CoolTeaWork

Hi Everyone,

I'm speaking at the first ever CoolTeaWork, an exciting event to introduce entrepreneurs to global markets, such as Shanghai, New Delhi, Hong Kong, Greece, etc. 

CoolTeaWork for Today's International Business Leaders

The Evening's Topic of Discussion

"How Can Today's Entrepreneurs Overcome the Challenges of the 

Current World Economic Crisis?"

* You are multicultural and/or have strong business relationships in the global market

• You beleive that the present world economic crisis presents challenges but also opportunities

• You know that the era of doing business will be led by those who collaborate with like-minded people for the good of all

Thursday, April 2nd, 2009

5:30-8 pm

By Invitation Only (Use my name when you RSVP)

Admission: $25

Cash Bar

CoolTeaWork New York

W Hotel - Audrey lounge

120 East 39th Street (park/Lex)

More info

http://www.coolteawork.fr/index.php?lang=en

Are You A Warrior or A Worrier?

I saw an ad recently entitled "Are You A Warrior or a Worrier?" Got me thinking.

Entrepreneurs are by definition risk-takers. I remember early in my career, working as a magazine Art Director and assigning freelancers thinking: "Wow! I could never do that. They are so hungry." Yet, a few years later that's exactly where I was, fire in my belly, excited at the new adventures in my career.

The recent economic roller coaster has surely thinned the ranks. Those of us still standing are in a better position to succeed because we're the best! But the question now  is ...

Am I a warrior or a worrier?

Worriers are immobilized. 

They batten the hatches and huddle in. 

They stop spending and seeking.

They dwell on the past.

Warriors are the opposite

They go where they haven't been before and find new resilience within.

They don't spend – they invest in their business.

They value intangible assets like branding and marketing, not just furniture and computers.

They are not afraid to sell themselves and don't take rejection personally.

They seek new opportunities ... which may be very different from the old ones.

They don't watch news broadcasts fostering fear.

They are eternal optimists and they make a contribution.

They know what they don't know. They find coaches and mentors for support.

They understand that missteps are part of the growth process and move on.

They do whatever it takes!

We are the recovery 

The founder of IBM said: "The formula for success is quite simple: double your rate of failure."

It's not up to TARP, TALF, banks, Wall Street or government. It's up to each of us who run a small business –  to lead, operate with integrity and fight the fear. 

It's going to be different and it's going to be better. 

Are you part of the solution? 

What the Bleep?

Still trying to figure out this one ... 

Where's the logic? Maybe they know something I don't know!

I've been a marketer for a long time but I know things are strange when I get an offer like this one. Oh, I get the usual financial offers: 0% for a year, 20% off and free this and that. But when I get a free airline companion ticket for trying Travel + Leisure, the world's leading travel magazine – I know the entire world is upside down and under water – never mind mortgages. 

If it's the world's leading magazine why do they have to give me a free airline ticket (worth up to $744.) to try two free issues on a $19.99 subscription? Where's the logic?

As an educated consumer, I'm reading the fine print, reading between the lines and holding the paper up to the light. All I can think of is what's the catch? If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is! Now this is a reputable company the gold standard, not some sleazy spammer. Well, financial companies used to be the gold standard – now they are just below coal.

Still, where's the profit? I've heard of lifetime customer value but it's going to take a lot of lifetimes to get the value. And the airlines are running fewer planes and people get bumped just so the airlines can run economically. 

I'm not one to pass up a good deal so will someone, please explain this one to me?

What a Time!

Now is the time to:

•  Pull out your file called "GREAT IDEAS." What else are you doing?

•  Learn about ––––,  for me it's how my fancy digital camera works. (Note to self: read the manual.)

•  Organize your office. So you can work efficiently when the busy blitz hits.

•  Add a new skill to your arsenal to keep that competitive edge sharp. Not to mention your brain. No, not Sudoku.

•  Do take up dance or yoga to keep the positive vibes flowing.

•  Get all those marketing projects going ... while repeating softly to yourself: "This too shall pass."

•  Look at the goals you wrote earlier this month. Tape them to the wall and take action.

• Move away from the computer. Then do 12 jumping jacks and pick up the phone to call someone. You still have a phone, right?

I plan to print this list and tape it to my wall. What are you are doing to weather the storm?

Big vs. Small: Fighting the Fear Factor

We all know it's a tough environment. 

Free floating uncertainty creates fear which is contagious and leads to full blown paralysis.

Additionally, some of my colleagues (especially in the real estate industry) say they've seen their prospects gravitating toward big brand name companies. Smaller companies may find this puzzling since corporations are cited in news stories daily as the cause of our economic turmoil.

This is an issue a small business can use to its advantage.

How do we break this cycle?

• Turn off the news. 

• Take action. Action gives you control over your destiny.

• Provide the confidence factor. You're good so feel good. People buy from those they know, like and trust.

• Show what you know. Demonstrate your ability. Where can you point to results?

• Give truly personal, excellent service. People care that you care. 

• Show them the WIIFM. What's in it for me?

• Add value. Give something extra whenever you can. 

• Make your offer irresistible. If it's well priced and promises to give me what I need, I'm more likely to buy.

• Sell what your clients want not what you believe they need. Read this again.

• Finally, most of us give up too soon. As my mentor says, the gold is in the follow up.

Let Them Eat Cake

I often watch CNBC in hopes of a glimmer of stock market insight. Shows with names like "Squawk on the Street". Today on "Power Lunch" I got insight on ... cupcakes.  

Yes, cupcakes.

It seems as the economy erodes, a home baking boom is having growth spurts. People are forgetting their troubles with sweet treats that don't impact their pocketbook. 

Speaking of mergers, several trends converge here: not just pinching pennies but the entertaining and stay-at-home trends and the kids learning to cook trend. Our health concerns: if we make it ourselves, we know where it came from. And don't forget the waistline-watching trend: cupcakes are portion-controlled little luxuries. 

The updated kitchen trend allows the at-home-chef (another trend) to watch the celebrity chefs reality show trend. I thought chef meant professional cook? 

Apparently there's a growth spurt of high quality, bake-at-home mixes. Is watching "Leave It To Beaver" next as we don our aprons? 

Seriously, being a trend watcher is fun and profitable. I wonder if Warren Buffett is buying shares of Duncan Hines® next? We're bombarded by trends – online, on television, in our own lives. Which trend can you leverage now in your business?

Is Branding Dead?

My favorite quote from Steven Howard's "Corporate Image Management: A Marketing Discipline for the 21st Century." 

You Are A Brand

I don't know who you are.

I don't know your company.

I don't know what your company stands for.

I don't know your company's customers.

I don't know your company's record.

I don't know your company's reputation.

Now what is it you want to sell me?

I think this is the best argument for building your brand!

Please write a comment and follow me on Twitter!