Attracting Great Mentees

As powerful as having great mentors is having great mentees, for when we “teach” we learn.

I am blessed to have a busload of great mentees, or protégés. They range in age from 21 to 66. Yes, indeed some are older than me (there is no rule that mentees must be younger). And, some are almost young enough to be a grandchild. The breadth and diversity of the group so enriches my life. Our discussions are constantly stretching my thinking in all kinds of different areas.

So how do I find great mentees? I find them everywhere. I find them in my clients. I find them at seminars I attend. And, I have even been known to be proactive in “adopting” someone whose book or article or speech I particularly enjoy.

Where do I find the time for my mentees? That is easy, as I find the time for all the things that are important to me. And, my mentees are very important to me! I carry a list of my mentees with me and when I am on the road and have a space in my schedule, I drop them a note or schedule a catch-up phone call. And, when they reach out to me, I make a special effort to be quickly available to them.

Like with other aspects of my life, my mentee relationships often evolve to be long term ones. I have been married 35+ years; I have client relationships that are 10+ years (one is 25+ years); and I have mentoring relationships that are 20+ years. The fabric of my life is supported by the long term relationships which I enjoy.

I am grateful for the kind words I get from time to time from my mentees. But, I am even more grateful for all that I learn from their trials and tribulations. And, I get incredible energy from watching them succeed (and my busload of mentees experience a lot of success!).

One of my early role models was Zig Ziglar. Many years ago, he drilled into me the philosophy that:

You can get whatever you want in life,
if you will help enough others get what they want.

I am strong believer that we perform roles in life best when we are skilled at both sides of the relationship. The best leaders also know how to be good followers. The best speakers know how to be great listeners. And, the best mentors know how to be a good mentee.

My life is enriched by my mentoring relationships, on both sides of the relationship. So too can yours be .

In these tough times, having great mentoring relationships, on both sides of the relationship, is important to having the kind of support team that is key to achieving prosperity…in every sense of that word.

Coming Next: In this twelve part series, I will be addressing each of the types of members of a great personal team. In my next blog post, I will be sharing information on Selecting the Right Role Models. The series starts here.

Attracting Great Mentors

In interviewing peak performers from all walks of life, for my weekly radio show on Peak Performance, I always ask my guests to share the role that being mentored has had in their success. Consistently, my guests cite having great mentors as being very important to their success.

As a result of my radio show experience, I love asking people that I meet about their mentors. As a result of this informal research, I have become a believer that there is an incredibly high correlation between those who have had the benefit of mentors and success. But, here is the important point. In the vast majority of cases, the mentee selected the mentor!

Many of us grow up with the image of the magic moment where a successful person reaches out and says “will you let me mentor you to success.” Well, successful people figure out that they need not wait for the magic moment. Often, the mentee initiates the mentoring relationship. In many cases, they never even ask to be mentored…they just start absorbing the wisdom of the mentor and consistently express their appreciation for what they are learning. From such a beginning, a fuller mentoring relationship often develops.

I have been blessed with having an incredible group of mentors. Not one of these relationships was started with a mentor offering or by my requesting a mentor relationship. For me, the key was my being open to receiving the wisdom of the mentor and being prepared to consistently reflect my appreciation for the interest in my success being taken by these successful people.

In essence, I have come to believe

that mentors…like friends…are a gift you give yourself.

I can’t imagine going through life without having a couple at any one time.

If you want to learn more about the power of mentoring, my favorite book on the subject is Power Mentoring, How Successful Mentors and Protégé’s Get the Most Out of Their Relationships. This book does a great job of explaining how mentoring has changed in recent years….including the change of one having mentor(s) younger than oneself.

One of the best ways to learn to be a great mentee is to mentor others. Time and time again, when I recommend to professionals without a mentor to attract a mentor by becoming a mentor, they report that shortly after they started mentoring, a mentor came into their life.

These are very challenging times. Navigating these whitewater times solo is just not smart. If you don’t have a mentor, make the choice to attract one or more mentors. If you are fortunate enough to have a mentor or two or three, make sure that you let them know just how much you appreciate their help.

Coming Next: In this twelve part series, I will be addressing each of the types of members of a great personal team. In my next blog post, I will be sharing information on Attracting Great Mentees. The series starts here.

Are You Surrounded by The Right People?

The quality of your life is, in large part, a function of the people with whom you spend your time.

Never has this truism been more true than in these challenging times. Think of these as whitewater times. Wouldn’t you want to be navigating whitewater with as fine a crew in your raft as possible? Well, why wouldn’t you want to be navigating these tough times with as fine a crew as you can attract?

One of things that I have learned from my years of research on personal peak performers is that:

high performers are very proactive in surrounding themselves with the right team.

Peak performers build and maintain a team that provides quality support in every aspect of their life. Their teams include quality:

1. Mentors
2. Mentees
3. Role Models
4. Mastermind partners
5. Coaches
6. Accountability partners
7. Colleagues
8. Clients or customers
9. Professional advisors
10. Family & friends

In the coming blog posts, I will be sharing how each of these is important to your being the best you can be. For now, I just want to get across the message that:

your performance is a function of the quality of your team.

And, the quality of your team is one of your most important life choices.

So, how great is your team? On a scale of 1-10 (high) in each of the ten kinds of team members, score your current team. If you don’t have anybody in any of the categories (for example, you don’t have anyone is a mentee), give yourself a zero in that category.

If your score is less than 70, than I am confident that you could make a quantum leap in improving your performance, in all dimensions of your life, by putting in place the right team and opening yourself up to absorbing their wisdom.

If your score is more than 70, I am confident that you are someone who is doing well with the talents with which you are blessed. Congratulations! But, even you can improve your results in life by looking at how you can improve the quality of your support team. For example, if you have a coach, have you outgrown your coach? Are any of your mentors losing the impact they have historically had on you? Are you in a Master Mind group that has lost it’s way? Etc. Etc. Lifting your score by twenty percent, will…I am confident…have a concomitant improvement in the results in all dimensions of your life.

Life is a team sport. Our success in life is every bit as much a function of the quality of our team as it is in our singular capabilities. Those who will prosper in these tough times will be those who choose to surround themselves with a great team.

The choice is yours!

Coming Next: In this twelve part series, I will be addressing each of the types of members of a great personal team. In my next blog post, I will be sharing information on Attracting Great Mentors.

Givers vs.Takers

Have you noticed that the response to the downturn by some people is to become a hoarder? Some people hoard their wealth, their contacts, their compliments and everything else like a squirrel hoarding nuts before winter sets in.

Hoarding is a very natural defensive behavior to an expected period of shortage.

On the opposite end of the spectrum are people who have stepped up their sharing and giving to others. These people approach life, even in a downturn, with a philosophy that the world is abundant and prosperity comes to those who open themselves up to the world.

These people are givers, and are in sharp contrast to those who are takers in life. Givers share their contacts, their time, their expertise and even their money with others. They do so with a philosophy that was best summed up, for me, many years ago by Zig Ziglar:

"You can get whatever you want in life, if you will just help enough others get what they want."

I am so blessed to be surrounded by givers. They nourish me in so many ways. And, I am so grateful for their presence in my life. This is not by accident...for I walk through life with Zig Ziglar's sage advice top of mind.

Of course, we all want to be viewed as more like givers, than like takers. But, what are you? What would an honest friend say about you? What does the composition of your circle of relationships say about what you are?

Like in good times, I believe that prosperity will primarily flow to the givers, even in these tough times.

The choice of what you are is up to you.

Dennis Rodman Fired on Celebrity Apprentice Show by Donald Trump

With a busy consulting practice, and a very active speaking and writing calendar, watching TV is a relative rarity for me. My wife and I do enjoy watching Donald Trump's Celebrity Apprentice on Sunday evening.

Last night's show was very poignant what with the high drama of a boardroom scene that featured a quasi-intervention for the benefit of Dennis Rodman, former NBA basketball star and famous showman.

Words will not do justice to what played out on tonight's show. Watching Donald Trump, Ivanka Trump and some of the celebrities deal so lovingly with Dennis in an effort to start him on the path to dealing with what was portrayed as a real drinking problem was very moving. You can watch the Week #5 show online here. (One only has to view the last 15 minutes to see the drama and get the point.)

Reality TV certainly has a lot of modeling of bad behaviors that likely contribute to some of the sadder moments of our society. Kudos to producer Mark Burnett and Donald Trump for using the show as a platform for some positive role modeling - getting across the destruction of alcoholism and the beauty of friends who have the courage to do an intervention of someone needing help with their drinking.

The star of tonight’s episode was Jesse James, himself a recovering alcoholic. James has been impressing me every show for his stand-up style and brilliant creativity. But, tonight showed why Jesse is the class of the show.

I was particularly moved as I had spent the day planning an intervention with a friend who has started a downward spiral from another form of addiction.

In these tough times, many will unfortunately fall prey to addictive behaviors of all kind.

Getting a loved one, friend or employee to professional help for their addictive behavior is so, so important.

A list of some of the leading helpful resources is displayed half-way down on the right column of this blog.

Getting someone the help they need will bring you a prosperity far beyond what money will likely ever bring you. And, that is what this blog is all about.

Watching a friend in a downward spiral from addictive behaviors? Learn how to do an intervention and get your friend some help.

Leaking Money Like a Sieve

Is your business or the business of your employer leaking money like a sieve?

I am continually amazed at how often I see businesses that are concerned about not having enough business, while at the very same time they are destroying that business that they do have.

Previously, I posted about the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas as an example of this situation. Since that post, I received communication from other guests having similar problems. (And, the Bellagio has chosen to never respond to my follow-up communication with executive management. Amazing!)

Now, my point is not, per se, the Bellagio. It is about businesses just leaking money like a sieve.

Let me give you another example. I am a huge fan of the free newsletter, Early to Rise. I like their free content, respect their paid programs, and I have long admired their business.

I signed up for a year long program they sponsored with consultant Bob Cox. I enjoyed year of Cox's program and in December received notice that if I wanted to continue in the program, I did not have to do anything, my charge card would continue to be billed monthly.

Come January, I noticed communication from Cox had stopped (and so too had the monthly charge). When I received nothing in February, I became concerned and so I submitted an online trouble ticket. As I recall, their site said I would hear back within a week. Two weeks later, I had heard nothing.

So, this time I called customer service, rather than using their non-responsive online customer help function. The customer service rep was very nice and after some research said that the problem was my credit card had failed to go through. Interestingly, they apparently don’t send out an automated notice when a car is declined (which in long programs can happen for things as simple as needing an updated card expiration date). I must admit I don't check every month on these types of programs to see to it that the card they have is still valid.

So, I tell the customer service rep that I want to continue with the program and give him a current credit card. It is now a couple of weeks later and I have heard nothing from the program. When I get my credit card statement, I will find out if they are billing me and, if so, start the customer service process again.

How silly. More accurately, how sad! This is a multi-million dollar business leaking money. Driving away a client who likes their product as result of apparently lacking adequate back-end systems (of the form that businesses 1/100 their size routinely have).

My point is not to attack Early To Rise. I am using them as a real example of another fine company that has bad service problems. Something I see every day.

Is your business leaking money? Is your business driving away customers who want to do business with you?

PS This is just another example of the opportunities in these tough times. How about being a money leak fixer for businesses?

Help for Laid Off Employees

As the unemployment situation grows...and I believe it will continue to get worse before it gets better, each of us is likely to have a relative, close friend or neighbor who experiences the trauma of losing their job at this time when jobs are so hard to find.

We face to two choices with these friends...we can turn the other way and make like we don't see their misfortune, or we can extend a helping hand.

Ron Leiber recently wrote a terrific column in the New York Times on this subject: Layoff's Duty to The Less Fortunate. Beyond Ron's thoughtful list of tips, he has posted a a fine list of recommendations from Amy Baker that originated from a time when she was laid off.

Because I am so grateful for my very active consulting business and compassionate about those losing their job for no reason of their own doing, I have chosen to extend the helping hand, rather than just turn away and ignore the problem.

My personal focus with people in this situation is to inquire about the support network they have in place.

Ultimately, getting re-employed is more than a one person task in these trying times.

It is critical that a person quickly put in place the right support team and make good use of such a team. The role of the right team is to provide both emotional support and substantive assistance.

Amy Baker's list is so good that I will now also use her wonderful list in my efforts to help friends in this situation.

Here is the wonderful thing about helping people who have been laid off. Not only will you be helping your friends, but you will also experience a sense of gratitude that will help you in many dimensions of your own life.

Prospering in tough times is about more than just hoarding the largest pile of money in these tough times!

False Evidence Appearing Real - FEAR is All Around Us

I am sure that you have noticed that fear surrounds us. Not since 9/11 have I seen so much fear among the general population. Fear of losing a job. Fear of not being able to find a job. Fear of having wages or benefits reduced. Fear of having a medical emergency and being without health care insurance. Fear of having to work way past 65 in a work place that often exhibits unsaid age bias. Fear of losing your home. Fear of losing more of your retirement funds. Etc. Etc.

In connection with my work with peak performers, I have been studying the emotion of "fear" for many years. As you know, fear can trigger physiological defensive reactions that are quite helpful...they even could be life saving. But, fear also can be debilitating. What I am seeing a lot of is people whose fear is debilitating...people who could improve their productivity and quality of life if they could manage fear better.

What fears do you currently have that are being counterproductive to your prospering in these tough times?

My most powerful lessons in managing fear came through my six Outward Bound wilderness experiences (the lessons from which were described in a series that starts here). Each of these 10-12 day experiences contained elements that forced me to deal with a variety of fears (heights, cold, heat, whitewater, etc.). From these experiences, I learned about the power of looking at fear through the prism of the acronym F.E.A.R., False Evidence Appearing Real . I have learned to challenge feelings of fear with the test of "is this just False Evidence Appearing Real?"

Well, I know most readers of this blog are not about to go off on an Outward Bound experience to learn how to better manage their fears. A quicker and less expensive way to learn more about managing fears is a wonderful book by Joseph Bailey, Fearproof Your Life, How to Thrive in a World Addicted to Fear.

Bailey does an excellent job of explaining fear and of laying out specific ways to break away from the tyranny of living in continual fear.

These really are tough times for so many Americans. But, they need not be times that you fear. Manage your fear and you will be taking an important first step in embracing the recession, the subject of a four part series that starts here.

Hole in Sidewalk Story

Many coaches and some of the addiction recovery programs like to use a short powerful poem that is a wonderful metaphor for how to live life...especially in these tough times. Recently one of my coaches, the very talented Jennifer Sabin, reminded me of this powerful poem by the late Portia Nelson. The following poem is from Nelson's book There is a Hole in My Sidewalk:

''Autobiography in Five Short Chapters

I. I walk down the street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.I fall in. I am lost. . .I am helpless. It isn't my fault. It takes forever to find a way out.

II. I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I pretend I don't see it. I fall in again. I can't believe I am in the same place. But, it isn't my fault. It still takes a long time to get out.

III. I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I see it is there. I fall in . . . it's a habit. My eyes are open. I know where I am. It is my fault. I get out immediately.

IV. I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I walk around it.

V. I walk down another street."

Portia was a multi-talented artist and real Renaissance woman who upon her death the NY Times called "one of the most beloved New York night club performers of the 1950's." She was also a songwriter, painter, actress, and author.

In today's environment, holes abound. The question is do you keep falling in the same hole? Or, the same type of hole?

Or....are you taking graduate level courses in tough times, learning from your experiences, and appropriately shifting your direction?

The Snowball is Rolling Faster

It has been five months since I wrote about the snowball lesson.

Here we are almost two months into a new administration and the snowball is still gathering speed. The economy just keeps getting worse. Regretfully, we do not appear to be close to yet hitting bottom. The reasons I cited five months ago in my series as to why I expected this downturn to be severe and long lasting become ever more apparent. Yuk! Yuk! Yuk!

Those looking to Washington for a solution could be in for a long wait. Our President's financial team is doing little to inspire much confidence. Every day, I become more concerned that Treasury Secretary Geithner has been unable to get his senior team in place. Adding to that disability, the press reports that National Economic Council Chairman Larry Summers learned little about controlling his immense ego from his relatively short tenure as Harvard President (I am not in Washington so I can't know for sure if the press reports are correct, but anyone who would let himself be proposed as the Economic "Czar," as Summers did, certainly is suspect for having a major ego problem). And, reportedly Paul Volcker is not really being listened to. Already some pundits are referring to the liklihood that the gang will beome known as "the gang that couldn't shoot straight."

Let me be clear. Solving this world wide economic problem is beyond the capabilities of any one person. Teamwork is needed every bit as much as raw intellect. And, we all know that teamwork is not something for which Washington is known.

So, does that mean I expect the end of the world is near? Hardly!

I continue to believe that each and every one of us has the capability to chart a personal plan for prosperity. The best course of action is the one that I learned from Outward Bound many years ago, self rescue.

From time to time, I report the bad news on this blog so that readers will get the message of how important it is for individuals to promptly take the right actions. If one thinks that a turnaround in the economy is imminent, one can be lulled into inaction.

The vast, vast majority of my posts are positive stories of individuals who are leading the way through their actions. The recently concluded series on people who "get it" is a composite of men and woman, from a variety of vocations, who are taking actions to help themselves and to help others to prosper. And, my earlier series on Lessons from the Masters likewise shared tips from some very capable thought leaders.

I am a huge believer in the strength of the human spirit.

I believe we are in the early stages of the latest reinvention of our economy here in the United States. Those individuals and companies that embrace this reinvention will prosper.

Those that fight this reinvention are likely to suffer long and hard.

The choice is yours. I choose to embrace the reinvention. I hope you will do likewise.

Ali Brown Gets It!

Ali Brown definitely gets it! Ali is yet another example of an individual who understands that there is a very real economic downturn occurring, but she has chosen to prosper nevertheless. And, prosper in the full dimensions of the word!

Ali Brown is teaching entrepreneurs how to use the internet to accelerate the growth in their business. Among the things that I so respect about Ali is the quality of the information that she dispenses in her free newsletter and the quality information products that she has produced. Depending on how fast one wants to grow on the internet and how much "hand holding" one needs, Ali's company has developed a product, seminar or coaching service to fit one's needs. Smart!

Now, there are a ton of internet mavens offering entrepreneurs the keys to instant riches. In fact, one of the few bright spots in our economies is all the people claiming to be millionaires and eager to show others how they to can become overnight successes. By contrast, Ali Brown consistently makes the point that growing an internet business is serious WORK and requires diligent effort over an extended period of time. She shares that Brian Tracy philosophy that success is not about luck but instead all about preparation and perspiration.

The challenge for entrepreneurs has long been to distinguish between the quick buck artists who promise instant wealth and the advisors whose advice is credible. Think about all the areas in which an entrepreneur needs to make the right choice: lawyer, accountant, tax advisor, investment advisor, marketing advisor, systems consultant, internet advisor, etc, etc.

The quality of the choices that an entrepreneur makes about his or her mentors, advisors and consultants will have an enormous impact on an entrepreneur's success.

Entrepreneurs are critical to the recovery of our economy. Emerging business must be built in keeping with the times, or they will not even launch successfully. The successful emerging businesses will not be flying into Washington on their private jets, ala the big automotive companies and the big financial institutions, to ask for handouts from the Federal government.

Sure, it takes a lot of start-ups to have the ripple effect of, say, General Motors. But, these are times when there can be a lot of successful start-ups. Millions of laid of managers are going to learn that there just aren't corporate jobs available that make good use of their talent, especially at decent compensation. Many will come to realize that entrepreneurship is one of the best ways to control one's destiny in this economic meltdown. The smart ones will make good choices with regard to the advice they get. And the really smart ones will look to advisors who provide quality free advice and a series of ways to gain even more advice at reasonable rates/costs. Ali Brown is a role model for just such an advisor.

Coming next: I will be saluting leading coach to the coaching and therapy worlds, Lyn Grodziki, in the next and final installment of my series on examples of individuals, from all walks of life, who "get it." The series starts here.

Kat Tansey Gets It!

Kat Tansey definitely gets it! Kat is yet another example of an individual who understands that there is a very real economic downturn occurring, but she has chosen to prosper nevertheless. And, prosper in the full dimensions of the word!

Kat Tansey is an author and radio talk show host who is dedicated to helping midlife woman find the magic in their lives, even in difficult times. Kat’s passion about helping others to survive, thrive and even prosper in these times is a great example of people whose approach to prosperity starts with helping others.

Kat’s second book, Choosing to Be, Lessons in Living from a Feline Zen Master, was recently released and is quickly becoming a best seller. This heartwarming story shares Kat's experience in literally saving herself from a severe unknown illness (at the time), which would later be discovered to be Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. She attributes her being saved to lessons she learned from her two beloved cats, Catzenbear and Poohbear.
Kat is also co-host with Nancy Marriott of the terrific radio show, Finding Magic in Midlife, where every week Kat & Nancy interview leading authors and coaches, as well as of women experiencing success in their careers, relationships, and health. Their show airs on Exceptional Wisdom Radio which has a rapidly growing audience of listeners who appreciate they can schedule their listening at their convenience through the wonders of internet radio. Her shows are also available, for free, at the ITunes store.

In tough times, it is all too easy to become very self-centered. I admire people who are dedicating quality time to helping others through these tough times.

Prosperity is more than the size of your bank account.

Besides being of service to others with your investment in helping others, you will be helping yourself by creating a powerful reminder for all that you do have. Your "gratitude cup" will runneth over!

Kat gets it! And, I hope that so too do you.

Coming next: I will be saluting leading entrepreneur advisor, Ali Brown, in the next installment of my series on examples of individuals, from all walks of life, who "get it." The series starts here.

Cheryl Richardson Gets It!

Cheryl Richardson definitely gets it! Cheryl is yet another example of an individual who understands that there is a very real economic downturn occurring, but she has chosen to prosper nevertheless. And, prosper in the full dimensions of the word!

Cheryl Richardson is an extraordinary woman. She is a best selling author and leading role model for life coaches. As an example of the latter, this week Good Morning America did a series with her coaching the staff of Good Morning America. What life coach wouldn't die for the kind of exposure seen here?

High media visibility is nothing new for Cheryl. She was featured on Oprah for a year with her life makeover segments. She has had two PBS specials. She regularly appears on the morning talks shows where you can easily observe the love and respect that the hosts have for Cheryl.

So, the fact that Cheryl is prospering in these times is not surprising. Cheryl has been doing right by people for many years. Whether it be a book or a seminar, Cheryl's products are always a fantastic value. Reasonable price and extraordinary delivery!

Consider her latest offerings. She recently launched her latest book, The Art of Extreme Self Care.

Not only is the book perfectly timed to meet the needs of her fans, it is beautifully packaged and written, and offered at a price that is a great value.

Besides being one of the most compassionate people that I know, Cheryl is also a very, very savvy business woman. Along with the launch of her book, Cheryl partnered with Hay House to offer a year long teleclass program that meets monthly. Once again, the program is well packaged, well delivered, and offered at a price that is both affordable and a great value. (Because prior classes are recorded for later listening, it is not too late to join me and others in this program by registering here.)

Cheryl is so not about money that I almost hate to even discuss the obvious economics. But with close to 1000 enrollees in the teleclass program, Cheryl has another income stream (in addition to book royalties), and one that leverages her expertise by enabling her to do the teleclass from home in just a couple of hours of work a month.

The concept of "prospering in tough times" is not just about one's income. Cheryl is doing nicely in that category. But, the greater prosperity comes from the tens of thousands who will be helped by her divinely timed book and the thousand who will benefit by the monthly teleclass program. And, that is on top of the 50,000 plus who participate for free in her world wide life makeover groups.

Cheryl is not cowering in fear over the economic downturn. She has embraced the realities of the situation, tailored her products/services to the times, and is out making a difference in the lives of tens of thousands. She is a role model for prospering in tough times. Prospering in every sense of the word!

Are you letting your fears of the economy stand in the way of your prospering? Have you embraced the realities of the situation and tailored your offerings to the times (whether as a business owner, or as an employee? Are you focused on helping others through these tough times?

Coming Next: I will be saluting radio talk show host (and also best selling author), Kat Tansey, in the next installment of my series on examples of individuals, from all walks of life, who "get it." The series starts here.

Michael Feuer Gets It!

Michael Feuer definitely gets it! Michael is yet another example of an individual who understands that there is a very real economic downturn occurring, but he has chosen to prosper nevertheless. And, prosper in the full dimensions of the word!

Michael is one of my favorite columnists. Every month, he writes a terrific business column which appears in each of the regional issues of Smart Business magazine, a national publication targeted to C-level executives in major markets across the country.

I respect Michael for all he has accomplished as an entrepreneur. In 1988, he co-founded OfficeMax and over the ensuing sixteen years grew it into a retail powerhouse with almost 1,000 stores worldwide, and with annual sales approximating $5 billion. In 2003, his "baby" was sold to Boise Cascade Corp. for almost $1.5 billion. He then launched another start-up, Max-Ventures, a retail/consumer products venture capital operating and consulting firm.

But, I respect Michael even more for the wisdom he communicates in each monthly column. Two tablespoons of sage business advice with a dollop of inspiration.

His latest column was entitled It’s Time to Start Working Smarter, Not Just Harder. Wow...did this column resonate with me.

Everywhere I go I hear people, in all manner of vocations, talking about how they are working so much harder. But, enterprises don't succeed on how hard people work. The best organizations prosper because they do the right things...and they do them quickly and efficiently. So Michael reminds readers of the new realities of business:

"Success will be measured by results achieved in days, weeks and months, rather than the traditional long-term, five-year plan for every major undertaking."

Michael encourages all executives, managers and even employees to embrace these new realities. Michael rejects "business as usual", and does so even more passionately than my plea on this subject last month.

Michael really does get it!

As I hope you have seen throughout this series, there is a growing group of guys who do get it. But, understanding the new reality is not limited to guys. In many ways I believe woman thought leaders are getting it every bit as quickly...if not more quickly. So the balance of this series will feature examples of woman who "get it!"

Whether you are a man or woman, the question is do you "get it?" Have you absorbed the changes in the business world and in our society and adjusted your thinking to align with the new realities?

Coming Next: I will be saluting best selling author and renowned life coach, Cheryl Richardson, in the next installment of my series on examples of individuals, from all walks of life, who "get it." The series starts here.

Mike Robbins Gets It!

Mike Robbins definitely gets it! Mike is yet another example of an individual who understands that there is a very real economic downturn occurring, but he has chosen to prosper nevertheless. And, prosper in the full dimensions of the word!

Mike Robbins is a rising star in the self-development world. Mike's first book, the Focus on the Good Stuff; The Power of Appreciation was a best seller.

Two years later, his second book is about to be published and it is so timely. Be Yourself, Everyone Else is Already Taken: Transform Your Life with the Power of Authenticity can now be preordered from Amazon.

Think about the examples of lack of authenticity we read about every day in conjunction with our financial system (Madoff et al), our sports (Alex Rodriquez et al), our political system (too many to list), etc. Think about what this kind of behaviour by "role models" is doing for future generations.

Now none of us can cure the world...but what we can be, as Ghandi said, the change we want to see in the world. And, therein lies the power of Mike's latest book. Just in time...an author, who is known for walking his talk, serves up guidance on how to lead an authentic life. Truly divine timing. Never has there been a time where there was a greater need for authentic role models, in every area of our lives.

Mike is a great example of someone who will prosper in these tough times. Mike is all about serving others...through his writing and speaking.

Prosperity is not just about the size of your bank account. Prosperity is about realizing the awesome blessings with which we all are bestowed.

In tough times, it is all to easy to be all about oneself. As counterintuitive as it may seem, I believe that prosperity will flow to those who serve others. Too altruistic? Well, what is a job? Is it just a paycheck, or is it an opportunity to be compensated for your service to others?

Mike Robbins gets it! Are you serving others to the best of your ability...or have you decided to prosper in isolation?

Coming Next: I will be saluting successful entrepreneur Michael Feuer in the next installment of my series on examples of individuals, from all walks of life, who "get it." The series starts here.

Ken Potalivo Gets It!

Ken Potalivo definitely gets it! Ken is yet another example of an individual who understands that there is a very real economic downturn occurring, but he has chosen to prosper nevertheless. And, prosper in the full dimensions of the word!

Ken Potalivo is a well known executive coach who runs Pro Growth Team, an organization that assembles and supports groups of talented professionals in their pursuit of growing their business.

I was introduced to Ken's work through Bob Tormey, one of the most talented financial executives that I know and a real champion of Ken's work. Since I counsel professional service firms and their partners (a closely related market to the one in which Ken operates, I always very carefully read Ken's blog posts.

His latest on the potential waste in all the networking going on really struck my hot button. In Beware of Networking, Ken alerts his readers that:

"In a challenging economy, it is easy to get caught up in the vortex of networking with the belief that more is better. In reality, it can end up costing you a great deal of time and energy and possibly your business if it is not properly directed."

Amen! I have vented before on the misuse of networking, especially in connection with job searches. I use the word 'vent" very intentionally as it breaks my heart to see networking so misused....by so many.

I am delighted that Ken is up on his soap box educating professionals that networking is at best a mean to an end, not the end all.

Following the herd is never my idea of the right path. Heck, the herd may just be headed to the slaughter house.

Going crazy networking will certainly have you traveling with the herd, if that is where you want to be.

Ken has it very right. Create a thoughtful plan for prospering in tough times and then decide exactly the role networking will play in helping you achieve your plan.

Sound wisdom from a very, very smart man!

Coming Next: I will be saluting one of my favorite author/speaker Mike Robbins in the next installment of my series on examples of individuals, from all walks of life, who "get it." The series starts here.

Mark Cuban Gets It!

Mark Cuban definitely gets it! Mark is yet another example of an individual who understands that there is a very real economic downturn occurring, but he has chosen to prosper nevertheless. And, prosper in the full dimensions of the word!

Mark Cuban is one of the most successful entrepreneurs of the last twenty years. He was the co-founder of MicroSolutions, a leading national systems integrator, which he later sold to CompuServe. Mark subsequently co-founded Broadcast.com, the leading provider of multimedia and streaming on the internet. That company was sold to Yahoo just four years later for five billion dollars worth of Yahoo stock! Two years later, Cuban co-founded HDNet, an all high-definition television network on DIRECTV.

In January of 2000, Mark purchased the Dallas Mavericks and quickly turned that NBA basketball team into a perennial championship contender. Mark holds the record for owner fines from the NBA for his proclivity to "tell it like it is." Love him or hate him, one has to respect all that Mark has accomplished in his business career.

Recently, Mark posted a great challenge on his blog, Blog Maverick. He calls his challenge the Mark Cuban Stimulus Plan Open Source Funding. He challenges entrepreneurs to post business plans that will stimulate other entrepreneurs, because of his belief that entrepreneurs will play a key role in leading the way out of this downturn.

Now besides offering to fund a plan(s) he really likes, Cuban is stimulating entrepreneurs with both his challenge and his very thoughtful list of business requirements. His requirements focus on creating a business model that is quickly cash flow positive. In a world where so many are looking for bailouts and handouts, I so love Mark Cuban's idea of getting people focused on self-help (my December post on self-rescue has turned out to be one of the most popular of the posts todate).

Just with his challenge, Mark Cuban is likely to stimulate a whole bunch of businesses created to prosper in these tough times. Brilliant. Just plain brilliant!

Mark Cuban definitely "gets it."

Coming Next: I will be saluting executive coach Ken Potalivo in the next installment of my series on examples of individuals, from all walks of life, who "get it." The series starts here.

Brad Swift Gets It!

Brad Swift definitely gets it! Brad is yet another example of an individual who understands that there is a very real economic downturn occurring, but he has chosen to prosper nevertheless. And, prosper in the full dimensions of the word!

Brad is the founder of the Life on Purpose Institute which does wonderful work helping people to find their passionate purpose. He is also the author of Life on Purpose: Six Passages to an Inspired Life.

Brad and some of the life coaches he has trained co-host a weekly radio show Living and Working on Purpose broadcast on Exceptional Wisdom Radio. And, Brad writes a thoughtful blog about Living a Life on Purpose.

Among the things I admire most about Brad Swift is that he is one of the pioneers at recognizing that there is opportunity for all kinds of social good to come from this downturn. As I do, he expects more people to question what their life is really all about because of the circumstances they are now experiencing. The rampant materialism that has driven much of our society in the last decade is likely (hopefully) to be offset, in part, by a greater focus on spirituality.

I love that Brad has stepped up his personal giving by increasing the ways that the fine work of the Institute is available at costs affordable to people at any income level.

Brad is a wonderful reminder that "prospering in tough times" is not just about money. Some of those who will proper most in this downturn will be people who understand that serving others is a path to prosperity.

Coming Next: I will be saluting entrepreneur extraordinaire Mark Cuban in the next installment of my series on examples of individuals, from all walks of life, who "get it." The series starts here.

Lennox McIntosh Gets It!

Lennox McIntosh definitely gets it! Lennox is a wonderful example of an individual who understands that there is a very real economic downturn occurring, but he has chosen to prosper nevertheless. And, prosper in the full dimensions of the word!

Lennox is the Guest Service Manager at the Marriott Courtyard in Aventura, FL. Largely because of Lennox, I make this hotel my choice when traveling to South Florida to work with one of my very favorite clients.

Even in the good times, Lennox worked diligently to make sure I understood that my business was appreciated. In these tough times, he has picked up his game and even does more to make sure that guests know their business is truly appreciated.

In my case, I am always greeted with a heart warming smile and Lennox's genuine, cheery welcome...one always using my name. Throughout my stay, Lennox is always looking out for me...always there to resolve anything that might be the least bit wrong.

Lennox understands that I, and every other guest, have a choice of hotels, especially in these tough times. He is being a smart businessman by making sure that I choose to keep on coming back to "his" hotel. And, he does so in a way that lifts the spirits of anyone coming in contact with him.

His consistently excellent performance is in sharp contrast to the two front desk employees I recently wrote about in connection with my recent stay at the Bellagio Hotel in Vegas.

(As much as I would miss him, Marriott should put Lennox in charge of training front desk managers nationally...he really is that good! )

Are you letting the times get you down? Or, like Lennox McIntosh, have you picked up your game and taken your personal performance to a higher level? A higher level that will not only help you to prosper, but also serve as an inspiration for others as to how to prosper in tough times.

The prosperity choice is yours...it really is!

Coming Next: I will be saluting life coach Brad Swift in the next installment of my series on examples of individuals, from all walks of life, who "get it." The series starts here.

Jim Brickman Gets It!

Jim Brickman definitely gets it! Jim is a wonderful example of an individual who understands that there is a very real economic downturn occurring, but he has chosen to prosper nevertheless. And, prosper in the full dimensions of the word!

Thursday night, my wife and I went to see Jim in concert in Pittsfield, MA. Jim Brickman is a great song writer, a fabulous entertainer, and "America's Romantic Piano Sensation." He is rightfully proud of the fact that he writes songs of promise, hope and love.

We had seen Jim in concert, at the same venue, almost exactly two years earlier....at a time when the economy was humming. I estimate that the crowd Thursday night was off like 30% from his prior visit. Nevertheless...and this is the learning point...Jim gave every bit as much as he did on his prior visit.

Jim entertained us with a medley of his many hit songs, as well as material from his newest release, Ultimate Love Songs, The Very Best of Jim Brickman

Jim was accompanied by his long time friend, the very talented vocalist, Anne Cochran.

Besides being a talented musician, Jim is a very savvy businessman. Instead of folding up his tent in tough times, Jim is working harder than ever to grow his following of fans. He is touring from town to town putting on a terrific show and encouraging fans to join his community. And, he keeps writing songs of promise, hope and love...songs that are even more beneficial in these times.

Are you letting the times get you down? Or, like Jim Brickman, have you picked up your game and taken your personal performance to a higher level? A higher level that will not only help you to prosper, but also serve as an inspiration for others as to how to prosper in tough times.

The prosperity choice is yours...it really is!

Coming Next: I will be saluting hotelier Lennox McIntosh in the next installment of my series on examples of individuals, from all walks of life, who "get it." The series starts here.

Great Recesssion 2009

Well, it is official. At least in my world (for what that is worth). We have, regrettably moved beyond a "mere" recession and are now entering the territory of "the Great Recession of 2009."

Now, I am not an economist. So my label may not sync with the labels economists want to use. But, I see lots of pain, and I foresee much more pain coming our way. We have yet to hit bottom and the recovery, as I predicted many months ago, will be long. Long as in "years!"

I am not yet ready to conclude that what we are seeing will equal the Great Depression. But, I do believe that before it is over, this downturn will be commonly viewed as the mother of all recessions. Hence, my label of "The Great Recession."

Problems abound. Notwithstanding the best of efforts by our new President, Washington is acting like business as usual. Bloating a stimulus bill with pork, as both the House and Senate did, is simply outrageous and demonstrates that many Washington politicians will put their own interests above the interests of the country. Where are our true patriots at a time we so badly need them?

And, what about my friends from the business world who are so clueless what with their slowness in stopping the personal pig-outs, even as they are laying off thousands of people. Where are our true business leaders at a time we so badly need them?

This country is faced with the toughest turnaround I have ever seen in my thirty plus years of working with major corporate turnarounds. And that is before the crash in commercial real estate values which is likely to be every bit as impactful as the decline in residential real estate values. Add in the ripple effect which is touching more and more industries and we have a real mess.

One could get depressed by all the malaise and by the lack of leadership. I choose not to do so. Like many Americans, I have chosen to run faster...to work harder...to create even more value for my consulting clients...to try to be of personal assistance to even more friends and family members.

I refuse to surrender to the circumstances!

I am not ignoring the circumstances. For my clients, and for myself, I am devising and implementing strategies to prosper in tough times.

I am hardly the only one doing so. Every day, I am seeing individuals...from all walks of life...who are smartly noting the changed circumstances and making the changes needed to prosper in tough times. And by prosper, I don't mean just prospering economically. These individuals are prospering in all dimensions of their lives by the choices they are making.

Washington will hopefully eventually realize that business as usual is a path to disaster. Business leaders will hopefully also realize that the time for business as usual is long gone. But, my hope today rests with the individuals who are doing their part to make our country strong again. By taking good care of themselves and spreading prosperity through their efforts with others.

In tribute to the spirit of such individuals, for the next week I will be paying tribute to some individuals, from all walks of life, whom I see as leading the way in recognizing the need for change and then getting on with leading the way. Individuals whom I admire for the choices they are making. Individuals who perhaps can inspire you to take your own performance to a higher level. Individuals who "get it."

Coming Next: I will be saluting musician Jim Brickman in the next installment of my series on examples of individuals, from all walks of life, who "get it."

Mass Media Induced Fear???

In the past, I have written about my disdain for those who choose to paint the current downturn as primarily a phenomena of mass media. Today I received another email sales pitch with this headline "Are you buying into the fear being sold to the masses by the media about the economy...

There is no doubt that the media is frequently biased toward negative news. But, to suggest that the media is "selling fear of the economy" ignores the reality what all of us are seeing firsthand, almost every day...layoffs of our friends, relatives, and neighbors. That is not a media created fantasy. These job loses are real! Just ask anyone who has lost their job.

This economy is in terrible shape and getting worse. That is reality.

But the fact that the general economy is doing poorly does not mean that you have to do poorly. The basis of this blog is that:

Opportunities abound for those who understand the dynamics of the downturn and take advantage of the opportunities created by the downturn.

Divorcing yourself from information on what is happening is not the way to prosper. Understand what is happening and exploit the changes that are occurring.

The next time someone tries to sell you something by suggesting that this mess is just a product of the media...hold on to your wallet! The storyline may have a certain appeal, but I suggest...respectfully...that you do business with those whose opinions you can trust. And, describing the economic mess as merely a product of the media is not something you should trust.

Husband Lazy ???

One of the ways that I guage what is going on in our society is to periodically review what terms are being searched for most often on Google. What people tell you is on their mind is one thing. But, what they search on tells yet another story...and frequently the truer story.

Recently, my attention was drawn to the headline of this post by one of my Google reviews of most frequently searched terms. No sooner than having been made aware of this notion, I began hearing - first hand - the stories that go something like this:

Husband (or significant other) gets laid off...husband goes into a funk...and husband just lazes around.

Meanwhile the wife is holding down a full time job and is still doing the vast majority of the household chores.

Sound familiar? I hope not!

I feel for the woman who are going through this kind of situation. They are really dammed if they do , dammed if they don't. If they try to nudge the husband, they are likely to get a fair amount of resentment. (The male specie, by and large, is not keen on receiving guidance.) And, if they do nothing, they are unlikely to get much change from the husband.

Best advice I can offer is that women in this position get help on how to deal with the situation...from a professional (coach, therapist, etc.) if possible, but if not possible, then from a thoughtful friend. What I know is that a person can't let the situation add to the load already being carried. Remember, Cheryl Richardson's thoughtful guidance that in these challenging times it is more important than ever that extreme self care be our priority.

Best advice I can offer any husband in this situation is get over your layoff. If you can't do so quickly without counseling, then get counseling! In this economy, many a good person is getting laid off. The measure of a person is not whether they are getting laid off but what they are doing about getting re-employed. And, what they are doing - in the interim - to carry their fair share of the burden of operating a household.

I am a huge believer in the notion that life was meant to be shared. Shared so as to make the good times more enjoyable. And, shared so as to make the challenging times more doable.

If you are in a relationship, are you carrying your fair share of the load?

Supply and Demand Changes Present Recession Opportunties

Everywhere I turn, I see opportunities for companies and individuals to take advantage of market changes due to changes in supply and demand relationships in a given market segment.

Savvy companies and savvy individuals will understand these new market dynamics and figure out how to make them work to their advantage.

Let me share a couple of examples.

I am seeing some companies recognizing that formerly short supply labor is now so plentiful that they can upgrade their employees...at every level. Companies doing so have great opportunities for improved productivity, as well as improved customer service.

But for every company I see lifting their expectations of their employees, I am seeing even more companies frozen like a deer in headlights. These companies seem more focused on making cuts in employee levels than they do in getting dramatically more from their employees.

Or, take the change in supply and demand in the commercial real estate market. I am seeing some companies getting quite aggressive at demanding renegotiation of their leases with commercial property owners to reflect new supply and demand relationships.

But for every company I see being aggressive at lease renegotiations, I am seeing so many other lessees treating their leases as sacrosanct.

A similar pattern is playing out with individuals.

Some individuals are stepping up their performance dramatically to save their job or, even better yet, to set themselves up for job advancement. While others remain seemingly oblivious to changed conditions (as with the Bellagio Hotel example that I wrote about in a recent post).

Those living in the past...and those focused on new realities. Those frozen in worry...and those choosing to prosper by taking advantage of changed circumstances.

Change represents such great opportunities for the astute, especially those who are also agile.

The Power of Less

In these tumultuous times, it is often tempting to try to work faster in order to get more done.

As counterintuitive as it may seem, the answer for many people may be to do less, in order to create greater results.

First time author Leo Babauta has written a terrific new book, The Power of Less.



Babauta makes a very compelling case for limiting oneself to the truly essential in business and in life.

This is one of the finest books on the subject of time management to be written in the last decade. It really is that good!

In these tumultuous times, simplifying our lives can be important part of the road to prosperity.

Bellagio Hotel Misses the Opportunity

I just attended the Distressed Investment Conference held at the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas. The Conference was important to my continuing efforts to understand the distressed market for my consulting clients and for my other blog, Restructuring 2.0.

Everywhere I go, I see examples of companies and individuals getting the message about the opportunities in a downturn, as well as of companies and individuals not getting the message. I saw both at the Bellagio. My experience is illustrative of the opportunities that are being squandered because of some not getting it.

When I made my reservation to stay at the Bellagio, host hotel for the conference, they were offering on the net a special of "stay two nights and get the third night free." I decided to take advantage of the opportunity.

Upon checking in, my hospitable clerk confirmed that the third night would be free and would be taken care of at checkout. He then nicely offered me an upgrade, at a very attractive price I might add. I decided to take advantage of that offer.

Note...I am starting to feel really good about the Bellagio. Both on a personal level for the amazing deals I am getting, but also at a consulting level that "they get it about the downturn being an opportunity to take market share away from competitors."

Over the ensuing three days, I repeatedly observed very hospitable and attentive service. My admiration for the Bellagio kept growing.

Saturday morning, I had an early flight back east. So I checked out early. I was pleased to see no line. The front desk clerk was quiet but professional. She printed out my bill and handed it to me. But, I noted that they had charged me for the third night, which was supposed to be free.

I called the mistake to the clerk's attention and she said she would print out a new bill. But, interestingly she offerred no apology for the billing mistake.

When she handed me the corrected final bill, I told her that I was disappointed that I had to be the one telling them what our arrangements were. Her response was something to the effect that "that is the way our system is." The consultant in me couldn't resist suggesting nicely to her that she pass on to management my view that such is not right. Her facial look made very clear that she wouldn't be passing on anything and that she would prefer I just leave (there was no one else waiting to be served).

I decided I would make my suggestion directly to management. I asked to speak to a manager. The manager came around to meet me face to face (rather than speaking to me from behind the desk). Smart.

It quickly became apparent that the manager didn't see any problem. After all, I had gotten the right final bill. She informed me that the clerk had missed the notation on the screen when processing my checkout. Now, I make plenty of mistakes...so I can appreciate the clerk missing. Of course, the clerk never owned up to missing anything, instead deciding to "trash" her employer ("that is the way our sytem is").

The manager's facial expression and comments quickly told me that she didn't see any problems...not in customer's having to remind the hotel of the free night or in an employee blaming the company rather than owning up to her oversight. She said she would speak to the employee but did so in a way that seemed more designed to just want to get me out the door.

I am much more forgiving of the frailties of front line personnel. I expected much better from a manager at the Bellagio.

So here is the moral to this story:

The Bellagio loses an opportunity to dazzle me due to two employees who apparently view customers as the problem.

Heck...no big deal. I am just a single customer.

Or, am I one of a number of Bellagio customers being served up for Steve Wynn's new hotel (as most readers know, Mr Wynn formerly owned the Bellagio and built the gorgeous Wynn a couple of blocks down the Strip).

Heck, in these days, a single disatisfied customer can tell friends...or post their story to a blog.

If you are a business owner or manager, are your efforts to adjust to the changed markets being sabotaged by some employees who don't understand that the only thing standing between them and being unemployed is a customer or two?

If you are an employee, are you sabotaging the efforts of your colleagues and your employer with your "I can't be bothered" attitude.

This downturn presents such great opportuntites for those who understand the new market realities. I have long believed that the customer is king (or queen). In this economic environment, every customer needs to be treated like a king!

Are You a Dinosaur?

Everywhere I turn, I am seeing dinosaurs. Good people, but people who see the world as it has been, and act in ways more consistent with times long gone.

I see business owners who are seeing things through the prism of their past experience, rather than drawing on their experience to fashion winning strategies for what is before them.

I see business executives who are doing likewise.

And, I see workers who are doing likewise.

Dinosaurs became extinct because they did not adopt to a changing environment they faced. People who do not quickly adapt to our changed environment face a fate almost as bad as extinction.

Let me be clear:

I am subject to the same risk of becoming a dinosaur as you are.

Like you, the lens through which I see the world is potentially clouded by years of experience.

But, I am determined to prosper in these times. I am committed to opening my eyes and mind to new realities. Each and every day, I am gathering new data points as to what is transpiring in the business world, in our society, etc. And, I am working more diligently than ever to process the data points.

You see, I have made a commitment to not become a dinosaur. What about you?

Investor Fraud Cases Just Keep Getting Discovered

Today's news that the SEC has filed fraud charges against Florida hedge fund manager Arthur Nadel is just the latest of fund frauds to be unveiled. Similar frauds have been unveiled in Pennsylvania, Indiana, and Texas in recent weeks.

The latest reported frauds are small compared to the Madoff fraud, but no less troublesome.

Regretfully, I am expecting many more of these frauds to be uncovered over the next six months. It is now clear that the underbelly of society was very active at taking advantage of the stock market euphoria that went on in recent years. Most of these type frauds should become self evident within like six months as investors seek to draw down investments due to their needs, and/or become more suspicious based on the publicity around these frauds.

But, here is what is really scary. These frauds were being perpetrated at a time when the economy supported legitimate business activity.

I am convinced that the dysfunctional economy will create a whole new wave of frauds.

Well intentioned, relatively honest people will find themselves with their backs to the wall...and some of these, will unfortunately choose the fraud route.

Just another of the sad societal effects of the economic meltdown.

New Hope

Today's inauguration of Barack Obama is uplifting the spirits of America, as can easily be seen by the record crowds braving the cold in Washington, DC and people everywhere glued to their TV sets to watch the happenings in our nation's capital. And, that is a great thing for our country needs a healthy dose of cheer after so many months of sour economic news.

The challenges before our new President are immense and he will need the help of all Americans to restore this country to its full greatness. As well said today by the lead editorial in USA Today;

"Obama takes oath amid great pride, promise, problems"

I am encouraged that, at every turn, the President is communicating that the turnaround will not be quick, and will not be easy. The sooner everyone absorbs this message, the sooner recovery will begin to start to take hold. The sooner people assume personal responsibility for their prosperity, the sooner our country will prosper.

This is a wonderful day to feel a new sense of hope. But, let no one forget that hope without action is not a cure.

What will you be doing differently, tomorrow, when the images of the inaugural splendor start to disappear in the rear view mirror?

Benefits of Recession

One of the many things for which I am perpetually grateful is the wonderful mentors that surround me. The wisdom of my mentors keeps my own thinking on track, no matter what else is going on around me.

Yesterday was a double treat in that I spent time with two of my mentors. In the afternoon, I had the pleasure of meeting with Mark DiSalvo, CEO of Semaphore and one of the smartest entrepreneurs that I know. (Sempahore is a Boston based consulting firm that advises clients on value creation in distressed VC funds and in portfolio companies.)

Friday evening, I was with another of my mentors: the fabulous Cheryl Richardson. Cheryl spoke at the launch event for her new book, The Art of Extreme Self Care. I love her new book as explained in an earlier post.

I was struck by the fact that both Mark and Cheryl articulated their hope (and expectation) that the current economic malaise is likely to produce societal changes that will be among the benefits of the recession. I am seeing the early signs of the same thing.

As just one of a number of examples which I could site, it appears that families are going to be forced to pull together to deal with the hardships emanating from the economic woes. That is a good thing!

Now, I am not a blind optimist! I am expecting divorce rates to climb as partners forced to start their wealth building anew will decide that they want to start with a new partner. That will be tearing some families apart. But, at the same time, I expect that more and more people will realize that the best cure for their woes is to not expect a Washington personal bailout, but instead to take personal responsibility for making good things happen. As they take such responsibility, I fully expect them to look to their family structure for all manner of support.

Let me be very clear. Long term societal benefits don't pay one's mortgage, or put food on the table. I got it! My point is solely that I expect a lot of good to come out of the recession. Your challenge...and mine...is to adjust our sails to take advantage of the winds of changes that are unfolding so as to prosper in the tough times immediately before us.

Business As Usual in this Recession?

I certainly hope that there are not many managers or business owners thinking "business as usual." In my regular forays into the market to assess changing conditions so I can better advise my clients on strategies, I see all manner of companies reacting to the downturn. That is the good news.

The bad news is that most are scaling back business as usual...but still doing business as usual.

The winners in this extended downturn will be those companies that completely rethink their business. Completely!!

Take the retail industry as one example (I have written about this industry in an earlier post on the impact of the recession on retailing). Retailers are scrambling to cut, cut, cut. But, what I am not seeing as much of is the complete rethinking of business models. Store locations, store size, store inventory levels and a host of other strategic issues need to be rethought. And quickly! Then there needs to be detailed planning as to how one transitions from today's model to the model of tomorrow. Quickly!

Business as usual, scaled back, is not what the winners will be doing.

Not at the business level or at the individual level.

Is your business or your employer changing to reflect the changing times that show every sign of being with us for an extended period? If not, what are you doing to get the powers-to-be to see the light?

These are truly times of wonderful opportunity for those with the vision to see things as they need to be in a changed world, the courage and skill to get constituencies to the right place, and the determination to make change happen. Quickly! But, thoughtfully!!

Building a Network BEFORE You Need One

I haven't done a survey on the subject (or read one done by anyone else), but my experience is that the vast majority of people pay little heed to their network until they need one.

Like I expect you are, I am getting an increased number of contacts from people I worked with years ago and haven't heard from since then. Now because I believe that those of who are employed need to try to do what we can to help those who are not, I respond to these contacts. But expecting people who you haven't talked to in 20+ years to do wonders for you is far from an ideal situation.

Having an effective network is like having money in a bank. You need to put "currency" in your network bank in the good times so that you have "currency" to withdraw in the tough times. The currency of networking is the good deeds you have done for others.

One of my mentors, the wonderful Zig Ziglar, taught me many years ago that:

You can get whatever you want in life, if you will help enough others get what they want.

Want to have support if you lose your job, or your business fails, then make your deposits starting TODAY! Give and you will be in a position to get.

It is never too late to start saving, and it is never too late to start giving.

In the last week, what have you done for contacts outside your immediate family to help them deal with these tough times?

Effective Networking Techniques

You can see light bulbs going off all across the country. People are waking up to the fact that they need to have an effective network to prosper in these tough times.

Unfortunately, so many people are clueless as to effective networking. It is one of those important life skills that, regretfully, are not taught in school or college.

Fortunately,

effective networking is a skill and, as such, can be taught.

(I have been teaching this skill to high-end professionals for some time).

Rather than pontificate about my own beliefs about effective networking let me recommend three of the best books I have ever read on the subject. All three are first rate. Before you invest another hour on networking, I strongly recommend that you read one of these three books. The two hour investment in reading through any one of the books will pay huge dividends.

My very favorite book on networking is Click, Ten Truths for Building Extraordinary Relationships by George Fraser. George does a great job of explaining the philosophy of "giving" that is the foundation for success in networking.

A close second is The 29% Solution, 52 Weekly Networking Success Strategies by Ivan Misner. This book is solid on the philosophy and very strong on the action steps needed to build a powerful network.

I hate to rank one of the three as "only" my third favorite as Jeffrey Gitomer's Little Black Book of Connections is well done, as are all of Jeff's books. (I think his best ever is his latest, Jeffrey Gitomer's Little Teal Book of Trust.)

No matter how badly you believe that you need to get networking immediately, please take the time to read one of these three books before you go off building a network like an amateur. Better yet, don't just read one of the books, implement the strategies! Become a master networker!! And, not just until you get a job. Power networking is all about being a giver, and that is something you can be with or without a job.

Many, many years ago, one of my mentors, Zig Ziglar, drilled into my mind

"you can get whatever you want in life if you will help enough others get what they want."

Commit, today, to live this philosophy for the rest of your life and you will prosper, no matter how difficult the times.

Coming Next: Building a Network Before You Need One, the third in this three part series on networking.

Networking for Jobs

I expect that everyone reading this blog has noticed an increase in the networking efforts of current friends. This most often manifests through requests for connecting on Facebook or LinkedIn. And, it is not just current friends requesting to link; I am hearing from friends that I have been out-of-touch with for more than twenty five years (that is nice benefit of this malaise).

The reason for the sudden interest in networking is obvious. Networking has long been championed as one of the best ways, if not the best way, to find a new job.

The question is whether traditional networking will work equally effectively in this downturn.

I think not. But, what do I know in a world where so many of the traditional rules are changing so quickly.

Networking made lots of sense to me when there are jobs available and the person looking for a job networked to find the proverbial "needle in the haystack." But, today, jobs are so scarce that networking to find a job is not likely to be as effective as in other times.

If I was without a job, I would network effectively, but I would couple that with an aggressive effort to convince an owner or manager that I could do a given job better than the incumbent. Ouch. Not the nicest of thoughts, in some ways. But, hasn't almost every job most of ever gotten been a matter of convincing someone we would to do a better job than the incumbent.

It is in targeting taking a job away that networking can be very powerful method of succeeding with this approach. Friends are generally willing to help when we ask them for something very specific. Merely asking friends to let you know if they see anything for you underutilizes your network.

Ultimately, the willingness of your network to help you...whether to find a job or to help you in some way to unseat an incumbent...is a function of the quality of your network.

I see so many people thinking that the name of the game is to build the biggest Rolodex, or the greatest number of contacts on LinkedIn. The secret of the best networkers has long been quality over quantity.

Coming Next: Building an Effective Network, the second in this three part series on networking.