Entrepreneurialism

January 15, 2009

The "Scary Times" Success Manual

You ever get exactly what you need, dropped right into the ol' inbox? I do. And today it happened in a BIG way. I was at a networking event listening to the "in this economy" conversation and preparing to tear my hair out. Then, after taking a deep breathe and driving back to the office, I opened an email from Andy. Oh, Andy. You made my day!

Yes, Andy Leiken of First Sound Bank is the fabulous man who shared this site with me that I am about to share it with you. PLEASE take a moment to read the
"Scary Times" Success Manual, and pass it on to your friends and colleagues. Dan Sullivan of Strategic Coach has hit a home run. Nice work Dan!

Here are the first three.....
1. Forget about yourself, focus on others.
Uncertainty can drive people into themselves, making them feel isolated and helpless. The best strategy here is to go in the opposite direction, expanding your connection with others — focusing on helping them transform their negatives into positives. The more you contribute in this fashion, the less you will need to worry about your own situation. You will become a source of confidence for everyone else.

2. Forget about your commodity, focus on your relationships.

In uncertain times, people become frightened about the viability of their “commodities” — the things they sell and the jobs they hold. A more strategic response here is to disregard your own commodity and focus on deepening the power and possibility of all your relationships — with family, friends, team members, suppliers, clients, customers, and prospects. Every time you strengthen a relationship, the viability of your commodity will increase.

3. Forget about the sale, focus on creating value.
Most people don’t like being sold at the best of times. When the future is less certain, they turn off, hang up, and slam shut. But what people want at all times is value creation — that is, solutions that help them eliminate their dangers, capture their opportunities, and reinforce their strengths. When you focus on providing these three solutions, the sales will naturally follow.

Go check out the rest of the Success Manual here.

To your success,

Kristen

November 24, 2008

Persistence

Today was quite a day! Have you ever felt like you aren't being heard? Like you have so much to offer and the dots aren't getting connected? That was my day today. And then I remembered Calvin Coolidge said...

"Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb."


Clearly the Universe is serving up more content for my speaking career - because someday I'll have to tell the story that unfolded today. Let me just say this; if you are really passionate about where you are headed, just keep knocking on doors. They will open. I think Calvin would agree.

To your success - K

August 11, 2008

Swing for the fence.

Recently I had the pleasure of serving on a panel talking about Personal Branding. This is a topic I am super passionate about because it is directly tied to my belief that we all have gifts to give the world..... OUR OWN GIFTS.... and it’s our job to figure out how to give them (and prosper while doing it). After the panel today - talking to about 100 women business owners - I got even more lit up. WE ALL HAVE GIFTS TO GIVE THE WORLD. It’s our responsibility to uncover our heart’s desire and set up our lives so we get to go do that thing that makes us sing. And we get to thrive doing it.

So I say, be bold. Play big. Swing for the fence. Build a personal brand that mirrors what's in your heart.

You can.

August 08, 2008

Master the Mastermind

I love mastermind groups. About a year and a half ago I met Terri. We decided to form a two person mastermind - even though I'm in Seattle and she's in Philadelphia. Oh, what an amazing experience. In May we spent two days on my business... looking, assessing, asking questions, considering options, making plans, setting intentions. It was extremely powerful. Many of the insights that came from those two days are in motion and making a huge difference in Affirmagy. Last weekend we focused on Terri's business. Wow wee! What an honor to get to contribute to someone else's  passion and make a difference for them. There is nothing like it!

Are you considering looking for a mastermind group, or starting one of your own? If you are, email me for a special report I wrote on the topic. I’ll be happy to send it to you as my gift.

July 28, 2008

Where's Your WOW?

While in Dallas a couple of weeks ago I had the pleasure of seeing Robyn Spizman, and getting a copy of her new book Where's Your WOW?: 16 Ways to Make Your Competitors Wish They Were You!

I am totally inspired! My favorite chapters include "Hire People Smarter Than You" and "Find Your Edge - and Sharpen It". If you are looking for a smart, informed and dynamic resource to get your entrepreneurial juices flowing get yourself a copy of this book!

As you know I love sharing about people who are designing and living a life they love. I think authors are some of the most creative people around simply because what they do is creation in its purest form. Creating from nothing - that's exactly what Robyn is all about. Wow!

July 07, 2008

The Giving Zone

Everyday I meet people who are truly living a life they love. Today I am honored to shine a light on Bruce Painter, creator of Giving Zone Radio. WOW. Bruce is up to really cool things!

His book "The Giving Zone" offers reader access to a 'realm where your dreams come true'. Hello? How much better can it get? Bruce is a perfect example of living a life you love.

When Bruce and I met - through Gail Goodwin of Inspire Me Today - it was such a delight. Bruce was gracious enough to invite me on his radio show for an interview. Take a listen.

And check out what Bruce is up to. He's a man with a vision, a passion and a commitment to living full out.

July 03, 2008

What's your Good Cheer Company?

Ever come across something and declare "I wish I'd thought of that!"? Well, I sure do. Here's my latest find:

The Good Cheer Company makes these fabulous little metal puzzle pieces with words like "I am powerful", "I am grateful" and "I am magnificent". WOW COOL IS THIS IDEA? I have "I am blessed" on my key chain. What a perfect gift for yourself or for someone you adore.

In addition to the puzzle pieces, I just bought their Cheers to You CD. Oh my! Go take a listen. It's totally fabulous.

I love that the minds behind all this actually took the time to build it! That's what it's all about folks; finding your heart's desire, giving yourself permission to go after it, and surrounding yourself with people who support your big dreams. That's a powerful combination that serves the world.

What's your "Good Cheer Company"?

July 02, 2008

The Big Idea: Michael Port

I love watching people design, create and live a life they love. Michael Port is a perfect example. Author, speaker, and sales expert, Michael appeared on one of my favorite shows last night - the Big Idea with Donny Deutsch. And Michael hit a home run!

For the show, Donny assembled a host of experts to discuss The Art of Selling. What a show! Michael brought an authenticity and thoughtfulness to the conversation that I greatly appreciated. Be gracious, be transparent, be of service. These are the very same ideas that have fueled our success.

I encourage you to learn more about Michael - I had the great pleasure of hearing him speak in Dallas a year ago. He's a great man with great wisdom to share. (Check out his blog.) And he's living a life he loves!

Bravo.

June 04, 2008

YES, Please. Make Mine a Million!

In the spirit of living a life you love, Nell Merlino founded Count Me In - the organization that created the Make Mine a Million program that is coming to Seattle June 11. (I am HONORED to share that Affirmagy is one of the 16 finalists selected from 200+ applications!!!)

Reader's Digest did a fabulous piece about Nell and her vision for 1,000,000 women owned businesses doing over $1,000,000 in sales by 2010. Nell is my kind of thinker. This BIG IDEA (Donny Deutsch gets it too!) is so compelling (and timely) that OPEN by American Express is a founding sponsor.

What an extraordinary time in which we live. I am so proud to be a part of a growing, dynamic, creative, powerful group of entrepreneurs across this great country who are following their hearts, giving their best, and through their businesses making a difference for others.

It's a beautiful thing.

May 07, 2008

Connect with Kristen

Friday I had the pleasure of hosting my first Connect with Kristen event. What a treat! It was such an honor getting to lead the day, and learn about the aha's and breakthroughs that my guests experienced.

For those of you who teach, you know that any time you immerse yourself in workshop - even if you are leading the conversation - it's natural to experience your our aha's! in the process.

Well, that's what happened to me. As the morning was unfolding, I remembered the very first set of steps that made the day possible...and they were super simple: I declared that I was doing the event. Sitting in Maui at the end of February, I created Connect with Kristen. I selected a date, built a little website, and drafted an outline of the day. That's it.

All the details, the comprehensive outline, securing attendees, figuring out all the ins and outs came later.
My big aha? GET INTO ACTION on your BIG DREAMS. Tip the domino. Step the first step.

It will all unfold from there. This I know.

Making it up as we go....

  • Biznik - Business Networking

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