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.