What would YOU do with 24 copies of my new book? Enter to win!
ByLast week we had a lot of fun celebrating the release of Everyone Communicates, Few Connect. Between March 30 and April 1, I was able to give away over 40 signed copies on Twitter.
Now, after a weekend break to focus on the hope and celebration of Easter, I’m looking forward to giving away even more books.
Today we launch the BIG Giveaway on John Maxwell on Leadership!
And it’s for a lot more than 40 books. My publisher, Thomas Nelson, has offered to give away 20 cases of ECFC to 20 lucky blog commenters!
How would YOU use one case (24 copies) of ECFC to improve the connecting skills of people in your sphere of influence?
- Share them with your inner circle?
- Give them to volunteers?
- Lead a book club with fellow students of communication?
Share your creative idea, and you just might WIN!
(residents of the United States and Canada only)
How?
Leave a comment on this post by April 12, 12:00AM EDT describing your idea for how to use a case of books. If you want, you can even shoot a video as part of your comment, put it on YouTube or another video-sharing site, and link to it in your comment. Just be creative!
Next week, representatives from Thomas Nelson will choose their 20 favorite ideas to win one case of books each.
Then I’ll announce winners here and also contact them by email.
It’s that easy. Think of an idea, come back here, and describe it in a blog comment!
Notes:
- Only commenters with a valid email address will be eligible.
- Entries must be posted as a comment here on my blog, not via Facebook, email or any other method.
- Books are unsigned.
- Books are hardcover editions in English.
- Open to participants in the United States and Canada only.
- Winners chosen at the sole discretion of Thomas Nelson (not by John C. Maxwell or his representatives).
I can’t wait to see your ideas!
Remember the deadline: 12 April, 2010, 12AM EDT.
COMMENTS ON THIS POST ARE NOW CLOSED.
I would sow a copy to every leader that has impacted my life (employer, and spiritual leaders). I will also use the principles in your book as tools for evangelism!!
My wife and I are in the process of planting a new urban, innercity church in Hickory, NC. I would use the books to fuel discussions amongst our launching team regarding leadership and communication. As we begin moving forward in our launch, I desire for the team to have an understanding of these topics so that we can move in excellence.
I would love to have your books to develop a class around the new book. I am and have been using your books in my training for leaders and believe that this next book could help with more communication understanding. I really have a desire to work on developing a marketing plan and using your information as much as I can. Having been unemployed for the past 20 months, I have really reached out to finding more and more people around me want to learn from your books and this would be the way! Thank you and God Bless you!
I would give a copy to my two children. For their generation I see the effects of social networking and the difficulty they have in communicating in the “real world”. Both know the importance of communication but struggle with it.
I would also share copies with my staff. I am a nurse manager and you can imagine how important communication is with nursing staff. We are the front line for patients, gaining information and trust that the doctors just don’t have or take the time to gain. We work with a unique group (veterans) and connecting with them is important. When you have any patient but particularly the veterans who have no visitors and the staff is there source of communication and contact, you can see how important it is for that communication to be effective and leave the veteran with a sense of connection, caring, and belonging.
Each Saturday morning I have the privilege of teaching a class at Calvary Bible Institute in Washington, DC called Principles of Leadership. It is truly the highlight of my week because these students, who lead in several different arenas, have set aside a portion of their weekend to invest in their leadership.
For the last few classes we have emphasized the power of communication and how to frame certain conversations. It would be so awesome to give these students Mr. Maxwell’s latest book as a way to thank them for their commitment and to reinforce one of our most important lessons.
I am a young “1st time” lead pastor, and I would invest a case of books into our newly developed “Catalyst” leadership/volunteer network here at our church, to help them step up their game in each of their ministry roles.
My friends and I are starting a non-profit organization dedicated to nurturing the development of manhood throughout our society via mentorship and personal accountability. We would each take a copy for ourselves, then we would give the remainder away to the men who are interested in helping our organization so we all can better communicate to the young men who need us as mentors!
I work for the Tacoma Rescue Mission. We have a great leader in our CEO, David Curry. He is always challenging us and stretching us to be the best leaders we can be. All of your books are great and have so much information for the seasoned leader and for the new young leaders. A case of your books would be a great gift to share with all of the leaders in our organization that want to lead others in a faith based non-profit organization. Thanks for the opportunity to possibly bless others.
I will give the books to my fellow members who get together with me every month to make positive changes in each others lives.
I would keep one for myself and give the rest to our weekly, Saturday night group that meets at my attorney-friend’s house for food and fellowship.
God has blessed me and my team the opportunity to travel on a missions trip to Phnom Phen Cambodia in November to partner with Cambodia Outreach. While we are there, we are holding a Pastor’s conference for pastors all over the country. Armed with a case of books, we can bring leadership skills to these much deserving pastors serving in rural Cambodia.
I work for a faith based non-profit that serves the homeless in our community. We have a great leader in our CEO, David Curry. He is always challenging us to be the best leaders we can be. In this economy and the needs of the less fortunate we constantly need to change how we do things. He believes in reading and learning all that we can to be the best we can be. Your books are always a great inspiration to those that are leading others. Your book would bless all of the leaders of our organization. Thank you for the opportunity to share with those I work with.
I would do the same thing I did when I first met John Maxwell almost 12 years ago during a 2 day training. I gave the tape series to about 30 leaders (business, community, pastors etc.) I knew. These leaders influenced others to follow John Maxwell. I gave books away to all the up and coming leaders in my organizations.
As the Athletic Director of our Christian School, I would give a copy of the book to every head coach and assistant coach in our athletic program. I am also the Head Varsity Girls Basketball Coach at the school. I would give a copy to all of my players and support staff. This would be a huge impact on everyone who reads it ! I bought the book last weekend and have read it from cover to cover. It’s definitely my favorite John Maxwell book. Everyone needs to read it ! Go Harrisburg Christian Knights !
I would give copies to my co-workers at
school as well as the teachers at my kids
school for special needs.
I would keep 2 copies for my wife and I. The rest I would share with the 22 other members of my freshman Class in the South Carolina House of Representatives. Leaders must learn to connect in order to make progress for the citizens of our state. I would make sure my colleagues read the book and then we would have monthly discussions about the chapters in the book.
South Carolina is desperate for leadership and there is no better person that the House of Representatives could learn from that John Maxwell!
Rep. Anton J. Gunn
House District 79
I work with teenage leaders who are in the moldable stage. These books would enable our key student leaders to grow and learn to communicate better with their parents and peers. What a better way to get our students learning from such a great teacher like John Maxwell!
I would present a copy to my pastor and leadership team so they can begin to impart the principles to the ministry workers and partners of the ministry (so we can do a study). I would also give copies to my boss and co-workers so we can study them and make a greater impact in the beauty salon were we work.
I would conduct an “Everyone Communicates, Few Connect” seminar at our seminary (Ashland Theological Seminary), give out the books to the participants, and invite Dr. Maxwell to speak.
I am a student at a Seminary in Texas. If I were to win a case of ECFC, I would pass them out to some of my peers. My prayer would be God would use it to help them connect with others regarding the most important message of all – the Gospel of Jesus!
I would love to give some of these books to the Toastmaster Leadership Project in my town where early college high schoolers from low income families would be influenced and encouraged to keep growing and connecting. What a difference for their lives. I would also use some for a mastermind group of our business leaders. Awesome I want win and spread the Maxwell vision of leadership through integrity and connection.
Your books would be put in the right hands. I would love to recieve your books. We are part of a business team, learning to become leaders. your books are valuable for that. Can I get a case?
Heard you on the radio up here in Canada John-so excited about your book!
I would love to learn more on how to communicate-especially since I am an entrepreneur in the Wedding Planning Business! It is also an extremely competitive business-so anything I can do to better myself, betters my business! It’s always hard to effectively get your vision across, and relate to so many different couples! I would love to have a copy (or a box
I would also pass them along to all the other fabulous wedding planners that belong to my association, (The Wedding Planners Institute of Canada)
But most importantly-I am a mother of a young family-I would love to share this with my husband, and teach my children the art of communication as they grow.
Thank you for writing this-keep up the amazing work!
~Carol
Our chuch has a free medical clinic in Little Rock, AR. I would love to give one to all of the volunteers there. They are a selfless group with very little thanks.
I’d give a copy to my husband; he’s a great communicator~AND, he passes your words of wisdom on to his team at work~
At Chick-fil-A I am always using John’s books to train my leaders and team members. I have already listen to the new book on audio. Not only is the book good , the material in this I will use to teach leaders to connect with team members and our customers.
We have an office of 56 women. It is amazing how we support each other like family. We have a beautiful prayer room, with a prayer chain being built daily with prayer requests. The chain is tacked up along the top of the wall. It is working it’s way all the way around the room. Our group is very spiritual, and prayer is encouraged, because we all know we need our God to love us and guide us. What would I do with that case of books? We would read, learn, share and continue to walk in love and share his word. Why, we would wear them out! Thank you!
I would give it out to the first 25 people in my store the weekend in May that we’re having a “Swiss Spa GetAway”! An Arbonne Event!
John,
When I first saw the title it aroused my curiousity because I have for a long time said that if I ever wrote a book it would be based on my belief and observations that a lot of people are talking but there is very little true communication that takes place. I have a growing region and I am trying to show my team that without communication (I think you would call that realationships) there is no way to win whether at work or at home. I have names attached to each book already so they will be well used.
I would start a book club at my local church to share and “connect” with others!
I would greatly appreciate your books. I would share them with others on my team that share the same goals and dreams that I do. I enjoy your books.
What an awesome Leadership in Denver – John, Thank you for sharing and teaching. and thank you for being our friend!!
If I were to win a case of ECFC….
First thing I would do is provide them to our pastor’s leadership team – new leadership skills every 3 months – allowing them to teach each of their groups – church of 2,000+ in Windsor, ON.
2nd ly provide copy to our local christian politician that we support.
3rd I would make sure every new IBO studies your book.
I work on staff at a small Christian college in Kentucky. I wouldn’t characterize our culture as one that is immersed in leadership development, but I’m on a crusade to see it happen! A book like this in the hands of administrators and key faculty, all of whom have limited resources, would be a huge lift in our efforts to become a premier Christian training university. Maxwell’s books have long been a part of my personal arsenal, and I would love to bless those in my sphere of influence with the same opportunity.
The youth in my church are wonderful! I would like to give one of these books to every graduating senior at my church. Effective communication and connection skills are a blessing for a lifetime. Thank you, Mr. Maxwell for the book and thank you Thomas Nelson Publishing for the gift!
I would keep a copy for myself and share the keys within the book with those that I meet daily. I would also use it as a tool for a study group. I would also use it to help empower others in ministry. I would also compile a list of leaders that I would distribute copies to within my church and also business owners.
The student assistants in my office, the high school girls who participate in our Women + Math essay contest, the high school Key Club volunteers, our confirmation class, our young professional network group….
I would give them all to my leaders in my organization and for the upcoming leaders I would pass on this gift compliments of you. I read your books every night…Leadership Gold gave me a huge no not huge MASSIVE boost to my leadership building. We are using your book in our VP leadership calls weekly. Your books and your knowledge are so important to so many..God Bless you!!!
I think it would be awesome to use these books to help those who have struggled through life because of their inability to connect with others. People really don’t understand how important relationships are and how they can turn a life around that has spiraled out of control. These books if used properly could truly change lives like so many books have already changed others lives in the past.
I had to submit another request because the previous email was incorrect. I would keep a copy for myself and share the keys within the book with those that I meet daily. I would also use it as a tool for a study group. I would also use it to help empower others in ministry. I would also compile a list of leaders that I would distribute copies to within my church and also business owners.
I would give the book to my Pastor and his staff and I would give aleast 5 of the books to the Staff at the High school where I teach at and also will give some to my staff at the other job that I work at and give a copy to my mother and my brother.
I am a teacher. At my school, each grade level has a team of teachers who plans all the activities etc. I would ask for the approval of administration to have my team read ECFC in order to truly connect with our students. I think connection is the key to learning.
I would take the case of books and donate them to the resource center at my church (www.believerschurch.org). They could sell them at a donation price, then give the money to the Parable Project at our church. The Parable Project helps with funding for Food for the Hungry to help stop hunger across the world.
I would pass out the book to area pastors and host a retreat for the pastors to discuss ways to apply the lessons to our ministries.
I would distribute them amongst my sales organization and integrate it into our future leadership development program.
I would give a copy to my pastor and the leaders at church, to the leaders of the volunteer fire department that I serve with, and to some of my close friends/business associates and family members. We need people in all parts of society to learn how to effectively connect with others.
I am a pastor at a Church that has went from 30 to 300 in the last couple of years. I would pass your book out to the up and coming leaders in the Church.
I would pass on the kindness and generosity.
I would keep 4 for our church staff and then with the remaining 20 I would anonymously but strategically place/send them to places of secular business within our community. Our Mayor, University Dean, Hospital CEO, etc. etc.
John, I have several of your books and can’t wait to read this new one!
Once upon a time, there was a family of five living in a small town north of Dallas Texas. The husband and wife worked hard to raise their three kids according to God’s word. But as the kids got older, they noticed the world got busier and busier and it seemed the days spun faster and faster.
The family discussed the need to connect deeper with each other, with others in their church, Grace Bible Fellowship, as well as with others in their neighborhood, on the job, and in the community.
When they heard about the book, ECFC, they thought this would be the PERFECT way to improve the situation. They looked forward to the opportunity to share the book with their family, their coworkers, neighbors, community leaders, church leaders, etc. Twenty-four copies of the book would make a real impact in their small town!
They anticipated great change in their community and were excited to see what would happen as each person read the book and made changes to their daily conversations, interactions, choices – yes, their very lives!
To hear the rest of the story – choose me!
John,
My day job for almost 20 years has been to deal with a very disconencted corporation who relies solely on making everyone lost about where they are headed. People can’t take the time to come up to you and ask. They send out emails that have nothing to do with you. They are so busy trying to look busy that they forget to talk to their colleagues as if they were best friends. We see one another everyday and yet feel so dis-connected to one another. So can guess who I would share your books with ? My extended family that’s who, people I see more then my own and I know nothing about. I can’t imagine anyone better to give them to. Oh ya but I’ll keep one for myself because I’m also a big part of the problem as well.
Thanks John
I would give all of my family a copy and all of my husband’s family a copy and tell them to read it. I feel your books are all very encouraging along with your messages. I would go take the rest of the books to my church and give them out there. Give one to the pastor and make an annoucement that I will have the books available for anyone who would like one.
If I had 24 copies of ECFC, I would keep two copies – one for myself and one for my wife because I am always interested in tweaking our communication skills, which are vital to a healthy relationship. The remaining 22 I would give away at work. I am an 8th grade teacher at a great school (Long Cane Middle in LaGrange, GA) and there are 16 teachers for 8th grade. I would give the school leadership team each a copy and the final copy I would send to our school superintendent! I think teachers and administrators getting better at communication can make a positive impact on our school.
I would give one copy each to members of my church, since our tag line is, “Connect, Commit, Contribute”….your book will go a long way to helping them connect, which is the foundation for the other two!!! Thanks!
I would keep one for myself, give some to the guys in my small group. The rest I would give to my wife’s small group and then fast and pray.
I purchased ECFC and am loving it! I would love to have a case of books to give to my Oral Communications class and instructer. That would leave me with 10 books that I could give to my Pastor, his ministarial staff and my prayer team leaders.
I would recommend this book to anyone who want to learn to connect with people, not to make a sale or say “hey they come to my church.” But to add value to each and everyone we meet on a daily basis.
Thank you for the continued inspiration to grow.
Many Blessings!
I would put them in a cart, go among the mediocre and tell them, ‘you still have time to improve your connection time and make your life better’ … I will distribute the book to all those who lost due to failure of connection in communication in their daily lives … and tell them, ‘when john is able to connect; you are too’ …
Share, communicate and connect.
Our school’s mission is to maximize our students’ gifts and callings so that they can create a culture for Christ.
1/2 the books would go to our student leadership team to use as the basis for our summer leadership development program. (John Maxwell’s books are the core of our leadership development- both for students and staff.)
The remaining books would go to our staff at Mt. Sophia Academy for the book discussion portion of our annual prayer and guidance retreat.
The money we save not buying the books, can go to our school’s favorite mission, Urban Promise (Wilmington). We do regular fundraisers for these wonderful brothers and sisters.
I would give a copy to the top leadership at the Crystal Cathedral. We love John Maxwell at the Crystal Cathedral and I think everyone should read his new book – from Dr. Robert Schuller on down the staff line. We need all the help communicating we can get. God Bless and thanks in advance.
Donna Sivachenko
Ministering Elder
First off, I’d like to thank you so much for the awesome talk you gave at the LTD Impact Conference this weekend. I know everyone can honestly say they could apply at least a piece (if not much, much more!) of what you said to their own everyday life. Personally, I have never been a very good conversation starter. In the past I could have walked around all day and not talked to a single person, and not even notice. Recently, I am much more friendly and outgoing and willing to talk to more people but I still struggle sometimes with communicating effectively. After hearing just those two principles and two applications from your book, I can’t wait to read Everyone Communicates, Few Connect. If I were to win this drawing, I would definitely keep a copy for my fiance and I and also distribute them to our team and our awesome leaders who counsel us and lift us up continuously. Thanks again SO much for all of your wisdom and knowledge. You are awesome!
Aimee, VA
Mr. Maxwell,
As an employee of American Airlines, my first thought was to send a copy to every upper manager at the company. The more I thought of that, due to their arrogance, I realized that they would not believe they need your book. My next thought was to give a copy to everyone on my wifes Arbonne team. As a company who believes in loving on others and enabling then to succeed, I thought that this would be the best place for your book.
P.S. I would give away every copy and buy a copy for me to read. Your generosity is great but I can afford it and you deserve to be paid for your excellent work. Thank you.
This is a great opportuinty for me to build 24 new “LidLifters” in my business !! I want my 24 reciepients to read this book twice through, then pass it on. Then, go out and start lifting lids!!
Thanks John as I have just won a signed copy of ECFC. We have twleve leaders in our Successteam who will be leading twelve to lead twelve and can’t think of a better way to communicate than to get started on the same page. Our business is relationships and connecting is the synergy in success. I look forward to sharing key concepts on our weekly conference calls to help others win in the relationships we will be developing. Thanks again John.
John,
Honestly my desire in my life and in the life of our family is to outreach to millions of people to touch their lives through the Grace of God and to share God’s wonderful message. We have ventured out in so many ways to reach the world and have been blessed to be a member of the World Wide Group organization and its great leaders. Your books have always been one of the greatest inspirations in our lives as well as your dedication to providing continued learning in both leadership and our walk with Christ. I have valued your teachings for a very long time and would very much love to be able to share those blessings with as many people as possible. Though its only 20 copies it is 20 lives that can be enriched through your teachings and your walk with God. Thank you for all of your dedication through your life.
Thank you for your leadership bible as well I have utilized that for a project we are working on for a Global Biblical Outreach called the Bible Project 364 day Journey With God.
God Bless,
Jeremiah Johnson
World Wide Group / Amway Global Independent Buinsess Owner
I am developing a business networking group with focus on personal development and giving. Our group ‘HOT Business’ – ‘Helping Others Through Business’ we are offering training using John Maxwell’s DVD’s each month. We also are developing a library of materials and resources for our business members to use. I would place 2 of the books in the library and then use the rest as an incentive to get more business people to attend our meetings and become involved in our group. My goal is to help local business people to become more profitable. We will help support a different ministry each month. As we develop and grow our businesses we can give more to help the needy in our communities and missions around the world. Thank you Thomas Nelson for the books. Go MAD and be HOT go Make A Difference and be Helping Others Today… Melvin Peck
I would love to share these books with my leadership team of volunteers and have a chance to read and discuss this with all the other staff/pastors on the church team.
remember, see #212.
Dr. Maxwell -
I’ve been privileged to hear you on multiple occasions as you’ve addressed the World Wide Group over the past several years, and your teachings have worked wonders in all areas of our lives. Without even thinking, I can come up with a list of more than 100 people who would benefit from the teachings you share in this book, including our pastor, our business associates, and colleagues in my 9 to 5. 24 copies would be 24 of those people I could share your teachings with.
God Bless,
Doug Renze
President, Renze & Associates
Hi, I live in s senior community. I have been in several of them and the same problem exists. Seniors do not know how to talk or know what they really want to say. They do not realize how important their words are and what affect they have on people. They are bright enough but I would hope in reading this book they would gain a skill that would improve their lives and relationships with each other.
It seems that they get off the track. So I would give books like this to the social workers at Resources for Seniors. All libraries at senior communities and start a book reading club just on this book where I live in the Raleigh, WakeForest area in North Carolina.
It is sad to see elder people unhappy because of the of lack of good information to improve their lives.
And that is what I would do with the books. Thank you kindly. I only just became aware this evening and so I wrote what I felt is true in my community of seniors.
What I will do when I recieve my case of books is what we have done in the past with your books is we gather the incredible representatives that work within our Primerica Branch and host our Book Club training seminar. Our business is all about connecting with people so that we can make a difference in their lives financially. Many of our reps have incredible hearts just don’t have the communication skills to get the message accross effectively. This new book sounds amazing and just what we need to create more effective representatives, and thus changing the lives of thousands of people finacially.
Thank you so much for continuing to enrich the lives of others!
1. Donate a copy to local library.
2. Feature in personal development book club.
3. Take a copy to the Sales & Marketing Association meeting.
4. Give an autographed copy away in my social media network marketing seminars. I can autograph it because I’m a contributor!
5. Donate a copy to the YMCA.
6. Donate a copy to the YWCA.
7. Donate a copy to the Rescue Mission.
8. Donate a copy to Ball State University.
9. Donate a copy to Indiana Wesleyan University.
10. Donate a copy to Taylor University.
11. Donate a copy to Indiana University.
12. Donate a copy to Ivy Tech.
13. Leave a copy at the Bus Station with a note to read, sign, and pass it on.
14. Put a copy in my bookstore.
15. Give away a copy on my blog.
16. Donate a copy to the local blind services agency with an offer to read it to an individual or group.
17. Donate a copy to Oak Hill High School.
18. Send a copy to President Obama.
19. Send a copy to Indiana Governor Daniels.
20. Put a copy on eBay!
21. Save a copy for future employees.
22. Include a copy in the July 8, 2010, Personal Growth Summit gift basket.
23. Give away a copy in a series of free seminars I’m hosting on how to use the Internet to grow your business and change your life.
24. Send a copy to Jay Conrad Levinson with a note stating that this book connection is one of the best Guerrilla Marketing techniques I’ve ever seen!
I am a student ministries pastor in Mobile, AL. One of our pastor’s favorite things to say is “leaders are readers”. If we were to receive this gift, first I would keep a copy and then our entire church staff would be required to read it. I have an older much wiser pastor friend that says “communication is a lost art”. The principles that are in this book first need to be devoured by senior leadership then passed down through the ranks until everyone in our organizations have read this book. The ability to connect when you communicate is paramount for church leaders today. The great orators of history were not remembered because they could speak well and clearly. They were remembered because the words they spoke registered in the hearts of men and women. They connected on a deeper level with the listener. This is why so many people appreciate your books. When you communicate on paper or in a public setting, you speak from your heart to our hearts. This is how you connect every time you communicate.
Sincerely
Travis Strickland
harvestmobile.com
twitter.com/beavoice
facebook.com/beavoice
I would share them with the leaders of my church. And some of my Pastor friends.
Tim Smith
The biggest drive behind connecting is establishing a relationship with someone. Its up to each person how that relationship will work. If I had 24 copies of this particular book, I would most definitely need to share it with several key people that I work with like my department manager and my other co-workers. If this helps them to understand the importance of connecting on a common ground, it would change the operating stance of our entire department and then maybe the whole company. I would also share these with each of the Youth Leaders that I work with at our Church so they would understand that the impact that they have is huge. It’s not something that’s just on a Sunday. If they can learn about connecting and building on relationships with the Youth, then lives can be changed forever. I would also share these with each of my family members as most often, families are disconnected and everyone goes their own way without realizing it. It’s important to know each other, but it is still even more important to understand our own short falls. If we can recognize the plank in our own eyes, what can we accomplish by helping others with the same? – In short, if I had 24 copies, I wouldn’t be able to guarantee change, but would at least strive to make a difference with those around me. However, it’s my goal to do this anyways. Thank you to Thomas Nelson for having the drive to want to affect others.
Having these books would be a great asset to my team. I would put one in their hands and ensure that they read it.
Communication… great communication is the key. Connection is the goal.
Send me the books. They will be used and taken advantage of…
I would give a copy to all the leaders in my business and have them read it before we all see Mr. Maxwell at Spring Leadership in Spokane WA
Mr. Michael S. Hyatt and everyone at Thomas Nelson, hi!
My name is Millie Rosado, and I think of myself as a mindful business leader whose purpose and passion in life is to achieve results while inspiring and helping others develop their potential. Like you, I want my life to be a testament of honor to God and service to others.
The opportunity of sharing the new book from John Maxwell “Everyone Communicates, Few Connect” is one way for me to help people in my circle of influence develop further. When I thought about what I would do with 24 of these books, I thought of which circles of influence would I select for the book, why they would benefit from it, and what exciting actions we could take to make sure that the book is actually read and talked about with others, and that its techniques are applied in real people’s lives.
There are three groups or communities that I am targeting: the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA), the National Hispana Leadership Institute (NHLI), and my networks at Facebook and Linkedin. Let me describe briefly each with the why and the actions I plan to pursue.
14 books will go to the Institute of Management Accountants, a professional association with over 60,000 members worldwide. Its mission is “to empower accountants and financial professionals to become trusted business advisors playing a driving role in their organizations’ business success and advancing their careers”. As with any high caliber professional, management accountants strive and are proud of the many contributions we achieve with our strong technical competency. Yet, during the last two years, as a result of the nature of the economic times, there has been more and more dialogue through workshops, webinars, trainings and articles about the “soft skills”: leadership, interpersonal and communication skills. We know that these are very important to remain competitive and differentiate ourselves during difficult times, and also to increase our influence, productivity and effectiveness while building and leveraging our cross functional relationships. This book will help us reach the next level of awareness, achievement and effectiveness as a valuable business partner within an organization.
I have been a member of the IMA for more than 15 years, and I am currently coauthoring an article for their monthly magazine “Strategic Finance” on how to establish Certified Management Accountants firms, a new kind of professional services organization that helps businesses grow. I will propose to Mr. Jeff Thomson, President of IMA, and Ms. Kathy Williams, Editor in Chief, that we use these 14 books to create a dialogue through an interactive community for a period of time in which we discuss and apply the value of the concepts we read and apply from the book. First, I will write a book review for the magazine which will summarize what is it about and identify how the members would benefit from reading and applying it. I will also state that there are 14 books up for grabs and that for a certain period of time I will be receiving entries from members interested in getting the book with the condition that they share one objective they will like to pursue by reading and applying its concepts and that they promise to participate in the ‘live’ book club I will moderate on Facebook for 10 weeks. I already created the online community group called “ECFC Book Club” in Facebook (check it out! – I need your help to get an authorized photo of the cover for the profile picture…) We will select the 14 winners from the entries we receive and we will invite everyone in the IMA to join the community where we will discuss one chapter each week.
5 books will go to the National Hispana Leadership Institute. The mission of the NHLI is “to develop Hispanas as ethical leaders through training, professional development, relationship building, and community activism”. Through their Executive Leadership Program, Latinas Learn to Lead Program, webinars and conferences, the Institute seeks to build the leadership skills of Hispanic women to make tangible contributions to the present and future of USA. I will propose to Ms. Cristina Lopez, President of NHLI, that I create the content and lead an hour long webinar for the membership in which we will discuss an outline of the book and discuss its concepts. We will also have an interactive discussion through chat during the webinar with participants to share their own personal success stories using these concepts and how they think they will continue to help them get to the next level of personal and professional success. We will promote attendance to this webinar by stating that there will be 5 books up for grabs and that further instructions on how to get one will be given during the webinar. The selection of the winners will be similar to the one we will follow with the IMA, and they will also participate in the same book club online community.
4 books will go to my people from my Facebook and Linkedin networks. I have over 200 friends and acquaintances at each network from all walks of life, church, school, college, work, and professional and personal associations with mutual interests and passions. I will post a video in which I will discuss the book briefly (using the contents of the book review I prepare for the IMA), describe how they will benefit from learning and applying these concepts, and tell them that there are 4 books up for grabs. The selection of the winners and follow up engagement process will be the same described before.
To adequately execute these actions I’ll need to keep the last book (big smile!!!). I also want to use it for my own personal development. Over the years I have been witness to the incredible results from applying the key concept Mr. Maxwell discusses in this book. In fact, the times that I have been most successful and effective as a leader and in my personal and professional life has been when I have remained aware and applied on an ongoing basis the concept of connecting in a meaningful way with others. I have also seen how people that forget or is not aware of this important key to success severe their effectiveness and leadership significantly. I am an advocate and will be very passionate when leading and executing these actions.
That’s all for now, I look forward to hearing from you soon, cannot wait to start implementing this plan with your support and blessing! Have a wonderful week ahead!
I would begin by handing out copies to the staff at church. Then a couple of copies to the church library. Then I would also hand out copies at work. Everybody can use the information in this book.
I would share them with my Scouts and their parents.
All these years I have read Maxwell and it has become a part of who I am, I now turn around and share those lessons with our Scouts and their families.
With these books I could follow up one of my Scoutmaster Minute’s or Scout’s Own Worship Service with giving them the book.
I just used “Talent is Never Enough” for a Scout’s Own Service and felt like I connected with the Scouts and Parents like never never before. A real home run!
Thanks John.
If I were to win a case of these books, I would give one to each of 24 third world orphanages to help educate the caregivers and teachers there. Their influence on these children in their care would be augmented by learning to connect and in turn teaching the children to connect. This might help make the world a little bit better if not just in these children’s worlds. We do have to start somewhere!
Every year, Microsoft Canada runs an event called EnergizeIT. One of the activities for the event is to run a whole-day, train-the-trainer session for technical presenters. The idea behind the session is to invite technical community experts and leaders and encourage them to become speakers and presenters in the annual nationwide Microsoft Canada TechDays event. Doing presentations in technical conferences and events require more than just knowing your stuff as, more often than not, you will be required to “show off” your expertise on a live audience with technical demonstration. Everybody knows that technical presentations are almost always boring and that they require speakers to understand what it takes to connect to the audience to be able to communicate the point.
So, what would I do with the books? First, this will become a must read for every technical presenter for this nationwide event. An exercise for the presenter will be to pick a technical topic of his or her choice, structure the presentation as to how it will be delivered, incorporate the ideas in the book to further improve the delivery and, finally, deliver the technical presentation to a panel of judges even before the main event. The best presentation that is able to incorporate as much ideas from the book while nailing down the main message will get the book as a prize. Not only will we be able to train the presenters and speakers on how to effectively connect to their audience to properly communicate their message but also managed to increase the probability that Microsoft TechDays Canada will be the best technical conference that an IT professional can ever be a part of
Want to start by thanking John Maxwell for giving away so many books, that is great. What would I do with a case of Everyone Communicates, Few Connect? I would start with giving them to people in my business that are struggling in that area, and to some that have shown dedication and hard work through self improvement and helping others. The local library would get a copy. My sister and my girlfriend love to read, so they will get a copy, and it will help them in their careers. The city I live in is holding a book fair in May, where all the money raised goes to help abused women, so the book fair would get some to sell for charity. And a few I would love to randomly give away to people I dont know. And if there is one left over it goes to me, if not I will buy it. Thank you so much.
Hello,
I am starting a non-profit camp this summer that is run entirely with volunteer workers. We are already maxed out for this first summer and excited about the future.
A few years ago I bought and gave away your book “The 360 Degree Leader” at a workers meeting. I would love to be able to give your new book to every volunteer that is going to make it possible for hundreds of kids to go to camp this summer.
I will for sure pay it forward to other people who need it!
Blessings,
I would give a copy to the Executive Director of Leadership South Carolina (non-profit leadership development institute) and a copy to each board member
I work with a missionary organization called Pais Project. We are leaders in youth ministry at different churches around the world but we’re also in the public schools. We all raise our own finances like any other missionaries but a lot of us struggle with having any money to be able to buy resources. So I would give away 23 copies of the book to the leaders that I work with.
I would make a small group of my friends and family to study the book and share with each other each week about what we learned, and how we are implementing what we are learning in our lives.
There are some really fascinating people and ideas already posted. I would basically pay it forward as you are doing and give some to a local high school because I just wished someone would have offered it to me when I was in high school. I’m happy I learned about John but it would have been interesting if I would have found out about him a sooner age.
Dear Thomas Nelson Team,
I would use the books to perform acts of kindness. I would anonymously send them to those I feel need some connecting. I would include hand written notes with each book with a motivational message and how I was thinking of the person.
Research has shown that serotonin levels increase in receivers of actions of kindness, the giver, and in those that whitness the acts of kindness.
Hand written letters are one of the most unique and thoughtful gifts one can receive. Hand written letters are also one of the few gifts that appreciate rather than depreciate.
What a better way to connect than hand written notes and act of kindness of giving a book to someone with no thought of something in return.
As someone who has read many of Dr. Maxwell’s books, I would be most grateful to receive a case to give away to others.
In Service,
Steve Schultz
High School Teacher & Basketball Coach
Lets see what happens. BTW I like the smiley face at the very bottom of this page