Three factors control your connection. The same principles apply in social organizations, personal and professional interactions. Sometimes you are the disconnect; sometimesthe audience members are detached from you or your message. Generally this communication misfire is a combination.
Yes, God gave us two ears and one mouth. Are you really listening to the other person? Are you listening to both their words and their tone of voice? Ever heard someone answer the question, “How are you?” with the most deadpan, monotone “fine.” Listen to only the word and you go on as if everything is wonderful. In this case the tone of voice screams so loudly that the word is insignificant. When you are truly listening to both the words and the tone, you feel the problem. Immediately call a halt to further conversation. Something is not ‘fine’ with this person.
Most people listen for a break in the conversation in order to interject their input. Listening for a word, any word, from the other person qualifies a change of speakers in the conversation. Genuine listening is a silent form of flattery. Listening only for a gap between words or a sound of some sort from the other person does NOT qualify as genuine listening.
The first key to connecting with the other person is genuine listening.
The mumbled ‘fine’ indicates a mental or emotional preoccupation. This person is obviously not fine and not connecting with you at this point. Your timing for a discussion with them may not be ideal. If you are ready, willing and able to listen to them with an open mind and an open heart, your timing may be perfect. If you choose to push your own agenda at this moment, you will fail. The timing is far less than ideal. Pushing your own agenda when the other person is not mentally available to receive is like throwing feathers into the wind; you have zero chance of success in having your message hit the target.
Schedule a time to discuss your agenda item later when both parties are receptive. Your courtesy will be appreciated and your odds of success will be vastly improved. Change the time and perhaps even change the setting. Some discussions are better face to face than email or telephone. If you must discuss delicate matters on the telephone, asking if this is a good time to talk before you launch into the meat of the discussion improves the chances of success. Timing for a face to face discussion or even a telephone discussion is critical. Email timing is not as significant since people have the flexibility of opening and answering the email on their own time preference. Being cognizant of the other person improves the flow of effective communication. Simply asking, “Is this is a good time to talk for a few minutes?” Or ask, “When would be a good time for us to discuss ______?”
The second key to connecting with the other person is timing.
Connecting also requires the proper delivery of the message. Voice inflection or tones also convey messages. The exact same words receive totally different significance depending on the manner in which they are delivered. As noted earlier “fine” implies one meaning as a word and a totally different impression depending on whether it is delivered with a cheerful smile or a blah monotone.
The delivery of the same words will receive totally opposite results with different tones and facial expressions. A frown and clenched teeth delivery of, “We need to talk” will strike trepidation in the mind of the receiver. Saying “We need to talk” with a glint of a smile in the eyes and a mischievous lilting tone conveys a totally different impression. Delivery of the message depends on not only the words but also the tone of voice and manner of speaking. The tone and manner of delivery can easily overshadow the actual words.
Listen to the words and tone of voice as someone responds to you. Be courteous of the timing of your message to be certain the recipient is ready to receive. Deliver your message in a manner in which it will be received as you intend for it to be received. Listening, timing and delivery all affect the quality and reception of your message.
For additional fine points on connecting with your audience, join me at www.Elaine4Success.com.
Friday, February 19, 2010
Friday, February 12, 2010
Teamwork Empowers Leaders
Michael Jordan is a super star basketball player but he is one of the team. As incredible an athlete as he is, he can not play for the entire team. John Elway has an excellent passing arm; however, unless he has someone to catch the pass, the play will not progress. Even the best quarterback can not play every position on the team simultaneously.
Team building means a diverse group of individuals with different talents and interests coming together for the good of the entire group. The entire team unites in a common goal for the benefit of all. No one super star stands out to the exclusion of the whole.
Amazon called the management team into the office at the beginning of the recession and informed them, “There is a big recession coming. Let’s miss it.” The mastermind session began immediately. Net result was that while everyone else was whining about a reduction in sales, Amazon’s profits were up. Team work saved the bottom line.
Mastermind groups have collaborated since at least the early days of Napoleon Hill’s “Think and Grow Rich.” Even though the terminology and format of the Greek forum was different, mastermind groups have existed in one form or other for centuries. Teamwork is not a new concept. A brainstorming group is a form of team each contributing ideas and efforts for the benefit of all the members.
Mastermind groups, brainstorm groups and teams all have leaders. An immature leader will say, “I’m going to the top, you can follow me.” A more mature leader say, “I will empower you to be the best you choose to be and we will all go to the top together.”
Forming a winning team consists of several basic elements.
1. Select team members with different skills, knowledge, and experience. Bringing together different personalities and talents means more variety in the points of view and more creative stimulation. A group of all analytical detail oriented engineers would benefit from a free spirited creative team member. A group of all ‘big picture’ thinkers would establish the dream but not have anyone to carry out any of the implementation details. Not only select a variety of personalities and talents, but assign the correct responsibility to the ideal candidate. An accountant would be excellent for Treasurer of the group but probably not ideal for the public relations ‘center stage’ spokesman.
2. Constant follow up checks insure that the team stays on track. Comparing actual results with goals pin points the timeline on the path to the goals. Even a rocket ship on the way to the moon needs to make course corrections frequently.
3. Establishing parameters clarifies rules, procedures and boundaries. Fewer problems will occur when each member knows the guidelines and responsibilities from the beginning. Problems always occur; however, they can be minimized. Knowing from the start who has the authority to make the final decision, eliminates unnecessary debate.
4. Develop a reasonable plan for implementation. Goals must be specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and timely. Goals must be SMART if the achievement plan has any success potential. Be specific in the steps necessary to accomplish the plan.
5. Assign specific roles and responsibilities. Expect each team member to handle their role. Provide extensive training to insure that each team member has the pertinent facts to be able properly accomplish their role.
6. Establish controls. How will the progress be monitored to determine if the goals are being achieved in the desired timeline?
7. Build team trust. Expect to be able to rely on each other. Be willing to lend a hand to each other. Always be respectful of each other’s time and ideas. All members of the team will not agree 100% with every decision. Once a firm decision is made, accept it and move forward. Communicate openly and honestly but courteously with each other.
Responsibility of the team leader changes as the team members become more accomplished at handling each of their tasks. Be versatile with releasing control once it is no longer needed on each small task.
Teamwork is essential to the effective management of any organization. Select a diverse group with a common goal. Assign the appropriate role to the best candidate for each duty. Define the responsibilities and parameters. Train the team members; design a specific workable plan and use appropriate follow up checks. Maintain open communication and mutual respect.
This provides a general outline; however, for individualized specific teamwork plans, join me at http://www.elaine4success.com/.
Team building means a diverse group of individuals with different talents and interests coming together for the good of the entire group. The entire team unites in a common goal for the benefit of all. No one super star stands out to the exclusion of the whole.
Amazon called the management team into the office at the beginning of the recession and informed them, “There is a big recession coming. Let’s miss it.” The mastermind session began immediately. Net result was that while everyone else was whining about a reduction in sales, Amazon’s profits were up. Team work saved the bottom line.
Mastermind groups have collaborated since at least the early days of Napoleon Hill’s “Think and Grow Rich.” Even though the terminology and format of the Greek forum was different, mastermind groups have existed in one form or other for centuries. Teamwork is not a new concept. A brainstorming group is a form of team each contributing ideas and efforts for the benefit of all the members.
Mastermind groups, brainstorm groups and teams all have leaders. An immature leader will say, “I’m going to the top, you can follow me.” A more mature leader say, “I will empower you to be the best you choose to be and we will all go to the top together.”
Forming a winning team consists of several basic elements.
1. Select team members with different skills, knowledge, and experience. Bringing together different personalities and talents means more variety in the points of view and more creative stimulation. A group of all analytical detail oriented engineers would benefit from a free spirited creative team member. A group of all ‘big picture’ thinkers would establish the dream but not have anyone to carry out any of the implementation details. Not only select a variety of personalities and talents, but assign the correct responsibility to the ideal candidate. An accountant would be excellent for Treasurer of the group but probably not ideal for the public relations ‘center stage’ spokesman.
2. Constant follow up checks insure that the team stays on track. Comparing actual results with goals pin points the timeline on the path to the goals. Even a rocket ship on the way to the moon needs to make course corrections frequently.
3. Establishing parameters clarifies rules, procedures and boundaries. Fewer problems will occur when each member knows the guidelines and responsibilities from the beginning. Problems always occur; however, they can be minimized. Knowing from the start who has the authority to make the final decision, eliminates unnecessary debate.
4. Develop a reasonable plan for implementation. Goals must be specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and timely. Goals must be SMART if the achievement plan has any success potential. Be specific in the steps necessary to accomplish the plan.
5. Assign specific roles and responsibilities. Expect each team member to handle their role. Provide extensive training to insure that each team member has the pertinent facts to be able properly accomplish their role.
6. Establish controls. How will the progress be monitored to determine if the goals are being achieved in the desired timeline?
7. Build team trust. Expect to be able to rely on each other. Be willing to lend a hand to each other. Always be respectful of each other’s time and ideas. All members of the team will not agree 100% with every decision. Once a firm decision is made, accept it and move forward. Communicate openly and honestly but courteously with each other.
Responsibility of the team leader changes as the team members become more accomplished at handling each of their tasks. Be versatile with releasing control once it is no longer needed on each small task.
Teamwork is essential to the effective management of any organization. Select a diverse group with a common goal. Assign the appropriate role to the best candidate for each duty. Define the responsibilities and parameters. Train the team members; design a specific workable plan and use appropriate follow up checks. Maintain open communication and mutual respect.
This provides a general outline; however, for individualized specific teamwork plans, join me at http://www.elaine4success.com/.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Firm Decisions Win
“Decisions are easy when your values are clear.”
You can’t steal second base with your foot firmly planted on first. Once you make affirm decisions, the forces of the universe seem to move to make things happen.
Living in Steamboat Springs Ski Resort for 29 years and loving the skiing, the people and the healthy life style provided a wonderful comfortable life. “Hi, saw your corvette at the gym today. Still working out every day?” Baby (the corvette) receives waves and smiles where ever she goes. Oh, the locals are quite friendly to her owner as well. Steamboat represents such a warm, friendly atmosphere that it becomes impossible for Baby or her owner to go anywhere on any day or at any time of day incognito.
The thought “move to Castle Rock” reoccurred night after night. “I don’t know anyone in Castle Rock. I’m comfortable here. I can’t afford to buy another house. This is a lousy time to apply for a new loan,” she protested. Finally in utter frustration to stop the persistent dream, she placed an ad to rent her mountain home. Immediate and excellent response from eleven qualified rental candidates. Well meaning realtor friends cautioned, “Don’t ask more than 2,000 per month because anyone with more than 2,000 per month will buy not rent.” She selected a delightful young professional couple with one small child. She interviewed them at he home and at their home. Great housekeepers. Very personable and excellent references. They agreed on 3,000 per month and signed the rental contract.
Once a firm decision was made, everything started to fall into place. She called a Castle Rock realtor and explained exactly the size, location and price of the home she desired. “Oh, and it has to close and be ready to move in within 30 days.” The realtor laughed, “That is four impossible things. What do you want me to do,” he complained. “Start looking,” she replied. Within thirty days she was moved in to that exact home.
Once a firm decision is made, the universe seems to spring into action to make all the pieces slip into place in the puzzle. The key is always to make a firm decision. You can not move forward with your feet implanted in concrete in the past. Forward thinking and forward motion require remaining light on your feet and ready to spring forward.
“Audacity augments courage; hesitation, fear,” Publilius Syrus. Once you make an iron clad, no turning back, decision, the wheels of progress start turning.
The key to forward motion is always a firm decision. When you know exactly what you want and are acting in total integrity, you will receive blessings beyond your wildest dreams. Jim Rohn, noted business philosopher, often said that when riches start flowing to you, they will flow in such abundance that you wonder where they have been hiding all these years.
“We can try to avoid making choices by doing nothing, but even that is a decision,” Gary Collins. Without a firm decision you will wander aimlessly. With a firm decision you will progress. If you make a decision, you control your future. If you choose to do nothing, you are by default giving the control of your life to someone else.
A wise person seeks counsel to assist in making a wise decision, but a wise person never avoids making a decision out of fear of failure. Nothing moves forward without a firm decision. If you would like assistance in sorting through your options to make a wise decision, join me at www.Elaine4Success.com. It is your life, decide wisely.
You can’t steal second base with your foot firmly planted on first. Once you make affirm decisions, the forces of the universe seem to move to make things happen.
Living in Steamboat Springs Ski Resort for 29 years and loving the skiing, the people and the healthy life style provided a wonderful comfortable life. “Hi, saw your corvette at the gym today. Still working out every day?” Baby (the corvette) receives waves and smiles where ever she goes. Oh, the locals are quite friendly to her owner as well. Steamboat represents such a warm, friendly atmosphere that it becomes impossible for Baby or her owner to go anywhere on any day or at any time of day incognito.
The thought “move to Castle Rock” reoccurred night after night. “I don’t know anyone in Castle Rock. I’m comfortable here. I can’t afford to buy another house. This is a lousy time to apply for a new loan,” she protested. Finally in utter frustration to stop the persistent dream, she placed an ad to rent her mountain home. Immediate and excellent response from eleven qualified rental candidates. Well meaning realtor friends cautioned, “Don’t ask more than 2,000 per month because anyone with more than 2,000 per month will buy not rent.” She selected a delightful young professional couple with one small child. She interviewed them at he home and at their home. Great housekeepers. Very personable and excellent references. They agreed on 3,000 per month and signed the rental contract.
Once a firm decision was made, everything started to fall into place. She called a Castle Rock realtor and explained exactly the size, location and price of the home she desired. “Oh, and it has to close and be ready to move in within 30 days.” The realtor laughed, “That is four impossible things. What do you want me to do,” he complained. “Start looking,” she replied. Within thirty days she was moved in to that exact home.
Once a firm decision is made, the universe seems to spring into action to make all the pieces slip into place in the puzzle. The key is always to make a firm decision. You can not move forward with your feet implanted in concrete in the past. Forward thinking and forward motion require remaining light on your feet and ready to spring forward.
“Audacity augments courage; hesitation, fear,” Publilius Syrus. Once you make an iron clad, no turning back, decision, the wheels of progress start turning.
The key to forward motion is always a firm decision. When you know exactly what you want and are acting in total integrity, you will receive blessings beyond your wildest dreams. Jim Rohn, noted business philosopher, often said that when riches start flowing to you, they will flow in such abundance that you wonder where they have been hiding all these years.
“We can try to avoid making choices by doing nothing, but even that is a decision,” Gary Collins. Without a firm decision you will wander aimlessly. With a firm decision you will progress. If you make a decision, you control your future. If you choose to do nothing, you are by default giving the control of your life to someone else.
A wise person seeks counsel to assist in making a wise decision, but a wise person never avoids making a decision out of fear of failure. Nothing moves forward without a firm decision. If you would like assistance in sorting through your options to make a wise decision, join me at www.Elaine4Success.com. It is your life, decide wisely.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Superior Customer Service
Is Your Customer Service Really Serving?
Great companies always possess exceptional customer service. All things being equal, people do business with the people they trust and the people who make them feel valued. If you were given a choice and in this age of the internet, we all have a plethora of choices, would you pay the same or maybe even a little more to be guaranteed excellent customer service?
One of the three biggest questions anyone has in starting a new business is, “will you be there after the sale?” Customer service is imperative, not optional.
When was the last time you did a blind test of your own customer service? Call and purchase something from your own company. Call and speak to your own customer service. Granted, if you are a sole entrepreneur or a new owner of a network marketing business, this will be challenging. If you are that new or that size company, you probably have more time to focus on exceptional service to each of your clients. The old golden rule “do unto others and you would have them do unto you” never goes out of style.
Business week compiled a list of the top 25 customer service companies. Shop one or two of those companies and test their customer service against your customer service. No one ever thrills 100% of the people 100% of the time; however, that remains a worthy goal.
Hold training for your employees to determine how well you rank on the ten basic rules of customer service.
1. Exceed the customer’s expectations by striving for a positive experience for each one.
2. Educate yourself on your products and services in order to convey the information clearly and succinctly. Don’t build the watch when they ask you for the time.
3. Listen to your customers and learn what they need and want. It is not about what you sell, it is all about what they need to solve their immediate issue or desire.
4. Courtesy and respect are never out of fashion. Demonstrate by your words, tone and actions how much you value their business and value them as a person.
5. When you are wrong, admit it. When they are wrong, find a way to allow them to save face and go forward to work together. Sometimes it takes more finesse but it always costs less to keep a customer than go find a new one.
6. Follow up and do what you say you will do when you say you will do it.
7. Be honest about what your product or service will or will not do. Honesty up front saves problems later.
8. Give your customers the benefit of the doubt; it may be a simple misunderstanding. Handle it with courtesy with sincere questions.
9. Happy customers tell three people and unhappy customers tell ten people. Your reputation is always your golden asset; protect it.
10. The easier it is for your customers to purchase from you, the more likely they are to purchase now and return in the future. Eliminate cumbersome hoops whenever possible. In this day of credit cards providing a “buy now” clickable link increases sales.
Customer service beings in earnest the minute they decide to purchase from you. If anything, be more available after the sale than you were in the process of seeking the sale. Remember the best leaders are servant leaders and the best companies value their employees and customers; they not only value employees and customers but demonstrate that attitude constantly. Treat each customer as if your business depended on their continued loyalty; it does.
For the list of the 25 best companies for customer service and tips and techniques to improve your customer service, join me at www.Elaine4Success.com.
Great companies always possess exceptional customer service. All things being equal, people do business with the people they trust and the people who make them feel valued. If you were given a choice and in this age of the internet, we all have a plethora of choices, would you pay the same or maybe even a little more to be guaranteed excellent customer service?
One of the three biggest questions anyone has in starting a new business is, “will you be there after the sale?” Customer service is imperative, not optional.
When was the last time you did a blind test of your own customer service? Call and purchase something from your own company. Call and speak to your own customer service. Granted, if you are a sole entrepreneur or a new owner of a network marketing business, this will be challenging. If you are that new or that size company, you probably have more time to focus on exceptional service to each of your clients. The old golden rule “do unto others and you would have them do unto you” never goes out of style.
Business week compiled a list of the top 25 customer service companies. Shop one or two of those companies and test their customer service against your customer service. No one ever thrills 100% of the people 100% of the time; however, that remains a worthy goal.
Hold training for your employees to determine how well you rank on the ten basic rules of customer service.
1. Exceed the customer’s expectations by striving for a positive experience for each one.
2. Educate yourself on your products and services in order to convey the information clearly and succinctly. Don’t build the watch when they ask you for the time.
3. Listen to your customers and learn what they need and want. It is not about what you sell, it is all about what they need to solve their immediate issue or desire.
4. Courtesy and respect are never out of fashion. Demonstrate by your words, tone and actions how much you value their business and value them as a person.
5. When you are wrong, admit it. When they are wrong, find a way to allow them to save face and go forward to work together. Sometimes it takes more finesse but it always costs less to keep a customer than go find a new one.
6. Follow up and do what you say you will do when you say you will do it.
7. Be honest about what your product or service will or will not do. Honesty up front saves problems later.
8. Give your customers the benefit of the doubt; it may be a simple misunderstanding. Handle it with courtesy with sincere questions.
9. Happy customers tell three people and unhappy customers tell ten people. Your reputation is always your golden asset; protect it.
10. The easier it is for your customers to purchase from you, the more likely they are to purchase now and return in the future. Eliminate cumbersome hoops whenever possible. In this day of credit cards providing a “buy now” clickable link increases sales.
Customer service beings in earnest the minute they decide to purchase from you. If anything, be more available after the sale than you were in the process of seeking the sale. Remember the best leaders are servant leaders and the best companies value their employees and customers; they not only value employees and customers but demonstrate that attitude constantly. Treat each customer as if your business depended on their continued loyalty; it does.
For the list of the 25 best companies for customer service and tips and techniques to improve your customer service, join me at www.Elaine4Success.com.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Economy or Confidence
Chaos reigns supreme in the American economy. Financial woes are shaking the foundation of the global economy as well. Global currency is about as stable as a kernel of corn in hot oil in a pop corn popper. Trying to anticipate and manage the fluctuations in the market right now is similar to asking fireflies to fly in formation. Impossible.
You are walking across a bed of cactus with your bare feet wondering if you will still have a job next week. What will you do if they give you the pink slip and escort you out of the building? Do you start looking for another job just in case? Do you buckle down and work even harder to prove you are worthy of keeping your job? Do you start your own part time business now, just in case?
Put your nerves in a straight jacket and take a deep breath.
Do you really enjoy your current job? What is it about the job that really inspires you? What would you change if you could? Seriously analyze the “yeah I really like this” and “yikes I would love to change that” parts of the job.
1. If the answer becomes crystal clear that there are far more elements that you would change than you like, it is decision time. How feasible is it to change some of the elements you do not like to become more enjoyable? In a perfect world with all options available to you, what would you really like to be doing?
2. If the answer is that you love your job, then the answer becomes very easy. Find ways to be more valuable to your company. Think innovatively and progressively. Increase your net worth to the company.
3. If the answer is “no, I’m only here for the paycheck” then it is time to explore other options. Do you like having a job?” Would you prefer to control your future and operate your own business? Do you have an entrepreneurial itch which has been begging to be scratched? Has that tiny red spot become a widespread patch of poison ivy which screams “get me out of this job and let me create my own enterprise?”
Once the decision has been firmly implanted in your soul to start your own business, what is stopping you? Oh you say, “The economy is really shaky right now. It’s a bad time to start a new business.” Horse feathers. 16 of the 30 companies in the Dow Jones average started in an economic downturn. Economy becomes an excuse not a reason.
Could the real reason be a lack of confidence? Your own personal butterflies are seriously out of formation. You are not certain if you will be able to succeed. Remember when you received your first bicycle? Were you afraid to ride without training wheels in case you fell over? Did it stop you? No. Well, if it did then maybe a business of your own may not be a good idea. You probably forced your hands and knees to stop shaking, gripped the handle bars with a death grip and took off down the hill. So what if you fell a few times in the process, you probably eventually mastered riding without hands. You did not let fear paralyze you.
What happened to that childish daring spirit? Millions of people successfully operate their own businesses. It becomes a matter of confidence and determination triumphing over childish fear.
A troubled economy frequently becomes an advantage because start up costs may be down. Help becomes more readily available because people are seeking part time or full time additional income. Some people simply have more available time to give you helpful hints during a down economy. You may even have more time now. You certainly have more motivation if you are concerned about losing a job. The sooner you get your own business on a solid financial footing, the less you have to be concerned about the loss of a job.
Buck up your courage and do what you have always wanted to do. If you have a dream to have your own business, how many more years do you want to slip by before you start taking charge of your future?
For specific tips and techniques on selecting the right business for you and assistance in putting them into a workable plan, join me at www.Elaine4Success.com.
You are walking across a bed of cactus with your bare feet wondering if you will still have a job next week. What will you do if they give you the pink slip and escort you out of the building? Do you start looking for another job just in case? Do you buckle down and work even harder to prove you are worthy of keeping your job? Do you start your own part time business now, just in case?
Put your nerves in a straight jacket and take a deep breath.
Do you really enjoy your current job? What is it about the job that really inspires you? What would you change if you could? Seriously analyze the “yeah I really like this” and “yikes I would love to change that” parts of the job.
1. If the answer becomes crystal clear that there are far more elements that you would change than you like, it is decision time. How feasible is it to change some of the elements you do not like to become more enjoyable? In a perfect world with all options available to you, what would you really like to be doing?
2. If the answer is that you love your job, then the answer becomes very easy. Find ways to be more valuable to your company. Think innovatively and progressively. Increase your net worth to the company.
3. If the answer is “no, I’m only here for the paycheck” then it is time to explore other options. Do you like having a job?” Would you prefer to control your future and operate your own business? Do you have an entrepreneurial itch which has been begging to be scratched? Has that tiny red spot become a widespread patch of poison ivy which screams “get me out of this job and let me create my own enterprise?”
Once the decision has been firmly implanted in your soul to start your own business, what is stopping you? Oh you say, “The economy is really shaky right now. It’s a bad time to start a new business.” Horse feathers. 16 of the 30 companies in the Dow Jones average started in an economic downturn. Economy becomes an excuse not a reason.
Could the real reason be a lack of confidence? Your own personal butterflies are seriously out of formation. You are not certain if you will be able to succeed. Remember when you received your first bicycle? Were you afraid to ride without training wheels in case you fell over? Did it stop you? No. Well, if it did then maybe a business of your own may not be a good idea. You probably forced your hands and knees to stop shaking, gripped the handle bars with a death grip and took off down the hill. So what if you fell a few times in the process, you probably eventually mastered riding without hands. You did not let fear paralyze you.
What happened to that childish daring spirit? Millions of people successfully operate their own businesses. It becomes a matter of confidence and determination triumphing over childish fear.
A troubled economy frequently becomes an advantage because start up costs may be down. Help becomes more readily available because people are seeking part time or full time additional income. Some people simply have more available time to give you helpful hints during a down economy. You may even have more time now. You certainly have more motivation if you are concerned about losing a job. The sooner you get your own business on a solid financial footing, the less you have to be concerned about the loss of a job.
Buck up your courage and do what you have always wanted to do. If you have a dream to have your own business, how many more years do you want to slip by before you start taking charge of your future?
For specific tips and techniques on selecting the right business for you and assistance in putting them into a workable plan, join me at www.Elaine4Success.com.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Skiing Lost A Legend
Skiing lost a legend. Billy Kidd lost a close friend. The world gained an example of courage, positive attitude and a “can do” spirit.
Jimmy Heuga passed away in Boulder at the age of 66. He left a legacy for the skiing world, Olympic record books and a tender spot in the hearts of everyone who knew him.
Jimmy Heuga and Billy Kidd made Olympic history as the first two American skiers to medal in the same event in the 1964 Innsbruck Olympics. Jimmy Heuga earned the bronze medal and Billy Kidd earned the silver medal. The two men have competitors and friends since their early days on the CU ski team in the early 1960s.
http://www.steamboatpilot.com/news/2010/feb/08/skiing-star-ms-champion-jimmie-heuga-dies/ displays a wonderful article of the close friendship and historic pictures. Steamboat was my home for 29 years. Billy Kidd is one of the finest, most gentle and professional men I have ever had the privilege to meet. Jimmy Heuga embodied so many wonderful character traits; no wonder these two men were such dear friends.
When we look at Lance Armstrong’s battle with cancer and his comeback to victory, we smile in tribute. Lance continues to work for a cure for cancer. Jimmy Heuga held his spirits high and continued to work to eradicate the disease of multiple sclerosis. These men set the example for all athletes and all people to follow.
“In Steamboat there is a tradition of touching the tip of your ski pole to the nose of the statue of Buddy Werner at the top of Buddy’s Run. This tribute honors a great skier and a great man. Jimmy, you touched our hearts and we salute you with our ski poles; we pay tribute to a great skier and a great man.” (Article in Wolf Creek Examiner)
In this day of economic unrest, professional athletes in trouble with the police, and whining by the citizens, this display of courage, professionalism and living out loud represents an example we can all embrace with pride.
Looking at the discipline, endurance and dedication of true gentlemen and athletic heroes such as Jimmy Heuga, Lance Armstrong and Billy Kidd bring a smile of pride to all of us. These men not only stood in the limelight but stand tall in the eyes of all as examples.
Gratitude swells in our hearts as we appreciate our wonderful country, our abundance, our health and opportunities to live and achieve. Regardless of our current circumstances, we still possess an abundance of opportunities to achieve and leave a positive legacy.
When we examine the physical and mental endurance required to live with or overcome serious disease, it dissolves any possible excuse any of us may have for whining about our minor inconveniences.
Where are you in your life, health, career and finances right now? Do you have the desire, drive and mental metal to reach deep inside yourself and overcome your circumstances the way Jimmy Heuga and Lance Armstrong did? These men were winners in every sense of the word. They won in their sport, they won in their battle with disease and they won in the battle to rise above circumstances to leave a legacy of which they can be proud.
Start by being grateful for what you do have. Form a plan to achieve everything you dream and desire. Take action to make it happen. “Everything you need is already inside you,” said Anthony Robbins. It is up to you to do something positive with those gifts.
The gauntlet is down. Jimmy Heuga and Lance Armstrong set the bar high by living out loud and setting the example. Can you reach deep inside yourself and do more with your life?
If you want assistance or inspiration, send me a comment in the “contact Elaine” section of www.Elaine4Success.com.
Jimmy Heuga passed away in Boulder at the age of 66. He left a legacy for the skiing world, Olympic record books and a tender spot in the hearts of everyone who knew him.
Jimmy Heuga and Billy Kidd made Olympic history as the first two American skiers to medal in the same event in the 1964 Innsbruck Olympics. Jimmy Heuga earned the bronze medal and Billy Kidd earned the silver medal. The two men have competitors and friends since their early days on the CU ski team in the early 1960s.
http://www.steamboatpilot.com/news/2010/feb/08/skiing-star-ms-champion-jimmie-heuga-dies/ displays a wonderful article of the close friendship and historic pictures. Steamboat was my home for 29 years. Billy Kidd is one of the finest, most gentle and professional men I have ever had the privilege to meet. Jimmy Heuga embodied so many wonderful character traits; no wonder these two men were such dear friends.
When we look at Lance Armstrong’s battle with cancer and his comeback to victory, we smile in tribute. Lance continues to work for a cure for cancer. Jimmy Heuga held his spirits high and continued to work to eradicate the disease of multiple sclerosis. These men set the example for all athletes and all people to follow.
“In Steamboat there is a tradition of touching the tip of your ski pole to the nose of the statue of Buddy Werner at the top of Buddy’s Run. This tribute honors a great skier and a great man. Jimmy, you touched our hearts and we salute you with our ski poles; we pay tribute to a great skier and a great man.” (Article in Wolf Creek Examiner)
In this day of economic unrest, professional athletes in trouble with the police, and whining by the citizens, this display of courage, professionalism and living out loud represents an example we can all embrace with pride.
Looking at the discipline, endurance and dedication of true gentlemen and athletic heroes such as Jimmy Heuga, Lance Armstrong and Billy Kidd bring a smile of pride to all of us. These men not only stood in the limelight but stand tall in the eyes of all as examples.
Gratitude swells in our hearts as we appreciate our wonderful country, our abundance, our health and opportunities to live and achieve. Regardless of our current circumstances, we still possess an abundance of opportunities to achieve and leave a positive legacy.
When we examine the physical and mental endurance required to live with or overcome serious disease, it dissolves any possible excuse any of us may have for whining about our minor inconveniences.
Where are you in your life, health, career and finances right now? Do you have the desire, drive and mental metal to reach deep inside yourself and overcome your circumstances the way Jimmy Heuga and Lance Armstrong did? These men were winners in every sense of the word. They won in their sport, they won in their battle with disease and they won in the battle to rise above circumstances to leave a legacy of which they can be proud.
Start by being grateful for what you do have. Form a plan to achieve everything you dream and desire. Take action to make it happen. “Everything you need is already inside you,” said Anthony Robbins. It is up to you to do something positive with those gifts.
The gauntlet is down. Jimmy Heuga and Lance Armstrong set the bar high by living out loud and setting the example. Can you reach deep inside yourself and do more with your life?
If you want assistance or inspiration, send me a comment in the “contact Elaine” section of www.Elaine4Success.com.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
How much Information is Enough?
Don’t you just cringe when you ask a question about an internet business and they say, “just sign up, we’ll tell you what to do later.” Some are almost that bad. There are websites on the internet today which do not tell you what kind of business it is or anything about it.
Caution about getting involved with a business which will not provide any information.
As a potential business purchaser, you have a right to know:
1. The name of the parent company
2. The main product – not all of the details, but the type of product. Is it a juice, telephone card, financial education, marketing education, cosmetics etc.
3. The type of business – franchise, MLM, Network marketing, affiliate program . . .
4. Do you earn from your first sale or have to pass up sales
5. How long has the company been in business
These are basic pieces of information to which you have a right before you invest your hard earned money.
Most people are concerned about:
1. Can I do it?
2. Will you be there after the sale?
3. Is it real? Is it legitimate?
After you filled out your information on the web site, did you receive a telephone call? If they called, where they high pressure sales or genuinely interested in you and your needs? If you did not receive a phone call, was there a number where you could contact them and speak to a live person? In the old days, ten or twenty years ago, you may have been sent to a pre-recorded message on an 800 line and asked to leave your contact information. That technique is rarely used now. Quite frequently now, you may receive a pre-recorded message sent directly to your telephone without your request for the call. That is regarded as a form of telephone spam rather than internet spam email.
How much personal attention do you desire? If you are the type of person who enjoys speaking with a real live human, then you can either call or respond to those who telephone you. Providing a telephone number on the web site is an indication that the owner of the web site is open to speaking with you and providing information to you.
The next step after the initial contact will probably be an email directing you to either a conference call or a web site for more information. This may be a personal email or an auto responder email. How much real information is provided in the email? Once again, have you been provided with contact information to speak directly with the sender?
When you attend the conference call or web site, how much information do you receive in addition to the enthusiasm and sales pitch? If it is all rah rah and no specific product or company information, be careful. The company name should be given for your reference.
Look up the company to determine if it has an excessive number of complaints. Any company which has been in business for 5 or more years will probably have a few grumblers. It is impossible for any person or any company to make 100% of the people happy 100% of the time.
Attorney general complaints are more significant than blogs or whiner chat rooms. Look at the source of the information in the complaint. Better Business Bureau is not a real government bureau; it is a “for profit” company. Much like the Federal Reserve is not actually federal; it is a private profit corporation.
There are a tremendous number of honest, ethical companies available for starting your own business. Being an entrepreneur is a wonderful, exciting and extremely beneficial venture. The important factors are to select the best business for you; select a business which fits your interests, your passion, your goals, your investment and your future income. Ethics and integrity must be present.
The more open and informative the business, the greater the opportunity for you to make a solid decision about what is best for you.
If you would like assistance in sorting through the information and guidance on selecting the best business for you, send me a note in the “contact Elaine” section of www.Elaine4Success.com.
Caution about getting involved with a business which will not provide any information.
As a potential business purchaser, you have a right to know:
1. The name of the parent company
2. The main product – not all of the details, but the type of product. Is it a juice, telephone card, financial education, marketing education, cosmetics etc.
3. The type of business – franchise, MLM, Network marketing, affiliate program . . .
4. Do you earn from your first sale or have to pass up sales
5. How long has the company been in business
These are basic pieces of information to which you have a right before you invest your hard earned money.
Most people are concerned about:
1. Can I do it?
2. Will you be there after the sale?
3. Is it real? Is it legitimate?
After you filled out your information on the web site, did you receive a telephone call? If they called, where they high pressure sales or genuinely interested in you and your needs? If you did not receive a phone call, was there a number where you could contact them and speak to a live person? In the old days, ten or twenty years ago, you may have been sent to a pre-recorded message on an 800 line and asked to leave your contact information. That technique is rarely used now. Quite frequently now, you may receive a pre-recorded message sent directly to your telephone without your request for the call. That is regarded as a form of telephone spam rather than internet spam email.
How much personal attention do you desire? If you are the type of person who enjoys speaking with a real live human, then you can either call or respond to those who telephone you. Providing a telephone number on the web site is an indication that the owner of the web site is open to speaking with you and providing information to you.
The next step after the initial contact will probably be an email directing you to either a conference call or a web site for more information. This may be a personal email or an auto responder email. How much real information is provided in the email? Once again, have you been provided with contact information to speak directly with the sender?
When you attend the conference call or web site, how much information do you receive in addition to the enthusiasm and sales pitch? If it is all rah rah and no specific product or company information, be careful. The company name should be given for your reference.
Look up the company to determine if it has an excessive number of complaints. Any company which has been in business for 5 or more years will probably have a few grumblers. It is impossible for any person or any company to make 100% of the people happy 100% of the time.
Attorney general complaints are more significant than blogs or whiner chat rooms. Look at the source of the information in the complaint. Better Business Bureau is not a real government bureau; it is a “for profit” company. Much like the Federal Reserve is not actually federal; it is a private profit corporation.
There are a tremendous number of honest, ethical companies available for starting your own business. Being an entrepreneur is a wonderful, exciting and extremely beneficial venture. The important factors are to select the best business for you; select a business which fits your interests, your passion, your goals, your investment and your future income. Ethics and integrity must be present.
The more open and informative the business, the greater the opportunity for you to make a solid decision about what is best for you.
If you would like assistance in sorting through the information and guidance on selecting the best business for you, send me a note in the “contact Elaine” section of www.Elaine4Success.com.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
