Now that we can speed through commercials on our DVRs, many advertisers are frustrated in their battle for our attention. They may have found an answer to that dilemma.

If you’re a frequent flyer, as I am, you are about to become a member of a large “captive audience” that will soon be exposed to more advertising than any other segment of our population!

It’s bad enough that the entire journey from your home or office to your airplane seat is paved with advertising messages … billboards, newspapers, ads in taxis or buses, ticket kiosks, on airport walls and digital screens, in jet ways, and even on baggage carousels.

However, a new wave of unusual target opportunities is now available for advertisers that are assured a captive audience. Consider the fact that we sit there in an environment where cell phones are turned off and we’re pretty much stationary having to focus on visible ads for an average of three hours.

Now that the FAA has approved this campaign, you can very soon expect to see ads on seat pockets, seat backs and tray tables, napkins, flight attendants’ aprons, snack boxes, bulk heads, boarding passes, ticket jackets, in safety videos and even in announcements by the flight crews. Can you imagine hearing: “This seat belt demonstration brought to you by Ford Motor Co.”

Spirit Airlines, AirTran Airways,and Delta Air Lines are three of the first U.S. airlines to take advantage of every inch of in-flight display space to generate ancillary revenue by renting display space to advertisers.

Onboard Media Group has created a system that allows the airline to change ad messages quickly. They’re hoping to reach two million passengers a month on AirTran using this out-of-the-box leap for a broader market.

Delta is already showing Lincoln automobile commercials prior to their pre-flight safety video.

And for a cool $14 million, you can advertise on the exterior of every Spirit Airlines jet.

If that’s too steep, consider plunking down $196,000 for three months of ads on the overhead bins in Spirit’s planes, $119,000 for ads on their tray tables, or $18,500 for ads on, are you ready, their air-sickness bags.

Many marketing experts are warning that this encroachment on the privacy of an already stressed customer segment may very well backfire on both the airlines and the advertisers. We’ll soon see. Until then, this effort is another example of creative thinking by many who have felt the pressure of an ever-changing, chaotic, and competitive marketplace.

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of motivational speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management.  For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2MAX or fill out our contact form.

As I continue my travels from coast to coast, I’m finding more and more organizations, across industries, placing more focus on developing their Future Leaders.

As odd as it may seem to be concerned about jobs going unfilled at a time when unemployment is nearly 10%, experts suggest that in some industries, employees may soon be retiring at a much faster rate than they can effectively be replaced. Where those new workers will come from and the cost of training them are employers’ two top concerns.

UPS announced that it will need to hire 25,000 new employees over the next five years to replace retiring baby boomers. This trend will obviously affect many employers across the country.

As few as 6% of organization have leaders identified for critical roles. Strikingly, 22% have no one slated to take over any key positions.

Research by the School of Public Policy and Urban Affairs at Northeastern University predicts labor shortage over the next eight years to the tune of more than five million job vacancies. Savvy companies are proactively preparing today for this inevitable shortage lurking in the shadows of the near future.

If the baby boom generation retires from the labor force at the same rate and age as current older workers, the baby bust generation that follows will likely be too small to fill projected new jobs.

The key issue for employers is: Are there enough workers in the pipeline who are trained and ready to step in when the baby boomers retire?

We’ve worked with several organizations over the years in creating a “Future Leaders” program for this very purpose. The process is simple and straightforward. Potential leaders are selected to attend on-going leadership boot camp seminars to expose them to the fundamental tools and strategies required to lead organizations in chaotic business environments. Some programs are conducted monthly and others quarterly.

In many cases, there are no openings available for those chosen for this training at the time they are chosen. However, when the crucial need does arise in the future, leaders can be assured that they will have candidates fully prepared to step into leadership positions with the leadership competencies required for individual and organizational productivity and success for everyone involved.

We’ve noticed over the past year that more and more leaders are recognizing the need and value of this approach. Requests for “Future Leaders” programs have increased and will certainly continue to do so in the near future.

Do you know where your future leaders will come from? Don’t wait until a crisis strikes to begin this process. Doing so will certainly lead to even greater challenges for your organization.

Call us today at 800-886-2629 for further information about the tremendous benefits available with this “Future Leaders” training program.

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of motivational speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management.  For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2MAX or fill out our contact form.

I just returned from another road trip filled with the mixed emotions that always accompany me on my adventures. While I’m always somewhat exhausted, the positive aspects of every journey far outweigh the well-earned fatigue.

There are many facets of my travels which I find very interesting and rewarding … the locations I visit, the organizations I’m fortunate enough to work with, and the people I meet to name just a few. I learn something new from every client I have the privilege to work with and for that I’m very appreciative.

Something I continue to find fascinating differs very little from one part of the country to the next.

• There is more than enough information available today to insure success for those who truly desire to achieve it.
• Tips, tools and strategies abound in today’s chaotic and competitive business environment.
• Most everyone is well aware of what it takes to succeed and is capable of doing so … yet only a small percentage actually actively pursue and achieve their desired goals.

The answer is simple, yet difficult, to comprehend. We speak often in our seminars and keynotes about the importance of closing the knowing-doing gap. While most fully understand and readily agree, few put forth a concentrated effort.

In today’s world, education and experience are critical to one’s success … but ONLY when focused and applied to the challenges we face!

Achieving a Ph.D. is worthless if not utilized in the pursuit of success!

Thirty years of experience means nothing if it’s actually one year of experience repeated 30 times … as is so often the case!

Last year 11,653 books were published in the U.S. That means nothing if they’re not read and the shared information applied.

In short, it’s not what we KNOW—it’s what we DO with what we know!

How many times have you read a good business or motivational book and felt that you already knew or have previously been exposed to 80% to 90% of the content? It happens more often than not.

The same holds true for CDs and seminars. Why is that? If we know the content and it’s been proven to be effective, why don’t we apply it?

Do you really want a successful career?

Do you want your employees to increase productivity?

Do you want to mentor your children successfully in preparing them for future challenges?

Focus on closing the knowing-doing gap!

I recently watched a great video entitled “You Can’t Send a Duck to Eagle School,” and it was filled with a number of what the author called “Lessons Learned.”

I found each lesson to be very useful and right on target. While I recognized the majority of the messages, I couldn’t help but realize that it was difficult to think of the last time I had witnessed these popular truths actually being applied in the business world. Thus—a knowing-doing gap.

Take a look for yourself. You’ll recognize many of these “truths” in this short video. However, try to recall the last time you saw any of them being practiced. You’ll soon have a much better perception of the knowing-doing gap.

Start today in closing yours!

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of motivational speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management.  For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2MAX or fill out our contact form.

In my role as a speaker/consultant, I have the opportunity to work with a wide variety of organizations across a large number of industries. I’m exposed to many leadership styles and results and have interacted with some tremendous teams.

In doing so, I’ve identified a common thread among today’s workforce … more and more leaders and employees have failed to recognize their own potential! I’m constantly amazed at the fact that I often recognize more potential in people than they do themselves. I’m sure there are a number of reasons for this situation. However, in today’s challenging work environment, these reasons must be dealt with in order to obtain the success we seek.

Years ago, I heard Zig Ziglar share the true story of a Texas landowner who was struggling to support his family. In fact, he was at his wit’s end searching for solutions when he was approached by an oil company. They informed him that there might be oil on his land and offered to pay him royalties for permission to drill. With nothing to lose, the landowner agreed.

Long story short, the drilling was a success as the oil company discovered “Spindletop,” the most productive single oil well in history!

The landowner went from being a pauper to an instant multimillionaire—or did he? Actually the answer is “no.” This man had been the owner of great riches for as long as he had owned the property! He simply wasn’t aware of it and therefore did nothing to capitalize on his potential riches!

How many of us may be in that same situation TODAY! How many of us have incredible ability and talent which simply has yet to be recognized and utilized?

Here’s a quick and simple strategy that may change your life:

• Get acquainted with yourself. List your many strengths and assets. Ask friends, associates, and family for insight.
• Begin today to develop and use those untapped strengths in your journey to success.
• Seek out and create opportunities that require what you have to offer. The more you seek—the more you’ll find.

Who knows—maybe you’re sitting on your own “Spindletop.” Drill, explore, discover … you have absolutely nothing to lose and everything to gain. Who knows what may come to the surface?

Note to Leaders: Take a moment to explore your existing staff. You’re sitting on a minefield! Can you afford NOT to drill?

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of motivational speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management.  For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2MAX or fill out our contact form.

During the very short week between Christmas and New Years, I traveled to the Philadelphia area to spend the day with the entire headquarters staff of a valuable client. It was a nice break during a very hectic schedule. It also gave me the opportunity to ponder the coming year in light of the many challenges we face today. It led me to a major decision.

Everyone’s heard about the K.I.S.S. Strategy and most are well aware of the fact that the letters stand for “Keep It Simple, Stupid!” I’ve always felt uncomfortable using the term “stupid” for the simple fact that it contradicts the nature of the strategy. I prefer to use the words “Keep It Seriously Simple,” and that’s what I plan to do during the coming year. It might very well be the closest thing to a New Year’s Resolution I’ve ever developed.

Consider the fact that life is actually very simple. WE make it difficult and complicated. Think about the following facts.

1. There are only three basic colors … and yet DaVinci, Dali, Van Gogh, Warhol, Picasso, Monet, Rembrandt and so many others created masterpieces with them.
2. There are only seven basic musical notes … and yet Beethoven, Bach, Brahmns, Handel, Mozart, Chopin, Tchaikovsky, Strauss, Gershwin, the Beatles, and many more composers used them to create beautiful music which will live forever.
3. There are 10 basic digits … and yet Newton, Archimedes, Euclid, Einstein, Hawking, and many others used them to discover hidden mysteries that will impact us forever.
4. There are a mere 26 letters in the alphabet … and yet Tolstoy, Shakespeare, Hemingway, Twain, Mailer, Wilde, Kipling, Woolf, Poe, King, Vonnegut, Emerson, Clancy, Rowling , Dr. Suess, and many others used them to unleash literary masterpieces which educated and entertained the world.

It’s quite obvious that we have been provided with the powerful basics to impact the world. Much has been and can be done with those basic tools.

What are we doing with them to make our lives extraordinary?

How are we impacting the world around us through their use? I personally plan to focus much more on the basics this year. Would you benefit by doing the same? Think about it!

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of motivational speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management.  For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2MAX or fill out our contact form.

Take a quick glance at the organizations listed below. What do they have in common? You might struggle to arrive at an answer to that question as it’s obviously not a product, service, or even an industry they share.

However, each is very successful in what they do.

• Zappos.com
• Google
• Nordstrom
• Dreamworks Animation
• Southwest Airlines
• W.L. Gore & Associates
• Whole Food Markets
• Starbucks Coffee
• The Container Store
• Herman Miller
• Stew Leonards

Let’s solve the mystery. Each of those listed here has been recognized for its unique culture. If you were exposed to the elements which make up a unique culture, you might be surprised at how basic, yet rare, they actually are. The names I’ve shared here are just a few of the many identified by Fortune Magazine year after year as the best companies to work for in the U.S.

They boast productivity, profitability, low turnover, high customer service satisfaction scores, longevity, and creativity to name a few of their commonalities. Most companies in any industry would be thrilled to boast such achievements. Yet few will benchmark those who do. If they did a little research, they would discover that they too could share this success by focusing on the need to place people before products, services, or profits. While all three are key to success, each can be and is achieved must sooner and to a greater degree through focus on your people.

Those listed above share critical elements which have certainly contributed to their success. Here are just a few of those elements.

• Age diversity
• Open communication
• Employee involvement
• Continuing education
• Ethnically diverse
• Recognition programs
• Community involvement
• Goal establishment
• Expectation establishment
• Accountability
• Celebration of success

Think about your organization. Are these contributing factors present in your culture? If not, consider benchmarking those who have identified the importance of a strong culture and have benefitted from a focus on their people.

Again, these are just a few of the factors which must exist to achieve the success you seek by attracting and keeping the people who will make it happen.

Check out this short video for further clarification of the importance of people.

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of motivational speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management.  For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2MAX or fill out our contact form.

As a keynote speaker and seminar facilitator, I have to accept the harsh reality that my every attempt to reach every participant in every audience is a lost cause. In fact, I learned that very early in my career.

As a result, I now focus on clarifying my message in the hope that those who are truly interested can readily transfer the concept into actionable strategies. In doing so, I have achieved greater peace of mind, and I’ve reached a greater number of audience members over the years.

Occasionally, when and where I least expect it, I’m blessed with very rewarding consequences which remind me why I do what I do. In February of this year, I flew to Biloxi, Mississippi, to work with a very unique team of individuals who focus on the continued efforts to restore life to the Gulf area after the Katrina tragedy of 2005. Yes, it’s far from over. However, these dedicated individuals took time out of their busy schedules to spend a full day with me discussing Productive Chaos.

One of the requested themes of this particular presentation focused on the critical skill of goal setting. During one of the breaks, I was approached by a charming and dedicated mother who informed me that she was going to share our material with her children in hopes of prompting them to set goals for their future. While impressed with her enthusiasm and noble intentions, I couldn’t help but recall that I’d heard this pledge many times in the past. I congratulated her, encouraged her, and requested that she keep me posted as to their progress.

Since that Biloxi visit, I had pretty well relegated that experience to a back burner as I tackled a very diverse and challenging schedule. Then just recently, to my amazement and great pleasure, I received an e-mail and PowerPoint attachment from Anna, the proud mother of two lovely daughters. She had shared her program content with her daughters, Xaveryana (12) and Xaynna (14), and they, in turn, not only developed short- and long-range goals but created a beautiful PowerPoint presentation in which to illustrate them!

They eloquently stated their goals, why each goal was important to them, and the action steps they were going to take to achieve each goal! As if that weren’t enough, they identified goals to be accomplished in 6 months, 1 year, 5 years, and 10 years! I’ll refrain from sharing their actual goals here as they’re obviously very personal and I want to respect their privacy. However, I can say that they were very specific and well thought out. Both young ladies were obviously proud of their goals and indeed determined to achieve every one of them.

They did a fantastic job of creating the PowerPoint and I’m certain will some day look back at this experience with pride and appreciation for a loving mother who cared enough to share some critical information and invest her time in guiding her children through a very rewarding process.

If only more parents would do the same for their children, I’m certain our future would hold much greater promise for everyone involved. Give it some thought.

Thank you, Anna, for sharing your wonderful experience. You should be very proud of your daughters. They’re going to be very successful adults!

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of motivational speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management.  For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2MAX or fill out our contact form.

As a young soldier early in my military career, I was accepted into the U.S. Army Signal School Photo Lab Course conducted at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey. I was enthralled with this particular post as we shared quarters and classrooms with members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, foreign services and the Military Intelligence community. I learned a great deal, accumulated a vast array of memories, and left there after graduating, assuming I would never return.

It’s sometimes funny how things work out because, decades later, I did return. I’ve been back twice to facilitate seminars for the staff of Fort Monmouth. In fact, Fort Monmouth contacted AchieveMax® for me to present a third seminar this week at Aberdeen Proving Grounds. 

However, things have certainly changed over the years. Fort Monmouth was recommended for closure by the Pentagon as part of its base reduction campaign. That decision was upheld by President George W. Bush and Congress. An appeal was made to save the base but it was rejected.

However, a decision was made to salvage a good portion of the operation by relocating much of the facility and staff to the Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland. As they make this transition, I find myself this week in Aberdeen, conducting a “Productive Chaos: Personal Accountability in the Workplace” presentation as they actually strive to accomplish productivity amidst chaos. And I’m certain they’ll do just that.

Amidst “chaos” around the world, our military community continues to do whatever necessary to preserve and protect the liberties we have grown to cherish. Little did I know at the time of my first visit decades ago, that I would return in the future at such a decisive point in the history of such a renowned military establishment.

Life is like that so often for so many. We never know what the future may hold for us but we must prepare for any eventuality. The “chaos” may always be there, but it’s our challenge and duty to strive to make it productive.

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of motivational speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management.  For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2MAX or fill out our contact form.

I spent the better part of last week in the Gulfport-Biloxi area of Mississippi on what was once the beautiful coastal beaches along the Gulf of Mexico. I had the distinct privilege and unforgettable pleasure of working with the incredible staff of the HOPE Community Development Agency.

On August 29th of 2005, the entire 60-mile coastline of the Mississippi Gulf Coast suffered 10 hours of unequaled destruction by Hurricane Katrina, resulting in such cataclysmic loss of life and obliteration of homes and possessions that the entire area eerily resembled dawn after a nuclear winter.

Just two days after Hurricane Katrina ravaged the Gulf Coast, in response to dire and immediate need to coordinate and support relief and recovery efforts, the East Biloxi Relief and Coordination Agency was created with the goals of sustaining hope and providing relief and comfort through synchronized action and helping the community regain control over its future. This group later evolved into the HOPE Community Development Agency.

Partnering with local churches and local volunteer organizations, it provided immediate food, shelter and basic medical care to the thousands of families whose homes were destroyed by the hurricane. In the following months, the event and those involved faded from the national headlines and many across the country wrongly assumed that everything was back to normal. Not true … by a long shot!

Five years later, I found myself piloting my rental car through various neighborhoods stunned by what I saw. While all of the casinos have been restored, I found many homes, retail establishments, fast food locations, and concrete bridges looking as though the initial devastation had occurred yesterday! I was astonished to say the least.

HOPE eventually evolved into a full-service resource center for residents—a place where residents come to share their aspirations and concerns regarding the rebuilding effort, to participate in planning for both the immediate recovery and long-term prosperity of their community, and create a shared vision for the future of their community.

This extraordinary team has rehabilitated more than 650 homes, with roughly 200 salvageable homes remaining; new construction of homes totally destroyed by the storm lags behind, though Hope has rebuilt approximately 35 new homes and has more than 70 in the pipeline. The homes themselves have been rebuilt in standard design while others boast futuristic designs perched high above the sands on steadfast stilts. The rental units have yet to receive attention.

In short, much has been accomplished and yet much has yet to be done five years after the initial tragedy. Talking with local residents you can sense the spirit of love, teamwork, respect and sense of loss they have shared in their quest to rise again from the mass destruction brought about by that massive force of nature. The unbending spirit of generations of shrimpers, fishermen, and other coastal families will insure the rebuilding of their homes as well as a limitless future.

It was indeed an honor to meet and work with those who have survived such devastation and emerged to rise again with an undying spirit. In a very short span of time, they taught me lessons I’ll never forget. For doing so, they have my undying gratitude and heartfelt thanks.

Our country has experienced many challenges over the past few years and many have lost much. We must endure a variety of obstacles and rise again to regain and maintain the greatness we know we possess.

Share this short video with friends, family and associates to realize the challenge we face, the potential we possess and the rewards which await us.

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of motivational speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management.  For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2MAX or fill out our contact form.

The older I get, the more irony I find in my day-to-day activity. This morning, I picked up a copy of USA Today in the terminal to read on my flight. I boarded the plane, got comfortable in my seat and started reading prior to take off.

There, in the center of the front page, above the fold, was a photo of a large U.S. passenger plane taking off into the wild blue yonder. Directly below the photo, in very large, bold red print, was the number 65,000! The headline under that impressive number read: “U.S flights with maintenance problems have taken off anyway.” Now that’s a confidence-building statement, isn’t it?

Here’s where the irony sets in. I’m buckled into my seat on a plane that very much resembles the one I’m looking at on the front page, and I’m wondering if I’m on one of those 65,000 flights! Odds are pretty good that I am.

The story goes on to explain that USA Today recently conducted a six-month investigation which revealed that substandard repairs, unqualified mechanics, and lax oversight by airlines and the FAA are not at all unusual! I’ll spare you the details, but suffice it to say that this story covered half of the front page and all of the second page!

Trying to remain positive and get my mind off that encouraging story, I turned to the Money Section of the paper. I should have known better. Right in the center of the front page of that section was the photo of another airplane and a baggage handler tossing a bag into the belly of the aircraft. The headline read: “Do airlines improve bag handling when fees rise?”

The article covered half of the front page and two thirds of the second page, focusing on the recent increases in baggage fees by most every airline. The major thrust of the article revealed that very little, if any, of that money ($2.7 billion in the last year) collected was used to reduce the number of lost and damaged bags or enhance the technology used to track our bags. It also pointed out that mishandled bags cost the airline industry $3 billion last year!

None of this information really shocked me as I’ve been hearing it for quite some time now. However, I couldn’t help but chuckle at the double irony. First, I’m reading this depressing information while strapped helplessly captive in one of those poorly maintained aircrafts that will more than likely lose or damage my bag after charging me an increased fee for that privilege.

Secondly, the only airline NOT charging a fee of any kind for your first two bags happened to be the ONLY airline in the nation to earn a profit for the past year! Hello-o-o-o? Need I mention that it was Southwest?

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of motivational speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management.  For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2MAX or fill out our contact form.