Ethical Leadership — You Need A Mastermind Group.

In Napoleon Hill's bestselling book, Think & Grow Rich, he introduces a practice called The Master Mind Group. As an executive who wants to succeed, you should regularly assemble a grouping of professionals who will help you learn, understand and grow.

They could be an attorney, an accountant, a financial planner, a marketing/pr consultant, etc. At the end of the day, you need a grouping of smart individuals who know their areas cold and can help you with any problem, situation, or opportunity that might arise. You meet with them on a quarterly basis, off-site, usually for a full day (you also pay them for their time).

Let's look at this idea through a lens to pursue a highly ethical leadership style: Can you use this Master Mind Group practice to help you maintain (or regain) your high ethical standards? Yes, you can.

Look at the makeup of the group. You need highly reputable professionals that abide by ethical standards in their respective vocations. Now we all know that there are some miscreants who buck the system ethically (we are not talking about them) — we want the best, the brightest, AND the most ethical.

Choose an attorney, accountant, or financial planner of the highest ethical standards . . . Why? Because they will steer you straight ALL THE TIME. Adopt a 'Definite Purpose' as an objective to be attained by the alliance, choosing individual members whose education, experience and influence are such as to make them of the greatest value in achieving that purpose.

There isn't any use in forming a Master Mind Alliance just to have someone to chat with. Your Master Mind will fail if you don't have a strong motive behind it, and it's up to you to plant that motive in the minds of the group members. Your allies for this group should be chosen for their ability to help you get to where you are going. Do not choose people simply because you know them and like them.

You want the hard truth — you want these members to steer you straight and give you valuable advice.

When you have established rapport, you will find that ideas will flow into the minds of each of the members and likewise into your own mind. When the Master Mind is in effect, it produces ideas that would not come to your mind alone. I have had that experience many times when sitting in on the many groups of which I am a member on a consulting basis.

But in the end, you want these professionals to keep you on the straight and narrow and to help you when you are pulled into shady territory by investors, the board, your peers, etc. You need a voice of reason to help you navigate these treacherous waters.

The Extraordinary Power Of Teamwork.

Yesterday morning, a good friend of mine, Bill Erickson, told a very powerful story that hit me right in the heart.  This week, a Japanese woman was rescued from being squashed by a train after she did what we all fear and fell down the gap. Dozens of passengers were quick to react and together pushed the 32-ton train carriage away from the woman in her 30s, and she was able to get away with minor injuries.

With the right people, focused on a single strategy, can do almost anything. I hear so often about dysfuntional teams and people who are unable to get anything accomplished. The real truth is — it's the manager. They haven't done the requisite work to get their team motivated and focused. That's why they are dysfunctional. So let's break down why the actions of the people at the train worked:

They were focused.

They had a common interest and all pushed at the same time to allow the woman to wiggle free. Are your people focused? Do they get distracted easily? How do you keep them on target — how to you regularly ensure they stay on target? Too often, team members are distracted by actions by others or management's changing priorities. Ultimately, they either don't deliver or miss deadlines regularly. Get them focused and keep them on track with regular updates.

They were committed.

They had a life or death situation to deal with and nothing was going to let them fail. They were all in and every little bit of their hearts, souls, and minds were determined to MOVE THAT TRAIN. Have you captured the hearts and minds of your team? As inconsequential as your work may seem, you need to light a fire under your team and keep them committed and motivated to do the extra-ordinary.

Everyone on your team needs to know and understand what is at stake if they fail and for you to show them how to succeed in a spectacular fashion. Most managers don't do this. They deliver the work and just expect their people to deliver. Show them how to WOW you. Give them the tools, direction, and resources to deliver in a powerful way.

They were energized.

The passengers demonstrated extraordinary strength to move a 32 ton train. These weren't bodybuilders or Olympic weightlifters, they were people just like you and me. What gets each of your team members fired up? Are they fired up right now?

Good managers know exactly the right motivators to push at the right times to get super-human strength, endurance, experience, and performance from their people. All by just using words. Find out what fires up each of your people and ensure you regularly make the same circumstances occur on a regular basis. It can be as simple as a compliment, a positive email, or a pat on the back.

The Real Reason Why People Aren't Getting Hired.

I'm angry. VERY ANGRY. But I'll try to maintain my composure during this post. Over the past month, I've coached a number of clients and have presented to an even larger number of out-of-work executives. They have all been out of work now for 6-12 months and have little-or-no direction moving forward. When I keynote my workshop or coach them one-on-one:

1. I help them target exact companies that they want to work for.
2. I show them a strategy how to reach out and touch decision-makers.
3. I follow up with them on how they are progressing.
4. WASH - RINSE - REPEAT. It's that easy.

And guess what? Many of my clients immediately get interviews and some get offers (like this morning!).

But there is another group of clients. They've done NOTHING. No phone calls, no meetings, no real opportunities.

All they do all day is send out a few emails, check the job boards, tighten up their resume. That's it.

Here's a dose of REALITY folks: If I haven't said it enough — YOU NEED TO GET OUT AND MEET PEOPLE.

• If you are searching for a job in your sweats, YOU ARE NOT LOOKING FOR A JOB.
• If you are not getting out DAILY and meeting key movers and shakers, YOU ARE NOT LOOKING FOR A JOB.
• If you spend your day surfing on the web, sending emails to a few friends, and watching TV all day, YOU ARE NOT LOOKING FOR A JOB.
• If you are landscaping your yard, shopping for groceries, driving the kids to and from school, YOU ARE NOT LOOKING FOR A JOB.

YOU ARE AVOIDING GETTING A JOB.

I honestly think that many of these people have worked so long in one company or one vocation, they've "COCOONED" themselves into a mental corner that they are unable to get out of. Even when they are given a map and shown the way out — they still stay in the corner waiting for someone to come along and give them a job.

Here's the TRUE REALITY: That's never gonna happen folks.

Get 'real' with your situation. If you've been unemployed for more than 3 months without a viable interview or job offer, something isn't working. You need to change your strategy. Unfortunately, for many people out their, many of their obstacles are in their head.

Sorry about the vitriol today — but sometimes people just need a good kick in the butt to see reality.

Image provided by Family O'Abé at Flickr.

Fire The CEO! That Will Never Happen.

Read this today: "IBM Corp. this summer will lay off  hundreds of workers in the Hudson Valley region as part of a $1 billion company restructuring that could cut as many as 8,000 jobs worldwide." (link) The truth: Bad management decisions by the top impact the hard workers under them.

It happens time and time again - when the same cast of characters - The Board, Chairman, CEO, President, CFO, CMO, CIO, COO, CSO, (and many others) make decisions which are either good for Wall Street (to get that pennies per share price up) or good for them (so they can hold onto their jobs for another year).

It's the typical corporate country two-step - instead of innovation and growth - they focus on swaying to the gyrations of factory/office closings and staff reductions. Make a bad decision? Time to start firing up the guillotine! Instead of realizing that THEY (management) have made serious miscalculations of the market/their customers/their competition, they continue on in their role (with HUGE bonuses) while they slowly eviscerate the organization from the inside out.

Think of what IBM used to be (i.e., the Watsons) where they took bold ideas, acted upon them, and led the industry. They picked up on the PC, Laptops, Operating Systems, Enterprise Solutions, etc. What happened?

Why isn't IBM in mobile computing? They used to be a leader. Answer: Short sighted vision and watching-their-butt management. What can benefit management in the short term (just to get another year or two of outrageous bonuses) or playing the market so they can leave and land at their next gig (and do the exact same thing over again). I would love some news organization to start up a Bad CEO database so we can see where they turn up next — we can track them like Lo-Jack for executives.

And before I begin receiving rebuttals . . . I know . . . there are companies who are doing it the right way, IBM and other companies are reacting to industry changes, etc. I just find it's sad to see a leader in American technology lay off 8,000 workers. That's a LOT of good people. Also, I don't hate CEO's — I just hate BAD CEO's. And we all know who they are.

Got A Great Testimonial Today.

Over the past year,  I've worked with an influential CEO of a major financial advisory company in NYC. During that time, we got A LOT accomplished and we had a lot of fun. He requested in-person meetings with Skype follow-ups and I modified my services to provide what he needed (the team at the Rich Gee Group aims to please!). So without further ado . . .

“Rich has been instrumental in the growth and success of my career and organization. He has a unique ability to inspire you and think outside the box to deal with challenging situations.  I would highly recommend Rich to anyone.”

It's been a great ride and I hope to remain friends forever.

Is It Safe?

From Drive4Show at Reddit.

Traditional Rewards Aren't Always As Effective As We Think.

Suggested by my close and valued colleague, Margo Meeker, here's a powerful and informative TED presentation by career analyst Daniel Pink on the real secret of motivation and rewards:

Dan examines the puzzle of motivation, starting with a fact that social scientists know but most managers don't: Traditional rewards aren't always as effective as we think. Listen for illuminating stories — and maybe, a way forward.

Microsoft Once Again Fails To Understand.

Microsoft’s new Windows 8 vs. iPad campaign:

"They're so afraid of letting go of past success that they'll take future failure instead. They'll refuse to compromise on anything other than making the user experience horribly, needlessly, compromised.

In most cases, they've touted the advantages of a more desktop-like experience, and Windows is, perhaps, the most desktop of desktops. And it's precisely what mainstream customers have resoundingly said is the absolute last thing they want on a tablet."

Read Rene Ritchie's full article from iMore.

Top 8 Critical Articles You Should Be Reading TODAY.

I've been blown away with the level and caliber of magazine articles lately. 

Instead of puff pieces, they are cutting right to the chase with powerful, informative and critical information executives, business owners and in-transition people need to succeed in today's marketplace. So here goes:

Inc. Magazine

The 25 Most Audacious Companies

Inc. 's first annual Most Audacious list features entrepreneurs who are original, ambitious, and totally uncowed by impossible odds.

Why Everyone Is an Entrepreneur Now

Job-hopping might ruffle a corporation's feathers, but employers need to accept it's a way of life.

Fast Company

The 100 Most Creative People In Business 2013

Data Geeks, World-Changers, Actors, Rappers, and all types of innovators prove the value of creativity at a crucial time in business.

The Future Of Technology Isn’t Mobile, It’s Contextual

It’s called situational awareness. The way we respond to the world around us is so seamless that it’s almost unconscious. Our senses pull in a multitude of information, contrast it to past experience and personality traits, and present us with a set of options for how to act or react.

Bloomberg Businessweek

In The Future, We'll All Be TaskRabbits

The temporary workforce in the U.S. is looking increasingly permanent. In April, 2.66 million people took on temp work, making up almost 2 percent of the country’s overall workforce, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Boomers Plan to Delay Retirement. Then Life Intrudes

If you’re one of those aging boomers who’s counting on extra years of work to save your nest egg, keep in mind that relatively few people end up doing it.

Entrepreneur Magazine

Entrepreneur's 100 Brilliant Companies for 2013

We talk a lot about ideas: what inspires them, how to act on them. But it's really quite simple: The best ones come from just going about our lives -- encountering, then attempting to resolve, both major obstacles and quotidian annoyances.

10 Habits College Entrepreneurs Should Forget at Graduation

You've made it. The finish line. With that degree in hand, now you can finally start the business you've spent years planning, right? Not so fast. After years of cramming for exams and attending class in your pajamas, you may have picked up a few bad habits.

I've tried to mix it up a bit for all readers of my site — please pick up all of these issues — they are chock full of POWERFUL ARTICLES.

3 Tips To Take More Powerful Notes During Meetings.

Meetings stink. You know you have to have them — status update meetings, quarterly reviews, client updates, investor relations, customer feedback sessions, etc. They stink because:

• They are usually not well run.
• They frequently go over their schedule.
• Work usually doesn’t get done — just talking/pontificating.
• It’s not all about you (probably the most important one).

One technique I use to combat "meeting-itus" is to take great notes. Stick with me.

The process of taking notes produces a number of pleasant side effects:

• You retain not only a mental record of the meeting, but also a physical one.
• You are engaged in the meeting, your mind doesn't drift off to other areas.
• You show your peers, customers, and superiors you value their time and input.
• It keeps your professional mind sharp at a time when you are might be drowsy and punchy.
• It delivers a jumping-off point for new ideas, strategies, and directions - which you can bring up during the meeting and look good.

But most people don't take good notes (or they don't take any at all). Usually because they still take notes like they did in school. Two different environments. So here are my three ways to take better notes:

Structure

A lot of executives use fancy and expensive leather books to take their notes. It's usually small, with a binding, and blank (or with lines). If you had to take a lot of notes, the physical structure of your book would probably work against you. Here's what I look for in a good note-taking platform:

• Ability to spread out - no bindings, large rings, or encumbrances to deal with. Nothing in the structure should impede my note-taking.
• Lots of space - don't use a 4" x 6" book - you need 8.5" x 11" to be able to draw, make arrow connections, and add/modify sections.
• You need to have some type of structure designed into the pages (see Format). These are usually flat.

Format

This is critical. Use my template (pdf) if you would like to see what I use. It's a simple format allowing me to list basic info at the top (date, meeting title, attendees) and adequate space between the lines to add graphics to my thoughts.

In addition, I have a 2" left-hand rail to allow me to list overall ideas, positions, and directions, so I can easily read down the left side of the page and understand what exactly happened during the meeting.

At the bottom, you'll see a large space for next steps or action items from the meeting. That's the most important part.

Behavior

Be engaged. When you sit down, prepare your notes — set the title, date, and attendees. There usually is a lead person who sets the stage for the meeting and hopefully delivers an agenda. This will give you a good idea of the purpose and structure of your time, hopefully well spent.

During each section (or person), break out each note area with a sub-title and think what's being covered, what are the elements, and what are the decisions/next steps. If you are tapped in any way to do something, make a defined, regular, and recognizable notation next to each element (I use two asterisks). This tells me I have something to do and to quickly inquire when it needs to be delivered.

What do you use to take your notes in? How successful are you in taking good notes? I would love to hear your techniques!

The Price Of Success.

Originally written by Joseph French Johnson in the early 1900's — I can not, to this day, find a more inspirational piece of text: I often wonder what it is that brings one person success in life, and what it is that brings mediocrity or failure to their brother or sister. The difference can't be in mental capacity; there is not the difference in our mentalities indicated by the difference in performance. In short, I have reached the conclusion that some people succeed because they cheerfully pay the price of success, and others, though they may claim ambition and a desire to succeed, are unwilling to pay that price.

And the price is...

To use all your courage to force yourself to concentrate on the problem in hand, to think of it deeply and constantly, to study it from all angles, and to plan.

To have a high and sustained determination to put over what you plan to accomplish, not if circumstances be favorable to its accomplishment, but in spite of all adverse circumstances which may arise and nothing worthwhile has ever been accomplished without some obstacles having been overcome.

To refuse to believe that there are any circumstances sufficiently strong to defeat you in the accomplishment of your purpose.

Hard? I should say so. That's why so many people never attempt to acquire success, answer the siren call of the rut and remain on the beaten paths that are for beaten men and women.

Nothing worthwhile has ever been achieved without constant endeavor, some pain and constant application of the lash of ambition. That's the price of success as I see it.

And I believe every person should ask themselves:

Am I willing to endure the pain of this struggle for the comforts and the rewards and the glory that go with achievement?

Or shall I accept the uneasy and inadequate contentment that comes with mediocrity?

Am I willing to pay the Price of Success?

P.S. I modified this quote for my to make it powerful for all of my readers.

P.P.S. The photo is of Elon Musk, man who started PayPal, Tesla Cars, and now SpaceX.

Thinking Big vs. Thinking Small.

Find yourself thinking small? Too afraid to think big? Think Big: Take chances. Think Small: Take no chances.

Think Big: Meet New People, Target important contacts, Touch Movers & Shakers Think Small: Stay within your current group of contacts and colleagues.

Think Big: Spend money, Invest in your business, Grow your career. Think Small: Don't spend money, hunker down and wait for the issues to go away.

Think Big: Speak in front of people, Go after bigger and bigger groups, Attract influentials. Think Small: Keep your ideas to yourself, Think of writing a book, Never complete it.

Think Big: Take on more than you can chew, Push yourself, Reach higher (and higher). Think Small: Keep things in context, Don't push yourself, Stay within your box.

Think Big: Inspire people, Get their attention, Be a BILLBOARD. Think Small: Do the same things and expect a different outcome.

Think Big: Challenge yourself, Change the game, Make It HAPPEN. Think Small: Be content.

Think Big: Consult with experts, Ask questions, Challenge the status quo. Think Small: You know enough.

Think Big: GROW. Think Small: SHRINK.

It's that simple.

To Grow Your Business, Leave Your Door Open Whenever Possible.

If you've ever been to college, this is THE small piece of advice that my brother gave me when I went off to school: "If you want to fit in and make a LOT of friends at college, leave your door open whenever possible." Why? Because:

• People will wander in.
• You are opening your world to them.
• You are showing them a piece of your universe.
• You are showing them that you are open to their presence (and not closed like a shut door would).

I took my brother's advice and kept my door open whenever I was in my room. It might have impacted my grades a bit, but I was probably friends with 80-90% of the students on campus (it was a small, liberal arts school).

Now let's apply this to your business — how can you "leave your door open whenever possible"? Here are some ideas:

• Be open to your current clients/customers. Make it easy for them to contact and talk to you.
• Ask for feedback often. The most successful businesses are the ones that frequently inquire and act upon customer feedback.
• If you can, meet with your clients face-to-face. I coach primarily over the phone, but I've been breaking that box and meeting with clients in-person. Guess what? They love it!
• Be flexible with your business model. When things are working and you're hitting a wall, leave the door open to new ideas and ways to do things.
• When out in the world, hide the sunglasses, iPod, newspaper. Put on a smile and interact with others. You will find yourself meeting a lot of new and interesting people.
• Ensure that any client/customer touchpoint encourages connection and conversation. Like your website, your business card, your email signature, your brochure. They should all have a direct line to you.
• Use social media (like Twitter, Linked In, Facebook, etc.) to make yourself more available to instantaneous communication with your clients and colleagues.
• Play your music loud to attract others. What I really mean here is to actively behave in a way to encourage others to find you and walk in your location. Have open houses often, invite groups to your location, mix it up with other people!
• Teach your colleagues and team to leave their doors open too. You'll find that many of them have a 'closed door' mentality.

Bottom line, by just leaving your 'door' open, you are opening yourself up to many new exciting and lucrative possibilities that would normally walk right on by.

P.S. If you think of any other "leave your door open whenever possible." ideas, let me know!

Hard Work Beats Talent.

Caught the new episode of Mad Men last night — one of my favorite shows. In the middle of all the soap opera antics of the story (I do love Roger and his comments though), I study the interactions of the characters at work. How they speak to one another, how they talk to their clients, and what they accomplish during their time at the agency.

What shines through, and many people probably miss, is how they are so successful. Let's look at two characters, Don & Peggy.

They have talent — they are the creative sparks in each of the agencies they represent. But it goes deeper.

They are 100% committed to their work:

• They work late.
• They take work home.
• They interact with their colleagues during many off-hours.
• They are willing to push themselves AND their teams.
• They think and breathe their work.

Unfortunately, if you view the teams who work for them, they are presented as lazy, comical, and people who lack direction. They go home on-time and party (sometimes they do work late).

Both Don and Peggy are talented — but it's their commitment, drive, and hard work that delivers.

That's enough of Mad Men for now. Let's talk reality.

If you want to succeed — if you want to move up in your company — if you want your business to explode — you have to HUSTLE at work.

You need to work A LOT. Think about what you're working on ALL THE TIME. Obsess about it — LIVE it. You can't get that promotion by putting in a "9-to-5" attitude.

Here are some tips I have my clients try:

• Arrive at your office early. I used to hit work at 6:30 AM and start working — I would clock 2-3 hours more work than other people trundling in at 9, Did it work? The Chairman noticed I was always the first car in the parking lot — ultimately I won the Chairman's Award. With my current business, I start at 5 AM. Because it's MY business (I wrote this blog post from 5-6 AM this morning).
• Work while you are at work. Don't ditz around — no surfing, no wandering around — make your time at work count. Every minute.
• Ask for more work from your boss. Usually do this after a good meeting with them where they've complimented you on your progress/work.
• Stay late. Ask if you can help out on a project. You don't have to burn the midnight oil all the time, but put in 1-2 late nights a week — stay until 8.
• Work on the weekends. I get up at 5-6 AM and work until 9 AM on Sat/Sun. That gives me an extra 3-8 more hours of work in the week without it affecting my home life.
• Think outside the box. Get your head thinking where everyone else isn't. Go where the puck will be going. Mention new ideas during meetings — but be positive.
• Do extra-credit work. I used to do this ALL THE TIME. I would keep my ears open and listen for opportunities or gaps where I could approach management with help they might need, a new idea how to do something, or a side-project which would make the company millions. It worked ALL the time.

If you try 2-3 of these tips, I promise you will begin to get more done, get greater exposure (with the people who matter), and start to see openings where you can succeed.

I know, I know. You have a spouse, kids, parents, friends, responsibilities, and a myriad of other obstacles. But at the end of the day, if you want to succeed at what you do, you have to hustle.

And that's the truth.

P.S. If you want to watch a great video on Hard Work Beats Talent, watch this.

No Listening — No Communication!

We spend so much time honing our communications skills — how to have critical conversations, how to negotiate, how to stay calm during tough discussions, etc. But we never bring up THE most important part of communication — LISTENING to the other person.

Communication is a two-way street. I say something and then it's my turn to shut-up and LISTEN to the other person's response. Unfortunately, when that happens, we are usually NOT listening and thinking up a quick response. We are not truly looking them in the eye and absorbing everything they are communicating to us. So today, here are some simple listening strategies you can put into action immediately:

It's not just understanding their words.

You need to decipher how the speaker feels about what they are communicating. Are they irritated, happy, surprised, worried, sad, or angry? Your first impression of their mental state will allow you to set up your response back to them in a calm, cool, and informed manner.

Focus.

Focus fully on the speaker — their body language and other non-verbal cues will tell you volumes of information while you speak and listen back and forth.

Don't interrupt.

Avoid interrupting or trying to redirect the conversation to your concerns. In fact — shut-up until the other person runs out of gas and stops talking.

Don't judge.

Avoid seeming judgmental. You don't have to agree with them — fully listen and totally understand their position before you respond.

Use follow-up questions.

Show you care — ask follow up questions to their statements and let them respond.

Paraphrase.

Respond with: "So what your saying . . . " or "What I'm hearing . . ." or "I think I understand what you're pointing out . . .". Get them to nod YES before you move on.

Push them to keep talking.

Use phrases like: "Tell me more . . ." or "Keep going . . ." — they allow the speaker to feel what they are saying is valuable and that you really care.

You need to be an effective listener.

Make the speaker feel heard and understood while creating an environment where everyone feels safe to express their ideas.

When you show an open and encompassing demeanor while their speaking, they immediately feel they are important to you and you truly care about what they have to say.

They just want to be heard and understood. That's all.

The Rules Of Job Hunting Have Changed.

Bob Weinstein, a reporter who has interviewed me a number of times on job search, business, and career issues, has hit another home run again yesterday in the Connecticut Post, one of CT's largest newspapers. A whole article about job hunting rules from ME (click image or here to enlarge).

Bottom line:

• Take stock of all social media sites where you have been posting information.
• Step back and view each site with a laser focus — is there anything unprofessional?
• They are looking — especially LinkedIn, Facebook, Google+, and Twitter.
• Use these sites to enhance your professional image and stature in the industry. 

A big shout-out to Bob — he's in a rarefied class all by himself - professional, understanding, and informs readers with solid and clear advice.

Why Every Company Needs A "No Bozos" Policy.

Every so often I read an incredible article that articulates EXACTLY what I believe and tell my clients everyday.  Eric Jackson's Forbes article is one one of those articles.

"A bozo is someone who thinks they are much smarter and capable than they actually are. They constantly over-estimate their abilities and under-estimate the risks and threats around them. They typically don’t keep an open-mind. They look instead for data that confirms a previously held bias."

You need to READ it.

How To Deliver GREAT Customer Service.

I use shaving soap. Not shaving cream from a can. That's for kids. I'm a serious shaver — I use a shaving brush (Burma-Shave, antique), with a Merkur Model 180 razor, shaving cup with shaving soap.

I thought I would try a different company for my shaving soap. Since I like the smell of Bay Rum in the morning, I checked out Ogallala Bay Rum Company out of Nebraska.

I ordered their sampler for $6.25 which included six different shaving soaps — all made with bay rum, they included — Plain Bay Rum, Sandalwood, Sage & Cedar, Limes & Peppercorns, Lemon Grass, and Sweet Orange.

Now their site isn't great — but it gets the job done. Immediately after my order, I received the customary email letting me know that my order has been processed and it's on it's way to me. The next day, I received another email including these lines:

"If we have the pleasure of serving you again in the future, please remind us that you are a returning customer….and you’ll get a little something extra with your shipment! (Actually you will this time as well!)We not only have good old-fashioned products…but good old fashioned service and customer appreciation!" (Additional products for free on my first order!)

"On another note, it is very much appreciated when someone lets us know how they discovered Ogallala Bay Rum. Was it a search for a specific product on EBay or Google… or some other search engine or web site referral? And if so, what product were you searching for? Such information will help us in our marketing efforts and help keep costs down for our customers. Any information you can provide by replying to this email is greatly appreciated!" (It doesn't hurt to ask — and it probably saves them a lot of money and frustration understanding where their customers are coming from).

"We have special sales on our products through our store on occasion and like to let our customers know as soon as they are posted so they can be among the first to get a shot at some great bargains. Please send a blank email to the address below and you will be added to the list to get a "heads up" when such listings are posted.: (A polite way to ask for your email and retain you as a client).

I received the package within a few days (normal) and opened it up. What did I receive?

• The six soaps. Not only were they bigger than expected, they were individually wrapped to keep them dry and fresh. Most soaps aren't wrapped. Remember, these are samples.
• A free bottle of their Bay Rum Air Freshener. Not only did it smell great, it's made of two ingredients - Bay Rum and Water.
• An up-sell postcard — alerting me of their Cream Can Supper products. Not only did it have a specific web address, it had a QR code which I used to learn all about it. (sounds yummy!)
• A small thank-you card hand-signed — thanking me from a person named John. He said he "appreciated my business".

How do you think I feel about Ogallala NOW? 

• I will tell everyone I know about their products and customer service (this post is an example).
• I will buy from them again (guaranteed).
• I will have a good feeling about their company.

Don't you want people reacting like me about YOUR brand? Sit down today and think about how you interact with your prospects and clients:

• Do you communicate frequently to keep them abreast of what's going on, what is happening, and when everything will be delivered and complete? OVER-COMMUNICATE.
• Do you give away free stuff or more service than what the customer expected? START TODAY.
• Do you communicate related offers and products? GET GOING ON THIS.
• Do you send/give them a personalized and handwritten thank you note when the transaction/service is complete? IT'S EASY AND SIMPLE - DO IT.

Maybe you should try.

P.S. By the way, if you felt I was directing this only to entrepreneurs or company owners, you're mistaken. Every corporate worker should also take note — when I say 'customer service', replace it with boss, peers, or team. It still works.

YOUR COMMENTS ARE APPRECIATED — LEAVE THEM BELOW — Rich

Go And Make Lots Of Mistakes.

I learned a new word the other day. And it's a really cool word. Kintsukuroi. A beautiful word. One which fits perfectly with many of my coaching clients (and me too!).

It's a noun and verb — a Japanese technique of repairing broken ceramics with metal lacquer, usually gold or silver. The concept also includes the understanding that the piece is more beautiful for having been broken.

In Japanese, it actually means “to repair with gold”.

In business, there have been many fortunate mistakes — Post-It Notes, Penicillin, X-Rays, Corn Flakes, and The Slinky (read more here). And those people who made the mistakes have realized their errors and have seen their mistake turn into a lot of gold.

Mistakes are a part of life — let's get real — you're going to make a lot of them. But sometimes, we are so afraid of making them we actually hold back major successes.

But what's so bad about mistakes? if mistakes are part of life, you learn, you heal, and you move on. But sometimes we're so afraid of those mistakes, that they might impact your life in such an adverse way, we run away so far, we never understand . . . it's a learning experience.

And here's the best part — we might come out even better — just like a Kintsukuroi bowl with gold, filling in all of the cracks that we made before.

So go and make lots of mistakes . . . Enjoy!

Here are more links on Kintsukuroi:

• Pinterest - http://pinterest.com/lbrownfield/kintsukuroi/
• Tumblr - http://www.tumblr.com/tagged/kintsukuroi

Your Presentations Stink! Part Two: Bar Charts.

This series is an offshoot from my nationwide corporate workshop on “You Will Own The Room”.  If you want to see part one where I explain the who, what, where, when, why, and how, click here.

So . . . bar charts. We all use them. They are so simple and yet we go out of our way to make them complex and hard to read. Again, it's not your fault — MS Powerpoint and Mac Keynote offer up so many features, you are lured into the world of 3D, colors, shapes and sizes!

I'm here to bring you forward — to easy to understand, easy to design, and effective bar charts.

Let's step back for a second and review why we use bar charts:

• They take a boring list of numbers and make them live on the page.
• They allow you to make additional insights into the data which would be difficult with a list of numbers.
• They are powerful. And they can be easily skewed by modifying the values, timescale, or other measures.

What's a good, simple and easy to understand bar chart? Here's one:

Why is this bar chart better? I'm going to hit many of the same points for your presentations:

• You are not inundated with a barrage of colors.
• You don’t need a legend.
• The data labels and percentages are placed right onto the bar chart.
• Why use colors? You don’t really need them.
• The best part? This slide can easily be printed — and the viewer can also take notes on it.
• I also added internal 'tick marks' to each bar to easily allow you to count the block and quickly estimate the value. So there are three ways to get the value from each bar.

Next up . . . Slide Design & Backgrounds!