Register Now!

I was interviewed recently by someone who had really done his homework, and I think you’ll enjoy the results of this candid, unscripted session. Here are his instructions:

Alan-

Thank you for your delightful interview on our FoxNews affiliate here in Nashville, TN. If you would like to promote the show to your following of people around the world it plays live tomorrow in its entirety from Noon-1:00 CST and can be found @ www.wlac.com and live streaming anywhere in the world on www.iheartradio.com (call letters are WLAC FoxNews Radio in Nashville). If the listener goes to the WLAC site it will direct them to I-Heart Radio.

I will also be sending you the podcast via YouSendIt for you to utilize any way that you would like. I hope we asked you great questions and allowed ample time to explore the questions.

Thank you and have an excellent day!

Coach Micheal J. Burt

CEO/Founder CoachBurt.com

www.coachburt.com

www.facebook.com/maximumsuccess

www.twitter.com/michealburt

www.linkedin.com/in/coachburt

Office: 615.225.8380

Direct: 615.849.2099

“Everybody Needs a Coach in Life”

Listen to “Change Your Life Radio” @ CoachBurt.com

I’ll be at the Society for Professional Consultants on January 26, Newton Marriott Hotel, 2345 Commonwealth Avenue, Newton, MA. The public is welcome.

Details: http://www.spconsultants.org/

Contact:

Sheila Robbins, Principal

Robbins Research 508-626-7162

Sheila Robbins <srobbins@robbins-research.net>

As is our custom (beginning today) Buddy Beagle and I have conferred on the best and worst personal business experiences of the prior year (Koufax is busy watching the Dog Channel on cable). After a tough evaluation, punctuated by pizza and pupperoni, here are our awards:

Outstanding Business Practices in General and Specific: Amica Insurance

Headquarters: Lincoln, Rhode Island

Amica does not use agents, and provides exemplary service in every area over the phone and by mail: making policy changes, claims, general information, company communications. Specifically, this past year the company made an error in its calculations creating a lower than proper premium on some policies. The company sent a letter explaining the error, and said that instead of trying to recollect at the moment, the increases and extra payments would be seen in future bills. They apologized for the inconvenience.

When I wrote to the president telling him how well they had handled the situation, he wrote me a personal letter thanking me and telling me this was the reaction they had hoped for with their customers.

I’ve been with Amica for 30 years: house, cars, umbrella liability. They are unceasingly pleasant, supportive, and responsive.

Most Reprehensible Act by an Uncaring, Customer-Deaf Monolith: Shell Oil

U.S. Headquarters: Houston, Texas

I’ve been a Shell customer for 40 years, have never failed to pay every month’s installment in full and have never been late with a payment. We have a wonderful Shell station two minutes away, where they give the dogs biscuits. My monthly bill can easily run to $800 or so in these times.

A few months ago, my son rented a truck to move to Los Angeles. I gave him one of our Shell cards to use along the way. In the meantime, my account was paid in full, and I was filling up two Bentleys and a Mercedes SUV, while Shell continued to raise its prices. Suddenly, our cards were no longer valid, and I’m getting dunning calls from the company (some idiot credit card company in Devils Breath, North Dakota or somewhere handles their billing). I was informed I had a $1,000 limit, it had been exceeded, and I had to make an immediate payment, even though my bill wasn’t due for a couple of weeks.

Talking to Shell was like talking to an actual shell on the beach, except at least there you can hear intelligible sounds. Despite their rabid increases in price, they never bothered to raise my limit (which I had no idea existed) over all those years, referred me to the “small print” and told me I’d have to submit an application to raise it and get a credit check. The individuals were rude and ugly, talking as if I were some kind of debtor’s prison candidate.

Letters to their executive offices went unanswered or answered by form letter.

Shell, and their moronic collection company, have Buddy’s and my vote for the dumb-ass, stupidest management in existence in 2011. The odds are they’ll be a prohibitive favorite to repeat in 2012 for many of you.

© Alan Weiss 2012. All rights reserved.

Meg Wheatley is my featured guest at the Third Annual Thought Leadership Workshop in October at the Ritz-Carlton in Naples (http://summitconsulting.com/seminars/the-thought-leadership-symposium-2012-10.php). She was recently interviewed on leadership in a piece you can access here:

http://www.strategy-business.com/article/11406?gko=15f1d&cid=TL20111215

If you want to reach new heights in your professional development, you can’t afford to bypass these opportunities to spend intimate time with the top people in their fields. She follows Marshall Goldsmith and David Maister in my series with the best and the brightest.

Happy Thanksgiving, whether you’re in the US formally celebrating the day, or elsewhere around the globe. We all have a lot to be thankful for, most of all, family.

– Alan

With gorgeous weather at the fabulous Castle Hill Inn in Newport, RI, here is the latest graduating class of the Million Dollar Consulting College, left to right:

Shlomo Swidler (Israel), Steve Bleistein (Japan), Beth Hand, John Boggs, Diane Diresta, David Waits, Dan Norenburg (Germany), Jon Wallace, Jeff Cobb, Sten Vesterli (Denmark), Liz Berney, Brad Cleveland, Joe Veneto. Kneeling: Alan Weiss

We now have 12 people representing 6 countries. There is still time to register and participate in the October 31 event in Newport. The only other College currently scheduled is in South Africa in March, 2012.

http://summitconsulting.com/consulting-college/consulting_college_2011-09.php

To those of you on the social media platforms who think they are cleverly pointing out that a “free” workshop shouldn’t cost $10, let me make a few things clear.

First, I’m well aware of the grammar, syntax, and seeming contradiction. Playing a child’s game of “gotcha” with me is not exactly sophisticated wit. I did it on purpose, which should be painfully self-evident to everyone but the grammar police.

Second, this is a charitable contribution to animal welfare which has now attracted participants in 12 countries, as well as across the US. In the US, since the checks are sent to me made out to the charity, I match them and will present them as one donation at an annual event they hold.

No good deed goes unpunished, I realize. But if you think access to the value I provide in an hour teleconference (which has run as high as $1,000) doesn’t justify a $10 charitable contribution, then you might want to lie down and rest for a while.

Now that I’ve vented, I feel better. If you don’t like my use of “free” with a $10 charitable donation, then when you run YOUR charitable events, you can phrase it differently. Oh, yeah: Did you also find the typos?

I’m here to invite you to the final “Odd Couple” in 17 years in June 1-3, 2012 – 2 and a half days, we’re going out in style.

Can someone who has been there recently tell me which of these hotels is the most opulent and in the best location in Sydney for a first-class meeting/workshop: Intercontinental (with which I’m familiar); Quay Grand; Marriott Circular Quay.

Write to alan@summitconsulting.com

Thank you!

I’m conducting a special teleconference on August 15 on how to maximize your referral business in any professional services firm. Referrals are one of the best approaches to acquiring short-term business, and this investment could be recaptured in a huge ROI for you. AND, if you beat my deadline, I’ll send you a FREE copy of my new Million Dollar Referrals book from McGraw-Hill when it’s published in the fall!

More information and registration here: http://bit.ly/kipnG7

For guidelines and submission requirements for entries in the writing competition on the environment for the WOLFoundation, of which I’m on the board as previously announced here on the blog, please go here:

We already have 30 people! If you’re interested in an unprecedented virtually free day with me, including food, drink, and a seat (!!), don’t wait. I haven’t even broadcast this to my larger lists yet.

The Almost Free Workshop

Hyatt Harborside Hotel

Boston’s Logan Airport

October 13, 2011

For the very first time I’m running a free day for people in the consulting, coaching, speaking, and related professions to help them dramatically accelerate business and find new markets. It’s my way of “giving back” and providing an easy location and high-content day.

The registration fee is only $100, which offsets some of the expenses (lunch and refreshments during the day are included) and ensures that people don’t merely sign up to hold a seat and drop out at the last minute.

There is limited seating. And I imagine it’s not going to last long.

Whether you are beginning in the profession or a veteran needing a boost, you’ll find a fast-paced, entertaining, and pragmatic session that will include:

• Finding buyers in times of volatility.

• Framing buyers’ issues quickly.

• Isolating your highest potential constituency and achieving high penetration.

• Creating a fast track to your highest fees for clients.

• Improving self-esteem.

• Improving use of time.

• Overcoming the four primary objections.

• Improving the “language of the sale.”

• Creating “bullet proof” proposals, based on my new book Million Dollar Proposals.

The session will begin at 9 and conclude at 4. Lunch will be provided between noon and 1, and refreshments at 10:30 and 2:30. In addition, there will be complimentary internet connections in the sleeping rooms, free airport shuttle, free gym access, discounted water taxi rates, and a special room rate of only $249 at an outstanding property.

The Hyatt Harborside is on the Logan Airport property, and is reachable by car, free shuttles around the airport, and water taxi from Boston.

Once the seats are taken, I have to close off registration. These are six hours that routinely are included in my $1000 per day and more workshops, but never in the same day. There will be ample opportunity for Q&A, and we’ll have some “hot seats” and role plays from the stage.

First come, first served.

Registration:

http://summitconsulting.com/seminars/Almost%20Free%20Workshop.php

At the Castle Hill Inn in Newport, Rhode Island:

Left to right: Rurik MacKaiser (South Africa), Vera MacKaiser (South Africa), Constance Dierckx, Michelle Randall, Christina Dyer, Alex Goldfayn, Linda Walstencroft (Canada), Shawn Casemore (Canada), Dan Markovitz, David Fields; front: Alan Weiss

For Immediate Release

Summit Consulting Group Purchased by Walt Disney Company

In a surprise move, Alan Weiss’s Summit Consulting Group was purchased by the Walt Disney Company during a clandestine meeting held in Orlando, Florida this past week.

Disney spokesperson Linda Melinda said that the acquisition was in keeping with Disney’s quest to foster communities of ardent followers globally. She announced that Goofy, a veteran Disney actor and senior executive, would be assuming control of the Summit operation, replacing Mr. Weiss.

“We thought that it would make the most sense to have one imaginary character replace another,” announced Ms. Melinda. Bud E. (Buddy) Beagle, speaking on behalf of Summit, stated, “We look at this as one legendary figure taking the place of another.”

A sticking point arose when Mr. Koufax, a veteran performer and senior manager with Summit, became embroiled in a conflict with Pluto, the seemingly ageless Disney character actor. Mr. Koufax called Pluto, “A disgrace to the canine species,” and Mr. Pluto retorted that Mr. Koufax was merely a “pretty boy.” The matter was settled when Mr. Pluto was given exclusive control over canine animation, and Mr. Koufax was granted the right to remake Rin Tin Tin with a poodle love interest. When not in front of the cameras, Mr. Koufax will run all theme park counter-squirrel operations.

Mr. Beagle will retain his current position in the new operation as vice president of risk management and Pupperoni testing, and add to it a security badge as head of the elite force controlling buffet pilfering. He was last seen leading a squad of hounds into the largest of the cafeterias to “smell out the turf,” in his words.

Future technology needs of Summit will be handled by Disney Imagineering, led by Donald Duck, which beat out CB Software in a bid for all future work. CB Software president Chad Barr claimed there was fowl play in the bid procedure. Mr. Duck scoffed at the accusation, calling Mr. Barr “a quack.”

The deal was brokered by Mr. Goofy and Mr. Duck after the former attended a Master Mentor training program last winter which he completed in half the time of other Master Mentors.

Mr. Weiss has not announced definitive plans. He was last seen in the Magic Kingdom, where he was said to be helping Snow White find a hidden passageway in the castle, after having had all seven dwarfs arrested for loitering. Patrons are being diverted from the area.

Left to right: Mr. Weiss, Mr. Duck.

© Alan Weiss 2011. All rights reserved.

I’ve just been asked to join the Advisory Board of the Web of Life Foundation (WOLFoundation: www.wolfoundation.org), and I’ve accepted. The purpose of the organization is below, as are my fellow board members:

WOLFoundation is a non-profit organization aimed at encouraging fresh thinking and clear, accessible, enjoyable writing in the field of conservation and the environment.

We are looking for fresh ideas presented in an accessible, non-technical way. We welcome ideas that take any view on environmental issues—be they for or against any particular debate or point of view. Our requirements are simple:

• we encourage original thinking and discourage the re-hashing of tired ideas

• we look for clear, simple, non-technical writing in the English language

• we welcome any form of writing—essays, fiction short stories or any other form of

prose

Professor Warwick Fox, PhD

Emeritus Professor of Philosophy, University of Central Lancashire, UK

The Hon. Dr Michael Frendo, LLD, LLM, MP

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Parliament of Malta

Professor Randy Malamud, PhD

Professor and Associate Chair, Modern Literature, Ecocriticism and Cultural Studies, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA

David Pilling

Asia Editor, Financial Times, Hong Kong

Dr Astrid Vargas, DVM, PhD

Conservation Biologist. Research Associate, The Smithsonian Institution, Washington DC, USA

I provided the wrong email address last time, apparently:

Needed: an executive presentation coach for two or three middle managers at an Aerospace firm in Torrance, California.  They need help making more compelling presentations when they address boards, other corporate teams, etc.  Will require video-taping as part of the package.

Contact:
Ara Norwood
ara@norwood.com

Phone: 805-657-5536

Please do NOT contact Alan Weiss

I’m speaking for the Institute of Management Consultants on Thursday afternoon as part of a full-day event they are hosting. You can see the link and the write-up of my session below. I’d be happy to see you there.

http://imcne.imcusa.org/2011/02/24/imcne-half-day-symposium-beyond-the-curve/

Evolution or Intelligent Design: The future for outstanding consultants

Alan Weiss has written more consulting books than anyone in history and is known as the “Rock Star of Consulting.” He is one of only two people in history accorded the highest honors of the Institute of Management Consultants—Fellow—and the National Speakers Association—CPAE, Hall of Fame.

His latest books are The Consulting Bible (John Wile & Sons) and Million Dollar Referrals (McGraw-Hill). He has consulted with over 300 major organizations and his speaking appearances, newsletters, blog, and teleconferences reach millions of people globally.

His subject is what to really expect as a solo consultant or boutique firm owner in the years ahead, including:

. The role of thought leadership and what it really is

. Why global impact is a must

. The technology plateau

. The future is in communities and not associations

. The Accelerant Curve for attracting business

. The Market Value Bell Curve for determining prime audience

Contact:
Ara Norwood
ara@aranorwood.com

Phone: 805-657-5536

Please do NOT contact Alan Weiss

I’m holding a unique experience in Las Vegas on June 23. I’ll be in the majestic “lofts” at the MGM Grand for an extended visit, and that one day I’m going to host just 11 people for discussions about politics, business, sex, religion, and whatever else it’s so hard to talk to others intelligently about these days.

Breakfast, lunch, and cocktails are included in this bi-level, immense space with 25-foot windows. The fee, of course, is $1100. The value of the discussions is priceless. We have four people thus far, and I’ve only recently announced the experience. To register, write me at Alan@summitconsulting.com or call me at 800/766-7935 (401/884-2778).

If you want to help the Japanese catastrophe victims, the Rotarians are creating means to do this. Here are two links.

I’m finishing Million Dollar Referrals for McGraw-Hill and would like to include examples of “my greatest referral.” If you send me about 500 words as a Word attachment to an email about the highest impact referral you’ve ever received, I’ll send you a free copy of the book when it’s published, whether or not I’ve been able to use your submission. At the end of your piece, please print you name, title, and company as you’d like it to appear, and these words: “I give Alan Weiss and McGraw-Hill unrestricted permission to use this in publication and promotion.”

Email: BentelyGTC@summitconsulting.com

Thank you!

Million Dollar Referrals will be published by McGraw-Hill later this year to join my “Million Dollar” franchise books. I’m looking for contributions titled “My Greatest Referral.” What was a dramatic new piece of business that resulted from a referral (business or personal) and how did it come about? What was instrumental in it occurring? What advice do you have for others seeing these referrals?

If you’re interested, send me about 500 words AS A WORD ATTACHMENT to an email, carefully proofed, and at the bottom print: “I am giving Alan Weiss and McGraw-Hill permission to use this contribution in publication and promotion.” Then print your name, company, and any title or credential (not a bio) you desire to use.

I’ll send you a free copy of the book whether or not your contribution is used. I must have the above format in order to consider it, however. Thanks!

The market just had its best January since 1997.

My first Alan’s Friday Wrap™ podcast in on Friday of this week. These are weekly, with a monthly video, and a free, full-day conference on May 9 in Las Vegas. You can register at any time, and you’ll always have full access to the archives. Get a weekly boost in what’s going to be a great year, and why not be here from the very beginning? You can find it here:

http://summitconsulting.com/seminars/friday%20wrap.php

I am offering a new, FREE, monthly newsletter for those interested in building their professional consulting, speaking, and related professional services careers. There is no obligation of any kind, and your name and email address will never be used for any other purpose, sold, rented, or shared in any manner.

This is one of my gestures to repay the professions that have been so good to me. You’ll find new intellectual property, a case study, and some frequently asked questions answered. (You’re welcome to submit your own.)

I’ve written more books on solo and small firm consulting than anyone else. I invite you to receive this brief newsletter every month to examine ideas that can further improve our profession and your business.

You can subscribe and read the first edition here:

http://summitconsulting.com/million-dollar-consulting-mindset/

Best wishes for a healthy and prosperous 2011,

Alan Weiss

Tonight, 10 pm on MTV, my executive producer daughter’s new show, “I Used To Be Fat.” It’s about teenagers trying to lose weight and what happens to their lives.  There will be a test in the morning.

ALAN’S TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS FOR CONSULTANTS
By Alan Weiss

Reprinted from last year at popular request.
(with apologies to everyone from the 16th Century and prior)

On the first day of Christmas
My efforts brought to me,
A large dose of self-esteem.

On the second day of Christmas
My efforts brought to me,
Two new ideas,
And a large dose of self-esteem.

On the third day of Christmas
My efforts brought to me,
Three great colleagues,
Two new ideas,
And a large dose of self-esteem.

On the fourth day of Christmas
My efforts brought to me,
Four great referrals,
Three great colleagues,
Two new ideas,
And a large dose of self-esteem.

On the fifth day of Christmas
My efforts brought to me,
Five inspirations,
Four great referrals,
Three great colleagues,
Two new ideas,
And a large dose of self-esteem.

On the sixth day of Christmas
My efforts brought to me,
Six clients buying,
Five inspirations,
Four great referrals,
Three great colleagues,
Two new ideas,
And a large dose of self-esteem.

On the seventh day of Christmas
My efforts brought to me,
Seven leads a-calling,
Six clients buying,
Five inspirations,
Four great referrals,
Three great colleagues,
Two new ideas,
And a large dose of self-esteem.

On the eighth day of Christmas
My efforts brought to me,
Eight speaking requests,
Seven leads a-calling,
Six clients buying,
Five inspirations,
Four great referrals,
Three great colleagues,
Two new ideas,
And a large dose of self-esteem.

On the ninth day of Christmas
My efforts brought to me,
Nine columns printing,
Eight speaking requests,
Seven leads a-calling,
Six clients buying
Five inspirations,
Four great referrals,
Three great colleagues,
Two new ideas,
And a large dose of self-esteem.

On the tenth day of Christmas
My efforts brought to me,
Ten agents calling,
Nine columns printing
Eight speaking requests
Seven leads a-calling,
Six clients buying,
Five inspirations,
Four great referrals
Three great colleagues,
Two new ideas,
And a large dose of self-esteem.

On the eleventh day of Christmas
My efforts brought to me,
Eleven innovations,
Ten agents calling,
Nine columns printing,
Eight speaking requests,
Seven leads a-calling,
Six clients buying
Five inspirations,
Four great referrals
Three great colleagues,
Two new ideas,
And a large dose of self-esteem.

On the twelfth day of Christmas
My efforts brought to me,
Twelve vacation days,
Eleven innovations,
Ten agents calling,
Nine columns printing,
Eight speaking requests,
Seven leads a-calling,
Six clients buying,
Five inspirations,
Four great referrals,
Three great colleagues,
Two new ideas,
And a large dose of self-esteem.

© Alan Weiss 2009. All rights reserved.

Merry Christmas from Alan, Maria, Koufax, and Buddy Beagle.

Congratulations to Chad Barr and the technical team at CB Software Systems who put so much energy into SummitConsulting.com and this blog. Not only did we win a recent web marketing award, but websitegrader.com gives my web site a 99 (out of a rare 100) rating (and this blog a 94).

If you scroll down you’ll find my post “From Freud to Roosevelt,” about winding up at Roosevelt Hospital on Wednesday when I had intended to be seeing the play “Freud” that night.

Well, this from the New York Times this morning: The actor playing Freud in the play collapsed on stage during the Saturday performance and was rushed to St. Luke’s Roosevelt Hospital, where he recovered.

I wonder if we had the same doctor?

Courtesy of my son-in-law, Jan Medina, the President and I must be on the same medication:

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/11/26/obama-gets-12-stitches-in-lip/?partner=rss&emc=rss

My new car is off the ship, through customs, and at the dealer. It is 621 HP, 0-60 in 3.7 seconds. Here is Bentley’s writeup:

The Bentley Continental Supersports Convertible further strengthens Bentley’s supercar range, following the introduction of the Bentley Continental Supersports Coupé in 2009. The new Supersports Convertible, with the same 630PS (621bhp/463kW) twin-turbocharged W12 engine, is the fastest, most potent drop-top Bentley has ever built, offering the ultimate Bentley driving experience in the world’s most dramatic convertible.

The inspiration for the ‘Supersports’ name is the 1925 Bentley Supersports, a race-bred version of the iconic Bentley 3-litre, that delivered 85bhp when more ordinary cars were equipped with a modest 15bhp. It was also the first production car to reach 100mph – extreme performance in its day.

The new, muscular four-seat Bentley Continental Supersports Convertible is unmistakably Bentley in its design and craftsmanship but its interior signifies a dramatic re-interpretation of Bentley luxury. Satin-finished carbon fibre, Alcantara™ and ‘Soft Grip’ leather create a unique ambience with a distinctly sporting and contemporary style.

All models in the Continental model range, including the new Bentley Continental Supersports Convertible are now capable of running on both petrol (gasoline) and E85 bioethanol or any combination of the two, reaffirming Bentley’s ongoing commitment to make all its cars bio-fuel compatible by 2012. Pioneered by the Supersports Coupe, this FlexFuel technology offers a reduction of up to 70 per cent in CO2 emissions on a ‘well-to-wheel’ basis, a measure of a fuel’s net contribution to the atmosphere, not just tailpipe emissions.

Apropos of yesterday’s posting on the Chilean miners, here is a story from today’s New York Times:

“Rescued Miners’ Secrecy Pact Erodes in Spotlight:

The miners rescued in Chile have asked for as little as $40 and upward of $25,000 for an interview” (by Alexei Barrioneuvo and Simon Romero).

Stay with me here for advance insights on the world around us through Contrarian Consulting!

The Thought Leadership Workshop was so successful and so much fun that I’m scheduling another for October 19-21, 2011 at The Breakers in Palm Beach.

We’ll have another guest with us like Marshall Goldsmith—who was absolutely superb—and a core of this year’s “grads” who have already committed to return next year.

The fee is the same, $12,000 for people in my communities, $15,000 for those who are not. If you register and pay by Dec. 31, 2010 you may take a $1,000 discount. All meals and the rooms are included in this spectacular property.

“Participating in Thought Leadership has given me the laser focus, tools and deep resources to radically change the future of my career and business.” — Michelle Randall

“Thank you again for an invaluable and powerful three days. Extraordinary on so many levels. Thought Leadership combines mind stretching concepts with practical application in an environment that provokes, challenges, stimulates, expands and ultimately empowers.  I arrived hopeful but uncertain. I left confident and clear. With a plan to follow and the support to make it happen.” — Charles Day

Your first-ever thought leadership symposium left me raging hot to enable successful women to become thought leaders. As you always do, you inspired, cajoled and encouraged, never missing a beat. Best of all: you gave us the mindset, thought processes, and precision tools to each become a thought leader in our field of expertise. Thank you for the mind-bending experience! — Roberta Guise

This should appear on my web site in the next week. But feel free to contact me directly to reserve a place (800/766-7935, Alan@Summitconsulting.com).

I’ve watched Kathy Kingston turn low interest groups into high donors at auctions for schools, arts groups, charities, and other non-profits. She is a master auctioneer, and a great entertainer at any event. She makes people happy to donate!

She’s now offering a teleconference series for anyone interested in how these funds can be raised in a volatile economy. Here’s her description:

Take your Fundraising Auction to the next level now. Skyrocket auction profit and ignite donor generosity. Discover proven methods to blow the top off your benefit auction success in this new economy with Kathy Kingston’s content-rich, monthly Teleseminar Series. Register now for free bonus sessions and special pricing.
Link to full details: http://www.kingstonauction.com/teleseminar_series.htm

I’ve served on and supported many non-profit boards, and this kind of help and guidance is invaluable. I recommend it to anyone trying to raise funds or trying to help others raise funds. I helped Kathy design this series, so I know it’s going to be excellent!

The Web Marketing Association has voted SummitConsulting.com as Outstanding Website. We scored 60 out of a perfect 70, with the industry average 49 and the winning awards average 52.9. We scored 9s in Design, Technology, Copywriting, and Ease of Use, and 8.5 for Content; we were 8 on Innovation and 7.5 for Interactivity.

Congratulations to Chad and CB Software. We are ordering trophies and will now enter the Beach Volleyball competition.

I hope you like our new look, my thanks to Chad Barr at The Chad Barr Group and his great team. I’m still learning the controls, so you might find the plane zooming toward the ground at times. No fears, Koufax is my co-pilot.

Join The Odd Couple® Community with scores of your professional speaking colleagues from all over the globe, have access to Fripp and Alan throughout the year. Launch is September.

Www.alanweiss.tv

Www.contrarianconsulting.tv

I’ll be conducting a full-day workshop called “Alan 101″ at the Ritz-Carlton in Denver on October 7, then doing a half-day for the combined forces of the ASTD, IMC, NSA, and RMC on October 8 at the Westin. The first day is the least investment for any of my workshops in years, and it’s intended to enable new people to the profession and those still affected by the recent downturn to “jump start” their practices at a cost that can be gained back in less than a week. The second morning is to provide the parameters that will build an exceptional business for professional services providers through 2011. You can attend either or both, and we encourage you to attend both.

Links:

Link for Oct. 8 Master Class:

http://www.imcusa.org/events/event_details.asp?id=109835

Link for Oct. 7 full day course (links to Summit Consulting site):

http://www.imcusa.org/events/event_details.asp?id=116023

http://summitconsulting.com/seminars/alan-weiss-101.php

My long-time, high-selling book, How to Write A Proposal That’s Accepted Every Timeis being offered by “resellers” on Amazon for $400, $600, even $800! It’s available, new, from my book store on my site (summitconsulting.com) for $149, plus shipping, or from the publisher at the same price (Kennedy Information, Peterborough, NH). That includes a CD with proposal templates.

I have nothing to do with these ridiculous, inflated prices, and you’d be foolish to pay them. Just buy the book on my site, and it will pay for itself in no time (people experience tens of thousands of dollars in increased proposal acceptances at higher fees almost immediately).

You can purchase the book and have me read it to you for $20,575, plus first class travel. Let me know.

A superb practitioner is seeking a position as a Senior PLM Practice Principle. This position serves two main roles; business development and PLM consulting. The business development role focuses on driving new business relationships and the realization of consulting services sales and revenue for the PPM practice. The consulting role utilize’s 14 years in software implementation and his superior customer interface skills. See his LinkedIn profile for more information: http://www.linkedin.com/in/andersonlarry

Contact:

Larry Anderson
cell: 408-802-9091
email: andersonlarry124@yahoo.com

On May 22 I wrote here that the Australian Chief Justice had recommended that lawyers must charge for value and that hourly billing was inappropriate. I provided a video clip of his comments. At the time, I sent him a copy of Value Based Fees and congratulated him on his remarks and insights.

This morning I received the following note (I’ve removed the personal contact information) and I look forward to hearing from him:

Dear Dr Weiss

This is to acknowledge receipt and thank you for your letter and book to
the Hon Chief Justice Martin. He will be very grateful for your comments
and interest.

His Honour is currently on a court circuit in the north-west of our State
for two weeks, but will respond to you personally as soon as practicable.

Yours sincerely

Christina Curtis
Executive Assistant to the
Hon Wayne Martin
Chief Justice of Western Australia

I’m scheduling Change Management for Jan. 12, and Thrive! for Jan. 13, 2011 in Berlin! Each is $1300, both are $2,000 total. (Save 23%). Prices will go to $1600 each, or $2500 for both, on October 1. You can read about both on my site, Change under “current workshops” and Thrive under “archived workshops.”

I’m buying dinner for the first 9 in each program, the night prior to each. This will go up on my site in the next week, feel free to register directly with me before that: alan@summitconsulting.com.

I’ll be keynoting for he British Columbia Institute of Management Consultants on the morning of May 29. This is open to the pubic, and you can find information and registration here: http://cmc.worldofconsulting.com. I’ll be providing techniques for how to accelerate success in any economy and particularly during this global recovery.

An official “thank you” to all of you who have supported me here at www.contrarianconsulting.com, who have submitted comments, and who have made this a fabulous experience for me for the last three years. Who knew?

My thanks to Chad Barr and the crew at CB Software Systems and The Chad Barr Group. Chad suggested that I begin blogging and his folks administer this space ship. My thanks to Greg Godek who inadvertently triggered this site when he told me he had the rights to the url and didn’t want it, and graciously offered it to me, given my, ah, brand. (Greg is the author of 1,001 Ways to Be Romantic, among many other books.)

Along the way we’ve introduced podcasts, videos, cartoons, and all sorts of diversions. I’m planning still more, so hang around.

Onward and upward, where no blog has ever gone before. Chad, can those engines produce more warp speed without breaking up the ship? (I loved it when Scotty always predicted doom but somehow the ship held together!)

Best wishes to all of you!

Patricia Fripp and I are once again (for over a decade!) conducting The Odd Couple® Workshop for marketing professional speaking services this June in Las Vegas. Details are here: http://www.fripp.com/oddcouple.html

We’ve just waded through a flurry of schedule changes and related matters (the economy is recovering and assignments are reappearing with a vengeance) and we have a few unanticipated openings. There is a discount until the end of April, so I’m letting everyone know here and now.

Join us if you’re a trainer, workshop leader, keynoter, facilitator, panel moderator, emcee, or in any related line of work, and in two days we will help you improve your marketing and subsequent revenue by a couple of hundred percent. Don’t believe it? Check out the reference on the site. AND we have experts contributing in media publicity, technology strategies, multi-media, and a couple of former “world champions of speaking.”

You never know what Fripp and I are going to do (or disagree about). It’s a small investment for a huge return. (And the day prior I’m running a Process Visuals Workshop if you need help with your marketing and delivery communications. You can find that here.

For more info and to register: http://www.fripp.com/oddcouple.html

Here is an advance notice for my blog community. You can register for this brand new workshop directly with me or wait until it is on my site next week. (Immediately: Fax to 401/884-5068, secure voice message to 800/766-7935 [401/884-2778] but do NOT ask for a call back, leave your information, or email to bentleygtc@summitconsulting.com.)

The Change Management Workshop

This is a methodology workshop analogous to The Strategist and The Coach. I only touched on change management in my Best Practices Workshop, due to the volume of material I was covering.

This workshop is intended for consultants who are (or who seek to be) engaged in change management efforts in large and small businesses, non-profits, government, and/or educational institutions.

You will, as a result of this session, be able to:
• Quickly frame and diagnose change needs.
• Utilize the little-appreciated role of changes in distinctions.
• Identify and galvanize stakeholders.
• Synergistically involve structural, systemic, and social changes.
• Create and perpetuate internal change agents.
• Adapt a rational change leadership sequence.
• Prevent and/or overcome the six key resistors.
• Apply your learning to case studies.
• Apply your learning to actual material you bring with you.
• Drastically reduce your labor intensity in accomplishing change.

In one day we’ll help you to become a laser beam of highly focused change management techniques. There will be preparation reading and performance aids provided during our time together.

I am a contributing author to the highly regarded 2010 Practicing Organizational Change (Wiley), along with colleagues such as Warner Burke and Edgar Schein, and the author of The Unofficial Guide to Power Management.

Join me for an intensive day of mastering change that will change your career.

Public: $1250
SAC® Members: $950
Mentor Members: $750

October 28, 9 am to 4 pm.
Breakfast, lunch, and refreshments included
Crowne Plaza Hotel
Warwick, RI

I want to wish everyone for whom it has meaning a Happy Easter and Happy Pesach. These holidays conclude today and tomorrow and I hope you’re celebrating with loved ones.

These are pictures of our pond and river in the worst flooding conditions in 25 years, at least. We’re fortunate, since our home is on higher ground on the property. Many people in adjoining towns have been forced to flee. It is still raining here.

If you are friends with me on Facebook (I knew it would be useful for something some day!) go to my profile page and watch my granddaughter, Alaina, resemble me at my last birthday party (which some of you attended)!

Ed Rigsbee is conducting a three-day workshop in Key West in early December. It will focus on professional speakers who wish to grow their business, expand into other areas such as consulting, and build additional passive income. I’m opening the session and leading the first morning.

Ed has granted me six seats for people I personally bring from my communities. In addition to the normal fun and games Ed provides, I’ll be providing a special dinner, private talks, and drinks and cigars (the latter optional) for those interested. The fee is $2,500, which is the same as the event fee, there is no extra charge, you merely register directly with me. There will two more high-powered morning speakers on the next two days, afternoon practicums, hot seats, and excellent networking with top people. The venue is the Westin. Key West, as many of you know, is a rather unique place! I’ll also provide a free copy of my two upcoming books from McGraw-Hill when published: “Million Dollar Speaking” and “Million Dollar Coaching.”

You can read more here: http://www.rigsbee.com/key_west_2010.htm

Contact me at 401/884-2778 or alan@summitconsulting.com.

I’m still in need of a cartoonist who can draw strips for me featuring dogs. I’ve had some responses, but nothing has panned out.

In any case, if you know of anyone interested with experience in the area please have them drop me a line at bentleygtc@summitconsulting.com.

Thank you.

Garrison Keillor, Diane Von Furstenberg, Bobbi Brown, Suze Orman, Marianne Williamson, Erica Jong, Harold Kushner, and Alan Weiss.

We’re just some of the 50 authors allotted about six pages each in this clever book. It’s edited by Ronnie Sellers. Proceeds go to agencies whose mission is to prevent and cure cancer. The book is in soft cover but a hard cover version comes out later this year. None of us has any financial connection to the proceeds whatsoever.

Contact Robin Haywood, rhaywood@rsvp.com, and tell her I sent you. If you’re not already 50, I can guarantee your getting closer to it!

January 8, 2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Society for Advancement of Consulting
Elevates Ann Latham to Board Approved Status

The Society for Advancement of Consulting® (SAC) has approved another member to achieve the rare SAC® Board Approved designation. This approval means that the consultant has worked in a specialized area for a considerable length of time; has provided detailed, documented evidence of success directly from clients in that specialty; and has conformed to the Code of Ethics of the society, serving as a thought leader and exemplar in the profession in general and their specialty in particular.

Ann Latham, president of Uncommon Clarity, or Easthampton, MA has been Board Approved as Master Facilitator.

SAC membership consists of less than 1% of consultants worldwide due to stringent membership requirements, and less than 3% of SAC members have achieved Board Approval status.

“This is a tough position to obtain, at the height of one’s profession, and is a great criterion to apply when clients are considering consultants,” says SAC CEO Alan Weiss, Ph.D. “It’s difficult to choose the right resources in certain areas, and our Board Approval is evidence, not mere promotion, of real instances of consistent success in delivering client results.” The SAC office will serve as a reference point and share that evidence with any clients seeking more information on Board Approved members.

SAC is an international association of consulting professionals who subscribe to an industry code of ethics and have provided evidence of significant consulting results among their clients. For more information, please go to http://www.consultingsociety.com, write to info@summitconsulting.com, or call 800/825-6153 (401/886-4097).

End End End

January 25, 2010
For Immediate Release

Five Inducted Into Million Dollar Consultant®
Hall of Fame

Five outstanding consultants from diverse disciplines have been inducted into the Million Dollar Consultant® Hall of Fame. Criteria for membership in this elite group are:

• Serving as an exemplar to others in the profession.
• Manifesting the highest levels of integrity, ethics, and accountability.
• Achieving significant annual revenue and profit improvement.
• Contributing intellectual capital to the consulting profession.
• Engaging in continuing, challenging, personal and professional development.
• Taking prudent risk and demonstrating resilience.

The 2010 inductees are:

William Corbett, Loveland, CO: As president of Corbett Business Consulting in Loveland, Colorado, Bill melds forty years of profitable business experience with thirty years of working with hundreds of alcoholics, resulting in an unprecedented track record of 85% long term recovery (vs. 20% nationally). This unique blend of talents enables Bill to deliver dramatic results for his clients.
www.corbettbusinessconsulting.com http://www.corbettbusinessconsulting.com

Dave Gardner, San Jose, CA, helps clients eliminate business execution problems that threaten profitable and sustainable growth (http://www.gardnerandassoc.com) and helps manufacturers conquer the enterprise-wide operational challenges associated with highly-configurable products (http://www.mass-customization-expert.com).

Dr. Linda Henman, St. Louis, MO, the author of The Magnetic Boss, is a leading expert on setting strategy, planning succession, and developing talent. For more than 30 years she has worked with executives and boards of directors in Fortune 500 Companies, small businesses, and the military. http://www.henmanperformancegroup.com

Simma Lieberman, San Francisco, creates workplaces where people love to do their best work and customers love to do business. Her articles and ideas have been featured in publications throughout the world. Organizations seek her out to help them implement culture change that engages employees throughout the whole organization and leverage employee genius. Simma@simmalieberman.com.

Andrew Sobel, New York, NY is the leading authority on client relationships and the skills and strategies required to earn lifelong client loyalty. He is the author of three acclaimed books on developing long-term client relationships: All for One: 10 Strategies for Building Trusted Client Partnerships; Clients for Life: Evolving from an Expert for Hire to an Extraordinary Advisor; and Making Rain: The Secrets of Building Lifelong Client Loyalty. Andrew’s clients include many of the world’s leading services firms, such as Lloyds Banking Group, Xerox, Cognizant, Booz Allen Hamilton, Bain & Company, Ernst & Young, and Towers Watson.

The awards were announced by Alan Weiss, Ph.D., who conducts a global mentoring program for consultants. Dr. Weiss himself holds multiple awards in the consulting and speaking professions, including the Lifetime Achievement Award of the American Press Institute. The honors were announced in San Francisco at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel on January 13.

At the announcement Dr. Weiss noted, “These people are readily acknowledged by their world-class peers to be fitting inductees. I’m proud to have been associated with all of these people.” The installation included the notation of “…the distinction of being regarded by peers as one of the world leaders in consulting, as evidenced by empirical accomplishments in client results, professional contributions, and intellectual property.”

Honorees are chosen from the global participants in the Private Roster Mentor Program. The Hall of Fame and all members can be found here:

http://summitconsulting.com/hall_of_fame.html

There have been 26 inductees into the Hall of Fame since its inception in 1996, out of over 1,000 people eligible, who in turn represent the top consultants of over 400,000 globally.

More details:
Summit Consulting Group, Inc.
401/884-2778
Alan@summitconsulting.com
FAX: 401/884-5068

End End End

If you’ve ever wanted to create your own products and passive income, this is the experience for you. Through a combination of workshops, teleconferences, podcasts, and print materials, we will take you through conceptualization to creation. There are three optional levels of participation, including third-party promotion and selling the product on my web site!

http://summitconsulting.com/seminars/the-new-product-experience.php

(A special 5% promo until Friday 1/22/10. Use code PRODEXP2010 in your shopping cart)

Initial Workshop, March 4, Warwick, RI.

TWO BRAND NEW EXPERIENCES, NOT YET ADVERTISED, SPECIAL TO MY COMMUNITIES:

THRIVE! WORKSHOP
April 21-22, Newport, RI
A full day and optional second morning based on my newest book. Learn how to jettison baggage, organize around pragmatic needs and not empty wishes, blow up obstacles to success, and face each morning thrilled with the personal and professional opportunities that await. Invigorate your life. The optional, second morning will feature a personal, customized, Thrive Plan. Write me for a special price before this goes up on my web site this later month: BentleyGTC@summitconsulting.com.

SPIRITUALITY WORKSHOP
May 19-20, Newport, RI
A full day and optional second day to explore the role of spirituality in our lives. This will feature a segment with a “God Squad” interdenominational panel of clergy moderated by me, examination of the differences and commonalities between a spiritual life and religious life, examples of how we deal with loss, uncertainty, the unknown, and fears. This is not a religious retreat, but rather a candid discussion of what spirituality is and why it matters. The optional second morning will feature voluntary discussions of personal experiences and learning for all of us to share. Limited participation. Write me for a special price before this goes up on my web site this month: BentleyGTC@summitconsulting.com.

We have a new electronic calendar for 2010, free to access and use, with an Alanism for each day and notification of my upcoming events and activities. During the year, on certain days, we’ll have special offers if accessed through the calendar links. They will include discounts on workshops, free products, inclusion in teleconferences, etc. I hope you’ll enjoy using it.

http://www.summitconsulting.com/calendar/

Drew Stevens is interviewing me Thursday, January 7 on How to Write Engaging Copy for Speakers and Conferences. It will be for an hour at 11 am Eastern US time. It is a free teleconference. You may not record it or use it for commercial purposes.

Logistics:
Dial In information:
Conference Dial-in Number: (712) 432-0600
Participant Access Code: 765354#

DO NOT WRITE TO ME FOR FURTHER INFORMATION.

Drew’s info:

Stevens Consulting Group
drew@stevensconsultinggroup.com
627 Thorntree Lane
Eureka, Missouri 63025
877-391-6821 (Office)

RainToday.com (http://ow.ly/Qp3l) has named Million Dollar Consulting to a very short list of “books of the decade.” Also cited are Seth Godin, David Maister, and mentoree Andrew Sobel’s “All for One,” among a few others. My sincere thanks to the editors.

More info, click here.

http://www.contrarianconsulting.com/million-dollar-web-sites/

RainToday.com has named Alan Weiss’s “Million Dollar Consulting” and mentoree Andrew Sobel’s “All For One” to their short list of ” Books of the Decade”!!

– Post From My iPhone

Location:Announcements

Thrive! can be purchased on Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/ycmwnhv

If you would like to join my counterinsurgency forces, and you like the book, please post a favorable review. There are some folks out there who get their jollies by denigrating my books, usually without even reading them! They may be right, of course, but I don’t think so, and I love leading the troops in a pitched battle!

More info, click here.

http://www.contrarianconsulting.com/shameless-promotion-3/

That picture below is my sister, Lori Weiss Kaden. Apparently, there is still disbelief, and Chad has asked me to clear that up. He just posts the photos, but all postings are mine unless clearly indicated otherwise!

I’m looking for an artist with experience drawing comic strips and dogs. If you are interested, please contact me with samples of your work:
alan@summitconsulting.com

Please do not call, email only. Thank you.

My latest book, Thrive!, has been delivered, and our shipping folks will start on the backlog on Monday. The holiday mail will probably delay the package until after Christmas, but late presents are always nice! Thanks very much!

Mentor Mastery members on a private tour of The Breakers in Newport, RI:

Linda Popky, Linda Heman, Ed Poll, Pat Lynch, Alan Weiss, Scott Simmonds, Wayne McKinnon, David Fields. (Not pictured from this group: Mark Frobose, Betsy Waits.)

I’ve just released details of my 2010 teleconferences, and they will be the most powerful of their kind for professional services. There is a major discount available prior to Dec. 31, 2009. Details and registration are here: http://bit.ly/czt25

And here is the high-powered content:

March 12: Million Dollar Ideas
I’ll present insights, ideas, provocation, and outrage on how to develop new products, services, relationships, and value for your business. For example, how about an “app” for your business?!

April 23: Priority Priorities
Time, money, and much more aren’t really resource issues, they are priority issues. But most priority is set by default. I’ll be discussing the value of SUG and MOI!

May 21: REV it up: Reciprocating, Exponential Value
No matter who your constituents, clients, prospects, and stakeholders are, I’ll demonstrate how to create communities so powerful that they grow organically, but always focused on you in the center. Here’s how to acquire business without ever “selling” a thing.

June 25: Extraordinary People
I’ll be presenting singular people, both historically and contemporaneously, the traits that made them effective, and how you can make sure you’re traveling the same road. It’s not the road less traveled, it’s the road best traveled.

July 23: Best Practices of the Million Dollar Club
The newest and best from the best and the brightest, a synopsis of the thinking and actions of the members of the Million Dollar Club which I facilitate annually. It would cost over $250,000 to sit for part of a day with each of these people, and I’m providing our best thinking in the comfort of your home or business for less than $100.

August 27: Self-Worth
By popular request, I’ll be providing techniques to examine, analyze, improve, and nurture our self-worth and how we value ourselves. This session alone may be worth the price of admission! You may want to keep this download on your PDA or iPhone.

September: 24: Spirituality
Finally, I’m bringing my experiences and thinking on this important but sensitive topic to the general public in a teleconference. I’ll be exploring what spirituality really is, and the extent to which it plays a role in our personal and professional lives in modern society. I’m hoping this one does more than just make your day…..

October 22: Living Large
How do you treat yourself well without guilt but also without the constant and stressful pursuit of the “bigger boat”? Living large isn’t ostentatious, and it can be hugely rewarding. What is “living large” for you? I’ll bet you don’t know.

November 12: Alan Unplugged
This will be an unrehearsed interview with a very aggressive interviewer, questions solicited in advance, and a martini constantly refreshed. Come and hear answers to questions perhaps you’ve never heard posed before.

December 17: The 2011 Landscape
I’m concluding the year by opening up the next one with suggestions for dramatic growth based on then-current reality and likely trends. Prepare yourself for the year ahead and come roaring out of the starting blocks.

I need someone who can valuate and help in the sale of a small consulting business. I’m handling this for a third party. Please contact me at bentleyGTC@summitconsulting.com. NOTE: Individual must have sterling references, experience in selling small consulting firms.

I’ll be speaking for Women in Consulting in January in San Francisco. As a member of my community, you can attend at a special discounted rate. All proceeds to to support this non-profit organization, my contribution is pro bono.

Information and registration: http://wic.kintera.org/jan142010event

Discount: WIC member price available by entering this code when you register: SaC0907

Alaina Marie and Gabrielle Victoria were Christened yesterday, hard to believe this year has flown by with such good news and good health. Maria and I would like to thank everyone once again for good thoughts, prayers, and well wishes for our granddaughters. We thought of you all. One of the priests invited my daughter and son-in-law to move up here from New York because, “We need more Yankee fans in this part of the country!”

My newest book is available next month: Thrive! Stop wishing your life away

You can go to this address to receive a nearly 30% discount, a signed copy, and free shipping:

http://summitconsulting.com/store/its-time-to-thrive.php

From Mickie Kennedy at e-releases. I haven’t used these and can’t vouch for them, but I thought they might be helpful.

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The success of the Million Dollar Club, which is entering its third year, has prompted the members to recommend that I create a second club. We limit the numbers to 8-9 firms, either solo practitioners or principals of boutique firms, and life partners are always invited, so that the entire group is usually between 14 and 16 people.

The benefits of membership:
• Interaction with absolutely the best and the brightest. Current membership is from Europe, Australia, and the US, and ranges from OD to IT, and from communications to coaching. This is dedicated time away from the rigors of business to focus on both personal and professional goals. There are no “yes, buts” in the MDC. There are only support, ideas, and innovation.
• Unselfish sharing and learning about trends and developments in society, business, technology, personal growth, and economic well being. We’ve all learned that the strengths that brought us to one level often are insufficient (or a hindrance) in getting to the next. Every one of us has changed our business models in the last year.
• Unexcelled relaxation and recreation. We try to choose locations that none of us has visited before, and we select the best of the best. You can see pictures here from a few days ago of the view from Maria’s and my suite on the side of a mountain in St. Lucia, from which we’ve just returned. The current club is considering the Greek Isles, Bali, and similar sites for next year. The group dinners are as rich an experience for great discussion, food, and wine as any you’ll ever encounter. And there is personal “down time” built in, where you can pursue individual interests yourself or with your partner.
• You can create year-round interaction with your group members and the original group members to the extent you determine, including a limited-access board on my private AlansForums.com.

The criteria for club membership (there is no fee to join, but there is to attend the meetings):
• Seven-figure revenues for your firm over the year prior to the meeting.
• You must be either the owner or co-owner of the firm, or a solo practitioner.
• You must be willing to share your intellectual property, ideas, and advice freely, without ego, and without reservation. (I vet members to ensure the “chemistry” will be good.)
• Commitment to attend the annual meetings as a top priority, not “bumped” by business or professional issues.

This will be a new club, meeting independently, with me facilitating. The first meeting would be in 2010 at a mutually convenient time and mutually appealing place. The meeting fee is $15,000, which includes accommodations, breakfast and dinner, ground transfers and local transportation, lodging, and often some surprises. The fee includes a life partner, who is encouraged to attend all of the events. (We often have an “informal” meeting with less business and more recreation at the six-month mark, where I’d plan to invite members of both groups in the future.) The meetings typically begin with dinner on Monday, include working sessions Tuesday to Thursday, afternoons free, and Friday we “play by ear” for those who stay. We obtain favorable rates for those who choose to arrive early and/or stay later.

If you’re interested, please call me. This is available only to a maximum of 9 firms or solo practices. It’s the highest level of peer participation of its kind. I’m proud to be able to offer this expanded opportunity.

Alan Weiss

October 27, 2009

For Immediate Release

Details:
Summit Consulting Group
800/766-7935 (401/884-2778
info@summitconsulting.com

http://www.contrarianconsulting.com

Alan Weiss of East Greenwich, RI was designated a Fellow of the Institute of Management Consultants yesterday in Reno, Nevada. This distinguished and rare appointment is made by the board of directors and recognizes unique and globally recognized contributions to the consulting profession over a lengthy period of time.

The ceremony took place at the annual consulting convention, Confab, where Weiss was also the keynote speaker for the fourth time. Over 300 consultants attended the event. IMC chair Drumm McNaughton introduced Alan Weiss as “one of the most original thinkers in our profession.” He is the 47th Fellow named in the 40-year history of the award.

Weiss has written more books on solo consulting than any author in history. His best-seller (of his 35 books in 9 languages) is Million Dollar Consulting now in its fourth edition after 17 years, also appearing in Chinese and Russian. He pioneered the concept of value based fees for consultants in the early 90s, freeing the profession from the restrictions of hourly billing. The New York Post has cited him as “one of the most highly respected independent consultants in the country,” and he has traveled to 58 nations.

He is the only non-journalist to ever receive the American Press Institute’s Lifetime Achievement Award, and only the seventh such recipient in its 60-year history. He is a member of the National Speakers Association Hall of Fame®, and is one of only two people ever selected as both a Fellow of the IMC and Hall of Fame member. He has served on a half-dozen boards, including Chair of the Newport International Film Festival, and is currently on the board of GAMM Theatre in Pawtucket, RI.

His newest book, Thrive!, will be published in December. He resides with his wife of 41 years, Maria, and their dogs Koufax and Buddy Beagle. They have two children, who attended Moses Brown School in Providence, then Syracuse and Miami Universities, and two grandchildren in Manhattan.

End End End

Quite a few people are asking if they can get some materials from the Best Practices Workshop I’m conducting on November 18-19 because they can’t make the date. So, i’ve decided to provide: course manual, with all PowerPoint slides; two books; two CDs; and an audio version of the entire 1.5 days. The price will be 25% less than the current price, at whatever price point you qualify for. Also, we can provide a video of the program if you would like one for an additional $500. The video is not available independently. You can register on my site using the Best Practices page, and indicate in “remarks” or a separate email that you want the home study version with or without the video. I’ll charge you accordingly. Payment must be made prior to the program itself, November 18, to qualify for this offer.

I will have run Best Practices four times, so the odds are that it will not be offered again, or at least for the next couple of years.

October 25-26 I’m in Reno, keynoting the Institute of Management Consultants’ Confab and then receiving their award as a Fellow of the Institute. I leaned on Amex and they have me in a resort somewhere, since I hate Reno hotels. If you’re a member of my communities and are around for any reason, I’m buying drinks, probably hosting a little party. The lovely Maria (TLM) will be with me. Koufax refuses to come, disdains awards, since he’s a pureblood. In any case, find me if you’re there, and you can drink with a Fellow (hale and well met)!

Visit here for a quick interview with me:

On October 22 there will be a highly intense version of Workshop Workshop at my home, including dinner the prior evening, and lunch during the day. I’m accepting no more than four people, and one is registered. The write-up of the original version is here:
http://summitconsulting.com/seminars/workshop_workshop_2009_10_21.php

Also, on December 9-10, I’m conducting an accelerated version of Speaking with Alan, four people maximum, with all meals and lodging included. You can find that here:
http://summitconsulting.com/seminars/speaking-with-alan.php
One person is already registered for this, also.

You’ll get maximum “air time,” and a great deal of personal attention, plus some great meals and fine wine. If you’re interested, contact me via my site or at Alan@summitconsulting.com.

Beginning Monday, September 21, I’ll be publishing a brief Monday Morning Memo by email, with a comment on current business events to follow and exploit, and a thought for the week. Too many people view Monday as agony rather than opportunity, and I hope to correct that.

IF YOU ARE ON MY BALANCING ACT, MENTOR, OR WORKSHOP LISTS YOU WILL AUTOMATICALLY RECEIVE THIS WITH THE ABILITY TO OPT OUT.

If you are not on these lists, you can subscribe at this address—
http://summitconsulting.com/databack/index.php

Gabrielle and Alaina are one year old, amazingly. We’ll celebrate next week in New York along with my wife’s birthday.

We again want to thank all of you who prayed, had us in their thoughts, and expressed support for the health and well being of these wonderful grandchildren, two miracles. My daughter, son-in-law, wife, and I extend our prayers and best wishes to you.

In my portfolio, Apple, HP, Fedex, and others are nearly at their pre-recession levels, and J&J and Medco have exceeded those levels.

Any of you who are in my various communities and will be in Reno when I keynote at the IMC on Oct. 25 or when I receive the Fellow designation on the 26th, find me. I’m buying drinks. Maybe a small party in my suite.

If you want to register with our discount, if you qualify:

Anyone wishing to claim the affiliate discount to member rates for Confab should follow the steps listed below:

1. On page one, select the “Registration Type” of “Affiliate” from the drop down list.
2. Complete the items requested on Page two as appropriate.
3. On page three, select “Other” from the list of affiliates and type “Summit” or “SCG” in the text box next to “Other”. (This is for Alan Weiss associates only. Otherwise, type in the affiliate name.) Also on page three there is a question asking “How did you hear about Confab. Answer by selecting “Affiliate Marketing from the drop down list.
4. On page four select any of the optional sessions you may wish to attend.
5. On page five, type “IMCAFF2009″ in the text box that asks for your discount code. Then, click the “Apply Code” button. This will cause the program to apply the member rate discount. Continue by completing the payment information.

Contact:

DonS72@aol.com
Don Scellato CMC
Program Chair
Confab 2009

Washington, DC
Tuesday, August 25, 2009

The Institute of Management Consultants, USA, has awarded international author and Certified Management Consultant Alan Weiss, PhD, CMC, with its prestigious Fellow of IMC USA (FIMC) for distinguished service.

“Alan’s contributions to the ethics and professional performance of management consulting are recognized globally,” said Drumm McNaughton, Chairman of IMC USA. “Not only has Alan been recognized for outstanding service to his clients world-wide, he has fostered professionalism in the industry through the more than 30 books he has authored on the profession of consulting and business development, many of which have become integral parts of curricula at such notable institutions as Wharton School of Business, Villanova and Temple University. Alan continually gives back by sharing his expertise with nonprofit and trade organizations through numerous pro-bono speaking engagements as well as mentoring young professionals”

The award will be presented during a formal ceremony at Confab, IMC’s 32nd annual conference to be held in Reno, Nevada, October 24-27; the largest conference in the US for consultants and by consultants.

Weiss is one of only two dozen individuals in the United States who have been awarded both the Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) designation and the Certified Management Consultant (CMC®) designation. The National Speakers Association has previously honored Weiss with its Council of Peers Award for Excellence (CPAE) and by inducting him into the Professional Speaker Hall of Fame®, making him one of only two people in history to be elected as CPAE and FIMC. He is also the only non-journalist in the 80-year history of the American Press Institute to be granted its Lifetime Achievement Award.

“Peer recognition is a wonderful reward in any profession and I am honored to be held in such high esteem by the profession that has enriched my life in so many ways,” said Weiss. “The fact that I’ve been acknowledged by both IMC and NSA is rare and beyond my expectations”

IMC USA was founded in 1968 with the primary purpose of assuring the public that its members possess ethical standards, professional competence, and independence required to practice as management consultants. IMC USA is the sole certifying body for the United States, authorized to award the Certified Management Consultant (CMC®) designation.

Bette Price, CMC
Media Contact
Institute of Management Consultants USA, Inc.
Washington, DC
972-898-1552

Please respond to the contact information below, not to me. There is no need to copy me on any responses.

SERVICE REQUEST LEAD
The following client has requested a proposal based on the specifications included within this lead. To submit a proposal for this service lead, please visit our website at http://members.bostonusa.com

ORGANIZATION

Contact: Kathleen Berry
Company: Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practioners

SERVICE REQUIREMENT INFORMATION

Service Request Name: APFSP – Speaker
Event Date(s): 10-27-2009 – 10-27-2009
Event Time(s): –
Event Location:
# of Attendees:
Budget: 5,000
Deadline: 07-27-2009
Special Requirements: National Funeral Directors Association is definite at the BCEC October 2009. Client is with the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practitioners and is looking for someone to speak to her group.

She is still working out the details, but would like someone to speak for about 45 min to 1 hour.

Date: Tuesday 10/27/09

For either a breakfast, lunch or reception. Most likely the event will take place in the convention center.

She would love someone who could speak to one of these topics: leadership, service or family business, or could also be any Boston personalities.

Her budget is about $5000

– Visit http://members.bostonusa.com to view and respond to this lead. –

Michelle Hulbert
Assistant Director of Convention Services
Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau
Two Copley Place, Suite 105
Boston, MA 02116
Direct: (617) 867-8230 | fax: (617) 867-8393

Early notice for my faithful blog readers! If you want to register even before it’s up on my site, contacts follow for credit card. Note that you MUST include your email address as well as card number and expiration date, or I can’t send instructions!

Phone: 800/766-7935 (401/884-2778) Do not ask me to call you back, the line is private, leave the information.
Fax: 401/884-5068
Email: FerrariF355@cox.net

[Note from Chad Barr, Alan's blog moderator. Effective today 7/24/09, you may now register for this teleconference online:
http://www.summitconsulting.com/seminars/sales-talk.php ]

Sales Talk

Join me for a special, 60-minute teleconference which will focus on ten different key moments in the sales process. I will role-play, with an assistant, ten critical steps in securing business.

You can download this onto your iPod or similar device, and listen to the relevant exercise just before your own sales call or meeting. If you use it during the meeting, don’t let the prospect see the ear pieces!

Here are the ten, five-minute segments:

• Opening a meeting
How do you seize the initiative, make sure you follow your game plan, use the allotted time to move to the next step?

• Dealing with common objections
What if the “timing isn’t right,” or “we didn’t budget for this,” or “you should go see our human resources directory”?

• Dealing with tough objections
How to prevent being clobbered by “Have you worked in this industry?” or “How many people do you employ?” or “How much experience do you have?”

• Suggesting a project
How do you stop listening to someone’s life history or arcane technical problems and actually find a pony in the room?

• Establishing objectives
How to create business outcomes in five minutes with the buyer.

• Creating metrics
How to identify measures of success in five minutes.

• Formulating value
How to help the buyer acknowledge the value and ROI (yes, in five minutes).

• Moving toward the pre-proposal close
How to establish definitive next steps that maximize the chances of your proposal being accepted.

• Closing the deal
How to follow up on the proposal and move forward with payment, starting date, and unequivocal commitment.

• Free-for-all
Dealing with nutty problems, such as a buyer who drones on; hostile questions; avoiding being delegated away; and an unfinished meeting.

This will NOT be a Q&A format with the audience. It will be my traditional hour of high-content, very pragmatic demonstration using one assistant (whom I will then levitate after the session, but you’ll have to take that on faith if you don’t buy the video).

A great many people do their best to learn from a variety of performance aids, but there’s nothing like the quick refresher in the car, in the hallway, in the lounge, or in the restroom just prior to that key meeting!

Here’s the Deal

You may attend the live session (we’re limited to 300 by the number of lines), and access a recording of the session, and receive a free download of the session, or partake of any one or two, up to you. The price is $60! That’s six dollars per technique. What’s the ROI in that?!

But wait! Order two or more….oops, that’s a different commercial.

If you place your order prior to August 15, the price is $50.

If you do nothing, and do not register, but decide to purchase the download after the session when it goes on sale, the price is $150. So don’t say I didn’t warn you.

For those of you who are new to consulting, who are “stuck” at a certain place, or who just want to validate that what they’re doing is the best of the best, this is a great opportunity.

When you register, I’ll confirm, and send logistics the week prior to the session.

“Thank you for a great teleconference call this morning. Three outcomes already:
• My confidence went up
• I ditched some tentative obligations that were like rocks around my neck
• This afternoon I sold a 350K project!”

Constance R. Dierickx, Ph.D.
Senior Consultant RHR International Co.

Date

The session will take place on September 21, 2009 at noon, U.S. Eastern time. That way, you can end the summer (that’s the final day of summer here, apologies to my Australian and New Zealand friends) and head into the fall and the “buying season” with renewed energy and tools. The recording will be available within a day, 24 hours a day, and the download within 48 hours, and will be automatically forwarded to all registrants.

I’ve been asked to do this for quite some time, and the right timing and inclination have come together. Perhaps because I’m a Pisces, I don’t know. But I hope you’ll join me for an intense, immediately useful session.

(Oh, yeah: In case you don’t already have it, everyone who registers will receive a download for free: 101 Questions for Every Sales Situation You’ll Ever Face. I wanted to see if you read this far.)

NOTE: Absolutely no refunds or credits of any kind. You have access to a recording and download if you can’t make the “live” session. Also, you may not sell or distribute the recording and/or download, nor invite other people to listen. That’s like, illegal. This is intended solely for your personal use. Please blink in the next hour if you agree to these terms. Thank you.