Archive for March, 2010

The Power of Execution

Wednesday, March 17th, 2010


Boldness is ever blind, for it sees not dangers and inconveniences whence it is bad in council though good in execution.   – Francis Bacon

The phrase “Get ‘er done!” is a motto more people than Larry the Cable Guy can adopt. Many of us in business have more drive than “do.” Most of us have vision for our businesses. Many of us have problems accomplishing our vision. Perhaps the problem is less about vision and more about execution.

Here are a few steps to help you execute your plans more effectively: 

  1. Dream big! One reason people fail to execute effectively is they reduce their dreams to fit their reality.  To clarify what you really want, pretend you have all the time, money and resources in the world. Who gets excited about a ho-hum life? Go big or go home.
  2. Develop a well-thought-out plan and strategy. Resist the urge to hit the ground running without your roadmap. Take the time to put a comprehensive plan and strategy together before you take off. It will mean the difference between running hard and running well. Check out the book Strategic Acceleration by Tony Jeary. Tony does a great job articulating the “building blocks” of strategic acceleration: clarity, focus and execution.
  3. Communicate your vision and strategy to your team.  Make sure the people who work with and for you fully understand what your vision is. Clearly articulate how and when you’d like to get there. Make sure they understand what each team member’s role is in accomplishing it.
  4. Do something! As simple as it sounds, eventually you’ve got to step off the gangplank of indecision and make that first step towards your goal.  If you wait for every condition to be perfect, you’ll never get started. Baby steps are better than no steps at all.
  5. Review your plan regularly. Put milestones in your plan. Review them to see what steps worked and what didn’t. Tweak your strategy as you go along. Don’t be afraid to abandon the ineffective.

Thoughts: Are you ready to improve your execution game? What needs to happen to bring your vision to pass? How’s your plan working for you?

To hire Petey to help you improve your execution game,  click here: 
Petey

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A Sincere “thank you” will do — and other things your mother taught you

Wednesday, March 17th, 2010

Thank You
God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today.  Have you used one to say “thank you”? – William Arthur Ward

Whatever happened to “please” and “thank you?”  When did you last  hear — or say – the words, “pardon me;” “Excuse me,” “Yes” (instead of “yup” or “whatever”)? Where are the Momisms from long ago?  Why can’t our techie toys — whether online, SEO or cyber-communication – include some niceties? Where are our personal AND business manners?

In the March 22, 2010 issue of Fortune, Becky Quick writes, “Most of us learn in kindergarten that when you hurt someone, you say you’re sorry.  But captains of industry seem to have forgotten the rules of common decency.  Lack of remorse may be good (temporarily) for a company’s bottom line, but it isn’t good for society.  The strength of the global economy depends on people’s willingness to trust institutions, and institutions’ ability to trust one another.”

Have we forgotten what we learned in kindergarten?  Are parents still teaching Momisms or do the kids of today only hear, “Good job!”?   Remember when kids heard phrases like:

  • “A stitch in time saves nine”
  • “If you open it, close it”
  • “Think before you talk”
  • Always be respectful – address your elders with, “Yes, ma’am,”  “‘no, Sir’”
  • Say, “thank you” anytime – to anyone – doing something nice for you

We had the opportunity to travel South Africa and Victoria Falls – taking the Blue Train from Pretoria to Cape Town.  Every single person serving us in any way would say ‘thank you’ as they were performing the task.  Finally I asked a waiter why he said, “ thank you”  as he placed my plate on the table instead of waiting until I said “thank you” and wait for the normally reply of, “You are welcome”.  He looked at me with surprise and said, “Because it is my pleasure to serve you.” Ummmmmm – How welcoming is that?!

I wonder …

  • Have men stopped opening the doors for women because women stopped saying, “Thank You”?
  • Are we in such a rush to make a sale that we don’t take the time to know the wants and needs of the customer?
  • Is life moving so swiftly that the act of human kindness of acknowledging, respecting and valuing another person escapes us?

What do you think?

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Posted in Customer Service | 3 Comments »

What the Oscars Taught Me About Business

Wednesday, March 17th, 2010


About the only time losing is more fun than winning is when you’re fighting temptation. ~Tom Wilson

The 2010 awards season has just ended – and the campaigning for the 2011 season has just begun! I believe you can learn business tips from just about anything. Here’s a few thoughts on this year’s Academy Awards© program:

  • Enjoy your blessings! This year’s running gag was a glum George Clooney, seated next to his gorgeous Italian girlfriend, surrounded by his adoring peers. The joke of course, was that if you’re blessed with looks and talent like Clooney, every day should be a picnic. There’s always something to be happy about!
  • Looks can be deceiving. Best Actress Oscar nominee Gabourey Sidibe, who played the title role of an overweight, depressed teen mom in the movie Precious, was said to be pigeonholed by her looks and thus unlikely to work in Hollywood again.  At this writing, she has now signed for both her next movie and a TV role. In business, things are not always a difficult as they seem – or as others make them out to be.
  • An “ugly” win is still a win. Mo’Nique snagged the Best Supporting Oscar© for her star turn as monster mom Mary Jones in the movie Precious. Sometimes you have to plow your way through ugly seasons to secure success.
  • It’s always good to have some “angels” looking out for you. Precious benefitted from a major PR bump when executive producers Oprah Winfrey and Tyler Perry joining their considerable forces to promote the film. While “swimming with the sharks,” be sure to reach for every life jacket you’re offered.
  • Everyone deserves a chance to shine! This year’s “Kanye” moment occurred when one director bum-rushed the stage and interrupted her former partner’s acceptance speech. Never forget – there’s enough abundance for everyone.  
  • Nice guys do finish first sometimes. After assuming the “America’s Sweetheart” mantle from Julia Roberts, romantic comedy queen Sandra Bullock switched genres to star in the football movie with a message, The Blind Side. She was rewarded with the Best Actress Oscar© as a result. Don’t be afraid to change things up. You may be pleasantly surprised.
  • Everybody loves a good “David vs. Goliath” story. Kathryn Bigelow won over several relative newcomers and veteran director James Cameron of Avatar and Titanic fame to become the first woman to win Best Director in Oscar© history. The fact that Cameron is her ex-husband just *might* make her win that much sweeter.

Thoughts? What else can you learn from watching awards shows? What’s your favorite?

To order Petey’s book, Blueprint for Success, click here:

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Posted in Vision/Strategy | 2 Comments »

Are you a leader…or just behaving like a bully?

Wednesday, March 17th, 2010


Competence goes beyond words.  It’s the leader’s ability to say it, plan it, and do it in such a way that others know that you know how—and know that they want to follow you. – John C. Maxwell

What does YOUR reputation say about YOU?

Leaders have vision and inspire others to follow. They COMMAND respect.  Some leaders are feared because they abuse COMMANDO tactics.  Some very successful leaders use a combination or the two.  BUT – the best of the best lean heavily on the side of respect first!!!

 Leadership is about defining your character – achieving the confidence to look, act, and sound like a leader. They accept responsibility, maintain a sound set of beliefs, communicate skill and have the COURAGE to make the transition of change.

  1. Surround yourself with positive people and places
  2. Accept the blame and claim for your own decisions
  3. Ask yourself if you are creating the problem or creative about the solution – look for solutions rather than excuses
  4. Master the art of changing
  5. Leaders have a belief system:
    • Vision – enrolls others
    • Passion, not your power position – will engage others
    • Values – inspire others to follow you

John C. Maxwell says we admire people who display high competence.  If you want to cultivate that quality, here’s what you need to do:

  • Show up every day
  • Keep improving
  • Follow through with excellence
  • Accomplish more than expected
  • Inspire others

Commanding respect challenges us to have command of ourselves first.  Be the person you’d like to follow because they have earned your respect – not because you are afraid of them.

Thoughts?

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Yep – It’s tax time — Yikes!

Wednesday, March 17th, 2010


Did you take advantage of the new deductions and credits with so many changes to tax rules for 2009?   Mary Beth Franklin – Kiplinger’s Personal Finance March issue, 2010 – says to forget everything you thought you knew about filing your taxes.  For instance, consider these KipTips:

  • Earthquake relief – If you donated money to Haitian relief efforts between January 11-March 1, 2010, and you itemized your deductions, you can claim your charitable contributions on your 2009 tax return.
  • The new American Opportunity credit is worth up to $2,500 pr student each year during the first four years of college.
  • Tax form 8863 – use this form to claim the new American Opportunity tax credit and other education tax credits.
  • New-home shoppers celebrated when the popular $8,000 first-time home buyer’s credit was extended to contracts signed through April 30, 2010.  Income eligibility limits for this credit differ depending on the date of purchase; and current homeowners who buy a new home now qualify for a tax credit, too.
  • Form 5405 – Use it to claim the home-buyer credit for new and existing homeowners.
  • Use tax form schedule L – This is the form that non-itemizers use to claim additions to the standard deduction, including the property-tax deduction, the sales-tax deduction on new vehicles and disaster losses.
  • Home-Energy Credit -You may claim a credit for 30% of the cost of eligible home improvements on your principal residence, up to a maximum of $1,500.
  • Form 5695 – This is the form to use to claim the credit for making energy-efficient home improvements or installing renewable-energy systems.
  • New-Vehicle Deduction –If you purchased the vehicle (car, motorcycle, light truck or a motor home) anytime after February 16, 2009, you may be able to deduct the state or local sales tax or excise tax.
  • Break for unemployed – The first $2,400 of benefits collected in 2009 is exempt from federal income tax, but the exclusion isn’t automatic.
  • Give some back?  Some taxpayers will receive smaller refunds than usual and other may end up owning money.  Blame it on the Making Work Pay credit.  Employers adjusted tax-withholding schedules during the year so that you could receive an immediate benefit from the 6.2%tax credit worth up to $400 for individuals and $800 for married couples, subject to income limits. Schedule M must be filled out to claim this credit – even if you already received the benefit through lower tax withholding from your paycheck during the year.  (Taxpayers who file form 1040EZ must use the worksheet for the credit on the back of the form).

 DISCLAIMER – I am not a CPA or financial advisor. The information displayed is reprinted from Mary Beth Franklin’s article. Please consult your CPA or financial advisor for advice pertinent to your unique situation.

 Petey

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Work Yourself into Financial Shape

Sunday, March 14th, 2010

“Hello everyone and Happy Spring!  Each month we will be asking a guest blogger to talk about getting into shape – physical, mental, psychological and financial.  I’m excited about introducing our first guest blogger… my longtime friend and new business partner, Andy Klausner of AK Advisory Partners. He will share some of his vast knowledge by posting for us a much needed guide on “how to get into financial shape”!  Please join me as a subscriber to Andy’s informative sites:

www.akadvisorypartners.com
www.akadvisorypartners.com/blog

Petey

Achieving overall health must include securing your financial health.  But attaining financial peace of mind takes effort. The consequences of insufficient planning are sleepless nights and fading hopes of the retirement and security you envisioned.

I recently heard about a couple that was suing their brokerage firm. What was shocking is that the two readily acknowledged that they had not realized how much money they had lost. For the past year they had been too scared to open their monthly statements. Like so many investors, they were managing their portfolio themselves. Sadly, they didn’t realize until too late that saving the fee associated with hiring a professional advisor cost them so much more in the long run.

When people have legal issues, they almost always call a lawyer. The same goes for calling a CPA to help with their taxes. But for some reason, many people believe that they can manage their financial health themselves. They squeeze it in between all of life’s many daily tasks. Big mistake! Here’s some advice to consider, regardless of the size of your portfolio:

  • Hire a professional to help with your estate and financial planning. Ask your friends or trusted advisors for referrals to assist in selecting the right person.
  • Develop a customized investment plan in tandem with your financial professional. Be sure to ask to be educated on investing; then make sure that you set realistic financial expectations.
  • Develop a relationship/partnership with your financial professional. Take responsibility; stay current on your portfolio’s activities by regularly monitoring your progress.
  • Replace your financial professional if you are unhappy – but don’t go it alone!

End those sleepless nights. Plan your legacy and retirement on your own terms!

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Book Review – The Digital Handshake

Saturday, March 13th, 2010

Digital Handshake by Paul Chaney
Part One of The Digital Handshake begins by outlining five consumer trends turning the business world upside down:

  1. Consumer skepticism and resistance to advertising
  2. Current state of media fragmentation
  3. The growing  trend toward consumers being in control of marketing/advertising messages
    1. Marketing is no longer a one-way street, but an engagement in conversation with customers and potential customers.
  4. Pressure  businesses face to improve targeting of their marketing and advertising to increase relevance and minimize waste
    1. Tomorrow’s best companies will be those who can most effectively use social medial  by connecting people in profound new ways and changing the way communities and individuals buy.
  5. Companies being held to a higher level of accountability than ever before

The most effective points The Digital Handshake made for my own business are as follows:

  • It answered my long-standing question, “How and why do I want to use a blog?  I don’t even know what SEO (search engine optimization) stands for!”
  • You need to have a specific purpose in mind before you start –  Social networks are more about who you are, while online communities are more about the value you provide. See http://www.commoncraft.com/archives/000834.html for more information)
  • Determine your budget limits– what is your expectation of ROI” Enough said.
  • How much TIME will YOU spend on this type of marketing?
  • How do you measure the effectiveness of a social media marketing plan?  The days of touch-feely, warm-and-fuzzy thinking about social media marketing are over!
  • Know how social marketing measurements differ from other forms of online measurements
  • Don’t measure everything; do measure the right things:
      • Quantitative vs. qualitative metrics
      • Social media marketing measurement tools to use

Conclusion:  We have come a long way in a short time and the journey has just begun.  The Digital Handshake quotes Ali Behnam, co-founder of Web analytics software company Tealium, “Outputs equate to who is talking about you; outtakes, what they are saying about you, and outcomes measure the impact on your business.”

NOTE FROM PETEY – Move past GO– collect $200 and buy this book ASAP.  You’ll learn what the BIG deal is about SEO.  This book was written with two primary audiences in mind:  Professional practitioners in the fields of marketing a public relations and small business owners.   READ The Digital Handshake before you spend any more time or money making expensive non-productive errors based on unrealistic perceptions.

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These heels are in the middle of Nowhere..Where are YOU?

Saturday, March 13th, 2010


Don’t wait for something big to occur.  Start where you are, with what you have, and that will always lead you into something greater. – Mary Manin Morrissey

These Heels that I’m wearing are in the middle of nowhere.  Everyone is somewhere (as the saying goes). And, if that is true – where are YOU?

Are you sane?  Psychologists tell us that to be sane – we should know who we are, where we are, and why at any given time!  Assuming you normally know who you are and where you happen to be; the operative word here is WHY?

Why and how are you spending your time, talent and finances in your personal and business life?  What are your goals?  What are your priorities?  Where is your passion? What are you thinking??  Maybe it’s time to give some thought to what is important in your life.

Prioritize the words  health, wealth, ego, spiritual, family/friends, business and any other category you deem as an important part of your world.  Once prioritized – ask yourself, “How much time, talent, effort, money, and energy do I spend on those listed as my top three?”

Make a commitment to yourself?  Develop a one sentence affirmation: “I promise to spend at least three hours a week on (fill in the blank with at least one of your top priorities).”  Outline in your calendar what that time bloc looks like — exercising, reading, communicating with the folks you love, attending a seminar etc. MAKE A DATE WITH YOURSELF – PUT IT ON YOUR CALENDAR.  Keep a record of how you are doing.

One thing is for sure, no matter who you are and where you go, you take yourself with you.  You’d better like your own company!

In the play Give It Up! one of the title songs says it all: “Where Am I Now, Now That I’m Here?”  (Book by Douglas Carter Bean – lyrics by Lewis Flinn) 

Who are you?  Where are you? Why?

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Starting Over at Fifty Plus

Friday, March 12th, 2010


The best time to start thinking about your retirement is before the boss does. ~Author Unknown

The supreme accomplishment is to blur the line between work and play.  ~Arnold Toynbee

The New York Times reported this month that baby boomers are turning to entrepreneurship in record numbers. The SBA reports more than 5 million Americans age 55 or older now run their own businesses or are otherwise self-employed. The number of self-employed people ages 55-64 has soared 52 percent between 2000 and 2007.

This career change movement may be of necessity, partly powered by layoffs, buyouts, and a relentless recession. The AARP reports that unemployed people age 55 and older have been out of work for 36 weeks on average.

Whatever your reason, if you’re thinking about taking the plunge, here are a few things for you to consider:

  • Weigh all your options. Be sure to do your due diligence when embarking on a new venture. Look at all the legal, financial, social and relational ramifications. Consult sites like Nolo.com, Success.com and Entrepreneur.com for information. And of course, this goes without saying: Never, never, never, NEVER conduct business without a contract.
  • Consider the power of partnership. Check out the book, “The Power of Two,” by AUTHOR?. Find others who have interest in your new career. Find a partner that not only shares your vision, work ethics and integrity, but complements your weaknesses. Select a legal structure that protects the both of you.
  • Your “overnight success” may take 5-10 years. Don’t be dazzled by the articles that imply all you need are some business cards and a vision. In this economy, all sure bets are off. It could take five, ten, even 15 years to get your business off the ground.
  • Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Some people use part of their buyout package; others dip into their 401K accounts. Just don’t plow your entire nest egg into your new venture.

Thoughts: Have YOU started your own boomer business? How did you go about it? How successful have you been?

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