HOW I MET OBAMA: PLAN FIRST, THEN BE FLEXIBLE AS HELL
I was in Helsinki a month ago to host the Nordic Business Forum. It was an exciting challenge: a two day business event with 7,500 people physically present, another 20,000 watching a live stream, some fantastic, inspiring speakers, and the big finale: a dialogue with President Obama. (Yes, this was the day before he was in Amsterdam; he’s an efficient traveler!) I was excited and planned what I would say if I met him. You see, my theory is if you meet a person who meets people all day, you have to say something unique based on your knowledge of that person. When I got to meet Beastie Boys’ King AdRock, I said, “I was a fan back when you were getting booed off stage opening for Madonna.” When I didn’t get to meet President Clinton in Amsterdam – but stood next to him…