Less Meetings, More Music

“It was an okay day.”

“What could have made your OK day better?”

“Less meetings and more music.”

Hmmm…there’s an idea. Why not have both? Music Meetings.

I have a playlist on my iTunes titled, YES that I play right before I give a keynote. It puts me in the right state of mind, an Empire State of Mind.

You know that song you play to get amped up. You blast it out your speakers while driving to a big sales call, or during a race, or before taking the field. You are thinking of it right now. It’s full of rhythmic beats, melodies, bridges, choruses, storytelling lyrics and high notes that swallow your soul.

Music has a way of doing that. Scooping you up and whisking you to another place and time. To other memories, full of past places, tastes, and people.

What’s playing in your soul right now?

What lyrics are your heart writing and your mind singing?

Today, I’m a little New York (Snow Patrol) and a little Flake (Jack Johnson). And I’m always a little You and Tequila (Kenny Chesney).

I bet I just got you thinking of a song that reflects how you are feeling right now. And I can list a number of songs that will transport me somewhere else. So can you.

Get Low – Post Georgia vs. Clemson football game in the parking lot with Kristen.

Not Ready to Make Nice – 2am singing session with Nata and Ris

When I Get Where I’m Going – Grandpa’s viewing

Lady in Red – My Mom. Every. Single. Time.

Wonderful Tonight – Sandy Cayman beach with a harpist and a proposal.

Changes – Ready to take stage and take control with my keynote about change.

There is a special connection between music and mind. But what’s behind the music? Behind the melody, the bridge, the chorus and the voice? 

Words.

Lyrics.

Musical mantra’s.

The way these musical mantras affects you is two-part.

Part-circumstance: Where was I? Who was I with? What was I doing when I heard this song?

Part-emotion: How does this make me feel? How do the lyrics speak to me?

It’s pretty powerful – music is language in the ultimate communicative state. More people listen to music than read. Disagree? Glee much? American Idol? The Voice? MTV? You don’t see Reading Rainbow on the television anymore these days, a sad truth.

Music has and will always be the great connector of the masses. There may be 50 Shades of Grey to challenge my theory on this.

What’s so attractive about music? It’s the songwriter’s ability to convey a message and an emotion through their words and melody.

                                                                           

What’s your song? What’s your message? What are you trying to convey that will transport people to another time and evoke pure emotion?

The next time you want to be persuasive in a board meeting, or during a performance review, or asking for a raise, or leading the team project, or even asking someone out on a date, I challenge you to write your words like a songwriter to tell your lyrical story. Make it a music meeting.

What's stopping you from presenting a musical mantra at your next meeting?

Write it. And then sing it out loud. Sing it loud. Sing it proud. Dare to go there. Be inspired. Be real. Be the next American Idol. Be You. And don’t be afraid to say what you really want to say. Risk it all.

Here’s my stab at a broken-hearted music mantra:

Was I just something to pass your time, fill your silence, and break your boredom?

Or was I someone who passed through your dreams, filled your mind, and broke your heart too?

Step aside Adele. Step aside.

I’m your Double-Tall, Non-Fat, No-Whip Sales Barista. How may I help you help yourself?

Stephanie Melish, one of the few, hand-selected, Gitomer-Certified Speakers is the ONLY Double-Tall, Non-Fat, No-Whip Sales Barista in the world! Stephanie trains, sells, and speaks to companies and associations all over the country. To book Stephanie for your next event, please visit www.GitomerCertified.com or contact the friendly folks at Buy Gitomer via email at hirestephanie@gitomer.com or by calling 704-333-1112.

Fan Friendly

I wore fur (faux of course!) to a Nascar race.
That's beside the point.

Have you been to a Nascar race?
Have you had a pit pass?
Hot or cold?

A few weeks ago, I was able to attend the Bank of America 500 race in Concord, North Carolina with a hot pass (THANK YOU Red Bull Racing and Brian Vickers!) and it was amazing. I never thought I would associate the word amazing with Nascar, but there is really no other way to explain the experience of a race - in the pits. Well maybe you could say exhilarating, loud, hot, entertaining, or friendly, OVERLY friendly.

That's right. Nascar is overly friendly. Not driver-to-driver (no, they want to leave skid marks on each other) but driver/race team to fan = overly friendly.

What does it take to be overly fan friendly?
It boils down to one KEY trait: Accessibility.

As I was walking out of the racetrack, I thought to myself (literally) that Nascar was the most fan friendly sport I have been to. And I have been to professional football, basketball, hockey, tennis, wrestling, wait - not wrestling, and baseball events. And while they are all great events, none of them top the fan friendliness of a hot pass for Nascar. The accessibility that a hot pass allows is to let a fan to be down in the pits through the entire race, to stand by the spare tires they so feverishly change during the pit stops. I touched the tires. I stood alongside the pit crew, the staff, and the girlfriend(s), as I watched in amazement at how, to them, a fan was a friend. There were no looks of annoyance, only looks of smiles and acceptance, allowing me to feel like I belonged, where so clearly, I did not. Duh - I do not know how to change tires!

How much access do you allow your fans (this would be your customers)?
How close do you let them get to the inter-workings of your business?
Do you let them revel in your success?
Do you allow them the right to look behind the curtain?
Are you fan friendly or fan unfavorable?

What does being accessible allow your customers to feel?

1. Important. When you allow your customers access to the inner workings of your business, it allows them to feel most important. It makes them feel trusted. And when a customer feels important and trusted by the people and business where they spend their money, they are going to spend more. They are going to remain loyal. They are going to tell others. Just like I did.

2. Connected. I felt connected, like I was part of the team, by simply being allowed to watch them work. How often do you allow your customers to see how your company works? Do you allow them to see you at your best? When you do, they feel connected to your business. Connection is nearly as important as feeling important, when a customer feels connected, or a connection, they will want to share this connection with others. What are you doing to connect with your customers?

3. Amazed. Amazement is often lost in the world these days. The only people who have amazement in their life on a regular basis are children. Why shouldn't you and your customers feel this way? Now, while your company may not be as exciting and amazing as watching a ten second pit stop, I bet there is something that you are doing that is amazing and exciting, why wouldn't you allow your customers in on it?

Isn't this how you want all of your fans to feel? Important? Connected? Amazed?

YES!
So, begin taking steps to be more fan friendly for your customers. They will more than appreciate it - they will be a fan for life, your fan for life.

Want to see a picture of me at the race (fur and all)? Visit my Sales Barista Facebook Page.

I'm your Double-Tall, Non-Fat, No-Whip Sales Barista. How may I help you help yourself?


Stephanie Melish, one of the few, hand-selected, Gitomer-Certified Speakers is the ONLY Double-Tall, Non-Fat, No-Whip Sales Barista in the world! Stephanie trains, sells, and speaks to companies and associations all over the country. To book Stephanie for your next event, please visit www.GitomerCertified.com or contact the friendly folks at Buy Gitomer via email or by calling 704-333-1112.