THE POWER OF APATHY

My 9 year old son came home from school with some pretty tough questions just before Remembrance Day. He wanted to know from me as someone with a German background, how it had been possible for Hitler to do the terrible things he did. My son was looking to me for an explanation that has been troubling the world for generations.

After consideration, I looked at him and said:” Because people were too scared to stand up to a bully, hoping if only they‘d turn a blind eye, it would not effect them!” “Therefore”, was my conclusion, “we can not ignore the bullies but must stand up to them!” How little did I know, that I would have to lead by example not long thereafter:

Within the last week there have been terrible developments at a local organization that in the past has been very dear to me. Much of my charitable support time had been dedicated to it and it’s members over the past few years and many friendships were forged. This was before a new regime had taken hold. A regime, that is not transparent but inwardly focused. With that, the feel of the organization changed. Suddenly the gap to the previous, positive and results orientated Board of Directors was very evident.

The increasing distance of the organization to it’s members was at first only a little disappointing, because life and work simply carried on. Until an incident caused for attention and questioning. Suddenly the stark truth of wrong doing and cover-ups became blatantly obvious. So what does one do?

This week, a highly regarded Executive Director was compromised by the current Board of Directors with neglect to observe the by-laws developed for the proper and ethical regulation of actions.

I had to recall my conversation with my son and in addition was jolted into action by a very powerful Remembrance Day Memorial Service. It suddenly became clear listing to the speaker:” Each time a person stands up for an idea, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, they send forth a tiny ripple of hope!”

At the time my son was holding my hand and gave it a little squeeze:” See mum, that’s why we have to stand up to bullies.” Suddenly I realized I had to do something. Immediately on our return home from the Service, I finally took action and started to pose the question to other members inquiring if they experienced the same issues with the organization and if they were aware of the recent events.

Within the shortest period of time I received a flood of responses! It was as if someone had released the pressure in a valve, ready to burst. Members reached out and shared their concerns with me, willing to consider actions necessary to see some drastic changes in the management of the organization.

So, I was not alone in thinking there were some serious questions that needed to be put to the Board requesting full accountability and transparency for the expulsion of the Director.

And you know? This situation is far from being resolved and may or may not have a satisfactory outcome for the members.

However, that night after the Service I took my son to bed, knowing that I said ‘to hell’ with apathy, proving that I was willing to walk my talk whilst leading by example on the virtues I try to instill in my children.

So I want to call upon you: Find it within yourself to take the first step and you will be surprised how many people will gladly join you in unity.

Be the Change! (and a credible leader of your own virtues)
Conny

THE POWER OF ASKING

It is fascinating how children will not stop asking for the things that they want. Relentlessly, they will pose a question over and over or try a slightly different approach to get the much desired ‘Yes’. 
When they realize they can’t have something, they will come up with the next best thing and start the process all over again. In adulthood they will have ‘finally’ been worn down and ‘learnt’ not to be so demanding. HOW TRAGIC!

My youngest son is 9 years old and still possesses the art of asking. He is a very fine example of the relentlessly hopeful with seemingly never ending persistence. As you can imagine as a parent that is pretty wearing but boy, does he get results! Let me share a couple of examples.

Recently at a market he approaches a vendor and asks:” Can I have this skateboard for free?” The vendor is perplexed and of course declines. So my son tries again, this time with another object of desire:” Can I have this T-shirt for free?” Now the vendor starts to smile but again, gently but firmly declines. After the third question for something else, the vendor declines once more but finally gives in and offers him a brand spanking new wallet!? My son is over the moon, says a heartfelt thank you and gives the vendor the biggest smile.

The other day we went into a bike store. Again my son starts his magic and says:” Can I have this BMX for free?” Of course the vendors tells him - no way! A few minutes later, he requests:” Can I have this bike shirt for free?” “NO!” Then:” Can I have this pump for free?” “I am sorry but I can’t give you any of this stuff for free. Oh, but wait, I have some stickers and a key ring you can have!”

RESULT!

The pattern seems to be always the same. Three attempts of asking and finally he gets at least something in return for his perseverance. Typically it is not exactly what he wanted, however he is always better off and relishes the reward for his relentlessness. When he first started this, I was a little embarrassed and tried to discourage him from asking people to give him something for free.

To this he said:” But mum, if I don’t ask, then how can I get?” There it was - the truth, the only reality that really makes sense. As kids we all did the same. We kept on asking until we got. Now that we have been reconditioned, we find it tough to ask - FOR ANYTHING! Help, support, the things we really want.....

So I put it to you. Learn from our kids and get back to the pre-conditioned state of kindly asking. Not just the once but three times! If you are in negotiations, try to ask for the business even if you have to change approach or tweak the proposal until it suits.

Never be scared again to pose the question or take “No” for an answer. You know that if you don’t ask, you certainly won’t get anything! And if you don’t ask often enough, you might just be one ‘No’ away from a ‘Yes”!

May your summer be as educational as mine :)
See you soon,
Conny

THE POWER OF NATURAL

I recently had my quarterly make-over with my much trusted hairdresser. After mixing the colours she came back and asked:” Can I ask you a very personal question?” I really wasn’t sure what might come next but of course I said:” Go ahead!” And out she bursts with her question:” Have you had Botox recently? Your skin looks incredible!” Well, I was expecting everything but that.  Once I had recovered from the pleasant shock, I let her in on my secret.

I had recently done some research for an article on a super impressive Mompreneur who has built a business in all organic care products for women. She had the ‘balls’ to tackle a multi billion dollar market, undeterred by the big players and created products for the concerned consumer with clinically proven results exceeding 90% in overall skin improvement including fine lines and wrinkles!

At the time of my research, I was hugely impressed by this woman who at the age of 40 and expecting her first child, started a company from scratch that would provide what she had identified as a gap in the market - healthy, highly effective care products.

She assembled a team of executive investors who shared her vision and build a mission driven business that today provides skin and hair care products based on 100% powerful organic ingredients that offer proven results.

What impressed me the most was her bold approach to the idea. She understood that it would take an entire team, pots of cash to get it of the ground and experts in each field to make the success happen. She decided not to play SMALL but to go LARGE.

Today she heads up a business that she feels passionate about and offers products that make a difference in peoples lives.

After my research, I decided to put her products to the test! Well and the result - if even my own hairdresser who has known me for years thinks that I have invested 100’s of dollars in Botox, I simply rest my case.

So what can we learn from this story? If you have a dream, be undeterred. Put it into action even if at the beginning the odds look like they are staked up against you. Get a team behind you. You will not be able to go it alone. Get some cash behind you. It is imperative to have the money to pull it all off. Don’t compromise on quality - results will speak for itself!

And? Ask the question (my hairdresser will appreciate this) even if it means putting yourself out there. You will get information that could save you money and change your life! 

With that I wish you a Happy Summer!
(Botox-free) Conny

PS: And if you want to know the Power Cure that I discovered to keep the wrinkles at bay and save you $650, I am happy to share my secret, if you email info@mcbusiness.com with your three ideas on how to keep business natural!

THE POWER OF ZEN

Busy, busy, busy - aren’t we all always busy? In fact we are so busy, we literally can’t hear ourselves think anymore! Then how can we try to determine a professional path based on our goals reflecting our most deeply founded needs? Without the ability to listen to ourselves because life has become overwhelmingly noisy, there is only one place to go. Nowhere! 

But wait. There is hope. Let me share:

Every time I start working with a new client, within a very short period of time, they start to make sense of their business model, gaining clarity around exactly what they want and how they are going to get it. Powerful stuff! For them, I am a miracle worker and although granted, I bring a lot of experience to the table, it is they who discover what they are truly meant to be doing.

For all the wisdom is already right there, locked up inside of them, buried under responsibilities, expectations and outside demands. By working together, it allows them to stop in their daily routine and take some time to seriously focus on their intentions. This unlocks the deeper knowledge they hold within themselves. By having an objective and experienced professional alongside, they quickly turn into reality, what they want once identified under the mental ‘clutter’.

I call this the Business of Zen. In the dictionary Zen is described as a meditative state  for emphasis of experiential wisdom that assists in the attainment of enlightenment. In other words by carefully listening to the inner self, one will find the answer.

I expect many of you who are reading this will sympathize with the difficulty of clearly identifying a straight forward path for their business or even the target of what you are aiming for. It does not have to be this way. You can very easily determine the next steps, if you take some quiet, reflective time. This can be with or without a mentor to help you get guided through.

Take as little as 10 minutes each day, to take time out for asking, listening and receiving. In business terms this is also known as planning! This may only allow you to plan out the day or maybe even the week however it will certainly allow you to ‘turn the eye inward’ for a strong connection with the wants and the why’s. If you need help with the how’s, you know where I am.

So if you have started another year with not moving forward and getting nowhere, regularly stop the busyness and listening to the inner you. I welcome you to practice the Business of Zen starting today. For it will bring you focus, happiness and abundant prosperity.

Yours in business & life,
Conny

THE POWER OF BACK-UP

As entrepreneurs there seems to be a common misconception that you have to prove that you can do it all by yourself. Asking for help seems either like a sign of weakness or an expense, you’d rather do without! Even while I am writing this, it seems ludicrous. So make 2011 the year you leverage the power of a team to get ahead faster, more lucratively!

I am not sure about you but I am a true believer that you will get out, what you are prepared to put in. Now there are only so many hours in a day and days in a week that will restrict this equation for you. By doubling the effort, you will double the results, right? Right! By quadrupling, you will get 4 times as much back. True? True! So why are you still trying to be all things to all departments?

No doubt you are talented, passionate and knowledgeable in your industry and there are areas within your business that are not your strength or lay outside your capabilities. So doesn’t it make sense that you cover those areas with additional professionals before you run into trouble or get stifled in moving forward because you are trying to figure things out by yourself instead of asking for help?

Let me highlight by sharing a recent true story: A new client in the data services industry had been doing well in establishing and growing her business. She put in long hours and lots of energy to provide the very best service to her clients. Over 3 years she spent endless hours of delivering incredible value and was consistently improving on her services.
One day her computer played up. She had never backed up and realized she had no IT support. @#^*!  She had no maintenance package and could not get anyone to come out for days to see what the problem was. When after THREE days she finally managed to get someone out to take a look.

Now imagine the same client signing up from the start for a $50 monthly IT maintenance package which offers data back-up services, telephone support and training. Do you think the ongoing investment of $600 per year would have been a better strategy than playing Russian Roulette with her data? Not only did she loose three days of earnings, all of the clients data and in turn her entire client base due to neglect? In fact, she can count herself lucky not to have been prosecuted because of her negligence!

If she had invested in IT support from the start, the problem would have never developed or at the very least she would have had her data backed up with a mirror image of her computer at regular intervals saving her from loss of earnings, loss of clients and loss of reputation?

Don’t leave yourself open to this type of vulnerability and do start looking to fill the weak areas in your business with additional professionals, either employed or subcontracted. Strengthening your internal and external team will put you ahead of the game and save you from devastation when you could have had the back-up!

Lets work smarter in 2011!
Happy New Year,
Conny