This wise information comes from Barbara Atkins, author of “70 is the new 40″. (I for one am happy to know that I will have a chance to be 40 again.) Baby boomers are a significant part of the US population and coaches like us are finding fulfillment working with this generation:

This increasing median age is driven by the aging of the population born during the Baby Boom after World War II (1946 to 1964). About 30 percent of the population in 1994 were born during the Baby Boom. As this population ages, the median age will rise. People born during the Baby Boom will be between 36 and 54 years old at the turn of the century. In 2011, the first members of the Baby Boom (reached) age 65, and the Baby Boom will have decreased to 25 percent of the total population. Source; Census Bureau

Three Dog Night

Not all of them are rock and rollers having reunions. Many are finding new career paths and starting their own businesses. If this sounds like something for you, Barbara is having an event in AZ. It’s called appropriately enough: What’s Next For You? Discover what matters and do what you love! It will be on Wednesday, June 27 at 1:30 pm – for individuals that are already retired and at 6:30 pm – for individuals approaching retirement. It will be held at the City of Scottsdale Civic Center Library. 3839 N. Drinkwater Blvd., Scottsdale, AZ,  For info call 480.312.READ (7323). Before you attend Barbara’s event, visit the beautiful grounds and fountains of the Scottsdale City Hall. Visit the art galleries and other attractions. Walk slowly, enjoy the view.

Dear Coach Martin,

I am not a public speaker and must do a speech very soon. I’m anxious and nervous. I want to make a great impact. I’m also not sure about the best way to prepare. This is important. Please give me some tips to get me going.

Dear “Anxious, Nervous And Not A Public Speaker”,

CONGRATULATIONS! There is a group that wants to learn, be inspired or informed by you. There is also someone who believes that you are more than capable of pulling this off or you would not have been asked to deliver a speech. This quote should make you feel more empowered:

My job as a leader is to inspire my team to willingly reach further than they normally would to complete our goals. My team has to trust me in order to let me lead them. Learning how to speak in public has helped me become a better leader and has truly improved my communication skills. Mello Melanin

It has been said that fear of public speaking (stage fright) is the number one fear that people have. There is something about public speaking that makes some people uneasy and anxious and others wildly exhilarated. To begin with, many speakers get nervous before speaking. I’ve traveled all over the world as a trainer and public speaker and I still get nervous. “When you are not nervous, I worry,” one of my coaches once told me.

Your anxiety and nervousness likely comes because as you said, “you want to make an impact”and “this is important” to you. My

How to deal with anxiety

question for you is why? What’s your purpose in speaking? Your leadership position? You care about the audience and want to contribute to them in some way? Communicate vital information? What must you absolutely accomplish in your presentation?

You don’t need to be a public speaker to make a difference with an audience. Think about the best presentation or speech you’ve even heard on television or live. What was it that moved you about the speaker? Was it the sense of humor they had? Their authenticity and their willingness to be “human” with their life story, examples and welcoming way? Was it the information they imparted? Were you motivated buy them? Did you do something after their speech that you would not have done otherwise? Use your observations as best practices for you. This is an indication of your personal style as a speaker.

Absolutely prepare, don’t try to wing it.  In preparing for your speech, do your research, online, with people who work with you, the library. Learn about your audience and your topic. Who’s attending and why do they care about what you have to say? Asking this question will assist you in determining the ways to involve your audience.

Write an outline, a draft. A great beginning and a great ending is key. Have accurate facts and know your sources in case you are asked for them. If you are using a quote, know who said it. It is perfectly acceptable to prepare a few speaking notes on index cards or piece of paper to take with you. Share your stories, life skills lessons, specific examples and anecdotes. If you are using some sort of slide or video presentation, know the material and know exactly what the audience should be seeing. Have your main thoughts on the slide in large type versus a lot of text that is illegible. With the main thoughts, you are better able to be authentic. Remember non-verbal communications, body language is noticed first then tone of voice and the words themselves. (Remember what you liked about your favorite public speaker? Does what I’ve just said ring true?) I won’t go into them here but research presentation/platform skills. There is a lot of information online.

Rehearse your speech. Say the words on your script/draft verbatim several times while looking at the script. This connects the visual and verbal sensory channels. You hear yourself speaking as you read. Lock it in.  Then put your draft aside. Say your speech aloud, in front of a mirror or even in front a group of your friends or family. Rehearse it in your mind. See yourself smiling and receiving a standing ovation.

If possible, visit the location for your speech so that you are familiar with the room layout.

When it is time for you to go on stage, just be the best you, you can be. Acknowledge yourself for having something important to say. Speaking is easier if you can forget about yourself and give to others in your words and attention. Focus out on the audience not in with how you feel. Ground yourself. Stand tall and proud. This may sound elementary but if you feel anxious take a few deep breaths. BREATHE. Then smile. It’s amazing how well this works. Relax and be authentic. (They won’t know about the butterflies.) Make sure you speak clearly – enunciate – and can be heard by everyone without shouting. Depending upon the size of the group, use a microphone if possible. Speak clearly and do not use unnecessary words. Use the right vocabulary for the occasion. Keep it simple, but not insulting. Look for the friendly faces in the audience. Then speak to them.

Remember your words are powerful, so be “I’m courageous!” instead of “I’m anxious”. Have some fun. It does get easier! If you want more info and would like to attend a How To Be A Positively Powerful Speaker Workshop, let me know.

Related articles

• Overcoming Your Fear Of Public Speaking (news.dice.com)
• Morty Lefkoe: Do You Have a Fear of Public Speaking? (huffingtonpost.com)

Dr. George Fraser

Thousands of people over the last ten years have gathered together for knowledge sharing by or for African American and Black people. The luminaries are the who’s who of speakers, academicians and community leaders nationally and internationally. They are dedicated to one cause and brought together by one man – Dr. George Fraser.

There are many key people on the FraserNet team that you won’t see on stage like Alexandria Boone (Conference Manager), Bernadette Mayfield, Charmaine Ward (Volunteer Manager) and the Fraser family members especially Jean. There are behind the scene team members that you will see on stage like Greg Williams – George’s partner, Dr. Kwa David Whittaker, Veronica Conway (Conference Coach) and me Dr. Joel Martin (Director of Education)…and then there are the multitudes of  sponsors, faculty members and guests who are so vitally important. This is a birthday card of sorts to everyone, to an organization and importantly to the man who dreamt it into existence. Many many more Dr. Fraser. Keep making your magnificent difference creating a stellar PowerNetworking environment “where people gather together to get ahead” for wealth building, health, entrepreneurship, spirituality, corporate contribution, connection, education for youth and fun.

“It takes teamwork to make the dream work!” George Fraser

“This is not an issues conference, it is an education and training conference…” George Fraser

For more information and to join us for this year’s celebration, click here.

PNC Conference Preview

Professional development is about being a lifelong learner. It means always asking the burning questions “What’s next in my life, my business and for my community”. It demands investments in ones education. It takes connecting with others and being willing to confess, “I don’t know it all.” It takes getting up and going out to new places to learn new ideas. It takes caring about the people next to you in your business, at a conference and next door. Professional development is fueled by a vision and a passion for excellence, empowerment and education. This too is what fuels a successful business – and life. Dr. Joel P. Martin, Positively Powerful Triad West Inc.

The love for your business is Loretta Love Huff. She has created two opportunities for professional development: The retreat ReEnergize Your Business: April 28th to 30th and her presentation featured by the National Bank of Arizona, Unleash Your Inner Leader, Thursday May 12th from 5:30PM – 7:30 PM . Loretta Love Huff is a successful coach known as The Dream Leader for Business. For more information, contact Loretta Love Huff.

Here’s what’s she promises during just day one of her three day ReEnergize Your Business.

• The exact 7-step process of her BAMBOO (Business Acceleration Model that Boosts Outrageous Outcomes™)
• Confidence, knowing you can truly trust yourself
• How to de-stress and stay focused on the perfect path for you
• Freedom from the money baggage you inherited as a child
• Clarity about what’s blocking you from the progress you yearn for

Here’s what to expect during her Unleash Your Inner Leader: “Some say leaders are born and not made. This myth has kept many professionals from expressing their personal leadership, pursuing their purpose and creating the lasting legacy they were meant to leave in their organizations and communities.  In this session, attendees will discover what it takes to step out with confidence, influence with integrity and live a life with passion and purpose.”

Give your business more love. The National Bank of Arizona’s Women, Wine and Leadership programs are one of the services of the Women’s Financial Group (WFG) dedicated to providing networking and resources to female business owners. It is the creation of Deborah Bateman, Executive Vice President of Specialty Banking, member Executive Committee and Board of Directors National Bank of Arizona. Ms. Bateman will be receiving the 2011 Positively Powerful Woman Of Philanthropic Leadership Award on May 20th at the Ritz-Carlton Phoenix for this and many other contributions.

“Kristi went through the fire. She has an empowering story to share.”

The 2011 Positively Powerful Woman Award for Nonprofit Leadership will be given to entrepreneur, speaker and author Kristi Lee for her leadership role in the founding of the National Association for Asian American Professionals (NAAAP) Phoenix Chapter, the NAAAP Mentor and Professional Development Programs; for her service to the State of Arizona as Commissioner of the Governor’s Asian American Advisory Council, and for her  co-founding of the global organization Bridging The Gap Consulting which works to facilitate educational, trade and developmental interests of United States individuals and the people of China.

Kristi has an extensive business background with more than 20 years in marketing and retail. Her previous corporate experience includes responsibility for product and marketing decisions for more than 2,300 Albertson’s Food and Drug stores in 38 states, and negotiations with national brands such as Johnson & Johnson, Proctor & Gamble, Maybelline and Revlon.

Kristi is  the Vice Chair for NAAAP.  NAAAP Phoenix’s mission is to be the proving ground for Greater Phoenix Asian American Professionals, forging leaders of tomorrow through professional development, cultural awareness, community service and mentorship.  She helped create the Professional Development program in 2008 and created the vision for the NAAAP Mentorship Program in 2009.  She is also the facilitator for Public Speaking workshops for the NAAAP leadership team. Kristi has been a Commissioner of the Governor’s Asian American Advisory Council, and a member of the Business On Board program sponsored by the Arts and Business Council of Greater Phoenix.

About the Arts & Business Council of Greater Phoenix (A&BC) and the Business on Board Program:The Executive Director of A&BC is Debbie Paine, the first recipient of the Positively Powerful Woman Award for Nonprofit Leadership. Eugene “Gene” Kochert of Intel Corporation is Board President and Jeannette Thomas is the Community Development Manager. Their mission is to grow leaders and inspire involvement to enrich the entire community. BoB is a dynamic six-month training program that identifies, recruits and trains business professionals for nonprofit arts and human services board positions with modules on Board Rules and Responsibilities, Effective Nonprofit Board Leadership, Legal and Ethical Responsibilities, Fundraising, Financial Responsibility, Diversity, Advocacy and Politics, and The Art of Networking.

In addition to the BoB and educational programs, the Council has become a one-stop shop for the arts by including opportunities for governance training, new educational opportunities for artists, and functioning as a strategic partner for capacity building. The Arts & Business Council of Greater Phoenix provides increased benefit to business by way of exposure throughout the community, growth and enrichment in leadership skills and experience for executives and key management, and business-to-business opportunities.

Kristi is a founding partner of Bridging the Gap Consulting, a firm that specializes in cultural sensitivity training, conversational business Chinese, corporate and individual training on how to conduct business in China, Her company also coordinates Chinese students with exchange programs as well as summer camps and provides translation services for all versions of media and presentations.

Kristi recently co-authored, License to Dream – Every Woman’s Guide to Financial Freedom Through Network Marketing, which was launched worldwide. She and her co-authors were featured in the highly respected Networking Times March 2011 issue, “The Rising Economic Power of Women”.  She is an accomplished speaker and sales trainer and has great passion for empowering women around the world.

Five years ago, faced with her corporate job moving out of state and going through a divorce, she went on to build a successful network marketing business with Send Out Cards, an international greeting card and gift company.  She has team members in 30 states, Australia and Canada and is in the top 250 income earners of the company.  In December 2010, she received the prestigious “Freedom Award” voted by the top leaders of Send Out Cards in Arizona for “Exceptional Leadership and Dedication”.

About the Awards Program. The Positively Powerful Woman Award is given to servant leaders who have founded or lead legacy organizations that have stood the test of time. On May 20th, 11:30am to 2pm, at the Ritz-Carlton, Phoenix we will honor women as royalty for their hard work, resourcefulness and diligence. Following the Luncheon will be networking and “Conversations On Leadership” for professional & business development. Positively Powerful Guest Speakers include Diana Gregory, Susan Ratliff and Dr. Kay Lovelace-Taylor. You will leave inspired to go for your vision with new friends and information that will assist you in getting where you want to be…faster. The public is invited to attend. Dr. Joel P. Martin Triad West, Inc. president is the producer.

1. Our new leader(s) will need to explain clearly and honestly where we are and what’s next in terms of pain. It always helps if you know before hand if it is going to hurt.
2. “We the people”, need to consider what is really important to us.If we need to rebuild things, lets decide on what is worth while and serves the greater good.
3. We need to get to work and keep our heads up..

What will be the opportunity in 2009-2010?

“Green” focused businesses will not go away and manufacturing that can efficiently serve a local community should also do well, (reduced ecological footprint and local jobs). Infrastructure (bridges etc), new cars, healthy food, health care and services for the aging are just a few areas that will do well.

Every cloud has it’s Silver Lining, but the only way you can see it is to look up.

“Something you lost will soon turn up”

Apparently we are in the worst moments of lives, if you are listening to the people attempting to tell us what going on with our economy. There are all kinds of explanations, most contradictory and shaded in innuendo and secrecy . We wonder if they really know what they are talking about. It would help people understand better if they explained that what’s being called “our economy” is no longer ours, it kinda belongs to the rest of the world as well.

“After seven years of nonstop construction, skyrocketing rents and sales prices, and a seemingly endless appetite for luxury housing that transformed gritty and glamorous neighborhoods alike, the credit crisis and the turmoil on Wall Street are bringing New York’s real estate boom to an end.” NY Times by C. Bagli

Based on a recent article in the N.Y. Times, no one is immune. The deal to purchase Stuyvesant Town and Peter Cooper Village looked like a no-brain-er at the time, which goes to point out how no ones knows what going to happen. To fund this hopeful growth across the country came via  Sovereign wealth fund our  inflated (dream like) personal wealth.

“You will take a chance in something in the near future”

We don’t have a choice. For once we all agree that we have never been in this situation before. Even with this agreement to purchase 700 billion worth of assets to stave of disaster, we will find ways lay claim to our extremes and will find ourselves bent over a new a different problem some where down the road.

Part of what contributes to this problem is the belief  that there us vs them. There is Wall Street (named after a wall on a street or a prison fence) and Main Street, so generic it can be found anywhere. We divide our selves up into meaningless groups. 

• Liberals vs Conservatives
• Red vs Blue states
• White vs Black
• Young vs Old
• Rich vs Poor
• Democrat vs Republican
• Main Street vs Wall Street
• Legals vs Illegals

These make bitter sound bites but have little or no meaning. If we honestly examine the last 20 year the real division has been about “Work vs No Work”. It’s been “Wall-Main Street” trying to find a ways to survive, manipulating the only product that was available, the imaginable and the invisible. If no one can see it we can make as big as we want.

The first step to better times is to imagine them

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Oprah’s Favorite Things is an annual segment that appears on The Oprah Winfrey Show. In the segment, which is typically aired during the holiday (or summer) season, Winfrey shares products with her audience that she feels are noteworthy or that would make a great gift. In addition, the audience members present during the taping of the episode receive items from that year’s list for free.(Wikipedia)

So in the tradition inspired by Ms. Winfrey, from time to time Positively Powerful will endorse, recommend, and salute to the skies some of our favs. We won’t be getting a commission for this or anything in return, but will be doing this because it is true to our cause. We believe in transformational education, learning, and sharing brilliance. So please meet TED! TED is not a person.

TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, Design. It started out (in 1984) as a conference bringing together people from those three worlds. Since then its scope has become ever broader.

The annual conference now brings together the world’s most fascinating thinkers and doers, who are challenged to give the talk of their lives (in 18 minutes).

This site makes the best talks and performances from TED available to the public, for free. More than 200 talks from our archive are now available, with more added each week. These videos are released under a Creative Commons license, so they can be freely shared and reposted.

We believe passionately in the power of ideas to change attitudes, lives and ultimately, the world. So we’re building here a clearinghouse that offers free knowledge and inspiration from the world’s most inspired thinkers, and also a community of curious souls to engage with ideas and each other. This site, launched April 2007, is an ever-evolving work in progress, and you’re an important part of it.

You can join TED for free. You’ll receive regular emails on what going on it the world. Here is a clip with anthropologist Helen Fisher, PhD on “The Science Of Love And The Future Of Women.”

Dr. Joel Martin says, “There are many groups dedicated to entrepreneurial success, I say not only is this one of premiere in the Valley but anywhere. I’ll be speaking at the Boot Camp about personal and organizational branding. This is also the event I’ve selected to launch my new book: GET THE “ME” BRAND AWARENESS (MBA) THE POSITIVELY POWERFUL WAY.”

This is one of the events that I, like hundreds of others, look forward to. Each year, Susan brings together a stellar group of women speakers, business experts, exhibitors (corporate products and services for professional and personal development shopping), fun activities, meet and greet networking opportunities for use in accelerating ones business plus each year her event raises funds for a worthy local nonprofit organization. Here is information on this year’s:

The 2011 Women Entrepreneurs Small Business Boot Camp is proud to support Wings to Fly, a national, non-profit organization that promotes life long self-esteem in young women. Beginning with a fun, educational and inspirational one week educational camp, Wings to Fly focuses on the 4 building blocks of life: emotional, physical, spiritual and financial. By integrating inspiration, knowledge, research based resources and coaching into her daily life, a young woman can aspire with confidence and self respect to design the life she dreams and become a leader of tomorrow.

Susan Ratliff is President of an award-winning display company that helps thousands of businesses stand out from the competition. She is an author and authority on trade and consumer show marketing that gives relevant tools and practical strategies to maximize return on investment. Susan learned the exhibit business from the trenches, discovered the shortcuts and made the mistakes so her audiences don’t have to. She knows what attendees want, how exhibitors think and what they both need to be successful. As the producer of the Bootcamp, Susan insures that the event is unforgettable.

Susan Ratliff is also a POSITIVELY POWERFUL WOMEN AWARD recipient. This award is given to women in business, corporate America, non-profit organizations and the arts who have led or founded legacy organizations. As with the other years’ awardees, Susan received this recognition because she empowers her organization to breakthrough performance, makes a significant contribution to communities and is a positive role model.

Loving woman and child reading and writing

Two Houston organizations will be supporting women “with criminal justice histories” and children receiving foster care or whose mother is incarcerated. Both organizations are connected through a commitment to make life better for others, living positively powerful lives, and in the month of November, Dr. Joel Martin.

In Houston Sat. November 6th Dr. Joel Martin will be facilitating a workshop for The Living Forward Alliance. Living Forward Alliance is dedicated to women with criminal justice histories who are on community supervision for drug related offenses and living in a residential facility under the supervision of the Harris County Community Supervision and Corrections Department. To support, donate, volunteer, and/or learn how to get involved with Living Forward click here.

It is a service and education program that gives them a singularly effective way to rethink their histories and rewrite their futures. This one-year program makes real freedom achievable, and it triggers a positive and sustainable shift in beliefs and behaviors that makes it possible for them to obtain work, rebuild their families and reclaim their place in the community. Maria Francis, CEO and Founder of Living Forward Alliance, Certified Effectiveness Coach (CEC)

As part of their program, the women receive Dr. Martin’s book How To Be A Positively Powerful Person. It provides steps and tools leading to an experience of freedom, the power of  choice, and what it takes to make one’s dream/vision a reality. It’s been enthusiastically received by participants.

In Houston, on Tues. Nov. 30th Dr. Martin will be speaking in behalf of The Master Communicator & Associates, No More Victims Incorporated, and Perceptive Marketing who are collaborating to sponsor the 2010 Authors Networking Summit at Houston Community College, 3100 Main St., Houston, Texas 77002 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Aspiring and established authors as well as the general public are welcome.

A commitment to service is aligned between these two organizations. One of the initiatives of the Summit supports the youth in the community who have had the unfortunate occurrence of having a parent who is incarcerated, relegated to the foster care system, experienced homeless or been abused. The Speak Little Children Writers Initiative services children between the ages of 10 – 21.  It was started in 2008. They recruit youth from local support organizations and schools. Recognizing that these children are often the forgotten element in our society  they want to give them a literary voice, because they have something to say that the world needs to hear.

The children are embraced with Houston hospitality and coached by bestselling authors such as ReShonda Tate Billingsley, Michelle Stimpson and Vince Alexander for a three hour workshop. Their lives and those of our literary mentors are never the same as a result. Sharon C. Jenkins, Inspirational Principal

For more information, how to register and/or to be a sponsor for the Summit, contact Sharon C. Jenkins.