Mary Mayotte & Associates

Mary's Corner! (A letter from the Editor)

Welcome to the 2nd Edition of the Balance Beam.

Early Fall always feels as if we are "back to school"–doesn't it? The end of summer signals to me, the beginning of a new season--one of my favorites...

Autumn with all of its gorgeous color, the harvest moon, openings, and social events galore. Busy. Busy. I think back to the fun and carefree summer escapes of years past, followed by a fresh resolve once school actually has begun, to get back on track and finish off the 4th quarter with a bang.

I trust each of you enjoyed your summer–it seemed many of us really took advantage of some genuine vacation time as I did for the first time in these past 3 difficult years. Personally, I was glad to see it. I was happy when I could not find you on those Friday afternoons!! Perhaps you heard the roar of the ocean in the background when you found me on my cell phone. And I had an opportunity to travel to London, pick up my good pal Suellen, and off to Portugal we went. It was a much-needed disconnect from e-mail and phones for 10 glorious days.

I have kept a favorite greeting card on my desk for years with a bunny in a rowboat that reads "Enjoy the slow times-they are a gift". Have we lost the ability to do that with the 24-7 nature of our business lives? I have to remind myself that those slow times are the essential gift and a balance for the high intensity of Fall, as we all "hit the ground running" and "get back into the swing" of things.

My summer, as some of you know, presented an unexpected challenge–I lost my mom in June. She had had a very tough life; ours was a complicated relationship throughout most of my life. She had, at a young age, four developmentally disabled autistic children, my siblings—and she along with my dad had to make the heartbreaking choice to institutionalize them, when I was very small. Giving up your children (and losing your sister and brothers for that matter) is not something anyone gets over–you only survive the loss and hope you are able to move on and grow and create a different sense of "family". I have been blessed to have found a family in countless wonderful friends, colleagues and clients; those of you receiving this are members of my cherished extended family.

Many of you have asked what you could do to remember Dr. Joan Mayotte, PHD, Psychologist. After some thought and conversation with my sister, France, we have set up a fund in her name–funds to be distributed (along with a percentage of the proceeds from The Speech Fitness^® Institute) to causes helping the developmentally disabled/autistic.

We are sure she would have wanted her legacy to be a more positive one. I will continue to work to raise awareness of mental illness in all its forms and the burden it places upon families and the repercussions it has for society.

Tax deductible donations can be sent in memory of Dr. Joan Mayotte to:
The Daniel Haskell Esq. Trust
1776 Jackson St., Ste. 520, Denver, Co. 80210

On a more upbeat note--watching the Olympics this past month, was an inspiration, wasn't it?...what a tribute to the human spirit!

I caught an interview on TV with archer Jenny Nichols of Colorado, who had been expected to medal, and did not. She said that 'the Olympics to her is such an inspiration because of the challenges it presents to be the best in the world'. She went on to say that 'life is so much more than win or lose–it's in the experience and whether you win or lose is in the hands of God.'

Let's keep that in mind, and look to make each day of our last quarter count for something more; win or lose...enjoy the ride.
Mary

Inspiration of the Month:

"Enthusiasm is the yeast that makes your hopes shine to the stars. Enthusiasm is the sparkle in your eyes, the swing in your gait. The grip of your hand, the irresistible surge of will and energy to execute your ideas."
Henry Ford

Last month we began our focused discussion on how to take "a brilliant idea" and make the leap from concept to execution? We started with Step I: Planning and organizing your approach, where we looked deeper into the successful strategies of Chrysler's Lee Iacocca.

This month we continue with our featured article on:

Step II-
Execution: Moving from Interest to Implementation
As we discussed in the first issue of the The Balance Beam one of the key elements in effectively executing an idea and turning it into a reality is planning and organizing your approach. So if you have done this groundwork, determined what you want your targeted audience to do as a result of hearing your message; what call to action you will deliver to that audience, you are now ready to position yourself to set your ideas in motion. According to Ram Charan, one of the co-authors of Execution: The Discipline of Getting Things Done, and rated one of the top management gurus by leadership development directors polled by Business Week Online, the key for any communicator, especially in this economic environment is confronting "realism"- addressing today's realistic client needs and expectations and determining how you will influence them. And as Larry Bossidy (Mr. Charan's co-author) says, "learning to cultivate the discipline of execution is a key goal for any communicator. You must practice it like the athletes do."

We, at Speech Fitness^®, along with Mr. Bossidy believe that practice, or developing a practice, is a routine that eventually becomes reflexive. That means habit and that means practice.
So then, how do we cultivate the discipline, the reflex of execution, as it relates to your communication?

Follow these organizational steps we've outlined, each time you are running a meeting, doing a presentation, pitching a new idea, or giving a keynote speech. These are the tools and techniques you need to call upon to guarantee successful communication.

To be an exceptional communicator:

Nail the message by opening with a strong "grabber"
Speak in a language clients respond to--plain speak
Be enthusiastic, passionate, and committed to the message--this drives it
Be clear as to what your objective is
Take a personal inventory-be comfortable physically, emotionally and spiritually in your own skin
Communicate your core messages through a variety of facts, statistics, personal experiences, anecdotes and quotes
Master the art of delivery--flex-ability is key here; get ready to improvise
Know what's in it for the audience and put your expert recommendation out there to them--this requires risk.
End with a strong close
Practice, practice, practice
Seek feedback from a trusted colleague or coach.

Sounds simple, doesn't it? OK, how many times have you met with a client and due to lack of time just "winged it'? Or lead a meeting with no real agenda, but a vague idea of what needs to be done. Yet you wonder why things are moving so slowly? Why little progress is being made. How many times have you given a speech with your head buried in your notes, yet you can't understand why your team isn't enthusiastic about your ideas?

How often have you rehearsed a pitch to a client you've spent weeks creating a campaign for--in the car, on the drive over to the meeting? No doubt, far more times than any of you would like to admit. In today's business climate you can't afford to be that cavalier.

You must develop the discipline that creates a competitive advantage by developing exemplary communication skills. Then you will be on the road to the Olympics! And like the athletes we so admire at Speech F-i-t-n-e-s-s® (hmmm?? Is that why they call it that??) it takes real communication know–how; preparation, focus, discipline, and practice to execute your ideas and turn them into action.

**The next edition of the Balance Beam will discuss:
Execution Part III-Mastering the Art of Delivery**

In the next Balance Beam, our Holiday edition, we want to begin to encourage you throughout the coming year to take a more holistic "mind, body, spirit" approach in both life and business, while remembering to employ the necessary ingredient of Balance...which will be a theme of our newsletters throughout 2005. Don't Miss it!!

Resources You Can Relate to: (Recommended books on our topic of the month)

Execution: The Discipline of Getting Things Done (Clicking on this link will bring you directly to this book on Amazon.com)
By: Larry Bossidy and Ram Charan with Charles Burck

Implementing Your Strategic Plan: How to Turn "Intent" into Effective Action for Sustainable Change (Clicking on this link will bring you directly to this book on Amazon.com)
By: C. Davis Fogg

Business Plans to Game Plans : A Practical System for Turning Strategies into Action (Clicking on this link will bring you directly to this book on Amazon.com)
By: Jan B. King

Click on the button below to go directly to Amazon.com's home page

Media Savvy:
Hot Off The Press—
The Soundbite gets a Bum Rap
By: Eileen Winnick, Senior Associate-Media Trainer

Who would have ever thought when FDR said the immortal words on radio "There is nothing to fear but fear itself" that he had made one heck of a soundbite? Or when JFK said, "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country" he would help Merriam Webster define what a soundbite is? According to Webster, a soundbite is a brief recorded statement, usually spoken by a politician, broadcast especially in the television news. Speaking in soundbites has gotten a bad rap, as many cynics feel manipulated by media mavens intent on simplifying ideas to be more easily digested by TV viewers with short attention spans. But conversely, I have found it a helpful tool for clients to learn how to crystallize their ideas and distill the essence of their message by creating short, striking soundbites. Try it. It ain't easy. When you "think in soundbites" you are forced to clarify, simplify and sharpen your message. It‘s a dynamic way to introduce the ideas you plan to explain in more detail. Pause briefly to think; go direct–get right to the point–and then fill in the details. This way, if you are interrupted, you have made your point. And there is far less likelihood that you will be misunderstood or misquoted.

So the next time you find yourself smirking at the suggestion to speak in soundbites remember, "Brevity is the soul of wit."

Mary's Link of the Month:

Many of you have asked what to do to get focused and rid yourselves of the self-doubt that plagues each and every one of us from time to time. Over the years, I have developed a discipline or a "practice", which I'd like to share with you:

Each morning when I arise, I read a one-page affirmation and re-focus my thoughts immediately upon rising. At the end of the day I re-read that same affirmation and de-brief with myself on the events of the day. How well did I do?

This habit never fails to create change in my attitude and offer focus on something higher than myself–which gets me out of myself and self-conscious self-doubt and into service—not to mention the byproduct–of a very peaceful night's sleep. One of my favorite resources for affirming and refocusing my day is Creative Thought Magazine a small, easy-to-carry-around booklet published by Science of Mind: www.scienceofmind.com + www.rsintl.org

News you can Use!

This issue, as we promised, we profile inspiring ACG Speaker William Ury's (co-author of the national best-seller, Getting to Yes) new book The Third Side.

This important book furthers human understanding in today's global political climate, through its exploration of The Third Side. Ury details the necessity of neutral intervention when two sides are at odds. He discusses specific methods that can stop conflict before it evolves into violence; by employing techniques that prevent conflicts from flaring into violence, through the strengthening of this "third side" and empowering opposing sides to become more empathetic to each other. This book challenges readers to examine the following questions:

Are humans innately prone to violence?
How can we manage conflict in a manner that does not lead to violence?
How do we locate and uncover the "third side" in a conflict?
What are the places in a conflict where people get stuck?
How does empathy for the other side help resolve conflict?

"We tend to think the problem is human beings have this natural tendency to kill, and yet in the middle of a hot war, WWII, a "good war," as it were, the US army was astonished to learn that at least three out of every four riflemen who were trained to kill and commanded to kill, could not bring themselves to pull the trigger when they could see the person they were ordered to kill. And that inner resistance to violence is a well kept secret."
—William Ury, anthropologist, peace negotiator and author

The Third Side has applications for negotiation, conflict resolution as well as a view of current world affairs. An important book to read as we work toward more responsible and positive influence in a world filled with conflict.

If this review has piqued your interest, a copy of the book can be found online at Amazon.com

Bill Ury's Site: www.pon.harvard.edu/about/scommittee/wury.php3

Motivate Your Mind

Developing Human Potential – Implementing a Leadership Program at an Advertising and Communications Company
BY: Pamela Moorhead-guest editor and certified Speech Fitness^® Instructor

In today's challenging economic climate, it is more critical than ever to invest in the heart and soul of any organization—that of human potential. Recognizing the potential in employees is vital to the success of a company, from an economic standpoint, as well as from the company's ability to retain the best and brightest people. However, the key to investing in human capital is how an organization chooses to develop its own people.

As a training and organizational development professional, I have had the opportunity to make a direct impact on the employees at BBDO Detroit. I have had an integral role in developing and implementing a comprehensive leadership program for our company.

Selling a leadership program and its concepts in an advertising and communications company is challenging. As William Arthur Ward said, "If you can imagine it, you can achieve it; if you can dream it, you can become it." The Learning and Development team at BBDO Detroit had a vision for a leadership program – not just another ‘flavor of the month' approach, but a comprehensive program that would allow for the self-assessment of one's own thoughts and behaviors, 360-degree feedback on each person's leadership impact, and group and one-on-one interpretation of the results.

This would allow for key leaders to focus on moving toward a more constructive style of thinking. I was compelled to make this program come alive because of the raw potential in so many of our leaders. The talent simply needed to be polished. To be able to collaborate with a variety of leaders and have a direct impact on the program was an opportunity that does not come along often. This vision became a reality after long, hard hours of research, then selling the program in-house and finally getting the commitment from a cross-section of leaders, who were actively looking to move toward performance change.

There is much to say about the topic of leadership and the significant impact it can have on a company. I am responsible for creating programs that develop and coach our leaders. So many people in the program at BBDO Detroit have taken the feedback to heart. This process develops self-awareness and acceptance--and it creates change.

One individual in particular comes to mind when I think of the positive impact of the program. He was an extraordinary visionary, however, he lacked formal leadership training. He was promoted into a key leadership position because he could anticipate what the clients' needs were, time and time again. Yet he lacked certain leadership skills to collaborate effectively with his co-workers as a team.

He responded well to training and realized through the process, that the impact he was having on others and his approach to his co-workers had changed. In the short time since we identified this issue, I have noticed a shift from his former oppositional and avoidance-oriented behavior toward a more humanistic and cooperative interaction with his team. In many ways, this leader has already created a legacy in the BBDO Detroit world. I believe the change in his leadership style will take on a sustainable life of its own and have positive ripples throughout the company.
The result is that BBDO Detroit's commitment to invest in its human capital is a success. This is not an easy charge for any organization to undertake. However, the return on investment can pay off in vast amounts – improved skill sets, increased loyalty to the organization and ability to achieve excellence in the face of adversity. The value of the investment in people cannot be understated; it cannot be a one-time occurrence; it must be continuous, since human potential is constantly evolving and growing.

I would like to thank Mary Mayotte for giving me the opportunity to serve as a guest editor for the "Balance Beam". We have collaborated together on training efforts and the investment in the wealth of human capital and its tremendous potential, here at BBDO Detroit with far-reaching success.

If you would like to comment or inquire further about this leadership program, please email me at info@Speech Fitness^®.com

TA DA!!
Success Stories (yours, and ours)

Congratulations go to our stars:

Mandi Norwood + Charla Krupp on the launch of Hearst's new shopping magazine SHOP, Etc.
Guido's Neels-to Chief Operating Officer-Guidant Incorporated
Hudson Meade-on your adventure re: First Western Trust Bank
Dr. Ed Lewis, on your PHD from University of New Mexico
Peter Bauer-on your move to/launch of Life Weekly
Dana Mead-on your extraordinary efforts re: J &J/Cypher/Guidant partnership
Jay Graf on your retirement from Guidant
Anne Wheelock Tallman-on your move to MALDEF as new President And General Counsel
Laura Pesin on your move to DeVries PR and many thanks for the referral of business
Marissa Geller on your move to Tractenberg + thank you for the referral
Elizabeth Mars on your move to MX Logic and thanks so much for the referral
Debra Kelco on your marriage and also thanks for your referral

Happy New Baby!
Patty Schickram-Diageo
Molly McCoy HRsearchfirm.com and Greg Cunnings-welcome Graham!
Nicki Finkel Migdon-Origins

Let us hear your news, by emailing us at info@marymayotte.com We want to know about all of your successes.

GET FIT!!
Balance: Focus on the Body

WALKING
Featured Article, complements of "Health Magazine"
At a competitive extreme, walking is a track event. At the casual end of things, it's a surprisingly effective strategy for lifelong health. Walking has an unlikely virtue—it's inefficiency. If you want to work major muscle groups, get your blood pumping, and take in oxygen, then efficiency is not your first priority. Studies show that walkers traveling faster than five miles an hour actually burn twice as many calories as runners going the same speed.

GETTING STARTED
To begin a walking program, keep in mind that you're in no big hurry. This is lifetime health, not overnight magic. For now, forget stopwatches, heart rates, and technique. Just go for a walk at a comfortable pace slightly above a stroll. Fifteen minutes to 30 minutes would be nice. Or split it up: Do two or three ten-minute strolls during the day. (If you are over 45 and this is your first step toward fitness, check with a physician first).

BEYOND STROLLING
Measure your time. Start by timing how long it takes you to walk a mile comfortably on flat ground. Chances are it'll take between 15 and 20 minutes. That's your starting capacity—build from there.

Measure several courses. Use your car's odometer or the rule of ten city blocks to a mile to measure different routes. (Why walk the same path every time?) Two miles per course is enough for a start.

Measure your intensity. The recommendation for a "training heart rate" is 60 to 90 percent of the fastest your heart can beat in a minute. Figure your maximum heart rate by subtracting your age in years from 220. Multiply the result by .6 and .9 to get the bottom and top of your target zone for aerobic training.

Set your frequency. The goal is three to five times a week, with a heart rate in your target zone for 15 to 60 minutes. Schedule your walks in advance, and keep the appointment.

GO. The proper technique is not as important as getting out there and doing something. Keep in mind that healthy people are well overall; their activities boost energy and help fend off heart disease and circulatory problems. The key is to stay active.

Keep it up. To make walking a habit takes willpower—and a strategy. Schedule regular walks with a friend if you need an extra push, or walk first thing in the morning before other commitments crop up, or vary your route to keep it interesting, or get a dog. Finally, don't think of it as exercise. It's time you've set aside for yourself. Enjoy it.

WHAT TO WEAR
All you really need is a good pair of walking shoes. Choose a pair with a firm heel cup for stability and plenty of room for toes so they can spread out as they push off. Wear loose, comfortable clothes.

FOR MAXIMUM GAIN
You don't have to walk any particular way, but there comes a point when refinements offer definite benefits. The correct posture, arm swing, and stride add up to higher-intensity exercise and lower risk of injury.

Posture. Lean slightly forward—from the ankles, not the waist. Leaning from the waist will only tire your back and make breathing harder. Keep your head level and your chin up.
Arm swing. This makes walking a total body activity. Keep your elbows firmly bent at a 90-degree angle, and swing from the shoulder. Your hand should end its forward swing at breastbone height. On the back swing, if you're not moving fast, the upper arm is almost parallel to the ground.

Stride. Make your stride long and smooth. It helps to borrow some moves from competitive race walkers: Keep your supporting leg straight as your body passes over it, and let the hip rise and relax. As that leg moves to the rear, keep its foot on the ground as long as possible before pushing off.

Be sure to warm up and cool down. Walk at an easy pace for five or ten minutes until you're warm before kicking into high gear. When you finish your session, do at least three of the following static—no bouncing—stretches five times, 30 seconds each, for each leg.

Achilles tendon and calf. With both hands against a wall or tree, place one foot well behind your. Keeping the rear leg straight and its heel on the ground, lean in toward the wall or tree.
Quadriceps. Put the left hand on a wall or tree for balance and with the right hand reach from behind your back and grasp the ankle of the right leg. Pull it up toward your buttocks until you feel tension along the front of your thigh. Repeat on the opposite side.

Hamstring. Stand on one leg; prop the other leg parallel to the ground on a fence or table. Slide both hands toward the propped-up ankle as far as they'll go.

WHEN THE WEATHER IS BAD
Move your walk indoors. Shopping malls are a popular alternative—some 2,400 malls nationwide let walkers in before shopping hours, usually between 6:30 and 10AM. In fact, many have walking clubs. If none are nearby, find a local health club that has an indoor track or treadmill.

PROFILE:
Putting a Face on One of our Own

Christina Julian, MM+A's Director of Client Services and Marketing comes to MM+A with a unique blend of creativity and business savvy. She spent over 12 years in the corporate arena managing marketing and client services for such key companies as American Express, Netscape, Hewlett Packard, AT&T and others. She played an instrumental role in launching and growing the Interactive Division at the Home Shopping Network, when it emerged as one of the 1st e-commerce companies back in the mid nineties. During the heyday of the tech boom, she worked at USA.Net (responsible for pioneering web-based email) and played a key role in its growth from a 5-person company to a 400+ person organization, which ultimately went on to get funding from Chase Capital Partners.

Coupled with this experience, she also flexes her creative passions as an actor and writer out on the west coast. In this capacity she has performed on the stage in both NY and LA, hosted a show on MTV, and appeared in an eclectic array of film and TV projects; most recently starring in the film "Massage Therapy", which won the audience award for Best Short Film at the FilmJack Film Festival in Hollywood, CA.

"CJ" loves being a part of the MM+A team, where she gets to wear both the creative and business cap on a daily basis, as she handles marketing and client services activities for the group out of Los Angeles.

The SFI® BEAT
Inspiring Expert Communicators

Kickoff your fall/winter sales season the right way by leading your team out of the office and into the great outdoors for The Speech
Fitness Institute®. Here we blend time-tested training techniques with a unique performance-based approach. For over 13 years MM+A has helped prepare some of the most seasoned professionals in every business through the use of a well-rounded mind, body, and spirit approach to communications, leadership and team building. Whether you're looking to re-engage an existing team, build team strength with a newly formed unit, or just propel your team's performance to the next level, SFI can answer the call through a fully customized experience, designed to meet the specific needs of your organization and its market challenges, all set in the great "back to nature" environment of the Colorado Rockies or a location of your choice.

Booking now for Winter, Summer and Fall 2005-06 Retreats
Click here for more information-www.Speech Fitness^®institute.com

What is YOUR Biggest Communication Challenge?
Email us your communication challenge, and if we select your submission to report on, in our next newsletter, you will receive a complementary, one-hour telephone consultation with the Head Coach, herself: Mary Mayotte.
Click here

Tell A Friend:
If you refer a friend or colleague who books a training or consultation with MM+A, you will receive a 10% discount toward your own coaching services with us.

Don't for get to visit our Website for a list of our services and to discover How Mary Mayotte + Associates can address your communications goals at www.Speech Fitness^®.com

Or simply call us directly at 212.772.1275/303-321-8935

We'd Love to hear from you—Comments and suggestions are always welcome! info@Speech Fitness^®.com

***The Balance Beam is a collaborative endeavor from the MM+A team:
Mary Mayotte, Head Coach, Christina Julian, Client Services/Marketing Director; Eileen Winnick, Communications Coach/Account Executive with guest columnist Pamela Moorhead Director of Training and Development at BBDO Detroit ***

As always at MM+A, we strive for communication excellence as we aim to inform. If you would like to be taken off our newsletter mailing list, please click here to "unsubscribe". As always we respect your privacy, and your information will never be used or distributed without your express, written consent.