Monday Insights

February 20, 2012 - Do you have an idea but do not know where to take it or if it is even worth pursuing? Is it related to what you are doing in your work now or totally different? Is it something you have thought before, but now are seeing it as more tangible to explore? Never discount your ideas simply because you are uncertain where to begin.

Take an MM&I Moment to write down the idea and what you think needs to happen next to see if its viable, unique, doable, or plausible? Is it getting more information on a subject related to the idea? Is it polling others about what they think of the idea? Is it simply doing some research to see if anyone else has come up with the same idea? Can you involve someone else to take some of these steps so it is not overwhelming you with everything else you have on your plate? Simply beginning to explore the potential on one idea could very well lead to a discovery or even solution to something else in which you are seeking answers, so allow yourself the opportunity and see where it may lead.

Synergized Quote of the Week

"Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it." - Goethe

Savvy Secret Tip of the Week

Are you overlooking a valuable people resource for your business? For the past 15 years in my business, I have leveraged for-credit internship programs to bring great value and progress to special projects and initiatives in my business, while also bringing real-world experience and insight to college students. Entrepreneurs not tapping into this business support resource are missing out on a low-cost, high-return way of getting things done. This is such an under-used resource that I have made it a topic of a two-part series in my Savvy Business Owner column in Business Today. CLICK HERE to read Part I. Want to understand how to leverage all of your resources more effectively in your business? Then Secret # 4, Budgeting for Growth, is a must-read in 50 Marketing Secrets OR Chapter 13 in Me, Myself & Inc. (entitled: It Takes Money to Make Money, Unless You Don't Have It) will give you great options to consider as well. To order one or both books, CLICK HERE!

February 13, 2012 - Have you given thought lately to what you simply adore and love about your life and work? Have you paused to appreciate it and know how much it means to not only you, but those you love and enjoy being with and sharing it with? Too often, we get so caught up in the grind and demands of everyday life, that we fail to embrace and appreciate all that makes our life and work worth living and doing.

Take an MM&I Moment this Valentine's week to pause and acknowledge all that you love about your relationships, your work, and your life. Share with others who mean the most to you and encourage them to do the same with you and others. Even the smallest of acknowledgements can bring about the most powerful possibilities and opportunities. Appreciation and acknowledgement naturally brings about even more and more things to love and appreciate.

Synergized Quote of the Week

"When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive - to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love." - Marcus Aurelius

Savvy Secret Tip of the Week

Are you striving to position your company as the best in your industry or marketplace? Then pursuing and earning recognition and awards for your company and its people should be a key part of your strategy to validate and support your desire. According to the CRISP Principle Study research detailed in my book, 50 Marketing Secrets of Growth Companies in Down Economic Times, growth companies were three times more likely to have won multiple awards for their company management, approach, service, products and people. Learn more about Award Winning in Secret #42 of 50 Marketing Secrets. Get the book today! To order, CLICK HERE!

February 6, 2012 - What is on your wish list right now that would utterly and completely thrill you if it was handed to you right this minute? What are you doing to manifest this into reality? What actions, no matter how small, will you take today, tomorrow and the next day to get a step closer to it being realized? It is more than daring to begin. It is even more essential to dare to continue regardless of obstacles, distractions, and demands.

Take an MM&I Moment to open your mind to the probability, not the possibility of this grand wish of yours coming true. Imagine the steps you took to get there. Write them down and choose the ones you can take action on right now by breaking them down into even more manageable steps. Before you know it, what seemed impossible is within reach, and what is within reach is yours for the taking!

Synergized Quote of the Week

"At first dreams seem impossible, then improbable, then inevitable." - Christopher Reeve

Savvy Secret Tip of the Week

Charitable Giving (Secret #33 in 50 Marketing Secrets book) is a powerful way to show that you mean business and appreciate business at the same time. In the CRISP Principle Study, 100% of growth companies set aside resources, time, talent and/or budget to give back to worthy causes that were valued by their corporate philosophy, employees, and customers. Not only does it show your business is personally invested in making a difference and is not just about making money, it also confirms to the marketplace that you are worthy of doing business with. To piggyback off of this week's Insight about wishes coming true, for the entire month of February, GreenCastle Publishing will donate $5 per book purchase to the Make A Wish Foundation in partnership with Send Out Cards (mentioned in Secret #18, The Personal Touch). If you buy both the Me, Myself & Inc. and 50 Marketing Secrets books, $10 will be donated. Help make wishes come true for terminally ill children by placing your order today! To order, CLICK HERE! And chances are, reading the insights and how-tos in the books will help YOU make your wishes come true too!

January 30, 2012 - How trusting are you in others to help accomplish what you are trying to achieve? Do you have a network of support and inspiration you can turn to for valued perspective, reinforcing insight or re-directive guidance when needed? People who succeed know that they cannot do it solo. They understand the momentum that can be built and the empowerment that comes from having Circles of Influence, Trust, and Support, especially when roadblocks or challenges come into play.

Take an MM&I Moment to confirm you list of those you would consider a part of your inner Circles of Trust, Influence and Support. Do you have work or business colleagues you can call upon who could provide insight due to having gone through similar situations? Are friends sources of feedback and encouragement because they know what you are trying to achieve personally and professionally? Do you have advisers who can offer perspective and guidance? Who have you come to know who could make introductions for you or connect you in some way to help? Who can you count on to support you in tasks at home and at work when you start to feel overloaded or overwhelmed? Not only will identifying these people give you a clear idea of all who are there for you who can assist, it will also confirm just how much more rewarding it is once you have succeeded because you have so many to share in the celebration.

Synergized Quote of the Week

"Individually, we are one drop. Together, we are an ocean." - Ryunosuke Satora

Savvy Secret Tip of the Week

Are you planning to succeed in business or are you hoping to succeed? Growth companies understand that without a plan, goals and accountability measures to guide them through, their chances of success are in the hopeful lane versus the probability lane. The key to effective planning is having a strategy that clearly defines what makes your company the better choice to markets that you are the best to serve. The greatest value of a strategic plan, is when opportunity knocks, not only do you know exactly the right moves to make, but which doors to open and welcome in. Learn more about how to put Strategy into the Plan and turn hope into probability in Secret #7 in 50 Marketing Secrets of Growth Companies in Down Economic Times. Get the book today! To order, CLICK HERE!