JWN: R.I.S.E. VIII

R.I.S.E. VIII

By: Joseph W. Norman

Last week I attended the RISE VIII (Redefining Investment Strategy Education) Conference at the University of Dayton. It’s an experience I first participated in last year and was fortunate to repeat this year, representing SUNY Geneseo’s Finance Club and Student Managed Investment Fund with a few of my colleagues.

To quote the marketing materials, “The RISE Forum has embraced the format of the world’s most influential and prestigious forum, the World Economic Forum, held annually in Davos, Switzerland. At that forum in Davos, they bring together political, business, labor, academic, religious, and media leaders. They conduct interview style panel discussions and they do not have formal presentations in order to encourage spontaneous and dynamic exchange among panelists and participants. Likewise, at R.I.S.E. the keynote speakers are not giving speeches.” Instead, they are resources in the forum’s interactive environment.

R.I.S.E. is the globe’s largest student investment forum, boasting over 2,300 participants from over 25 countries. The event rang in its prestige worldwide with a remote closing of the Nasdaq market at 4 PM on March 27, 2008. The distinguished guest who signed off on the close was none other than Christopher Gardner, the man behind the incredibly inspirational story which inspired the popular book and movie, The Pursuit of Happyness.

R.I.S.E. Co-Chairs and Program Directors:

Dr. David Sauer, Founding Director, Davis Center for Portfolio Management, University of Dayton

Dr. Bob Froehlich, Chairman, Investor Strategy Committee, Deutsche Asset Management, Americas, Vice Chairman of DWS Scudder, Moderator for all sessions at R.I.S.E.

The following are key insights from the three day conference:

Leadership Perspective:

Christopher P. Gardner, Owner & CEO of Christopher Gardner International Holdings

“I wanted to become world class at something.”

“If that don’t get your fire going, your wood must be wet.” – A saying Chris’ uncle used to say to him

“It’s not a black thing. It’s not a white thing. It’s a green thing.” – A mantra Chris repeated to a southern oil tycoon when he met him in person for the first time. The man immediately closed all his other brokerage accounts and solely did business with Chris after their meeting.

“This ain’t even about you.” – Dr. Maya Angelou to Chris when talking about his life’s extraordinary turn of events since the release of his book and movie.

NOTE WELL: In Christopher’s eyes, his number one success is not his tremendous business success, but rather breaking the cycle of poor fatherhood in his family.

Life Lessons from Retail Distributors:

James S. Hamilton, Consultant, Federated Investors, Inc., Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

David McDaniel, Senior Regional Vice President, DWS Scudder Investments, Austin, Texas

Van Pearcy, President, Van Pearcy Financial, Branch Manager & Financial Advisor, Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. Midland, Texas

Career Tips by James Hamilton

1. Learn how to work hard AND smart

2. Have fun, enjoy what you do, and be enthusiastic

3. Be like a sponge in every job you take

4. Learn how to ask the right questions and in the right way

5. Work hard enough so you don’t get fired

6. If you don’t like what you do or who you do it for…QUIT!

7. Communication skills; learn them and practice them ALL THE TIME.

8. Relationships. Make a list of your ten best friends. Who are they? How do you keep in touch with them? Note: People want to know that you care.

9. Focus. You have to focus on what is important. Talk to the people that you work for. Ask them, “What am I doing that is important to the bottom line?”

10. In sales, you have the freedom to succeed.

Tips on Sales by James Hamilton

1. Know the company you work for REALLY WELL.

2. Know your products REALLY WELL.

3. Know the application of your products. How do you use them?

4. Know your customers REALLY WELL. Resource: Harvey Mackay’s 66 questions for your customers.

5. Know your customers’ books. How do they make money?

6. Learn how to have fun with your BEST customers.

7. Track your 50 best customers and yours and their progress.

8. Attitude is the MOST IMPORTANT thing! Make it a good one!

Book Recommendation: What Color is Your Parachute? By Richard Nelson Bolles

“Friendship first, business later. Make it a point to help others.” – David McDaniel

“People want to help you succeed. And then once you experience success, you need to give back to the community.” – Van Pearcy

Van Pearcy’s Steps to Success:

1. Write your goals down.

2. What steps do you need to take to accomplish your goals?

3. You cannot set goals if you don’t know where you are today.

Van Pearcy’s Secret Formula to Success:

“The harder you work, the luckier you get.”

Notes on the Economy:

Panelists:

Dr. Frank Hatheway, CFA, Chief Economist & Senior Vice President, The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc.

Thomas R. Keene, CFA, Editor-at-Large, Bloomberg News

Dr. Finn E. Kydland, 2004 Nobel Laureate in Economics, University of California, Santa Barbara

David Rosenberg, Chief North American Economist, Merrill Lynch

“Focus more on history than on econometrics…the current environment domestically seems to be a mix of the 1970s and the Japanese recession.” – David Rosenberg

NOTE: Rosenberg’s book recommendation: Subprime Mortgages: America’s Latest Boom and Bust by Edward M. Gramlich

“Minor recessions happen a few times a decade while major recessions take place once a generation. Due to my capacity at the Nasdaq it would not be right to make predictions, but there is much uncertainty in respect to the markets.” - Dr. Frank Hatheway

NOTE: Hatheway’s main role at the Nasdaq as Chief Economist is to design the trading system which facilitates the market. Book recommendation: Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand

“The biggest mistake you can make is survey the middle players. You must see what the outliers are doing in a market…Three words that will kill you in money are ‘hope,’ ‘paradigm,’ and ‘synergy.’ When I see those words in an article I run away as fast as I can.” - Thomas Keene

NOTE: Keene’s book recommendations: The Forgotten Man by Amity Shlaes and Manias, Panics, and Crashes by Charles Kindleberger, Robert Aliber, and Robert Solow

Notes on the Markets:

Panelists:

Harry S. Dent, Jr., Founder & President, HS Dent Foundation

Patrick Dorsey, Director of Stock Analysis, Morningstar, Inc.

Ronald H. Muhlenkamp, CFA, Founder, President & Portfolio Manager, Muhlenkamp & Company, Inc.

Charles V. Payne, CEO & Principal Analyst, Wall Street Strategies, Inc.

Tobin Smith, Founder & Chief Investment Strategist, ChangeWave Research

“We have been in a bubble boom since the 80s and I see big changes on the horizon. The real estate bubble is peaking, which can be compared to the housing bubble in Japan, and we are on the verge of an important transition.” – Harry Dent

“You need to start to look for opportunities in this market. American International Group (Symbol: AIG) is trading at book value and there are opportunities amongst the financials. You need to figure out what is priced in to the stocks. What is discounted? There are even opportunities in mature tech companies like IBM and Cisco.” – Patrick Dorsey

“If you don’t know who you are, Wall Street is an expensive place to learn. Keep an open mind and don’t defend forecasts.” - Ronald Muhlenkamp

“There are three lessons from 2002 to 2007: 1) Leverage magnifies outcomes but does not add value. 2) Leverage can’t improve investment fundamentals. 3) You cannot create an investment structure which adds substantive upside without creating downside risk.” - Tobin Smith

“There are opportunities in global infrastructure plays.” – Charles Payne

Life Lessons:

“In life, your greatest strength is also your greatest weakness.” – Tobin Smith

Joseph W. Norman, Co-Founder and Editor in Chief of Notable and Newsworthy can be reached at Norms1523@gmail.com or 607.743.8569. He offers speaking engagements and personal coaching and is always up for a "business lunch." To receive the weekly eZine, The VIP Profiles, email viprofile@gmail.com or visit http://notableandnewsworthy.blogspot.com/

JWN: Productivity Tools and YOU

Productivity Tools and YOU

By: Joseph W. Norman

How often throughout the day do you hear the phrases, “I’ve got some time to burn,” or “Just killing some time?” Quite a bit. How often do you use these phrases? What does that say about (your) productivity? It can get better. But, how?

Recently, I was trolling the internet and I found a series of productivity tools. This got me thinking about how efficient (or inefficient) I tend to be during my daily tasks. Many people work up their own elaborate systems for staying on top of their work, but there is plenty of free stuff already out there that can help.

The product line that I found, and all the essential tools are completely free, is David Seah’s, “The Printable CEO Series.” A few of the key elements that I have been putting to use recently are the Emergent Task Timer, Concrete Goals Worksheet, and an ancillary product unaffiliated with David Seah called TimeLeft. So, what do these fancy things do? They give me an efficient system to figure out what I do. And, that’s not as much as I thought.

You can always get more productive with your time, no matter your status. In fact, since I’ve been using the tools, I’ve come to find out that I waste a lot of time throughout the day. What’s neat about these tools is that they make you accountable for your daily actions; as long as you stay consistent with them. They have a variety of settings that can help you time an eight or twelve hour day, whatever your preference.

Here are some links to the products:

David Seah’s Printable CEO Series

Emergent Task Timer (printable)

Emergent Task Timer (online)

Concrete Goals Worksheet

TimeLeft

So, Joseph, how do you apply them? Well, I’m not going to lie to you, I’m still an amateur myself, but I’ve got some good ideas.

Here are a few steps I came up with which are helping me with my “deskwork.” I only say deskwork because the countdown timer isn’t as effective when you’re moving all over the place because it’s powered by the computer. You could break out the stop watch and some notecards while you’re out and about though if you want to get the full picture of your productivity.

Here are the steps;

Open up the Emergent Task Timer (ETT) Online worksheet. This allows you to edit the document online and then print your worksheet at the end of the day.

Set the countdown timer for fifteen minutes. I use TimeLeft's desktop timer. The ETT worksheet works in fifteen minute intervals, so this is the best way to go.

After fifteen minutes, the timer will beep. At this point record what you did that last fifteen minutes.

Rinse and repeat every fifteen minutes.

Print or save your worksheet and put it into your productivity records. This will allow you to examine how you’re progressing.

NOTABLE: There will definitely be a learning curve to this process. It takes time to get used to the timer and documenting your activities. But, it could be worth it.

I’ve made a few observations through my short tenure using the products. The first is that I’ve picked up the pace of my work when I’m on the clock. Maybe it’s the competitor in me, but I move faster when I’m trying to beat that timer.

Another is the accountability factor. When you hear the beep and you realize you just surfed the internet for fifteen minutes, it kicks you in the butt.

We only have so much time in the day, so why not make the most of it? If productivity tools like these can help you get closer to your success, than give them a shot.

To your success, ~JWN

Joseph W. Norman, Co-Founder and Editor in Chief of Notable and Newsworthy can be reached at Norms1523@gmail.com or 607.743.8569. He offers speaking engagements and personal coaching and is always up for a "business lunch." To receive the weekly eZine, The VIP Profiles, email viprofile@gmail.com or visit http://notableandnewsworthy.blogspot.com/

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JWN: The Brand of YOU

The Brand of YOU

By: Joseph W. Norman

What’s YOUR brand?

I’m not talking about your favorite brand of jeans, shoes, or cars. Rather, I’m speaking about the brand of (insert YOUR name here)! That brand is far more valuable then any piece of clothing and thus, more important to think about.

My guess (because it took me a while too) is that you have not taken much time to truly think about YOUR brand. Many get caught up in the day to day activities like going to work, spending time with the family, or working out at the gym. Don’t get me wrong, these are all quintessential things for a fulfilling life, but how are they defining YOU?

YOU are a unique part of this world. Nobody can ever replace YOU. You may aspire to carry yourself like one of your mentors or live the life of some celebrity, but ultimately you can’t do that. All you CAN be (and should want to be) is YOU.

When people look at you, they see your brand and when they listen to you, they hear your brand. The question YOU need to ask yourself is, “What are people seeing and hearing?”

The answer to that question gives you the foundation for YOUR brand development. One cannot improve if they don’t know what they’re working with. So, now you’ve got your base line.

KEY FACT: Other people define your brand, but YOU are the dictionary. What they read is courtesy of you.

What are the key components of your brand?

Your look. How you dress has a HUGE impact on how other people may perceive you. I’m not saying you need to go out on a shopping spree, but rather to simply take heed that before you say a word, your look has already made an impression.

Your words. Mark Twain once said, “It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool, than to open it and remove all doubt.” Thus, you need to be careful what you say and how you say it. For more insight, check out my article, “The Power of Your Words.”

Your passions. What really moves you? I mean, REALLY moves you! It could be business, acting, baseball, coaching, or any number of things. What matters is that you cannot and should not hide your passion. If it is not already, make your passions a meaningful part of YOUR life!

These three things are all supported by one key element of you:

Your style. This is the piece that defines YOUR brand. It is not just your look, but how you wear it. It is not just your words, but how they are put together and delivered. And, it is not just your passions, but what you do with them.

How do you improve YOUR brand?

Well, here’s how I do it. This is why YOU think of me the way you do.

My look. I help myself with great resources like Men’s Wearhouse, GQ, Men’s Health, and the limitless internet. In addition, I try to stay observant of what other people in the business world wear (my desired career place). This has led me to French Cuffs, monogrammed shirts, pocket squares, and a variety of other things that help define ME in a unique way. (Check out, “Make a Powerful Impression” for more insights).

My words. I’m an English major, so I read countless texts and write a lot. This helps me carry myself well in conversations, emails, and letters. I also go the extra mile with “branded” personal notes, embossed with my name. Thus I frame JWN with more JWN. (Again, check out, “The Power of Your Words.”)

My passions. I went out on a limb with Ben to create this eZine; a forum for me to vent to you about my passions. One of them is helping you succeed with tips and best practices I’ve picked up in my pursuits. Right now, I’m making my passions a meaningful part of my life. Thanks for your support!

And finally,

My style. I sell Joseph W. Norman every single day and I do it through the aforementioned methods. I also do it with the “Seven Steps of Commanding a Presence.” (Check it out!)

Now that I’ve sold my brand, use my thoughts and words to go sell yours! You deserve it and so does the world.

The world needs you NOW, so go show off YOUR brand!

To your success, ~JWN

Joseph W. Norman, Co-Founder and Editor in Chief of Notable and Newsworthy can be reached at Norms1523@gmail.com or 607.743.8569. He offers speaking engagements and personal coaching and is always up for a "business lunch." To receive the weekly eZine, The VIP Profiles, email viprofile@gmail.com or visit http://notableandnewsworthy.blogspot.com/

JWN: Get a Sense of Humor

Get a Sense of Humor

By: Joseph W. Norman

Photo Note: Former New York State Governor Eliot Spitzer and I sharing a laugh after I gave him a VIP sticker one week before he resigned from office. (Media Credit: Ben Gajewski)

Life is tough. Every day we face different trials and tribulations which cause us considerable stress. We also interact with co-workers or friends struggling with similar mental anguish from professional or personal pursuits. Conversations often have heightened tension and can end up hurtful to at least one of the parties involved. But, this can all be alleviated with a simple change in your point of view.

That’s right. Get a sense of humor.

Laughter is the best medicine for what ails us. It single handedly eases tension and brightens days. Who is the person in the office or around the neighborhood that you simply desire to be around? The one who can laugh at life’s inequities and help you remember that everything is going to be alright.

Abraham Lincoln said it best, “With the fearful strain that is on me night and day, if I did not laugh I should die.” I think we can all take comfort knowing that if former President Lincoln can get through countless lost elections and a Civil War with laughter, we can make it through Monday morning.

So, how do you get a sense of humor?

“Don’t take life too seriously. You’ll never make it out alive.” – Ryan Reynolds, as Van Wilder in the hit comedy Van Wilder

That’s great advice from one of my favorite movies. Humor is about perspective. Anything can be seen as mind-numbing and utterly frustrating or it can be recognized as a step up the ladder to inevitable success.

Life is like a Magic Eye painting or a Rorschach Inkblot test. What is the picture you see?

Personally, I always struggled with the Magic Eye paintings until I learned that you need to look past the picture. This is a perfect metaphor for life. Many people get caught up in the day to day and forget to see the big picture.

Laughter brings out that big picture because it gives you some distance from the situation. That keeps you from getting trapped by those tasks or life challenges that are hitting you from all angles. And, when it rains it pours, so being able to laugh about it is essential.

My mother always said, “It’ll make you laugh or it’ll make you cry.” We always chose laughter in the Norman household because let’s get real, tears just make too much of a mess. Both exercises are cathartic, but I tell you what, I prefer the mood that follows a good laugh.

The truth is people are funny and the things they do are even more hilarious. It is a blessing to be able to see that. You’re funny. I’m funny. (Some say funny looking, but I tend to disagree).

ACTION PLAN: Make a decision today to start to look at the world with a new light. Learn how to see the subtle ironies in life, because they are hysterical. And don’t be afraid to laugh loud and proud.

I look and sound like an absolute idiot when I laugh. I laugh at my own jokes and I wouldn’t have it any other way. When things are funny I just like to let it rip. You need to enjoy life because it’s the only one you’ve got.

Get funny friends. (I’ve got some great ones). Rent a comedy. Read some jokes. Check out some clips on YouTube. Arm yourself with some artillery that you can use to brighten up someone’s day. I’m a big fan of Dane Cook skits, Chuck Norris quotes, and 80s music lyrics; ton of priceless material there.

The key to getting a sense of humor is giving it a try. Who is the only person you can laugh at and not offend? YOU. So, laugh at yourself and invite others to join in. You’ll be the life of the party (even if you’re laughing about your recent string of bad luck).

Laughter is the shortest distance between two people. So, keep laughing and I guarantee life will begin moving in the right direction. That’s what I always bank on.

Still smiling, ~JWN

Joseph W. Norman, Co-Founder and Editor in Chief of Notable and Newsworthy can be reached at Norms1523@gmail.com or 607.743.8569. He offers speaking engagements and personal coaching and is always up for a "business lunch." To receive the weekly eZine, The VIP Profiles, email viprofile@gmail.com or visit http://notableandnewsworthy.blogspot.com/

JWN: Public Speaking: Fun Facts, Myths, & JWN Tips

Public Speaking: Fun Facts, Myths, & JWN Tips

By: Joseph W. Norman

EDITOR'S NOTE: Fresh video below. Check it out, comment, & share! New version of this info & more on www.normanized.com. Thanks for your readership!

Previously I’ve discussed such topics as working a room with small talk, making a powerful impression, and commanding a presence, but what about that big presentation you have coming up? How do you make that speech you got asked to give memorable?

For many years I’ve been a student of leadership. A natural offshoot of that is public speaking. When you think about leaders, you often think about those meetings they’ve run or speeches they’ve delivered.

First, I’ll start with a few resources that have been crucial to my development as a public speaker; Jeffrey Gitomer’s Little Green Book of Getting Your Way, Alan M. Perlman’s Perfect Phrases for Executive Presentations, and Granville Toogood’s The Articulate Executive.

The “Perfect Phrase” books come in a variety of different topics from interviewing to negotiating salary. Great resource! Now, let’s get to some fun facts and debunk some myths about public speaking.

Here's a link to the video so you can share it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVIVRi7fF9A

Public speaking is feared worse than death. This one might make you laugh, but it is actually true. People fear addressing audiences over knocking on the pearly gates.

You have to stay behind the podium when you speak. MYTH. Get out of there and move around the audience. Remove any barriers (physical and mental) between you, your message, and the audience. You will be exponentially more effective.

“I feel awkward speaking in front of people.” It is only awkward if you make it awkward, I like to say. Your attitude sets the tone for your speech. Come in ready to perform. Deep down don’t we all want to be the center of attention? Even just for a little while? This is your chance!

You should write your speech word for word. MYTH. Know your subject, not your speech. Avoid word for word renditions because you’ll only end up reading to the audience instead of engaging them.

“The audience will know when I screw up.” MYTH. The audience wants you to succeed and they don’t know your speech. If you miss a part, just keep it flowing. Odds are the audience won’t have a clue.

Now that we’ve shed some public speaking inhibitions, let’s talk about how you really make it happen for you and your audience. These are concepts I’ve picked up on from lots of reading and practice.

I delivered my first Key Note address in October 2007 at the Future Business Leaders of America District VIII Conference. My speech taught high school students how they could make it happen for themselves. Also, throughout the day I led four workshops on leadership. The 30 minute speech and workshops were no doubt an ominous task. These are tips I learned in the process of preparing and delivering that speech (and others since then).

MY TIPS:

Arrive early and introduce yourself to everybody you can. Knowing people in the audience will make you more comfortable. I like to slip a name or two from the audience into my speeches. This connects them personally with the message.

Use handouts. Especially for longer speeches, have a handout with bullet points of your message. It gives the audience something physical to take away. NOTE: Always hand out at the end. Otherwise, they’ll be distracted and less engaged.

Structure a surprise or comedic slide into your speech. I LOVE giving gifts to people in the audience; whether it is a VIP sticker or something bigger. During my key note address in October ’07 I gave away three signed books. If you were given a book at a speech, you’d remember that wouldn’t you?

Finish with a crucial point or empowering statement. My speeches tend to hit home with one liners or candid quotes such as; “You hold the power,” or “To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. That is to have succeeded.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Transition with positive energy. Initiate applause for the organizers of the event or next speaker in line. This has the audience moving on with an up beat feel about what you just said.

A FINAL NOTE: Know your subject, be yourself, and have fun. If you nail those things, you have done your job. Remember, “Proper preparation leads to powerful performance.” - JWN

For more help with your public speaking skills, pick up some of the resources mentioned above or take on a leadership role in a local organization; Toastmasters, Rotary Club, etc. Practice, practice, practice.

Here is some final inspiration for you from Winston Churchill; “Before you can inspire with emotion, you must be swamped with it yourself. Before you can move their tears, your own must flow. To convince them, you must first believe.”

That quote hangs right above my desk and I make a point to read it nearly everyday.

To your success, ~JWN

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