I’ve been trying to see the CEO for a few weeks and all my efforts have been in vain. She’s too busy with many issues and although I have this feeling that she wants to give me time, she still didn’t. The topic I want to discuss can save the company money and avoid a major lawsuit from continuing. What can I do to get my CEO’s attention?

Have you ever visited a Turkish bazaar? Many of these shops sell traditional items that may seem similar to the hesitant and somewhat delirious traveler. So, they do every single trick in the Bazaar Sales Sultan’s Guidebook to get their attention. While some shout from a distance or establish eye contact and give a welcoming smile, others secretly give the travel guides a commission to bring the entire flock to their shops; and that’s how they stay inside their stores looking calm.

You need to ask yourself: What can I do to get my boss’ attention among the raised arms and loud voices coming from other employees from all departments? While you might think that you don’t need to since your subject is important enough, the sad part is that the high demand for management’s time requires effort close to how companies attract consumers using advertising, PR and teasers. In your case, instead of sending an email asking for a meeting, a.k.a. more babbling and waste of time, try a subject line like: “A solution to the lawsuit. Let’s talk.”

For other company’s interest related topics that are not as sensitive yet important, try to have fun with your approach. Place an A3 poster in their private parking spot or elevator (not one that visitors can see) with a catchy headline asking the CEO for some time, walk them down to their car and chat, or send them half an important message with their assistant and mention that the other half can only be expressed verbally. Are the ideas too weird for you? Maybe. Will they get you a private time with the big chief and make you stand out? Definitely…and that’s just my two cents.read what others have read

• two cents: he said some important stuff, I think
• two cents: how to fire
  [an employee, that is]
• two cents: born to email

When I give presentations or speeches to my staff I can see that they’re forcing themselves to listen or pretend to be engaged. How can I make my speeches more memorable and interesting?

There are many ways to engage your audience. You remind me of a restaurant manager who gave the same speech about increasing sales and improving customer service to his staff everyday. He always ended his speech with “Remember, the customer is always right”. He never listened to his staff. He never asked them for any feedback. He never changed his technique. Do you know which restaurant I’m talking about? Well, I can’t remember. They shut down. Communicating with staff or any kind of public speaking whether to motivate or to inform depends on key ingredients. Start by telling stories. You can see how the restaurant story can get your attention. Stories engage us and make the point more memorable.

When was the last time you used any props? Imagine coming to the meeting with a ‘fake’ sword, shield or a shotgun (again, ‘fake’) and looking at your sales team and say, “Make no mistake, we are at war. Our competition wants to kill us, but we have something new for them! Here’s the plan…” Not only your employees won’t forget this day, they will be fired up for weeks. Using an analogy can make the message sink deeper. Analogies are like great jokes from a comedy movie; they make you laugh so much that you don’t forget them.

Interacting with your team by sharing the problem and have them carry the discussion while you facilitate the meeting can lead to more engagement. You can also try changing the meeting place. If you’re addressing a warehousing problem, go to the warehouse and let them see how bad it is. One more thing, restate your main point at the end of your speech with a strong short liner for maximum impact…and that’s just my two cents.read what others have read

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• two cents: I say quality, you say price