I’m writing this from my hotel room on Brighton front - it’s 10pm.

I’m at the Entrepreneurs Bootcamp 2008 at the Brighton Centre with 4000 budding business owners and wannabes.

There are some pretty kool speakers on during this 3 day marathon. The days are long from 9am - 7pm each day.

Now here’s a funny thing, and why I am writing this blog…

I must have networked with about 20 odd people today and 90% have ended up saying “Why are you attending this Sean? You should be one of the speakers!”

Now, I take my personal development very seriously. And whilst I have won awards for my entrepreneurialism and business achievements I am constantly looking to improve and stretch myself. Even if I only take away 2 or 3 things from these 3 days I would have viewed that as a success.

What are you doing to improve your skills? Oh, by the way, are you aware that I have just come off a 52 day training course?

What?! I hear you cry!

Ok, the days weren’t all taken together but I have invested in 52 days worth of training in the last 365 days.

Want to know how I have taken the course?

Well, I’ve taken it in my car!

I listen to sales, marketing, self development, knitting for beginners cd’s (that last one’s a joke by the way!) in my car on the way to work and when I drive home from work without exception. Then, there are the times when I am travelling to seminars like this bootcamp, another 3 hours, and also client visits (6 hours worth of travel time last week alone).

I worked it out the other day.

45 mins to work, 45 mins home = 1 1/2 hours per day
1 1/2 hours per day x 5 days a week = 7.5 hours per week = 1 working day
1 working day x 52 weeks = 52 days

Amazing huh?

So, instead of listening to Franz Ferdinand or Kylie - invest in your brain and in your knowledge.

Remember you never learn from the cd’s you don’t listen to and the advice you don’t hear!

All the best from a windy Brighton, it’s time to get some shut eye!

Sean

Sean McPheat
MTD Sales Training
Tel: 0800 849 6732

So Marco Pierre White has filled the shoes of his protege Gordon Ramsay!

How did he do?

Well, last nights opening programme was compelling viewing. I loved to see how Marco tried to "make his mark" over the latest bunch of Z list celebrities.

Having eaten in 3 of Gordon Ramsays restaurants (I am a big fan of GR by the way), I find the whole "Celebrity Chef" thing to be crazy. The food was awesome (but not enough of it) and I wondered whether I was there for the food or to say that I have eaten at GR’s restuarant - I’m still pondering my motives!

Take last night. A poor chap complained that his meal was freezing. Marco said "That’s tough, eat it that way or leave!"

Imagine if we had that attitude with our prospects? I suppose it makes great viewing!

I’ve been offered a lot of TV work with regards to business improvement and sales. Most of them have really opened my eyes to all of this reality TV I can tell you! They wanted me to make fools out of people, to put them down, to crucify them - all for the sake of viewing figures! 

My sales training lesson out of all of this?

Sometimes people will do business with you because of who you are. Thinking about it, I don’t think I would go to a Gary Rhodes or Jamie Oliver restuarant because they are not "My type of person". Learn this lesson with what you sell, position yourself and take the profits on the back of what you do.

Sean Mc