Change is the New Normal

Why you and your business need Russell Ward – a highly skilled Change Agent

Your organization has finally gotten into a groove. The business is moving forward on all cylinders and then suddenly a competitor steps into your world and disrupts your business. OR you find that your core clientele is slowly moving their business elsewhere. No matter the circumstance, you try to hold on desperately to what you are accustomed to instead of breaking out and changing how you do business.

Let’s face it. We’re human. We don’t like change. But the business environment around us is constantly changing. The organizations that survive are the ones that can quickly adjust and adapt to new currents of commerce. Some of you are focused on simply surviving the present-day onslaughts. In fact, you are alarmed that you don’t have a plan in place how to respond to the disruptions attempting to overwhelm your business.

You need someone who has the experience to deal with uncertainty, inspire others to throw out old habits and mindsets, spearhead creative problem solving, manage the stresses and losses associated with change, and produce results that go beyond what can be imagined or foreseen.

                                                                                                                                              

When you bring in Russell Ward to survey your business, he will examine all threats and problems. During the examination phase, he will suggest changes to the organization’s values, habits, practices and priorities in order to move the business forward. Change can be difficult and even painful – but it is necessary if your business is to overcome the challenges that lies ahead.

A prudent business leader wisely solicits the help of an outside party – someone who understands, who can offer a fresh perspective and respond to the disruption. Russell guides organizations from the anxieties of their current situation to embark on an exciting adventure of discovery – the unearthing of new solutions and opportunities.

Why is Russell Ward as a Change Agent important to you and your business?

Russell lives in the future - It’s about creating a vision of growth and success to form a new road map to reach your Promised Land. Russell examines the nuts and bolts of a business and introduces new tools and ideas to master the flow of change. He will team with you to encourage the business to reinvent itself – to look to a future that will surprise and delight you.

Bravery and bold action - Russell will boldly lead everyone to believe that they can get ahead of any approaching storm and ride the waves of adversity bravely to success. With creativity and insight, he is determined to develop an innovative master plan for your business that will not just survive but THRIVE in this new business cycle.

Entrepreneurial attitude - Thinking like an entrepreneur is more than about money. To do great things you have to “think outside the box” and break the rules. Today’s marketplace demands that business leaders find non-traditional ways for their business to grow and prosper. It’s about drawing from the collective intelligence, wisdom, desire and ability from the workplace to come up with new creative ideas. If applicable, it might be time to get involved in new ventures to open new markets, reevaluate product lines and/or be involved in merger and acquisition processes.

Innovation and intuition - Russell encourages innovation. He leads people to generate creative ideas and goals to improve products and streamline processes. Russell uses his God-given intuition to connect the dots of opportunity that didn’t seem to previously exist. He is always cultivating innovation and self-initiative.

Prayerful focus on God’s direction and timing - God understands that you are going to embark on something new because He is a part of it! Russell will pray with you and ask for God’s wisdom to be revealed as to what the best steps to take are.

Russell Ward has served over 200 different businesses as a Change Agent, business coach, trainer and speaker. He brings to your business over 30 years’ experience as an entrepreneur, professional counselor and minister. His unique background has equipped him with the know how to communicate in practical, relevant ways to business’ leaders and employees alike. He has earned two Masters Degrees (Divinity and Management).

Is it time for a change? Want to learn more? Contact Russell Ward at 904-458-5888 or yourdestiny77@gmail.com. His website is www.christiancoachingservices.com

Why You Should Hire Russell Ward as Your Organization’s Change Agent

Organizations enlist Russell Ward’s help because he knows how to successfully maneuver through the complexities of business change. Russell’s brings with him the Servant Leader model (a set of practices that enriches the lives of individuals and builds better organizations) which he deeply believes in – as his core value system to address change.

A Change Agent like Russell can be a vital link - especially to a struggling organization. He can help steer a business back on course by equipping it with tools previously not thought of, to better adjust to the constantly changing business environment. He can be instrumental in bringing about change as he is not influenced by the firm’s politics or traditions.

Change understandably makes people cringe. Russell deeply understands these feelings. He serves the organization by communicating the excitement, possibilities and details of change so that new ideas can and will be embraced and implemented. During the transition to a new way, he knows how to deal with conflicting priorities, unforeseen problems and resistance that are typical to any organization. After the Russell’s assignment has been completed, it is like experiencing a business makeover!

Here is what makes Russell Ward the Change Agent you need to serve your organization:

People skills - At the end of the day change revolves around people. Russell’s brings to the table superb communication skills. He knows how to empathetically listen, build trust, and quickly forge non-threatening relationships to set everyone up for success. Russell leads in a way that everyone will buy into new shared goals and a new direction. He quickly disarms people and establishes connections that opens up fresh possibilities for new and powerful accomplishments.

Passionate - Russell displays a passionate commitment to the task at hand – which inspires and motivates those around him. His caring and committed presence is infectious, because passion is contagious! Change is hard work. It takes lots of energy. Without passion, it is difficult to muster up enough energy to assault the fortress of the status quo.

Orchestrates creative problem solving - Russell possesses the ability to diagnose any problem areas. And the courage to take honest and often difficult measures to find solutions. Russell has a keen eye to assess what isn’t working and how to fix it. Be prepared for him to point out problems or threats you didn’t even think existed.

Patient yet persistent - “Never Give Up” is Russell’s motto! To sustain meaningful change, it takes someone who understands the delicate balance between perseverance and patience. Change is a complex process that can arouse powerful feelings and emotions. Russell is determined to patiently move the team forward until all tasks are seen through to completion.

Managing conflict - Conflict in the workplace is inevitable. Russell can successfully navigate through the mine field of incompatible goals, uncertainty and push back by employees. He can remain highly effective no matter the struggles or conflicts. He will help lead the organization through the layers of transition needed to move the business in the right direction.

Motivation and inspiration - Russell keeps people on a positive course through vision, enthusiasm and inspiration. Motivation and inspiration energize and touch people deeply, create a sense of belonging, recognition, and self-esteem. It takes only 20% of the employees to buy in – to move change in the right direction.

Product line - Russell will examine all the pieces of the organization including its product mix. Be ready for some adjustments in product offerings if the marketplace warrants. Perhaps significant redirection is in order? He is there to help a business find the competitive advantage for the company’s he serves before their competitors do. 

Trust in God - Russell is a Believer. He relies on his faith in the Lord to lead him to what to do and say. He is always prayerfully minded about God’s direction for your organization.

MY COMMITMENT TO YOU: As your Change Agent Specialist, I will partner with you to create a new process that will excite, engage and CHANGE the hearts and minds of those in the organization. I will customize a plan that has positive long-term ramifications and speaks directly to the issues in question. I GET RESULTS! The tools I share are practical, relevant, inspiring and life changing!

Russell Ward has served over 200 different businesses as a Change Agent, business coach, trainer and speaker. He brings to your business over 30 years’ experience as an entrepreneur, professional counselor and minister. His unique background has equipped him with the know how to communicate in practical, relevant ways to business’ leaders and employees alike. He has earned two Masters Degrees (Divinity and Management).

Is it time for a change? Want to learn more? Contact Russell Ward at 904-458-5888 or yourdestiny77@gmail.com. His website is www.christiancoachingservices.com

Your Business is Your Calling - Creating a Ministry Action Plan for your Business

Determine Audience’s Core Heartfelt Need – Persuasive Speaking

When you craft your message, recognize there are different age groups in your audience.  Each age group (e.g. 20-30 year olds, 30-40 year olds) has a different set of strongly felt needs and expectations.  As a speaker you need to be aware of each age group’s core expectations. 

Some age groups would rather be informed, some provoked, still others are looking for training.  How do you merge all these different expectations into one message?

Find the commonality(s) of each age group before you talk.  For instance, I was asked to speak to a group 75 small business owners and professionals sponsored by the local Chamber of Commerce.  My topic – “Why You Need a Business Coach?” 

It was a diverse group of males and females ranging from age 25 to 70.  What can I say that intersects the heart of each individual no matter age or gender?   I asked them to locate paper and pen and write down a one or two word answer to this question:  “What in your life, personally or professionally is not working right now …….is it about Family? Customers?  Employees?  Marketing?  Delegating?  Time Management?”  I then said (after a pause), “Focus on that thought.  Now look to me – you see what you have in front of you? – I can help!”

Everyone’s heartfelt issue has been brought to their consciousness, regardless of age or circumstance.  Now you have everyone’s attention.

Find the common need.  Everyone has something lacking in their life.  I next challenged the audience that now is the time to address that need.  They can continue to dance around the issue but evidently they must address it.  I can empower that person with a plan to overcome the matter and therefore change their life.  To work through that need (depending on their age), some will need to be educated, some empowered, some provoked, some encouraged, some informed. 

Even though each individual came to the meeting with different expectations, when they leave they now know they have a resource to help them overcome the primary challenge hindering their life.

If you make the beginning of your message about them, (and not about you) the audience will stay with you to the end.

How do you persuade people to do business with you?  Determine the group’s core need and speak to it with confidence.  You can empower them to overcome it, grow it, nurture it, change it (you get the picture) etc.  First, people need to buy INTO you before they buy FROM you.  When you show the audience that you understand their heartfelt need (and have the tools to help them), they will flock to you. 

What are you going to say at your next talk, that a week from today each audience member will remember your key point(s)?

Bottom Line:  Find the Heartfelt Issue in the Group that is Relevant to Almost Everyone

Research Your Audience Before You Speak – Persuasive Speaking

As a rule, I ALWAYS do advanced research on a group I plan to speak.  I regularly customize my message to meet the unique makeup of each gathering.  Before I speak, regardless of the topic, I try to understand the unique personality, wants, needs and learning styles of the group.

I NEVER present the same message twice.  I always tweak my presentation reflecting the uniqueness of the audience.

For instance, if the topic is marketing, I will speak differently to a group of entrepreneurs age 40 and under compared to a group age 40 and older.  I still have the same core message but I will communicate differently at each event.  Why? The primary difference is that the needs and learning styles of each group is dissimilar.

Speaking to under 40’s.  Generally, they look to be educated.  I will talk with them about emerging internet marketing technologies and get them involved in participatory exercises.  Why?  They expect you to talk about Facebook, LinkedIn, Google+ and the latest app for their smartphone.  Also, they have shorter attention spans and as a group they like the talk to be more interactive rather than lecture.  They are more open-minded to learning new ideas.

Speaking to over 40’s.  They want to be informed and provoked. They are less savvy about emerging technologies and know significantly less about how to interact with the internet.  They want more “hands-on” marketing ideas.  They are getting set in their ways, so sometimes they can be critical of your content. 

I meet each group’s core needs or expectations by researching and understanding each group’s unique learning style and needs. 

Example of a group over age 40. I was asked to speak to a group of ministers (all men) from 10 different denominational backgrounds to compare/contrast new Bible versions.  My advanced research determined that this group is over the age 40 and generally closed minded (sadly).  Almost all have grown up with a particular Bible version (mostly NIV) and are not interested in interacting with new versions.  So what could I say to persuade them to embrace the new versions of the Bible?

The very first point I made (to get their attention) is that their familiar Bible version will one day be obsolete.  They should be prepared to embrace new Scriptural versions whether they agree with me or not.  I noted that in the last few generations many new versions have appeared that were painstakingly translated into modern English (including the NIV).  

I also said that their parishioners like it or not, will begin to embrace newer Bible versions and they as Christian leaders must keep step with the changing times.  I was able to make an impact with the presentation because of (1) my research; and (2) complimenting the research with a persuasive message.

Bottom Line:  Research Your Group to Build a Persuasive Argument

Connecting With Audiences Expectations – Persuasive Speaking

When is the last time you listened to a presentation and once the person was finished you wondered why you wasted part of your day?  Perhaps last week?...  Why is it that most speakers don’t get it?  Why can’t a presenter create something special for everyone to enjoy, learn, buy from, etc.  One reason is…

Most speakers are stuck in the past.  Many presenters organize their message reflecting how speakers communicated in the past (mostly to inform).  In my opinion, they should instead look to needs and wants of today’s audience.  Shouldn’t a presentation be about audience expectations?  Why do most speakers ignore this?  Classic marketing says your message should be about the “customer” - but why can’t more speakers see that?

Most speakers (especially pastors) haven’t accounted for the internet age with its instant gratification.  In fact, they often ignore how to reach people where they are today.

What needs to change?

Understand that people gather to listen for a variety of reasons.  Broadly speaking, what are the current needs and wants of your listeners?  In the past, speaking was mostly to inform, but today’s audience has a complex set of expectations.  Depending on the age group, they want to be:

• Entertained
• Educated
• Provoked or aroused
• Persuaded
• Informed
• Moved to action

Most speakers disregard how the assemblage wants to hear the message.  In fact, many listeners’ expectations are never engaged. 

For example, a 25 year old, is generally interested learning new things - is most intent on being educated.  A 45 year old with more life experiences, prefers to be informed and moved to action.  A 65 year old, in the latter stage of life is more interested in being entertained and provoked.

The question becomes how do you determine what are the core NEEDS to be met when you have a variety of age groups present at your next talk?

If your audience is unfamiliar to you, research them before you speak.  Communicate to key people attending your next talk or send out a survey to understand the needs/wants of the upcoming audience.  If you do proper advanced research, you will better understand the listener’s key expectations.  Then you can provide material that is relevant to the audience’s circumstances.  If you’re a pastor, have your congregation fill out a simple questionnaire.  See what they REALLY want out of your sermon.

Remember the message is about them (your audience) and not about you.  Create something special keeping in mind the group’s expectations. Regardless of age, if you talk about the group’s core need(s) everyone wins!

Bottom Line:  Create a Message That is Relevant to Your Audience

Engage Your Audience’s Heart and Emotions (Part 2) – Persuasive Speaking

You want your audience to first and foremost take action.  How do you reach that end?  How does an audience buy your product/service or how are lives changed through your message?  You must first emotionally engage your audience.  If you do, it will set the tone for the rest of your talk.  One way to get the audience’s attention is by starting with a story.

A story energizes the heart of your message to the heart of your audience:  Tell a story that touches an emotional heart string and communicates the things you value most. If Jesus talked in stories to engage his audience – shouldn't you do the same?

Pastor Joel Osteen is an example of a contemporary speaker who understands how to engage his audience in our modern society.

Why do so many people listen to Joel Osteen? 

  

1.   He immediately attains the audiences’ attention.  Osteen starts every message with a “joke” or funny story.  Why?  This primes (“warms” or connects) the audience to focus on him and his upcoming message.  It also opens up the audience to listen further.  Each day your listeners have many outlets vying for their attention or “emotional appeals.”  Osteen knows how to get and keep people’s attention despite competing stimuli.   

2.   A story is more than entertainment - it engages the heart and opens the audience up to what he really wants to say. Note: Osteen’s opening “funny story” often does not have anything to do with the message.  It is about bonding with the audience.

3.   He keeps his listeners in the “emotion zone” for as long as possible.  Your message will be more powerful if you continuously inspire and engage your audience.  If you include an emotional component throughout your talk they will hunger for more.

4.   An emotionally charged message remains in our memory longer and is recalled with greater accuracy.  Your goal – a memorable presentation that makes an impact; and to penetrate beyond the walls that people put up around themselves.

5.   He has them stand up while he speaks his brief funny story – this is a smart practice as the audience solely focuses on him and what he is saying.  They can’t be distracted by other stimuli.

They come to listen to Osteen because they feel he has something to say.  He doesn’t disappoint!

Video of a few sample simple jokes spoken by Pastor Osteen  

People cannot process their emotions and rational/logic thought at the same time.  Penetrate their heart before you attempt to engage their logical side with details and data.

Most speakers are stuck in the past.  Today’s audience (compared to previous generations) has a different set of needs and wants from a speaker. Adjust your message to resonate with changing listening expectations.  Fact: attention spans are diminishing.  This is due to the variety of avenues constantly bombarding your audience.  Like it or not - today’s listeners having a harder time processing and digesting long messages.

Bottom Line: To Get Your Audience To Act – Engage Them Emotionally