Afleveringen

  • Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?

    Klik hier om de feed te vernieuwen.

  • Meetings (in organizations, businesses or even in professional practices and families) are a powerful tool to clarify goals, determine a course of action, and to implement and monitor implementation. They are, however, widely misunderstood, misused, and are incredible opportunities squandered.

    Like anyone who’s been in business for more than a few weeks, you’ve almost certainly experienced the pain and frustration of poorly run meetings. In fact, I’ve been in and run more than my fair share of disappointment or ineffective meetings. But, through time, and by paying attention to what really works (and what’s supported by real data and experience) I’ve become better.

    So, I’ll share a few of the best practices, strategies and tactics so that you can skip the long trial and error phase and go right to getting the most out of meetings in every possible dimension ranging from better morale, to faster and better implementation, to higher levels of profit, and client, customer and patient satisfaction and ultimately
referrals.

    So what are the most common problems? Meeting that never end, meetings that waste time and fail to achieve any results, meetings that lack focus and kill morale.

    You’ve probably experienced all of these. And the data supports your memory/perceptions.

    The typical American professional attends over 60 meetings per month (Source: A network MCI Conferencing White Paper. Meetings in America: A study of trends, costs and attitudes toward business travel, teleconferencing, and their impact on productivity (Greenwich, CT: INFOCOMM, 1998) Approximately 50% of meeting time is wasted (same source as above) 39% of people attending meetings doze off during the meeting (source: CBS News).

    Wow! Whether you are organizing meetings or simply attending them, you owe it to yourself to become more effective at this professional skill. Just imagine the gains you will achieve if you become 1% or 5% better at meetings over time. See http://projectmanagementhacks.com/meeting-tips/

    So what’s the cure? How do we go from running uninteresting and perhaps even damaging meetings to a system that produces calculated, consisten, energizing results?

    Have Clarity of Outcome – Whether you’re running the meeting or attending

    Never host, facilitate or attend a meeting without clarifying what needs to happen at the strategic and tactical level.

    Having a clearly defined and written purpose and a list of the intended and needed results of the meeting (prioritized) will definitely change the tone and flow for the better.

    This can, however, also cause you to close your mind to other alternatives, suggestions, and data from other participants.

    Solutions? I always make sure that there are reminders in my copy of the agenda to seek input from others and to allow for the fact that they may have more and better data than I do.

    Along the same lines


    Obtain or Create The Written Agenda - In Advance

    Vague ideas and intentions to have a discussion on a topic rarely end on a productive note followed by specific actions and desired results. The meeting agenda is really the key to clarifying your thoughts AND to getting others to prepare in advance.

    If you are just getting started with agendas, start with a point form list of topics to be discussed and make sure that material is provided to attendees at least one day before the meeting.

    For better results, provide background information on the agenda items and specially what is desired and what kind of data, ideas, and information will be useful and what goals have been established for the meeting so that everyone attending has the same information.

    What about when you are asked to attend a meeting without an agenda? Ask, “Can you please send me an agenda for the meeting so that I can prepare?”

    Pro Tip: For frequently held meetings such as a weekly status meeting on a project, you can save time by creating a meeting agenda template. Once you have that in place, preparing an agenda becomes a matter of taking time to clarify your specific objectives for THAT meeting and then filling in the blanks.

    Determine or Review The Attendee List – And Be Sure That The Right People Are There

    The people in the meeting room make or break your effectiveness. I have been in MANY meetings where the key person – a manager or executive – is not present. As a result, no significant decisions can be made.

    For Meeting Organizers: limit the number of people attending the meeting. The purpose of meetings is to make decisions and get work done in service of a specific strategic or tactical goal. For the most part, meetings are not the best way to simply share information (exception: meetings are helpful to share sensitive information or information that can be emotionally charged and best not shared by email).

    For Meeting Attendees: read the attendee list before you walk into the room. Do you see any unfamiliar names? If so, consider Goggling outside attendees or when it comes to “insiders” looking them up in your organization’s directory (or on LinkedIn). Surprises are not your friend when it comes to meetings.

    Manage The Meeting By The Clock – Respect Others’ Time and Schedules

    Watching the clock is important in an effective meeting. When nobody takes charge of managing time, it is easy to become careless and unfocused. Remember – when people attend a meeting they cannot do anything else. Make the time count!

    For Meeting Organizers: starting the meeting on time and ending on time (or a few minutes early!) will quickly enhance your reputation as an organized person. If you are running a large or complex meeting, consider asking a colleague to serve as time keeper. If managing meetings to the clock is challenging for you, the parking lot habit (see #4 below) will be a game changer!

    For Meeting Attendees: start by arriving early at the meeting (I suggest 5 minutes for in person meetings and 1-2 meetings for conference calls). That means avoiding back to back committments on your calendar whenever possible.

    Use The Think Tank or “Parking Lot” To Manage Off Topic (But Potentially Valuable) Discussions, Ideas, and Information

    The Think Tank method is a way to keep the meeting focused without offending participants (and keeping them engaged) with good ideas or information that are not on point. It captures ideas to be added to another meeting or Think Tank process without defeating the original purpose of the meeting at hand.

    This process, when used correctly, can really perform two useful functions. First, it serves to keep the meeting focused on the stated agenda. Second, acknowledges (and captures) important points, ideas, and information raised by attendees.

    Warning: The Think Tank must be combined with careful and systematic follow up if you wish to be truly effective and for participants to feel that they are being heard and influential. Otherwise, you are likely to gain a reputation for simply making a show of acknowledging other people. Finally, by failing to follow up you or your organization or team may be missing out on exceptional ideas.

    Pro Tip: As a meeting organizer, here are a few steps to use the Think Tank concept.

    At the beginning of the meeting, explain you expect everyone to focus their discussions on the immediate agenda. Further, explain that this rule will help the meeting stay productive and end on time. Acknowledge that other ideas and information may come up and that you’ll be using this process to keep the meeting focused BUT those ideas will be captured and further explored in another setting or meeting. Keep the meeting agenda document in front of you as a guide and stick to it. Go through each agenda item Monitor and contribute to the discussion When someone raises an interesting, valuable or “off topic” or complex point that does not relate to the agenda, thank the person, remind them of the think tank process and why, write down the point, and schedule the best form of follow up. “Count The Votes” in Advance on Important Points and Decisions

    When a major bill comes to a vote on the floor of the house or senate, the party or bill sponsors try to know in advance what the vote will be. They reach out to influential members to get their vote and to reach out to others.

    You should be doing the same when you know that a major decision (related to funding, budgets, personnel) will be made at a meeting.

    Serious decisions like this require building a habit of reaching out to others in advance of the meeting. In essence, you communicate with people one-on-one before the meeting about the decision before the meeting occurs. While time consuming, this approach increases your chances of success (and avoids surprises other meeting attendees). It allows you to determine what needs to happen at the meeting in order for the desired result to be more certain.

    Pro Tip: For an extended discussion of the “pre-wire” or counting the votes concept, listen to the Manager Tools podcast: How to Prewire a Meeting.

    Take Physical Notes For Yourself AND Have A Back Up Note Taker or Recording

    Taking notes in meetings is an essential skill and there is quite a bit of science that supports doing it by hand rather than on a computer. There are a number of reasons to do it including: capture of ideas, creating a record of action items and who will do them, capturing questions that need to be answered or assignments that require follow up by you or another person as well as a timeline of such actions.

    All are vital so let’s consider how attendees and organizers can act on notes.

    As noted, take notes in a paper notebook (e.g. a Moleskine notebook or something similar) rather than using a computer, tablet or other device. Even if you have fantastic abilities to focus on the meeting, other people may assume that you are “catching up on email” instead of paying attention to the meeting if you take notes on a computer.

    Taking notes for Meeting Organizers: if you plan to send minutes or a summary of the meeting to attendees, say this at the start of the meeting and explain what you will include. Sending out meeting minutes, even a few paragraphs or bullet points, is a best practice. Have another person backing you up or record the meeting as you’ll have a number of responsibilities and you don’t want to miss anything. Remember, however, that recording can have a chilling effect unless it’s been established as part of the process.

    Taking notes for Meeting Attendees: bring a copy of the agenda and use that document to guide your note taking. Focus on the decisions made in the meeting and items that require further investigation or action on your part.

    Follow Up On The Meeting – Where The Rubber Meets The Road For Real Results.

    The art and science of follow up is a vital business and professional habit generally and with respect to meetings is essential. When it comes to meeting tips, following up in a timely basis is a great way to manage stress and make a good impression on others.

    It’s also desirable to make it a system and habit.

    A best practice is to use the agenda with bulleted notes to follow up be email on the same day. However, (and specifically when ideas and information are put into the “think tank” and are on hold) phone or in person follow up might be desirable.

  • Join Our Hosts Dave and Somnath Sikdar as we discuss: How to get more and better referrals, even when you don't like to ask.

    Why do you want and need referrals?

    Every business or professional practice thrives when it gets referrals from existing clients, customers, and patients.

    Why?

    They come to you with a higher level of trust inherited from the fact that you were “referred.”

    That trust means that the sale and transaction costs less and is on a faster track.

    Clients who are referred are 25- 50% more likely to engage and but and are, when treated right, also more likely to refer.

    Referral is so powerful and valuable, that it cannot be ignored but many businesses and professionals are dubious and are often afraid to ask for referral.

    So, we have put together a number of ways to trigger referral even when you hate to ask.

    Better yet, when you take a few hours to carefully get to know your very best clients, customers and patients, you’ll also be building a resource of knowing specifically who your existing customers should refer to you and your profitability and productivity Not to mention morale will soar.

    So, here are 15 (or more) ways to get more AND better/more profitable and enjoyable referrals (as you go prioritize them in the order in which you’re most likely to implement):

    Create a referral program or system with complementary providers to exchange referrals. Be sure you only include providers in this network that you'd be comfortable recommending to your best client or best friend. Make this systematic and easy to implement. And, make sure that the other provider know exactly the type of clients/customer/patients you best serve and why. Also, give them a great referral tool such as a book, checklist, infographic or report that they can physically or digitally provide to referrals.
    Recognize and thank all your referral sources and every time. This could be with a simple phone call, email, or even better, a handwritten note. The important thing is to express your appreciation. You'll also encourage additional referrals this way. And, it gives you a chance to clarify who you best serve.

    You can also rotate small gifts such as a notebook, book, or cupcakes from https://www.wickedgoodcupcakes.com.


    3. If you have clients, customers or patients who don't refer, create another way for them to recommend you (e.g., report, case study, testimonials). I call these referral tools. Make it something that they’re delighted to share. I often say “If you know anyone else who has this problem or needs this solution here’s a resource that you can share with them.”

    4. Make sure your current clients know about all the products and services you offer and how you help so they can either refer within their company or to others they know. Too often sellers assume their clients know more about them than they do.

    5. Add a link to a form on your website for referral submissions.

    6. Stay in touch. The more often you’re in touch and giving them great content and resources, the more likely you are to be top of mind.

    7. Be remarkable; remind clients why your company is special. Give them something (good) to talk about. A few times a year we meet just to ask the question how could we “show up” in an extraordinary and memorable way? When someone has an extraordinary experience they tend to share it.

    8. Inspire confidence and remove the risk. It's risky referring someone—what if it's not successful? The more you can inspire confidence and trust in your referral sources by letting them know that 90% (or whatever) of your business comes from repeat customers/clients and patients.


    9. Offer a referral commission. This may or may not be legal or ethical depending on your business or profession but consider it.

    10. Provide valuable content your referral sources can share with their network—an invitation to a breakfast or lunch seminar or webinar on an industry topic, research briefs, an article about a regulatory change or industry trend, etc. Make it something special for them to share.


    11. Treat the vendors and suppliers with which you do business as partners. Make sure they're aware of who and how you help.


    12. Create a list of buyers you want to work with. Check out their LinkedIn profiles to see whether you're connected in any way. If so, reach out to them via your network—whether it's an individual, a company, or a group.

    13. Treat your team members and clients as partners, too. Let them know you view them as a strategic partner, and tell them you hope they'll do the same with you. Create formal channels to share referrals.


    14. Give a referral. It's one of the best ways to get one in return.

    Buy the other guys lunch. We recently identified a caterer that now hosts lunches for the offices and teams who make referrals to us. You can also do bagels and breakfast but you get the idea. We just tell the referral source that we want to say thank you and host breakfast or lunch. They schedule it at their convenience and we get the bill.
    Ask for referrals. We get it. We know you hate to ask. But, if you do a great job and wow your cleints they eventually start making referals and you realize that you desrve them
so start asking. You’ll get a lot more referrals if you ask for them. As you’re completing a project with a client, simply ask if they know anyone who would benefit from something similar.



  • Join hosts Somnath Sikdar and David M Frees at Fines Herbes Malvern with Producer Leslie as we learn about how to prep your garden to be In Top Form all season long.

    Producer Leslie discusses what seeds to start when, what cuttings to do now, and how to prep your garden beds to have the best growing season yet.

  • Join our hosts Dave and Somnath Sikdar, guest star Robin Frees, Producers Leslie Must Drinkwater and Nikolas Diener, and our new intern as we discuss Organic Foods What Really Matters, Thinking in a New Way.

  • 2 Broad Categories

    Questions You Ask Yourself Questions You Ask Others

    Beneath each are two subcategories – questions we ask about our businesses and questions about our personal lives.

    And, within each category there are questions we ask for particular purposes: to ignite or stimulate creativity, to calm or motivate certain behaviors, to help us to achieve goals and desired results and outcomes, to improve our performance or the performance of others
and on and on.

    Both basic types of questions are important because they shape the answers you’ll get, frame the experience you’ll have, as well as the sense and expectation of the future. This is also true about how you help others to frame their experiences and to enjoy more out of life.

    Asking better questions is a fundamental skill that has the power to make everything better.

    When you ask better questions it can be more motivating to yourself and other, you can trigger higher and better levels of creativity, it can help you to manage physiological reactions to stress and circumstances that otherwise seemed beyond your control

    And when you can do these things you become better at everything and in every role.

    You’re a better leader, negotiator, business owner, problem solver, father, mother spouse, partner and parent.

    We’ll also discuss some of the science behind this and why that’s helpful but not necessary to use these techniques more often and with less effort.

    So where do we begin?

    Why questions matter and how they work?

    We habitually ask bad questions, and disempowering questions in many areas of our lives and better questions in our lives when we’re more successful

    This matters because questions are programming for the Reticular Activating System (RAS). Getting the RAS working for you behind the scenes and outside of conscious awareness is a powerful point of leverage.

    How?

    Begin to notice (a bit more often) the space between stimulus and response. Also notice where you’re asking way better questions and notice how that correlates to positive outcomes, emotions and results in that area.

    You’ll begin to catch yourself asking questions and you can use some of the patterns/templates and samples here instead of the less useful questions you’ve been asking.

    Rubber band and pavlock.

    Example: You see a person at work and begin to fell irritated. In the past you might ask “What is the matter with him? He’s so irritating
. everyday.”

    But, when you catch yourself you might ask instead “At the moment he’s starting to do something that often irritates me BUT 
What’s something I like about him? Is there anything about what he’s saying that can be helpful? Useful? Inspiring?”

    When you’re having an internal dialogue, you might find yourself asking “Why do I always do X (a negative behavior)?”

    You can break this pattern by asking, “DO I really always do it? What do I ask myself in other situations? What about this can I control? How can I use this feeling to achieve a solution? Or
”How can I change the way I fell about this?”

    Meta & Strategic Level:

    Asking questions about doing something in a kinder, easier yet more effective way rather than harder.

    Asking questions about more and sooner.

    Asking questions that trigger gratitude and a more resourceful state. Why this matters:

    Asking questions to deliver focus or a more general multiple perspective view.

    What about the situation is in your control and out of your control?

    Why?

    Self:

    How can I be kinder to myself and others?

    What would happen if I did more of those things more often?

    Could I be even kinder than that?

    What would happen then?

    What are the good and bad aspects of this?

    How can I make these questions more effective?

    What would _____________ do or how would she solve this problem?

    If I could assemble a group of talented people to help with this who would they be? What would tey say or do? How would they challenge one another?

    How might this failure set me up for future success?

    Has that ever happened in the past?

    What if it did or you could?

    Others:

    When they seem to be making something more difficult than it needs to be:

    What would this look like if it were easier?

    When they seem to feel that the thing is impossible or beyond them:

    I know you feel like you can’t yet
But what would happen if you could?

    What would happen if you did?

    How do you rate this on a scale of 1 – 10 but you can’t use 7?

    Is it a hell yeah or no?

    And?

    What else? How else?

    Why?

    Change of state, motivation

    How have you successfully overcome obstacles in the past?

    Learned behavior as an asset

    Focus

    Creativity

    Power/Strength

    Other areas that could apply

  • Today we look back over the last few years of the show and select some of the best tools, techniques, strategies and tactics for getting more out of your business, professional and personal life in the areas of profit, marketing, fitness, health, communications and negotiating skills, goal setting, systems, and more.

    Some principles and techniques apply across business and life. Since it’s New Year’s Eve let’s start with goal setting and systems.

    Goals vs. Resolutions and Goals vs. Systems

    Goals and Goal Setting:

    Better Ways of Creating goals –

    Common: I want X result

    Better: I want X result by Y date

    Better Yet: I will do the following to achieve X (Measurable result) by Y Date

    Superior: What systems and actions can I create/do to achieve X [measurable goal or more/better] by Y [specific time frame OR SOONER]

    Systems vs. Goals

    Frameworks for organizing/optimizing Information You Use

    Meta Level Principles – These are built upon natural laws. They are the most important drivers of your thinking and behaviors and remain true in most cases, and across time and experience. You may get better at understanding and articulating them but they rarely change.

    Example: Building discipline and the idea that discipline is the source of freedom is a meta principle that makes business and life better. Another example would be optimism. Hiring for optimism and developing it in yourself are both scientifically proven to be beneficial and

    Strategies – These are high level thinking and can be applied consistently for better results. However, they strategies you use may work better I some circumstances than others

    Example: Do more of what works and try to eliminate what has been repeatedly proven to fail. In business this assumes for example that you’re watching data and that you notice who your best customers really are and what problems they have that you can solve. The you stop spending on advertising and marketing to others who consistently fail to buy.

    Example: Using software and automation in your business systems is strategic. Choosing which systems to automate is a strategy. The particular software you use is a tactic and how you use it is also tactical. So that brings us to


    Tactics – These are the hacks, tricks, and individual tools that can be guided by meta principles and strategies. They need to be monitored and evaluated constantly. They often need to be varied to respond to changes in the environment/workplace/market

    Meta Level Secrets:

    Frameworks – For stories, ads, marketing, blogs, etc.

    Algorithms- Yeah or Hell No” Derek Sievers

    Resources:

    Extreme Ownership by Jocko Wilink

    http://amzn.to/2lE30oP

    The Language of Parenting by Dave Frees

    http://amzn.to/2iJQZeg

    Silent Power by Stuart Wilde

    http://amzn.to/2zM9WTL

  • Join our large group of hosts Dave Frees, Somnath Sikdar, Alex Frees, Pat Flynn, and Aleks Salkin as they discuss Discovering the business version of Night vision goggles: using real world, field tested force multipliers in your business, professional practice, and live.

  • Join Dr. Dave Weiman & Dave David Frees as they reveal the secrets to being more powerful, persuasive and influential in business and life. They review the skills in Dave Frees' book The Language of Parenting as well as everything that they've learned and mastered since. Discover how to use this information in your personal life, in negotiations, and in every aspect of your business, professional practice and marketing.

    Resources:

    www.successtechnologies.com/blog

    The Language of Parenting

    http://amzn.to/2iJQZeg

    The Mind Set and Meta Strategies Of Great Persuaders and Influential People:

    Highly Flexible

    Words Don’t Mean The Same Thing

    Self Aware

    High Sensory Acuity Can Be Learned and Mastered

    Use Multiple Perspectives

    Out Come Oriented with Openness To Change

    Emotionally in control/reframing expert

    The Tactics and Techniques Of Persuasion and Influence:

    Tone, speed, expression

    Use Their Language

    The last 3 words

    Parrot Phrasing NOT Paraphrasing

    Embedded Commands

    Tag Questions Are Good Aren’t They?

    Ziegarnick Effect

    How do we use these in business with staff/team/ hiring, onboarding, training, marketing, sales, retention, activating referral

    Tactical Examples:

    When you truly know your client/customer/patient and what they want and worry about, you can also build credibility and trust faster (because you know where they get trusted information and how they make decisions).

    NOTE: Try asking why you decided to buy from us, what were the factors you considered and how were you sure that you could trust us and were making a great decision. This is a great practice for many reasons. I the article above she did that in the very first paragraph. She mentions over 80 health care organizations dedicated to the very thing that is important to her audience. Infant and maternal health. Do this early and often. Within a few more sentences she says that these organizations are both large and small. Which deals with the question in the readers’ mind that these may be either big organizations that don’t get it or smaller less well informed. She tells them
it’s all kinds of organizations
relax...it’s all good.

    Inoculate against the objections before they even occur.

    So when you know what the objections are (and you should after a few sessions selling to your best clients/customers/and patients) then raise them yourself. Have answers ready to go. And notice what causes buyers remorse in your customers. Be prepared to talk through that with them in advance. Make sure that you send them off prepared to satisfy their own regrets as well as to answer the questions and criticisms they may hear from others who are influential in their lives (spouses, children, partners etc).

    Develop Trust, eliminate risk, and create self improving systems

    https://www.successtechnologies.com/2017/03/why-trust-is-essential-part-4-of-4-building-trust-bonus-materials/

    Hack: Use and minimize anxiety

    The Anxiety Performance Enhancer Hack

    Have you ever felt extremely anxious before speaking, taking a test, and or engaging an important activity?

    Many people do even when they are experienced and professional. What’s more, many of us feel that it interferes with our very best performance.

    I’m an experienced meditator, and use deep breathing to relax and to get past the anxiety. But then I often have to ramp my enthusiasm back up.

    So what if I could show you a quick but proven/effective hack that works for me and has some great science behind it? Will you use it? See and experience it for yourself?

    It’s called the “I feel excited” hack. And it uses the fact that anxiety and excitement are biochemically very much the same thing viewed through two different mental filters.

    So watch this quick video and enjoy getting past anxiety and actually making it work for you.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rRgElTeIqE

    How Do We Use Them In Marketing?

    Know the avatar (who you’re really selling to.

    Know where they go for trusted sources of information.

    Become influential not just persuasive.

    Here’s How We Use Some Of These Techniques in An Ad

    Have some video and audio editing experience? Want to learn the world of podcasting and live video broadcasting? Be central to a team of co-hosts building a new business based on live video and podcasting?

    We run a weekly Facebook live TV show called “In Top Form.” We have also created a weekly podcast (taken from the show’s audio) and a blog related to improved performance and experience in athletics, fitness, business, wealth building, marketing and travel/lifestyle.

    We’re currently looking for someone to work part time on the show as a intern and production assistant/editor. That requires you to be physically at the location in Malvern, Pa for that part of the job. The rest of the work (see below) can be done at your own location and at your convenience so long as it is done each week.


    To do this job well and to enjoy it, you must be an excellent communicator, a good listener/learner, and have some experience with audio and video editing and software.

    The job would include about 1.5 to 2 hours per week (on Sundays) helping to produce the live show and another 1 to 2.5 hours of editing, posting the podcast and show notes through Libsyn (the podcasting platform) and related technical activities.

    You must also be able to do these things within a reasonable amount of time...and be comfortable with meeting critical deadlines.

    Being a strong and careful multi-tasker who enjoys communications and editing video and audio is critical to your success and enjoyment of this position.

    Before applying, please review your resume.

    Does it truly show that you're this type of person with these skills?

    If not please do not apply. It will be unfair to you and to us. But, if you're super strong in these areas and truly dedicated to working on a team of dedicated professionals, then follow the process outlined below.

    Again, attention to detail is critical.

    The show’s culture is a fun work environment where the co-hosts are friendly, warm, and care about one another and the team but we all want to get the work done and to build this start-up into a real business.

    ESSENTIAL SKILLS (Don't apply if you won't blow us away on these):

    Great people skills with some sales experience preferred but not essential

    Excellent with Google docs and or excel (Creating PowerPoint screen capture videos is a plus!)

    Strong Proofreading ability and attention to detail, format, and style
    Prior experience with video and audio editing.

    RESPONSIBILITIES:
    Attending the show on Sunday afternoon and running the broadcast software so that the hosts can pay attention to answering guest questions.


    Helping to edit, create, proofread show notes for each show and inserting affiliate links and informational links from the live show.

    Editing both videos and audios and posting them to various locations

    Responding to requests for information from guest hosts and show guests

    Editing and posting our materials to the blog, and to social media.


    THE TYPE OF PERSON I AM LOOKING FOR IS:

    Friendly and good with people

    Likes to help people by being able to sell them what they really need

    Prompt and reliable

    Well Organized

    Trustworthy (will deal with highly confidential issues; involves a non-disclosure agreement)

    Responsible & A Self Starter who finishes jobs on time and in budget

    Focused

    Has an interest in business, video, podcasting, marketing or sales and psychology

    Has a strong work ethic and is a team player willing to help


    If you really want to be considered for THIS job then please:

    1) E mail your resume to [email protected] AND/OR

    2) Fax your resume to 610-240-9323

    3) Be sure to include (on a separate sheet in both the email and/or fax) the contact information for at least two references

    Compensation will be determined by your skill levels and/or prior experience. Must be able to dedicate at least five hours per week to the work (more is possible once we determine your skills and capabilities).

    You can read more about the show here: http://www.Facebook.com/InTopForm

    I regret that I can't reply to all applicants, but you will hear back if there's an initial fit.

  • Have you ever wondered why you don’t get to see friends more often? And, when you do get together is it awesome? Does it fill you with energy? Do you have a great time and recharge? Do you see more of what really matters and a bit more clearly?

    Our friendships matter but in the modern world we’re busier than ever and we often sacrifice getting together.

    And let’s face it, entertaining is hard and stressful so we often default to a sports bar or other less than perfect location for catching up and finding out about one another again.

    Ages ago, in the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s they had an institution to deal with this – the pot luck lunch of dinner. Everyone made something so it was easy on the host (and the host often rotated but someone can be a “permanent host”).

    A few people brought a salad and someone brought a side or two. A person or a couple of people brought a main dish and another a dessert (or two). The host made something as well and often provided drinks (as well as the quiet relaxed venue of a home).

    There was often music or a game. But people talked. They blew off steam. They didn’t always agree about everything but they were respectful of one another and dedicated to having fun and enjoying one another for who they are. They realized that we all had a right to our own opinions and that often there were things that were correct about both sides of an “argument.”

    People often felt recharged and ready for the week ahead (as these events often fell on a weekend evening).

    Does this sound like something you’d like to do?

    Well today is all about the pot luck.

    We explore how to get into the pot luck mindset and why you should.

    We talk strategies to make getting together easy and fun.

    How to take the stress out of food allergies and other modern dilemmas as well as tricks of the pot luck life style, where to get amazing recipes and more.

    You’re gonna love seeing friends a bit more often and you’re going to really enjoy being the host that makes this happen!

    The Pot Luck Mindset:

    Decide to change and take an action to do it. Schedule one and invite a few couples at the most.

    Everyone enjoys bringing something and “cheating” is allowed. That means that they can buy a dish or pre-made ingredients. Better that they come than not.

    Seeing friends once a week or once a month matters, it’s great and you feel better and connected.

    Pot Luck Strategies:

    Planned is better but spur of the moment (on a Friday for Sunday) can work too.

    Every now and then add a theme to it such as: Australia Day, My Big Fat Geek Wedding, Titanic, you get the picture.

    In all cases, emphasize casseroles, slow cooker, and easy on them.

    Decide to relax and enjoy yourself and select vodka, rum, bourbon, scotch, or other libation/natural mood equalizer (we meant 5htp! Seriously. You thought we meant weed?)

    Do the real deal for invitations, call another human on the phone or send a real paper invite with advanced notice. Follow up with a quick call
it’s fun to connect even if they can’t come
and remember that people have forgotten what RSVP means.

    “Assign” everyone a type of dish (such as a side, appetizer, cocktail, beer or wine, main course or dessert).

    Identify food allergies in advance. Accommodate them or have them bring at least one thing they’re very certain is safe.

    Create labels if they tell you what they’re bringing. Have more in case they bring something else.

    Label the dishes as well as Gluten Free, Dairy, Free Vegetarian or vegan depending on the audience and what matters.

    Sources of ideas:

    Recipes:

    Dave’s Pinterest Board on Entertaining and Food )please no judgment) https://www.pinterest.com/davefrees/food-wine-and-entertaining/

    Dave’s Pinterest Board on Gluten Free

    https://www.pinterest.com/davefrees/gluten-free-recipes-and-information/

    Dave’s Baked Goods That Rock

    https://www.pinterest.com/davefrees/baked-goods-that-rock/

    The Ranch Visitor’s Cookbook

    https://www.pinterest.com/davefrees/the-ranch-visitors-cookbook/

    More Easy Pot Luck Recipe Resources:

    http://allrecipes.com/recipes/

    http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/a-z

    ww.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/