Archive for the ‘Teambuilding’ Category

The Power of Your Posse-A Message for our Pro-Athletes

Wednesday, October 19th, 2011

I think we can all agree there is one thing that successful people have in common, and that is a team that makes them better.  Over the years, we continue to watch individuals win and lose everything and, in many cases, it can partially be blamed on the people behind them.  Corporate leaders often hire coaches, and professional athletes often hire their friends, who are inexperienced in dealing with the plethora of opportunities that arise.  Some of these opportunities are good and some, not so much.  An average athlete with a great posse will extend their career opportunity long after their playing years.  A great athlete with an incompetent posse is mostly headed down a rocky road.

As a corporate business speaker and a business coach to athletes and entertainers, I share the same message that I share with corporate professionals.  You never know who you’re talking to.  All of our careers come with one guarantee—it will end.  What’s important is making sure you have people in your life whom you trust to give you good advice.  As individuals, we hire professionals to handle our more technical issues, but when it comes to common sense decisions, we typically rely on family or friends.  So, when does a team become ineffective for their leader?

When:

  • their personal interest is put in front of the personality, leader or team goals
  • they get caught up in the euphoria of celebrity, and
  • they stop learning how to improve themselves.

Don’t let your posse take you down.  Everyone should have a role and responsibility.  If their role is indefinable, then there is no position for them.  On the other hand, a great team can bring about more opportunity than you can imagine.

The winning equation is focus + initiative + autonomy + accountability = optimal performance.

Announcing a partnership with Sanctuary on Camelback

Tuesday, May 31st, 2011

The Sanctuary on Camelback offers the perfect setting for group meetings and events.  Robert Van Arlen exclusively offers programs to improve your team, business unit or organization’s ability to achieve their goals.  Robert is a coach to CEOs, athletes and entertainers on the topic of focus.  He is known for his ability to help organizations find additional channels to build revenue.  At the Sanctuary on Camelback, Robert will provide keynote speeches for sales conferences, leadership training and team-building programs.

To learn more about Robert Van Arlen’s partnership with the Sanctuary Resort, visit www.sanctuaryoncamelback.com/meetings/vanarlan.php.

Robert Van Arlen Speaks at SkyMall’s Partners Conference

Tuesday, May 24th, 2011

Robert Van ArlenSome conferences are unique because of their sheer size and others because of what types of products and services the company offers.  The SkyMall convention last week provided me an opportunity to learn about a highly  innovative company based in Phoenix.  SkyMall is much more than a magazine.  The company compiles unique products and helps airlines and hotel partners build greater loyalty with their customers.  Last week’s conference was synergy in action as the company unveiled technology and strategies to continue to create opportunities for its partners.  It was enjoyable to relate music to loyalty.  What a powerful concept!

Motivational Speakers Provide Momentum

Tuesday, December 15th, 2009

Energy.  Inspiration.  Thought Leading.  These are all qualities a great motivational speaker must possess when addressing the masses.  Today’s new corporate world is always looking for ways to motivate their employees to keep them engaged and performing well.  In a tough economy, a motivational speaker is well worth the money spent if it pays off with employees that are happy to be at work each day.

A motivational speaker needs to be credible on the topic and talk from the heart in order to capture his audience.  Before talking to a corporation, the speaker needs to meet with company leaders and develop a targeted message.  Perhaps employees need a boost during a down time.  Maybe they have lost sight of the company’s mission.  Some companies want to reward their employees by recognizing them, and a motivational speaker can assist in singing those praises.

Some companies plan annual retreats that allow the employees to bond better with each other and discover their talents.  A motivational speaker is a great way to cap off such an event, building upon the training that has occurred and teaching the audience how to take it to the next level.  A great speaker will create that lasting impression that leads the group to seize the opportunity.  That sort of inspiration will boost morale as well as help the employees make their goals.

Many times the leadership of the company needs to undergo more training and development.  A motivational speaker is a fantastic way to rejuvenate stale thinking.  Leaders need encouragement just as much as those underneath them and it is proven that successful leaders are open to suggestion and change.  A motivational speaker looks at the goals of the company and studies its mission before helping them undertake these changes.  What makes a great speaker is that he will understand the culture and help them realize the goals.  An interactive speaker helps from all aspects, from marketing and sales, to resolving issues, to creating better customer service.

While not all motivational speakers are experts in all areas, it is important to find one that has a common ground with the company.  This speaker will find a way to convey the message that is fun and thought provoking, ultimately helping the company improve.

Staying Fit and Focused on the Road

Tuesday, November 24th, 2009

As much as I travel, I’m often asked how do I stay fit.  ARobert Working Out few months ago, I decided to take my workout to another level.  I also watch what I eat, while on the road. The biggest breakthrough is the unique program I found that incorporates tires as an integarl part of the workout.  It has improved my balance, agility and personal focus.  I call it the green fitness program because tires are being reused.  It has put me into a zone where I can physically do things today that I have not been able to accomplish in over 20 years.  When I’m home in Phoenix, I attend the 5:30 am class on Tuesday’s and Thursday’s.  My recommendations are if you want to see change in your life, change your attitude and make a commitment.  This new lifestyle has transformed me both mentally and physically.  I love it!

Professional Keynote Speakers Inspire Today’s Businesses

Friday, November 20th, 2009

Today’s corporations, non-profits, and even smaller businesses are looking for ways to motivate employees, in the hopes it improves performance.  Using a professional keynote speaker has become an important part of company meetings and celebrations.  That person is responsible for connecting with his audience, making his approach one that they will carry forward.

A professional motivational speaker needs to have several qualities in order to make that connection:

  • A common bond.  Perhaps the speaker has had a previous work experience in the corporate world, or has served on a board of major non-profit.  Perhaps he has started businesses and sold them, and has immense entrepreneurial tips to share.
  • A sense of humor.  It doesn’t matter how skilled someone is or how well respected he is in his particular business circles.  If a professional keynote speaker can’t keep the audience engaged, then nothing is gained.  A sense of humor allows everyone to poke fun at their situation and lighten up.  Businesses will gain employee respect when can look at this side of the fence.  A sense of humor doesn’t mean the speaker should be Robin Williams, but he does need to be fun.
  • An inspirational side.  The professional keynote speaker needs to rally the troops, so to speak, and give them something to believe in.  This gives a team something to connect with, to strive for, and to better them in.  Perhaps the speaker has faced an adverse situation and learned greatly from it – someone in the company may have faced a similar situation and immediately connects.  All it takes is one powerful statement to make an effect.
  • A new way of thinking.  The leaders of the company need to work with the professional keynote speaker to have that person add new tricks to the bag.  It may be trying new technology, or new businesses techniques, but it could also be aiding the employees in thinking about the way they perform in a different light.  An engaging speaker will be able to put the fire back in their bellies for personal and professional improvement.

A company of any size should consider the power a professional keynote speaker at their next corporate gathering.  While the business leader may be a dynamic person on their own, a fresh set of words with audience interaction is sometimes the best medicine to keeping a company on track.

Primal Fitness Training Provides the Ultimate Teambuilding Experience

Thursday, October 22nd, 2009

I’m excited to announce a new corporate team building program. Amen Iseghohi, the guru of Primal Fitness, and I are working together to ignite team excellence in a way that is unique and innovative. This program provides participants with the tools necessary for self motivation, combined with a primal workout that unites a team to excel over the top. I’ve seen unprecedented results and know anyone who joins me will too!

The Importance of the After Dinner Speaker

Wednesday, October 21st, 2009

For event planners, the importance of an after dinner speaker cannot be overstated.  Typically the after dinner speaker is the cornerstone of the evening’s festivities and guests are expecting a very good speaker.

What makes someone a good after dinner speaker?  The right person is able to entertain, inspire and engage the audience.  The after dinner speaker should be interactive, keeping the audience and making them part of the entire evening.

Far too many events flop because the event planner chooses a boring, or uninspiring after dinner speaker.  With the Internet at our fingertips there is no reason for that to happen.   If an after dinner speaker is serious about their industry they will offer video clips highlighting their skills.

You want to find someone that you believe can capture your audience’s attention immediately and keep it.  The inability of a speaker to do that will result in you losing your audience intellectually and possibly even physically as they get up and walk out of the room.

Experienced event planners know that the measure of success is how the evening ends.  You want to end on a high note.  If the audience becomes bored, or is not engaged in the after dinner presentation then you failed to plan a good event, you merely planned a dinner party.

When choosing the after dinner speaker make sure you understand their planned presentation as well.  You will want to ensure it is aligned with the goals and objectives of the evening.  You should tell them which topics are off limits and who can and who should not be mentioned by name or called out to participate.

It is up to the event planner to prepare the after dinner speaker with this important information.  Some executives are good sports and enjoy being part of a presentation while others do not.  Also, there may be some hot button topics for the audience that the after dinner speaker will not be aware of so it is essential that you make them aware of those topics.

The more homework you do upfront and the more information you provide the after dinner speaker the greater the chances for success.  Remember, your goal is to plan a complete event and that means choosing the right after dinner speaker.

Robert Van Arlen © Copyright 2010

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