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RICHARD WOLFFE — Revival: The Struggle for Survival Inside the Obama White House —

March 26, 2013 in Authors, Featured Speakers, Leadership speakers, Political Speakers, Speakers for Business Groups, Unique Ideas

Revival is the dramatic inside story of the defining period of the Obama White House. It is an epic tale that follows the president and his inner circle from the crisis of defeat to historic success. Over the span of an extraordinary two months in the life of a young presidency, Obama and his senior aides engaged in a desperate struggle for survival that stands as the measure of who they are and how they govern.

Bestselling Obama biographer Richard Wolffe draws on unrivaled access to the West Wing to write a natural sequel to his critically acclaimed book about the president and his campaign. He traces an arc from near death to resurrection that is a repeated pattern for Obama, first as a candidate and now as president. Starting at the first anniversary of the inauguration, Wolffe paints a portrait of a White House at work under exceptional strain across a sweeping set of challenges: from health care reform to a struggling economy, from two wars to terrorism.

wolffe richard book
Revival is a road map to understanding the dynamics, characters, and disputes that shape the Obama White House. It reveals for the first time the fault lines at the heart of the West Wing between two groups competing for control of the president’s agenda. On one side are the Revivalists, who want to return to the high-minded spirit of the presidential campaign. On the other side are the Survivalists, who believe that government demands a low-minded set of compromises and combat.

At the center of this compelling story is a man who remains opaque to supporters, staff, and critics alike. What motivates him to risk his presidency on health care? What frustrations does he feel at this incredible time of testing? Written by the author who knows Obama best, Revival is a frank and intimate account of a president struggling to adapt, enduring failure, and outfoxing his foes. It is a must-read volume, full of exclusive insights into the untold and unfinished story of a new force in world politics.

RICHARD WOLFFE 
Award Winning Journalist, Political Analyst, MSNBC and Bestselling Author

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PAUL COLLIER One of the world’s leading experts on developing markets and financial opportunities within the poorest countries

December 18, 2012 in Unique Ideas

Paul Collier is a particularly important speaker for businesses and organizations concerned with emerging markets, as he effectively demonstrates the value, and the virtue, in combining compassion with wise investment strategies.

Collier writes a monthly column for the Independent, and his commentary also appears regularly in the New York Times, the Financial Times, the Wall Street Journal, and the Washington Post. His bestselling book, The Bottom Billion, which has been compared to Jeffrey Sachs’s The End of Poverty and William Easterly’s The White Man’s Burden in its scope and impact, identifies the four traps that keep such countries mired in poverty, and outlines ways to help them escape. He is also the author of Wars, Guns and Votes: Democracy in Dangerous Places. His most recent book, entitled The Plundered Planet: How to reconcile prosperity with nature, was published in May of 2010.

Speech Topics Include:

Emerging markets

Wars, Guns and Votes: Democracy in Dangerous Places

The Plundered Planet: How to reconcile prosperity with nature

Paul effectively demonstrates the value, and the virtue, in combining compassion with wise investment strategies

World’s Leading Expert on Global Poverty Solutions

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THE MARK OF A LEADER- Roger Bannister Story

November 21, 2012 in Leadership speakers, Unique Ideas

THE MARK OF A LEADER

Motivational story tellers that will enchant your audience with a multi media performance that can be used as a keynote address or consistent thread throughout a multi-day event.

Doug Keeley, CEO and Chief Storyteller of The Mark of a Leader, is one of North America’s leading communicators, a serial entrepreneur, and a self-professed “leadership junkie”. He is an acknowledged expert at creating cultures of leadership at every level of organizations.

The core program is based on the belief that leadership is everyone’s job in an organization today, and that there is no “secret sauce” to leadership. Our principle called Five Level Leadership, explores how, when human beings are fully engaged on all five of our levels (Spirit, Imagination, Intellect, Heart, Hands), there is virtually nothing we cannot do. The program can be used to create an unforgettable keynote, or Doug can facilitate/MC an event, interspersing the amazing stories throughout and customizing the messages to any audience and theme.

THE MARK OF A LEADER- Roger Bannister Story

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The Art Of Vision – Erik Wahl

November 13, 2012 in Uncategorized, Unique Ideas

ERIK WAHL - Artist, Author and Entrepreneur

The Art Of Vision

The best sustainable edge in business is the ability to differentiate yourself from the competition. Through this entertaining and highly practical program, we will uncover new ways to make your organization more creative, innovative and profitable, but more-so, help your employees to see the need to become better storytellers within your company and towards your industry.

Erik Wahl Speaking on The Art of Vision

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Mark of a Leader, The Roger Bannister Story

October 24, 2012 in Unique Ideas

THE MARK OF A LEADER

Motivational story tellers that will enchant your audience with a multi media performance that can be used as a keynote address or consistent thread throughout a multi-day event

The Mark of a Leader uses the age-old power of great stories and storytelling to show our audiences a fresh new view of leadership today, and we do it in a way that engages them fully, sinks in, and sticks.

We believe that leadership is everyone’s job in an organization, and that the ability to be better leaders lies within us all. Our program helps people realize and achieve that.

Our stories model many of the world’s greatest people, brands and ideas, and shows how their successful behaviours can be applied by anyone.

The learnings are built on a simple model called Five Level Leadership which shows our audiences how to get the best out of themselves and others, releasing the inner leader that many do not even know they have.

Your audience – no matter what their job – will think and act as better leaders as a result. And ultimately that will drive better results for you, for them, and their team.

Mark of a Leader, The Roger Bannister Story Video

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THE MARK OF A LEADER Motivational story tellers that will enchant your audience with a multi media performance that can be used as a keynote address or consistent thread throughout a multi-day event

October 4, 2012 in Leadership speakers, Unique Ideas

Doug Keeley, CEO and Chief Storyteller of The Mark of a Leader, is one of North America’s leading communicators, a serial entrepreneur, and a self-professed “leadership junkie”. He is an acknowledged expert at creating cultures of leadership at every level of organizations.

The core program is based on the belief that leadership is everyone’s job in an organization today, and that there is no “secret sauce” to leadership. Our principle called Five Level Leadership, explores how, when human beings are fully engaged on all five of our levels (Spirit, Imagination, Intellect, Heart, Hands), there is virtually nothing we cannot do. The program can be used to create an unforgettable keynote, or Doug can facilitate/MC an event, interspersing the amazing stories throughout and customizing the messages to any audience and theme.

The video stories are narrated by a live facilitator/ storyteller — Doug Keeley or Don Allison. We can be part of your conference in several ways:

• As MC/facilitators — spreading the stories through the conference linked to your messages, keeping the energy and inspiration high from beginning to end.
• Doing an incredible keynote which audiences have described as “a spellbinding tour de force!”
• Running workshops, interactive breakout sessions, or onstage interviews with your people, integrating the stories.
• All of the above!

The Mark of a Leader uses the age-old power of great stories and storytelling to show our audiences a fresh new view of leadership today, and we do it in a way that engages them fully, sinks in, and sticks.

We believe that leadership is everyone’s job in an organization, and that the ability to be better leaders lies within us all. Our program helps people realize and achieve that.

Our stories model many of the world’s greatest people, brands and ideas, and shows how their successful behaviours can be applied by anyone.

The learnings are built on a simple model called Five Level Leadership which shows our audiences how to get the best out of themselves and others, releasing the inner leader that many do not even know they have.

Your audience – no matter what their job – will think and act as better leaders as a result. And ultimately that will drive better results for you, for them, and their team.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE MARK OF A LEADER

The Mark of a Leader

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DAN DUNN Paintjam™ is an exciting, adrenaline-filled, improvisational painting performance your guests will not want to miss!

January 23, 2012 in Unique Ideas

A native Houstonian, Dan Dunn has a background in painting, illustration, design and caricature.

He received worldwide attention when his teenage daughter posted a video of his performance art “Paintjam” on youtube. She spread the word on social networking sites and it took off like a rocket.

The video of Dan painting Ray Charles has received over 13 million hits and propelled Dan into a full time career performing all over the globe, proving that the three fastest forms of communication are: telephone, television and tell a teenager!

Dan studied painting at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas. He specialized in oil painting and watercolor and also enjoyed sculpture and life drawing.

Click here to read more about Dan Dunn from Painjam

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MIKE RAYBURN – inducted into the Speaker Hall of Fame

August 12, 2011 in Motivational Speakers, Unique Ideas

Last Tuesday Mike Rayburn was inducted into the Speaker Hall of Fame, winning the CPAE (Council of Peers Award for Excellence) from the National Speakers Association!  Past recipients include Zig Ziglar, Brian Tracy, President Ronald Reagan, Larry Winget, and Captain Charlie Plumb. Mike is honored, humbled, and energized!  Mike is one of the youngest recipients of this prestigious award.  Click the link for a brief portion of Mike’s

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OX7giq7v9Uc

If you’re looking for an entertainment driven after-dinner or keynote presenter who is hilarious, inspirational, motivational, and musically amazing, look no further than Mike Rayburn! Mike will show you how to take a step beyond your limitations, and discover infinite new possibilities. Oh, and you’ll laugh so hard it hurts!

Mike Rayburn is an award-winning speaker and entertainer with a truly unique presentation. Known as the Worlds’ Funniest Guitar Virtuoso, Mike uses his astounding guitar creations, uproarious songs and presentation skills to encourage, challenge and inspire his audiences to step beyond their perceived limitations. Mike draws from a wealth of life experiences as an adventurer, comedian, published songwriter, author, philanthropist, and father, to deliver an after-dinner or keynote presentation which is completely energizing and entertaining. Your audience WILL be amazed and motivated.

Click here to learn more about Mike Rayburn

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AfterBurner Inc. -NEW VIDEOS- Flawless Execution!

June 6, 2011 in Leadership speakers, Motivational Speakers, Speakers for Business Groups, Unique Ideas

Afterburner Inc is a team of elite military professionals that are experts in helping your team pursue Flawless Execution. Using Afterburner’s Flawless Execution methodologies we can help take your team to the next level in performance. The combination of sound organizational development and combat-proven methodologies has made Afterburner Inc one of the fastest growing training and consulting organizations in the country. The Flawless Execution Model is a proven process used by elite military professionals around the world to execute missions when the stakes are high and failure is not an option. Corporate success, like success in combat, depends on execution.

Afterburner’s team of men and women elite former military professionals has a powerful mix of combat experience combined with extensive business skills. Many members are graduates of top business schools and academies. Afterburner uses the combat proven methodologies of elite military professionals working with your team to achieve victory in a rapidly changing business environment. Flawless Execution works! It is dynamic and powerful because it is simple to use, yet the effects are lasting. The results are disciplined, coordinated and predictable. Afterburner has an unwavering focus on improving your team’s ability to execute. Your team can improve execution and stay one step ahead of the competition in just four simple steps.

The Flawless Execution Model:

Plan — The plan starts with an objective that is clear, measurable and achievable and supports your company’s overall strategy.

Brief — You communicate the plan. It is essential that people on the front lines know exactly what is expected of them. Businesses ignore this — often at their peril.

Execute — Even with a solid plan and a good brief, a mission can still fail due to Task Saturation or task overload. Task Saturation is the reality or perception of having too much to do without the time or resources to accomplish it. Even with the resources people still have to manage conflicting priorities. We know that as Task Saturation increases, performance decreases; therefore, at Afterburner we help teams combat Task Saturation by identifying resources and managing priorities.

Debrief — The last step is the Debriefing. After each mission, Fighter Pilots hold a nameless, rankless Debrief. Each person, without fear of reprimand, rehashes what worked, what did not work and why both the good events and the bad events happened. We then take the key lessons learned from the Debrief and apply them to the next plan. Debriefing speeds up learning. It lets us fine tune the processes that ensure success.

Win! — Our goal is to win by aligning your team around a disciplined, scalable process in order to achieve business results.

With offices in the United States, Australia and China, Afterburner has performed training events in 38 countries and has had their materials translated into more than 20 languages. With over 300 events per year, the Afterburner team has trained more than 100 of the Fortune 500 companies on the Flawless Execution Model. At Afterburner, “Leading the World’s Top Corporations to Flawless Execution” is more than just a slogan—it’s the foundation of our company. Afterburner has been on the Inc. 500 list of fastest growing companies twice. The success of our clients has translated to our success as well.

Click here to see the new AfterBurner video and learn more about their keynote speeches!

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James Mapes -Transformative Leadership – NEW VIDEO & NEW PROGRAMS

May 25, 2011 in James Mapes, Leadership speakers, Speakers for Business Groups, Unique Ideas

click here to view James Mapes new video

Speaker, performance coach, imagination expert, author: Quantum Leap Thinking

James Mapes is the founder and president of The Quantum Leap Thinking Organization, creator of The Transformation Coach™ program, best- selling author, highly acclaimed business speaker, consultant, seminar leader and personal excellence coach. For over 30 years, James has been an ardent student of human behavior and dedicated to helping individuals, teams and organizations identify and break through barriers to reach their goals and achieve success. He encourages people to be open to new ways of thinking, and his goal is to help everyone make the “quantum leap” toward more creative, productive and confident lives. For both businesses and individuals, his message promotes an innovative, powerful way of thinking and provides a new-found mastery over their perceptions so that, in his words, “the invisible becomes visible and the impossible becomes possible.” The results have been nothing short of extraordinary, creating key breakthroughs in both organizational and personal performance.

Imagine That!
Success literally depends on how people use their imagination. Exceptional individuals in all walks of life have the capability to think creatively and open up new opportunities for innovation. These are the individuals who have mastered the skill of visualizing a dynamic and successful future and then creating what they envision with optimism and hope. Einstein’s words have never ringed truer, “Imagination is more important than knowledge. It is a preview of life’s coming attractions.”

James Mapes, the leading authority on the psychology of “applied imagination,” demonstrates that success can be achieved by a clear understanding and application of the mind. James skillfully stretches people’s perceptions to see new possibilities and experience how their own imagination works. He guides his audience to understand that the powerful mental pictures we all carry around with us impact the opportunities we see and are the force which shapes how we thrive in challenging times.

In this engaging, practical, interactive and entertaining program, James captures and holds the audience’s attention with a compelling series of stories, demonstrations and video clips that leave no doubt that – “you can achieve what you imagine.” Participants will experience applying their own imagination to craft a personal “vision” that instills passion and motivation in – all areas of life. The audience will leave this thought-provoking, fascinating and inspiring journey learning:

? How to apply their imagination to successfully achieve goals.
? How to craft a compelling, emotional, realistic and persuasive future vision.
? How to recognize and break through limiting fears.
? How to use core values to unlock motivation.
? How to take risks.
? How to manage change for growth.

True Leadership: The Neuroscience of Effective Leaders
What is leadership-really? The business world is awash with leadership philosophies, how-to books and training institutes that can leave even the savvy manager perplexed as to exactly how to encourage employees to develop their own leadership style. It is important to push aside the clutter and get back to a fundamental understanding of what “true” leadership traits are essential for success. The adage “leaders are born, not made” is questionable, as it takes hard work to craft a leadership style that works for each individual.

In this provocative, confrontational, lively and interactive presentation, renowned performance coach and best-selling author James Mapes incorporates his legendary humor, movie clips and an array of audience exercises to reveal:

? The five core traits of all great leaders.
? Why morality, a nice disposition and power do not necessarily make a great leader.
? A guide for participants to enhance their personal leadership style and permanently transform it.
? How to craft an emotionally charged, clear and realistic future vision to motivate.\

click here to view James Mapes new video

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