- Start where you are. Every journey begins with a single step. You can, most of the time, move toward your next big accomplishment with a simple step (like an email, note or phone call).
- Find a colleague with similar goals. A little friendly competition is always helpful, as well as the support of someone who has similar outcomes.
- Get the right "gear." Its impossible to create new results when you're operating without the right tools. Find the right computer, database manager, web designer, etc. to support where you want to go.
- Stay healthy. Build a solid foundation for executing your tasks with the proper care and feeding of your mind, body and spirit.
- Pace yourself. You can eat an elephant, one bite at a time (with the right hot sauce, side dishes, and dessert). Big accomplishments take lots of effort and will require you to check many boxes. Be sure to recognize your small wins on your way to the big one.
- See the forest and the trees! Have a compelling plan that keeps you moving - and take it one day at a time.
- Its okay to rest. We must all take time to rest and recharge - my recommendation is one hour a day when you veg out with some "mind candy" (mine is an episode of Law & Order or a gossip rag like People Magazine) and one whole day on the weekend to do nothing.
- Form your pit crew. As a marathon runner, I put my crew of people all along the course with fluids, bars, and ibuprofen. A coach (know anyone good?), mentor and fantastic strategic partners can help you prepare, prevent and persevere.
- Challenge yourself. Read on topics outside of your specialty, take a different way home, try a new food. These "off routine" activities will keep you nimble, sharp and make you stronger.
- Be true to you. Get to your goals in the way that's just right for you - trust your intuition, make corrective changes as necessary and most of all, enjoy the journey.
Your Greatest Days are Yet to Come!
With so much focus on the "tight market" and "challenging times," I have been patiently waiting for the breaking news that tells us that the light at the end of the tunnel is not an oncoming train! Perhaps its time for you to dust yourself off, and create a new action plan with some inspired goals that will effortlessly move you forward. The journey from here to there will be easier with a few insights:
*NEW* Work the Room Seminar - In Time for the Holidays
Are you concerned with how your staff and team members present themselves - especially at all of those holiday parties and events? If so, you will love "Work the Room" - Honorée's newest seminar!
The details:
Business is about impressions. How your associates and partners carry themselves at networking functions – both company-sponsored and at public events - directly reflects on your firm and its brand. How do your staff members measure up? Progressive firms realize that their futures depend almost entirely on the greatness of their staff — all of their staff.
In Honorée’s seminar, “Work the Room,” your team will learn the art of networking, as well as the hidden value, and priceless potential of knowing how to make a positive first impression, speak confidently, carry themselves gracefully and professionally, ask the right questions, successfully navigate a room of strangers, and create relationships wherever they go.
She will provide them with the fundamentals for preparing for any event with intention, making notable first impressions, opening, controlling and graciously exiting conversations, maximizing opportunities, and creating lasting relationships.
Each member of your staff will be perceived as a “class act” because they will know how to do the simple extras that make all the difference. Establishing the immeasurable value of attitude and appearance in business will help transform them from a group of nervous networkers into a team of skilled, powerful professionals, promoting your firm to your firm, and others, with precision and style.
Honorée is one of the world’s foremost experts on business strategy and development. She’s also a very active Executive Coach and over the last ten years she has worked with more than 5,000 service professionals at all levels of practice. She will motivate, inspire and transform your team with her energetic, entertaining and educational style and substance.
For more information, send an email to questions@corpron.com.
The details:
Business is about impressions. How your associates and partners carry themselves at networking functions – both company-sponsored and at public events - directly reflects on your firm and its brand. How do your staff members measure up? Progressive firms realize that their futures depend almost entirely on the greatness of their staff — all of their staff.
In Honorée’s seminar, “Work the Room,” your team will learn the art of networking, as well as the hidden value, and priceless potential of knowing how to make a positive first impression, speak confidently, carry themselves gracefully and professionally, ask the right questions, successfully navigate a room of strangers, and create relationships wherever they go.
She will provide them with the fundamentals for preparing for any event with intention, making notable first impressions, opening, controlling and graciously exiting conversations, maximizing opportunities, and creating lasting relationships.
Each member of your staff will be perceived as a “class act” because they will know how to do the simple extras that make all the difference. Establishing the immeasurable value of attitude and appearance in business will help transform them from a group of nervous networkers into a team of skilled, powerful professionals, promoting your firm to your firm, and others, with precision and style.
Honorée is one of the world’s foremost experts on business strategy and development. She’s also a very active Executive Coach and over the last ten years she has worked with more than 5,000 service professionals at all levels of practice. She will motivate, inspire and transform your team with her energetic, entertaining and educational style and substance.
For more information, send an email to questions@corpron.com.
Legends of Basketball
I am at the Ritz Carlton San Juan speaking to the National Basketball Retired Players Association at their annual Legends Reunion.
I'm speaking to them about What's Next. What's next for you?
Position Yourself as THE Expert Part 2
Last week, we began our conversation about achieving expert status. Here are more action steps you can take to increase your visibility and position as THE expert:
Write articles. Get articles published wherever you can. Any publication, from your alumni newsletter to your local daily paper can be a good venue for you to get your message across. When writing articles always ask for a byline and a photo. Reprint all articles you have written. Send them to current clients and potential clients. Your name in print spells expertise. You can publish your articles online for an elevated web presence ... start here.
Publish your own newsletter or "ezine" (e-magazine). If you can not easily get others to print your articles, print them yourself. A newsletter can be no more than a single side of an 8' 1/2 by 11' sheet of paper. In addition to information on a topic related to your business you can also print a list of services, an announcement about a special event or any other self promoting information you see fit. Also electronic newsletters are an effective way to stay in touch and are almost no cost to produce.
Write a book. Being the author of any book adds credibility to your message. If you are not able to get a publisher to take it, consider self-publishing. There are a lot of resources out there to assist people with self-publishing. Also, there is a lot of software on the market that makes the formatting of your book easy. Here is my suggestion for the go-to company for graphic design, if you want the look and format to be ultra-professional. Tell 'em I send ya for the 'friends and family discount.' If you don't have a copy of my book, Tall Order!, be among the first 10 to request a complimentary copy and it will be on its way to you tout-de-suite.
Print a booklet. If a book is overwhelming then consider the simple and easy alternative. A booklet can be nothing more than four pages folded over with information and tips to consumers to consider when working with your industry. You can use this as a leave behind marketing piece that will continue to state your expertise.
Get media coverage. Produce a press kit discussing the topics you would like to speak to. Send out news releases to your local papers radio stations and TV shows when you are doing something news worthy. When you are a guest on a show always ask for a video or a tape so you can use it for other opportunities later, and for the media center on your website.
Get professional endorsements to use in your brochure and other marketing materials. Endorsements from someone recognized as an expert in a related field or from someone recognized as an expert in your field will say that even the experts think you are an expert.
Create photo recognition. Have a professional quality photograph on hand so you can seize any opportunity to use it. People that will not remember your name will remember your face. Then you will hear when they recognize you as an expert "I see your picture everywhere."
Teach. If you are teaching others what you know you must surely know a lot. Community colleges, universities and community organizations are always looking for adjunct instructors and special guests speakers to share their expertise with students.
Whatever you decide to do to establish yourself as an expert, recognize that you must regularly continue your professional development. Go to seminars, read industry publications, consult with colleagues keep current on the use of new technologies in your industry. To establish yourself as an expert, remember the most important part is to first be the expert you are capable of being.
Someone is going to be highly recognized as an expert in your industry. Have that expert be YOU!
Write articles. Get articles published wherever you can. Any publication, from your alumni newsletter to your local daily paper can be a good venue for you to get your message across. When writing articles always ask for a byline and a photo. Reprint all articles you have written. Send them to current clients and potential clients. Your name in print spells expertise. You can publish your articles online for an elevated web presence ... start here.
Publish your own newsletter or "ezine" (e-magazine). If you can not easily get others to print your articles, print them yourself. A newsletter can be no more than a single side of an 8' 1/2 by 11' sheet of paper. In addition to information on a topic related to your business you can also print a list of services, an announcement about a special event or any other self promoting information you see fit. Also electronic newsletters are an effective way to stay in touch and are almost no cost to produce.
Write a book. Being the author of any book adds credibility to your message. If you are not able to get a publisher to take it, consider self-publishing. There are a lot of resources out there to assist people with self-publishing. Also, there is a lot of software on the market that makes the formatting of your book easy. Here is my suggestion for the go-to company for graphic design, if you want the look and format to be ultra-professional. Tell 'em I send ya for the 'friends and family discount.' If you don't have a copy of my book, Tall Order!, be among the first 10 to request a complimentary copy and it will be on its way to you tout-de-suite.
Print a booklet. If a book is overwhelming then consider the simple and easy alternative. A booklet can be nothing more than four pages folded over with information and tips to consumers to consider when working with your industry. You can use this as a leave behind marketing piece that will continue to state your expertise.
Get media coverage. Produce a press kit discussing the topics you would like to speak to. Send out news releases to your local papers radio stations and TV shows when you are doing something news worthy. When you are a guest on a show always ask for a video or a tape so you can use it for other opportunities later, and for the media center on your website.
Get professional endorsements to use in your brochure and other marketing materials. Endorsements from someone recognized as an expert in a related field or from someone recognized as an expert in your field will say that even the experts think you are an expert.
Create photo recognition. Have a professional quality photograph on hand so you can seize any opportunity to use it. People that will not remember your name will remember your face. Then you will hear when they recognize you as an expert "I see your picture everywhere."
Teach. If you are teaching others what you know you must surely know a lot. Community colleges, universities and community organizations are always looking for adjunct instructors and special guests speakers to share their expertise with students.
Whatever you decide to do to establish yourself as an expert, recognize that you must regularly continue your professional development. Go to seminars, read industry publications, consult with colleagues keep current on the use of new technologies in your industry. To establish yourself as an expert, remember the most important part is to first be the expert you are capable of being.
Someone is going to be highly recognized as an expert in your industry. Have that expert be YOU!
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