppose a stationery supplier came to an arrangement with a provider of “green” office products. Both parties would want sales success in their joint venture but the outcome in say, achieving a short-term revenue goal, maybe important to just one of the firms involved. This, in my view, would be an example of co-operation. On the other hand, if both parties couldn’t achieve their goals by working along but by sharing resources could do so, I would regard that scenario as working in partnership.
Of course, with any partnership arrangement comes legal and other ramifications. If you’re looking to enter into some kind of business arrangement seek professional advice first.
London, UK
There’s a webvideo of me now up at Selling.Success.TV I give a short introduction to the attributes required for successful cold-calling.
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