tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10252050511944766692024-02-07T20:04:59.844-08:00Business GardenerAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001062801575008314noreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1025205051194476669.post-680728797568823692014-05-11T15:42:00.001-07:002014-05-11T15:42:39.520-07:00How Public Relations Can Help Your Small Business Grow<h1 style="background-color: white; background-image: url(http://content.prnewswire.com/designimages/line-horz-01_PRN.gif); background-position: 0px 100%; background-repeat: repeat no-repeat; border-bottom-style: none; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 23px; font-weight: 100; line-height: 1.2em; margin: 0px; padding: 35px 0px 10px;">
How Public Relations Can Help Your Small Business Grow</h1>
<div class="newsreldettrans" style="background-color: #efefef; border-top-color: rgb(205, 205, 205); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; color: #464646; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; height: 34px; line-height: 12px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px 13px; position: relative; width: 410px !important;">
<br /><em style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.3em;">PR: An Essential Cornerstone to Every Business Plan </em></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.3em; padding: 0px 0px 10px; word-wrap: break-word;">
<br />When small business owners create a business plan they often include advertising but neglect to include public relations, one of the most cost-effective methods for small businesses to raise awareness. I think that the reason is simple – we encounter advertising on a daily basis so it is more familiar, but many are unaware of the role that PR plays in the articles they read. In most cases, public relations is much less expensive than advertising, and can be incredibly valuable to a small business. Depending on how hard you’re willing to work, PR can even be free. Small businesses have tight budgets and will typically get more for their money when choosing PR over advertising.<br /><br />If you’re a small business that’s weighing the benefits of advertising vs. public relations, here are some reasons why you should consider making public relations a cornerstone of your company’s growth strategy.<br /><br />When a consumer sees third party coverage of a product or service, it is perceived much differently than a traditional advertisement. When we see an advertisement, we know the company is trying to sell us something. When a third party, such as the media, endorses a product or service, the company gains credibility. Consumers are much more likely to make a purchase based on third party endorsement than an advertisement.<br /><br />A consistent public relations program will help build general awareness of your product, service or brand and will supplement any direct marketing and advertising efforts. This visibility also tends to make your business appear larger and more established than it may be, which may help you secure partnerships, customers and funding.<br /><br />Chances are the last time you made a purchase you used a search engine to do some online research. Public relations can help you capitalize on this process. An article at on online news outlet, a broadcast clip posted online, or a news release distributed to web outlets – all of these provide valuable inbound links to your website that increase your rank in Google.<br /><br />PR is also good for your bottom line. PR is much less expensive than advertising and the benefits of PR can be much more substantial than the benefits of advertising. One good media placement can lead to a substantial increase in sales and tremendous growth, and because many small businesses have a unique story to tell, they are interesting to the media.<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.3em; padding: 0px 0px 10px; word-wrap: break-word;">
If you are after assistance in your PR plan, contact Tony Park - Head Gardener at Business Gardener</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.3em; padding: 0px 0px 10px; word-wrap: break-word;">
tony@businessgardener.com.au </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001062801575008314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1025205051194476669.post-21430755556998976512014-05-11T15:22:00.000-07:002014-05-11T15:27:33.505-07:006 essential resources to grow your business<article class="blog-entry" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #404040; font-family: interface, sans-serif; line-height: 19.9999942779541px;"><div class="blog-entry-content" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; float: left; margin-right: 20px; width: 540px;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-size: 15px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Watering Can" border="0" height="263" src="https://www.enterprisenation.com/system/images/W1siZiIsIjIwMTQvMDUvMDYvMTQvMTIvMTYvMjUzL1dhdGVyaW5nX2Nhbi5qcGciXSxbInAiLCJ0aHVtYiIsIjU0MHgzOTAiXV0/Watering%20can.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 100%;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">By San Sharma</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.enterprisenation.com/system/images/W1siZiIsIjIwMTQvMDUvMDYvMTQvMTIvMTYvMjUzL1dhdGVyaW5nX2Nhbi5qcGciXSxbInAiLCJ0aHVtYiIsIjU0MHgzOTAiXV0/Watering%20can.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /><a href="https://www.enterprisenation.com/system/images/W1siZiIsIjIwMTQvMDUvMDYvMTQvMTIvMTYvMjUzL1dhdGVyaW5nX2Nhbi5qcGciXSxbInAiLCJ0aHVtYiIsIjU0MHgzOTAiXV0/Watering%20can.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<div class="blog-entry--body copy" style="box-sizing: border-box; padding-top: 2em;">
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; margin-bottom: 1em;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">For Your Tool Box</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 1.25rem; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 1.25rem;">
Congratulations! You’ve started your own business. You’ve identified that you want to be your own boss, and you’ve turned your idea into an income – albeit a modest one. So, what do you do now?</div>
</div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
You could a) rest on your laurels, b) stick to your day job, or c) grow your business into something that makes more money, reaches more people, is more ambitious and rewarding. It’s by no means the easiest option, but then you didn’t start a business because you were afraid of a little hard work, did you?</div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
<a href="https://twitter.com/sansharma" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #eb7839;" target="_blank" title="https://twitter.com/sansharma"><img alt="San Sharma" class="image-align-right" data-rel="110x110" height="110" src="https://www.enterprisenation.com/system/images/W1siZiIsIjIwMTMvMTEvMTkvMTMvNDgvMjkvMzc2L1Nhbl9TaGFybWEucG5nIl0sWyJwIiwidGh1bWIiLCIxMTB4MTEwPiJdLFsicCIsInN0cmlwIl1d/San%20Sharma.png" style="border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" title="San Sharma" width="99" /></a>There are lots of ways to grow your business without out-growing your home or breaking the bank. Here are some things to do and places to turn to take your business to the next level.</div>
<ol style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 15px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; padding: 0px 0px 0px 2em;">
<li style="box-sizing: border-box;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Sell online.</strong> You don’t need to know a single line of code to set up your own website and online shop. With web building software like <a href="http://www.moonfruit.com/" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #eb7839;" target="_blank" title="http://www.moonfruit.com/">Moonfruit</a>, it’s as easy and dragging and dropping products from your inventory to your store front. Alternatively, you can list your products on online marketplaces like <a href="http://www.ebay.co.uk/" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #eb7839;" target="_blank" title="http://www.ebay.co.uk/">eBay</a> and <a href="https://www.etsy.com/uk/" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #eb7839;" target="_blank" title="https://www.etsy.com/uk/">Etsy</a>– and sell directly to existing and engaged communities of customers.</li>
<li style="box-sizing: border-box;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Turn one-off sales into repeat custom.</strong> Whether you sell online or in face-to-face meetings, treat data about your customers like gold dust. When did they last buy from you? What did they buy? Maintaining an intelligent list of your customers gives you the chance to get back in touch with personalized and meaningful sales messages that could make the difference between a one-off customer and a repeat customer. Consider using software like <a href="http://www.constantcontact.com/" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #eb7839;" target="_blank" title="http://www.constantcontact.com/">Constant Contact</a> to store and market to your customer database.</li>
<li style="box-sizing: border-box;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Attract new customers.</strong> With a good customer database in place, don’t be afraid to use it! Ask happy customers to recommend you to their friends and colleagues. Advertise in local media or try other forms of marketing, such as <a href="https://www.facebook.com/advertising/" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #eb7839;" target="_blank" title="https://www.facebook.com/advertising/">Facebook advertising</a> or Twitter. Speak to people who don’t use your products and services and address their needs.</li>
<li style="box-sizing: border-box;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Try crowdfunding.</strong> If funding is stopping you from launching a new product or service, there are some low-risk things you can try. Crowdfunding is a way to raise small amounts of money from lots of people. You set yourself a target and reward donors with exclusive access to your products or services. If you don’t hit the target, then all donations are returned. The challenge and the discipline involved in fundraising this way is great for your business, for reaching new audiences and for building hype for new products and services. You can <a href="http://crowdfunding.crowdfunderpartner.com/?rf=enterprisenation" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #eb7839;" target="_blank" title="http://crowdfunding.crowdfunderpartner.com/?rf=enterprisenation">crowdfund with Enterprise Nation</a>.</li>
<li style="box-sizing: border-box;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Outsource to other small businesses.</strong> If the thought (and costs) of taking on staff scares you, don’t worry. You can quickly and easily increase your productivity by outsourcing work to other freelancers and small businesses. Expand and contract your virtual workforce around projects, so you can compete with big businesses when you want to and stay small at other times. You can concentrate on what you do best, and outsource the rest! There are websites that make outsourcing easy, such as <a href="https://www.elance.com/" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #eb7839;" target="_blank" title="https://www.elance.com/">Elance</a> and <a href="http://www.peopleperhour.com/" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #eb7839;" target="_blank" title="http://www.peopleperhour.com/">PeoplePerHour</a>.</li>
<li style="box-sizing: border-box;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Get some advice.</strong> In America, it’s far more common for start-ups to ask for advice. Many build it into their business plans – and they budget for it too. Here in the UK, there is a Government programme designed to change the way we think about taking strategic advice to grow our businesses. The <a href="https://marketplace.enterprisenation.com/about" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #eb7839;" target="_blank" title="https://marketplace.enterprisenation.com/about">Growth Vouchers programme</a>wants to test whether incentivising British businesses to take strategic advice makes a difference to their bottom line. We think it will – and we look forward to more British business taking advice and growing!</li>
</ol>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
<em style="box-sizing: border-box;">This post originally appeared on the <a href="http://www.yourbetterbusiness.co.uk/six-essential-resources-to-grow-your-business/" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #eb7839;" target="_blank" title="http://www.yourbetterbusiness.co.uk/six-essential-resources-to-grow-your-business/">Your Better Business blog</a>.</em></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
<em style="box-sizing: border-box;">San Sharma (<a href="http://twitter.com/sansharma" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #eb7839;" target="_blank" title="http://twitter.com/sansharma">@sansharma</a>) is digital manager at Enterprise Nation. San also manages the Enterprise Nation Marketplace, which is the only place small business owners can find Government Growth Voucher advisers. Find out more at<a href="https://marketplace.enterprisenation.com/" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #eb7839;" target="_blank" title="https://marketplace.enterprisenation.com">https://marketplace.enterprisenation.com</a></em></div>
</div>
</div>
</article>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001062801575008314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1025205051194476669.post-14325717963514138472014-05-11T00:23:00.000-07:002014-05-11T00:23:38.302-07:00Myths of Facebook Marketing<h2 style="border: 0px; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Trebuchet MS'; line-height: 20.799999237060547px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Myths of Facebook Marketing</span></h2>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="byline" style="border: 0px; float: left; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.799999237060547px; margin: -10px 0px 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 10px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 2723px;">
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 15.600000381469727px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="bylinemeta" style="border: 0px; color: rgb(136, 136, 136) !important; font-family: inherit; font-size: 11px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Written <i style="outline: none;">by</i> <a href="http://www.jeffbullas.com/author/bikesite/" rel="author" style="border: 0px; color: rgb(0, 51, 153) !important; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none !important; vertical-align: baseline;" title="Posts by Jeff Bullas">Jeff Bullas</a> </span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 15.600000381469727px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="bylinemeta" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 11px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20.799999237060547px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 15.600000381469727px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="bylinemeta" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 11px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20.799999237060547px;">There are many myths circulating online, such as the little green men are about to invade the planet and that the end of the world is happening in 5 days according to the Mayan calendar. There are also many social media myths and that includes those about Facebook marketing.</span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="getsocialmain" style="border: 0px; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Trebuchet MS'; line-height: 20.799999237060547px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Facebook with over one billion users “is” the default social network for nearly 50% of the people that use the internet on the planet. No other social media platform comes close to its global user acceptance.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<a href="http://www.jeffbullas.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/The-4-Myths-of-Facebook-Marketing.jpg" style="border: 0px; color: rgb(0, 51, 153) !important; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="The 4 Myths of Facebook Marketing" class="alignright wp-image-24044" height="432" src="http://www.jeffbullas.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/The-4-Myths-of-Facebook-Marketing.jpg" style="border: none; display: inline; float: right; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="The 4 Myths of Facebook Marketing" width="402" /></a></div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
In fact, in the USA and many other English speaking countries it has almost reached saturation point with growth flat-lining or even declining.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
It is changing how we communicate. Email is discarded in favor of a private message on Facebook. Forget sending your teenager an email, just “Facebook” them and you have a better chance of them receiving the message as often their email accounts go unchecked or un-monitored for days or weeks.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Facebook has become the private bulletin board for family and friends as updates, holiday, event and party images are shared to the private communities that have formed around social connections and familial relationships.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Talk to a brand about social media marketing and instantly it is a discussion about how do you gain Facebook “likes”, pass the magic 1,000 barrier or build a Facebook app.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube are like the neglected students at the back of the class with the plaintive cry of ”pick me, pick me”.</div>
<h2 style="border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: normal; line-height: 15.600000381469727px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 5px 0px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Facebook Posting Frenzy</h2>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
What you may not have noticed is that there is an almost unseemly Facebook posting frenzy happening. People and brands are posting images of dogs, cats and aliens just to get attention..any attention!</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Posting interesting content 3-4 times a day that people commented on, liked or shared was enough in the past to keep your updates appearing in the timelines of fans.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
This is no longer optimal it seems because Facebook has changed the game. Posts or images that were shared or liked dozens of times are now struggling for visibility.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Why? Facebook adjusted its “Edgerank” calculation that determines what posts appear in Fan’s timelines. The organic Facebook marketing that we all enjoyed has been diminished by Facebook making sure that less of brands updates appear on the Facebook’s fan pages. Updates are now appearing in 15% or less of all timelines.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Twitter with its unfiltered stream is starting to look more attractive.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<h3 style="border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; line-height: 15.600000381469727px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 5px 0px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Myth One: Facebook will not change the game</span></h3>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
If there is one thing that you must understand about social media is that it is evolving rapidly and expecting the rules to stay the same is an assumption you can not afford to embrace. Marketing Land mentioned and highlighted this changing of the rules and the <a href="http://marketingland.com/facebook-continues-to-tighten-organic-page-post-reach-23233" style="border: 0px; color: rgb(0, 51, 153) !important; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">reduction in organic Facebook marketing virality and reac</a>h. Some reports indicate that the reduction in the number or readers (views) of your pages updates is in the range of 5-40%.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Keep in mind that for Twitter and Google+ that 100% of all updates are in the stream.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Facebook owns its network and it will continue to change the rules to suit its vision and commercial interests.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<h2 style="border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; line-height: 15.600000381469727px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 5px 0px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Myth Two: Facebook marketing will always be free</span></h2>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Facebook has gone public and the only way Facebook can monetize their platform is through advertising. The Google social network Google+ doesn’t need to place advertising in its stream or side bars because Google Adwords is their river of gold for the search giant.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Facebook will continue to look at ways of creating revenue that pays the bills because now they have shareholders to placate. Want to reach more fans?… then you will need to start to reach into your pocket and pay the piper.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Facebook’s next steps will include the monetization of the mobile platform Instagram that they paid $1 billion for. Mobile ads are the next frontier.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<h2 style="border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; line-height: 15.600000381469727px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 5px 0px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Myth Three. You own your Facebook account</span></h2>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
The reality is that you are just a renting tenant on Facebook and you are there under their rules, terms and conditions.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Break the rules and you pay the price. Recently the pop culture blog and website “<a href="http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-57526539-93/facebook-shutters-the-cool-hunter-for-copyright-issues/" style="border: 0px; color: rgb(0, 51, 153) !important; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">The Cool Hunter” had its Facebook page with 700,000 fans shutdown</a>. This was due to “copyright issues” according to Facebook.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
The challenge for brands that are heavily Facebook centric for their social media marketing is that an unexpected “shutdown” can leave a severe dent in traffic to your websites. The Cool Hunter saw a drop in traffic of over 10% when its Facebook page was shuttered.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Just keep in mind that Facebook doesn’t have a call center for handling complaints. The lights are on but no customer service folk are at home.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<h2 style="border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; line-height: 15.600000381469727px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 5px 0px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Myth Four. You own and control your content on Facebook</span></h2>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Facebook is the repository for most of the world’s photos with <a href="http://gizmodo.com/5937143/what-facebook-deals-with-everyday-27-billion-likes-300-million-photos-uploaded-and-500-terabytes-of-data" style="border: 0px; color: rgb(0, 51, 153) !important; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">300 million photos</a> being uploaded every day. It is the largest photo site in the world by far. This content is not yours according to Facebook’s T’s & C’s. Despite that, people treat Facebook like a hard disk backup for their images, videos and content.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Make sure that your photos and content is organised and saved somewhere else in case you suffer the same fate as The Cool Hunter”.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<h2 style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; line-height: 15.600000381469727px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 5px 0px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">The Solutions:</span></h2>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
So should you stop using Facebook for your marketing? Is social media marketing doomed? The answer is that social media will continue to offer a powerful and crowd-sourced means to market your brand but Facebook’s changes just brings us back to basics of taking control of your online assets.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Here are 4 tactics that will ensure that you are investing the time, effort and resources in the digital assets that you own and control.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<h3 style="border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; line-height: 15.600000381469727px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 5px 0px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: small;">#1. Create and post content to domains you own</span></h3>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
These include your your blog, website and online store. You bought the domains and they are under your direct ownership, so make sure that the majority of your content including any multi-media is posted there. Building online assets is vital in a web focused world.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<h3 style="border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; line-height: 15.600000381469727px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 5px 0px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: small;">#2. Build email lists</span></h3>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Email may not be as sexy and as cool as social media but it offers one distinct advantage. You own your list. So make it easy people to subscribe to your blog or website via email. It is a digital asset that is often undervalued, so concentrate on continuing to build that subscriber base.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<h3 style="border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; line-height: 15.600000381469727px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 5px 0px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: small;">#3. Invest in optimizing your blog or website for search engines</span></h3>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
What a lot of people don’t realize is that 75% of all clicks from search engines are from organic search results. That traffic is free.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
So optimize your blog and website to make it easy for Google to index your content. Also don’t forget to optimize your social media accounts for search engines by including keywords in descriptions, tags and categories. (amongst other SEO friendly tactics)</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<h3 style="border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; line-height: 15.600000381469727px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 5px 0px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: small;">#4. Build followers and tribes on other social media channels</span></h3>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Other social networks offer great alternate opportunities for driving followers and traffic to your website. Twitter’s potential is often underestimated and new emerging platforms such as Pinterest are rapidly being recognized as vital social media networks that provide portals and links to your online properties.</div>
<h2 style="border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: normal; line-height: 15.600000381469727px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 5px 0px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;">
What About You?</h2>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Is your social media marketing Facebook centric? Have you got a plan B?</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
What other social networks drive traffic to your blog? Is SEO and search engine friendly tactics part of your digital marketing strategy?</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
How is your email marketing going?</div>
</div>
<br style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.799999237060547px; outline: none;" /><span style="border: 0px; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.799999237060547px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Read more at <a href="http://www.jeffbullas.com/2012/12/11/the-4-myths-of-facebook-marketing/#SrRopYpFRV7bQpWi.99" style="border: 0px; color: #003399; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">http://www.jeffbullas.com/2012/12/11/the-4-myths-of-facebook-marketing/#SrRopYpFRV7bQpWi.99</a></span><br />
<br />
Contact Tony Park, the Business Gardener for a plan to assist your business eMarketing stratgy.<br />
tony@businessgardener.com.au<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001062801575008314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1025205051194476669.post-28563248055460476002014-05-07T17:33:00.000-07:002014-05-07T17:35:04.260-07:00Grow your small business with these marketing tactics<br />
<header class="entry-header" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #555555; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><h1 class="entry-title" style="border: 0px; color: #00abff; font-family: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.375; margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Grow your small business with these marketing tactics.</h1>
<aside class="entry-meta" id="meta-60100" style="border: 0px; color: #999999; font-size: 0.9166em; font-weight: inherit; margin: -0.375em 0px 1.5em; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="posted-on" style="border: 0px; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Posted on </span><span style="font-weight: inherit;">April 22, 2014</span><span class="by-author" style="border: 0px; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> by Mellisa Apte</span></aside><img alt="MarketingGraphic" class="attachment-size_max wp-post-image" src="http://www.dynamicbusiness.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/MarketingGraphic.jpg" height="350" style="border: 0px; display: block; font-weight: inherit; height: auto; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 659.984375px;" width="600" /><div style="border: 0px; color: #777777; font-size: 1em; font-style: italic; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-top: -18px; padding: 0.3333em 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
</header><br />
<div class="entry-content" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #555555; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div style="border: 0px; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="border: 0px; color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: Helvetica, serif; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">If you don’t feel up to speed with these marketing methods, here’s a quick guide to help you get started:</span></strong></div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="border: 0px; color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: Helvetica, serif; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Email Marketing</span></strong></div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 0px; font-family: Helvetica, serif; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">It’s a tried and true marketing channel – but how can you cut through the inbox clutter, and increase the likelihood that your email will get opened and acted upon?</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
1. Test your email content. Use different subject lines, try a few different calls to action and measure what works best – then switch to the higher performing version and introduce another test. Rinse and repeat!</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
2. Spell out how your business, product or service will make an impact on the reader’s day. How do you solve an urgent problem in their life? It’s even more powerful if you can help readers make an emotional connection to your solution, eg they will be happier, less stressed or have more time to spend with their family.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
3. Personalise! Make your email marketing more effective by tailoring the content to your reader’s preferences and behaviours. Certain email apps can pull customer data from your Customer Relationship Management (CRM) to make this easy and seamless.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
4. Mobile Friendly? More and more of your customers are reading emails on their smartphones or tablets. Certain email apps like ExactTarget Marketing Cloud provide mobile-optimised email templates, and allow you to preview how that email will appear on mobile devices vs desktops.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
5. Reality check. Would you click on it? Or respond to it? Be honest with yourself – if it’s too long, or the next step isn’t clear, then start again with a new draft.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 0px; font-family: Helvetica, serif; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Social Media</strong></span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 0px; font-family: Helvetica, serif; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest… Businesses of all sizes struggle to make effective use of social media channels, and it can be daunting for SMEs – but your customers are on there, so it could represent a fantastic opportunity for your business.</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 0px; font-family: Helvetica, serif; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">1. Start with a plan. Outline your goals and business objectives, so you clearly understand what you want to achieve. Then work out how to measure progress towards those goals – don’t waste time tracking numbers you don’t care about.</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 0px; font-family: Helvetica, serif; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">2. Next – find your audience. Define exactly who you want to reach – they’re probably similar to your current customers. So ask a handful of your customers which social networks they use, and see what is – or isn’t – working for your competitors on their social profiles. You don’t have to be on every form of social media – start where the biggest potential audience is for </span><span style="border: 0px; font-family: Helvetica, serif; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i style="border: 0px; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">your </i></span><span style="border: 0px; font-family: Helvetica, serif; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">business.</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 0px; font-family: Helvetica, serif; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">3. Make sure it’s resourced. It’s unlikely that you need a dedicated person to manage your social media presence – but clearly identify who owns this in your business, and ensure they have the right skills to post, monitor, manage and respond.</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 0px; font-family: Helvetica, serif; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">4. Finally, don’t forget that social media is also a customer service channel – be ready to address all feedback, good and bad. Consider how a social customer service app like desk.com could help you centrally manage and track customer inquiries from social media.</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="border: 0px; color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: Helvetica, serif; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Lead Management</span></strong></div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 0px; font-family: Helvetica, serif; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Successfully converting leads to new customers is the lifeblood of most small businesses. Here are some best practices to help you increase prospects and focus on the right leads.</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
1. Define the perfect lead, so you can hone in on your target – what are their problems, their interests, their role in the buying process, their preferred method of communication? This way, everyone in sales and marketing (which can include everyone in your business!) knows what they’re looking for – and what to expect.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
2. Keep your data clean! Make sure all the information on your leads and customers is kept in one place, like a CRM application. Everyone in your business should refer to – and update – that system, rather than keeping details on emails or worse, Post-It notes!</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
3. Share feedback. Remember that winning or losing a deal is not the final step. To keep improving lead management in your business, you should ask questions of your team and share insights. Why was the lead initially hesitant to buy? How did you overcome their hesitations? How many interactions does it usually take to convert a lead to a customer?</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 0px; font-family: Helvetica, serif; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">For step-by-step instructions on how you can put each of these tactics to use in your business, </span><a href="https://www.salesforce.com/au/form/smb/small-business-marketing.jsp?d=%2070130000000hUsr" style="border: 0px; color: #00abff; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><span style="border: 0px; color: #00000a; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: Helvetica, serif; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">download our free eBook</span></span><span style="border: 0px; font-family: Helvetica, serif; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">.</span></a></div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="border: 0px; color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: Helvetica, serif; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">About the Author</span></strong></div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Melissa Apte works at salesforce.com as a Senior Marketing Manager, where she gets to combine her passions for marketing, small business and technology</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001062801575008314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1025205051194476669.post-68721502500107081732014-04-14T16:28:00.002-07:002014-04-14T16:28:26.234-07:00Problems with Small Business Web Sites - Infographic<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<b>Problems with Small Business Web Sites</b></h2>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>by my case</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX5gItPH7d8xYJ5sZZiGaeRHIMQqBcFuNpBG7OOfgX01Uhf4B4XKjjwoaTliAZVdJ9ahrvymr6f6I9_qxnT6LlutdeBYdG_UlLha22wUQsGT3HaYhGQgYWizpLvI67_4hS9QAmZfW2p2o/s1600/Static+web+site.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX5gItPH7d8xYJ5sZZiGaeRHIMQqBcFuNpBG7OOfgX01Uhf4B4XKjjwoaTliAZVdJ9ahrvymr6f6I9_qxnT6LlutdeBYdG_UlLha22wUQsGT3HaYhGQgYWizpLvI67_4hS9QAmZfW2p2o/s1600/Static+web+site.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<img src="http://www.inc.com/uploaded_files/inlineimage/bb77c444b44ada7582d25edbdc7cd3e9_27464.png" />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001062801575008314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1025205051194476669.post-43447130086408924242014-02-24T15:55:00.001-08:002014-02-24T15:55:12.866-08:00Are you a problem solving organisation ?<h4 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Acta, Georgia, serif; line-height: 24.139999389648438px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div class="article__body article__body--has-steps" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.42; margin-bottom: 4.8rem; margin-left: 6.4rem;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjduRZ3hnDaeBRwD5SL-4iAtgntC_sXSmmqDj7o9N4R-xLUPOoyC2igtw8YZmy1AraEk5-gJ2zipaoW9n8AyN4o3yVj2i25aoLYyr4_4U5zzvPcAsCaI8YBdMj1B53vZ30tHkVIFzGtrio/s1600/problem+solutions.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjduRZ3hnDaeBRwD5SL-4iAtgntC_sXSmmqDj7o9N4R-xLUPOoyC2igtw8YZmy1AraEk5-gJ2zipaoW9n8AyN4o3yVj2i25aoLYyr4_4U5zzvPcAsCaI8YBdMj1B53vZ30tHkVIFzGtrio/s1600/problem+solutions.jpg" /></a></div>
Are you a problem solving organisation ?<br />
<br />
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.42;">You should look at your business as a problem-solving organization. </span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.42;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.42;">All businesses thrive because they solve problems for consumers — and learn how to profit from it.</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.42;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://www.bizjournals.com/bizjournals/search/results?q=Bill%20Gates" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #3e5eaf; text-decoration: none;">Bill Gates</a> reached success with <a class="ct saveLink" ct="APT: Company Link" href="http://www.bizjournals.com/profiles/company/us/wa/redmond/microsoft_corporation/1087001" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #3e5eaf; text-decoration: none;">Microsoft</a> because he figured out ways to fix problems. </span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">Facebook has solved the problem of global communication by making each person’s world a bit smaller. </span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">People flocked to <a href="http://www.bizjournals.com/bizjournals/search/results?q=Oprah%20Winfrey" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #3e5eaf; text-decoration: none;">Oprah Winfrey</a>’s show because they believed she could provide advice for some of their life challenges.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja_x71DM-vI_QUmDXw7IaUOioLEEB244QLexDlVbqDhpATS56B5QYftlLD4p5kIlTGlgb10E8Q4P7IQmINR4yIqvuTPLVT453M2MPKXixHHST5gyQAPQ6vlRmwnXp2WYq3XniGi-i2tT0/s1600/problem+steps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja_x71DM-vI_QUmDXw7IaUOioLEEB244QLexDlVbqDhpATS56B5QYftlLD4p5kIlTGlgb10E8Q4P7IQmINR4yIqvuTPLVT453M2MPKXixHHST5gyQAPQ6vlRmwnXp2WYq3XniGi-i2tT0/s1600/problem+steps.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">Everyone has some kind of problem that’s waiting to be solved. </span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">Companies are struggling to stay in business, families are losing their homes, and too many people are out of work. </span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">As a company and as an employee, you should not be discouraged by the state of the economy – you should look for opportunities.</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">Become an innovative leader who helps guide your company through the country’s economic struggles. </span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box;">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.42;">What can you do to improve the situation for a family that is struggling financially? </span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.42;">What services can you provide for Australians on lower budgets?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.42;"> Look to solve problems on a global scale with a targeted approach, creating innovative ways to reach out to your customers and meet their needs.</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div style="box-sizing: border-box;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">The more problems you solve for more people, the more successful your organisation will be. </span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">Whether you are a business owner or an employee, you should aim to find new solutions to problems everyday. </span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">What problems does your business seek to solve, and are you being held accountable for solving them? </span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">As an employee, how can you start solving more problems for your company?</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">Successful business boils down to holding yourself accountable. </span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">You must encourage your team to refocus on your fundamental principles and goals, seeking new and specific problems and developing targeted plans to solve them.</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box;">
<span style="font-size: 17px; line-height: 24.139999389648438px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box;">
<span style="font-size: 17px; line-height: 24.139999389648438px;">Here are three key tips that will help keep your company focused on problem solving.</span></div>
</div>
</h4>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Acta, Georgia, serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 24.139999389648438px;">1. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Acta, Georgia, serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 24.139999389648438px;">Always talk about your clients in terms of solving their problems. This keeps you in the right mindset to effectively meet your customers’ needs. Become the solution to their problems.</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Acta, Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 17px; line-height: 24.139999389648438px;"><br /></span></span><div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Acta, Georgia, serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 24.139999389648438px;">2. Never start your business meeting by discussing efforts to make more money. Your primary goal should be to solve your customers’ problems, and profit should come as a result.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Acta, Georgia, serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 24.139999389648438px;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Acta, Georgia, serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 24.139999389648438px;">3. Always think about how you can solve more problems for more people. You should always be seeking opportunities for growth, and the best way to expand your business is to find creative solutions to pressing problems.</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Acta, Georgia, serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 24.139999389648438px;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Acta, Georgia, serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 24.139999389648438px;">Basic marketing - focus on the customer needs and wants and how you can satisfy them.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Acta, Georgia, serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 24.139999389648438px;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Acta, Georgia, serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 24.139999389648438px;">Tony Park</span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Acta, Georgia, serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 24.139999389648438px;">Business Gardener.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Acta, Georgia, serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 24.139999389648438px;">www.businessgardener.com.au </span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Acta, Georgia, serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 24.139999389648438px;"><br /></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001062801575008314noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1025205051194476669.post-17432004389389592602014-02-21T14:08:00.002-08:002014-02-21T14:08:36.713-08:00A Mentor can help you to create your future.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhb3uPzsOAGk71ybbZt2YEjb-RMumwpiB4m5lRXj8R_lePkBxpJSDh41qDit8Bute36mps9GHMJJ7McI2ibSaZLzjCrqNcjn3FvKfZ-QgN31iB5AhL9Qex82Ysqy_YzbsBWBrHaOpKWhk/s1600/Mentor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhb3uPzsOAGk71ybbZt2YEjb-RMumwpiB4m5lRXj8R_lePkBxpJSDh41qDit8Bute36mps9GHMJJ7McI2ibSaZLzjCrqNcjn3FvKfZ-QgN31iB5AhL9Qex82Ysqy_YzbsBWBrHaOpKWhk/s1600/Mentor.jpg" /></a></div>
<h3>
A Mentor could help you create your future </h3>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; direction: ltr; font-family: FCZizouSlab, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 21px; padding: 0px;">
From Mark Zuckerberg to Tony Robbins, some of the most successful people in all forms of business have credited part of their success to having a great mentor.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; direction: ltr; font-family: MuseoSans, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 21px; padding: 0px;">
Mentors are not always well known people who work in the same field as the people they are mentoring. They can be family members or others who serve as moral and character guides. </div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; direction: ltr; font-family: MuseoSans, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 21px; padding: 0px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnAMrF0bztPf2xiroeAvvq6f7gmFuMS18tqhg4ALMvWaZWbUeGLAYNjytRg_4lOtIvqcT6PYFYqcc4o5svWbHK8DXcPsVAXN91N-9ZEnB1kZ48uutlPULZx1uZqZJbe7d01b-0JZIX3xI/s1600/mentor+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnAMrF0bztPf2xiroeAvvq6f7gmFuMS18tqhg4ALMvWaZWbUeGLAYNjytRg_4lOtIvqcT6PYFYqcc4o5svWbHK8DXcPsVAXN91N-9ZEnB1kZ48uutlPULZx1uZqZJbe7d01b-0JZIX3xI/s1600/mentor+2.jpg" /></a>Before you look for a mentor, consider the following.</div>
<h4 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; direction: ltr; font-family: FCZizouSans, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 1.1; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 14px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; text-transform: uppercase;">
<a href="" name="1_What_skills_do_you_want_to_build" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; line-height: inherit;">1. WHAT SKILLS DO YOU WANT TO BUILD?</a></h4>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; direction: ltr; font-family: MuseoSans, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 21px; padding: 0px;">
Before you consider looking for a mentor, you have to visualize your future. Where do you see yourself down the road in five, 10, or 15 years? What kind of work are you doing? What kind of a person have you become? Realize that every worthwhile accomplishment has started out as a dream in someone’s mind. After you have your future goals fixed in your mind, ask yourself who would be the best person to serve as your guide on your journey? What kind of help would be of most benefit to you? Is it technical knowledge, business acumen, or personal guidance? A mentor can serve all these purposes, but usually one is predominant.</div>
<h4 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; direction: ltr; font-family: FCZizouSans, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 1.1; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 14px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; text-transform: uppercase;">
<a href="" name="2_Look_for_character_before_qualifications" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; line-height: inherit;">2. LOOK FOR CHARACTER BEFORE QUALIFICATIONS</a></h4>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; direction: ltr; font-family: MuseoSans, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 21px; padding: 0px;">
Before moving on to what you think your mentor needs to know, think of the kind of person he or she needs to be. Do you have respect for them as a person apart from what they know? Would you be pleased to have them as part of your family? If the answer to these questions is no, look elsewhere. Even though they may be highly knowledgeable, intelligent and technically brilliant, your subconscious may have a hard time accepting any advice or ideas that come from them. A good mentor should always leave you feeling positive and inspired.</div>
<h4 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; direction: ltr; font-family: FCZizouSans, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 1.1; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 14px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; text-transform: uppercase;">
<a href="" name="3_Someone_who_wont_tell_you_what_to_do" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; line-height: inherit;">3. SOMEONE WHO WON'T TELL YOU WHAT TO DO.</a></h4>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; direction: ltr; font-family: MuseoSans, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 21px; padding: 0px;">
In order to grow, we need to make our own decisions and mistakes. A good mentor will allow us to do both. He or she will never tell us what we should or need to do. Instead they will offer and share ideas based on their own experiences. They will freely offer what has or hasn’t worked for them and leave it up to you as to whether you take their advice. Take from them what is valuable to you and leave the rest.</div>
<h4 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; direction: ltr; font-family: FCZizouSans, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 1.1; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 14px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; text-transform: uppercase;">
<a href="" name="4_Find_a_person_who_is_open_honest_and_not_ego_driven" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; line-height: inherit;">4. FIND A PERSON WHO IS OPEN, HONEST, AND NOT EGO DRIVEN</a></h4>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; direction: ltr; font-family: MuseoSans, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 21px; padding: 0px;">
In order for feedback to be worthy from anyone, it must be honest and forthright. As well as giving you praise when your mentor thinks you have done something well, it is equally important that they challenge and encourage you to accomplish more when you are struggling. A good mentor does not get upset or angry when you don’t follow their advice. They are not ego driven and don’t see your success or failure as a direct reflection on their mentoring skills. They accept and know that, like themselves, you are your totally responsible for your own success and failure in life.</div>
<h4 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; direction: ltr; font-family: FCZizouSans, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 1.1; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 14px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; text-transform: uppercase;">
<a href="" name="5_Does_your_potential_mentor_have_a_history_of_crediting_others_for_success" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; line-height: inherit;">5. DOES YOUR POTENTIAL MENTOR HAVE A HISTORY OF CREDITING OTHERS FOR SUCCESS?</a></h4>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; direction: ltr; font-family: MuseoSans, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 21px; padding: 0px;">
Effective mentors are people who have a record of service to their community, organizations or groups they belong to. They see beyond their own needs and have a desire to make their community and the world a better place to live. While others recognize them for their success, they don’t bring this up, and if asked about it, will give credit to others. Others will know them for their unselfishness and desire to give back.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; direction: ltr; font-family: MuseoSans, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 21px; padding: 0px;">
Tony Park at the Business Gardener can assist you to create your future. I have many experiences across a number of industry sectors, had many positive experiences and also a large number of failures that I can share.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; direction: ltr; font-family: MuseoSans, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 21px; padding: 0px;">
Contact me at tony@businessgardener.com.au to see what we can do together for you.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001062801575008314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1025205051194476669.post-41603731311585930402014-02-17T02:25:00.000-08:002014-02-17T02:36:10.407-08:00When a Salesman isn't a Salesman<h1 class="entry-title" style="background-color: whitesmoke; border: 0px; clear: both; color: #eb0000; font-family: Tahoma, Georgia; font-size: 24px; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-shadow: rgb(0, 0, 0) -0.1em 0.1em 0.1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
</h1>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh54aapDiUQ_3ZROV2KSPLfgMtQokGMmUX9B1llKm9sr8NJa0_CHCgcPf8qUc_45qLIGAedQxnuSu0hUr0LeeeiFQIYXNxS4L6F1fohSi7U1lw_H3Etgo23MdwIpBFRiKh7ob65HkGNJ5I/s1600/salesman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh54aapDiUQ_3ZROV2KSPLfgMtQokGMmUX9B1llKm9sr8NJa0_CHCgcPf8qUc_45qLIGAedQxnuSu0hUr0LeeeiFQIYXNxS4L6F1fohSi7U1lw_H3Etgo23MdwIpBFRiKh7ob65HkGNJ5I/s1600/salesman.jpg" style="cursor: move;" /></a></div>
<h1 class="entry-title" style="background-color: whitesmoke; border: 0px; clear: both; color: #eb0000; font-family: Tahoma, Georgia; font-size: 24px; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-shadow: rgb(0, 0, 0) -0.1em 0.1em 0.1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="line-height: 1.3em;"><br /></span></h1>
<h1 class="entry-title" style="background-color: whitesmoke; border: 0px; clear: both; color: #eb0000; font-family: Tahoma, Georgia; font-size: 24px; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-shadow: rgb(0, 0, 0) -0.1em 0.1em 0.1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="line-height: 1.3em;">When a Salesman</span><span style="line-height: 1.3em;"> isn’t a Salesman</span></h1>
<div class="entry-meta" style="background-color: whitesmoke; border: 0px; color: #888888; font-family: Tahoma, Georgia, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, 'Nimbus Sans L', sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="meta-sep" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">by</span> <span class="author vcard" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a class="url fn n" href="http://www.awakeat2oclock.com/author/adminaw/" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #888888; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="View all posts by John F. Dini">John F. Dini</a></span></div>
</div>
<div class="entry-content" style="background-color: whitesmoke; border: 0px; clear: both; color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma, Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 12px 0px 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br />
<div style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
A business owner decides to beef up his company’s sales talent. He forks out a hefty salary for a “proven performer” from another industry; then…nothing.</div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<a href="http://www.awakeat2oclock.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/empty-suit.jpg" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; clear: left; color: #eb0000; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; margin-top: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="empty suit" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-2115" src="http://www.awakeat2oclock.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/empty-suit-300x200.jpg" height="200" style="background-color: transparent; border: none; display: inline; float: left; height: auto; margin: 4px 24px 4px 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="300" /></a>The salesman (or woman) is glib, professional and hard working. The owner devotes more resources to marketing and lead generation in an attempt to make good on his investment. Still no results.</div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Frequently, the owner assumes the blame for the shortfall. After all, the employee earned huge commissions in his previous job. He sold to CEOs, or to high net worth individuals, or products that were ten times the price of yours. Why can’t he sell your stuff?</div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Sales is a relative term, and sales compensation is a relative measure. I knew a former tennis pro who had made a huge salary “selling” medical devices to surgeons. When he transitioned to selling OEM hard drives, he failed miserably. He had qualified leads, and heavy marketing to support brand identity. His skill, however, was in demonstrating to the doctors how they could work faster and more profitably if they insisted the hospital pay for his devices. Faced with cost-conscious purchasing managers who perceived his product as a commodity, he was lost.</div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
The owner of a technology company shared this with me last week. He is looking for reps to sell managed services to large corporations. There are plenty of highly compensated salespeople in the technology world. What he has found, however, is that selling networking equipment, software or telecommunications gear has little in common with “invisible” services located in the cloud.</div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Both examples are similar. In the first, the salesperson moved from selling to an end user who was focused on technical issues to a financial buyer. In the second the shift is from selling a known solution for a known problem to selling change that is disruptive to an entrenched infrastructure. Other than calling both jobs “selling,” they have very little in common.</div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
The technical aspects of presenting a solution to customers are basic to all sales, but that doesn’t mean that all sales skills are transferrable. Someone who was provided with qualified leads likely lacks the training for effective cold calling. One who represented a well-known brand may not be prepared to educate buyers on a need they haven’t yet identified. Selling to large corporations is nothing like selling to small businesses.</div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Choosing an effective salesperson has little to do with how much he made in a previous position. Translating his or her success to your business depends on who he sold, how he sold, and what he sold. If those three factors match your sales profile, then prior successes are worth considering.</div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Tony Park the Head Gardener at the Business Gardener, can assist you in the skills to ensure you are selling to your market - not the market from your last position.</div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
www.businessgardener.com.au</div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Tony Park</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001062801575008314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1025205051194476669.post-85451799831651794722014-02-12T16:48:00.001-08:002014-02-12T16:48:16.209-08:00Learn How To Grow Strategically<h2 style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #0096db; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Learn How to Grow Strategically</h2>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #666666; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
As entrepreneurs, <span style="line-height: 1.5;">we’re pulled in a million different </span><span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD7" style="background-attachment: scroll !important; background-color: transparent !important; background-image: none !important; background-position: 0% 50%; background-repeat: repeat repeat !important; border-bottom-color: rgb(27, 142, 222) !important; border-bottom-style: dotted !important; border-bottom-width: 1px !important; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; color: rgb(27, 142, 222) !important; cursor: pointer !important; display: inline !important; float: none !important; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1px !important; position: static; vertical-align: baseline;">directions</span><span style="line-height: 1.5;"> </span><span style="line-height: 1.5;">every day. Although we</span><span style="line-height: 1.5;"> </span><span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD6" style="background-attachment: scroll !important; background-color: transparent !important; background-image: none !important; background-position: 0% 50%; background-repeat: repeat repeat !important; border-bottom-color: rgb(27, 142, 222) !important; border-bottom-style: dotted !important; border-bottom-width: 1px !important; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; color: rgb(27, 142, 222) !important; cursor: pointer !important; display: inline !important; float: none !important; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1px !important; position: static; vertical-align: baseline;">start</span><span style="line-height: 1.5;"> </span><span style="line-height: 1.5;">our days with</span><span style="line-height: 1.5;"> </span><span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD5" style="background-attachment: scroll !important; background-color: transparent !important; background-image: none !important; background-position: 0% 50%; background-repeat: repeat repeat !important; border-bottom-color: rgb(27, 142, 222) !important; border-bottom-style: dotted !important; border-bottom-width: 1px !important; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; color: rgb(27, 142, 222) !important; cursor: pointer !important; display: inline !important; float: none !important; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1px !important; position: static; vertical-align: baseline;">the best</span><span style="line-height: 1.5;"> </span><span style="line-height: 1.5;">of intention, it’s easy to get pulled off course with emergencies (caused by others) putting out fires (created by others) and shiny objects (marketed by others.) And, even a small course deviation, can change the course of your</span><span style="line-height: 1.5;"> </span><span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD11" style="background-attachment: scroll !important; background-color: transparent !important; background-image: none !important; background-position: 0% 50%; background-repeat: repeat repeat !important; border-bottom-color: rgb(27, 142, 222) !important; border-bottom-style: dotted !important; border-bottom-width: 1px !important; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; color: rgb(27, 142, 222) !important; cursor: pointer !important; display: inline !important; float: none !important; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1px !important; position: static; vertical-align: baseline;">business</span><span style="line-height: 1.5;"> </span><span style="line-height: 1.5;">over a period of time.</span></div>
<h2 style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #0096db; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<img alt="small_business_to_do" border="0" class="alignright" height="225" id="img-1389582536519" src="http://www.synnovatia.com/Portals/110120/images/small_business_to_do-resized-600.jpg" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px none; display: block; float: right; margin: 10px 0px 10px 10px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="to do list" width="300" /></h2>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #666666; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
As the <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD4" style="background-attachment: scroll !important; background-color: transparent !important; background-image: none !important; background-position: 0% 50%; background-repeat: repeat repeat !important; border-bottom-color: rgb(27, 142, 222) !important; border-bottom-style: dotted !important; border-bottom-width: 1px !important; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; color: rgb(27, 142, 222) !important; cursor: pointer !important; display: inline !important; float: none !important; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1px !important; position: static; vertical-align: baseline;">business owner</span>, your primary <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD10" style="background-attachment: scroll !important; background-color: transparent !important; background-image: none !important; background-position: 0% 50%; background-repeat: repeat repeat !important; border-bottom-color: rgb(27, 142, 222) !important; border-bottom-style: dotted !important; border-bottom-width: 1px !important; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; color: rgb(27, 142, 222) !important; cursor: pointer !important; display: inline !important; float: none !important; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1px !important; position: static; vertical-align: baseline;">job</span> is planning and change which requires a disciplined way to think, plan, act – and rethink and replan every day. This is strategic thinking.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #666666; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
According to Chief Executive Magazine, <strong style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">strategic thinking is the most valued skill for entrepreneurs today</strong> yet only 3 out of every 10 entrepreneurs actually think strategically.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #666666; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
Not every entrepreneur is endowed with the gift of strategic thinking however there are several steps you can take to ensure you put your business on a strategic path each and every day.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #666666; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">1. Begin with the end in mind</strong> – To understand where you’re headed, consider these questions:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlI1bkHFQAMldcSBY119TDqUxPxsMLzqZGsOfRlFENqHHX7HgODXneGQ7NSNda3CuXhnP7jRz_kYsn5cippgSfg1WwF9HYDWrFC4dH_RiZrkGmUWw1M9cSvQHo0LzIsrxuATQBPDUVlow/s1600/grow+strategically.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlI1bkHFQAMldcSBY119TDqUxPxsMLzqZGsOfRlFENqHHX7HgODXneGQ7NSNda3CuXhnP7jRz_kYsn5cippgSfg1WwF9HYDWrFC4dH_RiZrkGmUWw1M9cSvQHo0LzIsrxuATQBPDUVlow/s1600/grow+strategically.jpg" height="180" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #666666; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 30px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
Why are you in business?<br style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" />What do you do?<br style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" />What do you want to achieve?<br style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" />How will you get there?</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #666666; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
These questions, and many more, are answered with the creation of your <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD12" style="background-attachment: scroll !important; background-color: transparent !important; background-image: none !important; background-position: 0% 50%; background-repeat: repeat repeat !important; border-bottom-color: rgb(27, 142, 222) !important; border-bottom-style: dotted !important; border-bottom-width: 1px !important; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; color: rgb(27, 142, 222) !important; cursor: pointer !important; display: inline !important; float: none !important; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1px !important; position: static; vertical-align: baseline;">mission</span>, <a href="http://www.synnovatia.com/business-coaching-blog/bid/139226/10-Questions-Entrepreneurs-Can-Ask-to-Focus-Their-Vision" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #0096db; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank" title="vision">vision</a>, strategies, objectives and goals – or your <a href="http://www.synnovatia.com/strategic-planning-workbook-free-download/" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #0096db; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank" title="strategic plan">strategic plan</a>.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #666666; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #666666; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">2. Think – and act – strategically everyday. </strong><br style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" />Did you know that 85% of entrepreneurs spend an hour or less a month <a href="http://www.synnovatia.com/business-coaching-blog/bid/147890/How-Strategic-Thinking-Shapes-the-Future-of-Your-Small-Business" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #0096db; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank" title="strategic thinking">strategic thinking</a>? Given your primary responsibility being that of planning and change, carving out time for strategic thinking, <a href="http://www.synnovatia.com/business-coaching-blog/bid/151076/Unzip-Your-Success-5-Types-of-Planning-Every-Small-Business-Needs" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #0096db; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank" title="planning">planning</a> and acting is vitally important. Strategic thinking and planning is even more important knowing 80% of most activities that entrepreneurs are involved in each day contribute to only 20% of the business long-term values. The use of a <a href="http://www.synnovatia.com/strategic-planning-workbook-free-download" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #0096db; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank" title="daily goal planner">daily goal planner</a> gives you new insights and <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD8" style="background-attachment: scroll !important; background-color: transparent !important; background-image: none !important; background-position: 0% 50%; background-repeat: repeat repeat !important; border-bottom-color: rgb(27, 142, 222) !important; border-bottom-style: dotted !important; border-bottom-width: 1px !important; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; color: rgb(27, 142, 222) !important; cursor: pointer !important; display: inline !important; float: none !important; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1px !important; position: static; vertical-align: baseline;">concrete</span> steps for improvement.<br style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" /><strong style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></strong></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #666666; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">3. Constantly question your own opinion. </strong><br style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" />We all <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD3" style="background-attachment: scroll !important; background-color: transparent !important; background-image: none !important; background-position: 0% 50%; background-repeat: repeat repeat !important; border-bottom-color: rgb(27, 142, 222) !important; border-bottom-style: dotted !important; border-bottom-width: 1px !important; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; color: rgb(27, 142, 222) !important; cursor: pointer !important; display: inline !important; float: none !important; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1px !important; position: static; vertical-align: baseline;">develop</span> blind spots that can prevent us from taking full advantage of new <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD1" style="background-attachment: scroll !important; background-color: transparent !important; background-image: none !important; background-position: 0% 50%; background-repeat: repeat repeat !important; border-bottom-color: rgb(27, 142, 222) !important; border-bottom-style: dotted !important; border-bottom-width: 1px !important; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; color: rgb(27, 142, 222) !important; cursor: pointer !important; display: inline !important; float: none !important; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1px !important; position: static; vertical-align: baseline;">developments</span> in our industry. By not questioning on our thoughts/opinions – or always believing we’re right – we can destroy our business no matter how talented or brilliant we are.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #666666; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
Once you add these three actionable steps to your daily to-do list, strategic thinking becomes a daily habit and, along with it, <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD9" style="background-attachment: scroll !important; background-color: transparent !important; background-image: none !important; background-position: 0% 50%; background-repeat: repeat repeat !important; border-bottom-color: rgb(27, 142, 222) !important; border-bottom-style: dotted !important; border-bottom-width: 1px !important; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; color: rgb(27, 142, 222) !important; cursor: pointer !important; display: inline !important; float: none !important; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1px !important; position: static; vertical-align: baseline;">business growth</span>.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #666666; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
Tony Park</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #666666; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
Business Gardener.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001062801575008314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1025205051194476669.post-19020128951682231382013-11-22T14:57:00.000-08:002013-11-22T15:10:43.001-08:00The 5 worst pieces of businesses advice that I have had<a href="http://apictureofit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/BadAdvice_2006_IMG_9503-1024x682.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://apictureofit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/BadAdvice_2006_IMG_9503-1024x682.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; line-height: 1.2;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; line-height: 1.2;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; line-height: 1.2;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; line-height: 1.2;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; line-height: 1.2;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; line-height: 1.2;">The 5 Worst Pieces of Advice for Small Business Owners</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<header class="article-header" style="background-color: white; color: #555555; line-height: 19px;">
<div>
<div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">When you’re starting a business, there’s no shortage of people eager to hand out advice. It seems that everyone, even someone you've just met, has an opinion on how you should be developing your product, running your marketing, handling your finances and much more.</span></div>
</header><section class="article-content" style="-webkit-transition: margin 0.2s; background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: 28.4375px; margin-top: 1em; max-width: 625px; transition: margin 0.2s; width: auto;"><div style="margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-top: 0.75em;">
I'll be the first to admit that I've met some very smart people and have had great mentors over the years. Their contributions have been invaluable to my successes. Yet after launching many companies over 35 years in business, I have come across some terrible advice.</div>
<div class="see-also" style="font-weight: bold; text-transform: uppercase;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-top: 0.75em;">
Below are the top five bits of advice that I could have done without.</div>
</div>
<h2 style="clear: left; color: inherit; font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.27; margin: 0px 0px 1rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">
<span style="font-size: small;">1. "Hire people you know."</span></h2>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-top: 0.75em;">
I've had many people tell me that it's always better to assemble a team of "known quantities" — friends, colleagues or former employees whom you know and trust. But I've discovered that for me, the best hiring decisions are based on the specific positions I need to fill at that moment in time. In other words, I need to focus on the specific expertise and skill sets the company needs, rather than trying to piece together how Jill, Sally and Joe will fit into the new business.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-top: 0.75em;">
In addition, if things aren't working out between an employee and your company, you need to part ways (and usually, the sooner the better). You may be more reluctant to let friends go, even if you know they aren't good fits.</div>
<h2 style="clear: left; color: inherit; font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.27; margin: 0px 0px 1rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">
<span style="font-size: small;">2. "There's no room for you in the market."</span></h2>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-top: 0.75em;">
The key to business success doesn't always hinge on finding a completely empty field; rather, it’s how you define your company and its place in the market. Starbucks wasn't the first company to sell coffee, but they did revolutionize the coffee shop by selling an experience along with a caffeine fix. Still, numerous boutique coffee shops are able to open and thrive today, even though there's a Starbucks around the corner.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-top: 0.75em;">
Rather than struggling to come up with a brand new idea, take a look at your target industry and see where there's a void to be filled. Figure out the best possible way to fill that need and run with it. You don't always have to blaze a new trail, but you need to know who you are.</div>
<h2 style="clear: left; color: inherit; font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.27; margin: 0px 0px 1rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">
<span style="font-size: small;">3. "You have to be cheaper than the other guys."</span></h2>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-top: 0.75em;">
I admit that I fell into this pricing trap with a number of my companys. I felt that the only way I could compete with the "big guys" was to undercut them on price. So, I dropped our prices. My business grew, customers were happy, more customers came in, yet we were nearly losing money with every new order.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-top: 0.75em;">
Many young companies feel the pressure to discount their prices heavily in order to win business. While customer acquisition is important, attracting customers at unsustainable price levels will just result in a race to the bottom. I’ve learned that you’re better off in the long run to focus on how to bring more value to customers, rather than simply slashing your prices. After all, someone will always be able (or willing) to absorb a lower cost than you. You'll need to find a new way to stand out, and then work as hard as you can to be exceptional in those differentiating areas.</div>
<h2 style="clear: left; color: inherit; font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.27; margin: 0px 0px 1rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">
<span style="font-size: small;">4. "Social media is free."</span></h2>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-top: 0.75em;">
Over the past several years, I've had people tell me that starting a small business today is much easier than a decade ago, because of all the free marketing on <a href="http://mashable.com/category/facebook/" style="color: #0c74a6; text-decoration: none;">Facebook</a>, <a href="http://mashable.com/category/twitter/" style="color: #0c74a6; text-decoration: none;">Twitter</a> and <a href="http://mashable.com/category/yelp/" style="color: #0c74a6; text-decoration: none;">Yelp</a>. Sure, you don’t have to spend a dime to join Facebook, create a Twitter account or start a blog. But, I think a more apt comparison is that social media is free like a puppy. It may not cost much to bring a shelter puppy home, but from day one, it's an endless whirlwind of training, toys and treats.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-top: 0.75em;">
Likewise, social media is far from free once you factor in the blood, sweat and tears it demands. From developing fresh content to keeping up conversations, social media requires nonstop commitment once you start. Unless you consider your time (or the time of your employees) worthless, then there’s a significant cost involved with social media.</div>
<h2 style="clear: left; color: inherit; font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.27; margin: 0px 0px 1rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">
<span style="font-size: small;">5. "You have to spend money to make money."</span></h2>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-top: 0.75em;">
It's risky to think that throwing money at a problem is your silver bullet. Sometimes, creative thinking and strategy work far better than a checkbook.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-top: 0.75em;">
Its important to learn the difference between spending money and investing in the business. Certainly, money can scale a business faster, but only when you spend money on those things that will produce more money in return.</div>
<h2 style="clear: left; color: inherit; font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.27; margin: 0px 0px 1rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Final Thoughts</span></h2>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-top: 0.75em;">
People will always give you advice — some good, some bad. The key is to never forget that you are running the show. Other people's opinions should always be viewed through the context of your own experiences, convictions and value system.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-top: 0.75em;">
Final decisions are always up to you, so there’s no blaming someone else for bad advice.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-top: 0.75em;">
I have many stories - good and bad that have developed and grew businesses, but also learning opportunities that for me we the bad ones - but I can share so you don't make those same mistakes.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-top: 0.75em;">
Contact me</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-top: 0.75em;">
<b>Tony Park</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-top: 0.75em;">
Head Gardener at Business Gardener - www.businessgardener.com.au </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-top: 0.75em;">
<br /></div>
</section>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001062801575008314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1025205051194476669.post-21752294987029162912013-11-06T18:21:00.002-08:002013-11-06T18:21:26.983-08:00PR is a great way to grow your business<div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 23.453125px; margin-bottom: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;"> PR can help you create awareness of your company and your services.</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig8RvnlZvtmBeMVfz5hxUORq0ytE5FJsnT-BJCbRvPWx9O1fDo8eyz4-uXLLHi5FJF1xhKQ2KSz6Caab9AcMI7mOPg_x9KJYF0D7qh-zEL3dntH2nXeBFOsfD847ShFY49YYNRtgnAr8g/s1600/PR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig8RvnlZvtmBeMVfz5hxUORq0ytE5FJsnT-BJCbRvPWx9O1fDo8eyz4-uXLLHi5FJF1xhKQ2KSz6Caab9AcMI7mOPg_x9KJYF0D7qh-zEL3dntH2nXeBFOsfD847ShFY49YYNRtgnAr8g/s1600/PR.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.453125px; margin-bottom: 18px;">
PR is a great way to generate leads for your marketing pipeline and it all starts by defining who you are and why people should buy from you. When you have completed those first steps, your next step is to take your message out into the world! </div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.453125px; margin-bottom: 18px;">
Lets look at how to promote your business with a press release.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.453125px; margin-bottom: 18px;">
<b>Press Releases</b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.453125px; margin-bottom: 18px;">
Developing a press release – and getting it covered in publications from your target market – adds credibility to your message and delivers that credible message to your audience.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.453125px; margin-bottom: 18px;">
<a href="http://printmediacentr.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/pressrelease-1.jpg" style="color: #154983;"><img alt="pressrelease-1" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-16940" height="180" src="http://printmediacentr.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/pressrelease-1-300x180.jpg" style="border: 0px none; margin: 0px 10px 0px 25px;" width="300" /></a>A press release should announce something newsworthy. Hiring new people, adding additional services, bringing on new clients, and purchasing new equipment are all announcements that are worthy of a press release. These types of announcements show how your business is growing, and there’s not much better news to share with your target market!</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.453125px; margin-bottom: 18px;">
When writing the release, you want to answer the questions – who, what, where, when and why. The most important of these questions is the <i>why.</i> Why should someone care about this news?</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.453125px; margin-bottom: 18px;">
For example, if you have acquired a new customer, your announcement can say:</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.453125px; margin-bottom: 18px;">
<i>Acme Print and Marketing Services is pleased to announce that The Big Bank has chosen Acme to handle all of their print production and direct marketing communications needs. The Big Bank is another example of Acme’s expanding role as a leader in providing print and marketing to organizations in the financial services industry.</i><i> </i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.453125px; margin-bottom: 18px;">
The news is that The Big Bank has become a client; the <i>story </i>is that Acme is now becoming a go-to resource for the financial services industry.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.453125px; margin-bottom: 18px;">
Note that if you are announcing the purchase of new equipment or technology, the vendor you buy from is usually more than happy to write a press release about your purchase. These vendors are sometimes able to get coverage in publications and sites where you might not be able to, so be sure to ask!</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.453125px; margin-bottom: 18px;">
<b>Distributing the Press Release</b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.453125px; margin-bottom: 18px;">
Once you have finalized the press release, (and received approval from any customers or vendors that you mention) send your press release to publications and websites that cover your industry and reach the target audience you are trying to connect with. This may require a bit of research, but you want to be sure you are speaking to an audience who cares about your message.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.453125px; margin-bottom: 18px;">
<a href="http://printmediacentr.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/newsrelease_mouse.jpg" style="color: #154983;"><img alt="newsrelease" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-16941" height="176" src="http://printmediacentr.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/newsrelease_mouse-300x176.jpg" style="border: 0px none; margin: 0px 25px 0px 10px;" width="300" /></a>In our Acme Service Provider example, it would be beneficial to reach out to publications that focus on marketing and communications for financial services.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.453125px; margin-bottom: 18px;">
In addition to sending the press release to publications and websites, you can also send it out via a distribution or wire service. These services will send your press release out thousands of publications, and can help boost your SEO rankings. </div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.453125px; margin-bottom: 18px;">
<a href="http://www.fontpr.com.au/">Font </a>is a company that can assist you and Becher can assist you in this.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.453125px; margin-bottom: 18px;">
<b>Repurposing Your Content</b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.453125px; margin-bottom: 18px;">
Once your release is out, there are several ways to keep the news alive. First, be sure to post links to the press release from all your social media outlets – Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, etc. In addition to the link, post a bit of the story as well. Acme could tweet “More Good News from Acme” and a link to the press release.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.453125px; margin-bottom: 18px;">
In addition, you can take the content of the press release and rework it into a blog post. Note that these are different communications channels, so you want to be sure you edit the content so that it reads more like a blog post and is more conversational.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.453125px; margin-bottom: 18px;">
This is a first step and creates positive Brand Values for your business - something you can grow on for other marketing and advertising.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.453125px; margin-bottom: 18px;">
Tony Park</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.453125px; margin-bottom: 18px;">
Business Gardener</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.453125px; margin-bottom: 18px;">
www.businessgardner.com.au </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001062801575008314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1025205051194476669.post-20106025399770132442013-11-04T18:47:00.005-08:002013-11-04T18:50:06.843-08:00Content Marketing helps to create respect with WEB 2.0<div class="Dtitle" style="margin: 0px 0px 5px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">
<h1 style="margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Hi everyone,</span></span></h1>
<div>
<a href="http://www.entrepreneur.com/dbimages/article/h0/spread-word-content-marketing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="How to Spread the Word Through Content Marketing" border="0" height="204" src="http://www.entrepreneur.com/dbimages/article/h0/spread-word-content-marketing.jpg" style="border: 0px; margin-top: 0px; max-height: 100%; max-width: 100%; outline: none; padding: 0px;" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">people are either getting into using WEB 2.0 tools like facebook, blogs, LinkedIn etc... or they have already have a presence. Some people are looking to use these as a replacement to advertising and see it as similar to say TV or Radio - or even just a press add and think that all these great people will see it and come to buy your product. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The reality is far from the expectation.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">You need to create a brand value a profile of relevant information that makes your web site, your blog your information stand out from the Billions and Trillions of web pages and pieces of information that is available.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Just putting up an add saying how great you are - a price and come and get it is not good enough anymore (was it ever) . </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A major way to get recognition of your brand values and then a possibility of a sale is to have relevant content to inspire, inform and educate to gain an understanding from potential purchasers that you have the relevant product or service for them, based on information and respect gained from that ongoing relationship.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Over the following weeks we will have more information on the gaining of respect and relationship selling, however below is an article from Katherine Duncan on a some aspects to gain some of this respect by making sure you have relevant content on your WEB 2.0 tool.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tony park</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Head Gardener</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">www.businessgardener.com.au </span></div>
<h1 style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px !important; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">
</h1>
<h1 style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px !important; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">
</h1>
<h1 style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px !important; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">
How to Spread the Word Through Content Marketing</h1>
<div class="byline" style="color: #777777; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; margin: 5px 0px 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">
By Katherine Duncan<span class="lined" style="margin: 0px 10px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">|</span><span class="timeago" style="margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" title="Mar 13, 2013">March 13, 2013</span></div>
</div>
<div class="TopImage" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px 0px 15px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">
<div class="caption" style="color: #505050; font-size: 10px; line-height: 12px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">
<div class="credit" style="font-style: italic; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">
Image credit: <a href="http://www.shutterstock.com/" style="color: #365977; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Shutterstock</a></div>
</div>
</div>
<div id="article" style="color: #252525; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; outline: none; padding: 5px 0px 20px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 14px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">
<a href="http://www.entrepreneur.com/topic/content-marketing" style="color: #365977; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Content marketing</a>, the creation of original written and visual materials used to generate leads, is becoming increasingly popular online--because it works. According to the Content Marketing Institute, 91 percent of B2B marketers and 86 percent of B2C marketers are employing the technique, and more than half of both groups plan to increase their efforts in 2013.<br />
<br />
"Those who produce keyword-rich online content, including <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/EntrepreneurOnline" style="color: #365977; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">YouTube videos</a>, <a href="http://m.entrepreneur.com/blog/index.html" style="color: #365977; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">blog posts</a>, articles and so on, consistently show up on the first page of search results for their targeted keywords," writes marketing expert Ann Handley. The biggest appeal to this approach is cost. In lieu of shelling out thousands of dollars to buy advertising or keywords, marketers employ creativity as currency.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 14px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">
Here are five tips for doing it right:</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 14px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">
<strong style="margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">1. Understand your audience.</strong><br />
Study your prospective audience to determine their needs and interests so you can appeal to them in an entertaining manner. Do it by monitoring keywords and topics (including names of competitors) on your social media platforms to see which drive the most Facebook Likes, Twitter shares, blog comments, etc. Once you have attracted a small audience, use their feedback to create content that will pull in even more followers.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 14px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">
<strong style="margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">2. Make a plan. </strong><br />
Content marketing requires you to sustain whatever momentum you build through regular postings (daily is best). To keep it going, you'll want to develop a communications strategy that supports--not distracts from--your overall business goals by laying out a detailed editorial calendar of topics for the next few months. Then make sure to share the calendar with the rest of your team, doling out assignments where possible and asking the staff to contribute ideas for new content going forward.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 14px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">
<strong style="margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">3. Set high standards.</strong><br />
Apply the same standards to your online content as you do to the rest of your business. While effective content generates and nurtures leads, poorly executed content can have the reverse effect and actually damage your brand, causing you to lose readers and business. Play to your strengths: For example, if you're a skilled photographer, focus your content on teaching people how to get the best shot.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 14px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">
Bear in mind that the tone you use in a company blog or white paper (more formal) should be different from how you write for social media (casual and conversational). If you don't consider yourself a skilled writer, you can hire freelancers to do the job. But be sure to provide your writers with detailed editorial standards to follow.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 14px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">
<strong style="margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">4. Celebrate variety.</strong><br />
Don't limit your online content to routine blog postings or case studies. Consider offering product comparisons, a resource gallery or a directory of helpful information about your industry. Rethink common elements of your website. For example, perhaps you can use your FAQ page to address difficult questions related to your industry, not just your company.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 14px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">
<strong style="margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">5. Share wisely.</strong><br />
You've devoted so much time to creating meaningful content--now it's important that you know how to share it across appropriate <a href="http://www.entrepreneur.com/socialmedia/index.html" style="color: #365977; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">social media channels</a>. To build your brand's presence, set aside a chunk of time each day and use it to connect with others on various networks (LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram). And avoid being too promotional; instead, share your best content when you believe it can provide obvious benefits to your followers.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 14px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 14px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">
Happy blogging - <b>Tony Park</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 14px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">
If you want some advice contact me at </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 14px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">
tony@businessgardener.com.au </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 14px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001062801575008314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1025205051194476669.post-10362369475463235612013-10-26T16:17:00.002-07:002013-10-26T16:29:09.529-07:00Too much data - how to decide - Part 2<div id="article-header" style="border: 0px; line-height: 21.33333396911621px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 20px 20px 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;">
<h1 class="article-title" style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 26px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: orange;">To Much Data - Mistakes you can make !</span></span></h1>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju4YYyu1MkfNFgOn1KyVqqt3nUqFKUo95MxrCVrC8Dc6d90JU_UfodewgBmBAELkThT4k7tWseb6KYEx-57phA2xyvYjPInXvAxC0sKz4mvpqhhUqxFwHpelPxyQbhof80jKLHnoY0g0s/s1600/hydrant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju4YYyu1MkfNFgOn1KyVqqt3nUqFKUo95MxrCVrC8Dc6d90JU_UfodewgBmBAELkThT4k7tWseb6KYEx-57phA2xyvYjPInXvAxC0sKz4mvpqhhUqxFwHpelPxyQbhof80jKLHnoY0g0s/s1600/hydrant.jpg" /></a></div>
<h1 class="article-title" style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 26px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">This is the second part of the sharing of informatio</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">n on what we can do in these times of information overload - and its going to get worse.</span></span></h1>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">This a continuation of a blog by a respected business associate.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Again its not the data - but how you <i>use it</i> thats important.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Tony Park</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Businessgardener.com.au</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></div>
<h1 class="article-title" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 24px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 26px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</h1>
<h1 class="article-title" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 24px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 26px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Making Better Decisions with Evidence - Part 2</h1>
</div>
<div id="social-actions-header" style="border: 0px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 21.33333396911621px; margin: 10px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<img alt="" class="left" src="http://m.c.lnkd.licdn.com/mpr/mpr/p/7/005/01c/0e0/3a110f1.jpg" style="border: 0px; color: #333333; float: left; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 1em 1em 0px; max-width: 606px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;" /></div>
<div id="article-container" style="border: 0px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 21.33333396911621px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div id="article-body" style="border-top-color: rgb(230, 230, 230); border-top-style: solid; border-width: 1px 0px 0px; clear: both; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 10px 20px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
My <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/today/post/article/20131015112316-17102372-management-decisions-in-a-data-rich-environment?trk=mp-edit-rr-posts" style="border: 0px; color: #006699; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">last post</a><span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">,</span> about using data and evidence to make better management decisions, ended with a question.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
A book club did an A/B test showing that by making a welcome call to new members, first-year spending could be increased by 8% and first-year retention by 6%.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
So the question I posed at the end of this article, without providing an answer, had to do with what this company should now expect, as they roll their “welcome call” program out to <em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">all</em>their new members. Should they expect the same results as they had in their test, or worse results, or better results?</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
If you didn't yet read the last post, what do you think?</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
There were a lot of answers ventured in the comments section, but unfortunately the vast majority were wrong. The correct answer was (wait for it)...</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<img alt="" class="left" src="http://m.c.lnkd.licdn.com/mpr/mpr/p/7/005/01c/0e7/1abbde4.jpg" style="border: 0px; float: left; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 1em 1em 0px; max-width: 606px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;" /></div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<h4 class="center" style="border: 0px; font-size: 1.17em; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: normal; margin: 1.33em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 17.33333396911621px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The book club should expect <em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 17.33333396911621px; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">worse</em> results from its roll-out.</strong></h4>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
More than two thirds of those who guessed any specific answer thought that the results would be the same, and several people suggested that there was insufficient information to tell.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Only two people thought the book club should expect the roll-out to have worse results, which is actually the correct answer, but no one suggested the correct <em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">reason</em> for expecting worse results (although kudos to <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=13209359&authType=name&authToken=2Pae&trk=tod2-cmts" style="border: 0px; color: #006699; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Sam Walker</a>, who suggested it was because of regression to the mean, which was certainly close).</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
No, the actual reason the roll-out of a successful A/B test should be <em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">expected</em> to under-perform the test result has to do with the sample of tests we choose to roll out, which is inherently biased. We only roll out <em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">successful</em> tests, right? No one would roll out an unsuccessful test, why would they ever do that?</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
But this introduces a statistical bias. Every test, no matter how big or small, will have elements of randomness to it. There is always a chance that the results of a test on a sample of customers will give results that are significantly better or worse than would be achieved for the whole population of customers, based purely on the random selection of test participants.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<img alt="" class="left" src="http://m.c.lnkd.licdn.com/mpr/mpr/p/8/005/01c/186/16cf247.jpg" style="border: 0px; float: left; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 1em 1em 0px; max-width: 606px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;" />When you do an A/B test, if your random choice of test participants just happens to include a few very enthusiastic or valuable customers, for example, then your test result will be better than the average result you would get for all your customers. Or, if your test sample just happens to include some very lackluster customers, its result will be worse than the average for all customers.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
These variances occur purely on account of the random selection of participants. The smaller sample size you use for your test, the bigger the variance is likely to be, but there will be some variance in all samples, no matter how large.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
However, what this means is that by choosing only to roll out tests that show positive results, we are eliminating more randomly negative results, and including more randomly positive ones, right? That is, there is always a chance that the result of any test will be significantly better or worse than the average over all our customers, but if this random occurrence is negative, then we wouldn't be rolling the program out.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
So, <em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">on average</em>, we<span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> should expect more roll-outs to under-perform their tests than to over-perform them.</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
My purpose in putting this and the previous post up (and future posts that I plan in this series) is not to provide an academic course in statistics. No calculations or equations were needed to make the argument I just made. You don’t need to add or subtract numbers to understand the logic.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
My purpose is to call your attention to the fact that even though, as managers, we are all now inundated with data, and even though we have immense computational resources at our fingertips, most of us are not yet skilled enough in our reasoning to be able to put these data to good use, as a general proposition. If we want the quality of our decisions to improve with the quality and availability of data and computational capabilities, then we first need to improve our statistical reasoning.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
We need to improve our skill at using evidence to make good decisions.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
A couple of comments on the previous post made reference to the fact that the book club I mentioned would also have to ensure that the data from its test results are not contaminated or biased in some way, and this is certainly true. Before you can rely on data at all, you have to be sure you can trust it.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
So in my next post on this topic, I’ll discuss the conditions under which you can trust the data you encounter.<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001062801575008314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1025205051194476669.post-62111466024754398002013-10-25T01:18:00.001-07:002013-10-25T01:25:59.905-07:00Too much data - how to decide - Part 1.<div id="article-header" style="border: 0px; line-height: 21.33333396911621px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 20px 20px 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;">
<h1 class="article-title" style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 26px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhka8G6jmwdGzgpOforzbA7-V6a3hvtnSYLLi45BXJfK9PUmq0MdVgMaQbPiJJzby4RKBedPBNHDUBT0kWH8Uo2TafWuG8cUtZgSlYXxpi_AaHP4cdu7-_CSltWNRC7jUdwUWF7_94XaYU/s1600/brain+overload.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhka8G6jmwdGzgpOforzbA7-V6a3hvtnSYLLi45BXJfK9PUmq0MdVgMaQbPiJJzby4RKBedPBNHDUBT0kWH8Uo2TafWuG8cUtZgSlYXxpi_AaHP4cdu7-_CSltWNRC7jUdwUWF7_94XaYU/s1600/brain+overload.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large; font-weight: normal;">Brain Overload ?</span></span></h1>
<h1 class="article-title" style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 26px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">There is so much information available now - some would say too much and you would think that management decisions would have improved from this surplus of information. </span></span></h1>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">However it seems that it has not improved and we need to see what we need to do to improve that step as well.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The information below outlines the challenge and in step 2, some solutions.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Tony Park - Business Gardener.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></div>
<h1 class="article-title" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 24px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 26px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</h1>
<h1 class="article-title" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 24px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 26px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Part 1</h1>
<h1 class="article-title" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 24px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 26px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Management Decisions in a Data-Rich Environment</h1>
</div>
<div id="social-actions-header" style="border: 0px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 21.33333396911621px; margin: 10px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="article-date" style="background-image: none; border-right-color: rgb(230, 230, 230); border-right-style: solid; border-width: 0px 1px 0px 0px; color: #666666; display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px 20px 20px 0px; min-height: 16px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 20px 0px 0px; position: relative; top: 3px; vertical-align: middle; zoom: 1;">October 15, 2013</span> <span id="li_ui_li_gen_1382223168240_0-logo" style="background-image: url(http://s.c.lnkd.licdn.com/scds/common/u/img/sprite/sprite_connect_v13.png) !important; background-position: 0px -276px !important; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat !important; border: 0px !important; cursor: pointer !important; display: inline !important; font-family: inherit; font-size: 1.3333333730697632px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; height: 20px !important; left: 0px !important; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px !important; outline: 0px; overflow: hidden !important; padding: 0px !important; position: absolute !important; text-indent: -9999em !important; top: 0px !important; vertical-align: baseline; width: 20px !important;">in</span><br />
<div id="social-sharebox" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div class="share-buttons" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<img alt="" class="left" src="http://m.c.lnkd.licdn.com/mpr/mpr/p/8/005/01b/38f/075564f.jpg" style="border: 0px; color: #333333; float: left; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 1em 1em 0px; max-width: 606px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;" /></div>
</div>
</div>
<div id="article-container" style="border: 0px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 21.33333396911621px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div id="article-body" style="border-top-color: rgb(230, 230, 230); border-top-style: solid; border-width: 1px 0px 0px; clear: both; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 10px 20px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
When making a decision, today's business executive has access to roughly a thousand times more data, and a thousand times more powerful analytic and computational tools, than would have been available for making the same exact decision as recently as 1993. Unfortunately, however, the quality of the management decision-making process itself has not much improved.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Today’s managers are woefully under-prepared for using data and evidence to support intelligent, scientifically sound decisions, and most business executives are completely unaware of just how flawed their reasoning processes really are.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Let me give you an example. When I address business audiences I sometimes pose a simple question based on a case study. A few years ago, a European book club found that by calling its new members within their first month of membership, just to welcome them on board and inquire whether they fully understood the terms, first-year members bought 8% more books, and their likelihood of renewing their membership at the end of the first year increased by 6%, as well. No selling at all was allowed on these welcome calls; the calls were made purely to improve the customer experience.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Are you with me so far? OK, now I ask the audience:</div>
<h4 class="center" style="border: 0px; font-size: 1.17em; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: normal; margin: 1.33em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">
<em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 17.33333396911621px; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">How can the book club possibly know it was the calling program that achieved these results, all by itself?</em></h4>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Couldn’t it have been the selection of books being offered that year, or the arrival of a particularly successful bestseller? Or what about a fall-off in competition from some other book club? Or even an improvement in the country’s overall economy, for that matter? And what did the calling program achieve in the following year, anyway?</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
I have asked this very simple question of business executives in audiences all over the world, and all I usually get are perplexed looks. The vast majority of managers are simply flummoxed by the question. Only about half the time, in fact, does even a single executive suggest the right answer. And it is a very simple, very basic answer.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
The book club knows that it had to be the calling program all by itself that achieved these great results because they didn’t call <em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">every</em> new member. They only called a random sample of new members that year, and then they compared the purchase volume and retention rate between those who were called and those who were not. It was really that simple.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
This kind of “A/B test” has become quite common in the age of interactive marketing, because now the vast majority of marketing activity is based on individual interactions with individual customers, the way the book club's business model worked years ago. If you want to know what offer to make to a particular kind of Web visitor, or what graphics will generate the most click-throughs, then randomly select a portion of your Web visitors to receive treatment A, and another portion to receive B. Google, Amazon, and other large, online businesses are capable of conducting and evaluating thousands of individual A/B tests daily.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
A/B testing, however, is just one aspect of dealing more scientifically with data. And in future posts I’m going to talk about a number of additional issues, including:</div>
<ul style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; margin: 1em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 3em; vertical-align: baseline;">
<li style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Knowing when you can trust data, and when you can’t</li>
<li style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">How to avoid the rationality-impeding influences of your own human biases</li>
<li style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Testing the null hypothesis</li>
<li style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Planning ahead for randomness and unpredictability</li>
<li style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Using the Law of Large Numbers and other principles to improve your decisions</li>
</ul>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
If you think you’re already pretty skilled with the kind of reasoning required to make better management decisions in a data-rich environment, then you should have no problem answering this follow-up question:</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Once the book club conducted its test and found that the calling program did, in fact, have positive results, they rolled the program out and began making welcome calls to all new members. What should they expect now?</em></div>
<ol style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; margin: 1em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 3em; vertical-align: baseline;">
<li style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The percentage improvements will be the same?</li>
<li style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The improvements will not be quite as good?</li>
<li style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The improvements will be even better?</li>
</ol>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
And why should they expect this?</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
To get the answer to this question, you can click <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/today/post/article/20131017103357-17102372-making-better-decisions-with-evidence-part-2?trk=mp-edit-rr-posts" style="border: 0px; color: #006699; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
<br />
More in part 2.<br />
Tony Park</div>
</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001062801575008314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1025205051194476669.post-88871545608433145212013-10-20T14:24:00.000-07:002013-10-20T14:36:18.174-07:00Value from Wisdom<div id="article-header" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 20px 20px 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;">
<h1 class="article-title" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 26px;">Wisdom can create Value !</span></span></h1>
<h1 class="article-title" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIk-Dg7wLqCUqJw3LbBYrVcUFW3_hbTXLv7B6Qcx0Y5mxb3Ce_mV6SfBpdAjV4VS60iVMzse3xREDghchUlkDqV3Qer7-owoGdLWHsvyzcH8ZFLXeA3k277WKIlIRMq5tnXK4TcwHej5c/s1600/wisdom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIk-Dg7wLqCUqJw3LbBYrVcUFW3_hbTXLv7B6Qcx0Y5mxb3Ce_mV6SfBpdAjV4VS60iVMzse3xREDghchUlkDqV3Qer7-owoGdLWHsvyzcH8ZFLXeA3k277WKIlIRMq5tnXK4TcwHej5c/s1600/wisdom.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: normal; line-height: 26px;">With the huge increase in information available on the Internet, further increased as it is shared across the world, there is a challenge on what is correct and how can we manage this </span><span style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 26px;">avalanche</span><span style="font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: normal; line-height: 26px;"> of information.</span></span></h1>
<h1 class="article-title" style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 26px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">This article below by Daniel Burrus, helps to understand the difference between information, knowledge and wisdom and how you can use it to grow your business.</span></h1>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">Tony Park</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">Head Gardener - Business Gardener</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">www.businessgrdener.com.au</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div>
<h1 class="article-title" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 24px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 26px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</h1>
<h1 class="article-title" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 24px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 26px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Delivering Exceptional Value Using Your Knowledge and Wisdom</h1>
</div>
<div id="social-actions-header" style="border: 0px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 21.33333396911621px; margin: 10px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="article-date" style="background-image: none; border-right-color: rgb(230, 230, 230); border-right-style: solid; border-width: 0px 1px 0px 0px; color: #666666; display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px 20px 20px 0px; min-height: 16px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 20px 0px 0px; position: relative; top: 3px; vertical-align: middle; zoom: 1;">October 17, 2013</span><br />
<div id="social-sharebox" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
</div>
<div id="article-container" style="border: 0px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 21.33333396911621px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div id="article-body" style="border-top-color: rgb(230, 230, 230); border-top-style: solid; border-width: 1px 0px 0px; clear: both; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 10px 20px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<img alt="" class="left" height="275" src="http://m.c.lnkd.licdn.com/mpr/mpr/p/1/005/01c/1bd/0db05bc.jpg" style="border: 0px; float: left; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 1em 1em 0px; max-width: 606px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;" width="412" />In today’s net-enabled knowledge economy, simply being a data dispenser or an information source for clients is no longer enough. Because the internet is so readily available and easy to use, people can get data and information instantly. As a result, any employee, no matter how high or low they are in the organization, who dispenses data and information is of little value to customers, and they will perceive both the employee and the organization as a time-wasting commodity. To truly stand out and be a valued resource for customers and clients, you need to go beyond dispensing data and information and bring knowledge and wisdom to the interaction.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Think of it as a triangle. At the base of the triangle is data. Going up, next is information, then knowledge, and then at the triangle’s peak is wisdom. Using this illustration, the higher you go up the triangle with people, the more value you add to the relationship.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Before the Internet became widely used in the early to mid 1990s, few people had access to data and information, so that’s where companies created value (think of the travel agents, stock brokers, and the order-taking salespeople of yesteryear). Today, however, virtually everyone has access to data and information, so the value in providing it is gone. And in fact, the more you dispense data and information to people, the more you’re wasting their time…and they know it. But the more knowledge and wisdom you give them, the more time (and money) you will save them and they’ll want to spend more time with you.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
To truly understand how valuable knowledge and wisdom are, consider this scenario: Suppose a colleague is introducing you to someone who can help you solve a challenge you’re facing. Which of the following descriptions of the person hold the most merit to you and would make you feel comfortable talking with him or her:</div>
<ul style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; margin: 1em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 3em; vertical-align: baseline;">
<li style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“This person has access to a lot of data regarding your situation.”</li>
<li style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“This person has access to a lot of information about your situation.”</li>
<li style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“This person is very knowledgeable about your situation.”</li>
<li style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“This person has proven to be very wise in helping people with your situation.”</li>
</ul>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Obviously, the real value is in the knowledge and wisdom someone can offer. So the question then becomes: How do you make sure you’re delivering knowledge and wisdom rather than data and information? The following points will help you focus your conversation for the most value.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<ul style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; margin: 1em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 3em; vertical-align: baseline;">
<li style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Take a consultative approach during every customer/client encounter.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
When you’re talking with prospects, customers and clients, make sure you’re providing actionable knowledge and wisdom rather than simply giving them data and information. Ask yourself, “Am I providing something the person can easily find online, or I am giving the person consultative value and insight they can’t find anyplace else?” In fact, you may even want to keep track of how much data, information, knowledge, and wisdom you typically dispense so you have an idea of how much value you are providing.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Of course, this approach doesn’t mean you won’t dispense a little data and information. However, when you’re talking with someone, you want to make sure you’re not wasting anyone’s time, including your own. After all, why talk for 30 minutes about data and information when you can send a link to the same material? When you save time you create value, which ultimately leads to more business.</div>
<ul style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; margin: 1em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 3em; vertical-align: baseline;">
<li style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">De-commoditize yourself.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Since data and information are commodities, you need to de-commoditize yourself—even if you’re in an industry that’s viewed as a commodity. For example, travel agents still exist today. However, the ones who are successful have gone beyond dispensing data and information and have found a way to add consultative value to their clients. If you call a travel agent and the person simply gives you prices and schedules, there’s no value there, you could have found that online. However, if the travel agent you work with asks questions and learns that you are allergic to feather pillows, that you need extra legroom on flights, and that you prefer certain amenities and are willing to pay for them, now the agent is able to weed out your options and only suggest things that are important to you.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
In this example, the travel agent is saving you time. Sure, you could find this information on your own, but it would take a lot of searching and phone calls. So even though the agent is technically giving you information, he or she is framing it in a way that adds value. The agent is adding personal knowledge and wisdom to the information and tailoring it for your specific needs.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Unfortunately, too many professionals are stuck at the basic data and information level. Those who make the shift to dispensing knowledge and wisdom are of higher value in the marketplace—they bring in the most business and earn the most money. That’s the position you want to be in for long-term success.</div>
<ul style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; margin: 1em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 3em; vertical-align: baseline;">
<li style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Ask better questions to uncover the customer’s real need.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Many times a customer will call and ask, “Do you stock Product A, and if so how much is it?” The customer is pushing you into a data and information mindset. But if you answer the question directly, you’re giving little value. That’s when you need to take control of the conversation by saying something like: “To give you the best possible answer, tell me what you’re trying to accomplish. I may be able to save you some money and time.” At this point, the customer will tell you why they are interested in the product, and you can potentially offer a better solution.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Most people buy something and then find that what they bought is not exactly what they wanted or needed. Or, it is what they wanted or needed, but only for a short time because something else would have given them better long-term results. For example, an adult may decide to get back into bicycle riding so they can get in shape. The person walks into a bicycle store and asks, “What’s the cheapest bicycle you have?” Rather than show the customer the cheapest bicycle, a salesperson who delivers value would ask such questions as, “What’s your goal for biking? How long has it been since you last rode a bicycle? Do you plan to ride on flat surfaces, or on hills and mountains? What’s you skill level?” Now the salesperson can give the customer a consultative answer versus a data or information answer.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
The key is to begin a dialog with people. Sometimes the thing that’s the cheapest is the most expensive, because it’s the wrong thing and needs to be replaced quickly. However, when you prompt people to tell you what they really want, you can offer them a better long-term solution. Even more important, by asking questions, you’re beginning a relationship. You’re indirectly telling the other person, “I care about you.” In contrast, if you simply spurt out the data and information, you’re indirectly telling the person that they’re just another number to you. Questions always open the door to more business.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Value-Added Success</strong></div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
The future is all about relationships and adding value to people’s lives. Therefore, your goal is to create growing relationships that are thriving rather than shrinking relationships where you’re becoming less relevant or obsolete. Focusing on a consultative approach by sharing knowledge and wisdom is the key. Remember, data and information can be printed on a handout; knowledge and wisdom are based on experience and best delivered through dialog. The more you focus on the latter, the more satisfied your customers will be…and the more success you’ll attain.</div>
<div class="center" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">
*****</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">DANIEL BURRUS</strong> is considered one of the world’s leading technology forecasters and innovation experts, and is the founder and CEO of <a href="http://www.burrus.com/" style="border: 0px; color: #006699; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Burrus Research</a>, a research and consulting firm that monitors global advancements in technology driven trends to help clients understand how technological, social and business forces are converging to create enormous untapped opportunities. He is the author of six books including The New York Times best seller <a href="http://www.burrus.com/flash_foresight/flash-foresight-by-daniel-burrus/" style="border: 0px; color: #006699; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Flash Foresight</a>.</em></div>
</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001062801575008314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1025205051194476669.post-15787867142155008472013-10-19T15:24:00.005-07:002013-10-19T15:26:58.072-07:00Business Principles to Live By<div id="article-header" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 20px 20px 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;">
<h1 class="article-title" style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 26px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Hi my friends,</span></span></h1>
<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnphSn9Z3n9tKKqFitzRlDIWNpXUkBrqniFwOLdKnLSw7QWc-uUAbrhF1hliYExlxKxAf92_I3TvVElvzIj8dQxXfkDsLvVosT0M52uYUtWgrRehC0FnleLv9dMRVYWhC0Ua0ECt03TFo/s1600/business+principles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="107" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnphSn9Z3n9tKKqFitzRlDIWNpXUkBrqniFwOLdKnLSw7QWc-uUAbrhF1hliYExlxKxAf92_I3TvVElvzIj8dQxXfkDsLvVosT0M52uYUtWgrRehC0FnleLv9dMRVYWhC0Ua0ECt03TFo/s320/business+principles.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 21.33333396911621px;">In business it can be a positive path, with a clear goal, a sound action plan and reviews along the way -or it can be chaos like a pin ball machine moving from </span><span style="line-height: 21.328125px;">achievement</span><span style="line-height: 21.33333396911621px;"> and challenge along the way until something happens.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 21.33333396911621px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 21.33333396911621px;">However both can be positive to </span><span style="line-height: 21.328125px;">achieve</span><span style="line-height: 21.33333396911621px;"> your overall life </span><span style="line-height: 21.328125px;">achievement</span><span style="line-height: 21.33333396911621px;"> if you have underlying principles to live by.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 21.33333396911621px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 21.33333396911621px;">Below are 8 of those principles that can create a foundation for your business life, these are from Jeff Hayden.</span></span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 21.33333396911621px;">These are the foundations for a good business - same as you need the foundations for a good garden.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 21.33333396911621px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 21.33333396911621px;">I have had some great </span><span style="line-height: 21.328125px;">achievements</span><span style="line-height: 21.33333396911621px;"> and a few setbacks, but I have seen that I need more information and now finishing off a MBA - and loving it.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 21.33333396911621px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21.328125px;">If you want assistance in any of these, contact me - Tony Park at the businessgardener.com.au - I can assist you to make your business GREAT.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21.328125px;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21.328125px;">Tony Park</span></div>
<h1 class="article-title" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 24px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 26px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</h1>
<h1 class="article-title" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 24px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 26px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
8 Business Principles that Last a Lifetime</h1>
</div>
<div id="social-actions-header" style="border: 0px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 21.33333396911621px; margin: 10px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="article-date" style="background-image: none; border-right-color: rgb(230, 230, 230); border-right-style: solid; border-width: 0px 1px 0px 0px; color: #666666; display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px 20px 20px 0px; min-height: 16px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 20px 0px 0px; position: relative; top: 3px; vertical-align: middle; zoom: 1;">October 17, 2013</span><span id="li_ui_li_gen_1382220285355_0-logo" style="background-image: url(http://s.c.lnkd.licdn.com/scds/common/u/img/sprite/sprite_connect_v13.png) !important; background-position: 0px -276px !important; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat !important; border: 0px !important; cursor: pointer !important; display: inline !important; font-family: inherit; font-size: 1.3333333730697632px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; height: 20px !important; left: 0px !important; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px !important; outline: 0px; overflow: hidden !important; padding: 0px !important; position: absolute !important; text-indent: -9999em !important; top: 0px !important; vertical-align: baseline; width: 20px !important;">in</span><br />
<div id="social-sharebox" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div class="share-buttons" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div id="article-container" style="border: 0px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 21.33333396911621px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div id="article-body" style="border-top-color: rgb(230, 230, 230); border-top-style: solid; border-width: 1px 0px 0px; clear: both; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 10px 20px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<img alt="" class="left" height="369" src="http://m.c.lnkd.licdn.com/mpr/mpr/p/7/005/01c/068/0d1b8dc.jpg" style="border: 0px; float: left; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 1em 1em 0px; max-width: 606px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;" width="598" /></div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Some business tenets tend to come and go. A company I worked for started a number of "game-changing" transformational programs only to quickly airbrush them out of our corporate history like a disgraced Politburo member so we could start yet another "business-critical" program.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
We went from TQM to 5S to, shoot, I don't even remember. What I do know is that each was based on sound principles... but those principles tended to die with the program.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Fortunately I found some business principles I can follow forever. These are some of my favorites:</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">1. Focus on collecting <em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">knowledge</em>...</strong></div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Competing is a fact of professional life: with other businesses, other products, other people. (Business isn't a zero sum game, but it is a game we all try to win.)</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Smart people win.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Smarter people win even more often.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Continually striving to gain more experience, more experience, and more knowledge is the second-best way to succeed. The best way?</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">2. ...And focus more on collecting knowledgeable <em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">people</em>.</strong></div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
You can't know everything. But you can know enough smart people so together you know almost everything. And, together, you can <em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">do</em> almost anything.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Work hard on getting smarter. Work harder on getting smart people on your side.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
How?</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">3. Give before receiving.</strong></div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
The goal of networking is to connect with people who can provide a referral, help make a sale, share important information, serve as a mentor, etc. When we network, we want<em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">something</em>.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
But, especially at first, never ask for what you want. Forget about what you want and focus on what you can give. Giving is the only way to establish a real relationship and a lasting connection. Focus solely on what you can get out of the connection and you will never make meaningful, <em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">mutually beneficial </em>connections. (If it's not mutually beneficial it's not a connection; it's a relationship where someone is getting used.)</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Approach networking as if it's all about them and not about you, and you will soon build a network that feels the same way. Then you'll make more than just contacts.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
You'll make friends.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">4. Look past the messenger and focus on the message.</strong></div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
When people speak from a position of position of power or authority or fame, it's tempting to place greater emphasis on their input, advice, and ideas. Warren Buffett? Yep, gotta listen to him. Sheryl Sandberg? Yes. Richard Branson? Absolutely.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
That approach works to a point--but only to a point. Really smart people strip away all the framing that comes with the source--both positive and negative--and evaluate information, advice, and input idea based solely on its merits.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
When <a href="http://www.inc.com/magazine/201303/how-i-got-started/richard-branson.html" style="border: 0px; color: #006699; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Branson says</a>, "Screw it; just do it and get on with it," that's powerful. When the guy who delivers your lunch says it, shouldn't it be just as powerful?</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Never discount the message because you discount the messenger. Good advice is good advice--regardless of the source.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">5. Always work on <em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">next</em>.</strong></div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
It's impossible to predict what will work, much less how well it will work. Some products stick--for a while. Some services flourish--and then don't. Some ventures take off--and flame out. Some careers thrive--and then don't.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
You will always need a next: a new product, a new service, a new customer or connection, a new job or even career...</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
No matter how successful you are today, always have a next in your pipeline. If somehow your current career or business continues to thrive, great: You will still have created a bigger pipeline of potential positions or products or customers.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Always having a "next" is how successful people weather the storm when times are tough... and grow even more successful when business is booming.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">6. Eat as many of your words as you can.</strong></div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
When you look back, one of the best things to be is wrong because when you make a mistake you are given the chance to learn. (If you're always right you never really grow.)</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Don't worry. Every successful person has failed numerous times. Most have failed more than you--that's why they're so successful today.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Own every mistake, every miscue, and every failure. Say you made a mistake. Say you messed up. Say it to other people, but more importantly, look in the mirror and say it to yourself.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Then commit to making sure that next time you'll make things turn out differently.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">7. Always turn ideas into actions.</strong></div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
The word "idea" should be a verb, not a noun, because no idea is real until you turn that inspiration into action.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Ideas without action aren't ideas; they're regrets.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Every day we let hesitation and uncertainty stop us from acting on our ideas. Fear of the unknown and fear of failure are what stop me, and may be what stops you, too. Think about a few of the ideas you've had, whether for a new business, a new career, or even just a part-time job. Many of those ideas would have turned out well if you had given them your best effort.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Trust your analysis, your judgment, and your instincts. Trust them more than you currently do. And definitely trust your willingness to work through challenges and roadblocks.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Granted you won't get it right all of the time... but when you let an idea stay an idea, you almost always get it wrong.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">8. Check out squirrel nests.</strong></div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Yeah, we're hyper-focused. Yeah, we've got our head down and our blinders on. Yeah, we're 24/7, take no prisoners, failure is not an option gals and guys.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
But occasionally we all need to lighten up.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Take me. There are acres of woods behind our house. It's like squirrel paradise. They're always <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PpxQp3Hy5nk" style="border: 0px; color: #006699; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">leaping from tree to tree</a> and scampering across the deck.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
When the leaves fall their nests are visible high up in the trees. I've seen nests for years and wondered what they're made of (besides leaves) and how many squirrels share a nest. One day I stopped wondering and took a break to check it out.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Kinda dopey? Sure. But it was a fun five minutes that made me appreciate my squirrel friends a little more--and sent me back to work with a little extra oomph.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Success is a marathon, not a sprint. Explore. Take occasional breaks and indulge a curiosity. Once in a while, take the time to learn a little about whatever your "squirrel nests" might be.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
It's fun... and we can always use a little more of that.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">What principles of your own will you always follow?</strong></em></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<i>Jeff Hayden</i></div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">(photo courtesy flickr user <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/76029035@N02/6829417439/sizes/z/in/photolist-bpuxSx-bptVLv-antTbM-7n1W85-bpuDfk-bptU1r-cJecML-cJecyu-cJecEf-cJe84q-cJectA-cJg8k7-cJg85W-cJg7Xy-cJg7Qm-cJg8db-cCNWow-bzXi4j-GvfmA-8HXEU7-fh3k4T-fhhuUC-fh2HKK-fhh6f3-fh2SXv-fhhanA-fh3bbD-fhhwWQ-fh2RdF-fhhrUs-fhhpkm-fh3gcx-fh3284-fh32ri-fh3d38-fh3mWn-fh3eQv-fhhtsf-fh35Cz-fhhoKU-fhhqJy-fhhv9S-fh2KtZ-fhh87u-75RyP6-aabSsi-bpuXpD-apGgSp-cNKXGC-dzCwQ2-4BgLnk/" style="border: 0px; color: #006699; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Victor1558</a>)</em></div>
</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001062801575008314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1025205051194476669.post-33569962073723867492013-10-14T19:15:00.001-07:002013-10-14T19:19:26.681-07:00De-stress the office for success. <h3 class="Body-P-P2" style="background-color: white; filter: inherit; font-weight: 400; margin: 0px 0px 12px; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRtbDARBTU4TQwHFHZUCL4nLdKnKVvCfTPW5UFBILBDnvfBMjFwqG5KEtR1Ykp2cM_UOaAIcOx9q7Kpciu5JxowOduIzkD-NwXDRp3dfdvjhY3L_mCVeEGDCWsiaiQDCcxJZHrp_YcGzo/s1600/stress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRtbDARBTU4TQwHFHZUCL4nLdKnKVvCfTPW5UFBILBDnvfBMjFwqG5KEtR1Ykp2cM_UOaAIcOx9q7Kpciu5JxowOduIzkD-NwXDRp3dfdvjhY3L_mCVeEGDCWsiaiQDCcxJZHrp_YcGzo/s1600/stress.jpg" /></a><span class="Body-C-C11" style="filter: inherit; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.17em;">Times are a changing is a song by Bob Dylan and part of those changes has been the increase in stress in home and work environments.</span></h3>
<div>
<span class="Body-C-C11" style="filter: inherit; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.17em;">Below is some information to assist you in helping your team members to de-stress, then they will assist you to make your business grow.</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Body-C-C11" style="filter: inherit; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.17em;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Body-C-C11" style="filter: inherit; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.17em;">If you wish help in these processes, please contact me - Tony Park at Business Gardener - tony@businessgardener.com.au </span></div>
<div>
<span class="Body-C-C11" style="filter: inherit; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.17em;"><br /></span></div>
<h3 class="Body-P-P2" style="background-color: white; filter: inherit; font-weight: 400; margin: 0px 0px 12px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Body-C-C11" style="filter: inherit; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 1.17em;">De-Stress</span></h3>
<h3 class="Body-P-P2" style="background-color: white; filter: inherit; font-weight: 400; margin: 0px 0px 12px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Body-C-C11" style="filter: inherit; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.17em;">Are your employees excited to come to the office every day, or do they drag in late? Here at Wasp, we think building a strong (and motivated!) team is essential in small business. Avoid these six sins of office stress and make your work environment a place that employees want to be.</span></h3>
<h3 class="Body-P-P2" style="background-color: white; filter: inherit; font-weight: 400; margin: 0px 0px 12px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Body-C-C7" style="filter: inherit; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: 700; line-height: 1.17em;">1. Infrequent Feedback</span></h3>
<h3 class="Body-P-P2" style="background-color: white; filter: inherit; font-weight: 400; margin: 0px 0px 12px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Body-C-C11" style="filter: inherit; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.17em;">Employees worry about performance when they don’t receive feedback from mangers. Eliminate this office stress by scheduling regular evaluations. Be sure to discuss positive areas of each employee’s work and areas for improvement. Establish an “Employee of the Month” or other reward system to showcase star performers and give employees a goal to aspire to.</span></h3>
<h3 class="Body-P-P2" style="background-color: white; filter: inherit; font-weight: 400; margin: 0px 0px 12px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Body-C-C11" style="filter: inherit; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.17em;">Also, make sure your employees feel comfortable giving feedback to managers. While some employees may be at ease sharing problems or concerns in a face-<wbr style="filter: inherit;"></wbr>to-<wbr style="filter: inherit;"></wbr>face meeting, other employees may prefer to provide feedback using an anonymous survey or though a suggestion box. Regardless of how you approach it, be sure the process is simple and that suggestions are taken to heart.</span></h3>
<h3 class="Body-P-P2" style="background-color: white; filter: inherit; font-weight: 400; margin: 0px 0px 12px; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXZ8GZ5Tg4kqh3Xdh0joeB5U65-AbV-nmw1RlwZE7lI5bBGYRbkEun2UkD0pxzlI2u05PbpYdoSZPKZTM-WSf5489McFBMA-wmDhREgQq6CO3nyy3zmkhXvCIWTN06TnLsDtuxfRksGbk/s1600/stress2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXZ8GZ5Tg4kqh3Xdh0joeB5U65-AbV-nmw1RlwZE7lI5bBGYRbkEun2UkD0pxzlI2u05PbpYdoSZPKZTM-WSf5489McFBMA-wmDhREgQq6CO3nyy3zmkhXvCIWTN06TnLsDtuxfRksGbk/s1600/stress2.jpg" /></a><span class="Body-C-C7" style="filter: inherit; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: 700; line-height: 1.17em;">2. Mundane Office Hours</span></h3>
<h3 class="Body-P-P2" style="background-color: white; filter: inherit; font-weight: 400; margin: 0px 0px 12px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Body-C-C11" style="filter: inherit; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.17em;">Have you ever finished your work for the day at 3 p.m., but couldn’t leave until 6 p.m.? Or do you work best after 10 a.m.? Forget the traditional 9-<wbr style="filter: inherit;"></wbr>5 office hours. If it works for your small business, allow employees to decide the set hours they are in the office.</span></h3>
<h3 class="Body-P-P2" style="background-color: white; filter: inherit; font-weight: 400; margin: 0px 0px 12px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Body-C-C11" style="filter: inherit; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.17em;">Or, reward employees on Fridays by letting your team to come in to the office late or leave early. Switching up the norm will allow employees to relax for a few needed hours.</span></h3>
<h3 class="Body-P-P2" style="background-color: white; filter: inherit; font-weight: 400; margin: 0px 0px 12px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Body-C-C7" style="filter: inherit; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: 700; line-height: 1.17em;">3. Uncomfortable Work Space</span></h3>
<h3 class="Body-P-P2" style="background-color: white; filter: inherit; font-weight: 400; margin: 0px 0px 12px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Body-C-C11" style="filter: inherit; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.17em;">Simple things like glaring computer screens, limited sticky notes or painful desk chairs can cause stress. Allow employees to select desk furniture and keep a “grocery list” for needed office supplies. Don’t neglect unconventional options like standing desks or stability ball chairs as healthy alternatives to everyday office chairs. Around the Wasp office, you can spot employees perched on stability balls, and the sales team sports sound-<wbr style="filter: inherit;"></wbr>cancelling headsets to keep office noise out of calls. Check out these tips for more simple stress reducers.</span></h3>
<h3 class="Body-P-P2" style="background-color: white; filter: inherit; font-weight: 400; margin: 0px 0px 12px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Body-C-C7" style="filter: inherit; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: 700; line-height: 1.17em;">4. Cubicle Confinement</span></h3>
<h3 class="Body-P-P2" style="background-color: white; filter: inherit; font-weight: 400; margin: 0px 0px 12px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Body-C-C11" style="filter: inherit; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.17em;">Don’t trap your employees at their desks all day. Encouraging your team to interact on a personal level can foster better cohesion and a happier work environment. In addition to team lunches or friendly competitions (we’ve seen a few footraces in our warehouse on a Friday afternoon), consider adding a ping pong table or pool table to a corner of the office. Supply the area with waters and healthy snacks like fruit or nuts for a healthy, interactive work break.</span></h3>
<h3 class="Body-P-P2" style="background-color: white; filter: inherit; font-weight: 400; margin: 0px 0px 12px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Body-C-C11" style="filter: inherit; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.17em;">Team bonding shouldn’t end at clock-<wbr style="filter: inherit;"></wbr>out. Treat your team to happy hour appetizers, join an intramural league, or start a running group to train for a local 5K. After all, teams who play together, stay together.</span></h3>
<h3 class="Body-P-P2" style="background-color: white; filter: inherit; font-weight: 400; margin: 0px 0px 12px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Body-C-C7" style="filter: inherit; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: 700; line-height: 1.17em;">5. Unhealthy Habits</span></h3>
<h3 class="Body-P-P2" style="background-color: white; filter: inherit; font-weight: 400; margin: 0px 0px 12px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Body-C-C11" style="filter: inherit; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.17em;">Poor eating habits and lack of sleep and exercise create stress before your employees even enter the office. Help offset unhealthy habits by promoting health while at work. Instead of the all-<wbr style="filter: inherit;"></wbr>you-<wbr style="filter: inherit;"></wbr>can-<wbr style="filter: inherit;"></wbr>eat taco bar, cater deli sandwiches with fruits and vegetables for the company lunch. For casual Friday, let workers wear sweatpants and bring in a yoga instructor for a mid-<wbr style="filter: inherit;"></wbr>afternoon workout.</span></h3>
<h3 class="Body-P-P2" style="background-color: white; filter: inherit; font-weight: 400; margin: 0px 0px 12px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Body-C-C11" style="filter: inherit; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.17em;">If your small business is home to a vending machine, encourage your provider to stock healthier options, like baked chips and granola bars, instead of your standard vending machine fare.</span></h3>
<h3 class="Body-P-P2" style="background-color: white; filter: inherit; font-weight: 400; margin: 0px 0px 12px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Body-C-C7" style="filter: inherit; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: 700; line-height: 1.17em;">6. Missing Direction</span></h3>
<h3 class="Body-P-P2" style="background-color: white; filter: inherit; font-weight: 400; margin: 0px 0px 12px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Body-C-C11" style="filter: inherit; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.17em;">A major cause of stress for employees is not knowing where the company is going and their role plays in to the overall strategy. Involve your team in making long-<wbr style="filter: inherit;"></wbr>term and short-<wbr style="filter: inherit;"></wbr>term goals. Post long-<wbr style="filter: inherit;"></wbr>term goals around the office and give short-<wbr style="filter: inherit;"></wbr>term goals to each employee at their desk. When goals are accomplished, celebrate! Employees who know the goals of their company (and know specifically what they can do to help) are more committed team members.</span></h3>
<h3 class="Body-P-P2" style="background-color: white; filter: inherit; font-weight: 400; margin: 0px 0px 12px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Body-C-C11" style="filter: inherit; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.17em;">Keep your employees low on the stress meter and watch the returns in your company’s productivity.</span></h3>
<div>
<span class="Body-C-C11" style="filter: inherit; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.17em;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Body-C-C11" style="filter: inherit; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.17em;">Contact <b>Tony Park</b> at Business Gardener -<i> tony@businessgardener.com.au </i></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001062801575008314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1025205051194476669.post-11247961305179789182013-10-14T02:46:00.001-07:002013-10-20T18:35:36.048-07:00Outdated business models damaging business.Hi all,<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWKpjqI5O8dNOPYc-kbh9-P2G7kf3gq_cNy91qgVoWugdKNkuoBMC4Y5LmMgKx3NZzrKetSIIhy4kkjzslOgw97oqXzc7l3gAZWLuP852a72lmFu10G-1kOX6nXVjt6rBvNNCWbgUVcsw/s1600/business+generation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWKpjqI5O8dNOPYc-kbh9-P2G7kf3gq_cNy91qgVoWugdKNkuoBMC4Y5LmMgKx3NZzrKetSIIhy4kkjzslOgw97oqXzc7l3gAZWLuP852a72lmFu10G-1kOX6nXVjt6rBvNNCWbgUVcsw/s1600/business+generation.jpg" /></a>Things have changed since the GFC and brings to mind that business needs to be about change, to stay a step ahead - to ensure long term business survival.<br />
Jobs have changed over the years, the needs and wants of potential customers have changed and businesses also need to change to suit these changes.<br />
<br />
Below is an article from Stephanie Zillman on why you should review your business model.<br />
<br />
If you want help in that review, contact me, Tony Park Head Gardener at Business Gardener - tony@businessgardener.com.au.<br />
See what programs we have at www.businessgrdener.com.au<br />
<div id="main" style="background-color: white; border-right-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-right-style: solid; border-width: 0px 1px 0px 0px; color: #444444; float: left; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.59375px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 20px 0px 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline; width: 600px;">
<br />
<section id="single" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><article class="post" style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; clear: both; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.2em; margin: 0px 0px 5px; outline: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="post-text" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; display: inline-block; float: right; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 30px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 600px;">
<div class="post-meta" style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom-color: rgb(85, 85, 85); border-bottom-style: solid; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; color: #888888; font-size: 0.8em; line-height: 1.2em; margin: 0px 0px 10px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px; position: relative; text-transform: uppercase; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div class="article-date" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; display: inline-block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="post-meta" style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom-color: rgb(85, 85, 85); border-bottom-style: solid; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; color: #888888; font-size: 0.8em; line-height: 1.2em; margin: 0px 0px 10px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px; position: relative; text-transform: uppercase; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div class="article-date" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; display: inline-block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="post-meta" style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom-color: rgb(85, 85, 85); border-bottom-style: solid; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; color: #888888; font-size: 0.8em; line-height: 1.2em; margin: 0px 0px 10px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px; position: relative; text-transform: uppercase; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div class="article-date" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; display: inline-block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="article-meta-title" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #00abff; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.dynamicbusiness.com.au/author/stephanie-zillman" rel="author" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgb(0, 171, 255); background-color: transparent; color: #00abff; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="Posts by Stephanie Zillman">STEPHANIE ZILLMAN</a></span> | OCTOBER 14, 2013</div>
<div class="article-comments-count" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; display: inline-block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; right: 0px; top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<a href="http://www.dynamicbusiness.com.au/news/outdated-business-models-damaging-business14102013.html#respond" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgb(0, 171, 255); background-color: transparent; color: #888888; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="article-meta-title" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #00abff; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">COMMENTS |</span> NONE</a></div>
</div>
<h2 style="background-color: transparent; border: none; font-family: Palatino, Garamond, sans-serif; font-size: 31px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1em; margin: 0px 0px 10px; outline: 0px; padding: 5px 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Outdated operating models damaging business</h2>
<img alt="Stagnant" class="featured_img wp-post-image" height="350" src="http://www.dynamicbusiness.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Stagnant.jpg" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="Stagnant" width="600" /><br />
<div style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="st_fblike_hcount" displaytext="Facebook Like" st_processed="yes" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: black; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; font-size: 11px; line-height: 0px; margin: 3px 3px 0px; outline: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: bottom;"></span></span><br />
<div class="fb-like fb_edge_widget_with_comment fb_iframe_widget" data-action="" data-href="http://www.dynamicbusiness.com.au/news/outdated-business-models-damaging-business14102013.html" data-layout="button_count" data-send="false" data-show-faces="false" fb-xfbml-state="rendered" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; display: inline-block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="st_fblike_hcount" displaytext="Facebook Like" st_processed="yes" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: black; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; font-size: 11px; line-height: 0px; margin: 3px 3px 0px; outline: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: bottom;"><span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; display: inline-block; height: 20px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; width: 72px;"><iframe class="fb_ltr" id="f2ed9abe94" name="f3dc296a5" scrolling="no" src="http://www.facebook.com/plugins/like.php?api_key=&channel_url=http%3A%2F%2Fstatic.ak.facebook.com%2Fconnect%2Fxd_arbiter.php%3Fversion%3D27%23cb%3Df238521a6%26domain%3Dwww.dynamicbusiness.com.au%26origin%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.dynamicbusiness.com.au%252Ff218eff02%26relation%3Dparent.parent&colorscheme=light&extended_social_context=false&href=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dynamicbusiness.com.au%2Fnews%2Foutdated-business-models-damaging-business14102013.html&layout=button_count&locale=en_US&node_type=link&sdk=joey&send=false&show_faces=false&width=90" style="background-color: transparent; border-style: none; height: 20px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; vertical-align: baseline; width: 72px;" title="Like this content on Facebook."></iframe></span></span></span></div>
<span class="st_fblike_hcount" displaytext="Facebook Like" st_processed="yes" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: black; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; font-size: 11px; line-height: 0px; margin: 3px 3px 0px; outline: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: bottom;">
</span></span> <span class="st_twitter_hcount" displaytext="Tweet" st_processed="yes" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="stButton" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: black; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px 3px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline; z-index: 1;"><span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="stMainServices st-twitter-counter" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(http://w.sharethis.com/images/twitter_counter.png); background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border: 0px; display: inline-block; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; height: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 3px 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: nowrap; width: 60px;"> </span><span class="stArrow" style="background-image: url(http://w.sharethis.com/share4x/images/Twitter_bubble_arrow.png); background-position: 3px 8px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border: 0px; display: inline-block; height: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 0px -1px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 3px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="stButton_gradient stHBubble" style="border-bottom-left-radius: 4px; border-bottom-right-radius: 4px; border-top-left-radius: 4px; border-top-right-radius: 4px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 227, 243); display: inline-block; filter: none; font-family: serif; height: 16px; margin: 0px 3px; outline: 0px; padding: 2px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline; z-index: -1;"><span class="stBubble_hcount" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; height: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 2px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: nowrap;">2</span></span></span></span></span></span> <span class="st_googleplus_hcount" displaytext="Google +" st_processed="yes" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="stButton" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: black; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px 3px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline; z-index: 1;"><span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="stButton_gradient" style="background-image: -webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, from(rgb(213, 213, 213)), color-stop(0.48, rgb(239, 239, 239)), color-stop(0.94, rgb(255, 255, 255))); border-bottom-left-radius: 4px; border-bottom-right-radius: 4px; border-top-left-radius: 4px; border-top-right-radius: 4px; border: 1px solid rgb(191, 191, 191); display: inline-block; font-family: serif; height: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 2px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="chicklets googleplus" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(http://w.sharethis.com/images/googleplus_16.png); background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border: 0px; display: inline-block; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; height: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 3px 0px 20px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: nowrap;">Google +</span></span><span class="stArrow" style="background-image: url(http://w.sharethis.com/share4x/images/bubble_arrow.png); background-position: 3px 8px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border: 0px; display: inline-block; height: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 0px -1px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 3px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="stButton_gradient stHBubble" style="background-image: -webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, from(rgb(213, 213, 213)), color-stop(0.48, rgb(239, 239, 239)), color-stop(0.94, rgb(255, 255, 255))); border-bottom-left-radius: 4px; border-bottom-right-radius: 4px; border-top-left-radius: 4px; border-top-right-radius: 4px; border: 1px solid rgb(191, 191, 191); display: inline-block; font-family: serif; height: 16px; margin: 0px 3px; outline: 0px; padding: 2px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline; z-index: -1;"><span class="stBubble_hcount" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; height: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 2px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: nowrap;">0</span></span></span></span></span></span> <span class="st_linkedin_hcount" displaytext="LinkedIn" st_processed="yes" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="stButton" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: black; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px 3px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline; z-index: 1;"><span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="stMainServices st-linkedin-counter" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(http://w.sharethis.com/images/linkedin_counter.png); background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border: 0px; display: inline-block; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; height: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 3px 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: nowrap; width: 60px;"> </span><span class="stArrow" style="background-image: url(http://w.sharethis.com/share4x/images/bubble_arrow.png); background-position: 3px 8px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border: 0px; display: inline-block; height: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 0px -1px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 3px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="stButton_gradient stHBubble" style="background-image: -webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, from(rgb(213, 213, 213)), color-stop(0.48, rgb(239, 239, 239)), color-stop(0.94, rgb(255, 255, 255))); border-bottom-left-radius: 4px; border-bottom-right-radius: 4px; border-top-left-radius: 4px; border-top-right-radius: 4px; border: 1px solid rgb(191, 191, 191); display: inline-block; font-family: serif; height: 16px; margin: 0px 3px; outline: 0px; padding: 2px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline; z-index: -1;"><span class="stBubble_hcount" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; height: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 2px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: nowrap;">0</span></span></span></span></span></span> <span class="st_email_hcount" displaytext="Email" st_processed="yes" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="stButton" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: black; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px 3px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline; z-index: 1;"><span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="stMainServices st-email-counter" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(http://w.sharethis.com/images/email_counter.png); background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border: 0px; display: inline-block; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; height: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 3px 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: nowrap; width: 60px;"> </span><span class="stArrow" style="background-image: url(http://w.sharethis.com/share4x/images/bubble_arrow.png); background-position: 3px 8px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border: 0px; display: inline-block; height: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 0px -1px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 3px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="stButton_gradient stHBubble" style="background-image: -webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, from(rgb(213, 213, 213)), color-stop(0.48, rgb(239, 239, 239)), color-stop(0.94, rgb(255, 255, 255))); border-bottom-left-radius: 4px; border-bottom-right-radius: 4px; border-top-left-radius: 4px; border-top-right-radius: 4px; border: 1px solid rgb(191, 191, 191); display: inline-block; font-family: serif; height: 16px; margin: 0px 3px; outline: 0px; padding: 2px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline; z-index: -1;"><span class="stBubble_hcount" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; height: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 2px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: nowrap;">0</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="article-content" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.2em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Call it laziness, call it a sheer shortage of time – or perhaps a combination of both – but many Australian business owners haven’t updated their business model since the GFC.</strong></div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.2em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
The problem is, a stagnant business model ensures potential <a href="http://www.dynamicbusiness.com.au/finance-cash-flow/10-point-checklist-for-ensuring-growth-this-financial-year-18072012.html" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgb(0, 171, 255); background-color: transparent; color: #00abff; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">growth</a> is kept at a standstill.</div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.2em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Tony Kabrovski, Business Advisory partner of HLB Mann Judd Sydney said he sees many businesses with a completely <a href="http://www.dynamicbusiness.com.au/entrepreneur-profile/dick-smith-speaks-against-aldi-costcos-capitalist-business-models-14052012.html" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgb(0, 171, 255); background-color: transparent; color: #00abff; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">outdated model.</a></div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.2em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
“Business and consumer sentiment is now markedly different [since the GFC], and proprietors need to address this if they are to take their business to the next level,” Kabrovski said.</div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.2em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
“For example, the pricing model in Australian businesses has changed significantly over the past few years and many businesses in the service industry have gone down an hourly rate model. We encourage our business <a href="http://www.dynamicbusiness.com.au/small-business-resources/managing/how-to-define-and-avoid-client-objections-22022012.html" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgb(0, 171, 255); background-color: transparent; color: #00abff; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">clients</a> to move away from that approach and adopt an ‘option based’ <a href="http://www.dynamicbusiness.com.au/finance-cash-flow/what-impact-does-carbon-pricing-have-on-the-sme-060912.html" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgb(0, 171, 255); background-color: transparent; color: #00abff; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">pricing</a> system instead.”</div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.2em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
In the case of a cleaning contractor for an aged care facility, this involved moving the business to an option based pricing structure, rather than simply providing cleaning services for a set number of hours.</div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.2em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
“The services were broken down into a Bronze, Silver and Gold cleaning packages, with each package representing a particular level of included cleaning tasks. By moving away from an hourly rate based service, the business was able to operate more efficiently and within the time frame that suited it.”</div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.2em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Using an airline analogy, Kabrovski pointed out there is no point providing first class service to clients who are paying an economy class price. “Process effectiveness, and breaking a job up into individual components, is an area where efficiencies can often be introduced,” he said.</div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.2em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
“When a business is running <a href="http://www.dynamicbusiness.com.au/finance-cash-flow/get-your-head-into-the-profitability-game-expert-advice-26042012.html" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgb(0, 171, 255); background-color: transparent; color: #00abff; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">profitably</a>, the proprietors don’t always analyse what is leading to the businesses current success and whether it is sustainable. But those businesses that allow their model to stagnate are risking their future success,” Kabrovski said.</div>
</div>
</div>
</article></section></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001062801575008314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1025205051194476669.post-81381657438593155052013-10-10T19:51:00.001-07:002013-10-10T19:55:40.188-07:005 ways to find a potential leader<div id="articlecontent">
<h1 id="headline" style="font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: -0.03em; line-height: 1em; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 18px; width: 622px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgj13qjwwA3a3MueTkF8QsVJkMNBHa5zoVaJk2-p623qKKZF17kOXbxx6F1dc42z67sBluYHCdCiZBVC4sAnI1npdRZ4HJKWmGmVOOWhe7-Chogvifmfhz0VFOXewY9duWBokwevWb1Aw/s1600/forn984h.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgj13qjwwA3a3MueTkF8QsVJkMNBHa5zoVaJk2-p623qKKZF17kOXbxx6F1dc42z67sBluYHCdCiZBVC4sAnI1npdRZ4HJKWmGmVOOWhe7-Chogvifmfhz0VFOXewY9duWBokwevWb1Aw/s320/forn984h.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">One of the greatest challenges we have in the world, is to have great leaders in politics, business and general community. This problem was outlined in the Karpan Report on the early 90's and many OECD reports and is a reflection on the changes to the way we react with each other. We need programs and a focus to develop these people to lead organisations and communities in the future, below is a paper by Les McKeown on ways to spot current leaders - but we do need programs to develop people into leaders.</span></h1>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Contact me - Tony Park if you want to be involved in dynamic leadership program to gain the skills to lead the organisation or community that you are involved.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">tony@businessgardener.com.au.</span></div>
<h1 id="headline" style="font-family: KlavikaBlack; font-size: 35pt; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: -0.03em; line-height: 1em; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 18px; width: 622px;">
</h1>
<h1 id="headline" style="font-family: KlavikaBlack; font-size: 35pt; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: -0.03em; line-height: 1em; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 18px; width: 622px;">
5 Ways to Spot a Potential Leader <span class="byline" style="font-family: KlavikaMedium, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: -0.3px; line-height: 20px; padding-left: 5px; text-transform: uppercase; white-space: nowrap;">BY <a href="http://www.inc.com/author/les-mckeown" rel="author" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;">LES MCKEOWN</a></span></h1>
<div id="sponsorlogo" style="float: right !important; font-family: KlavikaRegular, Helvetica, Arial, san-serif; margin-left: 10px; margin-top: 5px; text-align: right; z-index: 99;">
</div>
<div id="deck" style="font-family: KlavikaExtraLight; font-size: 17pt; letter-spacing: -0.03em; line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 2px; margin-top: 4px;">
Not everyone has what it takes. Next time you're sitting in a meeting, look for these five obvious signs of a great leader.</div>
<div class="sharrre" id="article-share" style="font-family: KlavikaRegular; font-size: 9pt; height: 22px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-top: 15px; text-transform: uppercase;">
<div class="box" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;">
<img alt="Meeting Executives" src="http://www.inc.com/uploaded_files/image/062712_Meet_The_Executives_575x270-panoramic_18133.jpg" style="border: 0px; font-family: KlavikaRegular, Helvetica, Arial, san-serif; text-align: center; width: 630px;" /></div>
</div>
<div class="imagecaption" id="pancaption" style="color: #666666; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13px; margin-bottom: 3px; margin-top: 3px;">
</div>
<div id="toppromo" style="font-family: KlavikaRegular, Helvetica, Arial, san-serif;">
</div>
<div style="font-family: KlavikaRegular, Helvetica, Arial, san-serif;">
<bodycopy id="bodycopy"></bodycopy></div>
<div style="font-family: Vollkorn, 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: -0.01em; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0.9em;">
As a leader, one of your key roles is to identify and develop potential future leaders.</div>
<div style="font-family: Vollkorn, 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: -0.01em; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0.9em;">
For me, the most telling environment in which to assess leadership potential is that old stand-by, the management meeting. Precisely because it is often routine, prosaic, even boring, the contrast between those who have leadership potential (and those who don't) is often stark.</div>
<div style="font-family: Vollkorn, 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: -0.01em; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0.9em;">
Here are some of the most obvious contrasts:</div>
<div style="font-family: Vollkorn, 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: -0.01em; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0.9em;">
<span style="font-family: KlavikaBlack; font-size: 18px; letter-spacing: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px;">1. Engagement (Screens vs. People)</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Vollkorn, 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: -0.01em; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0.9em;">
Managers look at screens; <em>leaders</em> engage with people. If you want to be taken seriously as a leader, put the screens away when you're in a meeting. Look at the people in the room, not at your laptop. Talk to them. Focus on them, not at your handheld or your smartphone.</div>
<div style="font-family: Vollkorn, 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: -0.01em; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0.9em;">
Conversely, if you want to be thought of as a manager rather than a leader, fire up your laptop and start pecking at it during every meeting you attend. Or grab your phone every seven minutes and stare intently at it. Make clear that the day-to-day tactical detail of your job is way more important to you than the strategic issues everyone else is there to discuss.</div>
<div style="font-family: Vollkorn, 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: -0.01em; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0.9em;">
<span style="font-family: KlavikaBlack; font-size: 18px; letter-spacing: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px;">2. Failure</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Vollkorn, 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: -0.01em; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0.9em;">
Yes, it went wrong. Yes, it was Jane's fault. Leaders don't whine--they let it go.</div>
<div style="font-family: Vollkorn, 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: -0.01em; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0.9em;">
<span style="font-family: KlavikaBlack; font-size: 18px; letter-spacing: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px;">3. Affectation</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Vollkorn, 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: -0.01em; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0.9em;">
<em>"Check me out.</em>" is fine; <em>"LOOK AT ME!!!"</em> is not.</div>
<div style="font-family: Vollkorn, 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: -0.01em; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0.9em;">
If you choose to call attention to yourself by the use over-studied body language, convoluted verbal gymnastics or outrageous clothing, don't be surprised to find you're consistently overlooked for leadership positions. Those already in leadership positions know that if you're that insecure, leadership will chew you up and spit you out.</div>
<div style="font-family: Vollkorn, 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: -0.01em; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0.9em;">
<span style="font-family: KlavikaBlack; font-size: 18px; letter-spacing: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px;">4. Composure</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Vollkorn, 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: -0.01em; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0.9em;">
It's only 11 minutes into this meeting and you're jiggling your leg under the table like you need a fix of something, and you want me to trust you in a leadership position? I don't think so.</div>
<div style="font-family: Vollkorn, 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: -0.01em; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0.9em;">
If you're gnawing at your nails like armageddon is approaching, chomping through every candy at the table like it's your last, or tearing the label off your water bottle like you're disarming an explosive device then I'm not 100% sure I want to hand you the delicate controls of my business.</div>
<div style="font-family: Vollkorn, 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: -0.01em; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0.9em;">
True leaders are too intensely focussed to get agitated, too engaged to be nervous, and too invested to be bored.</div>
<div style="font-family: Vollkorn, 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: -0.01em; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0.9em;">
<span style="font-family: KlavikaBlack; font-size: 18px; letter-spacing: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px;">5. Focus</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Vollkorn, 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: -0.01em; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0.9em;">
Most people can start an all-day meeting engaged and alert. The indication that you might be leadership material is the degree to which you're engaged and alert at 3:37 in the afternoon, when the carb load of lunchtime and the dreaded perusal of a multi-tabbed spreadsheet combine to narcoleptic effect.</div>
<div style="font-family: Vollkorn, 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: -0.01em; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0.9em;">
Assuming the subject is important, how focussed and creative are you when things get squirelly at the end of the day?</div>
<div style="font-family: Vollkorn, 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: -0.01em; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0.9em;">
<em>Download a <a href="http://bit.ly/12HOBc0" style="color: #003399; text-decoration: none;">free chapter from the author's book</a>, "The Synergist: How to Lead Your Team to Predictable Success" which provides a comprehensive model for developing yourself or others as an exceptional, world class leader.</em></div>
<div style="font-family: KlavikaRegular, Helvetica, Arial, san-serif;">
</div>
<div id="middlepromo" style="font-family: KlavikaRegular, Helvetica, Arial, san-serif;">
</div>
<div id="bottom-of-article" style="font-family: KlavikaRegular, Helvetica, Arial, san-serif; font-size: 8pt; margin-bottom: 50px; margin-top: 10px; text-transform: uppercase; width: 628px;">
<div class="photo-credit" style="color: #999999; float: left; font-size: 8pt; width: 400px;">
IMAGE: FLICKR/STEPHEN BRASHEAR</div>
</div>
</div>
<br clear="all" style="font-family: KlavikaRegular, Helvetica, Arial, san-serif;" />
<div class="sharrre" id="article-share-footer" style="font-family: KlavikaRegular, Helvetica, Arial, san-serif;">
<div class="buttons" style="background-color: white; float: left; height: 22px; margin-left: -10px; margin-top: -1px; width: 400px;">
<div class="button linkedin" style="float: left; height: 50px; margin-left: 10px; max-width: 100px;">
<span class="IN-widget" style="display: inline-block; line-height: 1; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="display: inline-block !important; font-size: 1px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; vertical-align: baseline !important;"><span id="li_ui_li_gen_1379544686294_0" style="display: block !important; overflow: visible !important; position: relative !important;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1025205051194476669" id="li_ui_li_gen_1379544686294_0-link" style="border: 0px !important; color: #003399; display: inline-block !important; height: 20px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;"></a></span></span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001062801575008314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1025205051194476669.post-20397103040164143222013-10-10T03:22:00.000-07:002013-10-10T03:22:34.922-07:00Value of winning an Award.<h1 class="head" style="border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: ff-dagny-web-pro, Helvetica, Arial, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin: 12px 0px 16px; padding: 0px 10px 0px 0px;">
<span class="maintitle" style="border: 0px; display: block; line-height: 32px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">I have won a few awards in my time in Tourism in Tasmania, National and even International awards - Most Outstanding National President of the World for Junior Chamber International, all assisted me to develop brand values for me personally and my business.</span></span></span><span class="maintitle" style="border: 0px; display: block; line-height: 32px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Below is some information that may assist you to see the value of winning an award.</span></span></span><span class="maintitle" style="border: 0px; display: block; line-height: 32px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></span><span class="maintitle" style="border: 0px; display: block; line-height: 32px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">For assistance in your award submission, contact me at tony@businessgardener.com.au </span></span></span><span class="maintitle" style="border: 0px; display: block; line-height: 32px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Tony Park.</span></span></span><span class="maintitle" style="border: 0px; display: block; line-height: 32px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></span><span class="maintitle" style="border: 0px; display: block; font-size: 30px; line-height: 32px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span><span class="maintitle" style="border: 0px; display: block; font-size: 30px; line-height: 32px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">What is the ROI of winning an award?</span></h1>
<div class="excerpt" style="border: 0px; color: #292929; font-family: Georgia, Palatino, 'Palatino Linotype', FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 20px; line-height: 26px; margin-bottom: 19px; margin-top: 2px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px;">
Some people ask why we charge for awards. Surprise! It takes money to put on a contest. So here are some examples and lessons learned of why you should depart with your hard earned cash.</div>
<div class="image_teaser" style="border: 0px; color: #292929; font-family: Georgia, Palatino, 'Palatino Linotype', FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 19px; padding: 0px;">
<img alt="Roi-of-winning-an-award-by-emiliokuffer-via-flickr-300x168" src="https://exploreb2b.com/system/images/12973/medium/roi-of-winning-an-award-by-emiliokuffer-via-flickr-300x168.jpg?1366289465" style="border: 0px; color: transparent; font-size: 0px; margin: 0px; max-height: 400px; max-width: 529px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;" /></div>
<div class="article_content" style="border: 0px; color: #292929; font-family: Georgia, Palatino, 'Palatino Linotype', FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 19px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 10px 0px 0px;">
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 19px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Imprima, Verdada, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 21px; line-height: 1.2em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The ROI of Winning an Award Can Be Hard to Measure…For Some.</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #555555; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.390625px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
We often get asked about the value of winning a business award and it is hard to quantify for many people but an article was just published in Belinda Smart in the My Small Business section of <a href="http://www.theage.com.au/small-business/awards-give-small-business-credibility-20130320-2gfsd.html" style="border: 0px; color: #2039f5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank" title="The Age - ROI of Winning and Award">The Age</a> that seeks to measure the ROI of winning an award.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #555555; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.390625px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
The article and the quotes from award winners focus on a few main themes that resonate with the anecdotal feedback we have gotten from <a href="http://bigawards.org/award-programs/2012-big-awards-for-business/" style="border: 0px; color: #2039f5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank" title="2012 Big Awards for Business Winners">previous winners</a>.</div>
<h3 style="border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Imprima, Verdada, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 21px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.2em; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; text-shadow: rgb(255, 255, 255) 0px 1px 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Looking Deep and Standing Up</h3>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #555555; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.390625px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<img alt="photo of roi-of-winning-an-award-by-emiliokuffer-via-flickr" class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-696" height="150" src="http://bigawards.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/roi-of-winning-an-award-by-emiliokuffer-via-flickr-150x150.jpg" style="border: 0px; color: transparent; display: inline; float: left; font-size: 0px; line-height: 0em; margin: 4px 24px 12px 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="150" />Companies often focus on the external focus that results in winning awards, yet much of the ROI of winning awards has to do with the fact that for the first time in a long time, writing a nomination forces you to review your current progress toward goals and document what is working and what is not. This simple act can give you tremendous insight on your company so that you can better manage it in the future.</div>
<blockquote style="border: 0px; color: #555555; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; line-height: 22.390625px; margin: 25px 0px; padding: 0px 30px; quotes: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div style="border: 0px; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
“Even without winning, you look at your business, or a certain aspect of your business, in a way you hadn’t before. This regularly leads to new ideas and new approaches, which can result in market innovation and leadership.” Vuki Vujasinovic,<a href="http://www.clickpr.com.au/" style="border: 0px; color: #2039f5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank" title="Click PR">Click PR</a></div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
“I probably spent around 20 hours on the 2012 application and it really allowed me to reflect on the business.” Carolyn Creswell, founder,<a href="http://www.carmanskitchen.com.au/about-us/founder" style="border: 0px; color: #2039f5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank" title="Carman Foods">Carman Foods</a></div>
</blockquote>
<h3 style="border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Imprima, Verdada, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 21px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.2em; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; text-shadow: rgb(255, 255, 255) 0px 1px 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Word of Mouth Works</h3>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #555555; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.390625px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<img alt="photo of roi-word-of-mouth-by-newsbiew_pix-via-Flickr" class="alignleft size-full wp-image-697" height="150" src="http://bigawards.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/roi-word-of-mouth-by-newsbiew_pix-via-Flickr.jpg" style="border: 0px; color: transparent; display: inline; float: left; font-size: 0px; height: auto; line-height: 0em; margin: 4px 24px 12px 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="150" />Marketing experts agree that word of mouth advertising is the best because your customers are telling others about the positive experiences with your business. So when we seek the ROI of winning awards we have to look at how our customers will now talk about us.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #555555; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.390625px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
No one likes to buy from a loser, so winning awards allows your customers to have positive facts about your product or brand in their pre- and post-sale conversations. Imagine your customer talking, “They are great, in fact I think they just won a big award.”</div>
<blockquote style="border: 0px; color: #555555; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; line-height: 22.390625px; margin: 25px 0px; padding: 0px 30px; quotes: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div style="border: 0px; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“Our business is well established with a good level of word of mouth referrals, but the quality of people finding their way to us has increased.” </span>Michelle Tate-Lovery, managing director, <a href="http://www.unifiedfs.com.au/" style="border: 0px; color: #2039f5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank" title="UFS defines the ROI of winning an award">Unified Financial Services</a></div>
</blockquote>
<h3 style="border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Imprima, Verdada, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 21px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.2em; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; text-shadow: rgb(255, 255, 255) 0px 1px 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Immediate Credibility and Differentiation</h3>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #555555; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.390625px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<a href="http://bigawards.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/trust-roi-of-winning-an-award-by-mikebaird-via-flickr.jpg" style="border: 0px; color: #2039f5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="photo of trust-roi-of-winning-an-award-by-mikebaird-via-flickr" class="alignleft size-full wp-image-698" height="150" src="http://bigawards.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/trust-roi-of-winning-an-award-by-mikebaird-via-flickr.jpg" style="border: none; color: transparent; display: inline; float: left; font-size: 0px; height: auto; line-height: 0em; margin: 4px 24px 12px 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="150" /></a>When buyers are seeking products and services one of the major factors considered in the buying process is the credibility of your company. Regardless of the size or age of your organizations, everyone needs to be more credible. Imagine buying thousands of dollars of widgets from a company that has no experience, no online presence and no known leadership. You can’t, right?</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #555555; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.390625px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
The ROI of winning an award has to include a major dose of credibility. Customers have a checklist of factors that have to be met in order to move forward. They have to know that you won’t let them down and that your product or company is different that <em style="border: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">the other guys</em>….otherwise why not buy from them?</div>
<blockquote style="border: 0px; color: #555555; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; line-height: 22.390625px; margin: 25px 0px; padding: 0px 30px; quotes: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div style="border: 0px; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
“In our industry, where the consumer is unsure about what the financial planning process can do for them and where to go, we’re finding being a multiple award-winning firm fosters trust and credibility straight away.” Michelle Tate-Lovery, managing director, <a href="http://www.unifiedfs.com.au/award-winning-financial-planni/" style="border: 0px; color: #2039f5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank" title="UFS Awards">Unified Financial Services</a></div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“It works extremely well when we use it as a differentiator when pitching to customers. It helps us to create creditability about our innovation skills.” </span>James Eling, managing director, Extreme Networks</div>
</blockquote>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #555555; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.390625px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
These are just a few reasons nominating your organization, products and people makes sense. <a href="http://bigawards.org/contact-us/" style="border: 0px; color: #2039f5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="Contact Us">Tell us</a> if you think of a few more!</div>
<address style="border: 0px; color: #555555; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 0.9em; font-style: normal; line-height: 1.2em; margin: 0px 0px 2em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Images courtesy of emiliokuffer, newsbiew pix and mikebaird via Flickr. </address>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001062801575008314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1025205051194476669.post-82289604744247716132013-09-30T17:40:00.000-07:002013-09-30T17:48:11.229-07:00Habits of Happy People<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_L7Sz9hS-CXjcOJu-E_Eq8IHJ6Y_yCLFTAY5WEVIbWbKeK9qLm0rUOx0j5gG_mPZG6Cvfrw29ZNNg-n1ECHRa6fF6k2CW12kvdHInEk0h2qTi2TxR-k4mmxHLwlR7tWpBr8ny9fxc9SE/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_L7Sz9hS-CXjcOJu-E_Eq8IHJ6Y_yCLFTAY5WEVIbWbKeK9qLm0rUOx0j5gG_mPZG6Cvfrw29ZNNg-n1ECHRa6fF6k2CW12kvdHInEk0h2qTi2TxR-k4mmxHLwlR7tWpBr8ny9fxc9SE/s1600/images.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What is your level of happiness </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h1 class="title-news" style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #111111; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 36px;"><span style="background-color: white;">I thought that this was an important set of relevant information for us all in these hectic times, I have found over the few months what you need to start to be </span><span style="background-color: lime;">Happy</span><span style="background-color: white;"> - and you need to understand what happy means to you, then start the </span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111;"><span style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 36px;">journey</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 36px;"> to </span></span><span style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 36px;">achieve</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 36px;"> it.</span></span></span></span></h1>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><b>Tony Park</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Business Gardener.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">www.businessgardener.com.au</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></div>
<h1 class="title-news" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #111111; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 32px; line-height: 36px; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;">
The Habits Of Supremely Happy People</h1>
<div class="comments_datetime_new border_none relative v05" data-beacon="{"p":{"mnid":"entryByline"}}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom-color: rgb(219, 219, 219); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 9px; padding: 0px 0px 8px; position: relative;">
<a class="print-link absolute" data-beacon="{"p":{"lnid":"print"}}" href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/16/happiness-habits-of-exuberant-human-beings_n_3909772.html?view=print&comm_ref=false" rel="nofollow" style="background-image: url(http://s.huffpost.com/images/v/authors_follow_icons.png); background-position: -80px 0px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border: 0px; color: #6aa3b1; display: block; height: 17px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; right: 0px; text-decoration: none; top: 0px; width: 20px;"></a><br />
<div style="border: 0px; color: #999999; font-size: 11px; list-style: none; padding: 0px;">
<b style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The Huffington Post</b> | By <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kate-bratskeir" rel="author" style="border: 0px; color: #999999; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Kate Bratskeir</a> <span class="follow-author-mini" style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 0px 0px 3px;"><a author_nickname="hp_blogger_Kate Bratskeir" class="twitter-anywhere-user twitter-tooltip" href="http://twitter.com/kbratskeir" style="background-image: url(http://s.huffpost.com/images/icons/twitter-icon-vsmall.png); background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border: 0px; color: #999999; display: inline; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 2px 20px 0px 0px; text-decoration: none; text-indent: -9999px;"></a><a class="fb-tooltip" href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/16/happiness-habits-of-exuberant-human-beings_n_3909772.html#" style="background-image: url(http://s.huffpost.com/images/icons/fb-icon-vsmall.png); background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border: 0px; color: #999999; display: inline; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 2px 15px 0px 0px; text-decoration: none; text-indent: -9999px;"></a></span><span class="posted-and-updated" style="border: 0px; display: block; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Seligman" style="border: 0px; color: #6aa3b1; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_hplink">Martin Seligman</a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">, the father of </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Positive_psychology" style="border: 0px; color: #6aa3b1; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_hplink">positive psychology</a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">, theorizes that while 60 percent of happiness is determined by our genetics and environment, the remaining 40 percent is up to us.</span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="entry_content" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<div class="entry_body_text" style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<div class="articleBody" itemprop="articleBody" style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<div style="border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">
<a href="http://www.ted.com/talks/martin_seligman_on_the_state_of_psychology.html" style="border: 0px; color: #6aa3b1; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_hplink">In his 2004 Ted Talk</a>, Seligman describes three different kinds of happy lives: The pleasant life, in which you fill your life with as many pleasures as you can, the life of engagement, where you find a life in your work, parenting, love and leisure and the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/11/how-this-harvard-psycholo_n_3727229.html" style="border: 0px; color: #6aa3b1; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_hplink">meaningful life</a>, which "consists of knowing what your highest strengths are, and using them to belong to and in the service of something larger than you are."</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">
After exploring what accounts for ultimate satisfaction, Seligman says he was surprised. The pursuit of pleasure, research determined, has hardly any contribution to a lasting fulfillment. Instead, pleasure is "the whipped cream and the cherry" that adds a certain sweetness to satisfactory lives founded by the simultaneous pursuit of meaning and engagement.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">
And while it might sound like a big feat to to tackle great concepts like <em style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">meaning</em> and<em style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">engagement</em> (pleasure sounded much more doable), happy people have habits you can introduce into your everyday life that may add to the bigger picture of <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/04/happiness-tips-5-things-you-need-to-know_n_3322083.html" style="border: 0px; color: #6aa3b1; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_hplink">bliss</a>. Joyful folk have certain inclinations that add to their pursuit of meaning -- and motivate them along the way.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">
<br style="border: 0px; display: block; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px;" />
<strong style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><big style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">They surround themselves with other happy people.</big></strong><br />
<img alt="cosby show" src="http://i.huffpost.com/gen/1348528/thumbs/o-COSBY-SHOW-570.jpg?1" style="border: 0px; height: auto; list-style: none; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" /><br />
Joy is contagious. Researchers of the <a href="http://www.framinghamheartstudy.org/" style="border: 0px; color: #6aa3b1; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_hplink">Framingham Heart Study</a> who investigated the spread of happiness over 20 years found that those who are surrounded by happy people “<a href="http://www.bmj.com/content/337/bmj.a2338" style="border: 0px; color: #6aa3b1; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_hplink">are more likely to become happy in the future</a>.” This is reason enough to dump the Debbie Downers and spend more time with uplifting people.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">
<strong style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><big style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">They smile when they mean it.</big></strong><br />
Even if you’re not feeling so chipper, cultivating a happy thought -- and then smiling about it -- could up your happiness levels and make you more productive, <a href="http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2011-02/msu-sfa022211.php" style="border: 0px; color: #6aa3b1; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_hplink">according to a study published in the Academy of Management Journal</a>. It’s important to be genuine with your grin: The study revealed that faking a smile while experiencing negative emotions could actually worsen your mood.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">
<strong style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><big style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">They cultivate resilience.</big></strong><br />
<img alt="penny heads up" src="http://i.huffpost.com/gen/1348539/thumbs/o-PENNY-HEADS-UP-570.jpg?1" style="border: 0px; height: auto; list-style: none; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" /><br />
<a href="http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2013/04/30/6-steps-toward-resilience-greater-happiness/" style="border: 0px; color: #6aa3b1; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_hplink">According to psychologist Peter Kramer</a>, resilience, not happiness, is the opposite of depression: Happy people know <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/02/habits-of-resilient-people_n_3818652.html" style="border: 0px; color: #6aa3b1; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_hplink">how to bounce back from failure</a>. Resilience is like a padding for the inevitable hardship human beings are bound to face. As the Japanese proverb goes, “Fall seven times and stand up eight.”</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">
<strong style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><big style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">They <em style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">try</em> to be happy. </big></strong><br />
Yep -- it’s as simple as it sounds: just <em style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">trying</em> to be happy can boost your emotional well-being, <a href="http://www.alphagalileo.org/ViewItem.aspx?ItemId=134259&CultureCode=en" style="border: 0px; color: #6aa3b1; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_hplink">according to two studies recently published in The Journal of Positive Psychology</a>. Those who actively tried to feel happier in the studies reported the highest level of positive moods, making a case for thinking yourself happy.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">
<strong style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><big style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">They are mindful of the good.</big></strong><br />
It’s important to celebrate great, hard-earned accomplishments, but happy people give attention to their smaller victories, too. “When we take time to notice the things that go right -- it means we’re getting a lot of little rewards throughout the day,” Susan Weinschenk, Ph.D. <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/17/little-victories-reasons-to-celebrate_n_3157547.html" style="border: 0px; color: #6aa3b1; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_hplink">told The Huffington Post in May</a>. “That can help with our moods.” And, <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/26/how-not-to-be-the-grumpie_n_3769516.html" style="border: 0px; color: #6aa3b1; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_hplink">as Frank Ghinassi, Ph.D. explains</a>, being mindful of the things that do go your way (even something as simple as the barista getting your coffee order right) can make you feel a greater sense of accomplishment throughout the day.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">
<strong style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><big style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">They appreciate simple pleasures.</big></strong><br />
<a href="http://imgur.com/tHDHQl7" style="border: 0px; color: #6aa3b1; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><img src="http://i.imgur.com/tHDHQl7.jpg" style="border: 0px; height: auto; list-style: none; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" title="Hosted by imgur.com" /></a><br />
A meticulously swirled ice cream cone. An boundlessly waggy dog. Happy people take the time to appreciate these easy-to-come-by pleasures. Finding meaning in the little things, and practicing gratitude for all that you <em style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">do</em> have <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3010965/" style="border: 0px; color: #6aa3b1; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_hplink">is associated with a sense of overall gladness</a>.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">
<strong style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><big style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">They devote some of their time to giving.</big></strong><br />
Even though there are only 24 hours in a day, positive people fill some of that time doing good for others, which in return, does some good for the do-gooders themselves. A long-term research project called <a href="http://www.isr.umich.edu/acl/" style="border: 0px; color: #6aa3b1; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_hplink">Americans’ Changing Lives</a> found a bevy of benefits associated with altruism: “Volunteer work was good for both mental and physical health. People of all ages who volunteered were happier and experienced better physical health and less depression,” <a href="http://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/the_activism_cure/" style="border: 0px; color: #6aa3b1; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_hplink">reported Peggy Thoits</a>, the leader of one of the studies.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">
Givers also experience what researchers call “the helper’s high,” a euphoric state experienced by those engaged in charitable acts. “This is probably a literal “high,” similar to a drug-induced high,” <a href="http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/raising-happiness/201002/what-we-get-when-we-give" style="border: 0px; color: #6aa3b1; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_hplink">writes Christine L. Carter, Ph.D</a>. “The act of making a financial donation triggers the reward center in our brains that is responsible for dopamine-mediated euphoria.”</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">
<strong style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><big style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">They let themselves lose track of time. (And sometimes they can’t help it.)</big></strong><br />
<img alt="doodling" src="http://i.huffpost.com/gen/1348535/thumbs/o-DOODLING-570.jpg?1" style="border: 0px; height: auto; list-style: none; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" /><br />
When you’re immersed in an activity that is simultaneously challenging, invigorating and meaningful, you experience a joyful state called “flow.” Happy people seek this sensation of getting “caught up” or “carried away,” which diminishes self-consciousness and promotes the feelings associated with success. <a href="http://www.pursuit-of-happiness.org/science-of-happiness/getting-in-the-flow/" style="border: 0px; color: #6aa3b1; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_hplink">As explained by Pursuit-of-happiness.org</a>, “In order for a Flow state to occur, you must see the activity as voluntary, enjoyable (intrinsically motivating), and it must require skill and be challenging (but not too challenging) with clear goals towards success.”</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">
<strong style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><big style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">They nix the small talk for deeper conversation</big></strong>.<br />
Nothing wrong with shootin' the you-know-what every now and then, but sitting down to talk about what makes you tick is a prime practice for feeling good about life.<a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2861779/" style="border: 0px; color: #6aa3b1; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_hplink">A study published in Psychological Science</a> found that those who take part in more substantive conversation and less trivial chit chat experienced more feelings of satisfaction.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">
"I wish I'd had the courage to express my feelings," is one of the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/elisha-goldstein-phd/life-lessons_b_3862875.html" style="border: 0px; color: #6aa3b1; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_hplink">top five regrets of the dying</a> -- a sentiment that hints at the fact that people wish they'd spent less time talking about the weather and more time delving into what it is that makes their heart swell.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">
<strong style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><big style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">They spend money on other people.</big></strong><br />
<img alt="monty hall" src="http://i.huffpost.com/gen/1348540/thumbs/o-MONTY-HALL-570.jpg?1" style="border: 0px; height: auto; list-style: none; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" /><br />
Maybe money does buy happiness. <a href="http://www.sciencemag.org/content/319/5870/1687.short" style="border: 0px; color: #6aa3b1; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_hplink">A study published in Science</a> found that spending money on other people has a more direct impact on happiness than spending money on oneself.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">
<strong style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><big style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">They make a point to listen.</big></strong><br />
"When you listen you open up your ability to take in more knowledge versus blocking the world with your words or your distracting thoughts," <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/31/how-to-be-an-optimist-10-_n_3354246.html" style="border: 0px; color: #6aa3b1; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_hplink">writes David Mezzapelle</a>, author of <em style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Contagious-Optimism-Uplifting-Motivational-Positive/dp/1936740419/ref=la_B00C3SP0Y8_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1369852259&sr=1-1&tag=vglnkc7202-20" style="border: 0px; color: #6aa3b1; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_hplink">Contagious Optimism</a></em>. "You are also demonstrating confidence and respect for others. Knowledge and confidence is proof that you are secure and positive with yourself thus radiating positive energy." <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/28/how-to-be-a-good-listener_n_3832251.html" style="border: 0px; color: #6aa3b1; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_hplink">Good listening</a> is a skill that strengthens relationships and leads to more satisfying experiences. A good listener may walk away from a conversation feeling as if their presence served a purpose, an experience that is<a href="http://faculty-gsb.stanford.edu/aaker/pages/documents/SomeKeyDifferencesHappyLifeMeaningfulLife_2012.pdf" style="border: 0px; color: #6aa3b1; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_hplink">closely connected with increased well-being</a>.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">
<strong style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><big style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">They uphold in-person connections.</big></strong><br />
It’s quick and convenient to text, FaceTime and tweet at your buddies. But spending the money on a flight to see your favorite person across the country has weight when it comes to your well-being. "There's a deep need to have a sense of belonging that comes with having personal interactions with friends," <a href="http://psycnet.apa.org/journals/psp/97/6/977/" style="border: 0px; color: #6aa3b1; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_hplink">says John Cacioppo, Ph.D.</a>, the director of the Center of Cognitive and Social Neuroscience at the University of Chicago. Social media, while it keeps us in touch, doesn't allow us to <em style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">physically touch</em>, which harvests<a href="http://www.cnn.com/2011/HEALTH/01/05/touching.makes.you.healthier.health/index.html" style="border: 0px; color: #6aa3b1; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_hplink"> the warm-and-fuzzies and even decreases feelings of anxiety</a>.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">
<strong style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><big style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">They look on the bright side.</big></strong><br />
<a href="http://imgur.com/1lYRG" style="border: 0px; color: #6aa3b1; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><img src="http://i.imgur.com/1lYRG.jpg" style="border: 0px; height: auto; list-style: none; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" title="Hosted by imgur.com" /></a><br />
Optimism touts plenty of health benefits, including <a href="http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/positive-thinking/SR00009" style="border: 0px; color: #6aa3b1; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_hplink">less stress</a>, <a href="http://www.yalemedicalgroup.org/stw/Page.asp?PageID=STW037186" style="border: 0px; color: #6aa3b1; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_hplink">a better tolerance for pain</a> and, <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/11/positive-attitude-exercise-longevity-heart-disease_n_3894583.html" style="border: 0px; color: #6aa3b1; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_hplink">as HuffPost Healthy Living recently reported,</a> longevity among those with heart disease. When you choose to see the silver lining, you're also choosing health and happiness.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">
Seligman summed up perhaps the greatest characteristic of the optimist in one of his most acclaimed books, <em style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/1400078393/ref=as_li_ss_til?tag=braipick-20&camp=213381&creative=390973&linkCode=as4&creativeASIN=1400078393&adid=1PAPYEMVB0GEDECPVZMN" style="border: 0px; color: #6aa3b1; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_hplink">Learned Optimism</a></em>:</div>
<blockquote style="background-color: #f0f0f0; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin: 15px 0px; padding: 15px;">
The defining characteristic of pessimists is that they tend to believe bad events will last a long time, will undermine everything they do, and are their own fault. The optimists, who are confronted with the same hard knocks of this world, think about misfortune in the opposite way. They tend to believe defeat is just a temporary setback, that its causes are confined to this one case. The optimists believe defeat is not their fault: Circumstances, bad luck, or other people brought it about. Such people are unfazed by defeat. Confronted by a bad situation, they perceive it as a challenge and try harder.</blockquote>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">
<strong style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><big style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">They value a good mixtape.</big></strong><br />
<img alt="118350080" src="http://i.huffpost.com/gen/1349525/thumbs/o-118350080-570.jpg?1" style="border: 0px; height: auto; list-style: none; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" /><br />
Music is powerful. So powerful, in fact, that it could match up to the anxiety-reducing effects of massage therapy. Over a three month period, <a href="http://health.usnews.com/health-news/family-health/brain-and-behavior/articles/2010/03/19/music-soothes-anxiety-as-well-as-massage-does" style="border: 0px; color: #6aa3b1; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_hplink">researchers from the Group Health Research Institute found</a> that patients who simply listened to music had the same decreased anxiety symptoms as those who got 10 hour-long massages. Choosing the right tunes could be an important factor, however, as a happy or sad song can also <a href="http://www.rug.nl/news-and-events/news/archief2011/058_jolij" style="border: 0px; color: #6aa3b1; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_hplink">affect the way we perceive the world</a>. In one experiment where researchers asked subjects to identify happy or sad faces while listening to music, the participants were more likely to see the faces that matched the "mood" of the music.<a href="http://open.spotify.com/user/mindfulliving/playlist/3IGicJWDNRy8aNe2TZEmvE" style="border: 0px; color: #6aa3b1; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_hplink">Click here</a> for a few of our favorite mood-boosting jams.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">
<br style="border: 0px; display: block; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px;" />
<strong style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><big style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">They unplug.</big></strong><br />
Whether by <a href="http://huffingtonpost.com/news/meditation" style="border: 0px; color: #6aa3b1; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_hplink">meditating</a>, taking a <a href="http://huffingtonpost.com/news/breathing-exercises" style="border: 0px; color: #6aa3b1; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_hplink">few deep breaths</a> away from the screen or<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/22/brb-mobile-app-puts-away-message-on-your-phone_n_3790669.html" style="border: 0px; color: #6aa3b1; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_hplink">deliberately disconnecting from electronics</a>, unplugging from our hyper-connected world has proven advantages when it comes to happiness. Talking on your cell <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/17/cell-phone-blood-pressure-_n_3294462.html" style="border: 0px; color: #6aa3b1; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_hplink">could increase your blood pressure</a> and raise your <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/12/smartphones-cause-stress_n_1202924.html" style="border: 0px; color: #6aa3b1; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_hplink">stress levels</a>, while uninterrupted screen time has been <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-volpi-md-pc-facs/technology-depression_b_1723625.html" style="border: 0px; color: #6aa3b1; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_hplink">linked to depression and fatigue</a>. Technology isn't going away, but partaking in some kind of a digital detox gives your brain the <a href="http://www.fastcompany.com/3013322/unplug/unplug-your-weekend-or-ruin-your-life" style="border: 0px; color: #6aa3b1; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_hplink">opportunity to recharge and recover</a>, which -- bonus -- could increase your resilience.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">
<strong style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><big style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">They get spiritual.</big></strong><br />
<img alt="sun salutation" src="http://i.huffpost.com/gen/1348846/thumbs/o-SUN-SALUTATION-570.jpg?1" style="border: 0px; height: auto; list-style: none; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" /><br />
Studies point to a link between religious and spiritual practice and mirth. For one, happiness habits like expressing gratitude, compassion and charity are generally promoted in most spiritual conventions. And, asking the big questions helps to give our lives <a href="http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/stress-relief/SR00035" style="border: 0px; color: #6aa3b1; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_hplink">context and meaning</a>. <a href="http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/01/090108082904.htm" style="border: 0px; color: #6aa3b1; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_hplink">A 2009 study</a> found that children who felt their lives had a purpose (which was promoted by a spiritual connection) were happier.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">
Spirituality offers what the 20th-century sociologist Emile Durkheim referred to as "sacred time," which is a built-in, unplugging ritual that elicits moments of reflection and calm. As Ellen L. Idler, Ph.D., writes in "<a href="http://spirituality.ucla.edu/docs/newsletters/4/Idler_Final.pdf" style="border: 0px; color: #6aa3b1; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_hplink">The Psychological and Physical Benefits of Spiritual/Religious Practices</a>,": </div>
<blockquote style="background-color: #f0f0f0; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin: 15px 0px; padding: 15px;">
The experience of sacred time provides a time apart from the “profane time” that we live most of our lives in. A daily period of meditation, a weekly practice of lighting Sabbath candles, or attending worship services, or an annual retreat in an isolated, quiet place of solitude all of these are examples of setting time apart from the rush of our everyday lives. Periods of rest and respite from work and the demands of daily life serve to reduce stress, a fundamental cause of chronic diseases that is still the primary causes of death in Western society. Transcendent spiritual and religious experiences have a positive, healing, restorative effect, especially if they are “built in,” so to speak, to one’s daily, weekly, seasonal, and annual cycles of living</blockquote>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">
<strong style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><big style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">They make exercise a priority.</big></strong><br />
A wise, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TjrBdKXgYFY" style="border: 0px; color: #6aa3b1; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_hplink">albeit fictional Harvard Law School student once said</a>, "Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy." Exercise has been shown to ease symptoms of <a href="http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/depression-and-exercise/MH00043" style="border: 0px; color: #6aa3b1; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_hplink">depression, anxiety and stress</a>, thanks to the the various brain chemicals that are released that amplify feelings of happiness and relaxation. Plus, working out makes us appreciate our bodies more. <a href="http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/14768320500105270#.UjCa3mQ6Xfk" style="border: 0px; color: #6aa3b1; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_hplink">One study published in the Journal of Health Psychology</a> found that exercise improved how people felt about their bodies -- even if they didn’t lose weight or achieve noticeable improvements.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">
<strong style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><big style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">They go outside.</big></strong><br />
Want to feel alive? Just a 20-minute dose of fresh air promotes a sense of vitality, according to several <a href="http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0272494409000838" style="border: 0px; color: #6aa3b1; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_hplink">studies published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology</a>. "Nature is fuel for the soul, " <a href="http://www.rochester.edu/news/show.php?id=3639" style="border: 0px; color: #6aa3b1; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_hplink">says Richard Ryan, Ph.D</a>, the lead author of the studies. "Often when we feel depleted we reach for a cup of coffee, but research suggests a better way to get energized is to connect with nature." And while most of us like our coffee hot, we may prefer our serving of the great outdoors at a more lukewarm temperature: <a href="http://journals.ametsoc.org/doi/abs/10.1175/WCAS-D-11-00052.1?journalCode=wcas" style="border: 0px; color: #6aa3b1; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_hplink">A study on weather and individual happiness</a> unveiled 57 degrees to be the optimal temperature for optimal happiness.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">
<strong style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><big style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">They spend some time on the pillow.</big></strong><br />
<img alt="177590254" src="http://i.huffpost.com/gen/1349289/thumbs/o-177590254-570.jpg?1" style="border: 0px; height: auto; list-style: none; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" /><br />
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/06/sleep-myths_n_3148717.html" style="border: 0px; color: #6aa3b1; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_hplink">Waking up on the wrong side of the bed isn't just a myth.</a> <a href="http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/excessive-sleepiness-10/10-results-sleep-loss" style="border: 0px; color: #6aa3b1; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_hplink">When you're running low on zzs</a>, you're prone to experience lack of clarity, bad moods and poor judgment. "A good night's sleep can really help a moody person decrease their anxiety," Dr. Raymonde Jean, director of sleep medicine and associate director of critical care at St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital Center <a href="http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20459221_10,00.html" style="border: 0px; color: #6aa3b1; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_hplink">told Health.com</a>. "You get more emotional stability with good sleep."</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">
<strong style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><big style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">They LOL.</big></strong><br />
You've heard it before: Laughter is the best medicine. In the case of The Blues, this may hold some truth. A good, old-fashioned chuckle <a href="http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=why-laughter-may-be-the-best-pain-medicine" style="border: 0px; color: #6aa3b1; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_hplink">releases happy brain chemicals</a>that, other than providing the exuberant buzz we seek, make humans better equipped to tolerate both pain and stress.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">
And you might be able to get away with counting a joke-swapping session as a workout (maybe). "The body's response to repetitive laughter is similar to the effect of repetitive exercise," <a href="http://www.livescience.com/6338-laughter-affects-body-exercise.html" style="border: 0px; color: #6aa3b1; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_hplink">explained Dr. Lee Berk</a>, the lead researcher of a 2010 study focused <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/04/28/laughter.health.benefits/index.html" style="border: 0px; color: #6aa3b1; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_hplink">on laughter's effects on the body</a>. The same study found that some of the benefits associated with working out, like a healthy immune system, controlled appetite and improved cholesterol can also be achieved through laughter.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">
<br style="border: 0px; display: block; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px;" />
<strong style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><big style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">They walk the walk.</big></strong><br />
<img src="http://big.assets.huffingtonpost.com/beyonce1.gif" style="border: 0px; height: auto; list-style: none; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" /><br />
Ever notice your joyful friends have a certain spring in the step? It's all about the stride, <a href="http://books.google.com/books?id=fbz_aoryfHwC&pg=PT1071&lpg=PT1071&dq=Florida+Atlantic+University+sara+snodgrass+walking&source=bl&ots=nYfHVtKkRw&sig=1n3sFu01BtAOebCrEW7Srh8_pwQ&hl=en&sa=X&ei=KM8xUp3aAaTl4AOE4IHYBQ&ved=0CF0Q6AEwBw#v=onepage&q=Florida%20Atlantic%20University%20sara%20snodgrass%20walking&f=false" style="border: 0px; color: #6aa3b1; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_hplink">according to</a> research <a href="http://books.google.com/books?id=4ViWaEBJjt4C&pg=PA22&lpg=PA22&dq=Sara+Snodgrass+florida+Atlantic+University+walking+styles&source=bl&ots=9YMRuccaMp&sig=8TK_QFSqGC3ZwVYjH5KuPBAtbdI&hl=en&sa=X&ei=3s8xUvfdII_k4APQoYCgAw&ved=0CD8Q6AEwAg#v=onepage&q=Sara%20Snodgrass%20florida%20Atlantic%20University%20walking%20styles&f=false" style="border: 0px; color: #6aa3b1; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_hplink">conducted by Sara Snodgrass</a>, a psychologist from Florida Atlantic University.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">
In the experiment, Snodgrass asked participants to take a three-minute walk. Half of the walkers were told to take long strides while swinging their arms and holding their heads high. These walkers reported feeling happier after the stroll than the other group, who took short, shuffled steps as they watched their feet.</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001062801575008314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1025205051194476669.post-90114644376456155382013-09-23T14:46:00.001-07:002013-09-23T14:58:36.367-07:00Break Free from the Mould<h1 class="headline" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: 'Open Sans Condensed', sans-serif; font-size: 32px; line-height: 36px; margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 620px;">
The Importance Of Human Transformation & Breaking Free From The Mold</h1>
<div id="post-info" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; clear: both; color: #888888; float: left; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic; line-height: 12px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline; width: 620px;">
<div id="post-info-left" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
By <a href="http://addicted2success.com/author/havardlillethun/" rel="author" style="-webkit-transition: color 0.2s; border: 0px; color: #286c99; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.2s; vertical-align: baseline;" title="Posts by Havard Lillethun">Havard Lillethun</a> on September 23, 2013</div>
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 20px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<a class="hupso_counters" href="http://www.hupso.com/share/" style="-webkit-transition: color 0.2s; border: 0px; color: #286c99; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.2s; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="Share Button" border="0" src="http://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/dot.png" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; box-shadow: none; float: left; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; outline: none; padding: 2px 0px 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" /></a><br />
<div class="hupso_c" id="hupso_counters_0" style="border: 0px; margin: 20px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div id="counters_hupso_counters_0" style="border: 0px; display: inline-block; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
<div id="content-area" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; float: left; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 620px;">
<div class="post-image" style="border: 0px; color: #444444; float: right; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; max-height: 342px; padding: 0px; text-align: right; vertical-align: baseline; width: 306px;">
<img alt="break the mould become successful" class="attachment-post-thumb wp-post-image" height="330" src="http://addicted2success.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/break-the-mould-become-successful-300x330.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 98%; padding: 2px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="300" /></div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #444444; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Everybody is different. We are all born different, most of us are very different. We all live under different circumstances, we grow up in different environments, we react in different ways to our surroundings, and yet there seems to be some invisible force that tries to make us all fit into one mold, to conform, to aim for average, ordinary, run-of-the-mill.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #444444; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Some people actually like that. They don’t want to be different. They don’t want to stand out from the crowd. They don’t want to be noticed. They prefer the 9-5 style, working for a boss rather than being their own boss. The more they are like the “<em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Joneses</em>“, the more they blend in, the happier they are. The less different they are, the more at ease they are, the less nervous they feel. They enjoy the mold. Life is easy that way. At least so they think.<span id="more-19858" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #444444; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<h2 style="border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: 'Open Sans Condensed', sans-serif; font-size: 28px; line-height: 32px; margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 620px;">
Staying stagnant or breaking through?</h2>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #444444; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
There are some advantages to this, to fitting into the mold. You will get less opposition that way. People in general are more likely to accept those who are like them. If you are different, don’t be surprised if some people keep you at arm’s length, get jealous of you or even try to hinder your progress. Maybe people you have known for years and who were your friends will keep away if you try to break out of the mold you were in before. So if you like it the way it is, if you prefer stagnant to change, if your chief aim is safety and security, stop reading. This will not be for you. Stay where you are, stay in your mold and keep to those who are like you. Trust me, you will be happier that way.</div>
<blockquote style="border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-style: solid; border-width: 0px 0px 0px 1px; color: #777777; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; line-height: 22px; margin: 10px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 40px; quotes: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
It ain’t easy to break out of a mold, but if you do your work, people will ultimately see what you’re capable of. Too often, people find it easier to make assumptions and stick with what they believe. They put you in a place and it makes their job easier. The good people constantly search for something different. – <em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Christopher Meloni</strong></em></div>
</blockquote>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #444444; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Now don’t get me wrong, molds are important. They are used all the time, every day, and we could not live without them. Just looking around the room here, there is the printer, the monitor, the keys on the keyboard I am typing on, plastic shelves, the phone, the dustbin and the list goes on. They were made with the help of molds.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #444444; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Thousands of these items were made just the same. Things that are made in molds are everywhere. Many of these items are useful, they are good, and they are cheap. Often you buy them by the dozen. They are mass-produced. But I don’t think I am mass-produced, and I don’t believe you are either. We are individuals. Inside each of us there lies a unique dream,<a href="http://addicted2success.com/success-advice/how-to-create-the-perfect-vision-for-your-success/" style="-webkit-transition: color 0.2s; border: 0px; color: #286c99; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.2s; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank" title="Create A Vision"> a vision</a>, a distinctive desire to do something more than the norm, out of the ordinary. It does not always have to be big or grand, but it is not something you can mass produce, that can be made in a mold.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #444444; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Believe it or not, some people like to be different. They don’t want to be like everyone else. They don’t like same old, same old. If that is how you feel, if you are unhappy with staying in a mold, if you are not content to keep the status quo, if you want to venture out and try something new, find out what is on the other side of the mountain, look beyond the horizon, by all means, read on. Then you are in good company. That is the kind of <a href="http://addicted2success.com/success-advice/5-great-historical-figures-that-every-entrepreneur-should-study/" style="-webkit-transition: color 0.2s; border: 0px; color: #286c99; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.2s; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank" title="People who made history">people who make history</a>. They are the ones who create opportunities for themselves, and for the rest of the world. They are the people who are successful, who make their dreams come true. Their lives are far from easy, they are full of challenges to be overcome, difficulties and problems to find solutions to, and sometimes it feels like they have to fight hell and high water to get to where they are going. But their lives are also exciting and fun. There is never a dull moment. They feel alive, vibrant, they actually thrive on adversity.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #444444; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<img alt="change picture quote" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-19860" height="305" src="http://addicted2success.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/change-picture-quote.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); display: block; height: auto; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 98%; padding: 2px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #444444; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
But you can’t have such a life if you resist change and just stay in the mold. You are moldable, yes, but you should not leave all the molding to others. You need to take an active role in your own development, in what is molding and shaping you. That is what freedom is. It is maybe not the easiest way there is, I know, but if you are like me and you know you don’t want to fit in a mold made by others, you will never be really happy and fulfilled until you break out of the old mold, break free, and start living your own life.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #444444; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
So what are you waiting for? Don’t wait for things to change. Don’t wait for the right circumstance to come around. Don’t wait for some transformation to happen to you. The longer you wait, the greater the chances are that you will become a victim of the mold blob. In the end you will stagnate and solidify.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #444444; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Instead, why don’t you create the circumstances you need. It does not matter if you are looking to start a home business, open a new company, change your daily or weekly routine, or simply change the furniture around. Take charge. You be the transformation you are looking for, you be the change you are waiting for. Today is the best day of your life to forge ahead, to form something new, break free from of old ruts, and break out of the mold. Do it today, and don’t delay.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 20px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div style="color: #444444; font-size: 14px;">
<a class="hupso_counters" href="http://www.hupso.com/share/" style="-webkit-transition: color 0.2s; border: 0px; color: #286c99; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.2s; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><img alt="Share Button" border="0" src="http://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/dot.png" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; box-shadow: none; float: left; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 98%; outline: none; padding: 2px; vertical-align: baseline;" /></a></div>
<div class="hupso_c" id="hupso_counters_1" style="border: 0px; margin: 20px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Think</span></div>
<div class="hupso_c" id="hupso_counters_1" style="border: 0px; color: #444444; font-size: 14px; margin: 20px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
This was a article that is intended to ask the questions on your future.</div>
<div class="hupso_c" id="hupso_counters_1" style="border: 0px; color: #444444; font-size: 14px; margin: 20px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Its up to you, but if you need some help, contact the Head Gardener, Tony Park at tony@park.com.au or see us at <a href="http://www.businessgardener.com.au/">www.businessgardener.com.au</a> .</div>
</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001062801575008314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1025205051194476669.post-28693015983847638062013-09-15T00:06:00.000-07:002013-09-15T00:06:15.777-07:00Content is King in Social media.<h1 class="head" style="border: 0px; color: #333333; margin: 12px 0px 16px; padding: 0px 10px 0px 0px;">
<span class="maintitle" style="border: 0px; display: block; line-height: 32px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Thought these ideas were really positive to share.</span></span></span><span class="maintitle" style="border: 0px; display: block; line-height: 32px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></span><span class="maintitle" style="border: 0px; display: block; font-family: ff-dagny-web-pro, Helvetica, Arial, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 30px; line-height: 32px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Content is King in Social Media: What are the Royal Essentials?</span></h1>
<div class="excerpt" style="border: 0px; color: #292929; font-family: Georgia, Palatino, 'Palatino Linotype', FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 20px; line-height: 26px; margin-bottom: 19px; margin-top: 2px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px;">
There’s a lot of talk about the importance of strong content for a successful social media strategy. High-quality content should advance your target audience; it should provide relevant information on pressing topics, thoughtful advice, new angles on an ongoing discussion. Though while many examples of content include these aspects, not all of them end up ruling as king.</div>
<div class="image_teaser" style="border: 0px; color: #292929; font-family: Georgia, Palatino, 'Palatino Linotype', FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 19px; padding: 0px;">
<img alt="King-hearts" src="https://exploreb2b.com/system/images/2825/medium/king-hearts.jpg?1347546429" style="border: 0px; color: transparent; font-size: 0px; margin: 0px; max-height: 400px; max-width: 529px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;" /></div>
<div class="article_content" style="border: 0px; color: #292929; font-family: Georgia, Palatino, 'Palatino Linotype', FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 19px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 10px 0px 0px;">
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 19px; padding: 0px;">
There is a certain amount of unpredictability and luck in social media. A piece of content might pass unnoticed one day, while it goes viral a week later. Yet despite the unpredictable nature of social media, there are ingredients that can lead your content to the throne.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 19px; padding: 0px;">
Before we begin, it’s important to note the number of discussions that emphasize the “high-quality” of the content. For me, this vague description does not explain what makes this content strong and of a “high-quality” nature. Below are the different elements of superior content – the pieces that make up the total sum of high-quality material. </div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 19px; padding: 0px;">
<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">1) Targeted Content</strong></div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 19px; padding: 0px;">
Keep in mind to whom you want to connect through your content and what purpose you wish to achieve. Most likely, your end goal involves reaching and convincing a target audience of your brand superiority and expertise. To do so, your content should address the desires of your audience: Do they want to be entertained? Entertain! Do they need information? Inform! Do they want to see pictures? Snap away. It is critical to ask yourself: What is my target group seeking? Your content should be the answer to this question. </div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 19px; padding: 0px;">
<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">2) Unique Content</strong></div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 19px; padding: 0px;">
The creation of unique content relies on a balance between research and inspiration. Engage in activities that inspire you, research companies you believe have developed stellar content – then hunker down and find a way to say what you want to say and display what you want to display in ways that have not yet been seen.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 19px; padding: 0px;">
<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">3) Relevant Content</strong></div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 19px; padding: 0px;">
Keep in mind that thousands of people provide strong content on the web. To stand out from the masses, produce something relevant. What is your audience missing that your competitors have failed to provide? How does your content communicate your professional niche? Offer an unforeseen angle, a unique voice, and an unexpected presentation of specific topics. You have to be on point in a way that other industry leaders are not. If your audience can find the same, general content somewhere else – chances are high, they will do exactly that.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 19px; padding: 0px;">
<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">4) Expert Content</strong></div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 19px; padding: 0px;">
In B2B content marketing, the professional quality of content is important. To build a reputation as an expert in your field, you must provide detailed, business information. Consistently providing relevant information will establish trust in your knowledge and make people curious to know more about you. Cutting-edge business research, case studies, and findings can be powerful, content marketing tools.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 19px; padding: 0px;">
<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">5) Visual Content</strong></div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 19px; padding: 0px;">
Content should be pleasant to look at and easy to consume. As content can take on many forms, the kinds of visuals we are talking about differ from case-to-case. While artistic pictures work well on Pinterest, especially for B2B, they are not the most relevant form of visuals. In this case, high definition, aesthetically <a href="https://exploreb2b.com/en/content-marketing-whitepaper" style="border: 0px; color: #3366cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">oriented infographics</a> could be more effective. Each network and company requires unique analysis of the visual that will best serve the desired purpose.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 19px; padding: 0px;">
The same goes for the physical layout of written content. Articles should be easy to read, nicely structured and aesthetically pleasing. The design of your web source should be user friendly and in line with your audience (business, leisure, fun, sports, etc). Do pictures, graphics and videos help or clutter your space? Regardless of the form the content takes – it should be fun and enjoyable to consume it on a visual level.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 19px; padding: 0px;">
<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">6) Useful and Educational Content</strong></div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 19px; padding: 0px;">
It is possible to create content with outstanding information that never serves to connect you with the right audience. How does this happen? This occurs when your information is not helpful for the right people. Go back to step one and consider the <em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">specific</em> information your target group is interested in. Don’t be vague; be useful. Only when you provide your target audience with utility, will they listen to you. When the right people hear you, you will develop your professional reputation and form lasting relationships.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 19px; padding: 0px;">
<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">7) Personal Content </strong></div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 19px; padding: 0px;">
Your greatest chance of standing out in social media comes from utilizing a tool that comes for free: your personality. Do not make the mistake to make dull or formalize the essence of what makes you, you. Not everybody has to like you, but nobody likes a robot. Communicating who you are and what drives your motivations is a chance to provide content no one else can provide.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 19px; padding: 0px;">
<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">8) Creative Content</strong></div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 19px; padding: 0px;">
To be honest, I have never thought of myself as a “creative” person. Yet in content marketing, each person has the opportunity to tap into a creative aspect of him or herself.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 19px; padding: 0px;">
Creativity in content marketing involves the combination of the analytical and artistic sides of your brain; it is both an opportunity and challenge for left and right brain people. Where one person can paint a story with an infographic, another can tell that same (or similar) story with moving words. Creativity means being able to find new angles, points of view, and new forms for presentation.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 19px; padding: 0px;">
<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">9) Entertaining Content</strong></div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 19px; padding: 0px;">
If you succeed in making your reader smile while reading your content, you are on your way to making a lasting impression. Even business-related pieces that provide valuable information are worth more in the world of social media when they are also entertaining. Personality, creativity and humor help develop your unique voice, which will empower your content marketing campaign. Entertain your audience as much as you educate them and they will crave your next production.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 19px; padding: 0px;">
<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">10) Context of Content</strong></div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 19px; padding: 0px;">
Content can be inspiring enough to move Shakespeare from his grave, but taken out of context it will be remain that: content. Context, in this case, means creating relevant content for the right audience in the right social network, at the right time. It also might refer to the different angles your content takes.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 19px; padding: 0px;">
Your material should coincide with the themes and discussion of those in your industry or field of expertise, while staying within the context of other content you have produced. As content marketing is an ongoing process, your current content will build on earlier content and pave the way for future material.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 19px; padding: 0px;">
<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">So…</strong></div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 19px; padding: 0px;">
Once you have created stellar content, do not fall victim to the assumption that publishing great stuff means the work is finished. Creating and publishing content are the first steps, <a href="https://exploreb2b.com/articles/getting-the-most-out-of-your-content-content-marketing-is-not-just-publishing" style="border: 0px; color: #3366cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">but spreading, communicating, connecting, analyzing and re-evaluating</a> prior efforts must also be part of your content marketing strategy.</div>
<h3 style="border-bottom-color: rgb(247, 247, 247); border-bottom-style: solid; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; font-family: ff-dagny-web-pro, Helvetica, Arial, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px 0px 18px; padding: 0px 0px 7px;">
Author</h3>
<div class="author" style="border: 0px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px 0px 6px; min-height: 65px; padding: 0px 10px 0px 70px; position: relative;">
<a class="author_name" href="https://exploreb2b.com/users/susanna-gebauer" rel="me" style="border: 0px; color: #3366cc; display: inline-block; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; width: 250px;" title="Dr. Susanna Gebauer"><img alt="Susanna_gebauer_exploreb2b" class="user_avatar" src="https://exploreb2b.com/system/avatars/2/small/Susanna_Gebauer_exploreB2B.jpg?2012" style="border: 0px; color: transparent; font-size: 0px; left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 0px; vertical-align: middle;" />Dr. Susanna Gebauer</a><small class="company" style="border: 0px; color: #999999; display: block; font-size: 10px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">exploreB2B GmbH</small><small class="position" style="border: 0px; color: #999999; display: block; font-size: 10px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Geschäftsführer, Gründer</small></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001062801575008314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1025205051194476669.post-78196604537502773052013-08-20T16:24:00.001-07:002013-09-02T16:55:45.649-07:00Bigger is not always better in your business garden<h2>
<b>Size is not everything.</b></h2>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiijLoaBWtv499vHmLav9X5CtXF_d-YHmx9kqtKgjloo7F5pl85SbviLKHqSwmxT6UILD4xKpTWX-Hwrtg-ZqW9CxqN_41YX_7scegVK4VmYBQC3u_sK1QpYEyb3KXPUxKe5EOcYhLMNXU/s1600/pumpkin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiijLoaBWtv499vHmLav9X5CtXF_d-YHmx9kqtKgjloo7F5pl85SbviLKHqSwmxT6UILD4xKpTWX-Hwrtg-ZqW9CxqN_41YX_7scegVK4VmYBQC3u_sK1QpYEyb3KXPUxKe5EOcYhLMNXU/s320/pumpkin.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Over my time in owning and managing business across a large number of sectors - big and small, I have fallen into a trap of many business owners that size is everything.<br />
<br />
True, a larger business should be in a better position to with stand the ebb and flow of business success, especially in small markets like Tasmania and even Australia, however it does depend on the type of your cost base.<br />
<br />
If you have too large a fixed cost base, you are exposing yourself to changes in the business environment that you have no control over.<br />
<br />
It is easy to get excited in the good times, see that that extra piece of plant or building will be able to allow an increase in production or output - the good times however do come to an end.<br />
<br />
This also includes the manner in which you employ people.<br />
<br />
The natural thing is to try to employ people in real jobs, full time with all the benefits, however this is an asset that is also fixed as compared to a variable asset as a part time or casual worker.<br />
<br />
The huge increase in casual and part time workers across Australia I feel is due to the wider cyclical nature of the business environment and businesses have to manage this, rather than employers trying to rip off workers.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqoTtuxUfpT-De6Y8hDL_gtJVMqzK3Tbs3pJqqB_HK8ISDNV4M0nUQ3vV1AxTb2IpnfpIJPYyJjpkZvXQSErSxjddS8c4uyLhZqxJ9TJW3DEWDTSH_r9raQTV-9jbsSh8YI4lF59nM-88/s1600/let-me-say-size-isnt-everything+dog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqoTtuxUfpT-De6Y8hDL_gtJVMqzK3Tbs3pJqqB_HK8ISDNV4M0nUQ3vV1AxTb2IpnfpIJPYyJjpkZvXQSErSxjddS8c4uyLhZqxJ9TJW3DEWDTSH_r9raQTV-9jbsSh8YI4lF59nM-88/s320/let-me-say-size-isnt-everything+dog.jpg" width="219" /></a></div>
<br />
As an employee who at times had over 120 workers as team members - and truly good employers do see people working with them as team members, you want the best for them, so they will look after the business.<br />
<br />
So in the excitement of building a BIG business, many business owners see expansion to be BIG becomes important, rather than the business and personal goals that you had set your self when you started the business.<br />
<br />
Back to the garden it is like having a small garden patch to feed your self or a couple of chooks for a few eggs and then planting a couple of acres of peas or carrots because they grew so well in your small patch or suddenly having a couple batches of chickens and you have heaps of eggs to get rid off.<br />
<br />
Today, August 21, 2013 there is a report on a Tasmanian company TASSAL who has a huge increase in profit by changing its business from a fish farming business to supply predominately International Market, to ONLY supplying the domestic market.<br />
<br />
The company has failed twice before pushing growth and seeing that it could only happen into the International Market - mainly Japan, but only 12 months ago with the huge increase again of the Australian dollar, took the decision to only supply the domestic market.<br />
<br />
Changing back to its core of making money for the investors and shareholders, rather than looking to be the worlds largest fish producer has seen this business be successful once again, while other similar business in this sector are struggling on that International stage.<br />
<br />
What is success in your garden.<br />
<br />
<b>Tony Park</b><br />
Head Gardener<br />
Business Gardener<br />
www.businessgardener.com.au<br />
<br />
<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001062801575008314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1025205051194476669.post-76756005021946345502013-08-20T00:04:00.002-07:002013-08-20T00:04:20.925-07:00How to make a long term business<div style="color: #252525; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 14px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">
<strong style="margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">Q: How do I build a business that will last for decades?</strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<strong style="margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkDQ6zdVrPMPDBXczE3CMgQ8lM4cT8tUv8q8wyCwGRN-DDEFWCuXNrPjol4UdWHwsApug_eWDHHiVoMZtEn86QuM3YI9ZFzRYWDYF5khOd7Y8XuE3gb_HjNl0W4L4DwQlJ5U0Z702bucI/s1600/butterfly32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkDQ6zdVrPMPDBXczE3CMgQ8lM4cT8tUv8q8wyCwGRN-DDEFWCuXNrPjol4UdWHwsApug_eWDHHiVoMZtEn86QuM3YI9ZFzRYWDYF5khOd7Y8XuE3gb_HjNl0W4L4DwQlJ5U0Z702bucI/s320/butterfly32.jpg" width="320" /></a></strong></div>
<br />
<div style="color: #252525; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 14px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">
<strong style="margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">A: </strong>With very few exceptions, the answer to this question is the same for any small business, whether it's looking to cash out in 50 months or 50 years. And it's not really about costs; it's about the structure of the business. Costs will flow naturally and efficiently out of a sound structure.</div>
<div style="color: #252525; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 14px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">
Many public companies operate shortsightedly, pumping up their quarterly numbers to boost their stock prices, with sometimes disastrous long-term results. A business with an owner who measures growth and progress in years, not months, is a much easier ship to steer.</div>
<div style="color: #252525; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 14px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">
Follow this basic checklist to increase your chances of growing for years to come--assuming, of course, that people want the product you're selling.</div>
<div style="color: #252525; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 14px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">
<strong style="margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">Establish strong financial controls. </strong>Doing so produces solid information for decision-making and reduces the risk of theft and fraud. Put simply, until you know where every penny's going, your business isn't on sound footing.</div>
<div style="color: #252525; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 14px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">
<strong style="margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">Minimize distractions.</strong> I've seen firsthand how an owner, freed from daily worries over <a href="http://www.entrepreneur.com/topic/cash-flow" style="color: #365977; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">cash flow</a>, can successfully concentrate on the future--building relationships, developing new products and services and overseeing other big-picture issues. Hire trustworthy and smart people to handle the details. They're worth it.</div>
<div style="color: #252525; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 14px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">
<strong style="margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">Increase sales. </strong>Obvious? Yes, but never forget that a larger company is inherently less risky than a smaller one.</div>
<div style="color: #252525; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 14px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">
<strong style="margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">Diversify products and services.</strong> Spreading <a href="http://www.entrepreneur.com/sales/index.html" style="color: #365977; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">sales</a> over more customers, product lines or markets reduces risk and enhances opportunities for growth.</div>
<div style="color: #252525; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 14px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">
<strong style="margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">Streamline, codify and document processes.</strong> The hallmark of strong companies is the quality, consistency and documentation of the way they operate. (This is the first step wannabe franchisors take to determine if their ideas can be replicated.) I often tell owners that if they want to be a bigger company eventually, act like one now.</div>
<div style="color: #252525; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 14px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">
<strong style="margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">Improve efficiencies.</strong> Since most businesses are valued by a multiple of their earnings, every dollar of improvement here will result in more dollars of value, whether it's four years from now or 40.</div>
<div style="color: #252525; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 14px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">
<strong style="margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">Protect your <a href="http://www.entrepreneur.com/topic/intellectual-property" style="color: #365977; font-weight: normal !important; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">intellectual property</a>. </strong>Make sure you have appropriate rights for your <a href="http://www.entrepreneur.com/topic/trademarks" style="color: #365977; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">trademarks</a>, <a href="http://www.entrepreneur.com/topic/business-name" style="color: #365977; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">names</a>, designs, technologies, etc. Spending a few thousand dollars on an IP lawyer now can save millions--and headaches--later.</div>
<div style="color: #252525; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 14px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">
<strong style="margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">Maintain and improve property and equipment.</strong> Maintain access to <a href="http://www.entrepreneur.com/money/index.html" style="color: #365977; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">money</a> that can be used to take advantage of technological improvements, expand operations and keep everything in running order.</div>
<div style="color: #252525; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 14px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">
<strong style="margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">Reduce employee turnover.</strong> Bear in mind that shelling out more money doesn't necessarily create a loyal and productive work force. Respect, <a href="http://www.entrepreneur.com/management/index.html" style="color: #365977; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">fair management</a> and inclusion in decision-making go a long way.</div>
<div style="color: #252525; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 14px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">
<div style="font-size: 14px;">
<strong style="margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">Avoid competing on price.</strong> A focus on undercutting the competition can start a vicious cycle that destroys your profit margins. You want customers to choose you for your superior products and services, not because you're the cheapest.</div>
<div style="font-size: 14px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 14px;">
A few ideas to assist you on your journey to build your business for your future.</div>
<div style="font-size: 14px;">
<br /></div>
<b>Tony Park</b><br />
<div style="font-size: 14px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 14px;">
Head Gardener</div>
<div style="font-size: 14px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 14px;">
Business Gardener</div>
<div style="font-size: 14px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 14px;">
www.businessgardener.com.au</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001062801575008314noreply@blogger.com0