Leadership

Leadership is having the tenacity and conviction to pursue your vision on a daily basis and solicit others to help in that endeavor. http://edwardknab.blogspot.com/

Positive Benefits

Over the years I've done a lot of research on the positive effects of being positive and the negative affects of being negative. The research is clear. It really does pay to be positive and the benefits include enhanced health and longevity, happiness, career advancement, athletic performance, team building and financial success. Being positive is not just a nice way to live. It’s the way to live. In this spirit here are 11 benefits of being positive.

1. Positive People Live Longer - In a study of nuns, those that regularly expressed positive emotions lived on average 10 years longer. (The Nun Study)

2. Positive work environments outperform negative work environments. (Daniel Goleman)

3. Positive, optimistic sales people sell more than pessimistic sales people. (Martin Seligman)

4. Positive leaders are able to make better decisions under pressure. (Heartmath.org)

5. Marriages are much more likely to succeed
when the couple experiences a 5 to 1 ratio of positive to negative interactions whereas when the ratio approaches 1 to 1, marriages are more likely to end in divorce. (John Gottman)

6. Positive people who regularly express positive emotions are more resilient when facing stress, challenges and adversity. (Several Studies)

7. Positive people are able to maintain a broader perspective and see the big picture which helps them identify solutions where as negative people maintain a narrower perspective and tend to focus on problems. (Barbara Fredrickson)

8. Positive thoughts and emotions counter the negative effects of stress. For example, you can't be thankful and stressed at the same time. (Several Studies)

9. Positive emotions such as gratitude and appreciation help athletes perform at a higher level. (Heartmath.org)

10. Positive people have more friends which is a key factor of happiness and longevity. (Robert D. Putnam

11. Positive and popular leaders are more likely to garner the support of others and receive pay raises and promotions and achieve greater success in the workplace. (Several Studies)

Positive Benefits

Over the years I've done a lot of research on the positive effects of being positive and the negative affects of being negative. The research is clear. It really does pay to be positive and the benefits include enhanced health and longevity, happiness, career advancement, athletic performance, team building and financial success. Being positive is not just a nice way to live. It’s the way to live. In this spirit here are 11 benefits of being positive.
1. Positive People Live Longer - In a study of nuns, those that regularly expressed positive emotions lived on average 10 years longer. (The Nun Study)
2. Positive work environments outperform negative work environments. (Daniel Goleman)
3. Positive, optimistic sales people sell more than pessimistic sales people. (Martin Seligman)
4. Positive leaders are able to make better decisions under pressure. (Heartmath.org)
5. Marriages are much more likely to succeed when the couple experiences a 5 to 1 ratio of positive to negative interactions whereas when the ratio approaches 1 to 1, marriages are more likely to end in divorce. (John Gottman)
6. Positive people who regularly express positive emotions are more resilient when facing stress, challenges and adversity. (Several Studies)
7. Positive people are able to maintain a broader perspective and see the big picture which helps them identify solutions where as negative people maintain a narrower perspective and tend to focus on problems. (Barbara Fredrickson)
8. Positive thoughts and emotions counter the negative effects of stress. For example, you can't be thankful and stressed at the same time. (Several Studies)
9. Positive emotions such as gratitude and appreciation help athletes perform at a higher level. (Heartmath.org)
10. Positive people have more friends which is a key factor of happiness and longevity. (Robert D. Putnam Positive and popular leaders are more likely to garner the support of others and receive pay raises and promotions and achieve greater success in the workplace. (Several Studies)

Why do 40% of New Leaders Fail?

Why do 40% of New Leaders Fail?

Laptop_airport Most executives think it is important to "go it alone" due to their belief in the myth of individualism; they hold tightly to the idea that everyone succeeds or fails on the basis of individual efforts and abilities.

This assumption is so powerful that when an alternative view is suggested (that success depends on our relationships with others as much as it does on us) the usual reaction is denial. Denial of the role of relationships in the executive's success preserves the self-enhancing illusion that we are masters of our own fates and, therefore, deserving of all the credit for our successes.

The myth of individualism can negatively affect our chances for success.

Consider that four out of ten newly promoted managers and executives fail within 18 months of starting new jobs, according to research by Manchester, Inc, a leadership development firm in Bala Cynwyd, PA. "Failing" includes being terminated for performance, performing significantly below expectations or voluntarily resigning from the new position. When newly recruited, the following types of executives experienced the highest failure rates within the first 18 months: senior-level executives (39%), sales executives (30%), marketing executives (25%), and operations executives (23%).
Here are the major reasons for failure in the new job:

They fail to establish a cultural fit……………......................75%

They fail to build teamwork with staff and peers…...........…52%

They are unclear about what their bosses expect….............33%

They don't have the required internal political savvy…..........25%

There's no process to assimilate executives into the firm…...22%
Two out of every five new CEOs fail in the first 18 months (HBR, January 2005).

During the second half of 1999, when statistics began to be compiled, nearly 270 chief executives were forced to leave their companies or simply resigned, according to Challenger, Gray & Christmas, the Chicago-based outplacement firm that follows employment issues. Since then, the pace has quickened--in 2004, 663 chief executives departed and turnover doubled to 1,322 in 2005, according to the firm.

CEOs are now lasting just 7.6 years in office on a global average, down from 9.5 years in 1995, according to consulting firm Booz Allen Hamilton.

Leaders often fail for a few common reasons: due to unclear or outsized expectations, a failure to build partnerships with key stakeholders, a failure to learn the company, industry or the job itself fast enough, a failure to determine the process for gaining commitments from direct reports and a failure to recognize and manage the impact of change on people.

Focusherenow_22 Executive onboarding coaching of the newly recruited or promoted executive can turnaround this high rate of failure.

February 13, 2010 in Career , Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Failure, Leadership, Myths | Permalink ShareThis

Technorati Tags: common failure reasons, failure to build partnerships, failure to gain commitments, failure to manage change, leadership failures

9 Things You Must Absolutely Do To Having Winning Relationships At Work:

9 Things You Must Absolutely Do To Having Winning Relationships At Work:

1. Act Like a Human

Organizations run by a closed group of executives hovering above in the "C - suite" are falling. Leading Without A Title, where everyone is a key player is the new way to win in business. This fresh method of leading means that leaders not only master the essential skills but also understand how to act human. You can't treat human beings like capital - you will lose your greatest talent.

Acting human engages people - human engagement facilitates others towards their brilliance. A refreshing burst of humanity at the office outlasts and outshines the paycheck, the office with the view, or driving the company car. As the lights go out on the stage of old-school leadership, acting human is your game-changing solution.

2. Be One of the Few Who Perfect the Endangered Craft

It's an amazing time to be alive. Revolutionary technological innovation to enhance our lives, freedom of choice to create the life you love, and the daily opportunity to choose from an endless list of beautiful rewards. Yet an insatiable hunger still lingers inside each one of us - the hunger to be heard. I'm talking about the transformative experience that happens when someone truly listens and totally gets where you are at. I'm talking about listening at the level you feel like the listener is hanging onto each one of your words like they are the most important words in the world.

The new leadership is all about relationships with people. And you can't relate without listening. It's impossible. Yet engaged listening is a craft rarely mastered by leaders. You can have the most competent leader in the world, but if he doesn't listen his leadership potential will go unrealized.

Feeding the hunger to be heard brings out the best in people. People will trust you, respect you and shatter their limitations for you when you give them the gift of listening.

3. Be Scarce

We tend to value that which is scarce. We put a premium on objects and experiences we believe will run out: a Limited edition Gucci Ronson sneaker, a two week showing of Michael Jackson's This Is It. Reserve wine. We are impacted and motivated most by that which we don't come across everyday or that which comes in a limited supply. If you are seeking to create long term loyalty in your business relationships, ask yourself what is noticeably scarce? Is it generosity? Authenticity? Encouragement? Spot the scarcity and rock it.

4. Be the Most Positive Person in the Room

Today there is perpetual buzz about the state of the economy, the shock of once-admired organizations collapsing before our eyes and the alarming daily rate of bankruptcy. Yes this is current reality however, focusing relentlessly on negativity is subscribing to failure.

Powerful leaders neutralize the infectious cycle of negativity; they deploy hope where it's seemingly forsaken. Enlisting yourself as the most positive person in the room breaks the binds of negativity. Change the music and people will either stop dancing or start dancing a new step. Either way, it will set a precedence - "negativity is what everybody else is doing - we are the organization that refuses its limitations." Utilize the power of positivity to step up and make today better than yesterday.

5. Go Bigger than Your Paycheck

Just when we thought Apple couldn't wow us anymore they showcased innovation with the iPad, the tablet computer. Amazing. You might not love the design but you have to love how Apple delivers surprise above and beyond. Have the audacity to go bigger than your role. If a colleague is struggling to meet a deadline or lagging in productivity, don't be the first to point out the deficiency, be the first to roll up your sleeves and do whatever it takes to help out. Knock the status quo "it's not my job" to its knees and do more than you are paid for.

6. Be the Perfect Investment

When it comes to your relationships, be a dream investment: low cost with exceptional high return. Prove to be a no gossip, no games, no regrets, no maintenance investment of other people's time and focus. Manage yourself with others at the highest level possible - a.k.a with grace.

7. Get Naked in Your Conversations

Make your conversations count. Speak with candor. Brave the real issue. Say only that which is helpful: don't use your words to criticize or divide. Anybody can do that. Be radically honest, define reality. Trust is born out of the truth. Sloganeering and masking the truth breeds mistrust and disrespect. Go to the difficult truths and people will go the mile with you.

8. Get Famous for Reliability

Next time a teammate or department is unexpectedly riding the wild rapids, be the person out in the water risking the rapids with them. Become known for acts of reliability.

Every single person needs to take ownership of the organization's results. Everyone needs to take responsibility for what does or does not get accomplished in a day. Anyone can reach success if they consistently do the right things. Reliability, no matter what, is the right thing. Reliability translates into ownership and taking ownership is a way to present yourself as a leader.

9. Turn Everyone Into a Cover Story

Commit to noticing everyone. The young new associate in the elevator on Monday morning, the CFO's assistant, the receptionist, the customers, the interns... Remember everyone's contributions, what's important to her, what he does well, and what makes everyone smile. Everyone is worthy of being the next cover story and leaders show it.

Whatever you want!

Whatever You Want

A few years ago I ate lunch at Aqua Grill, a restaurant near my house. While there I met the owner, Cary Hart, and told him I had food allergies. I asked him if he could customize a dish for me without eggs since I’m allergic to them. He said, "Whatever you want Jon. Whatever you want." I told him I loved hearing that and he said, “That's my philosophy. I just walk around the restaurant telling customers, Whatever you want. Whatever you want. Whatever you want. You don't want to pay. That's fine. Whatever you want.” :)

We had a good laugh but Cary's customer service was no laughing matter. I go there all the time and have bought hundreds of meals because I know when I go there I'll get what I want. It’s no wonder that Aqua Grill has been open for 20 years while every week it seems another restaurant in my area has opened and closed.

I found the same service at Pappasito's in the Houston airport while coming home from speaking at the Texas Children's Hospital. I was starving but not too hungry to walk to the other side of the airport to go to Pappasito’s. Javier is the manager there and when I asked him if I could get the Fish Tacos grilled instead of battered with egg he said, "It will take a little longer but if you have the time I’d be glad to do it.” Code words for "Whatever you want.” Javier and Pappasito’s believe in satisfying their customers and that's why I eat there every time I'm in the Houston airport, which is often.

Success is simple. Give customers what they want and they'll come back. You don't have to give away the house. In fact Aqua Grill and Pappasito's cost a little more than their nearby competition but they are busier and more successful.

Great service and getting things “your way” is something a lot of people, including me, will pay for in any economy. If you provide great service and make it the goal of everyone in your organization to satisfy your customers they will keep coming back and invite their friends and colleagues (who knows, they may even write newsletters about you that reach a lot of people).

Your job is to serve your customers and give them what they want. If you don’t, someone else will.

Goals

uccess is the intentional, pre-meditated use of choice and decision. Unless you choose - with certainty - what it is you want, you accept table scraps by default!

The world is plump with opportunity. With boldness and conviction, stick a fork into the goals you want by being decisive.

You are born with great capabilities, but you will not achieve your potential until you call upon yourself to fulfill it. You will rise to the occasion when it presents itself; yet, to assure self-fulfillment, you must provide occasions to rise to. Clearly defined goals allow you to travel toward another horizon that represents the end of one experience and the transition to a new and better existence. The objective is to choose the right goals, and then to create the necessary causes - the effects will follow!

The difference between what one person and another achieves depends more on goal choices than on abilities. The profound differences between successful people and others are the goals they choose to pursue. Individuals with smaller talents, intelligence, and abilities will achieve different results because they select and pursue different goals.

Each decision affects what you become. We form our decisions and our decisions form us. There is no escaping this; the smallest choices are important because - over time - their cumulative effect is enormous.

Never overlook the obvious: The nature and direction of your life change the instant you decide what goals you want to pursue.

Once you make a decision, you start down a path to a new destination. At the moment the decision is made, your decision to pursue a goal alters what you are becoming. Just one spin of the lock's dial - a single choice - can alter your life, your destiny, your legacy.

Think about it - your goal decisions represent and express your individuality. You seal your fate with the choices you make. You define yourself by your decisions.

Your dialogue with success is ultimately a solo one. Decisions and goals made must be your own if you are to call your life a success.

Always establish the best goals you can. Goals are the seeds of success - you become only what you plant. The quality of your harvest is a direct reflection of the quality of your seeds-your decisions!

Indecision is the big eraser of opportunity and potential. Risks and costs accompany every decision; however, the price of decision is far less than the long-range risks and costs of comfortable inaction. When it comes to decisiveness, squatters have no rights.

Everyone has an official wish list of things they think are "reasonable". What about the unofficial wish list? The one that common sense tells you to ignore? The list that exists deep in your mind, the list that keeps you up at night, that makes your toes wiggle when you think of it? Why not choose that list for a change?

How long have you dreamed of being, having, and doing what you really want? Think big, as when it comes to your goals, the size of your ambition does matter.

4 Agreements

hough I?m obviously entirely immersed in the world of Personal Growth, it still amazes me how wonderfully simple yet incredibly profound some of its lessons can be.

Take, for example, the book The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz, which I just recently read.

Ruiz advises his readers to set aside the negative ?agreements,? or, in other words, belief systems they?ve made with themselves, others, and/or society (things like ?I?m stupid? or ?I?m not good enough?) in favor of following the four agreements he puts forth for attaining your highest self and happiest life.

Great ideas in theory, but sometimes things tend to be infinitely more difficult to put into practice.

Yet, Ruiz makes it seem pretty simple and straightforward.

The four agreements are:

1. Be Impeccable With Your Word. Basically, explains Ruiz, your word is equal to your power, or in some cases even magic, so use it for good, not bad. He especially condemns gossip, calling it ?black magic.?

2. Don?t Take Anything Personally. I think this may well be the hardest agreement to subscribe to, but it?s certainly powerful and important. Ruiz says, ?Nothing other people do is because of you.? It?s kind of eye-opening because in we all tend to be self-focused. But if someone says or does something negative to you, remember, it is about them, not you. You will suffer for nothing by thinking or worrying about it.

3. Don?t Make Assumptions. This is my favorite, and something I already adhere to. Everyone makes assumptions all the time. The problem, says Ruiz, is that we believe they?re the truth, which is just not the case. We make an assumption, we misunderstand, we take things personally, and conflict ensues. The way to keep yourself from making assumptions is to ask questions and communicate. Not so hard if you think about it.

4. Always Do Your Best. While your best might vary from day to day, depending on circumstances or how you feel, always do it. No more (because if you try too hard, you will expend too much energy and your best will not be enough) and no less (because that causes frustration, self-judgments, guilt and regret).

Above all, says Ruiz, if you break one of the agreements, don?t give up. Simply start over immediately. Eventually, the new agreements will become habit and replace the old negative agreements that used to fuel our lives.

Marketing 2010

1) Define Your Audience
Know your target audience - what motivates them?
Develop a compelling and relevant message/story that appeals to their motivation.
Brand yourself - Differentiate yourself/your solution through knowledge, access, service, common interests
2) Get the word out
Get the best website you can afford
Get social; get online - Twitter just tripled their office space in San Francisco; there are more than 50 million members on Linked-in networking and doing business together; You Tube is now the second largest search engine behind Google; The Wall Street Journal has predicted that the end of email is near and that we will all be using social media to communicate digitally.
3) Public Relations
PR is one of the most cost-effective, 5-10 times the value of a single ad.
Write byline articles; real estate reporters are looking for anything positive to write; build relationships with the community.
4) Measure Everything
Using Google Analytics and other measuring software; you should be measuring how many people come to yur website. You should be benchmarkng how many friends and fans are following you and how efffective you are advertising, email and PR campaigns are working. Proper measurement will not only measure response but also how well yoru target audience is receiving your message.
Factoids
70% of business decision makers use search engines first in their decision making process. Among C-level executives, 67% said the Internet was the single most important source of usiness information.
YouTube: 375 million unique visitors in 2009
Facebook: 103 million members
LinkedIn: 50 million members (36,151 members in the Real Estate Finance & Investment Society)
Twitter: 18 million members
Blogs: 200 millin blogs online

Positive Thinking

When you wholeheartedly adopt a "with all your heart" attitude
And go out with ?the positive principle, you can do incredible things.
-- Norman Vincent Peale?


A Better Approach to Positive Thinking

By Noah St. John

As a working mom, you know that traditional success teachers have told you to say "affirmations" - positive statements that you'd like to be true. For example, a classic "affirmation" is: "I am rich."

Try it. Say "I am rich."

What just happened? Did you hear a voice in your head that said: "Yeah, right!"?
The problem with "affirmations" is that they don't work for most people. Why? Because you're trying to convince yourself of something you don't really believe.

Have you ever been persuaded to try "affirmations"... and then had... absolutely nothing happen?

Me too, and about a billion other people.

One morning in April 1997, I was taking a shower, thinking about how the human mind works. I realized human thought IS asking and answering questions. For example, if I asked you, "Why is the sky blue?", your mind would start searching for the answer.

So I asked myself a logical question: "If the human mind is always asking and searching for answers to questions, why are we saying positive statements we don't believe? Why don't we ask ourselves empowering questions and cut out the middleman?"

Take the "affirmation" "I am rich" - to which the brain replies "Yeah, right!" What would the QUESTION be?

How about: "Why am I so rich?"

Try it. Ask yourself "Why am I so rich?"

What's your brain doing right now? Searching for an answer!

The staggering realization I made that morning in April 1997 was that you create your reality in two ways: by the statements you say to yourself and others, and by the questions you ask yourself and others. Until then, no one had fully realized, or shown how to harness, the awesome power of what happens when you ASK EMPOWERING QUESTIONS.

And that's why I named my discovery The Afformations Method.

The 4 Steps to Creating Afformations That Change Your Life

Step 1: Ask yourself what you want.

You can use a goal you've previously written down, or start from scratch. You decide.
Please note that traditional success teachers stop right here. They tell you to "set your goals" and then say "affirmations" in an attempt to convince your brain that you will have what you want... sometime, somehow, somewhere. How's that working for you?

Now, let's go to the breakthrough step...

Step 2: Form a QUESTION that assumes that what you want is already true.

This is the key to creating Afformations that change your life. Your life is a reflection of the assumptions you make. That's why Step 2 of Afformations is to change your communication with the world inside yourself AND the world outside yourself. Afformations are the fastest, most effective way I've ever seen to immediately change your assumptions and change your life.

Step 3: Give yourself to the question.

The point of Afformations is not to find "the answer", but to ask better questions. When you ask better questions, your mind automatically begins to focus on what you HAVE as opposed to what you DON'T have.

Which brings us to Step 4 of The Afformations Method - the one you MUST do to get the results you want...

Step 4: Take new ACTIONS based on your new assumptions about life.

Even though some people spend thousands of dollars on "how to succeed" programs, they assume they won't work for them. So they don't.

After using Afformations, most people realize that's what holding them back. So they start taking actions that cause the results to happen.

For example, Sheila, a working mom and network marketer from California, used Afformations and went from $5,000 a month in sales to $75,000 a month in less than six months. And she did it working LESS than she had to make $5,000.

The point of Afformations is not to find "the answer," but to change your questions. When you use Afformations, you will immediately change your subconscious assumptions, which automatically changes your life.

Judy, a 55-year-old grandmother from Texas, wanted to lose weight but told herself she was too old. She joined my Platinum Mentorship Club and started asking herself better questions. During the holidays, while most of America was packing on the pounds, Judy lost 24 pounds. Today, she's lost 42 pounds and feels fantastic.

Can you see how Afformations must, by definition, change your life? Using Afformations, you take conscious control of your subconscious thoughts - change the questions, change your results, and change your life!
***
Noah St. John is the #1 bestselling author of The Secret Code of Success: 7 Hidden Steps to More Wealth and Happiness, published by HarperCollins.

Noah helps people get rid of their head trash and enjoy more wealth, freedom and abundance. You can get the first 3 chapters of his Book of Afformations FREE at http://Afformations.com

Business 101

We get so caught up in the daily life of running a business, it?s easy to miss the forest for the trees.

Not that you have a choice! You?re fighting fires, handling a pissed-off customer, rending your face over an emergency bug-fix, the website just went down, and the accountant is coming tomorrow and the books are in shambles.

All normal. But still every month or so it?s nice to take a step back and see whether you?re missing a chance to make a more meaningful change to your business.

Here?s some things you can do:

* View your website/product/service through the eyes of a new potential customer. *Do informal usability testing with a stranger. You?re too close to your own projects!
* Find a decision about your product or your behavior which is really due to ego rather than making life better for your employees or customers, or rather than seeking revenue. *There?s no shame in having a big ego and it?s natural to not want to admit mistakes or change your position on things, but sometimes it?s the right thing for everyone.
* Delegate activities you?re still doing yourself because ?no one else can do them as well or as quickly,? but which don?t actually need to be done that well or quickly. *Delegation is hard, but healthy, and necessary if you expect to grow as a company and as a person.
* Do one thing to increase your company?s visibility on Twitter, blogs, Facebook ? wherever.
* Identify one person who could really help get your company more exposure, and who might be personally motivated to do so. *Then spend real time trying to contact that person.
* Find one ?number? in your business you know the least about (i.e. conversion rates, trial/sales rates, length of a trial, number of people who hit the home page and nothing more). Then spend time trying to learn more.
* Come up with one thing you could do that might increase conversion rates by 1%. Here ?conversion? can mean any part of the funnel from home page hit to downloads to CRM opportunities to sales. *Usually conversion rates are in the 0.1% ? 5% range, so just a single additional percent can result in a massive boost in revenue.
* Collect 10 pieces of empirical evidence about why your latest customers decided to give you money. *Use that to tune your website, ads, pitches, and marketing material to attract the next customers.
* Collect 10 pieces of empirical evidence about why people didn?t buy even when they were deep in your website or after they trialed your software. *The answer to more revenue lies with the folks who didn?t buy.
* Do one thing to prove to the world that you?re an expert in your field. *People like to buy from experts they trust.
* Identify one mundane, time-consuming tasks that you could outsource. *Even if it means spending money, it means you can spend your time on getting more revenue which will more than pay for the outsourcing.
* Quantify how much completely disposable cash you have in the company?s bank account. *Whether it?s $50 or $50,000, maybe you should brainstorm how to spend it to get more revenue.
* Defer something you?re working on now that really isn?t necessary to be done now. *Take a minute to reset your priorities. What?s really timely?
* Admit one thing you?re doing because of an assumption rather than because of hard evidence. *You have to make assumptions to live in the world, but it?s worth stepping back and challenging even the most basic ones.
* Identify anything you?re doing because of a ?plan? rather than because of hard evidence. *There?s no glory in following a business plan. Do the right thing with information at hand today regardless of any ?plan.?
* Identify choices that don?t ?feel? like the right thing to do. *If it feels wrong, it is. Do what?s right instead of what makes most revenue; in the long run Karma does work in business.
* Change your home page to be more specific in describing how you help your customers. *General phrases and wishy-washy statements don?t excite people or win customers? hearts.
* Give your customers something wonderful, for free. *A deal on a related product, a free book, even just a thoughtful article of interest to them ? give them something for free to show you care and they?ll reward you ten-fold.
* Take one step to become more visible in communities related to your business. *On-line or off-line, how can you be a part of other social networks?
* Further differentiate yourself from competitors rather than just try to ?kill? them. *Explaining the niche you unquestionably own is a better path to sales than trying to win every deal on every point.
* Congratulate yourself and your employees on the good aspects of the business. *We?re always battling problems instead of reveling in the good stuff; the good stuff is what makes business fun, and is kinda the whole point.
* Do something to invest in your customers? experience after the sale. *We?re so caught up in getting new customers we sometimes forget how to keep them thrilled one year later.
* Take on a project that you could complete in under a week, and really ought to, but you?ve procrastinated because it sucks to have to do it.
* Remove 5 blogs from your feed reader because they?re not worth the time, and add 5 blogs that increase your chances of having a successful business.

I hope some of these ideas inspire you to reconsider your priorities and shift your behavior. Don?t let fire-fighting or your personality get in the way of healthy revenue growth!

Greatness

Every single one of us on the planet has a duty to shine. Every single one of us has been gifted certain talents that make us unique and special. The mass hallucination of our society suggests that greatness is reserved for the chosen few. This is not true. Each of us has skills and capacities that would astound us if we got to know them. It's simply a matter of making the time to cultivate our talents.


The greatest crime a leader can commit is self-betrayal. This is a big point. I believe that nothing will break your heart more than getting to the end of your life and realizing that you used only a fraction of your talents. Conversely, nothing will make you happier than spending each day of the rest of your life making sure that you shine. Playing your best game. Reaching for the stars. Greatness has not been reserved for the chosen few. Greatness has, indeed, been reserved for you.


It is easy to resign yourself to a life of mediocrity. It is easy to come home after a busy day of work and watch TV for four hours. It is easy to criticize and condemn others. What takes inner strength is having the discipline to overcome the pull of gravity and develop your highest abilities. But that is also one of the greatest secrets of happiness. And you deserve happiness both at work and at home. Remember, people love doing business with people who love doing business.

In Leadership

Green Supply Chain

Green Supply Chain Management (GSCM) is gaining much importance in many industries due to pressure from the government and environmental consciousness among the customers, to gain competitive advantage. We have compiled a list of Green Supply Chain studies to assist you in your efforts to address these issues. The green supply chain studies we spotlight cover the following topics: the role that the logistics and transport sector plays in reducing emissions; the effects of ISO 14001 certification on the promotion of green supply chain management (GSCM), research on interest and implementation of green supply chain initiatives; a quantitative picture of current sustainable supply chain practices and plans; a measurement and quantification of how companies are managing the complexities of supply chain demands, distribution costs and environmental concerns; key drivers of sustainable supply chains;a new integrated supply chain model that takes into account sustainability parameters such as CO2 emissions reduction, reduced energy consumption, better traceability and reduced traffic congestion;best practices for companies looking to green their supply chains ; an outline of the supply chain green initiatives currently implemented or planned in manufacturing, warehousing and distribution;survey of sustainable packaging policies ;a look at the growing role of procurement organizations within sustainability efforts institutions of higher learning; a categorization of research and practice in purchasing, manufacturing, outbound, and reverse logistics dimensions;a framework for measuring the ?green-ness?of green supply chain initiatives, the business case for green supply management initiavies, research on the debate by empirically evaluating the relationship between EMS and GSCM practices.

By Tracey de Morsella, the Green Economy Post

Supply Chain Decarbonization: The Role of Logistics and Transportation in Reducing Supply Chain Carbon Emissions. 2009
by Sean Doherty and Seb Hoyle. Supply Chain Decarbonization, examines the role that the logistics and transport sector plays in reducing emissions, both in its own operations and by influencing shippers and buyers to undertake broader supply chain improvements. According to the report, logistics and transportation activities contribute approximately 5 percent of the 50,000 mega-tonnes* of carbon-dioxide emissions generated by all human activity annually. The report reviews 13 commercially viable opportunities for reducing supply chain carbon emissions?within the logistics and transport sector as well as across the extended supply chain?and assesses them according to carbon-dioxide abatement potential and feasibility to implement.

Is ISO 14001 a Gateway to More Advanced Voluntary Action? A Case for Green Supply Chain Management. 2009
by Toshi H. Arimura, Nicole Darnall and Hajime Katayama. Using Japanese facility-level data, the authors estimate the effects of ISO 14001 certification on the promotion of more advanced practices, namely green supply chain management (GSCM). The results show that ISO 14001 promotes GSCM practices, in that facilities with environmental management systems (EMS) certified to ISO 14001 are 40 percent more likely to assess their suppliers? environmental performance and 50 percent more likely to require that their suppliers undertake specific environmental practices. Further, they found that government approaches that encourage voluntary EMS adoption indirectly promote GSCM practices, in that the probability of facilities assessing their suppliers? environmental performance and requiring them to undertake specific environmental practices increases by 9 percent and 10 percent, respectively, if a government assistance program exists. Combined, these findings suggest that there may be significant but previously unnoticed spillover effects of ISO 14001 and government promotion of voluntary action.

Building a Green Supply Chain: Social Responsibility for Fun and Profit. 2008
by Robert Shecterlea and Jhana Senxian. Aberdeen research on the Supply Chain Executive?s Strategic Agenda 2008 shows that interest in Green Supply Chain initiatives is robust and growing. For respondents with green as a top focus, the key pressure for their green initiative was overwhelmingly related to a company-wide CSR initiative (55%). This study will explore the main green drivers, and identify specific areas of opportunity in each, such as carbon-footprint and energy usage reduction, supply chain network design and logistics optimization, and green supplier initiatives. Aberdeen anticipates that this research will show that companies implementing successful green supply chain initiatives realize benefits in energy cost reduction, logistics cost reduction, and perceived competitive advantage.

Greening the Supply Chain: Benchmarking Sustainability Practices and Trends. 2009
by Eric Klein, David Schatsky, and Paul Baier. GTM Research conducted a survey of 74 supply chain executives to build a quantitative picture of current sustainable supply chain practices and plans. They found that despite its growing prominence, sustainability is not a core part of most companies? strategies today. It also is not a prime driver of their supply chain agendas. Sustainability lies in the middle of the pack of supply chain priorities today, behind cost cutting.

Acceleration of ECO-Operation: A Milestone Study on Achieving Supply Chain Success and Sustainability. 2009
Acceleration of ECO-Operation reveals that despite the enthusiasm regarding sustainability expressed by the global business community, these organizations have been slow to address these issues when it comes to sustainable supply chain management. The study, titled ?Acceleration of ECO-Operation: Achieving Success & Sustainability in the Supply Chain,? gained insights from more than 125 supply chain, operations, finance, and executive professionals around the world across multiple industries. It set out to measure and quantify how companies are managing the complexities of supply chain demands, distribution costs and environmental concerns.

18th Annual Trends and Issues in Transportation and Logistics Study Exploration into the Five Drivers of Sustainable Supply Chains. 2009
by Dr. Karl Manrodt and Dr. Mary Holcomb. Trends and Issues in Transportation and Logistics Study Exploration into the Five Drivers of Sustainable Supply Chains shows that nearly half of transportation and logistics players see cost-cutting as their primary strategic objective, while the focus on customers is declining. The study identified five key drivers of sustainable supply chains: optimization, adaptability, velocity, profitability and synchronization. Each of these five drivers will be explored in depth through a series of additional supplements that will be released individually.

Future Supply Chain 2016: Serving Consumers in a Sustainable Way. 2008
The key finding of the Future Supply Chain 2016 study is that there is a strong correlation between sustainability and the future supply chain of the consumer products and retail industry. This is. The study presents a new integrated supply chain model that takes into account sustainability parameters such as CO2 emissions reduction, reduced energy consumption, better traceability and reduced traffic congestion, as well as traditional measures like on-shelf availability, cost reduction and financial performance. The total potential impact of this supply chain redesign is significant, including reduction in transport costs per pallet, reduction of handling costs per pallet, reduction of lead-time, lower CO2 emissions per pallet and improved on-shelf availability.

Best Practices in Sustainability: Supply Chain ?Key Steps to Building a Sustainable Supply Chain. 2009
The report, Best Practices in Sustainability: Supply Chain reveals the best practices for companies looking to green their supply chains that were uncovered during Kanal Consulting?s study of 25 leading corporations. The study found that sustainability in the supply chain was one of the major areas that the participating companies acknowledged needed improvement.

The Green Supply Chain Study. 2009
The Green Supply Chain Study was conducted by Supply Chain Management Review and Logistics Management Magazines online. The study found concerns about waste and recycling are more important than greenhouse gas emissions and resource consumption. The study focuses on the most important environmental issues faced by supply chain professionals; outlines the supply chain green initiatives currently implemented or planned in manufacturing, warehousing and distribution; gauges the level of green collaboration with extended supply chain partners; and highlights the greatest challenges for implementing sustainable business practices. .

Packaging Sustainability Report: Evaluating the Benefits of Environmentally Friendly Packaging. 2009
A Tompkins? Supply Chain Consortium survey of top retail- and manufacturing-related companies reveals that more than 65% of companies have some type of sustainable packaging policy in place, while 28% are currently developing a policy. The Packaging Sustainability survey is the first of a four-part series being conducted by Tompkins? Supply Chain Consortium. Topics for the upcoming sustainability reports include: Part II: Transportation Sustainability (December 2009); Part III: Greening Facilities (2010); and Part IV: Waste and Recycling (2010)

Carbon Disclosure Project Supply Chain Report 2009
The second annual supply chain report is a summary of the responses from the suppliers of the current 34 members of the CDP?s supply chain group. Those current members are primarily from two sectors: consumer packaged goods (e.g., Colgate-Palmolive, Unilever, PepsiCo, etc.) and high tech (e.g., Dell, HP, Juniper Networks, etc.), with a handful from other sectors (e.g., retailer Carrefour, Newmont Mining, Johnson Controls).Carbon emissions-focused surveys were sent to some 2300 suppliers of these member companies, asking a variety of questions around current perceptions and practices. The suppliers sent the survey were chosen by the CDP supply chain member companies. For the first time, CDP also requested information from private and smaller companies.

The Current State of Green Procurement Trends within Higher Education Survey. 2009
National Association of Educational Procurement (NAEP) and SciQuest, Inc., a procurement automation organization have published the findings of ?The Current State of Green Procurement Trends within Higher Education? survey. The survey, which garnered responses from procurement professionals at more than 100 colleges and universities in the U.S., sought to provide a benchmark from which the profession can gauge the growing role of procurement organizations within sustainability efforts, from the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment?an effort to address global warming by garnering institutional commitments to neutralize greenhouse gas emissions?to higher education?s efforts to contain costs and do more with less. This is the first year the survey was conducted.

How Green is the Supply Chain? Practice and Research. 2007
by Joseph Sarkis. This paper provides an overview of environmental (green) supply chain management. The overview includes a categorization of research and practice in purchasing, manufacturing, outbound, and reverse logistics dimensions.

Green Corporate Strategies ? Issues and Implementation from the Supply Management Perspective 2009
by Bryan Ashenbaum. Can businesses simultaneously pursue green practices while boosting the bottom line? Can they afford not to? To what extent are consumer and political forces shaping their approach? These issues are discussed in Green Corporate Strategies ? Issues and Implementation from the Supply Management Perspective,? One possible framework for measuring the ?green-ness? of a given strategy has been provided by author, Bryan Ashenbaum, Ph.D, is the Triple Bottom Line (TBL). TBL incorporates economic, environmental and social performance. This report delves into some of the definitions of ?green? and ?sustainability,? the drivers for green initiatives, the business case for green, recommendations for establishing internal and external green strategies, emerging standards and benchmarks, and information on ?greenwashing.? It also includes a case study from The Auto Club Group and several Internet resources for further information.

Environmental Management Systems and Green Supply Chain Management: Complements for Sustainability? 2008. Revised 2009
by Darnall, Nicole, G. Jason Jolley & Robert Handfield. Some researchers question the legitimacy of EMSs since organizations can claim to have one when in fact they make no attempt to reduce their environmental harms. In instances where EMSs enhance an organization?s environmental performance, critics argue that improvements are likely to incur within the organization?s operational boundaries rather than being extended throughout the supply chain. However, previous research suggests that the organizational capabilities required to adopt an EMS may facilitate GSCM implementation and the institutional pressures to adopt both management practices are similar. Consequently, EMS adopters may have a greater propensity to expand their focus beyond their organizational boundaries and utilize GSCM practices to minimize system-wide environmental impacts. This research illuminates the debate by empirically evaluating the relationship between EMS and GSCM practices.

Freedom

I will always think about tomorrow


-- Post From My iPhone
Dr. Edward F. Knab
www.edwardknab.blogger.com
www.edwardknab.com

Cloud Computing

pecial White Paper from Royal 4
Cloud Computing
Demystifying Cloud Computing and SaaS

Cloud Computing
SaaS, explained in lay terms
"Cloud Computing or SaaS, explained in lay terms, is simply a software solution that is stored on somebody else?s remote servers, and your company accesses your data via the web. There are some very superficial benefits out there that are promoted by SaaS vendors. Some of which include; lower costs for I.T. Maintenance, greater accessibility to your data, and quicker deployment times for solutions. Why I say that these are superficial is simply put, they do not tell you the whole story.

Having a history in the ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) industry, and experience with both SaaS and local software solutions, includes today, where our organization actively utilizes both. I would like to share some thoughts on what has brought about the resurgence and promotion of SaaS and Cloud Computing, and some of the hidden (or not so much promoted) reasons it exists, and things to be aware of.
From the software industry?s perspective, the value in most of their organizations, outside of the technology itself, is the recurring revenue stream. Historically, software companies had generated approximately 45-55% of their annual revenues from the recurring revenue generated by Annual Support Contracts. Many companies purchased these support agreements at anywhere from 18 to 22% of the cost of their software, and after years of paying them, started to question what value they were truly getting from these agreements. Often it seemed, any time you made a call about the software, the support group would tell you it was a customization, and you would be billed. Companies, in record masses, started to demand these support contracts be renegotiated or cancelled all together. After all, they owned the software, and it did most of what they needed, so why keep paying.

Software companies began to lose revenues, and with no new customers to sell solutions to, what was the answer? Change the game. SaaS and Cloud Computing, provide new ways to create a dependency on the software organization. After all, once a company invested the time and monies into the new solution, and if change was hard, the companies were not likely to ever change. And with the solution now being billed monthly, it would in fact replace the support contract, and the entire business model would be recurring revenue, the software companies and investors dream


The Marketing and the Reality
Do you Lower I.T. & Maintenance costs ? The basic principle is that since they (SaaS companies) have the servers, and not you, they will maintain them and it will cost you less. While it is true that they host the information on their server, in many cases, most small and mid size organizations, run on a single server already, and don?t have to replace it weekly or monthly, or have somebody sitting over it. In fact, it is usually the client machines that require the greatest amount of maintenance and these computers don?t go away, and will still require the same maintenance. Additionally, many new more efficient applications are capable of running on nothing more than a powerful desktop computer. In a SaaS model, if there are issues with their servers you are dependent on their schedules for resolution. If it is in your house, and something breaks, your IT professional can usually have it resolved the same day, when you need it, on your schedule. The SaaS industry tries to combat this by telling us that they have the highest quality data centers, and built in redundancies to ensure nothing is lost. While the industry tries to say that there are no issues in the cloud, this is not the case. See http://www.sitepoint.com/blogs/2009/02/25/gmail-dark-cloud/# for just one instance of the Cloud crashing. If software giants like Microsoft and Google can have issues in the cloud, how does that fit with most small organizations? Additionally, with the SaaS model, they schedule the system maintenance, which is usually done outside of 9-5, but they don?t consult you, they simply tell you when it will happen, and you are left to deal with it. Many of our clients hold hours outside of 9-5, and can?t simply put their business on hold for somebody else?s update.

Greater accessibility to your data? ? Under the SaaS model, you have accessibility anywhere you have an internet connection? This is one of their strongest arguments, but at the same time one of their strongest weaknesses. If your internet connection goes down for any reason, you are left with no connection or access to your data even inside your four walls. We have clients in the mid-west US, who on occasion, have been known to lose the internet for a day or two, due to tornadoes or other storms. In this case, they would have no access to their critical business information for large lengths of time, putting their clients at risk. The reality is that technologies have existed for a while, and allow you to access your business information from anywhere in the world, without having to move the critical business data out of the security of your four walls. The best part is, the use of this technology already exists on most organization?s servers, at no additional cost. The reality is that under SaaS your data is not any more accessible, and in fact, may be less accessible under the SaaS model should you lose internet connectivity.

Quicker deployment ? ? The SaaS industry markets that their solutions are faster and easier to deploy, because you don?t have to install it on everybody?s PC, they simply open their web browser. This statement is a half truth. While it may be fast and easy to deploy a SaaS solution, many of the newer Local Solution companies based on .NET technology now available have tools that automatically deploy the solution to both desktops and mobile computing devices, with the simple use of an email. They are in fact, just as easy to deploy as any SaaS solution, and you don?t have to worry about the software being impaired because of updates to your web browser or its security. Something often left out of the SaaS deployment equation, and possibly the most important component of any solution is the systems implementation, training and tailoring or customizations that are of equal length whether it be SaaS or a Local Solution. It is only considered a solution after the entire organization has been trained, and the solution has become to deliver benefits. Not after the software is installed.

Monthly Cost of SaaS vs. Upfront fees of Local Solutions ? The SaaS/Cloud Computing Industry tries to promote how much cheaper the SaaS model is, because you don?t have a large upfront cost. What they neglect to tell you during the sales process is that you also don?t own anything but your data. And should you ever want to change solutions they will be very happy to turn off the switch and email you reams of spreadsheets containing your data, in its raw format. With SaaS, it may be a perceived low cost up front, but you pay forever and own nothing. It is the equivalent of renting a home vs. buying a home. If you buy a Local Solution, then you own the solution (perpetual use licenses), and should you ever decide to discontinue support, or you wish to sell your business, the Local Solution will be an asset for your business. Under the SaaS model, if the Cloud Computing company fails to exist, so does your solution, and possibly your data. In a Local Solution, should your ISV (Independent Software Vendor) fall to the same fate, escrow agreements will protect your investment and provide the customer with the solution and source code, allowing you to maintain it. Furthermore, in a SaaS or Cloud solution, you still have to pay separately for any hardware for mobile computing, or for any training and consulting required to learn how to use, and to set up or tailor the solution with and for you. If you look at a standard Enterprise Software Solution, you are only really looking at 1/3rd of the true cost falling under the SaaS monthly billing, with the rest still having to be paid up front to consultants and hardware vendors. To get the best of both worlds, we have found that many of our clients have gone the route of leasing their Local Solution. Many leasing companies have changed the rules, and now are willing and able to lease the Software, Services and Hardware, for up to three years, with costs being no more, and in many cases less than those of a SaaS solution.
In summary
Warehouse Execution, Supply Chain Management, Third Party Logistics and Distribution - If mission critical - Not the best option!
Within our own organization, we actually use Salesforce.com as our CRM package, one of the leaders in SaaS. We have found it to be a valuable tool to us, but more because of its design and functionality, and not because it is in the Cloud. Additionally, if it were to go boom tomorrow, we would feel it a bit, but not cease to function, and most importantly it would not impact our clients. Our own solutions can work under either model of SaaS or Local, but we simply believe that in our vertical of Warehouse Execution, Supply Chain Management, Third Party Logistics and Distribution that the Cons outweigh the Pros at this time, and as such, do not promote it to our clients. I think that SaaS and Cloud Computing have some good applications, but am challenged by the marketing of the perceived benefits in a complete Enterprise Solution, that are really no different than technology already available today in a Local Solution. Whether you choose the path of the Cloud or for a Local Solution, don?t be swayed by the marketing of juggernauts like ?big blue?. The most important thing is that you understand all the true costs and benefits to ensure that you make an informed decision for your organization. ?

1st Mover

hy Social Media and Blogs Can Help Your Business

Start Fast. You could launch a page on Facebook today and get a blog going in a couple days.
Low Cost. You can get started in social media and blogging for very little or no money. They are among the most cost-effective methods of reaching your audience.
Instant Interactivity. Both blogs and social media can give you nearly instant market feedback - good or bad. We get all kinds of feedback through the comments on our blog, and people also leave reviews and other comments for us on Facebook and other social media venues.
It's the Search Engines, Silly. Surveys indicate that 90% or more of people begin their purchasing process in search engines. Blogs and social media make it more likely that your prospects will find you online when they search.
Inbound Marketing. If you read our blog, you know that we're all big fans of inbound marketing at HubSpot. Outbound marketing is telemarketing, direct mail, email blasts (not lovely nurturing emails like this one to you), TV and print ads - all the things that buyers tend to block out more and more. Social media and blogs are essential inbound marketing tools.
First Mover Advantage. For blogs and social media, there is an advantage to moving first. If you don't jump into the conversation, your competitors, competitor's customers or your customers will (if they have not already) and then you're fighting an uphill battle to become influential in these online conversations. Start now, and claim the virtual conversation-ground to your advantage.


Would you like to show off to your manager? Aw c'mon, you know you want to!

Social Media Secrets

5 Social Media Secrets for 2010

Social media took a wild ride in 2009. The mainstream press fell in love with Twitter, Facebook grew aggressively and a new wave of companies starting taking social media seriously as a business tool. Below are 10 secrets to staying on top of it all in 2010


1. Pay Attention to the Metrics
You can't manage what you can't measure. Chief Marketing Officers are going to pay more attention to metrics and tie in social media more directly to overall business goals, not just web-related goals. When starting up new project agree on what the metrics should be and what goals are appropriate.

2. Scale Good Habits
As you grow, make sure you match your structure, policy and guidelines to your organization size. What works with 2 people won't work with 20 people. All in all your structure should encourage good habits. Your entire team should be motivated to respond quickly, post consistently and talk like a human. Speaking of policies and rules...

3. Have Rules, But Trust People
As your social media strategy matures, you'll add in more rules and guidelines. However, you can't have a rule for every situation. You need to trust your team. Lead by example, don't manage with rulebook.

4. Creativity & Personality Trump Big Budget
Social media is definitely one of those areas in life where more money doesn't always win. Two of the most powerful ingredients in social media are creativity and personality. They are the key to having a viral message and to being a trusted resource. They are also essential to discovering useful strategies and tactics. You can't be afraid to try something new or go against the grain.

5. Listen Listen Listen
Don't focus so much on you and your message. Put that farther down on your To Do List. Focus first on your customers. Hear what they are saying, see what they're up to. Once you've been able to connect, and figure them out, then see how you can help.

Knowledge

Knowledge isn't power until it is applied!

Two Frogs

The Two Frogs
---------------------

Two young frogs fell into a bucket of milk. Both tried to jump to freedom, but the sides of the bucket were steep
and no foundation was to be had on the surface of the liquid.

Seeing little chance of escape, the first frog soon despaired and stopped jumping. He sunk to the bottom of the
bucket and after some time, drowned.

The other frog also didn't see any chance of success but he never stopped trying.

Even though each jump reached the same height as before, he kept on struggling. Eventually, his persistence
churned some of the milk into butter. From the now hardened surface of the milk, he managed to leap out of the bucket.

So what's the moral of the story?

"Those who don't give up and persevere may be in for a pleasant surprise! "
- Author Unknown -

I just wanted to tell you not to give up! You may be closer to your goals than you think.

Just keep going... it is SO worth it.

25 Absolute Essentials for Networking Success

25 Absolute Essentials for Networking Success

Posted on January 6, 2010 by The Mobile Marketer

In business, it is often said that success is determined not by what you know but by who you know. Additionally, the level of your success is determined greatly by the quality of your relationships with others.

While for some, networking is something that comes naturally and effortlessly, for others it is an area where significant improvements are needed. Small, consistent improvements over time will open up far more opportunities and resources to you.

Whether you are a seasoned connector or someone who needs to jumpstart their relationship building, here are 25 essential tips to ensure your networking success.

1. Start before your need it
The best time to start building your network is yesterday. The second best time is today. Relationships are cultivated over time. Begin by making networking a priority now. It is a simple habit that you can start now that will pay great dividends in the future.

2. Learn about people?s goals
The best way to have an impact is to add value directly where it is most important to the other person. Find out what the people in your network are looking for and look for ways that you can help achieve them. Everyone wants to be friends with someone they know is on their side.

3. Connect people you do know
Use your networking not only to benefit yourself but also to benefit others. Connect people in your network that could provide value to one another. For example, if one of your associates is in need of a web designer and you happen to know one, connect the two people together. Your two associates benefit from the business arrangement and you benefit from the good will developed.



4. Give more than you expect to receive
If you want to build trust in your relationships, always seek to add more value to the people in your networks. When people are consistently benefiting from a relationship, it moves their desire to connect with you more. Focus on the giving and you will surely get what you want.

5. Be genuinely interested
Be sincere in your dealings with others and focus more on being interested than interesting. People love to talk about themselves and the more you understand about someone, the more you will be able to speak to them in a way that is appealing.

6. Always follow up
When making new contacts, make sure to always follow up. A quick email or phone call within 24 hours of meeting someone can lay the foundation for a fruitful relationship. It doesn?t take much effort but it can make a world of difference.

7. Know people in different worlds
Don?t focus solely on your own niche or industry. Instead, diversify and reach out to as many people as possible. Having people from a wide variety of fields in your network helps you become the master connector (#3) and provide more value.

8. Learn to listen
The skill of listening seems simple enough but in experience, it is a rare skill to find. The secret is getting out of your head. Put your complete focus on the speaker instead of thinking about what you are going to say when they are done talking. Try to really understand where they are coming from.

9. Be authentic
People crave authenticity in business. Many people are starved of it because the amount of manipulation and politics that can go in an interaction. Hold yourself to a higher standard and you will stand out from the crowd.

10. Take the initiative
Play a very active role in networking. Be the person who starts the conversation. Be quick to introduce yourself. Also, be the first person to offer help when it is required. Developing the habit of initiative will make your networking efforts easier and more fruitful.

11. Always stay in touch
The major determinant in whether or not a business relationship develops of fizzles is staying in contact. Remember to regularly check in with your associates with a quick email or phone call. Regular contact will allow the relationship to develop slowly over time.



12. Be personal
Take the extra time to add a personal touch. A handwritten card says a lot more than an email. Although this may require extra time and effort on your part, it will stand out in the eyes of others.

13. Be humble
Nothing turns people off quicker than an arrogant attitude. Humility, on the other hand, is very commendable. Being humble will keep you grounded even when your network starts to grow. When you reach the top, it will ensure that keep doing the things that got you there.

14. Always say thanks
Thank you notes are a quick and easy way to connect with someone. Plus, the actual card serves as a reminder of you every time the other person sees it.

15. Do your homework
When contacting people, make sure you are well informed about their situation. You should know, for example, if they recently released a new product or moved to a new office.

16. Express your enthusiasm
Remember that passion is magnetic. When you are excited about what you are talking about, other people will become excited as well. Your enthusiasm will give you a charismatic presence that will make your memorable.

17. Promote your purpose more than your self
When promoting to others, put the majority of your focus on the mission and purpose of your business. Although it can be fun to toot your own horn, set your ego aside and focus on the real purpose: your company?s ability to deliver value to people.

18. Join associations
Professional associations are a great way to network with people. Use the internet to research associations in your area and make sure to attend the next meeting. The people you will meet there will also be eager network.

19. Attend conferences
Conferences are a great way to meet like-minded people. The speakers can be good, but the real value is in the people. Do some internet research and find a conference you can attend in the near future.

20. Leverage the networks of others
Use the networks of others to expand your own network. Go out of your way to introduce yourself to people you have only heard of through an associate. Make this a regular habit and your network will start growing faster than you can keep up with.



21. Act with integrity
Stay true to your principles and hold them above all else. While this may lead to some short term setbacks, over the long term, it will build a lot of trust in your character.

22. Build close relationships
The closer your relationship is with someone, the more they will be willing to help you out when you need it. Unfortunately, there are no quick fix techniques for this. Close relationships take time and effort.

23. Ask for what you want
Don?t be timid or shy. Be direct and ask for what you want. There is no other way to get it. Remember: the answer to every request that you don?t make is no.

24. Create a personal board of advisors
Focus on building a team of experts that you contact quickly for advice in each of the major areas of your business. They will prove to be priceless when you have difficult business decisions to make.

25. Write things down
As your network grows, it can be difficult to keep track of all the information about your associates. Make sure your write things down and can readily access information about any one of your business contacts.