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Who's your leader listening to?

As we enter an era of new leadership, it's becoming clear that the smart money will be on organizations that invest in their leaders. A recent article by Dana Mattoli in the Wall Street Journal outlines the need for leadership training in uncertain times. In the article, the global managing director for the organizational-effectiveness at Accenture Ltd., says the emphasis on leadership development is a departure from the past. She also states that companies historically cut leadership development programs during downturns, but the moves backfired, prompting mid-level managers and top performers to leave when the economy recovered. Now, she says, executives believe that without capable leaders, "their ability to come through [the recession] in a healthy fashion is diminished." Estée Lauder, the New York cosmetics maker, reported lower sales and profit for the period ended Dec. 31, and said it would eliminate 2,000 jobs over the next two years. But Lauder is continuing its leadership development programs. In these leadership programs, Estée Lauder will emphasize innovation and managing change in volatile business conditions. Canon USA's director of management development, echoes this sentiment, "Certainly times are tough, but we recognize that employee development needs to continue."

Steve Farber is no stranger to leadership in the extreme. In fact, it's his brand. Farber is a Business Leadership, Strategy and Accountability expert and author of the bestselling book The Radical Leap: A Personal Lesson in Extreme Leadership which received Fast Company magazine's "Readers' Choice Award." His latest book Greater Than Yourself, set for release this March, is already receiving rave reviews from the world's top business leaders and consultants. This remarkable book, which reveals the true meaning of genuine leadership, is a powerful parable about helping the best leaders to help others be more capable, confident and successful than they are themselves and is filled with thought-provoking ideas and practical methods.As a special offer, Steve Farber and BigSpeak are offering a one-time reduced fee during the release of Greater Than Yourself. Steve has agreed to this discounted rate (almost half-off his normal price!) for any client who books a speaking engagement by the end of March 2009. And as an added bonus, we'll include 500 copies of Greater Than Yourself absolutely free! Your event can take place at any time within 2009, as long as booking is completed by the end of March.

Jeff Salz is an expert at leading people out of the wilderness… literally. As an anthropologist, mountaineer, global adventurer and team building/leadershipexpert, he's the closest thing the corporate world has to Indiana Jones. Jeff has conducted both outdoor treks and inward examinations (a process he calls "Leading from the Inside Out") with executive teams at McKinsey, Accenture, Motorola, Aetna, Wal-Mart and Disney. Now, with an eye to the not-to-distant horizon and a recalibration of focus towards developing the next generation of leaders, he posits, "What is possible - and essential - is a re-commitment to the one thing capable of infinite growth: the expansion of human curiosity, understanding and compassion. Why? Because we are in the midst of unprecedented social, political and economic change. When an environment changes radically, success is granted only to groups of individuals wise enough and willing to radically change their behavior along with it." For a limited time, Jeff Salz and BigSpeak are offering unprecedented savings on his speaking engagements.

In honor of Valentine's Day, BigSpeak presented a different type of stimulus package. The topic was " How to Rekindle Your Relationships and Spark Intimacy" and BigSpeak brought in Dr. Laura Berman to address the Aegis Living, LLC audience. Dr. Berman has been working as a sex educator, researcher and therapist for 20 years. She is the author of the New York Times best-selling book, Real Sex for Real Women: Intimacy, Pleasure, & Sexual Wellbeing and starred in the Showtime television series Sexual Healing. Needless to say, the audience was attentive and enthusiastic and we expect the inspiration to resonate far beyond Valentine's Day. We're not kidding when we say BigSpeak is a full-spectrum bureau with far-reaching results. To make every day your Valentine's Day, BigSpeak can prescribe Dr. Berman or any of our other renowned relationship experts, health professionals and love gurus, including John Gray, Beverly Whipple, Barbara De Angelis, Gay & Kathlyn Hendricks and Felice Dunas to name a few.

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It's no secret that Lance Armstrong is back in the saddle again. This time, he's making his North American return in the 2009 Amgen Tour of California from February 14-22. The largest cycling event in America, it's a Tour de France-style cycling road race that challenges the world's top professional cycling teams to compete along a demanding 750-mile course from Sacramento to Escondido (with a stop in our own backyard, the beautiful Santa Ynez Valley). Recently, BigSpeak brought Lance's coach and cycling confidant, Chris Carmichael to New Orleans and the Club Manager's Association where he spoke from experience, about leadership and creating winning teams. Rounding out the championship trifecta, Lance's mom Linda Armstrong Kelly, recently spoke to the Best Western women's conference in Washington, empowering attendees with her insight and first-hand knowledge of what it takes to overcome obstacles and achieve success. Her speech elicited rave reviews including, "The most inspirational presentation I've heard in my life!" To bring the winning spirit of Lance, Chris or Linda to your next event, call BigSpeak today.

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