Find Your Enthusiasm

We all have to take responsibility for enjoying what we do. Today, the most profitable companies are taking great care to match employees' passion and interests with their work duties and tasks. Companies can offer training and coaching – but ultimately it's up to you to really examine what gets you excited about what you do. The closer you can integrate your avocations with your vocation, the closer you'll come to true happiness and success. Want proof? When was the last time you got tired of your favorite hobby?

Exploit Your Talents

Sometimes we aren't even aware of our most significant talents. Ask your friends and coworkers how they see you. Ask them to describe your best talents. You'll be amazed that what you take for granted is a strength you could exploit. My buddy, William Nye was a frustrated Boeing engineer before I invited him to do a short science experiment on my comedy TV show. I named him, “Bill Nye, the Science Guy” and the rest is Emmy Award and NASA history. In January, Bill designed sundials that landed on Mars!

Focus on Your Skills

In our fast moving, consolidation/merger/acquisition culture, the best way to “fireproof” your career is to focus on improving ALL of your skills. Take your natural abilities and augment them with technical, computer, and people skills training. Become an expert in your field. Submit your name and efforts for awards in your industry. Take the initiative to become “the best of the best” and you will never worry about being “in demand” ever again. Dave Hopla (the world's greatest basketball shooter – 1,127 consecutive free throws) says that being great is easy in his business. “Just learn how to shoot the ball correctly…and then shoot it more times than anyone else and you'll be the best.”

Stun Your Customers

“Good” customer service isn't good enough anymore. Be SO amazing that your customers and clients will talk about you to other people. Maria Garcia worked in room service at the Orlando Marriott. Everyone who met her raved about her style and imagination. She went so far above 'acceptable service' that she is now the food and beverage manager at one of their other properties. Her customers accelerated her career, for her!

Relationships Build Loyalty

Take the risk to like people. Think of your customers as you would any other relationship. Be trustworthy. Be honest. Listen. Be empathetic. Because of the threat of identity theft on the Internet, trusting people one-on-one is even beating the so-called competitive advantage of price and convenience. Think about your personal relationships that have stood the test of time. The stronger the relationship, the longer the loyalty. It's no different in business.

Motivate By Example

How do you stay motivated every single day? Especially when you may be doing the same tasks over and over? The easiest way to stay motivated is to realize that someone is watching you every single minute. You are being watched by your coworkers, your family, your children, your customers, and anyone else who knows your name and reputation. Your behavior sets the tone for your life and the impression you leave on others. If you are successful at all, people will “model” your behavior. Beyond that, we all have the power to change a person's life by offering the perfect nudge of encouragement at the perfect moment. And, I can prove it. Who was it that changed Your life or career for the better? A parent? A teacher? A coach? A scout leader? Chances are that you can recall that person's name in an instant. How awesome would it be if it was Your name that was on the top of someone else's mind, right now?

Success is Your Own Fault

If you want to have fun motivating the troops, there is no better way than to have Ross tell his hilarious story of going from a small town pet store manager to Network TV talk show host…in less than (7) years. As an Emmy award winning comedian, TV host, HR film Producer, and Keynote favorite, Ross underscores the importance of Passion, Work Ethics, and High Performance Standards in a way that inspires younger attendees to look beyond mediocre; forever! Ross encourages them to stop blaming others and start being accountable for their own success. Then, he outlines specifically how to do it.

Master of Ceremonies

Because Ross has hosted several Talk and Game Shows he knows how to keep your program professional and moving on pace. Ross typically warms up the crowd to set the tone, and then does an exemplary job of introducing your luminaries and session components. Ross is adept with the toughest of assignments from handling a panel discussion with former GE CEO Jack Welch and rap producer Russell Simmons…to carefully setting the stage for Archbishop Desmond TuTu. You don't have to be nervous about your varied program elements coming apart. Ross is the perfect glue.