Archive for the ‘Personal Development’ Category

The Secret Ingredient That All Great Business Leaders Have

Tuesday, September 20th, 2011

Great Business LeadersI have always looked up to and admired the business greats of our times. People like Ray Croc, Sam Walton, Steve Jobs, Richard Branson, Henry Ford, Phil Knight. People who started businesses which are not only enormously successful, they have shaped the world and even our culture.

Reading these stories, I was inspired by how they started their businesses in garages and built them into international empires. But underneath my fascination and enthusiasm, there was a much quieter voice speaking to me. A quiet, dark voice that said: “These people had special advantages you do not have. You will never do what they did.” And whether I spoke those words aloud or not, I secretly believed them. (more…)

What I Wish Somebody Had Told Me Before I Started My Business

Wednesday, June 1st, 2011

What I Wish Sombody Had Told Me Before I Started My BusinessDating all the way back to high school, I have been running a website design or graphic design business of some kind or another. I started off as a sole proprietor. I later registered as a corporation, and eventually merged that corporation into what is now nine10 Incorporated. During this long and winding road, I learned many lessons about business. Some of them took me a long time to learn, some I learned quickly, but most were taught at the school of hard knocks. Had there been someone to share insight with me, things might have been easier, right from the start.

Now, understanding both the struggles in starting a business and now being on the successful end, I have a desire to share what I learned along the way with those that are just starting out. My hope is, that by sharing what I have learned, I can minimize and reduce the business struggles that so often accompany new business startups. The following is a small collection of key insights I wish I had known from day one.

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Networking Secrets: Why Face Time Still Matters (Part 1)

Friday, March 4th, 2011

Business Peerson With Their Head in the SandIn an online world where with the click of mouse you can gain a friend, acquire a fan, or even get people to “like” you, it’s easy to forget the value of meeting in-person, face-to-face.

When staffing is tight—and often budgets and time as well—the convenience of sending a message through social media or by email (which is as easy as pushing “send”) might seem the sensible way to manage your schedule and resources.

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nine10 wants gift to women’s shelter to leave a legacy of education and hope

Tuesday, February 8th, 2011

“Everyone has the power for greatness, not for fame, but greatness, because greatness is determined by service.” — Martin Luther King Jr.

As the world recently remembered the words and passion of Dr. Martin Luther King, we were reminded not only to be reflective, but to show strength, leadership and rally for a cause that is close to our hearts. Dr. King challenged us to ask ourselves how we could be of service to those around us, support a cause, and create a more supportive environment in our own communities.

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Are you guilty of obfuscation?

Friday, November 19th, 2010

obfuscate: to make obscure or unclear; to muddle; confuse; bewilder

Sales requires you to make complex ideas simplePotential consumers are busy and sophisticated. They are surrounded every day with thousands of messages and choices in the marketplace. Trying to impress them using fancy terms can not only cost you those customers, but can cost your business in lost sales and revenue.

You might think it makes your product or service sound more appealing when you use technical talk, but it won’t. It’s a turn-off. Even worse, the consumer won’t understand what you mean. You’ll make them feel dumb.

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How to Be More Competitive… by Focusing Less on Your Competition.

Wednesday, August 11th, 2010

Man holding a sign saying The End Is NearDo you spend a lot of time worrying what your competition is doing? Do you toss and turn at night wondering if they have some secret weapon up their sleeve? That customers will run away in droves because of their latest promotion or product release?

If so, here’s a simple but powerful thought for you to ponder:

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4 Ways to Remove Negativity From Your Workplace

Wednesday, May 5th, 2010

Think about the last time you saw a person let out a huge sigh, slump their shoulders, and say something like “things will never change around here.” Didn’t it just completely drain you of your energy? Unfortunately, it’s very easy to get caught up in the “Ain’t it awful club”. Negativity is very contagious and easily caught. And in the workplace – especially if you run your own business – it must be avoided at all costs.

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10 Characteristics of a Servant Leader

Thursday, February 18th, 2010

In 1970, Robert K. Greenleaf redefined the way that we think about management. His idea was dubbed “Servant Leadership” and flips the traditional mode of management thinking and organizational structure completely upside down. The following is a list of 10 Qualities that Servant Leaders (and the organizations they serve) possess. Do you have these qualities?

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