Five Differences between the Rolling Stones and You
The Rolling Stones are back in town (Chicago) to kickoff their North American tour. According to the Chicago Tribune, the two shows set for tonight and Tuesday night at Solider Field will be the Stones’ 38th and 39th shows in Chicago since 1964.
And yet they still rehearse.
They still practice, and prepare, before taking the stage.
But from what I’ve just seen from paid business professionals on the speaking circuit, most don’t. The vast majority. And everybody should practice, and prepare — and then some before giving a presentation.
First, Similarities between the Rolling Stones and You
You and the Rolling Stones share many, many similarities.
- You both have content. Likely great content.
- You both have your audiences.
- You have a brand to promote and protect, marketing to be done, sales to be had and customer relationships to be secured.
- You have to show a profit on your events and speaking activities. A return on the presentation investments.
- You have to provide value for the customer’s money, and investments in time and travel.
- You have to compete.
…and their are likely 100 other business items you share with the Rolling Stones.
But here are just some of the differences…
Yes, The Rolling Stones Practice. Most of You Don’t.
The Stones are legendary. They know their material. They’ve played several dozen concerts in Chicago alone over the past 50 years. Still, the Tribune article shows Mick Jagger practicing, on stage, in front of an empty house, yet again.
Reminds me of Michael Jordan. Best in the business NBA basketball player. He had a reputation for being the first one at practice and the last one to leave.
But from what I’ve seen at recent business events, I’d be hard pressed to say that more than two or three presenters looked as if they really practiced or prepared before their presentations before taking the stage.
People are paying hundreds of dollars for tickets to see the Stones. That doesn’t include travel, food, drink and souvenirs.
They rehearse. They practice. More than once.
People are paying hundreds and thousands of dollars to attend trade shows, conferences and business events of all shapes and sizes.
Yet most of those presenters at those events don’t practice.
And it shows.
The Rolling Stones Differentiate
When you see a live performance given by the Rolling Stones, you know its the Rolling Stones.
You’re not getting The Who, Springsteen, The Police, The Monkees, Led Zeppelin or anybody else.
Ever go to a trade show or conference and sit in a panel discussion where every panelist sounds like the next? When you can’t tell one tech demo from the next? When booths in the exhibit hall look the same?
When there’s a commoditization of products, and their presentations?
The Rolling Stones have never been commoditized.
But so many speakers, and their content, have been.
Mick Jagger has personality.
Keith Richards, too.
Where’s yours?
The Stones Make Audiences Feel Good
I saw concert footage of the Rolling Stones from sometime in the 1970s. From a show in Philadelphia, I think.
Mick Jagger was doing his thing and the crowd was going nuts.
The sound was off on my TV. But I could still tell people were having a good time.
How do members of your audience feel when you’re giving your presentations? Are they smiling or are they playing on their phone checking their flight status?
You’re supposed to engage your audience. Maybe even get them out of their seats. They’re supposed to have a good time.
Yet what do I see when I see your pictures from your trade shows? PowerPoint and more eye-chart PPT. Audiences looking at their phones and computers.
And not very many smiles.
Ever hear of somebody asking for their money back after a Rolling Stones concert?
Me neither.
The Stones Show the Younger Generations How its Done
A few years ago, I saw show on the strip in Las Vegas. It featured a well-known artist who is much, much younger than any member of the Rolling Stones. An easily recognizable name. But I hesitate to call what I saw a concert. More like a performance. And while I did enjoy the show, there was no singing. Just lip-syncing over recorded vocals during an 80-minute performance. Still, the tickets were pricey.
The Rolling Stones are now in their 70s.
I have zero idea what they have planned for their upcoming concerts, but I highly doubt they will be lip-syncing.
And they’ll still draw tens of thousands to their concerts.
That’s concerts.
Yet I hear about how people over 40, 50, 60 and up have trouble finding work. Something about them being too old…
I’ll take the 70-something singer-songwriter-musical performing Rolling Stones any day.
The Stones Have Stood the Test of Time
During my radio days in Sarasota, Florida my Top 40 station (WSRZ-FM/Z-106) celebrated the Rolling Stones’ 1989 tour. We even had a Rolling Stones-mobile, which was an old four-door sedan with the Stones logo plastered here and there. It leaked oil and guzzled gasoline as I drove it from remote to remote.
But I didn’t see the Stones in concert. Not even in my Florida radio days. I have mixed emotions about that.
I really wanted to see the Stones on their Chicago stop in 1994. Didn’t happen.
25 years later, I have no plans to see either of the two upcoming shows in Chicago.
In fact, I’ve never seen the Rolling Stones, live, in-person, in concert. Anywhere.
Though I’d like to.
A few years ago I read that Mick Jagger was walking down my street in downtown Chicago.
Not surprising. That stuff happens in downtown Chicago. Walk up and down Michigan Avenue or on the Near North Side and you’ll eventually run into people you recognize. It’s somewhat unique to Chicago. Nothing like it in LA or New York or any other big city.
There’s a tremendous connection and history between the Chicago blues scene and the Rolling Stones. It seems as if members of the band are back in town, one way or another, quite often.
So maybe I’ll catch Chicago show #40.
The Stones will be back, and they’ll draw a crowd. Again.
I’d love to have that type of personal and professional brand that’s lasts a lifetime.
To draw a crowd in my 70s — and beyond.
And to still give a performance that exceeds all expectations.
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But Tony, this is unfair. You’re comparing my ability to give a business presentation to a Rolling Stones concert. I have to get up in the morning, go to work, understand the market and my customers, write and publish content, launch my products and services, maintain my brand, show a profit, appeal to prospects, fight competitors, travel the world, deal with the press and social media, figure out new technology, manage colleagues and their personalities, forecast and budget, spend time and money wisely, keep senior management happy and handle my personal life!
And the Rolling Stones don’t?
Tony Compton holds two degrees from Loyola University Chicago: a 1987 B.A. in Communication and a 1995 MBA. He has held a number of marketing and business leadership positions over the past three decades.
