February 2012
4 posts
Do you really need a business plan?
Hail to the all powerful blog!
True Confessions
I do I do
I know February is the month for romance but alas this is not about weddings. This is what many of you say when appealing to a client or trying to get a new job. Get a clue people don’t care what you do unless it solves a problem or situation for them.
So often at networking events we meet people who will corner you and tell you all the wonderful things they do but if their product or service...
January 2012
5 posts
Pricing to Include YOU
I have now met with 3 clients who added goals are to pay themselves. What’s the fun in having a business if you can’t pay you? Yes in the beginning a lot of money has to go back into the business to keep it going. Even if you only take $20 a week you are a line item and you are paying you. You could also write a full check for you and just not cash it until you are ready but at least you are...
Time, where is it?
Yes it’s Thursday and my blog usually goes out on Mondays and yes I started one, but. You guessed it other things got in the way and before I knew it it’s 4 days later. So here I am writing a new blog; I’ll save the started one for next week. I am writing about something I teach my clients, setting priorities and managing the work they have in the time they have. Yes, it’s a lesson I need to...
Leadership-Role or Influence
What is leadership? Is it the person we defer to because they are the boss? Is it the person we fear, or the one we admire? Do we share their beliefs or vision?
Whether teaching the management class at UCLA or working with clients the topic of leadership comes up. How do you define a leader? Who do you model your leadership after? Why should I follow you?
When I define the characteristics...
New Uses
As we begin the New Year and set goals, (You did do them didn’t you?), it is time to think of new uses for some of the things we do or have. Look at the next few examples and see if it can get your “what if” brain cells working.
Funeral chapels are being used for weddings, graduations, and birthdays. They are often free of charge and the staff knows how to plan an event in 2...
Resolutions Need Action
It’s the beginning of a new year and the resolutions are running rampant; the gyms are crowded and diet foods bought. Trader Joe’s was mobbed yesterday!
What resolutions did you make in your business? Are you creating task lists and promising you will enter every transaction in Quickbooks immediately; put everything in files and clean you desk everyday?? Snap out of it!!! If that’s not your...
December 2011
2 posts
Heroes
As the year winds down and we get ready for a new year, I want to thank a few people. I want to thank all of you for reading my blogs. I hope I have given you some tips and ideas that have helped you in your business or rethink some of your decisions and guide your focus to achieve your goals.
Starting next year I’ll also be writing a bi-monthly (that means twice a month right? I never get...
Rumors
I was in a store recently waiting my turn and over hearing conversations. Ok, I admit it I eavesdrop and I people watch! In one conversation one woman was telling another about an incident she had heard and she was so surprised a person acted the way they did. The other woman kept saying how do you know and the 1st person was adamant that what she heard was correct. Another conversation was...
November 2011
5 posts
Anger and Change
A recent experience reminded me of the behavior we often see in others when change occurs. When I first learned of the change that was necessary I told myself no biggie it is what it is deal with it and move on. However, as time passed and I saw inconvenience and changes that need to be made in various areas I suddenly became very angry. Why me? Why do I have to do this? Why can’t I just...
Winding down or gearing up
Instinctively we all seem to be on a school schedule whether we have kids or not. We become energized in September with the start of a new year; similar to January. We are reminded of the clean notebooks and sharpened pencils ready to create new business and achieve our goals.
In summer we slow down because ah it’s the lazy hazy days of summer; vacation time and re-energizing. Now it’s...
What is your WHY?
I just saw a great video of a TED presentation by Simon Sinek. http://www.startwithwhy.com/ He reinforced so much of what I have been talking about to my UCLA class, to my clients, and in my presentations. Why do you do what you do?
Your why is your passion. It is what drives you when you need that extra push to go further. Simon tells about a man named Samuel Pierpont Langley who had a lot of...
Rivalry and Innovation
If you have siblings you know all too well how this works. They get attention doing something so you have to do it bigger and better. They buy the parents a gift you need to get a better one. Sometimes we realize that rather than compete we can collaborate to create something better for both of us.
It’s the same in business we see our competitors doing something and immediately we have to do...
Should you entrepeneur?
I just read Seth Godin’s blog :http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2011/10/questions-for-a-new-entrepreneur.html and wondered how many people really think about what it takes to be an entrepreneur.
Is it a mindset or can anyone do it? Yes it’s a mindset, and no, anyone can’t do it! Ok that being said, what does it take?
It takes a dream or a passion and the desire to make it work no...
October 2011
3 posts
Grab Me!
Now if you are my dream man that might be a strong request I’d love fulfilled. As a consumer it’s the same concept in how you attract me.
When I teach target marketing I start with elevator pitches. I want someone to grab my attention so I want to know more about what they do or how they do it. I want to feel their energy and passion.
This is also a key area in collateral material and in...
Are you worth the money?
“The aim of marketing is to know and understand the customer so well that the product or service fits him and sells itself.”
Peter F. Drucker
I was recently reminded of this quote when a client was bemoaning that two potential clients reneged over money. We’ve all been there. When times are tighter we focus so much on the money and our fear shows. We make it all about us. We tell them...
Omnipotent
Despite what we tell our kids sadly we are not all knowing; we don’t know everything. But here’s the key; the purpose of good networking and developing solid relationships is to know who the experts are and share the information.
As many of you know I am planning on buying a new car and many have given me advice and suggestions; this is reducing my search time immeasurably. Still waiting for...
September 2011
4 posts
Fall Cleaning
I find it fascinating how we or at least I continue patterns learned growing up; they almost become instinctive. My mother always did her fall cleaning before the high holidays and spring cleaning before Passover. Over the last week I found myself just naturally needing to clean out something or rearrange. By clearing out it means there is now room for new things, ideas, and yes even people.
I...
Networking in real time
I am a huge advocate of networking as many of you know, because I know it works; but here is the key, it’s NOT about collecting cards. The one with the most cards is not the winner but merely a hoarder of cards.
Networking is creating a relationship so people see you and know what you stand for. I want to share a couple of recent experiences that explain my point.
One of the networking...
What I learned from TV
I was reading the listings for the new season and several thoughts came to mind. How many shows are remakes? There is an old adage in fashion that says if you wore it the 1st time around don’t wear it the 2nd time it appears; so, too, TV shows. Who is the audience for Charlie’s angels and why revamp it? Was the movie a success because of the stars and the action, and how much of a success? ...
It's not the economy stupid
It’s us! I am not naive I know there are people who can’t find work and I know there are people in lower jobs but I also know there are people being sought by recruiters and jobs that companies are having trouble filling.
I also know a lot of people are starting and growing businesses. There are new niches being created daily. Here’s an old adage that fits this; if you always do what you...
August 2011
9 posts
Re-evaluating
How many times have you had a great idea or seen something that others do and thought wow I need to do that? You do it and aren’t sure why you are getting different results than expected or desired.
My blog is a perfect example. I decided to do one to inform people about business practices, to help keep my name out there and oh yeah to get clients or sell the e-books.
On numerous occasions I...
Push
How much do you push yourself and your staff to take one extra step, to go the extra distance? If you go to a gym or work out in any way most, people try for one more rep or challenge themselves to keep trying. This, of course is assuming they are doing what they do to improve themselves for the intrinsic value. Some of you have heard me mention Julie who finished the Malibu ½ triathlon last...
Chase.com
This is a hard blog for me to write as Chase cut my credit limit in ½ when they took over Washington Mutual. Their response at the time was I was randomly selected and they could do it.; lucky me
This blog is actually to praise them about a smart move they made that you can do too.. Hey maybe they will raise my limit and reduce my interest rate! It could happen!
I want you to visit ...
Education Beyond Books
I have the good fortune to teach a management class to a wide range of national and international students who have all graduated college. Some of them are debating getting an MBA and some are getting certified in business and management. This quarter there was a large group of students from Italy and France.
A few things struck me as interesting. First and foremost I was so impressed with...
Fave Workshop!
Many of you know one of my favorite websites is www.tut.com TUT stands for think unique thoughts and if we go back to Napoleon Hill, he espoused similar in his book Think and Grow Rich.
I don’t know about you but I am constantly inundated to attend this seminar or workshop and they all seem to be the same: the speaker is an expert who will tell you a few tidbits but if you really want to know...
Confusing People...
Alright I admit it sometimes I do things just to confuse people but the results are amazing. I am talking about random silliness; smiling at strangers and telling them to have a nice day or if the person in the check out line behind you has one small item, paying for it. I even stop to let cars enter traffic. J
Today people are so occupied with cell phones and texting they have forgotten how to...
Birthdays!!!
August is my birthday month; yes, I celebrate the whole month, because birthdays are fun.
No I don’t discuss numbers, but think about it, isn’t it fun to feel special and have a reason to celebrate something? The mad hatter had it right to have un-birthday parties.
What are you celebrating these days? When I work with clients who are dealing with change be it large or small, I encourage them...
Are Professional Organizations Dying?
20 years ago I joined ASTD (American Society of Training and Development). I was president of the LA chapter which had 1200 members. I was also very active in the national organization that had over 80,000 members and hosted conferences of 10-15,000 people.
Today the local is less than 50% of what it was. I recently learned that the SHRM conference was huge was it because it was in Las ...
Times Are Changing!!!!
We know the expression if you always do what you always did you will always get what you always got. How many of you are doing same old?
As many of you know I teach a management class at UCLA and many of the students are international. This quarter a lot of the students are from Italy and we were talking about the impact of the lower birthrate and population decline especially there and...
July 2011
6 posts
What We Don't Know
I belong to an amazing consulting group where once a month we have very stimulating conversations and I always learn something. I hope all of you have a place like that, where you can learn and share which is so powerful!
Last night we looked at what we might not know and could share with our clients.
Here are some of the interesting tidbits
In today’s market, employees have to justify...
Helping the Future
We all know how important it is to plan for the future to make sure we have our retirement and other essentials. We work hard for today and hopefully tomorrow, knowing the impact on opportunities down the road.
What are you doing to affect the future of others who indirectly impact your future? Let me explain. Did you know that in many school districts 50% of girls will not graduate? The impact...
Where do you get information?
We are bombarded with information and sound bytes; in fact we get more information in one day than the average person living in the 1930s received in a lifetime. The question is how valid is some of the information and how do you use it?
The recent scandal in the UK over the tabloid, reminds us that just because it’s in print doesn’t mean it’s true. I have difficulty with local news as so much...
6 Months and Counting...
Half the year is over and it’s time to review goals. Are you on target? Do you need to revise them? I was so excited to see I am on track with one of my goals in terms of number of clients. I am 70% to goal.. YAY. Some of the other goals need a few tweaks and refinement to be reached.
Before you revise your goals have you redone the SWOT? No? Why not? This is when you need to look at...
What Some Jobs Really Cost.
We work at companies for a variety of reasons; some are monetary and some are based on values and learning. For whatever reason we take a job, staying there can sometimes cost us more than we bargained for.
Three interesting examples came to me recently. In the first a woman had to have a new picture for her badge, which when she compared to her previous one of less than 5 years was very...
Inspiration
It’s Sunday evening, I’m sitting in my office looking at the lake, listening to the ducks, and enjoying the beautiful breeze trying to figure out what to write on this blog. Suddenly a word comes to me; no joke, inspiration. The question then becomes what inspires you to do what you do?
We all have altruistic theories about helping people and making the world better etc.. I do enjoy what I do. ...
June 2011
9 posts
How CEO's are different...
Ok so we know they are different and I see that when working with my clients and especially when working with the members of the CEO Roundtable (for more information on the group, e-mail me harriet@trainingsolutions-hlc.com).
Not only do they need to look at the strategic direction of the organization but they need to determine how each goal and strategy impacts various departments and...
CEOs are different.
This week both blogs are going to be talking about the different mindset a CEO needs to have and where they need to get support.
As some of you know, I co-facilitate a CEO round table for CEOs of 15 -100 employees; they are the small to mid size companies. This group may have some advisors but often do not have a board of directors. Whether or not they have these resources, they need to meet...
Belief
I just finished watching the 1st season of Game of Thrones which I was introduced to by Chellie Campbell www.chellie.com. There were many themes including the ones that generated the “r” rating. One of the ones that intrigued me was about a woman who was sold to a tribe to be their queen and the hope that this tribe would restore the dragons. (You had to see it). She believed despite...
Its Summertime!
The longest day of the year in terms of sunlight is tomorrow. Have you noticed how attitudes change in the summer? We become more relaxed; maybe it’s more time spent in the sun. We are also more active. More networking may be done outdoors in more casual settings.
How does this affect your business and your customers? Some may be less hurried about projects or buying things, others may be...
R&R
How do you relax? So many owners tend to spend 24/7 on their businesses; this is how they started and it’s become a habit, a bad habit.
I was working with a client recently whose business was taking over his life. It was having problems, he was overwhelmed. He had lost his passion and was just marking time. Worst of all he couldn’t see how to fix it or if it was worth fixing. Several months...
To Niche or Not to Niche
First of all what does it mean to niche? Does it mean you have a unique selling proposition (USP), yes? Does it mean you can only have one market, no?
Too often people think that if they find a niche market that they service they can’t do anything else. The key is to focus on the overarching theme of what you do and the different types of groups that need your service.
I was at an Empowered...
OMG!
How did you know that about me? Where did that awful picture come from? How did you get my phone number?
This morning I was at a Women in Business meeting and was reminded about the vulnerability of social media. People post things and think only their friends will see it, surprise!!!
Picture the family B.B.Q. or event where you are telling something to Aunt Mary and it’s overheard by cousin...
Delegating is harder than it looks.
You own a business or are leading a project or are a parent, and you need help so you decide to delegate some of the jobs. Which ones? Will they do it as well as you do it? Forget it; it’s easier to do it yourself. But is it? What is the cost of doing it all yourself?
Sound familiar? We start businesses or lead projects because we have a passion for them but that doesn’t mean we can or...
Burnt Bridges
It never ceases to amaze me how connected we are. Today a client’s sister connected with me on LinkedIn™ and I learned she works with colleagues of mine. An attendee at a lunch and learn I delivered for the Conejo Chamber of Commerce referred me to a friend of his from a church group. Another colleague told a friend whose sister had a lead.
Because this happens so often to me and many others...
May 2011
8 posts
K.I.S.S.
We all know this stands for keep it simple stupid (sweetheart). We ask someone the time and they build us a watch.
How often have we seen memos that look like this? “You should to the every greatest extent possible strive for symmetry in your involvement with the business and editorial staffs as these relate to the level of persons you may usually meet with on a regular, formal basis.” (A...
Consulting and colonoscopies..did I get your...
Got your attention didn’t I??? No I haven’t gone off the deep end and yes there is an analogy.
Once you hit 50 or maybe earlier your doctor says you should have certain tests to create a baseline and to avoid serious problems. We put that appointment very low on our priority list and eventually get to it; It may take a year or so but eventually.
Now as to your business, you are noticing sales...
Is Social Media For Everyone? Thoughts?
I know it seems a little weird to ask this question in a blog which is basically part of social media. What prompted this is I was at an event last week and met a woman who sells social media development and support. She was explaining about seo and many of the other search terms.
Here’s what I found interesting. She told me the story about a potential client, a very high end physical...