Success Is Not Just About the Cash

I went to an amazing seminar put on by the New York Entrepreneurs Business Network (NYEBN) in NYC about how to have our vendor table crowded with clamoring customers. Jessica of Shani Marketing gave specific tips about attraction marketing so I tried them out AND THEY WORK!!! Among other things, I made up a questionnaire about people’s lives asking specific questions to see if what my partner, Janet Cook, and I offer might help them accomplish specific health or wealth goals like having more natural energy, better nutrition, releasing toxins, restful sleep or extra income.

This questioning style worked well for me because I felt like Janet cared about what I wanted and was interested in helping me boost my energy in my second half century of life (as my brothers so kindly mentioned). As a welcome side effect, I have also let go of 14 pounds since March 20th. Wahoo! I really enjoy discovering who people are and celebrating what makes each one special. I am endlessly curious and remember small facts about people’s lives for ages. I share what is working for me as I would share a fantastic book or movie so I am unattached to the ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ and the relationship stays intact. As a result, people are joining our team and buying the products but it’s out of the caring not pushing a sale for cash. Doing what comes naturally…

Great Upcoming November NYC Networking & Business Meetings

Consider what you are looking for and find a group that matches that need. This listing of events demonstrates the rich variety of education, information, networking and fun available in NYC. I recommend www.meetup.com in any city as a start place to find great resources. NYC folks, many of these are meetings I attend monthly and I will not list those every month so make a note of meetings that appeal to you. Some are free and others have a nominal fee. Some require reservations or prepayment to attend. I have included the sources so please do your own research.

Monster NYC Job Fair (monster.com)
November 6, 2009 from 9am to 3pm
Marriott Marquis, 1535 Broadway, NYC
Register at monster.com (upload resume on site) or just show up

Sales Partners New York One-day Income Explosion Workshop
November 6, 2009 from 9am to 3pm - $297 except I have secured a special price of $97 and terms with ONEDAY code: Must register by Wed, November 4th at http://onedaytraining.eventbrite.com/
6-hour training on sales and building a team
1-hour one-on-one coaching with Ben & Dano of Sales Partners New York
Bring a colleague or friend with you
Get Little Voice Mastery book by Blair Singer, Rich Dad Advisor & business coach

Learn the # 1 Rule of Entrepreneurship
Know How to Make Millions Using Leverage
Have Complete Command and Understanding of the Marketing & Sales Process
Have A Bullet Proof Process For Identifying Your True Wants & How To Get Them
Learn Why Highest Energy Wins In Any Negotiation
Learn the Hidden Art of Negotiation:
The Ability to Handle Any Objection - Anytime, Anywhere, From Anyone
Have a 90-Day Cash Flow Explosion Plan To Implement Immediately
Receive an Exclusive Offer to Qualify For Our Wealth Warrior Program – the upsell

New York Entrepreneurs Business Network led by Andrew Ran Wong (Meetup.com)
November 4, 2009 from 9:15am to 1pm
Speaker Series 1: Skills You Need to Succeed in Your Business
Event Registration: $10/Person in advance or $20/Person at the door
Barnes & Noble, 3rd Floor, 1972 Broadway Ave, New York, NY 10023
How to find us "Find Us at the Registration Table"

November 12, 2009 at 6pm
NYEBN "Small Is the New Big" Networking Reception
$5.00 in advance/$10.00 @ entry
Broadway Comedy Club, 318 W 53rd St, New York, NY 10019

WS13 Viral Marketing Group led by Andrew Ran Wong (Meetup.com)
November 17, 2009 at 6:30pm
Almost Economically Viable with Personal Branding Guru, William Arruda
Price: $10.00 per person
Bongo West Village, 395 West St, New York, NY 10014

NYC BizNet Members led by Ilana (Meetup.com)
November 4, 2009 at 2pm
FREE WEBINAR ON "TWITTER FOR BUSINESS"
Online – register at https://www2.gotomeet...

November 11, 2009 at 6:30pm
NYC SMALL BUSINESS & ENTREPRENEUR NETWORKING RECEPTION
Madame X Lounge, 94 West Houston btwn Thompson & La Guardia Pl, NYC
This is a private home or office. "I'll be helping to check people in"

November 19, 2009 at 8am
2 FREE EMAIL MARKETING CLASSES WITH CONSTANT CONTACT
3 West Club, 3 West 51st St, NYC. This is a private home or office

Rich Dad Education - Launch Your Business
Two meetings a day, November 2-6, 2006
www.launchyourbusinessworkshop.com – Register for NY or NJ
How to raise capital for your business
Which business structure is right for you?
Powerful negotiating techniques
How to pay fewer taxes
Effective leadership styles
How to turn profits into more profits

GW Networking led by Phil Andrews & Georgia Woodbine
November 12, 2009 from 6:30-9:30pm
Admission $20.00 in advance or $25.00 at Door
Dallas BBQ, 27 W 72nd St, New York, NY 10023

The New York Small Business Breakfast Club (meetup.com)
October 29, 2009 at 7:30am (generally the 4th Thursday of every month)
$12 plus tip for breakfast
Chelsea Square Restaurant, 368 W 23rd St btwn 8th & 9th Ave, NYC

Savor the Success (www.savorthesuccess.com)
Tuesday, November 10 from 6:30pm to 9:00pm EST
Six Degrees of Separation NYC - TBD
Our popular Six Degrees of Separation events are fun, fresh, and focused events designed for the busy entrepreneur who doesn't have time to waste. Learn from a panel of experts and then connect through our Mastermind break-out groups where you get 7-8 minutes of the group "think-tanking" on YOUR behalf.

Savor the Success Holiday Party
Tuesday, December 8 from 7:30pm to 9:30pm EST NYC - TBD

Rich Dad NYC meetings led by Duane (www.RichDadNYC.com)
3rd Saturday of every month from 1-5pm usually
Monthly real estate investing meetings with education and assessment of deals
NY Junior High School 99, 410 E. 100th St (1st Ave btwn 99 & 100 St), Rm. 211, NYC

3rd Thursday of every month prior to Saturday meeting at 6pm
Cashflow 101 Game Night led by Al D
Sony Building, 550 Madison Ave (55th St), New York, NY 10022
Look for group in Public Atrium Area.hosted by Al D - visit NYC Cashflow for info

The REIA NYC Membership led by Ayeshah Lacey &Teresa Martin
November 7, 2009 – 9am to 5pm
Credit Education, Asset Protection & Networking
Member Price: $49.00 / Non-Members Price: $69.00
New York Marriott Marquis Times Square , 1535 Broadway, NYC
How to find us "I will be in the Gilbert Room with the big smile!!"

November 16, 2009 at 6:30pm
REIA NYC presents Short Sale & Marketing Workshop
Early Bird Price: Member: $69.00 / Non-Members: $99.00
Regular Price: Member: $89.00 / Non-Members: $119.00
TRAINING CENTER , 305 7TH AVE, 11TH FLOOR, NYC

November 19, 2009 at 6:30pm
REIA NYC - Mortgage Financing for Real Estate Investors
Early Bird Price: Member: $69.00 / Non-Members: $99.00
Regular Price: Member: $89.00 / Non-Members: $119.00
TRAINING CENTER , 305 7TH AVE, 11TH FLOOR, NYC

Two Steps Forward, One Step Back

In building my business, I KNOW what to do to make it successful. The question is, am I doing those things, or am I making excuses about why not?

1) Set written goals - numbers for the business (USD$ amount in sales;# of customers/referrals/downline members, etc.). Make a specific plan to make them happen. Be clear on the tracking and financials. Act and correct, keeping goals in mind daily, weekly, monthly, yearly, etc. Assess plan periodically and make adjustments as needed.
2) Make sales - directly or in partnership with other entrepreneurs
3) Build a team - choose people with complementary skills and strengths
4) Be organized - consistently make new contacts, follow up and close; order work space, contacts and schedule for effective action
5) Set up efficient systems - be clear about roles, responsibilities and timelines for each individual and the team as a whole to accomplish stated business goals

Off the top of my head, these are fundamentals as I build my successful business. Yesterday morning, I went to a very good Sales Partners meeting. And last night I had a phenomenal evening of networking at a meetup on Fifth Avenue, put on by Andrew Ran Wong who organizes NYEBN. I met many interesting people in different industries who were open to taking a look at my business or to referring others they know to take a look. Perfect! I made over 21 great professional contacts who would be wonderful additions to my team and/or potential customers, if they like the business opportunity and/or savings (Cool Links on left - AP Flex Plus).

This morning, I was meant to attend a meetup at 7:15 am (NOT a morning person), doing a spotlight for my business in front of 8 other entrepreneurs. But this morning, I hit the snooze alarm three times and slept through the whole thing. Aaargh! So this morning I have excuses instead of results - so far. I am discovering that it takes fortitude to keep on going and discipline to shift my habits to consistent action. I have a choice now to either give up on today or continue to invite new team members and customers to take a look, despite the fact that nothing, so far, has gone as planned. And the only failure is giving up.

In Maine one morning, I was crossing a sand flats that the tide revealed when it went out. Usually I had to go the long way around on the granite rocks. I spied a tiny crab, perhaps an inch wide at the width of its shell. As my shadow fell on it, the crab backed a step away from the giant. Then, raising its claws, it advanced two steps towards me.

I need to remember, even on a day when I hit the snooze button too many times, that two steps forward, one step back is still being in action and moving ahead - in my business and in life.

The Power of Defining Questions - 3 Tips

Everybody looks for answers but it is questions that shape lives. What questions are you asking to direct your job/work/career, relationships, retirement, giving back, etc.? Good questions allow you to dance with life. Bad ones and you will probably be pushed around by it instead.

1) Should I Ask Narrow or Broad Questions?
a) Narrow questions are for choosing between two to three options you have already decided to pursue. For example, shall I take a position with Microsoft at 80K or Apple at 90K? If salary is the only issue, you will wind up working at Apple.
But what if you like the corporate culture better, or they offered stock options on top or you saw more upward mobility at Microsoft? What would you choose then?

b) Broad questions are for matching what you want to be, do and have in your life with ALL the possible choices.
For example, if you have been downsized from your job and decide to pursue dreams of building a business, you have to figure out your niche.
What industry suits you - accounting, finance, sales, computers, environment, real estate, etc.?
How much money do you want to make and how fast?
How much time are you willing to invest?
Do you have sufficient capital to launch your start-up, how much is required and how long before you see a return?
Who will your customers be - individuals or companies, domestic or international, online, offline or both, people-centric or technology-centric?
What do the market trends indicate about your chosen path?

2) How Can I Make the Most Effective Distinctions?
Ask yourself,
What did I enjoy most in my various jobs (industry, activities, teamwork, culture, finance, marketing, etc.) or relationships (funny, smart, rich, tall, interesting, cultured, whatever)? What did I like least?
Where do I spend my time? Look there for your passionate commitments.
Who do I like spending time with and what qualities must be present?
In the balance between time and money, what do I need and want?
Where will I live (city, country, suburbs, hot or cold, etc.)?
What kind of lifestyle is important to me and my family?
When my life is in balance, what does or should it look like?

3) How Do I Develop Rainmaker Skills?
In life, unless you are in a stable job (which, in this economy, is a precarious certainty), it just makes sense to learn how to generate income and be able to be self-reliant and self-sufficient. Life is unpredictable, just ask the Bernie Madoff victims or the rank-and-file at Lehman Brothers or the employees at Enron. Fortunately, there are so many ways to do that with new technologies. Here we go again... asking questions.
Am I outgoing and extroverted so sales and making presentations is easy?
Am I introverted but very comfortable with Web 2.0 technologies, Internet and affiliate business online?
Each choice has pros and cons. The extrovert may want a back office tech person who could be in-person or virtual. The introvert will probably want to team up with somebody who can make direct sales.
Once you have made the proper distinctions, what do you need to learn to maximize your ability to make money?

In St. Exupery's The Little Prince, the fox tells the little prince that he is unique in all the world. I believe that is true of each of us. We all have a choice to make - to live into our fullness or not, to fulfill our goals and dreams or not. If we choose to shrink back from who we can be and what we have to contribute in the world, nobody can take our place.
What dreams lie in you, expectantly waiting to be realized in action?