business 101

It's officially over.............

....2009 that is.

Personally and professionally, 2009 was a good year all things being equal. The fog is clearing, if you will, and the playground is taking shape. From a business perspective I'm excited as we move into 2010. In times like these, executing the obvious to survive is passe. The excitement of what is possible gives one the courage to embrace and leverage change. Real change, re-inventing, re-imagining and tossing the status quo. 

Dysfunctional governments are what will stymie the global economy. Like many, I too believe what we have in Washington is not what the founding fathers envisioned. Never before have I encountered so many organizations, groups and stakeholders imploring the citizenry to contact their Congressional delegates to voice concern / opposition. Obama was correct by campaigning "yes we can". However,  those inside the Beltway aren't WE, they're THEM.

It's not so much about where we've been as it is where are we going! So as the New Year begins -resolve to stay on the offensive and make a difference!

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Twenty years........

.....that's how long I've been running my own business. The first five years tend to be crucial to a start up. My so called final exam began in 1989 bringing both academic and professional experience to the table. Nine years later, having sold, I moved to Az. and knowing only my wife I invested in another start up. The rest as they say is...........

The similarities in both ventures are striking. Having never operated a business (naivete) before is much like operating a business in today's economy. Once you get by the idea of the economy you realize you're right back where you started. The exception is you tend to be wiser (experience). 

Owning a business tends to be 24/7.

The worry is offset by the excitement of it all. These are exciting times!!!!!

As one year draws to a close and we begin anew take comfort in that excitement. Be inspired, embrace change, make a difference.

Perhaps you'll join me and several thousand of my closest friends at EXPO 2010 sponsored by PPAI. The week of January 10th @ The Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas! I'll be looking for you!

Santa Claus came......

...to the house the other night!! For REAL just ask my daughters Olivia and Zoe.

Santa coming to the house has been a tradition in my family since the mid-forties. It strted with my uncle and through the years has been played by me, a cousin, a brother in law whom ever was around to make it believable.

This year my wife was worried that Olivia (9) was catching on to the whole thing. So we got them to sleep and waited for a couple of hours. Then I sprung into action donning my suit, a grand one at that, and lowering the lights I took my place close to the tree. My wife awoke Zoe first who then woke Ollie. Together they walked to the end of the hall way just enough to see the FAT MAN. Excited and shaking with nervous delight they whispered to one another and just as quickly went back to bed. Mind you not to sleep. For the next several hours my wife and I listened as Ollie begged Zoe to arise and let the fun begin. Zoe's final rebuke "be quiet and go to sleep". Finally, at 4 am, it was time to celebrate Christmas.

At first light, with all the gifts opened, I went out to retrieve the newspaper and what did I see. The markings left by Santa's sleigh and his reindeer. There were marks made by the sleighs runners along with hoof prints and oats scattered about. As if the girls would need further confirmation that indeed he had come.

All things being equal, the scene was priceless! The memories will last forever as will the video.

Looking forward to 2010.........

Information overload........

........now that's an understatement!

I spent about an hour this morning cleaning emails off the server. OK, it's my own fault. I tend to save too much stuff thinking I'll come back to it over and over again. The emails saved for business are the CYA variety. "Evidence", if you will, in that never ending what if a mistake was made on an order.

I also spend in an inordinate amount of time "unsubcribing" to unsolicited mail. It's woefully obvious that too many folks send/receive too much information.

I suppose I should go to my RSS feed as well. I tend to accumulate stuff there as well. The saving grace is that I only follow a few feeds. Can you imagine, given all of the blogs out there?

And now the push is on to embrace/engage with Social Media.

stay on the offensive and celebrate the small victories.........

What's 2010 going to be like.......

...is a question being asked of many this time of year. The answers range from serious to, well, delusional.

First of all people take themselves too seriously when asked to respond to a question like this. Most will state the obvious in an attempt to sound bright. Few will have an original thought. Wait, I take that back, it's all original however shallow.

Bottom line...there's only two kinds of forecast lucky and lousy! Matters not whether your the CEO or the Receptionist.

Don't believe me? Do you foresee the 08-09 free fall? Proactive or reactive? If you were really good your model would be lean, flexible and agile.

stay on the offensive and celebrate the small victories...............

I'm conflicted.........

I'm not really. My loyalty is steadfast. A man's (woman) as good as his word.

Given the advances of the internet one group is extremely vulnerable. Throwing resources at issues, mimicking the competition and looking more like a follower than a leader. Pandering to ego.....

Oh, the evils of competition.

stay on the offensive and celebrate the small victories................

Own the room...........

.........that's the advice I give to people less experienced at public speaking or presentations.

Over the years I've had the opportunity to give presentations to groups large and small. I'm always looking to improve content and my delivery. I've concluded that the more successful presentations are the result of preparation (content) and a mind set (delivery). As people begin to fill the room I walk around and engage the audience. It gives me a sense of whose in attendance and it also allows me to be at ease further demonstrating to the audience that I'm approachable.

The transformation (mind set) is complete as I begin.......

"Welcome to my room".

stay on the offensive and celebrate the small victories...............

The ECONOMY has become..........

......an excuse. A crutch if you will.

I was speaking with a colleague the other day. She recently lead a brainstorming session. The group was exploring ways to increase business in 2010 and they weren't allowed to mention the state of the economy.

Think about it. Regardless of the economy you still have to conduct business. When things were going well did you really pay attention to the economy? Probably not. So why pay attention to it now? It's like the jobless rate. It's irrelevant.

The challenge is to satisfy your clients needs.

stay on the offensive and celebrate the small victories............

Any powerful or compelling......

....emotion or feeling. PASSION.

Now there's a word, emotion. We've all experienced emotion. Fear, hate, excitement, sorrow and exhilaration for a few. What about Passion?

Yes, you've experienced that as well. It tends to ebb and flow.

It's the stuff that keeps you going when you think you can't. You summon it to overcome, seemingly, the impossible. Passion leads confidence. Confidence feeds achievement and success.

Stay passionate.........you may be surprised how far you roll.

stay on the offensive and celebrate the small victories.........

 

Any powerful or compelling......

....emotion or feeling. PASSION.

Now there's a word, emotion.

Social Media and the.........

....."clearinghouse" effect. Creating community requires one to become the "go to guy/gal" within that community......that notion of expertise = value.

It's about "creating content"......key word creating. Original thought not shared commentary.

You'll go more places, do more things and elevate your game if you create.

 

 

stay on the offensive and celebrate the small victories......

Believe......

.....such was the backdrop on the face of Macy's store during the annual Thanksgiving Day parade. With two small children, especially given the season, I'm constantly reminded to BELIEVE. Each evening I listen intently as my girls share and debate the existence of Santa and does Rudolph really fly??? Funny stuff after a challenging day at the office.

As a small business owner, regardless of the economic climate, you'll be continually challenged. Amazingly, and at times with wonderment, you'll revel in your uncanny ability to conquer (win). Should you falter (lose), you'll pick yourself up and eventually win. Concluding that you never gave up on the task (dream).

More simple........you believed....in yourself, in your vision.........

ps: Seasons Greetings!

stay on the offensive and celebrate the small victories..............