Success in Business

Where Good Ideas Come From

2011-03-30T07:42:00.000-07:00

Steven Johnson's book by the same name (Where Good Ideas Come From 2010) is very inspiring and informative. It chronicles all of key innovations from 1400-2000 in a glossary; where they were created and by whom. In many cases there were multiple creators. It is claearly a fascinating look at the evolution of the modern world we live in. He also captures the creative energy of the early coffee shops, liquid networks, and the slow hunch (i.e Darwin's theory of Evolution) which lead to his epiphany, and serendipity which frequently leads to breakthroughs. I suggest you track it down.
DC3

Networking Strategies that Work

2008-03-14T13:14:00.000-07:00

What is your Professional and Organization Strategy for Networking? Plot your own Grid and see how you are doing. Do you have a broad reach or a narrow expert focus.

Organization Role Benefit Goal

CT Venture Group Member New Companies Stay current
Capital & Mgt Needs Make Contacts

Toastmasters VP PR Visibility Refine Public
Speaking

Norwalk Chamber Initiate Programs Recognize Companies & Find Clients Small Business Council HTC Hosts
Chairman

Microenterprise New Entrepreneurs in Use Spanish/ Visit Ecuador
Council Ecuador & El Salvador Help Microentrepreneurs
Member

The Laws of Teamwork - Don't Forget Them

2007-11-13T11:03:00.000-08:00

Creating a powerful team with everyone on the same page and going in the same direction will lead to growth and success.

The Laws of Teamwork and How to Use Them Effectively (Maxwell)

1 The Law of Significance – you can’t do it alone

2 The Law of the Big Picture – vision is everything

3 The Law of the Niche – people should be aligned in the right place at the right time

4 The Law of Mount Everest- the higher level you reach, the more teamwork you need

5 The Law of the Chain- there’s a TV show about this (The Weakest Link)

6 The Law of the Catalyst- traits of initiators are key and long-lasting

7 The Law of the Compass- sets direction and confidence for the team

8 The Law of the Bad Apple- attitude is everything

9 The Law of Countability- everyone has to do their job or else

10 The Law of the Price Tag- there can be a price to pay for not acting

11 The Law of the Scoreboard- how are you doing

12 The Law of the Bench- a deep bench almost always wins

13 The Law of Identity- the values of Home Depot are legendary

14 The Law of Communication- the 3 Cs are important to remember

15 The Law of the Edge- leaders make the difference

16 The Law of High Morale- 4 stages of morale and lots of roles to play

17 The Law of Dividends – investing in your team compounds over time

Teams are nurtured, molded, encouraged and reinforced. If they are knowledgeable and work together synergistically, great thing can happen – above and beyond what may be expected. Ideas adopted from The 17 Indisputable Laws of Teamwork by John C. Maxwell and numerous other sources.

Creating High Performing Teams

2007-03-25T10:16:00.000-07:00

How do you build a Strong Management Team?

Have you ever noticed a company with a team of strong managers who are all on the same page. They are knowledgeable, know the company’s goals, and work hard with the right attitude to achieve at the highest level. How does it happen?

Two common elements can be found. A strong leader/manager is in charge. He/she is not only a good communicator and a good role model, but the organization is also dedicated to working together in teams to improve processes and solve complicated problems. First-rate communication skills are essential to establishing and accomplishing goals.

A second element is an emphasis on teams i.e. having regular meetings and team building activities. Being part of a productive team is fun and challenging. Teams best decide many complex issues. It takes longer to reach a consensus or strategy, but studies have also shown decisions achieve results more smoothly and with fewer problems. The early quality circles in companies were effective in putting peer pressure on all members of the team to perform. Now teams are essential to keep up with a complicated and changing world where new competitors emerge from different industries and new technologies can quickly change the slope of the playing field. Here are some guidelines for effective team building.

• Make it a regular event – the job is never done. Teams should meet on a regular basis. This allows everyone to get to know each other. A productive tone should be set so the group gets down to busy right away and ends meetings on time.

• Make it fun. A skilled outside facilitator or internal person can lead entertaining meetings, which provide good messages, but it also provides a different format or atmosphere for learning. Key goals should be agreed upon ahead of time i.e. improve communication skills, share creative solutions, emphasize key company directions, etc.

• Interactive is the rule of the day. As an effective professor, I quickly learned that calling on people engages people and sets a tone. Everyone should be involved. In a company meeting it may be powerful to have teams stand up and move around to solve problems together.

• Meaningful content and stories endure. Illustrate points with stories and metaphors. Ask participants to share clients stories, challenges and successes. Use company specific examples to highlight key messages.

• Be energetic and maintain eye contact. 93% of communication is non-verbal. You can learn a tremendous amount by watching the audience. As a facilitator, I like to engage and challenge the most skeptical. Get them involved or ask them to be a leader through questions.

• Be well organized in your delivery. As previously mentioned, good stories and metaphors are essential, but it also important to relate to men and women with your exercises, questions and content.

• Summarize key learnings at the end of the meeting. Ask a range of people to share what they will take away.

This year will continue to see business and technology move at laser speed. Training can be an important component, even in small companies, to stay ahead of your competitors. There is more choice in markets today than ever before, and customers/clients are more knowledgeable than ever before. As you take time to see and view the big picture, set goals for your training and team-building efforts. Don’t be afraid to think “reach outside” or try new approaches to find creative solutions for your company.

A Good Time to Reinvent Your Business and Your Career

2006-11-20T17:29:00.000-08:00

In today’s business and non-profit world, fast-moving and continual change is part of the equation. Inevitably, there will be challenges you face at work, in your profession, or in your life that may compel you to rethink what you are doing and how you are doing it. Transitions can be exciting and “fun”, but they are never easy. Most times everything happens more slowly and with more steps than you ever imagined. The best approach is to plan and think ahead, preferably over a period of time to solidify your thoughts and carry out your plan. Change is just another opportunity around the corner. Businesses and people need to change every 5-7 years. They need to grow a new branch on the tree or ignite a new interest, hobby, non-profit endeavor or passion. Here are 4 qucik steps to get you started.

1 Start a log book with dates and record your thoughts and aspirations. Even if some musings seem out of the box, record and date them. Make 2 or 3 entries weekly and take note of your progress and evolution as it happens. What changes do you want to make? Has your medium or long term vision changed?

2 Make a list of these groups and your role in them. Identify your role and contributions in past organizations that you have been involved with. Rank these in order of most fulfilling experiences. Describe conferences you have attended and what you learned from them. Is it time to reconnect with some of these groups or people?

3 Identify industries that are being changed by technology, globalization, consolidation, or obsolescence. Find out what is happening to smaller companies. Write down 5 opportunities that are emerging because of these opportunities. Are there trade shows or events for industries that you normally don’t attend coming up?

4 Develop a network of contacts to help you with this reinvention process.
Identify and engage key partners in the process. Share your thoughts and plans on a regular and periodic basis with colleagues, managers you admire in several companies, and a select group of family and friends. Have you set up a mastermind group or engaged a coach to be your sounding board? Are you accountable to anyone to make this process happen?

4 Adopt the REINVENT paradigm can provide the framework and help get you there faster and with better results ….Reach for more; Energize yourself; Investigate options; Never step back; Vision rules; Emphasize opportunities; Nurture your contacts; and your
Talents will emerge. More on this in another article.

Microlending (MED)

2006-10-27T14:58:00.000-07:00

Dear Business Leaders

Attached is a recent story (without pictures)in the Fairfield County Business Journal (October 2, 2006) on a Microlending project (MED) in Ecuador that I am working on that I thought would be of interest.

We can apply our skills and talents in many ways. Hope to catch up with you soon.

When you call your business "The Success Coach," those are some rather strong words to live up to, but one look at Doug Campbell’s accomplishments and it’s easy to see why he earns that moniker.

After a string of five successful startups and five years spent with a Fortune 100 in strategic planning and as a marketing director, Campbell knows how to launch a business and take it to the next level.

"I have been a success coach and a CEO coach for about 10 years," the 53-year-old Darien resident said. "I had taught for 10 years before that for MBAs and undergraduate classes. I started the entrepreneur courses program at Sacred Heart University and I have started five businesses so I have always been interested in entrepreneurs and people building businesses."

In his current job as an executive coach, he helps grow an entrepreneurial company or reinvent an established one. Clients have included everyone from Boardroom Reports (in Greenwich) to Nat Nast Clothing (in Wilton) to LeBlanc Communications (in Norwalk).

"I serve as an advisor and help with four broad areas: strategy, marketing, people (such as hiring and training) and finding the right resource such as a person needing a small-business lawyer."

Campbell also does team building and strategy retreats, speaks at multiple trade associations and universities and owns a tutoring business, in Darien, along with his wife, Gwynne, now going on its 22nd year.

When not in the midst of helping executives reach their potential, Campbell spends time volunteering as part of a not-for-profit micro-lending organization in Darien that has done wonders for the economy of Ecuador.

The Fairfield County Microenterprise Council is now in its seventh year and is comprised of about 25 families who have helped thousands of people start businesses in Ecuador.

"What we do is we donate time and money, but we probably take four to five trips a year with a group of people to provide advice and consult," he said. "I’ve been to Ecuador twice now and what we’re doing is basically providing some seed capital to help them start a business … let’s call it a bank, although we’re lending to people who couldn’t borrow from banks and also providing advice for management and the people there."

The area that they concentrate on is called Ogdabalo, which is a volcanic area with a population of about 100,000 and is known as a very talented craft culture and visited by tourists from all over. They have a famous market where most of the businesses they help sell their wares.

"A lot of people we are lending to are making guitars or braided shirts or belts or all kinds of craft material," Campbell said. "They can make it and sell in the market and make enough money in one weekend to pay off their loan for that month. It’s fun to go see them and I’ve bought a lot of things that they have made for my kids."

Since its inception, the council has seen the portfolio in Ecuador grow from $150,000 to $3.4 million.

"We figured that for every person we help start a business, it probably helps five additional people and we’ve done 8,000 so it’s about 40,000 people whose lives have changed," Campbell said.

They also work in conjunction with Worldvision which does a lot for economic development and also supplies a country representative who helps choose those who will get the loans. Recently, the council added two more countries: Chile and the Dominican Republic.

Helping others start businesses was obviously a draw for someone with Campbell’s background, but there was an international component that interested him as well.

"In a previous life I had studied in Spain in college, I wrote a book on international law and I worked for the United Nations so I spent four to five years in the international world and I love the Spanish culture so it really caught my attention internationally again," he said. "It’s been a wonderful learning experience."

On one trip a few years ago, Campbell took his then 17-year-old daughter Caroline with him to visit some of the people who they were helping. He says the people of Ecuador were so grateful and opened up their homes to them.

"What I’ve gotten out of this has been tremendous," he said. "To see how such a small token of effort has changed people’s lives. They are so appreciative and so grateful and even though here’s someone who may not read or write, he’s making a good living and the kids help, so there’s a lot of pride there. It’s an extraordinary business."

http://www.fairfieldcbj.com/archive/100206/1002060012.php

All the best.

Ecommerce and Dotcoms are Back

2006-05-10T11:37:00.000-07:00

Ecommerce and Dotcoms are Back

In the mid 1990s Priceline, Amazon, and Ebay were on the cover of Business Week. BW asked “will they make it?” Can they survive as “new” business models? The answers have now all come in. Since then, Ebay and Amazon have grown exponentially and become leaders in their markets, and Norwalk-based Priceline now has its highest stock price since mid 2004, and its profits are growing.
Six years ago when I was working as an Executive/CEO Coach for several dotcom clients, two companies, that didn’t make it, even convinced me to take a piece of the company. They were run by talented leaders, but the market and the revenue model just didn’t develop fast enough. They fought hard, but many companies with great ideas and people didn’t survive. Some received too much money and spent it unwisely due the boom. Some were ahead of the market; others couldn’t find enough paying clients.
Only recently have dotcoms come back to the forefront for me and in the business world. It is now acceptable to say you are a dotcom or to add the dotcom back to your business name (which you may have dropped). Several recent projects include advising a dotcom company with explosive growth potential on their VC presentation in an effort to raise an additional $3-5 million, working with another one that is growing 40% per year on a sale/merger, and heading up a board of advisors for another small dotcom (that has been growing since 1999) that just received a group purchase patent that we are licensing. In addition, I just received a call (and email) to speak on Ecommerce in June.
Whether you have been paying attention or not, there are numerous success stories in Connecticut, and several models continue to grow. I met yesterday with a food company that sold over $100,000 on the web out of several million in total sales, and they are just getting started. I ran another meeting with a leading executive information company, now with 40 employees, that is growing solidly.
Even if you are with a large company, there may be opportunities. Several years ago, I had a client who helped launch Weight Watchers online business which had $9 million in sales in its first year. Not only did this effort surprise many executives in the company, but it brought out a whole new underserved market i.e. men who wanted to lose weight, but didn’t want to go to meetings.
What opportunities are you missing with your company? Have you used the latest search optimization techniques? Do you have a dedicated focus for this area of your business?
Many websites today should move from being a brochure to being an ecommerce website, particularly if you are selling products. It can be more efficient for small orders and requires less processing time. It can also generate a new wave of clients who get to know your company, even though they may be in different geographic areas or countries. The time to act on this challenge or rededicate your efforts is now.

Douglas Campbell III (www.thesuccesscoach.com) facilitates strategy and team-building meetings for companies to build effective and strong management teams. As an executive/CEO coach, he works with business owners in the areas of strategy and vision, marketing and business development, and team building to move businesses to the next level. He has started 5 businesses, taught undergraduates and MBA students, was Director of Marketing for a Fortune 100, writes for several newspapers, and is a member of the National Speaker’s Association.

Being Sandwiched When You Run a Small Business

2006-04-25T06:26:00.000-07:00

I haven't written in a while. My life and my family's life were interrupted this fall and this winter. Let me explain. I finally started talking about it to friends and business owners. Many people are facing similar challenges even though it rarely gets talked about. This fall my daughter, who is doing very well now, spent 3 weeks in the hospital in Pennsylvania with an autoimmune issue- the first 3 weeks of her sophomore year in college. she ultimately had to drop 2 classes, couldn't try out for a sorority, and has only now recovered 85%+ of her strength. It was exhausting to make 5 trips, spend 8 nights and deal with multiple doctors from afar.

In late January my uncle who is in Rhode Island ( I am the closest relative) finally succumbed to leukemia after a 2+ year fight and 3 hospitalizations. There were numerous trips up for the day or night sometimes on only several hours notice. My brother and I set aside 3 days to plan the service and arrangements. We made endless phone calls and sent emails almost daily to keep everyone up to date. The night he died we found out my father-in-law had a stroke, and this set off a whole chain of events for my wife - visiting Oregon, managing the health care from Connecticut, moving out of their house of over 40 years. Very demanding!

Lots of good has come out of these challenges, however. We have a closer knit family that is now in regular communication. We have celebrated several family get togethers and renewed acquaintances. There have been highs and lows. Yes, the businesses (Sylvan Learning Center in Darien and The Success Coach) have suffered at times due to lack of focus and less business development.

Interruptions are a part of life, particularly when you are in mid 40s to mid 50s. For many people these are the peak earning years. They may also be coupled with college expenses for your kids and maybe providing emotional and financial support for your parents or other relatives. You have to respond to the highest need with a positive attitude and dig in to solve problems. Many times you are making decisions you have never faced before. Use your business communication skills and reach out to move decisions along or lead the charge. It isn't easy, but you have been making business decisions daily and know how to do it. Don't be afraid to step up. Interruptions and new challenges, even if there are family or health related, will create personal growth for you. They will strengthen you as a person, and some of what you learn can be applied to employees, clients, and vendors.

A Good Time to Reinvent, Review and Plan Ahead

2005-12-27T11:22:00.000-08:00

It can be a very busy time of year for some businesses and professions, but it always important to set SMART goals. Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Timely goals for the coming year. These can be "big stretch goals' such as a new client in the premium garage door business who in 2006 wants to buy a building, move to a new location, and double his business in 4 years - about 19% per year growth. I met with a future client in Boston who is only 5 years old in the mortgage business and now has 22 employees and close to $4 million in sales. He plans to open 8-10 new offices in 4 years and grow to $15 million - very doable, but we need to work on his key employees, build his team, get stronger commitment to the company, and strengthen his management skills (which are already very good) to get there. ..... It is an exciting!!!! time of the year - set your future direction for 2006 now.

Sylvan-Darien Celebrates 20 Years Officially

2005-11-28T07:20:00.000-08:00

We hosted a community event on Improving Your Reading & Efficient Reading Techniques with a professional presenter. It was very well recieved, and even the kids learned a great deal from the program. How twenty years goes by! From 2 programs to 9. 2 Locations. New computers and technology to manage the business. Out teachers have close to 200 years working for us even though for many it is part time and thier second job after the classroom. - a testament to Gwynne and her excellent people skills. Email inquiries, although not committed inquiries about individualized turoing programs. Success in all shapes and forms as our former students graduate form the Naval Academy, Georgetown, Princeton, Duke and other major schools.
We also dined with 15 teachers and their S.O.s at our house just before Thanksgiving. Every summer and in November we celebrate with everyone. A fine time was had by all, and the loyalty of our team is unparallled.

Scotland in September

2005-10-11T17:00:00.000-07:00

We just spent 10 days in London and Scotland touring castles, visiting the Standing Stones, venturing out to Iona, the birthplace of Christianity on the west coast, and enjoying the people and ways of the Scots. We also played golf at several locations and stayed at Troon - one of golf's truly great settings. A visit to Turnberry revealed the history of that august club where Tom Watson (1977), Greg Norman (1986) and Nick Price (1994) won British Opens. It was beautifully photgraphed and recored.

One day my wife, Gwynne and I played in 45 mph winds along the coast - classic Scottish golf. The first 4 downwind holes were manageable, but when it started to rain fiercely coming back into the wind the going got rough. We relied on a very knowledgeable caddy, just like you might in small business, and we fought through 9 holes. Alas, the conditions were too much - after 9 the pants were soaked. After 10 holes the shoes were drenched, and after 11 we were bck in the clubhouse. It was the worst day of the year for the course. They dried our clothes, we had hot soup, and 2 days later we were back out on the course. Sometimes in your own business, you have to regroup; accept less, rethink, reenergize, adn then get back in the game.

Jim Blasingame - The Small Business Advocate

2005-08-16T12:27:00.000-07:00

I was recently on Jim's national radio show (http://jbsba.com/) for the third time as part of his "brain" trust - his words not mine. Jim is colorful, knowledgeable and brings a great understanding of small business to his daily show. He has interviewed many of the very best like Jack Canfield, Ted Fishman, and numerous others. His down home Alabama perspective adds just the right seasoning to his thoughtful and provocative interviewing style. To listen to my interviews or check out the site, take the time to visit and learn (listen now; archives, motivational 8/1/5; 3/30/5; 11/24/40 or search for campbell or another speaker you admire at the bottom of the page.

The Redwood Grove

2005-08-02T06:27:00.000-07:00

I just spent 10 days under the towering Redwoods a couple hours north of San Francisco. The mix of great speakers from major California universities, presentations by business and political leaders, and a host of performances by grove members and other well known musicions made it a most unique encampment. There was a fascinating group of people from around the country - with a range of interests and expertises. It was wonderful professional and personal development. For example, the president of Cal Tech spoke on viruses, Steve Miller and Jimmy Buffet played music several times, and a descendent of the family that created Tobasco sauce spoke on peppers among many others. Truly a special excursion.

Altamira in Westport CT Roars Ahead

2005-08-02T06:07:00.000-07:00

Richard Rapp launched the Westport office of Altamira (www.thinkaltamira.com) less than one year ago. We just completed a forward-looking team meeting with everyone participating that was very successful. There are now 6 employees and several key partners that are helping build the thriving business. The company was just nominated for 5 awards at a recent conference, and the goal is to double the business in the next 12-18 months.
Key steps along the way included aligning the team - getting everyone on the same page with the right attitude; building up a strong number two (Chris Swee) to run the dialy operations of the company allowing Richard to focus on new clients, and a fun, content-rich team building event six months after the office was officially opened. It has been a great ride. Check them out.

20 Years at Sylvan Learning Center in Darien CT

2005-07-06T07:08:00.000-07:00

While I have started 5 businesses, Sylvan-Darien (203-655-3276) www.educate.com which I launched with my wife Gwynne in late 1984 and opened officially in 1985 is coming up this fall for a big celebration. We have tutored thousands of students and worked with over 200+ schools. We were the first Sylvan (professional tutoring center) on the east coast. I also helped launch Sylvan's national advertising before we could afford TV, and today we have numerous competitors.
What should we do this fall to celebrate and highlight our mission?
1 Have a vetriloquist perform. 2 Offer a speed reading expert 3 Have a nationally known speaker address educational challenges we face today ....... your thoughts are welcome

Abby Marks Beale & Rev It Up Reading!

2005-06-29T09:42:00.000-07:00

Abby is a pro. She has written 3 books and run hundreds of classes on how to read faster and more efficiently (http://www.readmorefaster.com. Now she is launching courses in NY and Boston this fall to teach you the proven techniques she had been sharing with large companies for over a decade. Be on the lookout for these excitng programs. Abby also has another claim to fame, as President of the Connecticut chapter of the National Speakers Association, she officially launched the full fledged NSA chapter in 2004.

Ted Fishman & China Inc, the bestseller

2005-06-28T06:27:00.000-07:00

Ted Fishman, a new coaching client, ( http://www.leadingauthorities.com/23866/Fishman_Ted.htm) has written a best-selling book called China Inc. - at one time #11 on the New York Times best seller list. He spent 2 years researching China and how the goings on over there are impacting the US, manufacturing in Wisconsin, farming in Illinois, major trends in china such as rural to city migration, piracy, competition and cultural issues to mention a few. It is an important read to frame and understand this all-encompassing relationship. I highly recommend the book. We just had a book club discussion and 6 members of the groups had lived in or visited China multiple times - very interesting back and forth on the future of this relationship with our partner and competitor!

TEC for CEOs

2005-06-28T05:59:00.000-07:00

I have been in discussions with www.teconline.com about chairing a group of CEOs. TEC works with over 11,000 CEOs in groups around the world. It has a very detailed and informative website with extensive resources for members. This would be an extension on my High Talent Creative group which provides a meaningful outlet for studying business models and cross fertilization of ideas. TEC companies are larger companies ($3-4 mil +) which gain from a shared review and the collective wisdom of a group of CEO confidents. TEC also has excellent knowledgeable speakers. There is also a group for Emerging Entrepreneurs that are smaller in size, but growing.

The Success Coach blog philosophy

2005-05-19T10:45:00.000-07:00

Many people cut and paste into their blogs. It is easy to do and creates links or ramps up the google search engine. It may also create considerable traffic and keep peopl;e informed on a topic. My writings are thoughts and ideas to grow and launch your business. I also want to capture the ideas of key speakers and entrepreneurs I have heard and met in person i.e. I un derstand their expertise and what is important to them.
I recently met Alan Seale (www.alanseale.com) and participated in a revolutionary coaching program of his. He focuses on using energy adn intuition to achieve breakthroughs and transformation.

Working Solo & Terri Lonier

2005-05-19T10:37:00.000-07:00

Terri Lonier (www.workingsolo.com) wrote her first book in the mid 90s on SOHO (small office home office). I had a chance to catch up over dinner and hear her speak to the Entrepreneurial Women's Network (www.ewn-ct.org). She offered 7 tips for business owners in their growth and development journey. 1) make it up (and make it happen) 2) get clear (on what you do and how you do it 3) speak your mind (clients want you to do this 4) learn to say no to others (not easy or natural for some people) 5) self confidence is the currency of self employment 6) think profits, not gross 70 feed you head (continue to learn). Great ideas to chew on.

Cruice Financial Organization (CFO) and Larry Kudlow

2005-04-08T12:35:00.000-07:00

Cruice Financial Organization (CFO) (www.cruicefinancial.com) reached new heights last night. I have been coaching the money management and financial planning firm for over 10 years. we have grown continually with more clients, better reporting and new technologies to better serve clients. Last night we had Larry Kudlow (www.larrykudlow.com) - journalist, author, TV show host, et. al. - speak to clients, partners and guests in a private dinner. It was a smash hit! He was insightful, eloquent, and very knowledgeable.
CFO also launched its new look, new key employees, and the coming Cruice Opportunity Fund. We planned and refined this event for over two months. Way to go Jay!

Ted Fishman's China Inc book

2005-04-08T12:22:00.000-07:00

Before The Stamford CT Trade and Investment Conference last week I had dinner with chairman Gene Rostov and with Ted Fishman , the keynote speaker. (http://www.leadingauthorities.com/23866/Fishman_Ted.htm)
Ted, an accomplished journalist, spent two years researching how China impacts every aspect and part of the US. He outlined 5 major issues and handled questions with great insights. The issues and discussion are front of mind, and we have scheduled a book club discussion to dig into the issues. Ted will be available by phone to give us further insights.
How big a competitor and partner is China? Is is similar to the Japan threat 25 years ago? How do we respond?

Reinventing your business

2005-04-06T09:42:00.000-07:00

I recently hosted a webinar on Execunet (www.execunet.com) on "Reinventing your business and your career." This is a constant challenge for any business owner ... even more pointedly with global competition, better educated consumers, rapidly changing technologies. etc. you get the idea.
I also was on Jim Blasingame's national small business radio show speaking about reinventing your business (www.jbsba.com) ; go to listen; archives; inspirational and motivational; dates
3/30/5 (and also 11/24/4).
This is a key topic for business owners. Listen and send in your thoughts.

Key elements for highly successful coachees

2005-03-10T14:05:00.000-08:00

Key elements for highly successful coachees:

Living and working with the right attitude
Developing and reinforcing excellent communication skills
Creative solutions and actions to solve nagging problems
Creating forward momentum for the coachee and his/her team (or peers) and clients/vendors
Aligning goals, energy, enthusiasm and your network to leverage new growth and opportunities
Be open to new ideas and approaches
Regular meetings with a coach who challenges and stretches the coachee

Top performing executives and athletes have coaches.

Network More “Effectively” and “Enjoy the Experience”

2005-01-27T18:30:00.000-08:00

25 Ways to Network More “Effectively” and “Enjoy the Experience”

As the number of options for networking continues to grow in the business and non profit world, a coherent strategy is more important than ever. As you read this, circle the five ideas that make the most sense to you – and implement them today.
* Set up realistic goals when you attend a meeting. Meaningful conversations with 2 or 3 people are frequently a goal for me.
* Take a networking quiz to assess where you are and how difficult networking is for you.
* Write down the 10 things people should know about you.
* Craft an appropriate message or commercial with several lengths that people will remember.
* Honor business cards. Look closely at the card, and make notes on the back of the card to remind you of the date, event, what you discussed, and any follow-up action you need to take.
* Call people you have met that you would like to share ideas over coffee even if they only partially overlap with you business. Partnerships come from all directions.
* If you meet someone that you have previously met, learn and record 1 or 2 new pieces of information about them – family, interests, recent travel, etc.
* Join networking groups, especially if you are starting out, that fit your schedule. There are groups that meet in the morning, at lunch, or in the evening. The size of the group may also be important.
* Get in a leadership position in a civic group such as Rotary, Kiwanis, Lions or another group. You will meet city and community leaders and learn about local happenings.
* Join a committee in your local chamber that plans or develops events. There is also an ambassadors committee which welcomes new members. I ran the Small Business Council and launched several new programs for business owners in a local chamber.
* Join a second or third chamber to expand your reach and meet new people.
* Work for a local non profit cause that is important to you. You are giving back, and you will be visible at their annual events.
* Develop a list of 50-100 types of professionals you need to know to expand your business or organization. Systematically work to meet them.
* Attend meetings of trade associations where you will meet or see them, even if you only can make it once or twice a year.
* Check the Sunday papers for a list of the events coming up in the coming weeks.
* Call people you know who are in the media and congratulate them. They are glad to reconnect.
* Nurture relationships with editors and writers at events you attend. Share ideas or thoughts with them to provoke their thought process.
* Write practical articles for the paper with a byline and contact information at the end of the article.
* Teach a course at a university. This positions you as an expert, and you will learn from the process.
* Run a teleclass (teleclass.com) on a topic of interest where you can share your knowledge.
* Visit trade shows such as the automobile, toy, gift or software shows, for new contacts/ideas.
* Read a new book on networking every year and save them as references. I like Power Networking by Vilas & Donna Fisher (1992) and Make Your Contacts Count by Baber & Waymon (2002).
* Join or set up a mastermind group with your peers that meets at least monthly. A friend who is a professional speaker meets every month with 4 other speakers from New York and Massachusetts for a day.
* Set up your own networking group and make it unique. I have a group that meets with leading entrepreneurs, authors and speakers in the area.
* Engage in a debating society to sharpen your mind and meet people in a different setting.

Networking is a discipline that you have to work at continuously. Challenge yourself to give, give and give and help others. You and your business will be paid back with abundance.

Doug (www.thesuccesscoach.com) works with innovative business owners and independent professionals who want to grow their business and with company executives who want to develop empowered and cohesive management teams. His experience includes building 5 businesses and as Director of Marketing for a Fortune 100 company. He speaks on leadership, team building, strategy and innovation.

Blogging is here!

2005-01-13T13:12:00.000-08:00

I heard Steve Rubel speak on blogging. He works for a PR agency and runs www.micropersuasion.com and gets over 2000 visitors a day. He had many useful insights into this emerging world. A key one for me is that a rapidly increasing number of people are getting their information from blogs as a first source or frequent source. It reminds me of the first internet patent given to priceline for its bidding system for airline tickets - it gave the power to the buyer just as blogging is giving the voice to the consumer. there are obviously numerous issues to be sorted out such as quality, legal issues, truthfulness, etc. Another example of the Wild Wild West of new technology that is sorting itself out. Westport CT ( called westport now - not sure of the address) has a widely admired blog becuae it is run by a journalist and has 3 dedicated volunteers ensuring the highest quality. Www.americantowns.com is also doing some innovative things in local search and in the blog area in some of its 86 towns ( working closely Westport Now and in Staten Island among many towns).

What is success?

2004-12-09T14:07:00.000-08:00

I was having breakfast yesterday morning with Steve White, a close friend, and we focused on this question. There are obviously many answers depending on the person (or company or organization ) involved. Success has a personal answer for each and every one of us, and the answers vary from day to night. In the future I will write more extensively on this, but there are 4 stagesof success that are usually common to everyone.

1 Happiness & Satsifaction - enjoy your life and work; be productive and challenged
2 Recognition & Achievement - be recognized by others for your role and contributions; achieving goals and levels of success that are menaingful for you
3 Signifiance & Impactfulness - at some stage giving back and helping others rises to the top of your goals; giving back to society and the betterment of society and/or the world
4 Legacy & Lasting Impression - you do touch a lot of people and today there are more ways than ever to capture people and their ideas, humor and personality on tape or video to share with future generations; some focus on leaving a lasting legacy such as a building or funded program

Six Fundamentals of Success

2004-11-15T06:18:00.000-08:00

The tagline I like to add to my emails is "Success is an ongoing journey, not a destination." From Stuart Levine's book here are six tenets of success.

1) Add value in all that you do. As an executive coach for small business owners, I constantly search for ways to add value. If you work in a larger organization, don't coast or lose your focus, it will catch up to you.
2) Communicate up, down, inside and outside. You can't be dressed down for overcommunicating. The number one skill of top managers is communication, not raw intelligence or even hard work.
3)Know how to deliver results. Use a planning worksheet for new projects. Make notes next to the major categories: objectives, measuring success, inclusion, relevant facts, communication and the plan. Set criteria and details for each of these six areas.
4) Integrity should be constant in your life and work. If it isn't, it will catch up with you. While those who break rules make headlines, eighty+ times as many people always display care. attention, honesty, helping others, being straightforward i.e. high integrity.
5) Invest in relationships. Use one-on-one coaching to help key employees move ahead. Write down what he/she does well and what he/she needs to work on. then choose three things to work on and set a goal for each. Touch base and step in if you see they need encouragement.
6) Gain perspective. Know what you want. On five-by-seven index cards write down what you want five years from now. Rank all of them in order of importance (one for very to six for least important). Put the top goal on top and keep it in the front of your mind.

Success is being open to new ideas and approaches. It is also defining and focusing on goals until you make them happen. This is a good framework to keep moving forward in your life and your work.

Teams & Communication

2004-10-27T13:33:00.000-07:00

Two recent team building workshops I conducted for small companies ( 5 & 6 employees) reinforced how crucial it is to bring everyone together and review your vision and the role everyone plays in the process. Communication does not always flow on the same plain or at the same altitude, and it certainly is not always understood in the same way. How broad is the perspective of the employee or subcontractor? Are they thinking about the impact of their work on the client relationship? How does their work fit in the continuum of what is being delivered to the client?
An experienced facilitator can draw everyone out to get a range of opinions and insights. This can be of value to the CEO/founder. He/she can also frame the issues with a broad brush to focus on what went wrong and how to improve the processes to order materials or get the work done.
In both cases, the "team" wants to meet on a regular basis and improve the flow of information between key people in the compnay.

Career Reinvention

2004-10-26T06:51:00.000-07:00

I met with an intersesting company that is raising capital to launch a comprehensive career and mid-career assessment process. They have attracted a wealth of talented advisors and experts and developed a 6 part comprehensive model to make the process clear and easy, although time-consuming.

Career is a dated term. When I was in business school in the late 70s (ugh!), everyone wanted to work in consulting or investment banking or for a fast-growing company. There was stability in the job, company or career. A classmate and I launched the Entrepreneur's Club which now has over a third of the 2005 class as members. You are a bundle of skills that is more valuable to several companies than only one in most cases. There is more stability in lifelong learning and skill development than allegiance to the company or company politics just like in sports. The average number of "careers" is eight now. Plan and act with this model in mind.

Small Business Trends and How to Take Advantage of Them

2004-10-25T13:41:00.000-07:00

Small Business Trends and How to Take Advantage of Them

By Douglas Campbell III

Since I have been fortunate to work with dozens of companies across a range of industries, I was reflecting on meaningful advice to help small businesses grow. Follow the emerging trend and be early. I have started 5 businesses that were in the adoption stage. Whether it was a child portrait business when I was in college or becoming a recognized expert on the oceans and co-authoring a textbook in the mid 1970s after college, I have always sensed trends early and plunged in. Here are some stories and insights from these experiences.
When my wife, Gwynne, and I started Sylvan Learning Center in Darien in 1984, there were a handful of centers in the northwest. A professional learning center that was diagnostic-prescriptive and focused on math and reading skills specific to each child was new concept. Research supported the need for Sylvan. A national report in 1983 emphasized weak basic skills, discussions with educators were favorable, and parents wanted the resources, educational materials, national educational leaders and technologies Sylvan had to offer to support its 1:1 tutoring. Today there are over 900 centers, and half are students are in study skills, writing or SAT enrichment courses. Virtually every parent knows Sylvan through its national advertising, and our teachers, who have come from every school system in southwestern Connecticut, have changed numerous lives.
Business Coaching was virtually unheard of in 1996 when I was first exploring the field. After teaching MBAs for 10 years, I was looking for the next challenge. I was invited to offer several workshops at the International Coaching Federation Annual Conference in Houston. The other coaches I met there were similar in background – knowledgeable, successful in several ventures and ready to give back and help others. Validation is powerful when it is complete. When I ran Sylvan in its early years, I met with 3-4 other business owners every week to discuss software packages, marketing in Fairfield County, and other timely issues. Today the business owner frequently stands alone on a mountaintop. They inevitably can’t turn to their spouse for support and ideas for lack of time or interest, and their neighborhood and longtime friends are too busy with their own ventures. A key experienced coach “who has been there” can act as a sounding board, share the truth, and serve the many roles that a professional sports coach provides for a high-performing athlete.
Choyce Peterson is a new business model I have recently come in contact with. They are real estate professionals who serve only tenants in lease renewal and finding new space. Since they specialize, they know issues inside and out – a detailed comparison of space options architects, telecommunications and computing needs- all at no cost to the tenant because the landlord pays them. Roger Staubach has built a sizeable tenant representative firm in Dallas and the surrounding area. The business model makes sense and is a win-win. While Choyce Peterson is relatively new to Fairfield and Westchester counties, they have a talented team that has worked locally and nationally. There is no conflict of interest in representing both tenants and landlords. They can save companies time and money and help tenants make more informed real estate decisions. Currently, 95% of tenants who renew with their landlord don’t use a tenant representative and usually take the deal they are offered. As time passes, it is inevitable that tenants will bring in professionals to “get a better deal and be better informed.” An additional benefit is less time commitment by tetants and no cost to them. Real estate decisions are one of the biggest business investments tenants make, professional advice and representation are a win-win.
In summary, set aside time to see and view new trends. Read publications in your industry and also on the future. Do research, get validation, and find a business model that is a win-win. Don’t be afraid to “think outside of the box” and try new approaches to find new opportunities for your company, they can pay off bigtime.

Douglas Campbell III (www.thesuccesscoach.com) facilitates team-building and creativity workshops for companies to build effective management teams. As a business coach, he works to find creative solutions to help entrepreneurs grow their businesses. Additionally, his set of experiences include starting 5 businesses, teaching undergraduates and MBA students, serving as Director of Marketing for a Fortune 100, writing for several newspapers and speaking on a range of business topics.

How to Handle Competition

2004-10-25T13:24:00.000-07:00

Competition: How should you handle it?

By Douglas Campbell III, The Success Coach

Is the number of competitors in your space growing? If not, will this happen in the future? What stage of the business cycle is your business in today? Or are you in a staid and stable business?

We all have fears about competition, but without “solid” competition, your market may not be validated. When my wife, Gwynne, and I started the first Sylvan Learning Center in Darien on the East Coast in 1984, we constantly faced the challenge of explaining what a professional tutoring center is and what it can do for kids. Now with national TV advertising and a track record with thousands of success stories helping kids catch up, get ahead, and, most importantly, feel good about learning and themselves, we face competitors on every front. They are in church basements, in large group classes, always sitting in front of a computer software program, or working in a tutor’s kitchen. We have always focused on one-to-one instruction with certified teachers in a professional learning environment. We visit schools and sit in on parent-teacher conferences, and most of all we get outstanding results. In fact, Sylvan has a stronger leadership position today than it has ever had. For the most part, we have ignored the competition and focused on what we do best, and it has worked.

Here are 17 grounded questions and answers to develop a plan to respond to your competition:

· Periodically evaluate where your business is now – Know where are you on the product life cycle (PLC) and where are your competitors on the PLC. Know how fast your market is growing. Be clear on what new markets are you going to get into. Answers to these questions will provide you with an overview of the importance of competition.

· Study competitive strategies – Is it to skim (high prices and a small market share ) or to penetrate a market and obtain a large market share? Do you have interlocking partnerships with key companies whose services and products overlap or intermingle with yours? Will you put on a sales or advertising blitz for 4-6 weeks to gain “share of mind”? Are you blocking competitors through written agreements with clients, technology, or great customer service? Are you the expert speaking on your products and services?

· Work constantly to execute flawlessly on your company’s marketing plan – Is a clear marketing mix in place which “fits” your company? Are you differentiated in the marketplace and in your customer’s mind? Do you have a budget, plan and consistent message?

· Pass by and learn from the most common errors. Do you focus on where to compete instead of how to compete? Do you place enough emphasis on your uniqueness and continually reinforce it? Have you hired a business coach to help you define what your uniqueness is and how you can leverage it? Are you ready to compete when the time is right? Are you using appropriate and efficient performance measures?

The next year will be one where business and technology steadily rebound from their recent slowdown. There is more choice in markets today than ever before, and yet even more opportunities to find your niche and differentiate yourself and your company. Watch from afar and up close what your competition is doing, but don’t always respond right away. Many times the second or third player in the market is the long-term winner. You may be able to partner with competitors, so talk to them and explore ideas. And, yes, don’t be surprised if it is the case that your competitors aren’t worth all the attention you give them.

Douglas Campbell III (www.thesuccesscoach.com) facilitates team-building and creativity workshops for companies to build effective management teams. As a business coach, he works to find creative solutions to help entrepreneurs grow their businesses. Additionally, his set of experiences include starting 5 businesses, teaching undergraduates and MBA students, serving as Director of Marketing for a Fortune 100, writing for several newspapers and speaking on a range of business topics.