Harvey Alston
- Best Inc. founder
- Member of the National Speakers Association
Harvey Alston Speaker Biography
Considered one of the most dynamic, “high octane” speakers in America. Harvey Alston has been a full-time speaker since 1989. He has spoken to millions of people throughout the United States who have benefited not only from his knowledge, but also from the wisdom that Harvey Alston brings to the finish line.
Harvey Alston’s unforgettable words of individual responsibility for achievement have improved spirits, spurred growth, and changed lives. His powerful, soul-searching presentations uplift audiences to a higher standard, and to a level where they strive only for the best. Harvey Alston believes in solitary achievement, shared accomplishment and the dignity of human beings.
As one of the most in-demand speakers in America, Harvey Alston’s career has spanned positions from head football coach of Columbus East High School in Ohio in 1968, to assistant director of student financial aid at the university level. Over the years, Harvey Alston has received recognition and awards from such diverse groups and organizations as the Ohio House of Representatives, the City of Columbus, the Boy Scouts of America, and the Lions Clubs and Kiwanis Clubs. However, none has more impact than the response from those individuals whose lives have been dramatically changed. People walk away from Harvey Alston’s presentations knowing they have just heard someone who “has been around the track a few times” and one who shares it in a way that people do not forget. He has the courage it takes to remind people that life is only what they make it, that self-respect does not come with the job, but is brought to the job by people who do the best they can do, with whatever work is available to them.
Harvey Alston’s enterprise is called Best Inc., based on his philosophy and his book titled “Be the Best.” He is a member of the National Speakers Association and serves on the advisory board to the Olentangy School District, the Upper Valley Joint Vocational School and many civic boards, panels, and commissions.
Excerpt from “Chicken Soup for the Soul,” by Julie Marie Carrier about Harvey Alston:
“At age fourteen I heard a speaker who changed my life. At the time I was 4’7” with a high-pitched voice and I was often called a nerd, a loser, and a munchkin – but the message I heard the speaker share that day was something I desperately needed to hear.
Dressed in a white tuxedo, the speaker came into the auditorium that day with such power and confidence that I thought, ‘Who is this guy?’ He began his talk with a bold statement: ‘I’m wearing my best because you deserve the best. To make the best choices and have the best life.’
I’ve always believed that everything happens for a reason in life. So as I watched this man speak, I knew I was hearing this message for a reason….”
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Speech Topics
Keynote Description
Keynote “Be the Best”
Harvey has taken his personal proven message – “Be the Best” to literally millions of people. His unforgettable words of individual responsibility for achievement have improved spirits, spurred growth, changes lives. Harvey’s powerful, soul-searching presentation uplifts people to a higher standard – to a level where people strive only for the BEST.
Workshop Descriptions
“Climbing the Rough Side of the Mountain”
This program is a highly interactive firm and spirited search for solutions. To provide a variety of educational experiences through the delivery of subjects on the cutting edge of team leadership, and to impart practical skills that will enhance the quality of life by reshaping lost abilities, heighten expectations, rebuild hope, confidence, self-respect and desire.
Customer Service-S.O.U.L. “Service On Unbelievable Levels”
We will develop strategies for the BEST customer service by planning the future of your employees. We will research different delivery styles of successful businesses that have an understanding of what it takes to motivate employees.After identifying what the organization has done to improve their service, we will make a plan to change our visions.
Competent Communication
This program will build your communication skills, enhancing skills for listening and identifying the obstacles to effective listening. Participants will be involved in adapting to communication with social context and adjusting the physical context of symbolic functional dimensions. We will develop strategies for public group communication with active knowledge of verbal and nonverbal communication.
Practical Parenting
We will discuss ways to “Know Your Child’s Interests”, “Using TV Wisely”, “A B C’S of Parenting”, “Advice for Living with Pre-Teens”, “Parents Watch Your Language”, and “Discipline, a Preventive Force”.
Class Room Management
The program for student behavior, “How well do you like yourself” will teach skills for getting parents involved. We will cover why some students don’t understand what they are reading. We will cover strategies for developing trust, power, and rules for raising what is considered to be a delinquent child.
Code of Conduct
Start with sharing your own “credo” or “code of conduct”. Have you thought about the rules that guide your life? Do you act as a result of your parents, teachers, or friends expectations? Or do you act because you have decided what you think is right? What influences your life choices? In this exercise you will write your own “code of conduct.”
Bullying & Hazing
We first start by asking the following questions, “What is bullying”? What is the difference between having a little fun and hazing? After discussing the responses and then sharing the answers with the group, we will break into smaller groups. Role play situations will be passed out and the groups will have to come up with some answers on paper. The answers will be presented to the whole group by the smaller groups. And then we add the “TWIST” to each situation by changing the charters of who this might have an effect. Each table will have the same topics.
