Magic of Teamwork

I am enjoying a night in beautiful and windy St. Cloud. Tomorrow morning I do a keynote presentation for a business group.  I have been racing so much lately that I have been very behind in this blog business. January had 6 corporate events for me as well as several family shows.  I am thankful to be busy.

 

I was sad to see that the Ground Round Restaurant in St. Cloud, MN is now closed and up for sale.  It is the place where I got my first job as an entertainer over 30 years ago while in high school.  I had looked forward to enjoying dinner there tonight and was sad to find the doors closed.  I passed by the restaurant about 2 months ago and saw it was still open.

They had a long run and offered very good food, but even the best of them sometimes find it hard to stay in front.

Lessons: Never assume business will always be there. Work to keep old customers happy and draw new ones in.

Find ways to make your old customers you allies in the search for new customers.  maybe a special coupon for invite a friend to the restaurant and you both share an appetizer free.

 

Finding a new customer through advertising costs more than holding on to a existing customer.  Find ways to give excellent service to your existing customers so that they will rave about you to their friends.

 

I hope the Ground Round will come back with new ownership. But if the new restaurant has a new name I hope they do well too. They have an excellent building to work in.

 

Favorite memory of the Ground Round having a free lunch there after doing a show and my favorite waitress would always play her favorite song on the jukebox… The Eagles – Tequila Sunrise.  She was older than I – probably a college girl and I was 16, but now looking back she must have had some sadness as that is quite a song about lonelyness.

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Humor in the Workplace – Encouraging Communication

Humor Encourages Communication

Laughter helps people get closer and to connect and bond. When we laugh together we find common ground and this builds a positive work environment.

When we can poke fun at ourselves, we can make ourselves more enduring to others with self effacing humor. It helps us avoid looking arrogant or proud and we can be seen as down to earth.

In a difficult situation a bit of humor directed at ourselves can be a non-threatening way help work through a difficult situation. Humor can keep a problem or situation from intensifying and release pressure. A bit of humor can be like lifting a lid off a boiling pot and give a quick break so that the heat can be turned down and a positive solution discovered.

An example of using humor to ask others for patience is the frazzled secretary who posts the sign: “I have only two speeds, and if this one isn’t fast enough then I’m sure you’re not going to like my other.” Another is the somewhat scattered boss who places a note on his messy desk that says, “A Creative Mess is better than Tidy Idleness.” The message is clear, yet it is done with a light and playful way that is less stressful. The secretary uses a sign to poke fun at the situation she is facing daily, and the boss’s note pokes some fun at himself.

Humor in the workplace can help build a team and this is a positive benefit for any business.

New Year’s Eve Appearance at Dellwood Hills Golf Club

Dellwood Hills Golf Club knows how to put on a wonderful New Year’s Event.  They are known for their excellent food this evening was no exception as they offered wonderfully prepared, fine food from oysters to the prime rib.  Salads, fruit and sauces were also fantastic. Dellwood Hills club also has a very friendly and attentive staff and wonderful décor in their lovely banquet rooms.

If you are planning a special event this is a great place to consider. The views out the banquet room are fabulous and the staff strive for excellence. Many business groups have meetings here and your group will be pleased if you choose Dellwood Hills.

This New Year’s Eve party had a live band providing jazz and pop music.  Cool music is great entertainment for corporate parties.

During the social hour they had a comedy strolling magician interacting with the guests – hey that’s me!  The guests were very receptive to the playful comedy entertainment that magic offers. It is fun for me as an artist to see the faces light up as they react to the amazing tricks such as pens vanishing and pennies disappearing and then growing in size.  It is fun to see them laugh and have their jaws drop by my magic dust routine or the borrowed dollar that becomes a $20.

I really enjoy bringing smiles and laughter to groups and this is my 3^rd appearance at Dellwood Hills over the past few years, twice for New Year’s Eve events and once for another member’s event.  I was also invited to entertain the Dellwood Staff with my stage comedy and magic show at their annual staff party held at North Oaks Country Club.  Come to think of it, North Oaks has also used my entertainment many times for their member’s family and adult parties.

I love to bring laughs and that extra Pizzazz to special events.  How can I be of service to you and your group?  I present a very fun motivational program that draws people in and impacts them with the message of service and teamwork.  I enjoy tailoring my skills to make your event fun and memorable. Check it out at InspireBiz.com

Minnesota Motivational Speaker

Salute your staff with a dynamic presentation that leaves them laughing and thinking. Norm presents a motivational keynote that many corporate and civic groups have enjoyed. Topics covered include keeping a positive mental attitude, creativity and problem solving, humor in the workplace, and teamwork.

Norm also speaks on finding the joy in customer service for staff development and team building.

Many civic groups and volunteer organizations have invited Norm to salute their team at award banquets and other special recognition events. It is a fun way to motivate and encourage. Learn more at: InspireBiz.com.

Last year, Norm made 4 appearances for a hearing aid developer. He enjoyed traveling and speaking to groups in Austin, TX, Boston, MA, Orlando, LF and Minneapolis, MN. He also recently appeared for a sales and marketing staff of a Minnesota plastics manufacturer.  He loves to entertain as he educates with his comedy and eye catching illusions.