Andrew Weakly’s Post

If you didn't know, I recently watched "STEVE! (Martin)—a documentary in two pieces" on Apple TV+ and wrote about it in part 1 of this series. But there was too much to cover, so I figured I’d do a few more parts. What I've learned so far: 1️⃣ Lesson 1: Start with your why – grow faster (you can read about it on our website: www.mainstreetbrand.co) Lesson 2: Stand out from others Steve Martin rose to relative popularity in the mid-to-late ’60s, when comedy was political. However, that wasn’t the kind of humor that interested Martin—he wanted to do something different. The philosophy of stand-up, as told by Martin, is that you build tension through the story and then have punchlines that release the tension and indicate to the audience when to laugh. But in this new, different style, he would tell the story but never release the tension – if it worked, it would feel like you were telling jokes with friends; if it didn’t work, it would be a quiet room. By design, Steve Martin did something different from what everyone else was doing – something brands can learn from. “I took literally everything I knew how to do on stage with me, which was juggling, magic and banjo and my little comedy routines.” – Steve Martin. A brand can differentiate in many ways, but it is crucial to ensure that your strategy is different enough from others to communicate why and when people should choose your business effectively. 🥇 Even better if you can not just be better - but be truly one of a kind! There is more to learn, but please take the time to explore whether your brand is genuinely different from your competitors. Please feel free to reach out to us to help. Until next week, which brands do you believe excel in being distinct from their competitors?

"Legend Never Die: The Enduring Legacy of Mr. Bean 😂" Mr. Bean, the timeless character portrayed by Rowan Atkinson, remains an iconic figure in comedy, loved by audiences worldwide. The phrase "Legend Never Die" resonates deeply when we think of Mr. Bean, whose humor transcends generations and cultures. The Birth of a Legend: Mr. Bean first appeared on our screens in 1990, quickly becoming a global sensation. The show's universal appeal lies in its reliance on visual comedy rather than dialogue, making it accessible to audiences regardless of language. Rowan Atkinson’s masterful performance brought Mr. Bean to life, turning everyday situations into hilarious escapades. 🎬 The Impact on Comedy: Mr. Bean’s influence on comedy cannot be overstated. His character blends slapstick, absurdity, and a childlike innocence, creating a unique comedic experience. The show’s ability to evoke laughter without words is a testament to the brilliance of visual storytelling. 🤹♂️ Enduring Popularity: Decades after its initial release, Mr. Bean remains a staple in popular culture. The character's presence on social media, streaming platforms, and various merchandise keeps the legend alive. His escapades continue to attract new fans while retaining the love of long-time viewers. 🌍 The Timelessness of Mr. Bean: The enduring legacy of Mr. Bean proves that great comedy is timeless. The simplicity of his humor, combined with Atkinson's exceptional performance, ensures that Mr. Bean will be cherished by future generations. The character’s ability to adapt and stay relevant in an ever-changing world underscores the notion that true legends never die. 🕰️ Please follow me : Muhammad Junaid ♥️ #LegendNeverDie #MrBean #ComedyLegend #LeadershipInAction #CareerGrowthTips #ProfessionalDevelopment #InnovateToLead #NetworkingForSuccess #FutureOfWork #TechInBusiness #InspiringSuccess #WorkplaceWellness #WomenInLeadership Johnny English

From Pretending to Working - The Comedy Show Corporate life – where some employees look busy but don’t get much done. It’s like a comedy show in many companies. Imagine John from Marketing with a serious face and lots of papers, Jane from Sales typing furiously, and Bob from IT on the same “important” call for hours. This isn’t a TV show; it’s your office. The real problem? While everyone looks busy, the real work waits. Here’s how to fix it: - Clear Goals: Give simple, clear tasks. Fewer, focused meetings. - Real Results: Reward actual achievements, not fake busyness. - Better Tools & Resources: Provide tools that help employees do real work, not just look busy. - Simplify Tasks: Cut unnecessary work and focus on what matters. - Lead by Example: Managers should set a good example by being clear and focused. Not all companies have this problem, but for those that do, it’s time to drop the act and start getting things done. Let’s turn this comedy show into a success story where everyone gets real work done – and maybe even has a good laugh about it later.

Have you ever noticed how comedy shows on TV often have fake laughs in the background? It makes me wonder - do we need that extra push to laugh? Maybe it’s there to help us catch the joke or remind us it’s okay to laugh. A clever little nudge, perhaps? This reminds me of the concept of “choice architecture” from the book Nudge. It’s all about how the context we’re in can shape our decisions and behavior. Laugh tracks, notifications, progress bars - these are all examples of subtle signals that guide us in small but powerful ways. What other “nudges” have you noticed in your daily life?

I performed on HBO and The Late Show with David Letterman. That was actually news to me (and the last time I let someone bring me on stage without providing them an intro cheat sheet). I was about to headline a private party for my friend’s company, and he wanted to do my intro. I told him a couple things he could say: winner of the National Lampoon Collegiate Comedy Pop-Off, opened for Jay Leno and Bill Cosby, and performed in comedy clubs from LA to Boston. Trusting in my friend’s ability to remember all that, he did pretty well until about halfway through. His memory faded and he figured he would just add some fictional appearances on the tv programs mentioned above. The audience didn’t know any different, but I did. A couple things here: ➡️ In any public speaking (keynote, small presentation, training), it sure is nice to have someone introduce you to the group if it’s their first time seeing you. The person doing the intro (host, emcee, meeting organizer) is likely someone the group knows or works with, and it relieves a lot of pressure from you having to go in and start cold. ➡️ Make sure your intro person has a hard copy of what you want said and the order in which you want it said. The title of your remarks, the purpose you’re there and why you’re qualified to be giving them that message. I carry a 3x5 card with three bullet points of intro material and the very last thing I want them to say is my name. “Please welcome Jeff Birk!” Some people are great at remembering what you want said in your intro, but most aren’t. Don’t take a chance on a bad intro. If you do, you might fictionally appear on HBO and Letterman like I did. 😎

Flub your lines in the tech world, and your project goes from Oscar-worthy to a comedy of errors (3 tips to keep your communication performance flawless). The curtain rises, the spotlight hits, and your team is center stage. The audience is ready, but if someone flubs their lines, the whole production could turn into a comedy of errors. This is where the magic —or the mayhem—begins. In the tech world, communication is your script. One missed cue, and suddenly, you’re in an improv show nobody signed up for—delays, cost overruns, and those dreaded “we need to talk” moments. How do you keep the performance from turning into a farce? Three tips to keep your communication on point: |-> Rehearse Like It’s Opening Night: Just like actors running lines, establish a consistent rhythm with regular meetings and clear agendas. This way, everyone knows their cues, and you avoid any ad-lib disasters. |-> Use Visual Stage Directions: Trying to explain a complex idea without visuals? That’s like miming Shakespeare—confusing and a bit tragic. Diagrams or storyboards can turn confusion into clarity. |-> Keep the Director’s Chair Open: Encourage feedback like a director who welcomes suggestions from the cast. Catch issues early before they become the next big drama p.s. What’s your go-to strategy for keeping the show running smoothly? p.s.s Movies or sitcoms, how do you unwind in front of the TV? Follow me if I have added value to your day.

Struggling with a "problem" client? I got a glimpse of this in my comedy club days. One night, a heckler almost ruined our show. But instead of kicking him out, I talked to him after. Turns out, he was just having a bad day. I made him feel better, and (of course) got some new material from our chat. He apologized for the trouble and started coming to our gigs more often. While I am not in the comedy scene anymore, this guy still calls me on my birthday every year. It’s one of those things I look forward to and cherish the most on that day :) The lesson: Every "difficult" client is an opportunity. Here’s how to make the most of it: 1/ Listen well. There’s always a reason for their frustration 2/ Solve the person. Not just fix the problem 3/ Follow up often. Show you care beyond the transaction 4/ Celebrate their wins. Be their biggest fan 5/ Ask for feedback. Then actually use it Happy clients are walking billboards for your business. Your best client might start with a tough conversation. What's your best client management tip? #ClientRelations #BusinessGrowth

Serve your presentation cold. Like revenge, some things are best served cold... We got to the theatre a little early and found our seats. As we were chatting, I noticed 4 stagehands working on the set. Last-minute adjustments, I figured. The curtain was up, and we could see the entire stage. Then a delivery guy walked in from the back of the theatre and delivered a package of food to someone on stage working on some audio equipment. While all this was going on, the last of the audience was getting to their seats. It took me a few minutes, then I realized that the play had started. This was a cold opening. The stagehands and delivery person were all actors in the play. If you are not familiar with the term, a cold opening refers to beginning a performance that starts with no introduction. The play we were at is called The Play That Goes Wrong. It’s a comedy about play by an amateur drama society that goes completely off the rails. It’s a play within a play and it’s promoted as Monty Python meets Sherlock Holmes and it’s very funny. The TV comedy show Saturday Night Live has the most famous cold openings. They end their cold opening with the famous line “Live from New York, it's Saturday Night! If you are presenting by yourself with no one to introduce you, a cold opening is an interesting option. Cold openings can grab the audience's attention and immediately bring them into the presentation. It also sets the tone for the rest of the presentation. A well delivered cold opening establishes credibility. It suggests that the audience can expect a well-organized and expertly delivered presentation. Once you have opened, then you can introduce yourself. This is in reverse to what audiences expect, which makes it interesting. A cold opening is a way to establish momentum and set the stage for what's to come, wasting no time on unnecessary setup. It says that we are not screwing around with the usual blah, blah, blah. We are getting down to business. Joe Pops R2BB #sales, #presentationskills, #communicationskills, and #presentationtraining    

When we speak up, especially if it is with something that is tricky, it often doesn't go as we want it to. If we are to get better at speaking up in a way that can be heard, we have to practice - and that means things won't always go as you'd like (and of course, this doesn't negate the vital role of listening up and how those in positions of power can show up in ways that either help you or silence you - and you may have little control over that). I've had some classic fails that I've learnt from and I'm sure there are more such 'opportunities' in store for me! This article in the Financial Times is examining stand-up comedy - so not looking at your usual speaking up context! However, I did find some of its advice thought-provoking and challenging - what do you think? 1. Get comfortable with silence. If you can endure silence with good humour while maintaining control of your emotions, others will sense that comfort and wait for what you have to say next. 2. Listen harder than you speak. Take your own focus off what you are saying and lean into how it is being received. 3. Use movement to distract and deflect. If you bombed hard on one side of the stage or speaking area, move to the other side and start over with a new energy. 4. Never blame the audience. Even when they are awful. Or, at least, don’t tell them you blame them. 5. Do not expect anything interesting, important or funny to be easy. As the late US comedian Joan Rivers once said: “Listen, I wish I could tell you it gets better. But it doesn’t get better. You get better.” There is no shortcut to that.