Alan Weiss’s Monday Morning Memo® – 03/29/2021
A paradox is an absurd or self-contradictory statement. It’s not necessarily false. “Getting fired was the best thing that ever happened to me.” (A lot of you can say that quite honestly, as can I.) An oxymoron occurs when contradictory terms appear in conjunction: “thunderous silence,” or “unselfish politician.”
I’ve found that there is some symbiosis between the two which creates even a greater horror. Call it an “oxydox” or a “paramoron.” These conditions are revealed when someone actually utters, “I need more development to attain more business, and I’ll make the investment in that development as soon as I land more business.” Wait, what? That reasoning reminds of the drunk asked to leave the bar who shouts, “I didn’t walk in here and I’m not leaving!”
The highest ROI I know is self-investment. What greater asset do you have? Yet people make every excuse possible not to better themselves if it means spending money. It’s not like they’re starving, or the house is falling apart. It’s just a refusal to invest in themselves which, I believe, is often rooted in this fear: “What if I invest and still don’t get better? What does that say about me?” That, too, reminds me of a response, this one from people who refuse to get medical checkups: “What if they find something in there?”
These are not people I allow to walk my dogs.
My point: This is actually a condition of hebetude. It’s the ultimate sloth. I invest in my own learning and it pays dividends every day. No oxydox there. Just the truth.
It takes courage for a leader to identify and confront self-imposed barriers, to put in place the personal strategies required to unleash the energy, innovation, and commitment to self-development. —Francis Hesselbein
The Modern Trusted Advisor: Join Nancy Mackay and me for a complimentary Zoom session based on our new book now in development, The Modern Trusted Advisor. We’ll share with you our recommendations for serving as trusted advisors in the business boom that’s currently underway. April 15, 45 minutes, and we’ll answer questions during the session from participants. You can register here: https://mackayceoforums.
BSL: Business As A Second Language: May, 4, 10AM—11:30AM Eastern US Time (good for Europe, West Coast US can get up early). This is for: Tech experts, consultants, and advisors •People launching second careers in consulting •Consultants and experts who can’t convert prospects to clients •Those who think “first in, first out” (FIFO) means how you want to visit the dentist. •Those who think EBIDA stands for Every Body Is Distinctly Afraid
We will deal with these provocative issues: Why the CIO is probably not your buyer •How to move technology and methodology from delivery enablement to strategic input •How to hide the fact that your strength is technology •How to learn to speak “business” fluently, or at least with barely a tech accent •How to cure the OCD disease of defaulting to methodology https://alanweiss.
Master Class: A 2.5-day “PhD” in professional services and entrepreneurialism. We’ll discuss new markets, remote best practices, concierge trusted advisors, scaling your business, client evangelism, and much, much more. At a world-class property, Castle Hill Inn in Newport, RI, Nov. 2-4. Maximum 16 people, 12 slots are filled. Fee ($15,500) includes lodging and meals. https://alanweiss.com/g
Sentient Strategy Certification: Over 40 people certified on three continents to deliver this radical, simplified approach to strategy for SMEs, divisions of large organizations, non-profits, and government agencies. The program can be delivered virtually or in person, looks only one year out, and requires two mornings or a full day. The certification is over two mornings via Zoom. The single and sole fee is $12,000. I recommend charging a fee of $35,000-$50,000 to clients. NO pre-pandemic strategy can possibly be effective today. Next certification: April 20-21. I support you for 90 days thereafter. Write me to apply: [email protected]
Building Dynamic Communities: People and boutique firms which had existing communities (NOT tribes!) of clients and recommenders have done far better over the past year than those who did not. Over two mornings, virtually, I’ll explain how you can create new communities or enhance existing ones both virtually and in person. Communities permit evangelism to sell for you, eliminating costs of acquisition. Next session is April 13-14, $3,800. I support you for 60 days thereafter. https://alanweiss.
Get Back on Track: A Livestream Experience: In this 60-90-minute session, I’m going to convey skills and mindsets that are needed to succeed and help others in a tumultuous and ambiguous world. Late last year I predicted a “Business Renaissance” to occur in March/April/May. And that’s exactly where we are. But it’s insufficient to merely rejoice in the rebirth, it’s important to position ourselves stronger than ever, and change the way we operate and the way we help ourselves, clients, and customers. This includes material from my new book, Legacy. https://
