The Pulse of the Speaking Industry

GDA Industry Insights

Dr. Gary Chapman Brings the Love to Our Office

What a treat at GDA today! Dr. Gary Chapman visited our offices. He was in town speaking to two different client groups. He graciously agreed to stop by our office and meet the team.

Dr. Chapman is a wonderful author who is improving relationships around the world with his books. He is best known for The Five Love Languages. This book is 19 years old and remains a New York Times Best Seller.

The book has been so powerful that it has inspired other great and helpful books, including The 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace, which he coauthored with Dr. Paul White. We were thrilled to learn more first-hand about his “MBA” – motivation by appreciation – and how we can empower each other through encouragement. It’s a powerful tool!

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GDA Industry Insights

DON'T HIRE MOVERS!

I am a big fan of outsourcing. I believe in letting experts do their thing. However, I just had the most incredible team bonding experience because we did it ourselves! This would not work for everyone. However, with the right team and the right circumstances, it was a fantastic experience

After 11 years in the same building, we moved our offices to the Uptown area of Dallas. The distance is 24 miles. We had a moving company come out and give us an estimate. And for the fun of it we made a wish list for the new office. All new furniture and a new VOIP phone system. As our wish list grew and we evaluated the cost of moving, we decided as a group to sell all our old stuff on Craig’s list and move ourselves.

December 1st was full court press on planning the move. I borrowed a tool from my event planning days, the detailed timeline. I completed the first draft, got the team involved and moved out of the way. Theresa and Ashley took ownership of the timeline and ran with it.

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GDA Industry Insights

Designing Women

Christmas is one week away. Where did the year go? What an amazing, exciting year it was … but man, what a whirlwind!

Whirlwind is exactly what I’m looking at right now.

After 16 years in my suburban home, I decided to buy a high rise condominium in Dallas. I was very fortunate to sell my home quickly with the buyers even purchasing everything in it! Literally, every piece of furniture, fixtures, decorations. Everything.

In some ways, moving free from all the trappings of two decades was liberating. Moving from a larger home to a smaller urban space presented a great opportunity to get a new look.

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GDA Industry Insights

TEDxSMU - What a day!

A Saturday during the holidays spent at an all-day speaker event? It was hands down the best decision of many holidays in recent years. Which is why I spent Saturday feeding my mind at TEDxSMU with the newest member of our team, Sarah Leverett.

I did have one important hint. Besides the fact that it was a TED event, I knew that anything Jim and Carole Young are involved in is sure to be a winner. This did not disappoint.

So I headed downtown to the Dee and Charles Wyly Theatre. I’d never been. Honestly, it was my first time on the ground to really understand the Dallas Arts District. I think it is a good thing that I moved from the suburbs. I am surprised daily at the amazing offerings of Dallas. So much has changed in the 20 years I spend in suburbia!

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GDA Industry Insights

The End of the Up Experience Didn’t Leave Me Down

Okay, hokey title. But you get it. The Up Experience lived up to its name.

If this is all new to you, click here and here and here to get caught up on this event and the amazing speakers I was able to see. Almost 20 speakers in one day!

Dr. Brene Brown kicked off the last session with an Alumni update. This is interesting concept. Each year they bring back someone who has spoken at a previous UP and have them give an alumni update. Brene has a wonderful calm, soothing pace…

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GDA Industry Insights

Up, Up, Up. The Up Experience Part 3

(If this is the first time you’re reading The UP Experience, click here and here. I promise you won’t regret getting caught up.)

For the first time, I was able to hear “Chef Jeff” (Jeff Henderson) speak. What an impressive human being. He earned the first standing ovation of the day.

I have always believed that at our core we love the comeback stories. And when you’re sitting the audience actually seeing and hearing a comeback, it’s even better. Chef Jeff turned his life around when he learned to cook in prison. He has published cookbooks and been on national television. His message is simple…. Take control of your life, whether it is your personal life or your work life.

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