Mission Statement

If you're like most people, you've probably flirted around with New Year's resolutions: You've said, "Resolutions don't work for me." Maybe you need a better approach. Instead of making a mental resolution, create a Mission Statement. 

A Mission Statement

is a handwritten or typed-out paragraph

is posted someplace you can see it regularly

is committed to memory

has specific, measurable outcomes

has a deadline — in this case, December 31st

Here's a process you can use right now to create a Mission Statement for personal success in your career or business. Get out a pen and some paper.

Step A. Write down 5 positive personality characteristics you like about yourself in your career/business. 

For example: willingness to learn, persistence, creativity, friendliness, sense of humor.

Step B. For the items you listed above, describe the way you express each positive characteristic on a regular basis in your career, using the word "by" to begin each phrase. For example, if you listed 

"Willingness to learn" above, you might write "by being committed to ongoing professional development" below. Another example: If you wrote "persistence" above, you might write "by making sure the job always gets done" below.

Step C. Write down 5 goals you’d like to achieve by one year from today. Be sure to list a specific 

financial goal separate from these 5 goals.

Step D. Look back over Steps A, B, and C, circling the 3 most important items in each column.

Step E. Now fill in the blanks of the following paragraph: "My purpose is to express my

 __________________________ ,________________________, and ______________________ 

(write in the three items you circled in Step A) by __________________________________________________,

 by ________________________________________________, and by ____________________________________________ 

(write in the three items you circled in Step B) to create ___________________________________________________,

 ___________________________________________________ and _____________________________________________, 

(write in the three items you circled in Step C) and at least ____________ (write in your financial goal)

 by ___________ (write in the date one year from today)."

When finished, you will have a short paragraph that reads something like:

"My purpose is to express my intelligence, creativity, and people skills by continually learning and applying new ideas, by finding unique solutions to my clients' problems, and by building a powerful network of contacts to create 15 new corporate accounts, a steady flow of referral and renewal business, and full technological competence, and at least $250,000 in gross commissions by this date one year from today."

I hope you give this simple exercise a try, and I encourage you to follow the guidelines above by 

posting it where you can review it and committing it to memory. Then you won't

make any more fruitless resolutions 

I wish You Great Success.

Security and Compliance 3

How to do BS7799/ISO17799 Projects

Who to Interview?

Security Management --------Sec Policy/Organization

Security Management -----------Asset Classification and Control

Typically, HR --------------------- Personnel Security

Site Security/IT manager------- Physical and Environmental Security

Business Manager/IT Manager--------------- Communications and

Operations Management

System Administration Staff---------------- Access Control

Development Staff-------------- System development

Business Continuity Manager---------- Business Continuity Management

Internal Audit/Legal-------------- Compliance

Appropriate staff/line Management----------- Business/Info Process

A Good Gap Analysis

Clearly defined scope

Clear findings against each control (good areas as well as gaps)

The ISMS

Clear practical and appropriate recommendations leading to compliance.

All recommendations reinforced and supported by findings.

Finalizing Resources

Resourcing:

Match actions with in-house resources and confirm availability.

Identify availability shortfalls.

Identify where specialist support is needed.

Obtain necessary approvals for SIP.

Ensure the group have access to the full

Gap Analysis Report for guidance

Establish the ISMS through the creation of the Information Security Forum

Risk Assessment and BS7799/ISO17799

Define a systematic approach to risk assessment.

Identify the risk.

Assess the risk.

Select control objectives and controls for the treatment of risk.

Identify and evaluate options for the treatment of risk.

Generic Steps

Identify assets.

Identify asset dependencies.

Business Impact Assessment (Asset Valuation)

Threat Assessment

Determine levels of risk (Risk Assessment)

Countermeasures Selection

Map to BS7799/ISO17799

Risk Treatment

Document Management

BS7799/ISO17799 section 4.3 calls for Distribution /Availability to staff as required.

Version/ Change control

Documents to be dated (Including previous versions)

By implications, uniquely identifiable and fully controlled.

ISO 9001 compliance is an advantage.

Appropriate change control is needed for intranet solution.

10 Tips for Success

1. Ensure senior management involvement

2. Recommend a realistic and useful scope

3. Develop a good risk assessment

4. Promote Active Risk management

5. Interpret the controls for the scope

6. Ensure early Security Forum creation

7. Ensure maximum use of the Statement of Applicability

8. Get internal third parties to sign up

9. Get audits underway to raise assurance

10. Take staff awareness seriously

I wish You Great Success.

Evaluating Security

The exact role of internal audit regarding information security varies widely among companies, but it always provides a significant opportunity for internal audit to deliver real value to the board and 

management. Internal auditors should play an important role in ensuring that information security efforts have a positive effect on an organization and protect the organization from harm.

Why worry so much about information security? Consider some reasons why organizations need to protect their information:

Availability. Can your organization ensure prompt access to information or systems to authorized users? 

Do you know if your critical information is regularly backed-up and can be easily restored?

Integrity of data and systems. Are your board and audit committee confident they can rest assured that this information has not been altered in an unauthorized manner and that systems are free from unauthorized manipulation that could compromise reliability?

Confidentiality of data. Can you tell your customers and employees that their nonpublic information is safe from unauthorized access, disclosure, or use? This is a significant reputational risk today!

Accountability. If information has been compromised, can you trace actions to their source?

An audit of information security can take many forms. At its simplest, the auditors will review the 

information security program’s plans, policies, procedures, and key new initiatives, plus hold some interviews with the key stakeholders. At its most complex, a large internal audit team will evaluate almost every aspect of the security program and even do intrusion testing.

This diversity depends on the risks involved, the assurance requirements of the board and executive management, and the skills and abilities of the auditors.

For example, if the organization is undergoing extensive change within its IT application portfolio or IT infrastructure, that would be a great time for a comprehensive assessment of the overall information security program (likely best just before or just after the changes). If last year’s security audit was positive, perhaps a specialized audit of a particular activity or an important e-commerce application would be useful. 

The audit evaluation can, and most times should, be part of a long-term (read: multi-year) audit assessment of security results.

I wish You Great Success.

Security and Compliance 2

BS7799 Contents of Part 1

• Scope

• Terms and definitions

• Security policy

• Security organisation

• Asset classification and control

• Personnel security

• Physical and environmental security

• Communications and operations management

• Access control

• Systems development and maintenance

• Business continuity management

• Compliance

BS7799 Contents of Part 2

• Scope

• Terms and definitions

• Information security management system requirements

• Detailed controls

1. Security policy

2. Security organisation

3. Asset classification and control

4. Personnel security

5. Physical and environmental security

6. Communications and environmental security

7. Communications and operations management

8. Access control

9. System development and maintenance

10. Business continuity management

11. Compliance

Critical Success Factors

• Policies, Objectives and Activities that reflect business objectives

• Appropriate resources

• Consistency with culture

• Visible support and commitment from management

• Clear understanding of the security requirements and risk

• Effective marketing of security to all employees

• Distribution of information to all partners, suppliers, employees and contractors

• Providing appropriate training and education

• Key performance indicators

Selecting Controls

• Identify business objectives

• Identify business strategy

• Identify security strategy

• Identify and implement controls

Key controls

1. Information security policy document

2. Allocation of security responsibilities

3. Information security education and training

4. Reporting of security incidents

5. Virus controls

6. Business continuity planning

7. Control of proprietary software copying

8. Safeguarding of company records

9. Compliance with data protection legislation

10. Compliance with the security policy

Certification requirements for BS7799 /ISO 17799

Organisation shall establish and maintain a document ISMS

• Management framework

1. Risk management approach

2. Identify control objectives and controls

3. Documented evidence: - evidence of the actions undertaken - a summary of the management frame

 work - the procedures adopted to implement the controls - the procedures covering the management 

and operation of the ISMS

In 2005 International Organization for Standardization released a specification, ISO 17799 in 2005

 which establishes guidelines and general principles for initiating, implementing, maintaining and 

improving information security in an organization. They intended to be implemented to meet the 

requirements identified by a risk assessment.

Management frame work

• Define the policy

• Define the scope of the information security management system

1. Characteristics of the organisation

2. Location

3. Assets

4. Technology

• Undertake risk assessment

1. Threats

2. Vulnerabilities

3. Impacts

4. Degree of risk

• Manage the risks

• Select control objectives & controls

• Prepare statement of applicability

1. Selected control objectives and rationale

2. Exclusion of controls and rationale

Applying BS7799/ISO17799

• A Practical Approach

• Gap Analysis

• Action Planning

• Risk Assessment and Treatment

• Developing an improvement programme

• Effective Statement of Applicability

• Planning and Costing a BS7799/ISO17799 project

• ISMS (Information Security Management System)

• Audit

I wish You Great Success.

Security and Compliance 1

Security and Compliance (Part I)

It is possible to have excellent security and not be compliant, and it is also possible to pass a compliance audit and have a very poor organization security. The illusion that compliance equals

 security has led organizations to excessively spend on compliance at the detriment of security. 

There are five principles in balancing compliance with security.

• Base your security program on a security framework

• Leverage compliance budgets for information security controls

• Automate policy compliance and auditing

• Be prepared to manage change in threats and regulations

• Create an effective awareness and training program

Different organizations, information security professionals and consulting companies approach security 

program in different ways. Many organizations follow the ISO 17799 approach. 

(International Organization for Standardization) and a few follow the COBIT standards. 

(Control Objectives for Information and Related Technology) which are both great starting points. 

But there is another approach called the Sherwood applied Business Security Architecture (SABSA).

The SABSA model uses different roles that work with the following perspective:

• Business owner – Contextual

• Architecture – Conceptual

• Designer – Logical

• Builder – Physical

• Tradesman – Component

• Facilities Manager - Operational

SABSA model slices an enterprise into six different layers so that security can be more focused, it is more business oriented. Although the model is theoretical and academic in nature, once an organization has its security building blocks in place it can evolve past the ISO model and implement the SABSA

Complying with BS7799/ISO 17799

Developing and implementing considerations from Business and Technical Perspective consists of: Part 1

• Code of practice for information security management

Part 2

• Specification for information management systems

Why Implement:

• Helps realize the security policy

• Builds a level of business confidence

• Easy and flexible architecture

• Common standard

• Position of strength

• Ability to leverage business benefits

• Develop best practice • Introduce benchmark standards

•Recognized international standards

The standard was developed from the following legislation:

• Data Protection Act 1984

• Data Protection Act 1988

• Data Protection Act 1998

• Computer Misuse Act 1990

• Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988

• Human Rights Act 2000

• Regulatory Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIP Bill)

I wish You Great Success.

Site Optimization

You need to focus on two core two areas if you want your SEO efforts to pay off:

1. Your on-site optimization efforts -- such as your best keywords in your sales copy 

2. Your off-site optimization efforts -- such as getting quality inbound links to point to your site 

For good rankings, there are three specific things you need pay attention to:

1. Your inbound links - you need to build a network of high-quality inbound links pointing to your site.

By high quality I mean, from sites that have a Google PageRank of 4 or more. 

(You can check out a site's PageRank by downloading the Google Toolbar to your browser.)

The best ways to get these links are to:

- Get your site listed with the top directories, like (the Open Directory Project)

- List your site on industry-specific directories

- Write content-rich articles and submit them to high PageRank article directories

- Offer free content to high PageRank sites that target the same market as you 

- Participate in forums that are popular with your target market and include a link to your site 

2. Your anchor tags - Make sure the anchor tag has your top-performing keywords in it.

Google is looking for hyperlinks attached to actual phrases (as opposed to URLs). 

The idea is hyperlinked phrases are more likely to lead to a useful reference site.

For example, if you have a dog training site, Google will pay more attention to a hyperlink that's attached to a phrase like, "best dog training tips" than a link that's attached to: doghouserules.com.

Ensure your anchor tags don't all use the exact same keyword phrase. They should include variations on a number of different keywords. That will make them look more natural to the search engines.

3. Your title tags - Your title tag is one of the most important tags on your site? It's 

one of the first things the spiders look at when they arrive on your site.

Ensure you include your top-performing keyword phrase in your title tag.

(You can see what your title tag is by looking at the very top of your browser when you're on your 

homepage. What information appears there? Does it include your top keyword phrases? It should!)

Your title tag is the text some search engines display in the listings that appear in the 

search results. So, it needs to clearly communicate to your visitors exactly what your site is about.

The best way to do that is by including the keyword phrases they typed into the search engine.

Finally, have patience. Search engine optimization is not an overnight strategy. 

Sometimes it can take up to six months to see the results of your work. But the results will be worth it!

I wish You Great Success.

Security Standards

Security standards refer to a set of guidelines, best practices, and specifications established to help 

organizations and individuals protect their information, assets, and systems from various security threats and vulnerabilities. These standards are developed and maintained by various organizations, government agencies, and industry groups to ensure that security measures are consistent, effective, and up-to-date. 

Here are some notable security standards:

ISO 27001: The ISO/IEC 27001 standard provides a framework for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and continually improving an Information Security Management System (ISMS) within the context of an organization's overall business risks.

NIST Cybersecurity Framework: Developed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in the United States, this framework offers guidance on managing and reducing cybersecurity risk. It's widely used by organizations to improve their cybersecurity posture.

PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard): This standard is aimed at organizations that handle credit card payments. It outlines security requirements for protecting cardholder data and is essential for businesses that process credit card transactions.

HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act): HIPAA sets security and privacy standards for protecting patients' healthcare information. It is crucial for healthcare providers, insurers, and organizations that handle patient data.

GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation): GDPR is a European Union regulation that governs data protection and privacy for individuals within the EU. It has a global impact as many companies worldwide must comply with its requirements when handling EU citizens' data.

CIS (Center for Internet Security) Controls: CIS provides a set of prioritized actions for organizations to improve their cybersecurity posture. The CIS Controls are divided into three categories: basic, foundational, and organizational, each with specific recommendations.

FISMA (Federal Information Security Management Act): In the United States, FISMA establishes security standards and guidelines for federal agencies and their contractors. It focuses on protecting government information systems.

BSI IT-Grundschutz: This German standard provides guidance for implementing information security measures. It's widely used in German-speaking countries and covers various aspects of information security.

COBIT (Control Objectives for Information and Related Technologies): Developed by ISACA, COBIT provides a framework for governing and managing enterprise IT. It includes guidance on IT security and risk management.

OWASP (Open Web Application Security Project): While not a formal standard, OWASP provides a list of the top web application security risks and offers guidance on mitigating these risks. It's widely used in the software development community.

FIPS (Federal Information Processing Standards): These are a set of standards published by the U.S. government for various information security-related purposes, including encryption and cryptographic algorithms.

SOC (Service Organization Control) Reports: Developed by the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA), SOC reports are used to evaluate the controls at service organizations that may impact the security, availability, and processing integrity of data.

These security standards help organizations mitigate risks, protect sensitive data, and ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. Organizations often choose the standards that are most relevant to their industry and specific security needs. Additionally, compliance with these standards can provide a competitive advantage and build trust with customers and partners.

Security Standards (27K)

This is an informational, non-commercial website dedicated to promoting the latest international standards for Information Security Management Systems, the ISO/IEC 27000-family (“ISO27k”). - iso27001security.com/

The ISO27k standards provide best practice guidance on protecting the confidentiality, integrity and availability of the information on which we all depend. Three standards in the series are already released and publicly available:ISO 27001, the Information Security Management System certification standard;

ISO 27002 (previously known as BS 7799-1 and ISO 17799), the code of practice for information security management; and

ISO 27006, a guide to the ISMS certification process for certification bodies.

Several other ISO27k standards are currently in preparation.

More than 3,600 organizations have been certified against ISO 27001 worldwide with many thousands more using ISO 27002 as the basis for their Information Security Management Systems.

I wish You Great Success.

Biometrics

Biometrics refers to the measurement and statistical analysis of people's unique physical and behavioral characteristics. It is used primarily for identification and authentication purposes. Biometric systems are designed to recognize and verify individuals based on these unique traits.

Biometric technologies are widely used in various industries, including finance, healthcare, law enforcement, and border control, as well as in consumer devices like smartphones and laptops for authentication purposes. As technology continues to advance, biometrics is likely to play an increasingly significant role in security.

Biometric systems offer several advantages, such as enhanced security, convenience, and the ability to provide non-repudiation (meaning it's difficult for someone to deny their actions). However, there are also concerns related to privacy, potential misuse, and the security of biometric data. 

The question is are you ready for biometric authentication?–thumb prints, iris scans, hand geometry, what ever. 

Electronic manufacturers could settle on a highly-secure standard and implement that technology across the board–computers, automobiles, ATMs, doors, and so forth. Do you mind pairing your thumb print with a single password or pin.

The readiness of users for biometric technologies varies widely and is influenced by factors such as cultural norms, privacy concerns, and familiarity with the technology. Generally, there has been increasing acceptance and adoption of biometric systems, especially in certain contexts like smartphone authentication (e.g., fingerprint and facial recognition) and government-issued identity documents. However, there are also challenges and considerations to address.

Here are some factors influencing user readiness for biometrics:

Familiarity and Convenience:

Users often embrace biometrics when it offers a convenient and user-friendly alternative to traditional authentication methods. Technologies like fingerprint recognition on smartphones have become widely accepted due to their ease of use.

Security Concerns:

While biometrics offer enhanced security, concerns about the potential misuse or compromise of biometric data can lead to resistance. Users may worry about the security of their biometric information, especially in the event of a data breach.

Privacy Issues:

Privacy is a significant factor affecting user readiness. Some individuals are cautious about sharing their biometric data, fearing unauthorized access or tracking. It's crucial for organizations to address privacy concerns and implement robust security measures to protect biometric data.

I wish You Great Success.

Web Statistics

The most important thing for you to know is how many people are coming to your site -- and what they're doing there. But discovering this information is trickier than you may think, even when you have a comprehensive stat package, like Google Analytics. That's because there are a number of different stats you can look at -- and they all tell you different things.

1. Hits: Your "hits" count is the LEAST reliable statistic available. Hits occur any time someone downloads a file from the server hosting your website. But most web pages are made up of more than one file. A "hit" could be anything from a banner ad... a graphic... a digital photo... or the web page itself.Some of your web pages might register as two hits. Some might count as twenty! That's why we don't recommend you track your hits. They simply aren't a good way to measure how many people are coming to your site.

2. Page ViewsPage views: This give you a better idea of the level of activity on your site. They show you how many of  your web pages are being viewed by your visitors. However, to make this kind of information meaningful, you have to think of it in terms of relative numbers instead of absolutes. Discovering your site received 20,000-page views in a week doesn't tell you a whole lot. 

But knowing your site had 4.29 page views per visitor during that week tells you a lot more. You now know that your visitors clicked to four different pages on your site (on average). 

This gives you an idea of how "sticky" your site is.

3. Unique visitors, or visits: This stat is most likely to equal a real person on your site. But even it 

doesn't tell you exactly how many people are coming to your site.For example, let's say a bunch of your visitors are using the same computer in a library or online cafe. Because they're all coming from the same IP address, all those visitors will be counted as one person. Still, it's as accurate a count as you're going to get. New visitors, these are visitors who have never come to your site before. 

Or have they?

It's possible the same people are coming to your site from different IP addresses, and therefore being counted as "new." Maybe they're using a different computer or using IP "masking" software that shows them coming from a rotating number of different IP addresses.

4. Returning visitors: This is a good number to keep your eye on. It tells you what percentage of your visitors have been to your site before. If they're coming back, it's a good sign that they like what they're finding on your site. So generally speaking, the higher the percentage of returning visitors, the "stickier" your site is the Average time on site. This shows you how long your visitors tend to stay on your site. If the average time is less than a minute, then clearly your visitors aren't finding what they're looking for on your site. If they stick around for five or more minutes, however, they're obviously finding something to interest them.

5. Percentage of sales per visit: When it comes to stats, this one is KING. It tells you what percentage of your visitors are actually buying from you. If you only track one number, this is the one to watch. 

Clearly you want to do whatever you can to make that number go up!

6. Referring sites: These numbers show you where your traffic is coming from. This information is essential for your traffic generation strategies. Focus on the traffic sources that are giving you the highest visitor/sales conversion rates. Are they search engines? Affiliates? Article directories? Spend more time getting MORE traffic coming from those places.

7. Top keywords: Most stats analysis packages will tell you which keywords are generating the 

highest-converting traffic for you.Be sure to doublecheck them with a keyword research tool like 

Wordtracker. You'll want to make sure lots of people are actually doing searches on those keywords. You don't want to waste your time optimizing your site for keywords no one is 

searching on!

If you're just starting out and need to know the basics about your site, this should give you a good start.

I wish You Great Success.

Quantum Relationship

The theory of relationship is to enhance the quality of your life and the life of othersand it suggest that the more discomfort you can handle the more success you will experience. Life is supposed to be adventurous, When you understand how to influence others and the environment you begin to expand the influence you have in life.

Robert collier noted; 

"The primal cause is mind. Everything must start with an idea. Every event, every condition, 

everything is first an idea in the mind." it is so basic that I think sometimes we forget that 

our minds are the starting point of all creation.

Ernest Holmes also noted; 

"Every person is surrounded by a thought atmosphere and through this power we are either attracting or repelling. Like attracts like and we attract just what we are in mind."

The point is that when we are relaxed and thinking about pure thoughts we receive pure answers. 

If we are relaxed and we are thinking about what we want in life we will receive an answer that is of pure desire.

Desperation is negative energy and that negative energy is what creates repulsion. This is why it is called the paradoxical intent, we must be in balance. It really is very simple to understand, but for many it could be very hard to get. 

We are all made of the same ingredients, in other words we all have a spiritual nature, physical nature and mental nature. We are also emotional and social beings who want to establish connection with those around themselves and with their environment. These Pillars were created for the purpose of creating harmony in your life.

We all have the ability to influence the world in big ways, but it is only those who are bold enough to take a stab at influencing themselves and others, they are the ones who will make a difference in the world.

If we want to experience life in ways that supports value, honor, and dignity we must act in ways that support value, honor and dignity. Here is where I think we find ourselves in terms of who we really are. This is also one of the most difficult areas of life that most people have to unravel.

In short, . Use what you learn and life will give you rewards beyond your wildest dreams.  but no one ever said life was going to be easy

I wish You Great Success.

WebDesign

As a client, you can always outsource the job to someone else. However, it's a good idea to learn as much about the job as you can. For instance, if you get someone else to build your site, you should learn enough basic HTML so you can make any necessary changes to your site yourself. It will save you a lot of time and money!

You don't have to hire a contractor every single time you want to update your site.

Consulting successfully involves a combination of skills, knowledge, and effective communication. Whether you're an independent consultant or working with a consulting firm, 

here are some tips to help you excel in your consulting career:

Understand Your Client's Needs:

Begin by thoroughly understanding your client's challenges, goals, and objectives. Conduct a comprehensive needs assessment to identify the issues they're facing and the outcomes they desire.

Build Strong Relationships:

Establish trust and rapport with your clients. Building strong relationships is crucial for successful consulting. Communication and interpersonal skills are key.

Active Listening:

Practice active listening to understand your client's concerns and needs. Take the time to fully comprehend the context before offering solutions.

Ask the Right Questions:

Ask insightful and probing questions to gather relevant information. This demonstrates your expertise and helps you uncover hidden issues or opportunities.

Customize Solutions:

Tailor your recommendations to the specific needs of your client. Avoid using a one-size-fits-all approach and provide solutions that are practical and feasible for their unique situation.

Provide Value:

Focus on delivering tangible value to your clients. Demonstrate the return on investment (ROI) of your services by showcasing the positive impact on their business.

Continuous Learning:

Stay updated on industry trends, best practices, and new technologies. Continuous learning ensures that you can offer innovative and relevant solutions to your clients.

Networking:

Build a strong professional network within your industry. Networking can lead to new opportunities, collaborations, and referrals.

Adaptability:

Be adaptable and flexible in your approach. The business landscape is dynamic, and being able to pivot when necessary is a valuable trait for a successful consultant.

Ethical Conduct:

Maintain high ethical standards. Trust is essential in consulting, and ethical behavior contributes to the long-term success of your consulting career.

Remember that successful consulting is an ongoing process of learning, adapting, and delivering value to your clients. Keep honing your skills, staying informed, and building positive relationships within your industry.

I wish You Great Success.

Leaving a Legacy

Many people have accomplished tremendous things later on in life, there is always time to do more and achieve more, to teach more and to learn more. There is never a time to stop in your pursuit of a legacy.

The Core Principles:

1. Life is best lived in service to others. While in pursuit for the best for ourselves, we should serve other people, including our family, co-workers and friends.

2. Maintain integrity. There are very few things that outlive your reputation and good name. There will always be temptations to cut corners and break your code. But do what is right all of the time.

3. You risk in order to gain. In just about every area of life you must risk in order to gain the reward. In love, you must risk rejection in order to go on a date. In investing you must risk your capital before profit. When we risk, we gain. And when we gain, we have more to leave for others.

4. You reap when you sow. You plant a seed and reap a bushel. What you give you get. If you give time, you will gain time. It is one of the truest laws of the universe. Decide what you want out of life and then begin to sow it.

5. Hard work is never a waste. Hard work will leave you a grand legacy. Give it your best on your sojourn on earth. You will do a lot of good and leave a terrific legacy.

6. Don't give up when you fail. How many thriving businesses would have been shut down if they quit at their first failure? Everyone fails. It is a fact of life. But those who succeed are those who do not give up when they fail. They keep going and build a successful life. 

Imagine the legacies that would have never existed if someone had given up.

I wish You Great Success.

Ebay Secrets

The first thing people ask is, "Can you really make a living selling on eBay?" The answer to that 

is a definite YES! In fact, thanks to the great research tools available, you can discover exactly what products are hot-sellers on eBay -- and find cheap sources of those products -- so you can set up your own profitable eBay business in less than a week!

Profiting from eBay can be approached in various ways, depending on your interests, resources, and skills. 

Here are some common strategies:

Sell Items:

Clean Out Clutter: Start by selling items you no longer need or use. This is a straightforward way to declutter your space and make some extra money.

Source and Resell: Look for deals at thrift stores, garage sales, or clearance sales and resell those items at a profit on eBay.

Specialize in a Niche:

Choose a specific category or niche you are knowledgeable about and focus on becoming an expert in that area. This could be anything from vintage clothing to rare collectibles.

Dropshipping:

Start a dropshipping business where you sell products without holding any inventory. When a product is sold, you purchase the item from a third party and have it shipped directly to the customer.

Auctions vs. Fixed Price:

Experiment with both auction-style listings and fixed-price listings. Some items may perform better with bidding, while others may sell more consistently with a set price.

Optimize Listings:

Create compelling and detailed listings with high-quality photos. Use clear titles, thorough descriptions, and relevant keywords to improve visibility in search results.

Offer Competitive Prices:

Research and set competitive prices for your items. Consider factoring in shipping costs and offering free shipping, as this can attract more buyers.

Build a Positive Reputation:

Provide excellent customer service to build a positive reputation on eBay. High feedback ratings and positive reviews can increase buyer trust and lead to repeat business.

Utilize Promotions and Marketing Tools:

Take advantage of eBay's promotional tools, such as running sales or offering discounts. Use social media or other marketing channels to drive traffic to your eBay listings.

Stay Informed:

Keep yourself informed about market trends, eBay policies, and any changes in fees. Staying updated can help you adapt your strategy to maximize profits.

Explore eBay Affiliate Program:

Consider joining the eBay Partner Network, which allows you to earn commissions by promoting eBay listings on your website or blog.

Remember that success on eBay, like any business, requires dedication, research, and adaptability. Keep track of your expenses, continuously evaluate your strategy, and be willing to adjust based on market conditions and customer feedback.

I wish You Great Success.

Spiritual Core

You are - at your core - a spiritual person as much as you are a physical person. In fact, when 

your physical body dies, your spiritual "body" will live on. Because of this, commit to a dynamic spiritual life.

To be a wealthy person you must commit time and energy to making money and wise investments. 

To be a healthy person you must commit time and energy to exercising and eating right. 

To be an intelligent person you must commit time and energy to learning, memorizing and studying. 

To be a spiritual person you must commit time and energy to developing your spiritual person through spiritual disciplines. If you don't commit to this, and discipline yourself the same way you would in other areas of life, you will not achieve growth in your spiritual life.

Principles:

1. Study the scriptures and internalize them. The wealth of knowledge in the Bible is incalculable. It is immeasurable, and it is invaluable. So much of philosophy for life, work and business comes from a foundation the Bible and its teachings. 

2. "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." It seems obvious and in doing so, it will make you a more spiritual person because it will cause you to value people more and 

be more concerned for their needs.

3. Be a "pray-er" as well as a doer. There is an old saying that you should pray like it depends on God and act like it depends on you. That is good advice, and we would do well to take heed of it. I do not mean elaborate prayers. I mean straight and simple reflection and communication with God. It is powerful when you are doing the best you can and then letting God take care of the rest.

4. Be involved in a community of faith. Well, I know that people are not perfect. But I also know that there are good-hearted people in the world who are a part of a local community of faith. When you find the right one - you will benefit by belonging.

5. Love others. In all things, act in love. If what you are doing, or saying, or even thinking, fails the love test, then don't do it. The Bible says, "God is Love." 

One of the goals in leaving a spiritual legacy is that we should live in such a way that we are not hypocritical. We act according to what we say we believe. Society may not place a high value on it but you should. The only thing that lasts is the legacy that you create, develop and leave for those who come after you.

Take out time this week to think through what kind of spiritual legacy you will leave behind. 

Will people be better off spiritually by your actions, your words, your very life? Let's all make it a goal that the people we come in contact with will indeed be spiritually uplifted.

I wish You Great Success.

--------

Outsourcing

Outsourcing can be a strategic approach to improve efficiency and competitiveness, but it requires careful planning, diligent management, and a focus on building strong partnerships with external service providers.

Many people think it costs too much to hire other people to build a business. That's a myth!

In reality, you can outsource the "drudge work" of building your business and get twice as much done in half the time.

In order to do this effectively, you have to know which jobs to outsource -- and how to choose the right person for the job.

Top 3 Jobs to Outsource:

1. Website Design

2. Programming

3. Writing

When you find someone you think you want to hire, remember these important tips:

1. Take the time to set your expectations down in writing -- so the person you hire knows exactly 

what they are. That way, you'll eliminate confusion or misunderstanding -- which will save you time and money in the long run.

2. Check their references! Pick up the phone and actually call their previous employers. 

3. Set deadlines -- and make sure penalties are in place if the deadlines are missed. This may 

sound harsh, but if you are trying to run a business you want to make sure everyone involved is motivated to work towards the same goal.

Challenges of Outsourcing:

Communication Issues- Differences in language, time zones, and cultural understanding can lead to communication challenges.

Quality Concerns- Maintaining consistent quality standards can be a concern, especially if the outsourcing partner's processes are not aligned with the company's expectations.

Data Security Risks- Outsourcing certain tasks may involve sharing sensitive information, posing potential risks to data security and confidentiality.

Loss of Control- Companies may feel a loss of control over certain processes or aspects of their business when outsourcing.

Dependency on Providers- Over-reliance on outsourcing partners can pose risks if the external provider faces issues such as financial instability or operational challenges.

Selecting Outsourcing Partners:

Thorough Evaluation- Conduct a thorough evaluation of potential outsourcing partners, considering their reputation, experience, and track record.

Due Diligence- Perform due diligence to assess the capabilities, infrastructure, and financial stability of the outsourcing provider.

Define Expectations- Clearly define expectations, deliverables, and performance metrics in the outsourcing contract.

Legal Agreements- Establish comprehensive legal agreements that outline terms, responsibilities, and protection mechanisms.

Communication Channels- Establish effective communication channels and project management processes to ensure smooth collaboration.

I wish You Great Success.

Coachable

Time is the sum total of all the events around you. Manage your events and you will ultimately manage you time effectively.

Create a leverage, be unique and your time investment will reward you financially.

I recently joined my local toastmasters at Canary Wharf and meetings are held at Morgan Stanley. I found it fascinating especially after Clive Broadband from my club won the speaking and evaluation contest then went on to win the district evaluation contest with 27 clubs representing London.

A good time investment.

My dentist Stephanie found it difficult to see why anyone would spend time on public speaking, 

she was not convinced you needed to join a club to improve your confidence or communication. 

"This public speaking is just like motivational speaking it has no impact in your lifestyle and 

your daily challenges."

I scribbled a note to her.

"It is just like your patient telling you that my teeth are white and clean, what do I need a 

dentist for?"...............

With public speaking your pitch, voice quality, articulation, timing, vocal variety all affect your delivery. A mentor you can spot your gaps and assist in improving your delivery.

Finding a Mentor:

Identify Your Goals: Determine what you hope to achieve through mentorship, whether it's career advancement, skill development, or personal growth.

Research Potential Mentors: Look for individuals who have experience and expertise in your area of interest. They may be colleagues, supervisors, or professionals in your network.

Reach Out: Approach potential mentors and express your interest in a mentorship relationship. 

Be clear about your goals and expectations.

Mutual Fit: Ensure that there is a good fit between you and your potential mentor in terms of 

personality, values, and communication style.

Formal or Informal: Mentorship can be formal, with set goals and timelines, or informal, where the relationship develops naturally over time.

Be Open and Coachable: Be open to feedback, advice, and new perspectives. Mentorship is a two-way street, and your willingness to learn is essential.

Express Gratitude: Always show appreciation for your mentor's time and guidance. A thank-you goes a long way in maintaining a positive mentorship relationship.

I cannot over emphasize how taking daily steps towards your goal ultimately rewards you with accomplishments. 

I wish You Great Success.

Headline Words

Most visitors take 10 seconds or less to decide whether to stick around or move on to the next site. The secret to selling successfully online is finding the RIGHT WORDS 

The most important words are the ones in your HEADLINE, it needs to capture their attention -- 

spark their curiosity-- and compel them to read further. And it has to do it fast.

"Unbreakable" Headline Rules:

Rule #1: RELATE A PROBLEM; Whatever their problem is, relate to it. Show them YOU know what it's all about. 

Demonstrate a clear and genuine understanding of their wants and needs.

Rule #2: PRESENT A SOLUTION; You've described a problem. Now you've got to solve it -- in a way that creates a powerful image in the mind of your visitors.

Rule #3: FOCUS ON BENEFITS; People aren't so interested in what your product or service is, they want to know what it does. Specifically, they want to know what it'll do for THEM.

Rule #4: SPEAK DIRECTLY TO YOUR VISITORS; If your customers say "dude," you say "dude." But if they're the kind of people who say "folks," then don't say dude.

The most important ideas end up lost in the visual clutter.

BUT: if you limit yourself to just one important idea per line and use simple formatting tricks Such as bolding and italics and ALL CAPS... Then your readers can get your meaning in a single glance!

TEST your headline, run them for a couple of weeks, then compare the results against other headlines.

I wish You Great Success.

Mentoring

All our individual experiences are wisdom and currency to negotiate our future.

I attended a forum today called MENTOR (Men Engaging Nations To Optimize Resources) and the sessions were profound, I have decided to act on and implement the knowledge immediately. Hence forth I will have a label called Journal; this will be notes on my thoughts and activities.

A mentor is an experienced and trusted advisor or guide who provides support, guidance, and knowledge to someone less experienced, often referred to as a mentee. Mentorship is a valuable relationship that can be highly beneficial in personal and professional development. 

Here's what you need to know about mentors and mentorship:

Role of a Mentor:

Guidance and Advice: Mentors offer their expertise and insights to help mentees navigate challenges, make informed decisions, and set and achieve goals.

Networking: Mentors can introduce mentees to valuable contacts within their industry or field, 

expanding their professional network.

Skill Development: They help mentees develop specific skills and competencies relevant to their area of interest or career.

Feedback: Mentors provide constructive feedback and critique, helping mentees improve their performance and self-awareness.

Emotional Support: They offer encouragement, motivation, and a listening ear during difficult times.

Accountability: Mentors hold mentees accountable for their goals and commitments, ensuring they stay on track.

Ten Books Everyone Should Read:

1. The Bible - the best-selling book of all time tells the story of sin and redemption, the story of mankind, of despair and hope. It is quite literally the story of our lives.

2. Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill - this is arguably the best personal development and wealth building book of all time. It belongs on everyone's bookshelf.

3. How to Read a Book by Mortimer Adler - this book will teach you to do just what the title promises - read a book for all it is worth so you come out the best you can be at the end.

4. As a Man Thinketh by James Allen - this book will ground you in the belief that whatever you believe you become. Based on the bible verse that teaches us the same principle: We are what we think.

5. The Richest Man in Babylon by George Clason. Written in parables, this is a classic on thrift, 

financial planning, and personal wealth. Everyone needs to read this book.

6. The Lessons of History by William James Durant. This book gives insight as good as any book on the changes that have taken place over time in economics, politics, military customs and more. 

Very insightful.

7. The Story of Philosophy by William James Durant. In this book, Durant summarizes the lives and influence of philosophy's greatest thinkers. This is very important for us, as we know that our philosophy determines how we live and what we achieve.

8. Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey

9. Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki

10. The 360 Degree Leader by John C. Maxwell

I believe all our experiences both the joy and sadness, the failure and the success can be package into products for community benefit.

I wish You Great Success.

Competency Skills

Competency based interviewing is a style of interviewing used to enable a candidate to demonstrate certain behaviors/skills in a working setting. The basis of this being that past behavior can be a good indicator of future behavior. A competency is now something that can be measured.

You will be asked to provide an example of a task or situation in which you have demonstrated a 

certain behavior or attribute. You will then be asked probing questions to establish what actions you took and the results of those actions, and the effects of those actions on other people.

You should remember that the language that you use in answering these questions is crucial. You 

should use language such as “I” did this or “I” did that rather than using the word “we”. The potential employer is interested and concerned with what you did not what the team did.

For example, for a Business Analyst an organization may be looking for competencies such as analytical skills, business understanding, and communication skills both written and verbal.

The best approach to adopt when answering competency style questions is called the STAR model. This will enable you to structure your answer in a clear, logical and concise fashion.

Situation – Describe the situation you were faced with (ideally a recent example)

Task - What did you have to do?

Action – What were the actions that you took and why?

Results – Outline the outcome.

Preparing for a competency-based interview.

First of all, know your CV.

You must know exactly what is written on your CV; after all it’s about you. Forgetting what you did in a certain job or when you were there is simply unforgivable! It will also create a very bad impression.

You should then review the job description to try to identify what competencies the organization is looking for.

You should think of concrete, tangible examples to demonstrate the behaviors / attribute that they 

are looking for.

It is always a good idea to practice answering competency-based questions with a friend.

Example Questions:

What were the most recent important decisions that you have had to make?

Tell me about a difficult decision you have made?

Tell me when you have had to make an unpopular decision?

Some comments as to the reason the questions are asked, and the responses expected.

1. "Tell me about yourself."

The interviewer is really saying, "I want to hear you talk."

This is a loosener but it is a common question so your response can stay the same. Write a script and rehearse it so it sounds impromptu. Spend a maximum of 4 minutes describing your qualifications, career history and your range of skills, emphasizing those skills relevant to the job on offer.

2. “What have been your achievements to date?"

The interviewer is asking, "Are you an achiever?"

Again, this is a common question, so be prepared. Select an achievement that is work-related and 

fairly recent. Identify the skills you used, the resulting achievement and quantify the benefit. 

For example: "My greatest achievement has been to design and implement a new sales ledger computer system -bring it in ahead of time and improve our debtors' position significantly, saving the company £50,000 per month in interest."

3. "What is your greatest weakness?" The interviewer is really asking about your self-perception and level of self-awareness.

This is another standard question for which you can be well prepared. Don't say you have none - this will guarantee that you have further problems. You have two options: use a professed weakness such as a lack of experience (not a lack of ability) in an area that is not vital for the job; or describe a personal or professional weakness, that could also be considered a strength, and the steps you have taken to combat it. 

An example would be: "I know my team think I'm too demanding at times - I tend to drive them pretty hard but I'm getting much better at using the carrot and not the stick." Do not select a personal weakness! 

such as: "I'm not a morning person - I'm much better as the day goes on."

I wish You Great Success.

Reading Skills

"You're the same today as you'll be in five years except for the people you meet and the books you read.".....Jones

Isn't it interesting that most homes valued over $250,000 have a library?

You can open up a new world with a simple visit to your local library or bookstore.

So why is reading important?

1. Reading opens up new worlds. Reading allows you to travel far away and experience different cultures, religions, places and people, and all through the pages of a wonderful book. At a fraction of the cost of actually going there 

2. Reading challenges you. Sometimes we think we know it all. We think we have a tremendous grasp on a certain topic. But then, we read something that challenges us. It makes sense. It takes our preconceived ideas and shreds them. It pokes holes in our theories. It takes us on a line of reasoning we hadn't considered. And we are better for it, because someone took the time to expose us to something new--through his or her writing.

3. Reading opens up new ideas. There are so many ideas we have never even heard or considered. Yet, by picking up a little book, we can be confronted with ideas that can revolutionize the world around us. These are ideas that can change your finances, your family, your work, your attitude - your life! Reading allows you to receive ideas galore!

4. Reading reinforces our beliefs. We can open a book written by someone special, and as we read we remember why we believed in the first place. The book lays the groundwork of the thoughts we have. It reinforces our logic. It makes us strong and reminds us of who we are.

5. Reading allows you to interact with the greatest minds. You could gain incredible insights into the minds and ideas of people like George Washington, Martin Luther King Jr., Winston Churchill, Mother Theresa, and Aristotle just by opening a book. Imagine being able to delve deeply into philosophy, politics, religion and more, with the greatest minds that have ever lived...all inside a book.

Over the centuries books have brought hope to the masses. They have paved the way for rulers both good and evil. Books have been destroyed - burned and shredded - by the powers that be. Books have brought down cruel nations and rulers and obliterated social structures that have outlived their usefulness. They have inspired the individual. They have shared the private thoughts of the rich and the poor. They have shown us the way - the way to live and the way not to live.

Reading is truly at the center of the term "personal development." That should tell us something!

 

Some thoughts on Developing a Reading Plan.

Do it daily and regularly. 

Set aside time each day. 

15 minutes each day is better than an hour a week.

Make sure it gets done at the same time each day.

Prepare your mind, so it can absorb the information.

Prepare the atmosphere, choose an atmosphere that is conducive. 

Keep a journal. Take the time to write down what you are learning and how you can apply it.

Choose a variety of books. Don't just read one genre. Rotate through different books. 

Interact with the authors as you read. 

Ask questions and then continue reading to see if they are answered. 

If you disagree, write it down. Write down examples of how the principles work or don't work. 

Make your reading as interactive as you can.

Read things that you might disagree with. 

Pick up a book by authors whose viewpoints you know you will disagree with. 

Tips for Improving your Reading Speed.

1. Read, read, read. Just like any task, the more you do it, the faster you can get.

2. Develop your vocabulary. The better you know the language, the easier it will be for you to read faster.

3. Don't move your lips while you read. It slows you down.

4. Don't make any noises while you read. It is your subconscious trying to read with you and it slows you down.

5. Don't read each word individually. That slows you down. Read groups of words together and your mind puts them together in logical order.

6. Sweep your hand gently and quickly through the middle section of the page and read as you go. Start slowly, practicing, and go faster and faster until you reach your highest rate.

This can be a stretching exercise.

Above all: Do it. Go to the store. Buy books. Read them! Because the books you don't read can't help you!

I wish You Great Success.

Interview Skills

There are five things that every candidate should know prior to setting foot in an interview:

1. The importance of enthusiasm

2. How to open the interview

3. How to sell their strong points and strengthen their weaknesses

4. How to talk about salary

5. How to close the interview

The importance of enthusiasm

Showing enthusiasm and energy at an interview is vital. Currently there are fewer job openings than people looking, so it is quite common that the most qualified individual will not be offered a job because they do not covey the enthusiasm, excitement, or sense of urgency that a company is looking for. Leave an interview conveying strong desire, energy, and enthusiasm to work for that company. You should leave having the interviewer thinking you really want the job.

Selling your strengths and strengthening your weaknesses

No matter how qualified or confident a person is, an interview is a stressful situation. It's filled with questions that can catch a candidate off guard or trick him into providing information that he 

did not wish to divulge. Also, candidates forget their strengths during interviews. Write down and 

learn specific achievements that you are proud of. This will help you verbalize their strengths in 

an interview and they will come across as strong, capable candidates.

Speaking of salary…don’t!

During the interview, when the question of salary arises, try to answer the question in the following manner:

"I'm very interested in this opportunity, and at this time, my salary requirements are open and negotiable."

Putting a price tag on yourself can be potentially fatal. It can lead to two serious problems. First, 

asking for too much money can stop an interview in its tracks. The interviewer might not realize that there is flexibility in that number and negotiation is always an option. Second, by asking for less money than what would be generally offered, a candidate has put a price tag on themselves and negotiating for more money in the future becomes very difficult. By answering the salary question in the above manner, a candidate has left room for negotiation and a better chance at being invited back for a second interview or getting an offer.

Ending the interview: The final question

You will have one last chance to sell yourself and one final question that you need to ask:

"Mr. Smith, I want to thank you for taking time to meet with me today. I want you to know that I am very interested and excited about this opportunity. In your opinion, do my skills meet the requirements that you are looking for?"

This is a very important question, because it allows you to know exactly where you stand at the end of the interview. You ideally want to hear the interviewer say yes. If the interviewer says yes, then you should ask what the next step will be and to let the agency know the feedback. This is their last chance for you to sell your skills and show that you are capable to excel at this job.

I wish You Great Success.

Effective Learning

As a progressive and evolving being, man is where he is that he may learn that he may grow; and as he learns the spiritual lesson which any circumstance contains for him, it passes away and gives place to other circumstances. - As A Man Thinketh

No situation can be difficult of itself; it is the lack of insight into its intricacies, and the absence of 

wisdom in dealing with it, which give rise to the difficulty.

Learning is the beginning of wealth. Learning is the beginning of health. 

Learning is the beginning of spirituality. Searching and learning is where the miracle process all begins. 

First, we need to understand that we possess the ability to improve and accelerate our learning curve.

The Most Effective Steps to Learning:

1. Get your mind in the right state

2. Take in the information

3. Explore the subject deeply

4. Memorize the information

5. Test yourself to show that you really know it 

6. Take time to reflect

Now let's take a brief look at how to accelerate your learning:

Here are five tips for accelerating your learning.

1. Apply the sequence of the process above. That is the key. Use these proven steps to put you on track for learning.

2. Make your learning regular. That is, do it on schedule. Your mind will get used to learning and become extremely efficient at it if you will train your mind to learn.

3. Be methodical. The best way to accelerate your learning is to do it every day. The person who progressively learns something every day for 30 days, applying the process above will be much better off than the person who learns nothing for 27 days and then crams for 3 days. 

4. Focus on doing most of the learning in your main learning style. That is your strength, it is safe to say that when you are learning in the way you learn best, you will learn faster.

5. Work with a partner. Learn together. Challenge one another. Stretch one another. Compete with one another. Test one another. And of course, encourage one another.

Individuals should also perform a Self-SWOT analysis to identify intrinsic qualities (strengths and weaknesses) that may help or hinder them in the workplace, as well as external issues (opportunities and threats) that may work for or against them as they attempt to climb the corporate ladder.

You can accelerate your learning. It just takes a little practice and learning of some new skills. Be encouraged, your mind is capable of tremendous things, and when you get into the flow of learning, you will grow in ways you have never grown before!

 "Inch by inch it is a cinch." ......True words of Robert Schuler

I wish You Great Success.

Leadership Master

Leadership mastery refers to achieving a high level of proficiency and effectiveness in leadership roles. It involves developing and honing a comprehensive set of skills, traits, and behaviors that enable leaders to inspire, motivate, and guide individuals or teams toward shared goals and objectives.

Leadership begins with understanding what you want to take care of. Identify what matters to you deeply. When you care about something, others will trust you as a leader. It’s not enough to be in charge; true leadership involves commitment to a shared future.

Good Communication - Great leaders are those who can take the vision they have and communicate it in ways that their followers can easily understand, internalize and own. Many leaders have great vision but fail to lead their organizations anywhere. Vision that is only kept in your mind is not vision, but a dream. 

Vision communicated clearly, memorably and passionately, so that people can grasp it and follow, is what will take your group, whether large or small, to the next level and beyond. A leader needs to be able to inspire others with their vision.

Mastery in communication involves active listening, empathy, clarity, and persuasiveness. Leaders communicate effectively with individuals at all levels of the organization, fostering trust and transparency.

The Ability to Delegate - Great leaders know that they cannot do it all on their own. They may be able to do a lot on their own, but they will never achieve the powerful impact that is possible until they learn to delegate, and then choose to do so. There is an old proverb that says, "One can put 1,000 to flight and 2 can put 10,000 to flight." 

When we delegate to capable people, we increase our effectiveness and impact exponentially. Unfortunately, too many leaders do not attain greatness because they refuse to let anyone else do anything. 

Mastery in leadership involves empowering others, fostering autonomy, and delegating authority effectively. Leaders trust their team members, provide support and resources, and encourage ownership and accountability.

The Ability to Teach - When you look at great leaders of history you see men and women who are able to teach. Christ, the greatest leader in history primarily led people by teaching them with stories. He knew that he would have to transfer concepts to his followers that they could remember and apply. 

In fact, they called him "teacher".

Leaders invest in the growth and development of their team members through coaching, mentorship, and feedback. They recognize and cultivate talent, foster a culture of continuous learning, and support career advancement.

 A good example of a modern-day business leader who used teaching is Jack Welch at General Electric. When Welch began leading GE, it had a market cap of 4 billion dollars. Before he retired, it had reached as high as 400 billion dollars.

The Ability to Set Goals - The leader is also responsible for setting the goals of the organization.

They must determine what the team will shoot for. They need to be big enough to stretch the followers but realistic enough so as not to discourage them. 

The leader must also set strategy and plot the map to get there. Managers can take care of the rest, but the leader is responsible for giving the general strategic direction.

Leadership mastery is not a destination but an ongoing pursuit of excellence.

I wish You Great Success.

Profitable Business

Anyone, from newbie to seasoned leader and marketer, can benefit from going through proven series of steps. No matter where you are in your business, it always pays to revisit the basics and make sure you're doing everything possible to grow your business to be as good as it can possibly be.

Here are the main traits for a Profitable Business:

1. Tough Mental State. Leaders face tough situations and need to be able to stay focused. A tough mental state is essential. You want people who eat hard times for breakfast, because they will inevitably be called to do so!

2. Tenacity. Again, they will face hard times and obstacles head on, so they need a high "capacity for tenacity!" As Robert Schuler says, "When the Going Gets Tough the Tough Get Going."

3. A Desire to Rise Above the Status Quo. Leaders never think in terms of average. They have no desire to be average. They see themselves higher, they want to be higher, and they are willing to do what it takes to rise above the crowd.

4. Takes Responsibility. Notice I didn't say "accepts responsibility." Good followers will say, "okay," when assigned a task. Leaders look ahead and ask you if they can take projects on. This is key to finding people who want to lead - they take on additional responsibilities and then deliver!

A brief overview of the steps you need to take in order to grow a profitable business:

1. Find a hungry niche market -- BEFORE you decide what to sell

2. Write compelling salescopy that draws in your visitors

3. Design a winning site that converts visitors into buyers

4. Use the power of email marketing to keep in touch with your visitors... and turn them into buyers!

5. Grow your business by selling new products to your existing customer base

Remember, you can always increase your skills. Even if you just increase them a little bit, you will increase your effectiveness and your impact significantly. Even the smallest of change in a trajectory will mean a large change in distance

I wish You Great Success.

Core Leadership

Character is core to leadership,

"What is character?"

Here are a few definitions of character:

1. Strength of mind; resolution; independence; individuality

2. Moral or ethical strength

3. Who you are when no one else is around

In other words, a person of good character is a person who has a strong moral base and acts on it. They have the core inner strength, fortitude and determination to do what is right, whether anyone else is there to validate it or not. They operate out of what is good and right, not out of personal expedience.

Essential Traits of Good Character are Integrity, Honesty and Loyalty. 

A person of good character shows that they can give up personal gain for the good of the whole.

Let us focus on self-control, sacrifice and accountability.

Self-Sacrifice: What is it about self-sacrifice that breeds followers? Followers do not 

mind putting in the hard work. They don't even mind a leader making more money or reaping benefits from their work. What followers do mind though, is when the leader is using them for his or her own personal gain. People of good character do not use other people--period. So, when leader shows sacrifice of personal gain, it says to the followers that he or she is willing to come along side of them - and followers reward that almost universally. 

Accountability: The need for accountability doesn't prove lack of character. Rather, 

it proves the presence of character. Followers are growing tired of those leaders who will have nothing to do with accountability. They do not mind leaders who make mistakes. They do mind leaders who will not take responsibility for those mistakes by being accountable. When we allow ourselves to be held accountable, our followers know that we are serious about keeping our own house in order and thus will do a good job in leading the rest of the organization.

Self-control: The ability to make decisions - good decisions. There will be plenty of options to participate in things that are not moral. Everybody has temptations, but the person of good character knows well enough to exercise self-control, literal control over his or her choices. When people do not exercise self-control, they sabotage their ability to lead. People lose respect for them and will follow less, if at all. 

Self-control is the ability to choose to do the things we should and to refrain from doing the things we shouldn't. When we exhibit self-control we again build trust in our followers. They respect us and want to follow us.

I wish You Great Success.

The Essentials: Effective Presentations.

Yes, we need to hit the mind with our message, but we also need to stir the heart with passion. 

The leader who is only rational will have bored followers who aren't inspired to go anywhere. 

The leader who is only emotional will have excited followers who do not know where to go! 

It takes both. Help them see the big picture.

1. Have a goal: Are you there to inspire? Encourage? Challenge? Comfort? Motivate? Deliver bad news? Good news? 

Is it just informational? Are you trying to motivate them to action? If you know where you are going and where you want to take the audience, you can then work back from there and create your presentation. Like Stephen Covey's old axiom, "Begin with the end in mind." Be sure to know your goal.

2. Keep it simple: Be yourself - take slow deep breaths you don't have to be someone else. One mistake many people make is in trying to emulate the style of another person. This rarely, if ever, works. Why? Because you are not that person! Be yourself. That is, who others are expecting.

You can be simple and be very good at the same time. So be sure to keep it simple. 

Remember the world would not fall apart if you do a rotten job.

3. Be passionate about your topic: People want to see that you are passionate about your topic. Aristotle said that there are three areas integral to persuasion: logic, ethics and passion. You need to be a person of good character, have logical reasoning, and say it with passion. Also, be optimistic. Napoleon said, "Leaders are dealers in hope." As presenters, we pull people in and bring them along by giving them hope. 

Be sure to let your passion and optimism come through! Understand that you are your own worst critic.

4. Balance the format of your information: Use facts and figures and use stories. Include lecture as well as audience participation. In this day and age, with waning attention spans, we do well to change up the format on regular intervals. People are used to modern media which makes single person speaking a tough act. Be sure to use different formats in your presentation.

5. Tell stories: The best way to start with a crowd is to make them laugh, the audience becomes more relax and receptive. The joke does not have to be related to the topic. Stories are things that people can connect with. They can remember them. They see them in pictures. What would you be most apt to remember two weeks after hearing a speaker: The exact percentages of his or her statistics, or a well-told story? Be sure to build stories into your presentation so people remember the points you want them to remember.

6. Mastery of your material: This is the foundation of an effective presentation: It tells people 

you are serious about the topic, that you care about it, and you are qualified to speak to them about it. Fear comes from wondering if you will make a mistake, know your material. You will feel more comfortable and will come across as very credible. Audiences are looking for credibility, be sure to know your material.

7. Timing: Focus on the first five minutes, this time is critical as it allows you to settle and get 

comfortable. One of the skills of an effective presenter is that they can craft their presentation to 

fit the allotted time and then discipline themselves to stay within that time frame. Starting on time 

and ending on time will show people that you respect their time. Speakers/leaders shoot themselves in the foot by not finishing on time. Be sure to always stay within your time limits and leave your audience wanting more!

 

I believe leaders and almost anyone can become a better speaker and presenter if they practice their skill. It doesn't require a tremendous amount of advanced training, either. Just mastering the basics will take you to the next level and allow you to become a much more effective communicator.

I wish You Great Success.

The Choices We Face

Our ultimate life objective should be to create as much as our talent and ability and desire will permit. The greatest rewards are always reserved for those who bring great value to themselves and the world around them.

Finding your purpose helps defines your burning desire, your purpose should be good, fun and focused.

Your purpose is when you do more than you have the immediate capacity to do because you know and you have faith, that it is going to pay off.

Your purpose is when every single morning you wake up with a fresh new idea and you know your turn is coming.

A quick way to define your purpose:

1. Write down the activities that you enjoy

2. See if any of these activities can make you a living.

Each of us has a choice to be all or to be less or to be nothing at all.

The first choice we can make is to be less than we have the capacity to be. To earn less. To have less. 

To read less and think less. To try less and discipline ourselves less.

The second choice is to do it all! To become all that we can possibly be. To read every book 

that we possibly can. To earn as much as we possibly can. To give, lead and share as much as we 

possibly can. To strive and produce and accomplish as much as we possibly can.

Results are the best measurement of human progress. Not conversation. Not explanation. 

Not justification. Results! And if our results are less than our potential then our choice is clear

With the right choice it is important to clarify and nullify the myths facing potential leaders:

The position myth: "I cannot lead if I am not at the top."

The destination myth: "When I get to the top, then I will learn to lead."

The Influence myth: "If I were on top, then people would follow me."

The Inexperience myth: "When I get to the top I will be in control."

The freedom myth: "When I get to the top I will no longer be limited."

The potential myth: "I cannot reach my potential if I am not the top leader."

The all-or-nothing myth: "If I cannot get to the top, then I would not try to lead."

These are all negative belief system, you can lead from wherever you are; 

Why not do all that we can, every moment that we can, the best that we can, for as long as we can?

I wish You Great Success.

The Ultimate Communicator

Although you can play a game of chess with rules, you cannot write a poem with one. 

Your creativity will take you to levels you cannot get to with rules, always strive to develop your USP (Unique Selling Preposition)

Communication is not one direction. It goes both ways. To become an effective 

communicator, you must be a good listener. Once you know what your "audience" wants, you are better able to communicate to them. You should care about the people with whom you communicate. Talk with them, not to them. People don't want you to talk at them. They want to communicate. Think about it: the root word is "commune." It means to live and share together. This is what we do when we communicate together--we share words and ideas. This means we must care about the people we are communicating with. We should be interested in their needs and desires.

Focus on clarity: The most effective communication is clear communication. Many speakers believe that they should be as ambiguous as possible--but that is not what makes them effective! The 

important principle is clarity. Do they (your audience) understand your message? Be as clear and 

concise as you can. Never go any longer than it takes to make the communication as clear as it needs to be.

In order to be effective, communication must be done over and over again. Very rarely will you be able to communicate something just once and have someone or some group walk away with full understanding. It just doesn't happen that way. You need to do it often and with varied ways. This is what will make it most effective.

Improve your vocabulary, pronunciation and spelling: When people hear you or read what you have written, they look for class and style. This can often be noticed through your vocabulary, your pronunciation, and your spelling. If you want to be more effective, then focus on improving in these areas. 

A key phrase is that our vocabulary directly affects the way we both view and interpret the world around us. If we have a small vocabulary, it limits our ability to define or communicate what we 

see, feel and hear. The larger the vocabulary, the better our ability to relate.

You can become an effective communicator! Start with improving the fundamentals and you will get better. Once you have mastered the fundamentals - and very few have - then you can start on the 

advanced areas and become a world-class speaker!

I wish You Great Success.

The Fundamentals of Effective Communication.

Success is heavily dependent upon our ability to communicate.

Improving your ability to communicate will be one of the most important things you will ever do.

One of the easiest ways to improve your communication is to start by working and improving on 

the fundamentals.

Communication is powerful - The Bible says, "The tongue has the power of life and death." 

This is true, the ability to communicate is a powerful responsibility. You have within you the 

incredible power of communication. You can create tremendous things in your life if you communicate effectively. The knowledge of communication combined with a good heart is the first step in 

unleashing an incredible force!

Communication must be purposeful. In order to be effective. In order to become an effective communicator, you should know what you want to communicate, when you want to communicate, and how you want to communicate. Decide what kind of communication will enhance your life and your environment, and then plan your communication steps.

What you say must match what you do. Remember, people watch what you do, not just what you say. 

What you do always outweighs what you say. If you say one thing and do another, people will follow what you do.

Improve the Big Two Speaking and Writing: When it comes to communication, these are the Big Two 

that everyone can improve upon--speaking and writing. For every one step that you take to increase

your ability to speak and write, you will improve your desired position two steps. Just set your 

sights on the next level above where you are now. Once you get there, then continue to work to the next level.

Here are a few tips on becoming a better speaker and writer:

Becoming a better speaker:

Join Toastmasters

Take a college course on public speaking.

Give a speech in front of a mirror.

Just speak - wherever you can.

Becoming a better writer:

Keep a journal.

Join a writing club.

Have people who are more skilled than you help edit (critique) your letters and emails.

Take a college course on writing.

Write that book you've been thinking about

Becoming a better speaker and writer will be based on three things: doing it, getting feedback, 

and acting on that feedback.

I wish You Great Success. 

Outsourcing Trends

Always be consistent in your actions, but make sure that the things you stand today are the things you can stand in 10years time.

There is no one way, there are many ways, and the more you add to the mix, the more powerful and stable your business becomes.

Outsourcing Trends:

Nearshoring and Onshoring: Companies are increasingly considering outsourcing partners in nearby or domestic locations to address issues related to time zones and cultural alignment.

Robotic Process Automation (RPA): The integration of automation technologies, including robotic process automation, is becoming more common in outsourcing arrangements.

Cloud-Based Outsourcing: Cloud computing is facilitating more flexible and scalable outsourcing arrangements, allowing businesses to access services remotely.

Outcome-Based Models: Some outsourcing agreements are shifting towards outcome-based models where payment is tied to specific results or performance metrics.

Focus on Cybersecurity: With the increasing importance of data security, there is a growing emphasis on incorporating cybersecurity measures into outsourcing agreements.

6. Effective Outsourcing Management:

Regular Monitoring: Regularly monitor the performance of outsourcing partners to ensure they 

meet agreed-upon standards.

Communication and Collaboration: Foster open communication and collaboration between internal 

teams and external service providers.

Continuous Improvement: Encourage continuous improvement by providing feedback and working collaboratively to enhance processes and outcomes.

Risk Management: Implement strategies for mitigating risks related to data security, 

quality issues, and potential disruptions.

Adaptability: Be adaptable and responsive to changes in the business environment, adjusting 

outsourcing strategies as needed.

The name of the game is to know what you stand for - stand for it - and act today until you meet your objective. The problem is that the negativity and rejection you get all the time affects even the strongest willed person and he will occasionally have moments of doubt.

But if you can pay yourself along the way and validate what you do as the right thing, you will meet your goals . . .Then you are on the path to great success.

I wish You Success.

Educators and Consultants

Educators and Consultants are viewed differently. Let's take a look at each and the benefits that come from positioning yourself in these ways.

The Educator: What does an educator do? He or she teaches others. They are perceived as helping others learn so they can make their own decisions. Rather than saying, "I sell cars to people," when describing your work, say, "I educate people on the car industry and the choices they 

can make to improve their lives or business." There is a big difference. Who wants to get sold? 

No one. Who wants to learn? Everyone! Position yourself as an educator. Tell people you are in 

the education business.

The Consultant: What does a consultant do? He or she consults. The perception of a consultant is that they are a third party. The idea here is to position yourself as one who consults with people who would like to know and be educated about their options. You work on behalf of the customer. 

That is key. You work for the customer as a consultant. You help them see all of their options so they can make an informed decision. Who wants to be sold? No one. Who wants to see all of their options? Everyone! Position yourself as a consultant. Tell people you are in the consulting business.

Now let's take a look at listening skills. It is a firm fact that if you will listen, and ask good questions, the customer will tell you what they want. Yes, your job as a salesperson is to first and foremost listen.

Here are 14 tips for becoming a better listener. These tips will serve you well in sales - and in life:

1. Keep eye contact with the person speaking. Don't look around.

2. Focus on what they are saying. Allow your brain to process it, so you understand.

3. Avoid emotional responses. Don't get mad or sad at what they say.

4. Don't get distracted. Don't let your mind wander or give your attention elsewhere in the room. 

5. Ask mental questions. Be thinking and interacting with the information you are hearing.

6. Use your body language to show you are listening. Don't slump. Sit straight - just like your 

mother taught you!

7. Nod your head to show that you understand them.

8. Keep your body open - don't fold your arms. That signals that you are closed off to what they are saying.

9. Lean toward the speaker. This shows engagement.

10. Ask questions to clarify. You want to make sure that what you are hearing is what they are intending to communicate.

11. Don't make assumptions. Hear what they say and take it at face value.

12. Paraphrase what you hear them saying. Say it back to them.

13. Restate the key points or issues. This will make sure you are on the same page.

14. Listen without interrupting. Let them finish. Interrupting says, "What I have to say is more important than what you have to say."

I wish You Success.