Motivational Speaker, Marilyn Sherman | Get to know Marilyn a little better!

What is your expertise? After years being in training and development for a finance company, I spent 5 years on the road with a seminar company and the last 15 years as an independent motivational speaker/author sharing my message of hope, encouragement, and strategies to be more productive. I've written three books about personal motivation and what people can do to get out of their comfort zone and live life in the front-row. With my background in training, I also add value to my clients by conducting workshops on dealing with difficult people. So, not only do I motivate people to be better at work but I teach them how to handle the people around them who aren't so ready to change! What are the 2 biggest challenges you help clients overcome? Workplace stagnation and lack of motivation What’s the one thing you do (on stage/ for clients) that no other speaker does? The one thing that meeting planners say that impresses them most is how I show up early and attend the events leading up to my presentation, then if my schedule permits, hang with them afterwards. I totally immerse myself into their program so I can speak with more of an understanding of who they are and what they are about. They love it, and I love it too! What groups tend to need your message the most? Groups that hired a boring speaker last time! Actually, groups that are looking for practical information that their audience can immediately apply to have increased productivity, morale, and teamwork, delivered in a fun, engaging way. Describe your presentation style on stage - or how others would describe you & your speaking style. Funny, authentic, real, relatable and engaging. Oh yeah - and magnetic! What’s one thing you say on the platform that scares the pants off your audiences? They are responsible for their own success. Their obstacles are really excuses and if they don't like their seat in life, it's up to them to move it or change their attitude about it. Today’s audiences are sophisticated and expect more from a speaker - what do you do to keep your content fresh and innovative? I spend time talking to attendees prior to my program to really understand what their issues are and weave them into my presentation. For associations, I engage in their events and ask a lot of questions. What is one thing your audiences always remember after having attended your presentation? That life is really lived in the front-row and they too can move closer to the front-row of their life with simple attitude adjustments or perspective shifts. What are three adjectives past clients have used to describe your presentation and/or message after having heard you? Best. Speaker. Ever. (and fun, authentic, relatable). Fill in the blank: Marilyn Sherman is the "Front-Row" gal. Marilyn's Personal Website - Marilyn Sherman's Full Biography Marilyn Sherman's Topics & Presentations Watch Marilyn Sherman's Demo Videos Marilyn Sherman's Client Testimonials -- Interested in bringing Marilyn to speak at your next conference or event? Let us know! We'd love to help - feel free to email, call or fill out Marilyn's web form. We can check Marilyn's availability and answer any questions regarding her fees & programs, too. We look forward to helping you take steps on getting you in the front row! -- Thank you -- CONTACT INFORMATION: Sarah Whitten | Marilyn Sherman's Manager 913.498.9775 | sarah@thestandardovation.com Standard Ovation | www.thestandardovation.com

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Standard Ovation turns 1 year old!

March 2, 2013

HAPPY FIRST ANNIVERSARY STANDARD OVATION! Standard Ovation has officially been open for one year! [cheers!] We have had a blast so far - and can't wait for many more years! Thanks to everyone who has supported us: our clients & bureau partners and to our absolutely amazing team of speakers! We also want to extend our gratitude to everyone else who has been supportive in our journey: our friends & families, our business partners & vendors, people in the industry who have been so helpful & kind, and to everyone else who has given advice, sent us a note, gave us a kind word, and cheered us on! We have genuinely enjoyed our first year at Standard Ovation and we cannot wait to continue managing our remarkable speakers - growing, learning, inspiring and making an impact on others!

CHEERS!! xo
Standard Ovation
www.thestandardovation | 913.498.9772 |info@thestandardovation.com
Sarah Whitten | Charlotte Raybourn | Amy Crocker

Standard Ovation Speakers:
Dr. Gary Bradt
Kit Grant, CSP
Michael Hoffman, CSP
Gregg Lederman
Sam Richter
Marilyn Sherman

Michael Hoffman | Wrestled a table saw update!

PRAY FOR THIS MAN!!!

Tentative surgery is scheduled for Friday, February 28th.

We love you Michael!!

Great Customer Experiences Aren't Just Strategy

There's no doubt the term "customer experience" has been a hot topic in business for quite a while, and it's one of the most sought-after topics by those hiring speakers for company events. And after having customer-experience expert Gregg Lederman on our roster of speakers, I've realized how the transformation of becoming one of those companies who are doing it right (think Zappos, Southwest Airlines, Trader Joe's) involves a strategic, and sometimes multi-year process. If you aren't measuring and assessing the right things in the right way, improving culture can be difficult.   

But creating great, or as Gregg says "above and beyond," experiences for your customers also means layering the strategic with a little bit of the warm, fuzzy stuff. Anyone who shops at Trader Joe's knows they don't stop at "Hi, can I help you?" when you walk in the door. They truly want you to have a unique and memorable experience with them from the minute you walk in the door, and they go out of their way to make it happen. Even if you just stop in for some "two-buck Chuck" before your party, you'll leave having had a cheery conversation with your checker about wine, your dog, and you may even end up inviting him or her to your party (not that I ever did that).

Can't remember the last time you had one of these "above and beyond" (aka warm and fuzzy) customer experiences yourself? This post about Trader Joe's might jog your memory...
http://blog.brandintegrity.com/2013/02/15/great-customer-experiences-create-addictions/


Want to know more about something in this post? Email me at amy@thtestandardovation.com or call 913.498.9773.

Quick Tip from Michael Hoffman

want a SNEAK PEAK on how to be a person of situational influence? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . watch the Hoffington Post video-clip below for a tool to implement today :: start influencing now :: Michael Hoffman | Situational Influence Michael teaches audiences how to be a "person of situational influence.” He will address issues that your organization may be struggling with. He will provide tools & processes that will allow a better culture to be created internally, enhancing skill-sets, and giving each individual the knowledge to be a person of influence. This will allow companies to shine externally as well - delivering a better service, product or experience. This allows everyone: your employees, your leaders, and your organization to become #1 on purpose! Michael's programs are high-content, but he delivers his message in a very dynamic and humorous style, allowing his audience to retain his message and gain more from his presentation. Michael provides hands-on tools and tactics that can be implemented immediately to get results! For more information on how Michael Hoffman can help you and others in your organization become a person of situational influence, contact Sarah at 913.498.9775 or sarah@thestandardovation.com. To read Michael's program descriptions, watch demo videos or read some past client testimonials, go to: http://www.thestandardovation.com/index.html

Where is That Record? Finding Public Records Online

by Sam Richter

Most people are shocked to learn how much information is available via public records. From federal, state, county, and local sources, you can find information on companies and people that you can use to develop sales lead lists, for research prior to meetings, and for use in proposals and negotiations.

Unfortunately there is no public records meta-search that is free and complete, meaning that you need to search for public records by the specific government entity and geography. Fortunately Black Book Online has a well-organized public records directory. The site features links to just about every available public records search resource.

When you first access the site, you will be tempted to type a name into the main search form. Don’t, because it won’t work. What the main search engine does is let you know the website where a particular public record might be located. So, for example, you can enter ‘driving records Ohio’ (do not use Boolean) into the search form and the results list will include third-party websites where you can access your information.

You’ll notice on the results page that each result contains a brief site description. It will also indicate whether the information is free or if you’ll have to pay for access. As a directory engine, Black Book Online features lists of links to its extensive resource database. You can choose by category or by state. You can also build your own custom search by clicking on the “Custom Search” link in the category section.

Black Book Online makes it easy to find a website where a public record might be located. However, once you access the site, finding the information you want might be more challenging. For example, if you want court records in Minnesota, you can use Black Book Online to easily find the various Minnesota court websites. However, navigating each site can be difficult as they are all different in the way they provide access to information.

Before diving into Black Book Online, make sure you have some time. The site can be addicting, and scary, when you realize what is publicly available on you and others. Public records are now a click away, now that you Know More!

Bill Ringle Radio Show | Michael Hoffman Interview: Become #1 on Purpose!

On a recent episode of Bill Ringle Radio, business growth strategist, author and CEO coach, Michael Hoffman, was interviewed. Michael is a professional dynamic speaker - teaching organizations how to become #1 on purpose! Michael provides relevant examples on how to provide the best customer experience, proven leadership advice, and growth-strategy sales tips. Michael's insights can be implemented immediately to grow your client & customer base, improve your bottom-line, and use your resources, talents & skill sets to increase and enhance performance within your organization. 
 
  < LISTEN TO MICHAEL'S INTERVIEW WITH BILL RINGLE >

Listen to this interview to learn:
- How the careful choice of language creates mental hooks that carry learning forward
- The benefits of living "on purpose"
- The bank case study that highlights the importance of simple actions that help your team connect with customers 

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Want Michael Hoffman to share his tips, tools & insight to your group? To learn more, check out Michael's webpage. To hear more about Michael's customized presentations, check his availability or fees - contact Sarah at Standard Ovation: sarah@thestandardovation.com or 913.498.9775 or you can contact us through the web. Thank you!