A few days ago I knew what a tsunami was, but wouldn't have been able to spell it. Now everyone who watches television, listens to the radio, or reads the news in print or online knows far more about tsunamis than they ever wanted to.

Over the last few days I have received several emails from people urging me to give to help relief efforts. I have done that. A couple of other emails I received had creative encouragements to further encourage me to give. Which led to the offer I am making to subscribers of our various newsletters.

This isn't the typical message I post on this blog, but it isn't everyday that 80,000+ of our brothers and sisters in the world die in a single tragedy either.

The offer I am making to the friends and Clients of The Kevin Eikenberry Group, I will make here too.

If you give a donation to the relief efforts - in any amount and to the organization of your choice (you can see a partial list HERE) and send an email to me I will give you three months of Powerquotes Plus, my inspirational email coaching service with my compliments and gratitude.

You don't need to tell us who you gave to or how much, that is up to you. The gift subscription is just our way of helping and thanking you.

By the way, there is no gimmick here: at the end of the three months you will be asked if you want to continue to subscribe, but the only string attached to this offer is that you give to help the survivors of the Tsunami.

The Tsunami">Digg it | The Tsunami">del.icio.us | The Tsunami">Add to Technorati

There is a "day" for almost anything. I actually found three different days labeled as National Chocolate Day (today, tomorrow, and October 28th - go figure!)

As a way to celebrate National Chocolate Day (I obviously picked today) I thought I'd share a training idea that has been percolating in my head. I haven't tried it yet, but I plan to.

Trainers are always looking for new things to give out as prizes. This idea is to modify the wrappers on candy bars to make them more memorable or perhaps even connect them to the content of your session. Here are some suggestions to get your mind going:

Snickers - Don't Snicker now - you are a winner!
Milky Way - Where there is a will there is a (Milky) Way - Congratulations!
Nestles Crunch - Thanks for coming through in the Crunch!
Life Savers - You are a real Life Saver to our Customers - Thanks!

As I am writing this my mind is expanding - how about using this as a team building exercise or a way to give recognition to each other? Design your labels with your company info on them, and allow people to give them to others when they do something deserving.

There are lots of different kinds of candy bars with lots of interesting names. If you have great ideas for this list, let me know and I'll post them!

Also posted in Training and Creativity

National Chocolate Day">Digg it | National Chocolate Day">del.icio.us | National Chocolate Day">Add to Technorati

This is the word my Grandmother (who was my fifth grade homeroom teacher) taught us never to start a sentence with. According to a study described by an Inside Influence Report that same word is a powerful word for persuasion as well.

Because.

Put this powerful word to work for you by having Clients give you feedback as to why they choose to do business with you.

Read this link above, you'll be glad you did. Why?

Just because.

Also posted in Customer Service.

One Word That Matters">Digg it | One Word That Matters">del.icio.us | One Word That Matters">Add to Technorati

One of the things email has done for our lives is allow jokes and stories and urban legends to spread rapidly. Many of those things I delete immediately, but some of the stories I read every time I get them.

The story I got from Rick Beneteau today is one of those stories. While this is the first time I've read it, I hope it isn't the last time I see it. Add that it is a Christmas story, and I had to share it here.

Do yourself a favor and click HERE to read this awesome story.

Thanks to Rick for sharing it with me.

A Must Read Story">Digg it | A Must Read Story">del.icio.us | A Must Read Story">Add to Technorati

I was at Best Buy last night and the lines were long - much longer than I expected. As I stood in the serpentine line I was near register 9 and overheard Allison with a flustered Customer. She said, "Take your time. Don't worry about those other people in the line. Right now, it is just you and me."

I secretly hoped that when I got to the front of the line I would be directed to register 9.

I got my wish.

I told Allison that I had overheard her conversation and I applauded her. After getting over her shock at getting this kind of feedback from a Customer, she said, "She couldn't find her card in her purse and she seemed to be stressed out so I tryed to calm her down."

Best Buy is fortunate to have Allison at register 9.

And I was fortunate to witness this truth in action: All of us as Customers want it to be treated as if, "It's just you and me."

Thanks Allison.

Also posted in Customer Service.

It's Just You and Me">Digg it | It's Just You and Me">del.icio.us | It's Just You and Me">Add to Technorati

Forbes has announced their top ten business books of the year. You can read their list HERE.

I applaud their list because it has a variety - self help, marketing, economics, and more.

I hope you do three things as a result of reading this short message.

1. Check out the Forbes list. Find one book on the list you haven't read, and order it right away. (I just ordered #10).
2. Make your own list. Hint. If you don't have ten books on the list - let alone a top ten - you aren't reading enough.
3. Look at your list and see if you have as much variety as the Forbes list - or more. If not, ask yourself what variety you need to add in 2005.

Also posted in Leadership and Training.

Business Books of the Year">Digg it | Business Books of the Year">del.icio.us | Business Books of the Year">Add to Technorati

There are many cliches that I understand, believe in and repeat. There is however one supposed sage saying that I really dislike - ok - I hate it. "You can't teach an old dog a new trick" is a phrase I really hate - because it is inaccurate and too often is used as an excuse.

This is why I loved reading about the latest study on internet usage. You know, the internet, used by kids for instant messaging, and business people, for you know, business, isn't supposed to be for the older set, right? But someone forgot to tell the more mature Americans that.

Never mind that they didn't all grow up around computers or even learn typing. Never mind that there might be things on the internet that they might not agree with. They are logging on anyway.

The Media Audit issued this press release:

Houston - - (12/7/04) - - The younger age groups were the first to embrace the Internet but most of today’s growth is being driven by the older age groups, starting at age 55.

In the 80 plus metropolitan markets surveyed regularly by The Media Audit 61.2 percent of all adults visit the Internet regularly. “That’s up from 54.9 percent in 2000 and most of the new growth is coming from those over 55 years of age,” says Bob Jordan, president of International Demographics, Inc., a 33-year-old research firm which produces The Media Audit.

(you can read the full release here.)

My favorite statistic in the whole story is that 15.9% of Americans over 75 have internet access (up from 12.1%). It makes me wonder what new technologies I will be learning and using after I'm 75.


People can and will learn new things at any age. Given interest, clear benefits, and opportunity, tricks can be learned at any age.

Also posted in Training.

You Can Teach An Old Dog New Tricks">Digg it | You Can Teach An Old Dog New Tricks">del.icio.us | You Can Teach An Old Dog New Tricks">Add to Technorati

In our weekly newsletter, Unleash Your Potential, we are asking people this very interesting question:

What is the most valuable thing you have done to Unleash Your Potential this year? In other words, we are asking for the process you used to get you to the results you desired.

I share this question with you this morning, for three reasons:

1. It is a great question - I encourage you to think about it.
2. We'd love to hear your answer!
3. If you share your answer with us, we will publish it in a Special Report in early January.

Share your comments, thoughts and successes by sending an email to Holly Powers.

Also posted in Leadership, Teamwork, and Training.

Reaching Your Potential">Digg it | Reaching Your Potential">del.icio.us | Reaching Your Potential">Add to Technorati

Yes, I went a whole week without adding to my blog. This isn't a fact I am proud of, and it certainly isn't in alignment with my goals. But I've learned something about myself (typically the best learning of all).

That I missed it.

I didn't realize it had been so many days but I could sense something was missing. Not a "oh-my-gosh-I've GOT-To blog" feeling, but a "something is missing" feeling.

I think that means I'm truly developing a habit.

Spend a couple of minutes today thinking about your newest habit - and what you are learning about yourself through that habit.

If you can't think of a new habit, get started in building one!

Habit Alert - Something is Missing">Digg it | Habit Alert - Something is Missing">del.icio.us | Habit Alert - Something is Missing">Add to Technorati

The artifacts of King Tut are returning to the U.S. next year, and apparently Steve Martin, writer of the song, King Tut has been asked to comment quite often on the return.

In fact, he wrote an Op-Ed column in the New York Times today called "The King and I" that is interesting and funny, especially if you have fond memories of the song (free subscription may be required to read it).

I have long been a fan of Steve Martin and his many talents. A comment he made in this article struck me - he wrote King Tut in 15 minutes while in his car.

What inspires me is that he took the 15 minute inspiration and DID something with it. How many times have you had the great idea and did nothing with it? Steve Martin believed in his 15 minute creation, turned it into a hit song, that, if my guess is right, may be a hit again in 2005.

Not a bad return on a 15 minute inspiration.

So the next time you have an inspiration in the car, at a dinner party, in the shower or where ever, think of Steve Martin and King Tut, and after you get the song out of your head, take action on your inspiration.

Also posted in Creativity

Your 15 Minute Inspiration">Digg it | Your 15 Minute Inspiration">del.icio.us | Your 15 Minute Inspiration">Add to Technorati

There is an interesting exercise in memory and observation to be found here.

Go check it out and then come back.

How did you do? (Perhaps I like the exercise because I succeeded!)

Our brains are amazing organs that allow us to recognize patterns and then move on to solving the next problem. This pattern recognition trait helps us survive and thrive in a million ways, mostly subconsciously, every day.

The challenge with this trait is that too often we don't really observe a situation, a problem, or a person's behavior because we based on initial or cursory information or brain has recognized a pattern and therefore locked into a solution or a label.

If you didn't succeed in the exercise above, ask yourself how many pennies you have seen in your life, and ask yourself how many other things that you should know well do you misinterpret, mislabel, or just plain miss the details?

The skill/habit of observation is what I'm talking about. You will become a better leader, coach, trainer, team member, parent and person when you improve and use your powers of observation more consciously.

Also posted in Leadership, Training, Customer Service, and Teamwork

Memory, But Much More">Digg it | Memory, But Much More">del.icio.us | Memory, But Much More">Add to Technorati

Sunday I wrote about the Average American Reader - and how little we do read. Then I read a post entitled "100 Ways to Succeed- #33 - Out Read 'Em" on Tom Peter's blog this morning. And it is something I agree, with, aspire to, (I constantly want to read more), and wish I had wrote.

Even though I didn't write it, I encourage you to read it and then start reading!

Also posted in Leadership and Training.

Success Tip - Out Read Them">Digg it | Success Tip - Out Read Them">del.icio.us | Success Tip - Out Read Them">Add to Technorati