seminar Martin Lee on 04 Sep 2007 11:28 pm
Random Thoughts From Jay Abraham China Event
Just today, I arrived back in Singapore from China. It had been a tired but fulfilling trip for me. The 3-day event was extremely memorable, for both good and bad reasons.
Being bilingual certainly helps, and there were a few occasions where I had to act as a translator (abeit a lousy one) for Jay Abraham.
The Chinese entrepreneurs were hungry for knowledge, but some of them had difficulties following Jay’s presentation of ideas, which typically does not run in a linear fashion. They were more used to sequence and structure.
However, when given a chance to share their thoughts, the participants were literally screaming for the microphones. As the mic runners did not understand English, it was difficult for Jay to direct them properly. In one particular session, Spike Humer and me even had to take over the role of mic runners. “A first time for me“, says Spike.
From the event management point of view, it was almost a disaster, with anything that could go wrong going wrong. Years from now, I will probably look back and have a good laugh at the comedy of errors.
For example, the local company managing the event did not provide for coffee and tea for the participants during the breaks. For a high ticket event, no refreshments during breaks is something that is bound to lead to complaints. This was discovered and rectified promptly.
There was a last segment after the program ended where Jay was supposed to come back and explain the US$25,000 program to those who were interested. The translators had already gone back and a volunteer translator had to be plucked out from the crowd to do the job. Simply amazing.
Perhaps an important lesson from all these is that for every mistake or dis-service you do to your client, there exists an equal opportunity for you to correct it and earn the utmost respect of your client. In this aspect, Jay Abraham certainly did so.
At the event, I also had the opportunity to reconnect with old friends, and meet a couple of new ones. In particular, there was a chinese doctor I got to know whom I was very impressed with. I witnessed first hand how she diagnosed and greatly relieved a long term physical condition of a patient in less than an hour. Perhaps this chance encounter will play a significant role in my life in the future.
on 05 Sep 2007 at 1:44 am 1.Paul said …
Great story Martin. I can only imagine the pressure you were under.
I’ve always liked Jay’s non-linear style because I believe that it mirrors my own. Life doesn’t work in straight lines and nice, neat boxes.
But I do know then many people want the “you do this and then this and then….” approach. It was clearly an interesting cultural experience.
on 05 Sep 2007 at 3:20 am 2.Arthur Rego said …
Hi Martin,
Thanks for sharing your personal experience and observations with respect
to Jay’s China Event.
Thanks
Arthur
on 05 Sep 2007 at 3:58 am 3.Nancy Hall said …
I appreciated reading about the difficulties you faced with this seminar – it’s real life stuff. You made the best out of some difficult moments (resiliency). There were problems (you found solutions). I think that’s the point of it all.
You mentioned looking back “years from now” and having a good laugh – why not do it now?!!
Life is just funny like that sometimes! 🙂
on 05 Sep 2007 at 9:27 am 4.Luke said …
One must always be ready to adapt to anything that happens. Such is life. If one can not instantly adapt to the constantly changing world around them then they should become a hermit. It is such an important issue and something that I have always lived by since I was a cub scout as a child. What is the cub scout motto after all? “Be Prepared”.
Done well Martin.
PS: I love this site. The knowledge and tips on marketing and business here is so rich you enlighten me and expand my mind almost every day.
on 07 Sep 2007 at 9:55 pm 5.Martin Lee said …
Hi Paul, Arthur, Nancy and Luke,
Thanks for all the encouragement and feedback. Glad everyone of you enjoy reading what I wrote.