News - Downturn or Opportunity? Top Business Speakers Advice
Businesses who turned to motivational and inspirational speakers last year for guidance on leadership and team building are now seeking help about coping with crisis and facing tough challenges.
One organisation is already telling sales teams to expect a “war zone” where casualties and deaths are inevitable.
But there will also be survivors and plenty of opportunities for those who prepare for battle with the right weapons.
Below is some fantastic advice from top business speakers who are all sought after because of their vast business and people management experience and sound leadership skills. Many are famous entrepreneurs, others are well known in corridors of corporate power.
Without exception they are tremendous communicators with the power to inspire now and for the future.
We will be happy to tell you more about these and other speakers. Read on – it could be the best decision you make this year!
Doug Richard - Dragon's Den Entrepreneur
Downturns are tough. Don't fool yourself. But some businesses survive and thrive whilst others die. Small businesses can ride it out if they know the principles of trading through a recession. It's not magic just being smart.”
For more information on Doug: http://www.room54.co.uk/public_speakers.php?id=22
Sahar Hashemi - Co-founder Coffee Republic
“There may be trouble ahead... but innovate wisely during a recession and you can emerge ahead of the pack. What looks like a crisis now could become a rich opportunity
One characteristic that marks out entrepreneurs from other business leaders is their optimism, often expressed as a belief that any challenge is also an opportunity. As a recession bites, this ability will be in greater demand than ever. But can this attitude be transmitted to the rest of the economy?
Last October, BusinessWeek suggested that the way out of the slowdown was innovation: "During economic downturns, innovation is the single most important condition for turning the crisis into an opportunity."
For more information on Sahar: http://www.room54.co.uk/public_speakers.php?id=80
Michelle G Mone - Ultimo Founder
“The current credit crunch will affect everybody but whether this is a positive opportunity or a negative threat can often be down to the attitude and mindset of the individual. We will all have to be cleverer in how we work but the past mistakes of others can turn into exciting opportunities for those willing to think outside the box.
Financial prudence is vital in the current climate but there will be huge winners to at least partially compensate for the massive losses suffered by those who had begun to believe in their invincibility.”
For more information on Michelle: http://www.room54.co.uk/public_speakers.php?id=58
John Nichol Former Gulf War PoW and Author
"Last year most bookings involved talking about teamwork & leadership. Now clients want me to talk about facing challenges and how to cope with crisis. I've just taken a booking from a large building supplies firm where the conference theme is "It's a War Zone out there!"
John Nichol is a regular on the motivational speaking circuit. Using his own experiences, John talks about coping with crisis and facing challenges.
For more information on John: http://www.room54.co.uk/public_speakers.php?id=43
Humphrey Walters - Management and Leadership Guru
“Winning in a tough time is a game of inches. Times of uncertainty create more opportunities for the real winners than prosperity. Winners realise that other people fail not because a lack of intelligence or a lack of skill but because of a lack of will.
Winners become more and more focussed when the pressure is on.
First they concentrate on what they CAN control.
Secondly they work out the basics of their business and look to be world class at each.
Thirdly they up the tempo of what they do. Be it responding to opportunities quicker, increasing their client or customer service, or just keeping in touch and spreading self belief.
“If you don’t give in, and don’t cheat, and don’t run home when trouble arrives, you can only win”
For more information on Humphrey: http://www.room54.co.uk/public_speakers.php?id=33
Jeff Grout - Recruitment and People Management Expert and Author
“If you haven't already, plan for the downturn. Don’t wait to see how the economy affects you ” warns Jeff Grout, speaker, leadership author and commentator. “Ask yourself: what’s my plan for falling sales?.
If you don’t have one, that’s your next job! Focus on what you can control”
For more information on Jeff: http://www.room54.co.uk/public_speakers.php?id=37
Sháá Wasmund - On line Strategist and CEO Brightstation Ventures
“When written in Chinese, the word crisis is formed of two characters, one represents danger and the other opportunity. I see both. If we can find ways to work collaboratively to ward off the danger, opportunity will present itself. Yes, times are tough, but if Obama can become the 44th President of America, we can not only survive, but thrive. The key is collaboration. No man is an island unto himself.” For more information on Shaa: http://www.room54.co.uk/public_speakers.php?id=204
Geoff Burch - Business Guru
“The whole credit crunch thing is all pretty horrible and it would be a bit daft to suggest that it is an opportunity, but when it ends there are most definitely going to be survivors. What is it that they are going to be doing to achieve that, and could we do it?
I believe that I have got some great ideas that can help us survive or even thrive so that we can come out of it at the other end stronger.
If you can grow your business at this time, then nothing can ever defeat you in the future.”
For more information on Geoff: http://www.room54.co.uk/public_speakers.php?id=28
Penny Mallory - Television Presenter and Event Host
“Never has there been a better time to be a motivational speaker! Everyone wants and needs reasons to be cheerful... But to be shown ways you can seriously improve your performance is a very valuable resource right now!”
That's what Penny Mallory does, and does so effectively. Tough times give us a fabulous opportunity to improve our performance in everything-it's all very exciting!!
For more information on Penny: http://www.room54.co.uk/public_speakers.php?id=193
Perry McCarthy - F1 driver and Top Gear's 'Stig'
“I have always been an ambitious person but life is normally more difficult if you are driven to fulfil dreams. So, if I am asked to consider how the current economic problem has changed my own outlook, I have to say, it hasn’t! Considering the goals I have set myself, I have never known anything other than challenges. I will continue to work hard, stay focused and as always, enjoy the ride.”
For more information on Perry: http://www.room54.co.uk/public_speakers.php?id=201
Major General Arthur Denaro CBE DL
“This is the time to think and act for the team….and not just for you. If the team survives and you have made a contribution to that survival, then you’ll have a place, going forward. If it sinks, so do you! This applies in whatever position you hold.
Put in place a really strong structure which you are confident in…..and with which you communicate regularly and honestly.
If you are the boss make sure there is someone who is looking out for you….you are more vulnerable than you think, however robust you imagine you are”.
For more information on Arthur: http://www.room54.co.uk/public_speakers.php?id=7
Dr Graeme Codrington - Expert on the new realities of the world of work
It may be true, but it’s too easy to say that every crisis brings opportunities with it. The current recession is going to hurt, and it’s going to be tough.
In times like these, success will come to those who are sure of who they are and who focus completely on delivering good quality and great value for money. This is as true for individuals as it is for companies.
Customers are not necessarily looking for the cheapest price, but they do want the safest option: guaranteed value for money spent. If you can offer that, you’ll be fine.
Most of that is related to your people – look after them, and they’ll look after you. If you can do that, you’ll be fine.
For more information on Graeme: http://www.room54.co.uk/public_speakers.php?id=198
Back to Room54 News Headlines>>
