The Cutting Edge

Behind the Scenes with Donna: Blog Tour Day Three

Some great stops on the tour today!

The "Make it Great Guy," Phil Gerbyshak, hosted my post on his blog today. There you'll find an excerpt from The Celebrity Experience. It's one of the more popular stories in the book - about a plumbing company that literally rolls out the red carpet.

Another guest post can be found over at The Small Business Guru - Melody Campbell. It's about how small business owners can give their customers personalized attention.

Over at Key Business Partners, Teresa Morrow asks "What do celebrities have to do with customer service?"

Fun day!

Tomorrow the bus stops at

Pop Art Diva

Michelle Waters Online

Write Well Me

Back on the bus.....see ya tomorrow!

Donna Cutting

Watch Donna on Video with Dr Sally Witt

Had a great video interview today with Dr. Sally Witt! We talked about celebrities, red-carpet customer service and more! Lots of fun - check it out.

Behind the Scenes with Donna: Never Forget

On this anniversary of 9/11 I run (as I have in past years on other blogs/in newsletters) a poem written by my friend and colleague, Dave Timmons, on that horrible day. Included below is Dave's recent email to me and others.

Dave's Email begins:

In the aftermath of September 11, I wrote the following poem.
It as been sung and read at memorial services for the victims
and published in Chicken Soup for the Soul of America.

May it add some measure of peace to you as we remember those
who were taken from us seven years ago.
Dave Timmons


"LAST CALL"

As smoke and heat diminished from the mangled steel and glass
The hope of rescue workers faded in and out so fast.
These heroes of our nation working tirelessly to find
A sound, a breath, some proof of life, to keep that hope alive.


The victims were so innocent, just doing their life�s work
In a nation called America, the most free on this earth.
Suddenly, a worker finds a cell phone flashing red.
He plays the last call message, and this is what it said:


Hello, it's me. I'm calling to tell you I'm all right.
I've made it up to heaven; I tried to call last night.
The group that I arrived with is strong and brave and tall
And proud to be Americans while answering God's call.


I love you all and know I've been in all your thoughts and prayers.
You need to know I felt no pain and safely made it here.
Now let me say a prayer for you of closure and of life,
Move on with courage and with faith that we will reunite.


I know it's sad; I'll age no more, but in this you can trust
My dreams were put back on the earth in particles of dust.
That dust is in the air you breathe; I've passed it on to you.
So please breathe deeply everyday, and make my dreams come true.

                                                Copyright 2001 Dave Timmons

The Leader's Edge,  Copyright 2008. All rights reserved. Dave Timmons
Six String Leadership  P.O. Box 340025 Tampa FL 33694; (813) 948-6709
www.DaveTimmons.com.

Behind the Scenes with Donna: The Law of Attraction or the Law of Action?

Found this fantastic post by Lyman Reed over at Creating a Better Life. Lyman talks about the need to combine positive thinking (aka The Secret) with massive action.

I agree. Whether your goals are to deliver better service, fully engage your employees, or whatever, positive thinking is definitely important. However, it alone will not get the job done.

Small Business expert Mark LeBlanc got it right when I recently heard him say , "I personally know many of the experts featured in The Secret.  Believe me, they didn't get where they are today through meditation and vision boards alone."

So true! Every single one of them have worked their butts off to reach their goals. Certainly they subscribe and utilize the law of attraction...but believe me, they are true ACTION heroes as well.

My friends, I ask you: what actions will you take today to make your dreams come true?

Donna

Behind the Scenes with Donna: Listen to me on the Dr. Sally Show

Tuesday afternoon, September 2, at 4pm EST, I'll be on the Dr. Sally Show on Blog Talk Radio talking about red-carpet customer service and The Celebrity Experience.

The details are HERE.

Listen in - we'd love to have you.

Warmly,

Donna

Behind The Scenes with Donna: Please Vote Eddie Mata

Last year, around this time, I was watching the Emmy Awards on television. A man from New York, Eddie Mata, had won Ryan Seacrest's Red Carpet Challenge and got to interview celebrities on the red carpet. He's pictured here with Ana Ortiz from Ugly Betty. You can watch him HERE.

Eddie had my attention. From New York, he's just captivating on camera. Full on energy, huge personality and a smile to match.

Since then, I've formed an online acquaintance with him on MySpace, Facebook, etc. Seems to be a great guy, even if he is a Yankees fan. (I'm from Massachusetts, currently in Florida, and a Red Sox/Rays fan myself) I'm so impressed with the way he just goes after everything he wants with unbridled enthusiasm!!!!

He has entered a contest to report on the World Series through MLB.com. I'm asking you to check out his video and then vote for him. In fact, vote for him every day! He wants this so badly, and he'll do a fantastic job when he wins. You can vote for him HERE.

Thanks! Good luck Eddie.

My friends, let me ask you - what was the last goal you went after with unbridled enthusiasm and absolute passion?

Donna Cutting