Archive for May, 2010
Aligning Corporate Teams
This interesting article addresses some of the key issues regarding management, teams, productivity, meetings, business. A careful reading of this material could make a big difference in how you think about management, teams, productivity, meetings, business.
Truthfully, the only difference between you and management, teams, productivity, meetings, business experts is time. If you’ll invest a little more time in reading, you’ll be that much nearer to expert status when it comes to management, teams, productivity, meetings, business.
Picture yourself entering a corporate meeting, team meeting, or business meeting. There you are sitting in the room, while someone in the “expert” or “boss” chair speaks to you or at you. There you are, not aligned with that person’s mission or vision. There you are, feeling apart from the process. There you are, lacking energy and the desire for being there. There you are, hearing what is going wrong and what you or your team or department needs to change or improve. How are you feeling?
Are you feeling a great connection to the meeting? Are you feeling enthusiastic about being in attendance at the meeting? Are you fully present at the meeting? Are you deeply tuned in and listening with your heart and your head? Are you inspired to co-create, participate, and contribute? Or, are you ready to fall asleep, or count the minutes of what you feel is wasted time?
My experience in my two plus decades of being in business and in coaching business clients around the world is that the system of meetings, clearly, must change. Most meetings don’t include participant involvement and actually serve to tune people out rather than tune them in, and as a result, the intention of the meeting falls short of its purpose. In other words, they really can be a waste of precious company time.
The process of Meeting Alignment, that we’ve been teaching companies around the world, has allowed them to use a systematic process that engages people in meetings and creates a desire for them to contribute and fully participate in these business meetings.
The Meeting Alignment Process and the results it creates include:
A desire to co-create: The purpose of a meeting isn’t to get across “your” agenda; it shifts to sharing your thoughts and hearing fully the thoughts and ideas of others to co-create the meeting purpose and actions.
Deep tuning in: Most meetings involve people talking and listening to themselves. The Meeting Alignment Process teaches people to fully listen with their hearts and to listen beyond the words to what is not said, to emotions, and to fully hear others.
The Meeting Alignment Process teaches techniques of being non-judgmental, so that people can fully hear and support each other and let new ideas IN vs. rule out and defend against why things won’t work. It produces a safe environment in which people feel encouraged to participate.
Non-attachment: Many people think meetings are about a specific outcome occurring – the meeting holder’s outcome… that’s a surefire way to alienate people and result in them NOT wanting to support you. The Meeting Alignment Process allows for each person to give up “their” outcome and allows the meeting and solutions to unfold for the good of the entire group.
What’s wrong: Most meetings focus on problems, fixing problems, or informing people of change. The meeting needs to come from a place of asking what IS working and involve what IS the right type questions. These questions form the basis of creating a positive energy flow and opening up creativity. It’s the basic principle of encouraging a sense of positivity rather than negativity.
Framework of questions: Questions in this process focus on what is working, why it works, what would be the perfect ideal vision, and what isn’t quite right yet, and then, coming up with resources and inspired actions to create the outcome of the meeting.
Feel good! When people attend a meeting where EVERY idea is praised and contributions rewarded and people thanked and really appreciated for their contributions, this raises self-esteem, confidence, and morale. People want to participate in meetings that make them feel good, not only about the company they work for, but about themselves and their role in it.
This process is effective in all companies and will work with all size groups. It requires a shift in the employer and leaders’ thinking, from managing and bossing and telling to coaching and co-creating and sharing. The effect is profound. People treated with value and respect, rise up to challenges. They are more excited to solve problems, participate in the mission and vision of the company, and create more productivity. They feel that the company’s success is their success. It motivates them to greater achievement.
Companies following a systematic process of creating a Meeting Alignment Process, take morale out of the toilet bowl fast. Their employees are happier, their retention rates rise, and the corporate culture shifts to one of enthusiasm.
A beneficial win-win situation is created and everybody gets to bask in success.
Of course, it’s impossible to put everything about management, teams, productivity, meetings, business into just one article. But you can’t deny that you’ve just added to your understanding about management, teams, productivity, meetings, business, and that’s time well spent.
5 Sure-Fire Ways to Make Money Online
If you have even a passing interest in the topic of make money online, making money, money opportunity, earn money online, make money on internet, internet business, then you should take a look at the following information. This enlightening article presents some of the latest news on the subject of make money online, making money, money opportunity, earn money online, make money on internet, internet business.
Think about what you’ve read so far. Does it reinforce what you already know about make money online, making money, money opportunity, earn money online, make money on internet, internet business? Or was there something completely new? What about the remaining paragraphs?
There are many ways to make money online today, and thousands of people are earning a substantial income from the comfort of their own homes. How are they making money? With a successful Internet business, of course!
Perhaps you want to earn a part-time income from home or start a full-time Internet business. Maybe you’re a mom who wants to stay home while earning a living. Or, maybe you’re sick and tired of the “rat race” and want to settle down with your own home business. Whatever the case, you can choose one of the sure-fire methods of making money online below to get started.
1. Offer Services That Other Web Business Owners Will Need
Many people earn money online while offering services that other Web business owners need on a continual basis. These services include Web hosting, domain name registration, web design, and content writing. Every new website must have a Web host, domain name, web designer and content. These services are available everywhere online, but fortunately, there’s always room for a few more! Online users are starting new Internet businesses every day. So, the potential for making money online with these services is tremendous.
You can start from scratch with these businesses or find a company that allows you to resell its products and services. For instance, instead of setting up your own servers to become a Web host, you can become a reseller of hosting services and share a part of the profits. With this setup, your primary job is to promote the service. The parent Web host company does the rest.
2. Expand Your Present Business
If you already own a business, you can expand it by using a website. If your company has its own website, your customers can go online to learn more about you, buy your products or ask questions. It’s a great way to advertise and build customer trust. Also, you can mention your website address in all your print, television and radio advertising to maximize results.
3. Start a “Niche” Internet Business
Many people start small Internet businesses that reflect who they are or what they enjoy. The word “niche” took on a whole new meaning when the Internet came into existence. A niche business can be anything you want it to be – an online flower shop, online classic car club, online magazine, online clothing store, online shopping mall, online photo stock agency, online candy store, online quilt outlet, or an online shoe store. Choose something you enjoy doing and find a way to build a small Internet business around that theme. And, don’t let the word “small” fool you. Owning a small business is a great way to make money on the Internet!
4. Earn Money Online Through Auctions
Don’t have time to manage a website? Try online auctions. You can sell just about anything at eBay and other Internet auction sites, but be sure you choose a market that has a strong demand. Some items sell well through auctions, some don’t. Also, be sure to choose a product with a high profit margin so you don’t lose money each time you list your items.
5. Provide Internet Marketing Services
Online company owners are always looking for effective ways to promote their websites. If you’re a savvy Internet marketer, this business offers a tremendous money opportunity for you. You can earn money online while helping others increase their profits. Internet marketing today involves search engine promotion and SEO, Web content and optimization for article pages, pay-per-click campaigns, keyword research, press releases, banner and pop-up advertising, e-zine and mailing lists, and link exchanges. You can specialize in one of these areas or offer marketing techniques for all categories.
These are five proven ways to make money online. Each of these opportunities can provide a steady stream of income if you work diligently to promote your online business and services and always provide excellent customer service. Use these ideas to get started making money today!
That’s the latest from the make money online, making money, money opportunity, earn money online, make money on internet, internet business authorities. Once you’re familiar with these ideas, you’ll be ready to move to the next level.
5 Super Wealth-Building Tips Pave the Way to Financial Freedom
When you think about wealth, income, extra money, what do you think of first? Which aspects of wealth, income, extra money are important, which are essential, and which ones can you take or leave? You be the judge.
The more authentic information about wealth, income, extra money you know, the more likely people are to consider you a wealth, income, extra money expert. Read on for even more wealth, income, extra money facts that you can share.
There are so many things involved with building wealth that it would take much more than one article to explain it all. So, we’ve put together a simple five-step guide to help you get a great start in building wealth for a lifetime.
Step 1: Set Specific Goals
Goal setting is a task that can be easily put off – especially when you are extremely busy in day-to-day activities. However, goal setting is the first and one of the most important steps you’ll take to achieve wealth. Set both short-term and long-term goals. Short-term goals may be daily, weekly and monthly goals. These should reveal where you would like to be financially by a certain time in the near future.
Long-term goals include the amount of wealth you would like to accumulate within a year, two years, or maybe even five or ten years. Both types of goals are necessary to build wealth. Without goals, you are wondering blindly with no care or thought of what’s ahead. This pattern of life is sure to leave you empty-handed!
Step 2: Create a Business Plan
Every successful business from the past and today started with a plan. Your business plan should illustrate where you are now, where you plan to be in the future, and how you’re going to get there. Write these few notes down on paper. Then, fill in the blanks to create a rough business plan. It’s easier than you think.
*Your current income
*Business profits and expenses (if you already own a business)
*Business budget (or personal budget if working for someone else)
*Capital needed upfront to promote and operate business
*Plans to acquire the capital needed (source of capital)
*Spending plan (promotions, supplies, inventory, online expenses, etc.)
*Expectations (What results do you expect from your initial efforts?)
Creating a business plan is a necessary step to build wealth through your own business. Even if you don’t own a business, you should write down a similar plan to reach your personal wealth goals.
Step 3: Avoid Harmful Debt
Debt is the one of the key reasons many people never accumulate wealth. But remember, there are two types of debt: harmful debt and necessary debt. Harmful debt is the debt you create for things you do not need such as excessive shopping, luxury items, expensive cars that you can’t afford, etc. Necessary debt is a debt most people must have to live, such as a mortgage, car loan (affordable), medical, college, etc. These debts are a part of life for most families and will be for many, many years. However, even these types of debts should be kept well within your income limitations. If you can only afford a $250/month car loan, then shop around until you find one at this price. Don’t give in to the temptations and pressures to buy the fancier, more expensive car with a $450/month payment. It’s not worth the risk!
You may ask, “I thought these steps were for building wealth?”
As it happens, debt is the opposite of wealth. The more debt you have, the less wealth you will accumulate. You can’t save money or invest money that belongs to someone else. If you earn $3,000 in income this month, but owe $2,000 in loans (before everyday living expenses), you can’t possibly have extra money to save. You must either earn more or sell some items to pay off your debt. You should avoid this “debt trap” if you intend on building wealth for the future.
Another type of debt is one for your business. You may take out a small business loan to get things started or to promote your business. If you are uncertain about whether the business will bring profits, try to avoid business debt until you have tested it a while.
Step 4: Develop a Personal Plan
Above, you developed a business plan. Now it’s time to create a personal plan. What tasks will you do daily to build wealth? Put yourself on a schedule and a strict budget. Work toward your goals daily by making a list of things to do and marking off each item on the list as you complete the tasks. In your budgeting, include a set amount of money you will put away in savings (savings account, IRA, stocks, bonds, etc.) If you plan to invest, be sure to diversify your investments. Choose only one or two high-risk investments and several “safer” investments such as mutual funds or bonds.
Step 5: Stay focused on the Goal, not the Circumstances
No matter what circumstances you find yourself in, keep your eyes on the wealth-building goal ahead. Even if sales are down in your business, don’t stop dead in your tracks. Remember, businesses have ups and downs. If you remain steadfast toward your goal during the slow times, the busy times are bound to be much better than ever. Your income will grow and you will have the extra money needed to reach your wealth-building goals.
In a nutshell, building wealth does not happen over night with one get-rich-quick program. It happens with consistent labor toward the goals and tasks you have created. You can build wealth for your future if you do not waver from these basic truths that have worked for millions of others!
Of course, it’s impossible to put everything about wealth, income, extra money into just one article. But you can’t deny that you’ve just added to your understanding about wealth, income, extra money, and that’s time well spent.
Characteristics of a Successful Advertisement
If you’re seriously interested in knowing about Characteristics of a Successful Advertisement, you need to think beyond the basics. This informative article takes a closer look at things you need to know about Characteristics of a Successful Advertisement.
Now that we’ve covered those aspects of Characteristics of a Successful Advertisement, let’s turn to some of the other factors that need to be considered.
Many small businesses don’t get success they want from advertising due to availability of very little resources. The results are simply flat due to lack of good ideas for improvements. Whether the ads are put in a local newspaper or are printed in the famous periodical or posted on a website, the money invested should gain the desired outcome. There are some common mistakes small businesses and professional service providers do when designing and posting the advertisement, which leads to the failure of the advertisement.
Bigger is better is believed in by many. That’s exactly what some of the small firms think when they want to advertise their product. They think bigger and select a medium where they need to invest a lot of money, but do not reach the targeted market. Like if a company specializes in designing diet plans and want to help out people who had disappointing results from their individual diet plans, and the company chooses to advertise a full page in the local paper instead of running advertisement in a health magazine, obviously not many of the dieters will notice the advertisement and the advertisement doesn’t get the desired attention.
So the point is to come up with the best campaign, which will increase the probability of the ad getting viewed and the right customers trying to buy the product or sign up for the service. Studies and research can be carried out on the market and targeted audience can be narrowed down. Once getting the list of newspapers, magazines and magazines meant for the customers in mind, find out how many readers they have and the cost they ask for posting the ad. Special deals are offered by them from time to time and can only be found by watchful eye.
It is estimated that everyday people are subjected to around three thousand commercials. That is a huge number and if someone desires to be noticed, he should certainly be different. Not only the services and product sold should be unique in the market, so should be the advertisement. For example, if a business selling mattresses says, “We sell mattresses”, it will not make a statement and will be passed off as any other mattress advertisement. But if they say, “Our mattresses are of the finest quality”, it will make the advertisement stand out in the crowd. Other catch lines are “Are you suffering from back pain? Probably you must try our mattresses ”, are more specific and will catch the fancy of the people who are suffering from back pains since a long time. The advertisement should also focus on the uniqueness of the product and how it is better compared to the competitors’ product.
Focusing on the problems of the customers and giving a solution for them, is what a customer demands. A customer does not buy a product; he buys benefits in the form of a product. The real value of the product should be realized and a clear picture of it should be presented to the customer so he will be able to relate with the product. If the advertisement doesn’t specify the solution it can provide, the customers will never know of it. So focusing on the customers problem is what some ads miss.
The last thing missing in most of the advertisement is motivation for the customers. If the advertiser has designed the advertisement and the customer had read the advertisement, all efforts and money invested will be wasted if he doesn’t get up and do something about it. It shouldn’t be assumed that the customer knows what to do; instead the advertisement should influence the mind of the customer and should tell him what to do. Call of action is the final job of the advertisement. It should call for information, or visiting the store or even visiting the online store. The message should sound confident and clear.
Sometimes it’s tough to sort out all the details related to this subject, but I’m positive you’ll have no trouble making sense of the information presented above.