3/9/06 ENG notes for John Davidoff “Reflections on the Journey”

Experiencing stages of transition ever since growing up in a family with both corporate and entrepreneurial interests, John shared challenges, lessons learned, and inspirations from his journey to date. His 24-year career path growing from a family advertising business, working at radio stations, becoming VP at advertising agency DDB, managing marketing and point-of-sale events in shopping malls as Senior VP with General Growth Properties, dream job with Omnicom’s Radiate Group, to CEO of Entertainment Marketing, Inc.

Key lessons from the journey and “staying at the top of your game”:

a) Understand who you are and who you strive to be –

1. change your game plan from justifying paycheck to significant cause; create value and go out, “kill it”, and “eat it”

2. that’s how you get to your best level of fun and make more money than ever before

3. maintain your focus/priority

b) Surround yourself with people who will help you keep your dreams alive, believe in you and spur you on –

1. tell your support team that you don’t want spurious pats on the back; honest feedback is most important

2. be accountable to your support team; report status and review every week

3. consider retaining a personal coach who can advise and be objective; meet with him/her about once a month

c) Work the network, but also let the network work you –

1. make your self available for opportunities and coincidences. John’s target is 50 to 100 outbound phone calls per day and at least 15 in-person meet & greets per week. If not out generating activity, nothing happens. If out there, cool stuff happens.

2. never underestimate the power of coincidences; they might even come from your 5-year old son

d) Get a “magic desk”-

1. get out of the house every day

2. conduct your search as a day at work

3. keep up the culture of responsibility, productivity, accountability and your values

Recommended reading:

1. When God Winks, Squire Bushnell (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0743467078/qid=1142019061/sr=2-1/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_1/104-7681790-1519909?s=books&v=glance&n=283155)

2. Halftime, Bob Buford (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0310215323/qid=1142019325/sr=2-1/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_1/104-7681790-1519909?s=books&v=glance&n=283155)

3. The One Decision, Judith Wright (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1585424811/qid=1142019388/sr=2-1/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_1/104-7681790-1519909?s=books&v=glance&n=283155)

4. The Wellness Revolution, Paul Zane Pilzer (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0471430676/qid=1142019423/sr=2-1/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_1/104-7681790-1519909?s=books&v=glance&n=283155)

5. Secrets of Self Employment, Sarah & Paul Edwards (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0874778379/qid=1142019486/sr=2-1/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_1/104-7681790-1519909?s=books&v=glance&n=283155)

6. The E Myth, Michael E. Gerber (looks like a new edition is available in paperback, http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0887307280/qid=1142019700/sr=2-1/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_1/104-7681790-1519909?s=books&v=glance&n=283155)

John Davidoff is currently founder and principal of Davidoff Communications, LLC (www.DavidoffCommunications.com). Since starting the company 15 months ago, he has never been more excited, challenged or scared, and wouldn’t change a thing.

Notes taken and Amazon links provided by Judi Breisch.