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One of the questions I get asked the most frequently is about being a part time solo professional or entrepreneur. I can tell there is a good bit of frustration, exhaustion, and worry going on about this topic. So I decided to pull together some ways to build a business even if you are working. 1. Assess your commitment honestly. You may say you want to build a business, but if you find yourself "never getting around to it" then your commitment isn't high enough for success. Consistent effort is the key.

Published · 2,616 views · Rated 2.6/5 from 5 votes

You’re walking down a street in your home town and you have some time on your hands so you’re window shopping. You suddenly stop—transfixed by the fabulous shoes in the store window.

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With apologies to one of my favorite authors, Elizabeth Gilbert, I want to ask you to assess your marketing with a cold eye and an honest look. Tell me.....is your marketing system based on the wish, hope, and pray method?

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The first rule in “Naming Your Prospect” is to ask for a title not an activity. Do not ask for “the person who makes the decision to purchase….” Making the “decision to purchase…” is an activity and may get you a name, however, it will most likely be the name of someone who is involved but not in a decision-making capacity. A better approach is to figure out what department the decision is likely made in and then find out who is the head of that department.

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1. Ask the gatekeeper: “When is the best time to reach (prospect’s name)?” Call back then. 2. Vary your calling times. If you are only reaching voice mail you have no way of ascertaining when your prospect will be available. If you always make your calls at the same time of day, vary your routine. Call at different times throughout the day and throughout the week 3. Ask for alte ate phone numbers for your prospect. Ten years ago prospects generally only had one office line. Today there are a myriad of ways to reach prospects: cell phones, home office phones.

Published · 1,432 views · Rated 3.3/5 from 3 votes

Years ago, I heard the statement "the fastest way to personal growth is to open your own business." Thirteen years after opening my first business, I can promise that statement is true. Like many people who are self-employed, I came out of the corporate world, where I was used to having support staff, creative people around me to bounce ideas off of, and the big bosses over me to handle the heat. I also had janitorial staff to clean the office and technical support staff to handle an errant computer.

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Leads are everywhere. No one should ever put off a cold calling campaign with the excuse of having no one to call. There are many excellent sources to find lists of potential prospects for your market. Many of them are online. Howvere, these databases, while excellent, require a fee. The following are some free resources to explore before you spend your hard-ea ed money. Read on: First check out all of your competitors web sites. Many web sites have client / customer pages. Bingo! You have a list of qualified prospects.

Published · 1,695 views · Rated 3.5/5 from 2 votes

How much have you doubted that manifesting money is easy? Actually it is very easy to manifest money through the Law of Attraction. But most people continue to struggle to attract money day after day. What do you need to know about receiving the money that you desire that you don’t know now? One thing you must be aware of is that money is already abundant in the universe.

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Not long ago, I got this question from a frustrated entrepreneur. "I need help in getting with prospects to make a presentation, then being able to close the deal. I do realize that what I sell isn't something that everyone needs everyday. So I need a way to convince them that I am the company they need to work with." As a marketing therapist, I'm always listening to both the questio AND what is coming from inside the person, too. So, my answer is on two levels. It's an answer to what I hear IN the question and what I disce are issues WITHIN the person asking the question.

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Too many businesses are focussed on what they do and not their customers. Even if you are the best manufacturer in the world, without sales you will not be in business. Marketing guru Winston Marsh preaches that “You have to be a better Marketer of what you do than Doer of what you do.” So how good are you at marketing? Most businesses are great at what they do but struggle with marketing and sales. Manufacturers are no different. Here are the key elements you have to consider in your marketing approach if you want to get results: Is it Measurable?

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I first wrote about "Marketing Insensitives" a few years ago. At the time, I had received a call from a telemarketer offering me some "marketing insensitives" to purchase a product. Yes, she really said this. She was not being clever; she just couldn't pronounce "incentive." But, Marketing Insensitives do exist. They are the unfortunate, not-thought-through, ridiculous, dumb things that businesses do that drive customers away. Here are two new Marketing Insensitives-both from the same company. Read on: *** I've never had much interest in cooking.

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Let’s face it – as a small business owner, you are facing tough times in our current business environment. The economy is weak, cash flow is tight, and it’s almost impossible to get a line of credit, or even keep the one that you have. It seems that the current administration views small business owners as their “private bank” to help them fund all of the programs that they want to role out. Additionally, many of your employees are using these things as an excuse for their poor performance and lack of results. Many of these issues are causing problems for small business owners.

Published · 1,423 views · Rated 3.5/5 from 6 votes

In my previous article, I addressed the subject of the question that you simply can’t avoid... the “Magic Question”. I hope that you have taken sufficient time to earnestly consider how you have fared in the past from your previous responses to the MQ. In like fashion, I also hope that you have begun the process of contemplating how you might more effectively “answer” the Magic Question in the future. I would like to begin this sequel article by making an inquiry of you... How many times in the past two weeks did someone actually ask you or your people The Magic Question? Once?

Published · 1,304 views · Rated 3.3/5 from 11 votes

One of the most surprising things for solo professionals to find out is that their prospects (potential customers) actually will buy more often when they have less choice about what they can buy. It seems counter-intuitive, doesn't it? I've seen more than one solopreneur run herself ragged, trying to finish many different "product lines" because she believed it was the way to make more money. In other words, if you have 3 e-books to sell, 12 e-books is better because there are four times as many chances that you will make a sale.

Published · 1,390 views · Rated 3.7/5 from 11 votes

If we listen to the media, 2009 is shaping up to be a tough year. People are losing jobs and homes and businesses are struggling. A tough economy, however, does not mean that no one will ever buy anything or that no business at all will be done in 2009.

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In this article I share seven of the most common mistakes that beginning speakers make when just starting their speaking business and how you can avoid them. This article is NOT about presentation skills or speech tips or even about conquering your fear of speaking but for those who are brand ...

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Fresh, new growth in your business happens when your energy and attitude toward your business are positive and sharp. I’ve developed this Entrepreneur’s Attitude Checklist as a way to assess small business owners and their need for change. Give yourself an attitude check by sitting down with a ...

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By this point in time, there are probably very few people left on Planet Earth who aren’t familiar with “Susan Boyle”. Truly a remarkable story and a remarkable individual. Her appearance and subsequent performance on “Britain’s Got Talent” shocked the judges and the world. After already having ...

Published · 1,215 views · Rated 4/5 from 2 votes

If you’ve ever watched the movie “Pretty Woman”, the film begins and ends with a guy who is crossing the street shouting “WHAT’S YOUR DREAM? ... THIS IS HOLLYWOOD ... EVERYBODY HAS A DREAM ... SO, WHAT’S YOUR “DREAM”? What a great question, and a great analogy. While being quite different from ...

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“Heads you win… Tails you lose...” an age old expression with which you are undoubtedly most familiar. Following the National Anthem, this infamous coin toss is the subsequent activity of every NFL football game. Of course, this procedure is for the purpose of determining which team will kick ...

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This morning I was interviewed by Umar Hameed of No Limits Selling, www.NoLimitsSelling.com. We were talking about prospecting, sales, life and overcomplicating things that are basically very simple. That conversation prompted this article. To my mind, prospecting is very simple. It’s a matter of truly understanding what you are selling (Sales 101, features and benefits), understanding the buyer (Sales 101, targeting your market) and connecting the two.

Published · 1,389 views · Rated 3/5 from 1 votes

“Why” are you doing… what you do? What’s your motivation? Earlier this year in a Better Business Bureau survey, it was reported that 84% of America’s workforce was either “unhappy” or dissatisfied with their job or career. In like manner, there was another interesting job report that had been ...

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In this season of pending elections for every position from local dog catcher to the Presidency of the United States have you taken the appropriate amount of time to examine your personal criteria of what you believe constitutes true leadership? How thoroughly have you observed and intently listened to the individuals who present themselves as supposedly worthy candidates for what are clearly significant and important roles that require authentic leadership?

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“These are perilous times for the federation.” Jean Luc Picard, Captain of the Enterprise (Star-Trek) While the turmoil of current times might seem like something from a galaxy far away, this is not “science fiction”. The economic crisis, supposed bail-out and the ...

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1. If you are giving a sales presentation, make sure to only give that presentation after you thoroughly understand your prospect's specific problem and motivation to solve that problem. 2. Ask the Magic Question: “After our conversation (discussion/you see our presentation…) if you see that our product/service is a perfect fit for you, what would happen next?" Any answer other than the prospect would be ready to move forward means that you have more work to do to close the sale. 3. Be relevant.

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Sometimes it is truly impossible to reach a prospect by telephone - and for some prospects email is their preferred form of communication. While nothing beats the direct interaction of a live phone call, sometimes instead of a cold call you simply have to send a cold prospecting email. If you do so, however, be careful. Don’t let this happen to you… An email received this week (typos and all): “I hope you enjoyed the weekend. I tried your office this morning but unfortunately could not get a hold of you.

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It’s true. “The wealthy get rich doing what they love.” The wealthy have earned their riches because they know and do things differently than most people. What is it that EVERY wealthy person knows which most people don’t know? The wealthy know two things: first, you need to be the best at ...

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Becoming a professional full time speaker isn’t easy…everyone knows that, it takes a lot of dedication, determination and most important you have to have the passion, if the passion isn’t there then my suggestion would be, don’t even attempt it! I could spend days teaching you how to package ...

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Does your energy fluctuate over the course of the day – not a simple up and down, but a wild and massive high and low? Do you drink lots of tea, coffee, energy drinks and wish you didn’t drink that many? Do you get exhausted just turning up to work? Well it is time for more sustainable energy in your life. It is easy to get a boost from an energy drink but with the artificial up comes a matching down afterwards. Having some healthy work habits will keep you on track and with more than enough energy for the days. Here are 10 ways to build more energy in your day:

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Ever said this? "I don't have enough time for everything!" or "There's just too much to do!" You're not alone. I'd say just about every self-employed business owner has made that their weekly mantra. Well I have good news and bad news. The bad news is there's NOT enough time to do everything, ...

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1. Be Nice - I know it sounds pretty elementary but if you think about this for a minute it will make sense. How many people do you run across in a day that are crabby and in a sour mood? You don’t want to interact with them nor be around them and certainly you don’t want to do business with ...

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With today's busy lifestyle you will often feel that there simply isn't enough time to do everything you want to do. Most of us have busy work schedules and have families to look after so every minute of leisure time seems like a valuable commodity. However, there are some simple steps you can ...

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(December 11, 2005, Orange, NJ) On May 4, 2005, Yasmeen celebrated her 39th birthday! She's now ready to share her challenges surrounding her childhood, adulthood, the aftermath of 9/11 as a Muslim woman, and passion to run a business, and relationships maintained throughout her life. This ...

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Yes, it is possible to become financially independent! Here are 6 steps you can follow that will help you reach your goal of becoming financially independent: Step 1 - Educate yourself Educate yourself on personal finances by picking up a good financial book, or find yourself a good ...

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As a coach, one of the main ways that I add value for my clients is assisting them in navigating around, and sometimes through, the barriers that prevent them from getting what it is they truly want. The biggest obstacle that we all face is our own internal fear. Here is a four step process that ...

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As a coach, goal setting is one of the powerful tools that I use with clients to help them get to where they want to go. It all seems pretty simple, doesn't it? I mean, you figure out what you want, set your goal, put a deadline to it, and then take action. As you take action, you generate ...

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One of the keys to getting the most out of your time is developing the ability to ask yourself the right questions at the right time. This need only take a few seconds before you begin any given task. More often than not, you will find these few seconds will present new and better ways of doing ...

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Are you one of those people that set New Year's resolutions? If so, how often have you found that at the end of the year, you haven't achieved what you set out to accomplish? What would it mean for you if you could actually achieve your goals this year? Here are my keys to goal setting, why ...

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Every person has a path of development. It helps to know where we are now on our path, and what we have yet to achieve. Do you know what personal development level you are at? Use the following 7 Levels of Personal Development to gauge where you are. Level 1 - The Restoration Level At this ...

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Are you tired of cold calling? What would it mean to your overall sales if you were getting in front of highly qualified, favorably introduced clients on a regular basis? If you are ready to increase your effectiveness as a sales person, use the following 5 Step Prospecting method to increase ...

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If you’re a home-based business owner, it could be difficult to manage your time. Since your office is located within your home, you tend to spend much more time working in your office than spending quality time with your family. There is that temptation to spend more hours on a project, and ...

Published · 1,880 views · Rated 3/5 from 1 votes

One of the best ways to improve your overall profitability is to hire and retain top talent. Hiring is especially critical in a small business, as you have less employees, and thus, less room for error. Hiring the wrong employee can cause many issues, including: employee turnover, loss of ...

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As business owners, we are always looking to be more successful - however you define success. The questio I have for you this month is, "are you ready for EXTREME success?" If you are ready to take your business to places you never dreamed of before, you will really need to challenge yourself ...

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Are you effectively developing your organization? Do the goals of your employees integrate well with the overall goals of your company? Do you have a strong system in place to take advantage of the rapid changes in the business world? One way to make sure that you are developing your overall ...

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Effective time management is a step by step process that takes determination and a long-term commitment. However, it is essential that you do not try to take on too much, too soon. In this article I advise you on how you can manage your time effectively. We all have days when we are left ...

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If things are getting on top of you and you feel like there simply aren't enough hours in the day, it may be time to take a step back and reevaluate your situation. With the pressures of modern life it is easy to lose focus on the goals that are genuinely important to us. If this sounds like ...

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Do you find yourself tolerating a lot? Do people seem to take advantage of you? Do you spend a lot of time doing things that you would rather not do? If this describes you (it describes most of us), then use the following method to help yourself SET stronger boundaries: Set the boundary The ...

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1. Don’t Be Demanding - Remember planners are only going to book speakers who they like, this is pretty basic but true, if you’re too demanding and they don’t like you or they don’t feel there’s a connection they won’t hire you. So don’t be so demanding that you’ve talked yourself right out of a ...

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There are so many profiling tools around now. Here is a short list: - DISC - Myers Briggs - Enneagram - Herrmann Brain Dominance Instrument - Human Synergistics - EQ – Emotionial Intelligence - IQ – Intelligence Quotient - SQ – Spiritual Intelligence Without trying too hard, you can find a heap more of them.

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On Monday mornings prospects are too busy… On Friday afte oons prospects are gone… Don’t want to bother the prospect by calling too early… They’ve probably left the office by mid-afte oon… Middle of the week they’re very busy… What to do?

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The most difficult lesso I have had to learn both in life and as an entrepreneur is that I am 100% in charge of what happens in my life. Yes, both good and bad, I am responsible. At first I denied this fact. After all, I didn't have anything to do with the downtu in the economy. It wasn't ...

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Have LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Sales 2.0 finished off cold calling for good? Is cold calling finally dead? An email from a reader: Hi Wendy,

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There is an old adage which states, “It’s difficult to soar with the eagles, when you’re scratching with the turkeys!” While this is absolutely true, it gets worse - scratching with the turkeys can actually keep you from enjoying the success which is available to everyone! Of course, in the ...

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I have seen many speakers, read many articles and heard many ideas on how best to motivate team members. There are so many opinions and ideas with different steps and methodologies that it is easy to lose focus on what is important, the team member! Unfortunately, there is no “one way fits all” approach to motivating team members. But there are the six key factors you need to take into account if you want your efforts to have an impact. 1. Make It Personal

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This week we celebrate the birthday of one of the world's most famous authors. Charles Dickens was born in 1812, growing up and writing during England's Victorian era. The characters he created remain some of the most familiar literary characters in the world.

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One of the questions I get asked frequently when I speak to groups of self-employed women is “Sue, how can I make sure that my business succeeds?” It’s a risk to open a business. We are putting our life’s energy and our money on the table, saying “I can take my life’s remaining days and my money, and I can create something that serves others and makes a profit.”

Published · 1,347 views · Rated 3.2/5 from 5 votes

The audience are hushed as the MC comes to the lectern. The MC looks nervously at their notes and then looks up to start. "Our next speaker is a person who needs no introduction…" They then go on for five minutes introducing the person. It is as if they are reading their resume to everyone. As the organiser there is only one thing you can do. Scream “Aaarrrrgggghhh!!!” and storm on stage to kick them off!! Maybe not.

Published · 5,450 views · Rated 5/5 from 1 votes

There are times when I stop what I am doing in my business and ask myself the reasons why I am doing this. I am sure that it seemed like a good idea at the time! Working late at night, no guaranteed monthly income, conce s about cash flow, BAS Statements, my wife asking when I will finish in the office and spend time with her – Why am I doing this again?

Published · 1,347 views · Rated 4/5 from 1 votes

So, what gets me in the door? Awww the question everyone wants to know! So many ask this question and although there is not one perfect answer but a combinatio I am going to cover only one I feel is at the top of the list…building relationships.

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One of the challenges of working for yourself is recognizing when you are stuck. Being stuck can happen many ways, but for self-employed people it often looks something like this: * Your income is level, or perhaps has taken a slight dip. * You are feeling a lack of enthusiasm toward your work. * You have one or more big decisions to make, and you find yourself chu ing them over and over rather than making the decision and then taking action.

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In India if we will do a survey of Student Education the Chronological order goes in a way where money will be the first and forth most priority overall. Then it comes with the Education and then the comfort level of the student, including all communities and society of India. However, if we will look around the metropolita States of India the priorities may differ as in the comfort and education comes first.

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China Medical University (CMU) is located in Shenyang city, Liaoning. It was the first medical school established by the Chinese Communist Party in 1931. CMU is one among the top 10 universities in China and holds the fourth rank in its Results.

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We all remember the dreaded question: “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Teachers give aptitude tests, parents have plans for their kids and it seems everyone else has their futures figured out. For a few people, that whole thing works. But for many of us, discovering meaningful work takes patience, a willingness to question the paths we’re on and the courage to pursue our dreams after realizing them. Having meandered my way from confused student to entrepreneurial success, I know firsthand. From student to startupr

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Kyrgyzstan is erstwhile known as Kirghizia. The Kyrgyzstan country situated in Central Asia. It is surrounded by mountains and lands. Its capital and largest city is Bishkek. The current educational trend is to try to do your MBBS from abroad and your most suitable choice is to study MBBS in Kyrgyzstan. Kyrgyzstan offers wonderful educational opportunities to medical students. Indian students can gain the advantage of studying medical programs in Kyrgyzstan.

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China has been one of the most favoured destinations to study MBBS among Indian students. Study MBBS in China is becoming a big trend among students who expect quality medical education, great infrastructure, and cost effective stay. Medical education in China is tremendously advanced and the method of teaching and practices are in harmony with the latest trends in the medical field. MBBS universities in China rank among the top medical colleges in the World. Studying MBBS in China will surely put a student on the path of a successful career in medicine.

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Is your business doomed to forever compete at the slimmest of profit margins as it vies for the title of being the "low price" leader? By learning how to garner more of the right clientele for your business, you can attract more customers and make more money than ever before... In recent articles I have cited your need to not only obtain more customers, but to acquire more of the “right” customers for your business. The daunting questions are... “Who” are they and how do you find them? Isn’t this the exact essence of what marketing should be all about?

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I'm sure that you have either heard of somebody or experienced personally, travelling down the road in your motorcar and a warning light has come on, letting you know that you are low on oil, or perhaps the engine is running too hot. Noticing the light, you immediately pull the car over and switch it off. You can then examine the situation yourself if you mechanically minded, or make a phone call for roadside assistance.

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Do you ever return to your business after reading a book, listening to a CD, or attending a seminar, pumped up full with fresh information, only to never apply it? That’s because the part of your brain that GATHERS information is different from the part that APPLIES new knowledge. Your conscious mind is responsible for choose what you want. Your subconscious mind is responsible for your perceptions and behavior.

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Growth is the lifeblood of entrepreneurship and business success. It is also the lifeblood of our economy. It is why we at OneCoach are dedicated to teaching and empowering growth. But growth requires work, change and transformation. Perhaps most importantly, growth requires personal transformation in the leadership of the organization. Most small-business owners have enough knowledge, experience and resources to get themselves into business.

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In addition to the Chief Executive Officers using the information presented here, Boards of Directors are also encouraged to apply the following content as the basis for either CEO evaluation or for CEO selection; a task that Boards are finding themselves having to make more frequently. Executive chu and subsequent CEO succession planning, is now a major issue within many organizations. Retaining an effective CEO is very likely the Boards single most important task in today’s challenging and changing business environment.

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Have you ever wondered what the best business model would be? I guess it has to do with what you want your business to do for you (but that's a whole other article). The idea behind this article is to throw a bunch of ideas on the table that would make up the best small business model in the world and you can then see how many of these ideas you have in your business.

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So You Have Just Won The Lottery ...... the phone call you have been waiting for has finally come down the line ..... No it’s not your buddy the prankster after you question “Is This For Real” and ask for proof. What’s the First thing You are Going To Do???? Not Surprisingly.....

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The introvert myth continues to perpetuate possibly because of the use of the word most often as a noun, not a verb. Let's first look at how we commonly use the word as a noun to label people and then on to why the negativity of it just doesn't hold up to any truth. Did you know that introvert and extrovert, the words, are actually verbs too? Yes; we introvert and extrovert, all day long. That being the case, neither is better than the other. It's simply action. At work or in your life at times we find ourselves - researching, planning, writing, editing - all introverting actions.

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In a recent article, “5 Networking Tips for People Who Can’t Network,” the author stated that the most likely reason that people don’t network effectively is because they think of themselves as introverts or shy. How ludicrous. Besides, that’s not what my findings are in an ongoing online survey! People don’t network effectively because their thinking about it is wrong. They only start to network when they need something: a job, a customer, an employee or a connection to help them. Networking is something that is part of life.

Published · 1,620 views · Rated 3/5 from 1 votes

What Is Your Reputation With You? By Sandra Abell, MS, LPC, ACC Matt has been a supervisor for several months, yet he continues to struggle with the image of himself in his new role. He knows his job is to lead and manage people, but he doesn’t believe in himself or trust his ability do this well.

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For years my friend Jennifer “Jen Moonbear” has been sharing snippets of magical stories about her Shaman teachings and the sweat lodge ceremonies she is passionate about. This summer I was invited to join her and experience my first sweat lodge healing and the alchemy of a lodge pouring ceremony.

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I define personal authenticity as knowing who you are and having to the courage to be it in all situations without fear or compromise. This is not always easy. In “Authentic - how to make a living by being yourself” I wrote about a “dysfunctionality epidemic” where all sorts of damaging and ...

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Any transition serious enough to alter your definition of self will require not just small adjustments in your way of living and thinking but a full-on metamorphosis. - Martha Beck Not too long ago, I made one of the most important decisions in my life. The promise to leave corporate America ...

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Do you typically make a few New Year’s resolutions? It is widely known that over 50% of New Year’s resolutions are broken within the first seven days of the New Year. Another 50% of the remaining resolutions are broken by January 15 – meaning 75% of the brand new and created New Year’s resolutions are broken within the first two weeks and a day into the New Year.

Published · 994 views · Rated 2.7/5 from 3 votes

After storm Sandy, our street had trees down, branches and more. We knew we were lucky. We know this could have been a lot worse. A tree sat on our front porch, with roof damage and more. This AM our street was clear of debris for the first time since the storm. We know there are others who still have no power and lost their homes, and we were fortunate. The remaining visible evidence of the event is the front roof, the missing fixtures, the yellow tape and signs to not use the front entrance, and instead use the side entrance for anyone coming by the house.

Published · 962 views · Rated 2/5 from 1 votes

Are you in the habit of creating to-do lists? Every once in a while you still hear a guy refer to his wife having a ‘honey-do list’ for him. Somehow this might make it’s way to the Museum of Natural History where most Neanderthal Items reside. Seriously though this is actually an activity you might consider undertaking with your partner and your children. Each of them will work on their own and then you each present your lists and compare and discuss with each other what you wrote. It is really ‘your own’ to do list.

Published · 946 views · Rated 2/5 from 1 votes

Do you remember the first time you rode a bicycle? You, like me, probably fell down a few times before you finally stayed up and actually rode the bicycle for a bit. What is it that helped you, in fact, made you determined to get back on the bicycle and try again after falling off? Here are a few thoughts. Read these and then write down the reasons you think of: - You have seen others ride their bicycles, possibly your older brother or sister. Maybe one or more of your friends.

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What time of year is your favorite time of year? Some people have great sadness and anxiety when others are enjoying themselves. Do you have a time of year which upsets you or makes you anxious?

Published · 947 views · Rated 2.5/5 from 2 votes

Often people who begin their own business, or say they want to start their own business, are not aware of the simple fact that, by definition, a business is set up to make a profit. There is money exchanged for goods or services which is intended to eventually exceed the amount spent on the business. This includes a non-profit organization which would cease to exist if there were no funds from grants or contributions to sustain the work they perform.

Published · 910 views · Rated 2/5 from 1 votes

The Caregiver’s Companion: What to Do When Your Parents Are Losing Their Independence With record numbers of adults entering their senior years, and many living longer than ever, the need for families to provide quality, manageable at-home care or assisted living care for their aging parents is greater than ever before. All of a sudden, you have this enormous responsibility placed on your shoulders. The emotional and financial output can seem staggering. • Your mom may suffer from Alzheimer’s and needs skilled, round-the-clock care.r

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Alienating your friends and partners directly or indirectly can ruin your friendships and career opportunities in the future. Here are five principles to think about utilizing to decrease your chances of self-inflicting alienation. 1. Do not withhold favors or being helpful when possible, a ...

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One of the definitions of overwhelm is being buried or drowned beneath a huge mass. Feel familiar? My particular brand of overwhelm is more like ... suffocating skin crawling madness. I used to be the mistress of overwhelm. The discomfort was intense and yet there was a rush involved with ...

Published · 1,074 views

The CHALLENGE of leadership is CHANGE. A manager or administrator can keep the status quo, but it takes a leader to create change. Traditionally, leaders have approached change as addressing problems. They use problem solving skills and critical thinking. Most often it has been a top down ...

Published · 1,190 views

Procrastination can be perpetual or it can be situational. Neither is beneficial and both require the same actions to resolve. Perpetual procrastinators know who they are. They need to follow the four steps listed below to establish a history of successful decisions and actions to overcome their ...

Published · 1,026 views

Don't look now, but the holiday season will be here before yu know it. Very soon, many of you are thinking about two things: gifts and goals for next year. I’d like to give you some great business ideas that attack both of these challenges. The best gift you can give yourself and your ...

Published · 1,525 views

There once was a Blacksmith who immigrated to the United States in the early 1900s. He eventually found his way to the heartland of America after trying his hand at several different endeavors. Somewhere along the way, he realized that his work would be easier if he had pliers that would clamp ...

Published · 1,579 views

If your self esteem has lowered due to unfortunate circumstances I recommend taking some time to create a brag book and start adding to it. Go back as far as you can and collect all those achievements and clippings that represent who you are and your growth over the years and compile them into ...

Published · 1,269 views

Have you seen the so called “Business Success Tips” from people marketing their service? “The Three Secret Steps to … whatever you need.” “Easy ways to make millions…now.” “The Fast Way to do… whatever you want to do.”

Published · 926 views · Rated 3.5/5 from 2 votes

When a salesperson steps back to take in the big picture of selling, often their main focus is to get a prospect or ask for a referral. These are pieces to puzzle of sales attraction. But this is only one strategy in the process. There are at least three strategic pieces: sales attraction, ...

Published · 1,228 views

My dog, Chanel, is awesome. With a petite size tennis ball in her mouth she stands at my office door when she is ready to go out and play. She stands there with eyes on me until I say something like, “Let’s go play!” Many salespeople are mystified about how to get a prospect to listen to them to ...

Published · 1,178 views

In the early 1900’s con men would try to sell parts of the Brooklyn Bridge to immigrants in the USA. This is what coined the phrase, “If you believe that, I’ve got a bridge to sell you!” Then the Verrazano Narrows bridge, the world's longest suspension bridge formally ...

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If you suffer from low or no confidence, or whatever your self-confidence indicator may be, this can translate to something minor or major which leads to low sales. Just as cars have become more sophisticated with warning lights, a salesperson who is in tune with their own kind of indicator ...

Published · 1,329 views

Some history claims that the first happy hour was held in a local pub in Ireland. Others attribute that this before dinner reduced price drinks event started in the 1920’s as the Navy’s slang for its on-ship entertainment. Regardless what is true, introverts and extroverts would design a Happy ...

Published · 1,163 views

Imagine the novelty of steam powered brass machines getting to the first USA automobile show in the snow! Then imagine the newness of making your first sale. Getting that first or first few sales is tough but exhilarating. Think back to that first success and find the basic elements. Then when ...

Published · 1,115 views

Salespeople, what do you have to lose by writing to Santa for what you want? Since 1952 or 1953 children have been writing letters to Santa, so why not write your own Dear Santa letter? Mine would go something like this:nn”Dear Santa, You know who I am and how old I am and that I have been a ...

Published · 1,112 views

Did you ever notice on an automobile dashboard that some of the lights are green, orange or red? And sometimes multiple lights come on? Red lights and two simultaneous lights scream, “Call your auto repair of choice immediately.” The next three sales action indicators for a sales person can ...

Published · 1,266 views

How quickly a salesperson gets over a lost sale determines how much attraction for a new customer happens on the next call. Finally, after being out boxed in the first nine rounds, in the 10th round of the World Boxing Association fight in Las Vegas, George Foreman became boxing's oldest ...

Published · 1,141 views

The annual Doublespeak Award is given to some public figure whose language is deceptive, evasive, jargon or confusing or euphemistic. While usually associated with public figures and corporate environments, some salespeople easily fall into the doublespeak traps without knowing it! Here are the ...

Published · 1,617 views

November 8: Dunce Day. Salespeople don’t wear dunce caps, at least not on purpose. The dunce cap is named after a 13th-century philosopher, John Duns Scotus, born in Duns, Scotland. He believed this conical shaped hat increased learning potential using the theory that knowledge flows from the ...

Published · 1,218 views

Let’s start with what many may agree with and make the comparison between good soldiering and top selling. Veterans Day in the USA, Armistice Day or Remembrance Day in other parts of the world, falls on November 11. It may be difficult to totally decide what makes a good soldier, but here a few ...

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While November 10th is a general Forget-Me-Not Day, salespeople can take advantage of it to build into their follow-up plan if they have missed a few touches throughout the year. It would be especially beneficial for those customers whom you haven't seen in a while. You don't want them to forget ...

Published · 1,257 views

Have you ever climbed up a ladder which was over 25 ft. high? Then, when you are near the top, you have to stretch up and reach to unscrew a spot light, and then step and reach out again to replace the old bulb with a new one. As you climb up the ladder you look at each rung and step to make certain you keep your footing. Once you are near the top you realize you will need to stretch out a bit past the ladder to get to the light.

Published · 964 views

Last Year, I published “Taking Aim for Better Decision-Making.” At the time, I thought the bull’s eye tied in nicely with taking aim and with the canno I have in my logo. Little did I realize how useful this little graphic would become. I was also beginning to understand how ...

Published · 953 views

A man was walking along a road and he came to the beginning of a steep hill. At the bottom of the hill was a farmer with a heavily loaded wagon. A tiny donkey was hitched up to the yoke in front of the cart. The man asked the farmer how he could possibly expect that little donkey to pull that ...

Published · 1,138 views

SOS, is known in Morse code as a universal distress signal. For salespeople, a “Save Our Ship,” becomes a “Save Our Sales” distress call. While everyone selling likely has their own SOS, here are five common sales calls for help. 1. Cancelled appointments Are you confirming any appointments ...

Published · 1,766 views

Unlike real barbed wire being cheaper, easier and quicker to use to get results to better control livestock and land, sales reluctance is costly, stubborn and slows down a salesperson’s success. If a salesperson’s product or service is that valuable, a salesperson will want to have various ways ...

Published · 2,026 views

If you watch television or listen to the radio, there is no escaping the recession talk. It’s a comedy of sorts really. Think about it. Your sales day went along smoothly. You may have gotten a new client, a new prospect, a potential joint venture partner. Then, before or after dinner, the media ...

Published · 948 views

In my thirty years of selling, my sales have never had a downtu during a recession. Have I ever experienced a sales slowdown ever? Of course! I’d be lying if I told you anything else. But I’ve never had this happen during a recession. As a matter of fact I STARTED my business during a downturn ...

Published · 982 views

Successful business leaders tend to be very observant and are exceptionally good at decision-making. Part of what makes them good at making the right decision quickly is their education and past experiences. A business-savvy executive acts fast, but not without clear intentions and strategic ...

Published · 7,218 views

Looking for work make a list of who deserves you. Now that you have a list learn everything you can about the company, their employees and their mission and make sure you still believe they would make a mistake not hiring you. Once you have determined they do deserve you it is time to go after ...

Published · 1,434 views

Sometimes you don’t have time for a long formula or to sit down and work through a process. There are times where you need confidence fast, instant confidence. Here are 25 ways to get an instant boost of confidence. 1. Compliments Be on the listen out, not just look out, but listen out for ...

Published · 22,343 views · Rated 4/5 from 6 votes

1. Beating the “I can’t sell” syndrome Generating new sales should be fun but I have found that it’s often the case that business owners are absolutely terrible at selling. They do have great skills and passion for the product or service that they provide. However, they are not comfortable in ...

Published · 799 views

Last year I made one of the most important decisions in my life. The promise to leave ncorporate America and give my entrepreneurial calling a shot. I declared New Years Eve of 2006 that I would not enter the comfort of my workplace of 14 years, one day beyond December 31st of the new ...

Published · 1,233 views

Have you ever known a person who is angry all of the time? These sort of loose cannons can be amusing for a bit, until you realize how draining their sideshows can be. I refer to these riled up angry people as Energy Vampires. Energy Vampires will take any chance they can to drain all of ...

Published · 1,337 views

During my morning work yesterday there were persistent and consistent flies buzzing around me. Some landing on me and others just buzzing by without permission, like the fly-by without permission by Tom Cruise in his Navy F-14 Fighter Jet in the 1986 classic movie Top Gun. No fly and companion flies were going to take me off my course toward business success. Not today. Not ever.

Published · 994 views · Rated 2/5 from 1 votes

Have you ever felt like you are carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders? Does it seem normal to accept responsibilities, errands, and favors to the degree that you've become slaves to our lives? Consider lightening your load; allowing yourself to be still or take a walk; or let ...

Published · 1,178 views

Guide for Visionary Leaders and Business Decision-makers. ¡V In the January issue of Taking Aim, I reported on the book Margin. That book triggered some thoughts that had been floating in and out of my consciousness for some time. In fact I had even created the topic “Cycle of Specialization” ...

Published · 1,246 views

Our daughter recently said out of the blue, "Daddy, firefighters are boys and teachers are girls, right?" For those of you that don't know about our daughter, she's four and the most brilliant, sweetest, most curious, most beautiful creature in the whole wide world. That's not just my ...

Published · 1,001 views

“Change” has been the big topic of conversation for some time now. For the most part, the change that everyone writes about and talks about is economic change. There has been much written about the change from a manufacturing economy to a service economy and there has been much written about the ...

Published · 1,277 views · Rated 3/5 from 2 votes

The Fourth of July or Independence Day, is a federal holiday that celebrates the adoption of the Declaration of the Independence on July 4th, 1776. Consider: 2.5 million In July 1776, the estimated number of people living in the newly independent nation. Source: Historical Statistics of the United States: Colonial Times to 1970 313.9 million The nation's estimated population on this July Fourth. Are you reaching them? Keep reading…

Published · 1,009 views · Rated 1/5 from 1 votes

In business, we generally measure customer satisfaction by our sales or market share. It seems fairly obvious that if a customer doesn’t like what we have to offer, why would they buy our product or service? In a sense, hospitals are in the same boat. If a patient isn’t happy with how they ...

Published · 1,126 views

As I have studied a number of books on decision-making, it has been encouraging to find that academicians have validated my own experiences. One example goes back to a time, when I was working in a company that had an incredible product but some problems with delivering products on time. It was ...

Published · 1,511 views · Rated 3.5/5 from 2 votes

Your reputation capital is the brand your name carries – the sum total of your good name, good works, and your history. As an individual, your reputation and the image it carries are important. With every move you make, you are validating in the eyes of your family, friends, neighbors and ...

Published · 6,729 views

Throughout my career, I have asked managers what they look for in hiring new employees. The single most sought after characteristic is a positive attitude. Knowledge can be learned but a positive attitude cannot be taught and is recognized as being critical for success. Yet, if attitude is so ...

Published · 1,466 views

This past week, my wife inadvertently drop kicked our toaster oven and caused it to experience a catastrophic failure. The toaster oven, the microwave and my grill are necessary to sustain life at our house if I have to fix any food. The toaster oven is great because it works well for just the ...

Published · 1,151 views

At a recent industry meeting, one of the speakers focused on Human Resource Issues. One area of particular interest to everyone there had to do with Hiring. Virtually everyone in attendance had made a bad hiring decision at one time or another and fully knew the high cost of a bad hire. The ...

Published · 1,557 views

How many ideas fail to launch because they will require big changes in the business? Could it be the result of a failure in leadership? Do good ideas turn bad? If an idea fails to produce, does that mean it was bad? How many good ideas will be applicable to your business? Do they fit your ...

Published · 1,134 views

Honeymoon Over There’s a honeymoon period in work that lasts about six months on average. Employees start out with high trust and enthusiasm. The employer is benefiting from both the aptitude and the attitude. After this phase, an employees’ motivation drops. While we hired the ...

Published · 909 views

It is the end of April and tax season is over. That is a big sigh of relief, except that roughly every four years it marks another huge milestone - the US President issues a “100-Day Report”. Why? The people voted and the new president is in office with a new agenda. Do we really expect a major accomplishment in just one hundred days? Maybe not, but this is the time for the agenda and ideas to become a mandate: for it to take root with all the key stakeholders who need to be accountable for important elements of the plan’s success.

Published · 1,346 views

Part 1 - "What is the #1 cause of public speaking fear? Perception." You can read last week's tip here: http://instantspeakingsuccess.com/articles.php?a=read&aid=378 1. What is the "perception" you fear? 2. What could you put in place or present that would influence that perception? For ...

Published · 1,486 views

I am a big advocate of learning how to live in the flow of the moment. Through life experience, education and awareness, I have observed three kinds of people. Those who dwell in the past, those who thrive in the moment and those who prepare for the future. Most of us hop around from one ...

Published · 1,410 views

How well do you manage change in your life? It's an important question, as practically every philosopher in history has pointed out, because change is the only constant in life; it's the one thing we can really count on. And as there are so many circumstances out there in the world we can't ...

Published · 1,027 views

Ever more people today have the means to live, but no meaning to live for. —Victor Frankl

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Do you need more time? Do you need more energy? Would you like more business? What would you want more of if you could have it? In the most favorite word of my granddaughter regarding anything she loves, “More.” What can you say “more” to, what can you let go of, for the ...

Published · 725 views

If you are an introvert like me, and belong to more than one organization for networking, you’ll want to balance your energy and time equally. Everyone though wants a balance of give and take in resources, contacts, or clients, and this keeps you in a steady flow of receiving. What are some ways ...

Published · 786 views

Launching a new product or service is an exciting time and it is possible to overlook something in the rush to get that product or service to market. I developed the following checklist to make certain that I didn’t make the same mistake twice. Hopefully it will keep you from making a mistake ...

Published · 2,220 views · Rated 3/5 from 1 votes

Last week my husband and I attended an awesome 4 day work conference! I decided to sit in on both days of business presentations hoping there would be a nugget or two I could share with you. Presenting to an audience of 100 to 300 top producers were executives of a large company. While overall ...

Published · 1,132 views

Words hurt, heal, motivate, and aggravate. They are powerful. They control emotions and can even control a person physically. A word is worth a thousand pictures.nn “Come here.” Two words that move a person from there to here.nn “Write this down.” Three words that cause people to put ...

Published · 1,799 views

I was watching the animated film Chicken Run with my daughter a couple of weeks back - if you haven't seen it, it's definitely worth a rental, especially if you're into a send up of old concentration-camp-breakout movies. Anyway, Ginger, leader of the fowl breakout plot, rallies her fellow ...

Published · 1,081 views

My husband was stuck in our home elevator for 75 minutes. The inside elevator door latch had no hinge for him to grab and my attempts to remove the outside door hinges failed. A community police officer couldn’t budge them off either. And the eight firemen, who repeated all the same steps and ...

Published · 1,083 views

You may ask yourself, “What does sales reluctance mean?” Sales reluctance can be like wearing a straightjacket. You know it’s restricting your sales success, yet you don’t feel you have a way out. There are many facets of sales reluctance. One for introverts is the ...

Published · 688 views

Are you happy? Do you feel good about yourself and your life? Over the course of my 60 years, I have experienced great joy and great sadness in my life. As a result of my experiences, I have come to understand the words of Ellen Glasgow when she said, “Nothing in life is so hard that you can’t ...

Published · 1,072 views

Do you listen to your self-talk? What is your self-talk saying? How is your self-talk serving you? If your self-talk is more negative, and sounds like a snake’s rattle, it will scare you off from moving forward. This is poisonous thinking for people who are in the business of selling. Most of ...

Published · 1,285 views

While sitting under my hat in our 1933 Packard before we knew we won one of the second highest awards at the Annual Concours d’ Elegance of the Eastern United States; Bethlehem PA, I got to thinking about hats and selling. How you use your sales hat is critical to your results. Here are ...

Published · 678 views

1. Solid Content. Even a person lacking charismatic gifts can develop solid content. Always share something the audience finds valuable to their lives. 2. Humorous. It's hard to hate someone you laugh with. The best speakers find a way to get people smiling early in the program. It opens ...

Published · 2,842 views

The Great Balancing Act Working Women in the 21st Century By Shann Vander Leek For more than 40 years, more and more women are working full time jobs and raising families. We are mothers, wives, sisters, daughters and friends. We do our best to have “it” all. But at what cost? Now, more than ...

Published · 1,202 views

In the month of August a large portion of the workforce in Europe is on holiday. All month. It is almost impossible to get anyone, at any level, on the phone or to respond to an email. For the majority or the workforce in the US a worker is fortunate to be handed two weeks of vacation, and often is not even able to take their vacation time off.

Published · 916 views

Over the course of my business career, I have witnessed many business successes and failures, including some of my own. I have seen intelligent, knowledgeable people with great business plans fail and I have seen others less well equipped seemingly stumble into tremendous success. There have ...

Published · 1,668 views · Rated 3/5 from 1 votes

Communications in business is the number one skill to success by many surveys. And, if you are an introvert, take a deep sigh of relief now: successful, engaging communication does not mean showing up at a happy hour. Communications consists of both speaking and listening. There are studies on ...

Published · 647 views

Throughout the world, people everywhere are making great effort to align mind, body and soul. Through this, many discover moments of profound unhappiness that lead to disconnecting from loved ones, their established communities and even careers. How does the commercial world react to the ...

Published · 1,400 views

For more than 40 years, more and more women are working full time jobs and raising families. We are mothers, wives, sisters, daughters and friends. We do our best to have “it” all, but at what cost? Now, more than ever before, we must pay attention to the quality of our ...

Published · 1,111 views

This sounds like either a really dumb title or it might be something really deep. You are going to have to be the one to decide. It is a statement with wide applicability and yet the meaning has haunted me for years and always implied some deeper meaning. The first time I remember hearing it ...

Published · 1,007 views

And in the end, the love you make, is equal to the love, you take. ~Lennon and McCartney~ I use to get annoyed by Valentines Day. I considered it a cash grab perpetrated by the greeting card, floral, lingerie and confectionary industries to get American consumers to pay $18.6 billion (according to the National Retail Federation) in order to materially express our love for our partners. A ritualized example of commercial hucksterism.

Published · 952 views

Successful leadership depends on the quality of attention and intention that the leader brings to any situation.rn ~ Otto Scharmer I’ve been studying a revolutionary system for leading, innovating, problem solving, and developing strategy. It was developed by MIT lecturer Otto Scharmer, in conjunction with seminal thought leader Peter Senge. It’s described simply in a business book they co-authored called “Presence”. The entire process begins begins with listening.

Published · 838 views

“Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom. Mastering others is strength; mastering yourself is true power.” ~ Lao Tsu, Tao Te Ching As the greatest self realized sages profess, mastering yourself is true power. And as one master’s oneself and moves to higher levels of consciousness (or self actualization), he or she organically becomes the leader those with lesser development want to follow. Thus the need for prevalent fear based leadership tactics - command, control, cleve ess, manipulation, hierarchy, and force -disappear.

Published · 972 views · Rated 2/5 from 1 votes

Ever step back and consider how you function? Seriously, are you the type of person who is always completing an assignment, a presentation, a project with not one second to spare? You have a full plate of work and activities to do and the ones you complete are the ones due for completion either tomorrow or in maybe one hour from right now.

Published · 1,174 views · Rated 2.7/5 from 3 votes

There is actually one really easy and simple action step people can take each day that can change their business success and enjoyment of life to the highest levels. This action is so easy and so simple that most people won't do it. This easy and simple action step, which has been proven to be the core foundation of the most successful people you have heard about, is to consciously determine what you think and actually say it out loud every single day. You want this to be the first thing you do in the morning when you look at yourself in the mirror.

Published · 1,028 views · Rated 1/5 from 1 votes

Are you a networker? Do you go out to specific events at least three or four times a month with the specific goal of meeting new people and connecting with them?

Published · 1,032 views · Rated 2/5 from 1 votes

I choose to live in a personal evolution zone. I prefer to evolve and improve my life with incremental steps toward profound change. Reflecting on my successes and failures in 2011 helped define my personal intentions for the new year. And while I have lofty intentions and enormous dreams, I expect occasional setbacks. I believe you can correct your course of action and begin again at any time. Falling off the wagon does not mean you've failed.

Published · 1,478 views

The ultimate business success tip you must have is – you must believe in yourself. You must believe in your abilities. You must believe in your success at whatever you are seeking to achieve. It is a fact. No one who is successful in their business has lost faith in their belief in their own self value, and their ability to be successful in attaining their goals.

Published · 1,152 views · Rated 2/5 from 1 votes

Have you ever had your fingers caught by a car door closing on them? Man oh man, it hurts! The very next time you are in a car, are your fingers anywhere near where they were when they were slammed by the car door? Do you consciously think about it and make certain your fingers are nowhere near that spot? How about the next time you are in a car?

Published · 980 views · Rated 2/5 from 1 votes

Here is a collection of the top 10 most mentioned problems I’ve heard from my clients and other small business owners. What’s missing? What would you add? Any great solutions you’ve developed to overcome any of these challenges? Let’s all pitch in so everybody benefits! 1. Marketing. How do I market? How much should it cost? How do I know if its working? Do I need to market? 2. Business Model. How do I create it so that I define my business and I’m not defined by whatever customers buy? How is it related to other aspects of the business? How do I maintain it?r

Published · 1,123 views · Rated 3.5/5 from 2 votes

Two years ago I sat captivated in an audience listening to one of the best speakers on the circuit. He almost hypnotized us with his cadence of style and charisma. Leaning toward the stage I began to study his methods in order to learn and apply some of his techniques. He seemed to possess every ...

Published · 3,228 views · Rated 3/5 from 1 votes

It is my assumption, that where ever you live, you are able to either purchase pizza or prepare your own pizza. In the area known as The New York Metro Area and the area around Boston, people are very loyal to where the ‘best’ pizza is to be found. Is this true for where you live?

Published · 937 views · Rated 1/5 from 1 votes

What do you do when you have the wrong tool for the job? For example, if you need to tighten a screw and you have a flathead screw driver, but the screw head has that ‘x’ which means you need the Phillips Head screw driver, do you just try to use the wrong screw driver, and then you find you stripped the head of the screw and now you have a larger problem?

Published · 1,084 views · Rated 2/5 from 1 votes

The #1 excuse or fear I hear the most is, "Who am I to speak to this group of people? I'm nobody special." First, you are the one to speak if you WANT to be. Every professional speaker began at level none. But they did one thing: They decided. They decided to be the one. One day they told ...

Published · 1,428 views · Rated 3/5 from 1 votes

In the position of leadership, as in the person in charge of a company, do we discuss our personal value system? Is this of great importance to discuss? It is my belief that this is one of the critical foundational building blocks which has been missing for a number of years and is a contributing factor to the current leadership void which exists today in corporate America. This is not to say bring your religious beliefs or spiritual practices exactly as these are practiced into the workplace.

Published · 1,161 views · Rated 2/5 from 1 votes

People have been learning presentation skills online without getting the full benefit. Discover the top 10 tips for how to change all that…and get the most out of learning new skills, virtually. Sadly, many online training programs are passive. They rely on text-based classes that do not engage learners. There really isn’t much for the learner to do. It comes down to a few tasks. Reading. Watching. Scrolling. Listening. In an era of interaction, Web 2.0 technology, and video communication, this seems almost unfathomable.

Published · 1,397 views · Rated 5/5 from 1 votes

Blast out fear once and for all. This fear-busting plan is the instant anxiety-buster you've been looking for. It employs specific system used in Fortune 500 companies to train executives and future leaders who want to present their way to the top. In the total system to overcome fear of public speaking, you'll find hundreds of tips and tools. But in this short article, you'll learn exactly 3 rules to follow to be ready for action in your next business presentation. Be a fearless presenter. Get stage-ready right now.

Published · 1,032 views · Rated 3.5/5 from 2 votes

In search of new clients? Looking for a sure fire way to get your team tightly focused on penetrating and selling to new clients? Try out this unique 3-step formula for rapid results. When searching for ideas around client penetration, it is very tempting to jump into action. After all, there is a lot to be done. Research. Contacts. Networking. Presenting. Everyone is hot to get into gear. This is an important and admirable urge. But before you and your team dash off, stop. First, gather together and brainstorm your plan of action.

Published · 1,228 views · Rated 5/5 from 1 votes

Why do clients say ‘yes’ to working with you? Find out the 4 myths that sink most sales presenters…right now. What’s the secret reason why clients love to work with you? Is it because you have the best logic, the most evidence and the most detailed timeline? Is it because you talk so much that they figure you must know your stuff? As it turns out, logic, evidence, detail and talking can work against you. Take a look at the 4 big mistakes that sink most sales presenters. Even the ones who should know better! Myth: Logic Is Greatest Forcer

Published · 1,099 views · Rated 5/5 from 1 votes

Far too many professionals focus on preparing slides, handouts and details of their speech. They forget to focus on preparing themselves for authentic, confident and masterful delivery. Sell more with this easy 4-point plan. To truly succeed in all kinds of business setting, you need to prepare your message and yourself. Whether you are presenting over lunch, in a conference, at a panel, or addressing a small group of decision makers, you’ll need to be ready for anything. Let me tell you a story.

Published · 1,388 views · Rated 5/5 from 1 votes

What’s the one word sales professionals try to never, ever say? This single word unlocks all of the 4 cardinal rules to achieve ultimate sales success. Find out here… In my sales presentation trainings, a lot of people want a script. The reason? They want to know what really works in the field. They rely on a script to avoid having the embarrassment or suffering through the pain of saying the wrong thing.

Published · 1,526 views · Rated 5/5 from 1 votes

It’s bright sunshine, hot days, and the sound of the ice cream truck down the street. If you’re stuck in an office, here are 5 cool tips to bring some summer pleasures into your presentation skills training. Find out how to have your best summer ever—with fast fixes for dull presentations. More and more professionals are looking for ways to add flair and fun to summer time presentations. While many organizations attempt to ignore the hot weather and seasonal pulls, most have some sort of nod to this season of fun.

Published · 1,436 views · Rated 5/5 from 1 votes

Whiteboard sales conversations are transforming presenting around the world. How can you get the most out of your whiteboard presentation? Find out the 5 moves that alienate audiences and kill sales. For years, sales professionals have relied on PowerPoint to get their message across. This resulted in the common phrase: “Death By PowerPoint.” It’s not really the software’s fault. It’s the over-reliance on one medium to be the do-all, end-all savior for every situation.

Published · 1,469 views · Rated 5/5 from 1 votes

Ready to give your team everything they need for successful sales presentations? Every team needs skills and tools to succeed. Curious about the 7-critical components for success? Sales presentations educate your prospects on your company’s uniqueness. With targeted presentation skills training, your entire team gets crucial skills development. They’ll learn how to whiteboard while the audience watches, how to identify key issues, how to overcome obstacles, and how to ‘connect the dots’ so every client understands the value you are offering.

Published · 1,665 views · Rated 5/5 from 1 votes

What’s the real secret to body language that will appeal to crazy-busy customers? How can you show your frazzled client that meeting with you is the very best use of their time? These 7-secrets reveal exactly what to do. While searching for a master plan for gestures, movement and body language in business seems like a search for hidden treasure, it helps to know how to use body language to your advantage. According to academic research, people make snap decisions about you, your credibility, your offer and your company—in the first 7 seconds.

Published · 3,690 views

Are you giving powerful presentations that truly make a visual impact? Find out 7 rarely shared secrets. Learn how you can make an impact…even if you don’t consider yourself visually inclined. All day, every day you need to give presentations to win attention, communicate with clients, and sell ideas. More and more professionals are searching for a competitive edge in presenting.

Published · 1,248 views · Rated 5/5 from 1 votes

So, your sales staff is still relying exclusively on slides. Dave is struggling with the new slide deck from corporate (the one that doesn’t target his market.) Mary is grappling with new graphic guidelines that prevent her from making adaptations. What’s the solution? What’s the best way to engage your audience? Whiteboard stories shift selling into high gear. A simple story, told with pictures and words while the audience watches radically boosts sales presentations.

Published · 1,429 views

Many professionals, academicians and business owners know the hard facts: confidence in public speaking boosts your career. Follow these 7-steps for unstoppable success in front of every audience. Many smart people make foolish choices when it comes to public speaking. Instead of taking a presentation skills training, they rely on habits gathered over many years to prepare an effective presentation.

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Now day’s importance of manual directory submission has increased a lot. You have surely heard about the directory submission and its advantages for the webmasters. Basically, directory submission can be performed in two ways such as: automatic submission and manual submission. However, manual directory submission is the right and effective option for those who like to make their directory submission truly successful.

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Working in global organizations, one thing is certain. You will get evaluated on your performance. Are your presentation skills putting you at risk for getting poor scores? A few weeks ago, giving a presentation skills training for a new team in a world-class company, I noticed a few participants hovering at the side. Turns out, they were worried about how they would be graded. (From 1 = poor to 5 = excellent is a big range…and your scores make a huge difference in getting ahead.)

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You choose the best advisers you can find at the time, but that doesn’t mean that you have to stick with the same ones for life. Don’t be afraid to make a change if you outgrow one of your advisers such that someone you are currently using isn’t the best fit for your current situation anymore. I know there is a loyalty factor, but is that really serving you? Is sticking with someone you have outgrown serving either of you well?

Published · 1,196 views

Are your presentations truly working? Great presentations inspire people, improve communication and help people create great things together. Lea 7 must-have tips to give awesome presentations. In today’s market, busy professionals are looking for tips and tricks to answer common challenges in business communication. With not enough hours in the day, it’s still important to expand on your skills or improve your existing communication skills. Keep these 7 tips in mind to improve, strengthen and deliver powerful presentations. 1. Focus on What’s Relevantr

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What's the worst horror story you can imagine for a presenter giving a marketing presentation? Falling in love with his or her story! Recently, I coached a presenter. He was 'all over' stories. And truthfully, his storytelling ability was great. If you wanted to sit around the campfire for hours and hours on end.

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Lunch is a great place for successful business presentations. At least that's that's the word out of a recent survey by Robert Half Management Resources. Here's what 1,400 finance executives replied when asked for their most successful meeting place other than the office: * Restaurant (36%) * Trade Show Or Conference (25%) * Sporting Event (4%) * Golf Course (3%) * In A Car (1%) * On A Trip/Plane (1%) * Nowhere Else (24%), And Other/Don't Know/Refused (4%).

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Too much to do? No time to do it? You're not alone. Participants are often overloaded, overworked, and preoccupied. They are often distracted by urgent business issues, family matters, sick pets, or other pulls on their attention. As a presenter, it's up to you to focus their attention. By giving clear directions, you can focus attention. Learn how to build a message that is easy for people to remember.

Published · 586 views · Rated 2/5 from 1 votes

Are you frustrated with giving business presentations - and having your recommendations being ignored? Are you often cut off or interrupted by competitive peers or an impatient boss? If you've had it with not getting the attention you deserve, you don't have to take it anymore. Now, it's easier than ever to get your ideas and suggestions noticed. Use your presence, body language and voice to command respect and get noticed.

Published · 688 views · Rated 2/5 from 1 votes

Many professionals dread the unthinkable moment in presentations: an angry or aggressive attack. Don't you wish you had a magic remedy to calm people down -- without risking embarrassment and public humiliation? In most corporate and professional settings, direct attacks are not commonplace. Instead, all kinds of more subtle interactions are the norm. However, from time to time, you are likely to encounter strong emotions, anger, and resentment. All the 'yucky stuff' most presenters strive to avoid. What can you do if the dreaded thing happens?

Published · 689 views · Rated 2/5 from 1 votes

All eyes are on you. Yes, it's true. In business presentations, you are in charge. You are the leader. As the leader in a presentation, you are in charge of the pace, flow, and impact of your story. In business presenting, a lot of professionals confuse their audiences by multi-tasking. This is a really bad idea. Instead of giving your audience a clear direction, multi-tasking points them in 15-directions at once. Let's look at the common (but awful) practice of talking while changing PowerPoint or Keynote slides.

Published · 841 views · Rated 2/5 from 1 votes

Are you boring your audience to tears? If you're in a leadership position, most people will not come forward and tell you to your face: "You're boring!" Let's face it. There's too much survival instinct to risk losing your job. Instead, people tend to have less obvious signs -- but they are immediately recognizable if you are looking. These signs include: 1. Looking at Watches and Clocks "How long is this going to last?" is the subtitle you should read if you see participants glancing at their watches...or repeatedly looking at the clock.

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If you are giving business presentations, no doubt you're working within a timeframe. Your clients and prospects are busy people. They want to get the most value out of time spent in your presentation. Professional public speakers often record their talks -- and practice delivering to fit within specific time slots. One hour? Got it. Twenty minutes? No problem. Ten? It's a snap. What is it that professionals know -- that you can use too? These 4 secrets can help you time your performance for perfect success. Secret 1: Time Your Opening

Published · 574 views

Curious how to find your personal best in business presentations? Follow the lead of star performers and you can achieve greatness too. Star performers share a single trait: they challenge themselves to always strive for their personal best. Whether in business, sports or the arts, masters are at the top of their game because they never stop seeking to get better. For a professional role model for performance, consider Michael Jordan. Even if you're not a basketball fan, Jordan was famous as the top player when he was playing for the Chicago Bulls. How did he stay at the top?

Published · 652 views

In presentations, as in life, you only have one chance to make a first impression. This is why the titles of your presentations are crucial. In this short article, let's examine how to title your presentation to immediately attract your audience. What's in a presentation title? If you look at most business presentations, strategy messages, and sales pitches, you'll notice one thing. Deadly boring titles. If you were giving an award for the most boring, the dullest, and the most tedious titles, you'd have to have a lot of ribbons to hand out!

Published · 617 views

Are you following the 'rules' for presenting in your organization or industry? If so, you could be killing your career. The most exceptional leaders are known for breaking the rules. Get the recognition you deserve with these 3 easy rule-breaking tips. "A conservative is a person who does not think anything should be done for the first time." -Frank Vanderlip If you're just starting out in presenting, what's your first thought? How are things done? What are the rules?

Published · 1,436 views

Escape artists. Retirees. Dream weavers. Can you really quit your job and live the good life? It’s unlikely that you’ll want to quit just yet…without the right set of skills. By now you realize that people promising ‘pie-in-the-sky’ deals to quit your job and escape the 9-5 are waving a magic wand. It’s not likely true. Unless you have the right skills. One of the most important things a lot of people do not talk about is presentation skills. Whatever you choose to do…from running a ski shop to managing a deli in a tropical harbor…you will need top notch presentation skills.

Published · 978 views

Do you feel shy? Would you rather do anything other than presenting on camera? If presenting on camera is the last thing you’d like to do, read this short article to transform your skills and discover a new way to present with total confidence. Hate cameras? Many of my clients feel this way. They prefer research, science and formal briefings. The last thing on their “1000 things to do before I die” list is presenting on camera.

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Are you preparing an important sales pitch? Are you searching for the best data, current statistics and impressive quotes? Find out how the 5 most important secrets to make a great impression. Whether you are connecting with clients or prospects, your success depends on how you communicate. More and more sales professionals know that communication is the key ingredient of success. In fact, sales communication training is growing by leaps and bounds. The reason why? Sales norms, sales standards, and sales practices have changed.

Published · 1,197 views

As an entrepreneur, student or sales professional, you know the constant demands on your time. If you’re strapped for time, and frazzled with a crazy busy schedule, there is hope. Use these 7 tips for instant presentation skills training. These days, the heat is on. In every industry, in every business, the mantra is repeated over and over: Do more with less. Get more done with less staff. Get more sales with less support. Get more results with less training. It’s not fair, really. But it is the way things are in most companies—both large and small.

Published · 931 views

Who do you spend most of your time with? You might have heard this quote before, “You are the average of the 5 people you spend the most time with.” The point is, who are you spending most of your time with? The sad truth is we live in a society where negativity surrounds us. The mass media, negative people, sad country music (just checking if you are reading), all of these elements impact us every single day.

Published · 945 views · Rated 1/5 from 1 votes

Whiteboard presentations for selling are rocking the business world. Audiences expect to be simultaneously engaged, entertained and excited. Are you using all of these 7 opportunities to get ahead? If you are selling a terrific solution but settling for less than this, step back and ask: why should any one listen to you? Next time you prepare a sales presentation, let your curiosity run wild. Challenge yourself to build interactive conversation at the whiteboard at the core of your sales presentation.

Published · 1,415 views

Effective business presentations help clients and prospects see, feel, and get in touch with solutions. Yes, you're already familiar with 'show and tell.' But what about 'show and touch'? In my training seminars on presentation skills, I often teach subject matter experts how to do this. And, believe me -- it isn't always easy. One of the big points of resistance I get is showing and touching. You see, many experts fervently believe things such as: • The data tells the story • More data tells a better story • Facts and numbers tell the story

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Last minute presentation…about to wreck your weekend? If your boss just called you in and told you about a Monday morning urgent pitch, you know the sinking feeling. What can you do? Friday afte oon. You should be heading home for a relaxing weekend with your honey. Dream on. Instead of leaving with a clear slate and an open calendar, you’ve just got the word. Big, urgent client presentation. Must be ready to go at 8 am. Monday morning.

Published · 2,055 views

Have you ever thought to yourself that you aren't an Expert? Belittling ourselves is a crappy pastime that we all seem to participate in from time to time. We are all experts in a number of areas of life, based upon our own experiences. Every singe one of us is an Expert at many things, and in more areas than we give ourselves credit for. I know it happens to me, and I have to take a step back and remind myself that I do have expertise in many areas.

Published · 1,284 views · Rated 3/5 from 1 votes

How can you look like a pro selling with stories at the whiteboard? To achieve results, you’ll want to use whiteboards to increase interaction and get people talking. Learn the top 3 secrets to gain a competitive edge. Top sales performers are selling more using whiteboard presentations. Are you ready to gain this skill and gain an almost unfair advantage? Caution: this skill is not for the faint at heart. If you’d rather keep doing the same thing you did last quarter or last year, go ahead. But don’t come crying when your numbers plummet—and your teammates fly past you.

Published · 1,432 views · Rated 5/5 from 1 votes

Creating a high-impact presentation requires careful planning. It’s really easy when you know the steps of a typical workflow in advance. Here are 10 easy steps to an awesome presentation. 1. Outline Your Storyboardr

Published · 932 views

Every time someone presents on camera, the experience is unique. But you may notice recurring obstacles that prevent you from concentrating, or enjoying the process. Presenting on camera is something that you can learn to do with confidence and ease. You can learn the skills from books, audio courses, online courses, classes and bootcamps. Here are some challenges people have shared from me, as well as some practical ways to overcome them. 1. Getting Startedr Making the commitment to practice video presenting is often the biggest hurdle for busy professionals.

Published · 803 views

Have you had it with your audience sleeping on you? Are you fed up with presenting to groans, moans, and snores? If presenting in front of a group is part of your career, it pays to know how to avoid this deadly fate. I have to break it to you. It could have something to do with your presentation. If your presentation is monotone, stiff, and tedious you are part of the problem. And this isn't all bad news. If you're part of the problem, you can also become part of the cure.

Published · 962 views

You’ve seen the whiteboard advantage—complex problems are made simple. Difficult decisions are made easier. Boring presentations are transformed. Get 6 easy and quick tips to gain this almost unfair advantage. Want to attract business and engage new clients in a whole new way? Most people are nervous about drawing in front of peers or high-profile clients. We don’t want to look foolish. We don’t want to embarrass ourselves. And we definitely don’t want to blow the opportunity.

Published · 1,447 views

Sales flat? No movement? If you’re not making your numbers, winning new clients, and getting the results you deserve, it’s time to get out of the rut you’re in. Find out how—right here. For starters, roll up your sleeves. Find out how deep a rut you’re in. Are these phrases part of your daily language: “I can’t ___.” “No one does___.” “It’s the economy.” “They never ___.” “I won’t bother doing___.” How often do you say statements like these? How long have you been stuck in a rut?

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Aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners are always looking for an edge to get ahead. That’s why presentation skills training starts with this 3-step system to get the edge. More and more entrepreneurs and small business owners know that it’s no longer enough to have a cool idea or awesome technology. In addition to the heart of your business, you must have the skills and training to present your ideas. While business school or the school of hard knocks may not have prepared you for speaking in public, your skill determines whether your business flies or fails.

Published · 1,062 views

Strapped for time with a crazy-busy schedule? No time to learn new presentation skills? You've got an important presentation to give, but can't add another minute into the day for learning. How to overcome this dilemma? No time to learn new presentation skills? This reminds me of a story. A guy is driving to work and notices the red light come on. No gas. Instead of stopping to fill up, here's what he says: "I'm late for work. No time to get gas." Not too smart, right?

Published · 913 views · Rated 2/5 from 1 votes

Working with virtual teams and global partners? Ever wonder how you’re coming across and if you are truly communicating effectively? Find out exactly how to know you’re spot on—with total confidence. As business continues to expand and teams increasingly work globally, many professionals have asked me about how to be effective. As we all know, it’s easy to become used to a style of presenting that may work regionally or nationally…but does not work with a global audience.

Published · 1,132 views

Are you the hero when you present in front of people? Are you consistently chosen as the person to open minds and close deals? If you want to be the hero in your business, these 5 tips show you how. In presentation skills training, experts explain exactly the difference between being the best and being the hero. This distinction eludes many professionals. But the distinction is critically important—if you want to achieve top results.

Published · 1,094 views

Business presenting is a lot like professional sports. To challenge your competition, you must know everything about your opponent. How can you go into each presentation as prepared as a prize athlete? Find out here. In sports, information about your competition is often readily available. You can find out just about everything online. Check out your competition by tracking previous scores, watching videos, and getting the scoop on your opponent’s strengths and weaknesses.

Published · 1,115 views · Rated 2/5 from 1 votes

Global partners, distance team members and virtual vendors - all demand one thing. Effective presentation skills for effective communication. Do you have the right training to communicate successfully in a global marketplace? Just last week, a new coaching client approached me with this question: "how can I communicate so my message is clear to global partners who speak a different language?" I get this question all the time. There's a long answer…and a short one. I'll give you the short one.

Published · 760 views

Are you and your teams giving effective PowerPoint sales presentations? Or are you guilty of putting audiences to sleep? While sales professionals have the best intentions, poor sales presentations often stems from poor planning. It’s not that you are intentionally abusing your audience. But habits, norms and standards could be contributing to unpersuasive presentations—and equally dismal sales results.

Published · 1,879 views

Looking for a simple and easy way to motivate employees and drive more business? Offer fun and entertaining presentation skills training. Whether you are a small business owner or a manager in a global organization, it's important to help your employees think and act like business owners. But how? Some consultants advise creating complex compensation plans and sales incentive packages. This may help some employees. But in my experience, there is something more basic - and less expensive that you can and should do first. Provide fun and useful specialized training.

Published · 872 views · Rated 2/5 from 1 votes

Have you ever wondered how executives and busy professionals find time to learn new skills? The answer is simple. They take control of their time and their professional education. In today's workplace, many professionals struggle with hectic schedules and a non-stop stream of urgent issues. Yet, to keep up in this kind of fast-paced environment, learning is vital. Many of the leaders and business owners I work with tell me that they need to constantly learn new skills. Continuous learning is the hallmark of successful leaders.

Published · 982 views · Rated 3/5 from 1 votes

What’s the real secret to land appointments with insanely busy customers? How can you deal with postponements, excuses, unanswered emails and missed calls? Here are 4 must-have tips to get appointments with your crazy-busy clients. While searching for a cure to nail down appointments with your super-busy customers, it helps to understand their world. Just like the classic saying, “walk a mile in another man’s shoes” once you understand how your customers think, you’ll understand how to appeal directly to their needs. 1. New Products And Services Are Riskyr

Published · 1,212 views

Telling positive stories is one of the easiest and fastest ways to grow your business. With the right set of presentation skills, you can put a positive spin on just about anything. I'm not kidding. When you're planning your business presentation, look at the overall tone, specific words, and images that are building the total picture. Often you intend to sound positive, but in your heart, you don't believe it. This is bound to show up somewhere! I often like to say, "every energy needs expression." Are You Using a Positive Tone?

Published · 1,009 views · Rated 2/5 from 1 votes

Ever wonder how your sales team is really doing using a whiteboard in sales with customers and prospects? If your staff is dispersed in regions or working remotely, worrying about performance standards could be keeping you up at night. Sleepless nights? If nightmares about performance are causing you anxiety, it’s no wonder. Many sales directors struggle with this very issue: how to guarantee a professional level of selling skills across their entire sales force.

Published · 1,988 views

Looking for ways to wrap up an intense selling conversation with a bang? Discover this creative 7-step plan for whiteboard presenting. Use it to sell your ideas with poise, skill and professionalism. Working interactively at a whiteboard allows everyone to get involved. Plus, it’s a powerful way to support all the information, ideas and proposals that you’ve just covered. Think of whiteboard presenting in this use as the ‘frosting on the cake.’ You’ll plan your interactivity throughout your sales conversation or demo, and then end with a grand finale.

Published · 981 views

Learn whiteboard presenting in minutes not hours? It’s true! When it comes to learning new skills, one thing is certain. It must be easy and fast. Whiteboard skills for selling and presenting are no exception. The entire system for learning new whiteboard selling skills is rapid and easy. Many business owners and entrepreneurs are already crazy busy. They are racing against the clock to do their work, respond to customers and manage employees. Many professionals have a hard time learning new selling skills while they are working 14-hour days.

Published · 1,493 views

There has been a lot of discussion in the news recently about Independent Contractor status vs. being an Employee and how to tell the difference, both from the worker's and the company's perspectives. Is someone you have working for your business or are considering bringing on to your company an Employee vs. Independent Contractor?

Published · 1,174 views

People connect with stories while presenting their businesses, proposals and ideas. Some people are born with an innate craving for telling their story with PowerPoint slides. Right? Wrong. While slides are a common tool for communication in many organizations, it appears that babies, young children and…smart adults are not born with a deep desire for sharing stories in bullet points.

Published · 1,363 views

Help Is A Click Away With new online presentation skills learning, conquering fear of public speaking is closer than you think. Just think: no more sleepless nights. When you become confident speaking in public, you'll have the skills you need to get to the highest level in your field. It's the exact set of communication skills you need to take you to the top! Fortunately, now it's easier than ever before to develop presentation skills through online classes and coaching. Here's why: New Technologyr

Published · 1,034 views · Rated 2/5 from 1 votes

Are you getting ready for a critical presentation? Are you struggling to calm down, while your heart races and your face gets hot? Lea 5 top tips to answer these persistent problems. If you’ve ever faced a presentation with increasing nervousness and stage fright, there is hope. Presentation skills training shows exactly how to gain confidence, feel calm, and master the skills you need to be effective in front of groups. Use this checklist to get prepared, feel ready and ace your presentation. 1. Adapt To Your Audiencer

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After a recent presentation skills training, I had an interesting question from one of our participants. What is a truly collaborative presentation style? I found it fascinating because we can learn so much from people who present in a collaborative manner. I recommend you take a moment right now. Think about the presenters and public speakers you admire. Spend a few minutes considering their presentation style. Is it collaborative? Is it directive?

Published · 1,620 views

Countdown to a big client pitch? Are you struggling to get organized, focus on benefits and answer tough questions? Lea 5 top tips to be a super star sales communicator. If you’ve ever faced an important client presentation with increasing anxiety, there is an alte ative. Sales communication training shows exactly how to become confident and master the skills you need to sell effectively. Use this checklist to get prepared, feel ready and ace your big day. 1. Adapt To Your Audiencer

Published · 1,193 views

Projecting confidence can make any presentation a success. Your audience always can spot when you are confident. Use basic principals to be persuasive and confident. True confessions time. Corporate leaders around the world confess to a singular dread of presenting in front of groups. It's shocking, really. Grown men in dark blue suits. Successful women who have smashed the glass ceiling. They should be confident. They should feel great and ready to jump up and take center stage. But, it's not the case.

Published · 903 views · Rated 2.5/5 from 2 votes

New trends in business are changing expectations of sales presenting faster than ever before. Are you doing everything possible to improve your team's presentation skills and stay ahead of the curve? Like so many practices in business (and in life) it's just too easy to fall into a rut. You've heard the definition of insanity: 'Doing the same things over and over again. But expecting a different result.' Now, it's time to do different things - so you can realistically expect a different, and better result.

Published · 640 views · Rated 2/5 from 1 votes

Worried about making mistakes in front of important clients? If presenting and selling with a whiteboard is in your future, it helps to know what to watch out for…and how to recover instantly. Many subject matter experts worry about appearing professional and poised in front of decision makers. It makes sense, really. We’re all trained to speak with polish and aim for perfection.

Published · 1,624 views

This is the time of year when there seems to be so many events. There are events to attend for professionals in private practice. The Corporate community has numerous events before they go into their next year budget mode. Entrepreneurs have a wide range of events to select from, ranging in subjects from website creation and optimization, to the mindset of the entrepreneur. One common theme for you is to bring with you all of your networking skills and techniques we have been discussing in the last few articles.

Published · 984 views · Rated 3/5 from 2 votes

Crazy busy? Business executives often tell me: "I have a nuts schedule and I'm crazy busy. I know I should stop to take a presentation skills training -- but I can't seem to find the time." There's only 24-hours in a day. And let's face it. It's insane to have back-to-back meetings, urgent projects, and staffing challenges. Still there must be a way to make time for professional education and specific skills training. Let's pause for a moment.

Published · 896 views · Rated 2/5 from 1 votes

The climb toward success in your business, your career, or your organization was never guaranteed to be a quiet stroll in the park. All along the way there will be obstacles. Something will always go wrong or not work out as planned. This is a key part of moving into the success mode. It is not just solving the immediate crisis that is important. It is how you handle the crisis and what your behavior is like. Crisis can impact your reaction to areas of your business, your life, and people you come into contact with.

Published · 984 views · Rated 2/5 from 1 votes

Can't seem to get ahead? If you've been saving presentation coaching for a later date...well, it's a lot like the classic saying about making foolish decisions. Much like saving sex for old age. Warren Buffett, the canny investor, is credited with the original quote: "You can't keep money around forever...it's like saving sex for your old age."

Published · 897 views · Rated 2/5 from 1 votes

What is the mystery "X" factor so you can give persuasive presentations - just like a Fortune 500 CEO? Let me tell you a secret. A lot of smart people can't answer that question. But we're going to answer it together, right now. "X" stands for the unknown. It refers to everything you do not know and your audience does not know. Let's look at a how this plays out in real life. Whether you are a CEO or not.

Published · 1,095 views · Rated 2/5 from 1 votes

Whether you are new to your job, or a seasoned pro, continuous learning is the name of the game - if you want to stay on top. In my presentation trainings, I often work with mixed groups. Some folks have been with the organization for 20 years or more. Others were just hired the week before. When this is the case, I find many executives prefer to watch and wait.

Published · 829 views · Rated 2/5 from 1 votes

More and more teams are working remotely. With new tools and technology, this is now easier than ever before. Yet one thing can derail highly effective teams. Find out how to guarantee success of your remote teams. With the evolution of tools and technology, distributed teams are becoming more and more commonplace. It’s possible to work from anywhere and connect with a click. Among the hottest tools for team communication are tools, which simplify mobile connection:

Published · 1,012 views

Curious how to connect, engage, and persuade your remote audience? More and more business presentations are held virtually. Find out how to make a powerful connection--when your audience isn’t in the same room. Where are virtual presentations rising in popularity? Everywhere! Educational webinars. Sales presentations. Training sessions. More and more meetings and presentations are held with some or all participants participating remotely. With today’s economic pressures to reduce travel and slash costs, those who master virtual presentation skills can achieve tremendous success.

Published · 1,588 views

What’s the toughest part of business presenting to important clients and prospects? How to handle difficult questions with poise. Curious how the pros make it look so easy and natural? Find out how to handle questions under fire with complete ease. With more and more subject matter experts presenting directly to clients and prospects, answering questions on the spot is an increasingly important issue. In my presentation skills training, this is consistently the number 1 area of concern. Why is handling questions such a hot topic?

Published · 1,166 views

Recently, a Fortune 500 company asked for a presentation skills training on virtual collaboration. In our jam-packed 2-day course, new presenters learned specific skills for highly interactive virtual presentations. What we found may surprise you. More and more organizations are gravitating towards virtual collaboration and educational webinars. The reason is simple. Save travel costs. Streamline communication. Stay connected between the regions and corporate headquarters.

Published · 1,000 views

Need to give successful marketing presentations? Use any one of these 3 new rules to engage every audience and get results. Of course, you can use all three to attract customers, engage prospects and stand out in a crowd. Success in business starts with dynamite presentation skills for attracting customers, engaging prospects and standing out in a crowd.

Published · 886 views

How do you process information? By taking notes. In traditional classes, we learned to write down everything. But for powerful selling, visual note taking at a whiteboard is much more powerful. Curious how to pump up your whiteboard note taking? In talking with graphic facilitators, whiteboard sellers and creative visual story sellers, 5 practices consistently surface. It doesn’t seem to matter what the topic is. It doesn’t seem to matter what their expertise or role is.

Published · 1,680 views

As many professionals know, sales presentation training provides a step-by-step method for delivering engaging and exciting sales presentations. But what if you’re short on time, short on money and have a big pitch to give tomorrow? If so, you’re in luck. Read on and discover 5 easy steps to guarantee your sales presentation is a winner.

Published · 1,403 views

What’s the secret for success in sales presentations and public talks? To dramatically improve the results of your presentations, build an emotional bond. Find out the fast and easy way to do this right now. Why are emotions are so important? Emotions drive our major decisions. You’ve heard and seen this in action. Maybe even in yourself, a friend, or a spouse. Let’s look at a classic purchase: buying a car.

Published · 1,008 views

This summer has been extraordinary. One of the best I can recall. Most weekends have been devoted to beach-combing, floating and capturing images of Leelanau County AKA “The County”. My back yard is primarily made up of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, just voted the most beautiful place in America by Good Morning America viewers. How cool is that? Weekdays were devoted to coaching brilliant clients, finishing a new line of self-paced coaching workbooks and participating in the Inspired Living Telesummit along side a group of extraordinary and highly creative entrepreneurs.

Published · 1,600 views

Standing out in business presenting is a sure-fire way to get to the top. But it won’t happen if you’re relying on slick slides that don’t tell a powerful visual story. More presenters these days are realizing the truth: poorly designed slides are not working. The slides that worked last decade, last year or even last month…well, it’s not going to work for tomorrow’s presentation.

Published · 1,599 views

Feel Confidence Speaking in Public Beginning and experienced professionals often struggle with the tough issues when giving a presentation to clients. • How to cover the material their boss says they must • How to massage the corporate slide deck and still be dynamic • How to respond to real-life issues and tough questions • How to handle conce s in just half the time needed • How to involve participants instead of lecturing It's hard. But let's face it. It's life.

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Whether you are using whiteboard to get new ideas, run office brainstorms or give client pitches, one thing is certain. Poor presentation skills will cost you A LOT of money. Presenting with a whiteboard is the fast and easy way to dramatically improve your ideas, process and results. Use this simple step-by-step whiteboard workout to boost your skills to a new level. Step 1. Use A Storyboard To Plan For Impact

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Cope with Nerves Stressed out about business presentations? Would you rather stay in bed, hide in the bathroom or find an excuse to leave work early than get up in front of a group? For anyone looking for strategies to reduce fear of public speaking, a new webinar training series will help you calm down, reduce stress and handle presentations like a pro. As a professional, it's your job to give presentations. Most likely, all day - every day. Most people find that as they advance in their career, so does the number of presentations on their calendar.

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Big presentation coming up? No doubt you are wracking your brain, and quite possibly tearing your hair out trying to plan the best way to present your story. If you have any leeway in your presentation, here's how the process usually goes: You take a huge amount of data and toss it onto your desk or desktop. Then while wrestling the elephant, you remember a bit of news that should be added to the mix. On top of it, you most likely have some urgent additions and 'must-haves' from your boss or team. Now, in addition to a huge mess, you have an extra huge mess.

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My friend, John C. Maxwell, mentioned to me the other day, “when an opportunity presents itself, it is too late to prepare.” John is a master at saying so much with few words. You must invest the time, the effort, the money, and constantly grow your knowledge base to be ready.

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Simply grabbing a marker and running up to the whiteboard isn’t going to produce fantastic results. Here are 5 little-known pro tips to boost your skills in whiteboard presenting. If you want to give successful whiteboard presentations, you must learn how to plan, prepare and perform. In short, you must make it easy for your audience to understand what you have to offer.

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You walk into the office, mentally planning all the things you have to do today. But suddenly, you get a tap on the shoulder. "Pop in to our conference and give a 15-minute overview of your project. There's an important client who needs to hear it." Instead of feeling elated at the opportunity -- how do you really feel? Nervous? Anxious? Like you'd rather be anywhere else? Many of my clients confess these emotions are their first response. It's understandable. Most people are not thrilled to be put on the spot at the last minute. And here's why:

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Do you present and speak in public with confidence and project credibility? The way a professional delivers a message has a dramatic affect on the outcome. Discover the top secrets for maximum impact. If you project authentic confidence, it comes through in all ways. Your attitude, demeanor, body language, style and tone all reflect your internal state. Your inner alignment shines forth and is immediately obvious to all who are listening. This comes through in any media: in face-to-face settings, virtual communications, and video.

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Recognize the big fears and daunting problems your audience faces. Address these audience fears head on…if you want to move people into action. Learn the secret key to unlock bigger, easier and faster sales. You know your product and service inside and out. You already are deeply familiar with how what you have to offer saves time, eliminates hassles, and will make your client’s work life a breeze. There’s only one teensy problem. Your client doesn’t have a clue about the benefits. They are afraid of all kinds of other things.

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You may have been ecstatic to hear you have an opportunity to present to your boss, senior leadership team, or an important client. But what are the 5 top challenges you should know about? Find out now. Even if your presentation skills are top notch, you’ll struggle to win over your team to presenting without relying on slides. Here are the top 5 challenges you’ll face to overcome the typical resistance to slide free presenting. Challenge #1: Not Invented Herer

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Whiteboard sales conversations are hot. If you’re seeing your peers and competitors jumping onto this trend, there’s a reason why. It works. Find out the 5 truths for effective whiteboard selling skills. Recently, many small business owners, entrepreneurs, Internet marketers and sales professionals have switched to whiteboard presentations. Why? It is the fastest way to customize messages and simplify complex stuff. If you want to make the most out of this powerful medium, here are 5 core truths you must know. 1. Simplifyr

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Are your sales presentations falling flat? Do you have exceptional products, services and trainings…but no one ever seems to ‘get it’ and you don’t know why? If so, you’ll love these 5 easy steps. Many experienced and new sales presenters struggle with speaking the language of their customers. Recently, I coached a group of new sales reps. They were eager to learn exactly how to give presentations that really connected with their audiences. But after a short time, I noticed a few things that were standing in their way.

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That is a phrase that I heard at a recent course that I attended on marketing on the internet. The implication is that it is better to get your first version of a not-quite-ready ad or even a new product out there and see how it goes over, than to have nothing out there at all. And thus no one out there knowing what you are up too. Another way I've heard the same concept presented is Ready, Fire, Aim. Implying that you should get as ready as you can be, but then produce something that you get out to your market or the end users to see how it works for them.

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“Let’s have a visual storyboarder capture our team meeting.” Sounds like a great idea, right? Wrong. Some folks will get up in arms about making the investment. Curious how to respond? Planning big events often starts with requests and proposals. Committees review proposals to make smart decisions. They grapple with important questions such as: Should we hire an exte al facilitator? Should we bring in a graphic facilitator? Should we encourage interactive discussion and visual storytelling? Should we just do what we’ve always done?

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Brring. The alarm is sounding. Wake up. Your audience doesn’t want to hear your data. So, what should you do about it? Scientists, subject matter experts and researchers know this truth. The audience is overloaded with information. They will check out faster than you can say, “Boo!” if you show them all your research. Even knowing this, many smart people go ahead and do it anyway. They often say things such as: “I know you don’t want to hear all the background data, but…”

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Ready to grow your business, network, share and communicate ideas? Giving persuasive and powerful marketing webinars is one of the fastest ways to let clients and prospects know more about why they should do business with you. Today's buyer is looking for extra value, extra learning and extra motivation. Where can they find all those extras? In targeted webinar events. But, what if you're not technical, hate virtual meetings and don't have a clue how to communicate effectively online? No worries. Follow these 6-steps to get started right away. 1. Speak Directly To Your Customersr

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An RFP is a Request For Proposal. They can be put out by any company or organization, but they are most common in a government agency situation where they are looking to have multiple bidders each propose their own solution to the problem that is presented. An RFP is typically just a Requirements document that the requestor is then looking for companies to submit a proposal that provides details on their particular solution that they would implement if awarded the contract.

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Back in 1999, a friend, Glen Whitbeck, and I who were working on a project together came up with the "3 Times Rule". It is a rule of thumb that even 12 years later has remained a pretty accurate rule of thumb. Since it is a rule of thumb, it isn't always totally accurate, but surprisingly enough it has turned out to be quite close as an average for sure.

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It’s tough managing a team who is expected to do more with less. They’re stressed out and running fast. How can you be a great consulting manager—and be prepared for the onslaught of demands? What makes a great consulting manager? In interviewing my clients about this, I found several qualities consistently rose to the top. Let me share them with you right now. Top qualities for a great consulting manager include: 1. Listeningr At the heart of true consultative skill is listening. What are individuals saying? And most importantly, what are people expressing non-verbally?

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In today’s economy, many organizations are cutting back on presentation skills training. Is this smart? Or is this foolish and shortsighted? Find out here. As the economy continues to bump along, more and more organizations are getting jittery. Some are cutting back on what is considered ‘soft skills.’ Others are hanging tight, refusing to cut back on skill development. Of these, many are blending training approaches to include online self-study classes, webinars and virtual coaching.

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A few years back, I taught a workshop in whiteboard and graphic recording skills. Watching two participants, I realized that some of the worst mistakes come from the best artists. Here’s what happened… One of the participants created charts that looked like an intricate children’s book. Seriously, the graphics were stunningly beautiful. In her future chart, she drew elaborate sketches detailing the process of how she would plan her future. Images included calendars, retreat time, reflection activities, counseling and emerging dreams. It was breathtaking.

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Whether you’re a CEO or a full-time entrepreneur of a small business, you’ve got a story to tell. A new product. A powerful invention. A transformation. But how can you get other people to listen? It’s tough to win attention, isn’t it? Most professionals agree that changing the way people think, communicate and act is a tall order. But it all starts with winning attention.

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Should you bother responding to that RFP? Of course! Discover 3 awesome ways to determine the best RFPs to answer. Use this fast and easy system…see if it doesn’t save you tons of time. In business, we comb a wide range of sources to share our products, services and expertise. Some companies have a robust process in place for responding to Requests for Proposals. Others, well…the process is more helter skelter.

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In B2B sales, the writing is on the wall. World-class sales skills are critical, but just not enough to guarantee your success. Find out the top 7 tips to get ahead. Discover what it really takes to engage busy clients in a real-time conversation. More and more sales professionals are realizing that pitching is dead. And even if the skills are still taught in your organization’s training room, things change with clients. Use these 7 tips to master the moves you need in a constantly changing marketplace. Tip 1. Learning Is Constantr

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You got the job. After filling out the piles of paperwork, you have to wonder. Now what? How will you make your first 100 days so powerful that you make a great impression? Bravo! You did it. You got the job. Now, just imagine you have a private cheering squad in your court. Let’s get to work so you can start strong and make a terrific impression. Do you feel at home yet? The next 100 days in your new job are crucial. Like ‘dress for success’ there’s another way to impress your boss, new team and coworkers. Simply put: present for success.

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Business Strategy success is dependent upon your Compass of Life TM choices and how effective you are at navigating between the points of the Compass of Life TM. Everyone has this issue known as the balance of life between work and the rest of life. Where we choose to spend our time. Where we choose not to spend our time. How we explain these choices to others or to ourselves are basically excuses.

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The world wide web contains a massive amount of information and services that are made available to the public from across the entire globe. The ability to have information at your fingertips in a manner of seconds is now the reality and the internet is the most widely used source of information available. With all of that information available, it is imperative to have a strategy in place to direct traffic to your specific website.

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In our, let's call it series of articles on search engine optimization, we are going to move on once again. This time we are going to focus on yet another useful and widespread service, which is social bookmarking service.

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It is clear that to build an acupuncture practice we have to be both the health practitioner and the business person, everyday we go to work. Therefore, we are always wearing 2 hats when dealing with our patients. One hat is the person taking care of the patient and administering the acupuncture. The second hat is the sales person, the one who deals with all financial and business interactions with the patient. This includes selling the acupuncture treatments and making sure the patient reschedules as suggested.

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Gratitude, what exactly is it? It is defined scholarly as being the state or feeling of appreciation for anything. On a more spiritual and philosophical side, some have explained it as being in the present and in peace, while having a deep appreciation for life in general. In nature, one may be grateful for the sun's warmth, the wind's soft touch, or the oceans rhythmic beat. In business we also have much to be grateful for. This includes not only the patients which come in and receive treatment, but also those that deny it as well.

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At present, everyone wants to get the richest position in the market through their businesses. However, you should remember that without clients a business can’t draw higher position and profits from the market. These days, numbers of ways have evolved for businesses to get leading position in the market.

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These days, online business owners are taking help of the link building services in order to get more exposure for their products and services. They have understood the importance of permanent one way links that can really offer them the most effective way to enhance their website’ online visibility. Due to such a reason, so many SEO submission services are now coming up to the market. These service providers are offering affordable directory submission services, which can save your money as well as time.

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Have you ever procrastinated on getting out there and marketing yourself, but you don’t know exactly why? Many people that I coach allow the fear of rejection to stop them from marketing their business, and after digging deeper, we discovered it was fears that were holding them back.

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As you have probably well noticed so far, SEO (search engine optimization) is not only one of the best techniques to give your business a literal boost on the internet, but it also is not just ONE technique, in that matter. It incorporates many different approaches and tactics, which can be used separately or can be combined together to achieve even better results. One of the most powerful of these approaches is niche one-way link building.

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One of the advantages of being the owner of a business, specifically one that is taxed as an S-Corp is that you have some flexibility in how, when and how much you pay in taxes. In case the S-Corp term is unfamiliar to you, it is basically forming a corporation or an LLC and filing the correct follow-on forms with the IRS.

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Today, in the faster Internet age it is much essential for Webmaster to increase the website popularity that helps them in business promotion. It is also much essential for everyone to stay tuned in this highly competitive market. So, the link building is the best business strategy for Web marketing. You can increase online visitors for your website and maintain a good rank with the search engine through receiving valuable links for your website.

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This quote from “A Tale of Two Cities” by Charles Dickens has many applications but recently came to mind after reading the following quote by Rick Warren, author of “A Purpose Driven Life”. “I used to think that life was hills and valleys - you go through a dark time, then you go to the mountaintop, back and forth. I don't believe that anymore. Rather than life being hills and valleys, I believe that it's kind of like two rails on a railroad track, and at all times you have something good and something bad in your life..

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Article submission is an important and effective search engine optimization (SEO) strategy. It offers a number of high end advantages and that is why many website and online business owners are always interested in affordable article submission services. By submitting articles manually to several websites you can create more awareness for your website and business, drive targeted traffic towards your website and increase your SEO page ranking by creating quality back links. How To Do Article Submission

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Strategy for your networking? The ability to network in person or online requires a strategy. You must take a business approach to your networking. We as entrepreneurs and small business owners do not have the luxury of attending every single networking event available. So what’s your first step? In order to create a strategy for your networking you must be clear on your ideal client . There are numerous reasons to define and know your ideal client; networking is one of those reasons.

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Many website owners quickly become very frustrated by the lack of visitors to their site. They have tried several different strategies but their hard work has not had any effect on bringing traffic to their site. The leading method to attract more visitors to your site is to increase your ranking in all of the search engines like Google. The most effective way to accomplish this is to use a Professional SEO service in London.

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Sales people are unique and working with them provides many challenges and if done right, many rewards. Successful sales people are all different and they have learned to leverage their best attributes to develop a unique selling style that works for them. Consequently, maximizing their performance is always more a matter of coaching than managing to help them achieve more than they could on their own. Here are some basic guidelines that may be helpful in motivating your sales folks to increase sales:

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These days, webmasters are searching for the best SEO Company through which they can use for escalating their website page rank, and web traffics. There are numbers of leading SEO companies have come to the market for helping those webmasters who want to get desire results for their websites. If you are a webmaster and want to improve your website page rank, then you should hire a guaranteed listing service provider first. Consider off page and on page optimization:

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Well, the smartass answer is that it depends. I know, I know, that is a cop out answer, but did you think there was a silver bullet, single easy solution for all people and all cases? There never is is there… For the full answer, please read on. Did you just get laid off and haven’t yet found the next full-time position that is a fit for you and so you are now looking for a short-term contract to help with a gap in employment until you can land another full-time position?

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Last week I was talking with a client who mentioned something I had done and referred to it as “a good job”. As pleased as I was to receive this compliment, I noticed that in some way it felt a bit empty. It was nice that my client felt positive about what I’d done, but I still had no clue as to what he liked about it or how it had helped him. It was pleasant but vague.

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When you aren’t attracting enough clients it can make you feel like you’re spinning your wheels. Setting up systems to help you market can be the smartest thing you do this year! Many people come to me because even though they know what they should be doing to market their business, they don’t put the steps into practice. As a result, they don’t have a full pipeline of clients. Why? Because they don’t have systems in place to consistently market their business.

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Your beliefs are simply ideas that you have decided to make true. These beliefs can either accelerate or hinder your progress. The good news is that you can change the beliefs that do not serve you. Being an entrepreneur is a spiritual journey and your beliefs play a pivotal role in your success. Most of your beliefs were developed when you were a small child. In fact, you adopted many of them from your parents and loved ones. Changing these beliefs will not happen ove ight, but it can happen with consistent effort over time. The ROI will show up in every area of your life.

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Being an empath and entrepreneur presents a unique level of challenges. In today’s society the two terms together are almost considered an oxymoron. The messages echoed throughout the nation are about chasing success by any means necessary, stringent focus on getting your money, and separating your emotions from business. Well, these ideologies are in direct conflict with an empath’s essence. Empaths are the epitome of emotion. We feel everything, and I mean everything, very intensely. We absorb others energies -both positive and negative.

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It’s a costly and hard-lea ed lesson in business: saying “no” to an interested prospect that does NOT fit your ideal client profile. It’s counter intuitive, but taking just any client who responds to your advertising may cost you money, aggravation, and time. Remember, your ideal client: a) has done their homework and is ready to hire, b) doesn’t haggle with you about price because they value what you’re offering, c) comes back when they need you again, d) is your biggest fan who sends you testimonials without asking, and e) automatically refers you to others.

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When your business starts to grow beyond start up and into second stage, you’ll need to expand your capacity to take on more. If you’re thinking how that can be possible when your day is already overfilled, then something needs to change. If you’re constantly delaying decisions or putting off implementing projects, your business will be seeing its own demise rather than dollar signs. The next time you’re delaying decisions, consider asking yourself these questions: What’s the strategy?

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If you want to become a masterful strategic networker, you have to be the one that makes it happen and that means taking a proactive approach to referral marketing. “Don’t wait for the good luck referral. Good luck if you get one, good luck if the person referred to you will talk to you, and good luck if you close it,” states Tim R. Green of President of Referral Institute of Michigan.

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Oooh, doesn't that sound good? I know how it is. You want to create a newsletter and send it out to your community. You really do. But... But what? What stops you? Here's one of the biggest fears small business owners have: "Once I send a newsletter I'll have to keep sending it out on a regular basis. And what will I say?! How will I keep it up?" Yep, when you're just starting a newsletter, one of the biggest worries is the fear of producing quality content on a consistent basis.

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To create success in your business there are lots of steps you can be taking. In fact, it can be overwhelming and frankly, downright confusing, to decide what you should or shouldn't be doing. Am I right? To be honest, the steps you need to take in order to build your successful business may well look different than mine or someone else's steps. Our path to success may vary depending on the type of business we're running.

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When the Vancouver 2010 Olympics were on, I had the fortune to get tickets to an event. I went and saw a hockey game - Latvia vs. Slovakia. It was a great game although Latvia was overmatched with Slovakia. Still, it was exciting to watch these athletes in action and it got me thinking about these wonderful athletes. Olympians are not like ordinary people.

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The Architect of Your Destiny is Yourself How do you get to the next level? This is a questio I often get from the entrepreneurs I work with. Whether it is a five figure entrepreneur who wants to go to six figures or six to seven figures, I always think of some of the quotes of the wise Jim Rohn. Jim Rohn, a very successful mentor, speaker, and entrepreneur influenced many lives for before his passing in December 2009. He had a natural gift of speaking and engaging you in his stories. The ‘next level’ in your life or in your business means different things to different people.

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In the winter, if your car can't get traction on an icy patch, your tires will spin and spin when you accelerate. If you get really freaked out about being stuck on the icy road and keep stomping on the accelerator, do you get more traction? Does your car move forward? Not usually. How about when you're feeling stuck on a project? How about when you feel like YOUR tires are spinning? Do you find yourself pushing harder and harder in an attempt to get unstuck? Hmmm, is that working for you?

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Let's start with what a complimentary consultation is not. It is not a place to give away free coaching, consulting, or services. In my business philosophy, a complimentary consultation is not a place for a 'hard sell' either. The purpose of a complimentary consultation, also referred to as a discovery session, strategy session, sample session, get acquainted call, etc., is for you and your potential client to get to know one another a bit and to determine if the two of you are a good fit to work together. You are interviewing each other.

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You may have noticed that in my personal life and in my business coaching I place a lot of importance on creativity. Not just because I think it's an essential component of living an abundant life, but also because it's an important aspect of business success. Although it may seem counter-intuitive to think so, all businesses require creativity. Every type of business is in danger without it. And yes, this includes your business and mine.

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Many business professionals fail miserably at converting a promising lead into a client. Why? Could it be their sales process? Yes. Could it be because they didn’t pre-qualify the prospect? Yes. Could it be because they haven’t asked enough questions before pitching their products or services? Yes. And, there’s something few people ever consider. They operate from their very own wiring which often gets in the way.

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I'm sure you've heard that you should have a mastermind group to achieve MLM Success. First off, you must understand exactly what a mastermind group is. It consists of 2 or more people who work in perfect harmony for the attainment of a definite purpose. Now knowing what this means, you must realize that it would always be easier for you to achieve your goals with the help of others. I want to tell you a little bit about my life and my business before and after I found my mastermind group.

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When you think back to when you were a kid, what did you want to do? Were there limitations on these dreams? Or were they huge dreams where you ruled the world, or were a famous movie star? What is it about childhood that allows such limitless, magical dreams? Lack of FEAR!! We start off not being afraid of anything. Think about it. When you tried to crawl and did not succeed over and over and over again, you persisted – and eventually crawled (or walked instead!). There was nothing to use as a point of reference that indicated failure.

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Picture this: You're sitting in a bank foyer, anxiously awaiting a loans officer. Your heart is pounding; you need the loan to grow your company with additional equipment. As each minute creeps by, you feel your anxiety building. 'What if I don't get the loan?' you think. Suddenly, your brain is filled with a dozen scenarios of doom and gloom for your business. Panic sets in... Suddenly, the officer appears in front of you and replies, "We're ready for you..."

Published · 2,836 views · Rated 5/5 from 1 votes

Of course we all want our clients to succeed. They win; we win. Part of our job as service providers is to build the confidence of those we serve so that they may go out and better help others. It's a wonderful cycle. Let it begin with you. But we've all had that client who just couldn't get out of their own way and SEE how wonderful they were, and the value they provide to the world – in fact I'm sure we've each been that client ourselves at one time or another.

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Running your business can be a veritable rollercoaster of emotions. When clients, money, and new ideas are flowing the high is almost untouchable, but that feeling of elation is often followed by moments of doubt, fear, and blockage. Every piece of that cycle is normal, but having a solid thread of appreciation to return to will keep you from experiencing extremes. What does that mean, a solid thread of appreciation? It's a baseline, a constant. It's what grounds and uplifts you. And get this – appreciation is what keeps the abundance flowing.

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From Jim: Most people avoid conflict situations because conflicts hurt and very few people know what to do when a conflict erupts. I am not talking about a major conflict, a war or a terrorist attack, but the conflicts that happen every day: a surprising argument with your friend; a fight with your spouse; tension between you and a coworker or between you and your boss. The first response most people have is to defend themselves protecting their innocence.

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From Judith: You’re moving along in your current position and succeeding quite well. Then, all of a sudden, with no input from you, no warning from above, you are informed that your position has been discontinued, or your team has been reassigned, or you’ve been moved to a different department in a different building (perhaps even in a different city). Whatever it is, disruptive change has control of your career, your professional identity, and your future. And at first, you feel totally out of control. You are in shock.

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Is your email address optimized for your social networking sites? If not, you’re making yourself too difficult to track down, and people will give up trying to find you. This week I sent a mailing to my 1137 LinkedIn connections. Here are a few of my observations:

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What does it mean to "sharpen your saw?' According to Dr. Steven Covey, "sharpening your saw" means; “Increasing your personal production capacity by daily self care and self-maintenance.” Why is this important? In my 13+ years of coaching success minded entrepreneurs to help them maximize their success, it is so clear that those who neglect themselves will never reach their goals. For example, one of my clients, Sandra, struggled with a sugar addictions for years. Her business was always in chaos, as she had roller coaster moods that would never allow her to focus on her business.

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"I don't know why I'm sabotaging myself.” I hear this statement every day from clients and prospective clients. This sentiment is extremely common amongst both seasoned and new entrepreneurs. I hear many examples of self sabotage in my coaching practice and many pleas for help to reverse self sabotage. Let's look at some problems and some solutions: The first example of self sabotage that comes to mind is carrying around a belief, "I am not good enough".

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THE BIG MISTAKE: “The economy is so slow and I don't even know where my next sale is coming from.” How often have you heard someone say that when business is down and the economy is questionable? It seems logical, doesn't it, to tighten your purse strings? “Wait! Are you suggesting that I should invest in my business now?” Even though it seems logical to tighten up and constrict spending, this is actually based on a “scarcity” mindset.

Published · 1,876 views · Rated 3/5 from 1 votes

People talk a lot about action. What should I do? How should I act? What's the next step in this uncharted entrepreneurial adventure? Action is important. I talk a lot about it, too. And yet ... I believe there is far too much talk of action, and not nearly enough talk about mindset. What is mindset?

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Intro: If we were meant to go it alone, wouldn't we be here all by ourselves? Life is an intermingled journey with the billions of other people we share this world with. So, doesn't it make sense that we should help each other out? It is time to create a more positive world...it is time to pay it forward. I was in the grocery store the other day and was struck by how harried and stressed out people looked. There were frowns all around me and that sparkle in their eyes was nowhere to be found. The thing is, I am not a big fan of grocery shopping.

Published · 797 views

Part 1: The Problem I have found in my 14+ years of coaching Real Estate Professionals, that the ones who are flourishing are the ones who have mastered the “Inner Game” of lead generation. They feel confident about picking up the phone, they market themselves consistently, their pipeline is always full, and their contacts yield profitable results in Ideal Clients, so they make more money with less effort. However, if you are like most Real Estate Professionals, when you think of Lead to Generation, you probably get caught up in an "avoidance pattern", which looks something like t

Published · 2,301 views · Rated 3.2/5 from 19 votes

Relationships are so important in every aspect of life. No matter where you go or what you do, relationships are at the core of everything. This is especially true in the business world. Sometimes we forget, but quite honestly, the core of your successful business is your relationship with your clients. In fact, your relationships with clients can make or break the successful expansion of your business. How do you know what your current client relationships are like? Here are some key questions to ask yourself (and your clients!) when evaluating your relationships.

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We are bombarded with information. All the time! Every day, or so it seems, entrepreneurs are bombarded with ideas and information about how to do things. At times, it can make you feel like you don't know how to do anything. And that you're not only overwhelmed, but also hopelessly lost. What if that wasn't true? What if you did know what was best for you? How would you feel then? A lot more relaxed, I'll bet. More confident! And ready to roll. So that's the secret.

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As entrepreneurs and business owners we hear the phrase Value Your Time, a TON. But what does that really mean? Does it mean charge more money? Work less? Work smarter (another ambiguous phrase)? What does it mean? I think it's somewhat different for everyone. But there is one universal, undeniable fact: although it may bend and stretch, time is our only non-renewable resource. We can always make more money, find fuel sources, create new relationships, start new careers, but we can never go back in time.

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The short answer? If you are an entrepreneur or a small business owner, you do. What IS a Business Coach? Business coaching has become sort of a hybrid between coaching and consulting. First let’s define the difference. A coach is an accredited certification. A coach works with you to draw out the answers to lingering questions you have about yourself, what’s blocking you, where you want to go, what you want to do, etc. They don’t tell you what to do.

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My clients think it’s strange, but they do it anyway and thank me latter. After they create a Business Vision Statement for the next year, they create an exit vision. Actually create 3 visions – a year, an exit and somewhere in between. And if you’re a mom create one for when your children are in school part time, and then full time, too.

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From Judith: The Fear of Being Fabulous can show up in countless ways, but one that deserves extra attention is what we call "Growth Shudders." It happens in response to a big win, a recent promotion, and/or more money than ever believed possible. There are countless other scenarios that spark "growth shudders," but they are fueled by what my husband Jim Sniechowski and I call "unconscious forbiddances." Prompted by messages or models in early upbringing, the underlying forbiddance argues against being more successful.

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When building your business, the fastest way to leverage it is through systems. If you don’t have systems in place, you’ll also miss out on creating maximum profitability for your business. When my students first work with me, they think they have their accounting system in place because they have Quickbooks, an Accountant or a CPA. Yet,this is only part of managing your profitability. It’s important to manage the very systems you put in place to run your business efficiently. Without ways to manage them, you are letting money slip through your fingers.

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Picture this; you're sitting in a dark corner of a coffee shop when you spot your dream guy (or girl) sipping their double cappuccino at a table on the other side of the room. You know they're the one. You have to meet them. You've been waiting for someone exactly like them to walk into your life. You throw a wink in their direction. No response. So you think, maybe they missed it, and you begin winking a little more fervently. Your eye starts to water. Still no response. Not ready to give up, you give a little wave. And yet, nothing.

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When you think of the end of the year, what do you think of? Most small business owners think of taxes. It’s a good time to analyze what worked and plan ahead for the next year. At Excellerate Success Institute, my clients use their own Business Blueprint Wizard complete with identified metrics to measure their successes throughout the year.

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Oh boy, it's so easy to look around at all the businesses out there and mirror, listen to, and follow the advice of how they found their success, isn't it? It seems simple to chase this or that proven formula to success. I mean, it worked for that guru, or expert, or multi-millionaire, it should work for you too, right? Hmmm. Not exactly.

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Ya, the library. You know, the poster-festooned encyclopedia vault from school days past? You probably spent a lot of time there, researching for science projects and book reports. Remember reaching up on tiptoes to hand your library card to the librarian at the check-out desk? This should bring you back – Encyclopedia Britannica! It’s never too late to join the "look it up club" whose motto was "we never guess, we look it up." Use the library’s valuable resources-even when you can see over the librarian’s desk.

Published · 1,462 views · Rated 3/5 from 1 votes

If any one of these 18 mistakes resonate with you, avoid them or suffer the consequences. 1. I can do this for free. You cannot build a business online for free. Get over it. 2. Build it, and they will come. You cannot just put a website up, and expect to start raking in the profits. 3. Decorate it, “Trick it out”, not for websites…this might work for brick and mortar stores, but online you have to keep it to reasonable level. 4. Lacking a Unique Selling Proposition. You need to generate a real presence online…and you have to be unique. 5.

Published · 1,094 views · Rated 3.7/5 from 18 votes

In all the years I have been working with coaches, I’m amazed at how many of them believe it’s too hard to coach, have a business and be continually developing new material and they question whether they have what it takes to be successful. It breaks my heart because most of these folks are needlessly headed towards overwhelm, disappointment & burnout. And the worst part? It doesn’t have to happen. If you want to avoid their fate, and I know you do, here are 3 stunningly simple ways to avoid overwhelm, disappointment and burnout in your coaching business.

Published · 1,460 views · Rated 3.7/5 from 6 votes

Slightly sweet, sometimes bitter...my favorite and most satisfying treat and energizer is 72% organic free trade dark chocolate. Why give such a specific description? Because each element can be translated into some of "the stuff" that can set you up for greater success. This may sound like a stretch but bear with me... Here we go:

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How can compassionate collaboration lead to higher productivity and more effective results? The answer is housed in the words "compassion" and "collaboration." The dictionary.com defines compassion as: a feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering. Strictly speaking, this kind of event, although not impossible, is rare in a workplace setting. But this does not make the idea and practice of compassion any less valuable.

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From Jim: Creative Intentionality (CI) a major element in the construct that is your success in any area of your life and yet so few people know about it let alone understand how to best use it. To say it directly, CI is about how you frame things. But that’s not a sufficient explanation. So to make the fact of Creative Intention really clear I’m asking you to join in an imagination exercise. You’ll be able to understand and even feel the power of CI.

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Do you like to create your own ideas and have lots of autonomy to execute them or do you prefer to be a member of a team and toss ideas around? Are you a venturesome doer and interested in the achievement of tangible results? Or, do you prefer a work environment where you handle familiar work in which you have experience and training? How you answer these questions will give you great insight on how much autonomy you need to stay motivated and, most importantly, how to structure your business model so you execute it with ease.

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From Jim: “Leverage” has become a significant if not dominant concept in the corporate lexicon and it’s now a buzzword used every day in many ways. Here are examples of how I’ve heard “leverage” used: “He carries a lot of leverage” and “You’re not exercising the right leverage” and “How do we leverage these relationships?” and “We need to leverage this negotiation” and “We have to leverage our human capital.” So just what is “leverage?”

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Until recently it’s been understood that we come into this world with pre-set DNA and we’re stuck with it. In fact, most people - if their genetic markers contain positive predispositions for things like heart disease, cancer, or early death - have felt like victims of their DNA. But recent research is providing convincing evidence that we can actually change our DNA and change the outcome of our life trajectories. If you want more information, be sure to read up on this. Meanwhile, these are the important points I want you to take in right now:

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One of the great equalizers for small businesses is that commerce continues to evolve and grow on the internet. According to the Census Bureau of the Department of Commerce, “e-commerce grew faster than total economic activity…” While many naysayers are hyping the worst economic conditions since the Great Depression, others are finding great wealth on the web. Almost every aspect of daily life is influenced in some way, including the way we communicate and how we network. The web and technology is making it easier for the small business owners to compete.

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Jim here, a favorite cartoon of mine shows two lab-coated scientists standing before a white board filled with scientific notation. Between the first part of the notation and its conclusion there is a space filled with the words “And then a miracle occurs.” One of the scientists, pointing at the miracle spot says, “I think you need a little more detail right here.”

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FAP Turbo took the industry by storm when it was released on November of 2008. Its creators promised to deliver the most advanced forex trading robot there has ever been on the market and so far they have not disappointed the thousands of traders that were eagerly waiting for the launch. The reason why FAP Turbo is so popular is the fact that it offers a system that is more profitable, but less risky than the famous forex Autopilot. Also called the Expert Advisor (EA), it was said to be different from the competition which was the main reason behind the heat. Does it really work though?

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Liz Robertson is the main character in my book, The Pitch. Like real people, Liz has likes and dislikes; a personality, vulnerabilities, and feelings. I have to know what they are before I can have her make choices because they are linked. When I start to write, I usually start where I would in my coaching practice. I start with understanding the ‘character.’ As much as I can know about a character, whether fictional or real, the better I understand their choices, attitudes, motives, and relationships. First, I establish personality type.

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Let’s say that you want to reach the level of Director, or V.P. or maybe even get to a C-Level chair. As much as you say you want to follow this trajectory you have doubts. You question whether or not this is the right path and you look for evidence to prove, to yourself, you know what you want. You can lose confidence and berate yourself because you’re “supposed” to know what you want. After all you’re an adult. That’s what adults do, right?

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I was looking through some photos on a friends Facebook page and she was showing pictures of her trip in Arizona (which happens to be the state I now live in). If you use Facebook, you will know that people can add comments to peoples status updates and their photos and photo albums. Some of these strings of conversation get pretty long. The snippets of conversation turned into how dry Arizona is and how dry her skin is getting. All of a sudden there are women throwing out the names of these products they love and what has worked for them, myself included!

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Jim here. Have you ever walked into your house or apartment and smelled something that caught your attention—an odor that was striking but you couldn’t immediately identify it? Was it the remnant aromas from dinner the night before? Could it be the sweat drenched running shoes from that morning’s run you left in the entranceway? Could it be a gas leak? What were you smelling?

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From Jim: What’s the difference between your identity and how you are known in your profession, in other words your professional brand? Ideally they align across all aspects of your personality. Nevertheless your identity and your professional brand, no matter how closely aligned they are, are developed in very different ways.

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There are a number of elements to consider when setting up a business, but time and time again I see entrepreneurs struggling with the very thing that describes how their business will create, deliver and capture value: their business model.

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As a Master Business Coach, I often hear from my clients the following story, “I feel stuck in my business. I really love to help people, I am excellent in negotiations and contracts, but I really hate prospecting! I just can’t seem to bring myself to pick up the phone.” How often have you had those feelings, or have known of someone else who does?

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Most of us start off the New Year with the best of intentions. We all have a deep longing in our hearts for this year to be the best year yet. We even make resolutions. Sadly, however, most resolutions are forgotten by Jan30. Before we know it we are caught up in the same reactive cycle as we were before. This article shows you how to create a new paradigm for success. 1. Use the Power of Your Imagination Einstein once said, “Imagination is more important than knowledge”.

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Did you know that most people block prosperity because of hidden beliefs about money? This article gives you seven tips to create yourself to be a “money magnet”. Tip 1: Identify your Money Type: According to Deborah Price, author of Money Magic, we all identify with certain money archetypes. For example, when money issues come up, do you bury your head in the sand, like an ostrich? Then most likely your type is called The Innocent.

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A survey was recently taken showing that the top fear is public speaking. The fear of death was later on down the list. Do you know what that means? It means most people would rather die that speak in public! How about you ? How do you feel about public speaking? Having coached thousands of people in the last 30 years , I can assure you that there is hope. Many of my clients were terrified of speaking in front of a group of people, then as they learned the 7 Tips they start to relax and even become exceptional at public speaking.

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In my 13 years of coaching entrepreneurs to be successful, I have uncovered that many people have a deep-seated fear of success. When I probe for the reasons behind this fear of success, the pattern is very similar. The clients that I work with who are afraid to be successful often had situations in their childhood that caused them to retreat. There were hostile environments, turmoil, chaos and fighting, and the individual did the only safe thing to do, which was to withdraw and form the belief that it’s really not safe to be visible.

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What does it mean to be proactive? Many people come to me without a full understanding of the word proactive. What does it mean to you? Does it mean not procrastinating? Does it mea "getting on the ball? " If you answered "yes" , you're right but there's a lot more to it. Are you the "cause" or "effect"? If you get caught up in the idea that you're at the effect of outside forces, which we all do sometimes, then you are not viewing your life or business from a proactive perspective. What do you do when you don't have enough clients?

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What do you think of when you think of the Holidays? If you’re like most people the first things you think of are the long lines, the massive amounts of traffic and the over emphasis on consumerism. What if this Holiday Season, you could turn that around by creating your own unique version? What would your version be like? Using the Law of Attraction as our model, let’s explore how through the focusing of consciousness, you can magnetize more of what you desire. What would that be?

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If you’re like most entrepreneurs that I coach you have asked yourself this question, “Do I have what it takes to succeed?” either on a conscious level of subconscious level. Chances are you do have everything that it takes to succeed. By that I mean that most likely you do have the knowledge and the experience and the expertise that would make you successful.

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In the last 13 years as a Law of Attraction business coach, I’ve had the pleasure to interview hundreds of very successful entrepreneurs. I was able to ask them the secret to their success.

Published · 1,114 views · Rated 2.9/5 from 7 votes

Are you wondering how to survive this Holiday Season? Do you get caught up in the fast pace to the point of stress and exhaustion? What if, this year, you could create exactly what you want? How about transforming stress into joy? How about making more money, instead of going in the hole? This article offers seven tips to help you thrive this Holiday Season, financially, emotionally, and energetically. Tip 1- Reclaim your right to have your own unique version of the Holidays. What is the essence of this season for you? For me, it’s about the joy of giving.

Published · 977 views · Rated 3/5 from 1 votes

Is that a question you’ve ever asked yourself? Have you ever wondered why some entrepreneurs do well in today’s economy while others fail? There is a huge discrepancy right now between people who are failing and people who are succeeding. Having been a business coach for the past 13 years I’ve had the privilege to observe how entrepreneurs function. This experience has included new entrepreneurs and seasoned business people, watching them function through hard times and good times.

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Judith here. Do you or your friends and/or work colleagues struggle with frustration? Anxiety? Insecurity? Breaking promises? Missed deadlines? Puzzling, even maddening behaviors? What’s going on? My husband Jim Sniechowski and I call it The Fear of Being Fabulous™ and it’s the result of Unconscious Loyalties and Forbiddances that are most often hidden from conscious awareness. Yet they are powerful enough to trump even the most determined and articulate of conscious intentions.

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From: Judith Hear Yea! Hear Yea! Let it be known across the land: Receiving Praise and Compliments for Your Excellence Does NOT Make You Big-headed! Yet, in a recent workshop “Overcoming the Fear of Being Fabulous: It’s Time To Shatter Your Inner Glass Ceiling” (which my husband Jim Sniechowski, PhD and I present quite often as a career building and leadership boosting opportunity for corporate audiences) predictably some of the main reasons people gave about their difficulty receiving acknowledgment of their excellence were: *** I’ll seem big headedr

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From Judith: It’s easy enough to say that everyone should "own their own career"—but how do you do that? Assuming you desire upward advancement, here’s a get-started checklist: * Ask your manager or Human Resources for the criteria for promotion to the next level * Determine the areas of expertise where you need to grow and improve * Request the help of a mentor or coach (or even your manager if appropriate) to support your promotional determination * Ask for a larger role or larger project to help you demonstrate your abilities

Published · 1,176 views

Hear Yea! Hear Yea! Let it be known across the land: Receiving Praise and Compliments for Your Excellence Does NOT Make You Big-headed! Yet, in a recent workshop "Overcoming the Fear of Being Fabulous: It’s Time To Shatter Your Inner Glass Ceiling" (which my husband Jim Sniechowski, PhD and I present quite often as a career building and leadership boosting opportunity for corporate audiences) predictably some of the main reasons people gave about their difficulty receiving acknowledgment of their excellence were: *** I’ll seem big headed *** It will make me feel conceited

Published · 1,080 views

Have you ever been absolutely mesmerized by the rhythmic nature of a drum line? If you have, there is that defining moment when the drum line comes together to create an amazing show leaving the audience captivated by their cadence. As a business owner, it is important to captivate your audience. Your consistent action creates a cadence. The cadence creates a connection with your prospects. Saying it another way, you get on a roll and get noticed.

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Social Media is on the rise. Most people are not aware of how they can integrate social media as a "Free Business Tool". There are many ways of using Social Media and how to use them properly. Here are some great tips for using FaceBook as a business tool. Enjoy and "pay it forward" to others who could use these tips! Many people are hooked up on Facebook to connect with Friends and Family.

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There are a lot of great coaching institutions out there. And when it comes to training outstanding coaches, they are spot on. They know their stuff.

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When you start a Home Party Business, the first thought is how to get people to have parties. Many coaches or "uplines" advise you to have your own party first and that is a great idea! You are excited about your new position as a distributor and you are excited about the product and you think everyone else should be! Think about why you got into the business. Some become a distributor because of the discount and then think about making money with it.. if it happens. If you don't make it happen, it's not going to.

Published · 1,251 views · Rated 3/5 from 2 votes

When I was early on in my private practice as a clinical psychologist some 30 years ago, I kept noticing how so many of my clients suffered from a pattern of anxiety as they pursued a goal that they desired (their frustration with not achieving the goal was usually the reason they had come to me for help in the first place). Yet, after making some minor progress they would reel back from the anxiety and soon they would fall into a nagging depression.

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From Jim: Knowing the difference between what is urgent and what is important can make or break your day, can make or break your career, can produce a lifestyle, at work and at home, that is effective, productive, and rewarding---or not. The difference between “urgent” and “important” can serve as the cornerstone for the way you live and work. In this post I want to look into the difference in emotional impact produced when you focus on the distinction between what is urgent and what is important. Urgent A situation that is considered urgent has special characteristics:

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From Judith: A recent review and analysis "Coaching: A Global Study of Successful Practices - Current Trends and Future Possibilities 2008-2018" commissioned by the American Management Association demonstrated an expanding interest in and use of executive coaching worldwide, primarily aimed at increasing individual performance.

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My husband Jim Sniechowski, PhD and I just completed a series of interviews dedicated to discovering what makes career management so difficult for most people. And the majority of the answers we repeatedly received fell into these three categories: * I shouldn’t have to toot my own horn. My work and my team’s work should be enough. * It’s demeaning to play politics and run around to the top brass, glad-handing, and polishing the mirror. * I’ve never thought about my work in terms of an elevator speech, or the benefits I provide, so I don’t even know where to start.

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Personal Branding is Key to Success in the Modern Job Market In today’s competitive, roller coaster world, you’re either a distinct and competitive brand or an extinct generic. In order to survive, prosper and achieve great success you must become a distinct and competitive personal brand (yes, you need to become a personal brand). It is when you develop this brand that you will be able to deliver the experience that people are willing to subscribe to and or pay for.

Published · 977 views · Rated 3/5 from 1 votes

From Jim: Have you ever thought about or tried to create your own reputation? That doesn’t make sense, does it? Reputation isn’t created. It’s attributed to you by the people who know and associate with you. That’s the whole point of a reputation: it’s based exte ally and arises from people who recognize something---a quality or a skill or a particular point of view---about you that they identify as you. Your reputation is based on you but it is a component of your identity as defined by others.

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There is it – you just made the decision to leverage your business into the one-to-many conversation by offering a workshop. You start promoting it three months ahead of time and are thrilled at the possibility of working with so many more people in your area of genius.

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The following is an excerpt from Traveling Hopefully: How to Lose Your Family Baggage and Jumpstart Your Life by Libby Gill. For more, go to www.libbygill.com. It took me a long time to realize how much of my personal story — that is, my beliefs about myself, my value system, and decision-making process — had been shaped by my family's story.

Published · 1,667 views · Rated 4/5 from 2 votes

Every day, entrepreneurs act on their assumptions. Making assumptions is a part of doing business. Assumptions are often based on our experiences and are not often questioned. It’s part of our system of beliefs. If our beliefs are not sound, our assumptions are not sound. These assumptions can serve you or they can deter you from getting your products and services out into the world in a big way. If limiting, they get in the way of creating and selling products or closing on more sales.

Published · 1,271 views · Rated 2/5 from 1 votes

What is a Podcast? The term podcasting was coined in early 2004, derived from the words “broadcast” and “pod” from the massive success of iPods as multimedia portable players. Simply put a podcast is an audio or video file that is automatically downloaded on your multi-media player of choice and can be listened to anywhere, at anytime. So image having your favorite talk show, radio personality, newspaper, magazine, or sports network automatically downloaded to your phone or mp3 player and easily accessible with a single touch of a button. That’s the power of a podcast!

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Why Podcasting is a Fantastic Lead Generation Tool - Part 2 Podcasting, The Buzz Word for Media Today Podcasting is a very unique and powerful tool for business owners. The real power in having a podcast is that listeners Volunteer to listen to you. There are no email opt-ins, no having to entice people to opt-in with an ethical offer, rather just the opposite. People are actually searching for podcasts to educate them on their interests and hobbies, help them solve problems, and to entertain them.

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Expenses aren’t the only things you should be cutting back on to stay lean and mean in this economy. Savvy business owners can not only survive bad times, but also position themselves for future growth and prosperity. How can you do it? In a word: focus. Focus your energy on trimming the fat in your business and measuring the value of how, and with whom, you spend your time. After you assess which activities add value to your business, eliminate time and energy wasters.

Published · 1,418 views · Rated 3/5 from 1 votes

As a Canadian I was talking to my business partner Charlotte the other day telling her about the Bear we had in our backyard. The kids had come in saying "we have a bear in the yard" and their dad said, "oh you're just telling a story!". We soon believed them though when a friend phoned us on her cell phone "Uh, you better bring your kids inside cause I just saw a small black bear going into your yard!" So Charlotte said, you better blog about that because "Only in Canada" do you hear stories like that.

Published · 1,422 views · Rated 3/5 from 1 votes

Yup, that was not a typo or misspelling. Some of you are probably thinking, why does a beautiful woman, entrepeneur and mom of six think of herself as a Rhino? This is an analogy I heard a few yrs back and it Opened my Eyes and made me more Self-Aware, I hope it affects YOU the same way! The human race can best be desribed as a huge herd of Cows! We live in a huge pasture with many many other cows, doing the same thing day in, day out! We roam together, huddle together, and yes, even eat together.

Published · 2,359 views · Rated 3.3/5 from 4 votes

Love him or hate him, Michael Jackson left a huge legacy in the world. He was a father, entertainer, genius, abused child, wounded man, humanitarian…He was a man with many sides – more than two and a man on mission to re-enter the world of entertainment after a long delay. The world was anxiously awaiting this amazing talent but alas, his dream was cut short. Jackson’s sudden death shocked the world and it also made us realize that we can be here today and gone tomorrow.

Published · 1,528 views · Rated 3.3/5 from 3 votes

In today's changing market with so many real estate agents struggling, why do some succeed? This article describes the mindset and the actions that successful real estate agents are taking now. When real estate agents follow this simple formula, they can become Top Producers in any market. Part 1: Mindset In my work as a real estate business coach over the past 12 years, I have had the honor to interview the top producing real estate agents in the USA and Canada. This is what I found out: the top producing real estate agents all said the same thing.

Published · 1,073 views · Rated 3/5 from 2 votes

In Part One of this series on Self-Confidence for Women, I defined what self-confidence is and then talked about how the lack of it manifests in a woman’s life. I concluded Part One by saying that self-confidence can be learned but first it takes recognizing that the lack of it underlies the current undesirable results in our lives. Once we acknowledge and accept that, the next step is to commit to a program of building self-confidence.

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It is estimated that 65% of marketing budgets, on average, are spent on activities designed to generate leads to potential new customers. Yet entrepreneurs only follow up on an estimated 20% of the leads – the rest of the leads generated fall into the abyss of sales leads. Entrepreneurs often spend a lot of their energy attending networking event after networking event but fail to realize they’re actually leaving money on the table by not having a follow up system. They are also working way too hard because they are not automating their pre-qualification process.

Published · 1,266 views · Rated 2/5 from 1 votes

Book Review Got family baggage? Then you need to lighten up your load with Libby Gill’s Traveling Hopefully: How To Lose Your Family Baggage and Jumpstart Your Life. This interesting and inspiring book covers every possible area of getting rid of the toxic family legacies and beliefs that drag you down and keep you from living your dreams.

Published · 2,170 views · Rated 4/5 from 2 votes

There have been many times in my business where I have felt "Stumped" and "Stagnant" & it's at those times that I take a close look at what is holding me back! There are so many 'options' out there today for business's and ways to 'grow your business', 'make money online' etc... that many people get themselves into a state of "Overwhelment" and then the funny thing that happens is this..."Nothing" gets done/accomplished. One of my favourite history stories is about Hernando Cortez, who crushed the Aztec Empire.

Published · 1,555 views · Rated 3/5 from 2 votes

There’s an old folktale called Chicken Little. It’s a story about a chicken who believed the world was coming to an end all because an aco fell on his head. Throughout the story, he kept shouting, “the sky is falling!”

Published · 1,501 views · Rated 2/5 from 1 votes

Often times, new entrepreneurs play the commitment game. I want a business, but maybe someone will hire me – I’ll hold off from starting for now. I’m scared about starting a business because I’ve never done it before. Maybe I shouldn’t start because I don’t know if I can be successful. It’s not the right time. What will others think?

Published · 1,278 views · Rated 3/5 from 2 votes

Ever wonder how you’re going to get it all done? Recently, someone in my reader community wrote in asking for advice because she was continuously exhausted trying to balance her business and her home life. Even the warrior princess, Wonder Woman had help. While, like you, she was gifted with a wide range of skills, she also had a supply of tools and tapped into her team of counterparts for reinforcement.

Published · 1,180 views · Rated 2/5 from 1 votes

It's Time to Get YOU UNSTUCK Praise for Libby's book, YOU UNSTUCK: Mastering the New Rules of Risk-taking in Work and Life... "Are you in a rut? Is your gut reaction to change a negative response? In You Unstuck, Libby Gill will help you understand the way you look at risk-taking so you can start moving past your fears and excuses, toward success. This book is a powerful tool if you know you need to change but don't know how.

Published · 1,654 views · Rated 3/5 from 4 votes

Helen Keller, an amazing woman who despite multiple physical limitations was anything but limited, believed that, “Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.” Liberators know this instinctively. They’re the people who enthusiastically share information, connections, business leads and anything else they can to make your career and life better – without expecting a single thing in return.

Published · 1,702 views · Rated 3/5 from 1 votes

As a business owner, you wear many hats. If you try to do everything yourself, you will certainly fail. Becoming a successful business owner often means shifting the way you work.

Published · 1,295 views · Rated 2.7/5 from 3 votes

With over 495,000 new businesses started each month, many new entrepreneurs need help making the transition to business ownership. The task in setting up a business can be overwhelming and many new entrepreneurs are overloaded in assumptions about how expensive it is to market their business. ...

Published · 1,433 views

I have been fascinated with the field of human development throughout the lifespan and ever since I was introduced to it in graduate school. As a child psychotherapist, I had studied childhood development extensively and came to understand that patterns of human interaction began very early ...

Published · 1,461 views

The failure rate of organizational change initiatives is estimated between 50 to 70 percent. Many common reasons for this failure rate include lack of organizational infrastructure, unclear direction and focus, lack of resources, and underdeveloped training, and sustainability strategies. So ...

Published · 4,031 views · Rated 4/5 from 2 votes

Procrastination is an issue every, and I mean every solopreneur, has to deal with, at least to some extent. In my business coaching practice I have not yet met a solopreneur who did not have an issue with putting things off, at least occasionally. So if you are struggling with it, don't feel ...

Published · 1,244 views

Writing about hope in the wake of recession announcements, job losses, and business failures seems counterintuitive. All this negative news calls on emotions of fear not hope. Yet when we hold on to fear, it keeps us in our immediate, short-term thinking. Fear not only stops you from ...

Published · 839 views

How do you get good buzz? It’s not what you might think so before you start sharing your formulas, let me explain. What I mean is - how can you get good word-of-mouth and social media buzz? A common frustration that my brand new small business clients have is how to put all of their marketing pieces together. Once they integrate their marketing systems and put them on autopilot, one of the common questions I get is, “How do I get good buzz, particularly when adding blog marketing to my mix of marketing?”

Published · 1,417 views

In last week’s blog, I wrote about important prospect-to-client conversion tips. In it, I outlined what happens when you make the mistake of asking someone to do business with you before you’ve developed a relationship with them. Getting the “yes” answer to your proposal often requires more than just one touch point before someone decides to do business with you. The same is true as you expand your business by expanding your sphere of influence. Your sphere of influence is not only the number of people you know but also includes influencers who have a broader network and are in the

Published · 1,309 views

Whether you have always thought of starting a business, just started one, or have had one a while, there is one principle that is essential to any small business owner’s success. Without it, you’ll get sidetracked and wonder why things are going awry. When you practice this principle each and every day, you will grow your influence, attract what you do want, and expand your reach in your area of genius. This key principle will help you make a shift from where you are to where you want to be.

Published · 1,379 views

You Can Have Sweet Success While I was in college, I articulated my methodology for creating a successful personal brand (though at that time I hadn't classified it into this brilliant acronym). I called it Fresh P.A.S.S.I.O.N., an acronym that stands for Preparing yourself, Aspiring to reach ...

Published · 1,020 views

Tumbling stocks and a world economic crisis – not exactly the words a person wants to hear. These words don’t exactly drum up feelings of living large – on the contrary they often spark the panicked ‘lack’ feelings deep inside many of us. So what’s a person to do when they’re inundated by ...

Published · 1,436 views

In a recent poll conducted by General Nutrition Centers, Quicken, and others show that more than 50% of Americans vow to appreciate loved ones and spend more time with family and friends this year. But how do you actually sustain those New Year’s Resolutions? Declare ItnMost resolutions fail ...

Published · 978 views

We have all discovered, again, the only constant is cultural change. Just look around and you will see state and presidential politics on messy display, financial institutions in chaos and Wall Street crashing. This is not the first, nor will it be the last time that we see these ups and downs. However, you may need different tactics and strategies to help your small business prosper as some small business owners have never been through a downturn.

Published · 1,374 views · Rated 3.5/5 from 4 votes

As a practice building specialist, I come across struggling small businesses every day. Coaches and Therapists who think that all they need to do once they qualify is get a business card, a shiny website and a glossy brochure. And then they wonder why they have no clients… Here are the ...

Published · 1,066 views

I'm asked all the time, "what could I do that will help me grow faster?" And I"d love to have just one answer, but of course I Don't. The "what" is different for each person who hires me, because they are running their business differently that someone else. What I can tell you is that when ...

Published · 1,633 views

After I spoke at a small business association, a brand new entrepreneur approached me explaining how frustrated she was at the lack of results despite her efforts in cold calling. I see this frustration all the time especially with people who are making the switch from employee to entrepreneur.

Published · 1,176 views

Another New Year for small office, solo-preneurs and other professional individuals, so start it off right. What you need to determine is how you will spend your time: earning, learning, yearning or a combination of all three. Follow the three strategies presented below to create a New Year of abundance, balance, focus, and fun. The first strategy is Time Alone. Take your calendar and, at least for the first quarter of the year, select one weekday and designate it for yourself. This is in addition to any weekends that you have designated for other work or family activities.

Published · 1,258 views

How often do you register for classes and courses that promise to share success strategies and secrets to help you grow your business? How many books and products do you buy with the hopes of learning from experts in the field? If they're successful, they must know things you don't know or you'd ...

Published · 1,412 views

Rate the state of your business over the past 12 months. Rating System N/A= Not Available 1 = disaster 3= average 5 = brilliantly successful nn_________ Business Plan/Written Goalsn_________ Business Tracking Systemn_________ Daily Game Plann_________ Business Plan ...

Published · 1,259 views

It doesn't matter where you live, who you are or what you're doing, you'll encounter stress – that's life. And, it's not all bad. We all perceive things differently; some people see things as more negative while others are more positive about things. Why do some of us thrive on stress and some ...

Published · 1,086 views

High profits and low costs or expenses, are a married concept. One enables the other, with a twist that is. Continuing to operate a low cost high profit small business absolutely requires one thing. This one thing will be imperative for your ongoing success in achieving this worthwhile objective. The Key: Continue to choose a low cost high profit business. Simple Right? Not so much, I would challenge. You see many times when starting out a small business or home business venture we go through this focused planning phase.

Published · 3,792 views · Rated 4/5 from 1 votes

Every company should develop a code of ethics based on agreed upon values. Our leaders, managers, teams and organizations could benefit from developing a behavioral protocol, or a code of behavior or ethics based on agreed upon values. You may try this on your own, or have a facilitated off-site ...

Published · 1,037 views

Our leaders, managers, teams and organizations could benefit from developing a behavioral protocol, or a code of behavior or ethics based on agreed upon values. You may try this on your own, or have a facilitated off-site meeting to really dig into the issues. A code or protocol helps establish ...

Published · 1,159 views

I believe that authenticity in creating and running your business is the key to your happiness as a business owner, success and prosperity. We all recognize authentic businesses. When we walk into such places, we get this good vibe, this warm feeling that we are in the right place, and that the ...

Published · 1,009 views

You want to know what I think? I think too many of you are trying too hard, doing too much and not achieving what you really want anyway. You are not achieving because there are too many things in the way: unnecessary obligations at work, at home, with friends. ?

Published · 1,474 views · Rated 4/5 from 2 votes

This article is based on a radio interview with Romanus Wolter on Entrepreneur Radio, www.wsradio.com. How to Create Your Business Vision with a Capital V 1. Why is it that some business owners persevere after several disappointments while others, maybe even the listeners, give up? A: It is through the power of vision. Your vision can be an inspiring, energizing idea that you can use to excite others. You need a vision to be more effective, more desirable and more attractive to your clients and customers. 2. What is the value of a business vision?

Published · 1,349 views

A very dear friend of mine has had a helluva year. Over the past 12 months she has said goodbye to many relatives and close friends who have died been a support to others who have been diagnosed with serious illnesses. In a recent conversation as she was sobbing, she said, “This year has been so ...

Published · 1,502 views

In today’s market many real estate professionals have to decide whether to wait it out or reinvent themselves in a different business. What options do they have? Here are some coach-style ideas to consider. The state of real estate market has been in the news constantly in recent months, and not ...

Published · 1,013 views

What Do Personal Development, jumper cables, and batteries have in common. Here is a story that will bring clarity to the type of battery you want under your hood. This battery has a lifetime warrantee, I know it works. You hop into your car on a cold morning and turn the key in the ignition. Nothing happens only a click from under the hood. What Do You do? The first response most might consider is to grab a pair of jumper cables and get a jumpstart. Others may just call their dad or husband, maybe the neighbor. But the remedy will probably be the same.

Published · 1,540 views

Effective managers have a strong sense of purpose and ethics for themselves and for their organizations. A code on ethics can help establish mutually beneficial systems of conduct between management and employees, and between the company and its customers and vendors. A system of ethics provides ...

Published · 1,093 views

Service is not just a smile or pleasant tone of voice. Authentic service is ethical, value based and practiced all the time. Our values may include integrity, accountability, quality, collaboration and teamwork. A value may be defined as "that which is important to someone and which affects the ...

Published · 2,550 views

This is a story, about a business owner who wasn't doing very well in business at all. She had no business plan, no marketing plan written down, but had heard, quite a bit, how creating one would help. So she moved 3000 miles from "home" and three months later, came across an all day One Page ...

Published · 1,245 views

Many business owners want to believe that they can help anybody. The truth is they can’t, you can’t, I can’t. In order to be successful in your business you have to be very clear about your WHO and your WHAT. Simply put, your WHO is the people you are helping, your WHAT is the ...

Published · 975 views

If you are a coach, a business person, a busy person, an overwhelmed person... you're probably seeking what the 'experts' call - balance. While this sounds great, it's an unrealistic term that sets you up for failure. I know I'll probably get a lot of heat from people out there (and especially ...

Published · 1,661 views

Many service business owners these days aren"giving away" their business services – and thennwonder why people aren't hiring them in droves. Innthe name of "marketing," business owners arenproviding way too much information for free. Somenshifts in thinking are necessary if these businessnowners ...

Published · 4,125 views · Rated 5/5 from 1 votes

With the Summer Olympic games less than a month away, athletes are preparing themselves to go for the gold. They went to the gym each day, followed their workout schedules, and prepared for the Nationals. For some athletes, they will have the opportunity to go for the gold medal.

Published · 1,294 views

You’ve probably been thinking about where you are in your business and your life. You have, right? Now that you have a starting point you can focus on your destination. Where do you want to be in a year, five years, or ten years? In setting your sights for the future, be sure to identify the ...

Published · 1,182 views

I’m chuckling about the BUZZ that has been generated on the movie “The Secret”. Everyone’s talking about it. Are you? The Laws of Attraction have been topics of conversations for decades and the concepts have been around for thousands of years. In a nutshell - you are the Source and Creator of ...

Published · 1,016 views

As a healthy business owner or independent professional,how do you end your year? Well, I tell my clients tostop working. That's right, stop working. The kind of workI'm talking about is the work of getting new business.There is no new business in the dark days of winter,just the clean up of old business. If you have clientsthat must spend in order to deduct prior to years’ end, go to it. This is for those who have the timeto take the time.

Published · 1,498 views · Rated 3/5 from 1 votes

Have you ever tried to get a bone away from a dog that is intent on hanging onto it? They sink their teeth into the bone and hold on. They chew on it can play with it for hours before walking away or burying it somewhere. That’s how I feel sometimes when I’m holding onto something ...

Published · 1,458 views

If you’re someone serious about growing your business, you know how important networking is as a tool to market your product and services. Today, networking can occur anywhere - at a formal event, a casual luncheon, online or at the supermarket. So, let me ask you - when asked, “What do you ...

Published · 1,207 views

Our Business Coach NZ is a business consulting company geared towards helping its clients with their specific business conce s by crafting strategic plans exclusive only to one particular client. Our Business Coach NZ understands that each business is unique. This particular Business Consulting Company creates strategic plans targeted at your business’ unique needs. A client’s specific goals may include some or all of the key activities listed below: • Setting the business up for sale. • Mind Set Coaching, Goal Setting and Personal Development Strategies.r

Published · 1,546 views · Rated 3/5 from 2 votes

As a business coach who's familiar with the online business industry, I'm advising you to value your leads greatly. All your current sales come from your leads. Your leads have a great chance of being converted as your customers. In these potential customers, you’re probably going to have a number of actual customers. Among these customers that you've now achieved, your business' quality service will help you earn loyal customers- your company's treasure. Since it's basically all about turning your leads to customers, the more leads you have, the more chances of having customers.

Published · 1,292 views

This tip is also a personal development tip to having more happiness in your life. I was reminded by my good friend Kathleen Gage, master marketer, author, and speaker yesterday about the power of authenticity. In my own personal journey, being authentic is a core value. It’s exhausting to ...

Published · 1,413 views

Everyone wants more money. But if tomorrow you received a substantial raise or inherited $100,000, would you know what to do with the excess? You may think having more money will make things easier, but that’s not necessarily the case. Changing your financial position means making adjustments ...

Published · 1,668 views · Rated 3.5/5 from 2 votes

Here are two stories that might sound familiar: A few years ago I had a client Bill (not his real name) who relocated to upstate NY to begin a new job. He was hired to clean up a dept that was losing money and was in need of strong leadership and focus. He went into the position with all sorts ...

Published · 1,247 views

Eat Your Breakfast! It never ceases to amaze me how many people do not eat breakfast! From trades-people to service providers, executives to kids, real estate agents to bankers, they do not eat the meal that breaks the fast. The meal that would make them stronger, healthier and much easier to be around. I have found that people who do not eat breakfast are extremely cranky.

Published · 1,624 views

Are there some people or situations in your life that cause you to react with anger or feel frustration? Do you find yourself revisiting things that have happened in the past that are upsetting and keep ruminating over the events in your mind so that your emotions become intensified? I call that ...

Published · 980 views

In the last 21 years, I have coached and counseled thousands of people individually and in group/workshop formats to achieve dreams and reach goals. Staying self-motivated is a challenge for many; requiring decisions and action to sustain momentum. Most of the time, clients come to me because ...

Published · 1,075 views

A few days ago I wrote a post called Happiness is a Decision. I decided to be more intentional in feeling more happiness everyday. How to do that? Well, I could look for things during the course of the day to be happy about, right? Actually, I had been doing that in between realizing I was ...

Published · 1,540 views

Wonder why I don't I have reduce "time management" listed asnone of my services? Easy. Because I have attended hours uponnhours of training, and read all the books, all to help menmanage my time. What I found is that very little worked. Then in 1997, as a student of Coach U, www.coachu.com, ...

Published · 1,618 views · Rated 3/5 from 3 votes

When it comes to work, are you a lone ranger? See if you identify with any of these statements: "I can do it better myself." "The more people involved, the less control I'll have." "I like MY ideas and MY way of doing things." The truth is, going it alone can lead to overwork and burnout for you, and can create unnecessary stress and tension in your workplace. It can breed competition, fear, dishonesty, tunnel vision and inefficiency.

Published · 858 views

There are many online marketing strategies and E-zines can be your ticket to attracting more clients. An E-zine or E-newsletter is simply an online magazine or newsletter. But there’s more than just putting words to an email and pressing the “send” button.

Published · 1,134 views · Rated 5/5 from 1 votes

Is Your Marketing Turning You into a Thought Leader? A thought leader is someone who is recognized as a foremost authority in their selected area of specialty. You can become a thought leader in your area of specialty through your marketing in 6 easy steps. 1. Know Your Voicer You have to know what you want to say and have the voice to say it loud and proud. Your Platform and your brand give you your voice. Your Platform is why you do what you do and why should anyone care. And your brand is the promise of the experience you offer. Determine what your Voice is – then go to step 2.

Published · 914 views

These days, building your email database is a key strategy to grow your business, both online and offline. I don’t mean just focusing on having BIG numbers on your list; what you want to build is a quality database. How to do that? Here are three tips: 1. Participate in an affiliate campaign. ...

Published · 1,216 views

Everyone needs some form of motivation to get them to do anything. This really means “sufficient reason” for doing it. It can take very little to motivate someone to do something pleasurable. It can take quite extreme circumstances to get that same person to do something objectionable. The key ...

Published · 1,326 views

Do you consistently get up in the morning drive through the bottleneck of traffic to get to those morning networking meetings and wonder why you’re making the effort? Week in and week out, millions of business owners make the effort to keep their networking commitments so they have a crack at getting more referrals. So, why then is networking not working? My answer is simple. Many business owners don’t have a system in place to leverage their networking. Their time, effort and money spirals down the drain because they lack follow up.

Published · 1,123 views · Rated 1/5 from 1 votes

When you decide to add speaking to your mix of marketing, it can be rewarding and revenue generating. Speaking gives you an opportunity to get in front of your ideal clients and earn additional income. Below are several insider secrets to set you up for success from the start: 1. Create A Compelling Signature Talk Title. Newbie speakers make the critical mistake of giving their talk a title that does nothing to entice event planners to book them or compel their audience to attend their presentation.

Published · 1,131 views · Rated 2/5 from 1 votes

I've had my own business since the mid 80's. If you're like me, you know that each day you must be putting efforts into marketing and growing your business. And, if you're the main support of your household, making money becomes serious business. And that might mean that your attitude and way ...

Published · 1,040 views

Without a doubt, coaching is the hottest approach to enhancing the performance of the people in an enterprise—whether it’s teams of coaches working with managers in a Fortune 500 company, transition coaching for new C-level executive hires, or coaches working with the owners of small businesses or sole proprietorships. It is clear from the increasing acceptance and investment in coaching, among the broad spectrum of business in many countries, that we believe coaching works. But how well does it work? And how hard is it to measure?

Published · 946 views

If you have been on the receiving end of someone wanting to connect with you on social media just because they wanted to get introduced to someone you were connected with, you might have a jaded sense of the social online networking scene. Unfortunately, if you use this as an excuse not to integrate social media into your business, you’ll be the one losing out on opportunities to grow your relationships and your business. First, forgive those who tried (and continue to try) outdated techniques on you to buy their product the first time they meet you.

Published · 1,064 views

A few months ago my good friend Dale Kurow came on my radio show to talk about “Positioning Yourself for a Promotion”. We discussed specific steps people can take to position themselves to get noticed for a promotion. To lay the groundwork for a promotion, she talked about the importance of ...

Published · 957 views

Too often, the workplace is an entirely too serious place. And yet study after study shows that a lighthearted approach aids career advancement, reduces turnover and absenteeism, and enhances productivity and work performance. Here are just a few ways to inject brightness into your day and/or your workplace. 1. Smile. Doing so actually short-circuits rising anger and stress, and can trigger gentler, more humorous views of a situation. 2. Dress up. Wear a goofy hat while at your computer, or keep a pair of red Wizard of Oz shoes to slip on when the stress is getting thick.

Published · 1,264 views

Work at home entrepreneurs number in the millions and it is reported that every 11 seconds someone starts a home based business that allows them to work at home. Also 20% of work at home businesses gross between 100k and 500k per year. -Money Magazine A few years ago I was completely oblivious to these work at home facts and struggled in a brick and mortar business in the commercial construction industry, and also dabbled in real estate and another service industry none of which were home based. Finally I came To realize multi milion dollar revenues, but the money just never stuck.

Published · 6,304 views · Rated 4/5 from 1 votes

There it is – you just made the decision to add speaking to your marketing mix so you get in front of your ideal prospects. You work hard at securing your first gig and are thrilled because you have your first real shot at getting in front of a room filled with your ideal prospects. So, you work for hours getting your speech down cold. You spend a lot of effort working out the slides and you think you’re ready. You deliver your speech and are quite pleased with your presentation. You’re relieved to finish your presentation, people clap, and some people take your card.

Published · 1,235 views · Rated 4/5 from 1 votes

How often are you overwhelmed by the amount of email you find on any given day? Do you read all of it? If you do, how much time are you spending on that? Be honest. Even an hour a day can add up to a massive amount of lost income over the course of a year. How much is your email habit costing you?

Published · 1,015 views · Rated 3/5 from 2 votes

Anger is the unannounced visitor that keeps dropping by, again and again. Some of us hide, hoping this troublesome guest will go away. Others of us let it take over, turning our home into a nightly rage-fest, one that leaves us even angrier, friendless and with the police on our doorstep. There is another way. We can greet our anger like a welcome guest and try to understand what makes it tick. In doing so, we can learn a lot about ourselves and make real, lasting changes in our relationships.

Published · 1,730 views

I love to watch movies any chance I get. Recently, I watched the 2006 movie, The Pursuit of Happyness, a rags-to-riches story based on the autobiographical book of the same name, written by Chris Gardner. The movie chronicles how Chris Gardner, despite all odds, makes it from down-and-out salesperson to become owner of a multi-million dollar brokerage firm.

Published · 1,643 views

“If you don’t believe in the messenger, you won’t believe the message.” —Jim Kouzes, co-author of Credibility: How Leaders Gain and Lose It, Why People Demand It When people trust and believe in you as a leader, they’ll follow you far and without much question. But without credibility, that critical foundation of leadership, you face an uphill battle, because you’ll have the extra strain of trying to pull people along with you. And whether you’re the one pulling or the one being pulled, pretty soon you’re both weary and ready to give up.

Published · 1,125 views · Rated 3/5 from 1 votes

The world of work is changing at an extraordinary pace. The old rules no longer apply, and new rules are being written and rewritten all the time. These changes can be unsettling, whether they’re potential or actual, positive or negative. You may be gearing up for a promotion, staring at a wide open field of new prospective clients or launching new products and services. Or you may be hunkering down in the face of outsourcing, downsizing, mergers, takeovers, and local and global competition. How We Respond to Change

Published · 944 views

Have you ever sat down to your computer, pressed the send/receive button on your email only to have it download a laundry list of emails that you know just by glancing at them aren’t important or urgent to growing your small business? First you look at them. You feel the pressure build up inside. Then, in haste, you start deleting each and every email without opening them just to relieve the stress.

Published · 1,411 views

There is one piece of handy marketing real estate that you may have forgotten about that can easily attract more clients. It’s something you look at every single day. It’s that space right below your email signature. When this space is used in the most optimal way, you will entice your reader to take action, establish credibility and get more clients.

Published · 1,022 views

When it comes to work, are you a lone ranger? See if you identify with any of these statements: "I can do it better myself." "The more people involved, the less control I'll have." "I like MY ideas and MY way of doing things." The truth is, going it alone can lead to overwork and burnout for you, and can create unnecessary stress and tension in your workplace. It can breed competition, fear, dishonesty, tunnel vision and inefficiency.

Published · 680 views

Each day we are innundated with dire statistics about recession, joblessness, housing crises and financial mayhem. Retirees are panicking. Parents are agonizing about their childrens’ future. Everyday people are convinced they’ve seem their best days. The ‘news’ is relentlessly dedicated to delivering fear, pessimism, helplessness and hopelessness. In the midst of all that how can we possibly envision a better future? Even more audacious, how dare we flirt with optimism? My question is, how dare we not?

Published · 1,214 views · Rated 5/5 from 1 votes

Are you overscheduled? Fixated on financial success? Fantasizing about lolling on an exotic island beach? You may be overdue for some rest. As the pace of modern life accelerates, the need for rest sometimes gets pushed to the bottom of our to-do list—when rest is exactly what we need to perform at our peak. The Value of Restr

Published · 725 views

We can agree that when systems are broken, they can be our biggest frustrations. If your computer system has ever crashed, then you know what I’m talking about. Just one day without email and you wonder how work ever got done. Without systems or limited systems, you are likely working much harder than you need to. There are different kinds of systems. One system uses technology. The other system is about creating processes.

Published · 1,032 views

I read a lot about conflict and study business communications regularly. I came across a couple of studies about the time and resource drain that conflict imposes on organizations. 85% of employees report being involved in conflict at work. What does this mean to you? Let’s find out. Let’s be conservative and assume only 1 hour a week is being lost to situations where conflict has slowed work down. 1. How many workers does your firm employ? _____________ 2. Multiply line 1 by .025 (1 hr in a 40hr week) _____________r

Published · 1,140 views · Rated 2/5 from 1 votes

Chattering away inside the heads of most human beings is an internal monologue that goes on and on at about 45,000 words per day. It consists of a variety of voices—the cheerleader, the worrier, the taskmaster and a whole gallery of others, some uplifting and cheery, others nagging and mean. Sadly, for many people, chief among this cast of characters is the Inner Critic.

Published · 1,676 views

There’s a moment when you reach the tipping point of your business. A tipping point is that split second when something reaches critical mass. It is also seen when the line on the chart starts to shoot upward. Once my clients systematize their marketing, they reach this tipping point quickly. Their prospect pipeline is filled and they bring in consistent income. Then, it happens. The person they hired to help them decides to move on to another opportunity. Just as the momentum starts, they need to put out another fire.

Published · 1,155 views

Each year we gather around the table to give thanks for our blessings. In my own life, it’s pretty amazing how people and opportunities have come my way from both expected and unexpected sources. The ease and flow with which I am able to create a life I truly desire has been amazing. And, as I pause and reflect with you today, one thing is very clear, it’s a perfect opportunity to share about the Principle of Conscious Thought and the significant role it plays in making my life extraordinary.

Published · 1,060 views · Rated 3/5 from 1 votes

In a world of continuous connectivity, creating focus is a challenge for even the most disciplined small business owners. Some studies even suggest that only 20-30% of focused time is spent on priority areas. The news of the day, email, and texts can have you getting sidetracked never accomplishing those three most important things on your task list.

Published · 1,267 views

Standing in your power with money, especially when you are providing your own services, takes courage and holding firm to your boundaries. When you are not in a place of power, people will show up to test out those boundaries. Following are 7 areas that you need to address or you will never be able to make more money in your business.

Published · 907 views · Rated 3/5 from 3 votes

When you are first starting out, it is easy to fall into the trap of working with any client who wants to work with you. This may be a quick boost to your bottom line, but it can cost you so much in the long run. Having a client test your boundaries before even signing on is a sure fire clue that they are not your ideal client. And, if you cave in at the beginning, they will likely keep testing those boundaries.

Published · 834 views · Rated 3/5 from 2 votes

Summer is finally here and in full swing! It is also the slow season in business as the kids are out of school, we have trips planned, it is too hard to stay indoors...sound familiar? While these are certainly valid points, why not take the opportunity to use summer downtime to freshen up your business and breathe some new life into it? Here are some ideas to build your business while everyone else is busy playing and not paying attention, all while you still have plenty of time to enjoy your summer:r

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One of the best resources to use to quickly establish credibility, add additional streams of income, and attract new clients, is hosting teleseminars. Teleseminars are conducted over the telephone. Just like a live seminar, teleseminars have a speaker and attendees. What you don’t have is the expense of travel, hotel, food, beverage, and room rental. There are many benefits to hosting a teleseminar. These include:

Published · 1,344 views · Rated 3/5 from 1 votes

Turn Prospects into Clients with a Follow-up Strategy How important is having a follow-up plan in your marketing efforts? Well, would you tell a knock-knock joke like this? Knock, knock. Who’s there?rn… Uh, who’s there?rn… Hello? Anyone there?

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I have always held this belief that when we were kids we had some inkling or notion of the things that inspired us and even gave us some insight into who or what we wanted to become when we were older. Then as life would have it, we grow up and away from those things as we learn about pleasing other people, making lots of money and looking good. Our childhood inspirations get shelved somewhere as we tackle 'making it' in the real world. And then around the thirties we begin asking ourselves why we are unhappy with our career, our partner, even our life.r

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Contrary to popular belief, this is not a problem unique to women. Or even predominately so. Men also go on emotional eating benders. When they have an unhappy breakup. Are worried about business. Finances. Or want to tamp down anger or another uncomfortable feeling or are simply feeling frustrated. For a while, some indulgents are lucky. They don’t show the pounds. Maybe they can exercise off the binges. Or just have better metabolism.

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Very few of us are feeling like it’s raining money these days. Or that it’s growing on trees. But, that’s our fault. We’ve bought into the fear that there’s not enough money. That the sources have dried up. We just can’t find or earn it. We actually think that the money market’s been cornered by the super wealthy and there’s none left for the rest of us. Frankly, it’s all a lot of victim thinking that’s keeping us from growing, being prosperous for ourselvs and generous with others. At the heart of the matter is our disbelief.

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Ah, yes. Many of us seek it. Need it. Crave it. Demand it of ourselves and others. Perfection. Not to mention that it is ever-changing and strictly in the eye of the beholder, it can seem like a reasonable if not appropriate thing to reach for. So what could be wrong with seeking perfection? Especially for those whose parents, teachers, mentors and others encouraged, expected or required it. Well-meaning that some of those instructors may have been, what they failed to realize is that the quest for perfection can also lead to a tortured life. Chronic disappoinment.

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Congratulations! After great effort and focused energy, you’ve finally landed a fabulous new position—one that is sure to advance your career and meet your work and personal goals in a way your old position never could. But don’t stop there. Getting hired is just the first step. You’ll need to spend as much effort and energy—and maybe more—preparing for and making the transition. And this is where it really counts, for the first three to six months in any new position is a period of extreme vulnerability.

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Have you ever noticed how GOOD it feels to be really listened to? It’s impactful, particularly when the listening goes beyond just the words you’re speaking. That kind of artful listening conveys respect and value to the speaker, and promotes positive relationships of all kinds. And, like any art, it takes practice.

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When you engage in a coordination of knowledge from people who are united in achieving a defined goal, the outcome can be so powerful and riveting. I’ve been a part of and have facilitated many Masterminds over the years. After just one year in one of my Mastermind programs, one of my clients remarked how it got her out of debt and into a 200% increase in her income in just one year. When run well, a Mastermind gives you many things including: • Peak levels of performance. • Feedback and personal improvement. • Critical knowledge in how to do business in this new marketplace.r

Published · 3,706 views · Rated 3.3/5 from 3 votes

An old management adage is that you can't manage what you don't measure. The underlying meaning of that saying is that when you measure, you are better positioned to determine if your initiatives are working or if they are not. If you’re off target, then you can make adjustments to your plan.

Published · 1,034 views · Rated 2/5 from 1 votes

With Spring around the corner, the ground is thawing and seedlings are sprouting up from the soil. It raises the question: What’s your plan for growth? Like cultivating your garden for growth, successful entrepreneurs realize that what is happening on the inside will always be reflected on the outside. In a survey that my company completed with 373 business owners, over 1/3 said their second biggest frustration related to: Quieting their inner criticr Balancing work and personal relationships while seeking new businessr Motivating oneself to take risks

Published · 1,970 views · Rated 3.6/5 from 5 votes

What do you think procrastination is costing you? What great ideas have you not acted on? What dreams are languishing in your heart? We procrastinate out of fear. We dread some imagined future in which a horrible result occurs. In reality though, things rarely turn out as badly as we think. When we procrastinate, we may delay some future event, but if we summon up the courage and eventually do it, how have we benefitted from the delay? Seems to make sense to just bite the bullet and get it over with. The only thing delay adds is the build up of worry and stress. Just do it!

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When visiting my parents one bright sunny weekend, I noticed that my mother had a beautiful plant with purple flowers resting on her window sill. As I was admiring her plant, a hummingbird approached the window desperately trying to reach these flowers. He must have tried three or four times each time banging his beak against the window. I thought he must have learned his lesson when he flew away to pause on a nearby wire. As he darted his head back and forth, he shook off his frustration but looked completely confused as to what just happened.

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Webster characterizes fear as ‘an unpleasant often strong emotion caused by anticipation or awareness of danger’ which puts this powerful emotion at the very core of desire for self-preservation. Sometimes this means we feel a need to protect our physical beings. Sometimes it expresses our struggle to achieve a sense of security or maintain good feelings about ourselves. As a life component, fear starts as a little trickle across our newbo minds. By adulthood, it has become grooved into our beings – bit by bit – into a powerful but silent underpinning.

Published · 1,297 views · Rated 5/5 from 2 votes

Speaking is one of the best ways to gain clients for service professionals. It quickly establishes a relationship, gives the audience a real-life taste of you and your services, and it allows them to feel as though they know you. Yet even though this is such a powerful way to gain clients, so many approach with no strategy to actually gain those clients. Below are 5 client-gaining ingredients for your speeches. 1. What’s Next Strategyr

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The use of strategic alliances or joint ventures has rapidly become popular with a growing number of small business owners. Strategic alliances can be formal or informal where two independent small businesses with the same goals coordinate their efforts often leveraging their marketing efforts for a common purpose. This strategy offers many potential advantages for the small business owner, but can also be riddled with special considerations.

Published · 1,239 views · Rated 5/5 from 1 votes

It’s widely known that intention plays the ultimate role in helping us achieve our goals. That it’s what we focus on – whether positive or negative – that becomes more prominent in our lives. Unless we want to live a random, undirected life, we must begin to place our intentions on paper so we can support our stated purpose and goals. But few of us do this kind of deliberate, focused work on our own behalf. Why?

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Taking Risks What could be riskier than diving out of an airplane at 18,000 feet or climbing a glacier-covered peak or accelerating a racecar past 120 mph into a curve at the Indy 500? For one person it might be quitting a secure, well-paying job to go back to school. For another, it could be deciding to leave a marriage after 18 years, or reporting that the company they work for is endangering the environment or people’s lives.r

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Whether you’re learning to swing a golf club, baseball bat or tennis racquet, coaches always emphasize the importance of follow-through. It’s not just hitting the ball that matters, it’s how you continue your swing once contact is made. The same thing applies in job interviews, networking, sales and almost any work situation: without purposeful follow-through on your actions and interactions with others, you won’t really be able to reach your professional potential.

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Have you ever skipped a rock across the water? As the rock skims the water, notice how the water ripples. After a moment, each ripple flows effortlessly into the other. The same concept applies when business owners take a systems approach. Each system leads to greater connections and business growth.

Published · 1,136 views · Rated 3.5/5 from 2 votes

One of the best strategies to quickly establish credibility, get known, and differentiate yourself in the marketplace is to share your signature story. A signature story is your own personal account of how you got to where you are today or how you transitioned into your chosen profession.

Published · 1,715 views · Rated 3.5/5 from 2 votes

Improving your email habits can drastically increase your productivity. Like any new approach, these take focus and practice. But after awhile, they will become habits that support you. 1. Check email only at scheduled times for a specified amount of time. Twice a day for 30-60 minutes works well for many. Unplug until the next scheduled time. 2. Unsubscribe relentlessly. Make sure you receive only the things you really want to—and do—read. 3. Reduce the amount of routed email (i.e., cc’d from coworkers) to only that which is essential.

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Written in 2007, Barbara Stanny’s book, Overcoming Underea ing, has been getting a lot of attention lately. So has the nascent organization, Underea ers Anonymous. Stanny’s plan of action to combat this recently identified malady features a 5-step program that will lead to ‘a richer life.’ The UA version uses the 12-step Alcoholics Anonymous model to help people uncover and conquer the blocks to living a full and prosperous life. So why do we need yet another ’step’ program and what exactly is ‘underea ing?’

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Do you value being seen and heard? Do you want to have truly successful relationships? Do you want to make an impact on others? Then speak up! Of course, for some people, that’s easier said than done. You might prefer to train wild lions than tell another person what’s really on your mind. But it is possible to develop an assertiveness connected to head and heart that clears the way for honest, empowered living—without being rude to others or surrendering to “nice-itis.”

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Congratulations! You’ve invested time into creating an Ideal Client Profile. You are already ahead of the pack because you “get” the importance of target marketing and you want to work with “perfect” clients. You want to target clients who . . . · appreciate what you offer · are willing to pay you the big bucks · come back for more of your services · automatically refer you to other ideal clients . . . because they “get” how you help them.

Published · 1,582 views · Rated 2/5 from 2 votes

Does it seem impossible to work less and earn more? In order to get more done, it has probably been ingrained that you need to invest more time. You might have even gotten into a habit of working 12 or more hours a day, perhaps because you think you’ll be viewed as more accomplished than your colleague who only works 8 hours. Throughout your career, you might have even received added incentives to work more only to discover one day how exhausted you’ve become.

Published · 1,672 views · Rated 2.8/5 from 8 votes

Are you still trying to figure out how to integrate social media into your Marketing Mix? You’re not alone; many small business owners are confused about how to blend social media into their business. You might have signed yourself up for LinkedIn or Facebook but you find yourself wondering if social networking really works. Then, weeks go by and you keep hearing about how important social media is to growing your business but aren’t quite sure what next step to take.

Published · 1,391 views · Rated 2/5 from 6 votes

Imagine one day you wake up, jump out of bed, and are excited about starting your day. You head toward the kitchen to pour yourself a cup of coffee and sit down to breakfast. As you start zoning out while drinking your first sip of java, your excitement turns into anxiousness as you think through all of the things you need to get done that day. An overwhelming realization that you can’t possibly get it all done starts to envelop you.

Published · 1,267 views · Rated 3.7/5 from 3 votes

Have you ever noticed that when you have two magnets one side repels while the other side attracts? No matter how much you try, if the magnets are not positioned with the right poles, you can’t put them together.

Published · 1,184 views · Rated 3.5/5 from 2 votes

How to Create Your Tipping Point In his book, The E Myth Revisited, Michael E. Gerber said "It’s been said, and I believe it to be true, that great businesses are not built by extraordinary people but by ordinary people doing extraordinary things.” His statement couldn’t be more true especially for the small business owners. What you find in successful small business owners is that they create extraordinary results by creating a system, a way of doing things consistently, which produces their tipping point.

Published · 1,216 views · Rated 3.7/5 from 3 votes

Of all the New Year’s Eve celebrations around the globe, my favorite tradition takes place in Tokyo Japan. As midnight approaches, thousands of revelers gather in the courtyard of Zojoji Temple, a structure built over 600 years ago. The more modern Tokyo Tower looms over the temple’s intricate tile roof and glitters with all the pizzazz of its original model, the Eiffel Tower. All lights are extinguished as the anticipation-filled crowd chants the countdown in sync with an electric clock.

Published · 1,219 views · Rated 4/5 from 1 votes

Whether you are changing careers or simply changing jobs, both situations can be likened to being a flying trapeze artist. How so? You may ask. They involve risk, reflection, trust, and most certainly thrill.

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If you’ve been feeling that social media networking is invasive or a waste of time, you’re not alone. The ability to reach many people inexpensively has become popular especially with small business owners, some of them brand new entrepreneurs. With so many people trying to navigate this technology, there are a lot of missteps and misconceptions, but much of it has to do with the underlying mindset going into it.

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One of the best things to draw in new clients, quickly establish credibility, and create massive momentum and exposure in your business is speaking. Whether you organize your own workshops on a regular basis or get booked to speak in front of groups or associations, it works well to consistently fill your prospect pipeline (and it’s a strategy I’ve used with great success for many years.)

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Many people think that leaders are born, not made and that if they aren’t officially a Manager, Director, Executive Directory, Vice President, President or CEO, that they are really a leader. I beg to differ. Leadership is a set of specific behaviors that can be learned. Here are seven keys I believe are critical to transforming ordinary people into extraordinary leaders. 1. Evoke the emotions of othersr

Published · 3,628 views · Rated 2.2/5 from 5 votes

As we're closing out this year and welcoming a new one, I want to talk to you a little bit about the importance of renewal. Each year is a clean slate. Each day is a fresh start. So let's take advantage of that, shall we? It's time to incorporate some revitalizing and renewal practices into your day! I've created a list of renewal practices for you to contemplate and choose from.

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This year just has to be better than last year, right? But how do you start? You know you're destined to build your business and yet... you have doubts that you can make things happen. You aren't sure what needs to change. Or where to start. I know how that is. I hear it from my clients when we first talk. And on top of all that confusion, doubt, and anxiety, there is the fear that whatever action you choose... it won’t be the "right" one. This is a frustration experienced by most new entrepreneurs. You are not alone.

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Stress happens. Sometimes you just can't avoid a stressful day or week (or longer period) in your life. Stress happens despite the best of plans. Stress happens because it's part of life. We're bombarded with stress-reduction advice. Yes, we're bombarded with messages from all sides telling us to eliminate or reduce stress in our lives. Yes, yes. That's a great goal. And, yes, I'm a proponent. But what about the day-to-day stuff that just crops up? Or the ongoing stress of life that just IS? I mean, stuff happens, right?

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Yep, that's right. Dive right in! Dont just dip your toe in the water and then shrink away when it feels chilly. No! The way to do it is to dive right in! And what happens once you're in? The water's not so chilly. You're splashing around and having fun. And the next thing you know, you're urging everyone else to c'mon in. You're telling them not to be babies about it - "Just dive in; you'll be glad you did!" Yes, but that's with swimming. That's not the way to handle fear and anxiety, you say.

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Frequently, small business owners are excited to build their business, but often have lulls in their motivation. What most people don’t realize is that you derive your motivation from your natural hardwiring. When you create awareness about your natural hardwiring, you will be able to tell when it is working for you and when it is getting in the way.

Published · 3,595 views · Rated 5/5 from 1 votes

Attracting the right clients and opportunities for your business can seem like a tough task. It may feel like your ideal client is an elusive needle in a haystack. But the truth is that your ideal client is likely searching for exactly what you have to offer. You don't need to be in prospecting mode or think of your marketing efforts as client-hunting. I know you want to attract more clients in order to build your business. But prospecting isn't the way to go about it. Skeptical? I know. But hear me out. Let's do a little reverse engineering and flip this challenge around.

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Sure, social media is viewed as a brain drain and time-sucker by hoards of people because they don't know how to use it. They focus on promote-promote-promote instead of providing value, and then wonder why they're not getting the results they're after.

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True, we live in a digital world, but still nothing quite beats a face-to-face meeting. There's something about being able to look into another's eyes, read their body language, and feel their intention that solidifies relationships faster than any other approach. Which is why I implore you to get out in the world and connect with real, live people. Attend networking and speaking engagements, but don't sit back and say nothing. Show up and speak up (but listen more).

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Posting regular (and original) content is a veritable marketing gold mine for your business. You have a blog, right? You at least have a monthly newsletter, right? If you don't, you have it on your to-do list, right? If you don't, it's okay. For now. Just breathe. Then read on. Why? Because you if you aren't posting regular content you are missing out! Consistently posting content that is relevant and valuable to your audience does a number of wonderfully delightful things for your business:

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Leadership As a Way of Life Too often, we believe that leadership is the domain of those with recognized authority, and the title to go with it: CEOs, presidents, conductors, mayors. "In a world that is changing as rapidly as this one, we need to think differently about leadership," said Susan Collins, author of Our Children Are Watching: Ten Skills for Leading the Next Generation to Success. "Leading is not done by those few in high places, but by parents and teachers and managers and those governing - all working together to create the world that we want."

Published · 1,867 views · Rated 1.3/5 from 3 votes

I know it so well. That feeling of overwhelm. Feeling like I'll never get it all done. Feeling like I have so much to do and not enough time to do it in. Feeling pressured by all I want to accomplish and all that my life entails. Feeling like it never ends, no matter how efficient I am. My brain gets scattered and I can't even put a sentence together because my thoughts are going in so many different directions simultaneously. Just thinking of everything on my "list" makes me tired. My energy is waning and my mind is relentless. What's a business owner to do?r

Published · 1,427 views

It's no secret, people like to be inspired, they want to hear advice from experts, and they crave guidance from those more successful than they, but they also connect to authenticity, and like knowing that you're a human being who experiences the ups and downs of life too. They want you to... Be tangible. Be accessible. But also position yourself as a... Leader and solution slinger. Indefatigable guide with all the answers. Wait, what? How do you do that?

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Who is your Ideal Client? Who do you want to work with? You didn't launch your business to be a slave to the masses. You did it to preserve your choice. But, time and again I see entrepreneurs trying to serve everyone. Big mistake. You can't do it, nor do you want to. I hear the resistance roaring in your head: But if I choose, then I exclude! Cue the freak-out. Listen, you WANT to exclude. Not only is it okay to select your clients, it's crucial to the success of your business.

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I don't know about you, but for me thinking about "taking a holiday" from my business used to be an impossible thought. It can feel like the pressure is ON full force. All the time. 24/7. There is always more to be done when it comes to building my business. There is always something being added to my to-do list. Especially at the end of the year. In December, business expectations shoot skyward for "finishing the year well". We're urged to "map out the coming year before it's too late". All well and good. I agree wholeheartedly.

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As your business moves from the start up to the second stage, you will find your business can only grow if you leverage yourself. That means you may need to add to your team. Yet, hiring someone is one of the more tricky aspects of running a business. According to Forbes magazine, almost 46% of new hires fail within just 18 months. While there is no perfect way to select a new member, many business owners make hiring decisions based on their gut feel. Your team is too important an investment to take that kind of hit-or-miss approach.

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As a successful business owner you want nothing more than to thrive by doing what you do best. You want to be of service to your clients and to be valued for that. You want to see the fruits of your labor rewarded. You want to make a good living doing what you love. Of course you do! I do, too.

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A Business Challenge You Can't Avoid I don't mean to start this off as a Debbie Downer, but a challenge you WILL face when starting your own business is finding ways to manage your emotions when experiencing both victory and defeat, positive and not-so-positive situations. It is so easy to doubt your long-term business vision when clients don't seem to be coming in as you had hoped or the clients you do have cancel on you at the last minute.

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Knowing is Half the Battle G.I. Joe was right. Once you know you're at the point that expansion is necessary, implementation can ensue. This decision is an important one. You have to gauge the perfect transition time because if growth happens too rapidly then you can incur overwhelming costs that you are unable to manage. On the other hand, if growth happens too sluggishly you will likely miss out on life changing opportunities. Signs It's Time to Expand

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Repeat after me, I lovingly receive. Most of us spend the majority of our time building, creating, and dare I say pushing for results. We forget the power of giving ourselves the time and space to receive. Some of us never learned how. Think of the tides, their natural cycle is rise and fall, in and out. They rhythmically touch the shores of the world. We would do well to mirror their behavior in our own lives. But somewhere along the way, the quiet and gracious act of reception has been mostly lost.

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So much of what we are able to accomplish, or not accomplish, is attributed to the attitude we choose in response to the exte al situations in life. Much of our attitude comes from the way we speak to ourselves and what we choose to believe. Learning to control those inner thoughts naturally gives way to controlling all aspects of our lives. How we speak to ourselves has an impact not only on our emotions, but on our entire outlook on life.r

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I don't know of a single entrepreneur who started their business because they said to themselves, "Oh goodie, I love marketing and can't wait to start spending time, energy, and money on marketing for my business!" Do you? Maybe you're one of the rare ones who relish marketing. But it's not likely. Most entrepreneurs start their business because they're passionate about something and they just can't keep their idea to themselves anymore.

Published · 1,409 views

We've All Been There, Done That Staying on task in order to get things done is an important part of growing your business. As the leader of your pack you must learn to overcome procrastination so that your team can follow in your footsteps and be highly productive on your behalf at all times. One of the most common causes of procrastination comes from disliking a task in particular. A chronic procrastinator puts every task they don't want to do on the back burner.

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Originally a maritime reference, the phrase “steady as she goes” referred to the ships that navigated difficult waters. It was important to keep the ship steady so that it didn’t take on water. The old ships would sail along especially well in predictive seas. The first sign of unpredictability, however, can put the ship into chaos requiring a strong leader at the helm. A similar analogy can be used to describe people who are naturally hardwired as stable and methodical. They will go with the flow steadily and deliberately plotting their way to their destination.

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You work with people, every business does. In fact there is not a single enterprise that does not depend on the contribution of people, but so few truly listen to their clients, their customers, the people they serve - the very people who keep them afloat. So many people are conce ed with their own outcome that they fail to hear the wants and needs of their audience. But were they to listen, the rewards would astound them. It's a bit of a paradigm, the more you focus on serving others with your business, the better your business gets.

Published · 2,304 views

Have you ever wondered why you can be completely energized one day and completely drained on another day? There are certain activities in your environment that will energize you and certain other activities that will drain you. The reason you’re energized (or not) is tied directly to your natural wiring. As my clients discover, your natural wiring is biological. You’re born with it and it stays with you your entire lifetime and will affect every part of your business from hiring to daily activities.

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Are you holding your breath, hoping I'll reveal something that you don't already know? Or maybe you're pretty sure that whatever I have to say won't be new, but you're curious to know just what "secret" I'm going to reveal? Well, no matter. Here's the scoop on the secret to happiness. Recently I attended a presentation at my local library and that was the title – The Secret of Happiness. The presenter was a young woman named Kelsang Kunshe. She’s a Kadampa Buddhist nun with a melodic voice, calming presence, and beautiful smile. Did she reveal some new secret to happiness?

Published · 1,352 views

As entrepreneurs and business owners, we want our efforts to have a lasting impact. We want our businesses to withstand the test of time and be successful. We want sustainability. So what's the secret to lasting success? How and why do some businesses survive the ups and downs, weather the storms of uncertainty, and make it in the long-run? It all begins with you. You are the captain of your ship, the CEO of your organization, the visionary, and the front-line manager.

Published · 1,330 views

Did you know that business owners who have a BIG vision and BIG goals are more likely to succeed in expanding their business? There is data to support the value of setting high goals for yourself in business. And that's exciting! Why? Because I believe that most of us as entrepreneurs DID have a big vision for ourselves and our business... when we started. That big vision can begin to fade pretty quickly without some nurturing, it's true. But I believe it's there and you can get it back.

Published · 1,792 views

Imagine this... You're feeling very relaxed and refreshed. You've had a marvelous vacation filled with family and fun. Your business has been in a holding pattern, just as you had planned. You're ready to get back to work now that vacation has ended. Are the kids back in school (or out of the house)? Check. Are you home for a bit? Check. Are you ready to get back to your business-building coaching projects? Check. Now you're ready to dive back in and get down to business.

Published · 1,356 views · Rated 2.7/5 from 3 votes

Do you feel like your life is hard – harder than it should be? What if you could allow your life to get easier? What would that look like? And feel like? Let's start right now. I invite you to take a few slow, deep breaths. Just relax into it. Wherever you are. Right now – just breathe. Then close your eyes and imagine that this day just got a little bit easier. Relax into that image of an easier day. Keep breathing slowly and deeply. Sit for a few moments with the feelings of ease. And breathe.

Published · 1,407 views

According to Pew research, for the first time, the millennial generation, those aged 18- 34, are now the largest segment of the workforce. If you worked with millennials, you might not be surprised to learn that millennials have a reputation for being married to their phone, using them to text, order food, and play games. Some reports estimate a whopping 80% of millennials even sleep with their phones. Despite access to many modes of communication, many of the reports claim that millennials hesitate when it comes to using their phone to have a verbal conversation with someone.

Published · 1,378 views

Have you ever been stopped by fear – fear of conflict, fear of taking risks or fear of failure? The problem is, it is innate for some people and holds them back from doing what it takes to get more clients and create a life and business of their dreams. We’re all naturally hardwired a certain way. This hardwiring impacts how we communicate, how we behave, and how we give and receive information. There are both strengths and limitations with your hardwiring.

Published · 3,807 views · Rated 2/5 from 5 votes

You want to build a profitable and easily sustainable business that provides the income and freedom you desire as a successful entrepreneur, right? Of course you do! As a business owner who cares, you're passionate about what you do. You love working with your clients and they love working with you. So why aren't you satisfied? Why do you feel like all you do is work, work, work? And where the heck is all that amazing income that the entrepreneurial life is supposed to bring you?

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Most business owners excel at pitching their goods or services to prospective clients, once. But, if that prospective client doesn't immediately shout a hearty YES from the rooftops, they walk away, head hung low, and the prospective client never hears from them again. Why? There is a never-ending list of excuses entrepreneurs play through their minds. Do any of these sound familiar? "If they wanted to work with me they would have said yes right then." "I don't want to pester anyone." "I don't want to be one of those pushy sales people."

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Want to change your life? Focus more on who you want to be than what you want to do. You could visit every continent, tap dance at the Taj Mahal, dine with the Queen of England, run a million dollar business, and still be miserable. Or you could live in a small one-horse town, never leave, make a modest living, and spend your days in absolute joy and elation. It's not about what you do; it's about who you are when you're doing it. Don't get me wrong, to-dos are wonderful.

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Thinking of joining a MLM company that offers a binary MLM plan?, there are lots of different plans offered. If done correctly binary MLM can be profitable. Let’s address how to properly set up your downline for maximum profit.

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Retreat! Does the word remind you of an old black and white movie where the bad guys wearing black hats turn their horses around and retreats from battle? As a business owner the word “retreat” does not mean backing down from a fight or running away from a battle. When business owners hear the word “retreat” they should envision relaxing and getting away from their business. Then they can focus on building their business and taking it to the next level. Seven Reasons for Business Owners to Retreat:

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Business owners are in the business to make a profit. As a business owner you must know how much it costs to produce your product or services. This cost includes your time, administrative costs, utilities, marketing and several other items. New business owners often forget to add the hidden time zappers into their fee or price structure. They are also often accosted by others who want them to lower their price or fee. Seasoned business owners may forget to add the cost of inflation into their fees or prices.

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What do you do after you make a sale? Do you follow up with your clients or customers to ensure they received the product? Do you follow up to ensure they were satisfied? How do you know he or she is a happy consumer? Business Owners – you must follow up. Following up is part of your customer service strategy.

Published · 1,903 views · Rated 5/5 from 1 votes

Snatchers and Grabbers are the people we meet that pretend they want to do business with us. You must identify who they are and how they operate in order to not give away your intellectual property, services, or products for free. I’ve enjoyed your feedback for my article Stop the Snatchers and Grabbers and for my free ecourse, Stop the Snatchers and Grabbers. The purpose of the free ecourse was to help you design your system so that you stop giving away products and services for free. Below are three more types of Snatchers and Grabbers. Stop these Three Snatchers and Grabbers:

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In this article I identify three more Snatchers and Grabbers that must be stopped.

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As a business owner, I have had a presence on Facebook and other social networking sites for almost three years. Social media is a great way to market your business. But, it is also a great way to network with other business owners. In the past two years, I have been asked to speak to various Mompreneur Groups, College Student Groups, Chamber of Commerce events and Women Business Owner Groups. I have been also been the guest on various online radio shows discussing my ebooks and teaching my ecourses.

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As a small business proprietor there are times where I need to call on my higher power. While out running the other morning the song by Carrie Underwood – Jesus Take the Wheel played twice in a row. It played at a time I was brainstorming about my upcoming business meeting. It made realize I just needed to stop worrying and let Jesus take the wheel. The song title has become my new mantra.

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Successful business owners make time to attend conferences, tradeshows and retreats. New business owners will often hesitate to spend money on these events saying they cannot afford to attend. As a business coach, I will ask “How can you afford not to?” These events are key to your success.

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Seasonal Affective Disorder combined with small business owners’ slow time of the year is a deadly cocktail. Most regions in the United States just turned their clock back one hour. However, many of you are still leaving for work in the dark and getting home when it is dark. You work all day inside an office with artificial light and sometimes artificial people. When you get home you are exhausted and don’t want to work on your business. Does this sound familiar? It may also be your slow season, which gives you no perceived reason to turn on your computer.

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Seasonal Affective Disorder combined with small business owners’ slow time of the year is a deadly cocktail. Most regions in the United States just turned their clock back one hour. However, many of you are still leaving for work in the dark and getting home when it is dark. You work all day inside an office with artificial light and sometimes artificial people. When you get home you are exhausted and don’t want to work on your business. Does this sound familiar? It may also be your slow season, which gives you no perceived reason to turn on your computer.

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I can remember growing up in Chicago when the year 2000 was a long way into the future. And now, in 2010, as we enter the second decade of the 21st century, I’m taking stock of how far I’ve come and what it took to get me here. As a child watching movies, I dreamed of being an actor in Hollywood. And then one day…I found myself acting on a movie set at Paramount Studios.

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Our youngest is a senior at a very nice state college an hour or two north of here. Freshman year he set off with an entire car load of stuff that freshman typically set off with including a nice winter jacket. Now admittedly he was never the winter jacket sort of child once past the age of 10. But we’re his parents and he is going away and gosh darn, it’s cold out there in the world. Boy may not need the coat but parent do. This kid has a history of losing clothing that goes back to diapers. So of course he loses this coat and I am not sure he didn’t lose it on the way up.

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Miss Savanna is my very friendly blue pit-bull. She normally lies on the floor beside my desk or she can be found looking out the window. Miss Savanna delights in occasionally chasing a cat. But, she also lets those same cats rub up against her and occasionally snuggle up with her on her bed.

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Someday by Dr Bill Toth Looking at my calendar it’s easy to see Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday….and now I’m confused…where is “Someday”? Everybody talks about it. Everybody has all kinds of great things that they’re going to do or have accomplished on that day…Someday. You’ve heard it before, “Someday I’ll lose that last 10lbs. Someday I’ll tell my boss what I really think. Someday I’ll make enough so my spouse doesn’t have to work. Someday I’ll take the family on that vacation. Someday I’ll be able to afford that car. Someday I’ll start saving for my kid’s college.

Published · 1,596 views · Rated 5/5 from 2 votes

Do you find yourself making excuses for your business? Do you say “Oh, I’m just a small business owner?” or “I’m a new business owner?” or perhaps “I have no money”. Well, I learned early on in my military career that excuses are like a certain body part. We all have one. Today is the day to drop the excuses and start playing with the big dogs. What would you need to do to be able to compete with the big dogs? Employ my five tips because - today is the day you stop talking and start doing.

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Given the current economic state of affairs, you can no longer rely on job security, pensions and the like – but you can depend on yourself. You need to re-evaluate your current lifestyle from a different prospective.

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Have you ever spent hours speaking with someone that inquired about your business only to find out that they could not afford your services or your services or products were not a “good fit” for their business? I’ve even experienced that after I talked to someone for hours then they revealed they did not like anything to do with computers, social media or learning in a virtual environment. Had I know that I would not have even scheduled an appointment to learn more about their business. They were not my ideal client.

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Have you ever heard stories about people who win the lottery and then a few months or years later they are completely broke? Or about people who enter college and change their majors three, five or ten times? What about the people who jump from job to job, or marriage to marriage? Ever wonder why some folks shoot right to the top while others struggle? What's going on here? What's the common thread? The answer is: values. More specifically: core values--those seemingly intangible forces that drive our every behavior. We all have them.

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In my last Article: “Sprint Your Way to Success” we talked about how to use sprints to set and achieve your goals. Now, here are a few key tips from the Sprint methodology to help keep you focused: 1. Hold a Daily Check In with Yourself This needs to be done the first thing in the morning, every morning.

Published · 957 views · Rated 3.7/5 from 3 votes

What do you really say to yourself when you might see someone living a lifestyle that you have been yearning for, wanting and desiring? To be more specific, What do you say to your inner self when you see someone driving a luxury car ? What do you say to your inner self when you see someone living in a beautiful house? Or maybe in a very loving relationship? As you see these things in your daily life, it is important to be aware of your inner voice. You may notice that you are full of anger or jealously What are you saying to yourself in these situations?

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One of the most common mistakes speakers make is to plaster a smile on their face and keep it there, regardless of what they’re saying. This is as true for my public speaking students as it is for my corporate storytelling students. I encountered this situation twice in the last month.

Published · 1,789 views · Rated 3.5/5 from 2 votes

The Challenge: Built to Last, the defining management study of the nineties, showed how great companies triumph over time and how long-term sustained performance can be engineered into the DNA of an enterprise from the very beginning. But what about the company that is not born with great DNA? How can good companies, mediocre companies, even bad companies achieve enduring greatness? The Study:r

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Alumni football games and the winter holidays are fast approaching and many people are traveling home to visit with classmates, family and friends in the next few months. If you are job hunting, these people are a source of referrals for job leads. You will want to have a contact card ready to share. This is not the time to write your information down on a scrap of paper and hope it is saved. A contact card is very similar to a business card. It shows you are a professional and are serious about promoting yourself. Listed below are the key elements you will want to be sure is on your card.r

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Recently, while providing a corporate training for the top sales agents in a large pharmaceutical company, I asked the following question: “Have you ever been speaking, and you look out into your audience and see ‘screen saver eyes’? You know – that glassy-eyed look that let's you know you’ve lost their attention?” They all laughed and nodded in agreement! If you’ve ever seen “screen saver eyes,” the two most important questions to ask yourself are: • What did you do to lose them? • How do you get them back?

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I once had a cat named Hermione. She got sick. So I went to the vet and he gave me some pills and told me to give them to her. That sounded pretty simple until I tried to do it. Hermione did not want to take her pills. She gagged and wiggled and scratched my hand, but she would not take her pill. I didn’t know what to do. A neighbor of mine also had a cat, so I asked her what to do. “Stick it in a piece of cheese,” she said. So I did. I got some soft cheese, wrapped it around the pill, and low and behold, Hermione took her medicine.

Published · 2,181 views · Rated 3.5/5 from 2 votes

I recently gave the luncheon keynote speech for a state association. In the program that I presented, Emotional Eloquence, I usually tell three stories, which I call: The Oscar Story, The Chicago CEO Story and the Dagger Lady Story. Because I was speaking after lunch, I knew I needed to keep the energy high and work in a little more interaction. I decided to take out the Dagger Lady Story and replace it with my Airport Story, because the Airport Story is funnier.

Published · 1,921 views · Rated 3.3/5 from 6 votes

The holiday season is upon you. This can be a challenging time if you are single. Invitations to parties are flooding your mailbox. Various television channels seem to devote their entire lineup with movies depicting Santa bringing single women their true love. Jewelry stores are airing commercials showing husbands buying wives big shiny objects. Food companies are playing mind games too by showing how much fun it is to bake cookies with children and create enormous feasts for family and friends.

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At a recent corporate storytelling workshop for Microsoft, I was asked a question that I hear frequently: “How do I open my speech?” Several others in the room agreed that the first two or three minutes of a speech are often the most awkward. Is it that way for you, as well? Do you have a hard time getting started, but once you get going, you’re all right? If so – welcome to the club.

Published · 3,535 views · Rated 2.5/5 from 2 votes

To be successful in today's competitive Internet market, learning to overcome your fear of failure should be high on your training list. Seek and apply training courses to improve your personal skills, increase your personal confidence, and magnify your personal value to others. Absorb courses that teach basic human nature, and how the Law of Attraction works. Are you prospecting or networking in your business, learn to understand human nature in order to sell and explain your opportunity successfully with others. I once had a sponsor ask me this: would you buy stock in your own company?

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INTRODUCTION Do you tend to make a list of resolutions every year and never achieve them? Do you make glorious plans and never follow through? Do you start a project valiantly, with all the best intentions and then give up at the first bump in the road? Everyone laughed at me when I developed a flow chart and critical path to plan my wedding – but it worked. That was over 20 years ago, before the age of the Wedding Planner. Now, such things are big business. Still, I often wonder why more business planning tools have not made it into the “real” world.

Published · 1,006 views · Rated 3.6/5 from 11 votes

Fear and anxiety can sabotage you when you least expect it. You may not even realize that fear and anxiety are holding you back. You think you want something but then you don’t pursue it. You find yourself making excuses on why you are not finishing the task or project. We can sit all day long at our computers and tweak a website, sales copy, or proposal for a client but never actually complete the task. We say we are not finished with it because it is not perfect. We make excuses on why it isn’t finished.

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In a survey conducted by Forbes 400 revealed that of the 400 richest men and women in the United States, the high school dropouts in the group, who made it to the list, were worth on average, $300 million dollars more than university graduates on the list? How is this possible?

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Why are you procrastinating? Why are you making excuses? Why are you never completing anything? Why are you putting off until tomorrow what can be done today? Do any of these phrases sound familiar? We all procrastinate at one time or another. We all are guilty of letting our family and friends sabotage our efforts. We often allow this to happen because we do not want to hurt their feelings. We also allow this to happen because it is easier to allow them to lead us astray then to focus on getting the task accomplished.

Published · 1,237 views · Rated 3/5 from 3 votes

Is procrastination holding you back from turning your dreams into reality? I often hear people tell me what they want to do. However, rarely do I see them do anything to make that dream a reality. What I do see is that person’s idea for a business now belongs to someone else. When you snooze, you lose. If you have a great idea for a product or business, I encourage you to stop procrastinating and take action.

Published · 1,544 views · Rated 4/5 from 2 votes

It goes without saying that people who are in power are influential. An influential person usually doesn't have a hard time getting other people to do something or listen to his personal views. Basically, an influential person can make things happen with just a snap of the finger. When you are influencing someone, you are changing his behavior in a way. But before you can become a source of influence, you must first have an understanding of the human behavior. Did you know that the word "because" has a profound effect in the way you influence others?

Published · 1,674 views · Rated 2.5/5 from 4 votes

I bet you started your morning looking at your daytimer, blackberry, outlook calendar, covey planner or whichever of the many tools and resources we have for managing our time. Did you look at your actions, your "to do" list for today? Actions are tactics, processes to achieve our goals. I have to be honest in saying I've never been one to totally master the use of my time like a fine tuned resource. It is something I work on each and every day.

Published · 1,168 views · Rated 3/5 from 1 votes

Are you finding your personal fuel tank is always running on empty because you are trying to do it all yourself? In your quest for success, there are things that you will not be able to accomplish by yourself alone or really should simply give to others. It is important that you seek the help of others. If you enlist the help of others, this will help you give back more because you have more time to do other things – things that you do best.

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“Jim, I’m completely stuck,” said Kyle over the phone that morning. “Every time I try to move forward, something stops me and I’m close to giving up.” As both a coaching client and a good friend, I knew that Kyle had been going through a number of changes in the past year – changes that had taken a toll on his confidence and his health. When we met in my office later that afte oon, Kyle began to tell me about the difficulties he was facing in his new job; one he had taken after being laid off from a company where he had worked for many years.

Published · 1,190 views · Rated 2.5/5 from 2 votes

In order to be influential in meeting your goals, you also need to be empowered to do so. How do we attain empowerment? A lot of people think of empowerment as a desirable state to achieve. But how do we really empower ourselves? The first thing we have to do is find out the real meaning of empowerment. Empowerment can be defined as being able to have control over your life. However, it doesn't necessarily mean having power over the life of other people. To be empowered basically means having control or power over all the aspects of your own life.

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Your behavior as a manager as well as your approach to life in general will greatly affect your success or ultimate failure. That is why it is important to have various styles of behaviors and a wide range of approach. This gives you flexibility and increases your choices in your everyday dealings with other people. It will also help you in the long run in achieving success. For most managers, they usually prefer to use the natural style of influence.

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You can empower yourself if you have the knowledge of who you really are and what your real purpose in life is. But it is also important that we touch the lives of other people in order for our lives to be more meaningful. You should get more out of your life. One way of accomplishing this is extending yourself to others who need help. This way, you are empowering others with your life. But it is also important that you analyze first your self if you are really a source of empowerment to others. Are you noticing the words that you speak to other people?

Published · 1,094 views · Rated 3/5 from 1 votes

Are you empowering others each time you speak? Have you noticed that whenever you talk to someone, the energy seems to fade away and the other person seems uninterested? Then after the interaction there is a feeling of sadness and your enthusiasm is simply gone. If these things happen, then it is time to analyze yourself and work on your empowering skills. On the other hand, there are those people that whenever you talk to them, you feel energized and inspired. You suddenly seem to be excited to do something after having a conversation with them.

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Some of us often dream of new business ideas every day. As you brainstorm and visualize success, something goes wrong along the way. What was an exciting idea has somehow dwindled down to a mere fizzle. Could it be that you let someone steal your dream? If we can understand what happens, then we can keep the momentum going.

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Regardless of your age, marital or socioeconomic status, at one time or another, you will experience stress and anxiety. Each changing season produces different stressors. Summertime has the pendulum swinging from how to keep children from fighting and saying they are bored to keeping them free from sunbu s to an upcoming move to a new neighborhood. The body’s initial reaction to stress is fight or flight. Symptoms of excess stress include feeling mentally and physically exhausted, problems sleeping, tension headaches, bowel disturbances, a lowered immune system, and irritability.

Published · 1,282 views · Rated 4/5 from 1 votes

Depressed. Dragging. In a funk. I woke up that way today at 4:30 a.m. There’s no good reason for it. I understand that I make my own reality, but I was having trouble turning off the funk. I got up, threw some clothes on in the dark and stumbled my way downstairs into the office. I know that I can change my world by changing my thinking. The question is HOW do I get there?

Published · 1,749 views · Rated 4.3/5 from 3 votes

The way we look at ourselves has so much to do with how we influence others. In fact, the way we see ourselves is our choice. If we see ourselves in a negative way, then it just follows that we become introverted and therefore ineffective in empowering others. In order to influence others, we have to set a good example and this requires perceiving ourselves in a positive way. If you think that you are incompetent in just about anything, then you certainly will not be effective in everything you do.

Published · 1,253 views · Rated 3.3/5 from 4 votes

Our world is a fearful place to live in nowadays. With the economic uncertainties besetting most companies, an empowered leader is needed who can boldly face the challenges in an unpredictable and sometimes scary business environment. Today's leader must be ruthless in as humane a manner as possible.

Published · 1,391 views · Rated 3/5 from 3 votes

Believe or not, if you want to overcome the fear of failure, become an entrepreneur and go into business for yourself. Most successful business owners are comfortable pushing themselves to the limit and taking risks. An entrepreneur develops a different mindset than your average person who works 9-5.

Published · 1,484 views · Rated 4/5 from 1 votes

When entrepreneurs set goals, sometimes they don’t meet them for whatever reason and then begin to doubt themselves. They begin to feel that they are not good enough and they are unable to continue in business. This problem may stem from them being a little zealous in estimating the likelihood of more positive outcomes happening in your business as opposed to negative events occurring. This type of thinking is called “unrealistic optimism.” However, the success or failure in your business will depend on how you overcome your perception of uncertainty.

Published · 1,744 views · Rated 4/5 from 1 votes

For some people, fear is an emotion that can create an obstacle in the growth of your business. Important tasks like making follow-up prospecting calls, setting up appointments or presenting to a prospect may go undone all because of fear. You’ve convinced yourself that you may not possess enough experience or credibility to take on the task without making a mess of things.

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Want to learn the 5 key strategies to make you the candidate of choice? Too many professionals are not hired because they either don't articulate their top contributions concisely or in a manner that aligns with the current offering and interviewer or they don't have a large enough vision of themselves and their brilliance to effectively shine. This article will provide you with a 5 step methodology to develop your positioning statement, ways to find the job you most desire and how to master the interview. One, Create your Positioning Statement.

Published · 1,211 views · Rated 3/5 from 2 votes

You're excited you found the job that you want and they are offering it to you. You are ready to shout "yes" from the hills. Don't. I am going to tell you what I tell each of my career clients, wait, delay, pull off the road and call me, immediately. At the time of the offer may be the only time that you have to optimize to sweeten the pot, to not only get the job but to also get the salary, the job title and the flexibility you need to enjoy the lifestyle you desire. Do you know that most job seekers leave money on the table?

Published · 1,000 views · Rated 3/5 from 2 votes

Are you like a butterfly? Starting one task and then before it is completed you are flying off to start another task? Is your mind buzzing with new ideas and projects? Yet, you have a pile of unfinished projects? We all the love the feeling we get when we get a new idea or inspiration. However, when was the last time you felt satisfaction in bringing a project to fruition? My five tips below will provide you the feeling of satisfaction of bringing a project to fruition. 1. Know Yourself. What time of day do you perform at your best? Are you a morning person? Are you a night owl?

Published · 2,323 views · Rated 3/5 from 1 votes

So I am sitting here doing what I do (when I sit here) and just in front of me moving quickly from left to right across the ledge is a little tiny ant. If I was sitting here doing what I do at a picnic the little thing would have gone quite unnoticed. He (I am assuming he) would have been in his natural environment (at least as defined by me). But here’s the thing. I work from home and home and ants are antithetical. At least as defined by me. My office sits towards the back of the house. A small room filled with windows on all three sides.

Published · 1,114 views

Oprah advertises on television. She makes sure that viewers know what channel to watch her show. Are you letting your customers and clients know how to get in touch with you? Advertising/marketing must be done regardless of your budget.

Published · 1,060 views

Is accountability elusive in your organization? If you're like most leaders, you regularly deal with work force issues that get in the way of your organization's success. Here you have all this talent at your fingertips, yet goals are not being met and your business isn't nearly as successful as you know it could be. It's frustrating! Accountability begins with engagement: a heightened emotional connection to your company that influences your employees to exert greater effort. According to a recent Gallup study, only 29 percent of employees are engaged in their jobs.

Published · 1,411 views · Rated 3/5 from 2 votes

We all have destinations in mind, getting to work, driving home, going to your usual clients. A destination can even mean reaching someone at a different level, tuning in, being able to influence someone to be more responsive. When was the last time you approached your destination from a different direction? Even a geography change can mix things up a bit. Recently on vacatio I decided to sit on the other side of the boat for our sunset cruise around the lake.

Published · 1,028 views · Rated 2/5 from 1 votes

Are you a small business owner? Do you try to do everything yourself? Are you becoming a master of a trades and expert of none? Do you have family and friends trying to tell you how to run your business? If you answer YES to these questions, I want you to STOP doing what you are doing and design your team. Large corporations have advisors and a board of directors. You need to surround yourself with advisors and have your own board of directors. The things you consider work someone else considers play.

Published · 1,173 views · Rated 2/5 from 1 votes

Some things simple simply aren’t; at least at first. While chatting recently over cocktails I was reminded (thank god for cocktails) of a past life career that took me overseas on a number of occasions. While there were many experiences during that tenure which helped me grow in a number of different ways (inside and out) it was my very first trip to my very first site that was the source of the memory. It was (I say ‘was’ for in capitalism one should have capital) a little company with a great big mission that involved kids and their holistic well-being.

Published · 1,339 views · Rated 2/5 from 1 votes

The Personal Power of Influence means to be influential in identifying our goals and achieving them, being able to influence others to support us in our goals, and to become a force of influence in the world in which we live. Where we most get hung up is in being able to influence others.

Published · 1,049 views · Rated 2/5 from 1 votes

It is true that when you empower other people, you are not only influencing them, but you also empower the people they influence. So when you empower another person, you are actually giving him the power to accomplish something. Thus, you are basically giving others the ability to empower, too. But how will you be able to empower another person? The truth is empowerment is the product of responsibility and authority. When you empower someone, you must also give him the authority to make decisions in order for him to accomplish his responsibilities.

Published · 955 views

One point of influence is the law of reciprocity. This has been proven to be very effective time and time again. Even a movie was made about it. Each time you give something of value, expect other people to give you something in return. This has been proven to be true in a lot of cases. Sometimes, when we give something to others, they unknowingly give back or even feel obliged to reciprocate in one way or another. And it also feels so good. More business is won if comes from a place of servitude.

Published · 1,624 views · Rated 3/5 from 7 votes

Social Networking has become the number one way of successfully promoting your business. If you’ve been fighting this trend and holding off on participating in this type of marketing, you need to change your mindset and get involved now! Trust me, your competition is doing it and benefiting. It may seem intimidating at first, but in no time you will find that this type of marketing will pay off in big ways. The first step is to open accounts on the various networking sites and start exploring and learning how to use them. Here are a few recommendations for getting started: 1.

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If you are not happy with your life right now, it’s because you have conformed. Conformity is when you align your attitudes, beliefs and behaviors with those around you. Trying to fit in may be killing you - and your dreams. By spending all your time trying to fit in and please people, it's keeping you from making any real money. It’s got you stuck in front of a TV every night being programmed to buy certain things and wear your clothes a certain way.

Published · 1,241 views · Rated 3/5 from 4 votes

Why are you in business? What problems do you solve for the consumer? Do you have ethical standards? Where is your moral compass pointing? When was the last time you reviewed your Mission Statement? Do you even have a Mission Statement? A Mission Statement is not just for business owners. Families can have a Mission Statement too. A Mission Statement is a clear concise statement that expresses your purpose in a way that resonates with employees and customers. There are three main parts to a Mission Statement: 1.

Published · 1,279 views

Many executives in the business world are wondering why they might need to hire a coach. Actually, there are many reasons why you would want to hire a coach. I have compiled ten solid ideas of why you would want to hire a coach and how it will help you grow your company faster. They are ...

Published · 3,514 views

The holiday season is not always joyful for those who have lost a loved one. However, military widows can enjoy the holiday season by using my 5 tips below: 1. Reminisce. Nowhere is it said that you must forget your spouse. Quite the opposite is true. You need to acknowledge your feelings. ...

Published · 1,374 views

Are you a business owner wanting to grow your business? The answer is in your “list”. You can build your list by writing articles, blogs, and sending out a newsletter to promote your business. People buy from experts. Establish yourself as the expert in your niche by writing. Article writing is ...

Published · 1,213 views · Rated 2/5 from 1 votes

A lot of business owners I’ve spoken with lately have commented on how their business is slow because of "the recession." If you are one of these people, you might want to reconsider your position. Before blindly saying a condition is being caused by a recession, you might want to ask yourself, ...

Published · 1,219 views

We often hear people say that to truly enjoy being a business owner we need to be authentic. We also hear that customers and clients will flock to us when we are authentic. Well, just what does authentic mean? The Webster dictionary defines authentic as being reliable and genuine. We all want ...

Published · 866 views

Developing Your Presence with Your Business Cardn1. Make sure the print is large enough for others to read 2. Never run out of business cards 3. Invest in high quality paper and printing – no home computer junk 4. Do not write on the other persons business card in front of that person – do so ...

Published · 1,098 views

Have you recently attended a networking event and left money on the table? I’m not talking about the money you left on the table as a tip for the waiter or waitress. I’m talking about your failure to have a system on what you were going to do with all those business cards you collected at the ...

Published · 896 views

Summer brings with it certain seasonal joys and tonight I saw my first lightning bug. Not my first ever mind you. Not a Somali and snow sort of ‘see’ but saw it nevertheless; a little yellow dot just across the street on the median near the very little new tree; (Very little - it’s new. New as ...

Published · 1,269 views

Whether you are the employer, employee, or a business person selling a service or product, you will, at one time or another, be the recipient of unsolicited feedback. Does it make you feel personally attacked and cause you to become defensive? Do you feel like a small child being scolded? Does ...

Published · 816 views

You are huge. You are enormous. You are magnificent! I’m not talking about your girth; I’m talking about your talent. I’m talking about your passion and depth of feeling. I’m talking about your potential to be an amazing speaker, communicator or leader. Have you given yourself permission to ...

Published · 1,211 views

What unspoken message are you sending your clients and customers? Is your personal energy field projecting positive, high vibrational energy or just the opposite? The latter will cost you business--and worse, you won't even realize it. The energy I'm talking about here has been called many ...

Published · 1,323 views

One of the best things any company can do to impact their bottom line, especially during tough economic times, is to bring in a professional speaker or coach to work with your staff. Offering a seminar to your employees can go a long way toward increasing productivity, sales and overall ...

Published · 1,365 views

It is so noisy, I can’t hear myself think. You could be in a night club or in the middle of the desert – noise can still drown out the essence of a joyful life. If you are not bombarded with ‘physical noise’ that plays on your eardrums, you are still plagued by the ‘emotional noise’ that you ...

Published · 2,267 views

Do you want to inspire people? Do you have a burning desire to share your life experiences and tell your stories so that other people can benefit? If so, there are a number of things to consider when writing an inspiring speech. This last summer I was inspired by what I witnessed at the Beijing ...Do you want to inspire people? Do you have a burning desire to share your life experiences and tell your stories so that other people can benefit? If so, there are a number of things to consider when writing an inspiring speech.

Published · 9,875 views

“Are you coming?” The text message from my friend Sam flashed on my phone just as I was beginning an important meeting. In an instant, I realized what I had done. One week earlier, I had see Sam in the airport and after catching up briefly, Sam had suggested that we have lunch sometime ...

Published · 1,487 views

I created my Emotional Eloquence program to encourage people to think of their presentations as opportunities to engage, influence and inspire, while simultaneously conveying important information. My research shows that speakers, leaders and audiences are hungry for a return to eloquence.

Published · 2,717 views

“I’m sorry to call you so late,” said Cynthia, the senior project manager on one of my company’s largest consulting projects. The clock beside my bed showed 3:00 AM and I knew from experience that this call would not bring good news. “The new system is scheduled to go live in three days, but ...

Published · 970 views

Have you ever woken up and looked in the mirror and wondered “Where am I”, “Who am I”, “How did I get here”? We often get so caught up in taking care of family, friends, and others that we fail to take care of our most important investment: OURSELVES. We go through the day just doing what needs ...

Published · 791 views

Have you ever sat down and said to yourself “This is not the life I ordered!”? Be honest. We all have at one time or another. But have you thought about why you are not living life the way you want? Are you just going through life putting one foot in front of the other with your head hanging ...

Published · 819 views

Meet Jack. By the end of 2007, Jack’s business made a little over $820,000 dollars. Today, it looks like Jack’s business will close 2008 at five million dollars. Before you ask how… I want you to know that Jack is probably one of the most simple and peaceful person I ...

Published · 1,461 views

As we sit here the day after the USA had taken back the Ryder Cup (This is not the cup left in a Ryder rental truck) from Europe. As Wall Street unravels we sure can use some good news. Here was this young inexperienced group of men who were being lead by a man who had a different idea. They ...

Published · 1,271 views

Last week, one of my clients called me “Focahontas”, because our work together has provided him clarity and focus to his vision. However, what I find that I really do is provide simple ways for us to focus and operate in business (and life). Today’s article is one of my ...

Published · 1,195 views

Do you know what your comfort zone is? Do you recognize the physiological and psychological symptoms of when you are pushed by events or people to get out of your comfort zone? Your comfort zone is often the place where you are able to operate on automatic pilot and produce stellar results. So ...

Published · 1,017 views

“I’m totally overwhelmed,” said Karen, one of my coaching clients. “Now that I know what I really want, I can’t find the time to pursue it.” A successful partner in a law firm, as well as a devoted wife and mother, Karen had originally come to me because she felt an unsettling longing that ...

Published · 943 views

If we live in an abundant universe, and money is just energy, and we are Source and therefore have access to all the resources of Source…then why do we still experience lack? If the key to running a successful business is to have structures, marketing tools, connections to Social Media, a list, and making offers, why do we do all of that and STILL experience lack?

Published · 1,771 views · Rated 4/5 from 1 votes

My wife Deborah and I just returned from a month long trip to London and Germany. For the first 18 days we worked: a Story Theater Retreat in London, 2 Retreats in Munich, a keynote at the German Speakers Association annual conference and finally, a speech at a human resources convention in Cologne. It was a very busy, intense and absolutely wonderful time.

Published · 1,632 views

With steadily increasing global competition, it is more important than ever that each employee in your organization have a clear understanding of the company’s overall vision, be in alignment with the organizational goals, and have identified how their day to day activities contribute to the ...

Published · 2,606 views

"Cherish your visions and your dreams as they are the children of your soul; the blue prints of your ultimate achievements." Napoleon Hill What is your dream? You may want an entirely new job or a significant career change. Maybe you are seeking a promotion, or believe you deserve a raise! ...

Published · 2,028 views

By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail¡KnThomas Edison’s quote as his laboratory burned to the groundn Failure is not an event, objective, enemy, irreversible, stigma, avoidable, or final. It is only a lesson. There are five rules for being human: 1) we learn lessons; 2) there are no ...

Published · 2,772 views

“You’ll never make it,” my friend Steve said to me one day over lunch. “You’ll give up before the weekend is over.” He smiled in smug satisfaction, having issued a challenge that he was confident I couldn’t meet. Throughout our lunch, I had been routinely checking my Blackberry for new ...

Published · 1,230 views

You can give a presentation that’s a dazzling display of information and your vast intellectual knowledge, but when all is said and done, people remember the stories. Why do people remember stories but no other information? Studies about how adults learn show that memory is formed when a ...You can give a presentation that’s a dazzling display of information and your vast intellectual knowledge, but when all is said and done, people remember the stories. Why do people remember stories but no other information?

Published · 1,749 views

The best-selling book, The Four Agreements by ndo Miguel Ruiz is an insightful little book with a message nthat is simple and yet profound. The author invites the nreader to adopt a code of conduct that leads to a fulfilling life. It includes these four agreements – “Be impeccable With Your ...

Published · 1,291 views

I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again and I’ll keep saying it. Every business needs an exit plan. Even if that plan is to run it until you die. And there’s nothing wrong with that either. The reason you need to have a plan is so that you can properly operate your business accordingly. My ...

Published · 962 views

Keeping New Year Resolutions – Consider Family Business Advisory Board Strategy Many family business owners and their families get together to celebrate the Holidays. Not “talking shop” at these family get-togethers is a real challenge. During these family times, many families in business ...

Published · 1,346 views

“Get the expectations clear up front”. I find self saying this to every one of my clients at one time or another. This caveat applies to all relationships in business and, if you think about it, in all other relationships as well. When dealing with partners, employees, vendors, clients, etc. ...

Published · 1,608 views

In the course of a lifetime people pick up the knowledge and skills to build careers, raise their families, and accumulate material possessions. But not much of that prepares them for life in retirement. How do they handle leisure time? How do they keep their minds in tiptop shape? How do they ...

Published · 3,627 views

Last week, I was sharing during my fearless millionaire teleconference that I was working to transform my business from one-on-one client work to speaking, writing and group training programs but I had a great deal of fear and frustration. On Saturday my hubby ended up coaching the diva and ...

Published · 1,655 views

Acquiring new customers can be a very resource consuming task. But it is a must in every type of business even if you do a great job of keeping your current customers happy and continually buying from you. Some businesses must get new blood into the sales funnel on a grand scale such as those ...

Published · 1,032 views

I grew up with a father who was in love with words. His reverence for language, pronunciation and proper diction was an annoyance to me as a child, but a gift to me as an adult. I remember the way he would read aloud a passage from a book or a poem. He had a natural gift for rhythm and tempo. ...I grew up with a father who was in love with words. His reverence for language, pronunciation and proper diction was an annoyance to me as a child, but a gift to me as an adult.

Published · 1,389 views

As the waiters cleared the dessert plates from the banquet tables, Joanne, the VP of Sales, stepped to the podium and began the annual meeting. The CEO, Jeff Carlson, could feel the heat building under his collar. He wiped his sweaty palms on the linen napkin and took another sip of water to wet ...As the waiters cleared the dessert plates from the banquet tables, Joanne, the VP of Sales, stepped to the podium and began the annual meeting. The CEO, Jeff Carlson, could feel the heat building under his collar.

Published · 1,742 views

Here’s a very important fact to always keep in mind regarding your marketing process and converting people you drive to your business into customers: People like to buy things. They don’t like to be sold. Add to that one more important and very true fact: The odds are, you will not get your ...

Published · 1,001 views

Last month, I gave a keynote speech in Chicago for a Fortune 500 Company. The theme of the conference was engagement. Over 200 human resource professionals from all over the world gathered to learn how to increase the level of engagement among their 80,000 employees in 23 countries. Their ...Last month, I gave a keynote speech in Chicago for a Fortune 500 Company. The theme of the conference was engagement. Over 200 human resource professionals from all over the world gathered to learn how to increase the level of engagement among their 80,000 employees in 23 countries.

Published · 2,383 views

"Procrastination is deadly to your success”. As a former Director responsible for the management of million dollar projects and leader of large cross functional teams, comprised of internal and exte al team members and now a Consultant and Coach for many small business owners across North ..."Procrastination is deadly to your success”.

Published · 1,968 views

Retirement can be the best time of our lives. Unfortunately, the first part of many people's lives is wasted on boring work and the last part is wasted on a boring retirement. The good news, however, is that many more people enjoy retirement than those who don't. Clearly, retirement can be a ...

Published · 4,891 views · Rated 4/5 from 1 votes

There is a lot of misinformation coming from financial institutions and the media about how retired people with low incomes can't have much enjoyment in retirement. Perhaps these "experts" on retirement should check out some research performed by Claritas, the organization that classifies ...

Published · 6,050 views

Life does not consist mainly, or even largely, of facts and happenings. It consists mainly of the stream of thought that is forever flowing through one’s head. - Mark Twai As you become aware of the invisibility of creation, you can become a scientist to understand how to make yourself more ...

Published · 1,934 views

Ten Qualities of a Dream Maker: 1. Every Dream Maker understands there is a web of energy: This web permeates everything and it is intelligent. It responds to human emotion, thoughts, and creates vibrations that have the ability to heal the cells of our body or any circumstance. Some call ...

Published · 2,190 views

The Big Message: Articulating What You DonThe important thing is this: to be able at any moment to sacrifice what we are for what we could become. Charles Du Bois The key is making a good first impression that appeals to your prospective clients’ needs. How do you do this? Is there a reliable ...

Published · 1,890 views

What’s the one thing in this world that once lost can never again be found? Time. It’s a precious commodity and your business shouldn’t be sucking it up like it has no value. If you are still in the position in your business to need or want to provide your services to your clients, then time ...

Published · 2,946 views

Time Management or Life Management Don't say you don't have enough time. You have exactly the same number of hours per day that were given to Helen Keller, Pasteur, Michelangelo, Mother Teresa, Leonardo da Vinci, Thomas Jefferson, and Albert Einstein. H. Jackson Brownnn There aren’t enough hours ...

Published · 1,874 views

Let’s start with a question. What business are you in? No, really. This is a vitally serious question. Ask 100 business owners what business they’re in and 97 of them will tell you what they do. That isn’t the question. Ask 100 jewelery store owners what business they’re in and they’ll tell ...

Published · 1,683 views

With the current economic recession, yes, I'll use the "R" word, too many small businesses are finding themselves moving in the wrong direction. In many cases, what were once growing, thriving businesses are now heading into a downward spiral of cutbacks, layoffs, and, in too many cases, ...

Published · 1,441 views

Article #1 of our 9 Article Series Why Is It So Hard To Improve A Sales Force? And Why Do We Tend To Lose It Once We Change It? Most sales leaders are not satisfied with their sales team’s current efforts, yet are not sure what to do to actually generate any long term change and ...

Published · 1,314 views

Once upon a time you could entice people to sign up for your newsletter without offering any type of offer. All it took was your great content and you were well on your way to a captive audience. But an email address is "online currency" and the best way to encourage your prospects to offer you theirs is to provide them something they really want. How do you do it? You need a Fabulous Free Offer. I'm often asked two questions, "How do I know what to offer?" and "What should I offer?".

Published · 639 views

There are many individuals who have the luxury of quitting their job to pursue their dream and then there are those of us, like me who still need to pay their bills. Your heart may be breaking because all you want is to commit yourself 100% to working in and on your business but your head knows you need a steady paycheck and a longer path to full time solo entrepreneur.

Published · 677 views

If we could all blink and get clients then life as a business owner would be pretty easy, but the reality is that it takes work and marketing your business regularly and systematically to gain clients. Many falsely assume that even when they do follow everything in sequence that you will instantaneously get clients. I want to reassure you that it will happen. It just takes time, diligence and patience on your part, but it will happen. My clients often ask, "I've done everything to set up my business and website, how do I get my first client?"

Published · 700 views

Resist the urge to make things complicated in your business. To get your business on track you just need to do some basic simple things.

Published · 1,143 views

I have to fully admit that I didn't know what I was doing when I started my first business as a Health Coach. It was clearly a hobby on the side that drew in a few clients and then took on a life of it's own. But I quickly learned that a sign that I was truly meant to be a business owner was that I was 100% obsessed with my "hobby". I threw myself into learning everything I could about running an online business-after all, as a working mom with a full time job how could I network and build a business like everyone else?

Published · 784 views

If you are like me, you probably have plenty of bad habits that don’t help to bring enjoyment, clarity or fun into your life. So why not make some habits just for that reason! What good daily habits do you have already? As a mind-body nutrition coach I am always trying to break the rules. My own ...

Published · 1,809 views

Is it really worth it to your business bottom line to invest your time and resources to change your mindset, to clear out your old thoughts, patterns, experiences, and beliefs? I’ve heard from many clients that even though they understood that mindset is important to business, several basic thoughts stood in the way of committing themselves to this kind of work -- and now that they know differently, they wished they’d known sooner. Here are the top three misconceptions about energy work to shift mindset and business:

Published · 1,470 views

This may sound like a strange question, but are you really excited about your goals? Of course, I'm making the assumption that you have already invested the time to think about what you want your life to be like and identified some of your goals in several areas. If not, please do this ...

Published · 1,486 views · Rated 3/5 from 1 votes

When faced with change, a problem, or a difficult person, most people react by becoming extremely resistant, rigid, and inflexible. There is a much better approach - the fine art of bending. Being flexible and adapting to tough situations, enables you to ride out such storms of life and even ...

Published · 1,586 views

It is amazing how a business owner will gain a sense of confidence when there is unallocated cash in the business bank account. As business owners, very often if the business has money, we will try to find a way to spend it, whether we take more money for ourselves or spend it on the ‘must-haves’ for our business.

Published · 1,211 views

scar·ci·ty noun – insufficiency or shortness of supply; dearth. One belief among business owners is that they do not have enough money, time or resources. Common complaints are: “We don’t have enough money to be able to buy the help we need” “We don’t have enough time to do everything that needs to be done” “We don’t have enough knowledge, we don’t have enough team members, we don’t have enough employee engagement, we don’t have enough talent, etc.” What I discovered is that this particular position is a disposition. Often, it is not a real situation.

Published · 1,603 views

There are plenty of references and role models for a better way to age. Harland Sanders, best remembered for starting Kentucky Fried Chicken, now KFC, was 65 years old when he began his business. The story is that, when he looked at his Social Security check of $105 a month, he realized he did ...

Published · 1,501 views · Rated 3/5 from 1 votes

I believe real-life economics must be one of the most glaring omissions in our educational system. I say this because in my travels to lecture throughout the world, I constantly run into otherwise well-educated people -- doctors, lawyers, top corporate personnel, even entrepreneurs -- who ...r

Published · 1,195 views

The best-selling book, The Four Agreements by don Miguel Ruiz is an insightful little book with a message that is simple and yet profound. The author invites the reader to adopt a code of conduct that includes four agreements - "Be impeccable With Your Word, "Don't Take Anything Personally, ...

Published · 2,573 views · Rated 3.5/5 from 2 votes

Where did we learn that we have to be serious all the time to be taken seriously? In my experience, it’s just not true. As a speaker and trainer, I know that when people laugh, they learn. After coaching over 500 students on their stories and presentations in my two and a half-day Story ...

Published · 2,718 views · Rated 3/5 from 1 votes

When you work for someone else you can take sick, vacation or personal time but when you work for yourself it's not always easy to take a day or week off.

Published · 647 views

This alone is one of the greatest stumbling blocks for those who are new to business, especially all those who are entering a crowded field with other established coaches, consultants, healers and service professionals. Of course there are some who know exactly who they want to work with, what their specialization is and how to market to their prospects--but often times the new business owner is still discovering this very important aspect of having a profitable and thriving business.

Published · 574 views

Many of the people I work with are relatively new to starting a business and are unsure about jumping on the video bandwagon. They wonder if it is just another "trend." So I wanted to share my thoughts on it this week and offer up a few tips and strategies around using video in your business. I think video is fantastic. I love using it and find that the preparation and delivery are easier for me. It is an alte ative to writing long articles that are more labor intensive. I also believe it is a trend that is here to stay and will continue to increase in popularity.

Published · 626 views

You're at a networking event, you're focused on meeting people and as you introduce yourself to people you've never met before you realize you only have moments to make a lasting impression. How do you pull it off with ease, grace and a possible future opportunity, by perfecting your speech well in advance of attending networking events.

Published · 606 views

There were three men and three women at the Story Theater Retreat in Colorado Springs last weekend – a nice balance of energies. Each of the six participants came to develop their stories for presentation to a business audience. Interestingly enough, two of the female participants shared a ...There were three men and three women at the Story Theater Retreat in Colorado Springs last weekend – a nice balance of energies. Each of the six participants came to develop their stories for presentation to a business audience. Interestingly enough, two of the female participants shared a common malady.

Published · 1,831 views · Rated 3/5 from 1 votes

The Universe is powerful, wouldn’t you agree? So, why don’t we get the business success we want when we want it? Why does it seem like easy success, where results simply continue to roll in as we put ourselves out in front of our customers, remains elusive? We are Motivated by Fear

Published · 863 views

A major issue for most business owners is the ‘fire’ or emergency. This is a disruption in the normal routine or business process. Unfortunately, many businesses are plagued by consistent fires or emergencies. The entrepreneur or the management team is so busy working on these urgent fires they are unable to focus on the important aspects of the business. Most business people are not even aware there is a difference between things that are urgent and things that are important.

Published · 1,158 views

People remember the stories! You can give a presentation that’s a dazzling display of your vast intellectual knowledge, but when all is said and done, people remember the stories. Studies about how adults learn show that memory is formed when a person’s attention is engaged over a sustained ...

Published · 5,045 views · Rated 3/5 from 1 votes

Business owners sometimes struggle to communicate effectively with their direct reports. If you are fully engaged when communicating with direct reports, the information you receive will be better and clearer. Being fully engaged means giving the direct report space and time to communicate with you. Do not rush them.direct reports

Published · 1,887 views

(excerpted from "Seven Strategies for Wealth and Happiness" by Jim Rohn)** ---------------------------------------------------- Emotions are the most powerful forces inside us. Under the power of emotions, human beings can perform the most heroic (as well as barbaric) acts. To a great degree, ...(excerpted from "Seven Strategies for Wealth and Happiness" by Jim Rohn)** ----------------------------------------------------r

Published · 4,118 views · Rated 4/5 from 6 votes

If you want to be a leader who attracts quality people, the key is to become a person of quality yourself. Leadership is the ability to attract someone to the gifts, skills, and opportunities you offer as an owner, as a manger, as a parent. I call leadership the great challenge of life. What's ...If you want to be a leader who attracts quality people, the key is to become a person of quality yourself. Leadership is the ability to attract someone to the gifts, skills, and opportunities you offer as an owner, as a manger, as a parent. I call leadership the great challenge of life.

Published · 1,654 views · Rated 4/5 from 47 votes

You've probably heard this idea at one time or another. You've probably nodded your head in agreement understanding that thoughts are in fact, things. You probably believe this and accept that your thoughts, being things, do in fact have power. Have you really thought about this? Do you apply ...

Published · 1,715 views · Rated 3.5/5 from 2 votes

Thoughts are Things You've probably heard this idea at one time or another. You've probably nodded your head in agreement understanding that thoughts are in fact, things. You probably believe this and accept that your thoughts, being things, do in fact have power. Have you really thought about ...

Published · 1,423 views

Are you in business with your life partner and can’t tell the difference between your bedroom and the boardroom? Welcome to the world of Couplepreneurs! What are “Couplepreneurs”? This term describes any two persons living together in a committed relationship and also ...

Published · 1,945 views

I want to share with you one of the easiest ways I have learned to strategically plan for things in general. Whether it is a three-year forecast on my business or to plan a project effectively and successfully implement it to the end, I use these 5 simple steps. 1. State your goals 2. Create a time frame 3. State your results 4. Divide and conquer obstacles 5. Identify the people who will help you and by when

Published · 1,156 views

Motivation is a funny thing, and far too often the reason you don't move forward or succeed on something you badly desire is because you get in your own way. Why do you get in your own way and self sabotage when you clearly want something? From my own experience of coaching and mentoring clients over the past 10 years, I've seen some common patterns of human behavior emerge. If you recognize them in yourself, that's awesome, because AWARENESS is the first step in making effective behavior and thought changes! The need to look good or to be right:

Published · 644 views

Recently I was asked “how long do you allow a new system to run before recognizing that it is wrong?” Using a cost basis, your budget is kind of that litmus test. If you are going to just use a cost basis, the end of your budget should be the end of the game. I usually do not just use a cost basis, I look for the return basis.

Published · 987 views

Are you considering a professional partnership? Or are you in the midst of a business partnership that is not going as well as you imagined? Partnerships allows a person to be able to have the flexibility to do what they are good at and share the ownership responsibility and investment with other partners who get to do what they are good at. For a successful partnership, first evaluate the long range goals and vision. Second, be aware of any potential conflicts and work towards minimizing them.

Published · 1,135 views

The other day I was working with a client, the owner of a massage and wellness center, and she was stressing out about how her clients push her to extend the expiration date on her special offers. Her sub contractors push her on the date their rent is due and ask for an extension. She doesn't want to work evenings but clients "insists' that she be there for them.

Published · 662 views · Rated 2/5 from 1 votes

Business metrics development is a huge portion of planning your operational design. Business metrics is simply the production numbers in your business that are important to you. What are production numbers? If you are a service-oriented business, that may be the number of phone calls to prospects needed to hit certain sales goals. If you know how much you charge in general to develop a solution for a customer, then you know how many customers you need to touch and talk to over a given period of time to be able to get a certain amount of money.

Published · 1,004 views

Why do you think Malcolm Gladwell is so successful? All three of his books, The Tipping Point, Blink and most recently Outliers – The Story of Success, are best sellers. The answer lies in the subtitle of his most recent book, The Story of Success. Malcolm is a synthesizer, a pattern recognizer. After he’s done his research and compiled lots of examples to illustrate the points he wants to make, he writes his books by telling stories. He’s a good storyteller.

Published · 2,525 views

How to Make a Third Person Story Personal I always advise my coaching clients to use personal stories whenever possible. Personal stories establish credibility by letting your listener know that your wisdom comes from your life experience, rather than from reading the latest book.

Published · 4,125 views

Moby Dick When I was in high school, in the sixties, a company called Cliffs Notes (aka Cliff Notes) published book summaries. (Remember the yellow and black striped covers?) These little books enabled you to read passages from the book in a summarized form so you wouldn’t have to read the whole book. We used them as study guides for books like Moby Dick.

Published · 1,850 views

Before creating a business partnership it is important to understand that it is like any other relationship; it is a marriage between individuals united in the same purpose and mission. And like any other relationship, if there is incompatibility in values or long-term vision or anything that can cause conflict, it will destroy the relationship.

Published · 964 views · Rated 5/5 from 1 votes

When determining what type of business structure is necessary for your business partnership, one of the considerations needs to be how to protect yourself from the business and from your partners. People considering partnerships generally struggle with the type of entity they should create. Should they create an LLC, an S-Corporation, or Sole Proprietorship? Answer these questions with your professional advisor: What is the business doing that presents risk, what is your role, and what assets are you trying to protect?

Published · 960 views

Are you ready to take your company’s operation systems to a completely new level? Then begin by creating more than just a job for your employees.

Published · 1,028 views

Knowing when to fire someone is a necessary skill for any business owner. I became very good at firing employees because when I acquired one of my businesses it had 200% turnover. One of the things I realized very early in my entrepreneurial career is that the reasons for firing generally fall into one of three distinct categories. At play could either be a procedural issue, behavior issue, or misaligned intentions.

Published · 1,377 views · Rated 2/5 from 1 votes

I hear the complaint that good help is hard to find. That has not been my experience. I find that good help is easy to select, Finding good employeesbecause once you identify who you are as a company and the type of environment your company offers, it becomes very easy to determine whether a potential employee is a good candidate to engage.

Published · 1,211 views

The concept of Context and Values has revolutionized our business for both in how we relate to our employees and our customers alike. It assists us to tap into understanding how someone frames their world, what they are afraid of, what they are excited about, and what they feel very confident about in themselves that will be deepened by working with us.

Published · 1,150 views

What’s the point? I ask that question of every private coaching client. The response is usually three or four sentences long. The answer to the question, “What’s the point?” needs to be concise and simple, not a lengthy explanation. Can you state the point of your story in five or six words? Sharpen the Point and Make it Stick

Published · 1,834 views

If you are looking to make your business an asset, delegation and outsourcing is one of the most crucial pieces that you get to master as you come through your business creation career. Delegation and outsourcing is something that, if you are not good at it, you will probably never have a great systematized business. When you are delegating and outsourcing any particular project to an employee, to a contractor, or to anyone, here are steps for you to be able to get them successfully aligned with your project.

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One of the greatest mistakes business professionals can make when creating a partnership is to ignore the dissolution of a partnership. Why discuss partnership dissolution at the beginning of a partnership? Understand that partnership is like life; all things must come to an end. The better you can prepare for the end, the better for the partnership. Recognize that the dissolution of a partnership is not necessarily negative, because it can be a very positive thing. What are some of the things that can lead to partnership dissolution or what I call “The Business Divorce Conversation?”

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The retention of a company’s executive and leadership teams is critical to the success of a business. What are some of the ways to effectively compensate them so that they remain happy and productive in the business?

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If you're like the "old" me, you might have trouble asking for help or hiring someone to help you with your business. The truth is, I've had to learn the hard way. I suffered from "analysis paralysis" when I had too much to do on my plate, and even though I outsourced book-keeping, article marketing and graphic design, I went begging on my hands and knees the other day to hire a fulltime Virtual Assistant.

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Growing a business to be a powerhouse in its industry, or even building a business to be bigger and better, is a goal of many business owners. I believe that the future of niche (high-margin) business is going to be in creating a consistent, unique, and fantastic experience for customers. The brick-and-mortar or online businesses that are going to outdistance their competition and grow to exceptional levels of profitability are those that will consistently deliver a distinct experience for their customers.

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In the last two months, my blogs have focused more on the philosophy of operational systems. The next blog goes from philosophy to straight content. We are going to talk about actual systems, and so we are going to review just about every system that you need to be able to get through your business. Daily office operations Think about what makes your office run such as answering phones, dealing with mail, office supplies, faxes, etc. Development systemsr How do you develop products, packaging, and manufacture? Manufacturing and inventory systemsr

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After being in business for a year or more, there are bound to be changes in the marketplace and your business. At this point, you (and your partner) need to ask yourselves “Is what I am doing still making sense?” Communications with a Partner

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