Are you strong enough to be a freedom rider?

Posted on February 10, 2012 by Beatrice

A couple of days ago I saw a program on tv in honor of Black History month and it has really stuck with me. The program was on the freedom riders, a group of (very young) activists who challenged segregation in the South in 1961.

It was an awe-inspiring and heart tugging show.

Being black (or African American, or Colored, or negro, or whatever it’s called given the decade) it’s great to have a reminder on how the unity and determination of both blacks and non-blacks, has moved equality and fairness in our nation.

The more I watched the program the more I questioned myself. I wondered… “Would I have the guts… or even the desire… to give up every comfort I have for the freedom of another?

I’m afraid to admit, that sadly, the answer is no. There’s unfairness all around us. Just open a newspaper or turn the tv station to any news channel and you can see injustices everywhere.

When I was younger, I think I was more plugged in… more aware… or at least, not isolated. In my current life there is a routine. A way of doing things that is very easily predicted from week to week and month to month. The tragedies I’ve faced in life were after my mother and ancestor’s generations of battle.

I live in the aftermath, and yet, there is still so much that needs to change.

I live in a world where my friends are from many different nations. They speak many different languages. I want to retire to Brazil, not Africa. What does that mean in the context of my culture? I’m really now sure.

Sometimes, it’s just enough to ask ourselves the questions, and to reflect on the answers. It’s not going to effect the entire nation like the actions of the freedom riders did,  but I think by asking myself the questions one-by-one change will happen as my purpose adjusts and reveals itself.

Do you take time to DO business?

Posted on February 9, 2012 by Beatrice

I was having breakfast today with my good friend Jodi Krizer Graber, a nutrition and body extraordinnaire here in New York and we started to discuss the investments we’ve made in our businesses.

Jodi and I have both been part of several mastermind groups and coaching programs, networking groups and social circles and it seems the “lure” to continue is never ending. What we started to discuss, initially as an aside conversation, is that pull that marketers use to keep you plugged into something. That something can be the newest program or product or even the events that promote or support them.

We’ve both been there, done that, read the book, rode the plane, train and automobile (literally) in pursuit, but one thing we’ve both discovered is that to be successful IN business you actually have to be IN business. On the greatest level, you need to be there for your clients. You need to be available to support them, and meet them, and love them.

When my last mastermind concluding many people were surprised that I didn’t renew or start with a new group right away. Now, I do believe there’s tremendous growth in connecting with a group of motivated peers that can strengthen what you currently know and help you understand what you don’t. BUT, eventually, you need to unplug, and get your butt to working. Fellow New Yorker Woody Allen once said “80% of success is showing up” and we see a lot of business owners just not showing up for the work!

I understand the temptation of this. I’m a lifelong learner, so if I could just park myself at the library all day I would, but I wouldn’t make any money. Even today, I received an email in my inbox from Ali Brown for a home study program of her shine event, which  I wasn’t able to attend last year due to a scheduling conflict. The lure was there. The “early bird” special even meant that I could take $100 off the already amazing price.

Tempting.

I already have Ali Brown’s MMBW (which she’s taken off the market, sorry) and if I base my next purchase on that purchase alone, it will be money well spent. I trust her information enough to be an affiliate of hers. But do I need another program, at this place in my business? Yes, it may help me to grow from my current six figures to multiple six figures… but perhaps if I do the things I KNOW I should already be doing, I’d reach that growth as well…

This is what Jodi and I were discussing at breakfast. Business minds never rest. I’ve been invited to a few events this year and am really being careful of where I plug in, so that I don’t unplug from my biggest money generator for Brand Excitement… ME. Can you relate?

Beware the copycat

Posted on February 8, 2012 by Beatrice

I’ve been compelled for quite a few months now to share more than just my business tips on this blog. I feel that one way to truly benefit from our joint experiences and insight as a community is to share what becomes “top of mind” for us, and today, I want to share my thoughts about copycat marketing.

Copycat – the dictionary defines it as one who copies, imitates or mimic another. There are a lot of copycat brands out there. There are a lot of copycat people out there. When I was young, I was quite unique, quite shy. I wanted to pave my own way in the world and the reward for that was a lot of scrutiny and being labeled as an outcast. I wasn’t the popular one by any means. I’m glad I learned that lesson early.

What I see in business these days is that there is no innovation anymore. Everyone is teaching you how to “attract clients… magnify your mojo… mastermind your way to riches” but really, aren’t they all talking about the same things over and over. Everyone is doing the video series to launch a new teleclass or program. Everyone is giving away the chance to win a free hour with their favorite celebrity coach. Everyone is doing what everyone else is doing.

For some, they get successful  results, for others, they keep spinning the wheels. No one is teaching you how to build a business on your own terms. Now, I agree, guidelines are good, tried and proven methods are good. Networking is good. Buy when do you turn off all the noise in your head and on your screen, shut down the email and take a moment to think of something that really moves  you?

If you’ve never done that, my challenge for you today is to find an hour where you can shut down everything. No ipod, no ipad, no eyes on you. Just you, and four walls, or a big body of water, or the porcelain thrown if that’s where you do your best thinking. Your client is looking for solutions, but they’re tired of the cookie cutter formula being fed to them the world over. Are you ready to make a change? Does what I’m saying ring true to you? I wanna hear your thoughts below.

Create Next Year’s Brand Growth Plan

Posted on December 18, 2011 by Beatrice

‘Tis the season to start thinking about the next one! As the year winds down and a new one approaches we can’t help but to consider our accomplishments and shortcomings this year as we look to the growth and progress we’d like to achieve for the next season in our lives. For you, like me, that probably means examining your brand. As you know, a great brand involves more than a great name and a beautiful logo or website, it requires an action plan. Just as a book has a table of contents and a recipe has a list of ingredients, a brand must have a comprehensive action plan that outlines step-by-step instructions on what to do to achieve the next level of growth.

If you haven’t developed an action plan before, or haven’t reviewed or revised it in a while, now is the time. Begin by choosing 3 key focus areas. These goals should be attainable, but challenging. You’ll want to also make sure that you outline goals that are within reach. An example of an achievable goal is “to be quoted in print by the media” vs. ” to be a host on the Oprah Winfrey Network.” Now, that’s not to say that being a host on the Oprah Winfrey network is unattainable for you, but certain visibility factors and goals will usually have already been achieved by you already in order to achieve that goal. Learn the 3 focus areas every brand should develop:

1) The Statement. Look at your mission statement and see if it’s still relevant for the character and values that you put forth in your business today. This positioning statement is one of the key drivers for your business. It can be used to persuade your ideal prospect to buy into your expertise based on your difference. To develop the right positioning statement you must include a credibility factor and a passion factor. Identify the things that you’ve done that place you in the “only”, “first”, or “top” category in your business and use it to distinguish yourself. Combine that with a passion factor, using “since”, “from the moment”, or “when” and you can then compete with even the most established brands.

2) The Signals. Hanging out your shingle announcing your business is not enough to keep you profitable or vislble, but it is necessary. Your name, logo, website, photo, business card, brochures, and other “visuals” will help to reinforce your mission statement and connect you with your target audience. Examine any major brand, and you’ll discover that their claim, logo and identity in the marketplace are multifaceted. For instance, consider Nike, they are  recognized as a main support for athletes of all levels who “Just Do It.” Their swoosh is stamped in our memories, and their clean and open store spaces support the concept of the open road and freedom of living the lifestyle. Their distinctive ads of the every day athlete in all of us builds the emotional connection for all types of lifestyles.

3) The Strategy. This is where a lot of businesses sabotage themselves. When a business is doing well, the marketing of it often takes a back burner but steady income is best supported by steady marketing. There are more than a dozen ways to fill your marketing pipeline so it’s important to analyze the impact that each type of marketing is having on your business so that you know where to devote your time and your dollars. Start by identifying what you want to do each month, then choose a date for each activity. Then choose the investment involved and determine how to track and measure it.

If your statement, signals and strategy are clear and consistent you’ll have no problem boosting your brand recognition and reaching your next level of growth with ease and grace. If you’re not quite sure what that looks like for you, we can help. Schedule a Brand Strategy Session to get your on the right path for the new year. Just call (888) YOU-BRAND.