Thursday, February 21, 2013

COMPETITION ... and Business Success

YOU'VE LIKELY COME ACROSS a number of situations in business that have challenged your skills and tested your courage! Through that process, you've learned a number of valuable lessons that have continued to guide you through subsequent challenging times.

Congratulations!

Would you be willing to share some of those lessons and thoughts with our audience?

Here is your opportunity to ADD a few comments, tips or suggestions to assist others in a number of KEY ASPECTS that will impact their business and help them realize their own BUSINESS SUCCESS!

What suggestions or input would you offer to help a fellow entrepreneur when it comes to facing their COMPETITION?

Here are a few suggestions from us to assist with your response:
  • "WHAT" should someone be aware of when it comes to this area of their business?

  • "WHY" is it so important?

  • "HOW" can the entrepreneur find success in this aspect of their business?

Thanks in advance for adding your comments!
(Remember - they don't need to be long to make a BIG difference.)

* Be sure to add your contact information to your response so that we can let others in our circle of contacts know how to reach you!

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

The PINNACLE of SUCCESS

May the 'road' ahead be gentle and smooth ... and the heights of your SUCCESS continue to rise as you travel your 'life-path' with family and friends.

Many years ago I read an outstanding book called, “See You At The Top” by a wonderful speaker named, Zig Ziglar. It’s a book I would highly recommend to ANYONE who aspires to be successful in ANY profession that involves the sale of ANY product or service, pitching ANY concept or idea, to ANY other human being. (Yes, I think it’s that good!)

I understand that Mr. Ziglar recently passed away. And while that undoubtedly brings sadness to his family and
many friends, they can be very proud of the significant role he had in the SUCCESS of so many people. There are many people, likely millions, who benefitted from the wisdom that he shared over the years with people around the world. (And yes, I would be one of them too. Thank you Mr. Ziglar.)

The other day I came across a post that a friend wrote as a tribute to Mr. Ziglar, and with his permission I'm re-posting it here. I trust you’ll enjoy this as we wish you 'the BEST of Success' on your journey!

Here are some great thoughts from my friend, Bill Butler:
PINNACLE is the HEIGHT of SUCCESS.

Zig Ziglar REACHED the PINNACLE, in LIFE and BUSINESS.

He said, “The DEPTH of your SPIRIT determines the HEIGHT of your SUCCESS.”.

Today, I DEDICATE this post to the memory of Zig Ziglar, who started out as a little guy from a little town, who went on to MOTIVATE MILLIONS… and whose LEGACY LIVES on to INSPIRE people to MOVE from MEDIOCRITY to METEORITY.

Zig attributes P.C. Merrell of Charlotte, North Carolina, the President of a cookware company, for providing the EXHORTATION to EXCELLENCE.

“Zig, there is NO DOUBT in my mind if you REALLY went to WORK, and started BELIEVING in YOURSELF, you could go ALL THE WAY to the TOP.”.

Zig not only made it to the PINNACLE, he laid out the STEPPING STONES for all to PRACTICE PRINCIPLES OF PEAK PERFORMANCE and MEANINGFUL MEASURES that REALIZE RESULTS.

In short, they are to THINK, ACT, VIEW yourself, and PERFORM as a CHAMPION.
INCREMENTALLY INCREASING IMPROVEMENTS in these areas turns LIFE’S LEMONS into LEMONADE.

Here are a few of Zig’s famous quotations:

~ ABILITY can take you to the TOP but it takes CHARACTER to keep you there.”.
~ ATTITUDE determines your ALTITUDE.
~ CONFIDENCE is going after Moby Dick in a rowboat and taking the tartar sauce with you.
~ EXPECT the best. PREPARE for the worst. CAPITALIZE on what comes.
~ FAILURE is a DETOUR, not a dead-end street.
~ There has NEVER been a statue erected to honor a CRITIC.
~ You have to BE before you can do, and do before you can have.


The PINNACLE of any career is ACHIEVED through DEDICATION, DESIRE, DETERMINATION, DILIGENCE, DISCIPLINE, DRIVE and DYNAMISM.

The PINNACLE is the CREAM OF THE CROP….

Here are some Zig Ziglar books I recommend:

~ Better Than Good: Creating A Life You Can’t Wait To Live.
~ Born To Win: Find Your Success Code.
~ Conversations With My Dog.
~ God’s Way Is Still The Best Way.
~ See You At The Top (orig. Biscuits, Fleas & Pump Handles).
~ Selling 101: What Every Successful Sales Professional Needs To Know.
~ Top Performance: How To Develop Excellence In Yourself and Others.
             (My website has links to these books... www.williambutler.ca)

"Zig" means…
Zenith In GREATNESS (God Reflected EXCELLENT Attitude That Never Ever Stops Shining).

"PINNACLE" means…
Personally I Nicely Negotiate All Challenging Life Experiences

Zig Ziglar, I am so proud of you. 
SEE you at the TOP!


Thank you very much Bill Butler ... This is an outstanding post and a very fitting tribute to Mr. Zig Ziglar. I appreciate your permission to repost these comments here.  

Readers can find more great comments from Bill Butler on his Facebook page, or at his website: www.williambutler.ca

PLEASE - Feel free to add your comments - perhaps you've got a favourite Zig Ziglar quote or motivational thought to share. We'll look forward to hearing from you!

Friday, February 01, 2013

MONEY and SUCCESS ...

 We frequently think of SUCCESS in terms of having a lot of MONEY, don't we? 

This past year, my wife and I have been leading a group of people in our community through a money management program. 

(Side note: We also have managed to hang wall paper together without getting into a heated argument, but that's another story!) 

Through the course, we've been challenged to re-examine areas of our own financial priorities, spending options and how we make financial decisions. 

In preparing for the program, I came across a report entitled, “Financial harmony: A key component of successful marriage relationship”, by Washburn and Christensen. In it, the authors include the following citation:  
The economic status of the couple does not seem to make a difference in most relationships. Having a lot of money is not a guarantee that finances will NOT be an issue, nor does living in poverty. However, the discussion and managing of the money will make the difference in the relationships (Goldsmith 2006).

Isn't that so much like what we see around us? It reminded me of the quip, 
"Rich or poor, it's nice to have money!" 

In my opinion, the amount of money coming in is not as important as the amount of money that remains after paying all of the bills. Cash flow is critical to keeping the 'wolves' away from the door.  As has been said before, 
“When your OUTFLOW exceeds your INFLOW your UPKEEP becomes your DOWNFALL."


HOWEVER - What is MOST IMPORTANT ... is NOT how much you HAVE ...
... but what you've BECOME, in getting what you have.

What are your comments on the relationship between MONEY and SUCCESS?