One of my private financial advisor coaching clients had the opportunity to deliver a presentation to a group of elite physicians. This talk had been on his calendar for two months. He wanted the talk to sparkle.
This advisor suffers from the “curse of success.” He had been so busy that he simply didn’t get around to writing his talk.
That’s why, seven days before the presentation, he hired me to write it.
Creating a presentation that sparkles requires real work. I usually invest 20 to 40 hours to craft an hour presentation. I knew that my week end would not be the time of restoration I planned.
On Sunday night I worked with the Oscars playing in the background.
When I heard the iconic opening piano bars of the song “I’m Just Ken” I looked up. Ryan Gosling grabbed my full attention.
I heard the song lyrics in a new way.
Doesn’t seem to matter what I do
I’m always number two
No one knows how hard I tried, oh-oh, I
I have feelings that I can’t explain
Drivin’ me insane.
You’ll find the full lyrics below.
Here’s the opening hook I wrote for the talk.
“Did you catch Ryan Gosling’s performance at the Oscars? I realized something. For you, Doctor, clinical care is number one. Wealth-building is number two.”
Then he could play the first 20 seconds of “I’m Just Ken.” If he felt really brave, he could break into song. “Doesn’t seem to matter what I do. I’m always number two. No one knows how hard I tried, oh-oh. I have feelings that I can’t explain, drivin’ me insane.”
“I’m not Ken, but for this next hour you’ve decided to put wealth-building number one. After helping doctors create financial freedom for the past two decades, I want to fight for you! I would like to offer you some of my best pearls of wisdom so your money can work hard for you, and help you serve in a bigger way.”
I also suggested he wear his pink shirt. (I usually suggest that my clients get a color consultation at Nordstrom, and pink’s one of his colors.)
The close of the talk was a call back to the “I’m Just Ken” “money as number two” theme.
I knew this would be a moment physicians in the audience would never forget. They would talk about it in the doctor’s dining room and in the surgeon’s lounge. When physicians thought of wealth, they would think of this financial advisor.
My client delivered the presentation last night. How did the hook work?
We’ll never know. My client rejected the idea. He wanted to play it safe.
Sometimes taking prudent risk is the safest thing to do.
How will YOU be memorable?
Please, feel welcome to take this hook and use it to engage doctors in your own practice.
Let me know how it works for you!
To your success,
Dr. Vicki
Vicki Rackner MD
I’m Just Ken Lyrics
Doesn’t seem to matter what I do
I’m always number two
No one knows how hard I tried, oh-oh, I
I have feelings that I can’t explain
Drivin’ me insane
All my life, been so polite
But I’ll sleep alone tonight
‘Cause I’m just Ken, anywhere else I’d be a ten
Is it my destiny to live and die a life of blonde fragility?
I’m just Ken
Where I see love, she sees a friend
What will it take for her to see the man behind the tan and fight for me?
I wanna know what’s like to love, to be the real thing
Is it a crime? Am I not hot when I’m in my feelings?
And is my moment finally here, or am I dreaming?
I’m no dreamer
Can you feel the Kenergy?
Feels so real, my Kenergy
Can you feel the Kenergy?
Feels so real, my Kenergy
I’m just Ken, anywhere else I’d be a ten
Is it my destiny to live and die a life of blonde fragility?
I’m just Ken
Where I see love, she sees a friend
What will it take for her to see the man behind the tan and fight for me?
I’m just Ken (and I’m enough)
And I’m great at doing stuff
So, hey, check me out, yeah, I’m just Ken
My name’s Ken (and so am I)
Put that manly hand in mine
So, hey, world, check me out, yeah, I’m just Ken
Baby, I’m just Ken (nobody else, nobody else)