Behind the bar at the #NCCAF Standup Afterparty. #itsjustwhatido #partyhustle (@ DSI Comedy Theater) http://t.co/CrqcpmMf 24 mins agoFollow Zach on Twitter

Archive for September, 2010

Sep
18

Zach Must ‘Stache

Movember challenges men to change the face of men’s health by growing a moustache.

The rules are simple, start Movember 1st clean-shaven and grow a moustache for the entire month.  The moustache becomes the ribbon for men’s health and cancers that affect men. Much like the commitment to run or walk for charity, the men of Movember commit to growing a moustache for 30 days. (read more)

Movember Team RDU includes twitter friends @GregoryNg @theRab @MikeAdamsNC @jeremysaid @1918 DSI Alum Paul Overton and DSI Rockstar Shane Smith. Team RDU has challenged Boston, Austin and NYC — Are you down to help? My Fundraising Goal: $1000. Anyone who donates at least $25 to help me hit $1000 will get two (2) FREE tickets to DSI Comedy Theater and $50 will get you tickets and a personalized “ZW Works Out” video. $100 or more and we’ll work out a special prize.

Donate ONLINE at http://bit.ly/ZWstache OR contact me directly.

(Keep up with Movember on Twitter)

Thanks.

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Posted in community, personal, social media | No Comments »

Sep
13

Do You Guarantee Quality

I am writing to officially declare WAR on the excuses amateur performers often give after off shows and the way theater critics often describe improv comedy either to explain why they are NOT going to send someone out or to preface negative OR positive coverage — “Well, some improv shows just don’t hit” … “Everybody has an off night” or the most sad comment “IMPROV CAN BE GOOD OR BAD. You never know.”

No, No, NO. Improv is rarely good OR bad. Bad improv is BAD, Good improv is often good, rarely bad. Great improv is ALWAYS good, and often Amazing. So stop selling the magic trick. The death-defying theater without-a-net analogy cheapens the work we do on stage. Sell the payoff. Laughter. EVERY SINGLE TIME.

I was at the Boston Improv Festival this weekend and on Friday night I was asked to help a group of three people at the bar with my recommendation on a show. I looked at the schedule and immediately knew where to point them. They wanted a 9 or 930 — But I suggested 10pm because Junior Varsity was performing and I knew I could guarantee quality. JV are Great improv. I promised my new friends that I would personally refund the price paid for the tickets. Junior Varsity was Amazing. READ: I was able to keep my money.

I have guaranteed quality at DSI for years.

My duo SENIOR PGA warms up outside, and when people ask what’s going on I gladly stop and explain. If they seem even slightly interested I offer them a money back guarantee. “Go see the show. Trust me. WE ARE HILARIOUS! And if you don’t like the show I’ll personally refund your tickets.” I follow-up with a ‘you know where to find me’ joke and 90% of people take me up on the recommendation.

I have never had to refund any tickets.

For sales in business, a guarantee makes for low risk and when your customer makes the buying decision they actually WANT to enjoy themselves and be satisfied by the product so the psychology of the guarantee works in our favor as soon as we hit the stage to “deliver our goods” — What do you think?

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Posted in business, improv | No Comments »

Sep
9

Type A should Sleep On It

I am Easily disappointed and quick to Bristle. Yeah, ZW can get cranky. I’m Type A and I know it.

In fact, You probably knew I was Type A before I did — My #Hustle doesn’t exactly scream Idle Hands (never has). I’ve got plenty of work to do (always have). But I am not a fan of conflict (on or offstage). I really hate to fight, because I know I like to win. Scratch that, I like to know that I’m right and I LOVE TO WIN. I NEED TO WIN. Or at least I’ve always felt like I needed to.

But the act of WINNING today, especially an unnecessary conflict, hasn’t always felt like a win the next day. In fact, over my adult life I have won a lot that lost me at least as much. So over the past couple years when work got busy and personal or professional relationships got overwhelming or when I knew conflict was on the horizon I have decided to withdraw rather than fight. Perfect, right? But then I wouldn’t come back. I just withdrew and never came back to the client, the relationship or the issue. #FAIL

But I know that now (which I secretly consider a WIN on my part). So now, when faced with conflict, I practice not always pushing for victory, embracing compromise and accepting fault when appropriate.

But that sh*t is HARD.

Like the cranky (sleepy) baby in the picture, sometimes we Type A types just need more time to think so we can adjust our approach. We don’t need to withdraw completely, but maybe just “sleep on it” — A short nap and some distance from the conflict can make a world of difference to EVERYONE involved.

Are you Type A? What if you can’t sleep on it? What do you do?

I’d like to know. REALLY. RIGHT NOW. C’MON.

Type A Characteristics: Time Urgency and Impatience, as demonstrated by people who walk or talk at a rapid pace, and are always painfully aware of the time and how little of it they have to spare. Free-Floating Hostility, which shows up as impatience, rudeness or ‘having a short fuse’. Also Competitiveness and Strong Achievement-Orientation. (read more)

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Posted in leadership, personal | 3 Comments »