SAVE | EMAIL | PRINT | MOST POPULAR |  RSS | | REPRINT
|
Speaker's Corner: Carl Banks Delivers "Giant" Motivation
June 24, 2008
Looking for a motivational speaker to get your staffers ramped up and ready to go? Take a look at the "Speaker's Corner" to get the scoop on some big names you may want to book.
By Robert Tuchman
Currently the co-host of "Late Hits" on Sirius NFL Radio, Carl Banks is a former All-Pro linebacker who played twelve seasons in the NFL. Drafted 3rd overall out of Michigan State University by the New York Giants in the 1984 NFL draft, his 39.5 career quarterback sacks earned him a spot on the NFL's 1980's All-Decade Team.
Banks, who also contributes to WFAN 660, is best known for his time with the Giants, where he teamed up with Lawrence Taylor to terrorize NFL quarterbacks. He was a key player in Super Bowl wins in XXI and XXV. Banks was among the heroes of the Super Bowl XXI victory in which he recorded 14 total tackles, including 10 solo tackles.
During his playing days, Carl also started a business designing clothes for his teammates. The designs gained enough popularity that he began to draw interest from major retailers, and joined GIII Apparel to distribute the GIII/Carl Banks line of clothing.
Here, Incentive online columnist Robert Tuchman, founder and president of TSE Sports & Entertainment, gets the inside scoop on how Banks shares his "Giants"-sized motivation during his speaking engagements.
What things do you remember most about playing for the Giants?
The Championships. Those are memories you take with you to the grave.
Who's the toughest player you ever played with?
Do you really need to ask that question?
What are your memories of Coach Parcells?
I have never been around a more driven, focused individual. He's someone I'm better for having in my life. I still consider him a friend and mentor to this day. In fact, he's brought me to speak to his players during training camp at all of his recent coaching stops. It's real flattering to me that he presents me to his players as the model of a linebacker on and off the field.
What is your typical speaking topic?
I speak on a variety of topics, depending on the audience of course. Leadership, teamwork and drive for success are generally the topics I speak about. For leadership I discuss the importance of having a strong leader, how that leader influences his followers and the different types of leaders. I worked with during my years in the NFL. Teamwork is a concept that I directly relate to the business world. I emphasize the importance of team chemistry and how it helps create an ideal working environment. Success: I touch the key elements in order to achieve success as well as ways in which we can measure our success. I also focus on making analogies between business and football. I've enjoying a very successful second career in my life. I directly attribute that to the people I met and the lessons I learned through football.
What do you enjoy most about giving speeches?
I sincerely enjoy connecting with the audience on topics that motivate them in some capacity. I also enjoy meeting new people that share the same values as me. I understand that education is a life long process and that we can all learn from each other. I like learning about new and innovative ideas in the business world and finding ways in which we can all help one another out.
Do you enjoy the interaction with clients, signing autographs and taking pictures?
Yes, I do. I understand that our fans/supporters are the ones that have helped create our success, on and off the field. If taking a picture or signing an autograph is something that will bring joy to another, I am glad to participate. For most people, they don't have too many opportunities to meet professional athletes. I recognize this is the memory they will carry with them and I need to make it a good one. It’s best in a casual setting, however I understand that is not always the case.
How many appearances and speeches will you give a year?
Twenty speeches a year is a number that I usually reach. With the recent success of the NY Giants, the requests have been coming in more frequently. As long as the speaking engagement aligns well with my other professional obligations, I am usually able to accommodate it.
Are your speeches more motivational, spiritual, or comical?
It varies on the audience, topic and industry that I am speaking for. Usually they're motivational and comical, not so much spiritual.
How do you come up with your speeches?
Speeches are created based on my acquired knowledge of the audience to be addressed. Suggestions from the client and personal experience are often incorporated. I have a few primary speeches and stories that I customize based on client and audience. I'm also still very close to sports and am a fan myself. I try to be as topical as possible. I'm a voracious reader of books and newspapers. Audiences can recognize if the speaker is only telling stories from the early '80s.
What motivates you to do speaking engagements?
The ability to interact and impact my audience positively is a driving force for me. If I can help or provide insight to a group of people and affect them in a positive way than I feel like I am making my contribution. In addition, I enjoy the networking aspect. I have been fortunate enough to meet so many special people in my life. I still have that hunger and drive to keep working and growing my network.
Do you prefer speaking to certain types of groups or industries?
I do not have a preference on industry. Again, I truly enjoy meeting people. You never know who knows someone else.
Favorite speech you gave or motivational moment?
My favorite speech was given at a Coca-Cola annual meeting. I really felt I connected with the audience and made several good contacts that I have continued to stay in touch with.
INCENTIVE online columnist Robert Tuchman is president of celebrity marketing firm TSE Sports & Entertainment (www.tseworld.com).
|
SAVE | EMAIL | PRINT | MOST POPULAR | RSS |
|
|
| Back to Incentive Index |
|
|
