A very interesting study was conducted by Wharton’s Adam Grant at a university fundraising organization which illustrates the point.
A sample of employees read stories from other employees describing what they perceived were the personal benefits of the job, including financial and the skills development. . Another group read stories from the beneficiaries of the fundraising, who described how the scholarships they obtained from the organization had a positive impact on their lives. A third group of employees did not read any stories. Employees were told not to talk about or share what they had read with any other callers.
The results -employees in the Personal Benefit and Control groups secured the same number of pledges and raised the same amount of money as they had before the intervention.
Meanwhile employees in the Task Significance Group earned more than twice the number of weekly pledges and more than twice the amount of weekly donation money (from an average of $1,288 to an average of $3,130).
All Medtronic employees know that ‘every 4 seconds, the life of someone, somewhere in the world is improved by a Medtronic product or therapy. So, every Medtronic employee is in no doubt that what he or she does at work every day makes a real, positive difference.
Wikipedia and the Olympics movement have also tapped into to one of most people’s strongest values – ie to make a difference, to be significant. Thousands of unpaid volunteers have built Wikipedia, arguably one of the greatest collection of knowledge and information ever assembled. Interestingly the leader CEO Jimmy Wales appears to walk the talk when he said in an interview with the Sunday Times that he wasn’t interested in cash “it’s a lot less interesting than having an impact on the world.”
Another example is how Danny Boyle inspired a team of over 70,000 volunteers to create one of the greatest shows on earth ie the Olympics.
Is this the difference that makes the difference in a person’s motivation?

Accepting this, people need to wrestle back control of their destinies, take responsibility for where they are at today, and lead by example. Is there any other viable alternative?

Here are four actions for 2013 that can have a huge impact on outcomes:

1. Dare to dream again!
Yes! Set a compelling vision – one underpinned by values. The proverb says “without a vision, a man shall perish,” logic tells us you can’t reach a destination if you don’t know where you are going; yet the majority of us don’t know or maybe couldn’t care about where we are going in life, and end up nowhere as a result. The important thing is that the vision is underpinned by your most important values.

For an insight into your values answer the following:
What would you like to see written on your gravestone? When you have experienced emotional peaks in the past, what values were being violated or satisfied? When your vision is underpinned by values, you will never have motivation challenges.

2. Commit to becoming the best you can be in a chosen discipline
Don’t try to be good at everything and a master at nothing!
Regardless of whether you are unemployed, or looking for a promotion; a commitment must be made to ongoing learning. Now at your fingertips you have a virtual encyclopedia of every topic available for free – from blogs to Google alerts/ youtube – the information is out there. The question is- are you willing to invest the time?

Research claims that you can achieve expert status if you are willing to invest 10,000 hours – that is equivalent to three hours a day for ten years. My instincts tell me that even if you invested half the time, you would become an expert in your field. Expert status will have an obvious knock on effect on your job prospects, entrepreneurial potential and future earnings.
Today if you have a talent in a given area, you can now showcase to the world at minimal cost. Your target market isn’t 4.5m it could be billions!

Furthermore be open – teachers are everywhere that can act as signposts/facilitators to your vision. Only your ego stops you from tapping into these teachers. In the real world zero degrees of separation exist between you and a potential teacher.

3. Become the gatekeeper to your mind
Switch off radio / tv programmes and stop reading papers that carry an “M” rating the– yes Moan lines and the likes. Switch onto the only thing that can help at this moment, positive empowering how to advice. Our minds work similar to computers – garbage in, garbage out. There is a proliferation of garbage out there, and we need to delete it at source. Similarly surround yourself with an empowering reference group – if this isn’t possible, be careful who you listen to!

4. Pay it forward
Look beyond yourself – see how you can contribute to your community in a positive meaningful way. Based on 23 years of research, you can expect a positive outcome in other aspects of your life as you pay it forward. Indeed link in to the power of Meitheal – where people at a community level work together to make things in happen. In my own community here in Galway we have just got all the subcontractors and tradespeople together at zero cost to work on building a much needed Youth Venue for the area. There is an opportunity in every community to cash in on this goodwill for the common good.

If people start looking at what they can do to improve their lives and those of their community as opposed to waiting for the “Usual suspects” to make things happen, they will notice a measurable change in their outcomes for the better.

Have a great 2013!

It is probably likely some of the following came to mind: Drugs, Coffee, Pablo Escobar, Dangerous, FARC, Medellin Cartel….

Was I correct?

Well at least that was my impression based on what I had learned from our very “uniformed media sources.”

Indeed when offered the keynote, I jumped at the potential opportunity based on the perceived adventure/danger more than anything else! Remember death threats, bomb scares and more have followed me around the globe!

However what I found as with so many other countries, the truth on the ground was so far away from the reality painted by the media.

If you asked me now what comes to mind when I think of Colombia, here are some of the things in order of importance:

1. Possibly one of the friendliest, fun nations in the world. This friendliness is a way of life – even when I went into shops, browsed and came out “purchase less” the customer service staff were friendly, courteous and gracious. There was no sense that their courtesy was delivered based on potential purchase like we find in many stores around the globe. Indeed it is no surprise that Colombia boasts many successful contact/customer service centres for many big brands – there is a natural fit between their personality and the demands of this business. (It was their representative body that got me to speak www.acdecc.org.)*Colombia rank number 6 in the Happy Planet Index.
2. In the Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá (49 km north of Bogota), at 2.652 m Altitude, Colombia has one of the most amazing visitor attractions in the world. In essence this is an amazing Cathedral located approx 200m under ground – before reaching it, you are mesmerised by the 14 stations of the cross, each of which have been sculptured/carved from the rockface. The Cathedral boasts the largest cross in the world. But it wasn’t the amazing physical structures that took my breath away, it was the place itself – you sensed something special, amazing there. At the entrance the sign describes it as “spiritual… inspirational” which is hard to imagine when you are visiting what appears to be an old mine. It doesn’t take long before I certainly sensed that their description wasn’t misleading.
However one warning to the Colombian people – this is a special place, don’t drown it in commercialism. Similar to my experience in the Lotus Temple in Delhi, all you really wanted to do was sit and be – in the cathedral this was impossible because of an adjoining small retail area, a chamber which was the location for a kids dance party, a soon to be opened new emerald city, and the collective noise of school tours. Again it reminded me of my journey to the Church of the holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. The place was like a circus and the sound of “Changeamoney” was my only memory from the place. A spiritual journey will never co-exist with an adjoining shopping centre and disco!
3. Colombians love their food! Bogota is filled with superb restaurants that will delight your taste buds!
4. Traffic and politics. Like with many developing and indeed developed countries, the traffic and smog was a problem. Nothing unusual with that! Attempts have been made to alleviate the problem with a rather unique system which clearly hasn’t worked as well as most residents would like. Every second day, only cars with an even number at the end of their number plate are allowed in the city during morning and evening peak hours. Obviously cars with odds numbers travel on the other days during peak hours. The problem is of course the richer people have bought two cars (odd and even) to overcome the problem!I have been informed that the traffic was completely unbearable before the system was put in place.
An even bigger issue is that there is the potential to build a route that will help ease the congestion in this urban jungle that houses 10m people but politics appears to be the major stumbling block.
5. Going that extra mile! Over the space of a day and a half, I travelled the length and breadth of Bogota and some special places outside the city in the company of my translator and friend Camilo Perez. It appears that I always end up talking about drivers – in Sorrento, it was Luigi with his love of technology and motorbikes; in Nairobi it was Joseph who got me into places untouched by past “White boys” – muzungus! On this occasion, Camilo commissioned to do a four hour tour so immersed himself in the journey, that the four hours turned in 18! He went beyond the call of duty and was indeed an Xceptional host and driver. Camilo also informed me that on his visits to Germany and the Netherlands; on both occassions when he mentioned where he was from, he was immediately hasstled for drugs.
6. Finally, I believe that Colombia is a hidden treasure, when the real truth about Colombia gets out that it is a safe and cool place to visit, you will see continued and increased growth here. Enjoy the trip!

For more details: Kevin Kelly

What a fantastic Summer it was for Sport – plenty of role models out there to inspire and push us on to make a difference in our lives. Our very own Olympic Champion Katie Taylor is a case in point. Ok I am biased – I am Irish!!

It was also a fantastic Summer for business thankfully – Net Minds Publishers have bought the rights to publish my New book “Xceptionalize your Business” worldwide. Launch date – end of first quarter 2013.

Book Overview:Change is pervasive but one fact is indisputable, if you focus is on exceptional execution of the three P’s in Business (Xceptionalizing your Business) , you will excel
regardless of the circumstances:

1. P –The promote/culture creator… the key ingredient in the business cocktail
2. P- The People – internal and external customers ….incredibly complicated or so they say boasting
10bn brain cells; but unbelievably predictable!
3. P- Process – creating world class processes.

Target audience – Start ups/SME’s

So why do we need you?
We would love to hear from anyone who has an Xceptional example of a small or medium size company. It may be about how innovative they are in terms of how they deal with customers/employees – how different they are in terms of their customer interface strategy or the unique way they recruit – or indeed how the Leader/Promoter has creatively developed a very empowering culture.
If you have any case studies from any part of the globe, we would love to hear about it.

You can email Kevin at kevin@kevinkellyunlimited.com
or you can join the conversation on twitter or facebook on
www.facebook.com/Xceptionalize
www.twitter.com/Xceptionalize

We will be shortly lauching our new website www.Xceptionalize.com

So please be Xceptional and join our team – we believe there are zero degrees of seperation between people, potential teachers and partners so we look forward to your contribution which will be acknowledged in the book.

Thanks in advance.
For more details visit here : Motivational Conference Speaker | Motivational Sales Speaker

Xceptional Customer Experience: is elegantly simple, real and human

Why did it catch my imagination? Well, in addition to the beautiful food, the service was simply excellent. I watched in awe as the waitresses took time to chat to all the customers in a friendly and intimate way, inquiring about how their holiday was progressing, where they were from and the usual chit chat.

Nothing extraordinary about that you might say. Well, to me it was Xceptional in its own right, but if I was to tell you the place was absolutely full at 12.45pm and we had to queue for a table, would you be impressed then? Every staff member from the girl serving the food, to cleaning the tables, to taking your money were warm and engaging. I had to know more!

It turns out that some of the staff were students and this was only their second year working there. Wow I thought what a superb culture – superb leadership that got the best of even temporary employees.

One of the girls was studying Irish and Media, again a very bubbly, friendly person. After my little boy enjoyed a portion of Sticky Toffee Pudding, she said jokingly, “you have to get Daddy to buy you a whole one for yourself from our shop!” – what a power upsell, if there were ever one!

Not surprisingly, as we left the building we noticed a queue into the adjoining building which housed their bakery and shop!

Most definitely an Xceptional Customer Experience….and didn’t I need it after what had happened earlier in the day.

Sub-par Customer Service: no excuse for it and unacceptable

We needed to buy a mattress from the biggest furniture retailer in Kilrush. When I entered the premises, I struggled to find anyone to deal with me. Finally one of the owners arrived, followed by a customer.

When my time came, I asked about the various prices of the different models – so far so good. The owner questioned my dimensions, so I took his mobile number, and told him he could expect a phone call within the hour when I had confirmed the details. Twenty minutes later, I called him on his phone – no response. Thirty minutes later, I called him on his phone leaving a voice message – still no reply. Note I needed the mattress for that night as it was holiday accommodation so I needed to seal the deal. One hour later I rang again and yet again no response. I found this unbelievable to put it mildly.
“Did he want the business at all?,” I pondered.

Finally, I decided to make the trip of shame – drive back to his premises to find again no one to be seen. Within a few minutes, his van appeared. As he entered the building, I said in a frustrated…. relieved…. irritated voice “God, you are some man – I have never had to work as hard to give someone some business!” He grunted.

“I rang you three times,” I sighed. He strolled over to his phone and noticed his missed calls and what followed was what I expected – no comment, apology, nothing. Again, I reiterate I had no choice but to buy the mattress – if I had a choice, I would have walked out and told him it is time you learned how to deal with customers.

Unfortunately I paid for it and asked him what time could I expect delivery – reluctantly he committed to a time-frame.
Ten minutes past the appointed hour he arrived. He took the mattress from his van and on my direction left it at the door – no further words were spoken – the guy’s business card tells me he is one of the owners of the company.

I need another mattress now for the second room. If I had to walk with one from Galway city on my back to country Clare I would rather do that, rather than deal with someone like that again.

I don’t expect The Pantry standard of Xceptional customer service all the time, but I do expect a minimum of courtesy, respect and gratitude for my business from everyone I deal with. Is this too much to ask for?

Remember, business is ultimately about human interaction and relating. Keep it real, keep it human and you have an Xceptional business on your hands destined for success!

For more details visit here : University Keynote Speaker | Professional Motivational Speaker

The Leader is the culture creator – one that empowers or disempowers internal or external customers – thus real progress starts at the top.

In the current attention deficit society in which we reside, not forgetting of course the more challenging times; we need to move from the old transaction model of sales to an emotional interchange – make it memorable or watch your message get lost in space.

Leaders need to think differently on how to build sustainable long term relationships pondering such questions as “How can I get business for my client?”

There is no room for lack of engagement or passengers in the new selling organisation.

We need to be able to deal with a buyer’s best friend – their mobile phone!

The secret to engagement is in a persons DNA – Do Need Attention.

It is ironic how we spend so much money attracting clients to our premises and then underwhelm them with our levels of customer service while there.

For more details visit here : Exceptional Execution | Corporate Motivational Speaker

Having arrived on Tuesday morning; my first pre programmed thought was to visit the venue in advance of the Opening keynote on Wednesday morning. This was to prove difficult as we were to learn that a bomb had been found in the Grand Rex theatre in Buenos Aires that day. A police bomb squad subsequently found and disarmed it – it was due to be detonated by mobile phone at 4.30 pm which would have been the start of ex President of Columbia, Alvaro Uribe’s contribution.

The story went viral around the world featuring on everything from the Telegraph in the UK to the New York Times. Bad news was big news so to speak!

Also on the bill was Manuel Estiartes sharing the story of Pepe Guardiola and Guy Caron, ex creative Director of Cirque de Soleil.

Though the conference due to heightened security was delayed for over an hour the following day; I enjoyed working with a very receptive and warm Latin American audience. Indeed it reaffirmed in me my opinion of the great marketing opportunity in South America on the basis that the culture very much mirrored the Irish experience – people were warm and friendly.

At the Leadership conference, my focus was on sharing how you could Xceptionalize your business. The following key points were shared:

- You are the culture creator – a culture that empowers or disempowers. Start with developing yourself if you want to develop a winning culture.

- The sales model can completely changed – it can no longer be a transaction – it must be an emotional exchange. Be memorable or be gone!

- Leaders need to be able to see clearly before they can solve the challenges of the day.

- The secret to build rapport with internal and external customers is in our DNA – Do Need Attention.

- A Vision underpinned by values is critical to unleashing your potential.
- Smart perseverance is a winning strategy

- Ensure that your moments of truth/ touch points with customers are World class.

After the conference, I took time to wander through Recoleta and the amazing cemetery where you will find the remains of Eva Peron; the must visit Boca and Caminito, San Telmo and much much more in the Home of the Tango.

May I extend my appreciation to our fantastic host Mr Julio Kuperman and his team.
Looking forward already to my next visit!

For more details visit here : Motivational Speakers | Sales Motivational Speaker