Mark Cuban's Book

I am currently reading Mark Cuban's ebook called "How To Win at the Sport of Business. If I Can Do It, You Can Do It." You can get it on Amazon for only $2.50 or so for your Kindle device and I think it is well worth it!

Last night I read a chapter called "The Best Equity is Sweat Equity." It's funny, I have been saying for years that you don't need a lot of money to start a business. My contention is, even in a tough economy, you can start a small niche business and create an income for yourself if you are willing to work it. Now I am reading it from Mark Cuban, the owner of the Dallas Mavericks.

He says the biggest mistake he sees entreprenuers make is focusing on raising money. He says this can be the biggest mistake many business owners can make. Cuban says by starting small, you can make up for your lack of office space, personel, and fancy furniture with hustle and creativity. "The reality is," Cuban says, "for most businesses, they don't need more cash, they need more brains."

I think this is inspiring. This is from a guy who has started, run and sold multiple businesses and is now a leading business leader in the world. He is the owner of the Dallas Mavericks! His advice? Start small and work hard. That's great because it means that success is not the domain of a select few. You can acheive it if you are willing to work.

Are you ready?

Another Perspective

My family and I went shopping last weekend at the Polaris shopping mall in Columbus Ohio. It was a great two story mall with lots of fantastic stores and restaurants surrounding the facility. I am not a big fan of shopping (especially right before Christmas) but this place was impressive.

Toward the end of the day, my wife decided that I had been a good sport and drove over to the Barnes and Noble store so I could look around for what I enjoy...books. She and the girls dropped me off and stayed in the car.

As I walked in I was a bit overwhelmed by the tall displays, music, crowds of people, and even the staff suggesting that I should buy the new Nook. The store was set up so there were multiple entrances, so it was difficult to orient myself to where things were supposed to be. I wandered around the first floor a bit until I was convinced that what I was looking for was not here. Then I got on the escalator.

During the quick ride on the escalator to the 2nd floor of the store, I was able to actually "see" the store. I noticed the different sections that I could not see while everything was in my face. And there it was...the section I was looking for all along! So back down the escalator I went to find the book of my dreams!

We all need to do this sometimes. We are so caught up in the moment; so passionate about the things right in front of us; that we lose a bit of perspective. That means it's time to get on the escalator. If you don't have one handy, often a walk in the fresh air will do. Sometimes you can just get in a quiet room and try to remember what is important. Either way, this is a good time of year to remind us all. Keep perspective and it will help you reach your ultimate goal.

Hunting Customers Versus Farming Relationships

I heard this analogy the other day and I thought it was really true. Most of us in business treat our sales efforts like Big Game Hunting. We get up every day and head out into the world in order to "bag" a new customer. It can be very exhilarating when we do track down the new target! And when we get a great client, we feel like we are truly getting ahead. In addition, when we have success in this method, the results are quick. The problem with this approach is that in order to maintain success, you have to continually go out and find new "big game."

I think we need to shift that focus to more of a strategy of Farming Relationships. In this strategy, you reach out in kindness to others in order to help them reach their goals. You spend time planting new seeds of relationships each day. You water and care for these new relationships, so when these new friends are ready to do business, they not only think of you...they WANT to do business with you!

This method is not always immediate (though sometimes it can be) but the results are much more long lasting! Consider this as you head out today and try to "bag" a new client. Try to create a long term relationship instead!

Be Decisive AND Thoughtful

Memo to you...and ME!

One of the greatest pieces of advice for someone that is looking to be efficient is to "touch things once." This sage piece of advice tells us that when we get a message, we call someone back. When we get an email, we make our decision, respond and move on. It's appropriate and efficient.

And it's hard to do!

As a leader you want to be efficient. We want to lead by example and we want to get a lot done! That is what leaders do...right? But don't we also want to be thoughtful? Though our first impression is often right, there are decisions I don't want to make a snap decision on. I want to give each decision it's due.

But I think there is a happy medium. Though we want to be thoughtful (and we should be) with important decisions, we do need to keep things in our organization and our lives rolling. So here are some thoughts on how to be both decisive and thoughtful.

1) Make the easy decisions quickly. So many times we put off a call or email or decision that is unpleasant. We know the answer, we just put it off. With these...or with any easy decision...be swift and take care of it now!
2) Block out Distractions. Easier said than done, I know. But many times the reason we don't have time to give a decision "thoughtful examination" is because of distractions. Don't answer the phone while you are trying to come to this decision. Don't answer emails or texts. Get this decision made...then move on!

Good luck!

Give Yourself Time To Rest or Heal

If you are a hard charging person that is working diligently to reach your goals, you probably have a hard time taking a break. Quite honestly, if you are excited about those goals (and I hope you are) and your happy with the way you are working to reach them, sometimes what you are doing is fun.

But remember there are times you really need to give your body and mind a break. Remember, if you are in training for a race, it is your rest days that your body makes the most progress as it rebuilds the muscle your workouts have torn down. If you don't take the time to rest (both body and mind) occassionally it will get in the way of your sucess.

As I type this, I am strugging with a chest cold. I have been struggling with it for several days but have not taken time off to let my body rest. I have fought the idea of rest because "I don't get sick." We all do this sometimes.

Today is a rest day for me. My hope is by letting the body heal, I will be better prepared to get back after it tomorrow! Wish me luck!

You are "They"

I had the opportunity to talk to a group from the local Career Center the other day and I was discussing many of the topics that show up on this blog. It was going great. I had told them that successful people needed to set goals, dream big, and give themselves permission to fail...so they could succeed.

One of the things we then discussed is they should not wait for others to "give" them an opportunity. To be successful, the students needed to create those opportunities for themselves.

I told them that the "they" mentality is killing us! Everyone is waiting for "they" to do something. "I am a part of 'they,'" I told them. "We are starting a new group called 'we,' and 'you' are welcome to be a part of it!"

Sometimes we give away our power to create success by blaming it on others. As I looked around the room, I saw several eyes in the room that "got it." I hope "they" reach out and create their own future! I hope you do too!

Give Big Thanks

Each year right around this time Hasseman Marketing & Communications holds our Customer Appreciation Show. The event is a fun way for us to reach out to our customers and thank them for their business. We generally have a food, drinks, music and even some of our vendors set up to showcase some other things that we do. It's a fun day and our customers seem to really enjoy it.

Why am I telling you this?

Because even though I like to think we do a pretty good job of thanking our customers all year long (everyone can do better), we take this opportunity to make a BIG deal about the appreciation game. These extra special moments sometimes can help to create a more special bond between you and your customers. The fact is, we all should do a better job of the every day thank you. But when you have the opportunity to do the "over the top" thanks...it can really set you apart!

So today you should make a point to reach out and thank a customer. And think of a way you can also reach out and make a BIG impact with a gesture that will set you apart!