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How do you pronounce your name? |
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It’s pretty straightforward: Mark rhymes with park. Oh, you mean the last name. It’s “Sharon-brock” … or Shake-n-bake if that’s easier. Most people just say, “Please welcome our guest speaker, Mark,” followed by some version of the last name. No matter how you pronounce it, it’s okay with me. |
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How do you differentiate yourself from other speakers?
There are a few things that make me different … |
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Attendees talk about my messages long after the conference ends. Nice Bike is likely to become a phrase that’s embraced and repeated within your organization. The presentation has a great balance between content and entertainment. I listen to what’s happening prior to my presentation and weave it into my messages. I write observational comedy on site and do real-time humor that’s unique to your experience. You’ll see examples of this in the longer version of my preview video, available upon request. |
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My humor is clean, non-offensive and self-effacing. I’m a storyteller; I create a cast of memorable characters to deliver the message. I connect with the audience through common, shared experiences. People laugh, nod their heads, applaud and, in the end, celebrate their accomplishments as an organization. Most people say my talk feels more like a conversation than a presentation. |
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I hardly ever use PowerPoint—not that there’s anything wrong with that. I can see where it is useful to support a presentation, but I help my audience remember the key points in a different way. |
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I won’t make any last-minute demands for something like a bowlful of blue M&Ms or the presidential suite. A clean hotel room with soap, yes—and if I did get the presidential suite by accident, that would be way cool—but I’m easy to work with, both in the planning stages and at the event. |
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Will you tailor your presentation for our group?
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Yes, absolutely. I do my homework, get to know you and your organization, and then customize the presentation to meet your needs and objectives. I’ll do more than just drop in the name of the organization at the appropriate moment. My work starts with your pre-program questionnaire and conference calls with your key people. |
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What do you need for your presentation? |
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You can check out the “official” Nice Bike tool kit list, but here’s a summary: I’ll need a hand-held microphone, a fully lit stage that is about two feet in height (depending on the size of the audience and whether you use front-screen IMAG projection), and a music stand. Oh, and an audience. That’s it. It’s ideal to have theater seating versus round tables, but I can make just about any arrangement work. |
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Where’s the best position to use you at our event? |
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 Open your meeting with me to set the tone, establish the theme and get people connected from the very first moment. Nice Bike is a great opener. As your closing speaker, I can help to summarize the meeting and end it on a high note. Whether in the opening or closing session, I conclude my presentation with a powerful message and a “Boomba, Hey! ” Big Finish. (You always need a Big Finish.) I end the presentation with a really fun, interactive group activity that helps people celebrate their company’s accomplishments. It may sound lame, but trust me, it’s a hoot. Check out this video clip at a Wells Fargo Sales and Service conference with an audience of 2000 team members.
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What do the initials CSP and CPAE after your name mean?
Are you a part-time accountant? |
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 No, math isn’t my forte. I freaked out on flash cards in grade school, but I did enjoy the speech contests.
The National Speakers Association’s Hall of Fame awards its CPAE (Council of Peers Award of Excellence) to members who have been recognized by their peers for excellence in the speaking profession. Fewer than 150 active members are Hall of Fame inductees. I have also earned the NSA Certified Speaking Professional/CSP designation.
I’m also a member of the prestigious Speakers Roundtable, formed in 1954, which is an invitation-only association of 20 of the United States’ foremost motivational speakers, considered by many to be the crème de la crème of the worldwide speaking community . |
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Have you set any world records or been featured in the Guinness book of World Records? |
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I admire people who have set world records, but I am not one of them. I did visit the Guinness Brewery in Dublin once. As they say in Ireland, “My goodness, my Guinness.” See the photo scrapbook for documentation. No, wait. That’s the Heineken Brewery in Holland. Never mind. |
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