: About Me

R. Luke Lively is the owner of Lively Consulting Services providing leadership, sales/service training and operational support to the financial services industry. His clients include banks, insurance, internet and software companies.

Luke has over twenty-five years experience as a bank executive. Beginning in 1981, his career has reflected a wide range of duties beginning as a management trainee at a finance company in West Virginia and progressing through a variety of banking positions in Virginia, West Virginia, Tennessee and North Carolina. His background includes: serving as Chief Executive Officer of two banks; Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of one of the largest banks in Virginia; and President of a multi-state bank (First Vantage Bank) with headquarters in Johnson City, Tennessee. Most recently, BB&T, one of the largest banks in the country, acquired Luke's former employer, First Virginia. At BB&T, he served as a Senior Vice President for two years before choosing to leave banking and form his own consulting firm.

During his banking career, Luke was directly involved in nineteen mergers as the banking industry underwent massive changes in operations, service, staffing and products. This background afforded him a wealth of experience in "change leadership" and allowed him a unique perspective in developing programs for businesses experiencing rapid change.

A gifted public speaker, Luke has delivered numerous seminars and programs on organizational change, leadership and client service to a variety of businesses, governmental, community and non-profit organizations. The presentations focus on the core beliefs and values necessary to sustain effectiveness during business transformations and how to maintain enthusiasm in the servicing of clients despite the challenges of internal restructuring. In addition, he has had over a dozen articles published in a number of banking publications including the American Banker, the largest financial service publication in the United States.

Luke is an honors graduate of Concord University majoring in History with a minor in Political Science. In 1989, he earned a graduate degree from the most prestigious banking program in the United States, The Stonier Graduate School of Banking at the University of Delaware.

He has been an active member of the National Speaker's Association and has served on numerous boards of directors including: The William King Arts Center; Pro Arts of Southwest Virginia; and The Barter Theatre.

Luke's first book, A Questionable Life (Beaufort Books, NYC) was published in October of 2009 earning excellent reviews.  See www.lukelively.com for more information or Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Borders, Powell's or other book retailers.

Luke is a resident of Southern Pines, North Carolina.

My passion is ...

Writing-sharing life experiences.

I know too much about ...

Nothing-even the subject closest to me (me) is still a work-in-process!

My parents always told me ...

to be polite...

My childhood ambition ...

Architect

My favorite memory ...

So many...seeing my three children born-tops the list!

Why I write ...

because I was meant to do so...part of my purpose.

What I am reading/watching/listening to ...

Everything!

My first job ...

Auto parts salesperson

My best moment ...

Now...

My inspiration ...

Others...to help make the world a better place.

Business > Sales Retail: How to reach great sales quotas

5 of 5

Make FEAR Work For You! John is a salesperson. For months he has done his best to gain access to his most lucrative prospect, Ms. Jones, the CEO of Jones Industries. After countless phone calls and emails she agrees to give him thirty minutes to make his presentation. If he gets the business he will realize the biggest sale in his career. While driving to the meeting his thoughts focus on the weaknesses of his presentation. Doubt sets in. A horde of what ifs permeates his thoughts. His heart rate quickens. "Don't blow it!" he tells himself as he wipes a drop of nervous perspiration from hi...

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