If I attend one more event or read one more article that states, “We need to be competitive in a global marketplace”, I may just shoot myself – metaphorically speaking of course. Enough already, we get it - now provide us with a nugget or two on what to do about it. To be fair there are many that are taking the bull by the horns and grappling for answers. In much of what I have been reading there a couple of words that seem to be appearing and reappearing.  One could even call them something of a success formula.

Belief and Passion. I’m big on quotes and here’s a couple that nail the premise. “Whether you think you can or you can’t you’re right,” by Henry Ford. And of course Nelson Mandela’s quote that adorned my e-mail signature for sometime, “ There is no passion to be found playing small - in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.”

So if you want to make your workplace better, heck if you want to make your life better perhaps it is time to re-discover that passion.

A researcher interviewed 1,500 graduating business school students about their careers: 1,245 said they were in it for the money, 255 were moving on to do something they cared about deeply. Twenty years later 101 of them were millionaires and all but one came from the 255 who had pursued what they love to do. When we are passionate about our work we are deeply engaged and as a result, able to overcome obstacles.

According to Dr. John Ratey in a User’s Guide to the Brain, “Any activity that gives us a sense of purpose and accomplishment, that makes us feel glad to be alive, can help us care for and feed our brain. Passion heals.”

We say we want creativity and innovation in the workplace and yet we continue to dump on the policies and procedures, micro-manage the how, and basically suck the being out of human being.

Are you getting the biggest bang from your NTI – aka networking time investment? If not, perhaps it’s time to invest in learning networking tools and techniques to grow your business.  And if you’re not a natural networker, fear not, research supports introverts can network “their way” and get results.

The session is Thurs. May 3 at 4:00 PM at the Holiday Inn Burlington Hotel.  It’s free for Burlington Chamber members (and a mere $10 for non members). To register go to http://www.burlingtonchamber.com/index.php/events-overview/seminars.html

If you’re a networking aficionado we’d love to hear what works for you, so come and share your success stories and help others craft their “elevator pitch” – a succinct and powerful statement that relays your unique competitive advantage. 

I look forward to seeing you there.

Cheers,
Shelley

We’ve all heard it, said it, wished for it and vowed to never forget it. Yet we get busy, have too much on our mind, develop the curse of knowledge and it becomes elusive. Of course I am referring to the all too familiar K.I.S.S. (aka keep it simple stupid) mantra.

In a complex world, it matters more today than ever before. And here’s why - according to research we are exposed to 3,000 marketing message per day, up from 1,500 in 1965. That’s a lot of info for the old cranium that according to evolutionary psychology hasn’t changed a whole lot since Homo sapiens replaced Neanderthals.

When it comes to jockeying for position in the market place and looking to get consumer’s to purchase your product over the competitions, here’s a couple of things to keep in mind.

1.   Beware of information overload – consumers deal with too much information by oversimplifying and shutting out what is not consistent with their knowledge and experience.

2.   Connect to the known with a twist – link to what consumers already believe. If you’re competing head to head with a competitor you may be better to “state the elephant in the room” rather than ignoring it. In the ‘70’s 7 Up positioned themselves as the Uncola and saw their market share soar.

3.   Understand their “little boxes” – the human brain relies on frames (little mental boxes we build in our mind) vs. facts to make decisions.  Our brain thinks in images – you say table; my mind’s eye conjures up a picture of a table. Your target customer has a bunch of little mental boxes they’ve erected that they’re measuring you against. Know the boxes and your probability of reaching them increases significantly.

Caring is a domain we often reserve or at the very least think of as an exclusive for close family and friends.  Check out the Hallmark section of any store at Valentine’s Day and you’ll find row upon row of sappy and smart, cute and catchy sonnets and sayings.

And yet caring has a profound impact in the workplace. Consider the following:

Leadership by Heart: A number of years ago the Center for Creative Leadership conducted an extensive three year study of the critical variables for leadership success. Interestingly enough the only statistically significant factor differentiating the very best leaders from the mediocre ones was caring.

Management Connection: A study of about 20,000 employees working in a wide range of jobs in Sweden, Finland, Germany, Poland, and Italy recently found that people who felt disconnected from their managers were more likely to get sick, miss work, or even suffer a heart attack.

Workplace Friends: Data released by Gallup in 2007 show that people who have a best friend at work are seven times as likely as others to be positively engaged with their jobs.

I could drone on and on with a bunch of really interesting scientific heart research. Like electrical changes in feelings transmitted by the human heart can be felt and measured at least five feet away and that the heart has a complex network of 40,000 nerve cells and a complex set of neuro transmitters, but I think you get the point.

Matters of the heart matter to human beings. At the end of the day, or beginning of every day not just Valentine’s Day, we work for, with and around people that need to know that, “Frankly my dear, you give a damn”.  Now for those of you that have the 10 foot radius personal space rule, I’m not suggesting you need to have a hug fest. What I am saying is you need to find your way of demonstrating to those around you that you care; whether that’s asking about their weekend, provided help with a tight deadline or simply being a really good listener.  You’ll find the act of caring is mutually beneficial and as an added bonus feel better yourself.

Would you like to learn about the Miracle Growth Formula? Would you like to learn how to create more buzz around you and your business?

If so, come meet other curious ladies and men entrepreneurs & owners at a FREE light lunch 'n learn event, being held at the McMaster Innovation Park.

See above to register & learn more about this exciting event! 

Entrepreneurially yours, 

Shelley McQuade

Register Here

If growing your business is one of your 2012 goals, there's nothing like networking to build relationships - (see under My Links on the left side - Events Calendar)

And according to research, relationships are one of the primary reasons people buy. If you're not sure where to start, perhaps I can be of some assistance (for those in the Halton Region).  Each month in 2012 I will provide an overview of upcoming events that may be of interest through a calendar on my blog www.getknowinggetgrowing.com. My recommendation is to attend any given associations' events at least a few times to access the ROTI (return on time invested) and how you can give and get value.

BTW, once again this year, I will be involved with the Women Entrepreneurship Series at McMaster Innovation Park (men are welcome) facilitating interactive sessions-discussions starting with the first session on Monday, Jan. 30th (more details to follow). I will also be providing a couple of sessions on networking through the Burlington Chamber of Commerce. So if you want to grow your business check out the calendar and get knowing, get growing! 

As we say sayonara to 2011 and usher in 2012 its prime time to consider the "3 re's"; re-focus, re-engage, re-commit. If what you did last year worked for you - great, keep doing more of that. If you want a different result make sure you are not living Einstein's definition of insanity "doing the same thing and expecting a different result."

Remember being a kid on Christmas morning. Lying in bed awake for what felt like hours until you could finally get up, race down the hall and see what Santa had left under the tree.

I have fond memories of Christmas mornings. One in particular when I was eight years old and got a shiny blue bike with a white banana seat.  My Dad patiently brought it outside and watched me go up and down the snow laden street with glee while my Mom watched out the window warning us of the cold and donning hot chocolate to warm us up.  There’s no doubt about it those early experiences shape who we are.

And for that reason and in honour of my Dad my holiday donation is going to Big Brothers Big Sisters.  My Dad was a big brother whose relationship with his little brother continued until he passed away this fall. Over the years my Dad took his little brother Vince under his wing; canoeing at the cottage, sharing in the joy of his Studebaker car he restored, and inspiring his artistic talent (which lead to self publishing two comic books).

As a big sister and now having the opportunity to work with Big Brothers Big Sisters I have witnessed firsthand the profound impact a caring adult has on a child. We often think of children on the other side of the world needing our help and while this is true, the kids in our own back yard need support too.  

So this holiday season, take a trip down memory lane and see Christmas with wonder through the eyes of a child and do your utmost to maintain that joy through 2012.

Best wishes to you and your family this holiday season,

Shelley

Is talk really cheap? Not when you consider effective communication is a proven money maker.

Join me at Halton Entrepreneurship Week on Tuesday, November 15th (see link below to register) to learn a simple communications formula that yields big returns.  

http://halton2011eweekbrandingandcommunication.eventbrite.com/

I hope to see you there!