The Secret of Enthusiasm!
Our Top100 speaker Paul Johannes Baumgartner is a guest at the 10th Upper Bavarian Knowledge Forum. In advance, the OVB-Heimatzeitung exclusively reports on his topic of enthusiasm. Mr. Baumgartner, at the 10th Upper Bavarian Knowledge Forum, you will be a guest with your lecture "The Secret of Enthusiasm." What excites you to come back to Rosenheim on April 15th? A lot of things. I find Rosenheim as a city wonderful, then the event itself, the extremely enthusiastic audience, and finally the many great fellow speakers who share their valuable knowledge at this highlight event. The enthusiastic employee who manages to turn customers into fans is the ideal image for many entrepreneurs. What priorities should be set by entrepreneurs to give room for this enthusiasm? It is important to recognize that in companies, there are not just spectators when it comes to enthusiasm, but only participants. I speak of a cycle of enthusiasm: Enthusiastic entrepreneurs inspire their managers, who in turn inspire their employees, and these employees then inspire their customers, which in turn excites the entrepreneur because then the business runs smoothly. In other words, I can wish for the enthusiastic employee to turn customers into fans, but an important part of success is also played by the manager. What needs to change in the work environment? The realization that the signs have changed. It is no longer about higher, faster, further today, but about completely different things like appreciation. In some companies, especially considering Generation Y, a change in thinking needs to take place. If an employee feels unappreciated, they are not willing to go the extra mile. It's that simple. Or they simply change employers. Why? Because they can. There are now many companies that are recruiting potential employees, rather than the other way around. And the question of meaning is gaining more importance. Only when an employee sees meaning in their work, they will be willing to perform at their best. Is the extra effort of customer enthusiasm worth it? Don't satisfied customers suffice? Is it worth it? If your company is to survive in the future, then yes. Customer satisfaction says nothing about the long-term relationship; there are satisfied customers who are not loyal. They switch brands and offerings without a specific reason. They simply make a new choice. On the other hand, enthusiastic customers, or fans, are loyal, less price-sensitive, and recommend a company further. And that pays off. According to a study, 74 percent of all respondents trust a recommendation. The "motivation market" is booming and offers books, lectures, and seminars on this topic. How do you define the difference between motivation and enthusiasm? I believe that we can give people impulses to get them moving, but ultimately, everyone will freely decide whether they want to change or not. If we, as leaders or in sales, manage to smartly set our impulses when we want to inspire someone for us, our ideas, and our products and services, then we indirectly motivate them to do something in our favor. It's about transferring enthusiasm instead of implanting blunt motivations. I am a smart seller and I consider hard selling a big mistake. As a radio host at Antenne Bayern, you reach an average of 1.3 million listeners. Your voice is an indispensable tool for inspiring your audience. Shouldn't everyone in sales put more value on the expression of their voice? You are preaching to the choir with me. I know from personal experience that the voice is an incredibly important factor for success. You can even make a very good living from it. It's insane how much the automotive industry invests in sound design and how little people engage with their audio brand, that is, sound. The voice is a secret weapon; voice sells. What role does humor play in inspiring others? Humor is extremely important. You will notice that very quickly when you attend my lecture. The Upper Bavarian Knowledge Forum is the largest educational event in Bavaria and recently celebrated its 10th anniversary. So, everything done right to inspire others? I wholeheartedly agree. When it comes to enthusiasm, it can be divided into two categories: fleeting and sustainable enthusiasm. The Knowledge Forum definitely belongs to the second category. So, secure your tickets quickly, as there will be an audience expected. For more information about the speaker and his topic "Enthusiasm," visit here: https://oberbayerisches-wissensforum.de/
