I try to write this blog from othe viewpoint of a keynote business speaker, paying particular attention to communications, marketing and the ‘presentation’ of events or issues. Thus, I endeavor in my commentary on the presidential elections to be objective and view candidates and parties from a marketing perspective.
Kudos then to both the Dems and GOP for brilliant stage management this week. The Democratic convention was a masterpiece of stage management which built to a crescendo for Barack Obama’s speech.
Michelle Obama did a good if not fantastic job ‘introducing’ herself to the American public (well, the Democratic leaning voter anyway.) An obviously accomplished woman, she was followed by a superb performance from Hillary Clinton. Whether you like the woman or not, her speech was top rate. It was energizing, well crafted, exceptionally well delivered and lacked any sense of bitterness. Some of the more cynical observers suggest she was setting herself up as the 2012 candidate, just in case Obama does not get elected. It doesn’t matter what her agenda is. As a political speech and as a work of oratory, she deserves very high praise.
The following night, the political maestro himself – Bill Clinton, had the crowd eating out of his hands. To the surprise of many, he was very complimentary about the man who edged his wife for the nomination. Bill Clinton has an ‘it’ factor that few other performers can claim. When living back in Ireland and before I ever became a Chicago based Irish Keynote Speaker, Clinton visited my homeland in an effort to build the peace process. He is much loved in Ireland because of his commitment to bringing peace between nationalists and loyalists in Northern Ireland. I do recall a work colleague of mine who attended a Clinton function in Dublin saying Clinton “had an aura about him.” Veteran Washington correspondent (now there’s a cliché) Bob Schieffer in This Just In: What I Couldn’t Tell You on TV tells of an occasion when his wife Pat met Clinton. Her comment was “He’s got it … making you feel the most important person in the room.” Clinton brought that magic to Denver and wowed his audience.
But that of course was not the end of the stage management. Then we had a reasonable speech from Joe Biden after which to the surprise of most people in the arena, Barack Obama joined Biden on stage. I think the Democratic delegates at that stage must have thought ‘this cannot get any better.’
To be fair, it probably didn’t. Obama’s speech the following night did not reach the levels of some of his earlier works of uplifting oratory, but the occasion itself was pretty magical. Job well done, said all the delegates. We are going to get a wonderful bounce of this and whip John McCain in the election.
And they deserved a bounce because of a truly well managed convention.
And then what happens? John McCain goes and ruins it all by announcing Sarah Palin as his VP running mate. This was not just a great piece of stage management. It was ‘stage stealing.’ There will be plenty of time to debate the merits of this Governor of Alaska, but WOW- what a fantastic media coup it has proven to be in the short term. Obama has been blown off the front pages of the newspapers, few commentators are speaking about his speech and the Invesco Field event.
In my work as keynote speaker, I spend a lot of time thinking about stage management and how I can best connect with my audience. I have to admit, I’m impressed by what both parties achieved in the past week.
At time of writing, it is unclear how Hurricane Gustav will impact the Republican convention. We can only hope that its impact will be minimal, thus ensuring that the people of New Orleans and surrounding areas will themselves be impacted minimally.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Friday, August 29, 2008
WHAT MAKES A GREAT SPEECH?
Following his Gettysburg address, Abraham Lincoln said that he thought his speech “did not scour.” Reports of crowd reaction on the day (November 19th 1863) suggest that the very short speech generated a pretty muted reaction. Today of course, the address is regarded as one of the finest and most effective pieces of communication in history.
Why do I raise a speech made many years ago? Well, as a keynote speaker and business humorist, it is a real challenge to satisfy all of the audience, all of the time.
Reaction to Barack Obama’s speech last night was a microcosm of this challenge. It was interesting to see seasoned observers reaction to the speech. Reaction was all over the place and not based on partisan politics. On Fox News, NPR’s Juan Williams was obviously disappointed with the speech. Yet neo-conservative Bill Kristol ( who was scathing about Hillary Clinton’s speech earlier in the week) raved about the speech. On MSNBC, Peggy Noonan (a former Reagan speech writer) thought it a weak effort, while fellow GOP supporter and political strategist Mike Murphy thought it was a great speech!! So what gives?
These are all experienced commentators yet see the same speech differently. The difference might be in what was expected from the speech. Those who were expecting a soaring work of oratory, something to lift the audience in higher than the Mile High stadium would have been disappointed. Those who were looking for some content and “red meat” got what they wanted.
Obama’s speech will not be remembered as a great speech, but the occasion WILL be remembered as a great occasion. It was historic, it was brilliantly staged and over the next few weeks we will have commentators constantly speaking about the historic events in Denver while on screen you will see the 80,000 people going crazy. From a marketing and communications point of view, that is a strong and positive message to play over next few months.
From a communications and branding point of view, the Democrats had a great week. I'm looking forward to John McCain and Sarah Palin next week to see if they can match the impact.
Why do I raise a speech made many years ago? Well, as a keynote speaker and business humorist, it is a real challenge to satisfy all of the audience, all of the time.
Reaction to Barack Obama’s speech last night was a microcosm of this challenge. It was interesting to see seasoned observers reaction to the speech. Reaction was all over the place and not based on partisan politics. On Fox News, NPR’s Juan Williams was obviously disappointed with the speech. Yet neo-conservative Bill Kristol ( who was scathing about Hillary Clinton’s speech earlier in the week) raved about the speech. On MSNBC, Peggy Noonan (a former Reagan speech writer) thought it a weak effort, while fellow GOP supporter and political strategist Mike Murphy thought it was a great speech!! So what gives?
These are all experienced commentators yet see the same speech differently. The difference might be in what was expected from the speech. Those who were expecting a soaring work of oratory, something to lift the audience in higher than the Mile High stadium would have been disappointed. Those who were looking for some content and “red meat” got what they wanted.
Obama’s speech will not be remembered as a great speech, but the occasion WILL be remembered as a great occasion. It was historic, it was brilliantly staged and over the next few weeks we will have commentators constantly speaking about the historic events in Denver while on screen you will see the 80,000 people going crazy. From a marketing and communications point of view, that is a strong and positive message to play over next few months.
From a communications and branding point of view, the Democrats had a great week. I'm looking forward to John McCain and Sarah Palin next week to see if they can match the impact.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
I Have A Dream - Indoors
A lot of hype about Barack Obama’s speech this evening – on the 45th anniversary of Martin Luther King’s most famous rendition of his “I have a dream” speech. Many people are questioning whether the choice of Invesco Field is a good one.
I think Obama has the ability to nail a speech tonight, but one can learn from Martin Luther King’s experience. I referenced his ‘most famous rendition’ of his speech. August 28th was not the first time King had used the framework of ‘I have a dream.’ He had presented this concept on a number of occasions. His best rendition of the speech – better than the Washington speech – took place at Cobo Hall, Detroit June 23 1963.
King was speaking to a large gathering following the Great March on Detroit. You can listen to the speech on A Call to Conscience: The Landmark Speeches of Martin Luther King, Jr. and compare it with the more famous speech of August 28th that also is on this CD. My personal belief is that the Detroit speech was ‘better’ – though not obviously as impactful. King spoke indoors to an audience that just projected a wall of enthusiastic noise back to him.
As a keynote speaker (branding, foodservice, cancer, humorous) I am often intrigued about how the setting can determine audience reaction. A basic rule is that you will get a better audience response in a compact, packed venue rather than from a much larger packed venue.
That is the challenge Obama faces tonight. He is a wonderful orator, but it will be interesting to see if he can generate the type of response which Hillary and Bill Clinton generated. A Humorous or Business Keynote Speaker feeds of the audience. So do politicians.
Here is one blinding flash of the obvious if you are interested in communications and keynote speaking. In addition to his undoubted skills, Obama has one really powerful advantage tonight. The audience love him and really want him to succeed. This makes a huge difference as comedians will tell you. Comics like Robin Williams and Dane Cook have won over their audience before they go on stage. If Williams or Cook even scratch themselves when they first come on stage, the audience laughs. The best unknown actor in the world will not be able to generate the same reaction. Why? – because the audience does not know him and love him.
Obama will wow his audience tonight. The question is can he wow the audience that does not love him – the undecided, whom he must convince if he wants to sleep in the White House for the next four years. This raises another question. What sensible person would want this job?
For those of you interested in Martin Luther King’s Cobo Hall speech, the following is part of his peroration.
"And so I go back to the South not in despair. I go back to the South not with a feeling that we are caught in a dark dungeon that will never lead to a way out. I go back believing that the new day is coming. And so this afternoon, I have a dream. (Go ahead) It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.
I have a dream that one day, right down in Georgia and Mississippi and Alabama, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to live together as brothers.
I have a dream this afternoon (I have a dream) that one day, [Applause] one day little white children and little Negro children will be able to join hands as brothers and sisters.
I have a dream this afternoon that one day, [Applause] that one day men will no longer burn down houses and the church of God simply because people want to be free.
I have a dream this afternoon (I have a dream) that there will be a day that we will no longer face the atrocities that Emmett Till had to face or Medgar Evers had to face, that all men can live with dignity.
I have a dream this afternoon (Yeah) that my four little children, that my four little children will not come up in the same young days that I came up within, but they will be judged on the basis of the content of their character, not the color of their skin. [Applause]
I have a dream this afternoon that one day right here in Detroit, Negroes will be able to buy a house or rent a house anywhere that their money will carry them and they will be able to get a job. [Applause] (That’s right)
Yes, I have a dream this afternoon that one day in this land the words of Amos will become real and "justice will roll down like waters, and righteousness like a mighty stream."
I have a dream this evening that one day we will recognize the words of Jefferson that "all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." I have a dream this afternoon. [Applause]
I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, and "every valley shall be exalted, and every hill shall be made low; the crooked places shall be made straight, and the rough places plain; and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together." [Applause]
I have a dream this afternoon that the brotherhood of man will become a reality in this day."
******************
Posted by Chicago based Irish keynote speaker and business humorist Conor Cunneen
I think Obama has the ability to nail a speech tonight, but one can learn from Martin Luther King’s experience. I referenced his ‘most famous rendition’ of his speech. August 28th was not the first time King had used the framework of ‘I have a dream.’ He had presented this concept on a number of occasions. His best rendition of the speech – better than the Washington speech – took place at Cobo Hall, Detroit June 23 1963.
King was speaking to a large gathering following the Great March on Detroit. You can listen to the speech on A Call to Conscience: The Landmark Speeches of Martin Luther King, Jr. and compare it with the more famous speech of August 28th that also is on this CD. My personal belief is that the Detroit speech was ‘better’ – though not obviously as impactful. King spoke indoors to an audience that just projected a wall of enthusiastic noise back to him.
As a keynote speaker (branding, foodservice, cancer, humorous) I am often intrigued about how the setting can determine audience reaction. A basic rule is that you will get a better audience response in a compact, packed venue rather than from a much larger packed venue.
That is the challenge Obama faces tonight. He is a wonderful orator, but it will be interesting to see if he can generate the type of response which Hillary and Bill Clinton generated. A Humorous or Business Keynote Speaker feeds of the audience. So do politicians.
Here is one blinding flash of the obvious if you are interested in communications and keynote speaking. In addition to his undoubted skills, Obama has one really powerful advantage tonight. The audience love him and really want him to succeed. This makes a huge difference as comedians will tell you. Comics like Robin Williams and Dane Cook have won over their audience before they go on stage. If Williams or Cook even scratch themselves when they first come on stage, the audience laughs. The best unknown actor in the world will not be able to generate the same reaction. Why? – because the audience does not know him and love him.
Obama will wow his audience tonight. The question is can he wow the audience that does not love him – the undecided, whom he must convince if he wants to sleep in the White House for the next four years. This raises another question. What sensible person would want this job?
For those of you interested in Martin Luther King’s Cobo Hall speech, the following is part of his peroration.
"And so I go back to the South not in despair. I go back to the South not with a feeling that we are caught in a dark dungeon that will never lead to a way out. I go back believing that the new day is coming. And so this afternoon, I have a dream. (Go ahead) It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.
I have a dream that one day, right down in Georgia and Mississippi and Alabama, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to live together as brothers.
I have a dream this afternoon (I have a dream) that one day, [Applause] one day little white children and little Negro children will be able to join hands as brothers and sisters.
I have a dream this afternoon that one day, [Applause] that one day men will no longer burn down houses and the church of God simply because people want to be free.
I have a dream this afternoon (I have a dream) that there will be a day that we will no longer face the atrocities that Emmett Till had to face or Medgar Evers had to face, that all men can live with dignity.
I have a dream this afternoon (Yeah) that my four little children, that my four little children will not come up in the same young days that I came up within, but they will be judged on the basis of the content of their character, not the color of their skin. [Applause]
I have a dream this afternoon that one day right here in Detroit, Negroes will be able to buy a house or rent a house anywhere that their money will carry them and they will be able to get a job. [Applause] (That’s right)
Yes, I have a dream this afternoon that one day in this land the words of Amos will become real and "justice will roll down like waters, and righteousness like a mighty stream."
I have a dream this evening that one day we will recognize the words of Jefferson that "all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." I have a dream this afternoon. [Applause]
I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, and "every valley shall be exalted, and every hill shall be made low; the crooked places shall be made straight, and the rough places plain; and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together." [Applause]
I have a dream this afternoon that the brotherhood of man will become a reality in this day."
******************
Posted by Chicago based Irish keynote speaker and business humorist Conor Cunneen
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Women Win at Dem Convention
Two big women winners at the Democratic Convention last night.
Hillary Clinton and Carly Fiorina (huh?)
By any standards, Clinton’s speech was a huge success. There are motivational and inspirational and humorous keynote speakers out there who would die to be able to generate the level of enthusiasm and reaction which the former first lady generated.
From a communications and keynote speaker point of view, she got almost everything right. Admittedly, she did have a very receptive audience but her speech was an excellently crafted piece of oratory. I have not been able to determine who the primary speech-writer was but she or he earned their corn last night.
Words though do not make a great speech. If they did, Richard Nixon would be lauded as a great speaker as some of the material he received from William Safire, Pat Buchanan, David Gergen and others represented great wordsmithing. What makes a great speech is the occasion - which Clinton had, the delivery of a speech which for Clinton was nothing short of brilliant with wonderful pacing and voice pitch. And of course she had some excellent sound-bites especially “No way, No how, No McCain.”
I have always thought of Hillary Clinton as a very competent speaker. Last night, she leaped into the pantheon of world class orators. The lady done good!
And now for the other winner last night – Carly Fiorina.
This former Chairman and CEO of Hewlett-Packard has (like Hillary) suffered the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune in a generally successful career.
Now an economic consultant to John McCain, this lady was interviewed by Greta Van Susteren on Fox last night. Acknowledged as an excellent communicator and speech-maker, she gave Hillary Clinton credit for a “wonderful speech,” and then went on to provide a bravura performance as to why John McCain is the right man for the White House. Her presentation style was similar to Clintons – crisp, clear, passionate and extremely professional.
As I watched it, I thought McCain could do a lot worse than pick this lady for VP candidate. There is a percentage of the Hillary vote up for grabs, despite her endorsement of Barack Obama. The political strategists know that they are playing for only 5-8% of the national vote – the undecided voter. Fiorina would give the GOP a real chance to switch some of those disaffected Hillary people over.
Whatever happens, kudos to Hillary and Carly, two great communicators
Posted by Chicago based Irish keynote speaker and business humorist Conor Cunneen
Hillary Clinton and Carly Fiorina (huh?)
By any standards, Clinton’s speech was a huge success. There are motivational and inspirational and humorous keynote speakers out there who would die to be able to generate the level of enthusiasm and reaction which the former first lady generated.
From a communications and keynote speaker point of view, she got almost everything right. Admittedly, she did have a very receptive audience but her speech was an excellently crafted piece of oratory. I have not been able to determine who the primary speech-writer was but she or he earned their corn last night.
Words though do not make a great speech. If they did, Richard Nixon would be lauded as a great speaker as some of the material he received from William Safire, Pat Buchanan, David Gergen and others represented great wordsmithing. What makes a great speech is the occasion - which Clinton had, the delivery of a speech which for Clinton was nothing short of brilliant with wonderful pacing and voice pitch. And of course she had some excellent sound-bites especially “No way, No how, No McCain.”
I have always thought of Hillary Clinton as a very competent speaker. Last night, she leaped into the pantheon of world class orators. The lady done good!
And now for the other winner last night – Carly Fiorina.
This former Chairman and CEO of Hewlett-Packard has (like Hillary) suffered the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune in a generally successful career.
Now an economic consultant to John McCain, this lady was interviewed by Greta Van Susteren on Fox last night. Acknowledged as an excellent communicator and speech-maker, she gave Hillary Clinton credit for a “wonderful speech,” and then went on to provide a bravura performance as to why John McCain is the right man for the White House. Her presentation style was similar to Clintons – crisp, clear, passionate and extremely professional.
As I watched it, I thought McCain could do a lot worse than pick this lady for VP candidate. There is a percentage of the Hillary vote up for grabs, despite her endorsement of Barack Obama. The political strategists know that they are playing for only 5-8% of the national vote – the undecided voter. Fiorina would give the GOP a real chance to switch some of those disaffected Hillary people over.
Whatever happens, kudos to Hillary and Carly, two great communicators
Posted by Chicago based Irish keynote speaker and business humorist Conor Cunneen
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Learn from Padraig Harrington
It is a few years since I've run a marathon. To some extent, the actual race was just the meat in a very big sandwich. Reaction from friends and colleagues in the few days after completing the 26 miles and 385 yards (believe me I know) made one feel the whole effort was worthwhile. The other side of the sandwich was all the preparation and hard work that I had to do to get ready for the event. I would not have completed the marathon had I not pounded the pavements for months prior to the event.
I am reminded of that experience after watching my compatriot Irishman Padraig Harrington win at the PGA this past Sunday. Although he sometimes downplays it, this very likeable character was blessed with a genuine talent. (We are all born with talent of some kind). Harrington though has worked incredibly - I'm choosing that word carefully - hard to get to where he is today.
Compare pictures of Harrington from 10 years ago to today and you see a different individually - much slimmer, no slight pot-belly and a man who exudes confidence. This confidence has come about because of all the hard work he has put in. As a keynote speaker on Branding, Marketing and how to create Success, I'm intrigued by people who 'make it.'
Prior to Harrington teeing up for - and winning - the British Open three weeks ago, there was real concern that an injury he suffered in training would prevent him from defending his title.
The amazing this is how he sustained the injury. Harrington won the Irish PGA Championship the week before the Open. Having won this title at The European Club, he drove the short distance back to his home and THEN started whacking more golf balls before he suffered his injury. The injury occurred when he swung his club into what he called an "impact ball," apparently designed to improve his power.
Forgive the poor English, but how nuts is this? He's just won a tournament and then he goes on to practice some more! Of course it is the kind of 'nuts' that gets you to be one of the best in the world at what you do. It's the kind of 'nuts' that many successful people exhibit. In a different context, many years ago, that great motivational keynote speaker and inspirational politician told students at Harrow School, Oct 29th 1941 - "(N)ever give in, never give in, never, never, never...."
Harrington never gives in, on the practice ground or on the golf course. It is a lesson for all of us. Your success depends on the hard work you put in. It won't happen just because you want it to happen. You have got to make it happen.
Do you?
___________________________________________________________________
Conor Cunneen is an Irish keynote speaker and business humorist who does his best to make it happen for his audiences. He does try to live the lessons of this blog by being a diligent student of the communication process and a speaker who is constantly on ‘the practice ground,’ rehearsing, researching speech material for clients like Harley-Davidson, Abbott, Siemens.
Conor is a regular participant in speech competitions and is a winner of the coveted Chicago Toastmasters Humorous Speaker of the Year for a speech on ……. would you believe? …. Customer Service in San Quentin Jail.
If you are seeking a speaker who will Energize, Educate and Entertain your audience Contact Conor today.
I am reminded of that experience after watching my compatriot Irishman Padraig Harrington win at the PGA this past Sunday. Although he sometimes downplays it, this very likeable character was blessed with a genuine talent. (We are all born with talent of some kind). Harrington though has worked incredibly - I'm choosing that word carefully - hard to get to where he is today.
Compare pictures of Harrington from 10 years ago to today and you see a different individually - much slimmer, no slight pot-belly and a man who exudes confidence. This confidence has come about because of all the hard work he has put in. As a keynote speaker on Branding, Marketing and how to create Success, I'm intrigued by people who 'make it.'
Prior to Harrington teeing up for - and winning - the British Open three weeks ago, there was real concern that an injury he suffered in training would prevent him from defending his title.
The amazing this is how he sustained the injury. Harrington won the Irish PGA Championship the week before the Open. Having won this title at The European Club, he drove the short distance back to his home and THEN started whacking more golf balls before he suffered his injury. The injury occurred when he swung his club into what he called an "impact ball," apparently designed to improve his power.
Forgive the poor English, but how nuts is this? He's just won a tournament and then he goes on to practice some more! Of course it is the kind of 'nuts' that gets you to be one of the best in the world at what you do. It's the kind of 'nuts' that many successful people exhibit. In a different context, many years ago, that great motivational keynote speaker and inspirational politician told students at Harrow School, Oct 29th 1941 - "(N)ever give in, never give in, never, never, never...."
Harrington never gives in, on the practice ground or on the golf course. It is a lesson for all of us. Your success depends on the hard work you put in. It won't happen just because you want it to happen. You have got to make it happen.
Do you?
___________________________________________________________________
Conor Cunneen is an Irish keynote speaker and business humorist who does his best to make it happen for his audiences. He does try to live the lessons of this blog by being a diligent student of the communication process and a speaker who is constantly on ‘the practice ground,’ rehearsing, researching speech material for clients like Harley-Davidson, Abbott, Siemens.
Conor is a regular participant in speech competitions and is a winner of the coveted Chicago Toastmasters Humorous Speaker of the Year for a speech on ……. would you believe? …. Customer Service in San Quentin Jail.
If you are seeking a speaker who will Energize, Educate and Entertain your audience Contact Conor today.
Thursday, August 07, 2008
Brett Favre - THE Brand
Man, the power of a Brand!
Listening to Squawk on the Street this morning, presenter Mark Haines opened the program with "Welcome to Squawk Box from the financial capital of the world and the home of Brett Favre." This is a financial program!
I had never referenced Favre (hey I’m an Irishman) when presenting as a keynote speaker on Branding and Marketing previously, but he is definitely a great brand offering a fabulous brand experience to some many people over the last thousand years or however long he has been playing. A simple definition of a brand is the core product plus associated experience.
Favre provides the core product – a very good quarterback. The associated experience is that he is a winner, a leader, a player who never gives up, a tough man who is not afraid to show his human nature. Sure, he is the player that opposing fans love to hate, but not in a vitriolic manner and there is hardly a football fan out there who would not have wished Favre to be on their team.
Favre’s #4 jersey is the best selling shirt in the NFL, but he transcends football. My very lovely (and long-suffering ) Irish wife couldn’t care two hoots for American football –until Favre gets mentioned.
I think as a keynote speaker on branding and marketing, there are a few points I might make in the future about branding and the Brett Favre experience?
1) Have a good product
2) Create a connection with your customer base
3) Engender a level of emotion about your product
4) Constantly reinforce that connection and emotion.
5) Create word of mouth momentum with satisfied customers speaking positively about your product
6) Keep your brand promise
7) Don’t kill your brand before end of its natural life cycle (Maybe Brett should have paid attention to this)
All of this is so obvious, that it is amazing marketers do not do this more often – Yea right! Brand building is tough, but when you get it right, when you create that emotional connection that allows you to charge premium prices, you will know it has been worth it.
AND NOW FOR:
THE BRAND EXPERIENCE COMMERCIAL
If you are looking for a genuinely interesting, educational and funny brand experience from a keynote speaker, then contact Conor Cunneen. Conor is an Irish keynote speaker, happily exiled in Chicagoland whose clients include Harley-Davidson, Abbott, Siemens, London Life, Spanish Food & Drink Federation and many more.
As a funny and inspirational keynote speaker, Conor makes you a BRAND PROMISE which is E4: Energize, Educate, Entertain AND Easy to work with.
While Conor likes to use ludicrously hyperbolic references to encourage search engine optimization (e.g. Conor is a humorous, inspirational, funny, insightful, humorous keynote business speaker on topics as diverse as Communications, Cancer recovery (twice), Healthcare, Foodservice), the fact that he keeps his BRAND PROMISE (kind of) justifies the level of hyperbole.
Clients say things like
“In my close to thirty years of association work, I have never seen a speaker as well received as you.” Incentive Marketing Association
“Working with Conor Cunneen has been a pleasure both for our company and our clients. Conor is a great speaker who obviously knows the importance of a good and well planned speech according to the wishes of our clients.” SpeakersForum, Finland.
“Everybody was talking about your presentation. You literally made our event. Your ability to hold an audience is exceptional.” Jerry Elsner – Executive Director, Illinois State Crime Commission
Go on. Get a taste of the Irish brogue and phone Conor at 630 718 1643 or send him an email and tell him you are looking for an inspirational, funny, motivational, humorous keynote speaker (give over Conor – Ed.) for your next conference or send him an email.
Listening to Squawk on the Street this morning, presenter Mark Haines opened the program with "Welcome to Squawk Box from the financial capital of the world and the home of Brett Favre." This is a financial program!
I had never referenced Favre (hey I’m an Irishman) when presenting as a keynote speaker on Branding and Marketing previously, but he is definitely a great brand offering a fabulous brand experience to some many people over the last thousand years or however long he has been playing. A simple definition of a brand is the core product plus associated experience.
Favre provides the core product – a very good quarterback. The associated experience is that he is a winner, a leader, a player who never gives up, a tough man who is not afraid to show his human nature. Sure, he is the player that opposing fans love to hate, but not in a vitriolic manner and there is hardly a football fan out there who would not have wished Favre to be on their team.
Favre’s #4 jersey is the best selling shirt in the NFL, but he transcends football. My very lovely (and long-suffering ) Irish wife couldn’t care two hoots for American football –until Favre gets mentioned.
I think as a keynote speaker on branding and marketing, there are a few points I might make in the future about branding and the Brett Favre experience?
1) Have a good product
2) Create a connection with your customer base
3) Engender a level of emotion about your product
4) Constantly reinforce that connection and emotion.
5) Create word of mouth momentum with satisfied customers speaking positively about your product
6) Keep your brand promise
7) Don’t kill your brand before end of its natural life cycle (Maybe Brett should have paid attention to this)
All of this is so obvious, that it is amazing marketers do not do this more often – Yea right! Brand building is tough, but when you get it right, when you create that emotional connection that allows you to charge premium prices, you will know it has been worth it.
AND NOW FOR:
THE BRAND EXPERIENCE COMMERCIAL
If you are looking for a genuinely interesting, educational and funny brand experience from a keynote speaker, then contact Conor Cunneen. Conor is an Irish keynote speaker, happily exiled in Chicagoland whose clients include Harley-Davidson, Abbott, Siemens, London Life, Spanish Food & Drink Federation and many more.
As a funny and inspirational keynote speaker, Conor makes you a BRAND PROMISE which is E4: Energize, Educate, Entertain AND Easy to work with.
While Conor likes to use ludicrously hyperbolic references to encourage search engine optimization (e.g. Conor is a humorous, inspirational, funny, insightful, humorous keynote business speaker on topics as diverse as Communications, Cancer recovery (twice), Healthcare, Foodservice), the fact that he keeps his BRAND PROMISE (kind of) justifies the level of hyperbole.
Clients say things like
“In my close to thirty years of association work, I have never seen a speaker as well received as you.” Incentive Marketing Association
“Working with Conor Cunneen has been a pleasure both for our company and our clients. Conor is a great speaker who obviously knows the importance of a good and well planned speech according to the wishes of our clients.” SpeakersForum, Finland.
“Everybody was talking about your presentation. You literally made our event. Your ability to hold an audience is exceptional.” Jerry Elsner – Executive Director, Illinois State Crime Commission
Go on. Get a taste of the Irish brogue and phone Conor at 630 718 1643 or send him an email and tell him you are looking for an inspirational, funny, motivational, humorous keynote speaker (give over Conor – Ed.) for your next conference or send him an email.
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
Innovation Drives GROWTH
As a keynote speaker on marketing and business growth, two quarterly results caught my attention yesterday – consumer goods giant P&G which announced a 33% profit gain and fast food chain Wendy's which announced a similar percentage change in profits, EXCEPT this was a negative number.
The results from these companies intrigue me because not so long ago, the respective positions were reversed. When P&G CEO, A.G. Lafley took the helm in June 2000, the company was - to put it mildly, struggling with poor growth prospects and a number of missed earnings reports. At the same time, Wendy’s was making strong inroads into the market share of a then sleepy McDonald’s.
So what caused the reversal of fortune for both companies? There is no simple answer, but undoubtedly much of the answer lies in Innovation. Wendy’s growth in the early part of this decade was very much fueled by the introduction of one new product in particular – Salad Sensations. Introduced in February 2002, these salads were the first reasonable quality salad available from a major fast food chain. The “innovation” helped change consumer perceptions of fast food, a perception change that was further accelerated when McDonald’s followed suit thirteen months later. Wendy’s unfortunately lived on their laurels and while claiming to be the innovators in the sector, introduced very few additional relevant products. The net result – Wendy’s has lost its independence, founder Dave Thomas is probably turning in his grave and Triarc – franchisor of the Arby’s chain, has picked up a great brand quite cheaply.
On the other hand, P&G truly understood the power of innovation. Today the company is perceived as being one of the most innovative CPG companies on the market. It has been so successful in the North American laundry care business that it has forced arch-rival Unilever to exit the market. Fiscal ’08 sales at $83.5 billion are double what they were six years ago. One example of successful innovation is the Fusion shaving system which attained billion dollar status in just two years – the fastest billion dollar brand in the company’s history. In the associated conference call announcing the year end results, Lafley stated “Innovation is what will differentiate the winners and the losers in our industry and in the current environment. Innovation drives consumer value and builds brand equity and trust over time.”
How right he is. Even as a humorous keynote speaker, I do my best to be innovative, introducing new keynotes / concepts on a regular basis. Not all motivational, inspirational speakers agree with this philosophy presenting the same material over and over again. I have recently finalized a new keynote, based on my experience as a keynote speaker who has had prostate cancer. Titled “It’s Only a Flesh Wound” (bowing the head to the wonderful Monty Python scene), I have had great reaction to a keynote speech which looks in a humorous but I hope insightful way at how you can overcome prostate and other cancers.
An article ranging from Wendy’s salads to prostate cancer is quite a jump, but the underlying message is constant. Innovation – get it right and you will grow. Rest on your laurels and you will be left behind.
*****************************************************************************
Conor Cunneen is an Irishman, a Chicago based humorous keynote speaker, or if the search engines are paying attention, a funny inspirational motivational business speaker on topics as diverse as foodservice, cancer, communication skills and humor.
You can contact this funny motivational business speaker at 630 718 1643
The results from these companies intrigue me because not so long ago, the respective positions were reversed. When P&G CEO, A.G. Lafley took the helm in June 2000, the company was - to put it mildly, struggling with poor growth prospects and a number of missed earnings reports. At the same time, Wendy’s was making strong inroads into the market share of a then sleepy McDonald’s.
So what caused the reversal of fortune for both companies? There is no simple answer, but undoubtedly much of the answer lies in Innovation. Wendy’s growth in the early part of this decade was very much fueled by the introduction of one new product in particular – Salad Sensations. Introduced in February 2002, these salads were the first reasonable quality salad available from a major fast food chain. The “innovation” helped change consumer perceptions of fast food, a perception change that was further accelerated when McDonald’s followed suit thirteen months later. Wendy’s unfortunately lived on their laurels and while claiming to be the innovators in the sector, introduced very few additional relevant products. The net result – Wendy’s has lost its independence, founder Dave Thomas is probably turning in his grave and Triarc – franchisor of the Arby’s chain, has picked up a great brand quite cheaply.
On the other hand, P&G truly understood the power of innovation. Today the company is perceived as being one of the most innovative CPG companies on the market. It has been so successful in the North American laundry care business that it has forced arch-rival Unilever to exit the market. Fiscal ’08 sales at $83.5 billion are double what they were six years ago. One example of successful innovation is the Fusion shaving system which attained billion dollar status in just two years – the fastest billion dollar brand in the company’s history. In the associated conference call announcing the year end results, Lafley stated “Innovation is what will differentiate the winners and the losers in our industry and in the current environment. Innovation drives consumer value and builds brand equity and trust over time.”
How right he is. Even as a humorous keynote speaker, I do my best to be innovative, introducing new keynotes / concepts on a regular basis. Not all motivational, inspirational speakers agree with this philosophy presenting the same material over and over again. I have recently finalized a new keynote, based on my experience as a keynote speaker who has had prostate cancer. Titled “It’s Only a Flesh Wound” (bowing the head to the wonderful Monty Python scene), I have had great reaction to a keynote speech which looks in a humorous but I hope insightful way at how you can overcome prostate and other cancers.
An article ranging from Wendy’s salads to prostate cancer is quite a jump, but the underlying message is constant. Innovation – get it right and you will grow. Rest on your laurels and you will be left behind.
*****************************************************************************
Conor Cunneen is an Irishman, a Chicago based humorous keynote speaker, or if the search engines are paying attention, a funny inspirational motivational business speaker on topics as diverse as foodservice, cancer, communication skills and humor.
You can contact this funny motivational business speaker at 630 718 1643
Monday, August 04, 2008
Mamma - Why didn't we listen?
One of the most interesting books I’ve read in recent times is Satisfaction: How Every Great Company Listens to the Voice of the Customer by J.D. Power and Chris Denove. Power, founder of J. D. Power and Associates recalls a meeting he held with GM / Pontiac executives in January 1980 when he detailed the Japanese automakers emphasis on quality. Power told the geniuses then responsible for the Pontiac brand that unless they improved product quality, product reliability and fuel consumption, the GM market share would tumble. He predicted that the GM share of 48% would drop to 33% by the end of the decade. Not too surprisingly, some of the Pontiac / GM representatives did not take too kindly to the prediction.
I bet they wish they had paid attention now that GM has announced another whopping quarterly loss – $15.5 billion and its share value is less than when Power made his prediction only twenty-eight years ago!
To be fair to the GM execs, I would have probably discounted his apparently extreme forecast as well (in fact, the share decline he predicted took only eight years to occur), but you really have to ask, what have GM and Ford and Chrysler being doing over the past three decades? It is nothing short of incredible (sorry maybe that should read predictable) that GM’s share now hovers around twenty percent of the market, while Ford and Chrysler are close to life support.
The lesson for management I think is one I mention in my book Why Ireland Never Invaded America. It is ‘Do not believe your own blarney – do not take things for granted.’ Had these once profitable organizations paid real attention to what was happening in the market place and genuinely listened to the voice of the customer, they would not be in the position they are in today. Their one saving grace right now is that each of the once so-called Big Three does appear to have quality management – Wagoner (GM), Mullally (Ford), Nardelli (Chrysler), in the hot seat.
I bet they wish they had paid attention now that GM has announced another whopping quarterly loss – $15.5 billion and its share value is less than when Power made his prediction only twenty-eight years ago!
To be fair to the GM execs, I would have probably discounted his apparently extreme forecast as well (in fact, the share decline he predicted took only eight years to occur), but you really have to ask, what have GM and Ford and Chrysler being doing over the past three decades? It is nothing short of incredible (sorry maybe that should read predictable) that GM’s share now hovers around twenty percent of the market, while Ford and Chrysler are close to life support.
The lesson for management I think is one I mention in my book Why Ireland Never Invaded America. It is ‘Do not believe your own blarney – do not take things for granted.’ Had these once profitable organizations paid real attention to what was happening in the market place and genuinely listened to the voice of the customer, they would not be in the position they are in today. Their one saving grace right now is that each of the once so-called Big Three does appear to have quality management – Wagoner (GM), Mullally (Ford), Nardelli (Chrysler), in the hot seat.
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