Perhaps its my lifelong love and appreciation of music that affords me a special perspective on the world of business.

When I’m listening to music, particularly when watching a live performance, there are certain subtleties that jump out at me. Beyond liking a particular song over another, I am affected by the composite of the entire performance. Watching a band’s event performance, to me, is like observing a microcosm of a person or company’s business week.

• Is it obvious that the band has performed the song exactly the same way, every night, since the beginning of time? Is it now stale?
• Is there room for improvisation? Is a solo creative, but far too long?
• Does the on-stage visual complement the performance or distract from it?
• Does stage patter appear fresh and spontaneous or sound ‘canned’?
• Is the song sequence incredibly predictable or does it drive the event with creative flow and pacing?
• Is the band dressed appropriately for the performance or have they been shopping at the closeout table at Goodwill?

Likewise, there is a comparable rhythm and flow to the business world. Or, unfortunately, a lack thereof.

• When your phone is answered, is it fresh and warm, or could it be confused with a third-rate answering service?
• Is the voice mail announcement updated, daily or regularly? Or has it been the same for the last three years? Same question for music and message-on-hold?
• Does your business appear to have 20 years of experience, or 1 year of experience, times?
• Do you serve each customer with originality, or with inconsequential variations on previous work?
• When in selling situations, are you truly listening and responding? Or do you fall into presentation mode?
• When you attend networking events, open houses, and special events, are you dressed accordingly, with business cards in your pocket? Or do you fall off, even a little bit, just because an event is after hours or on the weekend?
• Are you attending conferences or seminars, reading, listening, or in some way, regularly adding to your body of knowledge and staying at the forefront of your craft.

Staying current, or being a though leader is tougher than ever. People notice when you slip, because you are always in the spotlight; whether you realize it or not.

What are you doing to make certain the spotlight shines brightly on you.

Andy Ebon
The Wedding Marketing Authority

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