"...out-learning the competition"
HEADLINES:
Critical Room Situation -- we've already exceeded our room block for the Sales & Marketing Summit, Las Vegas, April 20 -- 22 (the great news). The M Resort is guaranteeing further reservations for the $125 rate through next Tuesday. This doesn't mean rooms at this rate won't be available later, but the hotel is already at 75% occupancy and they tell us the rate jumps to $145 and then higher. The nearest hotels on the strip are 9 miles away and the closest other hotel is 4 miles (we're at a hotel in Henderson, NV because of our activities with Zappos)
Most Important Business Book -- I've already shared my enthusiasm for Chip and Dan Heath's new book Switch (we sent 750 of you copies) -- still the #2 NY Times Business Bestseller and still #3 of all business books on Amazon. Though reviewed in Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Business Week, and hundreds of other places, the San Jose Mercury News had the best review.
Sticky Ideas -- And my favorite paragraph in the review: "The Heaths are 'keen observers of human nature and are gifted at translating observations into -- well, into sticky ideas, ideas that are memorable and actionable,' says Judith Samuelson, executive director of the Aspen Institute's Business and Society Program." The Heath's are truly gifted at teaching business leaders and others how to communicate our ideas and drive the change we want.
New Price -- Chip Heath March 25 Online Seminar -- to encourage as many executives as we can to learn from Chip Heath, award-winning Stanford Professor, we've priced his upcoming March 25 noon - 1:30pm ET online seminar at $99 for individual executives ($495 for an entire company license) -- and this is for access for a year, so watch it over and over. Heath will discuss both of his bestselling books, Switch and Made to Stick. Why not free seminars? See below.
Chip Heath's Impact on Thornton Brothers -- Clay Gilbert, President of Athens, Georgia-based Thornton Brothers, a premier distributor of janitorial, packaging, and safety supplies, sent a kind note on how Heath's book "Switch" has impacted his management of a 70-year old business. Noted Gilbert "Thank you for your kind gift of books over the last few years. I have gained a tremendous amount of knowledge and in some cases awakening. Your newest technique of mentioning a specific chapter to read has accelerated my focus and drawn me into reading books I never would have opened! For instance, chapter 4 in The Business of Happiness has helped me to refocus on what makes me happy. I didn't open the Switch that you sent me last Fall until you mentioned it in a recent 'Insights' with specific chapters to read. I can't tell you how much that book has helped me understand leading and managing change (which our 70 year old company really needs.) There are plenty of other examples - too numerous to mention them all; but I will share one more..."
Additional Impact from Reality Marketing Revolution -- "...your specific direction to read two chapters of Reality Marketing Revolution made me want to buy it. I read it quickly and then hired a marketing assistant on an hourly basis and gave her the book to read. She had helped write the copy for our website and had just been laid off. Since then she has been re-invigorated and started her own communications company. She also continues to write blogs and articles for our website; AND we are finally having a Monthly Marketing meeting as you have suggested for years! Thanks for the gentle nudges!" And thank you, Clay, for being a great student.
Why Not Free -- these online seminars cost us $15k to produce -- and we've chosen to work with the top business authors. We've also chosen to stream video and offer a longer format so you get the depth of their ideas. Others might stream audio and PowerPoints (though we don't know of anyone offering a Chip Heath webcast -- just Googled), but I find it difficult to focus for 90 minutes without a direct view of the presenter -- we think the much higher costs are worth it. And if you participated in all nine online seminars, it will cost you less than $1000/year and keep you ahead of your competition and customers in terms of the latest ideas. We choose to serve those that believe in executive education and want access to the best.