“The Nido Effect”

Last weekend I had the privilege of attending an exclusive symposium with the godfather of public speaking, Dr. Nido Qubein.  It was held at High Point University in North Carolina where, for the past five years, he has held the position of president.

There is no experience quite like the live experience.  I was in total awe as I walked through the hallways of HPU and observed the phenomena that Dr Nido Qubein and his staff have created. I have decided to call this “wow” experience “The Nido Effect.”

I must have said “Wow” more times in those two days than I have all year……Wow, this university looks amazing!  Wow, the staff are incredibly helpful and friendly! Wow, the students love this university!  Wow, Nido Qubein is a living genius!

HPU was founded in 1924.  Students come from 44 states and 55 countries.

Nido Qubein became president of HPU on January 2005.  At that time enrollment of new students was 412 and was on the decline.  In 2006 enrollment increased to 534 students.  In 2007 enrollment was 749.  In 2008 it went up to 883. In 2009 it was 1030 and enrollment for 2010 is expected to be around 1150-1200.

They have constructed 13 new buildings using the model of the “real world” environment similar to what students will move on to after leaving the university.  They’ve created a TV station, a radio station, a stock exchange, a boardroom, and a robotics dept.

The Wow effect is in everything they do and create.

They offer free snacks on the way to class to model ”giving and abundance.”

They offer free personalized christmas postcards to model ”connection of family and friends.”

They have a free ice cream truck on campus to model ”Joy.”

They offer free rentals of GPS and Amazon Kindle Reader.

They offer a free high-tech laundry service that will text your phone once your laundry is done.

They have a free arcade, a free movie theater, and free wireless throughout the campus.

The belief is that by offering things for free to the students this will help to alleviate financial worries and allow them to focus on higher education in a vibrant learning environment.

“People will always rise to the level of expectation of their environment and what is expected of their performance.” Nido Qubein

“Most people tend to shrink their dreams to match their incomes.” Nido Qubein

“If You’re Not Earning All You Want, Change the Way You’re Doing

Business.” Nido Qubein

For more about Nido Qubein check out www.Nidoqubein.com or www.highpoint.edu

Fred Shadian

I will be spending the next two days at an exclusive symposium with the godfather of public speaking Nido Qubein.  It is being held at High Point University, of which he happens to be the current president.

This is one of many high profile positions he is involved with.  For more, check www. Nidoqubein.com

While there, I’ll be tweeting about what I am learning and the wisdom of Nido Qubein.

Here are a few gems:

“Most people tend to shrink their dreams to match their incomes” – Nido Qubein

“If You’re Not Earning All You Want, Change the Way You’re Doing

Business” – Nido Qubein

Nice quotes….. How exactly do you do that?

Stay tuned for the update

FRED