I purchased a new thermos the other day. I was looking for something else, and I found it quite by accident. It turned up on one of those pages on Amazon that 
says this: “If you liked that other thing you purchased, you might like this.” At first, I dismissed the item completely because it just looked like a paper to-go cup I would be given at just about any coffee shop. It had a white top on it with a slit in it to drink from, and even had what looked like a cardboard ring around the cup to keep the cup from being too hot to handle. Quite unexpectedly, I found myself smiling when I looked at that picture of the cup.
I continued on my search for what I had originally been searching for, but I was distracted by nagging thoughts about that thermos. It looked quite different from other thermoses or to-go cups, and in a sense, it looked painfully average. What was it that was drawing me back to it, and why was I still smiling thinking about it?
Later that day, I went back to that to-go cup, and when I did, I found myself smiling again. Just seeing that to-go cup made me think of all the wonderful times I’ve had over the years, meeting family, friends and clients at various coffee shops. There’s nothing like a nice hot cup of coffee or tea, or whatever it is you put in a to-go cup to make everything right in the world. It was then I figured it out, and I bought that dang to-go cup!
In fact, I didn’t just buy that dang to-go cup. I hatched a plan to create my own experiment. Was the response I was having to that to-go cup a unique, individual reaction, or would it have a similar effect on others who saw it? After all:
- Most people think of having a cup of coffee, or a hot drink, as a good thing, correct?
- Most people who drink these good hot beverages seem to enjoy them more at a coffee shop than at home, correct?
- Most people who drink these good hot beverages at these enjoyable coffee shops, drink them from a simple cup, with a lid, and a band around it to help better manage the heat, correct?
Therefore, wouldn’t you agree that seeing someone on screen who was sipping a hot beverage, speaking to you in a virtual environment like Zoom, would consciously or unconsciously affect the viewer in a positive way if drinking that beverage in a to-go cup? Wouldn’t you also agree that one person out of twenty, or five percent of those who saw this to-go cup, would have a similar reaction to the one I had? Wouldn’t they be significantly impacted, in a positive way, by this one, simple, move?
For the record, this BLArticle® has less to do with the to-go cups, and much more to do with what I call “a five percent move.” People literally thumb their noses at simple ideas like these because the impact isn’t perceived as significant as they’d like it to be. The funny thing is this; I’m practically obsessed with moves like these “five percent moves.” The day-to-day activities I participate in are littered with moves like these. Wearing color friendly clothing for webcams, moving those cameras to eyelevel, sitting in a comfortable chair, decluttering your background, and improving your audio are all examples of, “five percent moves”… and I’m just referring to Zoom calls! I’m a collector of “five percent moves,” so if you have any other moves that are even half as easy as this one, please send them my way. I promise, I’ll give them a good home here with me! They are indeed worth the effort.
So, please don’t be shocked if you see me on-screen conducting a seminar, or participating in a coaching call, and you notice a “five percent move.” It’s getting a lot of use because sometimes I can partake in six meetings a day. Am I drinking six cups of coffee? Doubtful. Sometimes, there may be nothing in my pretend to-go cup. I’m fond of coffee, tea, water, and occasionally air. I’m also quite fond of “five percent moves.” One of my favorite quotes was spoken by someone else who I believe appreciated and valued “five percent moves” too – Vincent Van Gogh:
Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.
By the way, I may have failed to mention that my new, pretend to-go cup keeps my hot beverage warm longer, keeps spills from being a disaster, and it is good for the environment. Dang!
My new podcast, The Presentation Whisperer Show, is up, running and just cleared the first 25 episode bar!
You’ll hear candid conversations with top professional speakers, seasoned trainers, and authors finding their voice. We’ll be uncovering the secrets behind powerful delivery and go beyond the surface to reveal what really makes a presentation resonate. Whether you’re a keynote speaker, a trainer, or simply someone with a message to share, you’ll walk away with practical tools and inspiring ideas to elevate your delivery. Give it a try! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-presentation-whisperer-show/id1844512932
Because every presentation matters.
To all fans of The Blarticle®
After sixteen years and over 500 posts, I’ve gathered some of my very best into a new book: It’s a Blarticle®! 45 Quick, Powerful Lessons in Persuasion, Performance & Personal Growth.
You can find it now at all major online retailers, including Amazon, in both paperback and eBook formats…
…but since you’ve made it this far, I’ll take that as proof you’re a true Blarticle® fan! I’d like to thank you with a free copy of the eBook. Grab yours here: https://jolles-associates.kit.com/ebook
I hope you enjoy it, and as always, I hope you and can take something from it.
Stop Winging It. Start Winning It.
Whether you’re on stage or in the sales seat, there’s a smarter way to show up.
From keynotes that land, to sales tactics that stick, I coach my clients to perform like pros!
If you’re serious about raising your game, let’s talk.
If you follow me on LinkedIn, and I sure hope you do, https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-jolles-8a459b12/ I recently started a newsletter! It’s called, “When Every Word Matters,” a biweekly dose of tips, tactics, and techniques to boost your communication game! If you aren’t connected with me on LinkedIn, reach out! https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-jolles
Want to listen to this BLArticle® read by the author? Tune in to “Pocket Sized Pep Talks” and you’ll hear a collection of BLArticles® and interviews updated often! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pocket-sized-pep-talks/id1497772972
5% difference is often all it takes to make a difference. The story I share when I show the final score of a golf tournament is how the winner won by ONE stroke after 4 days of golf. On average, the winner was 1/4 of a stroke better, That’s it! Among the BEST golfers on the planet.
We don’t have to make HUGE changes to stand out, just a small percentage or stroke better. Well done my friend.
Funny how many great golf analogies there are. I actually gave a keynote once, (and only once), about the similarities between golf and selling. Let’s keep fighting for those 5% moves!
Awesome, Rob. You have a gift for motivating people like me.
Thank you Jessica. Like the presentations I deliver, I always believe you’re as good as the last piece you’ve written. I’m not saying that’s healthy… it’s just who i am. I’m so glad you can gain motivation from what I write.