Motivational Speaking Testimonials

John Collyns, Executive Director, Bus and Coach Association
"Debbie's presentation on efficient website and email management hit the spot with the 60 or so tourism sector operators who heard her recently at our seminar. We've had very positive feedback from our members, saying that Debbie's dozens of good ideas could be put into practice at once!"

Tanya Sale, Lawfund
"On behalf of all at Lawfund, we wanted to say a big 'thank-you' on a great presentation at our Annual Conference. The feedback on your session has been fantastic and you certainly have motivated a number of our writers. - so thank you for assisting in making this conference one of the best we have had."

Geoffrey McDonnell, Director Mortgage Innovators Commonwealth Bank
"I enjoyed your presentation at the Lawfund Conference and have been extolling the virtues to many of my colleagues"

Hon. Maurice Williamson MP; New Zealand
"Debbie Mayo-Smith is THE top Australasian Email and Internet Marketing Expert!"

Ralph Kober, Education Manager, Club Managers' Association Australia
"THANK YOU for your efforts in making the conference a success. The feedback has been very positive and I am more than happy to provide you with the following testimonial...."

"Debbie presented a number of workshops at our recent Executive Club Management Conference. True to her word Debbie undertook the neccessary research to ensure her presentations met the brief. Not only was Debbie able to impart the desired message, Debbie personalised the presentations through her use of individual participant feedback in her presentations, which had the effect of creating a positve perception of collaboration between delegates and the presenter.

Debbie's attention to the needs of the particpants was evident in their evaluations of her presentations and the relevance of the content to their own workplaces. I recommend Debbie to any organisation wanting to include a professional and business orientated presentation to their conference programme."

Joan Mackenzie: Book Manager Whitcoulls Angus & Robertson Group Australasia
Debbie a hugely appreciative note of thanks for the session which you gave to our team last week. I greatly enjoyed meeting you and have been diligently practicing my Rules ever since! I know that for many of us the light bulb just went off when we heard you speak......I have been gaily dragging and dropping all over the place ever since (doing this into Tasks, Contacts etc was a revelation!)...and there is no doubt that even in just the one hour we all learnt a great deal."

Will Allan; conference attendee
Debbie, I heard you speak in Christchurch at the Chateau on the Park nearly two years ago. It was a life changing experience that really got me motivated to do the best I could in my job. At the time I was working as a Consultant for Advanced Personnel Services Ltd a recruitment Agency. Your seminar inspired, enlightened and motivated me. I have since moved on and now studying full-time towards a Post Graduate Diploma in Human Resource Management. I have subscribed again to your newsletter because it gave me so many useful business and personal tips while working as a professional and I have no doubt it will be very useful again towards my study for 2005.

I bought one of your books which you signed for me which I still have today. Thank you for inspiration and I look forward to your newsletter and updates. Thank you Debbie I hope this finds you well."

Simon Dallow TV Presenter, Viva Radio Host
“Debbie, you’re a motivational whirlwind with great strategies to make the most of life. No surprise you’re known as the Queen of Productivity”

Rosemary Hazelwood, Building Networks NZ
“Our delegates always love Debbie. She has such infectious high energy and enthusiasm and best of all – her advice is practical and easy to implement immediately.”

Mike Pero, Managing Director; Mike Pero Mortgages
“You are a natural educator – lovely to watch and listen to. Easy to absorb the info offered. You produced mountains of great ideas – I’m charged with new ways of communicating with our customers.”

Darryl Hawke; Managing Director; Rivers Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd
“I attended the presentation you gave through the Council of Queensland Insurance Brokers in Brisbane.  It was the best 2½ hours of training I have done in 20 years.  I could have added a week to my life alone over this period had I just known how to split names across two cells in excel.  Thank you!

Marita Lam; National Sales Manager; Cruiseco
In February 2006, CRUISECO had the pleasure of welcoming Debbie Mayo-Smith, as a keynote speaker at our Annual National Conference in Adelaide. Debbie was an absolute inspiration to the 150 travel agents and travel industry personnel who were present. Her 2 part seminar, focusing on “how to fight internet induced obsolescence” not only gave the audience a new confidence within themselves, but it also inspired everyone to “get with the times and enhance their marketing strategy now!”

Debbie had spent a lot of time researching the information she provided prior to the Conference – she spoke with many of the travel agents and suppliers. Debbie conducted a pre-conference online survey in order to get the information and data she needed to make her presentation unique and relative to those who attended.

Debbie was rushed off her feet at the end of her presentation, with an overwhelming demand for her books. Those travel agents who attended were so revved up, that CRUISECO has invited Debbie Mayo-Smith back to Australia to conduct a series of workshops in a few month’s time.

EA/PA Development Experience - Bright Star
"Debbie is a switched on and thought provoking with great presentation skills."

Nick Jones: Executive Director, Media; AGB Nielsen Media Research
(Full day Outlook Workshop for Executive Team x 2)
Debbie, Thank you so much for last week. We covered heaps and I was amazed at the power of Outlook that you have potentially unlocked for us. I am sure that with some continued help we can leverage many of the ideas and tools that you shared with us to better serve our clients and provide much more effective communication round the office. You have made an immediate difference in my own work and I see long term payback too.

Anita Smith; Office Manager/PA; Environment & Regulatory Services
“I recently did a presentation in my monthly team meeting on quick tips, both Outlook and Excel that I learnt from you session. I received such excellent feedback that they want me to continue this each month and collate the tips into a shared folder. So an extra big thank you for giving me the idea and of course the tips.”

Marshall Lipson; Managing Director; US Financial Services Professional Organisation
"Thank you so very much for speaking at our annual Financial Services Forum. The reviews are in and I am pleased to let you know that on a scale from 1(low) to 5(high) your average score was 4.5. It simply doesn't get much better than that. Thanks for sharing you wonderful, creative and imaginative ideas with us. The comments coming out of your session were all about learning practical, effective and easy to implement internet strategies. The attendees were energized and excited with new ideas. Many said they couldn't wait to get back to the office so they could work your ideas."

Adrian Mattinson; Executive Manager Training; Clubs New Zealand
"A very sincere thank you for your excellent presentation and workshops at the recent national Club Management Conference in Wellington.

I received many highly positive comments both about your plenary presentation, but particularly about the two workshops.

Many of the delegates would admit to being pretty illiterate in respect to computer usage, and many more, like me, have their little comfort zone in using Outlook and the application of emails and the web to the improvement
of business communications.

You have given them an enthusiastic entry into a whole new world.

I believe the best reaction to your involvement with Clubs New Zealand has been the requests from around the country for you to conduct a series of workshops, which we will certainly get off the ground in 2005.

I greatly look forward to working with you in the New Year, and welcoming you back to next year's Club Management Conference".

Meanwhile I would be
happy to talk to any potential client of yours about your very special skills.

Agfa.com: Steuart Meers; General Manager;
"Debbie provided real information that our customers could go away and use straight away without any cost, the workshop was exactly what we were looking for. It unlocked may of the internets mysteries"

Australian School and Portrait Laboratory: Bob Ramsay; General Manager
"Many, many thanks for your time over the weekend, I found your presentation both stimulating and highly informative, for quite some time I had wondered on how I improve the position of our website on the "results ladder" with the various search engines, without paying a small fortune for the privilege, thanks to you the mystery is solved.

I used some of your tests and suggestions for our website on my return yesterday and to be honest was a little horrified at the results, our goal is to implement some changes this week and to institute an ongoing monitoring policy, our website is a primary marketing tool for the software company in our group, it must work!

Congratulations, you provided a "real world solution" at little or no cost, to what I am sure is a common problem for most SME

Listening in on conversations over the weekend I am sure that Agfa did her customers a great favour by engaging your services, there is no doubt that the "tropical" influence relaxes people and opens them up to ideas and networking amongst their perceived "competitors", but your contribution was what triggered their excitement, I noticed many people were still brainstorming ideas on the bus on the way to the airport, fantastic!. The Victorian group is promoting the idea of a "working dinner" perhaps every three months to keep the momentum rolling."

TimeFrame; Martin Stewart; Photographer
" Your information presented at the NZ Institute of Professional Photographers Conference was so refreshing and stimulating - I know it's going to make a huge change to my business and the way I market myself"!

Croyden Camera House: Nigel Roper; Manager
"Too many of the motivational speakers that we see these days leave you pumped up for a day or 2 and then what they tell you is forgotten, Debbie Mayo-Smith left me pumped up but what she told me was not forgotten. The information that Debbie passed on was practical stuff that I can start using straight away"

Auckland Chamber of Commerce; Michael F Barnett; Chief Executive: Auckland Chamber of Commerce
"Our star presenter for our 'e-enabling' series was Debbie Mayo-Smith (and our highest rating speaker). Debbie captured the minds of thousands of Auckland businesses with her enthusiasm and easy to follow and understand tips for successful e-marketing. She clearly understands what success in e-commerce is, and is more than capable of taking business there."

Yellow Pages Online Australia; Rose Gigliotti Seminar Director:
"I enjoyed watching each new audience be inspired by your presentation and dynamic delivery of what was extremely relevant content to all the businesses that attended the 2004 Sensis Business Series. Your enthusiasm and genuine care of the people and their business issues was obvious in the audience's response and emotional reaction to the messages you presented in a down to earth and practical manner."

From the Sensis road show: How would you rate Debbie Mayo-Smith as a presenter?

High 83%; Medium 16%; Low 1%

Upper Hutt Cosmopolitan Club; Dianne McKellar; Administration Manager
"I attended your workshop at the ClubsNZ Managers Conference. What a great workshop, thanks for all the fantastic tips. Instead of clearing my desk today I have been implementing some of your ideas".

MIAA Victorian Branch; Jacquie Martin; Branch Development Officer
On behalf of the MIAA Victorian Branch Committee, I would like to sincerely thank you for presenting the professional development seminar "How To Pump Up Your Business Results in 2004" to the MIAA members on 3rd June 2004.

The overall consensus from the participants was that the session was extremely valuable.

53 people surveyed after MIAA PD Session (Ranking from 1-5)
Speaker/presentation professional	4.8
Presenter knowledge	4.8
Effort in attendance rewarded	4.4

Comments from the MIAA PD session
- Fantastic speaker who would be worthwhile inviting back
- Stunning!
- Great topic - want to know more
- Very punchy, informative

Lodge Real Estate; Lisa Sigley
" Debbie this weekend I sold two homes to people I had been emailing. I started using your system as soon as I got back from the Barfoot Conference, and have been getting rave reviews since. So cheers, I'm loving it, Lisa"

Mark Muggeridge
"Hi Debbie, I attended the Sensis seminar in Sydney on the Thursday morning. Your presentation was fantastic. I got a great deal from what you had to say and how you presented it. Again well done. I have just purchased all three of your books online so I look forward to getting more great information."

Prime Solutions Training & Consulting; Donna Hanson
I attended today's Sensis Business Seminar in Melbourne at the Saville Hotel and wanted to drop you an email to say thank for the valuable keynote presentation you gave today.
Our business deals in consulting and training for corporations in technology and professional development. I had been seeking ways to make regular contact with clients without being intrusive and have only just starting asking for referrals.

The session certainly helped me get a grip on how I can "touch" my customers in a positive and non aggressive manner. I left my business card for inclusion in your database of people wanting to receive your newsletter. I look forward to receiving it and further fanning the already ignited flames of interest your session created for me.

A themed evening of fun at the Steadfast Dinner Hobart 2004

Steadfast Insurance Australia; Greg Stewart
"Your speech was of high interest , well received and very relevant to the audience.
Your survey results clearly showed we needed help. Once again, your efforts were greatly appreciated"

Steadfast Insurance Australia; Allan Reynolds IT Manager
"Debbie, your presentation highlighted to Members the importance of using the information they had about their customers to efficiently and effectively communicate with them - for newsletters, for cross-selling, for general information. It brought home the importance of database management and the manipulation of such data.

Well done on a very professional presentation."

Motel Association of New Zealand; Theo Simeonidis; Chief Executive
"Thank you so much for the excellent closing keynote address and workshop session that you ran at our conference. The feedback throughout was superb, the only apparent gripe being that some delegates did not have clear heads on the Sunday morning after the gala dinner, for your longer workshop. Still, that was self inflicted on their parts!!

I know that your sessions truly opened people's eyes and inspired them to start thinking closely and more critically about their Internet and email strategies - exactly the purpose of your sessions, along with providing them with some tips and tools by which they can extract more leverage from these excellent marketing facilities.
So thank you so much again Debbie for being a part of it all. You may be interested to know that the conference has been acclaimed by long-standing members to have been the best we have had in our 30 year history, and it was certainly the best-attended by far.
Thank you for having helped make it so special. And thank you for the survey information and database behind it. This will be very useful."

Caci Group; Glenice Whittle; Franchise Manager
" A great big Thank you Debbie for your fantastic presentation at our conference! Feedback from our franchisees - "Powerful lecture", "Absolutely brilliant!!", "This inspired me."

You introduced the concept of email marketing & maximising use of your database to our franchisees in such a way that they were positively inspired and can't wait to get their hands on "email tools", both at a local level and with the roll out of our national newsletter. Many are not totally PC literate, and hadn't realised how it could work for them. Your down to earth "What's in it for me" delivery style gave them confidence to give it a try, and to realise that this is a major opportunity to develop their business. Your presentation has stimulated unprecedented demand for training and software updates, and as a direct result many of our clinics are now actively harvesting email addresses. "

Telecom New Zealand;Pamela Rydberg; Marketing Manager;
"You delivered the presentations with passion about the subject and have a natural way of engaging the audience. The feedback from both our audience and Telecom representatives has been excellent."

Leisa Donlan: President Australia Society of Association Executives; CEO Australasian Rotational Moulding Association
"Providing speakers for a male dominated, manufacturing industry is always a challenge. Debbie presented her 90 minute workshop for our conference on the first day. Her presentation was informative, fun and easy for everyone to understand and take that "one thing" back to their business. We had to have an unscheduled break for delegates at the end of Debbie's presentation, they simply didn't want to miss a thing!!

Mike Pero Mortgages Conference Sanctuary Cove Gold Coast 2002

Aside from the presentation we've adopted much of Debbie's advice and created a new look for our electronic communication, it was so easy when we knew what to

do and the members now receive information quickly, in a distinctive format that they associate with us. Next stop......the web site!!"

(a short while later)
Just thought I would send through a very quick email. Following your advice we've updated and changed our web site www.rotationalmoulding.com and we are now listed NUMBER ONE on google for "rotational moulding" and NUMBER TWO for rotational moulders.
We are absolutely wrapped about the results. The site can probably still use some work, but what an improvement, your seminar changed our whole philosophy.

CIO Magazine; Don Hill Editor; New Zealand
"Anyone who has ever organised a conference knows how great a challenge it is to find speakers who can bring something of real value to attendees. I am pleased to say that Debbie Mayo-Smith was a star performer at CIO's inaugural leadership conference . Her presentation, relating to Internet issues, was a real challenge because there was a wide range of knowledge and experience among the audience. Debbie's presentation received the most positive feedback, not only for its content but also for its presentation. It was a difficult task very well done. I heartily recommend Debbie as a speaker"

Employers & Manufacturer's Association Training; Simone Williams
Exceptional!!!
"Debbie, the rating of your presentation for our Email Marketing Conference was exceptional. We never get ratings like this"
Excellent Very Good Satisfactory
Content 68% 26% 6%
Presentation 76% 20% 4%

Haycom Staging; Aymeric Dhillon,
I would like to mention that your presentation at the MIAA conference was the most useful session out of all that I attended. Considering the time constraints you managed incredibly well to deliver your presentation with so much tangible content. Thank you

Gough Plastics Australia; Shaun Borsody-Nagy
"We have been practicing your methods of email marketing and found it quick and easy. We previously had a detailed customer database, but lately this has greatly been utilised, giving our sales team the means to reach so many more people. Not just more people, but much more efficiently. New product release, as a process has definately improved. All relevant customers are informed of the release, with all the information, and all at the same time. On top of this, with the aid of an out-sourced graphic artist, we now are using html emails, which directs potential customers straight to our website. We have so many more plans to implement over time, but so far everything has been win win."

Leaders Real Estate Lower Hutt; Verena Greig
" Thank you for all the very useful tips on e mailing. A great way to stay in touch with our client base and so cost effective."

AMP; Jeff Tubbenhauer CFP
Just a short note to say thanks for presenting at the AMP conference where you gave us a talk on emailing. I bought your book, read all of it and have put your email know how together for my own use. My first email in August produced for me around $1,800 of fees. Thanks!

Harcourts; Mike Green; Managing Director
”I wanted to take the opportunity to personally thank you for the outstanding contribution you made to our 2001 Conference - Raising the Bar. I have had tremendous feedback from many specifically on your workshop, with delegates comments ranging from "brilliant, outstanding and excellent": to "inspiring, unbelievable and the best".

Aboriginal Art Kakado National Park NT Business Roadshow 2003

(Typical email I get following presentations)

Mold In Graphic Systems; Nick Moldan
"At the Australasian Rotational Moulders Association conference we had an excellent presentation given by Debbie Mayo-Smith on internet and e-mail marketing. I believe her strategies have enormous potential for us - especially as far as e-letters are concerned. It would certainly be a great tool to use in my part of the world. For example communicating in an instant to all the moulders on my data base and how to design and communicate an interesting and effective message. I simply do not have the time to call 500 moulders and tell them whatever. If you are interested, Debbie's book can be ordered on line at www.cleveremailing.com"

Kindermusik; Robyn Legaspi
I have been enjoying Debbie's newsletters and regularly forward them on...I think having actually seen her talk was quite motivating for me...She is a Mum just like me and is doing a great job...Women like Debbie just inspire me to be a better business woman (well I've got a long way to go) She has some great ideas and I have enjoyed the links to other websites as well.
Thank you for shining.

Rampworx NZ; Dianne Bloemendal
"Debbie, I love receiving your emails full of inspiring ideas. I attended a free Telecom seminar recently and it was great to hear you in person. I have bought a couple of your books and am always getting something new out of them as I become more familiar with my computer and as our business expands.
You help me think outside the square! I think sometimes a woman explaining stuff can get the message across better than a man, but I won't go further down that track in case I get into trouble!"

Results in Business, Hawke's Bay; Mark Mountcastle
"I have enjoyed the enthusiasm and clarity that Debbie is able to bring to a challenging medium for an average user.

Many of the ideas she talks about are applicable to any marketing strategy, and the innovative use of e mail technology simply speeds up the process.
By demystifying this technology and providing simple and common sense advice she challenges me to keep my marketing ideas fresh and to constantly review how I deliver my tactical solutions.

Maintaining communication with customers is a major challenge for any business. Debbie provides simple solutions to make this task manageable."

Photoquick Camera House: Trevor Prettejohn; General Manager
"I would like to mention how much I have benefited from your presentation. Firstly your open manner in which you were able to involve us all. You made us feel part of your team throughout the many discussions we had.I have already been in touch with my web page designer with your many ideas.

We are already talking about our first newsletter and how very important it will be, in chatting to our customers.
Online printing will be our next big challenge and your ideas have given me an exciting new approach to this.
Talking to other forum members they also came away enthused and eager to implement your ideas."

Fotofast digifoto; Phil Gresham; Manager
Thank you very much for your excellent presentations at the recent Agfa Digital Forum in Noumea. I wasn’t sure what to expect as many past speakers have not been that useful. But as we are just about to put a whole new web page up your sessions has put that on hold on as we redo our headings etc to get the maximum hits and appearance at the top of a list etc. I had been thinking about newsletters for too long but your books have given me the motivation and direction to now do it. Some 7 seven years with a web page and now I believe that we will finally get the action we need."

FISAOnline.com; Ray Hodge; Managing Director
Debbie, Just wanted to say thanks for your inspiration at the AFG conference on the weekend.

I loved your sessions and had a good case of brain drain at the end of that day. I actually went and got my laptop straight after the session and implemented some of the things on the spot.... so thanks.

I have recently spent quite a few thousand dollars on print advertising that has not worked. During the process I realised that the only marketing that has successfully worked for me is email and web (apart from referrals).

COMMENTS
- Excellent Presentation; - Great speaker: interesting, down to earth, easy to relate to and motivating.
- Very practical and inspiring; - Very inspired to get back to the office and make it all happen!
- Great, Thank you ; - Fantastic! ; - Well Done! Very Good