The Washington Post contains a full-page ad for a "motivational" seminar in DC featuring the usual suspects like Zig Ziglar, Brian Tracy, even Colin Powell. I assume this is a nationwide tour of sorts.
These events always make me ask, in the words of an old Wendy's ad, where's the beef? If you want to attend to gain tips from salespeople who make big bucks speaking and observe their platform skills, have at it. In particular, keep a watchful eye out for how they sell from the platform. Most professionals and the organizations to which they speak eschew such tactics. But if these folks want to front the money and pay their own freight, they have the right to hawk their wares any way they choose. Note of caution: Don't leave thinking you can diplomatically use these subtle selling maneuvers the next time you deliver a presentation to an association or corporation. Selling from the platform gets you kicked out of many forums.
If you are going in hopes of gaining useful content, forget about it. These seminars are no place for hands-on learning. They are a place to sell books and other materials. That's why the admission price is so cheap (and don't tempt me to say you get what you pay for). The speakers don't make money from the gate. Rather, they make their bucks selling books, CDs, etc, following their remarks.
You may be a fan of this type of "motivational" approach. Consider this: You may walk out of the room all jazzed up feeling like a world beater. But what happens when reality creeps back in at the office the next day? Do you still feel as pumped up? Do your co-workers and your boss share your short-lived enthusiasm?
Motivational speeches are like cotton candy. They may taste great going down, but an hour later you forget you even ate. All I'm saying is go into these types of events with your eyes open. If you seek pure entertainment (to many of us, motivational speeches are, on their face, quite comedic) or if you want to observe speaking technique, fine. But if your intent is to gain knowledge, save your pennies for another day and another presentation.
Comments