A Just Ask Connie Blog "Why waste money on outside speakers …" the email began. "What our team really needs is to hear from our own internal leadership team. An outside speaker doesn’t even understand our unique business." Not the first time I’ve heard those words. My response? Is usually, "Really? Let’s dig a little deeper and break those theories down a bit." First, "Why waste money?" You know, that’s a legitimate question and money can be misspent if… A: You hire the WRONG speaker. You know the drill. It’s time to choose a speaker but it’s "decision by committee" – and there’s Read More
FIGHT for Your RIGHT to be HAPPY
For All Who Need It By Motivational Keynote Speaker Connie Podesta When I wrote my book Redefining Happiness, I did so with so many people in mind. My clients. Audience members. Online followers. Friends. Family. Colleagues. I wrote it because I think in our sometimes crazy world we tend to put a lot of things on the top of our to-do lists and somehow happiness, joy, and celebration seemingly creep to the bottom more often than not. We get busy. Overwhelmed. Worked and worked some more. And here’s the crazy part – you won’t believe how many people feel GUILTY about being happy. About Read More
Just Ask Connie: Why Your Audience Needs More Than Rah-Rah Motivation
"I'm planning an event for my company and I've been directed to find a ‘motivational speaker’ to open our conference. What does that mean exactly?" I get these kind of emails all the time. It's a great question. I get it. There’s a lot of confusion because the word "motivation" gets thrown around when it comes to speaking. No surprise, it’s one of the top words Googled when searching for a speaker. Let me make it a little easier. With more than 25 years in this business, I can tell you that there are three main types of speakers who fit under the category of Motivation. Content Read More
Fight for What You’re Worth
Why it HAS to Start With You By Motivational Keynote Speaker Connie Podesta I’m very blessed to be able to share with amazing people all over the world. From the tens of thousands I speak to from the stage each year to my incredible friends on social media – one thing that comes up over and over I find is how people often put their “worth” in someone else’s hands. In other words, they don’t know their own worth, so the let someone else determine that value. Stop. Please stop. Here’s the amazing thing about you that perhaps no one ever told you before – you are unique and have gifts Read More
No SALES tips in Your Speech?
You’re Shortchanging Your Audience By Sales Keynote Speaker Connie Podesta There’s one outstanding reason why I weave a bit of sales strategy into every single talk I give: because everyone is in sales--they just don't know it. No matter what their job title, description, industry or organization--their ability to sell ( or not) is a game changer. First I teach them how to sell themselves! We dig deep into their personality-pros and cons. Strengths and weaknesses. Then we identify their style of communication. Then move into levels of confidence. And finally discuss their ability to Read More
Eight Reasons Wearing a Watch is Really Cool!
By Motivational Keynote Speaker Connie Podesta So what's the deal with not wearing watches these days? Look around. Half the population have left their watches in a drawer at home just waiting to be used again. In fact, to some people, wearing a watch has become a sign of old age. An antiquated accessory (or so goes the myth) no longer necessary since the iPhone came into play. Well think again. When asked the time I can, with a flick of my wrist and a quick eye glance, answer before someone with a phone can even begin to find it, turn it on, get lost in Facebook distractions, and deliver Read More
How to Stand Out From the Crowd
And Why That’s More Important Than EVER By Motivational Keynote Speaker Connie Podesta I always tell my audiences, "If there was ever a time to differentiate yourself and Stand Out From The Crowd--it is NOW! Business as usual is over!" Bottom line: To rise to the top and stay there as an organization you must be able to answer this #1 question: "What do you bring to the table that is so unique, outstanding, so UNEXPECTEDLY awesome--that people would CHOOSE to do business with you, partner with you, buy from you, and trust you - rather than someone else?” Because the truth is Read More
Solving the People Puzzle
Understanding What Makes People Tick is #1 Key to Success by Motivational Keynote Speaker Connie Podesta So here's what I hear all the time in the phone from potential clients, "To be honest Connie, I don't get it! Why does my audience need an expert in psychology? We're going through a lot of (Fill in the blank: Stress. Change. Upheaval. Downsizing. New leadership. Etc. etc.) We need a speaker who can increase our: (Fill in the blank: Sales. Profits. Market Share. Productivity. Leadership. Etc. etc.) Just how can psychology help all that?" My response? "I don't get it either. How Read More
6 Secrets to Creating a Powerful, Personalized Presentation with LASTING Impact
Why Cookie Cutter Content Doesn’t Work By Motivational Keynote Speaker Connie Podesta After more than twenty five years of delivering keynotes, facilitating events, and acting as the master of ceremonies for organizations all over the globe, one thing is for sure – there’s not much I haven’t seen, or heard from the stage. Here’s what I know doesn’t work – DOESN’T create lasting impact or positive change: tired, canned speeches that don't relate to YOUR specific audience. You know the ones. Where the person behind the microphone is referencing age-old technology or telling the same Read More
It’s the WHY That Makes All the Difference
Taking Your Message Beyond Just the What and How By Leadership and Sales Speaker Connie Podesta After more than 25 years in the speaking industry this is clearer to me than ever: audiences truly WANT to learn -- IF what they are learning is relevant to them NOW and can be used immediately to improve their life. Fortunately my experience and psychology background has also given me a clear understanding of just what has to happen between a speaker and their audience to create that sense of relevancy and willingness to change. Attitudes. Perceptions. Beliefs. Behaviors. It's a three-step Read More