This little light of mine, I'm going to let it shine....

I remember as a child singing that song at bible school. My mother would sing it in our kitchen as she cooked Sunday supper as well (I’m blessed with a good southern woman as a mother). I always sang that song loud and proud! It takes on new meaning as I embark on this latest chapter of my life starting a new business. We all have a talent, a gift that has been given to us by a divine entity and we shouldn't hide it. We have a song to sing and a voice that should be heard.  We should be proud to let that out into the world to touch others and embrace it. 

Don't be afraid to show your light and let your gifts be seen. In this world, each one of us has a reason to be here, and we need to remember to let our light shine. Be a beacon to all that we have contributions to make in this world and we are all unique. No one is you and you are special.

I was reminded of this today within my circle of friends, a great woman who inspires me daily to never give up and never surrender. So....I'm going to let my light shine and every day, every way. And I hope you will too. 

Flying by the seat of your pants isn't a business plan....

I have a friend who just came out of a very long and tortured business partnership...long story...save you the bloody details...but apparently their partner's idea of a business plan wasn't exactly…let's just say unconventional....to put it in a nutshell "whatever drops in our lap"...yes, that's exactly what venture capitalists and investors  love to read in a business plan. I could see many in the room leaping to their feet to throw buckets of money for that plan.

When you start any new venture, you must have clarity of your vision. It's so critical that you know your mission and vision. If you plan to make let's say a  widget...great, make the plan, work the plan. Be clear in your objectives and be able to clearly explain your goals in simple words. Simple is not a dirty word, simple is well...simple. You do not need a 1000 page manifesto to tell the world you are going to change the world with the world's greatest widget ever! You just have to explain your plan in a way that a child would understand it, to a degree, of course. The vision and plan of your company and its plan must be laid in terms that give potential investors confidence that you have the ability to be trusted and you will take this idea to success.

You also need to have a business plan so that you and your partners, if you have any, know the road map that you will follow to success. Any company worth its salt must have a business plan even to obtain loans. It's a requirement not only for financials but just so there is a solid foundation for the business to follow. 

Here is a great summary of a business plan outline:

• Business Plan Executive Summary

The executive summary is Part 1 of the business plan and is the most important section of your plan. It provides a concise overview of the entire plan, along with a history of your company.

• Market Analysis

The market analysis section is Part 2 of the business plan. This section should illustrate your knowledge about the particular industry your business is in. It should also present general highlights and conclusions of any marketing as well a SWOT (Strength, Weakness,Opportunity,Threat) analysis

• Company Description

The company description is Part 3 of the business plan. Without going into detail, this section should include a 10,000ft level  look at how all of the different elements of your business fit together.

• Organization & Management

Organization and Management is Part 4 of the business plan. This section should include: your company's organizational structure, details about the ownership of your company, profiles of your management team, etc.

• Marketing & Sales Management

Marketing and Sales Strategies is Part 5 of your business plan. Marketing is the process of creating customers, and customers are the lifeblood of your business.

• Service or Product Line

Service or Product Line is Part 6 of your business plan. What are you selling? In this section, describe your service or product, emphasizing the benefits to potential and current customers.

• Funding Request

The Funding Request is Part 7 of your business plan. In this section, you will request the amount of funding you will need to start or expand your business.

• Financials

Financials is Part 8 of your business plan. The financials should be developed after you've analyzed the market and set clear objectives. That's when you can allocate resources efficiently.

• Appendix

The Appendix is Part 9 of your business plan. This section should be provided to readers on an as-needed basis. In other words, it should not be included with the main body of your business plan.

Flying by the seat of your pants, wishing, hoping and looking for signs in the stars...moon alignments and signals from clouds...isn't a business plan. It still takes hard work, proper preparation, planning and common sense to make your vision lift off to success. 

Too much of a good thing...Social Media Overload....

Now that we have Google's G+ on the scene, I find myself being spread too thin and my social media engagement time is taking over my day. With Facebook, Twitter and now circles, hangouts, huddles in G+, plus blogging....when do I fit in eating, sleeping, and oh yeah, a life....I think it's time to step back and don't buy the hype. As a marketer, we have to advise our clients as we do ourselves, moderation is key. Do what works best for us. If you find that you have great conversations, connections in one area, stick with it. Don't let the cool kids pressure you into the latest, greatest fad and run off to join it. Stop the madness and look at what you are doing. Is it valuable to your message and vision? Is this really getting you the best bang for your buck so to speak? 

In my case, I have made the best connections on Twitter. Why? For me, it's the instant feedback, it's the mutual conversations that organically have grown from a quote, a thought or a great chat that I attend. From there, it's inspired a blog...hence...this one.  There is so much knowledge that is shared within the bowels of Twitter if you truly dig deep enough that I found the best use of my time was to keep at Twitter. No...I don't have 40 gazillion followers....I have a quality group of amazing, gifted and talented followers whom engage with me and I with them. It's a mutual "circle" that really provides me with a great network to gain valuable knowledge and great ability to network with on various marketing, leadership and life topics. It works great for me. That's the ticket with social media; you have to work the media to what works with you. Don't get caught up with the new, the happening hangouts and use the social media outlet  to your needs, be you and let it fly. 

Old School...

With all the new bells and whistles of social media, we sometimes get lost and forget that human touch in marketing is still valuable. Some of you maybe remember this device...a pen. Yes, I still use one and often to write thank you notes to my clients. I know, that may be a foreign concept in a day and age with tweets, +1's, likes, dislikes, video chats....but you know, there is something still magically about a handwritten note that appears on a client's desk. It shows that I took the time and effort to craft a message that wasn't just a canned "thank you for your business" or appearing on a cold, lifeless screen sent through the interwebs. It's personal, because business is personal on many levels, we are all human and there is a connection we make in any business deal. We should respect the engagements we make to each other and never take it for granted. Be grateful for the connections we make and ensure that we give proper respect. Now, that's not to say we cannot use the new technology to connect and engage our clients or colleagues in a personal way, but there is nothing like getting back to the old school basics when it comes to showing gratitude. It's important to use this method in all facets of business interaction as much as we can. Video chats are terrific ways to connect between long distances and for quick flow of business, but really to gauge the pulse of your client, you need the one on one time to truly understand the relationship.

Think about that the next time you go to your iPhone or mobile device to send a text....what would you rather receive?

Let me explain why that won’t work....How to turn around a Negative Nelly....

It's always the way when you have a great idea you are pitching at the office....there is always one person in the crowd who has to tell you why that won't work. Its seems you  could tell this person the sky is blue and the sun is shining and like clockwork, they find the only dark cloud in the sky...such fun aren't they?

Folks like this are just joy killers or as I like to call them Negative Nellie’s...they feel the need to spread their own pessimism to others because of their own egotistical need to share even when they aren't ask. Why? The easy answer is low self esteem. Perhaps they haven't been given good guidance in the past; maybe they have been brow-beaten by lousy leaders or other collaborators who weren’t supportive of their own ideas, which gives them the cause to spread their "special sunshine" to those who have the confidence to bring forth their passion and insight.

How do you combat such folks? Kill'em with kindness? No, I think that puts a band aid on the larger wound. I have found that when I engage them, these negative nellie's soften up. I ask questions as to why they feel it's a bad idea, get their input, make them part of the process. I encourage them, reinforce the positive aspects of their impact and change the table on their attitude. This changes their perspective. In most cases, it's just the antidote to break them of this bad habit. Positive encouragement seems to be the cure. However, there can been pitfalls, some are just too far gone and they can sabotage the process, in those cases, it's time  to cut bait. You just have to know you can't save everyone.

So the next time you face this situation, see if you can inspire a Negative Nelly into a Positive  Polly...be creative and encourage a new habit to form

Be it ever so humble...the importance of humility in leadership.....

In our mind’s eye, when we think of  leadership, we picture a strong, charismatic leader, who is perhaps larger than life, exuding confidence….brash, bold…and yes…..into that picture creeps in arrogance….but perhaps we should consider a different word….one that doesn’t typically define leaders of strength…..humility.

It’s true; the last word that may cross our minds is “humility” in the leaders we think we know. I’ve been blessed to have crossed path and mentored by great leaders who have been able to stay self confident without crossing the line into arrogance by remaining humble. It’s an attribute that many struggle to maintain when they achieve great success, but if mastered can be one of the most important character traits a leader can possess. If yielded wisely, its power can move mountains…

The attribute of humility allows leaders to invite and cultivate the talents their employees bring to the table. For example: When a leader is humble, they invite participation by others. When a leader is humble, they are open to new experiences and knowledge. When a leader is humble, they possess empathy and compassion for others.

The other edge of the sword….arrogance, brings with it behavior that isn`t all-encompassing, diverse of ideas, creative, or enlightening. Arrogance can be destructive….perhaps you have known some of the warning signs in yourself as a leader or a leader you know….

• Inability to show compassion: Unable to identify with others and their plight. Leaders who are humble are able to know what is like to be on the other side of the table in terms of their employees or clients. They know the challenges these individuals face and can understand how to engage them on their level.  
• “I” before Team:  Choosing “I” instead of “Us” statements. Leaders who are humble know it takes a team effort to complete a vision and mission. A real leader will showcase and give all credit to their teams. They want nothing more than to allow others to shine for their gifts.  
• Never seeking knowledge, speaking more than listening: A leader who feels they have more to say than to listen to others. A leader who is humble is hungry for knowledge. They are always seeking opportunities to learn, gain insight and listening to others input.  
• Pointing the fickle finger of fate at others: Judging others and comparing them to you, is not being humble. It’s important to acknowledge the gifts and talents of others and to keep striving to improve your own vision and never look to others for judgment.

Humility  in a leader is best described as having the self-confidence which is crafted from experience that allows you to be self assured in your own leadership ability, to lead with boldness, compassion and confidence without the over the top ego.  

Like so many difficult tasks in life, there is no magic pill or switch that can be flicked to allow a leader to change their style and employ humility. You learn by doing and YOU choose your own style. Humility is can be obtained by simply becoming self aware of one’s own choices and learning to choose wisely. Are you ready to be humble?

It's in the Levi's.....

We can't fake our character, it permeates our DNA. It's in our "levi's", our genes...there is no way to fake the core values that we have inherited.  We are who we are, our core value shine through in our words and deeds. Actors can put on personalities, but their character traits are still visible. Our souls are unique; each of us has gifts that we transmit to others.  

What is great about social media is that you can put up a picture, an avatar of your brand, but your soul is in your words and it is what you put out that attracts people to you. Everyone has  intuition about other people,  if you hit the right notes, you will attract those who are compelled to be in your circle. You will gain followers, friends and a circle of trust that can take you places you never imagined. People are attracted to those who are stay true to their emotional authenticity as well as their character authenticity. You can never go wrong in this manner of travel. Success is certain if you are true to yourself. Fake it until you make it isn't a plan, be real, be yourself, and you will succeed beyond your wildest dreams.   

It’s about the community you build that makes the brand stick…..

Even though it may seem a simple marketing concept, building brand communities that resonate with loyal clients is indeed an immense task. To me, there four key defining characteristics that allow companies to actively involve clients in creating communities around their brands. Each is essential in building which is termed brand communities.

1.     Is your story strong? : Brands in today’s world are not “things” but living, breathing entities with identities and personalities, they are the personification of the company to which they represent. The brand allows clients to express themselves through its use. As such, to attract clients to it and encourage them to actively participate in varied branding activities, brands must have a great back story that clients can easily identify and relate to. A story not only provides authenticity to the brand but also allows clients to express their sense of self through the consumption of the brand. They have to relate the brand, if they see themselves in the brand; they want to join the party.

2.     It’s a village - Create a need for collaboration among consumers: For a community to be actively adopted, clients must feel a need to connect with each other in the context of the brand’s consumption. A need to connect with other brand users can arise for a number of reasons such as:

Ø  Sharing information – For example, many online gamer communities, technical products communities become members in the first instance because such communities allow members to share information with others and learn many technical details easily.

Ø  Validation – Members of the brand community seek validation from fellow members about their choice of the brand, its usage situations and its superiority over other brands in the market. The validation factor is huge for brands – it allows consumer to feel comfortable knowing they are among friends and they get very comfortable with the brand.

Ø  To express one’s personality – The Apple brand community feel a strong sense of expressing their unique personality by embracing Apple and rejecting the market leader Microsoft.

Ø  Identify with a specific segment – The Starbucks brand community are part of the community because of their need to be identified as part of the global ‘cool’ segment that is in tune with the latest in music and fashion. Therefore companies should decide the main reason for which they want to build communities around their brands is in line with the segments that it wants to target.

3.     Create identifiable brand elements: As with any community, brand communities must be able to offer its members unique, identifiable community elements in terms of terminologies, icons, symbols and spokespersons. Such elements will not only help the community distinguish itself from others but also offers the members solid tools to identify themselves with the community. These community elements should be in line with the brand’s underlying identity.

4.     Make the Culture Unique and Interactive:  One of the fundamental reasons for the growing popularity of brand communities is that they offer companies real time feedback about the brand. Brand communities allow companies to co-create value with clients on a continuous basis. As such, companies must create a culture that allows clients to interact with the brand, other users and the company simultaneously. Such an environment allows clients to experience the brand in a memorable manner as they are a part of the value creation process.

With the four steps outlined this blog; I hope the takeaway is that it  will assist you and your company in framing a healthy structure to build a brand community. As with any venture, the success of a brand community depends on how proactively you engage your clients on a continuous basis. The more time you into the community engagement, the more benefits you reap.

Brand communities are proving to be an extremely effective tool in tackling the fluid, ever-changing, competitive, marketplace to which brands operate today. The rise above the noise level and be a unique voice to allow your clients to interact with you in your brand community. Brand communities give clients the ability to collaborate in all phases of value creation – product design, pricing, places of availability, and phases of promotion – but also provide companies a valuable platform on which to engage clients and create loyalty towards the brand. Brands that master this ability with community create will be those are built on strong fundamentals centered on the brand identity and support the brand strategy.

Leaving your mark....

I had the pleasure to work for many years on a project that was to immortialize a man that passed on 9/11. He wasn't a superhero...just a regular fellow who like many others who went to work on that faithful day and in one instant was snatched from his family and friends far too soon. In the wake of his untimely death, many talked about his life and his "legacy". No, he didn't cure cancer, he was a stockbroker. He had a funny way of connecting friends with laughter and human interaction. He was a kind soul. It made me wonder....what will be our own legacies once we leave this planet? How we will be remembered? We will be remembered for a killer presentation or sale or logo? For a goal at a hockey game? or....for how we touched a life in some small way? Our connection with others is truly our best legacy. What this man was remembered for wasn't his best day on Wall Street or his ability do a keg stand, no, it was his gift to touch others with a smile, a kind word and leave their lives richer than they were before he entered. Our legacy should be that we made a difference to others on this planet. It's not a grand gesture that gets us a plaque or a notation in the funny pages, it's just being connected, being in the room to give that support to others and enter communities where our human interactions can make a difference.

It's these connections that create legacies that leaves marks of our existance here for generations to come. How do you want your legacy to read?

Patience..Grasshopper

Patience is one of the hardest habits to obtain. Oh sure, we all like to think we are patience folks, but really, even the "saints" among us lose their discipline every once and awhile, especially when it comes to dealing with those who test it mightily.

I will readily admit, this is one habit I daily work to improve. It is tested almost on an hourly basis it seems when dealing with certain tasks and individuals. So what's the trick to controlling the patience beast as it were? It's letting go. That's it. L E T G O. I suggest posting these words near your computer, your fridge or anywhere you can get a daily visual. You can't control others, you can't control situations. It's my duty to inform you that you were not named the King or Queen of Universe. I'm sorry to say. I know...this was a big shocker to me as well, clearly I thought I had a lock on the position as I was in total control of everyone and everything....wasn't I clear about that? Sorry...I digress. Back to patience.

Patience is about letting go of your expectations of others. You simply have to wait out the process and not over think, worry about the outcome before it happens. You have to wait and let the magic flow as it should. Que Sera Sera - Whatever will be, will be (thank you Doris Day for the music now playing in my head) but it's true. Patience is simply just letting go and giving things time to occur. I found when I let go that people did exactly what was necessary to make a project soar, tasking occur as should and on time and everything fell into it's perfect place....and no disaster occurred. Even if a disaster occurred, I was able to snap into action and take care of the crisis without any further problems. I had patience to know that the situation was under control.

So...my young grasshoppers....have patience and start to begin to enjoy benefits of letting go....and leave the universe management to the higher power.

If you build your bliss....the money will come

Maybe you've heard this statement - "Follow your passion to the bank"....sounds too good to be true, right? It seems too easy, you do what you love and the money just rains in....but wait....does it? If only that were the case. To truly follow your passion or the word I love "bliss" you have to do *gasp* work....yes, you do. It's still process we all have to perform, but when you take this path, it's with a greater ease in your performance, that's the bliss part. The money? Well...that comes in time. You see, you have to cultivate your clients, perform a service or build a product that others want to have or engage with your clients a service that provides a value. Your bliss may not be their bliss....so consider all the options. Are you really doing this for the greater good or for your own ego?

Following your bliss is freedom, it's knowing that you are the master of your destiny....but remember you need a village or a community to come along for the ride and deliver the funds to keep the dream alive.

Give a little bit....

One of my favorite songs is by Supertramp titled "Give a little bit".  The best lyric to me is "There's so much that we need to share...Send a smile and show you care" It doesn't get much simplier in life than that does it? Sometimes all it takes is a smile to another person to change their world. You never know what's happening in someone's life at any given moment and you could just change it in an instant with one smile. A smile could be just what they need at that moment to change their direction, to give them a sign that not all is lost....amazing things can happen we stop and exchange with each other a positive expression. So why not turn to someone today and give a little bit?

The Secret Sauce to Business Partnership

Business partnerships are a lot like marriages, in so, that this is a partnership that will have to stand up through many trials and tribulations. The partnership has to be strong, yet, flexible. Both partners have to bring to the table a willingness to stick it out; otherwise, you will be headed to quickie "divorce" in no time.

Know Your Role - one cannot lead and one be the "worker bee". It's a partnership, so both must agree to share the load. You know your value that you bring to the table, so agree to work with your strengths and divide the workload. Accept that before you bring more employees, both are going to have to accept that there is going to be a lot of dirty work that equally both will share.

Can Do Attitude - Let's face it, if you loved working for the "man" you would still be working for one. Starting a business means you have want to work to finding solutions and see roadblocks as opportunities. It is your company, not someone else’s. So you have want to do it 24/7/365, not when you have a free moment. There is dedication that comes with starting a company, its sacrifice on both ends of the partnership. I'd suggest have this conversation early in the partnership and set the boundaries early, make sure it's understood, that both partners agree that there will not be any issue.

Fight Fair - In every marriage, a little rain must fall. It's not all rainbows and sunshine. You are going to disagree. Set the boundaries here too. Establish how you will handle ethical issues, trust and determine each partner's core value system. What destroys a start up faster? A partnership that isn't build on a foundation of trust. This is critical.

Check your Ego at the Door - There is no room for "I" in this deal. If you discover that your partner is more self centered and checking his or her own reflection in the mirror....move on. This is not a partner for you. You want a partner who seeks collaboration. It's a partnership, not a one-man band. You want someone who is seeking success for overall corporate goals, the common good of the team.

And here's the secret sauce to top them all...it's not about their business experience as much as it is what I call the three P's - Passion, Perseverance and Patience.....if you find the right business partner with these character traits, hang on and go for the ride of your life . In business, it's about timing; it's about having the right partner, the right message and the stars aligning. All of the above come together and success is surely to come your way.

Are Your Listening Ears On?

It's an expression that you may have asked your own child at some point when they appear to be distracted, but it's a question we must ask ourselves. Are you putting your listening ears on when you are interacting with your clients? As a leader, we must learn to not speak but listen. Listening is the most important job we have as a leader. We learn to hear what is important, and gain valuable insight into how to react to the needs our clients, our employees and anyone we touch in our lives. Listening engages us into the service of others. We connect when we listen; we show that we are actively participating with their lives and their needs. It is how real leaders know what is important and put first things first. Our directives come from this skill and once mastered, it allows us to move mountains, and attain success.

Are your listening ears on?

It's who you know....

As Jim Rohn put it so succinctly….”we become the combined average of the five people we hang around most", optimally we need to surround ourselves with high concentration of these high influencial people.

Influences can come in various ways – people, places and environments. They provide positive influence that allows us to move forward to our goals, rise above the influence of the everyday, and change our lives.  We should consider all avenues to how we can be inspired, challenged, encourage and motivated in our own lives and how we can return the favor. When we think of how these influences affect us, we need to consider the following:

• Inspire – Seek out and immerse ourselves with those who have already been where we want to go in life.

• Challenge – Strive to participate in activities that allow you to stretch ever so slightly beyond your comfort zone, this will allow for personal growth to occur. As we stretch ourselves, we grow and move forward towards our goals.  

• Encourage – Allow for external motivations – verbal and otherwise, that give you the attitude of positive reinforcement such as “You can do this!" so that it becomes the mantra - “I can do this!"

• Motivate – Seek out and discover a sense of purpose.  Walk the talk and ensure your actions and deeds are a lifestyle example that you wish others to immolate - there's always someone else looking to us and we can be the change we want to see in ourselves and influence others.

Never Give Up…Never Surrender

Persistence. It is one of the important traits we have in our tool box that allows us to achieve our goals in life. As we determine our life goals we wish to accomplished, it this trait that gives us the momentum to take the massive action required on a consistent, persistent basis in order to succeed.  Persistence is like a muscle; it must be exercised and built. Each time we use it, we grow this trait and it get stronger, the more we use it; we may find ourselves closer to goal with each and every day.  

One of the things you’ll notice on your journey, are roadblocks.  You may encounter obstacles that seem to come out the blue that will stop you in your tracks.  If we didn’t have these adversities in life, our goals would come to easy.  It’s in the adversity that persistence lives.  We are challenged in these moments and when you do reach your goal, the moment is greater than we could have possibility imagine. We can revel in our achievement thanks to the persistence we have used to arrive at our destination.  

Every successful person has had more failures than success.  Successful individuals possess the trait of persistence and know instantly how to stumble and fall in their process.  Those who never learn or acquire this trait, miss out on their own success and fail to take the lesson that are learn in failure to heart.   A great example of persistent success is Walt Disney. Walt was turned down 302 times before he got financing for his dream of creating the “Happiest Place on Earth”, Disneyland.  With Persistence, all is possible. Never Give Up…Never Surrender.