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Leading Dots

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Connecting dots with The Idea Dude

Connecting Dots logo

I used to think looking good was something you only had to do during a business presentation. Beyond that, my work and talent would take care of my reputation. Many years ago, I read Tom Jeary’s Life is a series of presentations. He said Whether you are talking to a soccer coach or potential client, the way you present your thoughts and ideas to people have a profound effect on the shape of your life..

I felt like someone poured a bucket of ice-cold water over me. I learnt to value each individual who stood before me and take the time to be nice. I don’t always succeed and sometimes under duress or tiredness I walk away from a conversation wishing I did better. But it became part of my DNA. To be deliberate in the experience I wanted to leave with the person I was interacting with.

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The first dot that went blink, blink, blink in my head the whole week was Anna’s. Anna blogs about business leadership and has many terrific things to say. But the thing that made her dot blink for me was her tagline right at the top of her blog. People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. I’m willing to bet that if you met Anna, she would be one of the 10 people you would never forget even if your paths never crossed again.

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Dot #2. It reminded me what Liz said about being good and nice.
Being good at what you do is important, but a strong personal identity includes both good and easy to work with.
Sometimes when we’re good or hold positions of authority, we forget to be nice. It’s not only a business rule, it’s a life rule.

In fact, if I recall, it is the ONLY rule that Liz has on her blog.

Speaking of personal brand, what I found most interesting is that the people who were clearly leaders and had a profound effect on me had a common attribute.

They led by serving.

What a paradox! or is it? You’re the people I trust and the people I serve., Liz says in her post this week

I’ll never forget in all my years in business, the companies I wanted to work with were those who asked me the question at the end of the meeting (even though they were 10 times bigger than we were).

So how may I be of service to you?

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Let me take you to another favorite dot of mine, his name is Drew. Drew is an extremely smart person and very well-read in the blogosphere. He’s take on how to write an outstanding blog post?? It’s all about you. It is that humility and generosity that makes Drew compelling.

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This particular journey would not be complete without stopping to visit Steve. The title of his Greater than yourself mashup series already defines who he is as a blogger and thought leader. The one sentence in his blog that resonated the most with me?

I have to give of myself before I expand myself.

I was reminded of one of my kids’s favorite jokes. How do fit a an elephant into a matchbox? Take out the matches!

As Liz would say, make room for the conversation.

May the dots be with you!

Vern, The Idea Dude

Change the World: Forget the Kids at School, Say It Out Loud

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We Know, But We Can’t Say It

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It’s those words. They sit right up there in our foreheads. They are the important ones. More often than not, they are words kept captive there by a fear we hold dear.

We know what words they are, in our hearts we do. We know what they mean to us. We can’t say them out loud because, then we would hear them and, we might get the kind of response we got once. We know that’s not so, but knowing is one thing that is easier to say, than to do.

About three nights before SOBCon07, nearing midnight I was on the phone with a dear friend. We were talking about the conference, how the event would soon be real.

I called him by name, I said, “I’m afraid.”

As any friend would, he asked what it was making me feel that way. I saw the words, felt the words, knew the answer then. I probably knew the answer for days before this conversation took place. I felt my throat tighten to think of saying the words out loud.

I said, “I know, but let’s talk some more. I can’t tell you right now.”

A while later, the subject came up again in a natural way. I knew it was important that I say the words out loud for someone to hear. I worked my way up to give context, to build courage, to make sure that we both understood. What I said came out something like this. . . .

I’m not afraid that no one will come. I know they will. I’m not afraid that the event will not be successful. It will be an experience that the attendees will never forget. I’m not afraid of the people in the room for whom I will be speaking.

I’m afraid of the kids I went to grade school with.

He wondered what I meant. I laughed and said, “Don’t worry I can handle them.”
He said, “Please explain.” I did.

What I thought was a story that’s so universal. I said, “Remember when some kids at school made you feel small?”

But those kids had shrunk and vanished the minute I let that fear out of my head — when I said it. At that exact second, they were no longer near, they were decades ago. I knew that they had forgotten me, and I could forget about their laughter at my expense. They looked small and young in the distance.

I wish we didn’t hold a fear to say what we know is our truth waiting to be said. “I’m afraid, because of the kids I went to school with.” How silly is that? Boy am I glad that sentence is out of my head.

We hold onto sentences like that. I can’t say out loud who I am, what I’m good at, what I love, where I’m going, what I dream, what I fear, what I need, what I hope, because if I say it out loud I might hear and you might respond like the kids did at school.

Imagine if we choose wisely enough to trust and to talk out loud to folks who can see us.

We can change the world — just like that.
–ME “Liz” Strauss

No Mission Statement: One Simple Question

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Enough

inside-out thinking

Last week a Dawud Miracle and I discussed the problems faced by businesses. We mentioned entrepreneurs, small businesses, even corporations. So much of what came up was not encouragaing — bad messages; bad service; empty offers; no customers; not unique or remarkable; broken promises; clueless and out of focus. Not much most folks would take a risk on.

It’s as if some folks “get,” and the rest don’t get to know.

People rush after productivity tools and use them to further confuse their issues. People wait for customers, and no one comes. They talk about the chances they never got, but that that doesn’t get them. They’re stuck.

Why should anyone be stuck? . . . overwhelmed and out of focus? Why are there problem solvers without problems to solve?

It’s a disconnect. A swiss cheese hole in the available information.

Voices across the Internet say . . . Find your passion. . . . Choose your target market. . . . BUT, they stop there. No one says HOW to do that.

It’s got to be frustrating.

This connector can’t stand to watch problems going unsolved. I’m for breaking OUT of this paradigm starting now — with tools, models, and some basic Inside-Out Thinking.

Inside-Out Thinking

What is Inside-Out Thinking? Plain and simple, it’s starting from you — head and heart — who you are, as a person or as a company. We’re going to the core to find the values on which to build a concrete foundation.

I’m not talking hours parsing words on mission statements that gather dust. Their pretty, but they don’t pay the bills. I’m talking key, core terms that tell about DOING.

Don’t think heaven or humanitarian honors. Forget making money or impressive words.

Please, answer to one simple question.

As a company, as a person,

What businesslike thing do you LOVE doing?

Here’s how to answer that:
Forget any thought of money. Don’t you dare devalue or discount what you love doing. Not sure? STOP. Quiet yourself. Remember your successes. Here’s where to look for them.

  • Look to the future. Three years from now, if a wealthy patron financed you, what would you be doing?
  • Look in the past.
  • Look at last Saturday or the last time you were with friends. What were you doing that might apply?
  • What about your favorite job? What did you love about that?
  • What were you really good at in school?
  • What are you good at? What would you miss if you couldn’t do it?

You get the idea.

If you don’t know how to complete the picture of you. Ask a friend to tell you what you love doing. Ask quite a few. They know. Truth is, so do you. Once you find out what you love doing, that’s when the thinking starts.

I’m getting jazzed about this.

So, go ahead, give it a shot . . . what do YOU love doing?

It’s not hard. It’s just different — there wasn’t a model before. There will be now.

–ME “Liz” Strauss
Is your business stuck? Check out the Start-up Strategy Package. Work with Liz!!

Related
To follow the entire series: Liz Strauss’ Inside-Out Thinking to Building a Solid Business, see the Successful Series Page.

Is Your Business Stuck? I’ve Found a Way to Help

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Here’s How We Can Make It Work

In the last few months, many people have come to me because their business is stuck. I try to help when I can, but my time is growing thinner and thinner, and so am I. Still it tears at me to turn away someone who I know I could help get going just sharing what I already know.

I also suspect there are more who would come if they could, but they feel that they can’t afford to ask. In the same way, I can’t afford to help everyone who asks or I would never see my family. Well, maybe I would when they took our home, because I gave too much away.This problem has been on my mind for some time, because strategy and helping are joys and the two things I do best naturally.

You read my blog. You know I think on problems until I solve them. Today, I can say, I think I’ve got an answer to this one.

I’m Pleased to Announce

The Start-up Strategy Package

The Start Strategy Package is a personal consultation in which I get to know you and together we define and focus your business. We look at who you are, who you want to be, and the ways that you can get there. In a focused set of conversations and communications, we’ll get you started with the right direction and the energy to move forward.

You’ll have

  • a definition of your customer
  • a definition of your product or service
  • a name and tagline for your business
  • next steps to move forward

For a limited time, I’ve put together The Start-up Strategy Package that I extend to entrepreneurs who are stuck or just starting out. We’ll work to define your customer, your product or service, and your company name and tagline. The payment plan is an investment of US$250 as a first payment plus a second $150 payment due one month later or the equivalent in services. (for details let’s talk). If you’re interested email me at lizsun2 @ gmail [dot] com with the subject line The Start-up Strategy Package.

Due to the nature of this offer, I’ll only be able to help one client at a time for limited hours, but at least the helping out will be able to keep going.

–ME “Liz” Strauss
Behind every successful business there is an outstanding manager. — The Perfect Virtual Manager.

PS. I have to go to the DMV now to renew my driver’s license. So don’t think I’m ignoring you.

Dear Emperor: A Test for Your Next Link Post

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Dear Emperor,
I’m writing to tell you that I know. Well, everyone does. In the past, you’ve a problem with things that people see that you could not. The problem was that no one would tell you.

I’ve heard that once that you were walking around, . . . well, sorry to be so forward . . . with no clothes on. [blush] Please forgive me for bringing that up, but it is relevant.

And relevant is really what you need to think about.

I don’t want someone to write a book called, The Emperor Has No Content. or The Emperor Takes His Love to Town

That’s a problem. I’d like to help change that. In that effort, I offer this test for your next link post.

  • Who am I writing this post for? If the answer is NOT my readers, please start over. Step outside yourself, and ask “If I saw this post on another blog, would I actually want to read it?”
  • Have I personally checked out every blog on this list? If the answer is NOT yes,please start over. I know you are generous to a fault, but it’s not link love to put your name on a place you’ve never been. Using the same metaphor, that’s . . . um, er . . . promiscuous. It’s a matter of self-respect and respect for the readers in your blogdom.
  • Am I using links to buy traffic? If the answer is yes, please start over. Traffic that is bought will only stay as long as you keep paying for it. You don’t need to pay to be noticed — really, it just takes a little more time, and everyone will see how good you are.

Oh Emperor. Your link shows a quality and relevant relationship that you want to share with your blogdom. It is your seal of approval, your vote for someone’s content. Your readers and your search bots pay attention. They see the folks that you endorse, even when you don’t.

I’m sorry, Emperor, I tried to say this as nicely as I could.

Sincerely,

Liz's Signature

Do the work and the recognition will come.
I remember when someone told me that.

SOBCon 07 News: Drew’s Cool Idea!

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What We’ve Done So Far

It’s been only a month since we announced SOBCon 07 and so much has happened!

We’re letting folks know that this is a carefully-crafted, attendee centered, content-rich event. Folks are finding out that it’s going to be a quality experience in which the audience will have an active role as a partipicant.

That’s why when Drew McLellan suggested this idea, so in keeping with the conference, we just HAD to do it!

I’ll let Drew tell you about it.

Give Little Get A Little LOT

Guest Writer: Drew McLellan

Hey all,

Relationships are about give and take

You give a little. You get a little. That’s the balance of a good relationship.

It shouldn’t surprise you at all that this same balance would be adopted by a conference focused on taking your blog to the next level by building stronger and more valuable relationships.

SOBCon 07

Unlike a typical conference where the speakers are the only ones who get to share, at SOBCon we’re turning that notion upside down.

Each and every participant is invited to bring something they’ve created – a book, a white paper, a podcast series, a visual tool – you name it for every single attendee and speaker.
Imagine leaving the conference with a bag filled with knowledge, insights, laughter and inspiration.

And even better; imagine every SOBCon attendee learning more about your blog and passion, and being touched by your work.

There are only a few rules:

  • It has to be your original content.
  • You must bring enough for everyone.
  • You must be willing to give it away for free.
  • Do we need to say the material has to be appropriate?

Register today so you can get a little. And get a little LOT!!!
Drew,
Drew’s Marketing Minute

PS –Please pass this along. I have no pride of authorship on this. So feel free to completely re-write it, edit it or ask me to do either. Or just fall in love with it as it is and use it silly.

Thanks, Drew!
–ME “Liz” Strauss

Don’t forget to Persuade Me