Svaha: the time between seeing lightning and hearing the thunder
I will be eternally grateful for your great gift of taking in to the fullest extent what it is that I have to offer, living it, and then reflecting it back in terms of the potential experience of others. You have given words to a process that defies words. And you’re constantly in a position to help me continue to hone that, deeper and deeper and more and more resonantly, who I am and what I offer, which is truly invaluable. — Jon Hansen, The Remembering Room, Richmond, Illinois
What you’ve sent me is so darn perfect it hurts! It’s a sheer pleasure to work with someone who writes as beautifully as you do — and in “my” voice. — Ariane Goodwin, Ed.D, smARTist® Telesummit, Millers Falls, Massachusetts
You have a real gift for words. You’re really, really good at it. — Sherry Essig, Priority Ventures Group, Raleigh, North Carolina
You’ve built such integrity of message in your company. I know that’s because it springs forth intrinsically, but you stay so focused at your core! I can’t think of a better way to phrase that laser-beam focus you have. It’s funny, because in someone else, laser-beam focus would be intense, but somehow you manage to make it much more kind and easy. — Jessica Albon, Thrive Your Tribe, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
I’ve never worked with anybody in the way that I’ve worked with you in terms of trusting in your abilities to the level that I have. — Catherine Hajnal PhD, Eight Branches Consulting, Vancouver, Canada ... facilitating and nurturing joyful living
You have an uncanny ability to see through what is being said and surface all the “unsaid” issues. Then you quickly give candid feedback and have a tremendous toolbox to help me move forward through your expert guidance of the right tool.
I have worked with many facilitators/coaches/counselors relating to work and personal situations. Your skills are exemplary and moved me faster than I ever expected. — Jennifer Baker, Fishers, Indiana
You bring both a spiritual perspective and some real-world hard-headedness. — Janet Bailey, Mindful Time Management, San Francisco, California
Brava! I wish I could draw a picture of me — you’d see me in a deep bow to you!
I read your newsletter as soon as it hits my in-box and you’re always right on with your advice. I had to let you know that this issue is particularly brilliant.
I will definitely keep this info — and your contact info — in a secure place.
Thanks so much for sharing your insight and wisdom. — Debbie Rodgers, CGA
This post is the first in a series following on my newsletter article “Don’t Just Do Something!” You may want to read that article first. The link opens in a new window, so you won’t lose your place here.
What is it about bright shiny things?
Whether it’s something literally bright and shiny that attracts our attention, [...]
Posted: May 18th, 2010 under Marketing.
Comments: none
Is it just me?
There seems to be some circular affiliate marketing going on out there.
In the last few weeks, I’ve been bombarded by offers for the same programs from three or four different people.
Mind you, it’s fascinating to see the different spin each one has.
Um, up to a point.
But let’s face it, there are only [...]
Posted: May 13th, 2010 under Marketing.
Comments: none
It’s remarkably easy to piss off your customers.
By customers, I mean anyone who’s reading any of your material (website, blog, Tweets, whatever). I could say “audience,” but I’m using customers quite deliberately. If you’re producing material that they’re reading, then they’re customers. Whether or not they’ve paid you a single penny.
So, yes, it’s remarkably easy to [...]
Posted: April 27th, 2010 under Marketing.
Comments: none
I spend a lot of time watching and listening to see how different people present what they do.
And not just the successful ones. You can learn a lot by seeing who isn’t succeeding as well as those who are. (Or at least appear to be. Just because someone says they’ve made $X bazillion doesn’t mean they [...]
Posted: April 16th, 2010 under Marketing.
Comments: 2
I’m bumping into a lot of very sad websites these days.
Some of them belong to people and businesses I know. People and businesses I respect, like, and patronize. People and businesses I recommend to others.
Others belong to people and businesses who somehow caught my interest. Whether it was an intriguing tweet on Twitter, a blog post [...]
Posted: April 7th, 2010 under Marketing.
Comments: 18
In recent posts, I’ve talked about the good things that happen when you have clarity and focus. I’ve described how one small business owner realized inspired action from her clarity and focus – and I’ve drawn parallels between Cirque du Soleil (masters at clarity, focus, and inspiration) and your business.
But what happens when there’s failure to [...]
Posted: March 29th, 2010 under Marketing.
Comments: none
I have readers who subscribe to both my newsletter and this blog, so to avoid being redundant, I don’t post my newsletters here.
However, I’ve received some comments on my last newsletter that led me to think it would be fun to initiate some discussion here about, well, about what marketing really is.
Here’s the link to [...]
Posted: March 4th, 2010 under Marketing.
Comments: 2
This is a follow-on to my newsletter article “Who’re You Talkin’ To?”
It seems to be human nature – some things we have to learn by experience.
Marketing coaches, books, blogs, teachers, gurus – they all tell you to get focused, get clear, narrow your focus, be specific.
And just about every small business owner or independent professional fights it. We’re [...]
Posted: January 8th, 2010 under Marketing.
Comments: 2
There are some people whose marketing is a force of nature.
Their personalities are so strong and clear in everything they do that they sweep all before them. There’s no doubt who their audience is. Everyone either loves them or hates them. And both the love and the hate create a buzz around them. They arrive on the [...]
Posted: November 18th, 2009 under Marketing.
Comments: 6
Last week I wrote about the second-hardest thing in networking: following up.
If you’ll recall, I mentioned how only about 7% of people who say they’re going to follow up actually do follow up.
I’ve continued testing that statistic. I’ve talked with people about it (they’re universally surprised – “Only 7%? really?”), and I’ve then given them [...]
Posted: November 6th, 2009 under Marketing, Networking.
Comments: 2
