Video Blog Book Review: Enchantment

Chatting with Guy before he went on stage at SXSW 2010

I can usually tell from the first few paragraphs if I am going to like a book by how enchanting it is. Guy Kawasaki (co-founder of Alltop, an online news magazine rack), has consistently enchanted me with his previous books, from "Art Of The Start" to "Reality Check" to his most recent release, "Enchantment, the Art of Changing Hearts, Minds, and Actions." The Enchanting Factor Guy is as enchanting in person as he is through the written word.   He is to the geek world what Beckham is to Soccer or Tiger Woods is to Golf. He's the Godfather of high-tech sales and « Continue »

Video Book Review: Poke The Box

BookReviewPokeTheBox

Are You Avoiding Failure? I recently finished reading, "Poke The Box" by one of my favorite speakers and authors, Seth Godin and I am very excited to share the highlights with you. Poke The Box is about failing and taking risks. It's about taking initiative and starting something. It's about taking your ideas and turning them into a reality. We live in a society where failing is discouraged. The problem with that mentality is it does not allow for taking risks. Starting a business is risky, but so is breathing. In other words, there are no guarantees in life. There is no such thing as « Continue »

5 Simple Reasons Why Action-Takers Get No Results

Are Your ACTIONS Taking You Nowhere?

Do you consider yourself an action taker? Are you a "Get 'Er Done" kinda gal? Yes?! Whoa, slow down there Cowgirl. Take your boots off and ponder this for a bit before you lasso your next checklist. As entrepreneurs, we naturally have a lot of energy and we like to expend it on our business.  But, we can waste a lot of time, money, and resources on  accomplishing very little to nothing at all. Here are 5 simple reasons why taking ACTION won't work. 1. You have no clear goal or no goal at all. When you have no vision or your vision is murky and undefined, you will find all your ACTION « Continue »

Do You Over-Complicate Your Business?

Brenda Horton and Guy Kawasaki at SXSWi 2009

Are You Confusing Your Customers? Oftentimes, as small business owners, we tend to over-complicate things. Too often we make our business much harder than it needs to be for ourselves and our customers. Here's why; "Lots of research in economics and psychology shows that when we know something, it becomes hard for us to imagine not knowing it.  As a result, we become lousy communicators. Think of a lawyer who can't give you a straight, comprehensible answer to a legal question.  His vast knowledge and experience render him unable to fathom how little you know. So, when he talks to you, « Continue »

10 Step Action Plan: How To Organize A Meetup Group

Nevada County Online Business Strategies Group

The  Power Of Local Meetups By nature, I am an extrovert.  I know it sounds crazy if you are an introvert, but being around people energizes me. I am naturally curious about other human beings and I have always thrived in social settings. [cincopa AgHADZqZQUt0] However, the work I do requires a tremendous amount of solitude, focused and uninterrupted time on my computer. Can you see the problem?  Introducing Meetup.com. Haven't heard of Meetup? Meetup.com's mission is to revitalize local community and help people around the world self-organize. No need to wait for some « Continue »