The Rockstar Within

Are you channeling yours?

Arnel Pineda. Tim Owens. John Corabi. Gary Cherone.

If you are a fan of rock music, there is a good chance you are familiar with the names listed above. For those of you who have no idea who these people are, here is a quick rundown:

• Arnel Pineda has been the voice of Journey since 2007.

• Tim "Ripper" Owens fronted Judas Priest from 1996 – 2004.

• John Corabi replaced Vince Neil as the singer in Mötley Crüe between 1992 – 1997.

• The original singer of Van Halen, David Lee Roth, was replaced TWICE: first by Sammy Hagar and a dozen years later by Gary Cherone.

Four legendary bands, and each one replaced a classic, distinctive voice with that of another (or two). While each singer was technically proficient and every group continued to record new music and tour with varying degrees of success, they all lost the critical component of individuality the original lead singers brought to their respective bands.

Van Halen provides the best example of what the impact of losing an integral ingredient can bring: With Gary Cherone as the singer, the group not only lost the element of danger and hedonism that David Lee Roth brought to the band, they also lost the majority of their audience and record sales plummeted. No one would dispute that Gary Cherone was a technically better singer than David Lee Roth, but the band simply wasn't the same without Roth's swagger, personality, and individuality.

The same uniqueness that only David Lee Roth could bring to Van Halen is not dissimilar to the distinctiveness that every promotional products professional needs to share with their clients. All too often, salespeople engage prospects and clients with a sameness that is as bland as hospital food. Do you think David Lee Roth would present branded merchandise ideas in a professional but boring and mundane manner? No, he would engage his target audience the same way he would if fronting America's Greatest Rock Band – as a charming ringmaster with unbridled confidence and creativity.

Don't squander your chance to be a rock star the next time your prospect or client gives you an audience. Channel your inner frontman and share the unique qualities that make you different from everyone on the planet.

The question is simple: Would you rather be Gary Cherone or David Lee Roth?

Be Bold. Be Unique. Be You.