Augustin Hadelich: An inspiring Performance!

I was not ready to see tonight’s concert and was not prepared for the wonderful musical experience I had. And now I must say I was very fortunate to see Augustin Hadelich’s amazing performance of Bartók’s Violin Concerto No. 2 (the first performance of the concert in 1939 has come to be regarded as one of the great 20th-century violin concertos, according to the LA Philharmonic).

When you attend a Classical Concert or an Opera you prepare yourself in advance. You see the program and learn about the concert; you read the biographies of the composer, the conductor and the concertist; and you buy the tickets in advance. Well, until today, as I decided to attend tonight’s concert by the Houston Symphony Orchestra only 40 minutes before it started.

As I have been travelling these past few months between Caracas and Houston, I have been able to see several performances by the Houston Symphony (@housymphony). Tonight I just simply read that the Orchestra would be playing Mozart and headed downtown Houston; and I was treated to an evening of sound, magic and excitement.

Tonight’s concert conducted by Gilbert Varga, was an incredible performance by the Houston Symphony which started with Mendelssohn’s Overture to A Midsummer Nights’ Dream and ended with Mozart’s Symphony No. 39. Beautiful, elegant, enchanting and melodic concertos that make you start dreaming as you listen to their first notes.

And then, violinist Augustin Hadelich played Bartók’s Violin Concerto No. 2. I have to say I had read about his concert at Carnegie Hall in New York in December last year, but as I started to enjoy this very powerful and fast paced concert, I realized I was seeing a very talented musician who commanded the scenario with strong energy and a compelling dynamism.

Very demanding of his 1723 Stradivarius Violin (that at times appeared to be talking to us), he transmitted a level of excellence that seemed beyond us at certain moments and that we very seldom seen today. And Bartok’s very challenging concert was played with ‘beauty’, which was how the Washington Post described Hadelich’s essence of playing. On my way back I read what the Houston Chronicle wrote about his previous performance at Jones Hall which indicated that Hadelich “exerted the kind of excitement that threatens to lift the listener right out of his seat.” And of course, we all got lifted again this time.

As a Business Performance Coach I started asking questions in my head. How do we get this kind of performance from our team members? How do you get that kind of performance in your companies? How do we leave audiences in ‘awe’? How do we get a standing ovation? We don’t if we do not prepare and work to achieve our goals, our purpose and our vision.

This is why we need to constantly generate new ideas, learn new skills, practice for perfection, and continuously train our co-workers and team members, including ourselves. Not an easy task, but if we want to give a level of performance that exceeds our customer’s expectations, we need to prepare, practice, train and develop the abilities and qualities of the individuals that surround us, that work with us and from whom we require the kind of excellent performance level I saw this evening.

Tonight’s concert by the Houston Symphony was incredible; and Augustin Hadelich’s and exquisite and distinguished performance was – simply – inspirational, after which the audience gave a long and deserving standing ovation, with sounds of ‘Bravo’ and ‘Bravssimo’ being heard, while the Orchestra musicians were applauding along (he came back to the delight the audience with a beautiful encore piece by Paganini; greeted of course with his second standing ovation of the evening). One of those concerts and amazing performances you will be able to cherish and remember forever.

Luis Vicente Garcia is a Business Performance Coach and Consultant, an international speaker and best-selling author. You can follow Luis Vicente at @lvgarciag and www.luisvicentegarcia.com You may also contact him at coachluis@luisvicentegarcia.com

 

 

Ready to close Q1?

Can you believe we’re nearing the end of the first Quarter of 2015 already?  In today’s “feast or famine” economy, 95% of business owners and managers are behind in their quotas. You heard me right. 95%! And you name the quota: sales, marketing plans, budget, innovation, etc.

Social media has taken over the world of marketing. But the costs of online ad campaigns are soaring through the roof! Then there’s the predicted downturn in the economy that is causing consumers to hold tight to their wallets. Add to that the new burden of minimum wage increases, and business owners have a real problem on their hands.

But I have good news for you. There are proven systems and processes you can put into place today to draw more clients and consumers to your door, ensuring a steady steam of revenue even in today’s unstable market.

As a Business Performance Coach, an internationally motivational speaker and a Best-Selling author, I have helped business owners, Sales and HR representatives just like you in many industries and in different countries, increase their business and revenue in just under six-months, using simple but proven techniques.

Do not let the issues you are facing in Q1 define the rest of 2015 for you and your company. You can do incredily well.

If you’re ready to see what Sales and motivational Training can do for you, our TEAM and your company, allow me to put my skills and expertise into work for your business today. Click here to learn more about the programs and systems I have created especially for you.

To Your Success,

Luis Vicente Garcia
Business Performance Coach

The Bill Belichick HR System, by Luis Vicente Garcia

People are still buzzing over the Super Bowl. 

From the commercials to Katy Perry to the last play call that cost the Seahawks the game, what a night it was. 

And while everyone is talking about the play that Pete Carroll, coach of the Seahawks called, I want to talk about the call that Bill Belichick, coach of the Patriots made. 

- Bill is an architect. 

- He is smart. 

- Cunning. 

- Precise. 

And it shows with 4 Super Bowl wins in the last 13 years. 

That last play was just the final piece in the ultimate chess match. 

And Coach Belichick saw it a mile away. 

- He knew his opponent. 

- He knew the situation. 

- He could see into the future. 

This is really how you need to manage HR in your organization. 

You need to be able to forecast for the future. 

You need to know your personnel better than anyone.

You need to understand the challenges coming, the opportunities that present themselves and be ready to make the play call that will help your company succeed. 

Today I want to pose a question to you. 

What are you doing day-in and day-out to make sure you are ready to make that play call?

How can you to truly be effective in forecasting for the future? You need to be in place to make the game winning play. Not an easy task, I know, but you can all do it.

 

Just simply, start working on your plan

and be playing at a championship level this season!

To your success, 

Luis Vicente Garcia

www.luisvicentegarcia.com

coachluis@luisvicentegarcia.com

 

 

Business Insider Newsletter - February 2015

Dear friends,

As February is just starting I wanted to share with you my latest "Business Insider Newsletter, a FocalPoint Coaching Newsletter which is filled with important insights and interesting information for managers, executives, business owners and entrepreneurs.

In this month's edition we cover:

- digital advertising
- customer service
- sales training
- other interesting topics

Here is the link to the Newsletter 

http://goo.gl/xqKqyM

If you would like to get information on how I can help you and your company grow, please contact us at coachluis@luisvicentegarcia.com

Have a great and productive month

Luis Vicente Garcia

2015: A new Year of Adventures, Learning and Experiences!

While we begin to think about the next year at the end of the current year, very few do so with due seriousness; and, as a result, few real and serious goals are set for the New Year. As 2014 just ended, we probably thought about what we did, what we accomplished and what really happened. For some it was a year of challenges and changes; for others, it was a year of learning, experiences and exploration. For me, I can summarize this year in one word: 

ADVENTURE!

In an article I wrote earlier this year, I commented after an article that I read that at the beginning of 2014 we all had 365 days ahead of us. Days, at that time still blank, which could filled with whatever we wanted: new ideas, thoughts, business, jobs, or education; in short, everything new. For some people it was a combination of all this plus something else, such as writing our words and ideas; or embark in new actions, goals and activities. Those days would be filled with all our experiences with our family, friends, work colleagues or university friends. Some of those would be good days or excellent days (never bad ones as Zig Ziglar once said). Well, the same is true for 2015, as we have 365 days ahead of us.

I ask a lot of questions so I get a lot of answers. This means that for some people, the year 2014 was - as I was told - a quiet or normal year. For others, it was a really difficult year. To you my friends, a warm hug of solidarity and appreciation. For a few, as someone told me a few weeks ago, the year was more or less the same as previous ones; in that case, however, my comment was that it might have been the same but that it was also different, given the experiences we've all had in the last 12 months.

But, for most, I'm sure, 2014 was a year of adventures. As I try to do sometimes, I searched the definition of Adventure and the Dictionary of the Royal Spanish Academy defines 'Adventure' as:

1. Occurrence of an strange event;
2. Chance, or contingency;
3. Uncertain Outcome or something that presents risks.

You can see the year as a change or a challenges depending on your personal attitude, which has had to be a positive one in everything we do. If we do so, we need to figure out how 2014 was a year of personal motivation, positive attitude and continuous growth and learning. There is no other way to see any kind of year. We have an obligation: to always motivate others. And we need to start seeing 2015 as the year for 'highly motivated teams'.

As we embrace the new 2015, with more energy, emotions and of course prepared for more changes and challenges, how do we prepare for it? When I talked with my kids about 2014 they told me that it was a "different and unusual" year. We might see our future different from the past and better than the present. Nobody knows what the future holds; just understand that it is up to us to define what we do with it and in it. Our decisions will guide us along the way and take us through the path that will result from our actions.

In this new 2015 full of challenges but also full of hope, with 365 new and ready to be filled days ahead of us, with changes and decisions to be made, we will need to define our course of Action. There will be uncertain adventures and events, but let’s work so that they are the result of our actions and steps. And make it a year where we all carry forward the goal to become better at our personal development: with the optimism, enthusiasm and motivation that drives us to inspire others to join us on this adventure that is our own life.

Enjoy the New Year; seize it; learn, be inspired and motivate all around you; and make 2015 a fabulous year for everyone.

Luis Vicente Garcia

@lvgarciag

www.luisvicentegarcia.com

Leadership Under Uncertainty

Being a leader is difficult in any circumstance.  However, becoming a successful leader in a constantly changing environment requires that you posses exceptional characteristics that flourish when times get tough. Change and uncertainty increase the challenges that a leader has to face, and it is not always easy. We live in a world that is constantly changing, where uncertainty is always certain.

We live in a world with an unclear and constantly changing set of rules, laws, and procedures, which affects the way people behave or run their businesses; potentially working under the effects of large economic swings, with lower growth, higher inflation or unemployment rates, a legal system that does not promote free trade or real competition, not to mention the difficult political situations that exists in several countries.

Today, leaders have to excel in uncertainty. These leaders have strong qualities and values, with an optimist’s approach to life. They have the characteristics of a strong performer, always working under pressure, having to demonstrate a sense of urgency.

In my best selling book ‘The Ultimate Success Guide’ I talk all about leadership in uncertainty.   In part, I talk about the 10 characteristics that I believe a great leader has to have in uncertain times.  These 10 characteristics are:

1. Commitment – The leader has a commitment to one’s people and co-workers in order to continuously demonstrate their presence with them in their own terrain, showing responsibility above all.

2. Understanding – A leader is capable and needs to listen, watch and understand all changing and uncertain circumstances, even when all of the information is not present. A leader is in touch with the people and understands their necessities by heart.

3. Connectivity - A leader is able to communicate effectively, creating alliances and relationships with all kinds of people. The leader is in touch with the people on a daily basis, in order to explain the ideas, tasks, responsibilities and challenges to others.

4. Vision - Leaders have a strong and profound vision.  They believe in their own objectives, but they are also willing to look at areas where other people see problems as opportunities. 

5. Values – A true leader believes that the best way to lead the people is by example.  They live by the true values and principles that guide them, maintaining their human and spiritual qualities.

6. Knowledge – A leader is constantly looking for knowledge.  They understand the needs of the society and following the path of continuous education and learning.

7. Creativity and Imagination – Leaders are always implementing creative actions, breaking the rules of traditional schemes. They anticipate the moment, armed with better ideas and solutions in their back pocket. 

8. Motivation – A leader continues to motivate themself as well as others. A leader inspires the ones that need guidance through speech and actions.

9. Competitive Attitude – A leader is armed with a positive attitude and with the motivation to achieve the impossible. They organize a better view of the future and unify their followers.

10. Take Action – Now knowing all these qualities that make a real leader, you need to take action; to decide, make opinions, to go ahead under real conditions, to be the best all the time, to bring out the best in all others, and to show the people what you are made of.  In some instances, you will need to deliver under the most difficult circumstances, and this is what will make you a complete and a true leader.

My father once summed it up excellently writing “leaders are always people who see beyond the moment, they are likely to excel in the midst of serious problems, creating a vision and motivating people to achieve it”.

Now "it is up to you to become that Great New Leader!"

 

Luis Vicente Garcia  

www.luisvicentegarcia.com

@lvarciag

 

Be Positive, Be Successful!

For the next few days I am giving away my chapter "Be Positive, Be Successful" from the Best-selling book DARE TO SUCCEED.

The book was co-authored with Jack Canfield and other leading experts from around the world. It reached five #1 Best-selling lists on Amazon.com

Just simply follow the link below, give us your first and last name and your email and we will send it directly into your inbox.

https://www.facebook.com/luisvicentegarciag/app_427089034046612

Ifyou would like to obtain more information on our products and on the trainig and development we do for companies and their TEAMS, please write to info@LuisVicenteGarcia.com

Now, start Being Positve to Be Successful.

Luis Vicente Garcia