You see it everyday, a creative person gets a great idea and before you know it they are never talking about it again. Today I am here to tell everyone how to ignore the real world and concentrate your focus on your passion, whatever it may be. You can turn your passion into a job and make yourself money off of it but you must do a few things first.
First, a person MUST find their passion, the one thing they were made to do, and that they are happy most when doing it. ( Warning: Do not identify a addiction as a passion, that gets ugly). Dig and dig to unearth your youngest childhood dreams that have been buried under a landslide of mundane jobs and menial tasks. Think back when you were a child, and how there were no barriers that could hold you back. You must learn to think this way again and find your passion. Once you do that, you can plot a direction. Think about a compass, you may be going in circles until you plot a course, pick a direction, and stick with it. You make no progress until you do so.
Second, once this passion is found we must organize around it. This is the crucial part, learn everything you can about it. Get inspiration from speaking to others who have done this particular thing or something similar. Take notes, gather information. Then is the hard part, turning this passion into its monetary equivalent. Alot of people get stuck here because of lack of start up capital or seed funding. This is where on must reach out to others or dig into his savings and set up shop on a shoe string budget, if possible. It is so easy to give up at this stage.
Third, succeed on purpose. Don't let obstacles, situations or doubters slow you down or make you second guess yourself. This is where we ignore the real world. So many people are trapped in their daily ruts of coffee, news, crappy bosses, ungrateful spouses, unruly children and so on, that when they hear someone talking about their awesome dream and being excited about it, they get jealous. So naturally they want to tear you and your fragile idea down, to see you hurt, maybe, but just so they can feel better about themselves. For this situation I have one word of advice:
Your passion is yours, do not let the words of an unsuccessful person take that from you.
Go and make this world a better place, ignore reality and do what you where born to do.
Monday, April 30, 2012
Sunday, April 29, 2012
The Little Things
As pertaining to selling, the little things may overtake everything. Every salesperson is trying to please their customer. In my experience it pays to remember. Literally. You can deliver everything you promise, provide excellent transition, and information about your product or service and it won't matter. In the mind of your customer you are only doing your job. There is nothing considerably special about how you treated your guest of honor, the person giving you money. The only thing the customer may remember from the buying experience with you is that you were knowledgeable, polite and efficient. Not how I want to be remembered.
Try This. Go all out with your customer, seriously, he is putting your kids through college after all, deliver an experience to your customer that they will be raving about, and never forget. It works better if that is a positive experience not negative. If its negative you'll be out of business soon. Nordstroms once accepted a customers return of four tires even though they never sold tires. It pays to go above and beyond. Remember first names, if they have kids, what hobbies they enjoy. Then go out of your way to make some one feel special. Send them a thank you card.
You may be surprised at how many salespeople DON'T think of any of this. It can be downright scary, and we wonder why salesmen get a bad rap, its usually a stereotype brought on by selfish motives and unethical people. Case in point, what is the first thing you think of when you hear me say; Used Car Salesman? Watch your wallet right, well maybe, its a tough job, commission only but those who have integrity will find ways to make their monthly sales numbers without crucifying their ethics. I am good friends with a few used car salesmen, their great people who have been doing it for many years, they are honest and ethical. They treat their customers in a way that the customer wants to be treated. They remember that and come back.
That's how you do it. Deliver that WOW experience.
You won't regret it.
Try This. Go all out with your customer, seriously, he is putting your kids through college after all, deliver an experience to your customer that they will be raving about, and never forget. It works better if that is a positive experience not negative. If its negative you'll be out of business soon. Nordstroms once accepted a customers return of four tires even though they never sold tires. It pays to go above and beyond. Remember first names, if they have kids, what hobbies they enjoy. Then go out of your way to make some one feel special. Send them a thank you card.
You may be surprised at how many salespeople DON'T think of any of this. It can be downright scary, and we wonder why salesmen get a bad rap, its usually a stereotype brought on by selfish motives and unethical people. Case in point, what is the first thing you think of when you hear me say; Used Car Salesman? Watch your wallet right, well maybe, its a tough job, commission only but those who have integrity will find ways to make their monthly sales numbers without crucifying their ethics. I am good friends with a few used car salesmen, their great people who have been doing it for many years, they are honest and ethical. They treat their customers in a way that the customer wants to be treated. They remember that and come back.
That's how you do it. Deliver that WOW experience.
You won't regret it.
Saturday, April 28, 2012
REALITY CHECK: Why your employees are miserable. (Part 2)
The second part of my Blog shows how a outdated pay structure does very little to motivate your employees. Think about it, you created the business, it is your burning desire. It would be safe to say that most of your workers do not feel the same passion about working their jobs. It's ok, if it is not their passion. That is where you have to get creative in your pay structure. They are there to make you money, but for 95% of them they are there to make themselves money. Support their families.
I do not appreciate hourly pay scales simply because they were created over a hundred and thirty years ago. When workers had very little, if any, say in their salaries. I think it should be a bit different in today's society. Any good leader knows how to ultimately motivate an employee, you show them a difference in their pay. That increases productivity. Replaces the hourly scale with either salary plus commissions, or salary based on production would help in most jobs today.
Lets take a simple example, a cashier, she works 40 hours a week and is paid eight bucks an hour. She is going to go to work everyday, waste her forty hours for the same pay that she would make whether she works hard or slacks off, where is the motivation. People are usually lazy so we must always be properly motivating them otherwise they fall into ruts of uselessness. Now if you pay that same cashier the same 16,640 dollars she is making already every year, but throw in the option of bonuses for customer compliments, and every new credit card they get opened. Then you inspire your worker to push to make an impact on the customers every single day. Because that motivation is there every hour of her shift.
Make it easier to please your employees and keep them motivated, happy and wealthy. The more extras you offer them to be able to achieve the more they will increase their production.
It is simple supply and demand.
I do not appreciate hourly pay scales simply because they were created over a hundred and thirty years ago. When workers had very little, if any, say in their salaries. I think it should be a bit different in today's society. Any good leader knows how to ultimately motivate an employee, you show them a difference in their pay. That increases productivity. Replaces the hourly scale with either salary plus commissions, or salary based on production would help in most jobs today.
Lets take a simple example, a cashier, she works 40 hours a week and is paid eight bucks an hour. She is going to go to work everyday, waste her forty hours for the same pay that she would make whether she works hard or slacks off, where is the motivation. People are usually lazy so we must always be properly motivating them otherwise they fall into ruts of uselessness. Now if you pay that same cashier the same 16,640 dollars she is making already every year, but throw in the option of bonuses for customer compliments, and every new credit card they get opened. Then you inspire your worker to push to make an impact on the customers every single day. Because that motivation is there every hour of her shift.
Make it easier to please your employees and keep them motivated, happy and wealthy. The more extras you offer them to be able to achieve the more they will increase their production.
It is simple supply and demand.
Friday, April 27, 2012
Reality Check: The reason why your employees are miserable.
Why do so many people despise their jobs? Why are are so many seemingly ungrateful for the money they are earning every week? The answer is buried under a sea of business rules and stereotypes of which most can be unearthed and disproved. I will try to show you how to keep you employees happy, or even more so, productive.
Most of the problems workers face comes from a combination of two things.
The first is they do not know the creator of the business, the top boss, they most likely have never met him or her. Therefore they equate that lack of interest in them as impersonality that the boss doesn't care for their employees, since they are 'never' around, and especially have never introduced themselves to their subservient 'kind'. Of course as the leader of your business you do not think this way about your employees. But it may be how they view you. As their leader, the creator of the business, you hold the power to encourage, inspire and pass along the same zeal that you have for the business. All this can be accomplished by knowing your employees, caring about them, get to know them on a personal level. You will be surprised at how much an hour or two a week devoted to knowing your employees can help things like moral and productivity. Oh, and they will get to know you too, at a personal level, instead of the stereotype that they have of you, the evil boss sitting behind his massive oak desk, trying to squeeze every penny for profit, while he whips his workers for more time and less benefits. I know, I'm getting carried away. All I ask is spend and hour or too a week, every week, shake their hand and thank them for what they do. If you don't think they deserve that, think of this. They are devoting the most precious commodity of their life to your benefit, the time that they are alive on this earth, the best years of their life for most cases. What you are paying them will never make up to the quality of 'time' they are spending working for your business. So try to appreciate them some more. It will only help your bottom line in the long run.
Trust me.
The Second thing I will write about tomorrow. But for now, get out their and find out whose working for you.
If you run a large corporation, make a few random phone calls every week and introduce yourself.
Most of the problems workers face comes from a combination of two things.
The first is they do not know the creator of the business, the top boss, they most likely have never met him or her. Therefore they equate that lack of interest in them as impersonality that the boss doesn't care for their employees, since they are 'never' around, and especially have never introduced themselves to their subservient 'kind'. Of course as the leader of your business you do not think this way about your employees. But it may be how they view you. As their leader, the creator of the business, you hold the power to encourage, inspire and pass along the same zeal that you have for the business. All this can be accomplished by knowing your employees, caring about them, get to know them on a personal level. You will be surprised at how much an hour or two a week devoted to knowing your employees can help things like moral and productivity. Oh, and they will get to know you too, at a personal level, instead of the stereotype that they have of you, the evil boss sitting behind his massive oak desk, trying to squeeze every penny for profit, while he whips his workers for more time and less benefits. I know, I'm getting carried away. All I ask is spend and hour or too a week, every week, shake their hand and thank them for what they do. If you don't think they deserve that, think of this. They are devoting the most precious commodity of their life to your benefit, the time that they are alive on this earth, the best years of their life for most cases. What you are paying them will never make up to the quality of 'time' they are spending working for your business. So try to appreciate them some more. It will only help your bottom line in the long run.
Trust me.
The Second thing I will write about tomorrow. But for now, get out their and find out whose working for you.
If you run a large corporation, make a few random phone calls every week and introduce yourself.
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
10 Things you should know by the time your 30
In this life we learn some things as we go, other times we actually listen to advice that is given to us. Whether that advice is good or bad. Here is a list about life I mad up and thought I would share with everyone.
10. Found out that partying and growing up often go in different directions.
9. Realize that great friends are hard to come by and stick by them through anything.
8. Although you will let people down, don't continue that way, discover the way to show them how you
can grow and change.
7. Love for real once in your life and never forget it, that will help you love again, never stop showing your
affection for that person.
6. Realize that everything your children see you do is something they will accept as ok, even if they are
young.
5. Discover your own country first before touring others. The U.S. holds so much beauty it is a shame to
think some will never know.
4. Drive instead of fly. Take the old route instead of the interstate.
3. Learn and grow everyday. Read. Spend time with your family. Discover a new kind of music. Do
something you are afraid of.
2. Realize that time is a tool and once it is gone we cannot get it back.
1. WITH EVERYTHING THAT YOU DO TELL YOURSELF, " IF THIS IS THE LAST DAY
THAT I AM ALIVE, WOULD I BE HAPPY WITH HOW I LIVED, OR DID THIS OR THAT
I play hockey, and I do not get to play often so when I am out on the ice I tell myself, " If this is the last time I ever played would I be happy with how I played?"
If I am not, I play harder. If I am I can just smile and know that I threw it all up in the air to give the most that I had.
I just want to do that everyday, whether in business, work, family, marriage, parenthood, friendship.
10. Found out that partying and growing up often go in different directions.
9. Realize that great friends are hard to come by and stick by them through anything.
8. Although you will let people down, don't continue that way, discover the way to show them how you
can grow and change.
7. Love for real once in your life and never forget it, that will help you love again, never stop showing your
affection for that person.
6. Realize that everything your children see you do is something they will accept as ok, even if they are
young.
5. Discover your own country first before touring others. The U.S. holds so much beauty it is a shame to
think some will never know.
4. Drive instead of fly. Take the old route instead of the interstate.
3. Learn and grow everyday. Read. Spend time with your family. Discover a new kind of music. Do
something you are afraid of.
2. Realize that time is a tool and once it is gone we cannot get it back.
1. WITH EVERYTHING THAT YOU DO TELL YOURSELF, " IF THIS IS THE LAST DAY
THAT I AM ALIVE, WOULD I BE HAPPY WITH HOW I LIVED, OR DID THIS OR THAT
I play hockey, and I do not get to play often so when I am out on the ice I tell myself, " If this is the last time I ever played would I be happy with how I played?"
If I am not, I play harder. If I am I can just smile and know that I threw it all up in the air to give the most that I had.
I just want to do that everyday, whether in business, work, family, marriage, parenthood, friendship.
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
WHY ITS REAL
Often we look at others thinking that they have everything in this life and we are lacking. Maybe a nicer house, maybe a newer car. I implore you to stop looking at others in this world, and focus on living yourself and your family. Find the things that are most important to you, hopefully they are things that build value to your life and not take away from it. Everyday should be a day in which you learn something new, or share something new with another.
Think of an actor, the best actor becomes his character, not just a portrayal of his character. He actually becomes the character he is playing. We must do this in our businesses. As business leaders we must be the leader we want to portray. Not just play the part we must be the part, don't say your a good leader, show it. Strive for those things that are important to you, if you want a new house, go get it. Set plans to achieve such things, don't just expect it to happen.
Your business should be an extension of your life, it should be your passion. If you are working in a job that isn't your passion you are probably miserable or unhappy with the job. Find your passion and pursue it, don't stop in your striving to find what makes you happy, create your own job which includes your passion. You see this is how that brilliant actor can act so well, he is the character he is playing because it is his passion in his life to do so.
So I beg you make your life real. We only get one time around on this bluish/green spinning ball. So lets make the best of it and make it our passion that drives us. Make your life REAL.
Think of an actor, the best actor becomes his character, not just a portrayal of his character. He actually becomes the character he is playing. We must do this in our businesses. As business leaders we must be the leader we want to portray. Not just play the part we must be the part, don't say your a good leader, show it. Strive for those things that are important to you, if you want a new house, go get it. Set plans to achieve such things, don't just expect it to happen.
Your business should be an extension of your life, it should be your passion. If you are working in a job that isn't your passion you are probably miserable or unhappy with the job. Find your passion and pursue it, don't stop in your striving to find what makes you happy, create your own job which includes your passion. You see this is how that brilliant actor can act so well, he is the character he is playing because it is his passion in his life to do so.
So I beg you make your life real. We only get one time around on this bluish/green spinning ball. So lets make the best of it and make it our passion that drives us. Make your life REAL.
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Time to get it done....
In this day and age there are so many people and businesses that deal in shady practices. I feel that the only way to avoid these terrible businesses and people are to start your own business and run it the right way. Can't people just be honest, why do companies openly lie to people on their website, on the phone and through their email. I wouldn't be able to sleep at night if I knew I was making money in an unethical manner. These people make me sick, anything for a dollar, tarnishing those of us who actually want to run a business the moral and ethical way, and make money through offering excellent products and services. These tactics are extremely disappointing although I have to say that discovering these companies has motivated me to drive harder towards my goal, slay my current 'job' in which I don't even make enough to feed my family and pay my bills, and kick my R & D into high gear to start my other businesses right now so I can be free of these horrible people and actually help people and their businesses, and their employees.
If you want honest business advice and a moral, ethical person working with you to customize goals for your business, then I am the man for you. You need to look me up at Zugger United Inc. because I am a real person who wants to help with business analysis and employee management. I want to help you, and I'll do it for free at first just to show you what I can do. Then after I show you my skill will I then ask for you business.
If you want honest business advice and a moral, ethical person working with you to customize goals for your business, then I am the man for you. You need to look me up at Zugger United Inc. because I am a real person who wants to help with business analysis and employee management. I want to help you, and I'll do it for free at first just to show you what I can do. Then after I show you my skill will I then ask for you business.
Friday, April 6, 2012
I'm back ..... Watch out!
First I would like to thank all of my readers for their patience. Then I would like to share something with you all. I was taking a media fast for the last seven days, no computer, no smart phone, no newspaper, etc. As I learned from a great writer and leader, this is necessary from time to time. It helps clear your mind, refreshes your thinking and encourages you to be more positive. There is no time to waste on negative news broadcasts and false reporting. Set your sights on loftier goals. Try to accomplish something great today, and then repeat that process tomorrow and the next day. The more outrageous your goals the easier they are to achieve.
I was able to meditate for a while on being an inspiration to others and providing excellent service and value to them and the community. Help motivate yourself and others, be that good example, that positive friend. Help lead others and you will find it one of the most rewarding things you could ever do. Sure you want to improve you own life, and you can do that by improving others lives first, through that process you will be enriched, and inspired.
Good luck and never give up.
I was able to meditate for a while on being an inspiration to others and providing excellent service and value to them and the community. Help motivate yourself and others, be that good example, that positive friend. Help lead others and you will find it one of the most rewarding things you could ever do. Sure you want to improve you own life, and you can do that by improving others lives first, through that process you will be enriched, and inspired.
Good luck and never give up.
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