The Amazing Harvey Mackay
Harvey
Mackay is the author of Swim With the Sharks Without
Being Eaten Alive and other bestsellers. More than
10,000,000 of his books have been purchased around the
world.
Harvey is founder of the Mackay Envelope Corporation
and is one remarkable human being. I had the pleasure
of sharing a speaker’s platform with him at an
Achiever’s Congress in Asia.
Harvey says the ‘real title’ of all his
popular business books is Prepare to Win –
get yourself ready to succeed through vigorous and early
preparation.
He demonstrated this masterfully in the way he prepared
for his upcoming speech in Asia. One month before the
program, Harvey spent two hours with me on the telephone
from his office in the United States. He wanted to know
everything about the local audience: social trends,
history, culture, economy, politics, races, religion,
concerns, aspirations, hopes, fears and more.
When he got off the plane in Asia, Harvey’s research
and preparation continued. He asked everyone he met
for their personal insights on important issues of the
day. By constantly asking and carefully listening, Harvey
prepared himself (and his audience) to win.
He pored through the local papers and studied radio
and television programs. He listened carefully to every
speaker who preceded him on the platform.
And when Harvey Mackay walked on stage to deliver his
90-minute presentation, he had more customized notes
sticking to the pages of his speech than I have seen
anyone carry in years!
All his preparation paid off. Harvey’s integration
of every idea, example and illustration was seamless.
No one knew how many hours he had spent adjusting, improving
and fine-tuning his speech for just this particular
audience.
No one, that is, except Harvey Mackay.
Key Learning Point
Harvey’s original
mission statement for the Mackay Envelope Corporation
was: ‘To be in business forever’.
His passion for preparation is one way Harvey works to
achieve this goal.
What if this was your mission statement?
How would you change your approach? How much time and
effort would you invest to prepare, serve and delight
your customers, partners and staff?
Learn from Harvey Mackay. Try it today.
Action Steps
Harvey Mackay’s
five rules for success in presentations – and in
life:
1. Show up. (80% success)
2. Show up on time. (85% success)
3. Show up on time with a plan. (90% success)
4. Show up on time with a plan committed to excellence.
(95% success)
5. Show up on time with a plan committed to excellence
and then execute. (100% success) For
much more of Harvey Mackay’s insight and practical
wisdom, visit www.mackay.com
Next Article in Customer Service Vision >>
Pick the Words With Power
First Article in Tips for Trainers >>
Ten Ways to Maximize the Impact of Training
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