Tell me briefly about your pro basketball career
My professional basketball career lasted eight years, during which I played in every league there is. I wish my NBA portion could have lasted longer, but considering I was a reserve in college, I can’t complain. Yes, I went from being a reserve in college and still become a NBA player. This is how I did it: every year I would ask my coach, “what do I need to do to play in the NBA?” The first year his list was very long, but each off-season I worked hard on improving and every year I was voted most improved player.
How did you go from playing basketball to becoming a motivational speaker?
My college basketball coach Clem Haskins not only helped me develop into a NBA player, he also recommended I become a motivational speaker when I left college. At the time it sounded crazy; I was only 21 years old and didn’t know the industry. But ten years later, when my career was done and I was looking for transition, I remembered what he told me. I talked about it with my wife and we launched in Minnesota (where I had a name from my college basketball days) in 2001.
What do pro basketball and public speaking have in common?
Both industries are very competitive and both revolve around a God-given gift. What I love about the NBA and speaking is that in both arenas I get to perform in front of a large audience. I give the slight edge to speaking because I don’t have the share the stage when I speak. LOL!
What makes you an expert on peak performance?
Simple answer, I am an expert because I have become the best in the world in two totally different industries. That is not a common achievement. Most people don’t achieve the pinnacle in one industry in their lifetime; I achieved the pinnacle in two different industries before I was 50 years old. And one last thing. I can relate to someone’s success and failure because I have done both. I would much rather excel than fail, but failing has taught me a lot.
How did your first speaking engagements go?
For one of my first speaking events, I got paid $25 in gift certificates. We have come a long way since, but the first time I played basketball was not in an NBA arena, it was in a park in Chicago. In life you have to start some place and if you stay focused you can start at the bottom and end up at the top.
How many engagements have you had since then and in which countries?
I have delivered close to 1500 keynotes and workshops all over the world, including the US, Canada, Turkey, Mexico, Bermuda, Anguilla and Germany.
Who have been your clients?
I have probably touched every industry buy now. The main industries that I have created a name for myself in are franchising, financial services and agriculture. I have spoken to most national associations. I love associations. If I could, I would do 100 association keynotes a year. I have spoken for Jersey Mike’s Subs, Golden Corral, Dwyer Group and others in franchising. I even hosted a show on the Food Network on franchising, called Giving You The Business.
What are your main subjects for speaking on?
Methodologies. The only way we can get to the next level is through methodologies. If you want to grow a business, you need to have systems and processes in place for everything. So, in our coaching programs, keynotes and trainings, we concentrate on methodologies. When a person or an organization gets stuck, it’s because they are relying on intelligence and instinct. The next level is all about methodologies. Good habits and rituals blow the competition away.
‘Think + Execute = Win’ is your slogan. What does this mean for people in the franchise industry?
Everyone loves to win. For franchising it is simple: a francisee’s job is the execute the system and not put their own interpretation on it. However, if a franchisee just left a corporate job, the last thing they want to do is to take orders from someone else. It’s a very interesting dynamic and the only way a system can survive is to get buy-in from the franchisees and get them to execute the system. If you the franchisor are showing adaptability and improving annually, it sets a great example for the franchisee to follow. The best systems have a franchisor leadership team that understand their customer is the franchisee, not the end user. If you serve the franchisee and make them successful, the system will succeed.
How can your talks engage and motivate people in the franchise industry?
My talks are full of energy and fun, and they are relatable. I have become a no-brainer for conferences for three reasons: I am a former NBA athlete, a hall of fame speaker and a former franchisee. I am not sure there is another speaker that has that type of pedigree. I get peak performance and I totally understand franchising. I have worked with at least 100 systems and growing. I have seen it all in franchising.
What can people change in their working habits in order to be more successful?
We all need balance. To be a small business owner you must wear a lot of hats. If you don’t wear these hats, your business will suffer. You need to schedule out your day and make you wear the marketing hat, sales hate, leadership hat, coach hat, CFO hat, visionary hat and all the other hats through the day…..every day.
What are the secrets of effective public speaking?
The $1,000,000 secret is that you must be entertaining, and you must be a great storyteller. There is more to it, but I can’t reveal all my trade secrets out or I will go out of business! Remember, there aren’t a lot of NBA players that can play at that level and there aren’t a lot of speakers that can play on the big stage.
