Category Archives: Organization Transformation

No Man (or Woman) Is An Island

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Island

For years I had heard this phrase and didn’t think much about it. Then one day a very close relative made a choice with his life that had a ripple effect. I then understood this very profound phrase and have reflected upon it often.

What we do or do not do affects those around us and involved in our lives and business. There are hard working and smart individuals who with sheer will alone can do amazing things. However, the power of two or more is when the ROE occurs. What is ROE? It is Return On Energy.

The trick is to find those partners or team members who we feel that energy electrified. We don’t have to go it alone. Partnering with an individual or an organization can help us move to the next level.

Here are some tools to identify a good fit:

1. Share the same principles. It will serve you in the long run. Research and securing references will guide you in the decision of whom to joint venture with or not.

2. Determine if they are a competitor, or can a synergistic relationship occur? Often times combining forces with a competitor will help you both succeed in the long run.

3. Add complimentary services or products to your business. Selecting those joint ventures where it makes business, marketing and even branding sense will pave the wave of opportunity for you.

4. Implement effective communication strategies. Communication will be the secret to a positive relationship. Constant follow up and discussed strategic planning will move your combined goals and efforts along the path to success.

5. Set goals and milestones. If you plan your goals and set milestones you will be able to measure whether the joint venture was successful.

It is hard to trust others when you have experienced a bad situation. Doing your due diligence ahead of time will help prevent potential pitfalls or disappointments. Sometimes saying no to proposed opportunities are the best course of action. It pays to be picky.

As you are selecting partners look for individuals or groups who have strengths that you are missing and that you have identified would help your business grow. By doing this you will be creating a win-win solution and your ROE will be intensified.

The same holds true for personal relationships. Creating a complimentary team where all stakeholders feel invested, supported and affirmed will produce a positive and successful outcome.

Your decisions and path will affect many lives. By being strategic you can chart an excellent future no matter what had occurred in the past. That is the beauty of a new day!

Five A’s to Marketing Yourself

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1099 Form

As 1099s and W-2s come in the mail for the previous year’s earnings, I often ask myself how can I earn more this year than I did last? There are many factors that affect that question. The productivity cost of doing business, sales pipeline and the economy are just a few.

One of the key ingredients to having a more profitable year is marketing. Whether you are the business owner or an employee, everyone engages in some type of marketing. Recently, one of my trusted advisors and I were speaking of this topic of marketing oneself.

There are so many factors involved. In fact I believe that often we don’t realize the impact of the little things we do that affects how others respond to us. Let’s take a look at some of those areas.

1. Appearance. This is an important aspect of how people perceive us. Sometimes it doesn’t seem fair that how we dress or look makes a difference. The reality is that those who we do business with react to us based on how we dress, our grooming and our body language.

2. Actions. It is true that actions speak louder than words. If what we say contradicts how we act then integrity becomes questioned and trust impaired.

3. Attitude. Now you may be wondering what in the world does our attitude have to do with how we market ourselves. The secret here is being positive. Humans draw on light and positivity. If you exude a positive outlook and demeanor then others will want to associate with you. We all like winners or at least the perception of associating with winners.

4. Associates. Who you associate yourself with will determine your income level. As mentioned in the attitude section, if you associate with winners you will win. If you want to lose weight or improve your health you need to spend time with people that are reaching their health and fitness goals. We all need positive reinforcement. To increase your income associate with those individuals who have proven positive work habits. This will help you improve your daily habits.

5. Accountability. Being accountable for your actions or lack of actions will put you on the fast track to economic growth. People have a habit of blaming others for their circumstances while not looking at themselves in the mirror. Be sure to ask yourself: ”What could I have done different and what was my part in the outcomes of my actions or inactions?”

There is so much to explore with each of these five topics in marketing yourself. One of the biggest questions you need to ask yourself is, “Would I buy from me?” If not, why and what do you need to change within yourself so that the answer is yes?

It is not enough just to believe you can be successful. You must come to know it. You need to know this fact with every fiber of your being. If you know something you can’t help but exude positive energy, others will want to associate with you.

By following these five steps, your business and income will flourish and next year’s tax forms will be the proof in the pudding!