Our mission is to spark new thinking and ideas for creating a thriving business and rewarding life.

Technology

There are as many people today claiming that ChatGPT will take over the world as there were people in 1999 claiming that Y2K would destroy it! The overriding question to me is how best to use technology to augment and improve our work, not how best to allow it to take over our work.

I find that people tend to create IP almost by accident, opportunistically, instead of as a business regimen. Others, consciously or unconsciously, become derivative, using approaches they find elsewhere. A reliance on ChatGPT or any variation thereof will simply create a great sea of “vanilla” without any distinguishing characteristics representing you. (And there’s a possibility that machine-generated work can’t be copyrighted.)

I don’t intend to contribute to a vanilla world.

Q&A
(send me your questions for future issues)

“I have a client who owns a significant, privately held business. He relies almost solely for information on four people who report to him and whom he placed in those positions many years ago. It’s clear to me that they haven’t kept pace with the times and declining numbers of customers are not due to their excuses about technology or the competition. How can I get him to see the facts beyond his lieutenants’ excuses?”

—Lou D’Orio

You need to provide observed behavior and empirical evidence. For example, interview departed customers and ask them why they’ve left. Interview front-line employees and ask what customers are complaining about. Show comparative statistics of his competitors’ growth in the same economy and with similar technology, but with a greater investment in advertising or customer service. Don’t “blame” his subordinates, just cite the evidence. That’s why you’re there as an “outsider.”

“I’ve been offered a speaking slot in a trade industry convention which guarantees to have buyers in the room. About 1,500 people attended last year. The fee required to appear is $2,500, $3,500 if I want a bio in the program. I’d have 20-30 minutes, but I can’t choose my time slot. Is this worth doing.”

—Mary Ann Butler

Run for the hills. First, you’re lucky if ten percent of the attendees are buyers. I’ve looked, and this event is free to attend, so these are more likely lower level people. Second, everyone knows the speakers pay to be there, so your credibility suffers. And third, it’s a “cattle call” where one speaker follows another amidst a noisy group in concurrent sessions. You’re better off spending your money on legitimate marketing. The only people who make out well here are the organizers.

Send your questions to me at [email protected]

Developmental Stuff

Speaking with Alan

One of my most popular experiential events, run twice a year. Learn how to create, refine, deliver, price, and market a speech of any length. A small group practices and video tapes the components over 2.5 days. Are you charging less than a minimum of $10,000 per speech? Are you agonizing over content, or not drawing a sufficient audience? You need this session NOW!

Master Master Class II

This sold-out event in March was so popular that I’m running another in October in Newport. I accept 16 people in person (you may also attend remotely on our large screen) and we have 6 seats remaining! I’m creating new material, exercises, and challenges. Past “grads” get a discount. One person said, “I’ve known you for nearly 20 years, and this is the best thing you’ve ever done!” (Maybe I just wasn’t that good before!)

NEW! Alan’s Advisory Suite

Nine options for groups or individuals to receive “real time” coaching to build their practices and lives on a continuing basis. The strongest, best people in business, entertainment, sports, the media—all use coaches.

For individuals and/or groups.

Alan’s Coaching Confidential Newsletter^™

Sign up to receive my unique, monthly, highly targeted newsletter which contains inventive coaching methodology, case studies, and strange experiences in the coaching trade! I’ve coached thousands of business executives and entrepreneurs globally.

Million Dollar Consulting^® for the World

I’ve provided 14 modules with videos from me, from your colleagues globally, slides, and text. They include everything from launch to self-esteem, proposals to fees, closing business to creating a brand. No upsells! It’s only $115. What do you think about a 10,000:1 ROI? We have over 500 people from 47 countries.

NEW: Million Dollar Consulting^® for the World ADVANCED

The new program contains over 60 videos and has 15 modules focusing on what to do in the buyer’s office, overcoming crises, financial planning, and much, much more.

Sentient Strategy Certification

My new book on the topic has been released, so this is an ideal time to market Sentient Strategy. Write me to apply, join over 70 people certified in six countries. One-time fee of $12,000, includes 90 days of my support, free admission to all future certifications, and admission to a private web board with other Sentient facilitators. In a recent program a particpant sold a $100,000 strategy program within 48 hours.

The next certification is May 30-31 via Zoom, two three-hour sessions.

Vancouver Day

I’ll be providing a full day in Vancouver for as little as $300 (US) including lunch on September 9: How to Dramatically Increase Revenues while Radically Reducing Labor. I’ll be returning from an Alaskan cruise and need the money to pay for it! This is a rare appearance in Western Canada.