One of the best holiday gifts this year…

Over the past few months I have been thinking about a friend/colleague I worked with for a long time.  We had lost touch with one another due to the all of the reasons one stops from communicating…busy lives.  Yet, I hadn’t forgotten her. In fact I probably thought about her more than she imagined.

So, knowing she is an early riser, I called her one morning last week and was greeted with that great voice of hers once again.  Our conversation started where we left over long ago. There was the same amount of energy as before, the same laughter, sharing of trying times…just two good friends reuniting. She, too, mentioned how often I entered her mind and how much she has missed me.

After I hung up I realized that call would be one of the best holiday gifts I could give AND receive this year. 

Before the month runs out I encourage you to do the same.  Think of someone that made your life brighter, was there when you needed them, and for one reason or another has dropped out of sight. 
Give them a call. Not an email nor a text. A phone call.

Make this holiday season one that you give and receive with that special someone that did and still does make a difference in your life.

This one’s for you Missy!

Eight Things Remarkably Successful People Do

My friends, Tim and Cindy Stockman, owners of Studio 19 (www.studio19fineart.com) are hosting a fund raiser tonight for Kids and Distress. With all of the preparation that goes into this type of event, Tim still had time to send me the article below.  Although it is longer than my usual post I think you will enjoy reading it.

Eight Things Remarkably Successful People Do  By Jeff Haden

 

1. They don't create back-up plans.
Back-up plans can help you sleep easier at night. Back-up plans can also create an easy out when times get tough.

You'll work a lot harder and a lot longer if your primary plan simply has to work because there is no other option. Total commitment--without a safety net--will spur you to work harder than you ever imagined possible.

If somehow the worst does happen (and the "worst" is never as bad as you think) trust that you will find a way to rebound. As long as you keep working hard and keep learning from your mistakes, you always will.

2. They do the work...
You can be good with a little effort. You can be really good with a little more effort.

But you can't be great--at anything--unless you put in an incredible amount of focused effort.

Scratch the surface of any person with rare skills and you'll find a person who has put thousands of hours of effort into developing those skills.

There are no shortcuts. There are no overnight successes. Everyone has heard about the 10,000 hours principle but no one follows it... except remarkably successful people.

So start doing the work now. Time is wasting.

3.  ...and they work a lot more.
Forget the Sheryl Sandberg "I leave every day at 5:30" stories. I'm sure she does. But she's not you.

Every extremely successful entrepreneur I know (personally) works more hours than the average person--a lot more. They have long lists of things they want to get done. So they have to put in lots of time.

Better yet, they want to put in lots of time.

If you don't embrace a workload others would consider crazy then your goal doesn't mean that much to you--or it's not particularly difficult to achieve. Either way you won't be remarkably successful.

4. They avoid the crowds.
Conventional wisdom yields conventional results. Joining the crowd--no matter how trendy the crowd or "hot" the opportunity--is a recipe for mediocrity.

Remarkably successful people habitually do what other people won't do. They go where others won't go because there's a lot less competition and a much greater chance for success.

5. They start at the end...
Average success is often based on setting average goals.

Decide what you really want: to be the best, the fastest, the cheapest, the biggest, whatever. Aim for the ultimate. Decide where you want to end up. That is your goal.

Then you can work backwards and lay out every step along the way.

Never start small where goals are concerned. You'll make better decisions--and find it much easier to work a lot harder--when your ultimate goal is ultimate success.

6. ... and they don't stop there.
Achieving a goal--no matter how huge--isn't the finish line for highly successful people. Achieving one huge goal just creates a launching pad for achieving another huge goal.

Maybe you want to create a $100 million business; once you do you can leverage your contacts and influence to create a charitable foundation for a cause you believe in. Then your business and humanitarian success can create a platform for speaking, writing, and thought leadership. Then...

The process of becoming remarkably successful in one field will give you the skills and network to be remarkably successful in many other fields.

Remarkably successful people don't try to win just one race. They expect and plan to win a number of subsequent races.

7. They sell.
I once asked a number of business owners and CEOs to name the one skill they felt contributed the most to their success. Each said the ability to sell.

Keep in mind selling isn't manipulating, pressuring, or cajoling. Selling is explaining the logic and benefits of a decision or position. Selling is convincing other people to work with you. Selling is overcoming objections and roadblocks.

Selling is the foundation of business and personal success: knowing how to negotiate, to deal with "no," to maintain confidence and self-esteem in the face of rejection, to communicate effectively with a wide range of people, to build long-term relationships...

When you truly believe in your idea, or your company, or yourself then you don't need to have a huge ego or a huge personality. You don't need to "sell."

You just need to communicate.

8. They are never too proud.
To admit they made a mistake. To say they are sorry. To have big dreams. To admit they owe their success to others. To poke fun at themselves. To ask for help.

To fail.

And to try again.

If you would like to support this fund raiser, please email tim@studio19fineart.com

How to build Goodwill and Trust

Today I will be attending the final day of a User Conference being held by one of my best clients, e-Builder. They are a construction program management software company based in Plantation, FL. Attendees are from all over the country – the farthest traveling from Alaska to Ft. Lauderdale. As I listened to owners Jon and Ron Antevy speak to various audiences, they had one resounding theme– “To build Goodwill and earn the Trust of others.”

This is the exact same message being followed by a networking group I belong to, BNI Premier (Business Networking International). Lead by President Julie Hough, Bankruptcy Attorney, the goal of each weekly meeting is to establish connections among members based on “Goodwill and Trust”.

When you think about it, building Goodwill and Trust is a must for long lasting relationships. It rings true professionally and personally. It is the driving force for turning prospects into customers. It is the magnet that keeps us attached to create a partnership that thrives over time.

It is the foundation for a good marriage, long-lasting friendships and successful parenting.  Friends rely on Goodwill and Trust without even knowing it. Teachers and Coaches use it to drive peak performance.

And, it comes down to 3 basics:

1.      Be true to your word

 

2.      Be giving

 

3.      Be thankful 

As you go about your day think about how you can lead a fulfilling life by building Goodwill and Trust with everyone you encounter.

How to stay in business...for 15 years!

Today my company, The Raven Group, Inc. enters its 15^th year in business. And on a recent trip to Orlando, my husband and co-owner, Bill, and I were asked how we stayed in business this long.

The answers came easy to us so I thought I would share them with you below. They are in no particular order.

1.      Surround yourself with great people: clients, employees, colleagues and friends

2.      Be thankful for all you have

3.      Continue to add new business while retaining your existing clientele

4.      Be involved in at least one group or organization outside of your company

5.      Have a mentor or confidant

6.      Stay current of trends in and out of your industry

7.      Embrace change

8.      Examine your P&L monthly

9.      Fulfill your commitments with honesty and integrity

Since we came up with 9, what one do you have to round out the list to 10?  Please let me know what you would add to our list.

To all of my readers, thank you! You are the number one reason we are celebrating today.

Achieve Great Success as a High Performer

Ever think about why one person seems to get ahead over another when they have similar skill sets? Do you wonder what is stopping you from becoming all that you can be? Well, I have a suggestion for those of you who want to achieve great success by becoming a High Performer.

After studying countless executives, top producers and business leaders, I have found High Performers significantly outperform their peer groups in a variety of settings and circumstances. While achieving superior levels of performance, they exhibit positive behaviors that reflect their values. And, they have a strong capacity to grow and succeed throughout their careers.

I’ve broken this down to three basic elements of a High Performer.

1. Deliver strong results – credibly
High Performers know results must come with building trust and confidence, remaining objective, and having high standards. They:
a) Develop goals and plans with others in mind
b) Operate in a productive manner
c) Facilitate dynamic interactions

2. Build value through relationships
High Performers understand behaviors count and work collaboratively with the success of others in mind. They:
a) Work to “complete” others versus “compete” with them
b) Develop and maintain positive relationships
c) Successfully manage conflict

3. Master new types of expertise
High Performers embrace lifelong learning, are willing to change and be different. They:
a) Become a possibility thinker
b) Always look to improve
c) Keep up-to-date

If you are ready to be a high performer, don’t forget: Performance always counts, but your behavior matters more and more as you grow your career.

Leadership Basics…10 Tips on Body Language

Leadership is all about connecting with others. Over the next few blogs, I will share with you some of my favorite tips on increasing your personal power. These are from Inside CRM editors at http://www.focus.com/:

BODY LANGUAGE - Like it or not, your body speaks volumes, even when you are silent. Here's how to express an attitude that's appropriate for a leader.

1. Stand tall. Keeping your shoulders back and holding yourself up to your full height will give you an air of confidence.

2. Take your hands out of your pockets. Putting your hands in your pockets is often seen as a sign that you have something to hide.

3. Stand with your arms crossed behind your back. This will help you adjust your posture, and it leaves your hands in a position that is open and not intimidating.

4. Make eye contact. Always look directly into the eyes of the people you are speaking with. This shows you're interested and also gives you a sense of confidence.

5. Sit up straight. Even if you're at an 8 a.m. meeting and feeling tired, it's important to sit up straight in your chair. Slouching makes you look disinterested and can give off an unwanted air of laziness.

6. Face the person you're talking to. This shows you are interested and engaged in the conversation.

7. Shake hands firmly. For many, a handshake is a reflection of the person you're shaking hands with. You don't want to come across as unsure or overbearing, so make sure yours is professional and confident.

8. Always smile. Smiles are contagious and will make others feel positive when you're around.

9. Look your best. You don't have to be model perfect every day, but you should dress appropriately and neatly. Clothes can have a big impact on the way you're perceived.

10. Walk confidently. Keep your head up and take even strides.

Motoring away from good business practices

When was the last time you bought or leased a car?  If it has been a while you are in for a wonderful surprise. 

Remember the days when the sales manager was unbearable?  Back then car sales people were the brunt of jokes – no one wanted to be associated with the industry and the mere thought of walking into a showroom made people cringe.

If anxiety sets in for you when it’s time to find a new vehicle, let me ease your mind.  Car sales people just don’t care about you anymore!  They do not follow up, will let you leave the dealership without a sale and enjoy letting you sit in the showroom for ridiculous periods of time while they…well, I’m not actually sure what they do when they disappear.

Over the past month my husband has lead the search for a new vehicle for me. And, experiencing the process is mind boggling to us.  As business owners, we believe in calling our customers back. We follow up. We respond to emails. We are respectful and honor all prospects and repeat clients. Obviously, we don’t sell cars.

So, when you want to lose loyal clients, make a poor impression on potential new business just follow top car dealers’ motto: ”If you want one of our cars, you’ll have to work for it.”

The next time you are in need of a car consider an auto broker. They work within your budget, offer suggestions that you hadn’t thought of and stay in touch with you.

Once your decision is made, they DELIVER the car to you!  Yes, folks, you don’t ever have to leave your house. The entire transaction takes about an hour – all being conducted in the comfort of your kitchen. 

If you are in South Florida, I will even give a contact – it is Holly Wright, President of Auto Source of America, Inc. She can be reached at 954-270-3987. I

As they say in the business…Happy Motoring!