About Harry K. Jones

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of professional speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2629 or fill out our contact form.

The Time Has Come! Reach Your Potential!

Posted on September 18, 2009 by Harry K. Jones

I can’t think of a more critical time in the history of this country that would require a serious evaluation of human potential. The crisis and chaos we’re facing today can only be met and managed if each and every one of us will strive to reach the potential we’ve been blessed with.

There are a number of reasons that may cause us to fall short of our dreams, ambitions, and full potential:

Education
Experience
Fear
Low Self-Esteem
Lack of Confidence
Lack of Opportunity
Attitude

The promising aspect of each of the barriers listed above, as well as any others you can conceive, is that each can be overcome with the proper resources, determination, and strategy. We also boast more resources today than ever before. It simply requires a focused search, proper utilization, and painstaking execution.

One of the most powerful resources available to us today is simply another person or persons. It may be a family member, friend, neighbor, co-worker, teacher/professor, religious leader, coach or mentor. Lessons can be learned from a variety of sources so never underestimate the potential of those in your life at the moment.

As we look back over our lives, I’m sure we can all recognize those who may have provided a turning point for us at one time or another. In this short video, watch how a high school football coach enlightens one of his players to his true potential by blindfolding him! Notice how fellow teammates and even other members of the coaching staff learn from this unique exercise!

Enjoy, contemplate, and please pass it on to others! Now go reach your full potential!

About Harry K. Jones

Scales Finally Tip in Favor of Women

Posted on September 17, 2009 by Harry K. Jones

Apparently, the recession denied by Washington may have somewhat of a silver lining … at least for women. It appears that women are on the verge of out-numbering men in the workforce for the first time in U.S. history. This will occur due to the long-term changes in women’s roles at a time when men are suffering massive job losses from coast to coast.

Consider the following details provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics:

In mid-summer, there were 132 millions jobs in the U.S.
At that time, in June, women held 49.83% of those jobs.
Women are gaining the vast majority of jobs in the few sectors of the economy that are growing.
The Bureau is predicting that women will become the majority in late October or early November.

Obviously, these facts are far from showing full equality.

Women still work fewer hours than men.
Women hold more part-time jobs than men.
Men still dominate higher-paying executive ranks.
And the fact I’ll never understand is that women currently earn 77% of what men make!

The scales have tipped considerably due to the major blow suffered by the construction and manufacturing industries. So far men have lost 74% of the 6.4 million jobs erased by the recession that we’re not having.

Men have lost more than 3 million jobs in construction and manufacturing alone.

The few areas of the economy that are still growing—health care, education, and government—have traditionally hired mostly women. Here’s another major influence in this gender transformation as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics:

The local governmental workforce of 14.6 million people (hard to believe that number, isn’t it?) have cut 86,000 men from the payrolls this year while adding 167,000 women.

This equality in workforce numbers has been coming for quite some time. It’s a long-term cultural change that’s been moving far too slowly. It’s going to be quite interesting to see what evolves during the coming months as Washington continues to fall short on their promise of an economic recovery in the near future.

While it’s nice to see more balance in the workforce as far as numbers, we still can’t rest until both men and women receive equal pay for equal work! It’s too bad it took a recession to get the wheels turning, but it often takes a Significant Emotion Event for us to SEE the error of our ways. Let’s hope we’ve learned a lesson!

About Harry K. Jones

Class of 2013 Transitions to College

Posted on September 16, 2009 by Harry K. Jones

I recently had a very interesting experience … an intimate chat with 3,000 (yes 3,000!) freshmen students preparing to enter an entirely new phase of their young lives. I’m not sure “interesting” is the right word to truly describe this experience. Challenging might be a more descriptive word … or maybe frightening, or invigorating, or enlightening, or rewarding, or hopeful, or delightful. The more I reflect back on this day I guess I would have to say “all of the above.”

The day started differently than most for me due to the fact that I didn’t have to head to the airport. I enjoyed a peaceful 90-minute drive to the beautiful campus of Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan. I made my way to the Miller Auditorium which is certainly a sight to behold. Built 41 years ago and seating 3,500 people, this enormous auditorium is still ranked as one of the top ten facilities in the United States, and is the third largest theater in the entire state of Michigan. This week-long event was facilitated by the talented and dedicated staff of the Fall Welcome Week in an effort to create a seamless transition for freshmen students as they begin their college career as proud Broncos at WMU.

Emphasis is placed on both academic and personal success for the students via a series of programs and events such as Pizza with the Profs, a Moonlight Stampede 3K Fun Run, a two-day move-in experience and many helpful sessions such as study strategies, critical thinking, campus policies and academic services, time management and wellness … to name just a few.

This experience is terrific for these energetic young people who are taking their first major step into adult life: college. Moving from a hometown high school environment to a college campus can be both terrifying and a great adventure for these freshmen. What they do in their first year of college can have a big impact on the rest of their college years—not to mention on the rest of their lives. It’s critical to establish a healthy balance of academic work, social activity, and just plain living—a balance that once established, will be much easier to maintain through the rest of college and into the future.

It was interesting to watch the students file into the auditorium singing and dancing in the aisles. It was, indeed, obvious that they were enjoying this week of Fall Welcome Week events. In that very large audience, I could see tall and short, boisterous and shy, a range of hair color that would put a rainbow to shame, and a sea of fantastic faces which causes one to pause and ponder. Looking at these young college freshmen, it was easy for me to see future doctors, lawyers, engineers, fire fighters, bankers, priests, military personnel, and I think I may have even spotted what may one day be our first female President of the U.S.

However, today they were freshmen preparing for an experience they’ll never forget and never regret! The efforts of the very dedicated Fall Welcome Week team will make certain of that. Upon completion of my 90- minute presentation, 3,000 students made their way out of the auditorium to continue their event-filled day. Many of the students were kind enough to approach me with words of thanks as well as questions and comments on the content of my program. Chatting with these students provided me with renewed faith in the future of our country. While facing great challenges in trying times, this class of 2013 will be ready and willing to make the necessary changes to maintain and enhance our leadership in the world.

It was such a pleasure to be a part of this program and be able to touch base with so many enthusiastic students again this year. It was also very rewarding to work with Adrienne Fraaza, Fall Welcome Week Coordinator, and Paige Warner, Administration Assistant, as they coordinated a very challenging schedule that will make this critical transition so successful and memorable for so many students. It’s so obvious that they love what they do and they do it so well! This program will obviously grow stronger every year!

About Harry K. Jones

A Gentle Giant Soothes the World

Posted on September 10, 2009 by Harry K. Jones

At what age does one learn the universal truth that we should never assume anything in this life? I’m certain it comes at different times for different people, and there’s a good chance that some never learn this critical lesson at all. However, the earlier we comprehend this reality, the better it will serve us.

During my years as a deejay, I was fortunate to be exposed to a wide variety of artists and just about every genre of music available at the time. Over the years, we’ve seen and heard a multitude of talented entertainers who rightfully gained worldwide notoriety, fame and fortune.

However, let me tell you about a true artist who left us before he reached his full potential. He gained a worldwide following of loyal fans who included such notables as Jimmy Buffet, Paul Simon and Bette Midler.

Try to pronounce his name or glance at his picture, and you’ll know just a few of the many barriers he overcame to gain global fame in the short time he was with us. Let me share a few interesting facts about this gentle giant and you’ll soon realize you may have made a few false assumptions as you saw his picture for the first time.

His name is Israel Ka’ano’i Kamakawiwo’ole.
His friends, family and fans called him “IZ.”
IZ was born and raised in Hawaii and seldom left the islands.
He stood 6 ft., 2 in. and weighed 770 lbs.!
He was a consummate ukulele player, songwriter and singer.
He was known as the “Bob Marley of Hawaii.”
He had a very gentle, passionate voice, which could float through higher registers with an ease that reminded many of Johnny Mathis.

It’s said that IZ one day called his producer and said that there was a song he felt he had to record. He showed up at the studio at midnight with his trusty ukulele and, in a mere five minutes, created his renowned version of “Over The Rainbow/Wonderful World.” This haunting medley was later played over the closing credits of the film Meet Joe Black starring Brad Pitt and other movie soundtracks including Finding Forrester starring Sean Connery and 50 First Dates. That same rendition also received airplay on the TV shows ER, Cold Case, Jon & Kate Plus 8, Life on Mars, and Scrubs.

You may have seen an etoys commercial that ran on network television for quite some time. It began with a young boy chasing fireflies and ended with his wise and loving father ordering a firefly “kit” from etoys. It was a cute ad, but what made it so successful and believable was the soothing sound of IZ playing his 4-string ukulele in the background. That simple melody being hummed (no words) created mental snapshots of home, love, country, and security … images of a world in which everything was as it should be! In fact, that’s exactly what you’ll experience when you hear the texture of his voice, his songs, and the sound of his resonant ukulele.

In 1990, Iz released his first solo album which won awards for Contemporary Album of the Year and Male Vocalist of the Year from the Hawaii Academy of Recording Arts (HARA). Three years later, Facing Future was released featuring his most popular song, the medley “Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World.” It debuted at #25 on Billboard Magazine’s Top Pop Catalogue chart and became Hawaii’s first certified platinum album, selling more than a million CDs in the United States. In 1994, IZ was voted favorite entertainer of the year by the Hawaii Academy of Recording Arts (HARA).

IZ endured several hospitalizations and finally died of weight-related respiratory illness in June of 1997 at the young age of 38. It has been suggested that a genetic disorder was responsible for his obese condition.

The Hawaii state flag flew at half-mast on the day of Iz’s funeral. His koa wood coffin lay in state at the Capitol building in Honolulu as more than 10,000 fans came to say goodbye. He was only the third person in Hawaiian history to be accorded this honor and the only non-politician.

Thousands of fans gathered at Makua Beach on the Pacific Ocean where IZ and his friends had camped out and played over the years. His friends paddled a double-hulled voyaging canoe into Makua Bay and thousands cheered as his ashes were scattered into the Pacific Ocean. It continued for an hour. To be with IZ one last time, family members and friends ran into the ocean. And the music continued into the night. It still does.

Check out his rendition of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World” in this video.

Do a favor for yourself and a friend by passing this link on to friends and family. IZ the man may be gone, but his music has made him immortal. May he live on and bring some culture and peace to mainstream music.

About Harry K. Jones

Are You Sustaining Customer Loyalty?

Posted on September 9, 2009 by Harry K. Jones

International Customer Loyalty Month rolls around twice a year—April and again in October. That always somewhat baffled me that we would identify two months out of twelve in which we want to focus, celebrate, and create customer loyalty. Creating customer loyalty should be a continuous effort by every organization in today’s chaotic and competitive environment.

Times have changed drastically from the days when loyalty was dictated by habit and/or family tradition.

We drove a particular car because our folks had always driven that nameplate or maybe they manufactured that particular model nearby and this was our way of supporting a local job provider. Today, we must search for the very best value for our dollar considering longevity, gas mileage, and the possibility of that manufacturer even being in business in the future. No more loyalty.
We voted for one political party or the other because our parents and grandparents have always voted that way. It was family tradition or maybe even a regional situation. Today, you evaluate the beliefs and promises of both parties and both candidates in hopes of deciding which candidate will best benefit you and your family. Sadly, you may even consider which candidate may do the least harm. No more loyalty.
We used to send our children to the university we ourselves attended. Would you even consider an alternative? It was out of the question! Today, there are many factors to consider. Location, curriculum, cost, and quality are just a few of the many critical considerations which must be weighed before making a decision. No more loyalty.

Today, loyalty must be earned with each and every customer contact. It can no longer be taken for granted. Loyalty and confidence come from your customers experiencing consistent levels of great service—every time they have any contact with you—whether it’s on the phone, face to face, or via mail or online experience. Delivering great service once isn’t difficult. Doing it consistently is a much greater challenge.

Some think customer loyalty is about a lifetime of excellent service. To an extent, that may be true. However, the true key lies in how it’s delivered. Customer loyalty is about the next time—every time. Today, customers have more choices than ever before. You’d better be taking the time to evaluate exactly what you’re doing to insure that your customers will return next time or what you may or may not be doing that could possibly drive your customers to seek better service elsewhere.

April and October should NOT be Customer Loyalty Months. Customer service and loyalty should be our focus EVERY month! We must strive to exceed expectations twenty four hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year—and sometimes 366! 24/7/52! If a loyal customer makes a decision to go elsewhere for any reason at all—there’s a strong possibility they won’t return to give us a second chance. Can you take that chance?

About Harry K. Jones

GM Markets Cologne – New Leather #9?

Posted on September 4, 2009 by Harry K. Jones

Constant Change It had to happen. We just didn’t think it would be so soon. Shortly after General Motors became “Government Motors,” the wheels began to turn. (Get it?)

Consider the myriad issues facing GM after the events of the past year. Who, in the midst of this chaos, took time out of his or her challenging agenda to ponder the possibility that the general public would be interested in an automotive fragrance? After all, how many people do you know who immediately think “cologne” when they hear the name of General Motors?

This is not a joke. Well, it may end up being a joke, but GM is dead serious about offering what it calls “Cadillac Fragrance” for men. It has licensed a company, Beauty Contact, Inc. (a Dubai-based cosmetic company), to create a cologne which is “at once bold and sporty, yet luxurious and refined.” I know that’s what I always look for.

This new Cadillac cologne is described as having a real “guy” smell, composed with top notes of grapefruit and chamomile; middle notes of geranium, tarragon and cinnamon, and a dry-out of ebony, sweet spice, vetiver and incense. Do you think that’s happy talk for “a whiff of gasoline or the aroma of burning rubber”? With that many ingredients it sounds as though they’re going to have to package it in a keg rather than a bottle!

This unique mixture is said to “pay tribute to the opulence and extravagance of past eras, as well as the luxury and ease of today.” The line includes a spray, aftershave lotion, deodorant stick, and hair and body wash. Some products will come in translucent glass bottles with sleek metal caps. The retail price for a 100 milliliter bottle of the eau de toilette fragrance will be $73. GM plans to launch the Cadillac line in stores this fall to mark the Cadillac’s 100th anniversary.

This certainly sounds like government thinking, doesn’t it? I wonder if GM will take trade-ins or if it will come with a 50,000 mile warranty?

About Harry K. Jones

Never Give Up

Posted on September 3, 2009 by Harry K. Jones

Very few people recognize Charles Schultz by his photo, but millions identify with his name as soon as they hear it. As a young boy, he was known as Sparky after a comic-strip horse named Sparkplug.

This young man struggled every day throughout his school years. In fact, he failed every subject in the 8th grade. In high school he flunked Latin, Algebra, and English, and he flunked Physics with the lowest sore in his school’s history.

He did very poorly in sports, few people talked to him at all, and he was known by students and faculty alike as a loser by every possible measure. Although most who knew him saw no value, he believed he was blessed with a natural talent: his ability to draw. While very proud of his drawings, no one else shared his view. In fact, his high school yearbook rejected a series of cartoons he submitted in his senior year.

His only art training evolved from a correspondence course he completed after graduating from high school. He always dreamed of being a cartoonist at Walt Disney Studios and wrote them a letter in hopes of achieving that goal. Disney requested a sample of his work. He spent days creating a portfolio, forwarded it to Disney and soon received a heart-breaking form letter turning him down.

Little did he know at the time but this dire disappointment became the turning point in his life. He was again reminded that he was a loser. As a result, he decided to draw his autobiography in cartoons focusing on a chronic underachiever. He created a little boy whose kite would never fly and whose destiny and total blind trust in his friends prevented him from ever being able to kick a football. However, the entire world would come to know and love this little guy whose name was Charlie Brown.

Sparky’s real name was Charles Schultz and his “Peanuts” cartoon strip began in 1948 and went on to be one of the most popular cartoon strips in history. When it ended 52 years later in 2000, it was running in 2,600 newspapers in 21 languages with a readership of 355 million in 75 countries. He even earned his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He drew every single strip by hand which earned him, together with merchandise, TV specials, and theater and stage musicals, more than $1 billion.

Remember his loyal beagle Snoopy, Woodstock, Lucy, Linus, Peppermint Patty, Franklin, Sally Brown, Schroeder, Pigpen, Frieda, and the Great Pumpkin? Schultz originally called his strip about Charlie Brown and his Friends “Li’l Folks.” However, he quickly discovered that this title was far too close to the names of two other popular comics of the time: Li’l Abner and a strip titled Little Folks. To avoid confusion and possible legal action, Schultz settled on the name Peanuts, after the peanut gallery featured on the Howdy Doody Show.

Robert J. Thompson, the founding director of the Bleier Center for Television and Popular Culture at Syracuse University, has described Peanuts as “the most shining example of the American success story in the comic strip field,” ironically based on the theme of “the great American un-success story,” since the main character, Charlie Brown, is meek, nervous and lacks self-confidence, being unable to fly a kite, win a baseball game, or kick an football. The strip is considered to be one of the most popular and influential in the history of the medium, making it “arguably the longest story ever told by one human being.” In book form, the complete 18,250 cartoon strips would compromise 5,000 pages.

The final daily original Peanuts comic strip was published on January 3, 2000. Original Sunday strips continued for a few weeks, with the last one published, coincidentally, the day after Schultz’s death on February 12th.

Remember Sparky … a total loser in the eyes of the world? Yet, consider the joy he brought into the lives of millions around the world because he refused to give up. Add to that accomplishment his own personal success in so many ways. There may be a little of “Sparky” in you or maybe someone you work with … maybe a friend, neighbor or family member. If so, share the importance and power of never giving up!

About Harry K. Jones

Horse Races, Slot Machines, and Flight Delays at the Airport?

Posted on September 2, 2009 by Harry K. Jones

Will Government ever cease to amaze us?

Not long ago, I told you about the strong possibility of soon seeing slot machines at the Miami International Airport in hopes of helping the county recoup some of the money that the airport is hemorrhaging. For some, that vision was difficult to accept as a possible reality. Totally understandable.

However, if that was difficult to embrace, you’d better have a seat. It appears that, in order to obtain a permit for slots, the airport, by law, has to run quarter-horse races. Yes, horse races—at the airport! What’s next?

The airport is hoping to turn an employee parking lot into a horse racing track if all goes well.

The sound of horse whinnies and jet engines is a possibility if the airport can obtain a quarter-horse racing permit.

The county’s preference is to never get directly involved with horse racing—the airport hopes to strike a deal with one of several local existing horse tracks to run the legally required races there.

The catch: There’s no guarantee the airport could strike a lease deal with a local track, so county administrators have offered the parking-lot race track idea to state regulators as an emergency backup option.

In order to have slots, the county would have to commit two years of 20 to 40 races a year. I wonder if the horse racing and slot machines will results in an increase in flight delays?

About Harry K. Jones

Constant Change – Another New Feature

Posted on August 28, 2009 by Harry K. Jones

We’ve heard it in various forms all our lives.

There is nothing permanent except change.
Change alone is unchanging.
Change is the only constant.
If you don’t create change, change will create you.
When you’re finished changing, you’re finished!

If you were to take the time to sit down and create a list of the changes we witness on a regular basis, it would seem endless. To name a few, the list would include family, friends, health, career, finances, daily activities, business, products, services, trends, insights, politics, technology, and the weather. Obviously, that list would go on and on.

To many people this is a frightening and daunting phenomenon, as most of us crave stability. However, stability is an illusion as we face new paradigms almost daily. Sadly, there are more people today who are more frightened of failing than they are anxious to make the necessary changes required to survive and thrive in our current chaotic environment.

This new feature will bring you some of the more recent changes, large and small, occurring in today’s headlines … examples of people and organizations attempting to survive and thrive by using change as a strategy for success rather than an excuse for failure.

Let’s start with something we’re all familiar with—Coca-Cola.

I guess you can expect most anything today. The soft-drink king is apparently attempting to get into the milk business. Yes, MILK. COKE is currently test marketing a sweetened fizzy milk beverage called “VIO.”

Vio It’s made with sparkling water, a hint of skimmed milk, fruit flavoring and cane sugar. While it may sound slightly nauseating to some, Coke assures us that the milk won’t curdle in its aluminum bottle. The 8 oz. bottle, selling for $2.49, is available in four flavors: Citrus Burst, Peach Mango, Very Berry, and Tropical Colada.

The new drink is currently being distributed to over 200 retailers in the New York City area. Although the fizzy milk may be new to the States, Coke has been successfully selling a similar product, called “Ooo” in Japan since the late 1990s.

Be daring, take a risk, move out of your comfort zone, give it a shot—then let me know how that goes!

About Harry K. Jones

Some Things Are Beyond Explanation

Posted on August 27, 2009 by Harry K. Jones

Every day we see another example that causes us to wonder what people were thinking at the time they made certain decisions or choices. In fact, some of the things I read I honestly have trouble believing. Let me share a few examples:

A Green Card (U.S. permanent resident I.D.) is yellow. What were they thinking?
The infamous Blue Book, used to check car prices, is yellow. What were they thinking?
Hawaii has 3 Interstate Highways. The term “interstate” means travel between states. Think about it.
The Pledge of Allegiance has only 31 words. The U.S. Government regulation on the sale of cabbage contains 26,911 words. What were they thinking?
In 1999, Coca-Cola introduced thermometer-loaded vending machines that charged more on hot days and less on cold days. It was trying to optimize demand. However, consumers were outraged, and major newspapers called the effort “cynical” and “evidence that the world going to h— in a handbasket.” Shortly thereafter, Coke pulled the machines!
In 1994 Salton Inc. contacted professional wrestler Hulk Hogan to attach his name to an indoor grill. Hulk felt the offer beneath him, so Salton signed another athlete instead. Too bad for Hogan: George Foreman has earned $240 million from the George Foreman Grill!
Speaking of George … the two-time World Heavyweight Boxing Champion, Olympic gold medalist, entrepreneur and ordained minister has 10 children, and each of his five sons are named George.
In 1983 Billboard magazine declared Madonna a “flash in the pan.”
Colorado is the only state in history to have turned down hosting the Olympics, in 1976.
The following examples don’t even deserve a description:
- Flagpole Sitting
- The Pet Rock
- Swallowing Goldfish
- Stuffing Phone Booths
- Leisure Suits
- Spray-On Hair
- Psychic Hot Lines
- Flowbee
- Prohibition
- Mood Rings
- TV Shows:
  - The Bachelor/Bachelorette
  - Tool Academy
  - Brooke Knows Best
  - Flavor of Love
  - I Love New York
  - Rock of Love
  - The Cougar
  - Parental Control
  - Cheaters
  - Scare Tactics and
  - Fear Factor to name just a few.

AchieveMax® Blog

Business articles on change, creativity, customer service, leadership, motivation, teamwork, and time management, written by AchieveMax® professional speakers.

Author Archives: Harry K. Jones

About Harry K. Jones

The Time Has Come! Reach Your Potential!

About Harry K. Jones

Scales Finally Tip in Favor of Women

About Harry K. Jones

Class of 2013 Transitions to College

About Harry K. Jones

A Gentle Giant Soothes the World

About Harry K. Jones

Are You Sustaining Customer Loyalty?

About Harry K. Jones

GM Markets Cologne – New Leather #9?

About Harry K. Jones

Never Give Up

About Harry K. Jones

Horse Races, Slot Machines, and Flight Delays at the Airport?

About Harry K. Jones

Constant Change – Another New Feature

About Harry K. Jones

Some Things Are Beyond Explanation

About Harry K. Jones