Are You Strategy Avoidant?

Let's face it, when you're a thought leader, strategy is overrated. This isn't chess, this is barely checkers. You don't really need a strategy. You know where you're going (well, sort of) and you know how you'll get there (kind of). After all, you're really busy, and busy is good (right?).

So, since we all hate strategy, here's five easy ways to avoid being strategic.

Be Reactive! Zig when everyone else zags. Proactivity is so 2007. Just instinctively react to every inquiry that you get, to everyone from India or Poland that emails you and wants to be your partner, to every event (the Left-Handed Plumbers Association of Kentucky annual pipe fitting gala is a hoot) that asks you to speak, to everyone's cousins' brother-in-law that sat next to a guy on a plane that knows a guy who works at (or was it near) Google, and you'll achieve your objectives. Planning is boring and being focused on your target markets takes all of the excitement out of being successful.

Tweet, A Lot! Spend all of your time on Twitter. These days, Twitter's where decision makers go to find top quality thinkers. Tweet about everything you can think of, your content, your dog, your food, your kid; you're definitely the only person that's had a less than pleasant experience on American Airlines or with a unique opinion on Miami's 97 degree weather. Avoid being insightful, and don't even attempt to be interesting just keep Tweeting!

Resilience and Flexibility are for Gymnasts! You're not Mary Lou Retton here-it's OK to be stubborn. You are the expert after all. Ignore new thinking! Don't integrate any relevant business or social trends into your work. Your ideas are flawless, timeless. Never adjust or modify them. Stick to direct mail and telemarketing because if it worked "back in the day," then, by God, it'll work now.

Be Everything to Everyone! Being strategic preaches focus and precision, then why would you mess with them when every man, woman, and child on the planet can so obviously benefit from your brilliance? Who cares if they can afford it or how they prefer their content; your stuff is so life-altering that they'll all figure out how to pay for it and find it and master it. Target marketing is ridiculously limiting.

Do it All by Yourself! Clearly, you have all of the skills that it takes to leverage your content. You know exactly how to create it, how to get it published, how to develop it into every possible modality. Don't forget that you're an awesome marketer, researcher, business developer, social media expert, magician, contract negotiator, logistics ace, 4 star general, blogger, videographer, publicist, exterminator, instructional designer, web developer, graphic designer, geologist and zoologist. Keep all your juicy profits by excluding other experts or those simpletons that spend all their time just doing one thing. You're a jack of all trades and it's better to know a little bit about everything than it is to pour into what you do best.

Source: http://thoughtleadershipleverage.com/

2015 Color of the Year Announced

Color fanatics and fashionistas - this one's for you.

The 2015 color of the year has officially been announced, and we hope you like shades of red. The Pantone Color Institute has declared that "Marsala" is the next up-and-coming color to take trends by storm. The "naturally robust and Earthy wine red" will make its appearance on runways in spring 2015 and will likely pop up as a popular color for beauty products, interior decorating and graphic design, according to a release from the "global color authority."

"Marsala enriches our mind, body and soul, exuding confidence and stability," said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, in a release. "Much like the fortified wine that gives Marsala its name, this tasteful hue embodies the satisfying richness of a fulfilling meal, while its grounding red-brown roots emanate a sophisticated, natural earthiness."

Each year, the Pantone Color Institute, a color research and information center, names a color of the year. In 2014, the color of the year was "Radiant Orchid," preceded by the 2013 color of the year, emerald.

The color of the year is determined by research of worldwide color influences, including colors used for technology, films and fashion.

"The color of the year selection requires careful consideration and, to arrive at the selection, Pantone combs the world looking for color influences," the release states.

Source: http://www.centralfloridafuture.com/

Low-Cost Holiday Gift Ideas

There is a lot of sentimentality out there about gifts, but there is also a lot of waste, with people giving and receiving gifts that they end up throwing out or giving to Goodwill, she says. "Most of the retirees I've spoken with don't mind spending money, but they do mind wasting money."

The malls are crazy busy at this time of year, and some retirees may not want to go near them, says retail consultant Brian Kelly, founder of Brian Brands in Chicago. He suggests that those people consider giving the gift of time. They can donate some of their time to a charity, neighbors, friends, their children or grandchildren.

Here are Yarrow and Kelly's ideas for smart holiday gift giving on a budget:

* Cut down your holiday list. Look at the list of people you give presents to, and see if it's time to take some of them off the list. "It's painful to do because if someone has made it to the list, obviously you care about them. But I think many people will be flat-out relieved to be off the list, because if you give them a gift then they think they have to give you one in return," Yarrow says.

That's happened to her. "My best girlfriend said to me, "I hope you're not planning to get me anything, because I don't want to add anybody else to my list."

Retirement is a perfect time to trim down your list, because many people realize that many retirees are on fixed income, she says.

Before you take anyone off your list, talk to them or write them a letter and let them know that you still care about them but are trying to simplify the holidays. "You can say, 'I love you, and I know you love me, but let's not do gifts this year,'" Yarrow says.

She also suggests crossing people off your list if they don't seem to appreciate your gifts or even acknowledge that they received them.

*Consider giving away family heirlooms or sentimental keepsakes.

Some retirees have possessions they are no longer using that are rich in sentimental value such as a family Bible, books, china, silver, furniture or jewelry. Consider giving those away to someone who might enjoy them, Yarrow says. The key to doing this is to ask people if they might like the gift before you give it to them.

The present can be simple. She says her grandmother gave her and her sister her a secret recipe for stuffed grape leaves - something they both treasure.

Kelly loves giving away some of his own collectible books. To make the present really special, you can put an inscription or photo inside the book, he says.

Another idea: "If you know someone who treasures the giant bowl you put mashed potatoes in during the holidays, the platter you put the turkey on or other special serving items that have been in the family for a long time," then give them away to someone you know who likes them, Kelly says. Reassure them that you want to pass them on to their family, he says.

* Give to charity instead of buying gifts. You can suggest to friends and family that instead of spending money on each other, you make donations to a foundation, a charity, someone's college education or a family in need, Yarrow says. Or you could suggest to family or friends that you spend time together instead of money on each other.

Kelly agrees this is a good idea because there are so many people in need in this country and around the world. Many retirees appreciate the opportunity to give back, he says.

* Write down pearls of wisdom. Kelly suggests writing down pithy quotes, witty insights or common phrases used by your family and giving those as a thoughtful gift. To make it even more special, you could have someone who does calligraphy write it out or do the calligraphy yourself.

* Share your time and talent. If you know how to do something that someone else can't do, that is one of the most valuable commodities, Yarrow says. You might offer to create a photo album, do a home improvement, make a meal, babysit or create a website for them.

Yarrow has a friend who hates to wrap presents, so Yarrow does it for her every holiday season. "I bring the wrapping paper and the ribbon and spend the whole day wrapping for her. I'm happy to give that gift to people."

Kelly suggests that people who have expertise in finance and setting up family budgets offer their help to family and friends as a holiday gift.

* Host a white elephant gift-exchange party. This is usually a party where people give away presents they were given that they don't want or like, Yarrow says. Sometimes guests can take gifts from each other during the exchange to add to the humor of the party, she says. "My book club does this every year. The fun part is seeing all the really weird stuff that people have given as gifts.

"One year we had a lot of really unattractive sweaters going around. I got an ornament one time that everyone else thought was tacky, but I really love and have in the center of my tree," Yarrow says.

"This is perfect for people who are retirement age, because most people probably have a gift drawer of things they haven't used. If not, you can pick out something at Goodwill."

Source: .http://pnj.com

Successful People Do This!

Only read this if you are serious about your business. Majority of entrepreneurs will be stepping into the new year without a plan and that's just plain stupid. Is that you? Well, now is the time to turn things around and get ready for your best year ever.

Let me keep this simple, as I always like to do. Time to sit down, grab a piece of paper and pen and start writing.

- What was your revenue for year to date?

- What are your expenses for year to date?

- How much do you want to make in 2015?

Once you've got those numbers identified (and I trust you are doing this along with your book-keeper!) - it's time to review the numbers in detail.

- How much revenue do you have contracted for 2015 already?

- What clients do you have that you want to keep? How much revenue do they represent?

- What clients do you want to fire? (and yes, there are times you should be doing this) - how much revenue do they represent?

- What have been your product sales? Event sales?

- What are your plans for products and revenues in 2015?

- What expenses did you incur - for travel, technology, professional development, team members, etc.?

- What additional expenses will you incur?

- What expenses can be eliminated? (memberships, conferences, subscriptions, etc.)

This is not a comprehensive list, by any means. My intention here is to simply get you thinking... thinking about your business, your money, your life.

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER!

Many of you are running your business like a hobby. You don't have a clue when it comes to the numbers in your business. You don't have a plan. This is the year to change all that.

Some things to consider over the next few weeks:

1. Get a book-keeper. This is one of your wisest investments if you are just starting out.

2. Get an assistant (or a virtual assistant). This would be another wise investment so you can focus on doing the work you are best doing - and where you can charge more and make more.

3. Get a coach. If you are not working with a business coach, that is just plain stupid. Every entrepreneur needs a business coach (I have two!).

4. Start tracking your numbers on a daily basis.

5. Start tracking your celebrations on a daily basis, too. There is always something to celebrate.

Successful entrepreneurs do all of these simple things to ensure business growth. When you know better, you do better (says Maya Angelou) - so get cracking!

Source: http://www.wealthywomenleaders.com

Move Forward

There is no magic formula in choosing the best small business opportunity that will succeed. Some guidelines can help, but use your own judgment in making a final decision.

Consider "profitability". Demand and supply affects profitability. Demand is the desire of people to possess or make use of your product or service while supply is the amount of competition you face for your chosen business idea.

Reflect on your knowledge and passion. A business that you know best or are willing to learn and excites you the most would stand out. Malcolm Forbes once said, "The biggest mistake people make in life is not trying to make a living at doing what they most enjoy."

Look for a business idea that has a "fair" return on investment. Decide what is fair to you. It is ok to have a business and not make money if you do it as a hobby. But why not earn from your hobby as well?

The process of identifying small business opportunities and choosing the number one opportunity should help you proceed.

Source: http://sitesell.ccom