References

“Yours represents the how-to’s for building trust and camaraderie as well as the why’s. Your seminars represent nuts and bolts information and I strongly recommend them. The LYFE book is on-target and timely for those who want to progress and prosper. Both provide superb insights for improving relationships amongst teams and for building character." Jack Hug, President Association of Physical Plant Administrators VP Univ. of Colorado

"Just when we think we have heard it all, you wowed us during your all-day presentation. An added spark was your helping us gain more participation and membership in our association.You were a pleasure to work with in all aspects of booking and interacting with you during our encounter.
Jack Harrel, Executive Director,
Oklahoma Association of School Business Officials

"What effective, powerful, and inspiring workshops, all 187 of them.”
Robert Galvin, President, Motorola, Inc.

"Mac, regarding your new book and the seminars you provided us... I have never seen so much needed counseling, pride-building and behind-boosting delivered so entertainingly."
Tyler Thornburg, New Orleans District Director, FDA

“Your half day presentation was exactly what I hope to experience when I attend these conferences, and mostly don’t.”
Scott Collins, Managing Partner,
Facility Services Partners

"Mr. Macdonald was hired in the nineties by our corporation to train our managers when I was with the Marriott hotel chain. Fifteen years later, now as an owner of two hotels I located him and hired him to conduct a series of customer service, and trust and attitude seminars for all employees, not just managers. For obtaining employee commitment to do one percent better at one thousand things? I haven't seen where you can do better."
Karl Ewald, Owner/CEO Hilton Homewood Suites

"I would not hesitate to recommend you as a speaker to any group or organization. Your keynote address and breakout had a major influence on our conference. Our attendees found it to be thought-provoking, inspiring, and humorous all at the same time. Because a major theme of our conference was 'change', your message helped create an atmosphere for our delegates that smoothed the path to major changes in our organization. In fact you were referenced for the rest of the three-day conference.
Jeffery Porter President,
Intl. Assn. of Clerks, Recorders, Elected Officials and Treasurers

To All AEOP State Offices,

"Mr. Mac Macdonald spoke to our organization for our 50th Anniversary celebration. He did an amazing job! He was exceedingly well versed and informed about us. He did extensive research as to what has happened in the world during the last 50 years and related it all to where we were during those periods. He was passionate, energetic and very creative. Response was so positive about his program on camaraderie and team-think that we asked him to addrress our national conference in Costa Mesa, California this year. You learn more each time you hear him.

Mac is very motivational and creates an in-depth program customized to suit the needs of your audience. He connected to our audience with wit and humor, as well as insight, and they appreciated that about him. As secretaries, office personnel, and school administrators we have a duty to our students, and that is the way he feels about his clients. He does an enormous amount of research into your issues and challenges and really resonated with our group.

All of the conference evaluations were enthusiastic as well as positive. We researched his website www.lyfeco.com, and talked with other groups he has presented to and we were not disappointed"

I would not hesitate to recommend Mac Macdonald to you as a speaker to any of your conferences. He will give you a sense of spirit and energy that your attendees will carry for quite some time.

Terri Cerna, CEOE
Conference Planning Chairman
Association of Educational Office Professionals

Mac
Regarding the questionnaire from the NAEOP Costa Mesa national convention... We tabulated over three hundred evaluations and your three days of seminars and keynote presentation was ranked the best we have ever experienced, and I concur. The standing ovation you received after your final presentation attested to that. It was the tonic, the reminder, and the encouragement we needed.  And yes, we were exhausted after the five day convention but it was rewarding.
Rhonda (Rhonda Quinton - conference co-chair)

"I personally rate your program the best we have ever had. The conference evaluations were overwhelmingly enthusiastic, I couldn't recommend it more highly. Your training was respectful and participatory".
Sid Armstrong, President Idaho Assn. of School Business Officials

"The training was well received by our employees and was a first in the history of this company. As a follow-up, we do plan on initiating your Quality Teams idea and utilizing quotes from your book to open dialogue and discussion. Thanks again for all of your help making Belshaw a better place to work, and the doors you helped open that were beginning to close."
Frank Chandler, CEO, Belshaw Adamatics Manufacturing

"You asked to see the evaluation scores, both positive and negative. There weren't any negative."
Melissa Combs, Conference Committee Chair, FDA

"Last week met and exceeded my expectations and hopes.  I am indebted to you for making my employees feel so much better about who they are and where they work.  I have received a torrent of thanks-you's for your presentations.  I am now halfway through your book; the ideas and quotes are starting to stick with me and I am using them.  So thank you too on a personal note for helping me be a better me;  I always want to be on the "future train".  Looking forward to the next time."
John R Ferris, MBA, CEM, LEED AP   Director, Facilities Services, San Diego State University

"Mac,I have your book on my desk and love the fact that I can pick it up at any time, turn to any page, and come away with something positive that lifts my spirit."    Glenn R. Smith, Director Facilities Services, Bryn Mawr College,  Immediate Past President Association of Physical Plant Administrators (APPA)

"Together we fought witches and demons.... and slayed dragons. You have opened the door to better relationships and different attitudes. It is now up to us to keep that door propped. With your creatively-delivered personal appearances, and your book to reference, we will."
Barbara Cassens, Director FDA San Francisco

"The creative way you present your material, and the homework you did made every single individual connected with our company, and that includes the family members we let attend your various trainings, aware that they are significant, valued, and connected to a proud organization. As you stated we are all of us customer servants. The bottom line is, you help the bottom line. Period!"
John E. Porter, President
The Eureka Inns

"Dealing with change is something many of the Czech educators that you addressed are being forced to do. Your ability to present such an in-depth program in such a colorful understandable manner would benefit the staff, faculty, and students at any learning center fortunate enough to hear about you."
Carol Kyper, Director International School of Prague
 
"You made an all-important yet potentially dry subject like Succession Planning come alive for us at this year's convention."
Christopher Ahoy, Vice President Iowa State University, Author 

"Mr. MacDonald completed his presentation on sales and customer service and was treated to a rousing standing ovation by our attendees. He was truly inspirational and I recommend him for use in other settings conducted by our company."
Internal memo William Dahl, Senior Vice President
Chrysler

"Some examples of comments from the medical staffs in attendance were:
"Bring him back", "He helped us see things in a different light", "Tremendous speaker with powerful ideas for getting along better in our department", "Perfectly balanced humor for this sometimes skeptical group", and "He gave us a deeper meaning about why we are here and why we are doing what we do, something we forget".

These should tell you that your talents and homework paid off."
Perri Bernard, Conference Coordinator
Evergreen/Everwell

"I would not have believed it if I had not been there! Speaking to a group of displaced workers, many from the timber industry, I was witness to a transformation of spirit, a renewal of energy, and a heightened determination to create a new life. You have sparked these people to look up, in, and outwards for assistance. Your seminar has helped the out-of-work take the emotional and mental first steps they might not have taken had we attempted to deliver the same message using our in-house staff. Great creativity!"
Chris Wallis, Director of Programs
Private Industry Council

"Your story about Robert Duvall while on the set of "Apocalypse Now" was amusing, self-effacing, and educational. Many discouraged conference attendees commented on their renewed sense of mission because of your talk."
Julie Bacon, Membership Director
Master Builders Association"

"It was fun to tag along as you helped us navigate your 'Seven "C's'. I was personally impressed with the variety of techniques you used to convey your timely messages, PowerPoint, movie clips, interactive participation, written self evaluations, etc. I especially enjoyed the melting of the witch and defrocking our negative wizards from your video clip of "The Wizard of Oz" video, and then listening to our employees' reactions afterwards regarding how we communicate within the department from your clip of "The Horse Whisperer". Mostly I enjoyed your 'life (lyfe!) enhancement' pointers; skills rarely taught in a university setting."
Sandra Madrid, Asst. Dean
University of WA Law School

“We mandate thirty hours of training classes per year. I have never had such a positive response to any training program in the past. I will attach one of the many written and verbal comments from managers thanking me for bringing in your seminars...

'Mr. Macdonald's creative training sessions go right along with the trend to make Motorola a team effort at all levels. This training makes it easier to face the challenges of our jobs because we were made to feel like an important part of the whole effort.'

You did a great job providing the skills and mental tools to keep us together as a proud unit. As a result, they are a happier, more productive, and more quality conscious team."
Larry Kost Director of Distribution
Motorola

"Mac I just loved this, you absolutely opened minds and transformed spirits. Use me as a reference at any time."
John Ferris, Director of Facilities Services  San Diego State University

"You were rated the highest ever in our satisfaction survey. Your enjoyable message on trust and communication is extremely valuable in today's society - never more valuable in fact for an organization given the challenges we are facing."
Thank-you again,
Julene Donnay Chair, Annual Conference 
Certified Leadership Committee   Epsilon Sigma Alpha

"Your keynote presentations were the highlight of our conference. As you were also on the air, our radio stations were flooded with calls thanking us for flying you in."
Ivan Braiker,President / Radio Ink, and Streaming Magazine
"Regarding our twenty-first Stars meeting in Las Vegas...As you know, the directors were from all over the United States. It was by far the best workshop we have ever had. Thank-you so much for the great motivational seminar and all of the homework you did prior to your presentation."
Pat Rhodes, National Director
Stars, Inc.

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICE Southwest Region
Food and Drug Administration

August 12, 2008
Mac A. MacDonald
The Lyfe Enhancement Co.
1903 Fairmount Ave., SW
Seattle, WA 98126

Mr. MacDonald:

"On behalf of the Conference Committee of the Denver District Office of the FDA, I would like to thank you for the excellent training that you provided to our staff at our recent District Conference.

Your talk was at once motivating, entertaining, and therapeutic. The exercises you put us through, and the video clips you used, were as insightful as they were self-elucidating. We needed the re-galvanization and you provided it.

What set your presentation apart from others was your prior research of the FDA structure and the current issues facing us at both the national and local levels. This insight, as well as the creative use of media, made the training much more relevant than the standard motivational sessions to which we have become accustomed. Thanks for doing all your prior homework.

The lessons we learned have continued to improve our communication skills as well as nourish our relationships. This is true not only in our professional life here at the FDA but in our personal lives. All agree yours was a commendable and recommendable training. Thanks for "lighting our fuse".

Sincerely,
Howard E. Manresa
Director, Compliance Branch

From a recent Atlanta District FDA Conference, (half day, an amalgamated response…)

"Mr. Macdonald I just want to tell you that your program was very well received by all of the 120 Investigations and Compliance officials in attendance; in fact they talk about it every day. One benefit we all agree on is the door you gave us for confronting problem employees without confrontation.

As you studied, retention might loom as a large issue in this agency and you planted seeds that bonded new and old employees alike. Coupled with your training manual you gave us a wonderful blueprint for carrying on the work of our agency, and importantly for applying all you gave us to our personal lives as well. As you know this makes for a much more satisfied employee.

We haven't heard one negative comment, not one, which is at least a rarity when we conduct various trainings; and continue to hear nothing but good from everybody. We especially enjoyed the interactive experiences you provided to discuss matters out loud. You incorporated well researched information about current issues facing the agency, including the current peanut butter case, which also made us pay rapt attention. One half of a day seemed to disappear into self - and agency awareness, something we can and will build on. In a word outstanding.”

FDA's - Barbara Wood, Director Compliance Branch ATL, Mary Woleske, District Director ATL, Todd Cato, Imports Director - Dallas, Priscilla McDaniels, Director of Program Analysis.

And from Barbara Woods, Chair of the Conference Committee for the same, 
"A heartfelt thanks!. Employees are always open to receiving information that will impact their lives, both personally and professionally. Your half day "Lighting Your Own Fuse" seminar was the motivation needed in the midst of a sea of consumer safety and health issues. The various topics you covered were timely, humorous, stimulating, reflective, well researched and well received. There is no doubt the conference would not have been the success that it was without your presence.

From the FDA - New Orleans District - Full day  

"You nailed the roadmap for us as new hires.'
Lieutenant Katrina Mosley, U.S. Public Health Service

"Mac, you set it up perfectly for me to stem competition between our branches, and between some people. Great jump-start, especially to keep older workers out of complacency and newer workers on board with us even if/when the economy changes - truly reinvigorating."
Patt Schaeffer, District Director, FDA

"It is a real art to weave such a message of counseling, people skills, organizational-behavioral skills, as well as inspiration. You did it to great satisfaction, and, with those movie clips and your humor, in an entertaining fashion. In fact I don't think I have ever seen such therapeutic behind-boosting delivered so entertainingly. Now it is up to us to act on your timely guidance."
Tyler Thornberg, New Orleans District Director

"Each and every FDA employee should sit in on your seminar. You show how to build trust and you help people handle change with less stress."
Andrew Saunders, Safety Officer 

From the FDA - Southwest Import District October 2011

Dear Mr. MacDonald,

"I hope you enjoyed your stay in the Dallas area as much as the response to your training is telling us that the attendees at your seminar enjoyed you. There has not been one person out of the 180 scientists, investigators, managers and front line personnel who has sent in a note of rejection, a rarity. The closest thing to a criticism was a compliment. It stated, "Mac's unorthodox way of presenting his material should become the norm." That must have been in reference to the message-laden video clips from various movies you showed us. "The Wizard of Oz", and "The Horse Whisperer" was mentioned the most, "The Lion King", "Harry Potter" and "The African Queen" getting honorable mention.

Your presentation was enlightening and entertaining and, given the pressures and change we have been experiencing, it was exactly what we needed. Comments we have heard are: "As you know some tempers were getting short and some burnout was beginning to creep in. How timely to nip this in the bud." "He pointed out so many underlying issues of life and in our workplace, I thought no one on this earth would ever understand it all and be able to address it." "Couldn't have been better. What a jumpstart for the newer hires, it sure emotionally tied them into the FDA didn't it? And what a gentle smack on the backside to the older hires regarding complacency, all done diplomatically but firmly."

You received the highest ratings any speaker has ever received. Many of our employees that didn't were disappointed because they did not think to get an autograph in their book."

It was an honor and a pleasure working with you. Keep in touch, I know our Director Todd Cato is currently recommending you to other Regions. ....     Tujuana Walker, Office Manager, FDA Southwest District

Hello Mac,

"Your presentation was awesome! And ten days later I continue to hear nothing but outstanding comments from others on both your content and delivery.  It was exactly what we needed.  You inspired the new hires and reinvigorated the spark in the older hires.  I am so glad to have been a part of this as it was so uplifting for me personally .  I have been using your book as my second 'bible'. Again, thanks for everything!"

Stacy M. Below 
Director of Investigations Branch 


  PCAPPA 2009
Speaker Evaluation Summary
Association of Physical Plant Administrators  -  (University Chancellors, CFO’s and Facility Directors)

Track: Customer Service/Communication
Title: Building Trust at Work and at Home --"Horse Whispering On Steroids"
Speaker: Mac Macdonald, The LYFE Enhancement Company
Date: Friday, October 9th
Time: 1:00pm – 4:15pm 96% OVERALL RATING

"Mac, You made me open my eyes. Yours was wonderful information, timely and necessary for building trust. I hope to see you again at many other conferences". Respectfully, Steve Rojas Sr. Superintendent University of California Los Angeles

"Yours represents the how-to’s for building trust and camaraderie versus the why’s. This is nuts and bolts information. For me, personally, I thoroughly enjoyed and needed your seminar". Jack Hug, CSUN, former APPA President.

“Words can’t express how much I enjoyed your seminar, just stellar. It was perfect for us during this time of budget cuts to get people to want to do more with fewer resources”. Margaret Steiner, COO, CSUN

“This is the kind of breakout or keynote I hope to experience when I attend these conferences, and mostly don’t".  
Scott Collins, Co-Owner, Facility Services Partners

“Your comments on working with our Spanish speaking workers, as well as the tips you gave us for working well together were spot on, especially given the stress so many employees feel right now. Yours was a very entertaining yet deeply profound trust-building address to us." 
Tom Harkenrider, COO, SOKA University of America
         
 
Re: Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe seminars, Employee Training Feedback from all Tribal Directors: From Office of the CEO… Jan. 2017

Discussion commenced on the recent employee training by Mac Macdonald.  (Names deleted due to closed-door nature.) CEO: “Mac’s training is  invaluable for promoting a higher degree of work ethic and for gaining cooperation among our various work units.”
 
AA noted the excellent training, encouraging everyone to make sure all their employees attend so that all can be on the same page and most importantly at the same time.  It is about attitude, team building, and leadership.  The LYFE training helped to re-align all of us to our mission and goals which had eroded.  
 
BB thought it was excellent, and attitudes have changed day to day… how we are now respecting each other, and interact much better with other departments.  We cannot forget we represent the Tribe, our ancestors, and the community.  It was empowering.  She liked the small (30 attendees or less) group setting. 
 
CC said Mac was amazing.  He kept your attention from beginning to end.  He was powerful and made us feel powerful. We must continue to bring more training in to build on his concepts.  
 
DD noted that even though much of the information is commonsense, the way it was presented helps us brush up on skills, and push the professional development higher for the Tribe.  We now have a common language to use. 
 
EE shared that as we continue to have new staff, this training may be presented quarterly, for sure every 6 months. Let’s ask Mac what else he has up his sleeve. 
 
FF asked how we’d managed to find Mac and at such a reasonable cost. His book alone is invaluable to us. (Helped him become a more confident leader.
 
GG said his staffs are already using the techniques Mac asked them to use. Trust, communication and morale are all up. He said it is now easier to broach subjects by thumbing back at Mac and saying, “Remember what Mac said…?” 
HH stated that even racist attitudes on the part of some tribal members have eased. It is wonderful to see family members put away some long held animosities, some directed to members of their own family. He said he couldn’t believe someone from the outside would bring some of our sacred traditions and legends into the training but that Mac did so in a sensitive, and effective manner. He addressed Historical Trauma, long-held resentments, “not being tribal”, or “not being tribal enough” with deftness and clarity. He was very impressed with his research.
 
From the Tribe's Health Care Center, two full days, 85 employees
 
"Life after LYFE" 
For future trainings: 
* Add more Klallam-related material during the imagine segment.
* Add a bit more content that is relevant to the very very youngest age and cultures of people that work at our clinic especially in the "Imagine" segment. (Am incorporating that now.)
* Find out what our specific issues are with each other and solve them (Actually did discover and discuss issues in the several pre-seminar meetings. To address all of them would take more days than being contracted for. I plant seeds, and give some solutions, not all solutions, but many. My job is to get the doors of intimacy and trust back open.)
* We were being “talked at” sometimes, but I realize our attitudes needed forthrightness on his part.
 
What we liked: (This was the universal feeling per Asst. Director Keri)

* He nailed our needs, related perfectly to the health care industry, thought he was one of us.
* Reminded us why we chose this profession in the first place, or, as he said, it chose us.
* Gave us reminders of good behaviors and good communication, how important they are (they have been sorely lacking).
* Learned take-home skills, things we could take back to our families and outside relationships.
* His “Thumb back @ Mac” idea during group discussions in order to open up blocked conversation.
* Leaders were provided perfect tips for furthering his many messages.
* Incorporation of the Sleeping Lady and our other traditions.
* Being welcomed in Klallam language, shows speaker cared and did his research.
* Loved his incorporating tribal history into his mix of messages.
* The content, all we were taught. 
* The fact that we had the training.
* The new opportunity to be genuine with each other.
* It’s all about our attitude.
* Attitude is like magic, it’s either good magic or bad magic.
* His energy, honesty, and creativity.



Other written comments:

"Your trust-building exercise is as important for use at home as it is at work”

“Thanks Mac. I was a communications major and this was a unique take!! I will put it to use immediately on Monday. I appreciated your passion and commitment. Good example for me.”

“Great presentation”

“Great discussion"

"Not enough time. Wanted more time w. this trainer. Use of videos were great."

“Right on point. Great”

“The best overall - all week”

“Enlightening ,entertaining and necessary”

“You hit the mark for us, excellent session”

“Excellent. Ask Mac back”

“Great, great, great!”

“Very interesting, inspiring, and rejuvenating”

“Excellent session”

“This was very good, very good”

“Right on, bring Mac back to the conference next year”

“I wanted more”

More topics...

Reviews

Lighting Your OWN Fuse
A Glossary of Mission, Vision & Passion

"Mr. Macdonald, I wanted to write to tell you how much using your book as a reference has helped me manage my staff."
Carl Ewald, Owner, Homewood Suites

Learn more