Welcome to the first ‘Between Worlds’ episode for 2017. While in Sydney, I caught up with Peter Xing, a key figure in the Australian transhumanism movement, and an expert on business automation. We spoke about the road to building cognitive enterprises, why we need to shift from thinking about digitizing documents to smart contracts, and why the first step in any good digital transformation is defining processes in a way to make your company ‘machine readable’.
Peter Xing on automation, the blockchain and the race to build the cognitive enterprise - Mike Walsh
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bElv-ETfkA
There’s a new dry cleaner in my neighbourhood. I went there a couple of times and then I’ve been out of town for the past month or so and I just went for the third time and as I walked in the guy working said “Ty Bennett, right?” And it surprised me. I told him I was impressed with his ability to remember names. He played off the complement, but was very interactive and personable during my visit. It reminded me how powerful a name was and where I learned that lesson.
A few years ago I had a speech in Tulsa, Oklahoma. I flew in late and got to the hotel. I asked if the restaurant at the hotel was open and they said that it wasn’t. They said that there was a Panera Bread down the street that I could walk to that would still be open. So I walked down to Panera Bread, ordered and was waiting off to the side for my food. All of a sudden this older gentleman opened the door and walked in. The worker at the cash register said, “Hey Jim, how are you?” And then another person walking by said “Jim, good to see you.” Yet another one of the workers said “Jim, so glad you could make it in tonight.” Jim ordered his food and came and stood by me. I said “Jim do you come here often?” He looked at me with a big smile on his face and said, “Where else would I go?”
Sometimes we forget how powerful remembering someone’s name is or how much it means to him or her. They say the most beautiful sound to a person is the sound of their own name. So just a little reminder that remembering and using people’s names will not only make their day, but it will build your influence and your connection.
Accounting and Operations Administrator
Our Company
cmi speaker management, a division of Complete Marketing Inc, is a global leader in the meetings industry. We represent an international roster of carefully selected authors who positively impact millions of people through their keynote speeches, books and thought leadership.
Our founder, Karen Harris, is known worldwide for her high level of integrity in all her business dealings. She has worked tirelessly to advance ethical business practices in our industry by sitting on the Board of Governors of the International Association of Speakers Bureaus for the past 7 years and is the current Past President.
Celebrating 15 years in business, cmi is expanding its roster of clients and looking for an exceptional team player. This opportunity is perfect for someone who wants to make a difference, in a high integrity environment with a fun, vibrant family-oriented team.
cmi is located in the desirable deep south (Midnapore), away from the expense of downtown Calgary yet close to shopping and restaurants.
If you would like to work for an entrepreneur who deeply cares about changing the world – be part of a team that feels like your second family – and rub shoulders with ‘near celebrities’ – we want to see your resume.
Position Summary:
- Handle all financial matters for cmi speaker management
- Assist in some financial matters for its sister division, cmi Publishing
- Ensure all accounting is accurate and handled in a timely manner
- Provide assistance to the CEO and Operations team as required.
- NOTE: This role is 70% accounting, 20% Operational and 10% other administrative responsibilities
The successful individual will be responsible for all accounting duties for a small organization of 5 to 10 employees.
Duties Include:
· Full cycle accounting – invoicing, accounts payable, accounts receivable, petty cash control
· Expense coding, management and administration
· Payroll and ROEs in conjunction with payroll company
· Bank deposits and account reconciliation (vehicle required)
· Online commercial banking - wire transfers, ACH, bill payments, taxes
· Credit card processing and account reconciliation
· Weekly and monthly reporting of cash flow, budget, PNL
· Manage CRA account including 15% non-resident withholding taxes, GST compliance and year-end taxes
· Prepare financial statements, general ledgers and reports for owners
· Prepare year end documentation for cmi’s Accountant and liaise with their office
Additional Duties:
· Assist with contract preparation and authorization
· Sales reporting to our clients
· Provide tax documentation to our clients
· Manage all communication with clients, customers and vendors regarding financial matters
Experience Required:
- Minimum of 8 to 10 years experience in full-cycle bookkeeping
- Knowledge of basic office software (Microsoft Office, email, web-based software, smartphones)
- A minimum of 5 years experience with Quickbooks and working with Classes
- Valid Drivers Licence
- NOTE: a working knowledge of Salesforce is a definite asset
Soft Skills Required:
- A customer oriented mindset willing to serve others
- An exceptional team player
- Strong communicator, both written and verbal
- You speak truthfully, deliver on your promises and do the right thing
- A hard worker who is willing to put in extra time to get the job done
- Calm under pressure while maintaining a high level of performance
- Highly organized - attentive to detail – accurate, especially amidst interruptions
- NOTE: Experience in a CPA’s office where you worked with multiple industries is a definite asset
Part-Time Position: 15 to 20 hours per week
Location: cmi’s offices in Midnapore
We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those candidates who will be moving on in the interview process will be contacted.
Please send your resume to admin@cmispeakers.com
Inside Sales Rep Opportunity
Our Company
cmi speaker management is a global leader in the meetings industry. We represent an international roster of carefully selected authors who positively impact millions of people through their keynote speeches, books and thought leadership.
Our founder, Karen Harris, is known worldwide for her high level of integrity in all her business dealings. She has worked tirelessly to advance ethical business practices in our industry by sitting on the Board of Governors of the International Association of Speakers Bureaus for the past 7 years and is the current Past President.
Celebrating 15 years in business, cmi is expanding its roster of clients and looking for an exceptional team player. This opportunity is perfect for someone who wants to make a difference, in a high integrity environment with a fun, vibrant family-oriented team.
cmi is located in the desirable deep south (Midnapore), away from the expense of downtown Calgary yet close to shopping and restaurants.
If you would like to work for an entrepreneur who deeply cares about changing the world - be part of a team that feels like your second family – and rub shoulders with 'near celebrities' – we want to see your resume.
Job Description
We are looking for an Inside Sales Rep whose role will be to:
- Establish rapport, provide prompt responses and successfully close a high ratio of inquiries from various sales channels
- Determine our customers’ requirements and expectations in order to promote and sell cmi’s speakers and books
- Maintain accurate and timely record of all communication with customers
- Handle confidential information relating to our roster of speakers and their fees
- Consistently illustrate cmi’s value proposition with the evolving needs of our customers
- Assist with customer retention strategies
- Expand cmi’s new business development
- Meet agreed upon sales targets
- Willingly take on any and all tasks as required
Required Experience:
- As a talent agent or a speakers bureau agent
- Or as an event planner who has purchased top quality speakers and/or entertainment
- 5-10 years inside sales experience in a high-tech, customer-driven environment
- A degree in Marketing and/or Communications is an asset
Essential Technology:
- CRM software such as Salesforce, ACT or Goldmine
- Microsoft Office suite of programs, with a high accuracy rating
- Social media, particularly Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube
- Dropbox and the Cloud
- Google Mail & Google Calendars
- Internet research
- Mac environment
Desired Skillset:
- Strong communicator, both written and verbal
- An outstanding listener
- A relationship builder
- Problem solver – out of the box thinker – innovative - creative
- You speak truthfully, deliver on your promises and do the right thing
- Enthusiastic and passionate with a can-do attitude
- An exceptional team player
- Attentive to detail – accurate - especially amidst interruptions
- Efficient – a good time manager - capable of meeting tight timelines and handling multiple tasks
- Hard worker who is willing to put in extra time to get the job done
- Calm under pressure while maintaining a high level of performance
- Excel at working under minimal supervision
- Creative and innovative
- Nurturing and compassionate
We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those candidates who will be moving on in the interview process will be contacted.
Please send your resume to admin@cmispeakers.com
All to often we hear someone say, “You have to hold them accountable.” Or we hear a leader say, “I’m going to hold you accountable.” The truth is that it should never be about holding people accountable. We, as leaders, should be helping people be accountable. There is a big difference between the two.
Accountability is keeping your commitments to people. A commitment takes two people. When you are helping someone be accountable both parties benefit. When you hold someone accountable it’s one-sided. There is a huge difference between these two positions. The end result is different.
“Hold” is an aggressive stand. It’s an in your face position. It’s threatening. And, it’s about you. It is not about them.
When you help someone be accountable they become better in the process. It’s not just about the result. When you help someone be accountable you get a result, but through the experience the person grows.
You can’t help someone be accountable when the values aren’t stated so you default to holding them accountable. Then it’s not about the relationship. It’s not about helping them grow. It’s only about your immediate need and gain. It’s only about the task at hand and that is why it is not long-lasting.
When you help someone, they remember it, and they want to help you. It is positive, contributes to relationships and has long-term positive outflows.
Helping people be accountable helps them grow to learn how to be accountable, want to be accountable and the end result is long-lasting.
When you hold someone, they also remember it, but it is negative and the long-term effect is negative both in the relationship and the desire to help you.
Holding is short-term. Helping is long-term.
Helping someone be accountable starts with a focus on them. The leader has to know the values and the leader needs to teach the values to the people they lead. If you don’t know the values or the values are not identified you cannot help anyone be accountable.
When you care about the person you’re leading you are going to coach them. You want to see them grow to be the best they can be. It really becomes a mindset. It is a way of thinking.
But, it is a 2-way street. I have to want to help you be accountable. You have to be open to be helped to be accountable. This flows from an environment. It’s the leaders responsibility to create this environment.
Helping people be accountable will always position you and your organization for long-term relationship building, long-term development of people and long-term success.
Why are some organizations such frantic places to work and others calm, peaceful and highly productive? Ultimately it comes down to one thing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86cQEUbQids
On May 2, 2011, a group of Navy Seals stormed a compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan, successfully completing their operations of killing Osama Bin Laden. Since that day, it seems that the world has been fascinated with the Navy Seals, and rightfully so. There have been multiple best selling books like No Easy Day and Fearless and some big blockbusters like Lone Survivor and Zero Dark Thirty that have ridden the tide of public interest in the mystery that is the Navy Seals. Everyone wants to better understand what makes this group so successful.
My personal fascination began last year when I had the privilege of sharing the stage with Kevin Lacz. Lacz is a former Navy Seal sniper, breacher and and combat medic. Since meeting him, I have read multiple books and studied more about their operations.
One of the success secrets of the Seals is learning to get very comfortable with being uncomfortable. Whether that’s carrying heavy packs, crouching down for extended periods of time or being in hostile war environments, the Seals are taught to learn to be comfortable in the most uncomfortable of situations in order to survive and thrive.
The same principle can be applied to all of us in the business world. Growth does not happen in comfort zones. Great changes are not made by staying in the shallows. You may have to make that phone call that you don’t want to, put yourself out there in a tough situation or boldly ask for help when you need it, but you can’t get to a higher level by being comfortable. Growth & greatness are just outside your comfort zone.
So if you want to be successful get comfortable with being uncomfortable.
One of the key lessons I teach leaders is that – People Support What They Help Create.
Our world has changed, and rapidly. Fifteen years ago, if you wanted your voice to be heard, you pretty much only believed it was heard if you held a position of leadership. Social media has changed all that and I don’t mean just because people have Facebook or Twitter or LinkedIn where they can go and voice their opinion. It has changed the psyche of our world. It has caused everyone to feel like his or her voice should be heard. Regardless of where people are in your organization, they mentally believe that their voice and their opinion matters. As a result, our top-down directives don’t work the same way they used to. We can’t just throw things at people and expect them to jump on it, to run with it, and go for it. We need to understand that now more than ever. People support what they help create.
One of the important tenets of leadership and in influence is co-creation. When people create it – they support it.
So how do we become better at involving our people?
Yesterday I had a call with the leadership team at USAA.I am speaking for them later in the month and as I asked about their culture, their challenges, what’s working and what’s not – they gave me the perfect example of this principle in action.
The mortgage division of USAA has been in the process of changing and evolving over the last couple of years and they brought in a new president to run the division named Winston Wilkinson. Winston immediately began a regular practice that he calls ‘Lunch with Winston’ where he eats lunch with 10 or more people and asks them for their feedback and ideas. At first the employees thought this was trite but once they began to see their ideas being implemented, they saw it for what it really was and began to take a different level of ownership in their jobs.
Winston effectively gave his people a voice and by so doing gave them a sense of ownership.
In other words – People Support What They Help Create.
This principle is one of the greatest lessons that any leader can learn because if we want the commitment of our people at the point of implementation then we need to involve them at the point of creation.
Robyn Benincasa | Corporate Background
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3A-U3R1E_8w
Robyn Benincasa | Her Relevance to Your Audience
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRTvu31WlEc
Robyn Benincasa | The Teambuilder
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Nr1awr1Vhk
Learn more about Robyn!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xIC0-4xfTo&t=40s
More from Vinh!
As you approach the new year & set Goals/New Years Resolutions for 2017 I want you to think about your primary goal.
What is your main goal for 2017? What is the one goal, that if achieved, will make the whole year a success? What will your contribution to the world be in 2017?
Most people, when they set goals, focus on balance. They set several goals for every area of their life. I’m not against that, but years ago I learned that the word for balance in Hungarian is the word egyensúly. It actually translates to mean “one weighted focus”
That understanding has changed my approach to setting goals and I’ve found that if I have one major objective it actually allows me to balance & prioritize my life around it. I also believe it has allowed me to make a bigger impact because I focus on major contributions & not just small incremental improvements. Those seem to come as a natural byproduct to a huge goal.
Stretch yourself. What will you do in 2017? What is your major contribution?
Mine is to launch The Leadership Inc. Institute.
I’d love to hear what your main goal is …
