Posts Tagged "vision"

A Real Business Comes From the Real You

Posted by LisaYoung in videos |

So after a quick trip to the local library with my oldest child and his best friend, I scoped out the shelves for some new reads.

I found a couple of VERY good resources, and I had to share this one today:

Kaira Sturdivant Rouda is the president of Real Living, and “gets it” when it comes to personal branding. I’m half way through her book, Real You Incorporated: 8 Essentials for Women Entrepreneurs.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve shouted from the rooftops the importance of Branding yourself. Kaira’s book really gets it done.

Stay tuned!

2010 Update: This book is uber transformative. After a couple of years of living with this book, I can tell you it really gets to the heart of building a business around your passion. I use it every 6 months as my business bible when it’s time to review my progress, make sure I’m on track for goals, and to be certain I’m still following my passion in my business. I had the pleasure of interviewing Kaira for my Direct Sales Super Summit last fall and it was a dream come true in so many ways. Every woman should have this book on their shelves – or in their briefcase for easy access. It’s truly transformative for business and personal growth.

Touching All the Bases Revisited

Posted by LisaYoung in Big Ideas, Faith, videos |

There are times in your life when you’re faced with the challenge:

Do the right thing, and risk losing out on something you really want.

–OR–

Do nothing, and earn your heart’s desire.

These girls are simply amazing – and a lesson to all of us.

Yes, I cried when I watched this video. That’s why I’m sharing it with you. But also, because it’s the right thing to do.

So let me pose this to you:

How often have you overlooked something because it was more inconvenient to do the right thing ans report it?

What do your children see when you don’t think they’re looking?

How is your sleep at night? Restful? Wakeful?

This was a ball game that MAYBE 100 people got to see. What do you do when no one is looking?

This was a powerful lesson to me. And I guess I’m on a quasi-mission to share that power with others.

Character is built in the moments when we think little and act foolishly. It’s also built in the moments when we think hard and act courageously.

This video was shared with me by my upline. Why do you think she did that? Her message to me was “this is so inspiring” – but it’s so much more than that.
It’s an example of how business should be run EVERY day – even when people aren’t looking.

Are you touching all the bases in your business? Are you looking at what needs to be done – and not just putting out fires, doing the minimum, or something worse?

Are you so concerned about this month’s quota and winning that award, that you overlook the fact that your client truly CAN’T afford to make a purchase at this time? Do you see them as more than just a stepping stone to what’s next?

In our community, the mayor has decided to throw his hat into the ring for Governor.

Heaven forbid. The only good thing that I think would come of it, is that he wouldn’t be our mayor anymore.

He’s a classic example of someone that doesn’t touch all the bases – out for himself, his own benefits and gains – he’s a convicted criminal, which only adds insult to injury!

And I think about how he must conduct his business, and what he’s like when no one’s looking. And I pray on a daily basis that I’ll NEVER turn out like that.

What about you?

The Attitude of Gratitude Pays Big Dividends

Posted by LisaYoung in Big Ideas, Faith |

I’ve been trying to “take my mind off things” by reading a book. Mayflower Madam is out of print, and I picked up a copy on eBay the other week. It arrived the day my mom died.

Needless to say it took me a minute to get around to reading it.

For those of you that aren’t familiar with the story (it was in the 1980′s after all), Sydney Biddle Barrows, well-heeled socialite, built a successful “escort” service in Manhattan – and was busted after about 5 years of serving the “John” Q. Public in style.

Now I haven’t finished the book yet, but my first big takeaway was a comment in the early chapters of the book: treat your people with respect – customers, employees, etc. and they will reciprocate.

More to the point, when you treat them with respect and appreciation for how they serve your business, they will be more willing to do anything to make you happy.

I have 3 very recent examples that drive this point home.

After completing a recent in-home party for my company, I mentioned that my grandfather had passed and that I would not likely be available for a few days to tend to the arrangements. The hostess was very understanding – and we got 3 bookings at that party for her.

One of the soon-to-be hostesses called me a few days later to provide me her guest list over the phone. I returned her call and sad that my mother had also passed, and that I would greatly appreciate it if she would just mail the list to me and I would still give her the special offer for getting the list back to me in 3 days’ time.

Two days ago, I was out making deliveries to touch base with customers and hostesses, and I apologized for my tardiness in delivering because of the death of my mother. I mentioned that I would be at the funeral the next day, so to call and leave a message if there were any issues.

Yesterday morning, I received a call from that hostess. She said she was “in the neighborhood” and had something for me. When she arrived at my door, she had baked sliced and wrapped some home-made banana bread. I was dumbfounded.

At the church, when we were wrapping up and heading out the door, I walked into the kitchen, where at least 10 volunteers were cleaning up from the dinner held in mom’s honor. I wanted to make a point to tell them thank-you, because many of them knew my mom, and while she wasn’t always the easiest to get along with, I know they respected her and cared at least enough to give of their time and elbow grease to help comfort and feed her family and friends. Many of them could have been on the other side of the kitchen, sitting with us and telling stories about mom.

As I offered my thanks, one of the grumpiest of the men in the church turned to me and said “You are always welcome here, Lisa.” Again, speechless.

Which, if you know me, is virtually impossible.

I’m skipping over a lot of details here, but as I stopped at home to drop off a bouquet of flowers, I checked the mail. In with the bills and usual junk (which, I love, by the way), there was a card from someone I didn’t recognize. The would-be hostess that I had asked to mail her guest list had slipped that list inside a sympathy card, with a thoughtful personal note attached.

I’ve never spoken so few words in a a day in my whole life.

It’s unfortunate that it takes an event like a funeral to give you a perspective about what matters – and to whom you matter. I was overwhelmed by the outpouring of people – some I barely even know – who came to provide support and encouragement just for me – because I know no one else in my family knew who they were.

We packed that church – which is lucky to have 30-40 people on a Sunday morning. People were parking on the street because there was “no room at the inn” so to speak.

And I am so grateful to each and every one of them. I’m sure I didn’t say hello to everyone, but I am truly blessed to know that I and my family matter to so many people. I am so grateful for all the kind words, donations, and thoughtful gifts.

I didn’t deserve any of it. I am infinitely grateful for it.

So our marketing lesson (not to be disrespectful of my mom’s passing, but I needed to share this while it was still fresh) is this:

Give freely of yourself – to your customers, clients, employees. Make them feel respected and equal – and treat them like friends. The rewards will come back to you ten times over. I’ve said it before, but it’s true: friendliness is the root of all good things. The more friendly you are, the more genuine respect and appreciation you will garner.

You can’t do any better than that. It takes time, but all things worth doing are worth doing well.

Be on the lookout for some big changes in the coming months, as I start assessing what’s important to me in light of these recent events.