This Is How We Do It- Marcello Recommends: Running Your Multi-Op by Michael Walter
Michael Walter and the Elite Team
On page 107, Michael Walter, the owner of Elite Entertainment, writes “My mom used to tell me, -Being smart doesn’t mean you have to know all the answers. It just means you have to know how to find them-.”
In his new book and proverbial treasure map, Running Your Muil-Op, Michael spoon-feeds 20 years of advice on how to recruit and develop talent, how to effectively manage and delegate day to day operations, and how to deal with the inevitable growing pains that come along with running a thriving small business. It’s like Vince Lombardi opening up his playbook and handing it off to Captain Jack Sparrow.
All of the nuggets are delivered with enough real world experience and wit to keep the reader engaged, even during the self-described “more boring legal stuff” section.
Michael Walter, CEO of Elite Entertainment
What I love about the book is that Michael’s information is universal; His tips about taking your employee’s spouses and significant others into consideration throughout the year is relevant to any CEO. The sections about embracing technology for organizational purposes and marketing will be helpful to any entrepreneur. And the parts about trust, resolve, humility, ego, reality and balance make the book a good read for anyone who likes to learn life lessons via entertaining anecdotes. (I love how he and his former business partner decided that it was time to move into an office.)
2001 DJ of the Year Competition: Marcello Pedalino & Michael Walter
Walter is like a Gary Vee. He’s got a lot of energy to burn and plenty of useful information to share that will motivate others to take action. He also thrives on progress and readily admits that he likes the attention. Walter is the kind of guy that you ask to take out to lunch someday after you see him speak at a national conference or read one of his re-tweeted articles. That’s actually how I met Michael 10 years ago. He was asked to produce the DJ of the Year Competition by DJ Times Magazine back in 2001. I put my hat in the ring and and was fortunate to win. Not just because I won a couple of nice plaques and got some great press… but because I met someone who would become one of my best friends. (notice I didn’t say “lucky.” Michael and Branch Rickey don’t really believe in luck)
If you follow this blog, you know I keep things positive, but I also keep things real. So I was really happy that Mike’s book didn’t suck. That would have been awkward. To the contrary, I’m happy to report that all of the initial reviews, beyond our circle of friends since its debut last month- have been stellar.
Kelly and Michael- Living It Up in London
“Mike has given away the keys to the candy store. Shared all the trade secrets. Divulged the secret recipe… is he crazy to do so? Maybe. Is he a genius? Definitely. And generous? OH YES.” – Scott Faver
My favorite part of the book was the Epilogue: Words to Live By. Mike shared several examples of what inspires his business philosophy and life principles. He quotes everybody from Sting to Aristotle and mentions everything from Fatal Attraction to The Serenity Prayer. (it keeps you on your toes- like when Tony Hsieh quoted Winnie the Pooh in his book, Delivering Happiness) This is a nice snapshot of what our entertainingly-eclectic conversations sound like when we are flying out to a speaking engagement together or while we are out for a training run.
Michael is a fellow “Life Is Good“ fan and he and the love of his life, Kelly, are big supporters of the Sunshine Club. I thought this excerpt from the final chapter of the book really encapsulates the Celebrate Life vibe we promote here and just might inspire someone out there in the world today…. -mp
…” one of the more awesome things about DJing as long as I have, is bringing joy to so many people. When we do what we do well, that’s what we do. We get people to dance, laugh, sing, and celebrate. We get them to leave their routine lives for a few hours and to enter a world where their troubles and difficulties don’t exist. There is only the here and the now at a good party. Nothing else matters-”… ~Michael Walter
Click here to order your copy of Running Your Multi-Op.
Follow Michael on Twitter: @DjMikeWalter
Empathy and Excellence- Marcello Recommends: The Thank You Economy by Gary Vay’ner’chuk
The Thank You Economy is the “Good To Great” for the Crush It generation.
If they taught stuff like this back in college and my professors were dialed-in like @garyvee, I probably wouldn’t have dropped out.
If you’re looking for some personal literary stimulus or a great gift idea for a fellow entrepreneur, add TYE to your list.
Thanks again to my Signature Event partner, Jason Jani, for giving me a copy to read on MMP’s recent international excursion.
Continued success! -mp
A few Tweet-worthy quotes from TYE that were a bit too long for Twitter:
“In fact, no relationship should be taken for granted. They are what life is all about, the whole point. How we cultivate our relationships is the greatest determinant of the type of life we get to live. Business is no different.”
“If your organization’s intentions transcend the mere act of selling a product or service, and it’s brave enough to expose its heart and soul, people will respond. They will connect. They will like you. They will talk. They will buy.”
“Any company that gets so complacent it thinks everything is “fine” deserves to go out of business- it literally means its leaders stopped caring. A competitive company is always on the offense. Always. Always. Always.”
“Setting the tone and establishing a cultural foundation of empathy and excellence is essential to success in the Thank You Economy.”
Sherman Specialty Teams Up With MMP Entertainment In Las Vegas
Marcello Pedalino, Executive Director of MMP Entertainment & Steven Zadwydas, Sales Manager of Sherman Specialties
Special thanks to our friends at Sherman Specialty. They featured one of our event photos at their Las Vegas trade show booth last month. Sherman supplies MMP Entertainment with fun and unique party enhancers every season. Some of this year’s favorites include; LED fingertip gloves, Miami Beach fedoras and Rock Star sunglasses.
small changes, BIG RESULTS – Marcello Recommends: Randy Bartlett’s ‘Behind the Scenes’
In a recent article featuring one of MMP’s signature events, I wrote about “stacking the deck.” In Randy Bartlett’s latest DVD release of the 1% Solution series called Behind the Scenes, Bartlett demonstrates how a mobile entertainer can “decrease the probability of bad things happening… and increase the probability of good things happening.” The words are a bit different, but the desired intentions and dramatically different results are the same.
If you consider yourself a potential professional or a seasoned veteran who thrives on continuing performance education & training, Bartlett’s new DVD will be a worthy investment of your time and money.
When I checked my notes after viewing, Behind the Scenes covered several topics that are paramount for any professional Master of Ceremonies or Wedding Entertainment Director. A few of the highlights you might also find beneficial were tips and techniques for prepping the room, creating believability, managing live toasts by the guests, letting a moment breathe, facilitating a production agenda, and challenging yourself.
Like Peter Merry’s book, The Best Wedding Reception Ever!, which should be required reading- Randy’s new video, Behind the Scenes, should be required watching for all wedding professionals. -mp
To order Behind the Scenes, click here.
MMP Entertainment Goes International: The Celebrate Life Team Will Perform In Costa Rica Next Month
Over the years, we’ve taken the show on the road to places like New York City, Palm Beach, Florida and Sun Valley, Idaho, but this will be the first time a U.S Passport will be required to fly out of Newark Liberty.
I’m delighted to announce that The Kahn family, owners of Kayak Jaco, has chosen MMP to provide the entertainment and event production for their upcoming Bat Mitzvah celebration.
Needless to say, we are honored and very excited!
The beautiful guest of honor, Melanie, is a very talented young lady who loves to dance, sing and of course, text her friends all day long.
Melanie’s theme will be “Masquerade In Paradise.” I love it! -mp
