Last Thursday I had an opportunity to speak at “SmallBiz360” in Orlando Florida for the National Entrepreneur Center. It was truly the one of the greatest experiences in my 25 year speaking career. The venue was in the round. The stage was round and placed in the center of the room. 360 chairs were arranged to circle the stage row by row. There was no front, back or side. It was up close, intimate and personal. There was no division between the audience and the speaker which is normally the case. We were all together as one. I have never experienced anything quite like it.
The audience was made up of entrepreneurs from small businesses around the community. They were eager and hungry to learn. I was one of 15 speakers. There were no long boring introductions. It was fast paced, practical and tactical.
Early on in my sales career I was fortunate enough to meet Tom Vanyo. He deeply impressed upon me the value of personal development. He taught me that life is an education, and though we may choose to stop learning, the opportunities for learning never end.
I had no idea 35 years later I would be standing on that stage teaching others what I am truly passionate about. Prospecting! In my favorite book it says, “Do you see a man who excels in his work? He will stand before kings; He will not stand before unknown men.”
By the way, a big thank you to Jerry Ross, Lisa Busto, Julie Matthews from the National Entrepreneur Center, the many volunteers and all the sponsors for making this a remarkable event and one of the most memorable events of my speaking career.
If you want to learn more about the National Entrepreneur Center click here: http://www.nationalec.org