SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS REVEAL REAL STORIES IN SALT LAKE CITY

My topic “Effective Teams” was all over in 1.15 hrs. It felt good. People came up to me to tell me how much they enjoyed my story about the ducks on the pond outside my window. It seems there were two baby ducks that didn’t like swimming in a straight line with eight other siblings. The mother panic and the story goes on—you’ll have to read my forthcoming EBook to hear the rest of the story.

After my speech, I changed shoes and headed outside. Thank goodness, I had thrown in an umbrella after checking the weather forecast before I left. People have told me that it never rains much in Salt Lake City for any period…normally cloudless blue skies.

My goal was to visit the Contemporary Arts Center, which much to my surprise was free to the public. The first stop was a gallery of paintings done by visually impaired people. They had four goggles that you could look through to experience the artists' sight as they painted. The paintings were impressive at first glance. When I realized what their sight was liked as they created them, I stood there and marveled at what it took them to complete these works of art.

Looked at my watch and it was time to return to the conference to hear my dear friend Gayle Beacock make a presentation. The message she was about to deliver was cloaked in secrecy for she wanted to surprise everyone.

Gayle revealed the true Gayle Beacock in front of the assembled group and let people know the history, the work and the traumas it took as a family to create Beacock Music http://www.beacockmusic.com

Her family started the store in 1979 and today it is a thriving music store with people from all over the world contacting and featuring them for their innovative ideas.

Half way through the presentation there was a slide of notes her mother, Sue Beacock, had taken in 1969 which said, “Do to the difficult economy…” Gayle illustrated the fact that their family had been through this stuff before and they are alive and even better today. Her point was “A single-minded attitude” didn’t let them give up."

At the end, the group gave her a standing ovation. Her risk to share warts and all worked—people could identify and they liked it! Once again, proving to me when people believe you are authentic, they hear and appreciate your words.

BUSINESS COMMUNICATION TIP:

When giving a ten-minute talk, stick to just one principle. That way you can develop it fully and people will walk away with an understanding of the point you wanted to make.

SALT LAKE CITY AND RPMDA CONFERENCE

I feel fortunate that I was selected to return for the second year to the RPMDA (Retail Print Music Dealers Association) Conference. http://www.printmusic.org.

It has been about 30 years since I had been in Salt Lake City, so I looked forward to the visit with great anticipation. As the plane landed, I was reminded how the city sits within a valley. The mountains surrounding the city were snow-capped and the sun was shining brightly. A quick, eight-dollar shuttle ride took me to the site of the conference Salt Lake Marriott City Center http://tinyurl.com/7pu288

Checked into a lovely room overlooking the city and the mountains. It would be my home for the next two days. Grabbed a bite to eat in the lounge, greeted people who organized the event and before I knew it was time to get dressed for what would be an extraordinary evening.

Attendees gathered in the main lobby and then we walked about three blocks (Salt Lake City’s blocks are about twice as long as normal blocks) and found ourselves in the Joseph Smith (Founder of the Mormon Church) Memorial Building. If I were to say, it was ornate – that would be putting it mildly. Everywhere you looked, there were examples of the amazing works of artisans who obviously painstaking created this building – rumors are that it was once a hotel.

A lovely dinner was served there and then we had time to roam the Temple grounds. Tulips were in full bloom – flowers were as far as the eye could travel. Then it was time for us to enter the hall to watch a rehearsal of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Three hundred and sixty voices, plus an orchestra of approximately 40 musicians was being coaxed to perfection by the conductor. We learned that a choir member has to make a commitment of 20 years or until they reach the age of 60.

A break was taken by the choir and then entire group came out in full dress regalia. The conductor walks to the microphone welcomed our group (which was sitting front and center) and says for the next ¾ of an hour we want you to know this is for you.

What unfolded was one of the most unbelievable events I have ever attended. For many in our group it was especially poignant because they were actually using the print music that was sold to the choir from their stores. A song “Lilies in the Field” had to be one of the most beautiful songs I have ever heard.

This evening has to be one of the most extraordinary evenings I have ever been a part of in my life. I am honored and humbled by the fact that I was able to witness this evening with the participants of the conference.

My next blog will continue information about my journey in Salt Lake City.

BUSINESS COMMUNICATION TIP:

Assume that the next person you run into is a client. Last night coming home on an airport shuttle, I met a woman who asked me what I do. She's attending my next event where I will be speaking in my community.