Dr. Alok Trivedi interviews Jim Cathcart on the history of the speaking profession and what it takes to create sustainable success in this industry.

Hear the stories of Earl Nightingale, Og Mandino, W. Clement Stone, Bill Gove and others  as Jim tells how he entered and mastered the speaking business.

by Sales & Motivation Expert Jim Cathcart

On November 15th I’ll be participating in and leading a portion of a national conference known as “Sales 2.0 Sales Strategies in a Social & Mobile World”.

This exciting event is being hosted by Selling Power Magazine and will be attended by hundreds of sales and marketing executives and company owners. There are 17 speakers doing various presentations, 18 if you count me.

Here is the Speaker Line-Up link:

If you’d like to attend this conference with me please drop me a quick note. I have a special enrollment that will save you hundreds of dollars off the $895 regular price.

Here is the link to their website and to my 101 Leaders Alliance website so that you can explore it further. The deadline for my special deal is October 24th so you must be enrolled by then. If you are a sales executive, sales manager or business owner then please plan to attend this exciting and value-packed event.

101 Leaders Alliance site 

Selling Power Sales 2.0 Conference site 

I really hope to see you there.

In the Spirit of Growth,

Jim Cathcart, CEO & Founder of the 101 Leaders Alliance

Here’s a special bonus; a link to a short video interview where Gerhard interviewed me about my Most Memorable Sale (to Harley-Davidson Company) with a special treat at the end of the video. Enjoy!

by Jim Cathcart, Motivation Expert

Rollis Fontenot interviews Jim Cathcart on how to stay motivated, get fit, deal with adversity, and succeed in your career. This special series of interviews brings you an up close and personal insight into the minds and lives of exceptional achievers.

Motivation expert Jim Cathcart shares his personal philosophy of success and self motivation.

by Jim Cathcart, author of Relationship Selling

Not long ago my friend and colleague Gerhard Gschwandtner, publisher of Selling Power Magazine interviewed me for his publication. He asked me about my most memorable sales experience.

It didn’t take me long to think of it; the sale was to Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Company and I was being considered as the potential keynote speaker for their 100 Year Anniversary dealers convention.
Here is the story in video with a special surprise at the end of the video. I hope you enjoy it.

If you’d like to train your own sales team to think like this then please give me a call.
In the Spirit of Growth,
Jim Cathcart
800-222-4883
info@cathcart.com

by Motivation Expert, Jim Cathcart

Allan Karl, the world motorcycle tourer, joined me on a ride up the California Coast this week and took the following video. We had stopped for refreshments in Big Sur, California among the giant redwoods, and wouldn’t you know it, the store had some guitars for sale! I borrowed them and played a tune on each one. Here is one of the songs: Don’t Think Twice by Bob Dylan. I hope you enjoy it.

Cathcart Live In Big Sur from Allan Karl on Vimeo.

And here is my first “Music Video” also done by Allan, from some of the other songs I played that day, mixed with actual footage from our ride on the coast highway that day.

Jim Cathcart Performs Roadside In Big Sur! from Allan Karl on Vimeo.

Nola was the store keeper and she enjoyed the music too. Allan and I rode from Cambria to Castroville, then went separate ways. I continued on to Santa Rosa in the wine country of Northern California where I attended the Healdsburg Guitar Festival 2011, presented by Luthiers Mercantile International, Inc. at the Hyatt Vineyard Creek Inn in Santa Rosa.

I’ve uploaded 80 photos from the trip to my Facebook page. You’ll see hundreds of high-end guitars, an assembly of some of the world’s finest guitarists and every imaginable resource one would need if you were to build your own custom guitars. Some of the players included: Tony McManus • Al Petteway • Laurence Juber  • Vicki Genfan  • Teja Gerken • Kinloch Nelson • Stevie Coyle. 

While I was on this trip I had several fun experiences. In San Simeon (Hearst Castle area) I stayed at the Silver Surf Motel and asked the check in clerk, Benjamin, if the hotel by chance had a guitar on site. He said, “I have one in my car!” He brought it in and let me play it. I tuned it for him and then sat by the fountain in the courtyard and played and sang a dozen songs. People came out on their balconies to hear, and many who walked by slowed their pace to hear the music. Then a young couple stopped and he, Brian, opened a case and took out his ukelele! It turns out that he’s a skilled musician and he joined me for a spontaneous Jam Session of about 20 songs. It was magical. He started playing along even before we spoke. Music truly is the universal language.

In Santa Barbara before my main trip commenced, I stopped at the factory & HQ of Seymour Duncan Acoustic to conduct a sales training seminar for their team. Seymour is world famous as the designer of high quality pickups for guitars. He’s also a master guitarist. He told me that he had recently been playing with James Burton who backed up Elvis and many more.

I rode straight through San Francisco and twelve zillion cars & trucks, across the Golden Gate Bridge, through Marin County and on to Santa Rosa. Upon arrival in Santa Rosa I checked into my hotel, freshened up with a swim and went to the opening night guitar event at the Last Day Saloon. It was packed and fun! Be sure to try their Fish Tacos and the Great White beer.

The next day I personally inspected, strummed or played about $2,250,000 worth of guitars! Seriously, there were 118 luthiers in attendance each displaying around 5 of their best instruments which averaged in price around $5,000. Some cost over $20,000 and some “only” $2,400. You’ve got to attend this event at least once if you love guitars. I met the man who did the custom inlays on Martin Guitar Company’s 1,500,000th guitar, the DaVinci, Harvey Leach. I have a brief video of this guitar on my YouTube page.

After a full day of playing guitars and meeting makers I went to the Cellars of Sonoma wine bar nearby and met Robert, their guitarist who was singing in the corner as guests sampled the wines. He let me sit in for a few songs and I had a delightful time entertaining both those in the restaurant as well as those passing by on the sidewalk. Ahhhh, I love this!

The next day, Sunday, I rode through Sonoma, Napa and many vineyards, then down Hwy 680 to San Jose, and on south via farm road Hwy 25 to finally stop in Pismo Beach for the night. There’s a small simple looking hotel there called The Beachcomber Inn (7 rooms) that you must check out. Outside it looks like a simple motel, but the rooms are immaculate! Copper sinks, wood shutters, reading pillows, iPod radio, flat screen TV, microwave, coffee maker, every appointment you can imagine, covered parking and 1/2 block from the water. Grace is the manager and she’s a delight. Skip the big hotels with the same rooms as each other and stay in this boutique hotel next time.

After a great run on the beach this morning I rode home with one stop at Fess Parker’s Hotel (Davy Crockett) in Los Olivos, CA, the wine country featured in the movie Sideways. It is a wonderful life indeed. Thanks for letting me share my adventure with you. Now go make your own adventure plans. You deserve a special treat.