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.