Was 2011 a tough year for you?

95% of the people I have talked to said ‘Yes’.

The other 5% are either financially independent, very savvy or just lying to keep up appearances.

Luckily for you,  I have the solution.

Watch this…

Remember to sign up for the freshest coolest new shows

EVERY SINGLE WEEK…

http://www.turbochargeyourbrand.tv 2012 is looking rosier if you understand and implement these essential 12 things…

12 Top Tips And Upgrades You Must Make For Your Business in 2012

1) Stop Talking About The Recession

No more recession. This is the new economy...

I’m sorry to burst your bubble. There is no recession.

THIS is the NEW ECONOMY!!! Money is tighter. Competitors are more cutthroat.

Everybody wants full value and doesn’t want to pay full price for it.

Got that?

Cool, well carry on now…

2) Understand Businesses Must Make Money

Do you have the right business tools?

If it doesn’t make money,  it’s a vanity project.

Even if a charity is ‘not-for-profit’,  they have to something to cover overheads.

Without a generous benefactor to bail them out, they are doing a gross disservice to their dependents.

Start making money.

3) Recognize the new ‘currencies’.

Despite the cash elements of previous point#2, people are willing to pay for influence, introductions and barter services.

It’s war-time again.

Swapping a chicken in exchange for medical services may yet make sense again.

And then there’s Facebook credits…

Facebook Credits. The biggest bank you never knew about.

4) Get Online (and then back offline again).

Make a strategy.

Talk to an expert.

Attend courses and implement social media marketing.

Then turn up at networking meetings and press the flesh.

Leads for business, introductions to new friends and fascinating insights can happen through Facebook, Twitter, Linked In and You Tube, but the really hot deals will be made face-to-face.

People like to post, but they also like to watch TV, listen to the radio and read magazine.

For now at least. Build both into your future plans.

5) Declare Yourself To Be An Expert (In Something).

Get a business title.

Write a book, start speaking at industry events, keep a blog etc.

Whatever the options available work to rise above the ‘white noise’ and clutter of Google.

The competition will be doing the same as you. Until you tell everyone how you are the best in your niche.

Once you have their attention, prove it’s true.

6) Get Your Voice

Pay for public speaker training.

Want To Get Your Voice Too?

An expert (like me) will help you overcome fears, sharpen your message and teach you how to deliver it to anyone at anytime.

Learn as early as you can. Communication is everything in a socially based economy.

It is currency in itself whether you are a student attending job interviews or a CEO hosting them.

It will also add +30% to your annual salary FOR LIFE!!!

7) Get A Mentor

Everyone needs something.

Everyone Needs A Mentor.

You need guidance.

The expert needs to share and teach.

i) Find the guru.

ii) Approach them politely (get introduced, offer to help their charity, stalk gently).

iii) Request occasional brainstorming advice.

iv) Pay for their coffee.

Get one for each road map which your career needs.

Get Mental.

Your mindset is the benchmark by which the outside world will judge you.

Get Some Positivity.

It’s also the only thing that will keep you being successful. Become a life-long learner and get a life-coach.

If you are waiting until you ‘need’ one, you already do.

So Sell it first, create brochures afterwards.

9) Become A Publishing House

You have a product, service or message, tell the world about it.

Publish. A Lot.

Social media is a very good way to start.

Industry magazines, newspapers and other media are the next step…

You’d be surprised how much your individual message will carry and will be passed on as long as it is about ‘What people want to hear’ rather than ‘What you want people to hear’.

One way communication is dying (if not already dead).

10) Start Contacting the Dead

How Many Dead Contacts Do You Have?

Well not quite. Contacting the dead leads, former colleagues and acquaintances that you’ve ignored for years.

Let them know you care and offer your services again. In a fast moving business world, buying from someone you know, like and trust hasn’t changed.

How many pre-converted clients are you ignoring? How many are in new jobs? how many would just love your advice and would be willing to connect you with people who could actually pay for your services?

Dig out the Rolodex, invite them to LinkedIn and start chatting again…

11) Ask.

Ask questions, do surveys and gauge client feedback.

Ask Big Questions.

Your good old ideas about great business sense might still be as good as they ever were, but your clients might have changed their way of thinking.

If everyone is bartering, what can you do to give value whilst costing you less?

Always Seeking Knowledge is a smart way to re-evaluate anything and one you know the results, reinvent your business, trim the fat and step back into the breach.

There’s always cash, you just have to know where to dig.

12) Let Off Steam

Learn to ‘chillax’.

Work Hard - But Enjpy It Better.

Rome wasn’t built in a day and nor will your business. Meditate, study NLP or attend yoga classes but start reducing stress and stop worrying.

We are all a long time dead and when it finally does happen, you won’t have to care anymore anyway.

Any questions?

Ask me anytime… info@thelifedesigners.com

Enjoy the show.

It's Going To Be An Amazing Year...

Happy Hunting.

Dave

Happy 40th Birthday UAE.

I have been here 17 years in Abu Dhabi,Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras al-Khaimah, Sharjah, and Umm al-Quwain, and I have much to celebrate as a British expat, life been good.

We are here…

The UAE

And here’s why…

40 Reasons Why I Love Living In The UAE

1) It’s bright every day (you can tell it’s morning when you wake up).

Good morning Dubai.

2) It’s warm. Sometimes too warm, but never cold enough to need a coat.

3) The Police are nice. They know you are not armed, on drugs or stealing something. If you are they WILL find you. Then you WILL leave.

4) I watched the Gulf wars from both sides. I have lots of American, Iraqi, Iranian and Afghan friends. None are idiots. Nor did they see anything but the real truths.

5) I can now get everything I need here. No more excess baggage fees.

It's nice to travel.

6) I don’t get upset over politics anymore. Nobody asks, nobody cares what I think. It’s sometimes better.

7) The streets are always clean. It makes a difference.

Petrol is very very cheap. I couldn’t afford to push my Land Cruiser in the UK.

Home please.

9) I’ve got fatter on 5 star hotel food. It was awesome on the way in.

10) I have run a radio station.

11) Here,  I’m British NOT black.

12) There is very little crime (or at least we don’t live in fear of hoodies).

13) They look after their own people. Benefits, great wages and free villas. Good for you.

14) They let you celebrate Christmas. Not the ‘festive season’.

Happy Xmas All.

15) And Eid.

16) And Diwali.

17) And Chinese New Year … etc

18) You can go camping 60 minutes drive from your house.

19) You can have friends from 200 countries.

20) You can have free holidays in 200 countries (see above).

21) I met and married my wife in the UAE (well we met in Bahrain).

22) Our daughter Maya was born here.

My girls.

23) My best friend from Redcar, Paul Foreman now lives in Abu Dhabi and we get to play PS3 like kids again.

24) Every year something amazing and world beating happens.

25) We have the Burj Al Arab.

Nice.

26) We also have the Burj Khalifa.

New Star Wars poster?

27) Tom Cruise filmed Mission Impossible 4 on it.

Tom. Very happy.

28) I worked with James Brown and loads of other megastars.

JB Got Soul

29) I performed sell out hypnosis shows.

30) I became a corporate motivational speaker.

31) My best friend always end up coming back (Jeff Price, David Swain, George and Tracy Hopkin etc).

2) You get to enjoy all concerts really close to the stage.

Desert Rock Festival.

33) I’ve met some of the world’s biggest internet stars. They all want to come here.

Internet gurus

34) Famous footballers, reality TV stars and soap celebrities aren’t famous over here because we don’t watch so much TV.

35) They love their Royal family and vice versa.

36) Everything looks fab (night and day).

37) I got to entertain for 11+ years at Dubai Rugby Sevens.

38) Plus one World Cup.

39) It feels like home to me. For now.

My place in sun.

40) The UAE rocks. Happy birthday to everyone who lives here.

Thanks for everything to UAE’s first president, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, his eldest son, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE’s Supreme Council of Rulers, Sheikh Mohammad bin Zayed Al Nahyan,  Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and all those who made the last 40 years possible and my last 17 years incredible.

I hope I have contributed as much as I have received…

Shukran.

Dave

Are you planning a company event soon?

It’s the season for celebrations of every kind.

• Annual staff parties.
• MICE events.
• Gala dinners.
• Awards ceremonies.
• Team building days.
• Client rewards evenings.
• Family fun days.
• Shareholder get togethers.

Etc

Did you know the recession has recently just revealed some diamonds in your back yard?

Do you know what you are looking for?

It’s true.

PLUS these are great opportunities for making money, boosting morale and creating measurable ROI!

So what are those gems I mentioned?

Well, according to influential business magazine Inc.com, one of the 18 biggest growth industries in 2012 is self-improvement.

See the full list here:

http://www.inc.com/ss/best-industries-for-starting-a-business#17

Everybody really wants it.

Lucky for me, this is also my line of business.

That’s why I wanted to help you discover what you need to do before hiring a speaker for your big gig.

The Jump And Grow Wings Motivation System

http://www.jumpandgrowwings.com

This makes sense as people need an extra lift, a new direction and an innovative way to deal with a tougher playing field.

People need more from their lives.

That information has huge potential (50%+ ROI), but used wrongly you could lose a client, get a bad reputation OR even worse, have to refund everything.
Here’s how you can get it right first time…

10 Mistakes Most Event Organizers Make When Booking Their Speaker:

1) Not Identifying client’s meeting/event objectives.
What do they want? Are there other options available that they haven’t yet considered? Is the speaker’s presentation 100% of the solution or do they need to be return with other programs to share over a 12 months period? Negotiate with both parties on that.

Ask the client what they want.

2) Not selecting the right speaker/entertainer for the function.
Google them and ask people you trust in the industry. Do they have a proven track record of doing exactly this kind of thing before? Are they easy to work with.

There are a lot of dodgy speakers out there.

3) Not engaging and starting work with the prospect list in advance.
Your speaker should have digital materials (videos, audios and books) that can be used to start the motivational process before and after the event as well as during. The client will appreciate this added value (and often pay for it) PLUS you are guaranteed a bigger turnout because people now will be curious to see the speaker in person.

Let the audience be your judge.

4) Not optimising a high impact event.
Keynote address, team building activities, workshops and cabaret entertainment. A great speaker can do provide all 4. Ask them then tailor the event to the strengths of the speaker with branding, materials and a schedule all in place BEFORE they even speak.

Your speaker needs to bring something for everyone

5) Not using social media.
Any good speaker is already a minor celebrity online. Invite the client, the attendees and other potential future corporate event organisers to connect with them through Facebook, Linked In and Twitter. Take a look at their You Tube channel and help to build up the reputation and expectancy of the attendees. Remember this is free for you and great for everybody.

Your speaker should be connected

6) Not paying their expected fee.
This is his/her job. They get paid high wages and work far less hours than you. But they are 24/7 100% researching and honing their craft and reputation. Would you like a plastic surgeon to operate on the cheap?

Don't go cheap when you want the job done properly

7) Not doubling the speaker as MC/host too.
Many speakers have great entertainment skills which extend to hosting the entire evening AND presenting the keynote speech. Many will do both roles for one fee. This saves you extra cash and makes the success of the overall event more likely as there are fewer ‘X factors’ now involved (like a well meaning CEO with no stage presence but a big ego).

Choose a speaker who can also entertain.

Not getting the contact details of all attendees.
If everyone signs up for your/ the speaker’s newsletter and recommends it to a friend, you will double the potential referral numbers. Put collateral on the tables, at the entrance, as a business card draw or on exit. A good speaker will have potential prizes to incentivise.

Utilize every networking single opportunity

9) Not remembering to create back end sales.
Each speaker will have a book, CD, DVD, training system or coaching practise to sell. Strike a commission deal and make it easy for them to sell at the back of the room after their performance. Set up a table and member of staff to take the cash.

Create new ways to 'print' cash.

10) Not talking to me first…
I provide everything above. I have a shortlist of the best suppliers and that 10 minute chat could save you a small fortune both in getting the event mix right AND not losing market share and customers from getting it wrong.

Now please watch this…

Let’s talk…

My mobile is +971 505524316

My email is info@thelifedesigners.com

I look forward to hearing from you.

Plus one or more of the following:

1. Please share this article with those looking to hire a speaker.
2. Please consider the points and upgrade your own presentation if you are a speaker.
3. Please ‘Like’ and ‘Comment’ if you liked reading my article.

Have an awesome day.

Dave

The new battle ground for events has moved from ‘the experience’ to ‘the engagement of the customer’.

Are you evolving to meet this?

Take a look…

- That was my message LAST YEAR!!!

Now, in a world where information is virtually free, enlightened relationships are worth their weight in gold. The best business ones are based on emotional connection rather than just finances.

Once you understand how effectively emotional involvement can become your key currency, it makes sense to have fewer deeper ones than many that are shallow, otherwise they won’t respond or get involved.

Think about the difference between spamming a list of 1 million people from a phone book or contacting 300 paying members from your chess club.

Which person is most likely to give you an immediate reply?

Plus like you, they are focused, you probably share lots in common and get especially passionate when it comes to a good game of chess.

It’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but it’s not meant to be either.

That’s the secret.

10 Reasons Why You Must Choose Engagement Marketing To Evolve And Grow Your Brand

1) People WILL Talk Anyway.

Once upon a time all advertising was one-way communication.

Very simply, the radio, TV, magazine, newspaper or billboard would tell you what to think.

If the advertiser was canny enough and the sales image, slogan and message were strong enough this translated into dollars for the brand and kudos for the advertising agencies.

People will talk whether you get involved OR NOT.

Nowadays people talk back online.

They also talk to each other.

If you’re not listening they will make a community decision about your brand, service, product or promotion and destroy it before it’s even had a chance to breathe.

2) People Want Solutions

When your brand comes up in conversation, these are the starting points that people will use to begin their observations.

Ask yourself 3 questions…

i) Are you providing solutions that help solve problems?

ii) Do others know that you do?

iii) Are you engaging with them yet?

Are You Talking To Enough People?

If you don’t help them someone else will.

So, it might as well be you.

3) People Like An Easy Life (To Join Your Tribe).

Are you creating hurdles (financial, time, age, location, qualification etc) which limits your new customers, clients, followers, friends and fans?

Make a simple and easy way to start your relationship.

1) You find out what they want.

2) They sign up for what they want.

3) You give them what they want.

There are plenty of easy and cost effective to automate this, leaving you free to get on with creating value and not ‘bogged down’ worrying about your administrative skills.

Give Them Whatever They Want.

As my great friend Ernesto Verdugo says ‘Once done, you can set it and forget it’.

4) You Can Always Find Your Customers (Once You Know Who They Are)

THIS DOES NOT MEAN SPAMMING! Instead, you should take the time to find out who actually likes and uses your product, service or promotions.

Discover more about them and their interests then find out where they hang out. If this was the jungle, you’d be talking about a ‘watering hole’. In your town it might be a club, bar or society. Online it may be a website, fan page or community.

Engage DON'T Judge.

Find out where they are and take out an ad campaign. Or just say ‘Hi’.

Strangely enough, your customer probably wants the same as you from their life. Happiness, a full tummy and a sense of belonging. Respect to that.

5) The Technology Is Already Available

No reinvention of the wheel is necessary.

I find it’s best to use an online and offline combination.

i)  Blogs

ii) Social media

iii) Webinars (online broadcasts)

iv) Emails

v) Videos

How Are You Communicating With Your Customers?

vi) Live events (meet and greets)

vii) Conventional advertising that drives new customers to connect with you at any of the above.

6) Everything Can Become Viral

Everything you create should be easily spread through a third party – however unsophisticated they are.

Make a message.

Keep it simple, emotionally appealing and consistent.

Think of what people would want to share about you, then produce that.

A virus become self-sufficient and finds new hosts through exposure to them.

Let your promotions enjoy the same objectives.

You may have to find that secret sauce ingredient yourself.

Gratuitous Hot Chick Pic (Proving Sexy Does Sell).

Remember SEXY SELLS.

Start watching You Tube…

7) Events Are A Perfect Opportunity For Engagement Marketing and Brand Building

Most events are run as follows…

• Treat it as a ‘one-off’ experience
• Spend a fortune on lots of random media advertising (flyers, radio, TV, magazines, videos) and interviews
• Hope the sponsors see a realistic (yet intangible) ROI
• Pray for a feeding frenzy of last minute ticket sales
• Suffer from sweat and panic attacks aplenty

There are so many random factors involved that only a genius or an idiot would attempt to make a living from it.

Dubai Rugby Sevens- Guys Keep Coming Back!

However consider if…

• You had a ready made group of guaranteed attendees
• You never had to spend on random media advertising
• You could show cash sponsors the demographics (and contacts) of the attendees IN ADVANCE
• You could drive sales automatically months in advance
• You never got stressed because you knew each event was guaranteed to be more successful than the last one.

Wouldn’t that be useful to you?

Once People Are At Your Event, They Are On Your Side Already

You can do anything and they have nothing better to do than join in.

But you have to be engaging AND entertaining…

9) Most Organisations DON’T KNOW HOW TO DO IT!!!

As the internet becomes more available, every day there are more so-called experts who cross over from a career in PR and marketing and claim mastery. The truth is that most are not.

Having a Facebook account isn’t enough to create a powerful following for your events or your brand.

All social media will punish you for spamming or sending unsolicited and unwanted messages.

"Why Isn't My Marketing Plan Working?"

Getting it wrong is almost worse than NOT doing anything at all.

Getting it right can reduce your marketing and advertising budget by at least 50% and allow you to use that cash on better things (like a wonderful holiday afterwards).

10) By Reading This Article You Have A Head Start On The Competition

Share it with colleagues, friends, sponsors and anyone who is trying to advertise and engage their customers.

The Art Of Communication

They will become MORE emotionally engaged with YOU as a result.

Make sure to ‘Like’ it, Google+ it, leave a comment below and share it with Facebook friends, Linked In connections and Twitter followers.

This gives you more clout and positions you as someone that others want to know more about.

Remember the term is SOCIAL media.

It’s about 2 way communications.

I have just started yours.

I am hosting a training seminar for UAE based event managers on Saturday 1st October from 12pm to 3pm at the Pavilion Downtown Dubai.

I will be taking their hand and walking them step by step through advanced strategies in engagement marketing.

If you’d like to come too, let me know…

http://on.fb.me/engagementmarketingseminar

The Pavilion Downtown Dubai

Saturday 1st October 12pm- 3pm

Strictly RSVP

(There are very limited places available).

You can also contact me at dave@thelifedesigners.com

Or +971505524316

Let’s get engaged!

Laters.

Dave

Quick One…

Something super cool is  coming up…

Here’s the entire scoop…

Discover How YOU Can Make OVER $1,000 In The Next 2 Minutes…

-       This Video Will Blow You Away!!!

http://www.lifedesignbootcamp.com

On Saturday 20^th August, business sales expert Dariush Soudi and I will be training 21 people to Make Lots And Lots Of Money.

Period.

No catch.

No ‘buy my stuff first and then’…

Just 6 hours of SOLID GOLD CONTENT to give you a business edge that will fill your bank account and make your business self-sufficient for life.

http://www.lifedesignbootcamp.com

After attending the Guaranteed Success Boot Camp,

I guarantee YOU will be a master of the following:

Or more specifically…

Plus…

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Your hosts are…

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It’s taking place here…

Here’s How You BOOK YOUR SEAT…

You Can Either…

1) Go To http://www.lifedesignbootcamp.com

2) Connect with me  on FaceBook http://www.facebook.com/davecrane

(and follow my instructions there)

3) Email us info@thelifedesigners.com

4) Call Us On +971505524316 (Dave) Or +971506905321 (Dariush)

How Cool is that?

AND to make it EVEN COOLER…

There is a 100% MONEY BACK GUARANTEE if you don’t know how to make serious cash after attending!!!

If you around in Dubai (and haven’t run a way for the summer), I’d love to see you there…

Laters.

Dave

10 Reasons Why Education Makes You Stupid

Got your attention?

Good.

Well, by the time you have finished reading this article 3 things will have happened.

1)      You will have serious doubts about everything you thought was true.

2)      You will want the answers to questions you didn’t know existed 2 minutes ago.

3)      You will have all the answers you need in your hands.

Intrigued? You should be.

Watch This First…

Join The Tribe

You Can Join The Tribe here:

http://www.thelifedesignerstribe.com

Cool?

Now, let’s start by revisiting that statement.

The education system now.

Education Makes You Stupid  OR EVERYTHING YOU LEARNED IN SCHOOL WAS WRONG!

You might agree in part or even be nodding  (or shaking) your head profusely.

Regardless, I believe I owe you an explanation.

I’d like to do this with a history lesson.

If you’d like greater detail on any of the next historical facts please feel free to Google it.

Here are the basic stages of western evolution (each region has it’s own version of the issues below)

1) Agrarian (Agricultural) Age (7,000 years ago).

Communities evolve into societies with rules, religions etc.

The Agricultural Age

2) 1750 – Industrial Age (200 years ago).

Factories and automation boost trading and create stability (guaranteed food and shelter) for the workers.

Pink Floyd Got It Right!

N.B. In order to keep levels of expertise high, schooling and education was introduced.

3) 1950 – Information and Technology Age (40 years ago)

Man on the moon, washing machines and information overload.

4) 1990 – Knowledge Management Age (17 years ago).

Too much information leads to expertise, specialization and consultancy.

5) 2007 – Intelligence Age (7 years ago).

We can get access to any information and so we can now focus using it better to improve how we think.

The Intelligence Age

6) 2010-Now Wisdom Age (1 year ago)

We want the smartest solutions, people and successes in our associations.

What Do We Do Now?

The problem is that because our entire educational system was created in the industrial revolution and hasn’t really been updated since then.

It actually breeds factory workers for businesses that closed down over 50 years ago.

Therefore it’s completely out of date and doesn’t have any relevance to the mindset and skill sets that we need for modern day successes.

Want proof?

Here are…

10 Reasons Why Education Makes You Stupid (and is making your kids stupid too).

Think about it…

1) We Are Categorised On Our Date Of Birth – NOT Our Interests

Look at your office, your closest friends and your social networks. Are you all the same age? Of course not. But you DO have the same interests in common.

I guarantee the key things you were interested in up to the age of seven are EXACTLY the same type of things you are interested in right now. The problem is you probably don’t get to enjoy those experiences anymore. If you did, you would be much happier and if you could add those basic pleasures to the daily mix of your business day (or even get a job that allows you to get paid for doing elements of it) you’d never have a bad day again.

2) We Are Forced To Learn EVERYTHING – NOT How To Learn Anything

Why did you need to recite so much stuff ‘parrot-fashion’? The ability to adapt and learn new skills quickly is far more useful to you than trudging through years of difficult calculus and trigonometry. You will probably never use them again for the rest of your life. Instead, if you need that expertise, you’ll Google it or hire a specialist (who actually enjoyed it at school).

Wrong Again!

3) We Were Humiliated For Asking Stupid Questions.

Nowadays those ‘stupid questions’ are called ‘Out of the box thinking’. They are worth a fortune to every company on the planet and almost impossible to get your trained and educated workforce to do. Well, at least, now you know why.

4) We Were Punished For Cheating

Time is money, short cuts are generously rewarded (they’re called ‘efficiency’). Nowadays, we call cheating ‘reverse engineering’ and that’s why the China and India are dominating the planet with cheaper productivity, new innovative solutions and ROI.

5) We Were Taught To Fear Differences In Others

The most powerful person in any group is the most flexible. Any country that operates a culture of isolated superiority will fail. The smart players are breeding global citizens with multiple language skills and an interest in travel and adapting to new cultures. One day you will actually meet that new friend from the other side of the planet on Facebook.

Spot The Difference?

6) We Focused On Our Weaknesses

It’s wrong. When you have a strength and are interested in something, you become better at doing it. The better you become, the more you’ll find success breeding success. With that comes confidence as you outstrip the competition and begin to start your own niche. Choose to focus on your weaknesses and someone will always be naturally better at it than you. You will at best be average, frustrated and desperately unhappy watching dullards with less talent getting better results with less effort. Sounds familiar? Unless YOU change, this pattern will keep repeating itself as it has been since your first childhood test results all the way up to your last appraisal.

Strengths Vs Weaknesses

7) We Were Taught NOT To Question Authority

Remember that the teacher/boss/government/system knows best. That’s why, we’ve just experienced the biggest cultural revolution that the middle east has ever seen. Social media has allowed a platform for the conversations that make people realize that the status quo needs rebalancing. Regularly. In a world where presidents ask boy billionaires for advice, the rest of us have to sit open mouthed and wonder why we never got the same ‘lucky breaks’ as those we admire on TV. We probably did, but we’re told to ignore then by people who ‘knew best’. They didn’t. I bet you now feel guilty about even thinking this way.

'What Did You Say?'

We Were Scared To Fail

We were taught a simple paradigm. If you get good exam results, you’ll get a great university and a good job. If you get bad results, you’ll be cursed to accept an average life in an average job forever. We are so paralyzed with a fear of failure we won’t even contemplate opportunities just in case it all goes wrong. The successful people know it’s a numbers game. That’s why Richard Branson, Donald Trump and Steve Jobs lead their field because they know ‘risk=life’.

Richard Branson NEVER fails.

9) We Worry About Making Mistakes

99% of us remember the classroom laughing at our ‘foolishness’ and can’t bear the idea of the same treatment in the corporate world.

When you understand that you actually make the right decision at the time of making it (we don’t have hindsight) you can have more confidence in your own informed calculations. Success comes to those who take action and are prepared to learn from their ‘mistakes’.

10) We Don’t Believe in Our Own Abilites.

Wake up call…

No-one else cares about you as much as you do, nor do they know you as well as you do.

No-one else is likely to be around you from birth to death either.

With only one guaranteed witness who will also double as your primary cheerleader, why is it we have to care so much about what others think? We know that they too have their own agenda from playground survival to driving a Mercedes Benz, so maybe it’s time we cut ourselves a little more slack and stopped listening to others opinions. You can only read your life properly when you look at it backwards so a wayward exam result or scolding needs to be put in context of your whole life. Basically, it didn’t matter then and it matters less now.

This is why most of us will spend most of our adult life searching for a new way to reinvent ourselves, make sense of our past and hope we can find the formula to happiness before it’s too late.

OH BY THE WAY, here’s an 11th reason…

11) We Didn’t Learn How To Make Money

Amazing isn’t it. Nothing about wealth creation, handling credit card debt, buying a house, pensions, insurance and keeping cash under your bed in a biscuit tin! Without Robert Kiyosaki’s ‘Rich Dad, Poor Dad’ series  to bail you out, you’d still be in the dark ages.

We should have been taught this at school, but nobody there knew either!

Wow. That was a bumpy ride wasn’t it?

• Angry?
• Confused?
• Feeling more than a little shortchanged for the last 20, 30 or 40 years?

Well, I promised to give you a solution to help with your current confusion.

Here it is…

So what’s the answer?

Simple. Join or form a tribe.

‘Tribes’ is the new buzz-term for communities in the internet generation.

But this just is the beginning of things to come.

My own tribe is The Life Designers Tribe.

Welcome To The Life Designers Tribe

You need to join The Life Designers Tribe.

http://www.thelifedesignerstribe.com

Imagine a community of life-long learners dedicated to helping each other become leaders, industry experts and high achievers in their business, personal and spiritual life.

That’s what we do.

I invite you to join the tribe and look forward to hearing all about your aspirations.

Your re-education starts here and now…

http://www.thelifedesignerstribe.com

Laters

Dave

Since marketing my services over the last month or so I have been inundated with work AND offers of coffee/lunch for a chat/ picking my brains/ sharing my thoughts.

Here’s 1o reasons why I am politely saying ‘No’ and if you’d like to be a credible consultant, YOU MUST SAY ‘NO’ TOO!

I was inspired to write this article after reading an awesome blog post from Adrienne Graham for Forbes Magazine’s online blog.

http://blogs.forbes.com/work-in-progress/2011/03/28/no-you-cant-pick-my-brain-it-costs-too-much/

I wanted to harness this perspective to enhance our relationship and also give a voice to other entrepreneurs who ‘sell their time’ so that they can just ‘share’ this article without losing their clients.

Whilst my story is different from anyone with expertise, the essentials are always the same.

Time is cheap, if you are a corporate executive and your company salary always covers yours, plus bonuses plus overtime. Time can also be cheap if you have no product, service or value to offer anyone.

The biggest issue is most of us (until reading this article) don’t realize that time is the most precious commodity we have and when mixed with the giving of information (as a consultant) we are both our biggest advocate and enemy depending on how we position ourselves.

Read on and I will explain…

Actually, BEFORE you read the rest of this post, YOU MUST WATCH THIS VIDEO.

Consultants will understand why immediately, and my potential clients will have 99% of their questions answered…

1) Get An Expert In And Don’t Cut Corners

I am a lousy plumber.

Guess what? I don’t care.

I pay for good to great plumbers to come in and fix my pipes.

I also pay for electricians, painters, carpenters, car repairs etc etc etc. I also pay them full price because I want to hold them accountable if they do a lousy job. I DON’T want to learn their job. My hourly rate as a speaker is about $6,000. My plumber may charge $150 per hour.

I fix companies.

He fixes leaks in my kitchen.

My time is better spent looking for more speaking events, consultation contracts and networking opportunities than it is standing over the plumber to see  if I can save $50 by doing some of the work myself next time.

Get an expert in, pay them and let them do their stuff.

End of story.

2) You Want The Best Use Of Their Time

I have somewhere else to be. It’s true.

I work because

a) I love what I do.

b) I am one of the best in the world at what I do (helping industry experts to find their voice and  brand themselves both online and offline).

c) The money I get paid helps me to make a better life for my beautiful wife Azizah and our gorgeous baby daughter Maya.

The reason why I work - Azizah and Maya Crane

I am not short of friends, nor am I unable to buy my own lunch or coffee. It’s 100% in my interests to give you my very best service, get paid what I deserve and leave you with an amazing experience and a million times better off than before you first met me.

When you start raving about how amazing my work was, you will create referrals and automatically start my phone ringing with new excited clients.

I will do everything in my power to give you everything you need for the success you want.

I also know how precious your time is too.

Neither of us wants to re-edit, rethink, reschedule or regret. A truly great consultant will give you a hard time if you don’t know this and will also fight ferociously to make sure that your time is respected by others too.

3) Look For The Evidence And Check The Calibre Of The Consultant

Nobody wants to go to a horse race and put their money on a donkey. Neither do you. Any consultant worth their while has evidence from plenty of satisfied customers that what they do will rock your world.

Check out a few of my testimonials:

4) They Must Be Able To Ease Your Pain

When you pay for anything there is a simple exchange of energy, money, product or services. It must balance from both sides.

They must be able to:

a) Save you time.

b) Save you energy.

c) Lift most of your burden (learning a skill, producing a product, contacting relevant suppliers etc).

d) Give you a substantial return on investment.

Money, like time or energy is a very important currency. Whilst not every transaction brings back instant cash, it must leave you free to concentrate on finding better ways to use your time.

Your Time Is Everything

The pain must go away. Yours NOT theirs.

5)  There May Be Freebies  Too

I have written hundreds of articles, made dozens of videos and finished 4 books on self-improvement.

Many of my products are free because

a) They introduce people to my brand with zero financial barrier to entry.

b) They solve a problem remotely that otherwise would take me valuable time to fix.

c) They allow me to spend more time working with the people who value my work enough to actually pay for my best materials AND me.

When you read my blogs or watch my videos you can see how much evidence is available to prove that I can really help you when we work together. That’s why I created it.

Nowadays information is almost 100% free. Google any subject and you’ll find the suggested answers. The truth is you’ll only find the best related key words to the phrase you entered. You can then spend days sifting through enough clutter that you’d wished you’d hired an expert in the first place.

Google is the world’s biggest search engine.

You Tube comes next.

More people go to websites through recommendations of friends on Facebook than either of the above.

It's ALL out there FOR FREE!!!

A friend isn’t an expert. Their advice is free because they don’t promise accountability. I do.

6) Someone Has To Invest To Become An Expert

Malcolm Gladwell in his groundbreaking book ‘The Outliers’ stated that talent is the least likely factor involved in someone’s success. Above that are persistence and practice. Ruthless, disciplined and accountable practice. You have to be stretched at practice so it’s always difficult and many times you don’t get the results you want.

You also need to spend 10,000 hours practicing your craft before you can be anywhere near an expert.

Bill Gates worked on computers from the age of 13.

The Beatles spent the required time working 10 hour shifts for 3 year in Hamburg.

David Beckham was the only kid in the park practicing his spot kicks from his early childhood.

Similarly, I have spent the last 3 years learning internet marketing, over 20 years before that I was helping individuals and businesses to find their voice too. Since I began my current line of work, I have invested over $100,000 USD in my education (including BBC journalism training) and amassed a network of the highest calibre experts and practitioners on and off the internet.

How much have YOU invested in YOUR education?

My CV reads like no other in my niche.

You Are In Great Company.

I believe that what I know as a life-long learner will be able to change your life within 15 minutes of talking business. Make it an hour and we will have a road map for  success. Extend that to 90 hours and you will call a halt because you need to start taking action immediately rather that forget anything we’ve discussed.

Nowadays, we can all buy our own coffee.

If you could promise me that, how would you feel if I offered YOU a coffee and a sandwich in return?

7) You Don’t Pay For Someone’s Time

There is a very simple equation for how you, me or anyone else gets paid.

It’s not time spent, sweat poured or dollars for your nice smile, six-pack stomach or sexy perfume.

You get paid because of 2 factors:

a) The job you do.

b) How easily you can be replaced by someone who can do the same job cheaper.

That’s it.

This is the reason why certain jobs drain every ounce of energy for lousy pay and others give specialists the ability to name their price, take long holidays and drive the best car in the parking lot.

Remember this fact. It’s not personal.

It’s just life. Communism didn’t work because some people are more equal than  others.

How many times can you afford to cut corners and risk losing everything because you didnt want to pay the full price?

Good luck with the repairs.

Just Because It’s Information Does’nt Make It Worthless

When James Bond ends up fighting for his life because of a micro film or Ethan Hunt sees his boss swap sides for cash they will do anything to prevent that vital information getting into the wrong hands. Even kill.

Information IS Power.

Similarly, the ‘other side’ will pay anything to set their beady eyes or get their clammy hands on that information (forgive the dramatic effect).

The amount of information readily available on the internet on any subject is doubling almost daily, but so is the mis-information and the clutter. When someone can decipher the coding, laser focus your targeting and bring everything into the right and relevant perspective THAT information is worth paying for.

9) People Don’t Value Free

When you give something for free, people are grateful but will never pay for it the next time you meet. They will probably tell others about the great service you provided gratis and then they won’t want to pay either. If you run a charity, this can be a big issue.

‘Not for profit’ organization means that bills still need to get paid. Many charity organizers also have a full time job that pays THEIR bills, once that is taken care of, their time is free and that’s what gets unpaid.

You can’t reset free.

The Life Design Systems

A nominal fee (not a sandwich) means that the client takes you seriously and will also start the subconscious process of  valuing your time and paying for it.

10) The Oxygen Mask Lesson

You have a lot to give the world. That’s why you are in the business of helping others, but take a hint from the universal message given at the beginning of every flight. If the oxygen mask pops out, tend to yourself BEFORE looking after any of your dependents. Simply put, if YOU pass out, your kids may not be strong enough to carry you from a burning plane.

Your customers want you to be successful and in business for a long long time. If your stuff didn’t work, they wouldn’t want to talk to you. Remember that when you prioritize how the potential cash sitting on your table could best be spent. Allowing you to study and get better at when you do because you are not desperate to cover bills, or back in the pocket of your client to give to other suppliers who don’t work for free and have a simple ‘Don’t pay – Don’t get it’ policy.

McDonald’s won’t give you an IOU no matter how hungry you get, or how much you promise to bring other customers in next time!

So What Do You Do To Avoid Being Taken For Granted?

1) Send them this article.

2) Chat on the phone instead.

3) Offer to barter information(what can they offer you).

4) Don’t give all those solutions at the meeting (just teasers).

5) Tell a story about a ‘hypothetical friend who gave away all their information for free and went out of business.

6) Send them some free information online.

7) Show them your testimonials/qualifications.

Make them promise not to talk work during your lunch break.

9) Bring a friend.

10) Limit the time of the meeting.

OR…

PAY FOR YOUR OWN DARN COFFEE!!!

Laters.

Who Values My Time Now?

Dave

P.S.

Please SHARE and LIKE this article so others get to see it too.

Then join The Life Designers Tribe

http://www.thelifedesignerstribe.com

I have just enjoyed a week sharing social media strategies with the world’s biggest privately owned company, the number one Arabic PR agency in the industry and a room-full of entrepreneurs looking for an unfair business advantage in the new global economy.

All this because, I posted a special promotion a few weeks ago on my blog and told a few friends to tell a few friends too.

The word spread and I have completed 8 events in a 5 day period in 3 different countries.

Everyone wanted me to share the following with them about social media training.

Watch this video and see…

Interested in how I can help you?

Let’s talk…

Turbo Charge Your Team

Many people will have a very healthy but skeptical view of the use of social media in the region. For many Facebook is a fad, LinkedIn is a way to head-hunt or research the opposition, You Tube is a poor man’s TV Channel and Twitter is a complicated waste of everyone’s time.

However, social media has created an industrial revolution unlike any other. We grew up with a media dominated by television, radio, magazine and newspapers telling us about the news that an editor, producer or CEO wants us to know about.

Pick a megalomaniac and see his influence in the media.

Whilst we have always accepted that there is a different ‘flavour’ to each channel and chosen the one that ‘feels right to us’, the ‘viewers choice’ was never really that. It was an editors choice offered/served to us.

Take it or leave it.

Incidentally, when did YOU decide to ‘leave it’?

Who's Your Online Family?

Social media is ‘citizen journalism’ and the start of a new information revolution because it is your voice that makes the final edit. You are the ideas person, cameraman, sound editor, journalist, presenter and publisher.

You don’t even need to answer to the money people because you probably don’t need sponsors either.

No commercial breaks?

It’s getting better already, isn’t it?

With Raymond Aaron (the world's No1 success coach) and Vishen Lakhiani (one of Asia's most successful entrepreneurs)

Want a real practical example?

In the last few months we have seen the Arab world speaking out both online and offline, with considerable effect in Egypt, Yemen, Tunisia and many other countries.

Governments have been toppled in comparatively bloodless revolutions.

How can this happen?

How did the relatively innocent protest page set up by Dubai -based Google employee Wael Ghonim called “We Are All Khaled Said” become enough of a spark to make over 500, 000 people suddenly ‘like’ the fan page and start conversations, share pictures and stories and get active on the streets?

Simply, because it was relevant and people wanted to know more.

They also had the chance to ‘share’ the information with their own group of friends with whom they had spent a life-time becoming someone you could know, like and trust (at the heart of any sale).

Whilst this is definitely not intended to be a political article, the evidence of the power of social media can’t easily be ignored either.

I want to share some some sneaky secrets about how you too can create your own tribe and share a common voice about your own business interests.

The eMarketing Republic (Internet Entrepreneurial Tribe)

Forget what you know about your target market.

That market doesn’t exist in the same way online as it does in the physical world.

In social media terms, markets are conversations? People in related industries or shared interests make online groups and chat. Deals get made, joint ventures get setup and policies get set.

They will all happen whether or not you are taking part in the important conversations. If you ignore them then the most likely thing that will happen is that no-one actually mentioned you last night and if they made decisions which will affect you, you can probably learn about later. In the most extreme cases, you could wake up one morning and the entire country has changed its mind and you are not wanted there anymore.

So what do you need to know about social media to get the edge?

Lots, but first, let’s give you a crash course in the concept of tribes.

I have written about it before on this website, but here’s a brief synopsis of how it works…

Marketing guru  Seth Godin, first started this movement through his book ‘Tribes: We Need You To Lead Us’. This incredible idea suggests the way that an emotional message based group can organize, operate and grow.

Think about the tribal system in the Arab or African world with its chief, elders, spiritual leaders and heretics. That will give you a good insight into the system.

It’s also perfect for crafting your social media communities.

The Internet Marketers Course 2011

The basics are this:

1) Make your tribe about a message rather than a job title.

Therefore rather than ‘Lawyers in Dubai’, ‘Ethical Lawmaking in Dubai’ would be a smarter idea as it will still include lawyers, but also judges, police or anyone who has an interest in professional results. This can also include people bitten by bad legislation and campaigners.

2) Become the ‘Thought Leader’.

Start conversations, invite others to join the tribe, set up rules for all to follow and make it easier for them all to communicate.

The Social Media revolution is already here.

3) Respect the Heretics

Just because someone disagrees with your point of view, doesn’t mean that they don’t believe in the cause. They just have a different (but valid) point of view. Encourage heated conversations and be prepared to listen and learn from them.

4) Be Prepared for people to leave and start their own tribe too

Not everyone is 100% into your message, but they can belong to several conversations and organizations as can you.

5) Online Tribes are great but also make sure that face-to-face interactions happen too.

90% of people prefer to do business with someone they have physically met. End of story.

Now you have a basic idea of Tribes, let’s look at how it can apply to social media.

Conventional media is about one-way traffic.

This usually involves ‘interrupt advertising’ Or interrupting your viewing/listening/reading pleasure long enough to throw a barrage of advertising at you in the hope that something sticks. This has a tiny percentage of success (1-3% and annoys the hell out of the rest of us).

Social media is about two-way conversations. often between dozens, hundreds or even thousands of people.

It’s also about multi-layered relationships and real communication.

Join The Life Designers Tribe

You can join my tribe now… just click the link below and register to get your own head start on creating personal success and learning the secrets to becoming an industry expert both online and offline.

http://www.thelifedesignerstribe.com

Now imagine your market again as a conversation and think who in the world you would like to add to it.

Whether you choose to use just Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or You Tube, you can create groups, discuss issues, make joint ventures and advertise your brand. All can be online and can also manifesting into offline meetings.

So what do you need to know about setting up in social media?

Here are the 10 Killer Social Media Do’s And Don’ts:

1) DO – Treat Social media like going to a party

You’d never shout, sell to complete strangers or ignore people talking directly to you in polite conversation. Nor would you hand out business cards to people who never asked for them. Don’t do so here either.

2) DON’T – Worry about getting things wrong.

You can’t break it the internet, but you can easily boost or damage your brand without thinking too hard. Get advice before entering any website or program – even if means Googling what others have said about it first. Each one has a flavor and a protocol for conversing. Get it wrong and you may find your account closed without question or appeal. You will also lose any friends, contact or conversations that went with it.

3) DON’T – Ever hold anyone’s contact details to ransom

Never spam, always ask permission to market to someone. Don’t buy unfocussed lists, people are private and busy and will hate you forever, if they didn’t ask for and don’t want your product. Offer a way to be removed from future messages and respect their choice.

Connect with the best in the game.

4) DO -Talk to an expert

There are certain types of online etiquette that you should know before engaging. Let an expert show you the ropes so you don’t spend all day chatting and getting nothing done. Also an expert can make every minute cost effective and run your campaigns. Remember as this is now a 2 way conversation, you can get more feedback than the biggest billboard would ever bring to you.

You can talk to me.

5) DO – Be yourself (or at least the image that people should see)

Never fake your identity, nor make every conversation about selling. Online, people buy people and not products. Don’t be too honest (about your hangover, for instance) but also tell people what will make them want to do business with you.

6) DO – Be relevant

Time is precious and Google loves relevance.

So does every search engine (You Tube, LinkedIn and Twitter included).

So do people.

Never hijack their conversations, listen for a while and then join in when you have something to say that they will want to hear.

7) DON’T – Forget IT’S NOT YOUR ACCOUNT!!!

Seriously. When you signed up for Face book, LinkedIn, Twitter and You Tube, the small print says that THEY have the 100% ownership of anything you post (pictures, videos and messages). Be wary of what you say and do. It could be made public even if you said it in private.

Always retain a sense of humour whatever's going on.

8 ) DO – Only post what you want people to see.

You don’t have to share the truth about a bad break up. You don’t have to actually share it at all. Right now Facebook only allows the search engines to post advertising related to the kind of posts you’ve made (key word related). What if Google was allowed to make all your posts public? Be aware, be sensible and if in doubt – keep it out!

9) DON’T – Libel, slander or defame

You have a profile and an audience and THIS MAKES YOU A PUBLISHER. Whether or not you have 5 friends and live in a cave, you are subject to the laws of your host country and possibly international law too. Don’t laugh at the newspapers when they get sued, they can sell more newspapers on the back of the publicity to compensate. What are YOU gonna do?

10) DO – Connect with everyone

There has never been an unparalleled opportunity to rediscover old school friends (my current project), grow communities of like-minded people and sell with out paying a bean for advertising. Make sure that you are polite, get introduced through a friend (especially on LinkedIn and Facebook) and respect the privacy of others. Unless of course they choose to tell the world all about their own misadventures – in which case send them THIS ARTICLE.

Of course this doesn’t even skim the surface of the possibilities of using social media to make a regional impact. To do that you need to ask what people really want and then give it to them.

But you can research, start relationships and do really profitable business from your laptop to someone else’s mobile phone.

Everything is possible online with just the click of a mouse.

Want to turbo charge your brand?

Talk to me.

Testimonials

“When it comes to social media strategies, Dave is the obvious go-to-guy for the region, we are in a world where engagement and interaction is critical, and Dave is a master and this… He has a way of taking complex processes and procedures into action plans, so that means anyone can get to the next level with Dave’s advice and insights.
Stop reading this now, go and do whatever it takes to work with Dave.“
Dean Hunt
The Internet’s Number One Buzz Marketer

“One of the secrets to success, is to surround yourself with successful individuals that push you to excel and hold you accountable. I have had the privilege to know Dave as a mentor, coach and student. In all arenas Dave inspires you to excellence. I truly love his ability to provide good sound knowledge. Particularity in his social media and Personal Branding workshops such as The Celebrity Boot Camp and at the same time make it a fun experience. Over the last year Dave has helped me with my personal brand as the Rebel Networker and becoming recognized as The Networking /Referral Marketing expert in the GCC. In no small way do I attribute a great deal of this success to Dave’s influence. I am always impressed at Dave’s willingness to learn from others, help others, his modesty and his ability to see each “problem “as an opportunity to evolve.
Phil Bedford ‘The Rebel Networker’
Master Franchisee Of The Referral Institute Middle East

“I recently participated in a Social Media conference in Dubai where Dave was the MC. He did a superb job of keeping the audience engaged and participating during the entire two days. I attended one of Dave’s shows. I’ve been to a lot of shows of this kind before and Dave’s ranks right up there with any of them. He knows what he is doing and that is to entertain his audience. He does it with style and humor. If you have a need for either an MC or a showman, Dave’s your man!”
Rick Itzkowich
‘The Linked In Guy’ (The world’s foremost authority on LinkedIn Marketing)

The Uqast launch mastermind dinner.

As a result of my successful run of motivational seminars, I am now offering in house social media training.

Download the full presentation here:

Social Media Intro Proposal

(click to download)

Let me know.

Let’s connect… then talk…

http://www.facebook.com/davecrane

http://ae.linkedin.com/in/davecranedubai

http://www.twitter.com/thelifedesigner

Remember to join the Tribe at http://www.thelifedesignerstribe.com

and get an eBook on the 10 Rules of creating success.

You can also contact me directly on dave@thelifedesigners.com

Have a great day.

Dave

P.S

Make sure you’ve connected with me on Facebook, Twitter, You Tube and LinkedIn for online strategy as it happens.

I recently wrote an article on How To Love The Job You’re In and realised that’s so many people need a helping hand with all the life rules that they never taught you at school.

By the way, if you want to know how to keep or even upgrade your job, read this…

How To Love The Job You’re In (Part 1)

How To Love The Job You’re In (Part 2)

Yesterday, I had an amazing idea. Why don’t I sponsor Dubai based companies and provide a low-cost high impact solution to their motivational needs? That’s when I made this video which tells it all.

Watch this…

So…

Ever wanted a magic affordable solution that will motivate, transform and turbo-charge the mindset of your team in one hour whilst they drink coffee, further their education and create their own super-success blueprint?

Who wouldn’t right?

• Need a motivational session for your team but can’t afford the budget?
• Worried that your team is too small to make hiring a speaker cost effective?
• Want to avoid the expense of hiring a venue, catering and a big sound and light system?

Here’s A Million Dollar Secret…

Do you know the number one quality that 80% of managers use as a key indicator of whether a potential employee will be successful or not? Well, according to a Gallup survey of 80, 000 sales managers they know someone will be a great employee by one thing – and it’s not their looks, their CV, their reputation or their background. It’s a far more basic yet, universal trait. Top Managers can identify great staff by whether they ARE into ‘self-improvement’ OR not. For many years I have been one the region’s leading names in motivating corporate and individuals into high achievement. You may know me as the face and voice behind the Dubai Rugby Sevens and the team that helped turn the sport into an Olympics event. I’m also a Life Designer (which means I use NLP, hypnosis and coaching techniques to make people into industry experts and companies into the best that they can be).

Taking Rugby Sevens to The Olympics

I’ve also helped motivate teams from VISA, Mastercard, HSBC, Axa, BP, Air Arabia, DNATA, Etisalat, Toshiba, IIR, Emirates Bank and many more. Here is a snap-shot of some of our friends…

Some of The Life Designers clients...

APC even recorded a 49% growth rate over the 12 months after working with me.

Onstage presenting to the HSBC sales team.

Google me. I’ve worked with Slash, Robert Plant and Bruce Willis. I rock. And that’s why I can help you.

If you are based in the UAE and want to enjoy a HUGE business advantage – We need to talk NOW.

We know that the world has had it tough over the last 18 months and whilst the UAE is recovering faster than most countries, there is still huge feeling of pain in the market. Although people are still making money, they are even more cautious about how they spend it.

Traditionally, marketing and training budgets are the first casualties of a recession. The problem is that they are also the same ones who that are most needed for a organisation’s long term growth. I am sure that your company is feeling the pinch too. It’s difficult to inspire and reward your team when your budgets are capped, the competition keeps dropping their prices, the cost of living is still sky high and your team are becoming restless.

You might want to give them something that will restore their faith, but you don’t really know what it is or how to do it. The problem is money talks and bigger companies are cherry picking the best staff from competitors by offering them bigger salaries.

AND… It’s going to get worse…

Many staff will never physically leave - because they have already left in spirit. Did you know that an average 20% of any workforce is ‘actively disengaged’ and hates the job (even does ‘subtle’ damage too) but never indicates that there is a problem (again Gallup statistics). If you are the business owner or key decision maker, this is not a problem that you can easily solve. You are already too close to the issues to deal with them objectively. In some cases staff will never talk to you because they perceive you as part of the issue. Sometimes the Human Resources department can help but they are not trained to motivate, and who’s going to motivate them?

AND Things are going to get even worse yet…

Most companies will have no solution or mechanism to cope with the current climate.

Luckily, that’s where I come in…

I recently had the pleasure to work with a German international process automation company. They are a very successful organization and in order to stay at the top of their game needed to get their managers (based in over 15 different countries) onto the same page in 2011.

They needed a mindset change. They only had a limited time to create one as their 2 day time schedule of lectures, procedural analysis and internal training had all but completely taken up every spare moment of their programme. It had to be a ‘one hit and straight into the back of the net’ kind of affair.

The motivational session had to produce instant bonding results or the entire weekend wouldn’t work.

They called me. I spoke for one hour and their event became a huge success.

I also went back the next day for an NLP based stress management and positive visualisation session which blew them away.

I know what works.

That’s why I have a decided to help 11 companies to boost productivity, invigorate their staff and turn 2011 into their best year ever. I will present to you the ‘The 10 Rules of  Success’ seminar – which I have performed for worldwide many of the world’s biggest brand names.

Onstage in Dubai

During that dynamic session, your staff will:

1) Become instant experts in the basic principles of self-improvement and motivation.

2) Be able to re-frame every single failure and mistake they have ever made to empower their positive thinking and future decision making.

3) Have real world insights and examples of how to attract and train a new dynamic ultra-responsive clientele to your venue, product or service.

4) Become a brand ambassador for your company embodying your ‘WOW’ factor and walking the walk into your business community and target market.

5) Have an ongoing affordable training and mindset solution which increases productivity, sales, employee engagement, staff retention and everyone’s  ‘can do mentality’.

6) Enjoy a highly motivated and effective team ready to take on the next 12 months and win.

7) Also have experienced a fun crash course in

• Life Coaching Tools
• Social Media Dominance Secrets
• Customer List Building Strategies
• NLP Sales and Communications Training
• Behavioural Styles Insights
• 10 Rules of Business and Personal Success
• Profitable Networking Techniques
• Permanent Motivation Mindset
• Comedy Videos
• Sustainable Tribe Building Results
• Q & A Section For Trouble Shooting Success

Here’s what else people are saying about my work:

AND here’s a few more…

It’s a no brainer… So what exactly, is the offer?

I will provide an hour of high intensity motivation with NLP and business coaching which will blow you and your team away AT YOUR OFFICE (Dubai based).

Seriously. I will come to you and together we will turbo-charge your team over a coffee or lunch break.

I am offering these incredible sessions for 11 SME’s from only 1,500 USD (for up to 10 people).

That’s a 70% discount!!!

I am effectively sponsoring you and your company’s future success to make you recession-proof.

-       There will be a slight increase in fee for bigger teams (but not huge).

Why 11 companies and why am I dropping my prices?

Simple.

• Firstly, 11 because it’s 2011.
• Also because all my friends tell me businesses need help.
• Once upon a time I was helped by key individuals who gave me that much-needed boost.
• I have been in Dubai for over 16 years and now I want to help you too.
• Budgets are tighter than ever and I have a proven track record of getting instant results.
• PLUS, I am also working on a huge new project due for launch in May which will help you even further and so I want to make those new friends in local businesses now.

That’s why I am reducing my fee right down to only cover my costs and GIVING THE REST RIGHT BACK TO YOU as sponsorship of your future success. I’m keeping it plain, simple and no-nonsense. That’s the way I like to conduct all my business.

Why such a great deal?

Because it works for everybody. This promotion fits into my mandate. There is no catch, I get to help Dubai based businesses and meet new people who will also create word of mouth positive energy about Life design.

And there’s more…

To guarantee great results that will sustain, I will also give each member of your team

Your '10 Rules Of Success' eBook

• A copy of the ‘10 Rules Of Success’ eBook (worth $47 per copy).
• Plus their education and motivation can continue with my mini ecourse ‘The Seven Biggest Life Mistakes You Shouldn’t Make’ (which I will personally deliver to them by email).
• I will also invite each member to attend my free online webinars on different upcoming aspects of self-improvement and motivation.

This way your team will stay motivated, you can concentrate on running your business and I can continue training your team for you.

And the best bit…

If you don’t start noticing an instant change in your team, and are anything but completely blown away by our work together, I will give you a full refund. Period. Let’s face it. Life’s too short to have anything but happy customers isn’t it?

The only catch…

• There’s only ONE of me and this offer is only available for 11 companies and then I will remove it.
• It’s a first come, first served deal.
• It ends in April 2011 and the price returns back to normal after that (ask about – I’m the best AND not the cheapest).
• In May I will start travelling again to promote my new joint venture and won’t be available for months leaving another long hot summer for your HR manager to deal with.

Here’s how you book me to motivate your team…

Turbo Charge Your Team

Send me an email to dave@thelifedesigners.com , or call me on +971505524316  and book your session today. Remember to mention: -

Your preferred date

-       Number of attendees

-       The location of your office

-       A brief about your company, industry and objectives from the session.

Payment must be in full before the event otherwise, there will be no booking.

Also no cancellation refunds.

Once you have secured my services, the power hour is yours, and I will simply say ‘No’ to  any other company who wants the same date (even if they offered twice the fee).

Go ahead and book now.

P.S. Remember I will train 11 companies of up to 10 people from 1,500 USD (ask if your team is bigger) in March and April 2011.

P.P.S. I have never and will never do this again. My normal fee is 5,000 USD for a motivational session. This is a no-brainer.

P.P.P.S.

You will have a fully motivated and trained team, with ongoing coaching and a full money back guarantee. Your team will communicate better  with each other, love the customer, become a thought leader in their market and have a yearning to succeed.

They will be dynamic with a 100% winner’s mindset.

If you book now.

Remember to spread the word, some of your friend’s will be disappointed if you don’t tell them too…

Have a great day.
Dave

Want a copy of the ‘Turbo Charge Your Team’ PowerPoint presentation to send to your colleagues?
Click here…

Turbo Charge Your Team

• Want more business and worried that it might never materialise?
• Worried that your marketing and PR isn’t working despite the cost?
• Aware that despite knowing everyone, no-one is bringing you new business?

Trust me, you are not alone. I was exactly the same, until I was trained by The Rebel Networker. This man can change your business life…

The Rebel Networker

Now I use networking skills to enhance every aspect of my business and it always brings back tangible and measurable results

At the brainstorming networking evening with Internet Guru Brad Fallon

Most people have some kind of network but don’t have a clue how to grow it, refine it or even monetize it. It’s not common sense, it’s a science but one that you can learn thanks to the Referral Institute. I recently generated over $100, 000 USD of potential business for one of my referral partners after just 30 minutes of discussion. Maybe it’s time that you trained to be able to do the same?

By the way, if you want to turn your website into an ever-delivering goldmine, talk to James or myself at

http://www.webreactivators.com

Whether you are already in a network, or looking to grow a new one of your own, you need to read the following essential tips. But first, here’s a short video with some reasons why you MUST make Referral Networking as part of your business portfolio… 7 Incredible Networking Secrets That 99% of Business Groups DON’T Know About! 1) BNI ISN’T everything. Neither is any other single networking group or organisation. You need to have feet in at least 3 different organisations to make effective contacts and visibility. It also keeps you fresh and alert. 2) You Only Need Between 4-8 Partners. Forget big groups of 30+ people. You’ll never get to know them well enough for them to keep generating business for you. Keep the number small and dedicated. It’s about having a few very deep relationships, not lots of shallow ones. 3) People NEED To Trust You before they buy or recommend you. There are 3 stages to a sale – Visibility, Credibility and Profitablilty. Being there isn’t enough, they have to like you and trust you too. A trained referral partner can speed up this process immeasurably and take you from an explanation about your abilities to the signing of a cheque by talking to the client ON YOUR BEHALF. 4) Social Media Can Help Online activity can make cost-effective ways to maintain relationship and be visibly, but there is no substitute for face-to-face interaction and over 90% of people say that’s how they prefer to do business despite the options available.  Facebook, Twitter are perfect for making friends, LinkedIn generates serious contacts and as video is by far the best way to spread your marketing message, You Tube should also be a very large part of your mix. Meet them for a coffee first (if you can) before building that online relationship partnership. 5) YOU Need To Be Properly Trained One of the most important lessons in mastering any discipline is knowing (and admitting)  that you know nothing about how to do it effectively. If you don’t understand the dynamics of giving a business card to the right person with the right message, you might as well stay in the car park and place flyers under their wind-screen wipers. 6) You Are Sitting On A Goldmine Not only do you know people, but they also know people too. Without an effective system in place not only will you never know the potential, but they won’t know how to help you and you will stay at square one. Imagine if the most connected people you know spending quality time to feed you pre-qualified new business. There is no better source than from people who know you best and want to help make you a success. 7) Not Every One Is Right For This Some people are just impossible to work with. There is simple criteria for selecting your pipeline partners. These include the following points… they have to be able to get you referrals, they have to be referrABLE to your own contacts with credible customer service (etc), they have to have time to work with you on this, they also have to be willing to be trained and have an abundance mindset. Whilst there are some great referral sources available who don’t have all the qualities above, they will never be dedicated enough to use as a pipeline partner.

Google The Rebel Networker and contact Phil Bedford Master Franchisee from The Referral Institute. http://www.referralinstitute-me.com Phil’s personal blogsite is here http://www.therebelnetworker.com He will show you how to start your new education today so email him at phil@referralinstitute-me.com. Here is Phil’s video so you can see just what a cool geezer he really is Kitesurfer, Salsa Master and Rebel Networker… As promised in the video, I am keen to part sponsor anyone interested in attending Referral Success 101, the introductory session for the Referral Institute. There is usually one per month. Here’s more about the event… Referral Success 101 Are you getting all the referrals you want for your business? Do you get referrals predictably and consistently or by chance? Business owners understand the value of referrals but they don’t often have control over their referral business. Referral marketing is the most effective form of marketing for businesses with limited marketing budgets. If you are willing to invest the time to learn specific referral marketing strategies, tools, and techniques you can double, even triple your sales in months without spending additional marketing dollars. Attend a two hour class on how to make referral marketing work for your business. If you don’t have a referral marketing plan for your business, this session is a must! You will learn how to develop a strategic referral network, who should be in it, how to find them, and how to motivate those people to refer business to you.

This class will open your eyes to the possibilities of generating more sales in less time by doing business by relationship. Unless you can find more time and work harder than you already are, you can’t afford to miss this class. You will learn some specific techniques that will enable you to really work smarter, not harder. Let me know when you are interested in attending and joining my own network of business partners. It’s time to step up. Have an awesome networking week… Dave