AtlantaEvent.com NewsFlash - Is Negative-Speak Destroying Your Business?

Intro From Jeff Glaze

Jeff Glaze
Editor



"Buy my eye-opening ebook!" from Jeff Glaze, The editor of AtlantaEvent.com

Greetings,

Don't you just love Summer? I sure do.

It is not the heat, the insects, the vacations, the beach, the lawn work, the sunburn, the sweating, the bored neighborhood kids, the picnics, or any of the normal things that might be associated with it that I love. No, I love Summer because of the excitement it brings.

Summer generates a sense of adventure. Every time a storm blows in we watch the clouds and the lightning wondering if our homes will survive. When we go to the beach, danger lurks beneath every wave. While we are backpacking in the mountains what wild animal is watching us just beyond the tree line?

Sure the other seasons have their own levels of mystery, but in the Summer we are compelled to venture beyond the comfort of our homes and immerse ourselves in the world around us. We take risks that we normally would only watch others involved in and we stretch our minds and our bodies as we strive for the excitement that is life.

So what does this have to do with business? Often in our daily business routines, we tend to stay in our comfort zone. Like a creature in their cave we welcome the refreshing blow of the air conditioners as we slog through the workday.

Those of us who are willing to brave the elements find success as we get out to talk to people, set appointments and go to meetings. There are also those whose sense of style in their appearance prohibits them from taking off the suit jacket and shedding the long sleeve shirt and tie and ultimately forces them to languish in the breeze of the desk fan.

I say to those people, don't be afraid to sweat profusely! Do not fear the beads that form on the brow! It is a healthy thing, it cleanses the body. You would do it to have fun, why not do it for your career?!?

Those of you who are out there sweating today know what I am talking about. There is a lot of business out there. Just like adventure, it is something that you have to go out and get. It does not come to your door. Just like adventure, you might get wet in the process, you may get tired and at the end of the day you may collapse from exhaustion. But come tomorrow, you will feel stronger and you will see results.

Yes, Summer is a wonderful time, but I need to finish up this newsletter now because I have to get out in the yard. I have an appointment with some ants and they keep coming to my door to remind me that they are waiting!

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Jeff Glaze - Editor

Is Negative Speak Destroying Your Business?

By Jeff Glaze

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“Every man’s life is a fairy tale written with God’s finger. The difference between a unhappy fairy tale ending and a happy fairy tale ending are the choices that we make along the way” Hans Christian Anderson

There was a time when most people, including my parents, who found a stable job that paid reasonably well stuck with it until retirement,. It never occurred to them, to ask themselves questions like,“ Do I really enjoy what I’m doing?’ or “Does this job allow me to express myself?”

Today, people are asking themselves those questions about their employment, due to the ever growing demands placed upon them from their employers. People are prioritizing their lives to obtain a better quality of life, to the point of taking a reduction in pay.

If you are really enjoying the job that you have -stop here! You will not need to read any further! However, if you are not quite satisfied or not actually enjoying what are you doing- keep reading these tips – they may help you on your way to find your dream job.

1. First, ask yourself- What is it I don’t like about my job? Make a list of what you do and don’t like! Is this the type of job, the company or the way you have to do your job? In general –rank how much you are satisfied with your current employment- from 1 to 10. Below 6- you are not in the right place. However your best insights will come from being in silence- stop for moment, give yourself a break to hear what you want. Overacting is well known psychological defense that prevents us from getting in touch with our inner selves.

2. Let’s say you don’t like the kind of work you do, but you struggle with not knowing what you do want to do. Ask yourself, what are my talents, hobbies or things I enjoy doing in my leisure time? Begin to align your talents and abilities with your ideal dream job- which will lead to purpose and fulfillment. They are not given to you with no purpose. Who ever said fun should begin after work? The most successful people have fun doing their jobs, they have their business in their hearts and their hearts in their business. You can rarely succeed in something that you hate, right?

3. Don’t limit yourself by remaining in the same job or field, just because you have been trained or you have studied that in the University. Maybe your ladder is laying against the wrong wall?

4. Check out your belief and value system- are they working in your favor? Are you carrying too much baggage? Is it really important to work in a “prestigious” job that you hate? Just to brag in front of friends and relatives or may be thinking it will give you an advantage in the eyes of the opposite sex? Forget it. Researchers show that majority of men and women are willing to support their partner in pursuing their dream career! (Unlikely 50-60 years ago when women looked at men mainly as a provider, and men looked at women mainly as housekeepers and mothers).

5. Once you define what you want to do, devise a plan how to accomplish your goals. Establish a dead line of when you would like to meet your goals. Draw a detailed picture of your dream job – include how much you’ll be making, how your office will look like, what hours you will work etc. Put your vision on paper. Don’t be humble- you can get what ever you want and the way you want it!

6. Once this decision becomes your priority- design all your life around this priority. Do not try to fit new ideas into old style of life. It never works that way. Commit to your goal 100% . 99% is not enough.

7. “Withdraw” all your energy from the old job- stop taking training, investing efforts, making plans- minimize your input in all aspects. I’m not suggesting to walk off your job tomorrow and pursue a career as ballroom dancer or wind-surfer (nothing wrong with that though). Put all that energy into your career transition. What ever you focus on, it will expand. Keep your focus and you’ll began to see new possibilities and meet people that will help you get where you want to be.

8. The fear of failure or failure of success is undivided part of this process. You can either try to make the career transition gradually, which rarely happens, or make the quantum leap. Feel the fear and do it anyway. There is no other way to confront your fear. Start packing up your parachute. If you are on the right track you won’t break your head.

9. Surround yourself with supporters. Consider hiring a career coach/consultant/advisor- somebody that will hold you accountable regarding your goals, will support you and guide you. Their success depends on yours. However you can not hire someone to do push ups for you, right? Our friends play different role- they’ll listen to our complains and help us when we are discouraged and down, but they won’t give you assignments and call you to check if you called 5 companies, mailed your resumes or took that class, right?

10. Never forget you are 100% responsible for your own life and for the decisions you make. You are not alone and a lot of people have been there before you. Go for your dreams! You deserve better life. “I attract in my life whatever I give my energy, focus and attention to, whether wanted or unwanted” from Law of Attraction by Michael Losier Happy “careering”

Svetla Bankova
CTACC, MBA, MA in Counseling Psychology
Career and Personal Coaching/Professional Counseling
Metamorphosis Medical Group
Ph (678)-218-1710
Cell ( 678)-521-2013
www.RainbowMakerCoach.com
sbankova@rainbowmakercoach.com

FIVE STEPS TOWARDS INTERNATIONAL SUCCESS

(Prepared by Nerella Campigotto, Boomerang Consulting Inc.)

For small and medium sized enterprises in the business or professional services industry, expanding to a foreign market can be a daunting proposition. Many such companies limit their growth by not taking the chance, while others proceed with insufficient preparation and then wonder why they didn’t succeed. The following is a brief outline of the key steps that should be undertaken prior to launching into an international venture, and some of the issues to consider.

Step 1: Market Overview

Determine which country or countries have a viable market of sufficient size for your services. If more than one location is being considered, determine which location to target first. A wise service exporter will move on to other markets only after success has been achieved in the first location. Even if only one country is being considered as a potential market, it may be necessary to target a particular region to narrow down the focus of the market research. Instead of simply following the easiest and/or most popular export route, consideration should be given to less likely regions, as untapped opportunities may exist there.

Avoid becoming an exporter by default. Many international expansion decisions are based on a contract “landing in your lap”. Just because one client from a particular country approached your company and has a need for your services, it does not mean that the entire market should necessarily be targeted without having undertaken any additional research and analysis. The client in question may not be representative of the target market, therefore due diligence is still warranted.

Step 2: Market Analysis

Ensure all aspects of the market are covered. These should include: the market’s response to your service, competitive intelligence, the impact of foreign currency exchange rates on fees charged and costs incurred, and consultation with local professionals on local laws and regulations.

Be prepared to adapt your services for the needs of the targeted market, as well as meet the increased demand that the new market will create. Prepare for cultural differences, both from the perspective of customer service and also employee and/or partner relations. Do not assume there are no cultural differences simply because English is spoken. Also keep in mind there may be regional sensitivities within the target market.

It is important to visit the potential market and build relationships through face-to-face meetings, as well as to talk to other companies that have succeeded at exporting their business services to the area. Most importantly, be prepared for the financial and time commitment of the venture to be greater than anticipated.

Step 3: Market Entry

There are various options available when entering a new market as a business services provider, these include: opening a full branch office, opening a sales or representative office only, operating through an agent, entering a partnering agreement with a complementary business, forming a joint venture, or acquiring a competitor.

The advantages and disadvantages of each path should be analyzed. This would entail considering the need for positioning the business name or brand versus the cost efficiency of entry into the market through a partner or agent, market share versus profit goals, and the viability of entering the market in stages by working through an agent or sales office to test the market prior to opening a full branch office.

Step 4: Marketing/Business Plans

Form a market entry strategy based on the information obtained in the previous steps. A Business Plan or Strategic Intent should be prepared at the beginning of the new venture even if there is no necessity for financing. Prepare a detailed monthly marketing plan, especially if there is no local partner involved whose marketing strategy can encompass both parties. As a business services provider, which usually entails marketing intangibles, this will be vital to the success of the operation, and should focus on image building, and establishing credibility and relationships.

Consider diversifying your services or service delivery to better meet the needs of the target market. Also take into account any cross-cultural issues, and translate and localize all marketing material including websites. To avoid making mistakes in this area, engage the services of a local PR firm, advertising agency or other required expertise.

Step 5: Start-up of Operation

If the Business Plan includes opening a branch office, ensure that all local laws and regulations are understood prior to setting up systems or hiring employees. Accountants and lawyers familiar with the local requirements should have been consulted during the market study stage, and should now be engaged to assist with start-up.

Adapt any systems already in place to work cross-culturally. The challenge lies in succeeding with this adaptation without losing sight of your company’s core values and culture.

Analyze the advantages and disadvantages of transferring staff versus hiring local people for key positions. This can be crucial to the success of the venture and should be closely monitored.

Ensure there is smooth communication between offices and with partners. To avoid the risk of miscommunication, translate all pertinent information into the local language even if English is understood by all parties.

It is essential to make a long-term commitment to the new market. Always keep in mind that this new venture may require more perseverance than originally anticipated. But ultimately, the most important point to remember may be the old adage:

“If you fail to plan, plan to fail.”

Nerella Campigotto is President of Boomerang Consulting Inc. a company based in Vancouver, Canada, which specializes in International Business Development. For more information please visit www.boomerangconsulting.com or call: 604-609-6178, email: info@boomerangconsulting.com