Negotiating No Joke

Throughout my time in my masters program I have learned many new things about launching my business that are quite valuable and much needed along this journey. Currently I am studying the power of negotiation and how important it is to be able to negotiate in any given situation. Well, I admit I not once considered in the process of launching my business that I would find myself having to negotiate, as this is something lawyers do, right? Wrong! In business you are constantly going to find yourself in the midst of negotiations. Perhaps not the daily negotiating battles you see on T.V. such as 'Fairly Legal', or other shows, but nevertheless you will at some point in your career have to negotiate. Whether it be for a piece a property, the cost of a good/product, merging your business with another, or contracts deals for talent. And one thing I know for sure negotiating is no joke, and to not walk out the room wondering 'what just happened' you must be well prepared before entering into such a situation.

In my research I came across some videos, and podcasts, by some reputable individuals with negotiation experience to see how they view negotiating and tips they offer to help better prepare myself for when the time comes. William Ury, co-author of 'Getting to Yes', did a talk on separating the people from the problem to reach mutual understanding in 'The Walk From No to Yes'. William uses the story of Abraham to illustrate how Iraq and Iran could potentially begin to close the gap between them if they stop for a moment, remove themselves and walk in the shoes of their past to see how they got to where they are today. One key factor in negotiating, I am learning, is being able to separate the people from the problem. Too often emotions run high and one tends to lose sight of the fact that you are still dealing with a person, and in order to come to a shared understanding this must be at the forefront of one's mind.

I also, came across a couple of podcasts on iTunes by Michael Mcllwrath, titled 'International Dispute Negotiation', who sat with several individuals from various backgrounds, to discuss their experience in negotiating in order to help others. One of his podcasts talks on the subject of mediating with hard negotiators. In this podcasts Michael discusses with Australian mediator, John Wade, his experience dealing with hard negotiators and the impact it has on his job. I found interesting a scenario John shares where he entered into negotiations with a lawyer he knew was tough and hard ball, and was apprehensive going into the meeting. In the beginning the lawyer informed him to write down his terms, he only had one hour to do so or the lawyer would make the terms himself and close negotiations. This type of scenario I find is not few, far, or in between. When dealing with people of this nature, who seek to intimidate, manipulate, or place fear, you have to show up prepared, and as William Ury states in his book 'Getting to Yes' know your BATNA (Best Alternative To a Negotiated Agreement). Ury believes having a BATNA is considered one of the most powerful tools you can have when dealing with a more powerful negotiator.

The last podcast I came across by Michael Mcllwrath, was with NBC Universal attorneys titled, 'Mediating Disputes in the Film and Television Industries. This podcast was quite interesting for me being my business is part of the entertainment industry. One of the main approaches to negotiation the lawyers of NBC Universal use are mediators. The lawyers share how the use of mediator has actually aided in helping the parties reach mutual benefits in cases, that took years of getting no results. In the film, and television, industry the lawyers share how it is typically considered "weak" to use a mediator to resolve your case, but these lawyers have chosen to go against the grain because of the success mediators have provided. Sometimes you have to do what is considered least popular in order for both parties to walk away satisfied. When it comes to right or wrong, win or lose, I can say many of can agree it better to use the least likely option to resolve a dispute, or come to terms, than spend years in courts spending more money than necessary.

Although, I am still learning about how to use these negotiation techniques, and more, when it comes to my business, I no longer shun the notion that negotiating is for the experienced lawyer only. Yes, there will be cases where an experienced lawyer will be necessary and in those moments I will be happy to pass the reigns. However, for the more manageable cases where I find myself needing to negotiate a better price, or settlement, or compensation, it will be good to know I have the knowledge and understanding when it comes to negotiating, and not give in at the first slight of intimidation. It will be great to be able to deal with confidence and walk out of the room satisfied knowing the joke isn't on me.

Hope you enjoyed this post. And as I continue this journey I will be sure to share with you my experiences in negotiation. In the meantime here is a video for you to enjoy and hopefully you'll be able to takeaway for your next deal!

Thanks for reading,

LaKesha xo


References:

Fisher, Roger. & Ury, William. (2011). 'Getting to Yes'. Penguin Books.

Mediating with Hard Negotiators. (2008).

NBC Universal Podcast. (2009).

Arts of Summer

Summer is here and that means fun in the sun with long beach days, lounges by the pool, summer blockbuster movies, and vacations galore. Well, why not in the midst of all the traditional summer fun you and/or the family could take in some arts and culture! Of course we want to spend our summer days out and soaking up the rays, but if you live in Florida like I do you may want a break from the heat. And, the theatre or a festival is a great way to do so. I've decided to research some summer alternatives to the usual summer adventures and see what performances are happening in summer 2013. So if you are in the Central Florida area, or find yourself near the area, here is a list of my top five must-see events happening this summer.

1) Art Takes Over Orlando, Public Art Installation - looking to take in some unique artwork then look no further than this event which features local artist work in the Downtown Orlando area. Also, local artist get to enter to have their art showcased at this well-known event. For more information visit Art Takes Over.

2) Dreamgirls, Mad Cow Theatre - this musical rendition of the 1960's musical acts such as James Brown, The Supremes, and The Shirelles come to Central Florida for one night. Dreamgirls tells the story of a musical group's rise and fall to fame. And yes, this the same Tony Award winning musical Dreamgirls that was brought to the big screen by Beyonce, Jaimee Fox, and Jennifer Hudson. Showing on July 7th at Mad Cow Theatre. 

3) Disney's Alice in Wonderland Jr, Princess Theatre - enter the wonderful, quirky, and mystical world of Wonderland and journey with Alice as she navigates her way through this enchanted world. This is one for the kiddies, and adults if you enjoy Disney classics with a twist. For more information and list of other summer productions check out Starving Artist Studios .

4) WordPlay, does your teen have talent and looking for a place to showcase, then this event is for them. Open mic for teen poets, spoken word artists, emcees, new young artists and performers get to showcase their talent at this event held by teens for teens. Click here for more details.

5) Harmony Music & Arts Festival - although this event is outdoors you can still stay pretty cool as this event is at the end of summer just before going into Fall. The event hosts three stages of music and performances, kids shows, and more for all musical/arts enthusiast. Something for families, kids, and all. Details here.

Well, these are just a few of the summer performing arts events I plan to check out. If you have any good events you would like to share, please leave a comment or post here. Look forward to summer arts fun!

Thanks for reading,

LaKesha, xo!

Performing Arts Is Entertainment

Technology has impacted a number of business' and industries in terms of how a company may operate or do business. Technology causes a business to be more creative in creating new, strategic, and innovative ways to engage their target audience. In the performing arts community technology and social media have had a tremendous impact on the industry and how the arts is translated to the public. Recently I came across a company that is using technology in new heights to engage the audience and share the various forms of art with the public. Quixotic is a performing arts company founded by Anthony Magliano that brings all types of artists together from varying fields to create new artistic art forms by pushing the limits of the traditional approach to art. The company uses dance, film, fashion, aerial acrobatics, and visual f-x to design and create unique performances through sound, movement, and music. Everything Magliano creates is to push the limits of art and entertainment in the minds of his performers and the audience in which the performances are shared.

In todays culture we are a visually, technology, and social media driven community that thrives on being engaged with the next best thing. In order for the performing arts to remain and grow, it will be key to understand todays culture and how to entertain, while also being able to draw in new audiences. Quixotic is one company that has learned to do just that with the fusion and blending of art and technology. The performances are not only visually engaging, but they also push the artists to new boundaries in their skill to truly be innovative and creative, not just for today but for tomorrow also. As a performer I am always amazed when I come across companies such as Quixotic and see how the industry is being shaped by innovative minds of the 21st century. Performing arts is no longer just art, it is entertainment.

Here's a video of Quixotic Fusion performance: 

http://on.ted.com/Quixotic 

Thanks for reading,

LaKesha xo

Reference:

Quixotic. (2013). Retrieved from http://www.quixoticfusion.com/about on June 8, 2013.

Quixotic Fusion. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.ted.com/talks/quixotic_fusion_dancing_with_light.html on June 8, 2013. 

Connections & Building Bridges

In the performing arts community marketing is a key factor to bringing awareness about the arts and organizations that dedicate themselves to keeping the arts alive. Traditional marketing strategies relied mostly on word of mouth, causing there to be a small audience of performing arts patrons. Today, new marketing tools such as social media has helped the performing arts community expand its reach, however the biggest impact to a nonprofit performing arts organization surviving, sustaining, and growing is connection. Connection is one of the biggest tools a nonprofit performing arts center can use to gain the support from the community to reach the desired goals.

Recently in doing some research I came across a few organizations that dedicate their time and efforts to supporting performing arts in the community, and helping to bridge the gap between the organization, residents and/or visitors to the area. One organization that has been working to provide such services for years is The Arts & Culture Alliance of Central Florida. The Arts & Culture Alliance of Central Florida works to increase the participation of residents and visitors in the arts community. The organization also provides collaborative efforts through marketing and sales strategies to increase awareness, patron participation, ticket sales, and arts education. The biggest initiative the organization uses to execute these efforts is their Red Chair Project, which brings the culture and arts community of all the Central FL counties together under one umbrella. The Red Chair uses unique branding campaigns to bring awareness to the regions cultural assets.

Organizations like The Arts & Cultural Alliance of Central Florida are vital to the continual growth of the performing arts community. The work and efforts of such organizations help nonprofits, such as mine, gain exposure and connection that we might otherwise not have access to. By joining with an established organization, like the Arts & Cultural Alliance of Central FL, we are able to tap into additional marketing resources that can drastically boost our audience reach, utilize an established brand  to build value and loyalty with patrons, and build a relationship that creates even more opportunities within the community.

As A. Quinn Performing Arts continues to grow our desire is to build lasting relationships with other organizations that will drive our vision, and mission, beyond our current reach. To truly impact a community it takes joint efforts and coming together with other like minded organizations to do so. This is our vision, building bridges that connects the performing arts community with those individuals who may not have been apart of our community before. And organizations like The Arts & Culture Alliance is one connection in the right direction.



Thanks for reading,

LaKesha xo

'Why I Do Theater' Patsy Rodenburg

In the performing arts culture there are various arts one can use to express themselves, or to tell a story. Whether it be through dance, a song, musical instruments, or acting. Each art allows the artist to intricately engage the audience, bring the audience in, and take the audience along with them. One of the most used art forms for this type of storytelling is acting. Actors, and actresses, train and learn to hone their skills in order to take a story, whether fictional or non, and make it real. As actors we learn to take our personal experiences, and emotions, and put them into the story of the character we are playing so the character has life. In theater or Hollywood this type of talent is unique, yet few posses the true ability to do so. Many only go so deep in their role, sometimes remaining at the surface of the character, leaving the audience to walk with no connection. So, it poses the question why do we act or perform, if we're not going to go all in? I believe as a performer we each must ask ourselves this question so we are able to give our truth, and the characters truth, to the audience.

I recently came across a video on TED.com titled 'Why I do Theater' by Patsy Rodenburg, who shares her perspective on acting and theater in a talk at the Michael Howard Studios. In the video Patsy is very charismatic and humorous as she draws her audience in to share why she does theater. Her presence throughout the short clip speaks volumes of her love for the art and her deep respect for the art as well. Yet, it is the profound statement she makes at the beginning of the video that helps to answer the question of actors and theater, and that "is being present, being in the moment, being engaged, being connected". Patsy shares her biggest belief for any entertainer, in any arena, 'is being present', as she deems one who can not gain presence will not succeed. Patsy then goes on and shares her experiences in moments where actors were able to be so present in the moment that some audiences would leave upset or angry because it triggered an emotion or past experience that was too real for them. To Patsy this is the mark of a great actor, the ability to be present in the moment that you do not care whether the audience loves or hates you, because you are being true to the character, the story, and your craft.

Patsy Rodenburg is a renowned and respected actor, author, and esteemed teacher with over 25 years experience in theater. Today she shares her talent and insight at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, and at the Michael Howard Studios in New York City.

So, again I ask the question 'why do we act or perform, if we're not willing to go all in'. At the A. Quinn performing arts center my role, and desire, is to teach, train, and push my students to go beyond the limitations of their mind and allow the deep emotions of life to catapult and transform their craft to new depths never realized before. To be uninhibited and free to express without the constraints of the mind. I want each student to walk away from a performance knowing they were present and gave it their all. For this I'm sure Patsy would be proud.

Thanks for reading,

LaKesha

My Inspiration

Recently, I came across a young dancer who is taking the dance world and Hollywood by storm, Kendall Glover.  Kendall Glover is a 12 year old sensation, who has been taking the dance world by surprise with her agility, athleticism, and technique. Kendall has already begun to create a successful career for herself in Hollywood that few adult dancers have been able to obtain in their entire career span. After reading and researching this young sensation, who is captivating hearts every time she hits the stage, I began to think back on my start in the dance community, and though I have not achieved the fetes Miss Kendall may have, I thought back on my inspirations that caused me to pursue my love for dance and the arts. For me it was when I first learned about Katherine Dunham in dance class that I became more intrigued about this art called dance.

Katherine Dunham was unique and special in the dance community, and she too took the dance world, and Hollywood, by storm just as Kendall Glover has. Katherine broke barriers, not only as an African-American, but as a dancer period. Katherine first made waves when she realized at the age of 18 she wanted to pursue and learn ballet. Shocker! At 18 most dancers are just hitting the peak of their careers, and here was Ms. Katherine, an African-American woman, looking to start her career. Despite the protest and opposition she pushed through and found someone who would take her in and teach her the disciplines of classical ballet. Katherine Dunham soon moved on to study various styles of dance from other countries, that helped her enter the theatrical community, and thereafter finding herself gracing the big screen in Hollywood. Later, she opened the Dunham School and helped to bring awareness to black dance and dancers throughout the world. Today, her name still lives on in the dance community as an innovator and one who would not take 'no' for an answer.

Katherine Dunham still inspires me to this day to continue to push to achieve my goals regardless of the obstacles or opposition I may face. And now, Kendall Glover is another inspiration as I see in her what the future holds. I desire to be apart of that future. I desire to create an environment, like Katherine did, that allows dancers to learn their craft but also become innovators of their generation. I desire to see the next Kendall Glover rise from the A. Quinn Performing Arts Center and know I was apart of their history. And I mostly desire to leave a legacy that will carry on for generations knowing I made an impact that helped to shape the course of tomorrows dance.

Thanks for reading,

xo,

LaKesha

Check out this amazing performance!

Festivals of Dance: New Movement

As you know I am pursuing my masters degree in Entertainment Business and last week one of my school assignments was discussing a potential project we would love to work on in our respective industries. Well, being my industry is performing arts my chosen project was creating a performing arts dance festival for the Central FL area that would bring all performing arts schools and centers together to showcase various talents to the community. The performing arts festival would be a great opportunity for the community to gain a deeper understanding about the various performing arts, i.e., music, dance, theatre, etc, and get a sneak peek into what each performing arts school and/or center have to offer to their community. After completing my assignment I did some research on the various dance festivals offered throughout the U.S. and learned that many cities offer spring, and summer, dance festivals that bring dancers, teachers, and choreographers together to learn and expand their talents. I was amazed at how many dance festivals there were and how uniquely different each one was, as each festival offered something the other didn't, yet all had a common theme which was bringing the dance community together and creating a new movement. The festivals not only allowed dancers, teachers, and choreographers to come and learn, but also to explore new movement that would push the dancer beyond what they know now. Here are a couple festivals I came across that really stood out for their creativity and purpose:

Bates Dance festival is a festival that brings an international community of dancers, performers, teachers, and choreographers together to study and create new movement. The Bates dance festival has been around for over 30 years working to provide a place for such creativity to be explored and learned. One of the best aspects of this festival is the community dance project which is open to the local residents to participate and work with the choreographers. 

In Philadelphia the 954 Dance Movement Collective hosts an annual World Dance Day Festival that brings dance to the local community. The World Dance Day festival showcases a variety of dance styles and performances by local dancers, performers, and choreographers that donate they talent for free. This year is the 4th annual festival and will be showcased on April 29th. So if you're in the Philadelphia check it out and share your experience below! 

As I work towards the opening of the A. Quinn Performing arts center I look forward to the day we host our first annual performing arts festival that will hopefully become part of the festivals of dance new movement.

Thanks for reading!

xo,

LaKesha