Aaron Grant’s Post

ISPO 2024. I’ve read a number of reviews and had several conversations about how the show has changed over the years. Is it better? Is it not as good? For me the answer is clear - ‘it’s different’. There were not as many big booths as in previous years. Fewer brands felt the need to pay large sums of money for space, stand build and staffing costs, opting to spend budget elsewhere… areas with a more obvious ROI perhaps. 🤔 Maybe the time of year has contributed, but seeing key buyers and writing orders at the show is definitely a thing of yesteryear. That said, space to sit, meet, talk and learn seemed more plentiful than ever. It would be possible to fill your schedule with panel discussions and thought provoking key note speeches throughout the week as well as having a platform to meet global partners and colleagues under one roof. Choosing where to be, at what time and which talk to engage in was a big consideration! 🤷🏼♂️ From my perspective it was great to attend as always. I see great value in having an industry home, however what this looks like in future years (and how it is funded) is definitely something to ponder and one for us all who value this event to contribute to for a positive outcome.

“You are at the height of mediocrity.” → Someone told me that once. → And it really hit home. → Because it was true. This was about two years ago. You see, in most people’s eyes I’m a success. I got the: → Good business → House with a pool → A very nice income → A beautiful, loving family → The time and freedom to do anything. But that all means NOTHING. Here's why: Until I think I’m living up to my own potential, it’s all just an illusion. → When it’s real to you, that’s what matters → When you feel it, that's what matters → When you believe it, it's real And that's why so many people feel unfulfilled. It's not the "things" that make you feel anything. It's the belief that you are: → Doing all you can → To be everything you can → For as much time as you can Only YOU can know if this is happening. But when it is? It's a beautiful feeling. Trust me. So how do you get there? HOW do you make this happen? Start with: → What's important to you. Then? → Identify some needle movers → Set up a strategy to move them → Execute on that plan with support P.S. - Please repost ♻️ to get this show on the road

🌟 Reflecting on True Success and Fulfillment 🌟 Recently, I came across a profound reflection on what true success means. It’s not about the visible markers of success like a thriving business or a beautiful home; it’s about living up to one’s own potential. Two years ago, someone pointed out to a successful individual that despite having it all, they were at “the height of mediocrity.” This comment sparked a realization that real fulfillment comes from believing you’re doing everything you can to be the best version of yourself. It’s a reminder for all of us that fulfillment isn’t about possessions or achievements, but about the inner belief that we are fully leveraging our abilities and contributing meaningfully. 🚀 Steps to Genuine Achievement: 1. Identify what truly matters to you. 2. Pinpoint key actions that can create significant changes. 3. Implement a strategy to move these needles with consistent effort. This message resonates deeply as it challenges us to look beyond the surface and focus on what genuinely drives us. What are your thoughts on measuring real success? #Success #PersonalGrowth #Leadership

Remember ‘Indecisive Dave’ from the Fast Show? That’s me. https://lnkd.in/eTUrxPtr I’ve just walked away from a 22 year relationship with someone who became a conspiracy theorist. (Other stuff going on too, but let’s not totally overshare.) WTF is that to do with LinkedIn? Quite a lot as it happens. Imagine going down the pub with me and me sitting there listening, nodding and agreeing with everything you say, even when I don’t agree, or worse still, contradicting something I’ve said that I truly believe in just for the sake of people pleasing and not causing a fuss. That’s not me being me, and neither of us will walk away from the pub feeling like we had a fun night. As a researcher I’ve been trained to listen and react, but not to upset the applecart by challenging someone’s views as being wrong or questionable (in most circumstances). We’re trained to give our participants a voice, but not to voice our own opinion. This is fine in a research interview or focus group. But it’s not so fine in your personal life. Especially when someone you are close to has and expresses views that are opposing to yours, but makes you feel you can’t disagree. Sometimes, you need to step outside of your professional persona and be true to yourself. Maybe realising that sooner would have saved my relationship by freeing me to speak out, challenge opinions, and not allow myself and my thoughts to be manipulated. If you and I ever have that chat down the pub, make sure I don’t just sit there doing my researcher / people pleasing thing. If you find me changing my mind and suddenly agreeing that the earth is flat or that 5G is indeed spreading Covid, I need you to say to me, “See that Indecisive Dave off the Fast Show? That’s you that is. That’s you having your best night out in the pub.” Hopefully that’ll stop me. https://lnkd.in/eqkV4eSB There is more to me than my profession, it’s an important part of me but it doesn’t define me. Anyway, it's dragging on a bit... Anyone fancy a pint? https://lnkd.in/eb8dMPSs Thanks to the brilliant Lynda Thompson for planting the seeds of this post with her recent ‘take up space’ post (https://lnkd.in/ezHBU5rS) which made me realise how much my professional role influences my personal interactions. #researcher #interviews #focusgroups #1990scomedy

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗹𝗲𝗺-𝗕𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗧𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗴𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗕𝗲 𝗧𝗼 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗦𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗡𝗲𝘄? 🌱 You're at a networking event, someone says "what do you do?", you explain what you do, which is something they are already aware of....then it get's right back to social conversation. How do you "bridge" from social to business? 🌉 In my monthly 'Stump The Guru' show, I tackle these sorts of challenges in a coaching session style. If you would like to join as a guest or simply just watch, this months upcoming show will be (𝗨𝗦) 𝗪𝗲𝗱. 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝟭𝟵𝘁𝗵, 𝟱𝗽𝗺 - 𝟱:𝟯𝟬𝗽𝗺 𝗘𝗦𝗧 Go to the below link and click "Attend" in order to register: https://ow.ly/3HLc50S6Hyw By registering you'll be notified inside of LinkedIn a few minutes before the show begins. If you don't see a notification, simply go to my profile page and you'll see the show begin live. If you want to ask me a live question on the show, when the show begins go to: www.StumpTheGuru.com and our show manager (Steve) will select you to come into the show in the next open slot (be sure your mic/camera is on).

ICSC Orlando is a wrap! Great show this year. Attendance seemed a bit light, but investors and agents were busy doing deals and making connections. ICSC is a great show and opportunity for connecting with industry peers and investors. Those that take advantage CONSISTENTLY, reap the rewards. Those that think just one touch to a connection is all it takes in this business are sadly mistaken. I have been attending trade shows like this for years. The most influential people I see at the show are those that take the time to connect, during the event. However, the relationship does not stop there, at least for the great agents and investors. The relationships only are solidified at the shows, if and only if there are two main actions taken: 1- Intentionality during the show with your connections. 2- Follow up post event with your connections. First, let's discuss intentionality. Intentionality is not just saying "hi" or doing a "stop by" at their booth at the show. Intentionality is finding a way to create and provide value to your connection. Did you do that during the show? Second, Follow up. Follow up is the most important aspect of your new relationship, connection, or discussions you had a the show. I have seen so many agents leave a show and 2 months later wonder why they don't have any more business than prior to the show. My first question, "How did you follow up with the connection?" Most of the time, the answer is they did not. You see, all of these relationships start with a meeting of some kind. However, if we do not water the seeds that we have planted, there will not be anything to harvest in the future. Seeds= Meetings/Connections/Touch Points Water= Follow ups/Future Conversations/Value Additions/How can you help? Someone asked me at the show, "How can I make more connections? There are only so many people here I know?" My response was simple and some advice I received many years ago, you MUST ask the person you are meeting with or that you have met along the way, "How CAN I HELP YOU?!!!" or a variation that I have used successfully, "Who in my network do YOU want to meet? I will promise you an introduction." It is the law of reciprocation. We want to help those that help us, so next time you want to meet someone that you have not met, ask your connections, but first provide the same to them! Find a way to make the connection they are looking for. All the best to the next trade show you attend! Ignore and Outperform! Go Get It! JWW

𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗔𝗿𝗲 𝗪𝗲 𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗱 𝗧𝗼 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗢𝘂𝘁 𝗧𝗵𝗲 “𝗘𝗹𝗲𝗽𝗵𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗜𝗻 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗼𝗼𝗺”? 🐘 Imagine yourself in a sales conversation with two decision makers. The first is onboard with your solution, the second one isn’t. Where do you shift your focus and how bold do you get to get to the truth? 💁🏻♂️ In my monthly 'Stump The Guru' show, I tackle these sorts of challenges in a coaching session style. If you would like to join as a guest or simply just watch, this months upcoming show will be (𝗨𝗦) 𝗪𝗲𝗱. 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟯𝗿𝗱, 𝟱𝗽𝗺 - 𝟱:𝟯𝟬𝗽𝗺 𝗘𝗦𝗧 Go to the below link and click "Attend" in order to register: https://ow.ly/jZHe50TFhSe By registering you'll be notified inside of LinkedIn a few minutes before the show begins. If you don't see a notification, simply go to my profile page and you'll see the show begin live. If you want to ask me a live question on the show, when the show begins go to: www.StumpTheGuru.com and our show manager (Steve) will select you to come into the show in the next open slot (be sure your mic/camera is on).

What better way to wrap up 2024 than by joining THE EVENT GOATS: Brandt Krueger and Will Curran? Spoiler: There isn’t one. If you're like me and Bogdan, you're currently working on turning 2024’s lessons into 2025’s wins. To help we’ll cover all of that and more in the final Event Tech Live episode of the year: 🔍 Event tech hits and misses: What worked, what flopped, and why it matters 🔮 Predictions & strategies: How to prepare and position your events for success in 2025 Plus, we’ll answer your burning questions live! So, whether you want to… - Reflect on 2024 - Plan better events in 2025 - Or just need an excuse to grab your Christmas hats and some hot chocolate … join us live on LinkedIn this Tuesday, December 17, at 3 PM GMT / 4 PM CET. We can’t wait to see you there!

I was one of 5 presenters at a show a while ago. All presentations went well, content delivered, and the crowd got what they came for. By agreement, the presenters were not to use their presentations as “advertisements” for their businesses. At the end of the program, every presenter was given 2 minutes to showcase what they did, what services or products they offered. Everyone used their 2 minutes, a few went 5 to 7 minutes, to the distress of the show organizers, as a billboard for their companies and products. When my turn came, I said the following, “Thank you all for attending this event, I hope you found it valuable and are walking away with the content you want. I know with absolute assurance that no one in this room came here today to hear an advertisement about my company or the services that I offer”. “IF anyone would like to discuss what I do and how I may be able to help them, I will stick around after the closing remarks to answer any questions you might have”. Mic down, exit stage left! I was up there for less than 30 seconds. All I did that day was deliver on what people came there to hear (my assigned topic) ….. and offer to be there for those who were curious to hear more. That's IT! Am I nuts not to have used the opportunity to advertise ? You tell me. As they say, the results speak louder than theory. In the end, there was a line to speak to me – none of the other presenters had that. Why? Because I respected the crowd by not using their time on me - And I created intrigue by keeping what I do somewhat under wraps and keeping the focus on delivering what THEY wanted. I delivered the value THEY wanted and did NOT change the focus to ME…even when I had the opportunity (and some might say the right) to do so. And it worked. Moral of the story - Don’t take every advantage of the limelight to sell sell sell your company. Try toning it down and connecting like a person. Make it about THEM! And watch how much more powerful that can be. PS - I walked away from that show with a $3M deal….That closed a few weeks later....

Leading a Shift! What a week last week! Between the Trade Show and experimenting with new concepts and processes, it felt like drinking through a fire hose in the best way possible. Modern-Client was well received by everyone I know at the show, and the curiosity was off the charts. People really wanted to know how we’re bringing this style of authentic storytelling to life. We’re focused on helping brands pull out their leadership and message, and making real, authentic connections with the people and clients they need to reach. Here’s my feedback from being out there in the trenches and talking to folks face to face. Companies know they need to evolve as the world shifts, especially in how they market and get their messages out there. They know they need to reach people, but for some, there’s a gap on exactly what that looks like. Filling that gap and figuring out how to build those connections is where the magic happens. We want to empower voices and through leadership and authentic storytelling in corporations. It’s all about creating their “true story” narratives and and all the little peices that make them who they are and giving that a voice in this noisy digital world, so it can translate into real growth and real community in the physical. I’m beyond excited about having our first guest on the show Friday night what happened was just amazing. We are thrilled to gift her a badass video short that shows her standing strong in her message and absolutely glowing. That’s what it’s all about folks drawing out that passion and message and letting the world see it so it can really connect. And here’s something cool as well build our vision we’re starting adding a creator aspect to this journey soon, and I think it’s going to shake things up even more. More on that to come. I’m so grateful to be able to stand in love and purpose, and to have the opportunity to help people open up and create their own authentic message by at the same time standing in mine and bringing all this forward in tandem and together. It’s powerful stuff! And I couldn’t ask for a better amazing team of real ones by my side. 👊 Stay magical, stay curious, and never stop pushing the boundaries. This is just the beginning of what we’re going to create together. Let’s keep lighting up the world with stories that matter and voices that resonate. And remember, the fire hose may be blasting, but we’re here to drink it all in and turn it into something unforgettable. Have an amazing Sunday everyone! I’m here in the comments for a few hours if you want to say hi!!! 👋 Keep it real keep it classy. #mf 💓 PS. This is me taking a break after the show just sitting with it all of it!!