Are workshops, boot camps, and seminars a feeding feast for fake gurus?

Joanna Martin and Me 

Up until last year I've never been to a work shop.  I had obviously attended workplace training and gone to conferences as an employee, however the idea of sitting in an audience with a motivational speaker asking me to put up my hand and lots of other woo woo, touchy-feely things just wasn't my cup of tea.

Friends and colleagues who were involved in this kind of thing used to send me tickets all the time and I just used to delete them, shake my head knowingly and think "what a waste of money and time".

Then I found myself on the outside.  Outside the regularly scheduled training paid for by the employer.  As a self-employed business person you suddenly realise that all your personal and professional development is now down to you!

So, around about this time last year, I tentatively turned up for  my first workshop and was immediately hooked!  Whilst there will always be the wolves that prey upon the unguarded sheep, if you get to attend a good workshop, and the majority are, they can be mind blowing. 

Like everything, there is good and bad and you soon get to realise which speakers are there to give you a learning experience and which are just there to flog their latest product.  Not that selling from the stage is a problem; it's like Joanna Martin, (who is one of the most fabulous speakers I've ever heard, and I was privileged to hear speak recently, (courtesy of my good friend Sandra Smart of Playvybz.com – the real world, award winning internet radio station)), says your job as a presenter is to inspire the audience to take action towards their personal growth. 

Two weeks ago I attended the millionaire women's workshop hosted by a Anneesh Elizabeth.  The line-up included five amazing business women, each an expert in their fields.

Rachel Elnaugh, business investor from BBC TV Dragon's Den,  Joanna Martin, a world-class speaker, who trains 7-figure Entrepreneurs, Lilach Bullock , one of the UK's leading social media experts, Sarah Staar, video marketing genius, and Anneesh Elizabeth, leading business psychology expert.

Each gave very different presentations, both in terms of their style of delivery, the energy created within the room and their ability to give us enough information to take the next step towards our personal growth.

The nicest thing about women’s workshops is that the energy is brilliant to start with. Together with having a shared agenda and shared experience, the opportunity to learn and grow from other women in the same position as you has to be one of the best ways to stay grounded and authentic when starting and growing your business. 

Obviously it's possible to get similar support from going to meetings with men, and I also accept that not all women's meetings are full of positive people.  I have encountered those women who have allow the energy balance between their feminine and masculine to tip towards the masculine side.  Such women I experience as competitive, challenging in the sense that they give nothing of themselves away: However, these are few and far between.  My usual experience of being in the company of women is that is energising, nurturing and often healing.  Women have so much to give to the business world and these workshops give us the confidence to be successful as entrepreneurs.

All the speakers were excellent and provided great value in their 90 minutes. To keep this post short and sweet, I'm going to concentrate on the speaker that had the most profound impact on me, Joanna Martin.  Her presentation on teaching you to become an effective presenter and sell from the stage was delivered with the skill and poise that you would expect from a master of should I say mistress, presenter.  She really lived up to her ethos of providing the audience with enough information to take the next step.  She established and maintained a real connection to me and the other participants, and even though her presentation was towards the end of the day when we were all flagging, she raised the energy to a new level.  I would highly recommend her as someone to go see you if you get the opportunity, and even take her programme.  She convinced me.  I'll let you know how I get on.

However, I can't finish without mentioning the organiser Anneesh Elizabeth, leading business psychology expert.  Not only was she able to bring together these world-class speakers, the event also included a sit down meal at the end of the day in order for people to network in a really relaxed environment.  That was a lovely touch and perhaps something that every event should aspire to.

My biggest admiration goes to her for stepping aside and not delivering her own presentation in order that the event didn't overrun.  Due to technical difficulties with the sound at the beginning of the day, the day was running behind from early on, so by the time we came to the late afternoon, it was clear that the event would not be finished by the scheduled time.  I guess there are few organisers who, having put so much into an event, would have put the needs of their audience above their ego and forego the opportunity, not only to speak ,but also to promote their own product.  Well done Anneesh, I will definitely look out for you on the circuit and catch you next time.

So having had such great experiences at these types of events and seen the benefit they make to individuals who are committed to their personal and business development, I decided to join the ranks of the best. Yes you've guessed it, I will be running an event; A Women’s way to wealth and abundance, on Saturday, 30 July, 10 am - 4 pm at the 7 Dials Club, 42 Earlham Street, Coven Garden. London, WC2H 9AL. 

It’s a dynamic one day workshop looking at those sticky issues that can be barriers to women looking to start or grow a successful business. Selling, social media, personal image and branding I will also be covering the 3Ps to wealth and abundance Passion Purpose, Personal Development and Passive Income.

 For details please go to the following link: http://womensway.tycoonwomen.com/?page_id=2

Whilst it's a woman's workshop, conscious, heart centred guys are always welcome to join our feminine energy buzz.

Have you ever been really and truly inspired by a presentation that you've heard? 

Or have you initially been inspired, rush the back of the room to purchase a product, only to realise a few weeks later that you had been mesmerised by the sales pitch and what you actually bought is not what you thought?

I would love to read about your experiences of good and not so good workshops.