GoHuman Blog

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.

Learn your fear of raising prices and stand up to it. Don’t allow the fear you have about money and prices to be the decision maker. Acknowledge the fear, set it aside, and then get creative and make a non-emotional decision, regarding your prices.

When you’re having a conversation with a customer, whether in person or via advertising, focus on “the value” of the product/service you offer. People love to hear stories about other happy customers who have experienced the joy of doing business with you. Talk more about value and less about the price. Being enthusiastic and passionate about what you do is viral. Customers want you to believe in yourself and your business. They want to buy from someone who is proud, passionate and confident about what they do.

When you raise your prices, you’ll have more money to gain more, and better customers. The additional income allows you to market, advertise and promote your business in ways you couldn’t afford to before.

Operating a small business is vastly different than running a corporate giant. Small businesses can be more creative and opportunities to succeed are greater. Very few principles can be taken from a corporate giant and applied to a small business with similar results. Your advantages in a small business are the complete opposite of theirs. They have mass volume, distribution and leveraging advantages.  You don’t. Don’t be misguided by the pricing war behavior they engage in because thankfully, it doesn’t apply to you!

One falsehood many people fall for is that by lowering their price, they’ll “make it up in volume.” Here’s a great example…..a guy buys a boat load of money change-making machines and someone says, “How will you make a profit? People put a dollar in and you give them four quarters. How in the world can you possibly make any money on that deal?” The guy responds by saying, “I’ll make it up in volume.” Really?

Much of the fear of raising prices comes from the whole small business self esteem factor that says, “I’m not worth it and would feel guilty raising prices because my customers trust me for this price and therefore, if I raise them, I’m taking advantage of them.” Really?

Take yourself back to the state of mind you had when you first started your business. Remember all that energy you had? You were so excited that you stayed up all night researching and writing down all the limitless possibilities you could create? Never lose that game element because it’s what keeps every business’s energy and creativity flowing.

There will never be a shortage of opportunity for you to raise your prices, when you are continually raising the value of the buying experience. You won’t lose customers, you’ll gain them.

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.

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.

Whichever path you choose in life, there will always be someone to throw cold water on your plans. If you want to keep playing  the game “to win,” ignore the naysayers and do it anyway. Don’t let them stop you from pursuing your passion and transitioning it from a project into reality!

Naysayers aren’t necessarily mean-spirited people; they come with the territory. When we dare to attempt something different, there’s always a group of people standing by to tell us how ridiculous the idea is. However, these people actually add great value to our lives. They test our level of commitment. The more tentative you feel, the more negative they sound. If they’re successful in discouraging you, be grateful. This allows you to reevaluate your intention or let completely go of what’s holding you back. If you’re determined and committed enough to succeed in spite of all the cynicism, then you will.

Criticism and rejection are unavoidable when playing “to win.” All the more reason to never take the harsh words spoken by others, personally. Don’t personalize the criticism. Don’t allow the remarks made by other people to become personal, giving you an excuse to find fault within yourself. Repel the negative comments by calling upon the guidance of those who WILL support you; a counselor, a coach or a friend; someone who will help you discover a new and fresh perspective. Adlai Stevenson quoted, “Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional.” Any business is tough and the higher you climb, the higher and bigger the stakes get. It becomes increasingly difficult to continue putting yourself out there, but do it anyway.

A great solution for many has been to focus on a higher purpose rather than immediate gratification. Remind yourself why your passion is so strong. Passion and purpose are great motivators. Experiencing such a mind-shift can make all the difference. The game is only a game, And games are fun if we allow them to be. And when they’re not, the work becomes demoralizing and often destructive, in which case, it may be time to walk away.

We often remind ourselves how wonderful it would be to be young again. Children love and enjoy the planet they live and play on. They reinvent themselves every day. Their spirit is everywhere – flowing through the air.  Crack a window open and hear their shouts of joy, laughter and (on occasion) frustration, next door, down the road, at the school playground. “Hey! You’re not the boss of me!” Or, “You can’t catch me!”

In a place of business full of adults, the shouts of joy are nonexistent. Where did they go? What happened? We grow up and decide we’re no longer creative, imaginative or extraordinary and so we quit. The spirit has gone into complete hiding, waiting only for a dramatic outside event to fire it back up. However, for many of us, quitting becomes too painful to live with. We don’t have to wait for such a crisis, we just need to find a way to wake up and live again, create again, dance again and love again.

Life is an eternal internal flame. We can reignite it and make it burn brighter than ever, if the will and commitment to do so is present. It all comes down to how we perceive ourselves and others. We can reignite that flame by finding the words to think, the words to say, and even the words to sing, if we want. Suddenly our life improves dramatically. Every moment is a new beginning and a fresh moment.

“At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.”  ~Albert Schweitzer

*Speaking of “reigniting flames,” stay tuned for more information to be posted here on my blog, about an elite women’s success group a colleague and I are starting called, “Ignite-Creating the Fire for Women in Business.” A launch date of April 1, 2011, is tentatively scheduled to kick-off our program…More information to follow.

Saying “thank-you” to a family member, a friend, a co-worker, or someone you’ve only met once, can make a world of difference for them and you.

Letting someone know you’re grateful for something they’ve done or for just having been a part of your life through a simple thank-you, will bring new, positive light to their day. Gratitude projects a feeling of pure and positive energy. When we’re grateful, we feel thankful and appreciative. The more gratitude we feel, the more positive energy we experience in our lives.

It’s important to communicate to others that we’re grateful for their friendship, their love and their support. It allows them the opportunity to share in our positive energy and therefore, they experience feeling good, themselves. According to the law of attraction, the more gratitude we express to others the more appreciation we receive in return.

A few simple tips to use and ideas to consider when letting someone know you’re grateful for something are:

• Write a short note thanking the person for their friendship, a gesture, a gift or for being a sounding board, when you needed someone to just listen.
• Make a list of specific people you intend to write a thank-you note to who have, in one way or another, positively impacted your life.
• Commit to a set number of thank-you notes each day, week or month.
• Replace thank-you e-mails with handwritten notes. People appreciate your personal touch.
• Choose noteworthy situations. A thank-you note for a routine situation can weaken the message.
• Always direct a thank-you note to an individual, vs. an organization/group. If the situation involves multiple people, address the note to the senior person, asking them to pass along sincere appreciation to the others.
• Thank-you notes are a statement of appreciation from one person to another. Carefully double check grammar and the spelling of all names. There’s no quicker way to reduce your credibility and sincerity than to misspell names.