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

Adam Weitz, CEO of A-Sharp Production and Reigning DJ Times 'DJ Entertainer of the Year

Atlantic City, NJ –  Kudos to the competitors and congratulations to the all the winners of the 2010 DJ of the competition.

Contestants competed on the Casbah night club stage in front of their industry colleagues this past summer at the Trump Taj Mahal Hotel and Casino.

NJDN member, Betsey Fischer, who was featured on the MMP blog in January 2009, was awarded the DJ of the Year Runner Up and Best Dance while fellow member George Kramedis took the prize for Best Use of Choreographed Dancers. 

Adam Weitz, from A-Sharp Production, a big supporter of the NJDJN, was awarded the coveted title of 2010 Dj of the Year for thinking outside the box and performing a situational routine that wow’d the crowd and impressed the judges.

This quote, taken from Adam’s website, shows his enthusiasm for originality and dedication to his craft… “With my experience in entertainment, I bring color and excitement to you. We create each affair to be original & special. I take my career seriously because I love what I do! We only reserve the very best in entertainment. Having fun and making it memorable is the most important formality. This is my dedication to you.”

Marcello Pedalino received the Night of Champions Plaque

Earlier that week, MMP founder, Marcello Pedalino, and other previous winners of the DJ of the Year Competition, were recognized for their accomplishments and contributions to the mobile entertainment industry.

Marcello earned the Dj of the Year title in 2001, 2002 and 2006 and then received the ADJA’s Peter Merry Leadership award in 2008.

Pitbull brings el fuego into the house and wow's everyone

Two of the best parts of being in the entertainment industry are access to exclusive parties  and exposure to the hottest celebrities on the planet.

I was in Atlantic City last week for the DJ Times Magazine International Convention.  In addition to the thirty hours of business education and performance training that took place during the day, the show producers provided nightly activities so the attendees could celebrate a well-earned break from the classroom.

Promo Only, the company who provides most of the music to the  DJ industry, chose the House of Blues to host their annual customer appreciation party.  With artists like Pitbull, C&C Music Factory, Deborah Cox, Naughty By Nature, Kim Sozzi and Anna Grace performing, this was not your grandfather’s customer appreciation party.

RayMar, Jake Jacobsen, Randi Rae, ADJA Pres. Dr. Drax, & Marcello

It was amazing, especially Pitbull’s twenty minute set. He was accompanied by his band,  a drummer, percussionist, keyboard player and DJ.  The place went nuts when he came on and didn’t stop until he finished.  You could tell that Pitbull has been on a world tour by his tight musical arrangements, physical stamina and powerful delivery.

Because of the intimate crowd, VIP seating and access to the artists backstage was granted to a fortunate few… yours truly included.

Deborah Cox takes the party to the next level

Special thanks to Jim and the Promo Only team for their hospitality and continued support.

Other highlights of the week included judging the DJ of the Year competition, presenting Distinguished Service awards to the President, Jake Jacobsen, and Vice President, Randi Rae, of the New Jersey Disc Jockey Network and organizing pre-seminar workouts every morning for attendees who were interested in improving their over-all health and wellness.

The first group of runners ran 5 miles on the boardwalk and then came back to meet up with the  walking group.  Starting off each day with a little fresh air, sunshine and networking  made for a more productive and positive experience.

The W.K.I.P (We Keep It Positive) morning crew. Entrepreneurs from Boston, Idaho, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Kentucky and NJ.

My good friend, fellow NJDJN member & professional blogger, Steve Cie,  shared his photos for this entry.  Thanks Steve! I was too busy dancing to get the Pitbull shots. 

Life is good!