Tunes Will Teach Us

Meetings & Conventions: Short Cuts January 2003 Current Issue
January 2003
Short Cuts:Tunes Will Teach Us

Music might be just the thing to soothe the savage beast, but it also can be a great inspirational tool. Minneapolis-based Michael Gold (www.jazz-impact.com), a one-time financial services executive and former professor of jazz, offers interactive workshops on applying jazz skills quick thinking, adaptability and individual leadership to the business world. Gold has taken his musical message to the rank and file of Fortune 500 firms such as Hewlett-Packard and Lucent Technologies. His band plays several times during presentations to illustrate his points.

Neil Pflum, a Dallas-based speaker who calls himself the Musical Motivator (www.musicalmotivator.com), changes the lyrics in Big Band-era and Frank Sinatra songs to illustrate a message about honesty, integrity and personal responsibility. Pflum blends his tuneful renditions into lectures about pursuing dreams, living stress-free and being a peaceful person. One example, “Have It All,” to the tune of “Fly Me to the Moon,” tells attendees how to get what they want in business and in life.

When it comes to fostering workplace excellence or establishing codes of conduct, Donna Long and Al Lucia, the duo behind JukeBox Learning Inc. (www.jukeboxlearning.com), let the sounds of classic oldies deliver the message. Customer service needs improving? “Good Vibrations” by the Beach Boys can help put a smile on service workers’ faces. Not enough human kindness around? “Stop! In the Name of Love” by the Supremes inspires team members to refrain from saying and doing hurtful things. A 21-song CD helps reinforce the message at home.

• JONATHAN VATNER