Against the Grain

For anyone involved in a marketing company, I'm sure you are aware of the myriad of "online gurus" have tried to convince us that the tried and proven techniques based on universal laws build for building massive networks or clients are no longer useful. We are now being told that you must "appear" to be an expert online and attract people to you. I agree, you must attract people, but you attract them by doing it first then people will have to respect your results. Some of the articles I've read and videos I've watched, have made some intriguing points but I've always known that there was something flawed with this philosophy, especially when I saw it first hand. An associate I know was advertising online that he/she could show you how to make millions of dollars online but they never did it. The first thing I thought to myself was "why didn't they show anyone else make millions?" or better yet, how did they do it? The answer was they couldn't and they didn't, but after quitting in a few different ventures, they were now an "expert" that deserved to be followed. This was almost laughable to me but the sad thing is, there were poor souls out there looking for a serious proven leader, and ended up with essentially a fraud. People have to be led and you can lead while you are still on your personal journey but you have to have something to offer. The only way you can do that is by learning either by reading or by first experiencing and sharing those results.

Just a little more makes a difference

For those of you involved in Marketing (or any business), "The Slight Edge" book is one of the most insightful books you will ever read. We have experienced failure and success and as a result, can relate very well to the author.

In this particular story, the author tells about a Water Hyacinth and how it can grow exponentially in a relatively short period of time.

It would be a brilliant way to demonstrate how a typical Marketing business owner could explain the potential growth in an area.

The lesson that I took from the book, in relation to starting a business was that you must be prepared to persevere and without this you simply will not experience the joy and rewards that success brings.

Every person that starts a business wants to be successful. But are they prepared to crank the pump and put massive effort in to the business until it starts to grow exponentially.

In the case of the water hyacinth, the plant uses the art of leverage to grow each day. Instead of planting its own seeds and waiting, it sends out its own daughter tentacles which enable it to use leverage. Ever more with ever less. It's the key to business Success.

Look at McDonalds restaurants - by using a system for running a restaurant which covers every aspect of the business, they could leverage it and grow it quickly without ever losing consistency or quality. It is often said that a 17 year old could run a McDonalds for you - the same one that will not tidy up their bedroom.

If you are thinking about starting a business, either offline or online, think leverage before you think "I'm the only person that can do this".

By thinking this way, you will give yourself room to grow and develop beyond your own capabilities and will reap the rewards.

Commitment and Character

It has been a long while since my last blog post. I don't know exactly why I stopped but I do know why I am resuming. I believe that if you read enough, you will eventually begin to speak and/or write as well. It seems logical but oddly enough, there are some who believe that reading is not essential or doesn't apply to them. I have read numerous books and I have learned that commitment and character are directly related. If you are committed to a worthwhile cause, by default, you will build character. What is character?....you may ask...I'm sure it can be expressed in a few definitions but I found one that simplified it for me and drove the point home. Here it is...character means having distinctive qualities that make one recognizable as a person differentiated from others.....WOW! Isn't that what we all want? to be different? to have more than the norm? to live free while others are kept in bondage by their loyalty to being average? Have we committed to what we believe in? If not, why not? Is your goal worthy of your total commitment? If not, change it. It is worth it. The benefits of being committed to something worthwhile will not only build character but it will effect other areas of your life. You will do other things better and feel encouraged to keep doing things better. This can be applied in all areas of our lives. Take a moment and think about what activities you are doing that will build your character and in turn build your life!