Magic happens when insightful thinking is applied to real-world challenges. A great example from the client files: popular speaker and executive coach Suzanne Bates of Bates Communications. A former award-winning TV news anchor, she could have applied her high-profile perspective in a variety of ways. My advice: big dawgs have the right to advise other big dawgs. We applied her insights on credibility to strong market trends on employee engagement and execution. The result: not one, but two well-received (and strong selling) books Speak Like a CEO and the newest from McGraw-Hill, Motivate Like a CEO. Both are spreading like a viral wildfire, which probably explains why big-gun publisher McGraw-Hill is willing to back her for the second time.
Moral of the story: It’s not enough to have a high-profile. The days of talking-head speakers are gone. You have to apply your past life into something high-fee buyers already want. Be a conduit for a higher purpose, and watch the opportunities roll in. Good job, Suzanne!