GoHuman Blog

It seems like everyone has heard one of the most oft-quoted statistics on small business:  “80% of all small businesses fail within the first five years and, of the 20% that survive, 80% of the survivors fail within the next five years……..therefore,  96% of all small businesses fail within 10 years!”

For this reason alone, many people never start a business and many banks, angel investors, and venture capital firms decline to fund the vast majority of small business start-ups.  I want to dispel this myth because, in reality, nobody has statistics that clearly define what a “failure” means.

For example, if you just take the number of businesses that start at a given time and then check to see if they are in existence at year five and ten, this is not exactly a scientific approach.  How many of those businesses don’t exist anymore because the small business was gobbled up by another larger business?  Not exactly a failure, if the original owner was happy with the purchase price and retired to the beach.  What about those businesses that no longer exist, but they made a profit?  Maybe the owner closed it down because it did not achieve the amount of profit they were thinking it should generate based on the amount of blood, sweat, and tears it took to build it.  Is that considered a failure?

So there are a multitude of reasons a business can cease to exist and it is virtually impossible to know the reason for each one.  Don’t always blindly believe statistics, especially if they are repeated so often that they become a mantra that no one ever questions.

Now, having said that, a lot of businesses do “fail” — which I define as the inability of the business to generate enough income to pay all expenses, including a reasonable salary to the business owner.  And, unfortunately, a lot of businesses fail because they make the same mistakes that thousands of other business owners have already made and will continue to make in the never-ending future.

If you’d like to avoid those mistakes, please continue checking back into this space on a weekly basis. Our team of bloggers has a wealth of experience to share with you that should help you to stay on a path to success.

In the Dec. 5, 2011 issue of Forbes magazine, the article “Entrepreneurship or Bust” addressed Millennials (those born after 1980 who are ready to start their careers) when they wrote that “the conventional jobs aren’t there – that just means finding new routes to success.” 

The past few weeks I’ve been gearing up (myself and those interested in reading my posts) to begin a wellness program I recently enrolled in, through a local chiropractor. I know, who knew a chiropractic office offered wellness programs? I’ve chalked it up to a basic business philosophy that many entrepreneur’s/organizations tend to lose sight of which is that they clearly understand how important it is to the success of their business to continuously find ways to add value to those they serve.

Last week marked my first visit to the office, which was the initial consultation and program review. The Dr. was definitely on a fact-finding mission and asked a multitude of questions ranging from current fitness regimen and eating habits, to why I chose “now” to take action.

Some of you may be wondering what (if any) purpose does it serve others, for me to track such a journey, through weekly blogging. What’s more, how or does it even relate to coaching? The good news is that the two are very much in alignment with one another and “no,” I’m not self absorbedJ.

Coaching is about commitment, accountability, taking action for the results we want and doing whatever is necessary, in order to get those results. Coaching is a structured relationship designed to help the person being coached to move forward, to reach the goals that they have set, and to reach their potential.

Those who remain hesitant, may then be asking “Why would someone who’s built a career for themselves that’s designed to lead others to realizing the untapped potential they have within, seek their own assistance of an outside source to get more fit, become healthier by adapting new eating habits, to live a longer and healthier life?” My response is simple and nonetheless, truthful. I understand and know the value of having a support system who’s in my corner, rooting for me every step of the way. I know the value of having someone to help hold me accountable and offer a different perspective when it’s difficult to see the forest through the trees. I know the value of having someone on your side who isn’t there to criticize, but rather offer their encouragement to continue moving forward, after not having reached a weekly goal. I also know (all too well) that in order to change the things that aren’t working or are missing from my daily diet/fitness routine, means that “I” must make the commitment and “I” must take the action required, to affect the change “I” want.

When multiple award winning actress (and dubbed as America’s Sweetheart) Sandra Bullock landed the lead role in The Blind Side, in order to really get into her character as the headstrong football mom Leigh Ann Tuohy, one of the first moves Bullock made was to hire dialect coach, Francie Brown. Bullock hired Brown to help her refine her southern-style accent and incidentally, she won best actress for her role in the movie.

How about one of the best golfers of all time Tiger Woods who, regardless of the personal challenges he’s endured these past few years, also works with a coach. The coach may change from time to time but nonetheless, he always has one. Why does someone with his talent, his skills and his record have a coach? Because he takes constructive feedback from another golfer who he could undoubtedly beat with some regularity, if he were to compete against him. Just imagine what it’s like to not only be the very best in the world at what you do, but to be humble enough to admit than you can always get better and don’t know it all.

My commitment to all of you is to post weekly progress updates, as my journey continues.

Twitter is a micro blogging website that allows users to post  very short (up to 140 character) updates, comments, thoughts and links  to other websites.

Once you have an account with Twitter you can find other Twitter  users who could be anyone from your sister to companies, or to  celebrities such as Larry King . Once you follow these other users their Twitter updates will become visible in your Twitter “feed”.

How To Create Your Twitter Identity

1. Go to www.twitter.com click on the “Sign Up
2. Create your personal or company account, you only have 15 characters so you may need to get creative with your name.
3. There is not a limit to how many accounts you can sign up.
4. If you have unique or special products or services it is worth registering an account for these also.
5. Personalize your profile by adding a photo, brand your background  add your location, link to your website, and write a short bio.
6. Start using Twitter. Use the “Find people” option to find someone you know on twitter and follow them.
7. Use the reply function to talk to a friend.
8. Send a direct message to someone.
9. Re-tweet a message you found useful that someone posted.

So if you would like more info feel free to email me at jon@redspotmarketing.com

Developing a Marketing Plan will keep your marketing efforts focused, more effective and more cost effective.  Each business’s Marketing Plan should be unique to that business’s market, goals and competitive environment.  However, the most effective Marketing Plans will include a number of critical elements:

1. Value Proposition
Your value proposition, simply stated, tells your market why they should buy from you.  In other words:  What makes you the best option for them?  Are you less expensive than their other options?  Will they get better customer service?  Do you offer more for the money?  Are you a local business versus a national chain?, etc.   Your value proposition must be articulated in simple language that gives a clear picture of why your prospects should do business with you.

A good rule is to keep it to 25 words or less.  Here are some examples for a variety of businesses:

“We sell office supplies for less than any national chain.”

“Every bicycle we sell is backed by a 2 year end-to-end warranty.”

“We have the world’s largest selection of hard-to-find parts for every foreign car on the road.”

“We guarantee on-time arrival of our repair technicians or your repair is free.”

One of the driving ideas behind GoHuman has always been, well, going human. Creating a online marketplace where blind leaps of faith aren’t required, because faceless transactions have been replaced by opportunities to do business face-to-face with individuals of integrity in your own community.

I’ve recently had the pleasure of producing a film, The Gran’ Scam of Things, that examines these same ideas.

It’s a colorful comedy whose main character, Gladys Weiss, is a vibrant elderly woman whose first experience with e-mail (and her Spam folder) leads her straight into the welcoming arms of an international crime ring.

It is a lighthearted comedy, but it also has a poignant message about online scams and elder financial abuse.  The film’s trailer can be viewed here.

There’s an important scene in Gran’ Scam which takes place in a bank, and we were lucky enough to be able to film it on location at a branch of the Los Angeles Financial Credit Union.  We specifically chose to partner with LA Financial because they represent the very best of what credit unions and community banks offer.  Namely, a financial services version of bringing business back to the local level, where new school technology and solutions are embraced but without losing sight of old school ideals.

The Gran’ Scam of Things was completed in late November, but we are currently raising funds to be able to screen the project at film festivals.   A successful festival run will allow the film (and its message) to reach its fullest potential and widest audience.  If you’re interested in supporting the film in this effort, and picking up some pretty great swag in the process, visit us here.

Thanks for reading, and hope to see you at the movies!

Have you ever wondered why some people not only survive but actually prosper after enduring tragedy in their lives, while others allow their life to crumble right before their eyes?

What’s the difference for those who turn tragedy into triumph? Attitude!  It’s a choice. I can choose to be happy, sad, mad or frustrated. It’s my choice and  choices I make impact every moment, every action and every thought I have. Sometimes I need to really work on being happy.  I often take time to reflect upon all the joy and laughter around me, reminding me how precious life is and all I have to be thankful for. Despite the hardships in coping with a lifelong disability or the unexpected, tragic loss of losing a loved one, a person can choose to be happy.

Many situations can be and are very difficult, but we have the choice to live a happy life or a life of misery. The circumstances may not change, but the outcome and quality of life is a result of how a person chooses to live.  Attitude is the ultimate determining factor as to whether they take charge of their life, their own energy, their spirit or if they allow life to take full control over them.

So, what does a person decide? To live or not live?  Find an outlet to take your own personal tragedy and the fears that may exist, along with the anxiety of having to cope with such heartache and channel those negative feelings into creating something triumphant.

Turning tragedy into triumph can be achieved in many ways: Keep a journal and document your thoughts daily. This is a great exercise for releasing stress, as it allows you to take the countless thoughts that continuously swirl around your head and put them in a separate, safe place. The next time you feel yourself getting distracted by the same thoughts, remind yourself they’re someplace else and can be dealt with, if/when you choose.

Another way is to create a blog and write about related stories or topics that are familiar with your own story and discuss the various stages of feelings you dealt with and how you overcame them.

My personal favorite is serving others. What good can you do for someone else who has experienced their own tragedy or perhaps lived a life of one misfortune after another that will in some way give them comfort or a fresh and new perspective on matters?

It’s all a choice. Your choice. And you can choose to live a happy life by helping others along the way.

Entrepreneurs are always learning – about their industry, about marketing, about the competition, about the business. They attend courses, seminars and conferences to learn and network with other entrepreneurs.  One of the easiest and least expensive ways to learn is to read business books and/or listen to personal & professional development audios. Most  entrepreneurs have an office filled with a diverse collection of business and success books.

In Barbara Stanny’s book, “Secrets of Six Figure Women,” the story revolves around hundreds of interviews Stanny had with women with incomes above $100,000. During these interviews, the author uncovers seven key strategies for women (and men) to increase their earnings to a level that would be forever life changing.

Have an Intention to Make Good Money:  You need a profit motive. Money doesn’t buy happiness, but poverty doesn’t either. It’s also true that entrepreneurs have multiple reasons for starting a business and making money is definitely one of them. Bottom line, if you’re not making money, you’re not in business.

Letting Go of the Ledge:  Be willing to lose the security of your comfort zone in order to take the necessary leap that will raise your income. Stanny writes: “Their ledges took many forms, both concrete and intangible – from unfulfilling jobs to unpleasant relationships, from inappropriate goals to inaccurate beliefs, from damaging habits to detrimental emotions.”

Get in the Game:  Stanny writes that people are basically playing one of two games: Not to Lose or To Win. The game Not to Lose is about playing it safe; avoiding risks, not looking bad, not making mistakes. As with investing, making safe choices as an entrepreneur limits the risk you take, but it also limits how much you can gain.

When playing the game To Win, it’s not just about acquiring more money than the next guy. It’s about being and doing your best and seeing how far you can stretch. A critical component to playing To Win is being willing to take risks, feel the fear and do it anyway.

Speak Up:  In other words, ask for what you want! For employees it can include asking for a raise and for entrepreneurs, it’s about raising your rates, raising your level of service and value, without cutting your fees.

The Stretch:  Stanny writes “High earners are keenly aware of the immense power of audacity, which comes from the Latin word audace, meaning to dare. The women I interviewed somehow intuitively (if not always early) embrace this strategy as common practice: Stretch, dare to do which you think you cannot.”

If you’re a true entrepreneur, you’ve got to always be stretching. Whether it’s speaking at a networking event, cold calling or negotiating for a good deal. One thing is certain; the things you dislike the most about business, are not good at or are afraid of, are most definitely the things you’ll have to attempt at some point, in order to reach the level of success you want.

Seek Support:  Never be too proud to ask for guidance or support from another person or people. If you want to be successful, this is something you need to overcome because no one can do it alone.

Stanny writes about two types of help the successful women she interviewed talked about: True Believers, people who encouraged and believed in them whole heartedly, and Way Showers, mentors who served as proof that success is possible. These supports help us implement the other strategies.

“They inspire us to set our intention high and stick to it when our faith falls short. They gently pry our fingers loose when we cling too tightly to safety and then lead us into the game, explaining how to play. Maybe most important of all, they assuage our fears so we can stretch even farther.”

Obey the Rules of Money:  Being successful isn’t just about how much you invoice each month, it’s also about how much you keep, how well you get to live. as a result. Stanny’s rules of money are simple: Spend less than you earn, pay yourself first, put your money to work.

If you’re an entrepreneur who’s not earning the kind of money you’d like, Secrets of Six Figure Women is a great read. The stories these women share about how they applied the success strategies to their business are both inspiring and motivating.

For the women out there who are ready to ignite their own businesses to the next level, check out my new women’s group, set to launch in April. Applications are being taken on line. All applicants will be considered, with only a select group chosen for membership.  We’ll share and teach in depth, how to apply these same strategies to your business, in order to increase earnings and create the financial and personal wealth you want in life. www.igniteinnercircle.com.

GoHuman.com celebrates the small business owners helping us build a powerful new kind of Marketplace for the 21st Century.   We know you depend on us to help you grow and expand your business, the marketing guidance you so sorely need in today’s world.

To further our mutual goals, GoHuman.com is proud to add a noted marketing professional, author and successful small business owner/manager as a regular contributor to our Blog.  Starting this week, Jon Johnson, CEO and President of Red Spot Marketing will be providing invaluable advice in a “Monday is for Marketing” blog series.

Jon has marketed hundreds of small businesses in over 10 countries, including Australia, UK, Canada, USA and Thailand.

His success lies in bringing a simple approach to each company’s marketing and helping them implement more elements of the marketing mix to get better results.

“Blended” is Jon’s first book and draws upon his experience from marketing vastly different types of companies worldwide and seeing the challenges they all face.

Jon holds a BA Hons Degree in Marketing from Bournemouth University in England, and lives in Ontario, Canada with his wife Dr. Joyce Johnson and their two daughters, Olivia and Charlotte.

I’m intrigued with author Frances E. Vaughan’s definition of intuition as “a way of knowing…a way of recognizing the possibilities in any situation.”

Decisions based off of intuition come from an ability to integrate and utilize both the left and right sides of the brain.  The combined product of both facts and feelings that are unclouded by the involvement of personal ego.

Leaders with good intuition see new opportunities in any given situation. They visualize the future and are well equipped to move an organization forward, in response to it. These leaders are particularly good at generating new ideas and providing fresh, creative solutions to old problems. They function best in quickly changing environments, and moments of crisis.

Most men tend to refer to their intuition as a “gut feeling,” whereas women are more comfortable calling on their “feminine or women’s intuition.”

Because intuition originates from a certain feeling in our body, when someone asks how we know, we can’t explain the rationale behind the conclusion. As a result, we’re inclined to keep these thoughts to ourselves in fear others will label us as being unreasonable or foolish.

In the business world, effective leaders understand the importance of using logic and analysis when making certain decisions that will or have the potential to heavily impact the overall standing of the organization. Furthermore, leaders who possess these key traits also understand when to call upon their intuition, not as a substitute to analysis, but as an equal to it.